A Canadian team hasn't won the Stanley Cup in 32 years, but the second round of the 2025 playoffs...

A Canadian team hasn't won the Stanley Cup in 32 years, but the second round of the 2025 playoffs is providing hope. Toronto leads its series with Florida, 2-1, Edmonton's up 2-0 over Vegas, and Winnipeg's tied 1-1 with Dallas. Below, we discuss reasons for optimism and pessimism for the three Canadian clubs.<h3>Toronto Maple Leafs</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784935/cropped_GettyImages-2214294247.jpg?ts=1746845161" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784935/w220xh124_GettyImages-2214294247.jpg?ts=1746845161 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784935/w320xh180_GettyImages-2214294247.jpg?ts=1746845161 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784935/w640xh360_GettyImages-2214294247.jpg?ts=1746845161 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784935/w768xh432_GettyImages-2214294247.jpg?ts=1746845161 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784935/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2214294247.jpg?ts=1746845161 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Carmen Mandato / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Optimistic view: Toronto dictated the style and pace of play in Games 1 and 2 - two wins - and held its own in a Game 3 overtime loss. That's an extremely encouraging sign in a series against a well-oiled machine like the Panthers.The team with the most puck-battle wins has won each game, and in the Leafs' victories those battles have helped them attack off the rush with numbers. William Nylander's collected six points, four of them off the rush and a fifth when he joined the play late with downhill speed after a line change.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Other series standouts include Max Pacioretty (five points, team-high 16 hits), Matthew Knies (four points, forechecking nightmare), and Morgan Rielly (two goals, two assists). Shutdown defensemen Jake McCabe and Chris Tanev have been superb. Both are key to the penalty kill, and the Leafs are outscoring the Panthers 4-1 in the pair's 50-plus five-on-five minutes together.Pessimistic view: Auston Matthews hasn't been bad so far. In fact, he's contributed three assists, and his line with Knies and Mitch Marner has held Aleksander Barkov's line off the scoresheet at five-on-five.Yet, Matthews hasn't looked himself as a sniper. He's hesitant to shoot, especially on the power play, and when he does, the puck rarely meets its target. Matthews has 25 attempts in Round 2 but only 11 shots on goal. He has yet to solve Sergei Bobrovksy and scored just twice in the first round.Meanwhile, Leafs Nation is holding its breath every time Joseph Woll handles the puck. Woll's been competent in relief for Anthony Stolarz but had enough uh-oh moments in 165 minutes of crease time to fill a lengthy lowlight reel.A third mild concern: Tanev's durability. He's been on the receiving end of a playoff-high 71 hits for an average of 7.9 per game. He left Game 3 briefly, and it feels like he's one awkward collision from ending up on injured reserve.<h3>Edmonton Oilers</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784851/cropped_GettyImages-2214165035.jpg?ts=1746810137" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784851/w220xh124_GettyImages-2214165035.jpg?ts=1746810137 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784851/w320xh180_GettyImages-2214165035.jpg?ts=1746810137 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784851/w640xh360_GettyImages-2214165035.jpg?ts=1746810137 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784851/w768xh432_GettyImages-2214165035.jpg?ts=1746810137 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784851/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2214165035.jpg?ts=1746810137 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Bottari / NHL / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Optimistic view: The Oilers top the playoffs in goals (4.5 per night) and ride a record streak of comeback wins (six in a row) into a homestand at Rogers Place, where they can nudge the Golden Knights to the brink. If the clock's still ticking, their playmakers and shooters know they can strike next and erase any deficit. That's a major psychological advantage.Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's awesome production - they combined for 27 points through eight games - aligns with their career averages, so no letup or drop-off is coming. Edmonton's prevailed twice in overtime because of McDavid's suite of unstoppable traits (acceleration, stickhandling, and vision) and Draisaitl's precise finishing.A league-high seven Oilers have already buried at least three goals. Corey Perry's revival, Evander Kane's return to health, and breakouts from Connor Brown and Vasily Podkolzin strengthened each of Kris Knoblauch's forward trios. The defense corps is imperfect but plainly benefited from the in-season additions of John Klingberg and Jake Walman.Pessimistic view: Comebacks are magical, but the Oilers seem unable to start on time and have trailed in every playoff game. They've conceded three opening goals within three minutes of puck drop and six by the middle of the first period. While Knoblauch presents a calm front, that must make his stomach churn.The penalty kill, a forte of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final squad, owns the league's worst success rate (59.3%). Opposing power plays boast four multi-goal performances. Losing three cornerstones of last year's airtight PK - the injured Mattias Ekholm, plus Cody Ceci and Vincent Desharnais - forced worse killers to take on bigger roles.Other concerns about Edmonton are hypothetical. Calvin Pickard's .888 save percentage has yet to lead to a loss, but if he begins to spring leaks, can Knoblauch confidently turn back to Stuart Skinner? Hold that thought for now.<h3>Winnipeg Jets</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784948/cropped_GettyImages-2213665956.jpg?ts=1746851717" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784948/w220xh124_GettyImages-2213665956.jpg?ts=1746851717 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784948/w320xh180_GettyImages-2213665956.jpg?ts=1746851717 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784948/w640xh360_GettyImages-2213665956.jpg?ts=1746851717 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784948/w768xh432_GettyImages-2213665956.jpg?ts=1746851717 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784948/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2213665956.jpg?ts=1746851717 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jonathan Kozub / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Optimistic view: Nikolaj Ehlers and Gabriel Vilardi returned to the lineup in the second half of the first round. Mark Scheifele came back in Game 1 versus the Stars, and Josh Morrissey returned in Friday's Game 2. The Jets are finally at full force.The returnees' performances have ratcheted up the optimism, most notably Ehlers and Vilardi. Ehlers, a playoff no-show in the past, was flying throughout Game 2's victory, scoring twice on a game-high seven shots and adding a primary assist in less than 15 minutes of ice time. Vilardi, also a Game 2 goal-scorer, is generating inner-slot scoring chances at a high rate.Winnipeg almost didn't make it past St. Louis because superstar goalie Connor Hellebuyck faltered in multiple games. Well, he stopped all 21 Dallas shots Friday. His second-period glove save on Evgenii Dadonov was unreal, and overall his confidence appears to be back at an appropriate level.Pessimistic view: Mikko Rantanen is on the other team.The power forward has been a wrecking ball all playoffs. Since the Stars failed to score Friday, Rantanen enters Sunday's Game 3 with his wacko streak intact; he's somehow registered a point on each of Dallas' last 12 goals.The Avalanche had no answer for Rantanen in Round 1 and neither did the Jets in Game 1, as the former Av torched Winnipeg with a second-period hat trick. The series is shifting to Dallas, which means Pete DeBoer, one of the best matchup coaches in the NHL, should have an easier time getting Rantanen away from Jets captain and top defensive center Adam Lowry.Not to be forgotten: Hellebuyck collapsed in epic fashion on the road in the first round. For as good as he looked Friday, he needs a signature performance outside of Winnipeg before the doubters stop doubting him.John Matisz and Nick Faris cover the NHL for theScore.

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Each Canadian playoff team's reasons for optimism, pessimism

It wasn't a flawless performance, but the Maple Leafs held off a late charge by the Panthers on M...

It wasn't a flawless performance, but the Maple Leafs held off a late charge by the Panthers on Monday night to win Game 1 of the second-round series 5-4.Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz left around the midway point after taking two hits to the head - a mask-rattling Sam Reinhart wrist shot in the first period and an unpenalized Sam Bennett elbow in the second. Stolarz was seen vomiting at Toronto's bench before getting pulled and transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. Backup Joseph Woll turned aside 17 of 20 shots in relief.Here are two keys to victory for the Leafs in Wednesday's Game 2.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Minimize Woll's east-west weakness</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784363/cropped_GettyImages-2213750483.jpg?ts=1746560277" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784363/w220xh124_GettyImages-2213750483.jpg?ts=1746560277 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784363/w320xh180_GettyImages-2213750483.jpg?ts=1746560277 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784363/w640xh360_GettyImages-2213750483.jpg?ts=1746560277 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784363/w768xh432_GettyImages-2213750483.jpg?ts=1746560277 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784363/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2213750483.jpg?ts=1746560277 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark Blinch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>It's no surprise head coach Craig Berube <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3282138" href="https://thescore.com/news/3282138">confirmed</a> Wednesday that Woll will be Toronto's Game 2 starter with Stolarz still "recovering."Woll wasn't spectacular in his 29-plus minutes Monday - he coughed up the puck behind the net and let in a stoppable Uvis Balinskis shot for the Panthers' third goal. Still, the 26-year-old fared well for a guy who hadn't seen action in 18 days.Woll's statistical profile is rock solid. He posted a .915 save percentage and saved 15 goals above expected in 42 regular-season games, according to Sportlogiq. There was no single type of scoring chance - off the rush, cycle, forecheck, rebound - that beat him significantly more often than the others.Yet there's one red flag deep in his 2024-25 profile: Woll had trouble stopping shots generated off east-to-west seam passes. (These are scenarios in which the offense forces the goalie to shift from the left post to the right post.)<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784381/cropped_GettyImages-2213174281.jpg?ts=1746565154" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784381/w220xh124_GettyImages-2213174281.jpg?ts=1746565154 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784381/w320xh180_GettyImages-2213174281.jpg?ts=1746565154 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784381/w640xh360_GettyImages-2213174281.jpg?ts=1746565154 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784381/w768xh432_GettyImages-2213174281.jpg?ts=1746565154 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784381/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2213174281.jpg?ts=1746565154 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>It's an extremely difficult stop for any goalie to make, especially if a screen's involved, but Woll has been uniquely overmatched. He allowed 19 goals off 49 east-to-west seam-pass shots in the regular season for a woeful .612 SV%, bringing his career average to .702 in 79 games. (The league average since Woll entered the league in 2021-22 is .738.)Florida's likely looking to exploit this weakness. The pass that led to Eetu Luostarinen's Game 1 goal didn't qualify as an east-to-west seam pass because it didn't cross over to the left side of the offensive zone. However, that's exactly the kind of disorienting attack that often fools Woll.Leafs skaters have a role to play here. They need to fully commit to defending every inch of the defensive zone, like they've done for most of the postseason. That means tight gaps, well-timed hits, sticks in passing and shooting lanes, and an overall doggedness.There's a reason why it's become fashionable for defenses to clog the middle of the ice. The modern goalie can handle most perimeter shots. Interior offense is what creates chaos, especially if it incorporates cross-ice passing.<h3>Don't fall into Panthers' trap</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784393/cropped_GettyImages-2213104715.jpg?ts=1746571390" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784393/w220xh124_GettyImages-2213104715.jpg?ts=1746571390 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784393/w320xh180_GettyImages-2213104715.jpg?ts=1746571390 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784393/w640xh360_GettyImages-2213104715.jpg?ts=1746571390 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784393/w768xh432_GettyImages-2213104715.jpg?ts=1746571390 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784393/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2213104715.jpg?ts=1746571390 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kevin Sousa / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The Panthers are an intimidating opponent because they apply endless pressure. If they have the puck, they're attacking with authority. If you have the puck, they're aggressively trying to pry it away. If there's a loose puck ...A sensible way to combat this style of play is to own the wall. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2912350" href="https://thescore.com/news/2912350">As I wrote</a> last postseason, a disproportionate amount of NHL action is spent within a few feet of the boards. Assertive and efficient wall play defensively is often the main difference between a clean breakout and an ugly turnover.The Leafs won the majority of puck battles Monday, including dozens close to or on the boards. Most notably, Max Pacioretty shielded the puck from a Panthers defender to <a href="https://x.com/LeafsNews/status/1919547104915017870">set up</a> the opening tally, and Mitch Marner finessed the puck out of Toronto's zone to spring Matthew Knies on a breakaway for the eventual game-winning goal. Watch Marner outduel Nate Schmidt on the wall:<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
MATTHEW KNIES, THAT WAS SICK 🥵 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> 🇺🇸: <a href="https://twitter.com/espn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@espn</a> ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/m0LyTCHYnH">https://t.co/m0LyTCHYnH</a> 🇨🇦: <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Sportsnet</a> or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF">https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF</a> <a href="https://t.co/zlijq6S32y">pic.twitter.com/zlijq6S32y</a>— NHL (@NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1919581707444859033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The Panthers prefer a grinding slug fest, but those kinds of plays helped turn Game 1 into a track meet. That's the drawback of a smothering style: Opponents will expose you up the ice and make you run out of gas quickly if they can beat you in 50/50 battles and make smart decisions in transition. (Florida historically <a href="https://x.com/MikeKellyNHL/status/1901685616321958048">gives up a ton</a> of breakaways.)The Panthers are the 2024 Stanley Cup champions and 2023 finalists - they'll clap back in Game 2. The Leafs must show composure in two ways.One, Craig Berube needs to trust his instincts: He opened up the possibility for a mismatch further down the lineup in Game 1 by playing his top forward line of Auston Matthews, Marner, and Knies against Florida's No. 1 group of Aleksander Barkov, Reinhart, and Carter Verhaeghe. William Nylander scored twice and added a primary assist at five-on-five. Ride that deployment again.Two, the players can't look to settle the score for Bennett's elbow on Stolarz. Hit Bennett extra hard if you have him lined up for a legal hit, sure. But taking a penalty to get even isn't worth it in the playoffs. It's easier said than done against a team full of pests, but Toronto must stay disciplined.There's a decent chance the referees overcompensate Wednesday and call a bunch of penalties. Let them. The Panthers will win the series if it becomes defined by post-whistle scrums and questionable hits. The Leafs win it if the action revolves around up-tempo hockey.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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2 keys to victory for Maple Leafs in Game 2 versus Panthers

Our hockey writers shared observations throughout Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Sunday, M...

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Running analysis of Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Welcome to NHL Inbox, a monthly forum in which readers can ask me anything hockey related and I t...

Welcome to NHL Inbox, a monthly forum in which readers can ask me anything hockey related and I try my best to deliver an insightful answer.Note: the questions below were lightly edited for clarity and brevity.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783863/cropped_GettyImages-2159740407.jpg?ts=1746299617" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783863/w220xh124_GettyImages-2159740407.jpg?ts=1746299617 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783863/w320xh180_GettyImages-2159740407.jpg?ts=1746299617 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783863/w640xh360_GettyImages-2159740407.jpg?ts=1746299617 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783863/w768xh432_GettyImages-2159740407.jpg?ts=1746299617 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783863/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2159740407.jpg?ts=1746299617 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Vinnick / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>phonyspoon asks: If my Sharks win the draft lottery again, who should they draft? I've heard of the offensive prowess of players like Michael Misa and James Hagens, but SJ needs defense. Should they go for Matthew Schaefer?<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>San Jose, which finished last in 2024-25 with 52 points, has a league-high 25.5% chance of landing the top pick in Monday's draft lottery. Chicago (13.5%) and Nashville (11.5%) are the others with double-digit odds.If San Jose wins, Schaefer's the obvious choice for two basic reasons. Most importantly, the Canadian defenseman is arguably the best player in the 2025 class, regardless of position. Secondly, defense is a position of need.The Sharks already have a franchise center in 2024 first overall pick Macklin Celebrini. Don't overthink it, general manager Mike Grier, get yourself a complementary cornerstone blue-liner. Schaefer's an extremely intelligent player and elite skater who's capable of controlling the game like prime Drew Doughty. The OHL sophomore hasn't played in months after breaking his collarbone at the December world juniors, but there's no long-term worry.San Jose used its second 2024 first on defenseman Sam Dickinson, another mobile two-way force. Dickinson brings a little bit of everything to the table, and projects to be a top-pair guy in the NHL, though he may tap out on the second pair. Schaefer's ceiling, meanwhile, is "one of the 10 best defensemen on the planet." His meh outcome? Still an average first-pair guy.Dickinson and Shakir Mukhamadullin are San Jose's only exciting D-men 22 or under right now, whereas the forward group of the future is headlined by Celebrini (18), Quentin Musty (19), Will Smith (20), and William Eklund (22).<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783865/cropped_GettyImages-2211873621.jpg?ts=1746300246" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783865/w220xh124_GettyImages-2211873621.jpg?ts=1746300246 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783865/w320xh180_GettyImages-2211873621.jpg?ts=1746300246 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783865/w640xh360_GettyImages-2211873621.jpg?ts=1746300246 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783865/w768xh432_GettyImages-2211873621.jpg?ts=1746300246 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783865/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2211873621.jpg?ts=1746300246 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Darcy Finley / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Ken S. asks: When a trailing team has pulled their goalie and the leading team has a breakaway to score an empty-net goal, why doesn't the trailing team's player on the heels of the puck carrier just tackle the guy, resulting in a penalty shot? That way the trailing team could bring their goalie back in for the penalty shot and at least have a chance of not giving up another goal.Hate to burst your bubble, Ken, but if the puck carrier's tackled under these circumstances, there's no penalty or penalty shot. His team's given a goal.The NHL's official rulebook lays it out clearly in Rule 25.1:<blockquote>A goal will be awarded to the attacking team when the opposing team has taken their goalkeeper off the ice and an attacking player has possession and control of the puck (or would have gained possession and control) in the neutral or attacking zone, without a defending player between himself and the opposing goal, and he is prevented from scoring as a result of an infraction committed by the defending team.</blockquote><figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783866/cropped_GettyImages-2208358485.jpg?ts=1746300373" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783866/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208358485.jpg?ts=1746300373 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783866/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208358485.jpg?ts=1746300373 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783866/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208358485.jpg?ts=1746300373 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783866/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208358485.jpg?ts=1746300373 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783866/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208358485.jpg?ts=1746300373 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Blair B. asks: What's the most common statistical trait of a Stanley Cup-winning team? My best guess is playoff goaltending with a save percentage above .910, but perhaps that's not the most unique stat to review when considering playoff success.Fantastic question, and from my research, Blair is definitely onto something.The Stanley Cup winner has finished with a team save percentage above .910 in 13 of 19 seasons in the salary cap era, which began in 2005-06. Three others narrowly missed the cut: the 2013-14 Kings had a .910 SV%, while the 2008-09 Penguins and 2018-19 Blues were .908 and .907 clubs, respectively.A penalty kill rate of 80% or higher also correlates well. Only four cap-era champions dipped below 80% (and the 2014-15 Blackhawks were at 79%).All that said, I think the strongest signal of a Cup champ is an ability to bounce back in the middle of playoff games. All but four cap-era Cup winners were credited with at least four comeback wins during their respective runs. (Why focus on four? Four comebacks is an average of one per round.)Any team, no matter how talented on paper and dominant shift-to-shift, is bound to trail for stretches on the road to 16 wins. The very best are resilient. They regroup instantly and assertively. Five champs averaged two or more comebacks per round: the 2005-06 Hurricanes (nine), 2008-09 Pens (10), 2013-14 Kings (eight), 2021-22 Avalanche (10), and 2022-23 Golden Knights (nine).Florida's the consensus Cup favorite right now. The defending champs look unstoppable partly because nobody's counterpunch is as strong as theirs.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783883/cropped_GettyImages-1497065814.jpg?ts=1746305064" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783883/w220xh124_GettyImages-1497065814.jpg?ts=1746305064 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783883/w320xh180_GettyImages-1497065814.jpg?ts=1746305064 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783883/w640xh360_GettyImages-1497065814.jpg?ts=1746305064 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783883/w768xh432_GettyImages-1497065814.jpg?ts=1746305064 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783883/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1497065814.jpg?ts=1746305064 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jonathan Kozub / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>ebeck02893 asks: How do you foresee the new NCAA eligibility rule changing players' paths through the Canadian Hockey League? Will all the best 16-, 17-year-olds play in the CHL and all the best 18 or older players go to the NCAA or NHL? I think there's no way the USHL doesn't get ruined by this. Some context: the NCAA announced last November that it's lifting a longtime ban on players who've played major-junior hockey in Canada. As noted in the question, the landmark decision has <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3124209" href="https://thescore.com/news/3124209">opened the door</a> for high-end teens to play in the CHL and NCAA, not one or the other.A total of 133 players from the CHL's three leagues - WHL, OHL, QMJHL - have committed to American colleges, according to Sportsnet's <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/juniors/article/chl-to-ncaa-tracker-ohl-whl-qmjhl-players-going-to-u-s-college-ranks/">signing tracker</a>. That seems like a massive number, but keep in mind most of the commits are older and not considered serious NHL prospects. Flames third-round pick Henry Mews is probably the biggest name to make the list so far.While the amateur hockey landscape is changing, I don't think "all" the best North American teens will follow the same path of Canadian junior at 16 and 17 and American college at 18 and onwards. Some, but certainly not all. One NHLPA player agent with a few clients still debating next steps told me that while the eligibility change creates more options, some players are simply far better suited for one of the routes. The CHL, for instance, provides a pro-style schedule. The NCAA, with no midweek games, offers extra time for strength training, and also may offer six-figure NIL deals in some cases."Most players on the fence are going to want to wait to see which NHL team drafts them before committing to any kind of change," the agent said. "They want to get a feel for what their team thinks is best for their development."A major NCAA headline may soon be on the way. Gavin McKenna, the consensus top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, has been heavily recruited. The Canadian has nothing left to prove in junior after posting 1.8 points per game over three WHL seasons. It makes sense for him to play his draft year at a major college like the University of Michigan.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783877/cropped_GettyImages-2208168873.jpg?ts=1746303632" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783877/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208168873.jpg?ts=1746303632 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783877/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208168873.jpg?ts=1746303632 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783877/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208168873.jpg?ts=1746303632 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783877/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208168873.jpg?ts=1746303632 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783877/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208168873.jpg?ts=1746303632 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bill Wippert / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>ddoroy39224 asks: What's wrong with the Buffalo Sabres? It starts at the top.Owner Terry Pegula isn't pouring enough money into the hockey operations department (no veteran president, a first-time GM, low overall headcount) or the on-ice product. The NHL is a highly competitive 32-team league and a club can't expect to contend for a playoff spot if its payroll is consistently well below the salary cap. The Senators are a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3267279" href="https://thescore.com/news/3267279">case in point</a>: they've gotten their act together on and off the ice in part due to heavy investment from ownership.I like a lot of the individual pieces in Buffalo. But they haven't clicked cohesively on the ice. Year after year, the roster ranks as one of the league's youngest. The group desperately needs to add some useful veterans with playoff pedigree this offseason. The Sabres aren't just in a rut; they've failed to make the playoffs for a record 14th straight year.Yes, what GM Kevyn Adams said earlier this season is true: there are no palm trees in Buffalo and New York taxes are high. But the Sabres' two best players, Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin, can do only so much. The cap is going to rise exponentially over the next few years and Buffalo better flip the spending switch soon or the gap between it and playoff teams will further widen.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure>What do you want to know, hockey fans?There are three ways to submit a question for future NHL Inbox editions:<ul>
<li>Comment on this article in theScore app</li>
<li>Email senior NHL writer John Matisz at <a href="mailto:john.matisz@theScore.com">john.matisz@thescore.com</a>
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<li>Send John a message on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/MatiszJohn">@matiszjohn</a>)</li>
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NHL Inbox: Who should Sharks draft? Sabres' main issue? Cup winner traits?

