After speaking out against racial injustice, Braden Holtby and his wife, Brandi, are putting their words into action.

The Washington Capitals goaltender and his partner launched the "Get Off the Bench for Racial Equality" auction benefitting Black Lives Matter DC and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the club announced Monday.

The Holtbys will donate $5,000 to each organization while matching the money raised in the auction, which is now live. It will run through June 12 at 12 p.m. ET.

Items include jerseys and helmets signed by the netminder and some of his star teammates, such as Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson. A piece of wooden artwork depicting and signed by Holtby is also up for sale.

Last week, Holtby authored one of the most powerful anti-racism statements in the hockey world. He lamented the damage the naming of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge has caused to the local black community and said, "America will never be great until all BLACK lives matter."

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Seven current and retired black NHL players have formed the Hockey Diversity Alliance, an independent group seeking to eliminate racism and intolerance in hockey, the players announced Monday.

Former NHL defenseman Akim Aliu and current San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane will serve as co-heads. The executive committee includes Detroit Red Wings rearguard Trevor Daley, Minnesota Wild blue-liner Matt Dumba, Buffalo Sabres winger Wayne Simmonds, retired forward Joel Ward, and Chris Stewart, a veteran winger who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Members of the new organization spoke with Colin Kaepernick in video calls in recent weeks, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.

The alliance plans to combat racism in society as a whole, as well as within the hockey world.

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NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr is applauding the many players who have taken a stand against racism and police brutality.

"I'm really proud of the guys," Fehr recently told The Canadian Press' Joshua Clipperton. "They understand it's an important moment. They understand what the issues are, at least in the grand scope. And they're making their voice heard. Not everybody, but quite a lot. And that's to their credit."

Fehr is more than familiar with protests for social causes. He grew up during the civil rights era and was unable to attend his college graduation at the University of Indiana because it was scheduled to take place a week after the Kent State shootings amid peaceful Vietnam War demonstrations in 1970.

He's hopeful the Black Lives Matter movement brings about significant change for the better.

"These are issues which have always been important and fundamental and around which you need to make progress," Fehr said. "The hope is that in one fashion or another, the current state of events will result in that kind of progress and meaningful progress being made."

Over 100 NHLers have voiced their support for the cause over the last week or so, following the death of George Floyd in police custody on May 25.

The Floyd incident - which ignited protests around the world after being captured on video - was the latest example of white officers' or civilians' conduct leading to the death of a black person.

The NHL is creating four committees to address diversity issues at all levels of the sport.

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Cooper Marody will honor Colby Cave with a musical ode to the late forward.

Marody has written and produced a song entitled "Agape" as a tribute to his Bakersfield Condors and Edmonton Oilers teammate, according to Condors broadcaster Ryan Holt.

The track will be released June 12 (matching Cave's number with the Oilers), with proceeds going toward the memorial fund established by the team and Cave's family.

Cave died in April at the age of 25 after suffering a brain bleed. He had been placed in a medically induced coma following emergency surgery to remove a colloid cyst.

The two forwards played together with the Condors this season and also suited up together for a game with the NHL club in 2018-19.

Marody has penned two previous tunes, called "I Don't Deserve Her Yet" and "Behind Me." He posted both online last summer.

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With the NHL preparing for a 24-team playoff, theScore will be counting down the top 50 players who will be taking part in this unique event, as voted on by our hockey editors. We'll reveal 10 players every day until the top 10 is unveiled on June 10.

50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

40. Kris Letang, Penguins

At 33 years old, Letang continued quietly trucking along as one of the league's best defensemen this past season. His 25:44 average time on ice ranked fourth among blue-liners, and his .72 points per game ranked 11th. With three Stanley Cup titles and a plethora of playoff experience under his belt, the Penguins will look for Letang to help steer them deep into the playoffs.

39. Connor Hellebuyck, Jets

Hellebuyck was unquestionably Winnipeg's MVP this season. He posted dazzling numbers worthy of Vezina Trophy consideration for a team that struggled mightily defensively. The Jets gave up the seventh-most shots against per game in the regular season, yet are viewed by many to be a dark horse as the 9-seed in the Western Conference thanks to their starting goalie.

