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Sabres’ Skinner Suspended Three Games for Cross-Checking

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Sabres’ Skinner Suspended Three Games for Cross-Checking

NEW YORK – Buffalo Sabres forward Jeff Skinner has been suspended for three games, without pay, for cross-checking Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel during NHL Game No. 426 in Buffalo on Friday, Dec. 9, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 19:38 of the third period. Skinner was assessed a match penalty.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Skinner will forfeit $145,945.95. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Kraken’s Oleksiak Suspended Three Games for Illegal Check to the Head

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Kraken’s Oleksiak Suspended Three Games for Illegal Check to the Head

NEW YORK – Seattle Kraken defenseman Jamie Oleksiak has been suspended for three games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of Washington Capitals defenseman Alexander Alexeyev during NHL Game No. 427 in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Dec. 9, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 9:43 of the second period. Oleksiak was assessed a match penalty.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Oleksiak will forfeit $74,594.58. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

NHL Morning Skate – Dec. 11, 2022

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NHL Morning Skate – Dec. 11, 2022

* Sidney Crosby climbed another all-time NHL list as his longtime teammate Kris Letang returned to the Penguins’ lineup less than two weeks after suffering a stroke.

* Mitchell Marner extended his franchise-record point streak and William Nylander notched a career-high five points as the Maple Leafs rallied from three separate deficits to win the first Hockey Night in Canada in Cree contest of the season.

* Sunday’s six-game slate is highlighted by the Eastern Conference-leading Bruins visiting the Western Conference-leading Golden Knights, who are led by former Boston head coach Bruce Cassidy.

CROSBY COLLECTS THREE POINTS AS LETANG RETURNS TO PENGUINS’ LINEUP
Sidney Crosby (2-1—3) contributed on all three Pittsburgh goals as the Penguins swept their back-to-back, home-and-home set with the Sabres in Kris Letang’s return to the lineup. Letang received a thunderous applause from fans at PPG Paints Arena after missing just five games following a stroke on Nov. 28, with Pittsburgh going 4-0-1 in his absence.

* Crosby collected the 165th three-point game of his NHL career and surpassed Jari Kurri (164) for sole possession of the ninth most in League history. Crosby (290-512—802 in 565 GP) also became the second player in franchise history to record 800 home points with the Penguins, joining Mario Lemieux (375-564—939 in 472 GP).

* Click here to read more on the return of Letang, who led Pittsburgh skaters with 22:14 of ice time and was named the “Third Star” of the game Saturday.
 


HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA IN CREE HIGHLIGHTED BY MARNER EXTENDING STREAK
Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner (11-19—30 in 22 GP) had a first-period assist and the overtime winner to extend his franchise-record point streak to 22 contests, doing so during the first Hockey Night in Canada in Cree game of the season. The national broadcast series by APTN and Sportsnet, which delivers exclusive Cree-language commentary and analysis to hockey fans across Canada, is set to return on Jan. 21 (EDM at VAN), Feb. 25 (OTT at MTL), March 4 (EDM at WPG) and April 1 (TOR at OTT).

* Marner became the 14th different player in NHL history to record a point streak of at least 22 contests, with the list also including Bryan Trottier whose father was of Cree Métis Chippewa descent. Trottier, a cornerstone of the early-1980s Islanders dynasty, tallied a 25-game point streak in 1981-82 en route to helping New York win its third of four straight Stanley Cups.

* William Nylander (2-3—5) assisted on the overtime winner to record the first five-point game of his NHL career. Toronto improved to 11-0-3 in its last 14 contests dating to Nov. 12 and moved within two games of matching the franchise record for longest point streak, a mark set from Nov. 22 to Dec. 26, 2003 (14-0-2 in 16 GP).
 


STAMKOS, KOCHETKOV ALSO STRETCH LENGTHY POINT STREAKS
Mitchell Marner wasn’t the only player to extend a noteworthy point streak Saturday:

* Steven Stamkos (8-12—20 in 13 GP) scored to extend his point streak to 13 games – the second longest active run in the NHL behind Marner – and help the Lightning earn the 10th win in their past 14 contests. Stamkos (41-59—100 in 76 GP) became the 10th player to record 100 points in the 2022 calendar year and tied the second-longest point streaks in franchise history – a list he already tops after finding the score sheet in 18 straight games nearly 13 years ago.


