The Minnesota Wild forward admitted to intentionally high-sticking Cole Perfetti in the face during Sunday's game against the Winnipeg Jets, Perfetti said Tuesday.
Perfetti said he was mic'd-up during the contest, which picked up Hartman's admittance of guilt.
"I don't know if he realized that or not. ... To come out and blatantly say it into the mic, it worked out in our favor," Perfetti told reporters Tuesday, per Sportsnet.
The audio has yet to be made public, though.
Hartman was fined $4,427.08 on Tuesday - the maximum allowable under the CBA. However, in exchange for players agreeing to wear mics, none of the audio captured can be used in connection with disciplinary action, according to Sportsnet's Jeff Marek.
"He said it in kind of a respectful way," Perfetti said. "He said 'no disrespect, nothing against you, something had to happen for what happened to (Kirill) Kaprizov.'"
Perfetti added: "That's what he thought he needed to do to get back at us."
Here's a look at the high stick:
Cole Perfetti back on the ice for the Jets after taking a high stick to the face by Ryan Hartman off the faceoff during his first shift. pic.twitter.com/LgD6wmMtwo
Kaprizov, Minnesota's star player, was injured in the first game of a back-to-back between the two clubs on Saturday and is out one-to-two weeks. Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon cross-checked Kaprizov multiple times during a battle in the corner.
So I can understand some trepidation as our No. 1 hockey handicapper, Todd Cordell, takes a brief hiatus to welcome a sizable change in his life, and you're left with me to guide the way through much of January for our daily best bets in the NHL.
Using the information we usually publish in our weekly betting guide, the change you'll notice here is a penchant for grimy underdogs and, sadly, no shots-on-goal props. But at least Todd's short-term replacement won't be sleep-deprived and covered in vomit. Probably.
The cheat sheet
If you're thinking about betting any game on the slate, here's a look at the price you should be hoping to get on the moneyline for a valuable bet.
Our target price for the Blue Jackets is considerably lower than a nearly 2-1 moneyline on the home underdog. So there's just shy of a 9% edge on a Columbus team that's come out of Christmas break competitive, forcing overtime in all three games against decent competition (at Devils, vs. Maple Leafs, at Sabres).
Admittedly, the Blue Jackets' even-strength metrics haven't been good, but some regression could be in order. More interestingly, the Bruins have an expected goals share (xG%) and high-danger chance share below 50% in their three wins since Christmas and could be vulnerable.
The Jets barely qualify as a valuable favorite, but that's enough to back Winnipeg. The Jets have emerged from Christmas break with the league's best xG% despite an OT loss to the Blackhawks. Their success at driving play shows that life with Kyle Connor isn't so bad.
The Lightning have had to deal with the absence of Mikhail Sergachev, and their lone win during a three-game homestand came by one goal over the Canadiens. At just 41% in expected goals share, with Andrei Vasilevskiy (.900 save percentage, 2.94 goals-against average) playing beneath his standard midseason form, the Jets should keep rolling.
Don't look now, but the Coyotes - a team with tempered expectations entering the season - have won six of seven around the holiday break, with a 4-1 road loss to the Avalanche a lone blemish there's no need to be ashamed of.
Arizona's 12-5 at home this season, while the Panthers haven't left Florida since Dec. 18 - a five-game trip that saw them lose convincingly to Seattle, Vancouver and Calgary.
Connor Ingram boasts the eighth-best GSAx this season and should be well-rested coming off a shutout of the Ducks last Friday. I was hoping to get +120 with the home underdog, and the moneyline is juicier than that.
You were warned that there'd be some uncomfortable plays on our ticket for the next few weeks, and the Sharks always qualify.
This bet, however, is more about the Red Wings, who probably don't warrant being a -175 road favorite against any NHL team. Detroit's allowed 13 goals in three games since the Christmas break and 18 in the four games going into the holiday, so we might get the version of the Sharks that couldn't stop scoring in early December.
