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CAROLINA HURRICANES

NEWS CLIPPINGS • Nov. 18, 2017

Canes host Hockey Fights Cancer game against Isles

November 17, 2017 09:24 AM

The Carolina Hurricanes will hold their annual Hockey Fights Cancer awareness night, sponsored by UNC REX Healthcare, on Sunday as the Canes host the New York Islanders at PNC Arena.

Hurricanes coaches, broadcasters and team personnel will wear lavender ties during the game, and the team will wear special Hockey Fights Cancer lavender jerseys during the pre-game warmup.

Cancer awareness, research and support groups will be on the PNC Arena concourse to speak with fans about their respective groups.

Pre-game and in-game activities, as well as in-game recognitions, on Sunday will be related to Hockey Fights Cancer, including “I Fight For” cards. Fans can pick up, fill out and decorate the cards on the concourse at Section 108, at Canes Ticket Central near Section 117, and with members of the Storm Squad on the third level.

Also at Hockey Fights Cancer night will be a Kids ‘N Communiy silent auction of player-worn Hockey Fights Cancer warmup jerseys..Hockey Fights Cancer themed baskets will be auctioned at the Kids ‘N Community Foundation kiosk outside section 129, and proceeds will be split among the cancer organizations in attendance.

The baskets for Sebastian Aho and Justin Williams will feature a “jersey off the back” experience that includes a post-game meet-and-greet with the players.

You (should) get what you deserve

By: Adam Gold

Raleigh, N.C. — The legendary actor John Houseman used to do commercials for an investment company in which the tag line was “…they make money the old fashioned way. They EARN it.”

I miss those ads. And I’d like to show them to the Carolina Hurricanes’ front office.

Seventeen games into the season and the Canes are treading water for the most part. They’re probably closer to playing well than the opposite, but they’ve struggled to play to their strengths on a regular basis. Still, with a couple of wins this weekend they’re right there in the Eastern Conference playoff race. So this isn’t about a team struggling to stay afloat — though at times that would be a true statement. And this isn’t about a team laboring at the turnstiles — which, they clearly are.

This is about earning what you get. And seven weeks in, there are clearly players who have either not earned their current role or haven’t demonstrated that they should hold onto their place in the pecking order. What the organization plans on doing about these issues will go a long way toward determining the team’s fate this year.

Let me provide a little background on what I’m talking about by using two examples of players who were gifted NHL roster spots probably before they were ready.

Noah Hanifin was drafted fifth overall in 2015. A decorated defenseman from college hockey powerhouse Boston College, Hanifin had all the measurables over which organizations salivate. He’s a great skater, smooth and fast with the puck, tall and wiry with room to grow physically as he matures. But because he was drafted so high, there was almost an obligation to put him on the ice in the NHL whether he was ready or not. Three years later Hanifin shows flashes of brilliance, but despite a strong close to the 2017 season

CAROLINA HURRICANES


and a good showing for the United States in last spring’s World Cup, he is still largely unreliable defensively. Meanwhile, fellow blue liners Jaccob Slavin and Brett Pesce, mid-round draft picks, were forced to actually earn their spot on the team through how they performed.

All you need to know about the way the club views those three players today is that Slavin and Pesce were rewarded for their play with longterm, multi-million dollar contracts. Hanifin, however, in spite of the fact that he was in the NHL before his teammates, will have to wait until after this season to receive his offer.

Elias Lindholm, like Hanifin, was also drafted fifth overall. In June of 2012, with the Canes having just come off a third straight non-playoff season, then General Manager Jim Rutherford needed a player to put on the ice. Lindholm was 18 years old at the time and coming off a year in which he more than held his own against grown men in the Swedish Elite League and was put right into the NHL lineup.

He wasn’t close to ready for that challenge, however, and it wasn’t until the second half of last year that Lindholm started to resemble the player the Canes thought they drafted five summers prior.

That brings us to two glaring examples of what is currently ailing this team, and it’s a good idea to keep in mind that the Hurricanes are still playing reasonably well, though not near their potential, with the status quo.

General Manager Ron Francis knew that his number one priority this offseason was to improve the team’s goaltending situation. Cam Ward, having moved into his mid-30’s, was no longer a goaltender capable of being a full-time number one option. Sure, for almost two months a year ago, Ward was outstanding and gave the team a chance heading into a critical stretch just after the first of the year. But for a variety of reasons, Ward wasn’t able to sustain that level of play and by season’s end it was clear that either Ward or Eddie Lack would have to go and that a true number one goalie would need to be imported.

Lack, who was the organization’s latest attempt at Cam’s replacement but turned out to be a disaster, ended up being traded to Calgary after Francis swung a deal for Chicago’s backup, Scott Darling. To be accurate, Francis didn’t really deal for Darling, per se. The Canes traded a draft pick just for exclusive negotiating rights to Darling who was headed into unrestricted free agency. So there was no guarantee that Francis would be able to convince him to sign. Scott, who came to Carolina with incredibly gaudy statistics and who performed brilliantly during Chicago’s most recent Stanley Cup title year, signed a 4-year contract totaling more than $16 million.

He IS the number one goalie.

In spite of everyone in the organization saying all of the right things about how Darling and Ward were going to push each other and how there is going to be competition for the net and how both men wanted to play, the job belonged to Darling and Ward was the understudy. Darling has played 13 games this year, but has yet to play at the level of a number one goaltender. In fact, he’s not even played to the level of some of the better backup net minders.

This is a problem for the Hurricanes.

Now, I’m not suggesting that Ward become the starter – none of us are ready for the earthquake that would cause in some sections of PNC Arena, anyway. But I am saying that we’re at the point in this season where whichever goaltender is playing better has to play because you need the points. Darling’s performance does not warrant number one status and we know from past experience that Ward is probably not a great option to grab the bulk of the starts in net, so until further notice, it should be a tandem operation with the better performer garnering more starts. In other words, as I’ve been saying since early October, it’s time for both players to actually push each other through competition.

It’s time for Darling, or Ward, to earn that spot.

Next comes the curious case of the disappearing Victor Rask. Two years ago, Rask was a rising top-6 center. He was coming off a 21-goal season and had emerged as a reliable, 2-way player who seemed poised to be a key member of the core group of a Canes franchise well into the next decade. To that end, Francis rewarded Rask with a 6-year contract that pays him $4 million annually.

In retrospect, that contract seems more like an albatross than anything else.

Today, however, the contract is nothing more than a complicating factor because Rask hasn’t done much this year to command his spot in the lineup let alone live up to his bloated salary.

Yes, I said it, right now, Rask just isn’t playing well enough to be included in the team’s top dozen forwards. That doesn’t mean he’s incapable, it just means he’s not playing well. And in most other situations, he’d be benched and watch a game or two from the press box and have to earn his way back onto the ice and into the top nine forward mix. For whatever reason that is not the case with the Hurricanes.

With Lee Stempniak suffering another injury — or a recurrence of his original one — and going back on injured reserve, the Canes have at least one more available roster spot to bring someone up from Charlotte to add to the offensive mix. But the real question is will the organization do something as bold as to bench a player who has not played well enough to earn his position?

It’s easy for me to sit here and say that I’d make Darling and Rask earn their spots in the lineup. I don’t have to deal with the the wishes of a front office who invested a combined 10 years and more than $40 million on two players who aren’t playing up to expectations. And it might be unfair to single out those two players because there are others, including Hanifin and Lindholm, who also haven’t always played as well as they are capable. The reality is that not a single player is responsible on his own for the way Carolina has played. However, it is time for this organization to make some hard decisions.

We'll see what happens, but all too often common sense doesn’t speak as loudly as dollars and cents.

It’s high time it did.

CAROLINA HURRICANES


Metropolitan Division Weekly Roundup: All Streaks Must End...Eventually

The Rangers’ six-game win streak and the Canes’ five-game point streak both came to an end this week.

by Zeke Lukow Nov 17, 2017, 2:03pm EST

1. New Jersey Devils: 25 Points (11-4-3)

With an overtime loss to the Maple Leafs last night, the Devils kept themselves level with the Pittsburgh Penguins atop the Metro, but with three games in hand. Cory Schneider finally looked like himself again, pitching a three-period shutout before letting up the game-winner in overtime to William Nylander. The game also featured a save of the year candidate when Schneider dove across the crease to save a rebound shot by Tyler Bozak.

The even better news for the Devils is that they are starting to get players back from injury. Travis Zajac returned to play last night against the Leafs. Marcus Johansson has resumed skating and is also nearing a return. The already hot Devils are looking to be able to widen their lead on the division with a full roster.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins: 25 Points (11-7-3)

The Penguins are largely being propped up by Phil Kessel, who leads the team with eight goals and 24 points. At the other end, though the Penguins are struggling mightily this season defensively, where they boast a -15 goal differential. Granted, ten of those goals came from an early season loss against the Blackhawks, but when you dig into the numbers they don’t look great.

