Matthew Tkachuk will be trading in his pom-poms for hockey gloves Tuesday night.
The Calgary Flames rookie will be in Pittsburgh, where he and his teammates will be tasked with shutting down his favorite player growing up, Sidney Crosby.
"I'm going to try to not be a little fan out there tonight," Tkachuk said when asked about Crosby, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.
The Flames will hope to avoid witnessing a milestone from Crosby, as the Penguins' captain is just three points away from 1,000 for his career.
After weeks of speculation, the deed has been done. The Boston Bruins fired head coach Claude Julien Tuesday, putting yet another highly capable coach on the open market.
While Gerard Gallant, Jack Capuano, and Ken Hitchcock are still available for the taking, Hitchcock may have already coached his last game and the other two can't hold a candle to Julien's resume, making the former Boston boss the hottest commodity.
Julien certainly seems like a slam dunk for the Vegas coaching job, but coaches of his caliber don't become available very often, so it certainly wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for a team to part ways with their current bench boss in order to gain an upgrade.
In such a situation, the business logistics can get messy, but nevertheless, here are five teams who should consider replacing their current head coach with Julien.
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers baffled the hockey world when they abruptly dismissed Gerard Gallant back in late November.
The move proved there was a disconnect between the management team and the on-ice personnel. Tom Rowe has served as the team's interim head coach since the move, but the team has not fared much better under new direction.
Gallant coached the team to a 11-10-1 record before his dismissal, while Rowe has gone 12-9-9 since. Julien could help the Panthers save the season and gain direction going forward. But would management let him do his job distraction free?
Dallas Stars
Firing coaches is the hip thing to do these days - or so it seems.
For that reason - and the fact that the Dallas Stars are struggling mightily with a near-identical roster to last season - Lindy Ruff might be the next coach to go.
Whether that's the case or not, the Stars would be foolish not to inquire about Julien.
Like the Panthers, he could help the club save its season by hopefully getting Dallas back to the postseason. The team is in need of a defensive retooling, as the goaltending isn't giving the team any breaks and the offense isn't firing like it did last season.
Colorado Avalanche
This one is pretty obvious.
The Avalanche have lived up to their team name this season, plummeting to the bottom of the league standings.
The team appears ready to sell off their biggest assets as they look to rebuild for the future.
As Mike Babcock has proved in Toronto, a rebuild can be sped up with a clear system put in place for the young players. The Avalanche players have gone to bat for Jared Bednar this season, suggesting he isn't the problem. And while that may be true, maybe Julien could be an answer.
Calgary Flames
It's just Glen Gulutzan's first year with the Calgary Flames, but it could also be his last.
The team remains right on the cusp of a playoff spot, tied with the St. Louis Blues at 55 points but currently on the outside looking in due to more games played. Regardless, they haven't lived up to expectations this season.
To Gulutzan's credit, the team is giving up fewer goals per game than the previous campaign and the special teams have also been better than they were last season. Still, inconsistent goaltending has been the team's biggest impediment, and the Flames are underperforming given the talent on the roster,
Perhaps Julien could set them straight.
New Jersey Devils
Another recent hire in John Hynes may have to step aside.
The Devils are far from a championship-caliber team, but the addition of Taylor Hall this offseason should have pushed them closer toward the playoffs, and it has not.
Instead, the team remains in a similar spot - No Man's Land. The team is once again poised to finish outside the playoffs and without a top-five draft pick.
The Devils could use a coach who can reestablish them as a stingy, offense-smothering unit. New Jersey has some solid pieces in place, it just needs a Julien-type coach to help put it all together.
The towering defender underwent surgery Monday to repair a lower-body injury, which will reportedly cost him another six-to-eight weeks of action, according to TSN's Sara Orlesky.
At the earliest, this puts Myers on track to return with only a few weeks left in the regular season. He's already been absent from the Jets' lineup for nearly three months after suffering the injury in a loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 11.
He's missed 39 games.
Orlesky notes that Monday's procedure was unrelated to the one Myers had done last year.
In the mind of their direct competition, the Boston Bruins aren't likely to upgrade from dismissed head coach Claude Julien.
Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock - who hasn't shied away from offering his opinion on circumstances outside his own this season - vouched for Julien and perhaps questioned his rival's decision-making shortly after news of the firing broke.
"Good man. Even better coach. Someone out there is happy today," Babcock told the media with a smile Tuesday morning. "I mean, you ain't getting better. When you make these decisions, you better have a guy in line that's better than that guy. There's not too many, I can tell you that.
"And a good man. But, enjoy some time with your bride and your kids, get freshened up, call the U-Haul business, get ready to go. Sometimes, to be honest with you, it's time to move on.
