Thatcher Demko will join the Vancouver Canucks for their six-game road trip starting Saturday, an...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5557" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5557">Thatcher Demko</a> will join the Vancouver Canucks for their six-game road trip starting Saturday, and he's feeling confident about his progress toward returning to the crease.</p><p>"It's obviously been a long road, so it's nice to be back with the guys a little bit, definitely a little more energy, a little pepper in my step coming back and being out with those guys," Demko told <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/thatcher-demko-injury-status-update-november-20-2024?utm_source=nhldotcom&amp;utm_medium=social">NHL.com's Kevin Woodley</a>.</p><p>"Still a lot of work to do, I think, but I feel really good. It's the best I felt, obviously, in seven-to-eight months, so (I) finally have a little bit of a light at the end of the tunnel, for sure, and have a lot of direction in what we're trying to accomplish, and we've gotten some huge progress and big jumps the last probably two, three, four weeks, so we're moving in the right direction."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Demko hasn't suited up since Game 1 of the opening round of the playoffs this past spring due to a knee injury. He still doesn't have a definitive timeline for game action and is trying to remain patient.</p><p>"I'm a day-to-day guy; I think you have to be," he said. "Admittedly, through the process, I slipped into the future-seeking mindset, and it never really ended up too well for me, so just sticking with it day-by-day, and I definitely know that I'll be playing here."</p><p>The Canucks are off to a 9-6-3 start without their star netminder. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7694" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7694">Kevin Lankinen</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10508" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10508">Arturs Silovs</a> have shared duties between the pipes, with the former taking on most of the workload. Lankinen has posted a respectable .902 save percentage in 13 appearances, while Silovs has struggled to an .857 clip in six games.</p><p>Demko was the Vezina Trophy runner-up last season after compiling a 35-14-2 record with a .918 save percentage. He's played in parts of seven campaigns with the Canucks after they selected him in the second round of the 2014 draft.</p>

VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 21: Thatcher Demko #35 of the Vancouver Canucks in net during the second period in Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Nashville Predators at Rogers Arena on April 21, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

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Demko joining Canucks on road trip: 'Light at the end of the tunnel'

Chicago Blackhawks forward Teuvo Teravainen expressed that the club's offensive troubles are begi...

<p>Chicago Blackhawks forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3291" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3291">Teuvo Teravainen</a> expressed that the club's offensive troubles are beginning to fester.</p><p>"(We're) getting less confident, for sure," Teravainen told <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2024/11/20/blackhawks-teuvo-teravainen-confidence-getting-lower-nhl-seth-jones-injury">Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times</a>. "Nobody is really scoring. It's hard to get a goal. It's hard to even get power plays. We haven't created a lot of chances. It is frustrating."</p><p>The Blackhawks are last in the NHL standings at 6-12-1 following Tuesday's loss to the Anaheim Ducks. They've scored only eight goals over their last six games.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"It's not going in our way right now," Teravainen said. "Nothing is easy. It's a lot of work. It's a long way to go. We just have to get better and better. I don't like where we are right now ... nobody likes it."</p><p>Chicago's rocky stretch has attracted plenty of attention as of late. Captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/860" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/860">Nick Foligno</a> recently said not enough Blackhawks are willing to "pay a price" to score, and former MVP <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1690" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1690">Taylor Hall</a> cited a lack of communication after a surprise healthy scratch. </p><p>The Blackhawks weren't expected to be contenders this season but were hoping to take a step away from the league's basement in Year 2 of the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13829" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13829">Connor Bedard</a> era.</p><p>The reigning Calder Trophy winner has managed three goals in 19 games this season, and many of the reinforcements the Blackhawks brought in over the offseason haven't been productive.</p><p>Teravainen was one of Chicago's biggest signings, and he's mustered nine points on the year but is in an extended drought with two points over his last 14 contests. </p>

VANCOUVER, CANADA - NOVEMBER 16: Teuvo Teravainen #86 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates during the third period of their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on November 16, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

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Teravainen: Blackhawks have lost confidence during skid

Chicago Blackhawks veteran Taylor Hall isn't certain about what he did to earn a healthy scratch ...

