Cam Talbot, optimist.

Despite his Edmonton Oilers ranking ahead of just two teams in the Western Conference standings, the goaltender believes the disappointing season is not yet lost.

"We're going to make the playoffs," Talbot said, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector.

"We're going to play like our lives are on the line every single night," he added. "Until eight teams have an 'X' beside their name we're not out of it. That's how we have to approach it."

The Oilers entered the All-Star break with 47 points in 49 games, putting them 10 points out of the final wild-card spot in the West with four teams between them and the Colorado Avalanche. While clubs have overcome similar deficits in the past, the Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, and Anaheim Ducks each have 57 points as well, meaning Edmonton will also need tons of help down the stretch to have a chance.

For the Oilers to pull off a miracle and qualify for the postseason, Talbot will have to improve his play, as his .901 save percentage across 39 starts this season is a major reason why the club has regressed from a 103-point finish in 2016-17.

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The Montreal Canadiens' second-half climb into playoff relevancy will have to be done without the services of super-pest Andrew Shaw, as the chippy forward will be sidelined for the next four-to-six weeks.

Shaw hasn't played since being injured Jan. 13 against the Boston Bruins and was subsequently placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.

Through 43 games prior to getting hurt, Shaw registered 10 goals and nine assists along with a Corsi For percentage of 52.17.

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One of the most prolific careers in NHL history looks to have come to an underwhelming end, as the Calgary Flames officially assigned Jaromir Jagr to HC Kladno of the Czech League, where he'll resume his professional career after clearing waivers.

Jagr ranks second to only Wayne Gretzky in career points (1,914) and third behind Gordie Howe and Mark Messier in games played (1,733). While he could still technically revive his NHL career at some point down the road, all signs point to this being the final act of a wildly eventful journey for No. 68 in the league.

The Flames were Jagr's ninth NHL team, and while it definitely wasn't his most memorable stop, his name still generated buzz everywhere he went, and inspired legions of fans to come out and watch. So, without further ado, let's look back at each of Jagr's tenures and rank them accordingly:

9. Dallas Stars (2012-13)

Jagr's first stop in the Western Conference was individually productive, as he notched 26 points in 34 games in the lockout-shortened season. But the Stars weren't a particularly great team at that point, and the luster quickly fizzled as he was traded to the Boston Bruins for the stretch run and playoffs.

8. Calgary Flames (2017-18)

Though even shorter than his time in Dallas, the excitement of Jagr landing a contract after an offseason of questions about whether he'd get one bumps his only stint in Canada ahead of his time in Texas. It certainly didn't end the way the hockey world had hoped, but it was fun while it lasted.

7. Boston Bruins (2012-13)

As mentioned, the Stars weren't very good in 2012-13, but boy, the Bruins were. Jagr joined a Boston team ripe with depth and went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. In 22 postseason games, he recorded 10 assists but failed to score, which somewhat soured a playoff run that fell just barely - and excruciatingly - short of a championship.

6. New Jersey Devils (2013-15)

While coping with the loss of Ilya Kovalchuk, the Devils signed Jagr to a one-year deal after his time in Boston. New Jersey didn't do much with Jagr in the fold, but at least he was there for an entire season. Plus, he scored his 700th carer goal and played in his 1,500th game while with the club.

5. Philadelphia Flyers (2011-12)

After a three-year break in the KHL, Jagr provoked the imagination of all NHL fan bases by deciding to come back to North America. Pittsburgh fans dreamed he would don Penguins colors once more, but Jagr went full villain by signing a one-year contract with the archrival Flyers. Though it was ultimately a fruitless endeavor, the excitement of it all bumps this tenure ahead of his other brief stops.

4. Florida Panthers (2015-17)

The Devils dealt Jagr to the Panthers in February 2015, where he found a comfortable home for the latter stages of his career. Jagr proved he could still be productive despite his age, leading Florida in scoring with 66 points at 44 years old. Most notably, he moved into second all time in points while suiting up in Sunrise.

3. Washington Capitals (2001-04)

After an ugly split with the Penguins, Jagr was dealt to the Capitals and subsequently signed the most lucrative contract in NHL history at the time - a whopping seven-year, $77-million deal. Jagr's arrival didn't translate into any significant success for the Caps despite his gaudy numbers, which eventually prompted a trade out of the nation's capital.

2. New York Rangers (2004-08)

Jagr landed in the Big Apple after Washington and remained one of the league's premier point producers. In 2005-06, he notched his third-highest season total with 123 points - the only time he reached triple digits after his time in Pittsburgh. His performance that year earned him the Lester. B Pearson award as the league's most valuable player as voted by the players' association.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins (1990-2001)

Obviously.

