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NHL Morning Skate – March 5, 2023

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NHL Morning Skate – March 5, 2023

* The Senators extended their win streak to five games and moved three points back of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference – as did the Sabres, Panthers and Capitals.

* Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl established a pair of Oilers records while Josh Morrissey, Erik Karlsson and Quinn Hughes each achieved notable feats from the blueline.

* The NHL on TNT will begin Sunday’s slate with a matinee between the Lightning and Hurricanes. Later, 21-year-old Devils forward Dawson Mercer will pursue history when he aims to push his goal streak to nine games.


FOUR TEAMS TIED AT 68 POINTS, THREE BACK OF LAST WILD CARD SPOT IN EAST
Seven teams entered play separated by six points in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with four of those clubs involved in head-to-head matchups Saturday. The results now have four clubs tied at 68 points – all three back of the second Wild Card spot in the conference.

* Anders Lee scored twice to help the Islanders (32-25-8, 72 points) earn their eighth third-period comeback win of the season and leapfrog the Penguins (31-22-9, 71 points), who later lost in regulation, for the first Wild Card spot. The only teams with more third-period comeback wins than the Islanders are the Golden Knights (10) and Canucks (9).

* Tage Thompson and Jeff Skinner both tallied 1-1—2 as Buffalo (32-25-4, 68 points) defeated Tampa Bay (37-20-5, 79 points) and moved one point closer to the second Wild Card position – they now trail Pittsburgh by three points with a game in hand. Thompson recorded his 18th power-play goal of the season, the most by a Sabres player since 2008-09 when Thomas Vanek potted 20.
 

* Tim Stützle (2-0—2) extended his goal streak to a career-high four games and Travis Hamonic (2-0—2) posted his first multi-goal game in the NHL (780 GP) to help the Senators (32-26-4, 68 points) claim their fifth straight win overall and extend their home point streak to six contests (5-0-1). Stützle reached the 30-goal mark for the first time and become the second-youngest Senators player to do so.

* Aleksander Barkov (0-2—2) recorded his 158th career multi-point game and surpassed Jonathan Huberdeau for sole possession of the most in franchise history as Florida (31-27-6, 68 points) defeated Pittsburgh (31-22-9, 71 points) in regulation to move within three points of them in the standings.

* Alex Ovechkin (2-1—3) overtook Stan Mikita for sole possession of 16th place on the NHL’s all-time points list as the Capitals (31-27-6, 68 points) also moved within three points of the Penguins by staging their fifth multi-goal comeback win of the season.

BRUINS KEEP ROLLING ON HOCKEY DAY IN CZECHIA, STARS RECLAIM TOP SPOT IN WEST
Conference leaders came out victorious during a matinee doubleheader on ABC, ESPN+ and Sportsnet:

* In what was the first-ever Hockey Day in Czechia, three Czech-born players found the score sheet for Boston as David Pastrnak (Havirov, CZE) and David Krejci (Sternberk, CZE) and Tomas Nosek (Pardubice, CZE) helped the Bruins (49-8-5, 103 points) extend their winning streak to 10 games (their longest since a 12-0-0 run in 2013-14). Nosek scored for the second time in four games and celebrated by waving to his wife and kids in the crowd – a tradition he began during his time in the AHL in appreciation of the sacrifices his wife, Eliska, has made to support him throughout his hockey journey.
 

* In the second half of the doubleheader, Wyatt Johnston scored one of his team’s seven goals as the Stars (34-16-13, 81 points) defeated the reigning Stanley Cup champion Avalanche (34-21-5, 73 points) and reclaimed first place in the Western Conference standings. Johnston boosted his totals to 15-14—29 in 2022-23 (63 GP), the most goals by a Stars teenager in a season since the club relocated to Dallas, eclipsing Valeri Nichushkin (14 in 2013-14).

FRANCHISE RECORDS FALL, DEFENSEMEN RE-WRITE HISTORY

Saturday’s #NHLStats: Live Updates featured a number of notable personal achievements, including:

* Josh Morrissey collected 2-1—3 during the second period – during which the Jets and Oilers combined for seven tallies, including the second-fastest five goals by two teams in 2022-23 (4:33) – to set a new franchise record for most multi-goal games in a season by a defenseman.

* Connor McDavid hit the 70-assist mark for the fifth time in his career and set the Oilers franchise record for power-play points in a single season (58), breaking a tie with Wayne Gretzky (57 in 1981-82).

* Leon Draisaitl scored his 25th and 26th power-play goals of the season to set a single-season franchise record. He also became the fifth player to notched four 40-goal seasons with the Oilers and recorded his seventh career hat trick.

* Erik Karlsson (19-61—80 in 63 GP) tallied 0-2—2 to become the fastest defenseman to 80 points in a season since Al MacInnis (62 GP in 1990-91) and the 10th blueliner in League history to record 60 assists in 63 games or fewer.

* Quinn Hughes notched two assists in Vancouver’s win against Toronto to become the fastest defenseman in NHL history to accumulate 200 career assists (263 GP), edging Brian Leetch (264 GP).


QUICK CLICKS

* Ducks assistant coach Mike Stothers being treated for melanoma
* Sabres get new portraits on Kids Takeover Day
* Connor Bedard inspired by late grandfather as he approaches 2023 NHL Draft
* Sharks host ‘Women in Teal’ Night celebrating gender equality
* 1000th NHL game celebrations: Stars captain Jamie Benn and Senators forward Derick Brassard

TNT GEARS UP FOR RUSH TO THE PLAYOFFS WITH CLASH BETWEEN EASTERN POWERS
A five-game Sunday will begin with a matinee between the Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes (40-12-8, 88 points) and Lightning (37-20-5, 79 points) on TNT, Sportsnet 360 and TVA Sports. The reigning champion Avalanche (34-21-5, 73 points) will host the Kraken (35-21-6, 76 points) in the nightcap on Sportsnet.

* Tampa Bay is in search of its fourth consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final – which will air exclusively on TNT for the first time this year – as they look to keep pace in the Eastern Conference, where they sit among the top five and Carolina ranks No. 2.

