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NBA Preview: Phoenix Suns (29-26) at Brooklyn Nets (32-21)

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Devin Booker spent the weekend checking all of the final hurdles in his recovery from a left groin injury, playing five-on-five in practice in Boston and dunking during pregame warmups in Detroit.

By Monday afternoon, the Phoenix star had declared himself ready to go. The Suns are anticipating Booker’s first action since Christmas Day on Tuesday night when they visit a somewhat revamped version of the Brooklyn Nets.

Booker is listed as probable and is expected to be on a minutes restriction in his first game since re-injuring his left groin in a 128-125 overtime loss at Denver on Dec. 25. He had sat out Phoenix’s previous three games with the same ailment and overall has missed 26 games due to injuries this season while averaging a career-high 27.1 points.

Without Booker, the Suns went 10-11 over the past six weeks, though they have played better recently. Phoenix lost nine of its first 11 games in that stretch but is 8-2 over the past 10 games, including two wins in two games to open their current five-game road trip.

After enduring a 132-100 home loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, the Suns opened the trip with a 106-94 win at Boston on Friday, then shot a season-best 56 percent in a 116-100 win at Detroit on Saturday. Phoenix allowed 110 points or less for the eighth time in 10 games.

Deandre Ayton collected 31 points and 16 rebounds in Detroit for his fourth double-double in six games since he missed three games due to an illness.

Besides Booker’s return, the Suns reportedly were among the teams interested in Kyrie Irving before the Nets agreed to send him to the Mavericks. According to reports, the Suns offered Chris Paul, Jae Crowder and a first-round pick, but instead the Nets officially sent Irving and Markieff Morris to Dallas for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith a first-round pick and two second-rounders.

The deal was completed before the Nets dropped to 5-8 in the absence of Kevin Durant, who sprained his right knee in Miami on Jan. 8.

Durant watched from the bench on Monday as the Nets struggled down the stretch of a 124-116 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Brooklyn led by four with 3:29 left but was outscored 15-3 the rest of the way. The Nets committed seven turnovers in the fourth quarter.

Cam Thomas scored a career-high 47 after sparking the Nets’ comeback win over the Washington Wizards with a career-best 44 on Saturday. Thomas, 21, became the second-youngest player in NBA history to log consecutive 40-point games, trailing only LeBron James.

Dinwiddie and Finney-Smith are not expected to play Tuesday, but Brooklyn guard Ben Simmons could return after missing five games due to a sore left knee. The Nets also might provide an update on Durant, who hopes to return before the All-Star break and visited a doctor on Monday.

NBA Preview: New York Knicks (29-36) at Orlando Magic (22-32)

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After overcoming a 20-point deficit to win a game for the first time this season, the New York Knicks will try to carry the momentum into Tuesday’s matchup against the host Orlando Magic.

The Knicks’ roller-coaster season hit a new peak over the weekend. One night after losing 134-128 in overtime to the Los Angeles Clippers, New York rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-97 on Sunday.

Julius Randle had 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the victory, while Jalen Brunson added 21 points. The Knicks also received a welcome boost from reserves Evan Fournier (17 points), Miles McBride (14 points) and Isaiah Hartenstein (14 rebounds).

New York has struggled defensively since center Mitchell Robinson fractured his right thumb 10 games ago but held the Sixers to 18 points in the fourth quarter on Sunday.

Much of the blame for the Knicks’ defensive woes has been placed on fourth-year pro RJ Barrett, but coach Tom Thibodeau pushed back on that notion.

Barrett sat out Sunday against Philadelphia due to a non-COVID illness but could return to face an improving Orlando squad.

The Magic concluded a four-game road trip with a 3-1 mark after defeating the Charlotte Hornets 119-113 on Sunday. Paolo Banchero had 22 points and 10 rebounds in the victory, while Wendell Carter Jr. added 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Orlando has gone 17-12 since Dec. 7, when they were 5-20. The recent road trip included impressive wins over the Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves.

After starting the season by losing 11 of its first 12 road games, the Magic have gone 8-8 away from Orlando.

The Magic are looking to avenge a 115-102 loss to the Knicks on Oct. 24. Randle scored 25 points for the Knicks in the victory.

Orlando will be without center Mo Bamba, who is serving a four-game suspension following an altercation during the game at Minnesota on Friday.

The Magic boast a promising young core led by Banchero, who is averaging a team-high 20.3 points. The 6-foot-10 forward leads all NBA rookies in scoring and minutes played.

Orlando guard Markelle Fultz has also been a consistent scoring threat, averaging 16.3 points on 61.8 percent shooting over his last three games.