<p>Chicago Blackhawks veteran <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1690" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1690">Taylor Hall</a> isn't certain about what he did to earn a healthy scratch in Saturday's game versus the Vancouver Canucks.</p><p>"I was surprised. It was unexpected from the standpoint of I just didn't know I was even close to being in that spot, really," Hall said, per <a href="https://x.com/CHGO_Blackhawks/status/1858577743669080411">CHGO Blackhawks</a>. "If there were some conversations in the days leading up about my game, or if I was constantly being shown video, that would be one thing. So I was a bit surprised."</p><p>Hall and head coach Luke Richardson have since cleared the air on the lack of communication. The bench boss admitted he could've handled the decision better.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"That could be part of my problem, too. Sometimes you give veterans a little bit more of a grace period," Richardson said. "For me to communicate with him, I need to get to know the player more, to see how they like to handle that. We talked lots during and after, but maybe it needs to be more before (the scratch)."</p><p>Hall has managed six points in 17 games this season. The 2018 Hart Trophy winner is in his second campaign with the Blackhawks but was limited to only 10 contests last year due to ACL surgery.</p><p>The 33-year-old is the Blackhawks' highest-paid forward at $6 million per season. Hall is in the final year of his contract before hitting unrestricted free agency next summer.</p>

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 14: Taylor Hall #71 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena on November 14, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.

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Hall surprised at healthy scratch: 'It was unexpected'

The San Jose Sharks brought up goaltender Yaroslav Askarov from the AHL on Monday.  Askarov is an...

<p>The San Jose Sharks brought up goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9205" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9205">Yaroslav Askarov</a> from the AHL on Monday.</p><p>Askarov is an impressive 6-3-0 with the San Jose Barracuda this season with a .939 save percentage and 1.92 goals against average. He was named the AHL's goalie of the month for October.</p><p>The Sharks acquired Askarov from the Nashville Predators over the offseason. Nashville drafted Askarov 11th overall in 2020, but he reportedly wanted out of the organization because of an uncertain path to consistent NHL playing time.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>It's unclear if and when Askarov will make his debut for the Sharks. San Jose plays host to the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night, and it has a back-to-back on the road against the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues later this week.</p><p>Sharks netminder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4035" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4035">Vitek Vanecek</a> left Saturday's contest with an undisclosed injury, and his status going forward is unclear. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4779" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4779">Mackenzie Blackwood</a> is the other goalie on the roster. </p><p>San Jose is currently 31st in the league at 5-10-4.</p>

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 30: Yaroslav Askarov #30 of the Nashville Predators tends net against the Washington Capitals during overtime in the game at Capital One Arena on December 30, 2023 in Washington, DC.

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Sharks recall Askarov from AHL

Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said defenseman Darnell Nurse is expected to miss 5-10 ...

<p>Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3124" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3124">Darnell Nurse</a> is expected to miss 5-10 days as he recovers from a hit to the head from Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1101" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1101">Ryan Reaves</a>, according to <a href="https://x.com/KenzieTSN/status/1858561423510577440">TSN's Kenzie Lalonde</a>.</p><p>"Obviously, there was a big scare there," Knoblauch said. "Since then, he's progressed really well, he's doing as good as he can."</p><p>Nurse was injured in the second period of Saturday's loss. He left the contest following the collision, and Reaves earned a five-game suspension for an illegal check to the head.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Oilers have four games from Monday until Saturday. They're then off until Nov. 29.</p><p>Nurse has notched nine points in 18 games this season and averaged over 20 minutes per contest. He's in the third campaign of an eight-year contract that pays him $9.25 million annually. </p>

EDMONTON, CANADA - NOVEMBER 12: Darnell Nurse #25 of the Edmonton Oilers awaits a face-off during the game against the New York Islanders at Rogers Place on November 12, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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Nurse out 5-10 days after hit from Reaves

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Calle Jarnkrok is out month-to-month after undergoing groin and sport...

<p>Toronto Maple Leafs forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2576" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2576">Calle Jarnkrok</a> is out month-to-month after undergoing groin and sports hernia surgery, the team announced Monday.</p><p>Jarnkrok has been on long-term injured reserve since the start of the 2024-25 season, but the Leafs didn't specify his initial injury and recovery timeline.</p><p>The 33-year-old is in the third season of a four-year pact he signed with Toronto in 2022. He counts for $2.1 million against the cap annually.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Jarnkrok has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his Maple Leafs tenure. He was limited to 52 games last season and 73 the campaign before. Jarnkrok has collected 60 points in 125 regular-season contests and three points in 17 playoff games with Toronto.</p><p>The Maple Leafs are also without captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5586" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5586">Auston Matthews</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/666" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/666">Max Pacioretty</a> up front due to injuries.</p><p>Toronto sits second in the Atlantic Division at 11-6-2. </p>

MONTREAL, CANADA - MARCH 09: Calle Jarnkrok #19 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates the puck during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on March 9, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-2.