DAWSON’S STREAK: MERCER EYES HISTORY IN ARIZONA

The longest goal streak in the NHL this season will be on the line Sunday when Dawson Mercer and the Devils (40-15-6, 86 points) pay their first visit to Mullett Arena. After scoring 11 times in 53 games through Valentine’s Day, Mercer has collected 10 goals during his run including a tally Saturday in Las Vegas when he tied the franchise record for longest goal streak.

* Prior to his streak, Mercer had scored in only two of 25 games played from Dec. 13 through Feb. 14 but now sits one game shy of tying Wayne Gretzky for the longest goal streak in NHL history by a player age 21 or younger. Gretzky had a nine-game goal streak in 1981-82 at age 20 – the longest of his entire career.

* Mercer’s eight-game run is tied for the longest by any active player. He now can become the 37th different player in League history with a goal streak of nine or more games and first since Teemu Selanne in 1997-98 (11 GP).

NBA Preview: Memphis Grizzlies (38-24) at Los Angeles Clippers (33-33)

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NBA Preview: Memphis Grizzlies (38-24) at Los Angeles Clippers (33-33)

The Memphis Grizzlies will be without their star Ja Morant for two games in Los Angeles, the first of which is against the Clippers on Sunday.

After Morant appeared in an Instagram Live video in the early hours of Saturday while at a nightclub with what appeared to be a gun in his hand, the NBA imposed a two-game suspension on him.

Morant won’t play for the first time since Feb. 5 and will also have to miss Tuesday’s game against the Lakers. He just finished a game in which he scored 27 points in a 113-97 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

Since February 7, Morant has averaged 26.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game in Memphis’ 6-3 record. The Grizzlies lost on Friday to the Nuggets, who are currently in first place in the Western Conference, putting them in second place.

The fact that forward Brandon Clarke is out for the season after suffering an Achilles injury during Friday’s game adds to the Grizzlies’ problems. Additionally, guard Dillon Brooks will be suspended for Sunday’s game after receiving his 16th technical foul, which is the most in NBA history.

The Clippers are coming into Sunday’s game with a five-game losing streak, the most recent of which was a heartbreaking 128-127 loss to the Sacramento Kings on the road on Friday. With seven seconds remaining, Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis hit two free throws, and Los Angeles’ Paul George missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.

After missing the entirety of the previous season following knee surgery, Kawhi Leonard was unable to play in Friday’s game due to load management.

Russell Westbrook scored 28 points in his fifth Clippers game, but his new team hasn’t won since he started playing. After losing 176-175 in double overtime to the Kings at home in Westbrook’s debut with the Clippers, this was the Clippers’ second tough-luck defeat of the season.

The Clippers’ Norman Powell, a sharpshooter, could be out for a long time. He didn’t play against the Warriors on Friday because he injured his shoulder.

Sr. Marcus Morris Ivica Zubac has also missed the Clippers’ game on Friday because of an elbow injury, and he has also missed four of the last five games because of a strained right calf.

The Clippers and Grizzlies will meet for the first time in just one month of the regular season. Additionally, they will meet in consecutive games on March 29 and 31 at Memphis.

NBA Preview: Milwaukee Bucks (45-18) at Washington Wizards (30-33)

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NBA Preview: Milwaukee Bucks (45-18) at Washington Wizards (30-33)

The Milwaukee Bucks’ 16-game winning streak ended after six weeks without a loss.

When Milwaukee plays the Washington Wizards on Sunday, it will try to avoid its first run of losses since the second week of January.

When the Milwaukee Bucks, who have the best record in the NBA, led by as many as 18 points against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, it appeared as though they would extend their impressive streak to 17.

However, Philadelphia scored 48 points in the fourth quarter and rallied to win 133-130 over Milwaukee. In the final period, the 76ers missed 17 of 19 free throws and shot 7 of 11 from 3-point range.

The defensive collapse surprised Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer.

In the closing minutes, the Bucks were also hurt by the Philadelphia bench: The reserves of the 76ers won 20-0.

The Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Holiday had 26 points, Brook Lopez had 26, and Grayson Allen had 20.

On Jan. 3, Milwaukee defeated the Wizards 123-113 at home, and Antetokounmpo scored a career-high 55 points. He didn’t play two days earlier, when Washington won 118-95.

In their last 13 meetings with the Bucks, the Wizards have lost 11 of those games.

On Saturday, Washington fell to the Toronto Raptors 116-109 in overtime, splitting a two-game home set. On Thursday, the Wizards defeated the Raptors 119-108.

Beal missed a 13-foot floater just before the end of regulation, which would have given Washington a chance to win the game on Saturday.

Beal made just 7 of 22 field goal attempts despite scoring 21 points in his 26th game this season. Additionally, he had a season-high ten assists.

This was Kristaps Porzingis’ 18th double-double of the season, resulting in 22 points and 11 rebounds. Porzingis has scored at least 20 points in 36 games.

In the defeat, the Wizards were hurt by 24 turnovers. Kyle Kuzma and Beal each committed five.

After being irritated by the sloppiness of his team, Washington coach Wes Unseld Jr. sang a similar song.

With a season-high 18 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and a match for his career high of six steals, Delon Wright played a strong all-around game.

Goran Dragic, a veteran guard, was signed by Milwaukee on Saturday and is expected to be ready to play on Sunday. In 15 seasons with six teams, Dragic has an average of 13.3 points and 4.7 assists.

NBA Preview: New York Knicks (38-27) at Boston Celtics (45-19)

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NBA Preview: New York Knicks (38-27) at Boston Celtics (45-19)

When the New York Knicks visit the Boston Celtics on Sunday night, they will attempt to extend their winning streak to nine games.

Following Julius Randle’s off-balance 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining, the Knicks beat Miami 122-120 on Friday to extend their winning streak. In its last 13 games, New York had won 11 times.

New York’s offense was dominated by 43 points from Randle. He made 16 of 25 field goals, including 8 of 13 attempts from three-point range. He had scored at least 40 points for the fourth time this season.