Matt Murray is still hovering around a .900 sv%, and many of their key players have been struggling. Both Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby have a team worst -12 +/- rating, which is also tied for sixth to last in the league. If you want to look at the advanced numbers, they don’t improve. Crosby’s 25% GF% is second worst on the team, and Letang’s 27.78% is third worst. This shows that the Penguins are actually likely to fall in the standings unless these numbers change.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets: 23 Points (11-7-1)

On paper, the Blue Jackets are in second place with a two-game win streak and things seem to be looking up. However, their last two wins both came in extra time against the Red Wings and the struggling Canadiens. The Blue Jackets’ success last season was mainly due to the success of Sergei Bobrovsky, which the Canes have seen in the two games that they have played against Columbus.

In more good news for the Blue Jackets, they secured one of their best players for the next seven years. Last night Columbus and right winger Cam Atkinson agreed to a seven-year, $40.25 million contract, an AAV of $5.75 million per season. In his last four seasons, he scored 40 or more points and 20 or more goals. The 28-year-old is set to be a major piece of the Blue Jackets organization moving forward.

4. New York Islanders: 22 Points (10-6-2)

The Islanders are tied for the longest streak in the division with a monumental...uh, two wins in a row. The promising news for the Islanders is that they finally have Mathew Barzal, Josh Ho-Sang, and Ryan Pulock all on the team at the same time. The broadcast last night brought up that the Islanders have 12 first round picks on their team, the most in the NHL, and it’s vital that these young guys can step up.

The three rookies are responsible for 25 points, with Barzal leading the way in both goals and assists with four goals and 13 assists. The Devils and Flyers both moved up in the lottery last year and also had good picks in the last couple of drafts, but the Islanders are cementing themselves not only in the standings but as a top young team in the division.

5. Washington Capitals: 21 Points (10-9-1)

The Washington Capitals have now dropped two games in a row to the Nashville Predators and the Colorado Avalanche. The Caps were able to largely overcome their injuries until lately, when they really started taking a toll. I mentioned before that the Caps’ depth would be an issue and we are starting to see it. In their last five games, the Caps are 2-3-0. When you rely on only three players to score, if they don’t you are in trouble.

In last night’s game coach Barry Trotz scratched rookie Jakub Vrana. I think this looks a lot like last year when Dave Hakstol would bench Shayne Gostisbehere for his team’s play, despite the young player’s ability and performance. I

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just don’t see how benching the third-leading goal scorer on your team is the best motivational move. What are the Caps trying to accomplish here?

6. New York Rangers: 20 Points (9-8-2)

The Rangers were the hottest team in the NHL for the last two weeks winning six straight games, but their streak came to an end on Wednesday with a 6-3 loss to the Blackhawks. Before beginning their streak on Halloween, the Rangers were the second-bottom team in the league, ahead of only the Coyotes. After rattling off six wins and 12 points in the first 15 days of November, they are in the thick of the Metro, just four points out of first place.

Powering the Blueshirts has been their top line of Mika Zibanejad, Pavel Buchnevich, and Chris Kreider. The three have combined for nine goals and 20 total points in the last seven games. One of the most fun stats of the year comes from the Rangers as well: Michael Grabner has eight total goals, and four of them are empty net goals. His 1.93 G/60 is 17th in the league for players who have played at least five games, just .02 behind Jeff Skinner.

7. Philadelphia Flyers: 19 Points (8-8-3)

The Flyers gained a point last night in a shootout loss, which moved them up in the standings. The bad news for the Flyers is that they lost top pairing defenseman Radko Gudas to a potentially lengthy suspension. After getting high sticked by Mathieu Perreault, Gudas decided to two-hand slash Perreault in the head, and it looked terrible. In my opinion, for what its worth, Gudas should get 10 games. The slash was dirty and gut-wrenching, but I never played in the NHL so I’m not qualified to be in the Department of Player Safety.

In a complete turn around from last season, the Flyers are sixth in the league when it comes to goals against, and that is what has allowed them to stay in games. Last season, they were dead last in goaltending which is why they were in the basement. This year, their +1 goal differential is good for fourth in the division

8. Carolina Hurricanes: 18 Points (7-6-4)

Before last night’s loss, the Carolina Hurricanes had a five-game point streak. That kind of streak is what the Canes need to try to improve in the standings; however, they left a lot of points on the board. The Avalanche, the worst team last year, and the Coyotes, by far the worst team this year, both beat the Canes. The Canes entered the third period with a two-goal lead against the Blackhawks and lost in overtime. Last night the Canes took a one-goal lead into the third period and managed to lose by two goals.

These kinds of losses are what sinks a team and really hurts their chances for the playoffs. I don’t think it’s time for doom and gloom: the Canes are still only five points behind the leaders of the division and have played two fewer games than anyone else in the division. There is plenty of time to make a move, but it is just frustrating to see a team give up valuable points.

I have seen a lot of negative comments about Scott Darling’s play from last night and it's frustrating. When Cam Ward was visibly giving games away last season, those people weren’t saying anything. Darling is still the answer in net. Sure, the third goal was rough and went off his glove, but the first two came from a two on one misplay in the offensive zone. The second goal was a shorthanded breakaway that was also from a misplay in the offensive zone. There were struggles across the ice from the entire team, not just Darling. It's only that his mistakes are more visible.

GMs meet on 'historic day' at NHL's

birthplace in Montreal Discuss rules, safety issues at hotel where League was

founded in 1917

by Nicholas J. Cotsonika / NHL.com Columnist

November 17th, 2017

MONTREAL -- The meaning was more important than the

meeting itself.

Each November, the NHL general managers gather for a

brief meeting, mostly to set the agenda for a three-day

CAROLINA HURRICANES


meeting each March, when issues are examined closely and

rule changes are sometimes recommended.

Usually, the November meeting is held at the NHL office in

Toronto the morning after the Hockey Hall of Fame induction.

Friday, they held it at Le Windsor, once known as the

Windsor Hotel, where the NHL was founded almost exactly

100 years ago, on Nov. 26, 1917.

The GMs discussed offside rules, goaltender interference,

slashing and hits from behind into the boards. But they also

watched a video about the leaders of the NHL and the 191

general managers in its history, and attended the unveiling of

a plaque recognizing the site as the birthplace of the League.

"It's pretty neat that basically 100 years ago, five people sat

in a room and decided to form the League, and here we are

today with 31 teams and over 800 players," said Minnesota

Wild GM Chuck Fletcher, who was born in Montreal and is

the son of former NHL GM Cliff Fletcher. "It's been a great

yearlong (Centennial) celebration, really, but for me this has

been probably the best experience."

The GMs watched video examples of offside and goaltender

interference, then voted so the NHL Hockey Operations

Department could see where they stood on each. They

mostly agreed with the calls made.

"If you're 70 percent consensus in a lot of areas, I think

you're in pretty good shape," Edmonton Oilers GM Peter

Chiarelli said. "And we were generally in that area."

The NHL introduced a minor penalty this season for a coach

who challenges an offside call and loses. It has cut down on

challenges and delays.

General managers and NHL dignitaries pose with the plaque

during the NHL Centennial 100 Celebration

"The whole reason for [the coach's challenge] was to call the

egregious offsides," Golden Knights GM George McPhee

said. "You might get eight or 10 of them a year. We were

thin-slicing too much on reviewing every one. That wasn't the

intent. That has improved."

Goaltender inference can be particularly tricky because of

the subjectivity involved. The idea is to get everyone on the

same page as much as possible.

"I think we're getting better as a league," Tampa Bay

Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said. "We're starting to

understand more clearly … how they're getting to their

decisions and what things that we should look for … so it's

enabling our coaches to make better decisions when they

make their challenges. But it's a tough one. I don't know that

we'll ever get into a spot where on any particular call you're

going to say everyone's going to agree, 'Oh, that's a good

call.' "

The NHL cracked down on slashing this season to prevent

injury and promote skill.

"The feeling is that it's going in the right direction," Toronto

Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello said. "We see less and less

of it. We see less penalty calls, so the players are now

adapting to what the rule is."

Is that leading to a better game?

"Oh, I believe so," Lamoriello said. "They're allowing players

to play."

George Parros, senior vice president of player safety, spoke

to the GMs about slashes that could rise to the level of

supplemental discipline.

GMs meet at the historic Windsor

01:02 • November 17th, 2017

"My hope is that most of the slashing will be taken care of by

the officials on the ice," Parros said. "I focused on slashes

that are done intentionally, behind the play, nonhockey type

of thing, and landing on the hands, fingertips area. It's a new

standard. Everyone's getting used to it. If it's behind the play

and it's intentional and there's some force to it, then it's a

warning. The variable is force."

