Arizona Coyotes forward Peter Holland has been fined $3,611 for "a punch to an unsuspecting opponent," according to the NHL's Department of Player Safety.
Arizona’s Peter Holland fined $3,611.11, the maximum allowable under CBA, for a punch to an unsuspecting opponent,Tampa Bay’s Ondrej Palat.
The former Toronto Maple Leafs forward earned his punishment by taking out his frustration on Lightning winger Ondrej Palat during the Coyotes' 5-3 victory over Tampa Bay on Saturday.
Holland took exception to a significant check from Palat midway through the second period. The Arizona forward got up and landed a hard shot on the Lightning winger as he engaged with Holland's teammate Lawson Crouse.
He was assessed two roughing penalties for the incident.
The 26-year-old has appeared in 26 games for the Coyotes this season, posting six points and 14 penalty minutes.
Between Patrik Laine's breakout effort and the ascension of new superstar Mark Scheifele, the 2016-17 Winnipeg Jets haven't been short on storylines. So, it's no surprise that Nikolaj Ehlers' exceptional sophomore effort has gotten lost in the shuffle.
Though it's been his gifted linemates soaking up the spotlight, Ehlers has quietly amassed 17 goals and 43 points in 50 games. Not only is the latter the second-highest mark among all Jets skaters, it's also 15th in the NHL, putting Ehlers on the same level as Alex Ovechkin and Artemi Panarin.
The 20-year-old nearly veered into sophomore slump territory early in the season, going goalless for 15 games at the tail end of 2016. He managed to keep his production rolling with a steady stream of assists, however, and since the calendar changed to 2017, the great Dane has been unstoppable.
In 11 January games, Ehlers has tallied seven goals and 12 total points. His thrilling tally Monday night against Anaheim was his third straight game with a goal, further extending his career-high sum.
Ehlers posted 15 goals and 38 points as a rookie, and has already surpassed both marks in 22 fewer games this season, emerging as a nightly threat for the rising Jets.
Should he continue on his current pace, he'll finish with 28 goals and 71 points - a plateau reached by only one of his teammates (captain Blake Wheeler) last season.
Alex Burmistrov has made a great first impression with his new club.
In five games since being claimed off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets by the Arizona Coyotes, the 25-year-old center has recorded five assists. Two of those came in Monday's win over Florida, including the primary helper on Tobias Rieder's overtime goal.
His efforts have not been lost on head coach Dave Tippett.
5 assists in 5 games for Burmistrov. Tippett: "He’s just creating plays that are making a difference in the game. ... That's a good start."
The production is a result of added opportunity, as Burmistrov is averaging 16:47 of ice time with the Coyotes compared to 11:02 with the Jets.
Burmistrov, who was selected eighth overall by the Jets in 2010, is set to become a restricted free agent at season's end after the two-year, $3.1-million contract he signed upon returning from the KHL expires.
At this rate, he seems to be well on his way to finding a place in the Coyotes' future plans.
The Colorado Avalanche, in fact, are on track to record the lowest point percentage since the adoption of the shootout following the 2005-06 lockout.
Through 45 games this season, Colorado has posted a record of 13-30-2, good for 28 points and a point percentage of .311. That's last among all 30 teams over the 12 seasons of the shootout era, according to NHL.com.
The shootout introduced a system wherein teams earn points for losing: two points go to a team that wins in regulation, overtime, or the shootout; one point to a team that loses in overtime or the shootout; and no points to a team that loses in regulation. More points, then, are being awarded on a nightly basis than prior to that lockout.
The 2013-14 and 2014-15 Buffalo Sabres are next lowest with point percentages of .317 and .329, respectively. Those teams were deep in the midst of a rebuild, with the latter roster seemingly constructed with the intent of making sure the club had the best possible chance of drafting at least Jack Eichel and hopefully Connor McDavid.
The current Avalanche squad wasn't exactly expected to contend for the Stanley Cup, but general manager Joe Sakic appeared to have assembled enough talent to at least challenge for a playoff spot under new head coach Jared Bednar.