Our hockey writers shared observations throughout Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tap to ret...

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Past analysis of Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Maple Leafs' record in closeout games since 2018 fell to 1-13 on Tuesday, as the Senators sta...

The Maple Leafs' record in closeout games since 2018 fell to 1-13 on Tuesday, as the Senators staved off elimination for a second time in four days. The Eastern Conference first-round series, now 3-2 for Toronto, resumes Thursday in Ottawa. Beyond shedding the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3272880" href="https://thescore.com/news/3272880">much-talked-about</a> mental "playoff demons," what can the Leafs do to finish off the Sens? Let's dig in.<h3>Matthews must activate beast mode</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783322/cropped_GettyImages-2212095168.jpg?ts=1746033251" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783322/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212095168.jpg?ts=1746033251 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783322/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212095168.jpg?ts=1746033251 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783322/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212095168.jpg?ts=1746033251 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783322/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212095168.jpg?ts=1746033251 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783322/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212095168.jpg?ts=1746033251 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Thomas Skrlj / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Nobody has scored more regular-season goals than Auston Matthews since he entered the NHL in 2016. The playoffs are, famously, a different story, with Matthews' 82-game pace dropping from a prolific 52 goals to a mortal 33.Matthews, who's in his first season as Leafs captain, has scored just once in five games against Ottawa. That Game 3 tally was a gift from Mitch Marner. Matthews received a gorgeous pass below the right circle and, with goalie Linus Ullmark looking the other way, had nearly the entire net to shoot at.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Matthews hasn't been invisible in this series; he's been strong defensively (ugly giveaway in Game 5's third period excluded), picked up five assists, and led the Leafs in shot attempts (39), shots on goal (18), and posts hit (two).On the other hand, Matthews is 2024-25's highest-paid player because he's an elite goal-scorer. The Leafs need their 6-foot-3 No. 1 center - limited by injury or not - to put forth a monster effort in Game 6. To assert his dominance over every Senator who enters his orbit. To incorporate deception into his shot to outduel Ullmark. Most crucially, he needs to hit the back of the net at least once.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782896/cropped_GettyImages-2212297855.jpg?ts=1746046873" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782896/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212297855.jpg?ts=1746046873 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782896/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212297855.jpg?ts=1746046873 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782896/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212297855.jpg?ts=1746046873 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782896/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212297855.jpg?ts=1746046873 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782896/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212297855.jpg?ts=1746046873 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark Blinch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Ottawa coach Travis Green line-matched pretty hard with the advantage of last change at home in Games 3 and 4, pitting Shane Pinto's line against Matthews' as much as possible. Matthews, Marner, and Matthew Knies, so far, have the upper hand in 26:55 total head-to-head minutes - 3-0 in goals, 21-19 in shot attempts, 12-8 in scoring chances, and 5-0 in inner-slot shots.Pinto is a quality center, but he doesn't present the same challenge to Matthews as Patrice Bergeron, Anthony Cirelli, and Aleksander Barkov of past playoff matchups. Matthews should be outplaying Pinto and can't lose the Game 6 battle.Matthews has consistently failed to carry his team to victory late in playoff series in the way this era's other great forwards do. Thursday is a golden chance to be like Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon, and Nikita Kucherov.<h3>Offense can't be 'one and done'</h3>William Nylander and Bobby McMann - two of Toronto's six 20-goal scorers this season - have combined for one goal versus Ottawa. That Nylander marker came way back in Game 1 during a five-on-three power play.Nylander's pushed the pace throughout the series, though he's impacted games largely through cerebral playmaking (five primary assists). McMann, meanwhile, was most noticeable in Game 3. He's played almost exclusively on the third line with center Max Domi and either Nick Robertson or Max Pacioretty but is an obvious candidate to bump up to second-line left wing.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783328/cropped_GettyImages-2211000000.jpg?ts=1746034979" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783328/w220xh124_GettyImages-2211000000.jpg?ts=1746034979 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783328/w320xh180_GettyImages-2211000000.jpg?ts=1746034979 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783328/w640xh360_GettyImages-2211000000.jpg?ts=1746034979 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783328/w768xh432_GettyImages-2211000000.jpg?ts=1746034979 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783328/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2211000000.jpg?ts=1746034979 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andre Ringuette / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>McMann should take the spot of Pontus Holmberg, who's simply not fit for top-six duty in the playoffs. A handful of high-end scoring chances have died on the Swede's stick. Coach Craig Berube should shorten his bench and ride Knies-Matthews-Marner and McMann-John Tavares-Nylander hard when possible. Mind you, the fourth line of Scott Laughton between Steven Lorentz and Calle Jarnkrok has been solid. (Jarnkrok was fantastic in Game 5.)Berube put it perfectly Tuesday night: The Matthews line can't be <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fmwo3lY0QVM&amp;ab_channel=TorontoMapleLeafs">"one and done"</a> in the offensive zone. The same goes for the rest of the squad. So, how can the Leafs get off this single-shot-sequence hamster wheel? Attack in numbers, beat opponents to loose pucks for rebounds, and win board battles.Toronto can learn something from Ottawa, too. The Senators have struggled to get to the interior of the offensive zone, so they've often settled for long-range shots from the high slot and blue line. The best way to turn those low-percentage shots into something dangerous: screens. Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz has battled a screen on four of the Senators' six five-on-five goals.<h3>Sanderson needs to be reined in</h3>Brady Tkachuk's been doing Brady Tkachuk things in the offensive zone. Drake Batherson's been a handful off the rush. Fellow Sens Pinto, Dylan Cozens, Tim Stutzle, and Thomas Chabot have all had their moments of brilliance.Yet none of those core members can compete with Jake Sanderson's play. The 22-year-old blue-liner has been the series' best player, period, thanks in large part to exceptional defensive work. Sanderson's been on an upward trajectory all year, evolving before our eyes into basically a younger version of Jaccob Slavin, Carolina's longtime underrated, do-everything defenseman.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783325/cropped_GettyImages-2212110821.jpg?ts=1746033714" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783325/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212110821.jpg?ts=1746033714 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783325/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212110821.jpg?ts=1746033714 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783325/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212110821.jpg?ts=1746033714 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783325/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212110821.jpg?ts=1746033714 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783325/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212110821.jpg?ts=1746033714 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andre Ringuette / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Sanderson uses his tremendous skating ability, hockey sense, and range to kill plays constantly. As of Wednesday morning, he ranked third among all playoff defensemen in "total defensive plays," a catch-all metric by Sportlogiq. He's first among Sens in stick checks, loose-puck recoveries, and blocked passes; second in blocked shots; third in puck-battle wins; and fourth in defensive-zone denials. He's also the series leader in ice time (27:21 a game).Offensively, it took Sanderson and fellow playoff rookie Chabot a game or two to find a groove. Both have started and joined rushes with more regularity as the series progressed. Sanderson is at his best when he's maneuvering through layers of defense, head up. He really popped in Game 4, not only scoring the winning goal but also recording 11 five-on-five shot attempts.The Leafs need to punish Sanderson on the forecheck as much as possible to limit how often he can contribute to the Senators' breakout.<h3>Protect the house - especially early on</h3>"Score the first goal" is an eye-roll-worthy cliche. But it's stuck for a reason, and in this series, the team that's scored first has won four of five games.Both clubs are well-coached and have already shown they're capable of falling into a defensive shell after gaining a lead. This was especially evident in Games 1 and 2, when the Leafs happily conceded the territorial battle for a triumphant final score. Sens attackers were met with active sticks and well-timed physicality any time they tried to enter the interior of the offensive zone.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783329/cropped_GettyImages-2212110094.jpg?ts=1746035238" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783329/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212110094.jpg?ts=1746035238 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783329/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212110094.jpg?ts=1746035238 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783329/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212110094.jpg?ts=1746035238 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783329/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212110094.jpg?ts=1746035238 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/783329/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212110094.jpg?ts=1746035238 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Chisholm / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Ottawa's season is on the line Thursday. If the Sens fall behind early, they'll likely opt for an overly aggressive desperation state of play. This dynamic could prove to be overwhelming for the Leafs ... or completely tolerable given the veteran savvy on the blue line and the ice the Sens will hand over in the process.In that second scenario, seams should open up for Toronto. We've witnessed the Leafs attempt middle-lane stretch passes all series, connecting on a vast majority of them. One particular sequence in Game 1 led to a Marner breakaway goal.One parting thought: The Leafs can't let the Sens' penalty kill get in their heads. Yes, Toronto's allowed two shorthanded goals in this series, and the overall special teams score from Games 4 and 5 was 3-0 for Ottawa. But the focus should remain on executing on the man advantage. Win offensive zone draws, move the puck around efficiently, and pull the trigger on good looks.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Pressure mounting: What Leafs need to do in Game 6 to eliminate Sens

The Ottawa Senators avoided an opening-round sweep Saturday night with a thrilling 4-3 overtime v...

The Ottawa Senators avoided an opening-round sweep Saturday night with a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here are five battles to monitor in Tuesday night's Game 5 at Scotiabank Arena.<h3>Sens' shooters vs. Leafs' blockers</h3>Heading into Monday's games, the Sens ranked 16th out of 16 playoff teams in one important category: inner-slot shots. They've generated a measly 3.8 per game, according to Sportlogiq, with St. Louis sitting 15th at 4.5 per game and the 14 other teams generating between 5.8 (three clubs) and nine (Oilers).The Senators' struggle to get into the interior of the offensive zone is strongly linked to an overall inability to get shots through the Leafs' defensive shell. Those storylines explain the series' arc well.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782921/cropped_GettyImages-2211607973.jpg?ts=1745854556" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782921/w220xh124_GettyImages-2211607973.jpg?ts=1745854556 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782921/w320xh180_GettyImages-2211607973.jpg?ts=1745854556 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782921/w640xh360_GettyImages-2211607973.jpg?ts=1745854556 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782921/w768xh432_GettyImages-2211607973.jpg?ts=1745854556 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782921/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2211607973.jpg?ts=1745854556 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andre Ringuette / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Ottawa's attempted 280 total shots over four games - 102 of them have ended up on goal, 83 have missed the net, and, most crucially, 95 have been blocked. Unsurprisingly, Toronto leads the postseason in blocked shots.There have been plenty of instances in which a skilled Sens player enters the Leafs' zone with time and space only for it to evaporate thanks to active sticks and well-timed physicality from the likes of Chris Tanev, Jake McCabe, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Ottawa's most talented forward, Tim Stutzle, has been victimized countless times in this way, though the German (and most of his teammates) did a much better job maximizing offensive-zone possessions in Game 4.Drake Batherson's been the exception to the rule all series. The Sens winger has made mistakes without the puck (blown coverage in overtime of Game 2, reckless penalty late in Game 4), but he's been a handful with it. He's consistently used his skating and big frame to power his way into the middle of the ice and deserves a better stat line than one goal and one assist.<h3>Leafs' power play vs. Sens' penalty kill</h3>The Leafs scored four goals on seven power-play opportunities in the first two games. The total time needed on those successful power plays: 38 seconds.Fast forward to overtime in Game 4, and Toronto looked primed to send the Senators into the offseason after Batherson incurred a four-minute double major for high-sticking. Except the Leafs over-passed. Auston Matthews hitting the post was the lone highlight.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782971/cropped_GettyImages-2212297885.jpg?ts=1745871208" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782971/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212297885.jpg?ts=1745871208 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782971/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212297885.jpg?ts=1745871208 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782971/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212297885.jpg?ts=1745871208 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782971/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212297885.jpg?ts=1745871208 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782971/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212297885.jpg?ts=1745871208 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark Blinch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Two major factors were at play. One, the Leafs' five-forward power-play unit had to be downgraded to four forwards because John Tavares was being treated for a possible concussion. Two, the Senators' penalty kill was better prepared for the Leafs' movement patterns following 12 previous power plays and film study. Toronto had trouble funneling pucks to the goal line and slot areas.It's obvious but needs to be stated: Ottawa's PK can't fail the rest of the team in Game 5. It all starts with goalie Linus Ullmark. The 2023 Vezina Trophy winner hasn't carried his fair share of the load through four games, posting an ugly goals saved above expected of minus-3.7, according to Sportlogiq.<h3>Sens' doggedness vs. Stolarz's sightlines</h3>The Senators have scored 10 goals in the series but only five at even strength.Of those five, three came off rebounds, one was a deflected point shot, and one was a screened point shot. What do those five Sens goals have in common? They involved some degree of chaos in front of Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz, either immediately before or during the shot attempt.Playoff hockey isn't rocket science. Get bodies to the net and then outwork the opposition to the puck, whether it's loose or in flight. This is especially applicable to the Sens in this matchup: They have less talent, which means they must be the hungriest for pucks.<h3>Matthew Knies vs. Ridly Greig</h3>Matthew Knies proved in the regular season that he wasn't some sidekick to linemates Matthews and Mitch Marner. The 22-year-old's taken his game to an even higher level as arguably the best forward on either team through four games.Knies is coach Craig Berube's dream when it comes to executing a north-south playing style. A linebacker on skates at 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds, he crashes and bangs on the forecheck and retrieves dump-ins at a high rate. He's outstanding at keeping his feet moving in traffic both off the rush and in the offensive zone, making him difficult to contain. His playmaking seems to be improving daily, too.Knies' physical traits were on full display for his breakaway goal in Game 4:<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/urMxY214WdI?si=vaiTCi1R-oKm6YKT" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure>In Knies, Matthews, and Tavares, the Leafs have three top-six forwards who can be physically dominant shift to shift. This has proven to be an issue for a Sens team that isn't overly imposing down the middle or on the blue line.Knies' emergence has been especially important for Toronto because the Leafs have received nothing offensively from second-line left winger Pontus Holmberg, and the Max Domi-centered third line can't seem to find its purpose.Ridly Greig is the Sens' closest equivalent to Knies. Greig's smaller and not quite the same player, but both occupy that space between their club's star players and bit pieces. Greig's been on the ice for three five-on-five goals against and none for, but he's personally looked effective most shifts. He has that high-motor, in-your-face layer to his game that leaves the door open for a monster performance. Greig has a chance here to be a villain on the road.This battle of Knies versus Greig isn't head-to-head. But if Ottawa can slow down Knies and Greig can make a Knies-esque impact, Game 5 should be close.<h3>Leafs' stars vs. human element</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782986/cropped_GettyImages-2212297850.jpg?ts=1745875338" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782986/w220xh124_GettyImages-2212297850.jpg?ts=1745875338 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782986/w320xh180_GettyImages-2212297850.jpg?ts=1745875338 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782986/w640xh360_GettyImages-2212297850.jpg?ts=1745875338 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782986/w768xh432_GettyImages-2212297850.jpg?ts=1745875338 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782986/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2212297850.jpg?ts=1745875338 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark Blinch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Imagine for a moment the Leafs surrender the first goal for the third straight game. Now imagine you're Matthews, Marner, Nylander, or Morgan Rielly, one of the players who's lost 11 of 12 series closeout games.What goes through your mind? How do you feel? They're all human."They've got demons in their head, in their car, under their f-----g beds, everywhere they turn, there's a f-----g demon," former Leafs assistant coach Paul MacLean said in the 2021 "All Or Nothing" Amazon documentary."The biggest obstacle this team has now is themselves."The Leafs have won a series since MacLean's revealing soundbite, and the roster's been turned over for the most part. Plus, they enter Tuesday night up 3-1. There's no logical reason to panic.Still, the core's history is what it is, and Ottawa, for all its warts, has pushed Toronto to three overtimes in four games. There are no free wins in the playoffs. Psyches will be tested if things go sideways early in Game 5.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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5 battles that'll determine Game 5 of Leafs-Senators series

The Maple Leafs have a 2-0 lead in a playoff series for the first time since 2002, and the Senato...

