We're down to just over a week before the 2021-22 NHL trade deadline, and it's shaping up to be a compelling one. There are some tantalizing possibilities with plenty of big names and skilled players on the block.

While some of these scenarios may not come to fruition, here are five moves that'd be satisfying to see put into motion before March 21:

Avalanche grab Giroux

This one is actually conceivable, and the Colorado Avalanche should make it a priority. Claude Giroux would make that explosive club even more of a matchup nightmare, and with Gabriel Landeskog likely out until at least the start of the playoffs, Giroux is the best option to fill the void because he's proficient at playing on the wing and at center.

Colorado could offer a first-round pick in the 2023 draft, a defensive prospect like Drew Helleson or Justin Barron, and a roster player like J.T. Compher, who'd be expendable with Giroux's arrival. The Philadelphia Flyers could retain half of Giroux's salary in addition to Compher's full contract to even out the money.

We'd be remiss not to mention Giroux's no-movement clause and his career-long tenure with the Flyers. But if he and Philadelphia's brass agree that a change of scenery is the right course of action, Giroux would surely approve a blockbuster trade to the perennial Stanley Cup hopefuls in Denver.

Panthers haul in Hertl

The Florida Panthers are one of several teams - including the Avalanche - reportedly interested in Giroux, but it'd be more fun (and make more sense) for them to snag Tomas Hertl if he's available. The Panthers have an even more productive offense than the Avalanche (they're ranked first and second in the NHL, respectively), so adding a forward who's younger than Giroux and on a 30-goal pace would make the league's most high-flying club even more dangerous.

Of course, the San Jose Sharks may not trade Hertl if they can sign him to a contract extension before the deadline, and the Czech center said March 1 that talks were "positive." But if the Sharks can't secure his services beyond this season, it'd be in their best interests to get something for him before the deadline. The Panthers don't have a pick for the first two rounds of the draft this year, but they have all of their 2023 selections and a couple of good prospects to dangle in a potential swap.

Hertl would give Florida a major upgrade up the middle and turn its solid power play into an elite one. The Sharks have enough cap space to retain some of his salary and take back another roster player in a trade. The 28-year-old may stay in the Bay Area, but this would be a truly enjoyable outcome if he doesn't.

Oilers fetch Fleury

If Marc-Andre Fleury decides he wants to go to a contender, there'll be plenty of competition to lure him away from the Chicago Blackhawks. While the Washington Capitals probably make the most sense for the veteran goaltender, the Edmonton Oilers would be a far more entertaining destination. Mike Smith and Mikko Koskinen won't cut it in the playoffs, and it'd be a shame to see the peak years of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continue to be wasted.

So what can Edmonton offer to get it done? Chicago will want a first-round pick considering it'd be parting with the best available goalie. Given the uncertainty about his future, the price may not be as high as it'd be for others on the market, but Edmonton would have to at least include a decent prospect - like forward Xavier Bourgault or defenseman Dmitri Samorukov, who's been one of general manager Ken Holland's best trade chips for a while.

The Blackhawks would have to retain a portion of Fleury's $7-million cap hit. If they kept 50%, the Oilers could balance the books by sending a roster player like Zack Kassian ($3.2 million), though Chicago might be reluctant to take a fourth-liner under contract through 2023-24. The Oilers shouldn't go overboard to obtain a netminder who could bolt to free agency or retire at season's end, but they have a glaring need that Fleury's addition would immediately address. Edmonton, Fleury himself, and the hockey world as a whole would all be better off for it.

Capitals reunite with Holtby

The Dallas Stars are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, but Jake Oettinger is the club's present and future in the crease. Having two proven goalies is an advantage during a postseason push, but Stars backup Braden Holtby has value as a pending unrestricted free agent with experience who's playing reasonably well. Dallas also has depth at the position with Anton Khudobin waiting to slide back into the No. 2 role, so the team would be dealing from a position of relative strength.

If the Stars fall out of the race or choose to get something in return for Holtby rather than risk losing him for nothing in the summer, what better landing spot would there be than the Capitals? Washington needs a better backup goalie, and Holtby's done well enough in basically a 40/60 split with Oettinger recently that he could fulfill the same role with Vitek Vanecek while Ilya Samsonov figures out his game in the AHL.

Holtby spent the first decade of his 12-year career with the Capitals and helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2018. He has a team-friendly cap hit of $2 million. Washington is up against the cap ceiling, but it wouldn't be hard to make room for that amount by sending some salary the other way in addition to an asset. Given the Stars' surplus in goal and the Capitals' need, this reunion makes sense and needs to happen.

Maple Leafs land Giordano

Another grizzled vet who's still contributing is Mark Giordano, the former Calgary Flames captain who now wears the "C" for the Seattle Kraken. We know Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas would prefer to add players with term over rentals, but there are several reasons they should reel in this pending UFA.

The Maple Leafs have to address their goaltending, but they also need stability on defense. Despite being 38 years old, Giordano is still playing well at both ends with favorable underlying numbers considering how bad the Kraken are. The rearguard is logging over 21 minutes per game, and he'd solidify Toronto's second pairing. He hails from Ontario's capital, and Dubas has known Kraken GM Ron Francis for his entire life.