A trio of Kings-Oilers-Avalanche out of the break was rough for San Jose, but their even-strength metrics in those three games aren't any worse than Detroit's:
TEAM
xG%
HDC%
Red Wings
43.9
41.1
Sharks
42.7
42.9
When the Sharks have played a mediocre-to-bad team at home (Penguins, Flyers, Blues, Canadiens, Capitals, Coyotes), they're 3-3.
All signs point to a 50-50 contest, and we're getting a 60-40 price.
Pick: Sharks (+150)
Wednesday cheat sheet
With just two games on the board, here are the moneylines to target if you're looking to bet on Wednesday's doubleheader.
GAME
WIN PROB. (%)
PRICE TO BET
NJD@WSH
51.2/48.8
NJD +105/WSH +115
TOR@ANA
57.6/42.4
TOR -130/ANA +160
Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.
After losing to Canada in the gold-medal game in 2023, Czechia eliminated the two-time defending champions with a 3-2 victory in the quarterfinal of the world juniors Tuesday.
Jakub Stancl scored the winner for Czechia with just 11 seconds left in regulation for his second goal of the game.
It'll be the first time since 2019 that Canada won't medal at the tournament.
It may be a new year, but the podium on these rankings is the same as December's edition. Those three guys have just been great, OK?
That being said, two new names are on the list this time. We've got to keep things fresh somehow.
Here's how the Calder Trophy race is shaping up three months into the 2023-24 campaign.
5. Connor Zary, Flames
Derek Leung / Getty Images Sport / Getty
GP
G
P
ATOI
26
7
17
15:32
We've gotta give Zary his flowers because he's doing great work.
Unlike the rest of the rookies on this list, Zary wasn't on an NHL team to start the 2023-24 campaign. He earned a call-up to the Flames on Nov. 1 after logging 10 points in six games with the AHL's Calgary Wranglers, and he hasn't looked back. Since making his NHL debut, he ranks fourth on the Flames in points and fifth in goals.
Zary is trailing in the rookie scoring race thanks to the delayed start to his campaign. However, he owns the second-best point-per-game rate (0.65) out of all first-year players to appear in at least 15 contests this season. Zary leads Calgary in goals above replacement (6.7) and wins above replacement (1.1) while ranking among the top four rookies in both metrics.
The 22-year-old has spent most of his ice time alongside Nazem Kadri, and his presence has provided a much-needed boost for the veteran. Prior to Zary's debut, Kadri logged just two points in the first nine games of the season. But he's racked up 24 points in his last 27 outings.
Many expected Matt Coronato to be the Flames' most impactful rookie, but Zary has stolen the show.
4. Adam Fantilli, Blue Jackets
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
GP
G
P
ATOI
38
11
23
15:32
Welcome to the regular-season rankings, Fantilli.
Yeah, December belonged to the No. 1 guy on this list, but it also belonged to Fantilli. He led all rookies with seven goals in 14 games over the last month while ranking second with 13 points. For those who don't feel like doing mental math, that means all but four of his goals and 10 of his points came in December. It feels pretty safe to say he's starting to find his way in the NHL.
Thanks to his wintery outburst, Fantilli sits second among rookies in goals and points on the season. He's also got a good shot to add to his total due to his recent promotion to the top line. The 19-year-old has slotted in as the Blue Jackets' No. 1 center since Dec. 14, with usual pivot Boone Jenner sidelined by a jaw injury. Fantilli's been up to the challenge so far, racking up three goals and seven points in eight games while averaging almost 17 minutes of ice time.
The 2023 third overall pick scored in back-to-back contests and is currently enjoying a four-game point streak. Fantilli can continue staking his claim as a potential Calder finalist if he can build off that momentum in the new year.
3. Luke Hughes, Devils
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
GP
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P
ATOI
35
7
21
19:59
Hughes is the first rookie to be named one of the NHL's stars of the week this season, and the honor was well-earned.