* Pyotr Kochetkov (16 saves) helped the Hurricanes blank the Islanders at UBS Arena and improved to 8-0-4 in 12 career road appearances, including a 5-0-4 record in nine this season. He became the fourth rookie goaltender in NHL history with a season-opening road point streak of nine or more games, joining Pete Peeters (9-0-2 in 11 GP in 1979-80), Patrick Lalime (8-0-1 in 9 GP in 1996-97) and Grant Fuhr (3-0-6 in 9 GP in 1981-82).


OVERTIME WINNER BY STARS ROOKIE LUNDKVIST FEATURED IN LIVE UPDATES

Nils Lundkvist thrilled Dallas fans with a matinee overtime winner to lift his club to victory and help the Stars (16-7-5, 37 points) move into a tie with the first-place Jets (18-7-1, 37 points) for the most points in the Central Division. In the process, Lundkvist became the third rookie to score an overtime goal this season (also Fabian Zetterlund & Matty Beniers). More #NHLStats on Lundkvist and others can be found in the most-recent edition of Live Updates.
 

QUICK CLICKS


* Red Wings celebrate David Perron‘s 1,000th game with video, custom T-shirts
* Jamie Oleksiak, Jeff Skinner each suspended for three games
* Zizing ‘Em Up: Late Oilers scout Barry Fraser remembered as dynasty builder
* Ab McDonald Arena honors Winnipeg icon, four-time Stanley Cup champion
* Islanders bring back Fisherman logo for first time since 1997

TOP TEAMS IN EACH CONFERENCE SET TO GO HEAD-TO-HEAD SUNDAY

A battle between the top teams in each conference will cap off a six-game Sunday when the Eastern Conference-leading Bruins (21-4-1, 43 points) visit the Western Conference-leading Golden Knights (20-8-1, 41 points). Alex Ovechkin (796-643—1,439 in 1,303 GP) will also be in action as he continues his “Road to 800” when the Capitals square off against the Jets – one of two franchises he has 50 career goals against (also 50 vs. TBL).


* Ovechkin, who has scored 50 goals through 69 contests against the Jets/Thrashers, is averaging 0.72 goals per game versus the franchise in his NHL career. He has a higher average against just four clubs (min. 5 GP): Minnesota (17 G in 19 GP; 0.89 G/GP), St. Louis (19 G in 23 GP; 0.83 G/GP), Toronto (41 G in 54 GP; 0.76 G/GP) and Detroit (23 G in 31 GP; 0.74 G/GP).

NBA Preview: Milwaukee Bucks (19-16) at Houston Rockets (7-18)

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NBA Preview: Milwaukee Bucks (19-16) at Houston Rockets (7-18)

Ultimately, it proved to be a sacrifice worth making for Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

After failing to close out in time as Dallas guard Tim Hardaway Jr. attempted a 3-pointer with 2:55 left to play, Antetokounmpo committed his sixth foul and watched from the bench as Hardaway missed all three free throws before Milwaukee held on for a 106-105 road win over the Mavericks on Friday.

It marked the seventh victory in eight games for the Bucks, who will face the Rockets on Sunday in what will be the first of seven consecutive home games for Houston.

Antetokounmpo departed with 28 points, 10 rebounds and three assists and the Bucks clinging to a one-point lead. Milwaukee did not wilt in his absence and was aided by the Mavericks missing 8 of 15 free throws in the final period. Still, despite that awful marksmanship, the Bucks needed a last-second layup from Brook Lopez to secure the win, a play executed to perfection without their superstar.

In what has become routine of late, the Rockets fell into an early double-digit hole in the first meeting against the Bucks before succumbing 125-105 on Oct. 22. Milwaukee scored the first 13 points in the wire-to-wire win while Houston never cut the deficit below 12 in the second half.

While Houston has struggled with slow starts in recent weeks, it was a third-quarter collapse that proved the Rockets’ undoing in their 118-109 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. The Rockets allowed the Spurs to shoot 58.3 percent in the third quarter, including 8 of 14 from behind the 3-point line, while surrendering 39 points and coughing up a 54-51 halftime lead.