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Leafs' Jarnkrok month-to-month after surgery

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet was very direct about why he benched forward J.T. Mille...

<p>Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet was very direct about why he benched forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/2170" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/2170">J.T. Miller</a> down the stretch of Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators.</p><p>"I went with the guys I thought could get us back in the game," Tocchet said, per <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/miller-canucks-still-searching-for-consistency/">Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre</a>.</p><p>Miller only played two shifts in the third period Sunday, and none in the final 14 minutes. Tocchet added that the extended spell on the bench wasn't injury related.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Canucks surrendered three unanswered goals in the second period while losing a 2-1 lead to the last-place Predators. Two of Nashville's tallies in the frame came on the power play, with Miller a part of the penalty-kill unit that gave up <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1152" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1152">Steven Stamkos</a>' go-ahead goal.</p><p>"Obviously, the penalty kill wasn't good," Tocchet said. "That kind of was the difference in the game. We're up 2-1, we had a couple of chances at (an open) net, and then we get penalties, and they score the two goals.</p><p>"We ran around a little too much. We gave that ... flanker shot, and we overplayed the one side. I didn't like our structure in it. We talked about it before the game. We just didn't do the game plan. A couple of guys ran around. Can't do that."</p><p>The Canucks routinely use Miller in all situations. He ranks second on the team with 16 points in 17 games. Miller has recorded 418 points in 381 appearances for Vancouver since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019.</p><p>The Canucks sit third in the Pacific Division at 9-5-3.</p>

VANCOUVER, BC - NOVEMBER 12: Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (9) waits for a face off during the third period of an NHL game between the Calgary Flames and the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C.

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Tocchet talks Miller benching: I played guys who could help us win

A poor start to the season has only increased Dylan Larkin's desire to lead the Detroit Red Wings...

<p>A poor start to the season has only increased <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4541" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4541">Dylan Larkin</a>'s desire to lead the Detroit Red Wings to the playoffs. </p><p>"I'm desperate for it," Larkin told <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2024/11/17/dylan-larkin-im-desperate-for-detroit-red-wings-to-make-playoffs/76361304007/">Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press</a>. "But I've committed to this team, and I've signed a long-term contract with this team because I believe in the players we have. I think we're building here. Every game right now is meaningful, so that's good. Good for us, good for our young hockey team."</p><p>The Red Wings haven't qualified for the postseason since 2015-16, Larkin's rookie campaign. The club is currently seventh in the Atlantic Division at 7-9-1 and has lost four of its last five games.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Detroit missed out on the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot last season due to a tiebreaker and were expected by many to be in the mix this year. The Red Wings haven't looked like a playoff team by any metric through 17 games, owning a minus-13 goal differential and a 45.02% expected goals rate at five-on-five, according to <a href="https://evolving-hockey.com/stats/team_standard/?_inputs_&amp;std_tm_table=%22On-Ice%22&amp;std_tm_team=%22All%22&amp;std_tm_str=%225v5%22&amp;std_tm_adj=%22Score%20%26%20Venue%22&amp;std_tm_type=%22Rates%22&amp;std_tm_range=%22Seasons%22&amp;std_tm_span=%22Regular%22&amp;std_tm_group=%22Season%22&amp;dir_ttbl=%22Stats%22">Evolving-Hockey</a>.</p><p>"I think we've done just OK," Larkin said. "In certain areas we've struggled but other areas, we've done well, and that's defensively, and we've sacrificed offense to do that. I think our goaltending has been really good."</p><p>He added, "You look at our division, there's a lot of teams clumped right together, just looking for a breakthrough. It's right there."</p><p>Despite the rocky start, the Red Wings are only four points back of the Tampa Bay Lightning for third in the Atlantic. The Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, and Buffalo Sabres are also in the hunt and ahead of Detroit in the standings.</p><p>Larkin leads the Red Wings with 10 goals in 17 games. </p>

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 02: Detroit Red Wings C Dylan Larkin (71) during the game between Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings on November 2, 2024 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI

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Larkin 'desperate' for Red Wings to make playoffs

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones has been placed on injured reserve with a foot injury, h...

