The Buffalo Sabres caught a stray from Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Foligno after his team fell ...

<p>The Buffalo Sabres caught a stray from Minnesota Wild forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1489" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1489">Marcus Foligno</a> after his team fell 2-1 to Utah on Friday night. </p><p>"We're fighting through it now. We're in a little bit of a sludge and just gotta go through it. It takes all of us to get ourselves out of it," he <a href="https://www.nhl.com/wild/video/foligno-postgame-vs-utah-12-20-6366302687112">said</a>. "I mean, I'd rather be in this position than Buffalo. So, you know what, it's not that bad."</p><p>The Sabres drafted Foligno in the fourth round in 2009. He spent the first six seasons of his career in Buffalo before being traded to the Wild as a restricted free agent in 2017.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Minnesota has now dropped four of its last five games - all of which were on home ice - after a stellar 19-5-4 start to the campaign. </p><p>However, Foligno's former team is currently having a significantly worse time.</p><p>Buffalo is 31st overall in the league with an 11-18-4 record after its losing streak was extended to 12 games courtesy of Friday's 6-3 defeat against the Toronto Maple Leafs.</p><p>The Sabres had a hard time scoring over this skid - generating just 2.25 tallies per game - but it certainly didn't help that they had two goals called back versus Toronto. </p><p>The first occurred early in the opening frame when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5550" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5550">Alex Tuch</a> thought he'd tied the game at 1-1. The goal was eventually disallowed after the linesman informed referees of a high-sticking double-minor committed by forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2501" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2501">Jason Zucker</a> earlier in the play.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Alex Tuch scores, but the goal is disallowed due to Jason Zucker being given a double-minor penalty for high-sticking. <a href="https://t.co/R2ZbYx6MDL">pic.twitter.com/R2ZbYx6MDL</a></p>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1870263430147682331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Buffalo wound up on the penalty kill, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5586" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5586">Auston Matthews</a> doubled the Leafs' lead on the power play. </p><p>"I've never seen that before, to be honest," Zucker <a href="https://www.nhl.com/sabres/video/zucker-postgame-vs-tor-6366302051112">said</a>. "I don't know what else to say." </p><p>He added, "I'm not gonna comment on the play. I'd rather not get fined."</p><p>Section 78.5 of the NHL rulebook <a href="https://media.nhl.com/site/asset/public/ext/2024-25/2024-25Rules.pdf">states</a>:</p><blockquote><p>When a linesperson reports a double-minor penalty for high-sticking, a major penalty, or a match penalty to the referee following the scoring of a goal by the offending team, the goal must be disallowed and the appropriate penalty assessed.</p></blockquote><p>Later in the contest, the Sabres appeared to make it 5-4 late in the third period, but the Maple Leafs successfully challenged for goaltender interference.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Maple Leafs challenge is successful as the Sabres goal that would've made it 5-4 is called back due to goalie interference. 👀 <a href="https://t.co/GAvE4XMbj6">pic.twitter.com/GAvE4XMbj6</a></p>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1870295910766264629?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"That's where we're at right now," Sabres captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7216" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7216">Rasmus Dahlin</a> <a href="https://www.nhl.com/sabres/video/dahlin-postgame-vs-tor-6366302528112">said</a>. "We scored five, but two get disallowed. But we can't hang our heads, we did this to ourselves. We've got to work."</p><p>Zucker seemed to agree with Dahlin's point of view.</p><p>"I think you gotta earn your breaks, and we're not doing that right now," he said.</p><p>The Sabres and Wild will meet in Minnesota on March 22. The two teams last squared off on Nov. 27 when Buffalo lost 1-0 to kick off its current skid.</p>

BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 7: Marcus Foligno #17 of the Minnesota Wild scores during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game on January 7, 2023 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

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Foligno: Wild slumping, but 'I'd rather be in this position than Buffalo'

New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe was ejected from Friday's 3-1 victory against Dallas for elbo...

<p>New York Rangers forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9310" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9310">Matt Rempe</a> was ejected from Friday's 3-1 victory against Dallas for elbowing Stars defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6612" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6612">Miro Heiskanen</a> up high.</p><p>The incident occurred before the midway mark of the third period. Rempe was handed a five-minute major and a game misconduct. Heiskanen retreated down the tunnel but returned to the contest.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Matt Rempe gets tossed for this hit on Miro Heiskanen in his 1st game back up with the Rangers 😬 <a href="https://t.co/uvVAxvILJd">pic.twitter.com/uvVAxvILJd</a></p>— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) <a href="https://twitter.com/GinoHard_/status/1870308847166128297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"I thought (Rempe) let off a little bit at the end," Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette said, per <a href="https://x.com/Peter_Baugh/status/1870321377472921840">The Athletic's Peter Baugh</a>. "He's just such a big guy. (at 6-foot-9 and 255 pounds). We killed the five, and we're moving on."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The bench boss added, "I thought he had a big impact on the game. I'd like to stay away from the five-minute major, but he's doing his best to hit bodies and make a difference in the game. Our guys really rallied around that at the end."</p><p>This is Rempe's fourth ejection of his 22-game NHL career, per <a href="https://x.com/SNstats/status/1870310331597115467">Sportsnet Stats</a>. He was suspended four games last season for elbowing New Jersey Devils defenseman <a href="https://www.thescore.com/nhl/players/4707">Jonas Siegenthaler</a> in the head.</p><p>The 22-year-old racked up 71 penalty minutes and two points in 17 games while averaging 5:38 minutes with the Rangers last season. Rempe has been assessed 22 penalty minutes through 18 outings with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack so far this campaign. </p><p>Friday's outing was Rempe's first NHL game since Nov. 25 and his fifth of the season. New York recalled him from the AHL on Wednesday after trading <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8593" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8593">Kaapo Kakko</a> to the Seattle Kraken.</p><p>His physical play quickly established him as a fan favorite among Rangers faithful in 2023-24. Rempe appeared in 11 playoff games and scored one goal during their run to the Eastern Conference Final last spring. </p><p>New York selected Rempe in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL Draft.</p>

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 24: New York Rangers Right Wing Matt Rempe (73) is pictured prior to the National Hockey League preseason game between the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers on September 24, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY.

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Rangers' Rempe ejected for elbowing Heiskanen up high

New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin returned to the lineup Friday against the Dallas Stars after...

<p>New York Rangers star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4530" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4530">Artemi Panarin</a> returned to the lineup Friday against the Dallas Stars after missing the last two games with an upper-body injury.</p><p>Panarin leads the Blueshirts with 15 goals and 37 points in 30 outings this season. He's paced the team in points in each of the previous five campaigns.</p><p>The Rangers dropped both games without Panarin in the lineup: a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues and a 2-0 shutout defeat at the hands of the basement-dwelling Nashville Predators.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>New York lost 11 of its last 14 contests prior to its meeting with the Stars. The reigning Presidents' Trophy winners entered Friday's slate in sixth place of the Metropolitan Division and outside the playoff picture with a 15-15-1 record.</p><p>The Rangers traded captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2912" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2912">Jacob Trouba</a> earlier in December and continued to make changes Wednesday by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3094932" href="https://thescore.com/news/3094932">moving</a> 2019 second overall pick <a href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8593">Kaapo Kakko</a> to the Seattle Kraken. </p>

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 29: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers looks on against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 29, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Panarin returns from 2-game absence vs. Stars

Team USA unveiled the 25 players who'll represent the country at the 2025 World Junior Championsh...

