Kendall Coyne Schofield's night as a guest analyst on a national telecast may, unfortunately, be most remembered for a number of awkward comments from fellow broadcaster Pierre McGuire.

At the outset of Wednesday night's game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins, McGuire explained how things would work to Coyne Schofield, the five-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist who stole the show at the NHL All-Star Skills Competition last week.

"So, Tampa's gonna be on your left, Pittsburgh's gonna be on your right," McGuire said. "What are you expecting out of this game? We're paying you to be an analyst, not to be a fan tonight!"

Later in the game, after some rough stuff between the Lightning and Penguins, there was another awkward exchange.

Coyne Schofield issued a statement on Thursday about the game.

"I've known Pierre McGuire for years," she wrote on Twitter. "I know he respects me as a hockey player, a woman, and a friend and that is why I didn't think twice about our on-air exchange when it happened. I didn't give it a second thought until after the game when I received countless messages."

Coyne Schofield said she understands why people would think it was inappropriate but knows how excited McGuire was for her to be part of the broadcast, adding that despite the nature of his remarks, she believes there are more significant things to focus on.

"While I wish it came out differently, I know Pierre doesn't question my hockey knowledge. But, to be honest, that's not what's important. What IS important is for every young girl reading this to know it doesn't matter what anyone thinks of my hockey knowledge - because I do not doubt my hockey knowledge.

"I don't need a gold medal to come to that conclusion. I needed belief in myself. That took time to build and I would never let someone else undo all of that work on the ice - and especially off. Last night was magical, nerve-wracking, and incredible. I learned two things: I loved being a part of it and I need to get better. All of THAT I control."

McGuire also addressed the topic with a statement, via The Athletic's Katie Strang:

"I've known Kendall for years and have had the privilege of covering her as a member of Team USA at the past two Winter Olympics. We were all thrilled to have her join our coverage last night, but at times my excitement got the better of me and I should have chosen my words better. I have the utmost respect for Kendall as a world-class player, analyst of the game, and role model."

Coyne Schofield graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in communications studies from Northeastern in 2016, and she's currently working on her master's in corporate and organizational communications at the school.

Along with Team USA teammate Brianna Decker, Coyne Schofield was the talk of the hockey world last Friday night. Coyne Schofield replaced Nathan MacKinnon in the Fastest Skater event and finished her lap with a time of 14.346 seconds, which beat Clayton Keller of the Arizona Coyotes and trailed Connor McDavid by about a second.

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Tuukka Rask is on the verge of a return, and it could come as soon as his team's next game.

Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters Wednesday there's a "good chance" the veteran goaltender plays Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Rask has been out since Jan. 19, the night he was concussed by Filip Chytil. The New York Rangers forward was pushed into the netminder by Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy after scoring a goal.

Boston lost its only game since that contest, a 4-3 shootout defeat to the Winnipeg Jets, on Tuesday night.

Rask is 14-8-3 with a .919 save percentage in 26 appearances this season.

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In the fourth edition of theScore's Norris Trophy Power Rankings, the five defensemen remain unchanged, though there's a new blue-liner in the top spot. To view the previous rankings, click here.

ATOI = Average time on ice
SCF% = Percentage of scoring chances generated while player was on the ice at 5-on-5
HDCF% = Percentage of high-danger scoring chances generated while player was on the ice at 5-on-5

5. Erik Karlsson, Sharks

Karlsson has gone on quite a run since the last edition of these rankings, collecting 11 assists in his last eight games before missing three contests with a lower-body injury. His scoring-chance metrics are off the charts, but they're inflated by a 64.6 offensive zone start percentage (OZS%). Nonetheless, Karlsson is proving he's still among the game's elite in his first season with the Sharks - as if there was any doubt.

4. Kris Letang, Penguins

Letang ranks third in the NHL in average ice time and logs over five minutes more per game than any of his Penguins teammates. He shoulders plenty of responsibility on Pittsburgh's blue line and his scoring-chance metrics are still impressive despite starting most of his shifts in the defensive zone. Letang has surprisingly been a Norris finalist just once in his career, but a big second half could put him right in the thick of things.