Parros expressed concern that more players were turning at

the last second near the boards and putting themselves in

vulnerable positions.

"We have players who are younger and grew up with less

physicality, and now they make it to the NHL and they're

expecting less physicality," Parros said. "Other players come

from a different era where checks were finished on a more

consistent basis. So it's just something to be aware of."

Parros also updated the GMs on player safety issues.

"In general, the trends have been downwards," Parros said.

"We've got less suspensions, less injuries, all things like that.

The game's being played in a great fashion right now, and

we hope to continue to do that."

There was an interesting idea on the agenda: reducing minor

penalties from two minutes to one in overtime. But Fletcher

said the GMs didn't get to it. They might discuss it in March.

"There's things in the game that you can talk about, but to

me it's more of a historic day," said Jason Botterill, in his first

season as general manager of the Buffalo Sabres. "It's just

realizing where our League has come in 100 years."

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Top line fuels Hurricanes ahead of clash

with Sabres A line that's been clicking recently just might help the

Carolina Hurricanes escape from the bottom of their division.

by STATS

A line that's been clicking recently just might help the

Carolina Hurricanes escape from the bottom of their division.

Behind Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal and Teuvo Teravainen,

Carolina goes for its fourth straight win over the slumping

Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night at KeyBank Center.

Though Carolina (7-6-4) and Buffalo (5-10-4) are in last

place in the Metropolitan and Atlantic Divisions, respectively,

the Hurricanes appear to be on the upswing even after giving

up three third-period goals in a 6-4 loss to the New York

Islanders on Thursday night.

"I don't think we got started on time," Carolina coach Bill

Peters said. "(Down) 3-1, then we found a way to come

back."

The comeback was fueled by the Aho-Staal-Teravainen line,

which totaled a goal and five assists. The trio has been

difficult to contain while lifting the Hurricanes to 3-1-1 record

over their last five games.

Teravainen leads the way with three goals -- courtesy of his

first career hat trick Monday in a win over the Dallas Stars --

and five assists. Staal also has eight points during the hot

stretch, including six assists over his last two games. Aho, a

24-goal scorer as a rookie last season, collected his first two

tallies of the season in the last two contests to go with four

helpers.

"I think that line has been dangerous, and they've been

dangerous for a long time," Peters told the Hurricanes'

official website. "Now they're starting to roll a little bit. ...

We're going to need more than one line being productive and

getting it done, especially on the road."

Carolina is 4-4-1 away from home.

But none of the three players generated much success in

three wins over the Sabres last season. Teravainen failed to

register a point while Staal and Aho combined for a goal and

two assists.

Jeff Skinner, the 'Canes current leader with nine goals,

scored three times and added an assist in the season series.

The eight-year veteran also has two goals and an assist in a

three-game points streak.

Scott Darling (5-4-4, 2.57 goals-against average, .905 save

percentage) has seen most of the time in net for the

Hurricanes. But after he yielded a season-high five goals on

Thursday, don't be surprised if longtime veteran Cam Ward

gets the call in this contest.

Ward, the 2006 Conn Smythe Trophy winner who is three

wins short of 300 for his career, beat Buffalo in all three

matchups last season, turning away 81 of 85 shots.

The Sabres return to western New York looking to avoid their

fifth straight loss after falling 3-1 to the Detroit Red Wings on

Friday.

"We've got to be smarter," coach Phil Housley told the

Buffalo News. "We just got outbattled, outworked and

outcompeted tonight. At times we even looked slow and I

don't know why that is. We played one game in six nights. It's

disappointing."

Buffalo is 2-1-1 in the second of back-to-back games, but 2-

4-1 at home in 2017-18.

"We're going to have to right the ship because Carolina is a

pretty good hockey team right now with pretty good balance.

We've got an opportunity to start this four-game homestand

the right way, but we've got to come to work," Housley said.

The Sabres failed to score more than one goal for the fourth

time in six games, posting an 0-3-1 record. Buffalo is 30th in

the NHL with 43 goals, and also the only team to average

fewer than two goals per game at home (1.86) despite

having Evander Kane (team-high 10 goals) and Jack Eichel -

- the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft -- on the roster.

Ryan O'Reilly, who scored Friday, managed one assist in

three games, and only Kane and Johan Larsson among

players currently on the team notched goals versus the

'Canes last season.

Robin Lehner made 30 saves against Detroit, but has

allowed 10 goals while going 0-2-1 in his last three starts.

The 26-year-old lost his only career matchup with Carolina

while playing for Buffalo.

CAROLINA HURRICANES


Chad Johnson is 0-2-2 with a 3.72 GAA and .891 save

percentage in his last four starts. However, the veteran

journeyman is 7-1-0 with a 2.11 GAA and .930 save

percentage in his eight-year career versus the Hurricanes.

TODAY’S LINKS

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/canes-now/article185174213.html

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/you-should-get-what-you-deserve/17123213/

https://www.canescountry.com/2017/11/17/16667374/metropolitan-division-roundup-new-york-rangers-win-streak-radko-gudas-suspension-cory-

schneider

https://www.nhl.com/news/historic-day-at-nhls-birthplace-in-montreal/c-293101142

https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/top-line-fuels-hurricanes-ahead-of-clash-with-sabres/

1083825 Carolina Hurricanes

Canes host Hockey Fights Cancer game against Isles

From staff reports

NOVEMBER 17, 2017 09:24 AM

The Carolina Hurricanes will hold their annual Hockey Fights Cancer

awareness night, sponsored by UNC REX Healthcare, on Sunday as the

Canes host the New York Islanders at PNC Arena.

Hurricanes coaches, broadcasters and team personnel will wear

lavender ties during the game, and the team will wear special Hockey

Fights Cancer lavender jerseys during the pre-game warmup.

Cancer awareness, research and support groups will be on the PNC

Arena concourse to speak with fans about their respective groups.

Pre-game and in-game activities, as well as in-game recognitions, on

Sunday will be related to Hockey Fights Cancer, including “I Fight For”

cards. Fans can pick up, fill out and decorate the cards on the concourse

at Section 108, at Canes Ticket Central near Section 117, and with

members of the Storm Squad on the third level.

Also at Hockey Fights Cancer night will be a Kids ‘N Communiy silent

auction of player-worn Hockey Fights Cancer warmup jerseys..Hockey

Fights Cancer themed baskets will be auctioned at the Kids ‘N

Community Foundation kiosk outside section 129, and proceeds will be

split among the cancer organizations in attendance.

The baskets for Sebastian Aho and Justin Williams will feature a “jersey

off the back” experience that includes a post-game meet-and-greet with

the players.

News Observer LOADED: 11.18.2017

1083811 Buffalo Sabres

It's a whole lot of nothing for Sabres in Motown

ByMike Harrington | Published Fri, Nov 17, 2017

DETROIT -- Perhaps it's long overdue but Phil Housley's stern face late

Friday night seemed to indicate his patience is wearing thin.

More than any time this season, Housley was exasperated with his team

after the Buffalo Sabres' 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in Little

Caesars Arena.

It was a game with a whole lot of nothing for the Sabres, who are 5-10-4.

The Eastern Conference's last-place team managed just 20 shots on

goal and only 37 attempts. They took undisciplined penalties, which

hindered any chance at building momentum even though the penalty

killers went 5 for 5. They seemed a step behind all night.

Housley, who has routinely tried to put lipstick on a pig after bad outings

this season, didn't go down that path this time.

"We've got to be smarter," Housley said. "We just got outbattled,

outworked and outcompeted tonight. At times we even looked slow and I

don't know why that is. We played one game in six nights. It's

disappointing."

Housley's system is predicated on speed. You could have fooled anyone

watching this snoozer.

The Sabres had just 10 shots on goal through two periods and the total

of 20 was a season-low. No one on the roster had more than two.

"To a man here, we're embarrassed with it," said center Ryan O'Reilly,

whose goal at 5:50 of the third period pulled Buffalo into a short-lived 1-1

tie. "We're not happy. We need a much better effort."

The list of offenders were numerous. Jack Eichel had just one shot on

goal while going 2-10 on faceoffs. Kyle Okposo, Sam Reinhart and

Zemgus Girgensons were also part of the one-shot brigade.

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/canes-now/article185174213.html

http://www.wralsportsfan.com/you-should-get-what-you-deserve/17123213/

https://www.canescountry.com/2017/11/17/16667374/metropolitan-division-roundup-new-york-rangers-win-streak-radko-gudas-suspension-cory-schneider

https://www.canescountry.com/2017/11/17/16667374/metropolitan-division-roundup-new-york-rangers-win-streak-radko-gudas-suspension-cory-schneider

https://www.nhl.com/news/historic-day-at-nhls-birthplace-in-montreal/c-293101142

https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/top-line-fuels-hurricanes-ahead-of-clash-with-sabres/

CAROLINA HURRICANES


"They came in waves and we put ourselves in a lot of tough situations,"

Eichel said. "We were outcompeted. It's on us. They put a lot of pressure

on our 'D'. They did a good job containing us ... We didn't do enough to

sustain the forecheck and when we did get in the zone, they broke the

puck out relatively easily and that was frustrating."