The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson scored 25 points despite breaking his ankle in the third quarter.

In December, the Knicks also won eight games in a row.

The Celtics are coming off a humiliating 115-105 home loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. The Celtics were held to 41 points in the second half by the Nets, who cut Boston’s lead to 28 points in the second quarter to nine.

The Celtics were 9-for-29 from three-point range and committed 19 turnovers. Jayson Tatum had 22 points, but he was 0 for 7 from three-point range.

With tightness in his hamstring, Boston center Robert Williams left the court during the third quarter of Friday’s defeat and did not return.

During New York’s eight-game winning streak, five of those victories were won by at least 15 points. This includes winning 109-94 against Boston on February 27.

In that defeat, the Celtics shot 9 of 42 from behind the 3-point arc. Brown did not participate in that game due to personal reasons, and Tatum was kicked out in the fourth quarter after receiving his second technical foul. He had 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.

NBA Preview: Utah Jazz (31-33) at Oklahoma City Thunder (29-34)

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NBA Preview: Utah Jazz (31-33) at Oklahoma City Thunder (29-34)

When the Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen was on the court, it was no accident that the Oklahoma City Thunder had Luguentz Dort there.

The strategy paid off, as Dort made Markkanen’s life difficult during Oklahoma City’s 130-103 victory.

When the teams meet again on Sunday in Oklahoma City, Utah will have a quick chance to make up for the loss.

The Jazz committed 26 turnovers, their most since 2015, and Markkanen had six of them, four of which Dort forced.

With an average of 17 forced turnovers per game, the Thunder lead the league.

Markkanen, who scored 20 points on Friday, is under more pressure as a result of Utah’s Jordan Clarkson missing the previous two games because of a thumb sprain. Both of those games were losses.

The Jazz gave guard Kris Dunn a second 10-day contract on Saturday.

In the loss on Friday, Dunn had 11 points, six rebounds, and six assists for Utah. He has played in four games this season.

Due to the league’s health and safety guidelines, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has missed the last five games due to an abdominal strain.

Due to a wrist injury that ended the season, Kenrich Williams has missed the last two games. Aaron Wiggins will likely get more regular playing time as a result of Williams’ injury.

This season, Wiggins has been in and out of the Thunder’s rotation, but he has played at least 23 minutes in each of the last four games and scored 27 points in Friday’s victory.

With a left hamstring strain, Utah has also been without Collin Sexton for the last four games.

This season, the teams have played four games, the third of which is on Sunday. This season, the Jazz and Thunder have split two games.

NBA Preview: San Antonio Spurs (16-48) at Houston Rockets (14-49)

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NBA Preview: San Antonio Spurs (16-48) at Houston Rockets (14-49)

On Saturday, the Rockets made progress by playing an evenly matched third quarter in San Antonio, Texas. This was a small step that showed Houston could build on.

Houston outpaced San Antonio 25-22 in the third quarter on Saturday to win 122-110, despite being dominated by the Spurs in each of their previous two meetings this season. With the victory, the Rockets ended an 11-game losing streak and will be able to level the season series when the teams meet again on Sunday in Houston.

In their two victories in January, the Spurs outscored the Rockets 71-37 in the third quarter, and despite giving up 41 points in the second, they trailed by just two points entering the third of their third meeting this season.

This time, Houston did not give up the lead. It doubled its advantage twice before taking a 95-90 lead into the fourth. The Rockets took control for good with a 12-4 run early in the final frame, despite playing without their bench players.

The Rockets’ bench scored 57 points, including 20 from rookie Tari Eason, who also had five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks to go along with his career-high 20 points. Josh Christopher played 19 significant minutes in reserve and contributed 14 points and four assists, while Usman Garuba scored 11 points off the bench on 3-for-3 shooting from three-point range.

The all-around performance was crucial for a Rockets team that was without Jae’Sean Tate and Kevin Porter Jr., who was out for 20 games with a problem with his left big toe. In his first game back, Porter Jr. scored 11 points, grabbed six rebounds, and had five assists.

15 Spurs turnovers turned into 25 points for the Rockets’ transition offense. With Devonte’ Graham’s sharp shooting and team-high 28 points, including 7-of-12 shooting from behind the arc, Houston was able to offset the Spurs’ plus-21 scoring margin on 3-pointers with 30 fast-break points and 74 points in the paint.

Zach Collins and rookie Jeremy Sochan scored 14 points each for the Spurs. However, they were without Keldon Johnson (foot) and Devin Vassell, who returned from a two-month injury absence against the Indiana Pacers on Thursday but did not play on Saturday.

Johnson and Vassell, who play together and score 41.2 points per game, could play on Sunday, which would certainly help the Spurs win the season series against Houston.

NBA Preview: Portland Trail Blazers (29-34) at Orlando Magic (27-37)

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NBA Preview: Portland Trail Blazers (29-34) at Orlando Magic (27-37)

To fall a season-high five games below.500, the Portland Trail Blazers have lost three straight and five of their last six games.

In the second game of a six-game road trip, the Trail Blazers will try to stop their slide when they play the Orlando Magic on Sunday.

However, Damian Lillard continued his hot hand against the Hawks with 33 points and eight assists. The seven-time All-Star has made 41 3-pointers in his last seven games, including five on Friday.

In Portland’s 109-106 home loss to Orlando on Jan. 10, Lillard, who is averaging a team-best 32.3 points per game, scored 30 points.

In that game, Jusuf Nurkic scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Anfernee Simons scored 15 points. However, both players are dealing with injuries. While Simons and Justise Winslow are dealing with injuries to their ankles, Nurkic has been out for more than a month with a calf injury.

Going into the first of their four home games, the Magic will probably be a little more upbeat.

Newbie Paolo Banchero scored 31 focuses in Orlando’s 117-106 triumph over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. The victory marked the Magic’s fifth win in a row as a result of a defeat.