The Maple Leafs have a 2-0 lead in a playoff series for the first time since 2002, and the Senators are hosting a playoff game for the first time since 2017. The ever-entertaining Battle of Ontario resumes Thursday night at the Canadian Tire Centre. Here are six thoughts on the matchup heading into Game 3.<h3>Senators need to put out PK fire</h3>Everything in this series, which began with 6-2 and 3-2 Leafs victories in Toronto, flows downstream from the talent gap at forward.The Senators simply don't have what the Leafs have in Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander. Nor do they have an answer for a top power-play unit featuring those three, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782039/cropped_GettyImages-2211320757.jpg?ts=1745440496" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782039/w220xh124_GettyImages-2211320757.jpg?ts=1745440496 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782039/w320xh180_GettyImages-2211320757.jpg?ts=1745440496 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782039/w640xh360_GettyImages-2211320757.jpg?ts=1745440496 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782039/w768xh432_GettyImages-2211320757.jpg?ts=1745440496 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782039/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2211320757.jpg?ts=1745440496 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark Blinch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Toronto's capitalized on four of seven power-play opportunities. Each goal has followed an offensive zone faceoff win, with the five-forward unit needing just nine, three, eight, and 18 seconds of PP time to find the back of the net. The Leafs' stars are picking apart the Senators' diamond formation by moving the puck frequently, not overthinking shot selection, and crashing the crease.It can be difficult for a team to change its special teams strategy mid-series. However, pivoting to a less aggressive penalty-killing scheme would be worth a try given the dire results. The ultimate pivot, of course, would be taking fewer penalties. The officiating standard has been set. Time to adhere to it.<h3>Leafs stifling dangerous Stutzle</h3>Ottawa gains two things in Game 3: the home crowd and last change.Head coach Travis Green's No. 1 task is obvious to all parties. Get Tim Stutzle, the Sens' best offensive player, away from the Leafs' best defensive players.The series' five-on-five numbers heavily favor Stutzle and linemates Brady Tkachuk and Claude Giroux (85% of the shot attempts, 71% of the expected goals). Yet, the Sens' top trio has struggled to infiltrate the middle of the ice.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782041/cropped_GettyImages-2211649374.jpg?ts=1745440642" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782041/w220xh124_GettyImages-2211649374.jpg?ts=1745440642 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782041/w320xh180_GettyImages-2211649374.jpg?ts=1745440642 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782041/w640xh360_GettyImages-2211649374.jpg?ts=1745440642 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782041/w768xh432_GettyImages-2211649374.jpg?ts=1745440642 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782041/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2211649374.jpg?ts=1745440642 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Claus Andersen / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>There's been a Leaf waiting with an active stick or body check seemingly every time Stutzle's tried to attack off the rush. Sometimes it's Matthews, Marner, or Knies. Other times it's Jake McCabe or Chris Tanev. Those five have seen plenty of Stutzle so far and fared well steering him to the perimeter.Green should target the Max Domi line and the Simon Benoit-Oliver Ekman-Larsson pairing as much as possible in hopes that Stutzle can occasionally roam free.As for the rest of the lineup, how about promoting Fabian Zetterlund? A natural goal-scorer currently on the fourth line, Zetterlund's earned either the 1LW or 2LW spot over Giroux or David Perron by pushing the pace, getting in on the forecheck, and laying hits. It would be a low-risk, high reward move for Green.<h3>Leafs depth providing answers and questions</h3>Speaking of mixing and matching, Toronto head coach Craig Berube elevated Pontus Holmberg to his second line midway through Game 1 and looks smart for it.Holmberg has fit in seamlessly as Tavares and Nylander's third wheel. The trio is up 1-0 in 15 five-on-five minutes together thanks in part to Holmberg's blue-collar work. He's made little chip plays to keep the action moving in the right direction, extended possessions by protecting the puck, and drawn two penalties. The oft-forgotten Leaf even had a breakaway early in Game 2.The fourth line of Scott Laughton between Calle Jarnkrok and Steven Lorentz is also off to a promising start. The same can't be said about the "what exactly do you do around here?" line of Bobby McMann, Max Domi, and Nick Robertson. Domi's Game 2 overtime goal (rightfully) overshadows how ineffective he's been on the whole, especially compared to 4C Laughton.<h3>Starting goalies on opposite paths</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782046/cropped_GettyImages-2210612798.jpg?ts=1745440902" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782046/w220xh124_GettyImages-2210612798.jpg?ts=1745440902 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782046/w320xh180_GettyImages-2210612798.jpg?ts=1745440902 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782046/w640xh360_GettyImages-2210612798.jpg?ts=1745440902 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782046/w768xh432_GettyImages-2210612798.jpg?ts=1745440902 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782046/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2210612798.jpg?ts=1745440902 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark Blinch / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Sens goalie Linus Ullmark allowed six goals in Game 1. It felt like a mulligan for the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner since he was left out to dry multiple times.Ullmark wasn't horrendous in Game 2, but he wasn't nearly good enough, again. No goalie gets two mulligans in two games. The Swede has let his club down and neither can afford another subpar goaltending performance.Anthony Stolarz, meanwhile, has been in complete control, stopping 57 of 61 shots while outplaying his environment a bit at 1.93 goals saved above expected, according to <a href="https://evolving-hockey.com/stats/goalie_standard/?_inputs_&amp;std_gl_table=%22On-Ice%22&amp;std_gl_team=%22All%22&amp;std_gl_str=%22All%22&amp;std_gl_adj=%22No%20Adjustment%22&amp;std_gl_range=%22Seasons%22&amp;std_gl_span=%22Playoffs%22&amp;std_gl_group=%22Team%2C%20Season%22&amp;std_gl_age1=%2217%22&amp;std_gl_age2=%2250%22&amp;std_gl_dft_yr=%22All%22&amp;std_gl_status=%22All%22&amp;std_gl_info=%22No%22&amp;std_gl_players=null&amp;std_gl_fa=%2250%22&amp;std_gl_season=%2220242025%22">Evolving Hockey</a>. He hasn't lost since March 15.The Sens have outshot the Leafs in both games and are no doubt trying to rally behind that fact internally. One issue: Toronto boasted a league-best 33-12-2 record when outshot during the regular season. The defensive shell hardens quickly if the Leafs gain a lead. Ottawa needs the first goal.<h3>Signature performance incoming?</h3>Part of the Sens' conundrum relates to Jake Sanderson's and Thomas Chabot's lack of dynamism to their games right now. Neither is initiating or joining the rush with the usual probing creativity.The Leafs' neutral-zone forecheck has played a major role in keeping a lid on the Sens' explosiveness. We also can't discount the human element - this is all new for playoff rookies Sanderson, Chabot, and other young Sens. Everybody goes through an adjustment period. How long it lasts is the tricky question.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782058/cropped_GettyImages-2208852200.jpg?ts=1745447049" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782058/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208852200.jpg?ts=1745447049 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782058/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208852200.jpg?ts=1745447049 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782058/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208852200.jpg?ts=1745447049 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782058/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208852200.jpg?ts=1745447049 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782058/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208852200.jpg?ts=1745447049 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andre Ringuette / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Can one of the stud blue-liners, captain Tkachuk, Stutzle, or Drake Batherson deliver a signature performance for Ottawa before it's too late? Leafs fans know all too well what it feels like to wait for a dominant, MVP game from a star player.On that note, Matthews and Knies are prime candidates to pop off in Game 3. Both have been excellent - winning puck battles, causing turnovers, blocking shots, generating scoring chances - but have just one goal between them for Toronto.<h3>Greig chaos watch officially on</h3>The stage is set for some kind of Ridly Greig-related chaos.Maybe it's a controversial goal where the Sens winger accidentally-on-purpose falls onto Stolarz as the puck crosses the line. Or maybe a penalty's drawn through pure agitation. Or a penalty's taken by Greig himself because he lets emotions get in the way of playing quality hockey. Who knows.But it sure feels like, no matter who ultimately wins Game 3, Greig will be in the middle of it. Remember, this is the guy who blasted a one-timer into an empty net in a 2024 regular-season game before eating a wicked Morgan Rielly cross-check. Greig's had one of his sticks <a href="https://x.com/Sportsnet/status/1914819606893695467/">snapped in half</a> by Matthews, been called "annoying" by Knies, and been the target of many Stolarz whacks.What are the consequences of whatever shenanigans unfold Thursday?<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782059/cropped_GettyImages-2210111592.jpg?ts=1745447211" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782059/w220xh124_GettyImages-2210111592.jpg?ts=1745447211 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782059/w320xh180_GettyImages-2210111592.jpg?ts=1745447211 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782059/w640xh360_GettyImages-2210111592.jpg?ts=1745447211 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782059/w768xh432_GettyImages-2210111592.jpg?ts=1745447211 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/782059/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2210111592.jpg?ts=1745447211 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andre Ringuette / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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6 Battle of Ontario thoughts ahead of pivotal Game 3

Thomas Chabot scanned Madison Square Garden, absorbing the action with a quiet focus. It was May ...

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These Senators have 'been through some shit,' but hope's finally here

Ivan Demidov fever peaked last Thursday when a Montreal-based podcast company livestreamed the Ca...

Ivan Demidov fever peaked last Thursday when a Montreal-based podcast company livestreamed the Canadiens prospect's North American arrival from Toronto Pearson Airport.The Twitter stream had a TMZ vibe to it - an exaggerated amount of attention devoted to something ultimately mundane, in this case a 19-year-old athlete and his girlfriend navigating an airport with luggage in tow. The next day, Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher likened the stream to a scene you might see in a documentary about iconic soccer player David Beckham.Silly or not, people watched. In fact, hundreds of thousands of Canadiens fans tuned in at one point or another. In that sense, the stream was meaningful. The 39-31-10 Habs are relevant again, and Demidov's arrival is gasoline on the fire. The forward will make his NHL debut Monday night, and with a win over Chicago, Montreal can clinch a playoff spot on home ice.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635806/cropped_GettyImages-2159742385.jpg?ts=1720193574" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635806/w220xh124_GettyImages-2159742385.jpg?ts=1720193574 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635806/w320xh180_GettyImages-2159742385.jpg?ts=1720193574 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635806/w640xh360_GettyImages-2159742385.jpg?ts=1720193574 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635806/w768xh432_GettyImages-2159742385.jpg?ts=1720193574 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/635806/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2159742385.jpg?ts=1720193574 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Vinnick / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Demidov, the fifth pick in 2024, has superstar potential. He posted 49 points in 65 KHL games this season to become the most productive player under the age of 20 in league history. He's being compared to Lightning dynamo Nikita Kucherov for his similarly sublime vision, creativity, and playmaking."Pretty impressive what he did back in Russia, and I hope he can translate everything here to the NHL," forward Juraj Slafkovsky said Friday in Ottawa prior to a 5-2 loss to the Senators.The hype around Demidov is fine, if not slightly overblown for a player not in the generational-talent tier. The hype around the Canadiens' long-term outlook, on the other hand, is completely fair. They're building a monster.Not every promising young player is going to pan out, but the sheer number of high-quality forwards, defensemen, and goalies in the system is impressive.Demidov, Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson, David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux, Kaiden Guhle, Jakub Dobes, and Jacob Fowler are all on entry-level contracts. Michael Hage, the Canadiens' other 2024 first-round pick, is thriving in college. That's nine players - four defensemen, three forwards, two goalies - with high ceilings and tons of runway to assert themselves.Again, the odds are at least one of those youngsters won't meet their potential. But there's no denying Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has given his player development group and coaching staff loads of raw talent to work with. (The club also has two first-rounders at its disposal in June.)<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780531/cropped_GettyImages-2209175820.jpg?ts=1744637002" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780531/w220xh124_GettyImages-2209175820.jpg?ts=1744637002 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780531/w320xh180_GettyImages-2209175820.jpg?ts=1744637002 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780531/w640xh360_GettyImages-2209175820.jpg?ts=1744637002 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780531/w768xh432_GettyImages-2209175820.jpg?ts=1744637002 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780531/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2209175820.jpg?ts=1744637002 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Another layer: Faces of the franchise Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield - aged 25 and 24, respectively - have both leveled up this season. Two-way center Suzuki has the fourth-most points in the NHL since the 4 Nations Face-Off break (35 in 24 games) and sits 15th in league scoring with 87 total points in 80 games. Sniper Caufield, who flirted with the 30-goal mark in the past, is up to 37 tallies. His 26 five-on-five goals trail only Buffalo's Tage Thompson.Suzuki and Caufield popping off is as important to the Habs' trajectory of the Habs as Demidov's arrival, Hutson's unexpected Calder Trophy-caliber season, or Dobes' emergence between the pipes. Teams consistently finishing at the top of the standings have players of different age groups contributing.The work is far from over in Montreal. The roster remains under construction, and the group is still learning lessons on the ice. The underlying statistical profile isn't pretty, and the Habs have a minus-18 goal differential in the first period. "Can we bend, not break in the first period?" head coach Martin St. Louis said following the loss in Ottawa. "We haven't been able to do that."Inconsistent, yes. But get ready. The hype - around what the future might hold, in general, not necessarily Demidov's immediate impact - is warranted.<h3>Take a bow, Blue Jackets</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780437/cropped_GettyImages-2195583878.jpg?ts=1744582407" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780437/w220xh124_GettyImages-2195583878.jpg?ts=1744582407 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780437/w320xh180_GettyImages-2195583878.jpg?ts=1744582407 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780437/w640xh360_GettyImages-2195583878.jpg?ts=1744582407 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780437/w768xh432_GettyImages-2195583878.jpg?ts=1744582407 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780437/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2195583878.jpg?ts=1744582407 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Grant Halverson / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Columbus is still alive in a down-to-the-wire Eastern Conference playoff race thanks to a 4-1 victory over Washington on Sunday night. Clinching the final wild-card spot won't be easy with Montreal three points up and both teams at 80 games played. In fact, it's mathematically unlikely the Blue Jackets get in.Regardless of outcome, remaining in the hunt for this long is a minor miracle.Preseason expectations were supremely low for the Jackets. (I grouped them with the Ducks and Blackhawks in Tier 7 of eight in my <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3064137" href="https://thescore.com/news/3064137">annual preseason rankings</a>.) One of the youngest squads in the league, Columbus was not only in transition with a new GM and head coach, but it was also grieving the tragic death of beloved star teammate Johnny Gaudreau.Yet, here we are in the final week, and they've improved by 19 points year over year despite 24th-ranked goaltending and poor special teams. This year's been characterized by tremendous individual skater performances, including:<ul>
<li>Zach Werenski: do-everything Norris Trophy contender</li>
<li>Kirill Marchenko: 31 total goals, plus-34 rating at five-on-five</li>
<li>Sean Monahan: point per game despite wrist injury</li>
<li>Adam Fantilli/Kent Johnson: significant Year 2/3 leaps</li>
</ul>2024-25 was dedicated to Johnny, and the fellas have delivered.<h3>Marchand's mental shift</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780411/cropped_GettyImages-2209796513.jpg?ts=1744578235" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780411/w220xh124_GettyImages-2209796513.jpg?ts=1744578235 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780411/w320xh180_GettyImages-2209796513.jpg?ts=1744578235 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780411/w640xh360_GettyImages-2209796513.jpg?ts=1744578235 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780411/w768xh432_GettyImages-2209796513.jpg?ts=1744578235 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780411/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2209796513.jpg?ts=1744578235 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Eliot J. Schechter / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Brad Marchand entered the 2016 World Cup of Hockey as a notable NHLer. A stud performance for Canada - eight points, including the tournament-winning goal - elevated him to legitimate star, and in the next four seasons he posted the highest point totals of his career (85 in 2016-17, then 85, 100, and 87).The timing wasn't coincidental, Marchand explained in February during the Montreal leg of the 4 Nations Face-Off. The World Cup changed him."The mind is such a powerful thing. It can propel you to achieve incredible things, and it can really hinder you and hold you back from accomplishing things," said Marchand, a 15-year Bruins stalwart traded to the Panthers in March."At that time, I always viewed guys on tiers. You look across the league, and you've got your McDavids and your Crosbys and your MacKinnons and all of that. And then you've got mid-tier guys. I always viewed myself as looking at those (top-tier) guys as the best in the world. They were untouchables. When I got to play as part of that team, I realized that one of the biggest things is that they know and believe that every time they step on the ice, they are the best."Performing well on a big stage, against the elite of the elite, gave Marchand a previously unreached level of self-belief. "Whether it was true or not, I would tell myself I was the best player," he said. "I had that mindset - a little bit of an internal arrogance and confidence - and it helped me get to another level."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780416/cropped_GettyImages-2204726377.jpg?ts=1744579237" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780416/w220xh124_GettyImages-2204726377.jpg?ts=1744579237 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780416/w320xh180_GettyImages-2204726377.jpg?ts=1744579237 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780416/w640xh360_GettyImages-2204726377.jpg?ts=1744579237 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780416/w768xh432_GettyImages-2204726377.jpg?ts=1744579237 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780416/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2204726377.jpg?ts=1744579237 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ben Green / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>I've been thinking about those comments ever since 4 Nations wrapped, trying to put my finger on who might be Marchand 2.0. Which somewhat under-the-radar player proved to themselves that they could hang with the best and has used the experience as a springboard to new heights?It's hard to tell two months later. But Sweden's Rasmus Dahlin is one guess.Like Marchand, Dahlin was a well-established player prior to the best-on-best competition. He was the first pick in the 2018 draft and has earned three All-Star selections, plus the captaincy in Buffalo. However, as a seven-year pro playing for a Sabres franchise with zero playoff appearances over the past 14 years, Dahlin's NHL resume is light on high-stakes, measuring-stick games.Like Marchand, Dahlin's playing some of the finest hockey of his career following the event. His points-per-game rate and underlying metrics have improved in the second half, and to my eye, he looks extra confident and assertive. His full body of work is deserving of down-ballot Norris Trophy love.<h3>Quick hits</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780412/cropped_GettyImages-2208500828.jpg?ts=1744578547" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780412/w220xh124_GettyImages-2208500828.jpg?ts=1744578547 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780412/w320xh180_GettyImages-2208500828.jpg?ts=1744578547 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780412/w640xh360_GettyImages-2208500828.jpg?ts=1744578547 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780412/w768xh432_GettyImages-2208500828.jpg?ts=1744578547 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780412/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2208500828.jpg?ts=1744578547 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Lots of Pasta: Boston's post-trade deadline plummet has created a comically large gap between its best player and everyone else. David Pastrnak's up to 104 points through 81 games, which is 48 more than the next Bruin (Morgan Geekie, 56 points). The Bruins, 5-11-1 since the deadline and 33-39-9 overall, sit last in the Eastern Conference. They've scored 218 times in 2024-25, which means Pastrnak's earned a point on 47.7% of all goals. The wilder stat: With 42 goals and 44 primary assists, Pastrnak's been directly responsible for 39.4% of Boston's total offensive output. Think about that for a second. One guy, who plays only a third of the game, has been either the last or second-last player to touch the puck on four out of every 10 goals.See ya soon, Pat: After 848 games for eight NHL teams, Pat Maroon is retiring on his own terms. "Big Rig" slowed down significantly in his final few years, but the rugged forward will be remembered for being a respected teammate and three-time Stanley Cup champion (2019 with the Blues; 2020 and 2021 with the Lightning). Maroon, who turns 37 later this month, is a future media star. Expect him to end up on a major TV network ASAP. The St. Louis native is genuine and funny, and he can tap into an endless supply of stories. Expect also to hear about Maroon's 16-year-old son. Anthony Thomas-Maroon, a 5-foot-11 playmaking forward who played for the Long Island Gulls U16 AAA squad this year, is eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780435/cropped_GettyImages-2207405542.jpg?ts=1744582301" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780435/w220xh124_GettyImages-2207405542.jpg?ts=1744582301 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780435/w320xh180_GettyImages-2207405542.jpg?ts=1744582301 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780435/w640xh360_GettyImages-2207405542.jpg?ts=1744582301 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780435/w768xh432_GettyImages-2207405542.jpg?ts=1744582301 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780435/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2207405542.jpg?ts=1744582301 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jonathan Kozub / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Helle for Hart?: Connor Hellebuyck is the no-brainer choice for the Vezina Trophy, which is voted on by NHL GMs. Hockey writers vote on the Hart, and the Jets netminder will definitely be high on my ballot - potentially No. 1. Hellebuyck's brilliance is layered. He owns a .924 save percentage during a season in which the league average SV% is .900. He's first in the league in goalie categories heavily influenced by team quality - wins (46), shutouts (eight), and goals-against average (2.02). He's a few minutes behind Andrei Vasilevskiy for the lead in total crease time. Most importantly, he's outplayed his environment by a significant margin, recording a "quality start" in 42 of 61 starts while accumulating 39.6 goals saved above expected. (Vasilevskiy is the only other goalie with 30 GSAE or more.) Long story short, Hellebuyck's the MVP for the President's Trophy team and, depending on who you ask, full marks for NHL MVP. The burning question is if this is all worth it. Will the heavy workload come back to haunt Hellebuyck and the Jets in the playoffs?Big blow: Hobey Baker Award winner Isaac Howard has chosen to return to Michigan State instead of turning pro with the Lightning. Howard and Tampa Bay reportedly don't see eye to eye on the 21-year-old forward's immediate fit within the organization. Returning for a fourth NCAA season paves the way for unrestricted free agency, with the 2022 first-round pick's draft rights expiring next August. Howard is the Lightning's only first-rounder of the 2020s and, following win-now trades, the longtime contenders don't own a first until 2028. While GM Julien BriseBois can recoup assets by moving Howard's rights, this development undoubtedly stings. Most of Tampa's depth over the past few years has been patchwork. Howard, who racked up 52 points in 37 games this year, was supposed to be a breath of fresh air - a rare needle-moving homegrown talent attached to a cheap, entry-level contract.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/30965902/related

Canadiens hype warranted, take a bow CBJ, and 5 other NHL items

Every June, the NHL takes over LECOM Harborcenter, the Buffalo Sabres' practice facility, to hold...