<p>Team USA unveiled the 25 players who'll represent the country at the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa later this month.</p><p>The Americans have 10 returning players from last year's gold-medal-winning squad, which defeated Sweden in the final.</p><p>The U.S. opens its schedule with a Group A preliminary tilt against Germany on Boxing Day. The tournament runs Dec. 26 through Jan. 5.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Forwards</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761491/cropped_GettyImages-1813155523.jpg?ts=1734648585" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761491/w220xh124_GettyImages-1813155523.jpg?ts=1734648585 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761491/w320xh180_GettyImages-1813155523.jpg?ts=1734648585 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761491/w640xh360_GettyImages-1813155523.jpg?ts=1734648585 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761491/w768xh432_GettyImages-1813155523.jpg?ts=1734648585 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761491/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1813155523.jpg?ts=1734648585 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Michael Miller/ISI Photos / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Age</th>
<th>Current Team</th>
<th>NHL Rights</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Austin Burnevik</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>St. Cloud State (NCAA)</td>
<td>Ducks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Trevor Connelly</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>Providence (NCAA)</td>
<td>Golden Knights</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cole Eiserman</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>Boston University (NCAA)</td>
<td>Islanders</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>James Hagens</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>Boston College (NCAA)</td>
<td>2025 eligible</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ryan Leonard</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Boston College (NCAA)</td>
<td>Capitals</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oliver Moore</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Minnesota (NCAA)</td>
<td>Blackhawks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Danny Nelson</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Notre Dame (NCAA)</td>
<td>Islanders</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gabe Perreault</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Boston College (NCAA)</td>
<td>Rangers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Max Plante</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)</td>
<td>Red Wings</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Teddy Stiga</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>Boston College (NCAA)</td>
<td>Predators</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brandon Svoboda</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Boston University (NCAA)</td>
<td>Sharks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Carey Terrance</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Erie (OHL)</td>
<td>Ducks</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joey Willis</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Saginaw (OHL)</td>
<td>Predators</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brodie Ziemer</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>Minnesota (NCAA)</td>
<td>Sabres</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><strong>Cuts: </strong>Chris Pelosi, AJ Spellacy</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15515" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15515">Hagens</a>, a top candidate to go first overall at the 2025 NHL Draft, highlights the United States' forward crop. He was a final cut from the world juniors team last winter but has plenty of momentum this time after potting 20 points in his first 16 NCAA games.</p><p>Hagens is joined by a handful of Boston College teammates, including linemates <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13827" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13827">Leonard</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaah/players/14576" href="https://thescore.com/ncaah/players/14576">Perreault</a>, who were instrumental in helping the U.S. win gold last time.</p><p>The other returnees include <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13828" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13828">Moore</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13883" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13883">Nelson</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13963" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13963">Terrance</a>.</p><h3>Defense</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761492/cropped_GettyImages-2188725854.jpg?ts=1734648703" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761492/w220xh124_GettyImages-2188725854.jpg?ts=1734648703 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761492/w320xh180_GettyImages-2188725854.jpg?ts=1734648703 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761492/w640xh360_GettyImages-2188725854.jpg?ts=1734648703 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761492/w768xh432_GettyImages-2188725854.jpg?ts=1734648703 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761492/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2188725854.jpg?ts=1734648703 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Michael Miller/ISI Photos / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Age</th>
<th>Current Team</th>
<th>NHL Rights</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Zeev Buium</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Denver (NCAA)</td>
<td>Wild</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Paul Fischer</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Notre Dame (NCAA)</td>
<td>Oilers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Drew Fortescue</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Boston College (NCAA)</td>
<td>Rangers</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Logan Hensler</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>Wisconsin (NCAA)</td>
<td>2025 eligible</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cole Hutson</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>Boston University (NCAA)</td>
<td>Capitals</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adam Kleber</td>
<td>18</td>
<td>Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)</td>
<td>Sabres</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Aram Minnetian</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Boston College (NCAA)</td>
<td>Stars</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Colin Ralph</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>St. Cloud State (NCAA)</td>
<td>Blues</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><strong>Cuts: </strong>EJ Emery, Blake Fiddler</p><p>Buium headlines the United States' blue line after going 12th overall at last summer's draft. He amassed three goals and five points in seven games at last year's tournament while averaging just over 18 minutes per contest. </p><p>Also in the mix is <a href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/15076">Hutson</a>, the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens star rookie <a href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/12709">Lane Hutson</a>. <a href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15507">Hensler</a>, meanwhile, will be looking to showcase his skills to climb up the draft boards as a 2025-eligible prospect.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13885" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13885">Fortescue</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13972" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13972">Minnetian</a> are also returning alongside Buium.</p><p>As for the notable cuts, the New York Rangers drafted <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/15021" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/15021">Emery</a> with the 30th overall pick last summer, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15504" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15504">Fiddler</a> is eligible to go in 2025.</p><h3>Goalies</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761493/cropped_GettyImages-2178541089.jpg?ts=1734648749" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761493/w220xh124_GettyImages-2178541089.jpg?ts=1734648749 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761493/w320xh180_GettyImages-2178541089.jpg?ts=1734648749 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761493/w640xh360_GettyImages-2178541089.jpg?ts=1734648749 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761493/w768xh432_GettyImages-2178541089.jpg?ts=1734648749 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/761493/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2178541089.jpg?ts=1734648749 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Michael Miller/ISI Photos / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Age</th>
<th>Current Team</th>
<th>NHL Rights</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Trey Augustine</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Michigan State (NCAA)</td>
<td>Red Wings</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sam Hillebrandt</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Barrie (OHL)</td>
<td>Undrafted</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Hampton Slukynsky</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>Western Michigan (NCAA)</td>
<td>Kings</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13941" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13941">Augustine</a> is ready to embark on his third world juniors. He owned a .936 save percentage and 1.75 goals against average as the United States' primary netminder at last year's event.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wjhc/players/15500" href="https://thescore.com/wjhc/players/15500">Hillebrandt</a> was also named to last year's roster but didn't see any action.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13975" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13975">Slukynsky</a> made the roster after posting a .941 clip and 1.84 goals against average in seven games with Western Michigan this season.</p>

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 11: James Hagens #10 of Boston College is all smiles after his assist during a game between Boston College and Michigan State University at Munn Ice Arena on October 11, 2024 in East Lansing, Michigan.

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Hagens highlights USA's final roster for 2025 world juniors

Montreal and Nashville swapped defensemen Wednesday night, with the Canadiens acquiring Alexandre...

<p>Montreal and Nashville swapped defensemen Wednesday night, with the Canadiens acquiring <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4569" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4569">Alexandre Carrier</a> from the Predators in exchange for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9213" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9213">Justin Barron</a>. </p><p>Carrier has registered one goal and seven points in 28 outings while averaging just over 20 minutes of ice time. He hasn't suited up since Dec. 7 because of an upper-body injury, though the Canadiens confirmed he's cleared to play, per <a href="https://x.com/EricEngels/status/1869580109994492038">Sportsnet's Eric Engels</a>.</p><p>Nashville inked the 28-year-old to a three-year extension with a $3.75-million cap hit July 1. Carrier can become an unrestricted free agent when it expires.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 2015 fourth-rounder had spent his entire career with the Predators. He's racked up 11 goals, 69 points, 268 hits, and 409 blocks in 245 games as a defensive blue-liner.</p><p>Barron, meanwhile, has appeared in 17 contests for the Habs this season and has scored one goal while seeing 14:43 minutes of ice time per game. </p><p>The Avalanche selected Barron 25th overall at the 2020 NHL Draft, but Colorado traded him to Montreal at the 2022 deadline as part of the package for forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5569" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5569">Artturi Lehkonen</a>.</p><p>The 23-year-old is under contract for one more season after this one with a $1.15-million cap hit. He can become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights once it expires.</p><p>Barron has appeared in 111 career NHL showings, totaling 13 tallies and 31 points. </p><p>Nashville has struggled so far this campaign, ranking last in the league with a 9-17-6 record. Montreal has fared slightly better, sitting in seventh place in the Atlantic Division following a 12-16-3 start.</p>

MONTREAL, QC - DECEMBER 05: Alexandre Carrier (45) of the Nashville Predators looks on during the first period of the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and the Montreal Canadiens on Dec 05 2024, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC

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Canadiens acquire Carrier from Predators for Barron

The New York Rangers traded forward Kaapo Kakko to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for defenseman ...

