Patrik Laine won't be around to help cure what ails the Winnipeg Jets on their three-game road trip through the southwest.
According to TSN's Sara Orlesky, the rookie sniper will not travel with the club, which further clouds his availability for the NHL All-Star Game at the end of the month.
Laine was concussed last weekend in Buffalo when he was drilled by Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe in open ice. Signs indicate he won't be out long, but the Jets have reason to be conservative with their teenage trigger man.
Laine is tied for third in the NHL with 21 goals, and he owns Winnipeg's best all-situations scoring rate with 2.91 points per 60 minutes.
While players soaked up rays on an assortment of beaches down south, taking their minds completely off sport, Toronto Maple Leafs management had time to reflect and properly gauge the swift development of its fledgling roster.
A lot to unpack in five days.
At this time last year, the Leafs were a last-place team sending Leo Komarov to the All-Star Game. Now, it's more likely than not that they'll become the third team this century to go from last place to making the playoffs the following season. Oh, and they'll be represented in Los Angeles on All-Star weekend by Auston Matthews, a genuine marquee attraction.
The turnaround has caught even general manager Lou Lamoriello by surprise. At least a little bit.
"I would say we're a little ahead of where we might have thought we could (be), but (that's) really not saying that we shouldn't be here," Lamoriello said,via TSN.
"You don't know how quickly some of the young players will adjust."
He's right: it has all hinged on the kids, who have exceeded expectations across the board. Matthews and Marner have been particularly impressive, scoring at a rate that compares favorably to the best 19-year-old seasons we've seen, and Matthews is already a shot-dominant center in the NHL.
But it really has been by (rookie) committee. Six rookies, in particular, who all rank in the top 11 in team scoring and have produced 45 percent of the team's total goals.
All indications suggest this group will only improve, but for this momentum to continue swelling, the focus must stay on the process - which resumes at practice Thursday afternoon.
"We have to be careful," Lamoriello said. "We can't get high, we can't get low. But we certainly feel good about the direction that we're going and not getting off really the course of what has to be done to have success."
Benn has been sidelined for the club's past four games with a foot injury - a stretch that saw the team go 2-1-1. The 27-year-old will enter the lineup riding a four-game point streak, with six points in that span.
Meanwhile, the club also announced defenseman Jamie Oleksiak - who was forced from Tuesday's game against the Anaheim Ducks - will be out of the lineup for a couple weeks as he nurses a hand injury.
With the league already including a trapezoid where goalies can't play the puck, Lack suggests an "Ovizoid" where Ovechkin is not allowed to fire his famous one-timers.
If Bruce Boudreau had it his way, Alex Ovechkin would have settled down long ago.
The Minnesota Wild head coach and former boss in Washington delivered a strong one-liner when asked about the difference he's seen in the Capitals star, who got married last summer - and exceeded the 1,000-point threshold Wednesday night.
Boudreau on if Ovechkin is a different player today: "Well, he's more mature. I had him when he was single." 😂
With Boudreau sending him over the boards, Ovechkin scored 197 goals and an NHL-best 410 points in 313 games, or 1.31 points per outing compared to 1.04 under his other coaches.
The Winnipeg Jets were pummeled 7-4 by the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night in an effort that was more dismal for the Jets than it was masterful on the part of the Canadiens.
What stuck out, once again, for the Jets was their porous goaltending. Connor Hellebuyck was given the hook after allowing three goals on seven shots in the first period, but Michael Hutchinson didn't fare any better in relief, conceding four goals on 23 shots the rest of the way.
It's the same old song and dance for a Jets team struggling to find consistency between the pipes. Sure, they've largely given the reins to Hellebuyck this season, but the club is no better for that decision as both have produced unremarkable numbers.
Goalie
Games Played
GAA (League Rank)
SV% (League Rank)
Hellebuyck
33
2.73 (31st)
.910 (T-31)
Hutchinson
17
3.30 (49th)
.890 (48th)
League rank based on goalies with at least 10 games played.
The most obvious solution would be to try making a deal with a club currently boasting two strong goaltenders - and many candidates fit that bill.
Of course, the impending expansion draft is likely to see at least one of the names above selected by the Golden Knights or moved due to the fear of that very scenario playing out.
According to Cap Friendly, the Jets currently have the fourth-most cap space in the league: approximately $12 million dollars to play with, meaning they can certainly afford any of the men above.
However, with trades becoming as rare as Bigfoot, the Jets might be forced to do the one thing they hoped they'd never have to - recall Ondrej Pavelec.
Yes, the 29-year-old's play has been suspect in the past - but so too is the play of the club's current duo, and desperate times call for desperate measures.
Pavelec was banished to the American Hockey League this season and has played 17 games there for the Manitoba Moose, going 7-7-2 with a 2.88 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.