Every June, the NHL takes over LECOM Harborcenter, the Buffalo Sabres' practice facility, to hold its scouting combine. With the draft a few weeks away, dozens of prospects undergo a series of fitness tests in front of general managers and other team staff before speaking to a swarm of reporters.The NHL returns to Harborcenter every August. The second event is a four-day crash course for prospective referees and linespeople - a flurry of on- and off-ice testing in front of hiring managers for the NHL, AHL, and other pro and amateur leagues. In the dead of the offseason, with no external buzz, a different kind of prospect is quietly showcasing his or her skills for a job at ice level.Fans might be surprised to learn two things about the officiating exposure combine, which launched in the late 2000s, evolved into its full-scale form in 2014, and expanded to Europe in 2023. One: Most participants are recently retired players. Two: Some ex-players arrive with zero officiating experience.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"They've all been sitting on benches throughout North America, calling offside plays, calling icing plays, letting the linesperson know when the draw wasn't ready, letting the referee know when they've missed a hook," NHL executive vice president and director of officiating Stephen Walkom said."They've been 'reffing' in their own way for at least a decade."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779510/cropped_GettyImages-1415877693.jpg?ts=1744135844" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779510/w220xh124_GettyImages-1415877693.jpg?ts=1744135844 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779510/w320xh180_GettyImages-1415877693.jpg?ts=1744135844 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779510/w640xh360_GettyImages-1415877693.jpg?ts=1744135844 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779510/w768xh432_GettyImages-1415877693.jpg?ts=1744135844 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779510/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1415877693.jpg?ts=1744135844 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Joshua Bessex / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Among other benefits, this emphasis on recruiting athletes has diversified the workforce in many of the NHL's feeder leagues. The AHL's 2024-25 officiating crew features nine women - eight refs and one linesperson - while the ECHL, NCAA, USHL, OHL, WHL, and QMJHL have at least one calling games.The NBA has eight female referees, and the NFL has three female officials. Jen Pawol umpired MLB spring training games in February. Walkom <a href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/1841138">told theScore</a> in 2019 it was "just a matter of time" before a woman officiated an NHL game. How close are we to seeing that become a reality six years later?"I don't think I can give you a straight-up timeline," Walkom said.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779574/cropped_GettyImages-1415877684.jpg?ts=1744149624" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779574/w220xh124_GettyImages-1415877684.jpg?ts=1744149624 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779574/w320xh180_GettyImages-1415877684.jpg?ts=1744149624 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779574/w640xh360_GettyImages-1415877684.jpg?ts=1744149624 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779574/w768xh432_GettyImages-1415877684.jpg?ts=1744149624 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779574/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1415877684.jpg?ts=1744149624 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Joshua Bessex / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>"We've seen some real progress in some of the men and women who are in the program. Everybody moves at their own pace," the former NHL ref added. "It's important that you conquer every league that you're in. We have some women who are doing well in the American Hockey League this year. You conquer the American Hockey League and the NHL is the next step."Let's dig into the stories of two of those promising AHL officials.<h3>Sydney Harris, referee</h3>Harris' officiating journey began in earnest nine years ago.Back then, she was a stay-at-home defender for Division III Elmira College in New York who over summer break would officiate youth and beer-league games in her home state of Colorado, mostly for fun."I didn't want to flip hamburgers for $7," Harris said with a laugh. "I wanted to make my own schedule, and I knew I could make a little bit more money officiating than I could in a minimum-wage job. It's good conditioning, too."Why not try, right?"<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779751/cropped_GettyImages-945258830.jpg?ts=1744228628" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779751/w220xh124_GettyImages-945258830.jpg?ts=1744228628 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779751/w320xh180_GettyImages-945258830.jpg?ts=1744228628 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779751/w640xh360_GettyImages-945258830.jpg?ts=1744228628 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779751/w768xh432_GettyImages-945258830.jpg?ts=1744228628 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779751/w1080xh607_GettyImages-945258830.jpg?ts=1744228628 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Nancie Battaglia / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Harris - a three-year captain at Elmira who retired in 2022 - was invited to the 2024 exposure combine. She impressed Walkom and other evaluators and hasn't looked back. Harris became the ECHL's first female referee Dec. 6 in West Valley City, Utah. In her second game, with Utah again playing host to Kansas City the next night, two goalies <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQq0YRaqhPI&amp;ab_channel=FloHockey">threw down</a> in a 13-goal, 92-penalty-minute tilt.In a whirlwind first season in the pro pipeline, Harris has also reffed games in the AHL, BCHL, PWHL, NCAA men's and women's Division I, and various tournaments organized by the IIHF and USA Hockey."After the combine, I just said yes whenever I could," the 28-year-old said."Sydney has that drive," said Katie Guay, an officials manager for the NHL and PWHL who made history in 2021 as the AHL's first female official. "She's also not afraid to jump on the ice in high-pressure situations and fast-paced games. She's eager to learn and works really hard out there. She'll continue progressing with more games, more reps at these higher levels."Harris officiates two to three games a week, typically flying out of Denver on Thursday night, blowing her whistle somewhere in North America on Friday and Saturday, then travelling home Sunday. What's tricky is that no two leagues are exactly the same. There are different styles of play, different degrees of scrutiny, different levels of professionalism, and in some cases, different rulebooks.An official even maneuvers around the ice differently in each league."The amount of officiating knowledge that's been crammed into my head this year is crazy. I feel like I went through a Big Bang," said Harris, who's also working on a master's degree in applied sports psychology at Adams State.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779753/cropped_ahl_harris3_kd__1_.jpg?ts=1744228770" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779753/w220xh124_ahl_harris3_kd__1_.jpg?ts=1744228770 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779753/w320xh180_ahl_harris3_kd__1_.jpg?ts=1744228770 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779753/w640xh360_ahl_harris3_kd__1_.jpg?ts=1744228770 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779753/w768xh432_ahl_harris3_kd__1_.jpg?ts=1744228770 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779753/w1080xh607_ahl_harris3_kd__1_.jpg?ts=1744228770 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kate Dibildox / Tucson Roadrunners</figcaption></figure>Harris is quick to pick the brains of fellow officials. She recently asked an NHL-contracted ref about the jump from the AHL to the NHL. The more experienced official noted that penalties are easier to spot in the top league."That's proved to be generally true," Harris said of her own read on the best leagues around. "Penalties stand out more with every higher league you work. The players are more skilled, smarter, so they don't make as many mistakes."Walkom applauds Harris' skating, hockey IQ, and communication skills. All three traits are essential to thriving in an on-ice officiating career. Communication is especially key for referees, who are tasked with being the main point of contact - and target of complaints - for players and coaches."You have to be extremely good at emotionally regulating yourself because it is a stressful job," Harris said. "You have to have a good short-term memory as well, because it is a game of mistakes, not only for players but also for referees. One of my favorite phrases is this: 'We're not perfect, we're fair.'"<h3>Kirsten Welsh, linesperson</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779754/cropped_GettyImages-1363715199.jpg?ts=1744228898" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779754/w220xh124_GettyImages-1363715199.jpg?ts=1744228898 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779754/w320xh180_GettyImages-1363715199.jpg?ts=1744228898 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779754/w640xh360_GettyImages-1363715199.jpg?ts=1744228898 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779754/w768xh432_GettyImages-1363715199.jpg?ts=1744228898 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779754/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1363715199.jpg?ts=1744228898 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Chris Tanouye / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Welsh was in limbo in 2019. She had just completed her business degree and playing career at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh and wanted to get her post-school life moving in some direction. The defender from Blackstock, Ontario, wasn't thrilled with the women's pro options at the time and knew coaching wasn't her speed. Then came an invitation to the exposure combine."I knew it was an opportunity to stay in the game. I went and fell in love with officiating," said Welsh, who's currently calling games at the women's world championships in Czechia and has AHL playoff experience under her belt."I know there's a lot of females who have come before me, who could have done just as good a job, if not better. But I just think it's a right-person-wrong-timing kind of thing for them. I happened to get into it at the right time, had the right opportunities, and I've taken them. I love what I do, and I'm so lucky I get to strap on the skates every weekend and go out on the ice."Harris says linespeople are the "unsung heroes" at ice level, and it's hard to argue otherwise. They're tasked with moving the game along by assessing offsides and icings, dropping pucks for faceoffs, and breaking up scrums.This is all in Welsh's wheelhouse. AHL executive vice president Hayley Moore loves her skating chops and work ethic. AHL commissioner Scott Howson describes her as "combative" and "fiery." Guay calls her "fearless on the ice.""I led the NCAA when I was a freshman in penalty minutes," said Welsh, who's 6-feet, 160 pounds. "I've always loved the physical side of the game."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779755/cropped_GettyImages-1250614898.jpg?ts=1744229023" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779755/w220xh124_GettyImages-1250614898.jpg?ts=1744229023 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779755/w320xh180_GettyImages-1250614898.jpg?ts=1744229023 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779755/w640xh360_GettyImages-1250614898.jpg?ts=1744229023 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779755/w768xh432_GettyImages-1250614898.jpg?ts=1744229023 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/779755/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1250614898.jpg?ts=1744229023 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>One of Welsh's biggest takeaways through five-plus years of lines duty: You have to kill the player inside of you. Officials tap into a different kind of intensity and focus. You're in "the fight," sure, but in a less direct way. And, as she points out, breaking up scrums and fights is actually more about timing."It's not as based around strength as you'd probably think. It's more about the tactics behind it," Welsh said. "Even in the NHL - say you have Tom Wilson and Ryan Reaves going at it, not one linesman on staff is going to be stronger than those two. My mentality is that you let them fight, let them do their thing, and then when they're tired, that's when you insert yourself."Welsh and Harris say they have encountered very limited negativity from players and coaches in men's hockey; they're treated no differently than their male counterparts. At the AHL head office, Moore and Howson have fielded a greater sum of complimentary phone calls than critical ones."Scott and I both get phone calls or have conversations with people who are genuinely concerned," Moore said of a third type of call. "They want to make sure that a woman doesn't get hurt. And I ask them, 'Are you concerned about our male referees as well, some of whom might not be as good of skaters or be as physically fit as these women?' That's the nature our society. "Nobody wants to accidentally punch a female linesperson in a scrum, but they should be also concerned about accidentally punching a male linesperson in a scrum."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780226/cropped_GettyImages-2201250724.jpg?ts=1744464127" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780226/w220xh124_GettyImages-2201250724.jpg?ts=1744464127 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780226/w320xh180_GettyImages-2201250724.jpg?ts=1744464127 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780226/w640xh360_GettyImages-2201250724.jpg?ts=1744464127 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780226/w768xh432_GettyImages-2201250724.jpg?ts=1744464127 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/780226/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2201250724.jpg?ts=1744464127 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Welsh, who holds down a full-time sales job in addition to her dizzying hockey schedule, is known in officiating circles for her all-in attitude as she climbs the ranks and perhaps one day earns an NHL contract. The Seattle Kraken's Jessica Campbell, the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/2935358" href="https://thescore.com/news/2935358">first</a> female full-time NHL coach, is her role model."She's earned the right to participate in the men's game inside the glass because she's done her time, she's good at what she does - she's proven it all - and everyone accepts her," Welsh said of Campbell. "If you're going to be a female in a position inside the glass, you have to earn it."Welsh, the first woman to officiate an OHL game, will sometimes catch in the corner of her eye a kid with eyes big and a wide smile staring at the one official on the ice with a ponytail. "If it's a little girl," she said, "I always try to throw her a puck after the period."John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/30953185/related

For young on-ice officials, the learning curve is steep but rewarding

Defenseman Mike Komisarek fired a breakout pass to partner Roman Hamrlik early in a Canadiens-Cap...

Defenseman Mike Komisarek fired a breakout pass to partner Roman Hamrlik early in a Canadiens-Capitals game Feb. 18, 2009. The puck missed its target at Montreal's blue line and scooted into a largely empty neutral zone.Alex Ovechkin, 23 years old and in his fourth NHL season, smelled blood.The Capitals winger met the puck near the red line and backhanded it off the boards while spinning 180 degrees to avoid Hamrlik. Ovechkin then chased down the puck in Montreal's zone, beelined to the net, drove his shoulder into a defender, and crashed to the ice. Sliding on his right side, Ovechkin managed to lift the puck over goalie Carey Price to notch career goal No. 205.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_PQwsvFWaXk?si=Euy_7rhijnsXDxRD" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure>It was one of the most magnificent goals Ovechkin - or any NHLer - has ever scored yet (somehow) wasn't the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E82oUXP6Hng&amp;ab_channel=HockeyWebCast%28RobertS%C3%B6derlind%29">first time</a> he willed a puck past the goal line mid-slide. What makes that jaw-dropping 2009 sequence particularly salient is its representative quality. Prime-time Ovechkin was creative, quick, skilled, and physically dominant - truly a one-of-one package in the sport's history.Now, after scoring a second-period goal Sunday against the New York Islanders, Ovechkin is one of one in a different context. His name <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3258503" href="https://thescore.com/news/3258503">sits alone</a> atop the all-time goals leaderboard: 895, a tally up on The Great One, Wayne Gretzky. Spend enough time in NHL dressing rooms and you'll hear the same phrase over and over: scoring goals is the hardest thing to do. Ovechkin, new owner of the league's ultimate record, is officially the GOAT goal-scorer."Every single team and coach for the last 15, 20 years - whatever it's been - has had a plan that hasn't worked," longtime NHL head coach Paul Maurice said recently. "At some point, you go, 'There's no plan.' Just try to get the puck to move to somebody else, I guess.""I would always take one extra step out of my crease to eliminate any possible angles he had at shooting," Hall of Fame goalie Roberto Luongo said of his Ovechkin-specific plan. "When he didn't have the puck, I was aware at all times of where he was on the ice in case he was getting fed for a one-timer."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778570/cropped_GettyImages-2206212823.jpg?ts=1743625180" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778570/w220xh124_GettyImages-2206212823.jpg?ts=1743625180 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778570/w320xh180_GettyImages-2206212823.jpg?ts=1743625180 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778570/w640xh360_GettyImages-2206212823.jpg?ts=1743625180 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778570/w768xh432_GettyImages-2206212823.jpg?ts=1743625180 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778570/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2206212823.jpg?ts=1743625180 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Patrick Smith / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Ovechkin finished the 2008-09 season with a 0.71 goals-per-game average, tied for the second-highest rate of his 20-year career. The highest came the season prior: 0.79 per game as a 22-year-old, off a ludicrous 65 goals.The Russian's bagged 42 goals in 61 games this season for a 0.69 per-game rate. At age 39 and in a year in which he suffered a major injury, Ovechkin remains a prolific scorer. That LeBron James-esque career arc - a super-high peak coupled with a multi-decade stretch of relevance as a top producer - makes Ovechkin a no-brainer first-ballot Hall of Famer. If the list of the five best players of all time includes Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux, Gordie Howe, and Sidney Crosby, Ovechkin is comfortably in Tier 2 alongside Jaromir Jagr, Nicklas Lidstrom, Maurice Richard, Jean Beliveau, Dominik Hasek, and a few others.Ovechkin's maintained his insane production by evolving. Young Ovi was <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3245458" href="https://thescore.com/news/3245458">certifiably electric</a>, especially off the rush. Those wrecking-ball years helped get him to first in career shots (6,852) and third in hits (3,735).Old Ovi is slower, less physical, and not as impactful shift to shift. But he's savvier. He taps into his elite hockey IQ to find openings in the offensive zone and will often camp out in the net-front area for deflection opportunities.What hasn't changed over time: Ovechkin's passion for scoring goals and enthusiasm for shooting pucks. He might be fed a pass way outside a typical shooter's wheelhouse, or the puck may be wobbling, but he's hammering it in either scenario. This threatening approach famously creates a gravitational pull on the power play, where penalty killers shade toward Ovechkin's left-circle "office" and in the process leave teammates wide open.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777363/cropped_GettyImages-2206391225.jpg?ts=1743689428" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777363/w220xh124_GettyImages-2206391225.jpg?ts=1743689428 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777363/w320xh180_GettyImages-2206391225.jpg?ts=1743689428 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777363/w640xh360_GettyImages-2206391225.jpg?ts=1743689428 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777363/w768xh432_GettyImages-2206391225.jpg?ts=1743689428 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/777363/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2206391225.jpg?ts=1743689428 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jonathan Kozub / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Nicklas Backstrom, the playmaking center who assisted on more Ovechkin goals than anyone, was recently asked to share his biggest takeaway from his many years skating with the right-handed left winger. "Probably explaining to him that he wasn't always open," Backstrom responded with a laugh."The puck," Backstrom added in amazement, "always finds him."Ovechkin's shot - quick, hard, accurate, moving - is distinct. Similar to the 6-foot-3, 238-pounder's overall playing style, it's more forceful than graceful."He gets everything on it. He's 240 pounds of pure muscle," former Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig told theScore. "The type of hook that he has on his stick - when he gets it perfectly in the center of his blade, it's a catapult. It's gone."But even if he gets it on the inside or outside of that curve, it puts a bit of a knuckle on it. It still comes with velocity, but now it's got a little bit of movement. Any batter in baseball will tell you that a knuckleball's impossible to hit. Sometimes, those knuckle-pucks are impossible to stop."Jonathan Quick, one of 183 goalies to allow an Ovechkin goal, also used a baseball analogy to describe the three-time Hart Trophy winner's shot. "You see the blur of the puck coming at you in frames," Quick wrote in 2015 for <a href="http://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/jonathan-quick-kings-snipers">The Players' Tribune</a>. "One frame, two frames … by the third frame it's already hitting you. If you're trying to make a reaction save against Ovi, you're already beat. You better already be at the top of the crease cutting off the angle."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745615/cropped_GettyImages-1462415321.jpg?ts=1726599202" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745615/w220xh124_GettyImages-1462415321.jpg?ts=1726599202 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745615/w320xh180_GettyImages-1462415321.jpg?ts=1726599202 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745615/w640xh360_GettyImages-1462415321.jpg?ts=1726599202 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745615/w768xh432_GettyImages-1462415321.jpg?ts=1726599202 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745615/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1462415321.jpg?ts=1726599202 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Dave Sandford / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Ovechkin's legacy extends well beyond his raw goal totals. He and Crosby entered the post-lockout NHL as hopeful saviors and 20 years later are still megastars on and off the ice. The frenemies memorably <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_7NwNUmKZA&amp;t=23s&amp;ab_channel=NHL">traded hat tricks</a> in a playoff game and own enough individual hardware to fill a wing in the Hall of Fame. Crosby (622 goals) has Ovechkin beat in Stanley Cups, three to one."It's really cool to be able to play in the same division, to have had the history that we've had over the years, to come in at the same time with pretty high expectations, and to see him be this close to probably what was thought to be an untouchable record," Crosby said last fall at the NHL player media tour."It's incredible what he's doing. I feel pretty grateful to be part of that."We've watched Ovechkin grow from rambunctious teenager to gray-haired father of two, from alleged coach killer to respected captain, and from supposed playoff choker to Conn Smythe winner. All along, the nine-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner's been astoundingly durable: only 35 games missed to injury before a broken leg forced him to sit out 16 this season."It's a gift from God. Usually, you are physical but not a scoring guy. He's both," Oilers forward Vasili Podkolzin said. "He's still super physical, and he's still shooting a puck like I've never seen before. It's really crazy."In one way, Ovechkin is mechanical: goal after goal with limited time off. Yet he's also a natural entertainer who broke the robotic hockey player mold with exuberant celebrations (sometimes <a href="https://x.com/NHL/status/1799910591856828490">in fountains</a> and to the chagrin of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wPkX3gLiEA&amp;ab_channel=inklinkinklink">old-schoolers</a>), flashy fashion, humorous TV commercials, and an atypical athlete diet filled with Subway sandwiches, Cheetos, Coca-Cola, and Red Bull.The man exudes authenticity, swagger, and self-belief."He's got a smile all the time," Golden Knights goalie Ilya Samsonov, a former Capital, said. "He likes to joke. He's like an engine within the team."Defenseman Erik Johnson, who's faced off against Ovechkin for 17 years, said: "What I love about him most, I think, is when other Capitals players score, he's just as excited. That's a really cool thing that not everybody does."<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778700/cropped_GettyImages-972845618.jpg?ts=1743699583" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778700/w220xh124_GettyImages-972845618.jpg?ts=1743699583 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778700/w320xh180_GettyImages-972845618.jpg?ts=1743699583 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778700/w640xh360_GettyImages-972845618.jpg?ts=1743699583 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778700/w768xh432_GettyImages-972845618.jpg?ts=1743699583 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/778700/w1080xh607_GettyImages-972845618.jpg?ts=1743699583 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> David Becker / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Ovechkin is fiercely proud of his Russian heritage (his ties to President Vladimir Putin blunts this story for some fans) and adopted hometown of Washington. He arrived in 2005 and never left. His contract runs through next season and this year's Caps (49-19-9) are primed for a deep playoff run.Red Wings great Steve Yzerman is the only other player on the top-10 goals list to spend his entire career in one place. Gretzky played for four different franchises in 20 seasons. No. 3 Howe suited up for two.Ovechkin's impact on D.C. sports is incalculable. Home games are filled with No. 8 jerseys of all types. Youth hockey exploded during his first decade in town. Owner Ted Leonsis purchased the Caps for $85 million in 1999. The club's worth almost $2 billion now, and much of that can be attributed to the impact of Ovechkin's brilliance. Soon there will surely be an Ovechkin statue outside Capital One Arena.The question is: what will a bronzed Ovi be doing? Bulling over an opponent? Readying for the one-timer that influenced a generation of NHL snipers? Hoisting the Cup above his head? Blasting another shot on goal? Celebrating goal 895, stomach on the ice, arms outstretched, helmet tilted forward?Gretzky is famously credited with saying, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."Ovechkin put 100% into every shot he took. And now he stands rightfully alone.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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GOAT goal-scorer: Ovechkin's legacy is one of sheer force and authenticity