After opening the schedule with 10 of 13 games on the road, the Rockets are seeking to build some momentum during their upcoming homestand. It is rare for an NBA team to play so many home games in succession, and the Rockets hope to take advantage of the scheduling quirk.

NBA Preview: Chicago Bulls (11-14) at Atlanta Hawks (13-13)

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NBA Preview: Chicago Bulls (11-14) at Atlanta Hawks (13-13)

After historic offensive performance, Bulls set to face Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks will try to end a three-game losing streak when they return home Sunday to host the Chicago Bulls.

The Hawks lost a tight 120-116 game at Brooklyn on Friday, while the Bulls are coming off a resounding 144-115 win over the short-handed Dallas Mavericks and have won two straight.

This is the first of four meetings between the two teams. Chicago won three of four games against Atlanta last season. The Bulls scored 130-plus points nine times last season, and two of those games came against the Hawks. Chicago will be trying to sweep a back-to-back for the second time.

Chicago set a franchise record with 82 first-half points on Friday against the Mavs. They were led by DeMar DeRozan with 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists. The veteran averaged 28.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists in the four games against Atlanta last season. He has scored 27-plus points in back-to-back games after being held in the teens in his two previous contests.

The Bulls didn’t waste time against the Mavericks, who played without Luka Doncic. They were ahead 26-8 after seven minutes and scored 40 points in the first quarter.

The Bulls are playing without Javonte Green, who has missed three straight games with right knee soreness. Alex Caruso left Saturday’s game in the first quarter with a lower back contusion.

The Hawks are playing without three starters: Dejounte Murray (left ankle), John Collins (left ankle) and De’Andre Hunter (right hip flexor). Hunter is close to returning and could get be back on Sunday.

Trae Young is averaging 27.5 points and 9.5 assists through 24 games. On Friday against the Nets, he scored 33 points with nine assists, putting him one assist away from breaking a tie with Jeff Teague (2,771) for the fifth-most assists in franchise history.

Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 31 points against the Nets and went 7-for-9 on 3-pointers in his fourth game since returning from knee surgery. A successful 3-pointer would give the Hawks at least one in 1,000 straight games, a streak that began on Feb. 19, 2010. That is tied for the 11th-longest active streak in the NBA.

NBA Preview: Charlotte Hornets (7-19) at Philadelphia Sixers (13-12)

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NBA Preview: Charlotte Hornets (7-19) at Philadelphia Sixers (13-12)

The Philadelphia 76ers have played three overtimes in the past two games.

After capping a three-game road trip with a frustrating 132-123 double-overtime loss in Houston, the Sixers blew a nine-point lead in the final 30 seconds Friday before recovering for a 133-122 homecourt victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

There was an eerily similar theme in both games — costly turnovers down the stretch.

The Sixers will try to settle down their late-game exploits Sunday when they host the Charlotte Hornets.

Before overcoming the Lakers in overtime, the Sixers committed three costly miscues and blew a nine-point lead in the final 29 seconds of regulation.

Of course, there were bright spots against the Lakers, as Joel Embiid had 38 points and 12 rebounds and De’Anthony Melton hit eight 3-pointers while compiling a career-best 33 points and seven steals.

James Harden had 28 points and 12 assists.

Even with all those eye-popping statistics, the Sixers still had to withstand a furious rally.

The Hornets, meantime, will try to avoid a fifth consecutive loss Sunday.

Charlotte was defeated handily by the New York Knicks on Friday, 121-102.

Terry Rozier led the short-handed Hornets with 24 points and Kelly Oubre Jr. added 22. It was the fifth consecutive game that Rozier and Oubre Jr. have each scored 20 or more.

The Hornets struggled offensively without several key players including LaMelo Ball (ankle), Gordon Hayward (shoulder), Dennis Smith Jr. (ankle), Cody Martin (knee) and Mark Williams (ankle).

The Hornets were pounded on the boards and allowed 16 offensive rebounds. It wasn’t the only reason for the loss, but a rather large cause.