Eichel had a tough night, doing little offensively and taking a hip-to-leg hit

from Detroit's Luke Glendening in the final minute of the second period.

Eichel limped off but was able to return and skate regularly in the third.

"I'm all right," Eichel said. "Just got kind of a dead leg there for a second."

The Sabres lost the game on Tomas Tatar's screened shot at 8:36 of the

third and Dylan Larkin's rebound that provided insurance with 4:06 left.

Robin Lehner made 30 saves and was easily Buffalo's best player but he

didn't get much help.

Detroit's first goal, by Glendending with 55 seconds left in the second

period, came as O'Reilly, Jake McCabe and Nathan Beaulieu were all

outworked for the puck down low until it finally squirted free to the right of

Lehner.

"I lost my man," O'Reilly said. "He got in front of me to the net, made a

play and it's in the back of the net."

"It was all battles tonight," Housley said. "The games we're really intense,

into the battle and staying in the battle, we're a good team. When we

don't battle, it's very evident. We lose coverage, we have breakdowns."

Lehner was at the top of his game or the massive scoreboard in the

NHL's newest arena could have been showing a much different tale.

The Wraparound: Red Wings 3, Sabres 1

"It was pretty ugly," Lehner said. "We were right in it, 1-0 to start the third

but I don't think that result reflects what was happening out there. It's

tough, very tough. We're professionals. We've got to move on but these

ones are tough. It was not a good game."

If the Sabres are looking for any silver linings, it would be that they open

a four-game homestand Saturday night in KeyBank Center against

Carolina. Columbus is in town Monday followed by Minnesota on

Wednesday and Connor McDavid-led Edmonton on Friday.

Of course, playing at home hasn't been any panacea for Buffalo this year

either. The Sabres are just 2-4-1 downtown and the only NHL team

worse on its home ice is Arizona (1-6-1).

"It's going to be huge," Eichel said. "We have to get home and get our

game together."

Added Housley: "We're going to have to right the ship because Carolina

is a pretty good hockey team right now with pretty good balance. We've

got an opportunity to start this four-game homestand the right way, but

we've got to come to work."

Buffalo News LOADED: 11.18.2017


Smith's four-point night keeps Amerks rolling

ByStaff | Published Fri, Nov 17, 2017 | Updated Fri, Nov 17, 2017

The Rochester Americans beat the visiting Hartford Wolf Pack on Friday

night to keep its November point streak rolling.

With the 4-2 win, the Amerks improved to 5-0-1-1 through the first seven

games of the month. Rochester’s overall record is now 9-4-1-1, leaving it

two points back of the Toronto Marlies for the top spot in the North

Division.

Evan Rodrigues and Alex Nylander made their season debuts for

Rochester, but it was C.J. Smith’s four-point night that provided the

offensive spark.

Smith opened the scoring 7:09 into the first on assists from Colin

Blackwell and Arvin Atwal. Brendan Guhle scored his third goal of the

season 2:21 later, with assists going to Blackwell and Smith, to put the

Amerks up, 2-0, after the first period of play.

Hartford’s John Gilmour scored on the power play 5:17 into the second to

bring the deficit down to one, but Smith scored a power-play goal of his

own with 5:26 left in the middle frame to put the Amerks up, 3-1. Stuart

Percy and Nylander picked up assists.

Ryan Sproul’s goal with 17 seconds left made it 3-2 as Hartford pulled its

goalie for an extra attacker. Hudson Fasching then capped the scoring

with an empty-net goal assisted by Smith, who leads the team with 15

points (four goals, 11 assists).

The Amerks outshot the Wolf Pack, 26-22, over the first two periods, but

Hartford controlled play in the third period with a 14-5 shot advantage.

Linus Ullmark made 34 saves for Rochester to improve his record to 8-3.

Williamsville’s Cole Schneider leads the Wolf Pack in points with 13 (four

goals) and picked up an assist on Sproul’s goal. He signed with the

Rangers this summer after posting career-highs of 39 assists and 63

points with the Amerks last season.

Rochester plays at Binghamton Saturday at 7:05 p.m.



The Wraparound: Red Wings 3, Sabres 1

ByMike Harrington | Published Fri, Nov 17, 2017

DETROIT -- The Buffalo Sabres had just 10 shots on goal through two

periods Friday night. Not a recipe for success.

Even though Buffalo got a tying goal from Ryan O'Reilly early in the third,

it was not nearly enough for a victory. Tomas Tatar's screened shot with

11:24 to play eluded Robin Lehner to snap a 1-1 game and the Detroit

Red Wings went on to a 3-1 win over Buffalo in the Sabres' first game at

Little Caesars Arena.

The loss dropped the Sabres to 0-2-2 in their last four games and 5-10-4

overall, keeping them in last place in the Eastern Conference and 30th

overall out of the NHL's 31 teams. The Red Wings, meanwhile, improved

to 6-2-1 in their last nine games.

The Sabres were outshot, 21-10, through 40 minutes but were much

better in the third period as Detroit only had a 12-10 advantage. But

Buffalo couldn't get any other pucks past Red Wings goalie Jimmy

Howard and Dylan Larkin's goal with 4:06 left proved to be insurance for

the Wings.

Injury scare: Jack Eichel limped off the ice with 36.8 seconds left in the

second period after taking a hip to his right leg from Detroit's Luke

Glendening. Eichel was, however, able to return for the third period.

Opening the scoring: It took more than 39 minutes for the scoreboard to

change as Detroit finally took a 1-0 lead on Luke Glendening's goal with

55 seconds left in the second period. Glendening flipped a short

backhand past Robin Lehner after Buffalo got hemmed in its zone in a

CAROLINA HURRICANES


play that started with a back pass by Jake McCabe and contined as

Nathan Beaulieu, Ryan O'Reilly and Jake McCabe were all unable to

gain possession.

Pulling even: While being outshot, 23-11, Buffalo got the game even on

O'Reilly's goal at 5:50 of the third period. O'Reilly got his seventh of the

season by taking a Victor Antipin rebound and depositing it into an empty

net with Howard out of position.

An active PK: The Sabres ran into penalty trouble in the game but killed

off all four of Detroit's power plays over the first 40 minutes. The Red

Wings had eight shots on goal but Lehner held strong.

Rockin Robin: Lehner shut out the Wings Oct. 24 in Buffalo and his

shutout string against them this year ended at 99 minutes, 5 seconds on

the Glendening goal.

Near miss: Jordan Nolan took a boarding penalty in the second period

and was joined in the box by Evander Kane, who was nailed for cross

checking, giving Detroit a 27-second, 5-on-3 advantage. The Sabres

killed that off -- and Nolan was then stopped on a breakaway by Howard

after O'Reilly found him with a long pass just as Nolan stepped out of the

penalty box.

Long arm of the law: The Red Wings played without winger Luke

Witkowski, who sat out the first game of a 10-game suspension from the

NHL for re-entering the ice during a fight that developed late in

Wednesday's game here against Calgary.

"Honestly, I didn't know that was a rule and I obviously know now,"

Witkowski said prior to the game in his first comments on the ban. "I

knew it was a rule you couldn't jump the boards. I thought it was a gray

area here with the door being opened but lesson learned and you move

on from here."

"I don't think the punishment fits the crime," said coach Jeff Blashill. "I

read the rule. I don't the think the way the rule is written gives the league

office ... or anyone in that department really any ability to apply judgment

because it's so black and white.

"You're going to go through the season and see lots of things done that

get way less games. There's going to be guys who elbow people in the

head, guys who use their stick as a weapon and they're going to use less

games, yet their intent to injure is way greater."

The fine: Witkowski will lose a tad over $40,000 in salary for the

suspension. He said he was out deer hunting when he got the word and

shot a buck during his session.

"Got to put food on the table," he joked.

Up Next: The Sabres open a four-game homestand Saturday night at 7

against the Carolina Hurricanes on Hockey Fights Cancer Night in

KeyBank Center. The Sabres don't see the Red Wings again until a Feb.

22 visit here and a March 29 rematch in Buffalo



Sabres Notebook: Team does morning homework for debut in Little

Caesars Arena

ByMike Harrington | Published Fri, Nov 17, 2017 | Updated Fri, Nov 17,

2017

DETROIT -- It was not a normal morning skate for the Buffalo Sabres on

Friday. The players went through their paces but were paying particular

attention to the nuances of the NHL's most palatial facility.