Minnesota Lynx Sign Three To Training Camp Roster

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced the team has signed forward Maya Dodson, in addition to guards Stephanie Watts and Kiana Williams to training camp contracts. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not released.

Dodson, a 6-3 forward, was selected 26th overall by Phoenix in the 2022 WNBA Draft and waived on May 5, 2022. At Notre Dame, Dodson averaged 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 2.8 blocks per game in 33 games. Her 2.8 blocks ranked eighth in the nation, led the ACC and was tied for sixth in program history. After her final season (2021-22), she was named to the Second Team All-ACC and 2022 ACC All-Defensive Team. She is currently playing overseas in Poland, averaging 14.2 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.

Watts, a 5-11 guard, made her WNBA debut in 2021 with the Chicago Sky. In six games with the Sky, she averaged 2.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in 14 minutes played. Watts was a 2021 first round pick (10th overall) to the Los Angeles Sparks before being traded to Chicago. The University of North Carolina product averaged 14.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. She ranks second in program history in three-pointers made (275) and owns the two highest single-game three-pointer totals in program history (10 on Nov. 22, 2016 and nine on Dec. 5, 2018). She is currently playing overseas in Spain, averaging 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.

Williams, a 5-8 guard, was drafted in the second round (18th overall) of the 2021 WNBA Draft to the Seattle Storm. During her sophomore campaign in 2022, Williams appeared in four games (one for the Connecticut Sun, three for Seattle) and posted averages of 1.3 points, 0.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists. At Stanford, Williams was apart of the 2021 NCAA Championship team, is a two-time Pac-12 Tournament Champion (2019, 2021) and was named the Pac-12 Most Outstanding Player in 2021. She led in the team in points (14.0), assists (3.1) made three-pointers (82) and free throw percentage (83.3%) which also ranks second in program history. Williams is currently playing overseas in Hungary, averaging 16.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

NFL Transactions 2-6-23 P.M.

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The following are the NFL afternoon transactions for Monday, February 6. Transactions will be published each day after they are circulated to NFL clubs. This public version will include waiver requests, assignments via waivers, terminations, free agent signings, reserve list and practice squad additions and deletions, and trades. 

ACTIVE LIST ADDITION


ACTIVATION

KANSAS CITY
    Edwards-Helaire, ClydeRBLouisiana State   
         From Reserve/Injured; Designated for Return



RESERVE LIST ADDITIONS

KANSAS CITY
    Hardman, MecoleWRGeorgia   
         Reserve/Injured

SAN FRANCISCO
    Johnson, TyronWROklahoma State   
         Free Agent Signing
         Reserve/Future
    Swilling, TreDBGeorgia Tech   
         Free Agent Signing
         Reserve/Future

Mets claim RHP Sam Coonrod from Philadelphia

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FLUSHING, N.Y.,  The New York Mets today announced the team has claimed RHP Sam Coonrod off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies and designated outfielder Khalil Lee for assignment.

Coonrod, 30, is 7-5 with five saves, a 5.27 ERA (57 earned runs/97.1 innings) and 95 strikeouts in 105 combined major league games between the San Francisco Giants (2019-2020) and Phillies (2021-2022).

The 6-1, 225-pounder appeared in 12 games for Philadelphia last season. He was 2-2 with two saves and a 4.04 ERA (19 earned runs/42.1 innings) in 42 games for the Phillies in 2021.

Tkachuk, Larkin and Marner Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

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NEW YORK – Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk, Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin and Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Feb. 5.

FIRST STAR – MATTHEW TKACHUK, LW, FLORIDA PANTHERS

Representing the hometown Panthers (24-22-6, 54 points), Tkachuk compiled 4-3—7 in two games to capture MVP honors and power the Atlantic Division to a championship at the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Game, held Feb. 4 at FLA Live Arena. Tkachuk, who registered 3-2—5 in a 10-6 victory over the Metropolitan Division in the semifinals and 1-1—2 in a 7-5 win against the Central Division in the final, became the 10th NHL player to claim All-Star Game MVP in his home venue – and first since Ryan Johansen in 2015 (w/ CBJ). The Scottsdale, Ariz., native also became the fourth U.S.-born player to win the award, following Mike Richter (1994), Bill Guerin (2001) and Brock Boeser (2018). Tkachuk’s five points in the semifinals matched a single-game record under the 3-on-3 All-Star Game format (since 2016), also achieved by Metropolitan Division teammates Mathew Barzal (2-3—5) and Sidney Crosby (2-3—5) in the 2019 final. Tkachuk’s seven total points on the day tied for the second-most in one 3-on-3 tournament, behind only Crosby’s 2019 performance (4-4—8 in 2 GP). The 25-year-old Tkachuk, who also was featured in two events (the Enterprise NHL Discover Splash Shot and Great Clips NHL Breakaway Challenge) during Friday’s 2023 NHL All-Star Skills presented by DraftKings Sportsbook, tops Florida with 25-41—66 in 49 total contests this season – his first with the Panthers. He also ranks among the League leaders in assists (t-6th; 41), points (7th; 66), power-play points (t-9th; 24) and shots on goal (13th; 187).