Wayne Gretzky walked from behind the net to the doorstep of the crease and roofed a backhand over...

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The oral history of Alex Ovechkin's 'electric' first season

Quick-hit analysis of big-league moves completed Friday.  Maple Leafs get Carlo  Maple Leafs acqu...

Quick-hit analysis of big-league moves completed Friday.Maple Leafs get CarloMaple Leafs acquire: D Brandon Carlo Bruins acquire: F Fraser Minten, 2026 first-round pick, 2025 fourth-round pick<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Toronto needed to respond to recent moves by division rivals Florida and Tampa Bay, and bringing in Carlo and Laughton qualifies as a meaningful response. Carlo, a 6-foot-5, 217-pound right-handed defenseman, could be paired with struggling puck-mover Morgan Rielly to start his Leafs tenure. Could he help unlock something? Carlo, 28, has a great defensive stick, blocks a ton of shots, and is a playoff warrior. His contract ($3.5 million through 2026-27 thanks to the Bruins retaining 15% of his salary) will be a bargain in a rising cap world. The multi-timeline play here - Carlo for not only this year's playoff push but also future pushes - makes the deal palatable. The Leafs are giving up a top-five protected first-rounder and future third-line center in Minten. The Bruins were major sellers Friday, and based on the mix of young NHLers, prospects, and picks, they're attempting a Capitals-esque retool. They made out alright in this trade. They needed to get younger.Panthers snag Marchand Panthers acquire: F Brad Marchand Bruins acquire: Conditional 2025 second-round pickIn a last-minute shocker, career-long Bruin and current captain Marchand is off to rival Florida. While it'll be strange to see Marchand in another uniform, the fit is chef's-kiss perfect. The Panthers have built a Cup-winning team around intensely competitive two-way forwards. Marchand is still that brand of player at age 36, even if the pending unrestricted free agent has lost half a step. Consider this: Come playoff time, Florida will be able to trot out all-world pests Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Matthew Tkachuk, potentially on the same line. It'll be interesting to monitor how Marchand and other newcomers Seth Jones, Nico Sturm, and Vitek Vanecek blend into the Panthers' lineup. The condition on the pick: The second-rounder becomes a 2027 or 2028 first if Marchand plays in at least 50% of games in the first two rounds of the playoffs and the Panthers advance to the conference final. That's an all right return for the Bruins considering Marchand's relative decline and uncertain current status (he's week-to-week with an upper-body injury) - plus the fact that the local folk hero could theoretically sign with Boston in the offseason.Stars lock up Johnston Stars sign F Wyatt Johnston to 5-year, $42-million extension Apparently, Stars GM Jim Nill had another whopper up his sleeve. The Johnston extension doesn't hit quite as hard as the Rantanen trade, but it's very important to the long-term health of the franchise. Johnston, a crafty, wise-beyond-his-years two-way center, is now under contract through the 2029-30 season. The salary cap is rising, and Dallas now has six 28-or-under homegrown pieces signed through at least next season: Jason Robertson and Thomas Harley (RFAs after 2025-26), Miro Heiskanen and Johnston (UFAs after '29-30), Roope Hintz (UFA, '30-31), and Jake Oettinger (UFA, '32-33). Amazingly, no cap hit exceeds $8.5 million. That's how you build out your roster and leave enough room for a Rantanen-like splash.Avalanche grab CoyleAvalanche acquire: F Charlie Coyle, 2026 fifth-round pick Bruins acquire: F Casey Mittelstadt, F Will Zellers, 2025 second-round pick This trade perfectly represents each team's competitive timeline. Colorado, a true contender, is all-in and can't afford to be cautious in a top-heavy Western Conference. Boston, a fringe playoff team, is revamping its core on the fly. Coyle, 33 and signed through next year at $5.25 million annually, brings size and stability to the Avs' third line. Mittelstadt, 26 and signed through 2026-27 at $5.75 million annually, brings playmaking to the Bruins' third line. I give the Bruins the slight edge here for the inclusion of Zellers, a 2024 third-round pick with upside, and the second-rounder. That edge is only slight, though, because I admire the Avs' in-season retooling efforts. They've somehow managed to add two goalies (Mackenzie Blackwood, Scott Wedgewood), five forwards (Coyle, Brock Nelson, Martin Necas, Jimmy Vesey, Jack Drury), and one defenseman (Ryan Lindgren) to the lineup.Jets trade for Tanev <figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774036/cropped_GettyImages-2194751614.jpg?ts=1741396570" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774036/w220xh124_GettyImages-2194751614.jpg?ts=1741396570 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774036/w320xh180_GettyImages-2194751614.jpg?ts=1741396570 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774036/w640xh360_GettyImages-2194751614.jpg?ts=1741396570 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774036/w768xh432_GettyImages-2194751614.jpg?ts=1741396570 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/774036/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2194751614.jpg?ts=1741396570 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Christopher Mast / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Jets acquire: F Brandon Tanev Kraken acquire: 2027 second-round pick The Jets came into deadline week needing a middle-six center. Tanev, a winger, doesn't fill that hole, though "Turbo" is a nice addition to an already deep forward group. The speedy pending unrestricted free agent is a nightmare on the forecheck, can line up on either wing, and has penalty-killing utility. He'll thrive in the playoffs. The acquisition price is fine too. I like the trade for Winnipeg, but if this and Luke Schenn is it for the Jets, they'll be hearing it from their fan base. No center?Stars win Rantanen sweepstakesStars acquire: F Mikko Rantanen; sign him to 8-year, $96-million extension Hurricanes acquire: F Logan Stankoven, 2026 first-round pick, 2026 third-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, 2027 third-round pickThe Stars immediately become the winners of deadline day while rocketing to the top of the Cup favorite leaderboard because they've added the best player available by far - and locked him up. Rantanen, who arrives in Dallas on a long-term deal that kicks in next season, is a legitimate superstar. He's coming off two 100-point seasons and is on pace for 93 this year amid a whirlwind of trades and speculation. He's a power winger with excellent puck skills and gaudy playoff numbers. It's possible Rantanen joins Roope Hintz and Mikael Granlund on a wicked all-Finnish top line (the Stars now have five total Finns). Props to Dallas for being so aggressive and leveraging Texas' favorable tax situation to land the biggest fish. GM Jim Nill has been conservative over the years - but not in 2025, adding Granlund and Rantanen in the span of a month.As for Carolina: I'm of two minds here. The two Rantanen deals amount to trading away Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a second-rounder, and a fourth and bringing in Stankoven, Taylor Hall, two firsts, and two thirds - that's solid. I really like Hall's and Stankoven's fits in coach Rod Brind'Amour's system. My issue is with the decision to trade Rantanen. The Canes' window to win the Cup is open, the East is up for grabs, and they sent out a top-10 forward in the NHL. Rantanen's a pending UFA, yes, but holding onto him and seeing where he and his finishing ability take your team in the playoffs is worth it. If he leaves in free agency, OK - use the cap space and all the draft capital you've built up over the years to be bold on the trade market again. Put another way: Is it just me or did the Canes overthink this?Maple Leafs bring in LaughtonMaple Leafs acquire: F Scott Laughton, 2025 fourth-round pick, 2025 sixth-round pick Flyers acquire: F Nikita Grebenkin, 2027 first-round pickWith Brock Nelson and Yanni Gourde off the trade board, Laughton was the obvious target for the Leafs. He can slide comfortably into the third-line center spot, bumping Max Domi to the wing where he belongs. Toronto's now got Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Laughton, and David Kampf down the middle. Laughton, 30, isn't exceptional at any one thing, but he's decent in all areas, has a feisty streak, and can kill penalties. The native of nearby Oakville is also a heart-and-soul addition. The Flyers are retaining 50% of Laughton's $3-million salary this year and next. GM Daniel Briere made the right move for the club's timeline; Grebenkin's only 21, and his ceiling is basically Laughton in his prime. The first-rounder is top-10 protected. I like this deal for both sides.Jets pick up Schenn<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773946/cropped_GettyImages-2194064149.jpg?ts=1741371050" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773946/w220xh124_GettyImages-2194064149.jpg?ts=1741371050 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773946/w320xh180_GettyImages-2194064149.jpg?ts=1741371050 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773946/w640xh360_GettyImages-2194064149.jpg?ts=1741371050 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773946/w768xh432_GettyImages-2194064149.jpg?ts=1741371050 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773946/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2194064149.jpg?ts=1741371050 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Casey Gower / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Jets acquire: D Luke Schenn Penguins acquire: 2026 second-round pick, 2027 fourth-rounder The Jets have a rock-solid top four on defense. Schenn, a large, physical veteran, should push Logan Stanley or Colin Miller to the press box to form a reliable third pair. Schenn has now been traded six times in his 17-year career. His contract runs through next season at a manageable $2.75 million annually. The Penguins' side of the trade is fascinating: GM Kyle Dubas acquired Schenn from the Predators on Wednesday and has netted two picks for his two-day tenure. Pittsburgh owns a whopping 30 picks in the next three drafts - 12 in 2025, eight in 2026, and 10 in 2027. That's how you rebuild.Senators, Sabres swap centersSenators acquire: F Dylan Cozens, D Dennis Gilbert, 2026 second-round pick Sabres acquire: F Josh Norris, D Jacob Bernard-DockerCozens, 24, was in dire need of a change of scenery, and I applaud Buffalo for pulling the trigger on some kind of impact move amid another brutal season. Otherwise, what an underwhelming trade. In moving Cozens for Norris, Buffalo takes on the older, less healthy, slightly more expensive middle-six center. It's hard to believe this Senators package would be the best the Sabres could get for Cozens if they exercised a little extra patience. Yes, Norris, 25, is more established, but he's dealt with a ton of injuries. His contract expires following the 2029-30 season - just like Cozens' - so it's not like one $7-million-plus-AAV deal is markedly better than the other. Right-handed defenseman Bernard-Docker does address a need, but he's bound for the third pair. Ottawa wins this deal.Kings add KuzmenkoKings acquire: F Andrei Kuzmenko Flyers acquire: 2027 third-round pick If it wasn't obvious after Brian Dumoulin and Anthony Beauvillier each went for a second-round pick, Kuzmenko for a third confirms it: This is a seller's market. Kuzmenko exploded for 39 goals as a rookie in 2022-23 (riding shotgun with peak Elias Pettersson helped!). The Russian winger bounced from the Canucks to the Flames to the Flyers over the past two seasons, and now he's joining the Kings. A pending UFA, Kuzmenko should give Los Angeles' defensively focused bottom six some offensive juice. Perhaps he can also pitch in on the power play, which is tied for 30th in efficiency. The Flyers are retaining 50% of Kuzmenko's $5.5-million salary in the transaction.Capitals grab BeauvillierCapitals receive: F Anthony Beauvillier Penguins receive: 2025 second-round pickBeauvillier is off to his fifth team in two-plus years. The 27-year-old winger put up 20 points in 63 games in a depth role for the Penguins. He arrives in Washington as insurance. The Eastern Conference-leading Capitals are being awfully careful about disrupting chemistry around the deadline. On one hand, trading a second-round pick for a mediocre middle-six guy is an overpay; on the other hand, this Capitals team has earned the benefit of the doubt on player evaluation after hitting on basically every trade and signing over the past 18 months. (Also, Washington has another 2025 second-rounder - Boston's.) The Penguins, meanwhile, deserve an A+ for the return.Sabres re-up Zucker<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773915/cropped_GettyImages-2196678863.jpg?ts=1741364730" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773915/w220xh124_GettyImages-2196678863.jpg?ts=1741364730 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773915/w320xh180_GettyImages-2196678863.jpg?ts=1741364730 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773915/w640xh360_GettyImages-2196678863.jpg?ts=1741364730 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773915/w768xh432_GettyImages-2196678863.jpg?ts=1741364730 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773915/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2196678863.jpg?ts=1741364730 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Joe Hrycych / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Sabres sign F Jason Zucker to 2-year, $9.5-million extensionThe Sabres have taken an attractive pending unrestricted free agent off the market. This might seem like a weird move for the Eastern Conference's last-place team. But Buffalo's situation is unique. The club's desperate for committed veterans during a record-setting postseason drought, and Zucker, 33, is clearly invested in the program. He'll take a minor haircut to stay in Western New York, dropping to $4.75 million annually from $5 million. Zucker's a well-traveled winger with wheels, a good shot, and power-play utility. He has 44 points in 54 games since signing in the offseason. The attention now turns to Alex Tuch. Is the top-line winger part of the solution or a premium trade chip for Sabres GM Kevyn Adams? Tuch, 29 in May and on pace for 31 goals and 64 points, has one year and $4.75 million remaining on his contract.Sharks cash out on WalmanOilers acquire: D Jake Walman Sharks acquire: 2026 first-round pick, F Carl BerglundThe Oilers needed help on the back end, and Walman will provide it. He's a puck-moving blue-liner with a heavy shot and good defensive stick. The price is a tad steep, especially because Walman is a 2026 unrestricted free agent, but I'm ultimately OK with this swap from Edmonton's perspective. They addressed a need. The larger takeaway: The rebuilding Sharks are masters at asset management. General manager Mike Grier acquired Walman, a perfectly fine top-four defenseman, in a dumbfounding offseason cap-dump trade by the Red Wings. Grier didn't send anything to Detroit, instead reeling in a second-round pick for taking on Walman's contract. Months later, Grier flipped Walman for a top-12 protected first (AHLer Berglund is an irrelevant piece). Two thumbs up for Mr. Grier. One thumb up for Oilers GM Stan Bowman. Two thumbs way down for Wings GM Steve Yzerman, whose team is in the middle of a playoff race and could use a player like Walman.Avalanche land NelsonAvalanche acquire: F Brock Nelson, F William Dufour Islanders acquire: F Calum Ritchie, D Oliver Kylington, 2026 first-round pick, conditional 2028 third-round pickThe Avs win the bidding war for the top "rental" center on the market minutes before midnight Thursday. Nelson is a significant upgrade at second-line center as he bumps an overwhelmed Casey Mittelstadt to 3C. Nelson, a three-time 30-goal-scorer who snipes and facilitates, is one of the NHL's most complete forwards. At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, he's lethal off the rush, a nuisance in front of the net, and defensively responsible. This trade is a huge blow to division-rival Winnipeg, another Stanley Cup contender that was hot for Nelson. The Jets are now forced to settle for Plan B - perhaps the Flyers' Scott Laughton. The Islanders, who are retaining 50% of Nelson's $6-million cap hit, did well here. Ritchie's a blue-chip prospect with 2C potential and the first-rounder (which could be bumped to 2027, depending on multiple conditions) is no small piece for a retooling franchise. Dufour is an unexciting 23-year-old AHL forward. Kylington is a non-factor for both teams; the fringe NHL defenseman was flipped hours later to Anaheim for future considerations.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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NHL trade deadline: Breaking down Friday's deals

NHL fans have heard Brock Nelson's name plenty of times over the past few weeks as Friday's trade...