38. Blake Wheeler, Jets

The Jets captain continues to be a model of consistency for his club. Wheeler has contributed at least 20 goals and 60 points over the previous seven seasons, missing only 15 games during that span. Despite losing several key defensemen last offseason, the Jets look to secure a playoff spot for the third consecutive campaign in large part to Wheeler's impact as a leader both on and off the ice.

37. Quinn Hughes, Canucks

Hughes is just the third defenseman in the last 80 years to lead all rookies in points, joining Brian Leetch and Bobby Orr. The 20-year-old is one of the most exciting players in the game, and it's a shame we didn't get to see him and Cale Makar duel it out for the Calder Trophy over a full season. He's one of the future faces of the league.

36. Carey Price, Canadiens

Numbers aside, Price remains one of the premier goaltenders in the NHL. The Canadiens certainly aren't the most deserving postseason club, but they'd be a lottery team in the expanded playoff format without their No. 1 netminder. Price is starting to decline at age 32, but he's still capable of carrying the team and singlehandedly stealing a game every so often.

35. Mikko Rantanen, Avalanche

Rantanen was forced to miss nearly 30 games due to injury this season, but when he was on the ice for the Avalanche, he was a difference-maker. He managed 19 goals and 41 points in 42 games, and is a catalyst for one of the league's most menacing lines. If Colorado wants to prove it's one of the top contenders this summer, Rantanen will need to be at the top of his game.

34. Tuukka Rask, Bruins

Rask is often lost in the gigantic shadow cast by the Bruins' strong defensive structure and big-name forwards, but there's no questioning the Presidents' Trophy-winning club wouldn't be the team it is without its backbone. Rask led the NHL in goals saved above average this season, and owns a remarkable .927 save percentage across 89 career playoff starts. If Boston goes on another deep run, he'll be a big reason why.

33. Mika Zibanejad, Rangers

The Rangers' top pivot has developed into one of the most electrifying talents in the world. Zibanejad ranks eighth among all players in goals per game (0.51) over the past two campaigns and was playing at a 91-point pace over an 82-game season in 2019-20. The superstar Swede put his scoring on full display during a 6-5 win over Washington in March, becoming the first Rangers player since 1983 to score five goals in a game.

32. Mark Scheifele, Jets

Scheifele becomes the fourth - and highest-ranked - Jet to land in our top 50. It's deserving, too. He tied for the team lead in points this season and was a point per game or better for the fourth straight campaign. The 27-year-old is one of the most well-rounded centers in the game. He doesn't have one standout trait that "wows" fans, but he's incredibly intelligent and always seems to make the right play at the right time.

31. Sean Couturier, Flyers

Couturier might be the most underrated player in the NHL - and arguably has been for a long time. The 27-year-old has evolved into one of the league's best two-way centers, regularly shutting down opposing stars in addition to providing ample contributions on the offensive end. Given this versatility, he deserves to be recognized as a star in his own right.

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Detroit Red Wings veteran netminder Jimmy Howard hopes he can move past the worst season of his professional career.

"I want to keep playing," Howard said Friday, according to The Detroit News' Ted Kulfan. "This year left such a bitter taste in my mouth. I want to go out there and show people I can still play in this league - I know I'm capable."

The 36-year-old ended the season with a 2-23-2 record - including 20 straight losses - to go along with a career-low 4.20 goals-against average and .882 save percentage.

Howard, who's set to hit free agency this offseason, doesn't believe his poor statistics are a reflection of his ability as a goaltender.

"I personally don't believe I represent those number (statistics), but I was a big part of the program (losing)," Howard said. "I got in my own way a lot instead of letting the play to come. I was overthinking things. I was in my head and tinkering with stuff instead of just saying, 'You can do this,' and have the confidence to go out and do it."

He added: "When things got spiraling out of control, I felt like I was in quicksand, and when I tried to get out of it the more I sank."

With teammate Jonathan Bernier signed for the 2020-21 season, Howard understands his time in Detroit may come to an end, though he still hopes to end his career with the club that drafted him in 2003.

"I love this state, this city, and this city is home to us now. I would want to finish my career a Red Wing," Howard said. "But at the same time, I've been around this game long enough to realize there comes a time when you have to separate ties. If that's the way it'll have to go, I've mentally prepared for that. My wife and I have talked about it a little bit, and if that's going to be the case, it'll have to be the case."

Howard has spent his entire 14-year career with Detroit. He's compiled a 246-196-70 record with a 2.62 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.

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