"(Julien's) a hell of a coach."
Babcock has gained an appreciation for Julien's ability and learned a thing or two from the former longest-tenured coach in the NHL at recent international tournaments. Julien worked on Babcock's staff during Canada's triumphs at the Sochi Olympics and 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
The NHL season continues with a packed slate and Squad Up's Shot for $50 wants to reward your hockey knowledge.
Tuesday's 11-game NHL slate gives daily fantasy owners the chance to win $50 in cash prizes in Squad Up's Shot for 50 contest. The winner will collect a crisp $20 for simply constructing the best lineup of the night. In total, 250 people will collect a prize, making it well worth your while even if you fail to claim top spot. Best of all, the game is absolutely free! That's right, it costs you zero dollars to participate. You don't pay us - we pay you.
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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Tuesday, Jan. 7 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockeyand apply to 5v5 situations):
Dynamic Duos
LW Patrick Marleau (40K) & C Logan Couture (52K), Sharks (at Sabres): The Sharks will visit a Sabres team on the second half of a back-to-back, likely forcing backup G Anders Nilsson into the net. Marleau's season -- and career -- resurgence continues with three goals in five games since his four-goal outburst. He has at least four SOG in all but one of his past seven.
LW Jamie Benn (68K) & RW Patrick Eaves (38K), Stars (at Maple Leafs): The trio of Benn, Eaves and C Cody Eakin was used as the team's most common threesome in their most recent game, playing nearly 27 percent of all 5v5 minutes. The three players have an expected goals for per 60 minutes of 3.11, the second best of any trio on the team with at least 90 5v5 minutes together.
C Derick Brassard (57K) & RW Mark Stone (55K), Senators (vs. Blues): While there were only three games in the NHL Monday night, the Blues are the third team mentioned here on the second half of a back-to-back. The Senators line of Stone, Brassard and C Zack Smith were the only Sens trio to play more than 11 percent of 5v5 minutes in their last game at 20.54 percent.
Goalie Breakdown
TARGET - Carey Price (75K), Canadiens (at Avalanche): Price is a blatantly obvious choice at the minimum salary, with an all but guaranteed victory. The Avalanche have gone 1-8-1 in their past 10 games, and they rank last in both expected goals and scoring chances for per 60 minutes on the season. Don't overthink this one.
BARGAIN - Martin Jones (75K), Sharks (at Sabres): Nearly as bizarre as Price's salary, Jones also comes in at the minimum against a Sabres team playing the second half of a back-to-back, and their third game in four nights. While the Sabres' offense has been more prolific than that of Colorado this season, they still rank in the bottom third of the league in expected goals for.
FADE - Curtis McElhinney (110K), Maple Leafs (vs. Stars): McElhinney's most recent appearance came against the Stars, in a game where he lasted just over 48 minutes while allowing three goals on 12 shots. This will be his first home start for the Maple Leafs and a matchup against a team with an expected goal rate of 2.66 per 60 won't make it easy.
CONTRARIAN - Henrik Lundqvist (93K), Rangers (vs. Ducks): Lundqvist's 2016-17 season has been a disaster, especially by his own lofty standards. He'll catch a break Tuesday, when he faces a Ducks team ranking 29th in expected goals for when on the road. Anaheim averages just 5.96 scoring chances in the road games.
Bargain Plays
RW Brett Ritchie (27K), Stars (at Maple Leafs): Ritchie is much too cheap for someone playing significant ice time with C Tyler Seguin. The two, along with LW Antoine Roussel, played over 17 percent of the team's 5v5 minutes in the last game. It was only the third most common Stars trio, but they should manage to avoid Toronto's Auston Matthews line.
C Jake Guentzel (25K), Penguins (vs. Flames): Guentzel was a part of Pittsburgh's most common forward unit with RW Phil Kessel and C Nick Bonino in the team's most recent game, playing over 23 percent of 5v5 minutes as a threesome. Guentzel has played at least 15 minutes in three consecutive games, and he has plenty of talent beside him.
LW Phillip Danault (25K), Canadiens (at Avalanche): Danault continues centering Ws Alexander Radulov and Max Pacioretty, even with C Alex Galchenyuk back in the lineup. The team's top offensive talents should have little trouble putting up points against Colorado's bottom-10 defense. Danault will return value with a couple assists.
Top Fades
RW Corey Perry (62K), Ducks (at Rangers): Perry hasn't been the cause of Anaheim's road struggles this season, as he been nearly equally productive on the road as he has been at home. He has just one shot on goal in the first two games of the team's current road trip, however, and his 17:22 of TOI in the last game was his lowest total in eight outings.