<p>The New York Rangers traded forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8593" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8593">Kaapo Kakko</a> to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9738" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9738">Will Borgen</a>, a 2025 third-round pick, and a 2025 sixth-rounder, the teams announced Wednesday. </p><p>Kakko has put up four goals and 14 points in 30 games this season while averaging 13:17 of ice time.</p><p>He missed Sunday's 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues as a healthy scratch. Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3160973" href="https://thescore.com/news/3160973">said</a> the decision was about "putting fresh legs in the lineup," but Kakko expressed frustration with the move Tuesday.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"I was surprised, yeah," he <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3162733" href="https://thescore.com/news/3162733">said</a>. "I know you got to do something as a coach when you're losing games, but I think it's just easy to pick a young guy and boot him out. That's how I feel, to be honest."</p><p>Kakko returned to the lineup for the Rangers' 2-0 defeat against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday but played a team-low 10:14 of ice time.</p><p>New York drafted the Finn with the second overall pick in 2019. He registered an impressive 22 goals and 38 points in 45 games with TPS in the Finnish Elite League during his draft year. </p><p>Kakko has yet to meet the expectations of his high draft positioning, but he put up a career-high 18 goals and 40 points in 82 games in 2022-23. He missed 21 games due to injury last season but was on pace for around 17 tallies and 26 points over a full campaign.</p><p>The 23-year-old will represent Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. </p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3143154" href="https://thescore.com/news/3143154">Reports emerged</a> in November that Kakko was among the Rangers available on the trade block. New York also took calls on him ahead of the 2024 deadline, though nothing came to fruition. </p><p>Kakko ends his Rangers tenure with 61 tallies and 131 points in 330 career games. He carries a cap hit of $2.4 million and can become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. </p><p>"We've been kicking tires on different things, and with (captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/454" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/454">Jordan Eberle</a>) out, we're short on the right side," Kraken general manager Ron Francis <a href="https://www.nhl.com/kraken/news/kraken-trade-for-former-no-2-overall-winger-bn">said</a>. "(Kakko) gives us somebody that can play the right wing. He's a big boy, and he's got some skills.</p><p>"So, we thought it was the right move to make."</p><p>Eberle hasn't played since mid-November and was given a three-month recovery timeline after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3136579" href="https://thescore.com/news/3136579">undergoing</a> pelvis surgery. </p><p>Three of the top four picks of the 2019 draft are no longer with their original team, as the Chicago Blackhawks traded <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8598" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8598">Kirby Dach</a> to the Montreal Canadiens in 2022 and the Colorado Avalanche sent <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8599" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8599">Bowen Byram</a> to the Buffalo Sabres in March. </p><p>Borgen, meanwhile, has been a serviceable third-pair rearguard for the Kraken since 2021-22. </p><p>The 27-year-old hit the 20-point mark in each of the past two campaigns while appearing in every game, but he's recorded just one goal and one assist in 33 contests this season while averaging a career-low 15:12 minutes of ice time.</p><p>Borgen, who stands at 6-foot-3 and is a right-handed shot, has a cap hit of $2.7 million and can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. </p><p>The Rangers have lost 11 of their last 14 games and also traded captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2912" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2912">Jacob Trouba</a> earlier in December. The Kraken entered Wednesday's slate in sixth place of the Pacific Division with a 15-16-2 record.</p>

EDMONTON, CANADA - NOVEMBER 23: Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers in action during the game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on November 23, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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Rangers trade Kakko to Kraken for Borgen, pair of picks

Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff is determined to stop the bleeding after Buffalo's winless streak hi...

<p>Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff is determined to stop the bleeding after Buffalo's winless streak hit 10 games with Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. </p><p>"I'm almost lost for words, obviously," he <a href="https://x.com/BuffaloSabres/status/1868467958726398362">said</a>. "It's on me to solve this. This is the toughest solve I've been around. It is on me to get these guys in the right place and win a hockey game. And nobody else, just me."</p><p>The Sabres were in control with a 3-1 edge at the midway point of the second period, but the Maple Leafs responded by scoring three goals in a 2:31 span to take a one-goal lead heading into the third period. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MapleLeafs</a> score three goals in 2:31 and now lead 4-3! 🚨🚨🚨 <a href="https://t.co/DNgU2sbzPI">pic.twitter.com/DNgU2sbzPI</a></p>— NHL (@NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1868441430470881527?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>"We were clicking on almost everything until they got the first goal," Ruff said. "It just seemed like it turned."</p><p>The bench boss called a timeout after Toronto's flurry in an attempt to settle the Sabres down.</p><p>"Just (to) say, 'Listen, we can do this. This is hard right now. We've got to do it together, but we gotta believe in how we need to play to get the job done,'" Ruff explained.</p><p>Buffalo was unable to get anything going in the third period as the Maple Leafs outshot their division rivals 19-7 in the final 20 minutes. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/794" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/794">John Tavares</a> iced the contest with an empty-netter to complete the hat trick.</p><p>The Sabres haven't won a game since Nov. 23 against the San Jose Sharks. They were in third place in the Atlantic Division with an 11-9-1 record and two points away from catching the Florida Panthers for the No. 2 spot before their current skid.</p><p>Buffalo is 11-16-4 on the season, which has the team in seventh in the division and 29th in the league. Only four teams - the Nashville Predators, Chicago Blackhawks, Sharks, and Montreal Canadiens - own a worse points percentage than the Sabres' .419 clip.</p><p>"Pretty shitty, honestly," forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5550" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5550">Alex Tuch</a> said of the feeling in the room, per <a href="https://x.com/ByMHarrington/status/1868468866214723788">The Buffalo News' Mike Harrington</a>. "Losing 10 in a row, there's no good feelings. You've just got to work."</p><p>The Sabres haven't made the playoffs since 2011. They're six points behind Ottawa for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, and the Senators have one game in hand.</p><p>Buffalo's next chance to pull out of its nosedive will come Tuesday against the Canadiens.</p>

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 3: Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff talks to his team after a timeout during an NHL game against the Colorado Avalanche on December 3, 2024 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

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Ruff 'almost lost for words' as Sabres' winless streak hits 10

New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury and misse...