<p>Chicago Blackhawks defenseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3005" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3005">Seth Jones</a> has been placed on injured reserve with a foot injury, head coach Luke Richardson told <a href="https://x.com/MarkLazerus/status/1857878636184916389">The Athletic's Mark Lazerus</a>.</p><p>Jones blocked a shot in Thursday's loss to the Seattle Kraken. There's no timeline on when he might return, but players put on IR must miss a minimum of seven days from the date of the injury. </p><p>Jones has logged 10 points in 17 games this season and is averaging a league-leading 25:43 per contest. The 30-year-old is in his fourth season with the Blackhawks after being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Chicago enters Saturday's contest with the Vancouver Canucks in seventh place in the Central Division at 6-10-1.</p>

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 14: Seth Jones #4 of the Chicago Blackhawks shoots against the Seattle Kraken during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena on November 14, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.

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Blackhawks place Jones on IR with foot injury

It's safe to assume Macklin Celebrini has his first-ever matchup against Sidney Crosby circled on...

<p>It's safe to assume <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/15142" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/15142">Macklin Celebrini</a> has his first-ever matchup against <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1002" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1002">Sidney Crosby</a> circled on his calendar.</p><p>"He's been the face of the league for so long that it doesn't even feel real," Celebrini said ahead of Saturday's matchup between the San Jose Sharks and Pittsburgh Penguins, according to <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/macklin-celebrini-ready-to-play-against-sidney-crosby-for-1st-time?utm_source=nhldotcom&amp;utm_medium=social">NHL.com's Wes Crosby</a>.</p><p>Celebrini was drafted first overall this past summer. Crosby was taken in the same spot in 2005, one year before Celebrini was born. The new face of the Sharks admitted he was a big Crosby fan growing up.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"We grew up getting his jersey, getting his sticks," he said. "Always wanted to be like him watching his highlights, so I couldn't be more excited to actually play against him now."</p><p>Celebrini added, "He's one of the best players to have ever played the game. I mean, the pace that he's still keeping now, how he's producing and how he's playing now, you can argue he's still at the top of his game. He hasn't lost anything. I couldn't be more excited to play against him."</p><p>Crosby posted 94 points in 82 games last season at 36 years old. He's nearly at a point per game in the new campaign and is closing in on 600 career goals after recently becoming the 10th player ever to hit 1,600 points.</p><p>Celebrini has been limited to six games in his rookie campaign due to injury, but he's managed three goals and one assist. </p><p>The Penguins and Sharks enter Saturday's clash sitting 26th and 31st in the league standings, respectively. </p>

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 11: Macklin Celebrini #71 of the San Jose Sharks skates the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 11, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Celebrini: 1st matchup vs. Crosby 'doesn't even feel real'

Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin is in a positive headspace after returning to the ic...

<p>Colorado Avalanche forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3003" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3003">Valeri Nichushkin</a> is in a positive headspace after returning to the ice Friday night for his first game since a six-month suspension. </p><p>"I spent (the) last six months pretty much working every day," Nichushkin told <a href="https://www.denverpost.com/2024/11/15/valeri-nichushkin-return-suspension-avalanche/?utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=tw-denverpost&amp;utm_campaign=socialflow">Corey Masisak of the Denver Post</a>. "I have people in Russia I work with (year-round), and we have made huge progress. I have changed my lifestyle, changed in how (I) work out in (the) gym. A lot of different things. I feel amazing. I feel like my mind is in the right spot right now. My shape, even like today - I was thinking it would be way harder, but I feel pretty good."</p><p>Nichushkin entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program twice last season. He missed 22 regular-season games, then he was admitted to Stage 3 of the program for a failed drug test during the second round of the playoffs.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Reinstatement isn't guaranteed if Nichushkin enters Stage 4 of the program, but the 29-year-old believes he's on the right track.</p><p>"It was tough," he said. "A lot of work. A lot of things. I think I have made huge progress with my mental health and hope that it never happens again."</p><p>Nichushkin has been a vital piece of Colorado's attack in recent years when available. He's logged 152 points in 169 games over the last three seasons and collected 15 playoff points in 2022 to help the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup.</p><p>His standout performance that postseason was rewarded with an eight-year, $49-million contract extension. </p><p>Nichushkin went pointless and was a minus-3 in his season debut, a 5-2 loss to the Washington Capitals. </p>

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 15: Valeri Nichushkin #13 of the Colorado Avalanche skates prior to the game against the Washington Capitals at Ball Arena on November 15, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.

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Nichushkin: Mind's 'in a good spot' after return from suspension

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner isn't concerned about his subpar stats to start the sea...