C Tyler Seguin (69K), Stars (at Maple Leafs): Seguin represents far more risk than either Ritchie or Roussel at a much higher salary. Still his team's most dangerous offensive talent, his 5v5 usage has dipped, and inferior linemates cap his potential. He could be even riskier should Toronto choose to focus on his line with the advantage of final change.
LW Henrik Zetterberg (58K), Red Wings (vs. Blue Jackets): Zetterberg has two goals and three assists in his past three games, but he totaled just seven shots on goal. He has played over 20 minutes in each of his past two games, his first time doing so since Dec. 29 and Jan. 1. He was held off the scoresheet in Detroit's game against Columbus earlier this season.
Contrarian Options
LW Johnny Gaudreau (59K), Flames (at Penguins): Gaudreau's somewhat broken out of his slump with one goal and five assists in his past four games. He has a difficult road matchup ahead of him, but the Penguins are dealing with dealing with several injuries up front, providing an opening for Calgary's top line.
D P.K. Subban (51K), Predators (vs. Canucks): Subban has just one assist since returning from injury Jan. 20, but he hasn't played less than 22 minutes in the seven games. He has just one SOG in each of his past two outings, but he'll have plenty of chances to capitalize with the same usage against the lowly Canucks.
RW James Neal (57K), Predators (vs. Canucks): Stuck in a disappointing season, Neal continues to be relegated to the Predators' second line. He has managed 11 SOG in his past three games, though topping out at just 17:32 TOI. He remains with C Ryan Johansen and LW Filip Forsberg on the power play.
With Sidney Crosby on the verge of his 1,000th career regular-season point, "On the Fly," theScore's NHL roundtable series, convenes for a special session.
As he approaches the milestone, we're looking back. Here are five regular-season points by Crosby we won't ever forget.
50
Ian McLaren: In the final game of the 2009-10 regular season, Crosby scored twice against Dwayne Roloson and the New York Islanders.
The goals marked his 50th and 51st of the season - the first and only time he's reached the half-century mark. In fact, Crosby's next-highest single-season goal total is 39, set as a rookie back in 2005-06.
Crosby's 298 shots on goal that season also set a new career high that's yet to be eclipsed.
The 51 goals gave him a share of the NHL lead and the Rocket Richard Trophy with Steven Stamkos. Crosby, however, played one fewer game than Stamkos that season, and the extra 21:57 (Crosby's average ice time that season) probably would have afforded him the opportunity to hit at least 52.
Welcome back
Josh Gold-Smith: A pair of hits to the head forced Crosby to miss nearly a full year, but it didn't take him long to make an impact in his first game back.
Concussion symptoms resulting from headshots by Dave Steckel and Victor Hedman in consecutive contests in January 2010 kept him out for the second half of the 2010-11 regular season, all of the 2011 playoffs, and the first 20 games of the 2011-12 campaign.
But when he returned Nov. 21, 2011, it took him less than six minutes to score a spectacular goal against the New York Islanders - one of two he'd tally in the game.
Assist No. 21
Navin Vaswani: It was Dec. 27, 2005 - three months into Crosby's career. And I was off to Pittsburgh, driving from Toronto with a group of friends to the old Igloo, to watch "The Kid" face the Maple Leafs for the first time. He was the next one, after all.
The Civic Arena was some barn. One of those old-school buildings, a relic, the house that Mario Lemieux built - and it belonged to Crosby now. And No. 87, only 18, didn't disappoint.
With Toronto up 2-1 in the third period, and the Penguins on the power play, Crosby made a brilliant cross-crease pass to Michel Ouellet, after trying himself to jam the puck in while sliding out from behind the net on one knee. Yeah. And the pass went to where Ouellet was going to be. Tie game. It was unreal. Check it out:
Unparalleled vision. A sign of things to come. And as Crosby approaches point No. 1,000, I'm left thinking about the first time I saw him play, and assist No. 21. He's added 628 since.
It's hard to believe it's been more than 11 years. Looking back, it was one of those perfect road trips. We were Maple Leafs fans in enemy territory, in town to watch our team, and the home team's star rookie.
Toronto won 3-2 in overtime. Tomas Kaberle scored in extra time, Mikael Tellqvist finished with 33 saves, and Mats Sundin had three points. But, man, what a pass by Sid. We went home with two points, and with the knowledge that we'd watched a special player - Crosby played over 23 minutes that night - who was going to do special things for a long time.
The Slide
Craig Hagerman: Crosby's diving goal from his stomach back in January 2007 was, like many of his career markers, something most hockey fans had never seen before.