NHL fans have heard Brock Nelson's name plenty of times over the past few weeks as Friday's trade deadline approaches.What exactly does Nelson - the consensus top "rental" center on the market - bring to the table? And how might he fit on four playoff-bound teams?Let's dig into it.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>What Nelson offers</h3>Nelson, 33, has spent his entire 12-year career on Long Island.The Islanders, who own a 27-25-7 record and a minus-11 goal differential, are five points back of the Eastern Conference playoff cut line with 23 games remaining heading into Monday night's game against the Rangers. If general manager Lou Lamoriello chooses to keep Nelson - which is possible, since he discussed an extension with Nelson's agent earlier this season - the executive will be making a massive mistake. Nelson is one of the only impactful unrestricted free agents available in a seller's market and thus should command a hefty return package, most likely two premium assets.The high-level view: Nelson is a big, all-situations center. He's recorded 19 goals and 22 assists in 59 games for 0.69 points per game. That's his lowest average since 2020-21, though most of the drop-off can be attributed to a lack of power-play points (one goal, two assists). The 2024-25 Isles have been horrendous with the man advantage, scoring on just 11.5% of opportunities.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772816/cropped_GettyImages-2197160678.jpg?ts=1740778647" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772816/w220xh124_GettyImages-2197160678.jpg?ts=1740778647 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772816/w320xh180_GettyImages-2197160678.jpg?ts=1740778647 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772816/w640xh360_GettyImages-2197160678.jpg?ts=1740778647 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772816/w768xh432_GettyImages-2197160678.jpg?ts=1740778647 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772816/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2197160678.jpg?ts=1740778647 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The zoomed-in view suggests Nelson is a complete player with few weaknesses.Nelson creates offense at a very high rate. He's deceptively fast (especially at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds) and uses those wheels to consistently enter the offensive zone with possession and generate scoring chances off the rush. Nelson loves to occupy net-front real estate and produces a ton of inner-slot shots and deflections. He's also an unselfish playmaker who rarely overhandles the puck or makes himself vulnerable to turnovers.The table below provides a snapshot of Nelson's offensive capabilities.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Brock Nelson mania" aria-label="Table" id="datawrapper-chart-4OsQM" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/4OsQM/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="313" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>Nelson is also reliable in the faceoff circle, winning a career-high 52.8% of his draws this season. He doesn't get credited with many body checks or blocked shots, but he's by no means soft. Among eligible forwards, Nelson's in the 94th percentile this season in loose-puck recoveries per game, 95th in puck-battle wins per game, 97th in blocked passes per game, and 98th in stick checks per game. Translation: Nelson operates a truly elite defensive stick.Check out Nelson's puck pursuit on a PK shift over the weekend:<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B2VKlM8wNyo?si=JBNAhYuqjBIcLc3m&amp;start=232&amp;end=285" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><h3>Intriguing trade destinations</h3><div> </div>New Jersey Devils: There might not be a playoff-bound team more desperate for an upgrade at center. The talent gap between Jack Hughes/Nico Hischier and Erik Haula/Curtis Lazar is far too wide - plus, Hughes was hurt Sunday.Nelson's contract includes a 16-team no-trade list, so he controls part of the process. On paper, New Jersey could be a desirable landing spot - a quality squad located near Long Island with enough future cap room for an extension. Nelson wouldn't have to uproot his wife and four kids in the event of a trade.To make the financials work this season, New Jersey could dangle Ondrej Palat and his $6-million cap hit through 2026-27. That said, New York would probably view Palat's inclusion as a reason to ask for an even better package.The Devils have done a fantastic job drafting and developing defensemen. Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec, Anton Silayev, and Seamus Casey are all 21 or younger. A Nelson package could be centered around Casey and a high pick.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773252/cropped_GettyImages-2182126622.jpg?ts=1741029887" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773252/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182126622.jpg?ts=1741029887 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773252/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182126622.jpg?ts=1741029887 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773252/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182126622.jpg?ts=1741029887 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773252/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182126622.jpg?ts=1741029887 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773252/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182126622.jpg?ts=1741029887 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Darcy Finley / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Winnipeg Jets: First-line center? Check. Third-line center? Check. Fourth-line center? Check.In Mark Scheifele, Adam Lowry, and Vladislav Namestnikov, the Jets have three pivots who fit perfectly on a Stanley Cup contender depth chart. The missing piece, of course, is a second-line center. Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has plenty to offer Lamoriello, starting with the club's 2025 first-round pick and recent top-30 selections Colby Barlow and Brad Lambert.Geography is on Cheveldayoff's side: Nelson is from Warroad, Minnesota, which is 130 miles southeast of Winnipeg. The Jets typically strike out in free agency but do well at retaining core pieces. If Nelson enjoys his time in Winnipeg, which might include a deep playoff run, the cap situation is healthy enough to absorb his extension. Don't sleep on the possibility of the Jets going all-in.Toronto Maple Leafs: It's no secret the Leafs are shopping for a center to slot in behind Auston Matthews and John Tavares. It's also no secret that this is a crossroads year; playoff failures are piling up, Tavares and winger Mitch Marner are on expiring contracts, and the conference is relatively open.Toronto has never claimed the Atlantic Division's top seed in the Matthews era. Adding Nelson to the middle six would increase the Leafs' odds of finally doing it. Nelson could bump current third-line center Max Domi to the wing where he belongs. Or coach Craig Berube could double down on the top six and place Nelson on Tavares' left wing to form a Nelson-Tavares-William Nylander super line.While a Nelson deal would require retention or money coming off Toronto's books, general manager Brad Treliving has the goods to make a splash. Top assets include Florida's second-rounder this year, Toronto's first-rounder in 2026, and well-regarded prospects Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten.Colorado Avalanche: The Avalanche have been retooling midseason. The goalie tandem has turned over, Martin Necas and Jack Drury are in for the departed Mikko Rantanen, and Ryan Lindgren is now on the third defense pair. The main theme is surrounding superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar with better depth.Nelson would look phenomenal in coach Jared Bednar's up-tempo system, while current second-line center Casey Mittelstadt jumps off the page as an appealing trade chip. It hasn't worked out for Mittelstadt in Colorado, yet he's a 26-year-old playmaking center under contract through 2026-27 at $5.75 million annually. There's a world in which he pops as a third-liner on another club.The Avs have limited cap space, and captain Gabriel Landeskog might return to the lineup ahead of the playoffs. Still, the Nelson fit is extremely intriguing.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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How a Brock Nelson trade could boost 4 playoff-bound teams

Seth Jones got his wish.  Less than two weeks after talking publicly about wanting to play for a ...

Seth Jones got his wish.Less than two weeks after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3221533" href="https://thescore.com/news/3221533">talking publicly</a> about wanting to play for a contender, Jones is off to Florida. The Panthers acquired the 6-foot-4, 213-pound defenseman Saturday in a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3225750" href="https://thescore.com/news/3225750">four-piece trade</a> with the Blackhawks.Florida receives Jones and a 2026 fourth-round draft pick from Chicago in exchange for goalie Spencer Knight and a first-rounder in either 2026 or 2027.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Blackhawks are retaining 26.3% of Jones' salary to drop the annual cap hit from $9.5 million to $7 million. His deal runs through the 2029-30 season.<h3>Florida Panthers</h3>Important context off the top: the Panthers have no interest in being cautious. Not at this point in franchise history as the reigning Stanley Cup champion and a team with a legitimate chance to make a third consecutive Cup Final. Florida is the definition of a win-now team, and this is definitely a win-now move.It's splashy and a tad crazy. Jones, 30, is under contract for five seasons after this one, and Knight and the first-rounder count as high-end assets.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773007/cropped_GettyImages-2191968999.jpg?ts=1740889972" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773007/w220xh124_GettyImages-2191968999.jpg?ts=1740889972 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773007/w320xh180_GettyImages-2191968999.jpg?ts=1740889972 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773007/w640xh360_GettyImages-2191968999.jpg?ts=1740889972 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773007/w768xh432_GettyImages-2191968999.jpg?ts=1740889972 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773007/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2191968999.jpg?ts=1740889972 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Reaves / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Bringing in Jones is also an undeniably savvy move in the short term.Jones completes the blue line, filling the top-four hole left by Brandon Montour's offseason departure. Coach Paul Maurice can now trot out lefty Gustav Forsling with righty Aaron Ekblad and lefty Niko Mikkola with righty Jones. That's an extremely large (three guys 6-foot-4 or taller), mobile, and experienced group that can handle a massive workload. (The Nate Schmidt-Dmitry Kulikov third pair will be lucky to log 10 minutes a night in the playoffs.)Jones immediately upgrades both special teams. He leads all NHL defensemen this season in points per 60 minutes on the power play. A capable distributor and shooter from the point, Jones is a better option for the four-forward first unit than Ekblad, though Maurice might see it differently. At worst, Jones can star on PP2, help the penalty kill, and provide offensive pop at even strength (Jones is tied for 18th in total points per game among D-men).Jones puts pucks onto forwards' sticks. Transition play has been the 2013 fourth-overall pick's bread and butter over the years - although, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3227763" href="https://thescore.com/news/3227763">as I mentioned</a> earlier this week, he's taken a slight step back in that department in 2024-25. Maybe the concerns about Jones' skating will be muted in Florida, with the environment he's playing in improving drastically overnight. He can blend in easier as the No. 2 defenseman versus No. 1 guy in Chicago.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773006/cropped_GettyImages-2156520123.jpg?ts=1740889831" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773006/w220xh124_GettyImages-2156520123.jpg?ts=1740889831 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773006/w320xh180_GettyImages-2156520123.jpg?ts=1740889831 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773006/w640xh360_GettyImages-2156520123.jpg?ts=1740889831 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773006/w768xh432_GettyImages-2156520123.jpg?ts=1740889831 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773006/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2156520123.jpg?ts=1740889831 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Dave Sandford / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Jones is undeniably a huge winner here. He expressed a desire to be elsewhere and the Blackhawks finalized a deal pretty quickly despite the onerous contract. Jones, who knows Panthers general manager Bill Zito from overlapping time in Columbus, is now on his fourth team in 13 NHL seasons. He's played just 37 playoff games, never advancing past the second round.Before the Jones trade, it's possible one or both of the Panthers' high-profile pending unrestricted free agents - Ekblad and power forward Sam Bennett - were headed for another club this summer. Tossing a long-term deal onto the books (even at that reduced cap hit) further complicates matters.More pressingly, what's the plan at backup goalie? There's no way the Panthers enter the playoffs with a Sergei Bobrovsky-Chris Driedger tandem, right? Surely, Zito's working the phones to acquire a better second-stringer.Florida owns just one pick in the first three rounds of the next two drafts. It would be a little crazy if Zito traded that 2026 second over the next week. But crazy's a good vibe right now for the club. The Panthers haven't looked their best for stretches of the regular season yet find themselves atop the Atlantic Division with 20 games left. The Eastern Conference is wide open.Grade: A-<h3>Chicago Blackhawks</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773018/cropped_GettyImages-1238858971.jpg?ts=1740915250" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773018/w220xh124_GettyImages-1238858971.jpg?ts=1740915250 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773018/w320xh180_GettyImages-1238858971.jpg?ts=1740915250 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773018/w640xh360_GettyImages-1238858971.jpg?ts=1740915250 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773018/w768xh432_GettyImages-1238858971.jpg?ts=1740915250 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773018/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1238858971.jpg?ts=1740915250 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Chase Agnello-Dean / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>This deal accomplishes three things for the Blackhawks.It rids the team of a veteran who no longer wanted to be part of their program. It brings in a hungry young goalie who has more upside than any other goalie in the organization. And it ups Chicago's first-rounder tally to four over the next two drafts (or a whopping 12 over a five-year stretch from 2022-26).Factoring in Jones' messy contract situation (hefty cap hit, lengthy term, no-move clause), general manager Kyle Davidson made out well. It's a relatively fair deal for both teams - though the Chicago-bound assets are less concrete.The pick, which will be in the back half of the opening round, isn't guaranteed to turn into an NHLer, let alone an impact one. If I were Davidson, I'd weaponize two to three of the upcoming firsts to acquire young NHLers. Trading Jones makes the Blackhawks worse in the moment (hoo boy, that blue line stinks) and, let's face it, cornerstone Connor Bedard won't tolerate losing forever.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773016/cropped_GettyImages-2199127495.jpg?ts=1740915036" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773016/w220xh124_GettyImages-2199127495.jpg?ts=1740915036 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773016/w320xh180_GettyImages-2199127495.jpg?ts=1740915036 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773016/w640xh360_GettyImages-2199127495.jpg?ts=1740915036 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773016/w768xh432_GettyImages-2199127495.jpg?ts=1740915036 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/773016/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2199127495.jpg?ts=1740915036 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Knight, meanwhile, has fantastic pedigree as a 2019 first-rounder who's performed well at the NCAA, AHL, and NHL levels. The smart, athletic, technically sound 23-year-old has earned a quality start in 11 of 21 starts this season, posting a solid .907 save percentage in the process.The problem with a package based around a young goalie is the wide range of outcomes. Trajectories, even for promising ones, are extremely difficult to predict relative to forwards and defensemen. It wouldn't be overly surprising if Knight blossomed into a longtime starter or if he tapped out as an OK backup.The Blackhawks' three retention slots are now filled (Jake McCabe, Mikko Rantanen and Jones), so they're unable to play third-party broker during deadline week. Still, retaining $2.5 million versus $4.75 million (50%) on Jones is a win.Grade: B+John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/30452229/related

Trade grades: Panthers score vital piece in Jones; Hawks get options

Welcome to the fourth edition of NHL Inbox, a monthly forum in which readers can ask me anything ...

Welcome to the fourth edition of NHL Inbox, a monthly forum in which readers can ask me anything hockey-related and I try my best to deliver an insightful answer. Thanks to the hundreds of people who've submitted a question thus far.Note: The questions below have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772638/cropped_GettyImages-2197818520.jpg?ts=1740692230" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772638/w220xh124_GettyImages-2197818520.jpg?ts=1740692230 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772638/w320xh180_GettyImages-2197818520.jpg?ts=1740692230 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772638/w640xh360_GettyImages-2197818520.jpg?ts=1740692230 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772638/w768xh432_GettyImages-2197818520.jpg?ts=1740692230 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772638/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2197818520.jpg?ts=1740692230 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Leah Hennel / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Chris G. asks: I'll start by admitting I'm a huge Flames fan. Why isn't Dustin Wolf getting more Calder Trophy love? Most experts thought Calgary would be a bottom-five team. Wolf has singlehandedly kept us out of that conversation and into the wild-card race. Yes, Macklin Celebrini and others are having great seasons, but has any rookie been more valuable to their team than Wolf? <div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Wolf's Calder case is compelling: 20 wins in 35 starts for an upstart club. He ranks 10th in save percentage (.913) and 18th in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (0.33) among 50 goalies with 20-plus games.It's totally fair to say no rookie has been more valuable to his team than Wolf.Goalies traditionally get overlooked in the early stages of the Calder debate due to a lighter workload than skaters, and the fact that voters can't take their eyes off the shiny new offensive creator. Wolf, 23, and partner Dan Vladar split crease time down the middle in the first half, while top pick Celebrini, hockey savant Matvei Michkov, and transition king Lane Hutson filled highlight reels.Another factor: The Calder is officially awarded to the "most proficient" rookie. In other words, it honors the best rookie, not necessarily the most valuable.With roughly 25 games left, Wolf and Celebrini are in the top tier. Celebrini boasts an extremely advanced skill set for an 18-year-old and leads all rookies in goals and points per game. He's currently the Sharks' No. 1 center.Fair or not, some voters consider team performance. The narrative will be on Wolf's side if the Flames sneak into the playoffs and he sits at around 50 appearances. Of course, Celebrini could counter by popping off offensively.Steve Mason was the last netminder to claim the Calder in 2008-09.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772765/cropped_GettyImages-2202490622.jpg?ts=1740756516" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772765/w220xh124_GettyImages-2202490622.jpg?ts=1740756516 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772765/w320xh180_GettyImages-2202490622.jpg?ts=1740756516 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772765/w640xh360_GettyImages-2202490622.jpg?ts=1740756516 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772765/w768xh432_GettyImages-2202490622.jpg?ts=1740756516 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772765/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2202490622.jpg?ts=1740756516 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Patrick Smith / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>633788perfect asks: Ovi goal chase: What do you think about all of Alex Ovechkin's empty-netters? I don't think he has that many more than Wayne Gretzky. Do you think he should be discredited for having so many on the power play? If Ovi played in Gretz's era, or if Gretz played now, do you think Ovi would have the record by now based on things like the size of goalie pads? Overall, taking everything into account, who is the better goal-scorer?Despite all the fuss over Ovechkin's seven empty-net goals in 43 games this season, the Russian has just nine more than Gretzky in total (64-55).No, I don't think Ovechkin should be discredited for scoring so many of his goals on the power play (320 to Gretzky's 213). For one, a goal is a goal regardless of the game situation, and scoring is arguably the hardest thing to do in hockey. Also, Ovechkin's power-play prowess speaks to his playing style, especially late in his career.Young Ovechkin was an incredibly fast, remarkably physical sniper. It felt inevitable he'd will a puck past the goal line every game. Old Ovechkin is a slower, less physical player. He's leveraging hockey IQ to rack up goals as he approaches his 40th birthday.The goal totals would be tight if Ovechkin and Gretzky played in the same era, though I think Ovechkin would be slightly ahead. His sole objective on the ice is to score, whereas Gretzky became the all-time leader in goals almost by accident. Gretzky, with his one-of-a-kind vision, was a playmaker first, a goal-scorer second. He thought the game way better than any of his peers.Put simply, Ovechkin is the purer goal-scorer, while Gretzky is a significantly better player overall.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772617/cropped_GettyImages-2200689168.jpg?ts=1740681825" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772617/w220xh124_GettyImages-2200689168.jpg?ts=1740681825 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772617/w320xh180_GettyImages-2200689168.jpg?ts=1740681825 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772617/w640xh360_GettyImages-2200689168.jpg?ts=1740681825 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772617/w768xh432_GettyImages-2200689168.jpg?ts=1740681825 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772617/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2200689168.jpg?ts=1740681825 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kirk Irwin / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>therealcowtown asks: Is Seth Jones as good a player as I think he is, and will he be a bargain as the salary cap rises? Also, what kind of return do you think the Blackhawks would get for him if they do trade him? Jones seems to be underrated by the stats-obsessed, new-school crowd and overrated by the eye-test-loving, old-school crowd. The truth is somewhere in the middle: the 30-year-old would plug in nicely as the No. 2 or No. 3 defenseman on a Stanley Cup-contending team, not the No. 1 guy he's been for four years on the rebuilding Blackhawks."He'd be an awesome guy to have in your top four," said someone working in a rival front office. "But he's slowed down a lot with his injury and isn't a true offensive D-man."Jones logs a team-high 24:30 a night and has racked up 27 points in 42 games this season. However, his trademark transition game has sagged a bit, with his skating speed, zone-entry, and zone-exit numbers all down on a per-game basis. The slight step back could be related to different factors: a November foot injury that sidelined him for a month, trying to do too much on a poor team, or aging quickly as a 6-foot-4 blue-liner. It may be a mix of all three.Whatever the case, Jones has <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3221533" href="https://thescore.com/news/3221533">talked publicly</a> about wanting to move on, which is much easier said than done. Jones makes $9.5 million annually through 2029-2030, and his no-move clause gives him control over the process.The Blackhawks would likely have to retain salary, and keeping 50% is no small amount even with the cap rising. Involving a third team would help divvy up the retention. But those types of deals are difficult to assemble in a crunch.It feels like a Jones trade is better suited for draft weekend.The return is almost impossible to predict given the circumstances. But if I'm Chicago, I'm not looking at this as a get-out-of-jail-free card. General manager Kyle Davidson doesn't have to do anything. The Blackhawks need to ice a competitive lineup sooner rather than later, and trading Jones immediately creates another hole on the roster.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772495/cropped_GettyImages-2150385904.jpg?ts=1740610865" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772495/w220xh124_GettyImages-2150385904.jpg?ts=1740610865 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772495/w320xh180_GettyImages-2150385904.jpg?ts=1740610865 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772495/w640xh360_GettyImages-2150385904.jpg?ts=1740610865 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772495/w768xh432_GettyImages-2150385904.jpg?ts=1740610865 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772495/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2150385904.jpg?ts=1740610865 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Haynes / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Ben V asks: I'd like to hear a detailed explanation of why Milwaukee is never on short lists of potential NHL expansion/relocation sites. I've heard rumblings the Blackhawks own some sort of proximity clause that limits Milwaukee from getting a team. If true, it must have an expiration date. I doubt the NHL would give out such an absolute to one owner. If there isn't a clause, why not Milwaukee? They have a state-of-the-art arena. Wisconsin is a huge hockey hotbed; attendance would not be an issue. Instant rivalries with Chicago and Minnesota. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of cons. What am I missing?Future expansion is by far the most popular topic among submitted questions.Fans clearly want to know if the buzz about the NHL potentially growing to 34 teams is substantive. The short answer: yes. By all accounts, it's a matter of when, not if, the league expands. Personally, I'd label Houston, Atlanta, and Phoenix the front-runners, though New Orleans is an <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3221386" href="https://thescore.com/news/3221386">intriguing new option</a>.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe title="Milwaukee expansion map" aria-label="Locator map" id="datawrapper-chart-X3C6f" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/X3C6f/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;" height="487" data-external="1"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">!function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data["datawrapper-height"][t]+"px";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();
</script></figure>So why not Milwaukee? The chief criterion would be a group with an interest in making a bid."While there was some interest expressed at earlier points in time about the potential of owning a franchise in Milwaukee, there has been no interest expressed in Milwaukee in the relatively recent past," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told theScore in an email earlier this week.Ben's points about the ready-made fan base, relatively new arena, and geographical rivalries are accurate. First and foremost, though, the city needs a prospective ownership group with deep pockets, a good reputation, and league-wide utility. The NHL wouldn't be in Salt Lake City if Utah owner Ryan Smith didn't check those boxes; he's a billionaire embedded in the tech industry who's established a track record as owner of the NBA's Utah Jazz and other teams.Gary Bettman's NHL has prioritized non-traditional markets (Nashville, for instance), novelty (a Big Four sports team in Las Vegas!?), and large TV markets (Phoenix). Milwaukee profiles similar to Quebec City but without any NHL history - established hockey market, solid arena. Milwaukee's regional population is similar to Raleigh, where the Carolina Hurricanes reside.That said, Daly noted Milwaukee's place on the map isn't a major issue."There is no currently effective 'proximity clause' that has ever been given or granted to any NHL franchise," he said when asked about the idea of a Milwaukee club infringing on the Blackhawks' regional territory. New York has three teams in close proximity and Los Angeles has two. <figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772628/cropped_GettyImages-2201061075.jpg?ts=1740687188" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772628/w220xh124_GettyImages-2201061075.jpg?ts=1740687188 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772628/w320xh180_GettyImages-2201061075.jpg?ts=1740687188 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772628/w640xh360_GettyImages-2201061075.jpg?ts=1740687188 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772628/w768xh432_GettyImages-2201061075.jpg?ts=1740687188 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772628/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2201061075.jpg?ts=1740687188 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Brian H. asks: Do coaches keep track of why their players get thrown out of the faceoff dot? Seems to me that if teams and coaches knew why it was happening then they could work on changing whatever's wrong midgame.I ran this question past an assistant coach who handles the forwards - and, by extension, faceoffs - for his NHL team. He said he's pretty hands-off during the game. A vibe develops, and players naturally adjust to the standard set by the linesmen that night.The coach then went on a rant about how linesmen have become increasingly strict over the past few years. Faceoff violations are "black and white" in 2025. It's gotten to a point, he said, where wingers are spending valuable practice time working on draws because they're forced to fill in for centers so often."I understand they want to make it fair and call faceoffs by the book, but it's gone too far, in my opinion," the coach said. "There's enough delays in the game as is. We don't need more. There's got to be a happy medium."I found myself nodding along as the coach explained the trend. It does seem like centers are being thrown out of a high percentage of draws these days.The NHL evaluates its on-ice officials throughout the regular season. Only the top performers work playoff games. This dynamic, the coach theorized, has led to linesmen putting an unnecessarily heavy emphasis on faceoff etiquette. Sure, kick out the worst offenders. But let's not nitpick every single little detail.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772757/cropped_GettyImages-910807706.jpg?ts=1740754020" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772757/w220xh124_GettyImages-910807706.jpg?ts=1740754020 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772757/w320xh180_GettyImages-910807706.jpg?ts=1740754020 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772757/w640xh360_GettyImages-910807706.jpg?ts=1740754020 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772757/w768xh432_GettyImages-910807706.jpg?ts=1740754020 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/772757/w1080xh607_GettyImages-910807706.jpg?ts=1740754020 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Vinnick / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>CheeseMan40 asks: Why do some owners, who seem to have limited knowledge of running teams, like to have so much involvement? These owners usually end up hindering the team for many years by trying to make silly moves that make a team capable of drawing in a crowd but not winning much.Sports team owners dominated at least one business sector on their way to becoming fabulously rich. Most get so used to being the smartest person in boardrooms that being the dumbest one in a room full of hockey people is a shock to the system. Some will respond by trying to micromanage decisions big and small.I've always believed an owner can do whatever he or she wants with his team; they pay the bills. But the cons outweigh the pros in micromanaging.The smart owners instead hire the right executives and let them cook. Does that mean he or she can't sit in on scouting meetings? No. But the owner should be listening more, talking less. There's a fine balance to strike between being completely invisible to your staff and being overwhelmingly hands-on.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3053433" href="https://thescore.com/news/3053433">Outgoing</a> Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, who's often cited as one of the NHL's best owners, seems to have mastered this approach. He doesn't meddle in the day-to-day, yet he's around enough to interact with staff, players, fans, and community leaders. Tampa Bay is a well-run club, and it starts at the top.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><center>                    </center></figure>What do you want to know, hockey fans?There are three ways to submit a question for future editions of NHL Inbox:<ul>
<li>Comment on this article in theScore mobile app</li>
<li>Email senior NHL writer John Matisz at <a href="mailto:john.matisz@theScore.com">john.matisz@thescore.com</a>
</li>
<li>Shoot John a message on Twitter/X (<a href="https://x.com/MatiszJohn">@matiszjohn</a>)</li>
</ul>