<p>Edmonton Oilers goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6553" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6553">Stuart Skinner</a> isn't concerned about his subpar stats to start the season as long as he's helping his club secure two points.</p><p>"I'm still working through that stuff," Skinner told <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/oilers-stuart-skinner-hates-his-stats-but-learning-to-love-his-game/">Sportsnet's Mark Spector</a>, in regard to ignoring outside noise about his game. "When it's really good, it's easy not to look at (the stats). When it's really bad, it's easy to look at them.</p><p>"What I have learned is that the win column is the most important stat. It's easy to be selfish; it can be hard to be selfless and only care about the wins. But that's ultimately what everybody really cares about. If you get enough wins to make the playoffs, you did your job."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Skinner is 5-5-1 on the season with an .881 save percentage and 3.22 goals-against average. He was considered a candidate to join Canada's 4 Nations Face-Off squad but has likely proved to be too inconsistent based on his recent body of work.</p><p>Skinner helped guide the Oilers to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in the spring but had a roller-coaster postseason that included being sat in the second round.</p><p>He believes his trials and tribulations have helped him improve, even if his stats don't reflect it.</p><p>"I would just say throughout the experience that I got, especially in the playoffs, that has got to make it better," he said. "It made me a much better goalie and much better mentally as well. We all know what happened in the Vancouver series for me, and that only made me better and stronger.</p><p>"I don't see how I'm not a better goalie right now."</p><p>The Oilers drafted Skinner in the third round in 2017. He's managed a .907 save percentage in 134 appearances with the club.</p>

EDMONTON, AB - NOVEMBER 12: Edmonton Oilers Goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes a big save in the second period of the Edmonton Oilers game versus the New York Islanders on November 12, 2024 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB.

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Skinner not sweating poor stats: Win column 'most important'

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Auston Matthews' injury status remains status qu...

<p>Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/5586" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/5586">Auston Matthews</a>' injury status remains status quo with the captain set to miss his sixth consecutive contest Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers.</p><p>"No setbacks," Berube said, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5924942/2024/11/15/maple-leafs-auston-matthews-injury-3/">The Athletic's Chris Johnston and Jonas Siegel</a>. "We've got two games in a long stretch of time. So we're letting him recover."</p><p>Matthews is listed as day-to-day and was eligible to be activated off injured reserve Tuesday. Berube hopes a spread-out schedule over the next two weeks will allow Matthews to return at full strength.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"We want to get him 100%," Berube said. "We want to get him behind this, so he can move forward and we can move forward."</p><p>He added, "Would I like him back? Yeah, for sure. But it is what it is. We just gotta keep moving on without him right now."</p><p>Matthews, 27, sustained the injury in training camp, and the ailment could explain his slow start of five goals and 11 points in 13 games before being sidelined. He registered career highs (69 goals, 107 points) in both offensive categories last season.</p><p>The Maple Leafs have gone 4-1 in Matthews' absence. They're currently second in the Atlantic Division at 10-6-2. </p>

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 31: Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) is seen during the first period of an NHL game between the Seattle Kraken and the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 31, 2024, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.

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Berube: 'No setbacks' for Matthews despite extended absence

The first 1,000 points of Connor McDavid's prodigious career came pretty easily.   It took only 6...