3. Brent Burns, Sharks

Like Karlsson, Burns' deployment has played a major role in his boosted scoring-chance metrics as he owns a 68.6 OZS%. But he leads all defensemen in points and is tied for second among blue-liners with 54 takeaways. He's been sensational during San Jose's 15-5-2 run, racking up 26 points in 22 games.

2. Morgan Rielly, Maple Leafs

Rielly has picked up just six points in 10 games since the last edition of these rankings, coinciding with the Maple Leafs' recent skid and bumping him out of the top spot. It wouldn't be surprising, however, to see him back at No. 1 later in the season. Rielly is projected to play alongside the club's newest addition in Jake Muzzin, a major upgrade from the aging Ron Hainsey.

1. Mark Giordano, Flames

Giordano's exceptional play is enough to deserve Hart Trophy consideration, though it likely won't surface. His 47.9 OZS% shows the trust Flames head coach Bill Peters has in him, and his scoring-chance metrics signal how effectively he drives play. Giordano has easily been the most complete two-way defenseman in the NHL this season, which is remarkable considering he turned 35 in October.

Honorable mentions: Mattias Ekholm (Predators), Thomas Chabot (Senators), John Carlson (Capitals)

(Advanced stats courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)

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Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson has been placed in Stage 2 of the NHL and NHLPA's Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program, the league announced Tuesday.

The treatment is in relation to "his ongoing issues with alcohol abuse," the release states. Under the terms of the program, Watson will be suspended without pay until he is cleared by administrators.

Watson was suspended for 27 games in mid-September 2018 - later reduced to 18 games - when he pleaded no contest to a domestic assault charge in late July after being arrested in June.

Earlier this month, Watson opened up about his mental health and struggles with sobriety in a detailed Instagram post.

In 34 games with the Predators this season, Watson's posted seven goals and 13 points.

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In the fourth edition of theScore's Calder Trophy Power Rankings, four of the five players from the last edition remain the same, with one freshman returning to the list for the first time since November. You can read the previous installment here.

ATOI = Average time on ice
SCF% = Percentage of scoring chances generated while the player was on the ice at 5-on-5
HDCF% = Percentage of high-danger scoring chances generated while the player was on the ice at 5-on-5
Courtesy: Natural Stat Trick

5. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Montreal Canadiens

Kotkaniemi isn't lighting up the scoresheet with gaudy offensive production - he's recorded five points in 11 games so far in 2019 - but his hockey sense is on full display each and every time he's on the ice. Montreal's sheltered him well with 62 percent of his draws coming in the offensive zone, but the 18-year-old does a good job ensuring the puck stays in the attacking end and has shown all the traits of a top-six center for the Habs.

4. Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators

Tkachuk has hit a bit of a wall production-wise, but he and veteran Mark Stone flank Ottawa's best line on a nightly basis. The rookie ranks top-two among Senators in both SCF% and HDCF% alongside Stone, and it's hard to imagine a better two-way winger from whom Tkachuk could learn the ropes.

3. Miro Heiskanen, Dallas Stars

Heiskanen continues to be the workhorse among rookie skaters, ranking first in ice time by a long shot at just over 23 minutes per contest. His passing and skating abilities gained some well-earned exposure over All-Star weekend, an event he's bound to attend for years to come.

2. Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo Sabres

Since our last running of this series, Dahlin has collected six points in eight games and exceeded his average ice time by nearly a full minute over that span. His skill set makes his game appear effortless even at the NHL level and he's just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential.

1. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks

It's unfair to the others on this list, but Pettersson is practically cemented in the No. 1 spot. Despite two separate injury stints, the 20-year-old leads the rookie scoring race by 19 points and is fresh off his first All-Star nod. He's on pace for 79 points - should he stay healthy - and is well on track to claim Vancouver's first Calder Trophy since Pavel Bure swept the Canucks fan base off its feet with a 60-point debut season in 1991-92.

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Kendall Coyne Schofield will join NBC's broadcast of Wednesday's matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins as an analyst, the company announced.

Coyne Schofield will contribute to pregame and intermission coverage and will also join longtime broadcaster Pierre McGuire between the benches for additional analysis.

The 26-year-old Olympic gold medalist stole the show at the All-Star Skills Competition this past weekend in San Jose, Calif., opening the eyes of the hockey world with a blazing 14.346-second lap time in the Fastest Skater event.

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