<p>New York Rangers star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4530" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4530">Artemi Panarin</a> is considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury and missed Sunday's 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues.</p><p>Panarin leads New York with 15 goals and 36 points - including 24 at even strength - in 29 outings.</p><p>The news is another blow for the floundering Rangers, who have now lost 10 of their past 13 games. Their three wins over this stretch have come against the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres, who are all at or near the bottom of their respective divisions.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Winger <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8593" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8593">Kaapo Kakko</a> was also out versus St. Louis but as a healthy scratch. Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette said postgame that the decision was about "putting fresh legs in the lineup," according to the <a href="https://x.com/MollieeWalkerr/status/1868476886525059419">New York Post's Mollie Walker</a>.</p><p>Here's how the Rangers lined up without Panarin: </p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="fi" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYR</a> warmup lines vs. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STLBlues?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#STLBlues</a>:<br><br>Cuylle-Chytil-Lafrenière<br>​​Brodzinski-Trocheck-Smith<br>Berard-Zibanejad-Vesey<br>Edström-Carrick-Kreider<br><br>Lindgren-Fox<br>Jones-Schneider<br>Mackey-Ruhwedel<br><br>Quick<br>Shesterkin</p>— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) <a href="https://twitter.com/MollieeWalkerr/status/1868425431063597112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2542" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2542">Chris Kreider</a> was on the fourth line, while <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2033" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2033">Mika Zibanejad</a> saw just 13:04 minutes of ice time, far below his season average of 18:33. </p><p>New York attempted to shake things up in early December by trading captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2912" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2912">Jacob Trouba</a> to the Anaheim Ducks, but the team has lost four times in six contests since the move.</p><p>Panarin has led the Rangers in points in each of the previous five seasons. </p>

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 08: New York Rangers Left Wing Artemi Panarin (10) is pictured during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the Seattle Kraken and the New York Rangers on December 8, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY.

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Rangers' Panarin day-to-day with upper-body injury

Minnesota Wild head coach John Hynes isn't going to lose much sleep despite his team's 7-1 blowou...

<p>Minnesota Wild head coach John Hynes isn't going to lose much sleep despite his team's 7-1 blowout loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.</p><p>"We gotta get our energy back and we gotta have a good day tomorrow. ... I think that's something that needs to be and will be what our focus is, not so much what happened tonight," he said. "I think we've had a lot of good things that have gone on for us this year.</p><p>"Tonight was an uncharacteristic night for us. I'm not gonna overthink it. Tonight is what it is. We gotta get ready for Saturday (against the Philadelphia Flyers)."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Wild entered Thursday's game in first place in the league with a sterling 19-5-4 record. The loss dropped them to third behind the Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals - who both secured at least one point Thursday - but it's a tight race:</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>GP</th>
<th>Record</th>
<th>Points</th>
<th>P%</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Jets</td>
<td>31</td>
<td>21-9-1</td>
<td>43</td>
<td>.694</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Capitals</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>20-6-2</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>.750</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Wild</td>
<td>29</td>
<td>19-6-4</td>
<td>42</td>
<td>.724</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Oilers dominated Minnesota all over the ice, dictating 55.9% of the shot attempts, 68.4% of the high-danger chances, and 60.5% of the expected goals at five-on-five, per <a href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20242025&amp;game=20467&amp;view=limited">Natural Stat Trick</a>. They also held a 35-30 edge in shots.</p><p>Edmonton's star players ran rampant, illustrated by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3948" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3948">Leon Draisaitl</a>'s four-point night.</p><p>"From the jump, it wasn't our night," Wild defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9275" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9275">Brock Faber</a> said. "We just weren't finding pucks, couldn't solidify a forecheck, a breakout, couldn't shut down their top guys. It was just one of those nights."</p><p>Despite the frustration, Faber shares his bench boss' even-keeled mindset.</p><p>"We've got to obviously acknowledge that those games can't happen, but they're gonna happen," he said. "Trust the process that we've gone through, trust the position that we're in. We're still a damn good hockey team."</p><p>This was Minnesota's second time surrendering seven goals this season and the first since Oct. 26 against the Flyers.</p><p>Injuries didn't help against the Oilers. The Wild were already without the likes of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5684" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5684">Joel Eriksson Ek</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1658" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1658">Mats Zuccarello</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2600" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2600">Jonas Brodin</a>, but blue-liner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4096" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4096">Jake Middleton</a> exited after blocking a shot during his first shift and was later ruled out with an upper-body injury.</p><p>Forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1489" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1489">Marcus Foligno</a> knows Minnesota missed Middleton against Edmonton but wasn't about to use injuries as an excuse.</p><p>"We've got some guys out, yeah, but we'd like to show a little better effort than giving up seven goals in our home rink," Foligno said.</p><p>The Wild have lost two of their last three games after winning five straight.</p>

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 12: Head coach John Hynes of the Minnesota Wild (C) looks on against the Edmonton Oilers in the third period at Xcel Energy Center on December 12, 2024 in St Paul, Minnesota. The Oilers defeated the Wild 7-1.

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Wild's Hynes shakes off blowout loss to Oilers: 'Uncharacteristic night'

The New York Islanders nearly coughed up a big lead late in Thursday's 5-4 victory over the Chica...

<p>The New York Islanders nearly coughed up a big lead late in Thursday's 5-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, and while head coach Patrick Roy conceded "a win is a win," he admitted he wouldn't have been very gracious if it was him between the pipes.</p><p>"I guess times have changed because in my days, if my team would have done that to me, I will break a stick in that room," the Hall of Fame netminder said. "I'd be very upset to see my team playing like this in front of me. (Goalie <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7301" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7301">Ilya Sorokin</a>) is a gentleman, he's a first-class person."</p><p>Roy added, "We didn't compete, we didn't battle in front of the net in the last eight minutes. That's unacceptable. We talked about it this morning to be stronger. Our goalie deserved more respect than this."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Islanders jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the third period after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7911" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7911">Noah Dobson</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3009" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3009">Bo Horvat</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/14964" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/14964">Maxim Tsyplakov</a> all found the back of the net over a 2:19 span.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">3 quick goals from Dobson, Horvat, and Tsyplakov make it 5 straight for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Isles</a> 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨<a href="https://twitter.com/brendanmburke?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@brendanmburke</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/91Butch?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@91Butch</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Thomas_Hickey14?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Thomas_Hickey14</a> <a href="https://t.co/lz7qSRIE7b">pic.twitter.com/lz7qSRIE7b</a></p>— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) <a href="https://twitter.com/IslesMSGN/status/1867401426164494373?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>However, the Blackhawks responded with three of their own in the last nine minutes. Chicago forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3250" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3250">Tyler Bertuzzi</a> scored with 1:10 remaining on the clock and found the back of the net again with 10 seconds left.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Connor Bedard➡️Alex Vlasic➡️Tyler Bertuzzi🚨<br><br>Bertuzzi gets credit for his 2nd goal in exactly 1 minute late in the 3rd period. 3-point game for Bedard with the secondary assist. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blackhawks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Blackhawks</a><a href="https://t.co/RRscMY9q8J">pic.twitter.com/RRscMY9q8J</a></p>— Talkin’ Hawkey (@TalkinHawkey) <a href="https://twitter.com/TalkinHawkey/status/1867408310867308639?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 13, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Sorokin turned aside all but one of the Blackhawks' 16 shots through the first two periods but came under fire in the third, with Chicago outshooting the Islanders 14-7 over the final 20 minutes. </p><p>The 2023 Vezina Trophy runner-up ended the night with an .867 save percentage after allowing four goals on 30 shots.</p><p>"We have one of the best (goalies) in the game," Roy emphasized. "He doesn't deserve that. I hope we feel bad about it. I really do. We gotta play the game for 60 minutes, and we have to play a certain way."</p><p>Despite the near collapse, the five-goal outburst was a promising sign for the Islanders, who entered Thursday's action ranked 29th in goals for per game (2.53).</p><p>"The rest, we did a lot of good things. ... We had a great start to the third, we found ways to put pucks (in) the net," Roy said.</p><p>The Islanders sit sixth in the Metropolitan Division with a 12-12-7 record and have won three of their last four games. Next up is another clash against the Blackhawks in Chicago on Sunday.</p>

MONTREAL, CANADA - DECEMBER 03: Head coach Patrick Roy of the New York Islanders handles bench duties during overtime against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on December 3, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the New York Islanders 2-1 in overtime.

