The NHL will have regular-season action overseas for a third straight season, the league announced Thursday.

Stockholm, Sweden's Ericsson Globe arena will play host to the Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning for a pair of games on Nov. 8 and Nov. 9, offering Swedish fans an opportunity to see two of the country's star defensemen - Victor Hedman and Rasmus Dahlin - in meaningful NHL action.

The Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers will play their 2019-20 season opener against each other in Prague, Czech Republic on Oct. 4 at O2 Arena. The contest will mark a homecoming for Jakub Voracek and Radko Gudas of the Flyers and David Kampf of the Blackhawks.

Chicago will also complete their training camp in Germany and face Eisbären Berlin in an exhibition match on Sept. 29. Meanwhile, the Flyers will finish off training camp in Switzerland and play an exhibition game against Lausanne HC on Sept. 30.

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The Detroit Red Wings signed goaltender Jimmy Howard to a one-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday.

Howard's deal comes with a $5.1-million average annual value, but $1.1 million is based on playoff bonuses, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie. If the Red Wings don't make the playoffs next season, Howard would receive no bonus and only get his $4-million salary, McKenzie adds.

The veteran goalie, who will turn 35 next week, has spent his entire career in the Motor City. He owns a .908 save percentage and a 3.05 goals-against average in 48 games this season.

Howard was set to hit the open market this summer and would've been a part of a free-agent goaltending class headlined by Sergei Bobrovsky, Robin Lehner, and Semyon Varlamov.

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Is it possible to be the best and worst at something?

According to the 2018-19 NHLPA Player Poll, the answer is yes. Boston Bruins super-pest Brad Marchand - one of the NHL's most polarizing players - was voted as both the league's best and worst trash-talker.

Here are the results for best trash-talker, based on 272 votes:

The results for worst trash-talker - based on 256 votes - were a bit tighter:

Everyone knows Marchand likes to chirp on the ice, but apparently his tactics aren't for everyone. The same can be said for Arizona Coyotes forward Nick Cousins, who also surfaced on both polls.

Marchand was clearly pleased with the results.

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The Detroit Red Wings are expected to announce a one-year extension in the $4-million range for Jimmy Howard this week, reports Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.

If Howard plays well next season, he'll earn another one-year extension after that, adds St. James. He's a pending unrestricted free agent in the final campaign of a six-year, $31.75-million pact inked with the Red Wings in 2013.

Howard, who turns 35 next week, has recorded a .907 save percentage in 47 appearances in 2018-19.

He's spent his entire career with Detroit after the Red Wings selected him 64th overall in the 2003 draft.

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Brett Connolly won't join his Washington Capitals teammates for their 2018 Stanley Cup celebration at the White House on Monday, he told reporters following Tuesday's win over the New Jersey Devils.

During the offseason, Connolly said he wouldn't attend. Now the winger is sticking to that decision.

"Personally, I don't think I'm going to go ... it has nothing to do with politics," Connolly said at the time. "For me, I just don't think it's the right thing to do."

Captain Alex Ovechkin confirmed he'll attend, but Connolly isn't the only Capitals player sitting out.

When asked last June about the White House visit, playoff hero Devante Smith-Pelly ripped U.S. President Donald Trump for his "racist and sexist" rhetoric, saying his decision was made before any team discussion.

Connolly is in the midst of a career season, registering 20 goals and 22 assists through 73 games.

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The idle San Jose Sharks clinched a postseason spot when the Colorado Avalanche beat the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.

San Jose became the third team to secure a playoff berth, following the Tampa Bay Lightning and Calgary Flames.

It'll be the fourth straight season the Sharks have qualified for the playoffs, and the 19th time in their last 21 campaigns.

San Jose sits in second place in the Pacific Division with a record of 43-22-8.

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