The Sabres made their debut in Little Caesars Arena, the third home of

the Detroit Red Wings. And like predecessor Joe Louis Arena, the boards

have more than just a tad of bounce in them in the Red Wings' new $863

million playpen.

"You go out to feel the ice. It's a very nice arena," goaltender Robin

Lehner said. "I like the feeling in here. Nice and clean and bright. The

boards were pretty bouncy but we know every arena is a little different.

This one is fairly bouncy. Pucks were coming pretty fast off the boards."

Coach Phil Housley said his team was going to particularly watch that

because Detroit's Justin Abdelkader scored on a long pass off the boards

Wednesday against Calgary.

"We're well aware how lively they are," Housley said. "Joe Louis was

lively too. You have to just have that awareness up ice. The ice was a

little rough today, just because it was used and they were on it pretty

hard before we skated. We'll have to manage that part of our game,

getting used to the surroundings of a new building."

The Red Wings are sharing the building with the NBA's Pistons, who

moved back downtown for the first time since leaving Cobo Hall in the

late 1970s. Ice conditions have been an early season topic here. Joe

Louis Arena was a hockey-only facility known for good ice and Wings

veteran Henrik Zetterberg was among the players critical of the ice here

at the start of the season.

"It's improved, definitely has been better of late," said Detroit standout

Dylan Larkin. "They've taken care of it better as we've gone along. You

try to make the whole place like 'the Joe.' Your fans are here, we live

here and it's always good to be home on your own schedule."

The Sabres went 14-23-3-3 at Joe Louis Arena (1979-2017) and 8-15-2

at the Olympia (1970-79). This was the 72nd road arena the Sabres have

played a game in. Of course, the arena has far more amenities than The

Joe -- or most buildings in the NHL.

Capacity for hockey is 19,415 and the arena seating bowl, featuring a

steep pitch and a huge 100 Level of seats, was patterned after Montreal's

Bell Centre. As you would imagine, all of the seats are red and spotlight

effects can make the entire inside of the bowl and ice surface the home

team's color during pregame activities.

The scoreboard is a behemoth at more than 5,100 square feet, the

largest viewing area in the NHL. The largest center-hung board in an

indoor arena features more than 16.5 million LEDs.

Let's let the scoreboard tell the story. #Sabres

pic.twitter.com/mZFHCf3qM4

— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) November 18, 2017

The concourse features a sweeping roof over a brick city scape, with the

arena bowl to the left and several restaurants open to the public outside

of events on the right. The facade includes giant pictures of Red Wings of

the past and the marquee of Olympia Stadium, the Wings' home from

1927-1979.

The Wings' locker room is a much larger replica of the one at The Joe,

with lockers honoring greats like Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Sid Abel

and Ted Lindsay and photos of former Wings stars (including Dominik

Hasek) over the lockers. There are statues in the concourse of the likes

of Howe and Delvecchio and history displays, including one of goalie

masks that features Hasek's lid from the 2002 Stanley Cup season.

Also in the locker room, the giant winged wheel logo is on the roof rather

than the floor, so no one has to worry about it getting stepped on. A list of

Red Wings award winners over the years is on a wall outside the room

by a bar area that allows fans to watch the team come on and off the ice.

The team also has its own practice rink on the event level.

Homage to the old Olympia and Gordie Howe. #Sabres #Redwings

pic.twitter.com/4qddo2hzJ4


CAROLINA HURRICANES


Kyle Criscuolo made his NHL debut for the Sabres after getting called up

from Rochester on Thursday and Lehner stepped back to allow Criscuolo

to take the ice first for warmups.

Criscuolo, who centered Zemgus Girgensons and Jordan Nolan, said he

didn't sleep much Wednesday but was much more refreshed Thursday

night after practicing with the Sabres earlier in the day.

"It was immensely important," Criscuolo said of the practice. "I didn't

sleep well after the game Wednesday night while I was digesting it but I

was able to sleep fine last year and get my mindset ready for a game. I

don't need to be making crazy plays in my first game. Just make the

simple plays and get to the net."

Criscuolo said his parents, brother, sister and girlfriend were all heading

here from New Jersey for the game, as were some friends fromm Florida

and Boston.

The Rochester Amerks had two major additions for Friday night's game

against Hartford as both Alexander Nylander and Evan Rodrigues

returned from injuries to make their season debut. Nylander has been out

since early September with an undisclosed lower body injury while

Rodrigues suffered a hand injury in the preseason that landed him in a

cast.

Rodrigues has been in Rochester for a few days and the Sabres

announced he was medically cleared to play and officially sent down late

Friday afternoon.

Amerks make it official: Nylander makes season debut tonight



Sabres at Red Wings: Five Things to Know


2017

DETROIT -- The Sabres are in Little Caesars Arena Friday night for their

first game against the Detroit Red Wings in the league's most elaborate

new facility. The $863 million arena built adjacent to Comerica Park

(Tigers) and Ford Field (Lions) features a multitude of restaurants that

are open to the public during the day and a giant concourse featuring the

preserved marquee of Olympia Stadium, the Wings' home until 1979.

Homage to the old Olympia and Gordie Howe. #Sabres #Redwings

pic.twitter.com/4qddo2hzJ4


The 7:35 game on MSG and WGR Radio is Buffalo's third straight on the

road and the Sabres have endured overtime losses in the first two, at

Montreal and Pittsburgh. Here are Five Things to Know about tonight's

game:

1) Lineup notes: It will Robin Lehner vs. Jimmy Howard in goal, with

Lehner posting a 1-0 shutout over the Wings when the teams met Oct. 24

in KeyBank Center. Justin Falk, who missed practice Thursday, was back

on the top defensive pair today with Marco Scandella. The Red Wings

are expecting Trevor Daley to play tonight after he left Wednesday's

game against Calgary early. Winger Andreas Athanasiou missed the first

10 games in a contract dispute, including the game in Buffalo, and has

four goals and six points in his nine games back.

2) Making his debut: Kyle Criscuolo, called up from Rochester on

Thursday, will make his debut tonight centering Jordan Nolan and

Zemgus Girgensons. The Sabres' other lines are the same: Kane-Eichel-

Reinhart, Pouliot-O'Reilly-Okposo and Griffiths-Larsson-Pominville.

"I don't need to be making crazy plays in my first game. Just make the

simple plays and get to the net," said Criscuolo. "Everybody is adjusting

to a new building and I'm on the same playing field in this room in terms

of that. That helps me feel pretty comfortable."

Criscuolo said his parents, brother, sister and girlfriend are all heading

here from New Jersey for the game, as are some friends from Florida

and Boston.

3) On Motown's rinks: The Sabres went 14-23-3-3 at Joe Louis Arena

(1979-2017) and 8-15-2 at the Olympia (1970-79). This is the 72nd road

arena the Sabres will play a game in. The Sabres have won four straight

vs. the Wings for the first time since a five-game streak in 1981-82.

Buffalo has won two straight in Detroit for the first time since a five-game

run from Feb. 16, 1980 to Dec. 12, 1981.

"It's a very nice arena. I like the feeling in here," Lehner said. "Nice and

clean and bright. The boards were pretty bouncy but we know every

arena is a little different. This is fairly bouncy. Pucks were coming pretty

fast off the boards."

4) Witkowski gets the book: Detroit winger Luke Witkowski will serve the

first of a 10-game suspension for returning to the rink to join a fight

Wednesday against Calgary. The Wings, obviously, are not happy about

it.

"Honestly, I didn't know that was a rule and I obviously know now,"

Witkowski said today in his first comments on the ban. "I knew it was a

rule you couldn't jump the boards. I thought it was a grey area here with

the door being opened but lesson learned and you move on from here."

"I don't think the punishment fits the crime," said coach Jeff Blashill. "I

read the rule. I don't the think the way the rule is written gives the league

office ... or anyone in that department really any ability to apply judgment

because it's so black and white.

"You're going to go through the season and see lots of things done that

get way less games. There's going to be guys who elbow people in the

head, guys who use their stick as a weapon and they're going to use less

games, yet their intent to injure is way greater."

Wings' Witkowski gets 10-game suspension for role in brawl, ban starts

against Sabres

5) Avoid the shootout: The Sabres have dropped two straight in overtime

but need to keep attacking in that area tonight. The Red Wings had an

NHL-record run of 12 straight shootout victories end Monday in

Columbus. The Sabres, obviously, have not been good in that area with

just four wins over the last three seasons. Lehner is only 7-16 in his

career.

"They've got a lot of skill over there but if it goes into overtime that first

draw would be really good to win," said coach Phil Housley. "Then you

can get the possession and maintain possession and set an attack.