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Isles' Roy irked by near collapse: Sorokin 'deserved more respect'

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Owen Power understands why he was benched for the rest of the first per...

<p>Buffalo Sabres defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10545" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10545">Owen Power</a> understands why he was benched for the rest of the first period after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2033" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2033">Mika Zibanejad</a>'s game-opening tally in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers.</p><p>"I mean, it's pretty obvious," he said, according to <a href="https://x.com/LLysowski/status/1867041370482815078">The Buffalo News' Lance Lysowski</a>. "I make two horrible plays on that goal, and there's nothing much that really needs to be said. I know that's on me, and those plays are unacceptable. I think it's just the accountability that we all asked for."</p><p>The Sabres won the faceoff with the Rangers on the man advantage and the puck went back to Power, who attempted to clear it from his own zone. However, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8555" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8555">Adam Fox</a> kept it in at the blue line, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4530" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4530">Artemi Panarin</a> found Zibanejad with a perfect pass.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mika Zibanejad nets his 300th career goal to open the scoring for the <a href="https://twitter.com/NYRangers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NYRangers</a>! 🗽<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHLStats?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NHLStats</a>: <a href="https://t.co/EDwRzYr90d">https://t.co/EDwRzYr90d</a><br><br>📺: <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL_On_TNT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHL_On_TNT</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsonMax?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SportsonMax</a> ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T">https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T</a> <a href="https://t.co/QRD2zSt1jq">pic.twitter.com/QRD2zSt1jq</a></p>— NHL (@NHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1867002688543617138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Wayne Gretzky criticized Power's failed clear during TNT's first intermission broadcast. </p><p>"Power has to get the puck out," the Great One <a href="https://x.com/HockeyIQ716/status/1867018520250179797">said</a>. "That's where you're losing, there's no excuse for that puck not getting out. On your strong side, 220 pounds, 6-foot-6, that puck has to get down the ice." </p><p>Power ended up with just 2:57 minutes of ice time in the opening frame, per <a href="https://x.com/ByMHarrington/status/1867010759232049252">The Buffalo News' Mike Harrington</a>.</p><p>The 22-year-old rearguard wasn't the only player who rode the pine during the contest. Forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9219" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9219">JJ Peterka</a> saw just one shift in the second period.</p><p>"We turned the puck over too much," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff <a href="https://x.com/BuffaloSabres/status/1867041606328574380">said</a>. "We got to the blue line, turned it over, turned it over, turned it over. That is why some guys lost ice time."</p><p>He added, "Taking one or two shifts (away) up to this point hasn't worked. Sitting the odd guy out hasn't worked. The puck management, we've talked about that since the start of the year."</p><p>Ruff conceded he thought both players "really responded well" to their extended time watching from the bench.</p><p>"I know that's a culture change," he said.</p><p>The Rangers' second goal went in off Power, but he responded by getting the Sabres on the board with less than five minutes remaining in the contest.</p><p>Power and Peterka assisted on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5611" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5611">Tage Thompson</a>'s goal that drew Buffalo within one in the final minute, but it was too little, too late. The Sabres have now dropped eight games in a row, seven of which have been on home ice.</p><p>"We're not going to sit here and have a pity party," forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5550" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5550">Alex Tuch</a> said, per <a href="https://x.com/ByMHarrington/status/1867050189330190598">Harrington</a>. "We're going to move on. We have to move on. We're not going to sit here and go into a shell and say, 'Oh, the season's over' because it's not. It's far from over."</p><p>The Sabres now sit in seventh place of the Atlantic Division with an 11-14-4 record. They'll take on the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals on Saturday. </p>

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 27: Owen Power #25 of the Buffalo Sabres warms up prior to an NHL game against the Minnesota Wild on November 27, 2024 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

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Sabres' Power owns 1st-period benching: 'I know that's on me'

Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi suffered a lower-body injury during his team's 4-3 loss to...

<p>Nashville Predators captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1663" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1663">Roman Josi</a> suffered a lower-body injury during his team's 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. </p><p>It isn't clear what happened to the star defenseman, but he didn't take a shift in the second frame and was ruled out of the contest at the start of the third period. </p><p>Josi saw just 5:32 minutes of ice time in the first stanza.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>There was no postgame update on his status, per <a href="https://x.com/brooksbratten/status/1866693093380198501">team reporter Brooks Bratten</a>.</p><p>The Predators were already missing blue-liner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4569" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4569">Alexandre Carrier</a>, who is considered week-to-week with an upper-body issue. Nashville has also been without bruiser <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4645" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4645">Jeremy Lauzon</a> since late November because of a lower-body problem.</p><p>Josi entered Tuesday's game with a team-leading 16 assists and 23 points in 28 outings. He also sat third in the league in average ice time (25:40).</p><p>The 34-year-old was the runner-up for the Norris Trophy last season after pacing all rearguards with 23 goals while ranking third in the class with 85 points in 82 games.</p><p>Josi is the Predators' all-time leader in points (709) and assists (521) in 938 career contests.</p><p>Nashville is now on an eight-game winless streak thanks to Tuesday's loss. </p>

MONTREAL, CANADA - DECEMBER 05: Roman Josi #59 of the Nashville Predators skates during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on December 5, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Nashville Predators 3-0.

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Josi suffers lower-body injury vs. Flames

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov exited his team's 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canuck...

<p>Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4577" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4577">Ivan Provorov</a> exited his team's 5-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night with an upper-body ailment.</p><p>Provorov appeared to injure his thumb in the second period after being tripped by Canucks forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7699" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7699">Elias Pettersson</a> and colliding into the boards. He was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the game. </p><p>The 27-year-old ranked second on the Blue Jackets in average ice time (23:55) entering Friday's game. He logged two goals and eight points in his first 25 games of the campaign and assisted on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3267" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3267">Damon Severson</a>'s tally before exiting in Vancouver.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Provorov is considered one of the top trade chips this season. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and counts for $4.725 million against the cap. Utah <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3107377" href="https://thescore.com/news/3107377">reportedly</a> checked in on his availability in October.</p><p>The Blue Jackets currently sit in seventh place of the Metropolitan Division with a 11-12-3 record and sixth with a .481 points percentage.</p>

VANCOUVER, CANADA - DECEMBER 6: Ivan Provorov #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets lays on the ice after tripping during the second period of their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on December 6, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

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Jackets' Provorov suffers apparent thumb injury vs. Canucks