Not even close.
On top of the lowly point percentage, the Avalanche are on pace to record the fourth-fewest goals per game while allowing the 15th-most goals against per game in the shootout era.
Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Tuesday, Jan. 24 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockeyand apply to 5v5 situations):
Dynamic Duos
LW Brad Marchand (70K) & RW David Pastrnak (67K), Bruins (vs. Red Wings): The Red Wings rank 27th in the NHL with an average of 9.87 scoring chances allowed per 60 minutes. They also rank 25th with 61.23 opponent shot attempts allowed per 60 minutes. The Bruins' top line, centered by Patrice Bergeron, averages 8.14 scoring chances per 60 and 2.86 expected goals per 60 minutes.
C Boone Jenner (34K) & RW Cam Atkinson (53K), Blue Jackets (at Islanders): Only two teams allow more opponent shot attempts per 60 minutes when at home than the Islanders 62.02 allowed. The Blue Jackets' second line, centered by Brandon Dubinsky with Jenner on the left wing, averages 58.76 shot attempts and 8.04 scoring chances per 60.
C Derick Brassard (51K) & RW Mark Stone (58K), Senators (vs. Capitals): Brassard, Stone and C Zack Smith have served as Ottawa's second-most common trio with Smith skating on the left side. Washington's second line of LW Marcus Johansson, C Evgeny Kuznetsov and RW Justin Williams own a Corsi For rating below 49 percent. The Senators' trio has a possession rate of 56.64 percent.
Goalie Breakdown
TARGET - Matt Murray (95K), Penguins (vs. Blues): Should Murray not receive Tuesday's start, sub-in Marc-Andre Fleury once he's listed as the replacement. The Blues rank just 19th in expected goals and scoring chances for per 60 while on the road. Murray allowed just one goal in each of his past three road starts, making a single-game high of 44 saves on 45 shots.
BARGAIN - Sergei Bobrovsky (78K), Blue Jackets (at Islanders): Bobrovsky has allowed more than two goals in just one of his past seven starts. He has made more than 30 saves just once and has faced 30-plus shots just twice. The Islanders average 9.43 scoring chances per 60 while at home, but they have a more modest 2.71 expected goals for.
FADE - Philipp Grubauer (75K), Capitals (at Senators): While the Senators own one of the league's worst Corsi For ratings as a team, three of their four current forward lines average more than 50 shot attempts per 60 minutes. Grubauer has allowed three goals in each of his past two road games, stopping just 40 of 46 shots.
CONTRARIAN - Devan Dubnyk (79K), Wild (at Stars): The disappointing Stars still rank fourth in shot attempts, sixth in expected goals for, and eighth in scoring chances for per 60 minutes when on home ice. Dubnyk is nearing the end of his worst month of the season, as he has allowed 18 goals in seven games. It's an opportunity to roster him at a rare low salary and ownership.
Bargain Plays
D Jared Spurgeon (25K), Wild (at Stars): Spurgeon has averaged 25:07 of ice time over his past 15 games, playing over 21 minutes in all but one game. He has five goals and five assists during the breakout stretch, but it's his multiple hits in six of his previous seven games which almost assures him of reaching his very low requirements at the minimum salary.
C Tanner Kero (26K), Blackhawks (vs. Lightning): Kero has compiled three goals and three assists in January, while primarily centering LW Vince Hinostroza and RW Marian Hossa. The Lightning rank in the bottom half of the league in both opponent shot attempts and scoring chances allowed per 60 minutes when on the road. Kero has at least one hit in all but two games this year.
LW Phillip Danault (25K), Canadiens (vs. Flames): Danault has topped 15 minutes of ice time in 14 consecutive games while primarily centering the Canadiens' top line. He had at least one shot on goal in all but four of those games, totaling 19 SOG. Calgary ranks 19th in the league, allowing 8.14 opponent scoring chances per 60 minutes.