Overtime is mainly manning your check, having an awareness where

your check is at all times. You can't blink. They've got speed so you

really have to manage that area."



Inside the NHL: Homecoming beckons for Wild's Foligno and Ennis


2017

CAROLINA HURRICANES


TORONTO -- Marcus Foligno told Minnesota beat writers last month he's

quickly learned the difference between the Sabres and the Wild, and

reiterated it last week during a visit in Air Canada Centre.

"We have to be emotionally involved. There's nothing but winning here,"

Foligno told The Buffalo News. "Anything less than that is failure. That's

not to discredit anything in Buffalo, that's just the environment we were

in. We weren't in that state. You put up a good fight and showed up, that

was OK. Here's, it's not. You've got to win. That's two totally different

directions."

Foligno and Tyler Ennis will be back in town Wednesday night as the

Wild makes their only appearance of the season in Buffalo. It will be their

first time back since the summer trade that brought Marco Scandella and

Jason Pominville to Buffalo.

"It's going to be really weird," Foligno said. "It will hit me when we land in

Buffalo. You go down the highway to downtown and instead of living

there and going to your place, we're going to be going to the Marriott.

That might be the biggest thing that will be weird but I'm excited to get to

Buffalo and see all the familiar faces. It's been home to me and meant a

lot to me for a long time."

"I'm anticipating it to be strange, no doubt," Ennis said. "I still talk to the

guys. I love Buffalo and always will. That's the place, the city that gave

me my chance to play in the NHL and I'll always remember that."

.The Wild hit the weekend on a four-game winning streak and climbing in

the ultra-tight Central Division, where the bottom five teams entered

Friday all within three points. Goaltender Devin Dubnyk's three straight

shutouts took plenty of pressure off after a 5-7-2 start for coach Bruce

Boudreau's club.

"Bruce doesn't accept losing and that's the bottom line here," Foligno

said. "We had a bad game in Boston and had a team talk where we said

we're a lot better than we've showed."

"He's learning in a hurry that losing is really not accepted," Boudreau

said. "You can't make positive things out of losing. Bottom line is you're

not winning. the only way to have fun is to win. Nothing else matters. The

sacrifices you have to make, whether in practices or the game, are

probably something him and Tyler haven't been used to recently."

No one during separate interviews used the word "tanking" but it's pretty

clear that's what Boudreau, Foligno and Ennis were all referring to. If you

need an explanation at this point, you probably need to be reading

another column.

Foligno is likely here for the long-term too, signing a four-year, $11.5

million contract just before the start of training camp. Ennis has one more

season after this one on the five-year, $23 million pact he signed with the

Sabres in 2014.

"Tyler and I have had to get used to the mindset here because you

develop bad habits and you have to learn some good ones," Foligno

said. "Right from day one, as soon as I signed, that was the thing. The

practices were competitive and you mess up a drill, you do it again.

Everyone had to be perfect. We had to get acclimated to it and it's been

great to be here. Get those habits going and understand this is a winning

culture."

"It's a different culture for sure, a great culture to be around," said Ennis,

who has had no issues from the concussions that dogged him the last

two years. "It's hard but it's fun."

Both players have spent time all over the Wild lineup, with stints on the

top line and the fourth line. Ennis has played himself on to the top line

with Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund over the last three games while

Foligno is with Matt Cullen and ex-Sabre Chris Stewart as he slowly

returns from a facial fracture suffered in a fight with Chicago's John

Hayden ("I was winning too and he got me," said Foligno).

A side benefit for Ennis is being able to play with star Wild defenseman

Jared Spurgeon, his childhood best friend in suburban Edmonton.

"That's been amazing, very special for both us every day," Ennis said.

"It's something we never could have imagined growing up. He's become

a great player and it's fun to see him get recognized as one of the best in

the league."

Foligno entered the weekend with three goals and four assists in 17

games, while leading the team with 56 hits. Ennis was at three goals and

two assists in 18 games. Both are averaging around 12 1/2 minutes per

game in the very balanced Minnesota lineup.

"It's very different hockey, fast-paced and physical with the kind of teams

you meet," Foligno said. "It's early November and we've played Chicago

twice already. There are a lot of different challenges here."

Bolt power is overwhelming

How good are the Lightning this year?

"It's pretty scary," Tampa Bay VP Dave Andreychuk admitted when I

asked the new Hall of Famer about the current Bolts at last week's

festivities in Toronto. "I've watched two games in a row now late at night,

played two teams who were just not ready to compete against them and

it's been fun to watch."

Andreychuk was referring to road wipeouts in San Jose (5-1) and Los

Angeles (5-2), the latter featuring a four-goal first period. The Lightning

rolled up 32 points in their first 19 games, entering the weekend 15-2-2

and already putting the Sabres into an 18-point deficit in the Atlantic

Division before the first quarter of the season was even done.

With Steven Stamkos out for the final 65 games last year, Tampa Bay

still finished with 94 points and missed by playoffs by just one despite

going 8-1-1 in its last 10 games. Stamkos is on a runaway pace this year,

with a league-leading 35 points in the 19 games.

"Last year they got a little slap on the wrist and it happens to all the good

teams," Andreychuk said. "You want to prove to the hockey world you

belong and they're sure doing it."

Andreychuk's '04 Stanley Cup club had a reunion in Tampa a couple

weeks ago and he's one of several players from that group who reguarly

mingle with the current Lightning, to the delight of current coach Jon

Cooper.

"They realize how close that team was and that's a good lesson for

them," Andreychuk said. "Jon Cooper has embraced us and I can tell you

we're all over the dressing room. He's going, 'This is the pinnacle that

you want to get to and this team achieved it.' Those guys understand

that."

Thanking family and Buffalo roots, Dave Andreychuk enters Hockey Hall

of Fame

Sam I am

While Sabres fans might continue to rue former GM Tim Murray passing

on Leon Draisaitl in the first round of the 2014 draft, there's no question

Murray at least took the right Sam, selecting Reinhart over Bennett.

Bennett, taken No. 4 by Calgary, is struggling mightily this year with the

Flames and it took him 16 games to get his first point this season.

Flames president Brian Burke, speaking on TSN Radio in Toronto, said

he's thankful Bennett is getting space from the Calgary media in the face

of his slump.

Burke, the former Leafs GM, knows all too well what would happen in

Toronto to a young player with no points.

“If he were in Toronto, they would’ve traded him 70 times, shot him six

times, condemned his parents four times,” Burke said. “If he was going

through that here, he’d be getting crucified.”

Price hedging on return

CAROLINA HURRICANES


Canadiens goalie Carey Price said Tuesday that his mysterious injury

happened in warmup prior to the Nov. 2 game against Minnesota but that

his return is getting closer.

"It’s just taken a little bit longer than expected just because of the nature

of my position," Price said. "So I just want to make sure I’m 100 per cent

and can do my job to the best of my ability when I come back so I’m

going to make sure to take my time with it and it won’t be very long.”

Price was 3-7-1, 3.77/.877 prior to the injury and the Canadiens have

been saved by the solid work of rookie Charlie Lindgren in goal. But with

Price and backup Al Montoya both on the shelf, the Habs claimed

struggling veteran Antti Niemi off waivers. Doubt he'll help much, as he's

posted a 6.74 GAA in five games this year with Pittsburgh and Florida.

Happy 100th, NHL

The league's official 100th anniversary celebration was scheduled for

Friday and Saturday in Montreal, where the league was officially born at

the Windsor Hotel on Nov. 26, 1917. The Windsor was the site was

Friday's first general managers meeting of the season. Following the

meeting, Commissioner Gary Bettman, the GMs, several Hall of Famers

and reps from Canadian government dedicated a plaque recognizing the

site as the birthplace of the league.

NHL general managers are meeting at the Windsor in Montreal, site of

the League’s founding in November 1917. #NHL100

pic.twitter.com/KjsMP959v4

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 17, 2017

The league started the celebration last year with the glittering NHL100 of

top players that was unveiled at the All-Star Game in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, the league's fan vote for the greatest moment of its 100

seasons is down to the final four.

The semifinals are Wayne Gretzky reaching 50 goals in a record-setting

39 games (Dec. 30, 1981) vs. Mario Lemieux becoming the first player to

score goals five different ways in the same game (Dec. 31, 1988), and

Bobby Orr scoring in overtime to give Boston the 1970 Stanley Cup

against Teemu Selanne setting the rookie goal-scoring record goal-

scoring record (March 2, 1993).

Mike Harrington: Sabres' NHL100 legends ready for franchise's better

days

Orr is an easy winner on the bottom semi while the first one is a tough

call personally. Gretzky likely wins the fan vote but I have sentiment

toward the Lemieux game, a matinee in old Civic Arena which I attended

on a week-before decision with a college friend. We saw Lemiuex score

at even strength, on the power play, short-handed, on a penalty shot and

into the empty net in an 8-6 win over New Jersey. To show how stats

have changed since then, it was literally two weeks later when we first

found out that had never happened before. Now you'd know in 10

minutes.