Jacob Trouba isn't the biggest fan of how the end of his New York Rangers tenure played out.  "I ...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2912" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2912">Jacob Trouba</a> isn't the biggest fan of how the end of his New York Rangers tenure played out.</p><p>"I don't like that it was made public necessarily or how everything unfolded so publicly, but I guess that's part of New York and what happens," he said after Friday's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3114612" href="https://thescore.com/news/3114612">trade</a> to the Anaheim Ducks, according to <a href="https://x.com/Peter_Baugh/status/1865174645017616900">The Athletic's Peter Baugh</a>. "It made it difficult to play with that hanging over everything.</p><p>"And today, the result is the result. I guess I'm happy with moving forward but maybe not overly thrilled with how it went down. In my opinion, things could have been handled better. I'm not blaming anybody or anything. How it happened, I felt it was kind of an unfortunate ending to a lot of good times in New York." </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>New York announced that Trouba would sit for Friday's clash against the Pittsburgh Penguins for roster management purposes. There were rumors that he'd be placed on waivers at 2 p.m. ET, though that never transpired and he was traded soon after.</p><p>Trouba confirmed the club discussed putting him on waivers as a "threat" to pressure him into facilitating a trade, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5975660/2024/12/06/trouba-rangers-threat-trade-ducks/?source=emp_shared_article">The Athletic's Eric Stephens</a>.</p><p>"(Thursday) morning was, 'Accept this trade or we're scratching you,'" Trouba added. "I said, 'OK.' Then it was, 'Accept this trade or you're going on waivers,' and I said, 'OK.' And then it got to a point where I felt comfortable with Anaheim and that (it) was a place I wanted to go."</p><p>The physical defenseman has been the subject of trade rumors since June, when New York reportedly asked Trouba for the 15 teams on his no-trade list. Trouba was apparently shocked to have been made available, though he ultimately stayed put. </p><p>"I'll be honest, I was put in a position this summer to make a decision between my career and my family," he said Friday. "I chose my family. I would choose my family 100 times over again. I don't feel bad about that." </p><p>The Rangers made waves in November when general manager Chris Drury <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3139493" href="https://thescore.com/news/3139493">reportedly</a> indicated he was open for a trade and specifically mentioned Trouba and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2542" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2542">Chris Kreider</a>.</p><p>Despite the rough breakup, Trouba made it clear he "loved" his time with the Rangers. Highlights included being named captain ahead of the 2022-23 season, two trips to the conference finals, and winning the Presidents' Trophy last campaign.</p><p>"I feel like I've learned and grown so much as a person. ... There will be a piece of my heart definitely in New York," he said, according to the <a href="https://x.com/MollieeWalkerr/status/1865174482828009539">New York Post's Mollie Walker</a>. "Some place I'll definitely come back to a lot. ... I'm very grateful for all those memories. Time to turn the page and start something new."</p><p>Trouba isn't the only former Ranger to exit controversially in recent months. New York put <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3255" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3255">Barclay Goodrow</a> on waivers in June, allowing him to be picked up by the San Jose Sharks, who were reportedly on his 15-team no-trade list.</p>

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Jacob Trouba #8 of the New York Rangers during the anthem prior to the game against the Florida Panthers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 22, 2024 in New York City.

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Trouba: Rangers exit 'could have been handled better'

The New York Sirens placed defender Ella Shelton on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body i...

<p>The New York Sirens placed defender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wolymhw/players/11631" href="https://thescore.com/wolymhw/players/11631">Ella Shelton</a> on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury Friday.</p><p>Shelton was injured during the Sirens' season-opening 4-3 overtime victory over the Minnesota Frost on Sunday. She sat out New York's 4-1 win against the Montreal Victoire on Wednesday and will have to miss at least the next three contests.</p><p>The 26-year-old logged one assist in nearly 23 minutes of ice time against the Frost. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Shelton was a finalist for the inaugural PWHL Defender of the Year award last season after pacing all rearguards with seven goals and 21 points - including 10 on the power play - in 24 games. She also made history by scoring the league's first goal.</p><p>The Sirens signed defender Olivia Knowles to a standard player agreement in a corresponding move. She started the campaign on the Toronto Sceptres' reserve list. </p><p>The 25-year-old recorded one assist in 20 appearances with Toronto last season. </p><p>Next up for the Sirens is a tilt against the Boston Fleet on Sunday. </p>

ELMONT, NY - MARCH 03: Ella Shelton #17 of the PWHL New York skates during the first period of the game against PWHL Minnesota on March 3, 2024 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.

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Sirens place Ella Shelton on LTIR with lower-body injury

The Carolina Hurricanes placed forward Brendan Lemieux on unconditional waivers for the purpose o...

<p>The Carolina Hurricanes placed forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3953" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3953">Brendan Lemieux</a> on unconditional waivers for the purpose of contract termination, the team announced Friday.</p><p>"Brendan asked to be released from his contract so he could pursue a new opportunity," Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky <a href="https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-place-lemieux-on-unconditional-waivers">said</a>. "We wish him nothing but the best in the next stage of his career."</p><p>Lemieux hasn't appeared in an NHL game this season. He's recorded two goals and 30 penalty minutes in 12 appearances with the AHL's Chicago Wolves.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 28-year-old joined the Hurricanes on a one-year deal as an unrestricted free agent during the 2023 offseason. He potted five points in 32 appearances with the club last campaign, and Carolina signed him to a one-year extension worth $775,000 in March. </p><p>Lemieux has registered 36 goals and 74 points in 307 career NHL games, split between the Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers, and Hurricanes. </p><p>The Buffalo Sabres selected him with the first pick of the second round during the 2014 NHL Draft. </p><p> </p>

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 27: Brendan Lemieux #28 of the Carolina Hurricanes looks on during the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at PNC Arena on January 27, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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Hurricanes place Brendan Lemieux on unconditional waivers

Alex Tuch gave a harsh review of his Buffalo Sabres after they let a commanding four-goal lead go...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5550" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5550">Alex Tuch</a> gave a harsh review of his Buffalo Sabres after they let a commanding four-goal lead go to waste against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.</p><p>"It's honestly horseshit. Sorry, pardon my French, but it is," Tuch said following Buffalo's 5-4 loss. "We left (<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7745" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7745">Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen</a>) hanging, we left each other hanging. We weren't working for each other after the first period.</p><p>"We thought it was gonna be easy, that they were just gonna go in a hole. That's former Stanley Cup champs over there. ... You can't give them opportunities like that. It's total crap."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Sabres dominated the Avalanche in the opening frame, scoring three times in the first seven minutes - including two in an 11-second span - before chasing goalie <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6533" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6533">Alexandar Georgiev</a> with their fourth goal on their eighth shot.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3002" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3002">Nathan MacKinnon</a> got Colorado on the board in the second period, but the wheels truly fell off for Buffalo in the final stanza. The Avalanche lit the lamp three times before the midway mark of the period to tie it at 4-4, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5569" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5569">Artturi Lehkonen</a> potted their fifth unanswered goal with less than five minutes remaining.</p><p>Buffalo was outshot 17-7 in the third. </p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5611" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5611">Tage Thompson</a> said there was "a lot of panic" in the Sabres' game during the final two periods. </p><p>"We didn't look like we had any confidence to make plays or execute anything coming out of our zone," he explained. "It looked like when we had (the puck) on our stick, we didn't want it, just got rid of it. They obviously took advantage of that. ... Once they were in our zone, we were just running around."</p><p>The Sabres had built some momentum after sweeping their three-game West Coast trip. They've since lost their last four contests, including two shutouts. Buffalo now sits fifth in the Atlantic Division with an 11-12-2 record and .480 points percentage.</p><p>Though Tuch said these Sabres are "light-years ahead" of where they've been in earlier seasons, he's seemingly tired of finding lessons from tough losses.</p><p>"It's a little repetitive. ... It wasn't a good enough effort from any of the guys in this room, honestly," he said. "We just need to be better. Call it a learning experience, honestly, just don't forget how this feels because it sucks."</p><p>Tuesday's loss may have proved costly in more ways than one. Captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7216" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7216">Rasmus Dahlin</a> only took one shift in the third period before exiting with back spasms.</p><p>Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed the issue is related to the injury that sidelined the defenseman in the preseason. Dahlin initially suffered the ailment while passing the puck during Buffalo's first session of training camp in September.</p><p>Next up for the Sabres is a clash against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. </p>

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 20: Alex Tuch #89 of the Buffalo Sabres during a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on November 20, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.