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NHL Inbox: Discrediting Ovi? Wolf for Calder? Milwaukee expansion?

"Rental" becomes one of the most used words in hockey around this time every season. The spotligh...

"Rental" becomes one of the most used words in hockey around this time every season. The spotlight shines bright on pending unrestricted free agents - and rightfully so, seeing as UFAs drive trade activity ahead of the deadline.But what about the other, typically younger guys moving midseason? We're talking about "change of scenery" trades, like the Jan. 30 deal between the Flyers and Flames. Forwards Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee, 25 and 24, weren't part of Philadelphia's long-term plan, so the club shipped them to Calgary.Let's check in on seven NHLers who could use a change of scenery ahead of the March 7 deadline. (Note: we skipped Elias Pettersson and Seth Jones since both cases are very public and have been discussed ad nauseam.)<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Dylan Cozens, Sabres</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771336/cropped_GettyImages-2190562201.jpg?ts=1740062786" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771336/w220xh124_GettyImages-2190562201.jpg?ts=1740062786 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771336/w320xh180_GettyImages-2190562201.jpg?ts=1740062786 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771336/w640xh360_GettyImages-2190562201.jpg?ts=1740062786 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771336/w768xh432_GettyImages-2190562201.jpg?ts=1740062786 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771336/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2190562201.jpg?ts=1740062786 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The Cozens situation checks many of the classic change-of-scenery boxes.The player and team are underperforming for a second straight season. The front office is under fire locally (coming up on 14 seasons of no playoffs in Buffalo!) and must be, at the very least, considering a major shakeup to the roster. Multiple reports have surfaced regarding several clubs inquiring about the player, and each team surely believes Cozens would excel in a new environment.Ultimately, the Sabres are weighing the risk and reward of moving a two-way center who put up 31 goals and 68 points as a 21-year-old. Cozens may not be confident or productive right now, but there's a difference-maker in there.The 24-year-old nicknamed the "Workhorse from Whitehorse" is locked in at $7.1 million per year through 2029-30 - in other words, his entire prime. In a rising cap world, that AAV will soon be peanuts if he can regain his form.Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams is likely selling low here. Yet, desperate times call for desperate measures.<h3>Lawson Crouse, Utah</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771992/cropped_GettyImages-2194469327.jpg?ts=1740346833" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771992/w220xh124_GettyImages-2194469327.jpg?ts=1740346833 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771992/w320xh180_GettyImages-2194469327.jpg?ts=1740346833 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771992/w640xh360_GettyImages-2194469327.jpg?ts=1740346833 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771992/w768xh432_GettyImages-2194469327.jpg?ts=1740346833 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771992/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2194469327.jpg?ts=1740346833 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Icon Sportswire / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Crouse has missed one game this season - a healthy scratch on Feb. 4.One sitting doesn't necessarily mean the player's permanently in the coach's doghouse, even if said player is the club's associate captain. Yet, Crouse's scratch signaled to the league that not everything is going according to plan.Crouse, 27, is on pace for only 17 points in 81 games after back-to-back 40-point campaigns. While the 6-foot-4 power forward contributes in other ways through physicality and responsible two-way play, the lack of offense is concerning. Utah GM Bill Armstrong is motivated to build a sustainable winner. And unlike in the cash-poor Arizona era, Armstrong has a green light to be proactive in the trade market. Crouse is a serviceable NHLer, but you have to give to get in needle-moving deals. His team-friendly contract ($4.3 million through 2026-27) would make him highly desirable to a specific demographic of teams.Winnipeg and Buffalo both struggle to attract talent in free agency and need middle-six help. The Jets, who sit atop the Western Conference, are motivated to add in the lead-up to the deadline. Could Crouse be the missing piece to Winnipeg's forward group? Or does a club like the Sabres swoop in?Crouse already has a scenery change on the resume. The Panthers sent him to the Coyotes in August 2016, just 14 months after picking him 11th overall.<h3>Max Domi, Maple Leafs</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771452/cropped_GettyImages-2191994711.jpg?ts=1740062896" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771452/w220xh124_GettyImages-2191994711.jpg?ts=1740062896 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771452/w320xh180_GettyImages-2191994711.jpg?ts=1740062896 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771452/w640xh360_GettyImages-2191994711.jpg?ts=1740062896 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771452/w768xh432_GettyImages-2191994711.jpg?ts=1740062896 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771452/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2191994711.jpg?ts=1740062896 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Kevin Sousa / NHL / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Teammate Nick Robertson's stagnant production and discontent with the Maple Leafs has been widely chronicled. Domi, who's underwhelmed in a middle-six role, is a sneaky relocation candidate.Once a 28-goal man, Domi lost his scoring touch somewhere en route to Toronto, where he signed in 2023. He has 12 goals in 129 Leafs appearances. He endured goal droughts that lasted more than 20 games this season on both sides of a random December hot streak. He's also taken the most penalties and owns the worst penalty differential among Toronto forwards for the second straight year.The aging agitator became a journeyman long before his 30th birthday, which he'll celebrate next Sunday. Domi's cycled through seven teams in 10 NHL seasons and has been involved in four trades, including at the deadline in 2022 and 2023.Domi's four-year contract extension, signed on the eve of free agency last summer, carries a $3.75-million cap hit and a 13-team no-trade list. Cutting bait is a worthwhile option to explore. Maybe Toronto could send Domi with a sweetener to a bubble or rebuilding club that values his playmaking ability and wealth of experience.<h3>Erik Karlsson, Penguins</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771453/cropped_GettyImages-2197160093.jpg?ts=1740062976" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771453/w220xh124_GettyImages-2197160093.jpg?ts=1740062976 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771453/w320xh180_GettyImages-2197160093.jpg?ts=1740062976 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771453/w640xh360_GettyImages-2197160093.jpg?ts=1740062976 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771453/w768xh432_GettyImages-2197160093.jpg?ts=1740062976 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771453/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2197160093.jpg?ts=1740062976 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jamie Sabau / NHL / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Pittsburgh is precariously close to the Eastern Conference basement and owes Karlsson $10 million annually through 2027. He needs to be in the playoff mix to justify his price tag. Karlsson's composure and silkiness with the puck help him conjure offense in the rough-and-tumble postseason while less creative players struggle to elude checks.That's never been a problem for Karlsson. He scored off the rush and added two primary assists during Sweden's futile yet gripping run at the 4 Nations Face-Off. He was the lone backpedaling defenseman on the ice for two overtime goals against, but overall, he seemed rejuvenated by the competition level and intense atmosphere.Unlike Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, Karlsson doesn't have deep ties or unyielding loyalty to Pittsburgh. He's never played in a Stanley Cup Final. Even at 34, big games are more fun when he's involved.There's one hang-up: Acquiring Karlsson would be expensive. The Penguins and a trade partner can't loop in an additional club to assume some of his current cap hit. A maximum of three teams can pay a share of one contract, and the Sharks retained some of Karlsson's salary when they moved him in 2023 following his third Norris Trophy season.<h3>Casey Mittelstadt, Avalanche</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771455/cropped_GettyImages-2192464041.jpg?ts=1740063088" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771455/w220xh124_GettyImages-2192464041.jpg?ts=1740063088 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771455/w320xh180_GettyImages-2192464041.jpg?ts=1740063088 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771455/w640xh360_GettyImages-2192464041.jpg?ts=1740063088 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771455/w768xh432_GettyImages-2192464041.jpg?ts=1740063088 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771455/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2192464041.jpg?ts=1740063088 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Matthew Stockman / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Last year's Mittelstadt-for-Bowen Byram thunderclap got hockey sickos excited. The rare one-for-one swap materialized without warning when teams dealt from a position of strength - Colorado had a glut of puck-moving defensemen, and Buffalo had promising forwards - to fill an important need.The 26-year-old Mittelstadt hasn't bombed as Colorado's second-line center. He's producing at a 44-point pace for a playoff lock. Yet he's miscast as a key reinforcement for NHL scoring leader Nathan MacKinnon, who continues to be overworked.Mittelstadt's passing is an asset, but he's bad at faceoffs (42% win rate), has been a defensive drag, and doesn't kill penalties or challenge goalies. Opponents held him to two goals on 33 shots in his past 40 games. The Avalanche's share of high-danger scoring chances in his five-on-five shifts has plummeted to 42% from 55% last season following the Byram trade, per Natural Stat Trick.Other Western Conference heavyweights ice strong center duos. The Oilers boast Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The Stars have Matt Duchene and Roope Hintz. William Karlsson of the Golden Knights complements Jack Eichel. Colorado needs an upgrade, and paradoxically, Mittelstadt might benefit from joining a less talented or more balanced forward corps that doesn't force him to follow MacKinnon over the boards.<h3>Vladimir Tarasenko, Red Wings</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771461/cropped_GettyImages-2186580362.jpg?ts=1740063645" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771461/w220xh124_GettyImages-2186580362.jpg?ts=1740063645 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771461/w320xh180_GettyImages-2186580362.jpg?ts=1740063645 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771461/w640xh360_GettyImages-2186580362.jpg?ts=1740063645 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771461/w768xh432_GettyImages-2186580362.jpg?ts=1740063645 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771461/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2186580362.jpg?ts=1740063645 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mike Mulholland / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Tarasenko, a longtime Blues cornerstone, jumped ship to the Rangers as a rental in 2023. He went on to sign with the Senators, orchestrated a deadline trade to the juggernaut Panthers, celebrated his second Stanley Cup win, and inked a two-year contract with Detroit to continue touring the Atlantic Division.The fit has been clunky. Tarasenko's a sporadic scorer in the middle of a top-heavy lineup. Through 55 games, his seven goals are 10 fewer than he buried for the listless 2023-24 Senators in a similar time frame.Tarasenko entered the 4 Nations break as Detroit's eighth-leading point producer over the previous 20 games. The Red Wings caught fire in the span, tallying a league-best .775 points percentage to surge into the playoff picture. Head coach Todd McLellan, the architect of the turnaround, can afford to allot Tarasenko's minutes to younger wingers.The Russian veteran would need to waive his no-trade clause for a third straight year to be dealt. Maybe he'd reunite with Florida or approve a move to another contender that can absorb his $4.75-million cap hit and protect him on defense. Tarasenko scored big goals during the '24 Cup run - including a series winner against the Rangers - as the designated sniper on a lionhearted third line with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen.<h3>Trevor Zegras, Ducks</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771459/cropped_GettyImages-2185658847.jpg?ts=1740063298" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771459/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185658847.jpg?ts=1740063298 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771459/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185658847.jpg?ts=1740063298 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771459/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185658847.jpg?ts=1740063298 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771459/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185658847.jpg?ts=1740063298 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771459/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185658847.jpg?ts=1740063298 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Patrick McDermott / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Note: Zegras <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3225979" href="https://thescore.com/news/3225979">was suspended</a> for three games Monday for interfering with Detroit’s Michael Rasmussen.Zegras accepted a pass at the center red line and was off, two-on-one during four-on-four action. He completed a <a href="https://x.com/NHL/status/1893463254573138236">nifty give-and-go</a> passing sequence with Ducks teammate Jackson LaCombe, then fired the puck into the back of the net. Anaheim 1, Boston 0, in an eventual 3-2 Ducks win.On Saturday night, we saw the best of Zegras. He'd be excused from all change-of-scenery discussions if he consistently showcased that version of himself. However, the fact of the matter is that Zegras has long been a frustrating winger for Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek and his head coaches.To summarize, the 2019 ninth overall pick is a supremely skilled playmaker who's simultaneously not productive enough (0.69 career points per game) and not strong enough defensively to warrant "star" status of any kind.Zegras, who's in the middle season of a three-year deal paying him $5.75 million annually, is reportedly available for the right price. A recent run of poor health luck - Zegras missed 51 games last season and 22 games this campaign due to three different injuries - is undoubtedly giving rival teams reason for pause.The 23-year-old is miscast as a franchise cornerstone in Anaheim. He's closer to being a complementary piece than a superstar. An acquiring club would be betting on Zegras flourishing in a more insulated role on and off the ice.John Matisz and Nick Faris cover the NHL for theScore.

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7 NHLers who could use a change of scenery ahead of trade deadline

Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby was the first to hoist the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy, and he di...

Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby was the first to hoist the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy, and he did so emphatically late Thursday night inside TD Garden. The oldest player in an adrenaline rush of a nine-day midseason event let out a roar before handing the silver prize to veterans Brad Marchand and Drew Doughty.Prime-time superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid were next.McDavid, scorer of the golden goal in a thrilling, tight-as-they-make-'em <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3209593" href="https://thescore.com/news/3209593">3-2 overtime victory</a> over the United States, stopped short of lifting the trophy above his head. The muted celebration looked awkward, borderline ridiculous for a generational talent who'd long been clamoring for best-on-best hockey.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771595/cropped_GettyImages-2200977773.jpg?ts=1740136541" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771595/w220xh124_GettyImages-2200977773.jpg?ts=1740136541 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771595/w320xh180_GettyImages-2200977773.jpg?ts=1740136541 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771595/w640xh360_GettyImages-2200977773.jpg?ts=1740136541 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771595/w768xh432_GettyImages-2200977773.jpg?ts=1740136541 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771595/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2200977773.jpg?ts=1740136541 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Ben Jackson/4NFO / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Yet it was wholly appropriate. McDavid wants the first giant NHL trophy he raises to be the Stanley Cup. Plus, the one-off tournament split between Montreal and Boston became centered on more substantive things. Real things.Unexpectedly epic games and amped-up patriotism - not a random trophy."I just hope Canada's proud because every player in that room is proud to be a Canadian. And yeah, we needed a win. Not only our team, but Canada needed a win," head coach Jon Cooper said in his postgame press conference, sounding relieved. "The players bared that on their shoulders."This one was different. This wasn't a win for themselves. This was a win for 40-plus-million people, and the guys knew it, and they delivered."That's right: This tournament became personal for Canada. The Americans didn't just beat them 3-1 in a round-robin meeting. They poked the bear. The U.S. initiated three fights in the first nine seconds. Two American bash brothers, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, talked confidently about dethroning Canada. "It's our time right now," Matthew <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3219032" href="https://thescore.com/news/3219032">said</a>.It became personal because Team USA general manager Bill Guerin invited Canada's chief antagonist, Donald Trump, to the championship game. It became personal because the U.S. president talked about making Canada the "51st state" on a phone call Thursday morning with the entirety of the U.S. squad.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771596/cropped_GettyImages-2200092811.jpg?ts=1740137191" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771596/w220xh124_GettyImages-2200092811.jpg?ts=1740137191 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771596/w320xh180_GettyImages-2200092811.jpg?ts=1740137191 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771596/w640xh360_GettyImages-2200092811.jpg?ts=1740137191 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771596/w768xh432_GettyImages-2200092811.jpg?ts=1740137191 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771596/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2200092811.jpg?ts=1740137191 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Team Canada didn't get distracted by the political tension or sporting-world buzz south of the border. With 15 Cup winners on the roster, and three of the five best players on the planet in McDavid, MacKinnon, and Cale Makar, it knew on-ice results would be all that mattered in the end, and that aiming to be the last team standing would require its undivided attention."We're out there playing for the flag, not the cameras," winger Brandon Hagel <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3220737" href="https://thescore.com/news/3220737">famously said</a> of accepting Matthew Tkachuk's invitation to fight last week.Cooper mentioned the "Canadian way" Thursday night and other times in the tournament. That phrase captures everything from unselfish play on the ice to "walking into a restaurant and opening the door for somebody to walk in first."Like the rest of the tournament, the championship game was hockey in its purest form. Break-neck pace. Fierce intensity. Functional physicality. Intentional defending. Finesse. Big-time saves. The type of high-performing environment in which the smallest mistake leads to a goal.It was, without exaggeration, some of the best hockey we've ever seen.The atmosphere once again was electric. Chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!", "John-ny Hock-ey! John-ny Hock-ey!", and "JOOORRDAAN" provided the soundtrack. Jordan is, of course, the villainous Jordan Binnington - Canada's goalie who won Game 7 of the 2019 Stanley Cup at TD Garden. He was sensational, especially in a frenzied OT, stopping 31 total shots while turning aside a conga line of chirps and bumps designed to get under his skin.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771597/cropped_GettyImages-2200990499.jpg?ts=1740140493" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771597/w220xh124_GettyImages-2200990499.jpg?ts=1740140493 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771597/w320xh180_GettyImages-2200990499.jpg?ts=1740140493 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771597/w640xh360_GettyImages-2200990499.jpg?ts=1740140493 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771597/w768xh432_GettyImages-2200990499.jpg?ts=1740140493 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771597/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2200990499.jpg?ts=1740140493 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Chase Agnello-Dean/4NFO / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The starting goalie job for the 2026 Olympics is officially Binnington's to lose. He's proven himself to be one of the true clutch netminders of this era."Binner's a winner," Doughty said prior to the tournament."I don't think I have enough words, to be honest with you," Crosby told reporters after the win. "He was incredible. So much poise."Mitch Marner assumed the role of Jarome Iginla on the winner. He assisted on that stamp-worthy, legacy-enhancing McDavid tally like "Iggy" did for Crosby at the 2010 Olympics. The Maple Leafs winger, loser of three Game 7s in Boston, was a difference-maker Thursday, also setting up the game-tying goal and nearly connecting with McDavid for a back-door tap-in late in regulation.Crosby and McDavid tied for the team lead with five points. MacKinnon, with four goals in four games, was named tournament MVP. Other 4 Nations standouts for Canada included the fearless Hagel, the clutch Sam Bennett (who was scratched in the first game), slick substitute defenseman Thomas Harley, speed-demon center Brayden Point, and USA forecheck dismantler Makar."You become the best version of yourself in these tournaments," Marchand said earlier in the week. For him, that meant being Canada's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3222451" href="https://thescore.com/news/3222451">top spokesman</a>.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771601/cropped_GettyImages-2200954149.jpg?ts=1740144114" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771601/w220xh124_GettyImages-2200954149.jpg?ts=1740144114 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771601/w320xh180_GettyImages-2200954149.jpg?ts=1740144114 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771601/w640xh360_GettyImages-2200954149.jpg?ts=1740144114 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771601/w768xh432_GettyImages-2200954149.jpg?ts=1740144114 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771601/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2200954149.jpg?ts=1740144114 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Chase Agnello-Dean/4NFO / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Heading into Thursday's showdown, the Canada-USA matchup could be boiled down to these 15 words: Canada had history, experience, and star power, and the U.S. had swagger, grit, and goaltending. It was a coin flip. In this particular game, Canada won. In the next, the U.S. might be victorious.While both teams were dealing with absences, the USA's blows were significant - Charlie McAvoy didn't dress due to a shoulder injury, and Matthew Tkachuk logged only 6:47 due to a lower-body injury. Still, the Americans battled and received stud performances from the likes of Auston Matthews (two primary assists), Brady Tkachuk (goal, five hits), Jaccob Slavin (textbook defensive play all night), and Dylan Larkin (deadly scoring chance virtually every shift)."We left absolutely everything out there," Brady told reporters.Make no mistake, the U.S. is a hockey superpower. The 4 Nations roster was relatively young and inexperienced in must-win games. The core will be a year older and wiser in Italy and should be in the running for an Olympic medal.Also, the tournament doesn't take on a life of its own without the Tkachuk brothers bringing the group-chat heat in the first Canada game. That round-robin meeting posted massive TV ratings in both countries, overshadowing NBA All-Star Weekend and setting up days of feverish media coverage in the U.S. Hockey was, for once, the main character in North American sports.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771603/cropped_GettyImages-2200978514.jpg?ts=1740144282" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771603/w220xh124_GettyImages-2200978514.jpg?ts=1740144282 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771603/w320xh180_GettyImages-2200978514.jpg?ts=1740144282 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771603/w640xh360_GettyImages-2200978514.jpg?ts=1740144282 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771603/w768xh432_GettyImages-2200978514.jpg?ts=1740144282 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771603/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2200978514.jpg?ts=1740144282 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Bruce Bennett / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The pessimistic way for serious fans to look at 4 Nations: It took way too long for best-on-best to return. The optimistic view: Damn, that was worth the wait.The international calendar calls for a rotation between the Olympics (2026, 2030) and World Cups (2028, 2032) for the foreseeable future. The bar for those events, as far as quality of hockey, has been set insanely high.This tournament would've been a dud without full-hearted investment from each participating player - including the Swedes and Finns. They produced a stellar on-ice product, and the storylines couldn't have been scripted better.Except for the ending, if you're a Canadian fan. That - the tense buildup, the wild finish - was perfect. Crosby passed the Best Player In The World torch years ago, but on Thursday, he handed McDavid the red-and-white version. From one 3-2 OT golden-goal author to another.Canadian kids, spoiled with transcendent talents and four straight victories at best-on-best men's competitions, now face a tough decision in road hockey.Sid or Connor?John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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Hockey in its purest form: 4 Nations brought best out of best - and Canada

Before he boldly accepted Matthew Tkachuk's invitation to fight off the opening faceoff and spoke...

Before he boldly accepted Matthew Tkachuk's <a href="https://thescore.com/news/3219032" target="_blank">invitation to fight</a> off the opening faceoff and spoke about <a href="https://thescore.com/news/3220737" target="_blank">playing for the flag</a> rather than the drama, Brandon Hagel was the most anonymous player on Team Canada.Consider the scene inside Canada's dressing room following last Friday's practice in Brossard, Quebec. There was Hagel, sitting quietly at his stall as a swarm of reporters hung onto every word uttered by neighbor Brad Marchand. One reporter finally acknowledged Hagel's existence and asked for a chat. Sure, he said. The only problem: He was boxed in by all the bodies.Hagel laughed, maneuvered out of his stall, pulled on a red Team Canada baseball cap, and met the reporter in a quieter spot. He was then asked about the early days of his 4 Nations Face-Off experience and the journey that led to it. He went on to call both the last decade and the last few days a "whirlwind."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"The opportunity here," Hagel said, pausing a couple of beats to soak in the surreal environment. "It's just a dream, you know?"<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771185/cropped_GettyImages-2199640635.jpg?ts=1739920324" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771185/w220xh124_GettyImages-2199640635.jpg?ts=1739920324 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771185/w320xh180_GettyImages-2199640635.jpg?ts=1739920324 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771185/w640xh360_GettyImages-2199640635.jpg?ts=1739920324 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771185/w768xh432_GettyImages-2199640635.jpg?ts=1739920324 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771185/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2199640635.jpg?ts=1739920324 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Hagel - who's from Morinville, Alberta, population 10,000 - became a household name roughly 32 hours later. He was the Canadian who dropped the gloves 2 seconds into an epic Saturday night showdown against the United States. It was him who thrust his arms up and down to egg on an already bonkers crowd."He's not afraid of the moment," Canada head coach Jon Cooper said prophetically a day before Hagel's center-ice fight with Tkachuk, "even though his road here has been much different than most."Hagel, 26, was never drafted by a Western Hockey League team. He signed with the Red Deer Rebels as a free agent and eventually caught the eye of NHL scouts. The Sabres selected him in the sixth round, 159th overall, in 2016.However, Buffalo chose not to sign Hagel within its two-year window. In the summer of 2018, right around his 20th birthday, the wiry winger started thinking about life after hockey. He made a promise to himself: If he didn't make meaningful progress toward signing a contract by Christmas, he'd enroll in university to chase another career, perhaps teaching.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771186/cropped_GettyImages-2196600831.jpg?ts=1739920490" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771186/w220xh124_GettyImages-2196600831.jpg?ts=1739920490 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771186/w320xh180_GettyImages-2196600831.jpg?ts=1739920490 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771186/w640xh360_GettyImages-2196600831.jpg?ts=1739920490 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771186/w768xh432_GettyImages-2196600831.jpg?ts=1739920490 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771186/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2196600831.jpg?ts=1739920490 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Mark LoMoglio / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>School was on the back burner not even halfway to the holidays, as Hagel popped off in his fourth WHL season (he'd finish 2018-19 with 102 points in 66 games). NHL teams circled. He signed with Chicago, turned pro a few months later, and then played 175 games for the Blackhawks and their AHL affiliate over parts of four seasons. His name first hit the mainstream when the rebuilding Hawks traded Hagel to Cooper's Lightning for a haul - two first-round picks and two prospects. With Tampa Bay, he's done nothing but level up.Hagel recorded 64 points in 81 games in 2022-23, 75 in 82 games last season, and is on pace for 92 in 82 this year. He left for 4 Nations in a tie with Nathan MacKinnon for third in the NHL in five-on-five points - 39 in 55 games."It's just a little bit of that confidence," Hagel said, "where you get yourself into a spot in the league where you're like, f---, I can put some pucks in the net as well. You start doing some stuff maybe you haven't done in the past."Hagel believes time spent around hockey savants Patrick Kane and Nikita Kucherov has changed his trajectory. "You see a lot, you hear a lot, you learn a lot, and you just go out there and try to replicate it," the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder said. "No better way of getting better than learning from the best."He took this line of thinking to the extreme this past summer. Hagel ditched the usual plan of working with a skills coach to do drills under Kucherov's watch. "I texted Kuch: 'Hey, when I get to town do you mind if I hop on with you?'" Hagel recalled. "He messages back: 'Yep. Don't miss a day or you're out.'"<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771244/cropped_GettyImages-2199887506.jpg?ts=1739970820" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771244/w220xh124_GettyImages-2199887506.jpg?ts=1739970820 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771244/w320xh180_GettyImages-2199887506.jpg?ts=1739970820 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771244/w640xh360_GettyImages-2199887506.jpg?ts=1739970820 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771244/w768xh432_GettyImages-2199887506.jpg?ts=1739970820 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771244/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2199887506.jpg?ts=1739970820 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Hagel, who's in the first season of an eight-year deal paying him $6.5 million annually, is something between a wondrous complementary player and a star in his own right. He's speedy, skilled, and works his butt off. Every shift, he grabs the game by the lapels, pursuing the puck and engaging in battles like it's his last moment. Superstars like Kucherov adore the detail in his game.With Canada, he's getting a regular five-on-five shift, plus penalty-killing duty. He has eight shots on goal (second on the team) and an assist in three games. "He's a Swiss Army knife type of guy who can play all over the lineup and in different situations," Canada defenseman Josh Morrissey said."He does all of these things that probably don't make their way into the newspaper - until you're in a tie game with seven minutes left and you need a penalty kill and you need the puck chucked out of the corner 200 feet," Cooper said. "The guy who's doing it is Brandon Hagel. He was brought here to excel in those situations, and he does that. He's just another alpha in a room full of alphas."Canada's 25-man roster features 14 first-round draft picks, including three No. 1 overall selections. No one else signed his entry-level contract as a free agent, and Mark Stone (178th overall in 2010) was the only guy picked later than Hagel."It's insane," Morrissey said of Hagel's story."His ascension from playing as a 20-year-old in junior, having an uncertain future, and then making the most of every opportunity since - that's a lesson a lot of people, hockey players, people outside the game, everyone can learn from Hags. It's taken a lot of hard work, I'm sure, but also I see it as him capitalizing on opportunities and making the most out of every situation."<h3>Matthews due ahead of final</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771187/cropped_GettyImages-2199886391.jpg?ts=1739920612" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771187/w220xh124_GettyImages-2199886391.jpg?ts=1739920612 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771187/w320xh180_GettyImages-2199886391.jpg?ts=1739920612 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771187/w640xh360_GettyImages-2199886391.jpg?ts=1739920612 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771187/w768xh432_GettyImages-2199886391.jpg?ts=1739920612 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771187/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2199886391.jpg?ts=1739920612 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Andrea Cardin/4NFO / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Auston Matthews, the most prolific goal-scorer of his generation, entered the 4 Nations event with zero goals in his final six games with the Maple Leafs.He also failed to score against Finland and Canada, extending his goalless streak to eight games before sitting out Monday's meeting with Sweden with "upper-body soreness." Matthews will return to the U.S. lineup Thursday, and, as is the case for many players on a relatively young American squad, it will be the biggest game of his life. At the very least, he needs to generate scoring chances.To be clear, Matthews hasn't been invisible in the tournament, which should give U.S. fans confidence that a breakout may be coming. Matthews, who's registered two shots on goal off seven attempts, rang the crossbar against the Finns. He earned a primary assist on Jake Guentzel's goal off the rush in the same game. His chemistry with Jack Hughes has been building every shift.Despite playing one fewer game than most teammates, Matthews leads Team USA with eight slot passes. He also owns a team-high 62.9% win percentage on faceoffs and defended extremely well. He's skated for 20 minutes a night."Our team's going to go as he goes," center Jack Eichel said of Matthews ahead of the tournament.<h3>Top battle-zone alert: USA's slot</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771188/cropped_GettyImages-2200092941.jpg?ts=1739920836" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771188/w220xh124_GettyImages-2200092941.jpg?ts=1739920836 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771188/w320xh180_GettyImages-2200092941.jpg?ts=1739920836 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771188/w640xh360_GettyImages-2200092941.jpg?ts=1739920836 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771188/w768xh432_GettyImages-2200092941.jpg?ts=1739920836 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771188/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2200092941.jpg?ts=1739920836 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The U.S. won its round-robin game against Canada for a handful of reasons. The biggest was the lockdown team defense on display most of the match, especially when the U.S. was defending its 2-1 lead in the third period.Led by Matthews and defenseman Jaccob Slavin, the Americans kept clogging the middle of the ice. There was at least one stick or body - often more than one - occupying space wherever Canadian skaters ventured.Canada actually controlled the flow of play, according to two Sportlogiq metrics: total time the puck spent in the offensive zone (25:50 versus 19:25 for the U.S.) and offensive-zone puck-on-stick possession time (7:29 versus 4:34).The Canadians also recorded 34 slot-driving plays to the Americans' 19, but they struggled to get those dangerous shots through traffic, barely edging the U.S. in slot shots on goal (14-12). That means 20 opportunities to score on goalie Connor Hellebuyck died on the stick of a Canadian player.Superstar defenseman Cale Makar was too ill to dress for the first matchup but will be in Canada's lineup Thursday. He's a rare player capable of slicing and dicing his way through layers of defense. Tip: Watch the U.S. slot.<h3>Cooper's personal rivalry tale</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771184/cropped_GettyImages-2198402697.jpg?ts=1739919808" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771184/w220xh124_GettyImages-2198402697.jpg?ts=1739919808 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771184/w320xh180_GettyImages-2198402697.jpg?ts=1739919808 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771184/w640xh360_GettyImages-2198402697.jpg?ts=1739919808 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771184/w768xh432_GettyImages-2198402697.jpg?ts=1739919808 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771184/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2198402697.jpg?ts=1739919808 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Cooper, 57, was born in Prince George, British Columbia, and raised by a Canadian father and American mother. The family would splinter during the international hockey events of his youth: Christine was a "staunch" U.S. supporter while the rest of the family cheered for Canada.One Christmas, Cooper bought Christine a rock displaying a photo of the Miracle on Ice team from the 1980 Olympics. It had an interactive button."Every time you walked by it and hit the button," Cooper recalled, "it would be (ABC announcer) Al Michaels: 'Do you believe in miracles? Yes!'"Cooper, one of the great storytellers in NHL circles, laughed as he pictured his father Robert and Christine - a proud San Franciscan who never changed her citizenship after a move to Canada - reacting differently to Michaels' call."I thought my dad was going to kill me," he cracked. "Because, for the rest of time, she would just press it any time they were in an argument. It would just drive him nuts."Cooper shared this tale after being asked if he had any personal connections to the Canada-U.S. rivalry. While the Lightning coach noted the U.S. didn't beat Canada in the 1980 final, his American mother's patriotism has always stuck with him. "Miss her every day," he said of Christine, who died in 2020.<h3>Quick hits</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771161/cropped_GettyImages-2200291407.jpg?ts=1739916509" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771161/w220xh124_GettyImages-2200291407.jpg?ts=1739916509 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771161/w320xh180_GettyImages-2200291407.jpg?ts=1739916509 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771161/w640xh360_GettyImages-2200291407.jpg?ts=1739916509 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771161/w768xh432_GettyImages-2200291407.jpg?ts=1739916509 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/771161/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2200291407.jpg?ts=1739916509 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Steve Babineau/4NFO / Getty Images</figcaption></figure>Connor's chance: The championship game provides Kyle Connor with an opportunity for redemption. So far, the Jets' speedy sniper - whose 30 goals in 56 games rank sixth in the NHL - has underwhelmed for Team USA with one shot on goal and one assist. Connor was demoted to the fourth line midway through the opening game, with the Tkachuk brothers hopping on Eichel's wings and never looking back. Similar to Canada's Seth Jarvis, Connor has failed to flash his slippery game-breaking ability in such a tight-checking environment. Unless he pops in the final game, Connor will likely be on the outside looking in when it comes time to select next year's U.S. Olympic roster.More Petey blues: Elias Pettersson signed an eight-year, $92.8-million contract extension with Vancouver on March 8, 2024. Since then, he's produced 48 points in 69 NHL games and had zero points in three 4 Nations games for Sweden. Pettersson can be an impact defensive center; however, the Canucks aren't paying him seven figures a year strictly for shutdown reasons. The 26-year-old was virtually invisible for Sweden, and his ice time reflected it (13:32 a night to rank ninth among forwards). Meanwhile, less-heralded Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek was tremendous over 19:44 a night: He had a goal and an assist, and he constantly broke up the other team's attack.Props all around: The NHL announced that 10.1 million people tuned in across North America for the round-robin meeting between Canada and the U.S. That's the highest rating for a non-Stanley Cup Final game since 2014 and a 203% improvement over the 2016 World Cup of Hockey meeting between the same countries. The quality of hockey in this event and Saturday's WWE-style tilt (fights, hits, booing) are producing the ratings.But the players also deserve credit for how they've handled themselves off the ice. Whether it's Marchand, Sidney Crosby, the Tkachuk brothers, or virtually any other 4 Nations competitor, the NHL's best have happily put themselves in front of cameras. They've been unafraid to show personality or provide a headline-making quote. (Hey, anyone up for a pregame group chat on Thursday?) This is exactly what "growing the game" looks like.John Matisz is theScore's senior NHL writer. Follow John on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/MatiszJohn">@MatiszJohn</a>) or contact him via email (john.matisz@thescore.com).

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4 Nations: Hagel's coming-out party, Matthews is due, and more

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John Matisz

Senior NHL Writer

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Nick Faris

Features Writer

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