NBA Preview: Toronto Raptors (13-13) at Orlando Magic (7-20)

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NBA Preview: Toronto Raptors (13-13) at Orlando Magic (7-20)

The Orlando Magic will be try to complete a two-game sweep of the visiting Toronto Raptors on Sunday, which would give them their first three-game winning streak of the season.

The Magic beat the Raptors 113-109 Friday night to win their second straight game following a nine-game slide.

The game was tied when Franz Wagner made a putback after Markelle Fultz missed a jumper with 26.9 seconds to play in the fourth quarter.

Wagner shot 12-of-15 from the field and made all eight of his free throws.

Paolo Banchero added 23 points and clinched the win with two free throws in the final seconds.

The Magic have won back-to-back games twice this season but have not won three in a row since February of 2021. Since then, are 0-8 after winning twice in a row.

They ended their nine-game losing streak on Wednesday with a 116-111 home victory in overtime against the Los Angeles Clippers.

For the Raptors, Pascal Siakam scored 36 points Friday. who are 3-10 on the road. On Dec. 3 in Toronto, the Raptors cruised to a 121-108 victory over the Magic, when Sikam scored 26 and OG Anunoby scored 32.

Friday night, Anunoby managed just 12 as the game followed a familiar pattern in some of the Raptors’ road losses — a slow start, as they fell behind 37-25 in the first quarter.

Toronto is 10-3 at home while floundering on the road.

The Raptors took a three-point lead with 5:47 left in the first half on Friday, but fell behind by as many as 20 points in the third quarter. The game was tied twice in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.

NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (14-10) at New York Knicks (13-13)

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NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (14-10) at New York Knicks (13-13)

With a renewed emphasis on defense, the New York Knicks have posted three consecutive double-digit wins, a trend they hope continues Sunday night when they host the surging Sacramento Kings.

The Knicks faced a reckoning last weekend when they allowed an embarrassing 41 points in the third quarter of a 21-point home loss to the Dallas Mavericks. But since that terrible outing – their fourth loss in a five-game stretch in which they allowed an average of 120 points a game – the Knicks have played excellent defense and are back to .500 for the first time in nearly a month.

New York has beaten Cleveland, Atlanta, and Charlotte by a combined 56 points while allowing 90.7 points per game. In those games, opponents are shooting 38.9 percent and 20.6 percent from 3-point range.

The Knicks won their third straight by getting 33 points from Randle in Friday’s 121-102 win at Charlotte. R.J. Barrett added 26 as the Knicks survived Jalen Brunson shooting 3-of-13 after he was 2-of-14 Wednesday. Randle poured in 34 in Wednesday’s 113-89 rout of Atlanta.

Sacramento started out by dropping six of its first nine games but has turned it around quickly by going 11-4 in its past 15.

Like the Knicks, the Kings are coming off a strong defensive effort in Friday’s 106-95 win at Cleveland. Sacramento won for the first time in six games when scoring under 110 points thanks to a defense that allowed its fewest points of the season.

The Kings were particularly effective in the fourth quarter when they outscored Cleveland 27-15 by holding the Cavaliers to 5-for-17 shooting and forcing eight turnovers. Sacramento scored the game’s final 19 points.

Sacramento earned its latest win despite leading scorer De’Aaron Fox sitting out with a sore right foot. Fox, who is shooting 38.2 percent (39-of-102) over his past seven games, is day-to-day.

If Fox sits again, Davion Mitchell would get the start after playing 33 minutes. Mitchell was the lone starter not to reach double figures as Harrison Barnes scored 20, Kevin Hueter contributed 19 while Domantas Sabonis added 18 and 18 rebounds.

NBA Preview: Los Angeles Lakers (10-15) at Detroit Pistons (7-21)

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NBA Preview: Los Angeles Lakers (10-15) at Detroit Pistons (7-21)

A six-game road trip that started out in promising fashion has gone sour for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers have lost three in a row as they wrap up their journey Sunday in Detroit against the Pistons.

Los Angeles defeated Milwaukee and Washington on the first two legs of the trip, but that was followed by losses in Cleveland, Toronto and Philadelphia, dropping the Lakers five games below .500.

