Kane notches career-high 5 points in Blackhawks’ rout of Senators

Patrick Kane has earned his fair share of accolades over the course of his career, but he outdid himself Tuesday night, recording his first-ever five-point performance as his Chicago Blackhawks dominated the Ottawa Senators 8-2.

Kane started off with four assists - something he's never done before - and then topped off his incredible night with a power-play laser in the third period.

The former MVP notched four of his five points with the man advantage, and is now up to 45 points in 42 games this season.

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Senators’ Ryan leaves game with another hand injury

It may be time for Bobby Ryan to invest in better gloves.

The Ottawa Senators winger left Tuesday's contest against the Chicago Blackhawks after he suffered a hand injury, marking the third time this season Ryan has been sidelined with the same ailment.

Ryan missed an eight-game stretch earlier this year due to a fractured finger. He then returned for 17 games before aggravating the injury in late December.

No timeline has been provided for Ryan's latest injury.

The veteran forward has tallied 17 points in 31 games this season.

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Bettman, Islanders owner tour Nassau Coliseum as possible temporary arena

Nassau Coliseum hosted an open house Tuesday, as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and New York Islanders majority owner Jon Ledecky toured the recently renovated arena.

The Islanders' former digs, Nassau Coliseum is considered a possible temporary home as the team's new arena in nearby Belmont Park breaks ground.

In the meantime, New York will continue to play out of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, where it's called home since 2015. Despite the team signing a 25-year agreement to play at the venue shared with the NBA's Nets, both the Islanders and arena manager can trigger an opt-out clause at the end of January.

If that should happen, the Islanders would need to find a temporary home following the 2018-19 season.

Nassau Coliseum, built in 1971, has undergone a host of changes since the Islanders left three years ago, including a $165-million renovation that reduced seating capacity by 3,000 to 13,000 for hockey games.

A number of improvements would need to be orchestrated in order for New York to return temporarily. Also at issue is who would fund those changes. Nassau Coliseum is currently owned by Forest City Enterprises, a real estate development firm.

Nassau Coliseum hosted an Islanders preseason game last September.

While the Islanders have played out of Barclays Center for parts of three seasons, a quick exit was initiated after a host of issues were realized, from awful ice conditions to poor sight lines and a tough commute.

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The time is finally right for Canadiens to trade Galchenyuk

A dismal 2017-18 campaign has given the Montreal Canadiens a wonderful opportunity.

No, not the chance to pick first overall in the draft - though with half the year still to go, that might not be out of the question - but rather the perfect opening to deal forward Alex Galchenyuk.

Over the past two seasons, Galchenyuk and his coaches have been bombarded by questions surrounding his streaky play, what line he's playing on, and whether he fits best on the wing or at center.

Related: Why Canadiens are making a big mistake by demoting Galchenyuk to 4th line

All that can be put to rest, though, if they trade the 23-year-old.

With Montreal holding down the third-lowest spot in the Eastern Conference and sitting seven points outside a wild-card berth, it's becoming clear the team will be a seller at the trade deadline.

Max Pacioretty's name has already been floated, which means few roster spots are safe. It makes the most sense to trade Galchenyuk, though, and the timing couldn't be better.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

Galchenyuk holds a share of the team lead in scoring with Pacioretty and Brendan Gallagher, recording 23 points in 41 games. He's also matched Andrew Shaw for the top spot on the team with five power-play goals, leads the club with 10 points with the extra attacker, sits tied for second in game-winning goals with two, and ranks third in shots.

Given the struggles he's endured over the last couple seasons, it could be argued his value hasn't been higher.

Back in June, it was reported the Canadiens were actively shopping Galchenyuk, but with no suitor emerging, the team inked the then-restricted free agent to a three-year, $14.7-million contract.

With the Canadiens likely to enter rebuild mode, they'll want to get his $4.9-million cap hit off the books.

As for Galchenyuk, a move might help him recapture the form that led him to record 30 goals and 56 points during the 2015-16 season.

He's still young and talented, and could serve as a great depth upgrade on a contending club ahead of the postseason.

Related: 7 players in need of a change of scenery

The last two years have been a headache for everyone surrounding the Galchenyuk saga. A trade would put it to bed, helping the Canadiens acquire draft picks or prospects and giving him a fresh start.

The trade deadline is Feb. 26. It's time for Marc Bergevin to work the phones.

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Seabrook to serve as healthy scratch vs. Senators

Some poor form has landed veteran Brent Seabrook a spot in the press box.