The 20-year-old's been a monster since coming out of the holiday break. Hughes amassed five points in his last three contests, and he became just the second rookie defenseman in Devils history to have a three-game goal streak, joining Barry Beck, who accomplished the feat in 1977-78. One of those goals was a spectacular end-to-end tally in the final two minutes of regulation against the Blue Jackets on Dec. 27 en route to the Devils' 4-3 overtime win. Two days later, Hughes became the first rookie rearguard to record a three-point night this campaign after he helped torch the Ottawa Senators in a 6-2 victory.
Hughes leads all rookie defensemen in goals and points while ranking fourth in the latter category among first-year skaters. He also sits third in the class in goals above replacement (7) and wins above replacement (1.1), as well as fourth in offensive goals above replacement (4.7).
The Devils will need even more from Hughes with stud defenseman Dougie Hamilton out indefinitely, but his latest pop of offense is a promising step in the right direction. Barring a disaster, Hughes will likely be a Calder finalist in a few months' time off the back of his production alone.
2. Brock Faber, Wild
Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / Getty
GP
G
P
ATOI
35
2
16
24:38
Faber's Calder case is starting to gather steam, and for good reason. He ranks third among all rookie defensemen in points and paces the entire first-year class in average ice time, nearly four minutes clear of Simon Nemec, the second-busiest player.
The 21-year-old had even more responsibility heaped onto his plate in December. Minnesota had to go seven games without blue-line stalwarts Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin due to injuries and heavily leaned on Faber to overcome their absences. Faber averaged 29:38 of ice time over that span and saw over 30 minutes of action in four of those outings. He also played 33:25 during the Wild's 4-3 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 21, the highest ice time total of any player this season.
Despite his increased workload, the youngster was a plus-4 when both Brodin and Spurgeon were out of the lineup, while Minnesota amazingly went 6-1-0. Wild fans, say, "Thank you, Faber."
Given his poise and maturity, it's sometimes hard to believe Faber is just a rookie. The Minnesota native leads the Wild in goals above replacement (7.7) and wins above replacement (1.2) and seems primed to be a No. 1 defenseman for years to come. He's been outstanding, but it's still not enough to make him the Calder favorite.
1. Connor Bedard, Blackhawks
Patrick McDermott / Getty Images Sport / Getty
GP
G
P
ATOI
36
15
33
19:31
In case there was any doubt, Bedard is him. He's just that guy.
Case in point: The overtime winner he scored on Connor freakin' Hellebuyck that secured a 2-1 victory for Chicago (he potted the other goal, too) on Dec. 27. It was his first career overtime goal, but you'd think it was his 100th given how sick it was. Oh, andBedard netted a Michigan goal in his 33rd NHL game. Gross, dude.
It's been business as usual for Bedard, who still paces all rookies in goals and points - he's four goals and 10 points ahead of Fantilli in second place. But Bedard reached a new level in December. The 2023 first overall pick led all first-year players with 15 points (eight of which came in a five-game point streak) in 15 contests this past month, and he's very close to having a point-per-game campaign as a rookie. The Blackhawks have 46 contests remaining on their 2023-24 schedule, and Bedard could end the season with 79 points if he continues to play at a point-per-game pace the rest of the way. If he hits the 80-point mark, he'd be the first rookie to do so since Mat Barzal in 2017-18.
It would be nice if the Blackhawks went out and got Bedard another linemate to play with, as he's seeing an astonishing amount of ice time with veteran forward Nick Foligno, which isn't, um, ideal. Still, the 18-year-old is proving capable of driving Chicago's attack on his own, leading the team in all offensive categories.
Kaprizov appeared to sustain the ailment after taking a pair of cross-checks to the back from Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon during the third period of Saturday's contest. The Russian departed the game and was unable to suit up for Sunday's rematch against the Wild's Central Division rivals.
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) December 30, 2023
The 26-year-old also got hurt in Winnipeg last season. He missed around one month with a lower-body injury after getting tangled up with Jets blue-liner Logan Stanley.
Kaprizov leads the Wild with 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) in 34 games this season.
The Wild also lost goaltender Filip Gustavsson to a lower-body injury during Saturday's outing. Minnesota placed him on injured reserve Monday. He's set to undergo an MRI on Tuesday and is expected to miss at least a couple weeks, per Russo.