The then-sophomore came down on a two-on-one with Mark Recchi, diving on his stomach to get a piece of the Recchi pass and put it by Tampa Bay Lighting goalie Johan Holmqvist.
It was more proof that Crosby - who admitted postgame to diving on purpose - sees the game on a higher level than anyone else, and is the best player in the world.
He has gone on to score a ridiculous number of goals from his knees, but this gem will go down as one of his best.
Still king
Justin Cuthbert: This one might lack similar significance, but, to me, it's pure Sid.
In early February of last season, when he had broken out of his funk and the Penguins were steadily becoming the best team in hockey, Crosby scored a spectacular insurance marker in a game versus the Anaheim Ducks.
He busted out of the zone after creating a turnover at the blue line, and took a lead pass at center. A desperate Cam Fowler applied a hook intended to drop Crosby immediately as he took the pass, but was only successful in slowing him down. Fowler raked him again as Crosby picked up speed over the blue line. This time he'd succeed, but as Crosby dropped to a knee, he launched a snap shot over the shoulder of John Gibson, celebrating while crashing into the boards.
This wondergoal reminded us all Crosby's still king, and that no one protects the puck better.
Every Tuesday, theScore's hockey editors will examine the fortunes of the north's seven NHL franchises. Welcome to "O Canada."
With the All-Star Game in the rear-view mirror, it's now crunch time. There are just over eight weeks remaining in the regular season, and teams are making that final push for a playoff spot.
Let's discuss who among the seven Canadian franchises is a contender for a playoff berth, and who's primed for an early offseason:
Calgary Flames
Status: Pretender
Take: The Calgary Flames have been too inconsistent for their own good.
The team has remained in the playoff conversation for most of the season, but on the back of - once again - unreliable goaltending, the Flames have failed to get over the hump.
Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson have failed to turn in the seasons expected to make the Flames a threat in the West, combining for the eighth-worst team save percentage.
Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau have been hot of late, but are still set to see their point totals take a dive.
Factor in the club facing a strong Pacific Division, an inspired St. Louis Blues club, and the always dangerous Los Angeles Kings, and it's likely the Flames sit this one out.
Edmonton Oilers
Status: Contender
Take: It's the first time in a long time the Edmonton Oilers have fit this bill.
The club has skyrocketed up the standings with a healthy Connor McDavid, the outstanding play of Cam Talbot, and a more sound defensive system.
They're playing a more structured game, and, along with McDavid's surge and Leon Draisaitl's breakout, the team has quickly become one of the premier offensive threats in the league.
They can hang with the big boys, and while their full potential may still be a year or two down the road, the Oilers are quickly making a name for themselves.
Montreal Canadiens
Status: Contender
Take: While Montreal fans may have thought the sky was falling after P.K. Subban was shipped out to Nashville, the Canadiens appear to be better for the deal eight months later.
Much like the Oilers, Montreal has thrived since dealing away one of its top talents. Shea Weber has made a seamless transition with the club, gifting the team with a more defensively sound option on the back end. Having the hardest shot in the league certainly doesn't hurt, either (actually it does, just ask Brendan Gallagher).
Factor in that Carey Price has been healthy and Alexander Radulov has been among the best offseason signings of the year, and the team is primed for a deep playoff run.
Ottawa Senators
Status: Contender
Take: The Ottawa Senators continue to defy skeptics, posting the second-best record in the Atlantic Division with a near-identical club from a season ago.
A tip of the hat to new head coach Guy Boucher is in order. In quick stead, Boucher has turned the Senators into a defensively sound club, and made Erik Karlsson a better all-around player.
The team's penalty kill - which ranked 29th last season - is now the 10th most reliable unit in the league. And, after giving up a league-high 32.8 shots per game last season, the Senators are allowing 30.1 - a jump to 13th.
The Senators have done this without their No. 1 goaltender, and the team could surprise some when it reaches the postseason.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Status: Contender
Take: Talk about a changing of the guard.
Just one year removed from finishing with the worst record in the league, the Maple Leafs have rebounded on the strength of their numerous rookies, and look poised for their first playoff berth since the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season.
Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner haven't skipped a beat since being thrown into the fire, while Frederik Andersen - minus his initial and current slumps - has been a rock on the back end.
The team's defense remains a question mark, to put it lightly, but with an elite offense and Andersen's ability to provide elite goaltending, the Maple Leafs are much closer to being contenders than pretenders.
Toronto has the third-best point percentage in the Atlantic, fast-tracking its rebuild.
Winnipeg Jets
Status: Pretender
Take: The Winnipeg Jets have proven on several occasions that they have what it takes to contend, but - like the Flames - are impeded by their goaltending.