Top Fades
D Erik Karlsson (54K), Senators (vs. Capitals): As the flu continues to cycle through the NHL, Senators LW Mike Hoffman will be a game-time decision Tuesday, handicapping the potential for all of their offensive stars. Karlsson hasn't scored in 18 consecutive games, and he has averaged less than two SOG per game during the stretch.
LW Jamie Benn (69K), Stars (vs. Wild): Benn hasn't reached 20 minutes of ice time in six consecutive games, remaining on a line with C Cody Eakin and RW Patrick Eaves. He has two goals and two assists in his past five outings, but a tough matchup against the Wild and G Devan Dubnyk will limit his opportunities in restricted ice time.
RW Nikita Kucherov (70K), Lightning (at Blackhawks): Kucherov has gone without a goal for five consecutive games, totaling 14 SOG during the stretch. He isn't a consistent source of either hits or blocked shots, indicating his low floor when not producing offensively. The Blackhawks finish 38.02 percent of all shifts in the offensive zone and just 33.69 in the defensive end.
Contrarian Options
C Ryan Johansen (56K), Predators (vs. Sabres): Johansen has found the offensive side of his game once again, recording a goal and four assists in his past two outings. He has tallied four SOG in each of his past two games. While low hit and blocked shot totals provide an extremely low floor, the Sabres are typically a strong target when in search of offense.
D P.K. Subban (46K), Predators (vs. Sabres): Subban's salary is still suppressed for his third game back from injury. He played an additional 40 seconds of ice time in his second game back, showing the coaching staff's trust in his health. He's now back up to game speed and an ideal contrarian target before his offensive numbers start to pile up once again.
LW Evander Kane (36K), Sabres (at Predators): Sticking with the same game but moving to the opposite side of the ice, Kane is one of the top Sabres to target Tuesday. He has a goal and two assists in his past three games, but it's his 47 SOG in the past 13 games which owners should be clamoring for. He has chipped in as many as five hits and twice recorded two blocked shots.
While the NHL is enjoying a golden age of high-flying rookies fighting tooth and nail to make their names, a few members of the old guard are nearing the end.
It's never easy to watch the heroes of past decades wind their careers down, but competing against the new wave of elite young talent on a nightly basis serves as a clear reminder that the NHL remains a young man's game.
With that in mind, here are a trio of veterans heading into the final chapter of their careers:
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins
The monstrous captain of the Boston Bruins has established himself as a presence like none other over his nearly 20-year career. Such is the case when you hit the ice at 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds.
Zdeno Chara has been a dominant force throughout his time in the NHL, finishing near or above 40 points on 11 different occasions while dishing out over 1,400 hits. Of course, he also snagged a Norris Trophy along the way (in 2009) and lifted the Stanley Cup (in 2011).
At age 39, it's clear Chara is on the final legs of an exceptional career on the blue line. Next season is the last on his current deal with the Bruins, and at age 40, 2017-18 could very well be his final go-round in the big leagues.
Jarome Iginla, Colorado Avalanche
Few players to ever suit up in the NHL have embodied their role as flawlessly as Jarome Iginla, who's been the definition of "power forward" throughout his two decades on the ice.
The Colorado Avalanche winger and longtime Calgary Flames captain already ranks as one of the game's most gifted goal-scorers - his 617 career tallies sit 16th in the history books. With just nine more goals, he'll pass his current general manager Joe Sakic on that list, finishing his career in the top 15.
Set to enter unrestricted free agency at age 40, it's unclear whether Iginla is willing to hold on for another shot at the Cup. If a genuine contender comes calling, perhaps another season is in order. But either way, it seems the historic sniper's final game isn't too far off.
Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks
One of the finest playmakers of his generation, San Jose Sharks veteran Joe Thornton still seems to fly under the radar as one of the game's best, despite already ranking 24th among the NHL's all-time scorers.
Perhaps his most impressive performance - aside from his 96-assist, 125-point effort in 2005-06, which netted him the Hart and Art Ross trophies - was last season. At age 36, Thornton turned back the clock and finished fourth in league scoring and second in assists, converting at a point-per-game pace.
