Switzerland pulled off a massive upset Saturday at the World Championship, defeating Canada in the semifinals 3-2 to advance to the gold-medal game against Sweden on Sunday.
Swiss goaltender Leonardo Genoni was sensational, making 44 saves and leaving a Canadian squad full of NHL stars shaking their heads as they went to the bench after each failed scoring attempt.
In the crease opposite Genoni, Darcy Kuemper's performance was lackluster. He allowed three goals on just 16 shots.
The Swiss offense was stuck in neutral in the third period, as it had only one shot compared to Canada's 18. That lone shot - a redirect from Gaetan Haas on a wrister that was going wide - turned out to be the game-winning goal.
Despite the one-sided final frame, Switzerland weathered the storm in its own end. Canada got within a goal after Colton Parayko's tally with two minutes left, but no closer.
This marks the first time in four years that the Canadians won't play for gold at the worlds. They'll take on the United States at 9:45 a.m. ET on Sunday for the bronze medal.
Burakovsky's been a non-factor, registering zero points in six playoff games. Chiasson hasn't exactly been lighting it up, but he's been used by Trotz much more frequently, tallying one goal and one assist across 15 games.
With the series tied 2-2, Game 5 is set for 7:15 p.m. ET at Amalie Arena.
Marian Hossa, a veteran of 19 NHL seasons, announced the end of his playing career Saturday.
"I'm done playing hockey," he told Slovak newspaper Novy cas, as translated by NHL.com. "I have a contract with Chicago for the next three years, but I have to watch my health, and my body says the comeback is not possible."
Hossa missed the 2017-18 season due to a progressive skin disorder and the side effects of the medication used to treat it.
"Before the season, the NHL sent me to a clinic in Minneapolis to see a specialist who confirmed that it's impossible to play hockey when using those (anti-allergic) medicaments," he said. "I have to be aware of what might happen and I don't want to get back to the state I had been in during the previous seasons."
It's unclear what will happen with the remaining three years of Hossa's contract, as the Blackhawks could again place him on long-term injured reserve, or even possibly trade him.
"Let's see how this is done in the club," he said. "Maybe my contract changes to another club, I can not say yet, or I will stay on the list of injured players."
Slovak publication Dennik Sport recently reported that Hossa was planning to meet with Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz and president John McDonough to discuss a potential new role within the organization, according to The Athletic's Scott Powers.
"I can only do it after the expiration of the contract," Hossa said. "I have already talked to the boss of the club, so it's real that after three years I will work in the Chicago organization."
One of the best two-way forwards of his generation, Hossa finishes his career with 1,134 points in 1,309 games. He spent seven years with the Ottawa Senators to begin his career before a blockbuster trade sent him to Atlanta in exchange for Dany Heatley. After brief stints in Pittsburgh and Detroit, where he helped both teams reach the Stanley Cup Final, he joined the Chicago Blackhawks, with whom he spent the last eight seasons of his career, winning three Stanley Cups.
Sweden earned a 6-0 shutout victory over Team USA at the World Championship on Saturday, advancing to Sunday's gold medal game.
The Americans got off to a solid start, but the game was seemingly always Sweden's to lose, as the Tre kronor dominated play at both ends of the ice.
Swedish goaltender Anders Nilsson was rock solid, turning aside all 21 shots he faced.
The team's offensive charge was led by Viktor Arvidsson, who registered two goals, including a first-period tally that held up as the game-winner. Adrian Kempe, Patric Hornqvist, Magnus Paajarvi, and Mattias Janmark also chipped in with goals.
American netminder Keith Kinkaid made 12 saves on 16 shots in the loss.
Sweden will get a chance to defend its gold medal Sunday afternoon against the winner of Canada-Switzerland.
The Vegas Golden Knights wrote another chapter in their storybook season Friday night, dusting aside the Winnipeg Jets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final thanks to Reilly Smith's third-period bar-down game-winner.
The takeaway, the blistering speed, the patience to hold the puck with defenders breathing down his neck, and then the laser-like wrister - Smith's one-man show definitely deserves a closer look.
Blue-line behemoth Dustin Byfuglien has been a game-changing presence almost every night of the postseason, so he's potentially earned a pass from Jets fans for this gaffe.