This season, Banchero, the top pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has scored 30 points five times, tying Dennis Scott for the most by a rookie in franchise history. Shaquille O’Neal, a future Hall of Famer, had 10 during his 1992-93 rookie season.

However, Orlando’s circumstances were not ideal.

Franz Wagner did not play in the second half because he injured his left ankle. When he was hit by JT Thor while trying to catch a low pass from Jalen Suggs, he fell awkwardly and rolled his ankle.

In the previous encounter with the Trail Blazers, Wagner, who scores an average of 18.7 points per game, scored a team-high 29 points.

NHL Preview: Seattle Kraken (35-21-6) at Colorado Avalanche (34-21-5)

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NHL Preview: Seattle Kraken (35-21-6) at Colorado Avalanche (34-21-5)

SEATTLE KRAKEN NOTES:

LAST GAME
Seattle 4 at Columbus 2
Goals: McCann, Eberle, Wennberg, Tanev
Goalie: Grubauer (21/23)
PP: 2/4 PK: 3/4 Shots: Seattle 35 – Columbus 23

CURRENT INJURIES – (Man Games Lost: 162)
Joonas Donskoi (upper body; IR) – 62 games – no timeline for return
Andre Burakovsky (lower body) – 12 games – week-to-week

TRANSACTIONS IN PAST 7 DAYS
Feb. 24, 2023: Reassigned G Chris Driedger to Coachella Valley (AHL)

UPCOMING GAMES
Tuesday, March 7: Anaheim at Seattle, 7 p.m. PT
Thursday, March 9: Ottawa at Seattle, 7 p.m. PT
Saturday, March 11: Dallas at Seattle, 7 p.m. PT
Monday, March 13: Dallas at Seattle, 7 p.m. PT
Thursday, March 16: Seattle at San Jose, 7:30 p.m. PT

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
• Tonight’s matchup is the third and final game the Kraken will play against the Avalanche this season and the second time the teams are playing in Denver this year.

• A win or overtime loss tonight would give the Kraken points in four consecutive games against the Avalanche dating back to April 20, 2022. Seattle is 2-0-1 against Colorado during that span.

• The Kraken have not conceded a power-play goal for three consecutive games against the Avalanche. Seattle is 11-for-13 all-time against olorado on the penalty kill.

• Tonight’s game is also the final of nine games the Kraken will play on Sunday. The team has a 5-2-1 record in Sunday games this year and are outscoring their opponents 28-25 in those games.

• With the Kraken’s four-goal game in their last outing on March 3, they have now surpassed their goal total from all of last season in 20 fewer games. Seattle has scored 217 goals in 62 games this season compared to 213 goals in 2021-22. The team’s 217 goals this season were the fourth-most in the NHL entering play Saturday, trailing only the Edmonton Oilers (243), Boston Bruins (231) and Buffalo Sabres (223).

• Jordan Eberle’s goal in the Kraken’s last game on March 3 at Columbus was his 50th point of the season. It is the sixth time in his career and first time since 2017-18 that Eberle has recorded 50 or more points in a season.

• Alex Wennberg enters tonight’s game two points shy of recording 300 career points. When he reaches the milestone, he will become the 21st active, Swedish skater and the 11th player from the 2013 draft class to total at least 300 career points.

• Vince Dunn, who has already set a career high with 47 points (11 goals, 36 assists) this season, was ranked in the top 15 among all NHL defensemen in goals (tied ninth), assists (tied 12th), points (10th), even-strength goals (11, third) and even-strength points (34, tied fourth) entering play Saturday.

• Entering play Saturday, Adam Larsson and the Rangers’ Jacob Trouba were the only two players to have at least 160 hits and 120 blocks this season.

• Among defensemen that have played at least 70 minutes on the penalty kill this season, Will Borgen, who has totaled 93:40 of shorthanded ice time this year, was ranked 10th in the NHL with 5.12 power-play goals against per 60 entering play Saturday.

• The Kraken have played 14 games this season in which they have had at least five different goal scorers.

• Since the start of the New Year, the Kraken are tied for second the league in wins (17) and ranked third in points (36). The team’s 100 goals ranked second in the league since Jan. 1 entering play Saturday.

• Despite only playing in 62 games this season, the Kraken are the first team to have scored at least eight goals in a game four different times since the Pittsburgh Penguins also had four eight-goal games in 2011-12.

KRAKEN COUNTRY, LET’S RIDE
• Jordan Eberle has 38 points (20 goals, 18 assists) in 40 career games against Colorado, including recording 16 points (10 goals, six assists) in 14 games since the start of the 2016-17 season. His 10 goals against the Avalanche during that span are tied for the ninth-most in the NHL.

• Philipp Grubauer recorded his first NHL shutout on Oct. 18, 2016 against the Avalanche with 18 saves.

• Jared McCann has nine points (three goals, six assists) in his last nine games against the Avalanche, including totaling five points (two goals, three assists) in the five games against Colorado as a member of the Kraken.

COLORADO AVALANCHE NOTES:

UPCOMING GAMES

Date Opponent Time (MT) TV Radio
Sun, Mar. 5 SEATTLE 7 p.m. Altitude 92.5 FM
Tue, Mar. 7 SAN JOSE 7 p.m. Altitude 92.5 FM
Thu, Mar. 9 LOS ANGELES 7 p.m. Altitude 92.5 FM
Sat, Mar. 11 ARIZONA 4 p.m. Altitude 92.5 FM

TONIGHT’S GAME
COLORADO vs. SEATTLE
7:08 p.m.
Altitude / 92.5 FM
The Colorado Avalanche returns home to host the Seattle Kraken in the second half of a back-to-back tonight at Ball Arena… The Avalanche lost 7-3 yesterday afternoon in Dallas … Tonight opens a four-game homestand for the Avs, which includes visits from Seattle, San Jose, Los Angeles and Arizona … Colorado has dropped its last two games but is still 7-2-1 in its last 10 and 14-4-2 in its last 20 contests … Yesterday’s game began a stretch of 15 contests in 26 days.