Semifinal voting closes Tuesday at NHL.com/GreatestMoments, with the

final round of voting starting Wednesday and running through Nov. 28.

The No. 1 moment will be announced during the NHL100 Classic on Dec.

16, as Montreal meets Ottawa outdoors in Ottawa's Lansdowne Park.

Around the boards

* Speaking of the Habs, coach Claude Julien went full-blast on them after

Thursday's 5-4 home loss to Arizona -- the pathetic Coyotes' first

regulation win of the season. Said Julien: "I'm not saying we didn't

respect the opponent but we didn't respect our game plan because we

thought it was going to be easy. For two days we talked about this.

Unacceptable, embarrassing. That's what we were tonight."

* Just when he was trying to get his season started, West Seneca native

Lee Stempniak had it shut down again as he suffered an upper-body

injury just two shifts into his first game on an conditioning assignment at

the Hurricanes' Charlotte affiliate. The Canes said it was a different injury

than the one Stempniak was rehabbing, a hugely bad break for the 34-

year-old.

* Publicly, the NHL has no current plans to expand again. Privately, you

wonder. Several national outlets reported in recent days that Bettman

and new Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta met in New York to

discuss the potential for a hockey team in H-Town, which is riding high in

the wake of the Astros' World Series victory. Fertitta, a restaurant and

casino mogul, bought the Rockets for $2.2 billion in September and the

18,000-seat Toyota Center is NHL ready.

Former Rockets owner Leslie Alexander had no interest in a hockey

team and since he controlled dates in the arena, the league had no

chance to enter the No. 4 American television market. Expansion has

gone so well in Las Vegas -- and that $500 million franchise fee was so

well received by other teams -- that you wonder when the league might

make it an even 32 teams with H-Town.

* The Canadiens called up former Sabre Nic Deslauriers from Laval of

the AHL and gave him No. 20, last worn by current Rochester-to-Buffalo

defense shuttler Zach Redmond. First to wear it, way back in 1951?

Legendary Habs captain Jean Beliveau. Nos. 8, 12 and 17 were also

worn by Beliveau before he settled on his iconic No. 4 in 1954 and wore

it through his retirement in 1971. It then went to the rafters of the Forum

and now Bell Centre.

* Elias Sports says that the Flames became the sixth club in the league

this season to score six or more goals in consecutive games with

Monday's 7-4 win over St. Louis. By comparison, how dry has the

Sabres' offense become over the years? They haven't accomplished that

feat since Feb 5-8, 2011 in a 6-2 win over Toronto and a 7-4 win at

Tampa Bay.


1083871 New York Islanders

NHL Brooklyn Americans recalled in new flick

By Neil Best

[email protected] @sportswatch

Updated November 17, 2017 9:52 PM

The Islanders either are or are not the first NHL team based in Brooklyn.

That such a seemingly simple matter could be debatable speaks to the

quirky charm of “Only the Dead Know the Brooklyn Americans,” a

documentary now available on video on demand that chronicles their one

and only year in existence, 1941-42.

After finishing in last pace that year - the Rangers finished first - they

disbanded, with a plan to return after World War II, which (spoiler alert)

they never did.

Only the Dead Know the Brooklyn Americans - Official Trailer from dale

morrisey on Vimeo.

But it’s more complicated than that. The Brooklyn Americans actually

were just a re-branded version of the New York Americans, who debuted

in 1925-26, a season before the Rangers did, and shared Madison

Square Garden with them.

The Rangers were the top dog at MSG, though, and eventually the

Americans sought to establish a new beachhead in Brooklyn. They did

practice at the Brooklyn Ice Palace in ‘41-42, but they still played at the

Garden in Manhattan.

Anyway, it’s all in the documentary, directed by Dale Morrisey, narrated

by Brooklyn native Larry King and featuring interviews that include,

CAROLINA HURRICANES


inevitably, hockey maven Stan Fischler. Also featured are long-gone,

colorful characters such as Big Bill Dwyer and Red Dutton.

The film premiered at the Brooklyn Historical Society in April and became

widely available this month.

Is it for everyone? Probably not. The target audience for films about

hockey in the 1920s to the ‘40s is somewhat limited.

But it’s off-the-beaten-path fun. And It is more relevant than ever now

that it appears Brooklyn is set to lose an NHL team for a second time in

the coming years, this time not to extinction, but perhaps to Elmont.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 11.18.2017

1083872 New York Islanders

Islanders looking for unselfish Mathew Barzal to shoot more

By Arthur Staple

[email protected] @StapeNewsday

Updated November 17, 2017 11:04 PM

TAMPA, Fla. — It was yet another thing of beauty from Mathew Barzal

on Thursday night at Barclays Center.

He fielded a flip pass from Andrew Ladd with his glove, dropped the puck

to his feet and took off, beating several Hurricanes down the ice to create

a two-on-one.

Barzal, who has been a terrific creator and distributor on offense, then

snapped the puck past Scott Darling to open the scoring in a 6-4

Islanders win. It was only his fourth goal of the season, but it sure was

pretty.

“I was actually looking for the pass there,” he said afterward. That

sentence encapsulates the one aspect of Barzal’s game that might need

to change after the torrid start to his NHL career.

With 60 shot attempts and 37 shots on goal through 18 games, Barzal is

sixth on the Isles in both categories, so he’s hardly shy about shooting

the puck. But he has been able to create so many good scoring chances

with his quickness and ability to shake defenders that he might have a

few more goals if he weren’t trying to be so selfless.

“It’ll just be beneficial for him, for his linemates,” Doug Weight said. “He’s

feeling out the NHL game right now. He’s a visionary player — I can’t

throw stones from my glass house since I don’t think I ever shot on a

two-on-one. People are going to start playing that a bit. He has some

opportunities where he can rip the puck and he’ll have to start looking to

do that. He has the ability to do it, too.”

Barzal leads the Isles with nine primary assists, according to Natural Stat

Trick. He’s second among Isles forwards (behind only linemate Jordan

Eberle) in generating shot attempts, with the Isles getting 56.7 percent of

the shots with the 20-year-old center on the ice.

“I’ve got some pretty good shooters with me in Ebs and Ladd, so I do

want to try and set those guys up,” Barzal said. “The coaches have been

on me a little to try and add the shot to my game and think shot a little

more.”

Even with that, there hardly are complaints. Barzal’s three-point night

Thurs day gave him 17 points in the last 13 games. He’s dangerous

every time he’s on the ice.

“We certainly need Barzy to bring it every night,” Weight said, “and he’s

been pretty consistent.”


1083873 New York Rangers

Rangers Come Up Empty in Columbus

Staff Report

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSNOV. 17, 2017

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sergei Bobrovsky made 36 saves for his 21st

career shutout, and Zach Werenski and Artemi Panarin scored in the

Columbus Blue Jackets’ 2-0 victory over the New York Rangers on

Friday night.

New York ran into a hot goalie in Bobrovsky, the reigning Vezina Trophy

winner. He notched his second shutout of the season in powering

Columbus to its third straight victory.

Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist was nearly as good against the

increasingly aggressive Blue Jackets, stopping 40 shots. The Rangers

lost their second straight, following a six-game winning streak.

After a scoreless first period in which both goalies made some slick,

sprawling saves, Werenski found the back of the net with his sixth goal of

the season 13 minutes 34 seconds into the second.

Brandon Dubinsky lost the handle of the puck in the slot, and Werenski

picked it up just inside the right circle and beat Lundqvist with a one-

timer.

Panarin scored his fourth goal of the season on a power play 7:14 into

the third period, rocketing a slap shot from the high slot that ricocheted

off the bar and in.

New York Times LOADED: 11.18.2017


Worst version of Rangers returns in ugly loss to Blue Jackets

By Zach Braziller November 17, 2017 | 9:49PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The pendulum is starting to swing back on the

Rangers in this so-far streaky season, with a second straight loss

following a six-game winning streak.

The Rangers came to Nationwide Arena on Friday hoping to start a new

streak after their poor finish in Wednesday’s loss at Chicago, only to fall,

2-0, to the Blue Jackets in a performance reminiscent of their poor start

to the season.

“I don’t think we played well enough today to win the hockey game,” Mats

Zuccarello said. “They got a good forecheck on us, pinned us sometimes.

We’re not doing the same thing to them.

“At the end of the day, it’s not good enough. We have to create more. We

have to get on the inside, get some pucks through, and make some

plays.”

CAROLINA HURRICANES


The attack was inconsistent at best, too frequently kept on the perimeter.

The defense was porous, leaving Henrik Lundqvist on an island for far

too much of the evening.