Byfuglien fanned on a point shot and Smith sprang into action, jumping on the loose puck and quickly turning up ice with only Connor Hellebuyck in front of him.
This is when Smith's solo effort starts to get highlight-reel worthy. He shows off some impressive foot speed by leaving Chris Tanev (No. 13) in the dust, and recognizes that Josh Morrissey (No. 44) is closing in from the center of the ice.
Smith got from blue line to blue line in under two seconds, leaving Morrissey and Tanev in poor position to defend him.
Instead of waiting for his linemates or making the kind of sweet dish he's become known for, the speedy winger protected the puck from the Winnipeg defenders' outstretched sticks and switched the puck to his forehand.
Smith then quickly sized up Hellebuyck, who'd come out to the very edge of the blue paint, and unleashed a rocket to the top-left corner.
Smith beat Hellebuyck bar down over the blocker side with a perfectly placed shot that nine out of 10 goalies probably don't stop, capping off a stellar solo effort that has the expansion Golden Knights only one win from a trip to the final.
Stats legend: GV = Giveaways TK = Takeaways ATOI = Average time on ice per game CF% = Percentage of shot attempts team took while player was on ice at even strength (Rel) = CF% of player compared to when he's not on the ice
20. Patrick Maroon
Position: Left wing Age on July 1: 30 2017-18 cap hit: $2M 2017-18 teams: Oilers/Devils
GP
G
A
P
GV
TK
ATOI
CF% (rel)
74
17
26
43
37
22
16:32
53.3 (+3.4)
Maroon should be in for a nice little pay raise. With 44 goals over the past two years, he has proven he can keep up and pitch in offensively when playing alongside talented linemates, all while providing a physical presence, racking up 150 hits in each of the last three seasons.
19. Kyle Brodziak
Position: Center Age on July 1: 34 2017-18 cap hit: $950K 2017-18 team: Blues
GP
G
A
P
GV
TK
ATOI
CF% (rel)
81
10
23
33
18
52
13:28
47.7 (-5.4)
Brodziak is one of the most underrated bottom-six centers in the entire league. He was one of two players this season with at least 50 takeaways but less than 20 giveaways and posted a career-best 52.1 faceoff percentage. His possession numbers aren't pretty, but he started the bulk of his shifts in the defensive zone. He might get overlooked because of his age, but he can help plenty of teams on a short-term deal.
18. Derek Ryan
Position: Center Age on July 1: 31 2017-18 cap hit: $1.425M 2017-18 team: Hurricanes
GP
G
A
P
GV
TK
ATOI
CF% (rel)
80
15
23
38
48
54
15:36
57.1 (+3.2)
Ryan is the definition of a journeyman. After his WHL career, he spent four years playing Canadian University hockey, followed by stints overseas in Austria and Sweden before returning to North America in the AHL in 2015-16. Last season was the late bloomer's breakout campaign. An elite faceoff man (career 56.1 percent) with good offensive instincts won't have trouble finding a multi-year contract.
17. Calvin de Haan
Position: Defense Age on July 1: 27 2017-18 cap hit: $3.3M 2017-18 team: Islanders
GP
G
A
P
GV
TK
ATOI
CF% (rel)
33
1
11
12
24
14
18:45
49.1 (-1.3)
De Haan will be one of the most sought-after blue-liners on the open market. He's very young for a UFA, can skate and move the puck, and is also responsible in his own end. As someone capable of playing top-four minutes, don't be surprised if he inks a four- or five-year deal.
16. Tyler Bozak
Position: Center Age on July 1: 32 2017-18 cap hit: $4.2M 2017-18 team: Maple Leafs
GP
G
A
P
GV
TK
ATOI
CF% (rel)
80
11
32
43
42
37
15:39
53.3 (+4.5)
Had Bozak hit the open market after his career-high 55-point season a year ago, he would've been a hot commodity. However, for an offensive-minded player with declining foot speed, his value is significantly lower than it was last summer. Nonetheless, he's a regular 40-point producer and a great faceoff man, so he could still earn a multi-year deal, but it would probably come with a pay cut.