ON THE CALL
Altitude TV: Marc Moser (play-by-play), Mark Rycroft (analyst), Katie Gaus (reporter)
Altitude Radio: Conor McGahey

LAST GAME
March 4 – Dallas 7, Colorado 3 at American Airlines Center
The Dallas Stars beat the Colorado Avalanche, 7-3, on Saturday afternoon at American Airlines Center … Samuel Girard had a goal and two assists for the Avs, while Andrew Cogliano and Evan Rodrigues also lit the lamp … Alexandar Georgiev made 14 saves before Keith Kinkaid came in and played the final 28 minutes.
SF: 35 SA: 29 PP: 1-2 PK: 3-3

Kinkaid became the 43rd different player to appear in a game for Colorado this year, extending the Avalanche record (previous was 39) … The 43 players ties Toronto for the most players used this season … He’s the fifth goaltender to play for the Avs in 2022-23, which also ties an Avalanche record (2019-20) Girard’s three points were a season high … His goal was his fifth of the year, matching his career high set in 2020-21 and 2021-22 … He has 15 points (2g/13a) in his last 15 games since Jan. 24

CURRENT INJURIES
Pavel Francouz – lower body (Feb. 14 – present)
Darren Helm – lower body (Jan. 14 – present)
Erik Johnson – lower body (Feb. 14 – present)
Gabriel Landeskog – lower body (Oct. 12 – present)
Josh Manson – lower body (March 4 – present)
Valeri Nichushkin – illness (March 4 – present)
Total Man-Game Lost: 339

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Mar. 4 – Ben Meyers reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL)
Mar. 3 – Keith Kinkaid, Brad Hunt, Ben Meyers recalled from the Colorado Eagles (AHL) … Gustav Rydahl acquired from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Anton Blidh … Rydahl will report to the Colorado Eagles … Cale Makar activated from Injured Reserve
Mar. 1 – Ben Meyers recalled from the Colorado Eagles (AHL) … Lars Eller acquired from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft … Cale Makar placed on Injured Reserve (retroactive to Feb. 18) … Brad Hunt recalled from the Colorado Eagles (AHL) … Justus Annunen, Brad Hunt, Ben Meyers reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL)

TONIGHT’S OPPONENT – SEATTLE KRAKEN
The Avalanche and Kraken close out the season series with the third and final meeting of 2022-23 … Seattle won the first matchup 3-2 on Oct. 21 in Denver and Colorado won the second 2-1 in a shootout on Jan. 21 at Climate Pledge Arena … The Avs finished 2-1-0 against Seattle during the Kraken’s inaugural season a year ago.

SCHEDULE vs. KRAKEN
Oct. 21 vs. SEATTLE (L, 2-3)
Jan. 21 @ Seattle (W, 2-1 SO)
Mar. 5 vs. SEATTLE

RECORD vs. KRAKEN
THIS SEASON 2021-22 ALL-TIME PLAYOFFS
Overall: 1-1-0 Overall: 2-1-0 Overall: 3-2-0 Series: none
Home: 0-1-0 Home: 1-0-0 Home: 1-1-0 W-L record: 0-0
Road: 1-0-0 Road: 1-1-0 Road: 2-1-0

2022-23 SEASON NOTES
BACK-TO-BACK
Today’s game is the second half of a back-to-back for the Avs, who lost 7-3 yesterday in Dallas … Colorado is 11-5-1 in back-to-back games this season, 5-3-1 in the first contest and 6-2-0 in the second contest … Only the Hurricanes (7-1-1) and Bruins (7-2-0) have a better record on the second night of a back-to-back… The Avalanche had a stretch of three consecutive sets of back-to-back games from Feb. 14-25, with the club earning 11 of a possible 12 points during that span … All three back-to-backs required travel in between (either home/road or road/home) and all three opponents on the second half of the back-to-back were waiting for the Avs, with Colorado sweeping all three games … The Avalanche posted a 15-5-2 (.727) combined record in back-to-back games last season, the second-best mark behind Minnesota (.732, 19-6-3) … The Avs finished 7-3-1 in the first game and 8-2-1 in the second.

NHL Preview: New Jersey Devils (40-15-6) at Arizona Coyotes (21-32-9)

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NHL Preview: New Jersey Devils (40-15-6) at Arizona Coyotes (21-32-9)

NEW JERSEY DEVILS NOTES:

Last Game:
New Jersey Devils 3 Vegas Golden Knights 4
(40-15-6 – 86 PTS) (37-19-6- 77 PTS)
Three Stars: 1. A. Hill 2. J. Marchessault 3. J. Eichel
SCORE 1ST 2ND 3RD OT SO FINAL
Vegas 1 1 1 0 1 4
DEVILS 2 0 1 0 0 3
New Jersey Devils: Media Notes

Goals:
VGK: J. Marchessault, J. Marchessault, J. Eichel, S. Theodore (GDG)
NJD: J. Bratt (PPG) D. Mercer, M. Wood
Game Summary | Event Summary
Shootout:
NJD: T. Tatar/stopped
VGK: Marchessault/stopped
NJD: Hamilton/stopped
VGK: J. Eichel/stopped
NJD: D. Mercer/stopped
VGK: R. Smith/stopped
NJD: J. Bratt/stopped
VGK: S. Theodore/SCORED

INJURIES/ILLNESS
PLAYER INJURY OUT SINCE GAMES MISSED
Jonathan Bernier – LTIR Lower-body, hip 2021-22 61
Mackenzie Blackwood I.R. Lower-body 2/21/23 5
2022-23 Total Man-Games Lost to Injury/illness: 170

DATE PLAYER ACTION
2/26/23 Timo Meier, Timur Ibragimov, Scott Harrington, Santeri Hatakka, Zachary Emond & a fifth-round pick Acquired via trade from SJS
2/26/23 Shakir Mukhamadullin, Nikita Okhotiuk, Andreas Johnsson, Fabian Zetterlund, a conditional 2nd-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft & a 7th-round selection in 2024 Traded to SJS

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
2/27/23 Mackenzie Blackwood Placed on I.R.
2/27/23 Scott Harrington Placed on waivers
2/28/23 Graeme Clarke Recalled from Utica
3/3/23 Kevin Bahl & Akira Schmid Loaned to & recalled from Utica
3/3/23 Graeme Clarke Reassigned to Utica

WHAT TYO KNOW
The Devils conclude a Western Conference three-game road trip, after logging a 1-0-1 record on the trip:
Mar. 1, 7-5 win at COL
Mar. 3, 4-3, shootout loss at VGK

Sunday’s contest vs Arizona marks Lindy Ruff’s 200th career game as head coach with the New Jersey Devils since he was hired in 2020 (86-91-22).