They nearly pulled off an unlikely comeback against the Sixers on Friday. The Lakers were down 18 points in the fourth quarter and still trailed by nine with 30 seconds left before a wild ending.

In the frantic final minute of regulation, Philadelphia committed three turnovers and missed a free throw, and the Lakers capitalized, tying the game to send it into overtime.

The Lakers missed two free throws in the closing seconds, including one by star Anthony Davis with three seconds remaining.

Once overtime commenced, the Lakers had nothing left and were outscored 13-2 in the 133-122 loss.

Davis, who played just eight minutes against Cleveland and then missed the Toronto matchup due to a non-COVID illness, finished with 31 points and 12 rebounds. Battling a sore ankle, LeBron James scored 23 points but missed seven of his eight 3-point shots.

The Pistons have lost six of their last eight and have fallen into the cellar of the Eastern Conference. They lost in New Orleans 104-98 on Wednesday and in Memphis 114-103 on Friday.

In the latter, the Pistons trailed by double digits virtually the entire second half.

Casey was referring to rookie Jaden Ivey and Killian Hayes. Ivey committed five of Detroit’s 19 turnovers, which led to 25 Grizzlies points. Hayes got into early foul trouble and made three turnovers in less than 19 minutes of action.

The Pistons trailed by eight at halftime but a quick turnover — and four in the opening minutes (two of them by Isaiah Stewart) — enabled Memphis to expand the margin to 17.

Rookie center Jalen Duren made his first career start and posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Marvin Bagley III, who lost his starting job to Duren, contributed 14 points, nine rebounds and four blocks but also committed three turnovers.

The Lakers won the first meeting with the Pistons 128-121 in Los Angeles as Davis piled up 38 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks.

NBA Preview: Phoenix Suns (16-10) at New Orleans Pelicans (17-8)

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NBA Preview: Phoenix Suns (16-10) at New Orleans Pelicans (17-8)

The Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans are doing their best to replicate a playoff series in December.

Emotions were intense at the end of the host Pelicans’ 128-117 victory over the Suns on Friday night. The teams meet again in what figures to be another heated game Sunday afternoon in New Orleans.

Some Phoenix players took offense when Pelicans forward Zion Williamson scored the final two of his season-high 35 points on a breakaway windmill dunk with just 1.9 seconds left on the clock Friday night.

When the game ended, some Phoenix players walked toward the New Orleans bench and heated words were exchanged, but things didn’t escalate.

Williamson, who was sidelined by a foot injury for all of last season, including a hotly contested first-round playoff series in which the Suns beat the Pelicans in six games, admitted that he “got carried away a little” bit with the flamboyant, unnecessary basket. He made 13 of 17 field-goal attempts and nine of 12 free throws.

Pelicans reserve guard Jose Alvarado sparked slow-starting New Orleans by scoring 16 of his 20 points in the first half. He resumed his intense competition with Suns guard Chris Paul that began in the playoff series.

Alvarado’s availability was a game-time decision because of a rib contusion he sustained two nights earlier in a win against Detroit.

Paul, who scored 33 points on an NBA-record 14-for-14 shooting from the floor in the playoff series clincher, had 24 points on Friday, making 6 of 9 3-pointers.

Phoenix stayed in the game by making 22 of 44 3-pointers while the Pelicans made 8 of 27. Friday’s victory was the first by a Pelicans team against an opponent that made as many as 22 3-pointers.

New Orleans focused on the interior, where Larry Nance Jr. had 17 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points and 10 rebounds to supplement Williamson. The Pelicans scored a season-high 72 points in the paint compared to the Suns’ 38. They made 28 of 35 free throws and the Suns made nine of 13.

Phoenix All-Star guard Devin Booker made just 5 of 17 shots and finished with 14 points. He sat out the last 1:50.

The Pelicans have surged to the top of the Western Conference by winning their last six games and 10 of their last 12 even though second-leading scorer Brandon Ingram (toe) has missed the last six games and fellow starter Herbert Jones Jr. (ankle) has missed the last four. Their availability for Sunday is uncertain.

Phoenix has lost three straight and four of five to drop into third place in the West, a game behind Memphis.

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