The numbers are hardly any better than those of Hellebuyck or Hutchinson, but the team needs a change and Pavelec - despite his flaws - has proven in the past that he can provide solid goaltending.
In order to make that move, one of Hellebuyck or Hutchinson would have to be sent down. Hellebuyck is waiver-exempt, so there are no worries there, while Hutchinson would have to clear waivers - but given his numbers, it's safe to say that's unlikely.
There are no easy, quick-fix solutions, but the Jets have now given up a league-high 132 goals, with the fourth-worst goals against per game at 3.00. The time to act is now.
Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Thursday, Jan. 12 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockeyand apply to 5v5 situations):
Dynamic Duos
LW Taylor Hall (60K) & C Travis Zajac (39K), Devils (at Oilers): The Oilers have stacked their top line with both C Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, allowing Zajac and Hall to attack a second line allowing 9.08 scoring chances per 60 minutes. The two second lines are near equals in Corsi For percentage, with Hall's line expected to score 2.46 goals per 60.
LW Henrik Zetterberg (50K) & RW Anthony Mantha (32K), Red Wings (at Stars): While still technically a winger, Zetterberg has been centering RWs Gustav Nyquist and Mantha for some time, with the unit having played over 210 minutes together at 5v5. The main draw is Mantha, who has seven goals and 10 points in his past nine games. The Stars have the fourth-highest xGA60 in the league.
C Rickard Rakell (40K) & RW Corey Perry (64K), Ducks (at Avalanche): The Avalanche finish just 46.96 percent of its shifts in the offensive zone. While Anaheim is at only 48.15 percent, it's still a marked improvement. Colorado's 46.45 Corsi For percentage ranks fourth last in the league.
Goalie Breakdown
TARGET - Devan Dubnyk (99K), Wild (vs. Canadiens): The Canadiens were 7-4 victors on the road in Winnipeg Wednesday night. Backup G Al Montoya allowed four goals on just 27 shots. Montreal will turn back to starter Carey Price for Thursday's matchup, but Dubnyk is in position to continue his success against a tired opponent.
BARGAIN - Carey Price (76K), Canadiens (at Wild): Price was shelled for four goals against the Washington Capitals Monday and had the night off in the first half of the back-to-back. He never deserves to have a salary this low, and he could face more shots with his teammates likely to be tired. His upside is near the highest level.
FADE - Mike Condon (116K), Senators (vs. Penguins): Contrarily to Price, Condon's salary should never be this high, even against a team coming off a loss in the second half of a back-to-back.
CONTRARIAN - Petr Mrazek (84K), Red Wings (at Stars): The Stars remain without LW Jamie Benn, depleting their top two lines which have been responsible for nearly all of their scoring this season. Cs Jason Spezza and Tyler Seguin need to be feared when playing together on the first line, but Mrazek will have an excellent chance for the win if he can fare better than Kari Lehtonen or Antti Niemi.
Bargain Plays
LW Marcus Foligno (25K), Sabres (at Lightning): Foligno has scored in three consecutive games, totaling eight shots on goal along the way. This level of success is clearly unsustainable, but he is benefiting from playing on the Sabres' top line with C Jack Eichel and RW Brian Gionta. He also totaled seven hits and five blocked shots in those three games, providing a fall-back floor.
C Frank Vatrano (25K), Bruins (at Predators): Vatrano is skating on the left side of the Bruins' second line with C David Krejci and RW David Backes. He played 14:56 in his first game in the role and picked up a goal and an assist on three shots, while also being credited with two hits and a blocked shot. His floor is above his salary.
D Jared Spurgeon (25K), Wild (vs. Canadiens): Spurgeon has averaged 25:06 of ice time over his past eight games, playing no less than 22:43 in a single game. His salary isn't indicative of this type of usage while skating beside D Ryan Suter on the Wild's top pairing. His upside comes in his four goals and six points in those eight games.
Top Fades
C Ryan Johansen (68K), Predators (vs. Bruins): Johansen is point-less in three game, and he hasn't scored since Dec. 20. He has recorded three shots on goal in two of his past three games, but he has been providing next to nothing in hits or blocked shots. He isn't worth the salary with Bruins C Patrice Bergeron likely to take away his upside.
LW Zach Parise (61K), Wild (vs. Canadiens): The Canadiens rested starting G Carey Price in the first half of their back-to-back in order to preserve him for Thursday's matchup. The Wild are still favored at home, but Parise is unlikely to provide the multiple points he needs at this salary.
D John Klingberg (50K), Stars (vs. Red Wings): Klingberg has gone without a point in two games since back-to-back multi-point games. He still isn't shooting with enough consistency to warrant his top-tier salary, and he had just three hits and four blocked shots in his past four games.