Looking back…Jersey’s team earned a 7-5 victory on Wednesday at Colorado, and also earned seven goals in consecutive games for the first time since Feb. 8-10, 2022 (7-1 at MTL/7-4 at STL).

The seven goals were the most goals scored against Colorado this season, and the most that the Avs allowed in a game since Dec. 1, 2021, in an 8-3 loss to Toronto.

The Devils, Boston and Vancouver are the only three teams that defeated Colorado twice this season, per Mar. 4.

While the Devils suffered a shootout loss to Vegas on Friday, the team reached the 50-shot mark for the second time this season (50 SOG). The most shots on goal that the Devils earned in a game this season was 53, which was against Columbus on Oct. 30, 2022, in a 7-1 win at the Rock.

Jersey’s team enters Saturday’s contest with a 22-4-4 road record. The 22 wins ranks second in the NHL behind Boston’s 23 road victories. The Devils recorded 117 goals for on the road, which is tied for the third most in the NHL with Boston.
As of March 4, Seattle (123) and Edmonton (119) ranked first and second for this matter, respectively.

The franchise record for road wins in a single season is 28 (28-10-3), which was earned in 1998-99. Keep in mind that the team is scheduled to play 10 road games after Sunday’s contest.

The Devils enter Sunday’s contest with a 14-0-2 record vs the Pacific Division this season. The 14 wins vs the Pacific mark an NHL record for an Eastern Conference team.

ARIZONA COYOTES NOTES:

3 HARD LAPS
• Arizona has dropped its last two games but is 6-4-4 in its last 14 GP and finished February with a 5-2-3 record

• Clayton Keller enters tonight with 18 pts (7-11-18) in 12 GP since the All-Star Game, tied for the fourth-most points in the NHL since 2/6. Keller also enters tonight one point shy of securing his second consecutive 60-point season, a feat a Coyote last achieved during the 2007-09 seasons (Shane Doan)

• The Yotes in the midst of a four-game homestand. The team’s March schedule features 11 home games and five road tilts

LAST GAME
Hurricanes 6, Coyotes 1 – March 3, 2023 – Mullett Arena
ARI Goals: Crouse (20)
CAR Goals: Stastny (8), Aho (26, 27), Slavin (4), Gostisbehere (11), Necas (25)
ARI Goalie: Vejmelka (L) – 36 svs on 42 shots
CAR Goalie: Raanta (W) – 17 svs on 18 shots
PP: 0-3 PK: 1-4
Notes: ARI fell to CAR in its first game post Trade Deadline…Lawson Crouse reached 20 goals for the second consecutive season with a second-period tally and tied his single-season career-high in the process…ARI now has two 20-goal scorers (Keller, 25), the second consecutive season that Arizona has boasted multiple 20+ goal scorers…The last time the Coyotes had back-to-back seasons with multiple 20+ goal scorers was 2007-09…JJ Moser registered an assist for the second consecutive game…Victor Soderstrom’s assist was his first point at Mullett Arena…Liam O’Brien threw 7 hits and has recorded 23 hits over his last 3 GP….After being acquired from EDM via trade on 3/2, Michael Kesselring made his NHL debut, logging 16:04 of ice time…Christian Fischer missed the game due to illness

MAN GAMES LOST (Name/Roster Status/Injury Type/Games Missed/Last Game Played)
Josh Brown…Day-to-Day…Upper-Body (4 / 2/22)
Christian Fischer…Day-to-Day…Illness (1 / 3/1)
Total man games lost: 123 games
Liam O’Brien – 23 (12/17 – 2/6) – Upper-Body | 2 (2/11 – 2/13) – Upper-Body
Jakob Chychrun – 16 (10/13 – 11/17) – Upper-Body
Matias Maccelli – 16 (12/27 – 1/24) – Lower-Body
Nick Schmaltz – 15 (10/15 – 11/17) – Upper-Body | 1 (12/31) – Upper-Body
Zack Kassian – 9 (11/1 – 11/21) – Lower-Body
Connor Timmins – 9 (10/15 – 11/5) – Upper-Body
Shayne Gostisbehere – 8 (1/26 – 2/18) – Upper-Body
Andrew Ladd – 6 (N/A) – Undisclosed
Josh Brown – 3 (11/23 – 11/27) – Upper-Body
Ben McCartney – 3 (10/13 – 10/17) – Lower-Body
Juuso Valimaki – 1 (11/23) – Upper-Body
Lawson Crouse – 1 (12/1) – Illness | 4 (1/19 – 1/24) – Upper-Body
Connor Ingram – 1 (1/8) – Illness

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
-3/4 – Assigned F Milos Kelemen, D Michael Kesselring and D Vladislav Kolyachonok to Tucson (AHL)
-3/2 – Acquired 2023 3rd round pick and D Michael Kesselring from EDM in exchange for F Nick Bjugstad and D Cam Dineen
-3/2 – Acquired 2023 6th-round draft pick from CBJ and F Jakub Voracek in exchange for G Jon Gillies
-3/1 – Recalled D Vladislav Kolyachonok from Tucson (AHL)
-3/1 – Acquired 2023 1st round pick, 2024 2nd round pick and 2026 2nd round pick from OTT in exchange for D Jakob Chychrun
-3/1 – Acquired 2026 3rd round draft pick from Carolina in exchange for D Shayne Gostisbehere