After staying late for practice, the Chicago Blackhawks veteran confirmed he will serve as a healthy scratch when the Blackhawks take on the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night, according to Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun Times.

Seabrook noted head coach Joel Quenneville told him he needs to be better. The message looks to be received as Seabrook knows it's up to him to work his way back into the lineup.

"I want to get back to being more consistent," Seabrook said. "I think I’ve had good stretches and bad stretches. It’s tough. I've just got to stay focused, and when I get a chance to be back in the lineup, I’ve got to be ready to go."

Seabrook has played over 20 minutes just once in the team's last eight games, while going pointless with just five shots during that span.

The 32-year-old is currently earning $6.875 million, tops among Blackhawks defenders. He's scored just one goal and added 10 assists in 41 games this season

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Predators ink Weber, Irwin, Bitetto to extensions

The Nashville Predators inked three defensemen to contract extensions Tuesday.

The club announced the following defensemen signings:

Weber is enjoying his second season with the Predators, in which he has one goal and two assists in 25 games playing largely on the team's third pairing.

Like Weber, Bitetto has dressed in 25 games this season, with one goal and two assists.

Irwin has played the most of the three this season, suiting up in 31 games, potting two goals and five assists.

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Sharks: Cold, dark Winnipeg is worst NHL city to play in

If the San Jose Sharks had their way, they would've skipped Sunday's game against the Winnipeg Jets.

That's because Tomas Hertl, Justin Braun, and Tim Heed all consider Winnipeg the worst city in which to play, per NBC Sports California.

"I think it's Winnipeg cause every time it's so cold and dark there," said Hertl. "I don't like it there."

Meanwhile, Braun feels the city's infrastructure is lacking.

"Winnipeg. Dark. Cold. Hotel is a little questionable," said Braun. "Internet doesn't work ever. I don't know if they have wifi there yet."

The fact the Jets thumped the Sharks 4-1 on Sunday - just after the video was posted - likely didn't change the minds of the players.

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3 teams that should be calling the Red Wings about Mike Green

In terms of trade-deadline acquisitions for contending teams across the NHL, few pieces are more coveted than a right-handed defenseman.

Unfortunately for the scores of general managers seeking to add one ahead of the deadline, available such players are few and far between. That said, a few exist, and Detroit Red Wings rearguard Mike Green is one name sure to generate plenty of interest across front offices prior to Feb. 26.

Green, 32, hasn't packed the same punch since he registered back-to-back 70-plus-point seasons with Washington in 2009 and 2010, but has quietly remained an effective puck-mover and point producer throughout his tenure in Detroit.

Although they've looked better of late, the Red Wings probably aren't strong enough to sustain a serious pursuit of a playoff spot, making Green's expiring contract highly expendable.

Green, who has recorded 24 points in 41 games this season, carries a $6 million cap hit. It's unlikely he waives his no-trade clause for a team without serious Stanley Cup aspirations, so without further ado, here are three contenders that should be courting Ken Holland for Green's services.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Whether the Maple Leafs need to reinforce their blue line to truly emerge as a playoff threat has been discussed fervently since last summer, and if they do decide to make a move, Green could be a proper fit.

Toronto's internal right-handed options are limited, and Green has potential to fit well with the up-tempo style at which the Leafs are most effective. With numerous high-end forward prospects at their disposal, and a few extra draft picks to boot, the Leafs have a few avenues to explore to make a deal work.

Tampa Bay Lightning

(Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)

As unstoppable as the Lightning have been to this point, why wouldn't Steve Yzerman want to make a move that could help push his team over the top?

First and foremost, the Lightning would have to unload salary to add Green and stay under the cap, but it's not insurmountable by any means, especially if Yzerman manages to convince his old team to retain some of Green's cost.

If there's a flaw with Tampa's roster as they look to nail down top spot in the East, it's a mostly inexperienced blue line. Jake Dotchin, rookie dynamo Mikhail Sergachev, and Slater Koekkoek currently make up half of the Lightning's top six; giving some of those minutes to Green down the stretch would only add to Tampa Bay's chances of capturing a Stanley Cup.

Washington Capitals

After another playoff disappointment gave way to plenty of roster turnover, the Capitals have hardly lost a step, leading the treacherous Metropolitan Division with 55 points.

Like the Lightning, Washington would also have to tinker to take on Green's salary, but seeking improvement on the back end ahead of a playoff trip that will likely feature multiple divisional opponents doesn't seem a bad idea - even if the Kevin Shattenkirk experiment didn't pan out last year.

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