Contrarian Options
C Matt Duchene (58K), Avalanche (vs. Ducks): Duchene should be able to avoid the Ducks' top line which is currently being centered by C Ryan Kesler with C Ryan Getzlaf still out of the lineup. Duchene has gone point-less in four consecutive games, but he still plays between 18 and 20 minutes every night.
D Erik Karlsson (54K), Senators (vs. Penguins): Karlsson has just one assist in his past six games and has had multiple shots on goal in just one of the six contests. His ice time and usage remain at their normal rates, and he will be facing a tired Penguins team. Don't shy away from the still-high salary.
RW Jiri Hudler (27K), Stars (vs. Red Wings): There should be plenty of scoring between the Stars and Red Wings, with both teams having been victimized by horrible goaltending for large portions of the season. Daily fantasy owners like the Stars' top duo of Seguin and Spezza, but Hudler offers a cheap alternative while skating as the third member of the trio.
The greatest scorer of this generation has provided a multitude of extraordinary moments on his path to 1,000 points.
Here are five that best illustrate Alex Ovechkin's greatness:
The Goal
Let's not bury the lede.
In his 44th game in the NHL, and while charting a path to a 52-goal, Calder Trophy-winning rookie season, Ovechkin scored an outrageous, extraordinary, stupid, unthinkable, impossible goal versus the Phoenix Coyotes.
It was something unlike we've ever seen before, or will see again. And it was the moment many realized Ovechkin would thrill us like no one else has.
Another 'Wow' moment
Ovechkin is much more than a stationary trigger man. The goal that might best showcase his complete attacking portfolio was this stunning marker against the Montreal Canadiens in 2009.
The creativity with the bank, the power on the edge, the insatiable desire to score. Unreal.
The Duel
In the second round in 2009, Ovechkin and longtime rival Sidney Crosby each scored a hat trick, making for one of the most memorable Stanley Cup playoff games in the post-lockout era. But if we're being honest, "The Duel" was a touch one-sided.
Ovechkin erased Crosby's first with a gorgeous finish in transition, then scored two breathtaking goals (one from his common post above the circle on the power play, and the other on a one-on-one rush) in the third period to put the Capitals up two.
The scenes in Washington were spectacular.
Trucking Jagr
We weren't being completely truthful when mentioning earlier that we saw the entirety of Ovechkin's offensive talent on one play. There's another, more devastating manner in which he can create.
Case in point:
1K
Always a showman. With all eyes on him on a nationally televised game versus the Penguins with a chance to collect his 1,000th career point, Ovechkin rather predictably delivered 35 seconds after the puck dropped.
Also worth noting:
What may best define Ovechkin's hockey legacy (but doesn't make for the best highlight) is his commitment to his country.
From suffering a shoulder injury in the world junior final in 2005, to falling short in three Olympic bids, Ovechkin's greatest heartbreaks have been suffered while wearing a Russian uniform. But his passion to win a best-on-best title for his country burns as it always has, and he's championed the movement to play in the upcoming Olympics regardless of whether the NHL decides to go.
Captain Alex Ovechkin wasted no time reaching 1,000 points this week. The effort was capped off by a two-goal effort against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but it was his strong play since the holiday break that made Wednesday's achievement possible.
Holtby has allowed just three goals against in four games since being pulled against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 3. He posted his first set of back-to-back shutouts following the loss and has put up an outstanding .974 save percentage in that span.
With seven straight wins under their belt, it seems another Presidents' Trophy is certainly not out of the question for the Capitals.
▼Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are saying all the right things, but those sentiments have had little impact on their success of late.
The club currently sits four points out of a playoff spot, nestled sixth in the Atlantic Division, and Jon Cooper knows it's time for his team to rally. This weekend he went on record saying now is the time for the Lightning to climb back into the playoff picture.
There's no better opportunity to do so than with the Maple Leafs - who sit a win above them in the standings - on their bye week. However, following those comments, Tampa Bay dropped its fourth straight game, a 6-2 shelling by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The club will get back to it Thursday when it plays the first game of a back-to-back against the Buffalo Sabres.
It won't be an easy road back up the standings, with games against the Blue Jackets, the Blackhawks, and all three California clubs over the next two weeks.
▲ Brent Burns
Forget the Norris Trophy - Brent Burns has his eyes on the Art Ross.
Thanks to a quartet of multi-point games over the last week, the San Jose Sharks defenseman - let that sink in for a moment - is now just four points behind Connor McDavid for the NHL scoring lead and one point from matching Sidney Crosby and Patrick Kane for second spot.
This season, only McDavid and Crosby have more multi-point games than Burns - who's posted 13.
Burns' torrid pace of late has given him a solid cushion in the defenseman scoring race, leading in both goals and points by a margin of seven in each category.
If he keeps it up, he might just squeeze his name into Hart Trophy consideration as well.