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
DATE TIME (AZ) OPPONENT VENUE TV RADIO
Tue, March 7 7pm vs STL Mullett Arena Bally Sports Arizona 98.7 FM
Thur, March 9 7pm vs NSH Mullett Arena Bally Sports Arizona 98.7 FM
Sat, March 11 4pm at COL Ball Arena Bally Sports Arizona ESPN 620

YOTES & DEVILS

  • Tonight is the second of two ARI-NJD games this season. NJD captured the first meeting 4-2 at the Prudential Center on 11/12
  • Clayton Keller scored one of Arizona’s goals which kick-started a 3-game goal streak for him
  • Both of the Coyotes’ goals came on the power play in that meeting
  • Travis Boyd has faced the Devils four times in his career and has found the scoresheet in all of them (2-2-4), including an assist last time out
  • Matias Maccelli registered an assist in the Nov contest which made him the first NHL rookie to 10 points this season
  • Coyotes franchise vs Devils/Rockies
    • All-Time: 42-29-9-3
    • Home: 27-11-3-1
    • Road: 15-18-6-2
    • L10: 4-4-2
    • STRK: L2

SCORING NOTABLES AGAINST THE DEVILS
Nick Schmaltz…2-4-6…8 career GP
Clayton Keller…3-2-5…8 career GP
Travis Boyd…2-2-4…4 career GP
Career Leaders
Goals (Keller, 3)… Assists (Schmaltz, 4)…Points (Schmaltz, 6)
Career Leaders Among Defensemen
Goals (-)… Assists (Valimaki/Moser, 1)…Points (Valimaki/Moser, 1)

NHL Preview: Montréal Canadiens (26-32-4) at Vegas Golden Knights (37-19-6)

NHL Editor
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NHL Preview: Montréal Canadiens (26-32-4) at Vegas Golden Knights (37-19-6)

MONTREAL CANADIENS NOTES:

À SURVEILLER CE SOIR / KEEP AN EYE ON…

  • Les Canadiens et les Golden Knights s’affrontent ce soir pour la 10e fois en saison régulière. Incluant les séries éliminatoires, il s’agira du 16e match entre les deux formations.
  • The Canadiens and Golden Knights are facing each other for the 10th time in regular season. Including the playoffs, this will mark the 16th matchup between the two teams.

DERNIER MATCH / LAST GAME – ANA 3 VS. MTL 2 (@ HONDA CENTER)
Buts MTL Goals – Drouin, Suzuki
Buts ANA Goals – Megna, McTavish (AN/PP), Silfverberg (AN/PK)
Gardien MTL Goalie – Montembeault (30-33)
Gardien ANA Goalie – Gibson (26-28)
Avantage numérique MTL Powerplay – 0/3
Avantage numérique ANA Powerplay – 2/3
Meneurs MTL Leaders – TOI (Matheson – 24:28) ; S (Gurianov – 4) ; HT (Anderson, Harris, Matheson – 2) ; BS (Matheson – 4)

MATCHS À VENIR / UPCOMING GAMES
7 MARS VS. CAROLINE 19 h / 7 p.m.
9 MARS VS. NY RANGERS 19 h / 7 p.m.
11 MARS VS. NEW JERSEY 19 h / 7 p.m.
13 MARS VS. COLORADO 19h30 / 7:30 p.m.
14 MARS @ PITTSBURGH 19 h / 7 p.m.

RAPPORT MÉDICAL DE LA SAISON / SEASON INJURY REPORT
Joueur Player Date Blessure Injury Matchs ratés Games lost Retour Return
C. Price – Genou / Knee 62 –
P. Byron – Hanche / Hip 62 –
J. Evans – Bas du corps / Lower-body 19 –
B. Gallagher – Bas du corps / Lower-body 24 –
J. Slafkovsky – Bas du corps / Lower-body 18 –
S. Monahan – Bas du corps / Lower-body 37 –
C. Caufield – Épaule / Shoulder 16 –

RÉAFFECTATIONS, SIGNATURES ET TRANSACTIONS / ROSTER MOVES, SIGNINGS AND TRANSACTIONS
Les Canadiens ont rappelé le défenseur Frédéric Allard du Rocket de Laval (04/03)
The Canadiens have recalled defenseman Frédéric Allard from the Laval Rocket (03/04)
Les Canadiens ont acquis l’attaquant Denis Gurianov des Stars de Dallas (26/02)
The Canadiens have acquired forward Denis Gurianov from the Dallas Stars (02/26)
Les Canadiens ont cédé le défenseur Corey Schueneman au Rocket de Laval (25/02)
The Canadiens have loaned defenseman Corey Schueneman to the Laval Rocket (02/25)
Les Canadiens ont réclamé l’attaquant Chris Tierney au ballottage (23/02)
The Canadiens have claimed forward Chris Tierney off waivers (02/23)
Les Canadiens ont rappelé le défenseur Corey Schueneman du Rocket de Laval (18/02)
The Canadiens have recalled defenseman Corey Schueneman from the Laval Rocket (02/18)

STATISTIQUES D’ÉQUIPE / TEAM STATISTICS – AVANT LES MATCHS DU 04/03 – BEFORE GAMES ON 03/04
PTS (56 – 26e/26th)
V/W (26 – 25e/25th)
BP/GF (166 – 27e/27th)
BC/GA (221 – 27e/27th)
Tirs-PM/Shots-PG (27.8 – 30e/30th)
Tirs accordés-PM/Shots allowed-PG (33.7 – 27e/27th)
MÉ/Hits (1178 – 28e/28th)
MP/PIM (745 – 2e/2nd)
AN/PP (16.5% – 30e/30th)
DN/PK (73.9% – 28e/28th)

LES CANADIENS CONTRE CHAQUE DIVISION L’AN DERNIER / THE HABS VS. EVERY DIVISION LAST SEASON
Adversaire Opponent Fiche Record PTS Buts pour Goals for Buts contre Goals against
Atlantique 9-14-3 21 84 89
Centrale 3-9-4 10 39 65
Métropolitaine 6-17-1 13 55 103
Pacifique 4-9-3 11 43 62
Total 22-49-11 55 221 319
*Inclut les buts en fusillade / Includes the shootout goals