There will be younger options on the market, but they'll likely cost more in terms of assets. Giordano's cap hit is a hurdle, but not if the Kraken and Leafs find a third team with cap space to help pull it off. He has a modified no-trade clause, but between the homecoming angle and his pursuit of the Stanley Cup in his 16th season (if Toronto can win a playoff round, that is), this would be a desirable trade for both Giordano and the hockey world at large.

(Salary source: CapFriendly)

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Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher after Ottawa Senators forward Parker Kelly hit him hard into the boards from behind early in Saturday's game.

The officials handed Kelly a five-minute major for boarding. Murphy gave a thumbs-up as he was being taken off.

Murphy entered Saturday's matchup ranking second on the Blackhawks in average ice time at 22:08. The soon-to-be 29-year-old has played all but three of Chicago's games this season, posting four goals and six assists.

Kelly was playing just his 26th NHL game and his 25th in 2021-22. The 22-year-old has split the campaign between the Senators and their AHL affiliate in Belleville.

Blackhawks forward Tyler Johnson later left Saturday's contest to enter concussion protocol. Chicago captain Jonathan Toews also took several punches to the head in a fight with Zach Sanford in the first period, not long after the veteran center missed more than a month with a concussion of his own. However, he appeared no worse for wear when he scored twice in under two minutes at the start of the second frame.

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Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog criticized the officiating both during and after the 2-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.

Referee TJ Luxmore handed Landeskog a 10-minute misconduct in the final minute of the defeat after the forward told him he had a tough night.

"I guess I hurt his feelings," Landeskog said, according to The Athletic's Peter Baugh.

Landeskog also wondered if the officials treat teammate Nazem Kadri differently because of his suspension history.

"In 11 years I've never sat and talked about referees in a press conference ever. I think Wes (McCauley) and TJ Luxmore (did) a great job tonight for 50-some minutes of the game," he said. "They called a high stick on (Kadri) on (Hurricanes forward Nino) Niederreiter, which might have been a high stick but Niederreiter falls (easily). We're arguing it's a flop. They say it's still a high stick. Fair enough.

"With 5:50 left on the clock, Niederreiter is hooking Naz up the boards. The puck turns over, we go the other way, they score. We're arguing that it's a hook. They're saying Naz is flopping, we're arguing it's still a hook, just like they're arguing before. It's unfortunate because that's a playoff game tonight. It's very unfortunate that it comes down to that ... Whether a guy has been suspended numerous times or not, is he going to be carrying around that heavy baggage forever?

"I'm not saying TJ and Wes didn't call it for that reason, but Naz is a guy that's competitive. Whether he sold that call or not, you can look at the video and the stick is in his waist and that's why he loses the puck. I think it's unfortunate. Sometimes it's time for players to step up and speak their truth. I'm the one looking like an idiot for getting thrown out of the game even though I'm just being honest. I guess TJ didn't like that I said he had a tough night."

Kadri appeared to scream "He f-----g dove," after he was whistled for high-sticking.

The Hurricanes are ahead of the second-ranked Avalanche for top spot in the NHL in terms of point percentage. Colorado has two more points in total, but Carolina has two games in hand. The Avalanche have lost four of their last five games, though one was in overtime.

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The St. Louis Blues expect to be without defenseman Scott Perunovich for about two months, they announced Wednesday.

Perunovich will undergo left wrist surgery and is scheduled to be re-evaluated in eight weeks.

The 23-year-old has collected six points (all assists) while averaging 15:27 of ice time in 19 games with the Blues this season, his first NHL campaign. He's also posted three goals and 19 assists in 17 contests with St. Louis' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, in 2021-22.

Perunovich won the Hobey Baker Award - which the NCAA hands out annually to its top Division I men's hockey player - in 2020. The Minnesota-born rearguard racked up 40 points in 34 games during his junior and final season with the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2019-20. He helped the Bulldogs win back-to-back national titles before signing with the Blues in July 2020.

St. Louis drafted him 45th overall in 2018.

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The lead-up to this year's NHL trade deadline is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years, with no shortage of star power potentially on the block ahead of March 21.

Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller was originally expected to be one of the best players available, but it now appears the team is reluctant to trade him.

We took both talent and likelihood of being traded into account when determining the list. With that in mind, here are our top players who could be sent packing before the deadline:

1. Claude Giroux

Giroux has a no-move clause but has yet to sit down with Philadelphia Flyers management to discuss his plans. However, if both sides agree to send him elsewhere, no one will be more in demand than the 15-year veteran.

The Canadian center is still producing at an impressive rate despite his age and lackluster team. Giroux's range of skills and wealth of experience would make him the top target before March 21 if he hits the market, which appears more likely than not despite his career-long tenure with Philadelphia.

2. Jakob Chychrun

It's rare to see a young player with this much term at such a reasonable rate as a trade candidate, but this is the Arizona Coyotes we're talking about. It would take a hefty package to land Chychrun, but he'd be well worth it.