SECOND STAR – DYLAN LARKIN, C, DETROIT RED WINGS

Larkin, who paces the Red Wings (21-19-8, 50 points) with 15-28—43 in 47 appearances this season, notched 5-1—6 across two games to aide in the Atlantic Division’s championship at the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Game. His five goals matched a single-tournament record, first achieved by Tomas Hertl in 2020 with the Pacific Division (5-0—5 in 2 GP). The 26-year-old Larkin, who also participated in the Upper Deck NHL Fastest Skater during the 2023 NHL All-Star Skills presented by DraftKings Sportsbook, posted 2-1—3 in the Atlantic Division’s 10-6 win in the semifinals and 3-0—3 (including the decisive goal) in the team’s 7-5 championship-clinching victory. He now has 5-4—9 in three career All-Star Game tournaments (5 GP).

THIRD STAR – MITCHELL MARNER, RW, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Marner set a single-tournament record with six assists (0-6—6) in the Atlantic Division’s two games en route to the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Game championship. He collected three helpers in each contest, factoring on one of Tkachuk’s goals in the semifinals and two of Larkin’s in the final. Marner, who also was featured in Friday’s Great Clips NHL Breakaway Challenge, added one goal for the Maple Leafs (31-13-8, 70 points) in their 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins earlier in the week (Feb. 1). The 25-year-old Marner has played in 52 total games with Toronto this season, placing among the League leaders in assists (t-6th; 41), power-play assists (t-6th; 19), power-play points (t-7th; 25) and points (14th; 60).

NFL Transactions 2-6-23 A.M.

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The following are the NFL morning transactions for Monday, February 6. Transactions will be published each day after they are circulated to NFL clubs. This public version will include waiver requests, assignments via waivers, terminations, free agent signings, reserve list and practice squad additions and deletions, and trades.

PRACTICE SQUAD TRANSACTIONS


CONTRACTS EXPIRED

CINCINNATI
    Huber, KevinPCincinnati 
    Johnson, TyronWROklahoma State 

SAN FRANCISCO
    Coleman, TevinRBIndiana 
    Dwumfour, MichaelDTRutgers 
    Jenkins, JanorisDBNorth Alabama 
    Johnson, DontaeDBNorth Carolina State 
    McCrary-Ball, MarcelinoLBIndiana 
    Snead, WillieWRBall State 
    Spence, AkeemDTIllinois 
    Turay, KemokoDERutgers

Dodgers extend Miguel Rojas

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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to terms with infielder Miguel Rojas on a one-year contract extension through the 2024 season for $6 million dollars. The contract includes a salary of $5 million dollars in 2024, a club option salary of $5 million dollars for the 2025 season with a $1 million dollar buyout, and charitable contributions.

Rojas, 33, was acquired on January 11 from the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor league infielder Jacob Amaya. He played in 140 games with Marlins in 2022, hitting .236 with six homers and 36 RBI. He joins the Dodgers for his second career stint after making 85 appearances with the club in 2014 and recording 27 hits in 149 at-bats in his rookie season. He has been in the Majors parts of nine seasons, slashing .260/.314/.358 with 39 homers and 269 RBI while playing five different defensive positions. He was originally signed by the Cincinnati Reds out of Los Teques, Venezuela as an international free agent on November 24, 2005.

Cubs invite 32 non-roster players to Major League Spring Training

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CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs have invited the following 32 non-roster players to major league Spring Training, which begins Wednesday, February 15 when pitchers and catchers have their first formal workout at the club’s Nike Performance Center in Mesa, Ariz. The team’s first full-squad workout will take place Monday, February 20.

The following 17 pitchers have been invited to major league camp: right-handed pitchers Nick Burdi, Danis Correa, Tyler Duffey, Jordan Holloway, Ben Leeper, Mark Leiter Jr., Nick Neidert, Vinny Nittoli, Manuel Rodríguez and Cam Sanders, as well as left-handed pitchers Ryan Borucki, Roenis Elías, Bailey Horn, Anthony Kay, Brendon Little, Brailyn Márquez and Eric Stout.