<p>The first 1,000 points of Connor McDavid's prodigious career came pretty easily. </p><p>It took only 659 games, a mark only bested by Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Mike Bossy. The Great One (424) and Super Mario (513) are on their own planet, but McDavid missed out on third spot by only three games.</p><p>He hasn't missed out on exceeding modern-era legends, however. McDavid hit the 1,000-point threshold in 98 fewer games than Sidney Crosby and 211 fewer than Alex Ovechkin.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Edmonton Oilers captain is in the most illustrious company imaginable not even 10 full years into his NHL tenure. He's on track to supplant his peers in GOAT debates.</p><p>McDavid has repeatedly stated he's not chasing individual glory, especially after last season's heart-wrenching defeat in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. But what he's doing on the stat sheet is impossible to ignore. At this rate, it shouldn't come as a shock if McDavid becomes the second player to notch 2,000 career points. Here, we break down the numbers to see how he could get there.</p><p><strong>Top-5 scorers all time</strong></p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Rank</th>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Points</th>
<th>GP</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Wayne Gretzky</td>
<td>2857</td>
<td>1487</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Jaromir Jagr</td>
<td>1921</td>
<td>1733</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Mark Messier</td>
<td>1887</td>
<td>1756</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Gordie Howe</td>
<td>1850</td>
<td>1767</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Ron Francis</td>
<td>1798</td>
<td>1731</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>We'll assume Gretzky is out of reach. (He's technically the first- and second-fastest player to notch 1,000 points, going from 0-1,000 in 424 games and 1,001-2000 in 433.) But Jagr's position as the second-most productive player in NHL history is in jeopardy.</p><p>McDavid will turn 28 in January. He has one more year on his current deal and is likely to get an eight-year pact from the Oilers beginning in 2026-27. Operating under the assumption he's got at least nine more seasons in him, health is the most important factor.</p><p>It's likely the only thing that'll stand in McDavid's way. Lemieux and Crosby would be in - or closer to - the 2,000-point club if injuries and illness didn't alter the prime of their careers.</p><p>McDavid's career points per-game rate is 1.52, good for third all time. It's unrealistic to assume McDavid will never miss a game again. And as omnipotent as he may seem, everyone regresses at some point.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>P/GP (before 30)</th>
<th>P/GP (after 30)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Gretzky</td>
<td>2.33</td>
<td>1.37</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lemieux</td>
<td>2.02</td>
<td>1.62</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Crosby</td>
<td>1.31</td>
<td>1.15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jagr</td>
<td>1.32</td>
<td>0.88</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>But McDavid's in the most productive stretch of his career. He's averaged 136 points over the past three seasons.</p><p>Due to injury and a slow start by his standards, McDavid currently sits at 19 points this season and 1,001 for his career. If he just meets his current pace of 107 for this campaign, he'll be at 1,089 career points. He'd then require an average of 101 points (1.23 per game) over the next nine seasons to hit 2,000.</p><p>Hitting the century mark is basically the floor for McDavid to this point in his career. He's failed to hit 100 points only twice: his 45-game rookie campaign and the 64-contest pandemic-shortened 2019-2020 season.</p><p>McDavid's career 82-game average is 125 points, according to Hockey Reference. He can bank 500 points over the next four seasons if he meets his average. It's very possible he'll be in the 1,600-point range by the end of 2028-29 at 33 years old. That would leave five more campaigns to collect roughly 400 points.</p><p>Crosby became only the 10th player to reach the 1,600-point plateau earlier this season at 37. The Penguins captain is the benchmark of consistency even into his elder years, recording seasons of 84, 93, and 94 points from age 34 onward. If he can be that productive so late in his career, so can McDavid.</p><p>McDavid never got caught up in the hoopla of his latest remarkable achievement, telling <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5924072/2024/11/15/connor-mcdavid-1000-points-ranking/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=nhltw&amp;source=nhltw">The Athletic's Daniel Nugent-Bowman</a> that, "It was only a matter of time."</p><p>That could very well be the case for the next 1,000, too. </p>

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - NOVEMBER 14: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers looks on during the first period against the Nashville Predators at Rogers Place on November 14, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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Charting McDavid's path to 2,000 points

Minnesota Wild forward Mats Zuccarello is being placed on injured reserve after undergoing surger...

<p>Minnesota Wild forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/1658" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/1658">Mats Zuccarello</a> is being placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery on a lower-body injury sustained in Thursday's win over the Montreal Canadiens, head coach John Hynes confirmed to <a href="https://x.com/sarah__mclellan/status/1857496658306568237">Sarah MacLellan of The Minnesota Star Tribune</a>.</p><p>Zuccarello is expected to miss three-to-four weeks. He exited the game after being hit by teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9275" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9275">Brock Faber</a>'s point shot in the first period.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zuccarello down the tunnel <a href="https://t.co/bjTGJlYKRa">pic.twitter.com/bjTGJlYKRa</a></p>— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpokedZ/status/1857234208063717575?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Zuccarello is an integral piece of Minnesota's attack and has been regularly deployed on the top line with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/7294" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/7294">Kirill Kaprizov</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9215" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9215">Marco Rossi</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 37-year-old has notched 14 points in 16 games this season, his 15th in the NHL.</p>

SAINT PAUL, MN - NOVEMBER 3: Mats Zuccarello #36 of the Minnesota Wild passes the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on November 3, 2024 in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

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Zuccarello out 3-4 weeks with lower-body injury

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry started Friday night against the Columbus Blue Jacke...

