Crosby doesn’t consider Golden Knights’ hot start a fluke

The reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner is a believer in the Vegas Golden Knights.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is apparently a bit of a stickler when it comes to analytics, and after breaking down their performances, believes the Golden Knights' 8-1-0 record is not a fluke, he told The Athletic's Josh Yohe.

The club is enjoying the best start ever for an expansion team and currently leads the league in point percentage (.889).

Related - Poll: Will the Golden Knights make the playoffs?

Vegas currently boasts a PDO (five-on-five save percentage plus shooting percentage) of 106.55, according to Corsica, the highest mark in the league, suggesting regression is likely to follow. The club has also played just two of its opening nine games on the road, but will now embark on a six-game road trip, which should provide a stern test of its mettle.

The outcome of the road trip could go a long way in assessing the accuracy of Crosby's hypothesis.

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Ovechkin bought clothes for homeless person in Edmonton

Alex Ovechkin: Great hockey player, better human being.

A report surfaced Friday that Ovechkin gave his winter jacket and hat to a homeless man he passed by outside an Edmonton cafe.

As it turns out, the Washington Capitals superstar saw the homeless man nearly half naked, then went to a store and bought him a sweater, coat, and hat.

Ovechkin downplayed his kind gesture when talking to reporters.

The world could certainly use more Alex Ovechkins.

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Devils announce partnership with women’s pro league team

The New Jersey Devils recently became the first NHL club to announce a formal partnership with a team from the National Women's Hockey League.

The Devils will support the Metropolitan Riveters by allowing them to play the majority of their home games at their practice facility in Newark, assist with marketing and promotion of the team, and host a Riveters/Devils doubleheader at the Prudential Center on Saturday, Oct. 28.

"They are marketing us like a real sister team - everything from the website, social media, to the broadcast and in arena," NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan told Melissa Murphy of The Associated Press. "You name it, they’re going to be helping us market the Riveters."

The NWHL played its inaugural season in 2015-16, and currently has three teams in addition to the Riveters: the Boston Pride, the Buffalo Beauts, and the Connecticut Whale. Their 16-game season spans from October to March.

Their biggest competitor is the Canadian Women's Hockey League, which has been around since 2007, and has seven teams, including two based in China.

- With h/t to The Associated Press

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Devils announce partnership with women’s pro league team

The New Jersey Devils recently became the first NHL club to announce a formal partnership with a team from the National Women's Hockey League.

The Devils will support the Metropolitan Riveters by allowing them to play the majority of their home games at their practice facility in Newark, assist with marketing and promotion of the team, and host a Riveters/Devils doubleheader at the Prudential Center on Saturday, Oct. 28.

"They are marketing us like a real sister team - everything from the website, social media, to the broadcast and in arena," NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan told Melissa Murphy of The Associated Press. "You name it, they’re going to be helping us market the Riveters."

The NWHL played its inaugural season in 2015-16, and currently has three teams in addition to the Riveters: the Boston Pride, the Buffalo Beauts, and the Connecticut Whale. Their 16-game season spans from October to March.

Their biggest competitor is the Canadian Women's Hockey League, which has been around since 2007, and has seven teams, including two based in China.

- With h/t to The Associated Press

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Poll: Will the Golden Knights make the playoffs?

The Vegas Golden Knights are 8-1-0 after defeating the Colorado Avalanche 7-0 on Friday. They sit fourth in the NHL with 16 points, and first in the league with an .889 points percentage.

Though there's still plenty of hockey left to be played, do you think the Golden Knights will make the playoffs in their inaugural season?

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NHL betting preview: Predicting Saturday’s 12 results

Ahead of Saturday's jam-packed NHL slate, theScore's Flip Livingstone predicts the winners for all 12 games.

Well, let's not mince words: last week was a bona fide mess. But, luckily for us, there's another stacked 12-game slate on tap for Saturday. Here's a quick look at all dozen games and theScore's pick for each:

Last Week's Record: 3-9
Gold Pick Record: 1-0

Gold Pick

Anaheim Ducks (4-4-1) @ Tampa Bay Lightning (9-1-1)

With a healthy Steven Stamkos and a red-hot Nikita Kucherov in tow, the Lightning have started the campaign on a tear, winning four in a row and eight of their last 10. Meanwhile, the Ducks have lost five straight in Tampa. Look for the Lightning to keep firing on all cylinders.

Silver Pick

Pittsburgh Penguins (7-3-1) @ Minnesota Wild (3-3-2)

The first-place Pens are coming off back-to-back victories and have won four of their last six against the Wild. Factor in that hot dog aficionado Phil Kessel is on fire of late, notching seven points in five games, and Pittsburgh slots in quite nicely as this week's silver pick.

Bronze Pick

New York Islanders (5-4-1) @ Nashville Predators (5-3-2)

We got burned by the Predators last week, but this is a good spot for Nashville against a team they historically play well against, winners of seven of their last nine against the Isles.

San Jose Sharks (4-5-0) @ Buffalo Sabres (3-6-2)

Buffalo simply has too much talent to be playing this poorly. Not exactly the best reasoning for placing a wager, but San Jose is wrapping up a five-game eastern road trip and struggles in Buffalo, losing 14 of its last 16 games at KeyBank Center.

Los Angeles Kings (8-1-1) @ Boston Bruins (4-3-1)

After a lousy 2016-17 campaign, the Kings have been one of the best teams to start the new season. Boston usually plays L.A. tough, but expect the Kings to keep it rolling in Beantown as Tuukka Rask could be rusty after returning from a concussion.

Philadelphia Flyers (5-5-0) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (7-3-0)

This contest could easily end with at least three or four goals for each side, but Toronto needs a bounce-back performance after getting shelled Thursday at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes and should be fired up for this one.

New York Rangers (3-6-2) @ Montreal Canadiens (2-7-1)

If you can, avoid betting on this hand grenade of a game at all costs, as both clubs have looked lost at times of late. But, if you must, lean toward the Habs, as the city of Montreal might implode if they lose another home contest.

Detroit Red Wings (4-6-1) @ Florida Panthers (4-5-0)

Woof. Another game that might not exactly be easy on the eyes. However, the Panthers just hung an eight-spot on the Ducks, so they could be onto something here. Take the Cats if you're feeling degenerate.

Arizona Coyotes (0-9-1) @ New Jersey Devils (7-2-0)

That's right, folks, tonight's the night the listless Coyotes earn their first victory of the year. Feel free to @ us accordingly.

Columbus Blue Jackets (7-3-0) @ St. Louis Blues (8-2-1)

Two of the NHL's hottest teams go at it in what's sure to be one of the best matchups on the 12-game slate. Columbus has only one win in its last six against St. Louis, so give the edge to the Blues in what should be a close one-goal affair.

Chicago Blackhawks (5-4-2) @ Colorado Avalanche (5-5-0)

After a hot start to the year, the Avalanche are starting to look like the team we all know and love to bet against, getting thumped last night to the tune of a 7-0 beatdown at the hands of the Golden Knights. Expect another beating tonight.

Washington Capitals (4-5-1) @ Edmonton Oilers (3-5-1)

The Capitals got blown out Thursday by the Canucks, while the Oilers are coming off a big come-from-behind W against the Stars. Edmonton looks to be turning the page while the Caps are starting to slide. Take the Oilers to earn the two points.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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