Seven infielders have been invited to major league camp: Sergio Alcántara, David Bote, Matt Mervis, Esteban Quiroz, Chase Strumpf, Andy Weber and Jared Young.

Five outfielders have been invited to major league camp: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ben DeLuzio, Darius Hill, Yonathan Perlaza, and Mike Tauchman.

Three catchers have been invited to major league camp: Dom Nuñez, Luis Torrens and Bryce Windham.

NHL Preview: Minnesota Wild (27-17-4) at Arizona Coyotes (16-28-6)

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MINNESOTA WILD NOTES:

SERIES NOTES
ARIZONA COYOTES
All-Time Wild Record: 47-26-8 (24-12-5 at Xcel Energy
Center, 23-14-3 at Arizona)
2022-23: The Wild is 2-0-0 against Arizona this season…Minnesota earned a 4-3 victory in the series-opening game at Xcel Energy Center (11/27)…The Wild won the second game, 2-1, in St. Paul (1/14)… LW Kirill Kaprizov leads Minnesota with four points (1-3=4)…D Calen Addison (0-2=2), C Joel Eriksson Ek (0-2=2) and C Sam Steel (1-1=2) each have two points…G Marc-Andre Fleury is 2-0-0 with a 2.01 GAA and a .922 SV% in two starts for the Wild…LW Matias Maccelli (0-2=2) and LW Lawson Crouse (2-0=2) lead Arizona with two points each…G Connor Ingram is 0-2-0 with a 3.07 GAA and a .893 SV% in two starts for the Coyotes.

WILD LEADERS: RW Mats Zuccarello (6-17=23 in 25 games) and D Jared Spurgeon (6-16=22 in 35 games) lead the Wild against the Coyotes…Kaprizov owns 19 points (9-10=19) in 13 contests…LW Marcus Foligno has 17 points (9-8=17) in 25 games.

WILD GOALIES: Fleury is 17-9-1 with a 2.13 GAA, a .921 SV% and three shutouts in 29 games (28 starts) against the Coyotes…G Filip Gustavsson is 0-1-0 with a 4.06 GAA and a .714 SV% in his lone start against Arizona.

COYOTES LEADERS: C Nick Schmaltz leads Arizona with 15 points (3-13=16) in 25 matches…RW Clayton Keller has 12 points (5-7=12) in 21 games…D Shayne Gostisbehere (1-9=10 in 14 games), RW Zack Kassian (4-6=10 in 25 games) and D Jakob Chychrun (7-3=10 in 22 games) all have 10 points.

COYOTES GOALIES: G Karel Vejmelka is 1-1-0 with a 4.84 GAA and a .867 SV% in two career starts against the Wild…Ingram is 1-2-0 with a 2.72 GAA and a .912 SV% in three career starts against the Wild.

FAST FACTS: Minnesota’s 47 all-time wins against Arizona are tied for fourth-most against an opponent…The Wild is 14-2-0 in its last 16 games against the Coyotes and 27-6-3 in its last 36 meetings against Arizona, including a 12-game point streak (9-0-3, 1/9/14-2/8/18) – the longest point streak in franchise history vs. an opponent… Minnesota is 16-5-1 in the last 22 games at Arizona, including 13- 3-1 in the last 17 contests…The Wild is 13-2-2 in the last 17 games played in Saint Paul.

FINDING THEIR GROOVE
HOME SWEET HOME
• Since Oct. 25, the Wild is eighth in the NHL with 26 wins and tied for 10th with 55 points.

• Since Oct. 25, Minnesota is giving up 2.53 goals per game (third in the NHL), allowing 29.5 shots per game (eighth in the NHL) and recording a .914 save percentage (seventh in the NHL).

ON THE POWER PLAY
• The Wild have converted 30.1 percent (22 of 73) of power-play opportunities at home this season, third-best in the NHL.

• Minnesota recorded a power-play goal in a season-high six consecutive games from Nov. 23 – Dec. 4, going eight-for-19 (42.1 pct.) during that span. The streak tied for the fifth-longest in franchise history.

PENALTY KILLERS
• Since Nov. 8, Minnesota is tied for ninth in the NHL with a 81.3 penalty-kill percentage (104 for 128).

• Minnesota is sixth in the NHL with a 81.8 penalty-kill percentage (72 of 88) on the road this season.

SHORT (HANDED) KINGS
• Minnesota is third in the NHL with eight shorthanded goals this season.

• The total is tied for the highest in franchise history through a season’s first 48 games (eight SHG in 2001-02 and 2006-07 seasons).