The trio of Michael Hutchinson, Connor Hellebuyck, and Ondrej Pavelec has faltered. Hellebuyck is the only goalie with a save percentage over the .900 mark (.908), while his 2.82 goals-against average is actually the best on the team.
The team is averaging the fourth-most goals against per game, and is riding the fifth-worst team save percentage at .899.
The trio of Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Patrik Laine has been among the best lines in hockey, but you can only go so far when you can't keep the puck out of your own net.
Vancouver Canucks
Status: Pretender
Take: The Canucks have shown glimpses of promise, but always seem to come back to earth.
The team is scoring at the third-worst rate in the league, and for that reason has mounted the third-worst goal differential at -27.
Bo Horvat has taken great strides in his development, but few others have aided him along the way. Loui Eriksson looks primed for a buyout down the road - a huge disappointment for the team.
The Canucks would be better off tearing it down and rebuilding, but with the Sedins still in the fold, that appears unlikely. Instead, the team is on pace to finish in no-man's land.
With one situation muddled further, another has perhaps become unclouded.
As the final preparations were being made for Boston's Super Bowl parade Tuesday, the local hockey club instructed its coach to stop doing his job, terminating the contract of the longest-tenured bench boss in the NHL, Claude Julien.
Though it seemingly became inevitable, the Bruins' decision is curious. Because for his part, Julien has extracted results from rosters with a wide breadth of overall talent throughout his 10-year tenure with the Bruins.
This hasn't been more evident than it is right now.
Boston is the NHL's top possession team, swaying shot attempts at upwards of 56 percent. This isn't a product of meticulous roster construction on the part of Cam Neely, Don Sweeney, and the rest of Bruins management.
In fact, the argument can be made Julien's scheme is thriving in spite of it.
Boston's still in the midst of suffering the consequences of previous success that has forced the club to make many difficult decisions with its assets since Julien steered the organization to a Stanley Cup in 2011. Coin flips and questionable decisions have had a detrimental impact on the foundation of the roster.
But many front office failings and the hemorrhaging of assets for the last decade hasn't undercut the program, because Julien's design has kept them competitive on a nightly basis.
What has finally led to his undoing in this results-focused business after two seasons on the outside of the postseason bracket, however, is another, more destructive factor beyond his control: a ruinous combined save and shooting percentage.
Boston sports an NHL-worst 96.68 PDO, which, in a way, flatters its current seeding in the East. The club leads the league in total shots on target, but is converting at a historically low percentage, and Tuukka Rask's uncharacteristic struggles are being intensified by management's inability to support their world-class starter with capable help.
Terrible luck. It's ultimately why Julien's without work.
Fortuity, however, works both ways.
With Julien unemployed (though still technically under contract with Boston for another season beyond this), the Vegas Golden Knights now have an absolute embarrassment of riches when it comes to coaching candidates to vet.
And while the other three NHL bench bosses fired this year - Gerard Gallant, Jack Capuano, and Ken Hitchcock - are qualified to spearhead the expansion program, none have built up the same level of cachet as Julien in the post-lockout era.
Technical, successful, and respected. Julien would tick off all the boxes for the Golden Knights, and make the expansion market an even more desirable destination for NHL talent - both on the ice and inside operations.
The Boston Bruins have severed their partnership with the longest-tenured head coach in the NHL, firing Claude Julien on Tuesday, the club announced.
Bruce Cassidy, an assistant under Julien this season, has been named the interim boss.
In his 10th year at the helm, Julien led the Bruins to a playoff appearance in his first seven seasons, winning the Stanley Cup in 2011. The Bruins have missed the postseason in the last two campaigns under his watch, and have slipped to 20th in points percentage this season.
Though the results have eluded Boston this season, many believe Julien's structure isn't what's failing the organization. The Bruins are the league's top possession team, controlling shot attempts at 55.86 percent, according to Corsica.
He's Boston's all-time leader in wins and postseason victories, and finished his tenure with a .614 winning percentage. He won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's best coach in 2008-09.
Cassidy spent the previous five seasons with the Bruins' minor-league affiliate in Providence. His only previous head coaching in the top flight came with the Washington Capitals in 2002, and he was fired 25 games into his second year in charge.
Julien had another season beyond this year remaining on his terminated deal. He'll continue earning his current $2.5-million salary, as well as $3 million next season, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.
Julien is the fourth NHL coach to be fired this season, joining Gerard Gallant, Jack Capuano, and Ken Hitchcock. Each should receive consideration for the vacant post with the Vegas Golden Knights.