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Tuch slams Sabres' 'horseshit' collapse vs. Avalanche

If the first two months of the campaign are any indicator, we're in for a real treat with the Cal...

<p>If the first two months of the campaign are any indicator, we're in for a real treat with the Calder Trophy race this season.</p><p>The players on this list have so far separated themselves as the top five rookies in the class, and any one of them is just a hot streak away from becoming the new front-runner.</p><p>Buckle up. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>5. Lane Hutson, Canadiens</h3><p><em>Previous: 3</em></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758267/cropped_GettyImages-2187330032.jpg?ts=1733061806" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758267/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187330032.jpg?ts=1733061806 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758267/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187330032.jpg?ts=1733061806 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758267/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187330032.jpg?ts=1733061806 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758267/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187330032.jpg?ts=1733061806 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758267/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187330032.jpg?ts=1733061806 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>G</th>
<th>P</th>
<th>ATOI</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>24</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>23:07</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>We're exhausted just looking at Hutson's average ice time. Not only is he the busiest rookie by a large margin (no other first-year player has cracked the 20-minute mark), but his playing time also ranks 32nd among all skaters in the league. May we remind you, he's only 20 years old.</p><p>Hutson also paces the class in assists and sits tied for the second-most points (he was being credited with another helper Tuesday), and he's far and away the best rookie defenseman this season.</p><p>Of course, Hutson is a heavily used blue-liner on a struggling team, so it isn't always going to be pretty, but he's had a positive impact on the Habs at five-on-five. Montreal has been outscored 23-19 (45.2%) with Hutson on the ice in those situations, <em>but </em>that gap widens to 42-27 (39.1%) with him on the bench.</p><p>Hutson is only going to improve over time as he continues learning the ropes. Add to that the fact that he could hit the 50-point mark (especially if he gets substantial time on the first power-play unit), and he just might be a Calder finalist by the end of the campaign.</p><h3>4. Logan Stankoven, Stars</h3><p><em>Previous: 2</em></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758266/cropped_GettyImages-2182862027.jpg?ts=1733061693" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758266/w220xh124_GettyImages-2182862027.jpg?ts=1733061693 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758266/w320xh180_GettyImages-2182862027.jpg?ts=1733061693 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758266/w640xh360_GettyImages-2182862027.jpg?ts=1733061693 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758266/w768xh432_GettyImages-2182862027.jpg?ts=1733061693 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758266/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2182862027.jpg?ts=1733061693 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Glenn James / National Hockey League / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>G</th>
<th>P</th>
<th>ATOI</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>22</td>
<td>4</td>
<td>15</td>
<td>15:20</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>It feels odd to keep Stankoven off the podium of these rankings, but the three players ahead of him have been absolutely bonkers as of late, so he'll have to settle for fourth place ... for now.</p><p>Make no mistake, Stankoven is very much in the running here. He's currently tied for second place in the rookie points race, and he's matched the No. 1 guy on this list for the most even-strength points (12).</p><p>The 21-year-old should actually have even <em>more </em>goals and points than he does. That poor shooting percentage that was bogging him down in the first month of the season hasn't gotten much better. His 61 shots are the most among all first-year players, but only four of them (three of which are game-winners) have gone in, giving him a measly 6.6% success rate.</p><p>Stankoven has the honor of playing on one of the league's top teams - a luxury not shared by anyone else on this list - but he's proving to be more than just the beneficiary of his surroundings.</p><h3>3. Dustin Wolf, Flames</h3><p><em>Previous: 5</em></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756381/cropped_GettyImages-2185052516.jpg?ts=1732117890" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756381/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185052516.jpg?ts=1732117890 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756381/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185052516.jpg?ts=1732117890 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756381/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185052516.jpg?ts=1732117890 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756381/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185052516.jpg?ts=1732117890 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756381/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185052516.jpg?ts=1732117890 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Gerry Thomas / National Hockey League / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>SV%</th>
<th>GAA</th>
<th>SO</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>13 (8-4-1)</td>
<td>.918</td>
<td>2.59</td>
<td>1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>We doubt many people thought the Flames would occupy a playoff spot in December, but here they are, and Wolf is a big reason why.</p><p>He ranks at the top of every statistical category among rookies who play his position, and it isn't particularly close. To get a true grasp of how excellent he's been, we have to stack him up against every other goalie in the league, and, boy, are we impressed. Wolf currently ranks fifth in goals saved above average (7.77) and 10th in goals saved above expected (7.35) at all strengths, while his save percentage is the ninth highest among all netminders to make at least five starts.</p><p>Wolf is still splitting starting duties with Dan Vladar, but the Flames did break the pattern by turning to the 23-year-old for three straight starts in mid-November. He rewarded Calgary's confidence by posting a .966 save percentage and 0.97 goals-against average in the trio of wins.</p><p>Wolf has posted a sub-.900 save percentage in his last two starts, which will happen over a long campaign. Before that, he owned a .926 clip on the season. He has simply been <em>that guy</em>.</p><h3>2. Matvei Michkov, Flyers</h3><p><em>Previous: 1</em></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758265/cropped_GettyImages-2187605214.jpg?ts=1733061428" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758265/w220xh124_GettyImages-2187605214.jpg?ts=1733061428 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758265/w320xh180_GettyImages-2187605214.jpg?ts=1733061428 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758265/w640xh360_GettyImages-2187605214.jpg?ts=1733061428 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758265/w768xh432_GettyImages-2187605214.jpg?ts=1733061428 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/758265/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2187605214.jpg?ts=1733061428 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>G</th>
<th>P</th>
<th>ATOI</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>23</td>
<td>9</td>
<td>19</td>
<td>17:17</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Yes, John Tortorella's decision to scratch Michkov for two games in November was controversial, but you can't argue with the results.</p><p>The 19-year-old winger has racked up five goals and nine points in 10 games since his return to the lineup. He also apparently used his time in the press box to figure out the whole "scoring at even strength" thing, as seven of those points have come in those situations. For context, he had just three points at even strength before sitting as a healthy scratch.</p><p>But wait, there's more. Michkov is already up to three overtime winners. To put this in perspective, the Flyers won just four games in overtime <em>all of</em> last season. And, you guessed it, all three clutch tallies came after Michkov's stint on the sidelines. </p><p>Unsurprisingly, the 19-year-old still leads all rookies in goals and points, while his 0.83 point-per-game rate is second only to the No. 1 guy on this list. It was difficult to bump Michkov down to No. 2 as he didn't do anything to warrant it, but the other Calder Trophy front-runner simply forced our hand.</p><h3>1. Macklin Celebrini, Sharks</h3><p><em>Previous: Unranked</em></p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749626/cropped_GettyImages-2177126839.jpg?ts=1728768286" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749626/w220xh124_GettyImages-2177126839.jpg?ts=1728768286 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749626/w320xh180_GettyImages-2177126839.jpg?ts=1728768286 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749626/w640xh360_GettyImages-2177126839.jpg?ts=1728768286 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749626/w768xh432_GettyImages-2177126839.jpg?ts=1728768286 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749626/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2177126839.jpg?ts=1728768286 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Kavin Mistry / National Hockey League / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>G</th>
<th>P</th>
<th>ATOI</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>15</td>
<td>8</td>
<td>14</td>
<td>19:48</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Return of the Mack, indeed. </p><p>Celebrini stunned with his first goal and assist in his NHL debut, but he missed the Sharks' next 12 games with a suspected hip injury. We'd say he's recovered just fine.</p><p>The 18-year-old is fourth among all rookies in points, second in goals, and is tied for the most even-strength points (12) despite playing in significantly fewer games than the guys in front of him. It shouldn't be a surprise then that Celebrini leads the class with a 0.93 point-per-game and a 0.53 goal-per-game rate. He has generated 1.58 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five, which ranks 14th among all skaters to play at least 200 minutes this season.</p><p>Celebrini has shown he's more than just a skill guy, too. He's winning puck battles all over the place and already has at least one highlight-reel-worthy defensive play under his belt with an <a href="https://x.com/NHL/status/1859804519716049130">incredible effort</a> to stop an empty-net goal.</p><p>Oh, and he's red-hot right now with seven points in his last four games. Producing in the NHL is supposed to be hard.</p><p><strong>Keep an eye on:</strong></p><ul>
<li>Jackson Blake, Hurricanes</li>
<li>Cutter Gauthier, Ducks</li>
<li>Will Smith, Sharks</li>
<li>Maxim Tsyplakov, Islanders</li>
</ul><p>(Analytics sources: <a href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/">Natural Stat Trick</a>, <a href="https://evolving-hockey.com/">Evolving Hockey</a>)</p>