Minnesota currently sits in seventh place in the Central Division with a 16-15-4 record.
History was made in front of a sellout crowd at Mattamy Athletic Centre on Monday as New York defeated Toronto 4-0 in the first Professional Women's Hockey League game.
Canadian defender Ella Shelton scored the first goal in league history in the opening period when she beat Toronto's Kristen Campbell on a shot through traffic.
"I didn't even notice at first, and then when all of your teammates look at you and are jumping, you just go, 'Oh my gosh, that actually went in,'" Shelton told theScore. "Probably a very surreal moment for me. I couldn't tell you if I remember it all that well, but a little victory. An exciting, humbling, historic moment."
After a goalless middle frame in which Toronto outshot New York 16-4, the away squad jumped on the hosts in the third. American Alex Carpenter sniped a perfect wrister 2:53 into the final period before Canadian Jill Saulnier added another just over two minutes later to put the game out of reach.
New York goaltender Corinne Schroeder stopped 29 shots for the shutout.
Team captain and defender Micah Zandee-Hart didn't play due to injury for New York, emphasizing the team's strength on the back end in the opener.
"I think we have a really strong defensive core," Shelton said. "I think when we're making plays and making the right smart plays and keeping things super simple, no one's getting by us."
Toronto head coach Troy Ryan noted his team's slow start was due in part to the magnitude of the moment.
"Special (day), a lot of emotion definitely for our group," Ryan said. "I think some of that emotion is probably part of the reason we started that way."
Ottawa hosts Montreal on Tuesday for its home opener. New York hosts Toronto on Friday in both teams' next contest.
This is the sixth in-season edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2023-24 campaign. Check back for updated rankings every other Monday.
In this edition, we pick a New Year's resolution for each team.
1. New York Rangers (25-9-1)
Previous rank: 2
Don't get greedy. The Rangers spent lavishly to acquire veterans Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane before last year's deadline, and the experiment failed. New York's rolling as is, and Chris Drury should give this roster a shot to go all the way.
2. Boston Bruins (22-7-6)
Previous rank: 4
Acquire a center. Boston's group down the middle filled in admirably in the early stages of post-Patrice Bergeron life, but the chasm the future Hall of Famer left on the Bruins' depth chart is starting to show. Elias Lindholm, perhaps?
3. Dallas Stars (22-9-4)
Previous rank: 9
Free Thomas Harley. The 22-year-old blue-liner has impressed so far in his busiest season yet but looks capable of even more. Harley has one less five-on-five points than Miro Heiskanen in significantly fewer minutes and is on the positive side of all important on-ice metrics.
4. Winnipeg Jets (22-9-4)
Previous rank: 8
Use Nikolaj Ehlers more, even after Kyle Connor returns. Prior to Connor's injury, Ehlers had 15 points in 25 appearances while averaging 15:35 of ice time. In the nine games since, including the contest where Connor was hurt, the Dane has 11 points in over 18 minutes per night. Utilizing Ehlers' immense talent more often is a must for Rick Bowness in 2024.
5. Vancouver Canucks (23-10-3)
Jeff Vinnick / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 5
Lock up Elias Pettersson. The pending RFA, who can become a UFA in 2025, is enjoying another excellent season with 43 points in 36 games and a strong two-way game. He's more than worthy of a long-term extension to place him among the game's highest-paid centers. The sooner that deal gets done, the better.
6. Los Angeles Kings (20-8-5)
Previous rank: 3
Win a round. The last time the Kings won a playoff round was the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals. Four first-round exits over nine years since Los Angeles' triumph have left the fan base antsy for another deep run.
7. Colorado Avalanche (23-11-3)
Previous rank: 12
Win the division. There's a clear divide between the top six teams and everyone else in the Western Conference right now, so division winners will be at a huge advantage come playoff time with first-round matchups against wild-card teams. Colorado needs to step on the gas to come out ahead of the Jets and Stars.