Shut out for the first time this season, the Rangers only trailed by a goal

after two periods, but the deficit felt larger as the Blue Jackets’ play was

significantly better at both ends of the ice.

“He played well, but we didn’t really test him that much,” Lundqvist said.

“He saw most of the shots and we didn’t create the big chances. To beat

him, you have to make it really tough on him, be in his face, and screen

him a lot.”

After an even first period, the Rangers (9-9-2, 20 points) were

overwhelmed in the second. They were outshot 19-9 as the Blue Jackets

lived in the Blueshirts’ zone. The visitors only trailed by a goal because of

Lundqvist’s stellar play.

Columbus (12-7-1, 25 points) broke the scoreless tie at 13:34 of the

second stanza, when former Ranger Brandon Dubinsky went around

Brendan Smith and David Desharnais by the left circle, setting up

Werenski for his sixth goal of the season. Columbus only increased the

pressure from there, putting the heat on Lundqvist and his back line while

the Rangers couldn’t sustain much of an attack. The forecheck was

nonexistent, making it easy for the Blue Jackets in their own end.

Making his eighth consecutive start, Lundqvist (40 saves) was sharp after

getting pulled from Wednesday’s 6-3 loss to the Blackhawks, but didn’t

get nearly enough help. The offense was missing in action, and the

power play whiffed on three opportunities, failing to even get a shot on

goal on a third-period opportunity. Panarin put the game away at 7:14 of

the third, ripping a between-the-circles blast past Lundqvist glove side on

the power play after Kevin Hayes had failed to clear the puck.

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault described it as a “bad mistake.”

“Instead of it being a one-shot game, it’s a two-shot game against a

goaltender who obviously has his game tonight,” Vigneault said. “That

made it very hard.”

Even without the goal, it may not have mattered. The Rangers showed

little evidence they were capable of getting anything past Bobrovsky on

this night.

“We didn’t deserve to win today,” Zuccarello said. “They were the better

team.”

New York Post LOADED: 11.18.2017


Alain Vigneault gets ‘good game’ from previously benched Ranger

By Zach Braziller November 18, 2017 | 12:36am

COLUMBUS, Ohio — After a string of six straight healthy scratches,

defenseman Brendan Smith returned to the Rangers’ lineup. And for the

time being, it seems like he will stay there.

“I thought he had a good game, played within his game, and had the

opportunity in that first [period] to give us a lead,” coach Alain Vigneault

said after a 2-0 loss to the Blue Jackets. “He had two really good looks.

Unfortunately for us, their goaltender made the saves.”

In 19 shifts over 14:25 of ice time, Smith produced two hits and three

shots on goal. He was one of two Rangers beaten by the left circle, along

with David Desharnais, when Brandon Dubinsky set up Zach Werenski

for the game’s first goal. Vigneault said Smith, who replaced Steven

Kampfer in the lineup, will be in there Sunday against the Senators at the

Garden.

Smith, who signed a four-year, $17.4 million deal this summer after

coming over to the Rangers from the Red Wings in a trade deadline deal,

dressed for just the 12th time in 20 games this year. He was paired with

Marc Staal on the Rangers’ third defense pairing for most of the evening.

Vigneault was not pleased with the third period interference penalty

called on Pavel Buchnevich against Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner

that led to the game’s crucial second goal.

“In my estimation, my opinion, that’s his ice. The other guy ran into him,”

Vigneault said. “Not sure why there was a penalty. That’s my opinion. I

guess the referee didn’t see it the same way.”

Nineteen seconds later, Artemi Panarin extended the Columbus lead to

2-0, effectively ending any Rangers hopes for a comeback.

Center Paul Carey was a healthy scratch. … Left wing Jimmy Vesey

appeared in his 100th NHL game. … Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist

equaled his season high with 40 saves.

New York Post LOADED: 11.18.2017


Rangers lose to Columbus despite strong effort by Henrik Lundqvist

By Steve Zipay

[email protected] @stevezipay

Updated November 18, 2017 1:09 AM

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The first quarter of the season, which Rangers

coach Alain Vig neault has said was a key time to assess his team, is in

the books.

After a six-game winning streak that erased a dreadful start, the Rangers

lost their second straight on this road trip, falling to the Blue Jackets, 2-0,

on Friday night.

It was the first time the Blueshirts (9-9-2) have been blanked this season.

“I don’t think we played well enough to win,” Mats Zuccarello said. “They

get a good forecheck on us, pin us sometimes, and we’re not doing the

same thing to them.”

Although the Rangers had 36 shots on Sergei Bobrovsky, who has

allowed only four goals in his previous four starts, the quality of the

chances wasn’t top-notch.

“We’ve got to create more, get on the inside,” Zuccarello said. “Five-on-

five, we didn’t get enough pressure.”

The Rangers’ third-ranked power play, which was 0-for-3 in the 6-3 loss

to Chicago on Wednesday, didn’t score in three opportunities over 5:09

on Friday.

“It’s a game when the other team makes a mistake, you’ve got to make

them pay for it, and when you don’t score any goals, you didn’t make

them pay,” Vigneault said.

Henrik Lundqvist, who faced 42 shots before being pulled for an extra

attacker, lamented the lack of challenges to Bobrovsky. “I thought he

played well, but we didn’t really test him that much,” he said. “He saw

most shots; to beat him, you need to be in his face and screen him a lot.”

CAROLINA HURRICANES


The margin could have been more than two if not for Lundqvist, who was

pulled in Chicago at 6:42 of the third period after the Blackhawks scored

three straight goals to snap a 1-1 tie.

“They had a lot of odd-man rushes, especially in the second period [when

the Jackets outshot the Rangers 19-9],” Lundqvist said. “In the first, we

got the puck deep. In the second, we had a tough time getting in deep.

That’s when we got in trouble.”

After an evenly played first period, the Jackets controlled the second and

took a 1-0 lead. With the play in the Rangers’ zone, Boone Jenner got

around Brendan Smith, playing his first game after being a healthy

scratch for six. Zach Werenski pounced on a loose puck, firing it past

Lundqvist at 13:34.

With Pavel Buchnevich going off for interference at 6:55 of the third, the

Jackets, with the worst-ranked power play in the league, made it 2-0 only

19 seconds later on Artemi Panarin’s wide-open, wicked slapper after

Kevin Hayes failed to clear the zone.

“We’re only down by one goal in the third in a tough building. Then we

made a bad mistake on the penalty kill on a puck that should have been

down the ice,” Vigneault said. “Instead of it being a one-shot game, it’s a

two-shot game.”

Before the game, Vigneault noted the team’s recent uptick. “If you look at

how we’ve played in the last 10-game segment, we’ve tightened up

defensively. We’re not there yet, but five-on-five, the power play and the

penalty kill are coming along,’’ he said. “For our team, take it game-by-

game and keep improving.”



Defenseman Brendan Smith finally gets back into Rangers’ lineup

By Steve Zipay

[email protected] @stevezipay

Updated November 18, 2017 1:08 AM

PRINT SEE COMMENTS SHARE

COLUMBUS, Ohio — For Rangers defenseman Brendan Smith, a

healthy scratch for eight of the first 19 games, there undoubtedly was

some pressure. Smith, 28, played Friday after sitting for six straight

games. He was inserted into the lineup for Steven Kamp fer, paired with

Marc Staal.

“I need a simple, high-percentage [game] with the puck, and we need

him to bring that physical element that he can bring to the table,” coach

Alain Vigneault said before the Rangers’ 2-0 loss to the Blue Jackets.

After a hectic summer that included getting married, fielding offers from

other teams and then signing a four-year, $17.4-million contract with the

Blueshirts, Smith has been a disappointment with only two assists in 11

games, some bad reads and sloppy plays in his zone.

Smith was on the ice for Columbus’ opening goal, took a penalty and

played a total of 14:25. He just missed his first goal of the season when a

tuck-in of his own rebound at the right post slid through the crease past

goalie Sergei Bobrovsky in the first period.

Said Vigneault, “Thought he had a good game, played within his game,

had that opportunity in the first.”

Following in the footsteps of Martin Biron, Cam Talbot and Antti Raanta,

Ondrej Pavelec is the latest Rangers backup goalie to sing the praises of

goaltending coach Benoit Allaire.

“He’s been around for a while,” said Pavelec, 30, who signed a one-year

free-agent contract during the summer. “He knows how to get you ready

for an NHL game. He’s a straight guy; if he doesn’t like something, he’ll

tell you right away, and as a player, that’s what you want to hear. It’s

about the details. He knows they can make a big impact in your play.”

Pavelec was reluctant to reveal any details, but he did mention that he is

learning to be more patient. “I really enjoy it,’’ he said. “It’s a great

experience for me.”


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