<p>Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3109" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3109">Tristan Jarry</a> started Friday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.</p><p>It marked Jarry's first NHL appearance since Oct. 16. He was sent to the AHL on a conditioning loan after a miserable start to the campaign in which he recorded an .836 save percentage and 5.47 goals against average in three games.</p><p>Jarry went 4-1-0 with a .926 clip in the minors. </p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Penguins used <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4130" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4130">Alex Nedeljkovic</a> and rookie <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/9241" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/9241">Joel Blomqvist</a> between the pipes in Jarry's absence. Pittsburgh entered Friday ranked 27th on the season with an .882 save percentage.</p><p>Jarry is in the second season of a five-year, $26.88-million contract. He was a second-round pick of the Penguins in 2013 and owns a .911 save percentage in 260 career games.</p><p>The Penguins came into Friday sitting seventh in the Metropolitan Division at 6-9-3.</p>

COLUMBUS, OHIO - APRIL 13: Tristan Jarry #35 of the Pittsburgh Penguins with his mask off during a stoppage in play in the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on April 13, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio.

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Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno questioned his teammates' effort following another stagna...

<p>Chicago Blackhawks captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/860" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/860">Nick Foligno</a> questioned his teammates' effort following another stagnant offensive performance in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Seattle Kraken.</p><p>"(It's about) wanting to score, wanting to get in the hard areas, wanting to make a difference, wanting to be around the net and pay a price," Foligno told <a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2024/11/15/blackhawks-kraken-nhl-scoring-woes-connor-bedard-alec-martinez">Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times</a>. "We just don't have enough guys wanting to do that. ... Tonight, especially after the way we set things up to have a few days off and feel good and get ready, it's too bad."</p><p>The Blackhawks managed only 19 shots in the loss to Seattle, their fourth straight game scoring two goals or less. Chicago ranks 29th in the NHL with 41 goals this season despite adding several offensive pieces - including <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3250" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3250">Tyler Bertuzzi</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3291" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3291">Teuvo Teravainen</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/8560" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/8560">Ilya Mikheyev</a> - in free agency.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/6950" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/6950">Ryan Donato</a> leads the club with eight goals this season. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/13829" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/13829">Connor Bedard</a> has struggled to produce in his sophomore campaign with only three tallies in 17 games.</p><p>Head coach Luke Richardson was also more concerned about compete level than scoring chances after the loss.</p><p>"The stick battles (were) more concerning to me than the shot clock," he said. "In the 50-50 battles, they were more hungry than we were. When you come out with those, you're going to have more shots, and we're going to have less because they have the puck way more."</p><p>The Blackhawks are seventh in the Central Division at 6-10-1. They return to action Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks. </p>

DALLAS, TX - NOVEMBER 07: Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Foligno (17) gets up after being into the boards during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks on November 7, 2024 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

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Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid recorded his 1,000th career point Thursday against the Nas...

<p>Edmonton Oilers captain <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/4560" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/4560">Connor McDavid</a> recorded his 1,000th career point Thursday against the Nashville Predators.</p><p>The momentous milestone came when McDavid buried a one-timer while on a 2-on-1 with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3948" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3948">Leon Draisaitl</a>.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">CONNOR MCDAVID LIGHTS THE LAMP FOR POINT NUMBER 1,000! 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/2k95cPPQlY">pic.twitter.com/2k95cPPQlY</a></p>— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1857260287298039951?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>McDavid is the 99th player in NHL history to reach the 1,000-point plateau. He's the fourth-fastest player to get there, doing so in his 659th game, and is in some legendary company thanks to his blistering pace.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player (year)</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Games played</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Wayne Gretzky (1984)</td>
<td>Oilers</td>
<td>424</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mario Lemieux (1992)</td>
<td>Penguins</td>
<td>513</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mike Bossy (1986)</td>
<td>Islanders</td>
<td>656</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Connor McDavid (2024)</td>
<td>Oilers</td>
<td>659</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jari Kurri (1990)</td>
<td>Oilers</td>
<td>716</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>McDavid is also the fourth-youngest player to hit 1,000 points at 27 years, 306 days. Only Gretzky, Lemieux, and Steve Yzerman did it at a younger age.</p><p>The Oilers superstar spoke from the heart while addressing the fans after Thursday's game.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">we grew up together❤️❤️😭 <a href="https://t.co/ot7TOtGKng">pic.twitter.com/ot7TOtGKng</a></p>— A (@bleepbloophky) <a href="https://twitter.com/bleepbloophky/status/1857285900650107377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>McDavid started the season 18 points back of the achievement and almost joined the club on Tuesday thanks to a four-point night against the New York Islanders that left him at 999.</p><p>Draisaitl acknowledged the rarity of McDavid's accomplishment after the two connected on the overtime winner that night.</p><p>"We are not talking greatness. We are talking legendary-type stuff," Draisaitl told <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/mcdavid-on-brink-of-1000-points-after-huge-performance-in-oilers-ot-win/">Sportsnet's Mark Spector</a>. "It is fun to be a part of."</p><p>The Oilers drafted McDavid first overall in 2015. He's surpassed 100 points in all seven of his full seasons and set a personal best with 153 in 2022-23. McDavid's career points-per-game clip (1.52) trails only Gretzky (1.92) and Lemieux (1.88) in the all-time ranks.</p><p>McDavid has won five scoring titles, three MVPs, a "Rocket" Richard, and a Conn Smythe.</p><p>He picked up his 1,001st point with a <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/EdmontonOilers/status/1857285475272360052">brilliant assist</a> on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/3124" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/3124">Darnell Nurse</a>'s overtime winner Thursday.</p>