8. Florida Panthers (22-12-2)
Previous rank: 7
Save some cash for Sam Reinhart. The Panthers' season would be immensely different if not for Reinhart's huge campaign. The pending unrestricted free agent has 23 goals and 44 points to lead Florida in both stats, setting himself up for a massive payday this summer.
9. Carolina Hurricanes (20-13-4)
Previous rank: 15
Get over the hump. The Hurricanes have made the conference finals twice in five seasons but were swept on both occasions. Should Carolina go all the way to the Eastern Conference Final again, it would be inexcusable to go winless for a third time.
10. Vegas Golden Knights (22-10-5)
Debora Robinson / Getty Images
Previous rank: 1
Stop the bleeding. The Golden Knights have been great pretty much all season. But the typically dominant defensive team has allowed 38 goals in its last nine games and dropped four straight. Righting the ship quickly in 2024 is a must in the ultracompetitive Pacific Division.
11. Edmonton Oilers (18-15-1)
Previous rank: 11
Find a suitor for Jack Campbell. Even if it requires a significant sweetener, trading the goaltender - who's struggling in the AHL in the second season of a five-year, $25-million contract - should be priority No. 1 for Ken Holland. There's a lot of good Edmonton could do with that cap space, including finding a competent replacement to pair with Stuart Skinner.
12. New York Islanders (17-10-9)
Previous rank: 10
Negotiate with Noah Dobson. The soon-to-be 24-year-old has one more season on his current deal, but it'd be in the Islanders' best interest to learn his asking price as soon as possible. Dobson has been lights out this season, registering 35 points in 36 games while logging nearly 26 minutes per contest.
13. Philadelphia Flyers (19-12-5)
Previous rank: 14
Reassess expectations. Head coach John Tortorella may have said the postseason isn't on his mind yet, but we're calling his bluff. The Flyers are firmly in the mix halfway through the season, and a playoff berth would galvanize a fan base that was searching for hope less than a year ago.
14. New Jersey Devils (19-14-2)
Previous rank: 13
Find reliable goaltending. The Devils boast impressive talent at every position ... except for in the crease. Vitek Vanecek sports an .883 save percentage and Akira Schmid was just sent down. Whether young gun Nico Daws takes the reins or someone is acquired via trade, New Jersey needs a solution here sooner rather than later.
15. Toronto Maple Leafs (17-10-7)
Kevin Sousa / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 6
Tighten up defensively. Over the previous three seasons, the Leafs ranked seventh in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five. This year, they've regressed to 26th. Some of that is due to personnel changes, but most of it can be attributed to sloppy play. With a likely goalie tandem of Martin Jones and Dennis Hildeby until Joseph Woll returns, stingy defensive play is of the utmost importance.
16. Pittsburgh Penguins (18-13-4)
Previous rank: 22
Make the playoffs. The Panthers in 2023 and the Canadiens in 2021 are two recent examples of low seeds making the Stanley Cup Final. Anything can happen once you get into the postseason. With Sidney Crosby and the rest of Pittsburgh's core still playing at a high level, all they need is a chance.
17. Arizona Coyotes (19-14-2)
Previous rank: 19
Go for it. The Coyotes have spent the last several years acquiring excess draft capital, and they've finally reached a point where spending is justifiable. Arizona is in the wild-card hunt and has 20 combined draft picks in the opening three rounds until 2026. Make this roster stronger and bring the playoffs to the desert.
18. Minnesota Wild (16-15-4)
Previous rank: 18
Stay out of the box. The Wild have taken the second-most penalties in the NHL and own the league's 30th-ranked penalty kill. That's a recipe for missing the playoffs.
19. Seattle Kraken (14-14-9)
Previous rank: 29
Find their five-on-five groove. The Kraken led the NHL in five-on-five goals last season. This campaign, Seattle's scoring almost a full goal fewer at five-on-five per game to rank in the bottom 10 league-wide. The Kraken's prowess at even strength made them successful last year and has been among the biggest reasons for their drop-off this time around.