He clearly isn't ready to hang them up just yet, but considering he's playing out the final year of his deal in San Jose, the veteran has some tough decisions ahead of him as he navigates what will likely be the final contract negotiation of his career.
If anyone was unclear about why Anaheim Ducks defender Sami Vatanen was forced to the press box for the club's tilt against the Winnipeg Jets on Monday, head coach Randy Carlyle offered up this for consideration:
#NHLDucks D Sami Vatanen was a healthy scratch on Monday. The reason? “That’s what coaches do,” Randy Carlyle said.
There's no denying the young rearguard may be in need of some inspiration. While the Ducks have been rolling - winning seven of their past 10 and claiming the top spot in the Pacific Division - Vatanen has looked far more mediocre.
The 25-year-old has 17 points through 46 games, putting him on pace for 30 by the season's end, but he's managed just two points through his past 13 appearances.
He's also sporting a career-worst even-strength Corsi For percentage of 48.9 as he adjusts to a heavier defensive-zone workload this season. Not the smoothest of transitions.
The Ducks won 3-2 in Winnipeg with Vatanen out of the lineup. His next chance at returning to the ice will come against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.
The Calgary Flames rookie forward committed the act as the final buzzer sounded:
Tkachuk was involved in a similar incident involving Edmonton's Brandon Davidson in October, and was also suspended two OHL games last year for slew footing.
The talented Tkachuk ranks second in the NHL with 92 penalty minutes this season.
Every Tuesday, theScore's editors will examine the fortunes of the north's seven NHL franchises. Welcome to "O Canada."
Calgary Flames
Plus: After a relatively slow start to the season, Sean Monahan has enjoyed a very productive January. The center recorded at least a point in seven of Calgary's 11 games, with five goals and five assists. The 10 total points match his best monthly output of the season so far, and the Flames still have two games to play before the calendar turns to February.
Minus: Following Monday's loss in Toronto, the Flames have now dropped three in a row after allowing the opposition to score 13 combined goals to begin those games.
The #flames have trailed 4-0, 5-0 and 4-0 in the last three games.
Take: Despite the losing streak, the Flames remain in a Western Conference wild-card spot, albeit with a 10th-ranked point percentage of .510. Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau need to step up in order to hold on.
Edmonton Oilers
Plus: Jordan Eberle is also quietly beginning to awaken. The Oilers winger recorded three goals and three assists over the team's past four games, level with Connor McDavid. Four of those points came in a 7-3 win over Calgary on Jan. 21 in which Edmonton completed a season sweep of the Battle of Alberta for only the third time in team history.
Minus: Milan Lucic, who's making $6 million, is on pace for 18 goals this season. Patrick Maroon has already reached that total in 49 games, and carries a cap hit of $1.5 million.
Take: Thanks to those wins over the Flames, the Oilers sit nine points ahead of Calgary in the Pacific Division, and only three points behind first-place Anaheim. A playoff berth seems all but guaranteed at this point.
Montreal Canadiens
Plus: Max Pacioretty has recorded at least 20 goals in each of the past four seasons, and has accomplished the feat in eerily familiar fashion.
Weird stat mentioned by @SNkylebukauskas on SN broadcast: Max Pacioretty scored his 20th goal on Jan 14 in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
Minus: Alex Galchenyuk has re-aggravated a knee injury that kept him out of the lineup for 18 games earlier this season. He'll miss at least one game, but the hope is that the issue isn't as serious this time.
Take: The Canadiens continue to sit comfortably atop the Atlantic Division, but can ill afford to get uncharacteristically poor performances from Carey Price, whose January save percentage sits at .887. The second-place Senators are only eight points back with three games in hand.
Ottawa Senators
Plus: General manager Pierre Dorion is enjoying a nice first year on the job, but Bryan Murray's fingerprints remain all over the Senators. The team's former coach and GM (and current senior adviser) will be inducted into Ottawa's ring of honor prior to Tuesday's game against Washington.
Minus: Bobby Ryan has been showing signs of life lately, but the fact he ranks ninth on the Senators in total points while earning a team-high $7.25 million is unacceptable.