15. Jonathan Bernier
Position: Goaltender Age on July 1: 29 2017-18 cap hit: $2.75M 2017-18 team: Avalanche
GP
Rec.
GAA
SV%
SO
37
19-13-3
2.85
.913
2
Bernier was a major reason for the Avalanche's transformation from league laughingstock to a playoff team last season. Yet, like many of the goalies on the market, it's unlikely he'll be considered for a starting opportunity. He could, however, serve as a good platoon netminder.
14. Thomas Vanek
Position: Left wing Age on July 1: 34 2017-18 cap hit: $2M 2017-18 teams: Canucks/Blue Jackets
GP
G
A
P
GV
TK
ATOI
CF% (rel)
80
24
32
56
35
28
14:05
47.3 (-1.7)
Vanek finished with the fourth-most points among all pending UFAs. Even in his mid-30s, he can still produce in a limited role. Many may think of him as a power-play specialist, but 20 of his 24 goals were scored at even strength. He could provide nice value on a short-term contract for a team needing some offense.
13. Michael Grabner
Position: Right wing Age on July 1: 30 2017-18 cap hit: $1.65M 2017-18 teams: Rangers/Devils
GP
G
A
P
GV
TK
ATOI
CF% (rel)
80
27
9
36
33
46
14:49
44.8 (-2.8)
After signing a two-year, $3.3-million contract prior to 2016-17, Grabner will be in for a nice pay raise after back-to-back 27-goal seasons. "Playmaker" isn't in his vocabulary, but he routinely creates breakaways with his elite speed, and as long as he can still fly, he should continue to put the puck in the net.
12. Rick Nash
Position: Left wing Age on July 1: 34 2017-18 cap hit: $7.8M 2017-18 teams: Rangers/Bruins
GP
G
A
P
GV
TK
ATOI
CF% (rel)
71
21
13
34
38
58
17:03
51.2 (+4.4)
It will be interesting to see what kind of contract Nash gets after three straight underwhelming seasons in which he missed a total of 48 games. In a game that's increasingly being dominated by speed, the 6-foot-4 power forward is a bit of a dinosaur, but he can still be a productive top-six winger in the right setting.
11. Riley Nash
Position: Center Age on July 1: 29 2017-18 cap hit: $900K 2017-18 team: Bruins
GP
G
A
P
GV
TK
ATOI
CF% (rel)
76
15
26
41
14
55
15:25
51.7 (-2.0)
Boston's other Nash chose the right time to have a career year. As one of the few centers on the market, he'll be in heavy demand. Teams that miss out on John Tavares and Paul Stastny will turn to Nash. His offensive numbers might be a bit inflated due to a stint centering Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak during Patrice Bergeron's absence, but as one of two players this season with at least 50 takeaways but fewer than 20 giveaways, he can help teams in a lot of ways as a premier third-line center.
(Salary information courtesy: Cap Friendly) (Stats courtesy: Hockey Reference) (Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
It's not where many expected the Winnipeg Jets to be, but through four games the team trails the Vegas Golden Knights 3-1 in the Western Conference Final.
After taking a split in the first two games at home, the Jets have been edged by the Golden Knights twice at T-Mobile Arena, including Friday night in a contest that captain Blake Wheeler suggests the team deserved to win.
"We win that game nine times out of 10," Wheeler said, per Sportsnet's Chris Johnston. "Tonight was the one. Had some looks where their goalie made some extraordinary saves. You've got to sometimes take your hat off to a good player stealing a game."
Teammate Tyler Myers echoed his captain's sentiment, suggesting the Jets outplayed the Jets for the majority of the past two games.
"For the last five periods, we’ve been the better team," Myers said, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.
Myers makes a compelling case as the Jets have outshot the Golden Knights in each of the last five periods by a combined 69-49. Unfortunately, they've been outscored 6-4 over that span to a team that's developed a habit of bouncing back after conceding goals.
Game 2: Jets score, VGK responds in 88 seconds. Game 3: Jets score, VGK responds in 12 seconds. Game 4: Jets score, VGK responds in 43 seconds.
The Jets now head back home for Game 5 where they face the daunting task of winning three consecutive games against a Vegas side which has dropped three straight just three times all season.