• Minnesota has not eclipsed eight shorthanded goals in season since recording nine during the 2008-09 campaign.

ARIZONA COYOTES NOTES:

3 HARD LAPS
• Arizona is 3-3-1 in its last seven games. The team finished January with the 3-3-1 record after beginning the month 0-8-0

• The Coyotes netminders have logged a combined .933 SV% since 1/17 (7 GP). Karel Vejmelka’s .951 SV% since then ranks second among NHL goaltenders (min. 3 GP). As a team, the Yotes have surrendered the NHL’s seventh-lowest 2.71 GAA in that span

• Tonight is the Coyotes’ first game since the All-Star break. The team was last in action on 1/28, marking an eight-day layoff between games

LAST GAME
Ducks 2, Coyotes 1 (OT) – January 28, 2023 – Honda Center
ARI Goals: Ritchie (9)
ANA Goals: Jones (4), Zegras (18)
ARI Goalie: Ingram (O) – 43 svs on 45 shots
ANA Goalie: Gibson (W) – 33 svs on 34 shots
PP: 0-4 PK: 4-4
Notes: Arizona snapped its road losing streak but extended its road winless streak to 16 games…Connor Ingram registered a career-high 43 saves…Ingram holds a .929 SV% and a 2.62 GAA since the New Year and a .937 SV% and a 2.24 GAA on the road since 1/1…Nick Ritchie netted his ninth goal of the season and first of his career against ANA, his former team…Christian Fischer tallied his 50th career assist while also finding the scoresheet in consecutive games for the fourth time this season…The Coyotes tallied 16 shots in the third period for the second consecutive matchup with Anaheim, tying their season-high for a third frame.

MAN GAMES LOST (Name/Roster Status/Injury Type/Games Missed/Last Game Played)
Shayne Gostisbehere…Week-to-Week…Upper-Body (2 / 1/24)
Liam O’Brien…Week-to-Week…Upper-Body (22 / 12/16)
Total man games lost: 109 games
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
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
-2/5 – Recalled F Jean-Sebastien Dea from Tucson (AHL)
-2/5 – Assigned F Dylan Guenther to the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
-1/26 – Assigned F Milos Kelemen to Tucson (AHL)
-1/24 – Re-signed D Juuso Valimaki to a 1-year contract extension
-1/24 – Recalled F Milos Kelemen from Tucson (AHL)
-1/23 – Assigned F Michael Carcone to Tucson (AHL)
-1/19 – Recalled F Michael Carcone from Tucson (AHL)

UPCOMING SCHEDULE
DATE TIME (AZ) OPPONENT VENUE TV RADIO
Fri, Feb 10 6:30pm at CHI United Center Bally Sports Arizona Extra 98.7 FM
Sat, Feb 11 6pm at STL Enterprise Center Bally Sports Arizona 620 AM
Mon, Feb 13 6pm at NSH Bridgestone Arena Bally Sports Arizona 98.7 FM

YOTES & WILD

  • Tonight is the third of four ARI-MIN matchups this season and the first one in Tempe. The Wild captured the first meeting 4-3 on 11/27 and the second one 2-1 on 1/14
  • The season series concludes on 3/12 at Mullett
  • Tonight’s matchup also marks the first time the two teams have played in Arizona since 11/10/21 (5-2, L)
  • On 11/27, Arizona cut a 4-1 deficit to 4-3 with goals from Lawson Crouse and JJ Moser in the final 3:18 of regulation
  • Crouse also scored in the 1/14 meeting. A goal tonight would mark just the second NHL club he’s tallied a 3-game goal streak against in his career (SJ, 12/28/21 – 12/13/22)
  • Moser’s goal in the 11/27 matchup was the 10,000th goal in Coyotes/Jets franchise history
  • Jakob Chychrun’s seven goals vs MIN are tied with Roman Josi and Brent Burns for the most a defenseman has posted against them since the start of 2016-17
  • Coyotes vs Wild
    • All-Time: 31-43-3-4
    • Home: 16-21-1-2
    • Road: 15-22-2-2
    • L10: 1-9-0
    • STRK: L2

SCORING NOTABLES AGAINST THE WILD
Nick Schmaltz…3-13-16…25 career GP
Jakob Chychrun…7-3-10…22 career GP
Clayton Keller…5-7-12…21 career GP
Troy Stecher…1-6-7…16 career GP
Career Leaders
Goals (Chychrun, 7)… Assists (Schmaltz, 13)…Points (Schmaltz, 16)
Career Leaders Among Defensemen
Goals (Chychrun, 7)…Assists (Gostisbehere, 9)…Points (Gostisbehere/Chychrun, 10)