Take: Mike Condon has been putting in yeoman's work in order to keep the team afloat, but the Senators will need Craig Anderson (personal) or Andrew Hammond (ankle) to return in order to solidify the position and give Ottawa a chance to hold on to a fairly unexpected playoff spot.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Plus: After seeing both William Nylander and Auston Matthews win rookie of the month honors, Mitch Marner is tracking to add his name to the list after recently overtaking the latter for the scoring lead among first-year players.
Mitchell Marner (11-28—39) posted 1-1—2 last night to surpass @MapleLeafs teammate Auston Matthews (22-16—38) for the rookie scoring lead. pic.twitter.com/iub4qstvnS
Minus: Frederik Andersen is on pace to make 75 starts for the Maple Leafs this season, a workload that is essentially unseen in today's NHL. Curtis McElhinney was scooped off waivers to serve as backup, and will need to show he's capable of giving Andersen some much-needed relief down the stretch.
Take: It's becoming more and more difficult to deny the Maple Leafs are indeed as good as their record suggests. It's perhaps a year or two earlier than expected, but playoff hockey seems set to return to Toronto.
Vancouver Canucks
Plus: Henrik Sedin recently hit 1,000 career points, and brother Daniel Sedin is 32 points shy of the mark. Treasure the twins while we still can.
Minus: The Loui Eriksson signing continues to look like a flop. The Swedish winger, who's on the books through 2021-22 at $6 million a season, ranks sixth on the Canucks with 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) through 48 games.
Take: Vancouver sits only one point behind both Calgary and St. Louis in the quest for a wild-card playoff berth, and eighth in the Western Conference in terms of point percentage. Few expected the Canucks to be in the mix, and it will be interesting to see if they consider themselves buyers or sellers in advance of the trade deadline.
Winnipeg Jets
Plus: Patrik Laine has been dominating the headlines in Winnipeg this season, but Nikolaj Ehlers is here to remind us there's more than one high-end young talent on the Jets roster.
Minus: Ehlers' effort aside, the Jets lost to Anaheim on Monday, and while they appear to remain in striking distance of a playoff spot, their point percentage ranks ahead of only Arizona and Colorado out West. Not company you want to be keeping at this point in the season.
Take: Ondrej Pavelec has posted a record of 2-1-0 with a .907 save percentage since being recalled from the AHL, but the fact the Jets are relying on him to save their season speaks volumes about their goaltending situation.
After a snake-bitten 2015-16 saw Nazem Kadri post the NHL's 12th-most shots (260) and finish with only 17 goals, the young Toronto Maple Leafs pivot seems to finally be getting his due.
The 26-year-old has flipped the script in 2016-17, piling up goals at every turn after a year of seemingly doing everything right and finding little reward.
Through 45 games this season, Kadri has already bested last year's total with 20 goals - 11th-most in the league, and just a pair off elite snipers like Alex Ovechkin.
Barring anything unforeseen, Kadri will finish 2016-17 with a career-best goal total, as his 20 tallies through half a season have already matched his previous career high, set in 2013-14.
It's no surprise the young centreman is making waves on the goal-scoring scene. Especially after his performance in 2015-16, when he found a new gear and emerged as one of the game's most prolific shooters with an astounding 260 shots - adding 84 chances on net to his previous best sum.
And yet, that promising season saw Kadri's shooting percentage plummet to a career-worst 6.5 percent. He finished as the only NHL shooter with over 250 chances on net and fewer than 20 goals, watching veteran teammates like P.A. Parenteau and Leo Komarov tally more goals in fewer games.
This time around, Kadri's putting pucks in the net at a much-improved rate of 14.2 percent, while still on pace for roughly the same number of shots - returning to the promising offensive level he showed early in his career, even as he's emerged as a savvy two-way force in Toronto.
If his pace holds up, Kadri will finish the year with 36 goals and 60 points - career highs by a mile, and just the type of elite effort the Leafs faithful have been waiting for from the 2009 first-round pick.