LES CANADIENS CONTRE CHAQUE DIVISION CETTE SAISON / THE HABS VS. EVERY DIVISION THIS SEASON
Division Fiche Record PTS Buts pour Goals for Buts contre Goals against
Atlantique 4-12-1 9 35 72
Centrale 8-5-2 18 48 45
Métropolitaine 8-7-0 16 44 54
Pacifique 6-8-1 13 43 50
Total 26-32-4 56 170 221
*Inclut les buts en fusillade / Includes the shootout goals

MARTIN ST-LOUIS EN CHIFFRES / MARTIN ST. LOUIS’ NUMBERS…
Matchs/Games : 99
Victoires/Wins : 40
Fiche : 40-51-8
Points de classement/Standing points : 88

CANADIENS VS. VEGAS
À vie / All-Time
CANADIENS vs. VGK 5-3-1 (9 PJ / GP)
Dom. / Home 3-2-0 (5 PJ / GP)
Étr. / Away 2-1-1 (4 PJ / GP)
Dern. Match / Last game:
D 6-4 L @ MTL (05/11/22)
J. Allen 6-42 | A. Hill 4-31
BG / WG: N. Roy

9 DERNIERS MATCHS CONTRE VEGAS / LAST 9 GAMES VS. VEGAS:
05/11/22 – VGK 6 @ MTL 4
20/01/22 – MTL 3 @ VGK 4 (P/OT)
06/11/21 – VGK 5 @ MTL 2
18/01/20 – VGK 4 @ MTL 5 (TB/SO)
31/10/19 – MTL 5 @ VGK 4 (P/OT)
22/12/18 – MTL 4 @ VGK 3 (P/OT)
10/11/18 – VGK 4 @ MTL 5
17/02/18 – MTL 3 @ VGK 6
07/11/17 – VGK 2 @ MTL 3

CETTE SAISON CONTRE VEGAS / THIS SEASON VS. VEGAS
Match #1: 05/11/2022 @ MTL – D/L 6-4
Match #2: 05/03/2023 @ VGK

MEILLEURS BUTEURS CONTRE VEGAS / LEADING GOAL SCORERS VS. VEGAS:
1) Mike Hoffman (6-5-11, 16 pj/gp)
2) Nick Suzuki (3-2-5, 5 pj/gp)
3) Brendan Gallagher (2-4-6, 7 pj/gp)

MEILLEURS POINTEURS CONTRE VEGAS / LEADING SCORERS VS. VEGAS:
1) Mike Hoffman (6-5-11, 16 pj/gp)
2) Christian Dvorak (2-9-11, 20 pj/gp)
3) Kirby Dach (2-4-6, 6 pj/gp)

MENEURS MINUTES DE PÉNALITÉ CONTRE VEGAS / MOST PENALTY MINUTES VS. VEGAS:
1) Josh Anderson (21, 7 pj/gp)
2) Joel Edmundson (6, 8 pj/gp)
3) Christian Dvorak (6, 20 pj/gp)

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS NOTES:

GOLDEN KNIGHTS UPCOMING GAMES
Golden Knights 2022-23 Record: 37-19-6, 80 points (19-13-1 at Home, 17-6-5 on Road)

DATE OPPONENT TELEVISION RADIO SPANISH RADIO
Mar. 5 vs. Montreal Canadiens AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM Deportes 1460 AM
Mar. 7 at Florida Panthers AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM None
Mar. 9 at Tampa Bay Lightning AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM None
Mar. 11 at Carolina Hurricanes AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM None
Mar. 12 at St. Louis Blues AT&T SportsNet Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM None

GOLDEN KNIGHTS LAST GAME RECAP
March 3 – Vegas Golden Knights 4, New Jersey Devils 3 SO
Adin Hill made 47 saves and Jonathan Marchessault had three points (2-1—3) as the Vegas Golden Knights (37-19-6) skated to a 4-3 shootout win against the New Jersey Devils (40-15-6) on Friday night at T-Mobile Arena. Midway through the opening frame, Marchessault buried the game’s first goal to put the home team ahead, 1-0. Jesper Bratt and Dawson Mercer each found the back of the net before before the horn to give New Jersey a 2-1 edge through 20 minutes. In the second, Marchessault scored again to level the score at 2-2. In the third, Jack Eichel put the home team ahead but an answer from Miles Wood meant the Golden Knights and Devils were heading to overtime. The extra session passed without a goal to set the stage for Shea Theodore’s shootout winner in the fourth round to give Vegas the victory.

LAST GAME BY THE NUMBERS

  • Marchessault’s two-goal performance is his fourth multi-goal game this season
  • Eichel has three goals in the last two games for Vegas
  • Ivan Barbashev finished the night with two assists, each on Marchessault’s goals, and has three assists in his last two games
  • Vegas holds onto an eight-game home points streak (7-0-1) which matches its longest since a 12-game stretch in 2018-19

Against the Canadiens
Vegas’ contest with Montreal on Sunday will be the second and final time these two clubs will meet this season. The Golden Knights own an overall record of 4-2-3 against the Canadiens hold a six-game point streak with Vegas going 3-0-3, dating back to Dec. 12, 2018. In their last meeting, Vegas edged Montreal 6-4 with goals from Nicolas Hague, Reilly Smith (2), Keegan Kolesar, Nicolas Roy, and Jonathan Marchessault. The Golden Knights will look to sweep their season series with the Canadiens for the second consecutive season with a win on Sunday.

2022-23 Season NJD Series: 0-0-1 (Home: 0-0-0, Road: 1-0-0)
Nov. 5 – at Montreal (Vegas 6, Montreal 4)
Mar. 5 – at Vegas

2021-22 Season MTL Series: 2-0-0 (Home: 1-0-0, Road: 1-0-0)
Nov. 6 – at Montreal (Vegas 5, Montreal 2)
Jan. 20 – at Vegas (Vegas 4, Montreal 3 OT)

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