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 30: Macklin Celebrini #71 of the San Jose Sharks looks on during the first period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on November 30, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.

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Calder Trophy Rankings: Return of the Mack

The reeling New York Rangers may have gotten hammered 5-1 by the New Jersey Devils on home ice, b...

<p>The reeling New York Rangers may have gotten hammered 5-1 by the New Jersey Devils on home ice, but forward <a href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2089">Vincent Trocheck</a> thinks the performance showed some improvement.</p><p>"It sounds crazy, but tonight I felt like we played better," he <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-84023634-374574024/vincent-trocheck-12-2-24?in=user-84023634-374574024/sets/nyr-vs-njd-122&amp;si=801d865add5046b78a4705188c8c710e&amp;utm_source=clipboard&amp;utm_medium=text&amp;utm_campaign=social_sharing">said</a> postgame.</p><p>New York outshot the Devils 39-28 during Monday's loss, but New Jersey dictated 58.5% of the expected goals and 60.9% of the high-danger chances at five-on-five, according to <a href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20242025&amp;game=20393">Natural Stat Trick</a>. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6404" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6404">Jesper Bratt</a> opened the scoring less than two minutes in off a two-on-one break. The Rangers didn't get on the board until the second period when they were already down 4-0. </p><p>Opposing fans made their presence known at Madison Square Garden with a hearty chorus of "Let's go Devils" toward the end of the game. Bratt believes the chants got under the Rangers' skin.</p><p>"That was great to hear," he <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-84023634-374574024/jesper-bratt-audio?in=user-84023634-374574024/sets/nyr-vs-njd-122&amp;si=6067380b7d0148eaa576b4760c87b0cc&amp;utm_source=clipboard&amp;utm_medium=text&amp;utm_campaign=social_sharing">said</a>. "It gives us a boost, and you see their team getting frustrated with it, too." </p><p>The loss was the Rangers' sixth in their past seven games. Though they still occupy the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, they're losing ground in the Metropolitan Division:</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>GP</th>
<th>Record</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>New Jersey Devils</td>
<td>28</td>
<td>17-9-2</td>
<td>36</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Washington Capitals</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>17-6-1</td>
<td>35</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Carolina Hurricanes</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>16-7-1</td>
<td>33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>New York Rangers</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>13-10-1</td>
<td>27</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8558" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8558">Igor Shesterkin</a> has been in net for five of those defeats, marking the longest personal losing streak of his NHL career. He allowed 1.53 goals above expected at all strengths against the Devils. </p><p>New York's recent slump has sparked trade speculation, as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3139493" href="https://thescore.com/news/3139493">reports emerged</a> in late November that general manager Chris Drury is looking to shake up the roster. </p><p>"You hear things," Rangers defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8555" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8555">Adam Fox</a> <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-84023634-374574024/fox-684314228?in=user-84023634-374574024/sets/nyr-vs-njd-122&amp;si=8ee2bec6884c4b738c3aa181363ca7e3&amp;utm_source=clipboard&amp;utm_medium=text&amp;utm_campaign=social_sharing">said</a> of the chatter. "I don’t know if we consciously let it get in here, we try and just come in every day and play good hockey. Sometimes we don't.</p><p>"We've built a camaraderie in here, we all have each other's backs. ... That's just part of the territory, you're going to have outside noise. It's up to us to not let that creep in." </p><p>The Rangers' next chance at righting the ship will come Friday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Trocheck said he and his teammates need to get a little uncomfortable to make that happen. </p><p>"Guys who are usually playmakers who score goals have got to chip it in, grind it out," he said. "Guys who aren't usually hitting have got to start hitting. We've just got to play out of our comfort zone to dig our way out of this."</p><p>Trocheck added, "Obviously what we're doing right now isn’t working." </p>

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 02: Jacob Markstrom #25 of the New Jersey Devils makes a save against Vincent Trocheck #16 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on December 2, 2024 in New York City.

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Trocheck: 'Sounds crazy' but reeling Rangers played better vs. Devils

Detroit Red Wings goalie Cam Talbot suffered a lower-body injury during his team's 5-4 overtime l...

<p>Detroit Red Wings goalie <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1584" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1584">Cam Talbot</a> suffered a lower-body injury during his team's 5-4 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday afternoon. </p><p>It's unclear how the veteran got hurt, but he departed right after teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5625" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5625">Alex DeBrincat</a> scored to make it 2-2 before the midway mark of the second period. He was ruled out of the remainder of the contest shortly after. </p><p>Talbot made 12 saves on 14 shots before heading down the tunnel.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde didn't have a postgame update on Talbot's status, adding that he'd know more about the severity of the injury Monday, according to <a href="https://x.com/m_bultman/status/1863322000401326390">The Athletic's Max Bultman</a>.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3396" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3396">Ville Husso</a> came into the game in relief and surrendered three goals on 18 shots. </p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5538" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5538">Alex Lyon</a>, the Red Wings' usual backup, hasn't played since Nov. 25 with a lower-body injury and isn't expected to travel with the team on its upcoming two-game road trip. Lyon has registered a .911 clip and four wins in nine starts this campaign.</p><p>Talbot entered Sunday's action with a .916 save percentage, 2.67 goals against average, and 6-5-2 record in 14 appearances. The 37-year-old also ranks in the top 10 in goals saved above average (6.29) and goals saved above expected (7.4) at all strengths this season, 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=%22Score%20%26%20Venue%22&amp;std_gl_range=%22Seasons%22&amp;std_gl_span=%22Regular%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">Evolving-Hockey</a>. </p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10674" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10674">Sebastian Cossa</a> could be the next man up for Detroit if Talbot is forced to miss time. Selected by the Red Wings with the 15th overall pick in 2021, he's posted a .929 save percentage, 2.06 goals against average, and eight wins in 13 games for the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins.</p><p>The 22-year-old has yet to make his NHL debut.</p><p>Detroit also still has <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1732" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1732">Jack Campbell</a> in its system after he cleared <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3131350" href="https://thescore.com/news/3131350">waivers</a> in November, though he hasn't played a game this season. </p>

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 23: Cam Talbot #39 of the Detroit Red Wings drinks water during a timeout in the third period of a game against the Boston Bruins at Little Caesars Arena on November 23, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan.

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Red Wings' Talbot suffers injury vs. Canucks

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