20. Nashville Predators (20-16-1)
Ben Ludeman / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 16
Practice the penalty kill. The Predators, as always, are hanging around in the playoff race, but it will be difficult to qualify without improving their 25th-ranked kill. Nashville is operating at 76.9% while down a man.
21. Tampa Bay Lightning (18-15-5)
Previous rank: 20
Reduce Victor Hedman's minutes. The former Norris Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy winner is a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer, but we may be witnessing his decline. He's been abysmal defensively, ranking last among all blue-liners in defensive goals above replacement. There's no reason he should lead the team in minutes over Mikhail Sergachev.
22. Washington Capitals (17-11-6)
Previous rank: 21
Get Alex Ovechkin rolling again. Ovi snapped an unthinkable goal drought before Christmas but still only has two tallies in his past 19 games. Playoff hopes are beginning to slip away in D.C., so at least let the captain's pursuit of Gretzky's goal record entertain the home fans down the stretch.
23. Detroit Red Wings (17-16-4)
Previous rank: 17
Ride Alex Lyon. Ville Husso ain't it. Even when Husso returns from injury, Lyon should be Detroit's No. 1 goalie. He dragged the Panthers to the 2023 playoffs, and there's a chance he could do the same with the Red Wings in 2024. He's been excellent, posting a .920 save percentage in nine games.
24. St. Louis Blues (18-17-1)
Previous rank: 23
Hire a new head coach. General Manager Doug Armstrong decided it was time to move on from Craig Berube in December. With Drew Bannister manning the bench on an interim basis, Armstrong needs to identify the right person to maximize the next stage of the Jordan Kyrou-Robert Thomas era.
25. Buffalo Sabres (15-19-4)
Bill Wippert / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 27
Take the next step. One of the offseason's most hyped teams fell flat in the first half of the campaign. With an array of exciting, young offensive talent, the Sabres need to finally start making good on their potential in 2024.
26. Columbus Blue Jackets (12-18-8)
Previous rank: 30
Give Adam Fantilli more ice time. The Blue Jackets' star rookie is second on the team in goals and third in points but ranks 14th among skaters in average playing time. He's the main building block for the franchise's future, so there's no harm in letting him show what he's made of.
27. Montreal Canadiens (15-16-5)
Previous rank: 24
Trade a goalie. Carrying three netminders on the active roster for an entire season is far from ideal. With several goalie-needy teams out there, finding a new home for Jake Allen - the oldest of the trio at 33 - could work well for everyone involved.
28. Calgary Flames (15-16-5)
Previous rank: 25
Nail the impending trades. It looks like rookie GM Craig Conroy will be one of the league's busiest executives this winter, and he has to get it right. After surprisingly modest returns for both Tyler Toffoli and Nikita Zadorov, Conroy has a chance to recoup a king's ransom for pending UFAs Lindholm, Chris Tanev, and Noah Hanifin.
29. Ottawa Senators (14-18-0)
Previous rank: 28
Keep the puck out of their net. The Senators rank second league-wide with 3.07 goals per 60 at five-on-five. The issue: Ottawa's also allowing 2.95 goals against per 60 at five-on-five - the fourth-most. New head coach Jacques Martin needs to find a way to shut things down at their own end in 2024.
30. Anaheim Ducks (13-23-0)
Previous rank: 31
Win the draft lottery. After finishing dead last and still missing the chance to land Connor Bedard, the Ducks find themselves in the mix for the top pick again this year. Winning the tank battle for Macklin Celebrini wouldn't be an awful consolation prize.
31. Chicago Blackhawks (11-23-2)
Previous rank: 32
Lose as many games as possible. Winning only decreases Chicago's chances of picking first overall. Giving Bedard a running mate like Celebrini would go a long way in getting the rebuild headed in the right direction.
32. San Jose Sharks (9-25-3)
Previous rank: 26
Get Logan Couture back. San Jose's captain hasn't played all season due to a mysterious lower-body injury that had him contemplating whether his career was over. Couture returning to the lineup and succeeding would be an important victory for the Sharks in a year when wins have been hard to come by.