After being drafted fifth overall in 1990, Jagr teamed up with Mario Lemiuex in Pittsburgh to form arguably the most unstoppable tandem the league has ever seen. The Penguins won Stanley Cups in each of Jagr's first two seasons, launching him into superstardom. On top of his two rings, he also won the Art Ross five times, a Hart Trophy, two Lester B. Pearsons, and was named to nine All-Star Games as a Penguin.

(Photos Courtesy: Getty Images)

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Brandon Dubinsky is apparently doing just fine after all - at least if you ask him.

Despite being sent home by the Columbus Blue Jackets for personal reasons just last week - followed by reports about his career potentially nearing its end - Dubinsky said he's close to returning to game action.

"It feels good," Dubinsky said of his forthcoming return, according to the Columbus Dispatch's Steve Gorten. "I had to deal with some, some medical issues for myself. It’s nice to be back in practice and have the opportunity to try to play tomorrow.

"We talked before that (optional) practice (Tuesday in Las Vegas), agreed on some stuff and I came home to look after myself. I had some stuff going on and I just had to take care of it."

Dubinsky hasn't suited up for the Blue Jackets since breaking his orbital bone in a scrap with Edmonton Oilers tough guy Zack Kassian on Dec. 13, but said he'll be back in the lineup "1000 percent" by Friday the latest.

However, the biggest questions surrounding Dubinsky have still gone mostly unanswered, as the specifics behind his medical issue were never fully provided.

"You guys can speculate all you want. That’s up to you," Dubinsky said. "I’m telling you what I’m going to tell you. We’re people too. We have stuff that is private to us and we want to keep that way. So that’s just the way it’s going to be."

Columbus returns to action Tuesday night against the Minnesota Wild, followed by games against the San Jose Sharks and New York Islanders on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

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The Winnipeg Jets will start the second half of the NHL campaign without one of their top defenseman, as Jacob Trouba will be out six-to-eight weeks with a lower-body injury, head coach Paul Maurice announced Monday.

Trouba suffered the injury near the end of Winnipeg's most recent contest, a shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.

Through 50 games, Trouba has been an absolute workhorse, racking up three goals and 17 assists in 22:10 of ice time per night while anchoring Maurice's top defensive unit alongside upstart rearguard Josh Morrissey.

Winnipeg sits one point clear of the Nashville Predators for the Central Division lead, but with injuries to key players mounting, the Jets' depth will be put to the test over the next couple of months.

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The Calgary Flames assigned Jaromir Jagr to HC Kladno of the Czech hockey league Monday, the team announced.

Jagr was placed on waivers Sunday, subsequently cleared waivers earlier Monday, and became eligible to be assigned to his home club in the Czech Republic - a team Jagr also co-owns.

"I want to thank Brad Treliving and the Calgary Flames for giving me the immense opportunity to be a part of their team and continue my NHL career this season," Jagr said in a team release.

"Although I am very disappointed that things did not turn out as we had hoped due to a number of circumstances, I am deeply grateful to the Flames, the fans and the City of Calgary for having welcomed me so generously. I now look forward to continuing the season in Kladno."

Now that Jagr has officially cleared waivers and been assigned, his contract comes off of Calgary's books for the remainder of the season, according to Cap Friendly.

In what was potentially his last attempt at sticking in the NHL, Jagr was a disappointment this season for the Flames, registering only one goal and six assists in just over 13 minutes of ice time per night.

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Brian Gionta is getting a chance to get back into game action.

The former Buffalo Sabres captain, who's been named to Team USA's roster for the upcoming Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, has signed a one-game tryout with the Rochester Americans, the Sabres' AHL affiliate.

Related: Gionta, Wisniewski highlight U.S. men's Olympic roster

"Brian has been practicing with us on a regular basis since early in the season," Americans general manager Randy Sexton said in a statement. "These practices were part of his preparation for the Olympics and, given the Olympics are just around the corner, a game was the final tuneup for him to get ready to captain the U.S. Olympic team."

The veteran forward is expected to dress for Friday's contest against the Toronto Marlies. It will mark Gionta's first game since last April when he was part of the Sabres, and his first AHL appearance since the 2004-05 season.

A native of Rochester, Gionta has previously represented the United States internationally on six occasions, most recently at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Team USA's first game in PyeongChang comes Feb. 14 against Slovenia.

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