Rust shaken off: Scheifele shines in 3rd game since return from injury

Mark Scheifele is flying once again.

The Winnipeg Jets center was a difference-maker in Tuesday's overtime win, recording two goals, one assist, and four shots in over 23 minutes of ice time against the Washington Capitals.

Scheifele's impact was felt most with the game on the line, as he scored his second of the night with 14.4 seconds remaining in regulation.

And then at 2:35 of the extra frame, he expertly set up the game-winning strike by Tyler Myers.

Scheifele was playing his third game since missing 16 with an upper-body injury.

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Karlsson, Sens teammates lament losing Phaneuf in trade to Kings

Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson is sad to say goodbye to a teammate and friend.

Fellow defenseman Dion Phaneuf was traded to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, prompting immediate reactions from Karlsson and a few other Sens.

"It's an unfortunate part of the business," said Karlsson, per Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch. "He's a good friend of mine and a good friend of everybody on this team."

"This is a tough day because they're real character guys and real pros," added head coach Guy Boucher, referring to Phaneuf and Nate Thompson, who was also sent to the Kings.

Karlsson and a couple other teammates took to Twitter to express their feelings:

Side note: For those wondering about the wording, Karlsson added a follow up:

Coming to Ottawa are forwards Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore.

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Kings GM: Phaneuf brings experience, leadership, physicality

Dion Phaneuf is Rob Blake's kind of player.

The Los Angeles Kings general manager acquired the veteran defenseman - as well as forward Nate Thompson - from the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, and later explained what he values in Phaneuf.

"Dion brings to our club a great deal of experience and leadership. He also plays with a physical edge which complements our lineup well," Blake said. "Nate has a good reputation of being a high-energy player on the ice. Both guys are also high character guys."

Heading out of L.A. are forwards Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore, who Blake thanked for their service.

"We also wish Marian and Nick well. Marian has enjoyed a tremendous career to date and has played an integral role with our team over the years including a Stanley Cup Championship. Nick is a hard worker who came up through our system and has developed into a solid NHL player."

Gaborik was a member of L.A.'s 2014 Stanley Cup-winning team, while Phaneuf helped Ottawa come within one goal of advancing to the finals a year ago.

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Blues, Stastny haven’t discussed contract extension

St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong and forward Paul Stastny haven't talked about a potential contract extension, Armstrong and Stastny's agent Matt Keator confirmed Tuesday to The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford.

Both sides have agreed to let the season play out before they discuss a deal, per Rutherford.

The 32-year-old is in the final year of a four-year, $28-million contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Stastny is in his fourth season with the Blues and has 12 goals and 39 points in 58 games.

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Senators trade Phaneuf to Kings for Gaborik in 4-player deal

The Los Angeles Kings announced the acquisition of defenseman Dion Phaneuf from the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday in exchange for Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore.

Also going L.A.'s way is journeyman pivot Nate Thompson.

With Erik Karlsson taking his time rounding into form following offseason ankle surgery, Phaneuf has arguably been Ottawa's most reliable defenseman this year, registering three goals and 13 assists in just over 20 minutes of ice time per night.

As for Gaborik, the 36-year-old veteran has struggled to stay healthy over the last few years, playing only one full season since the 2011-12 campaign. Across 29 games this season, Gaborik tallied seven goals and seven assists.

Ottawa retains 25 percent of Phaneuf's whopping $7 million per season salary.

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Watch: Devils’ Hall slammed into boards after scoring from crazy angle

The New Jersey Devils were hit with a good news/bad news situation during the second period of Tuesday's game against Philadelphia.

Hall extended his point streak to 15 games by scoring from a near-impossible angle on Michal Neuvirth, then was promptly deposited hard into the boards by Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas.

Hall lost his helmet and was clearly shaken up on the play, and was helped off to the locker room for examination. He was, however, back on the ice at the start of the third period.

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Flyers’ Hextall not looking to trade for goalie despite Elliott’s injury

With Brian Elliott ruled out five-to-six weeks after undergoing core muscle surgery, Philadelphia Flyers general manager Ron Hextall is prepared to ride Michal Neuvirth rather than look to add a goalie prior to the trade deadline.

That's the immediate plan, at least.

"Well, the deadline is two weeks away. I guess things can change between now and then, but we like our team, we like what we've done. In saying that, we've got to keep going here, we've got to keep pushing," Hextall said Tuesday.

"Neuvy is very capable, again, he's played some real good games for us this year, some other ones that haven't been that great, but if he can get on a roll here and get some consistency and do a good job for us, we will be fine."

Heading into Tuesday's game against New Jersey, the Flyers sat third in the Metropolitan Division, with a five-point cushion in the race for a playoff spot.

Hextall added Alex Lyon may be called upon to play, but with points so precious at this point in the season, he reiterated the hope is Neuvirth will step up in Elliott's absence.

In 18 appearances this season, Neuvirth has posted a record of 7-7-2 with a .917 save percentage.

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Seattle mayor says group has submitted NHL expansion application

Seattle appears to be one step closer to housing the next NHL expansion team.

Oak View Group Seattle submitted its application for an NHL expansion franchise, Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan announced on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the NHL also confirmed it had received the application, according to Chris Daniels of K5 News.

The application includes a down payment of $10 million, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.

Related: Is the name of Seattle's potential NHL team on this list of website domains?

Seattle has been under serious consideration for expansion by the NHL ever since it was announced that OVG plans to redevelop KeyArena back in December.

The next steps for the group will be a review of the application, a submission of additional information, league due diligence, review with the Executive Committee, and a recommendation to the Board, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

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Tortorella feels NHL has no place at Olympics

John Tortorella is a man of few words. But, when he chooses to string a few together, it's usually worth paying attention.

Such was the case Tuesday when Torts was asked his opinion on the upcoming men's Olympic hockey tournament.

"I'm not for going to the Olympics, as far as pro athletes. We have a bunch of money stuffed in our back pockets," Tortorella said, according to Steve Gorten of the Columbus Dispatch.

"You might go over and play for a few days here ... but I don't think it's the true meaning of Olympics. A lot of people disagree with me but I've always felt that way."

Tortorella has previously been behind the bench internationally for Team USA, serving as an assistant for the 2008 World Championship and as head coach for the 2016 World Cup, but has never coached in the Olympics.

However, he is obviously not a fan of having current NHL players take part, a fact that he reiterated Tuesday.

"It should be all amateur athletes," said Tortorella, per Gorten.

The men's portion of the Olympic hockey tournament kicks off on Wednesday.

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Stars’ Methot set to return Friday vs. Blues

The Dallas Stars should have defenseman Marc Methot back in the lineup on Friday when the club takes on the St. Louis Blues.

"Unless he has a setback, he is good to go Friday," head coach Ken Hitchcock said, according to Mark Stepneski of Inside Edge.

The 32-year-old has been out since Jan. 4 and has missed 41 games overall this season with a knee injury, but is on pace to return after missing the team's last 15 contests.

"I feel okay. It's been really long. I've never dealt with anything like this before, so it is just something I've had to be patient with," Methot said. "I'm here working my tail off every day, so I'm hoping that when I do come back, I'll be prepared and well-conditioned."

Methot has been limited to just 16 games - having gone pointless - since being plucked from the Ottawa Senators by the Vegas Golden Knights during the expansion draft before he was flipped to the Stars.

If practice lines stay true, Methot will slot in on the third pairing alongside Stephen Johns.

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