EDMONTON, CANADA - JUNE 02: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates his first-period goal against the Dallas Stars in Game Six of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on June 2, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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McDavid becomes 4th-fastest player to 1,000 points

Vancouver Canucks forward Dakota Joshua is making his season debut Thursday night against the New...

<p>Vancouver Canucks forward <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/10054" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/10054">Dakota Joshua</a> is making his season debut Thursday night against the New York Islanders, head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed.</p><p>Joshua announced at the start of training camp that he underwent surgery for testicular cancer, causing him to miss Vancouver's first 14 games.</p><p>"It's like making a major trade," Tocchet said of Joshua's return, according to <a href="https://x.com/CanucksInsider/status/1857141535889874967">Canucks Insider</a>. "He's a big kid with good hands."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Joshua set career highs in goals (18), points (32), and average ice time (14:23) last season and added eight points in the playoffs. He signed a four-year, $13-million contract extension in June after his breakout campaign.</p><p>The Canucks enter Thursday's matchup sitting second in the Pacific Division by points percentage (.679), with a record of 8-3-3.</p>

VANCOUVER, CANADA - APRIL 21: Dakota Joshua #81 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates scoring in the third period against the Nashville Predators in Game One of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Arena on April 21, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

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Rory McIlroy isn't chasing a payday for Ryder Cup participation even after the American team repo...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/599" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/599">Rory McIlroy</a> isn't chasing a payday for Ryder Cup participation even after the American team reportedly secured compensation for the 2025 event at Bethpage Black. </p><p>"I personally would pay for the privilege to play in the Ryder Cup," McIlroy told <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/articles/c4gxlxg8zmro">BBC Sports' Iain Carter</a>. "The two purest forms of competition in our game right now are the Ryder Cup and the Olympics, and it's partly because of that, the purity of no money being involved."</p><p>McIlroy added, "I don't think any of the 24 players on either team needs that 400 grand. Every two years, there are 104 weeks and 103 weeks you can play golf and get paid."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Each American player will receive approximately $400,000 USD for next year's event, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/golf/2024/11/13/ryder-cup-2025-team-usa-player-paid-patrick-cantlay/#:~:text=The%20organising%20body%20of%20the,be%20ratified%20at%20board%20level.">The Telegraph's James Corrigan</a> reports. The U.S. team received $200,000 each to donate to charities in 2023.</p><p>There are no current plans for the European team to be paid.</p><p>Compensation was a big topic at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. Rumors surfaced of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1451" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1451">Patrick Cantlay</a> refusing to wear an American hat to protest playing for free, but he denied the claims. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///pga/players/1213" href="https://thescore.com/pga/players/1213">Xander Schauffele</a>'s father, Stefan, caused a stir by stating players should get their share of the biannual tournament's profits.</p><p>"It was a discussion that was happening in Rome," McIlroy noted. "I can see the other side of the argument because the Ryder Cup does create a lot of revenue.</p><p>"It is one of the probably top five biggest sporting events in the world. So I get the argument that the talent should be or could be getting paid. But the Ryder Cup is so much more than that, especially to the Europeans and to this tour."</p><p>McIlroy is the central figure of Europe's Ryder Cup roster and has represented the continent at the last seven events. He secured four points in Europe's triumph last year and has an all-time record of 16-13-4.</p>

ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 01: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe celebrates winning his match 3&1 on the 17th green during the Sunday singles matches of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on October 01, 2023 in Rome, Italy.

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