The left-shot blue-liner, who'll turn 24 on March 31, is having a down season production-wise, but don't be fooled by his point total for the moribund Coyotes. The potential best rearguard available would be a major acquisition and he hasn't even entered his prime yet.

3. Marc-Andre Fleury

Fleury has a 10-team no-trade list, but that shouldn't prevent the Chicago Blackhawks from moving him if that's what both sides want. Of course, that's the big question. His cap hit might make a deal more complicated unless his current club retains some of it, and there are several contenders who could use more stability and experience in the crease.

4. Tomas Hertl

It's not yet clear if Hertl will be moved, and he said on March 1 that contract talks were "positive." However, if the San Jose Sharks are unable to re-sign him in time for the frenzy, Hertl could be the best skater on the board. He's in this spot on the list because unlike the players above him, it seems a bit more plausible he'll stay with his current squad.

The Czech center is close to matching his career-high goals per game rate he set in 2018-19. While he may only have a couple more seasons of high-level play before he starts to decline, the 2012 first-round pick would significantly bolster an acquiring team's forward group.

5. Ben Chiarot

The Montreal Canadiens' new regime has already started dealing and clearly isn't done. Chiarot is the most likely to be traded among those still on the Habs' roster. The right-shot rearguard can play on the first pairing at five-on-five, the power play, and the penalty kill. He can score, too, and all of these strengths will undoubtedly intrigue teams with postseason aspirations.

6. John Klingberg

Another right-shot blue-liner who could be highly coveted plays in the Lone Star State. There's been radio silence on the Klingberg contract extension front, which could either be encouraging or concerning for the Dallas Stars. The Swede's not having his best season, but his abilities and reasonable cap hit would help attract cap-constrained clubs.

7. Jake DeBrusk

DeBrusk isn't the most talented forward on the market, but the Boston Bruins winger is one of the most likely to be dealt considering he's been on the block for months.

His agent said in November he asked for a trade. Then in early March, it was reported they informed teams of their willingness to work on an extension to facilitate a swap. The Edmonton-born forward has been playing on the Bruins' top line and Boston could be showcasing him. Regardless, he's produced at an impressive clip.

8. Mark Giordano

It's safe to assume no team has ever traded its captain before its inaugural campaign is even over, but it would make sense for the struggling Seattle Kraken to send Giordano to a contender. There would be plenty of suitors for the seasoned vet.

9. Alexandar Georgiev

This isn't Georgiev's first rodeo on the trade block for the New York Rangers. The career backup isn't going to get regular starts given the way Hart Trophy candidate Igor Shesterkin's been playing. The club would be better served with a more weathered No. 2 netminder, and Georgiev deserves a chance to carve out more crease time with another squad.

10. Justin Braun

Giroux's future remains unclear, but if the Flyers trade anyone, they'll clearly look to deal Braun. His extremely team-friendly cap hit and experience will grab attention, and this rebuilding squad would be wise to capitalize on that.

11. Phil Kessel

Kessel's cap hit isn't ideal for an acquiring team, but the Coyotes have plenty of space to retain a portion of his contract. The veteran has a modified no-trade clause (he can submit a list of eight teams to which he'd approve a deal), so that complicates things further, but Kessel still has some gas left in the tank and could provide a contender with scoring depth.

12. Brandon Hagel

Casual fans might be asking, "who?" But the Blackhawks will get calls on Hagel for several reasons. The winger's age, cheap cap hit, and the fact he's under team control for another two seasons after this one will ensure he generates interest, and it helps he's playing better than most expected in his second full season.

13. Rickard Rakell

The Anaheim Ducks' trade deadline strategy remains to be seen, and that's understandable considering they're in the playoff hunt. General manager Pat Verbeek is intent on getting something for a trio of his pending UFAs if he can't re-sign them. Rakell would be the most coveted of the group despite diminished production ever since he peaked in 2017-18.

14. Braden Holtby

Holtby has proven himself while splitting time with Jake Oettinger in his 10th full season. That may be partly due to the Dallas Stars' defensive system, but Holtby would be a solid addition for those seeking goaltending help if his current squad fades from playoff contention.

15. Hampus Lindholm

The Ducks have another important decision with Lindholm, a capable blue-liner who could play a key role on another team's defensive corps if Verbeek looks to move on from him.

16. Andrew Copp

Copp is one of the more intriguing players on the lower end of the list. The American can play on the wing or down the middle. Copp has clicked with a variety of linemates for the Winnipeg Jets and he's on pace for a career season points-wise.

17. Artturi Lehkonen

Lehkonen is another Hab who should generate some interest. He's not a pending UFA, but he will be 27 this summer, so the solid two-way forward may not factor into the club's long-term plans. Lehkonen's underlying numbers are more than favorable this season, which is impressive considering how poor his team played until its February head coaching change.

18. Max Domi

The Columbus Blue Jackets are well back of fourth place in their division, so it's looking more likely they'll be sellers. Patrik Laine has been on fire for a prolonged stretch, is a pending RFA, and is soon to be just 24 years old. As a result, Domi is a far more likely candidate to be moved. Teams in need of a center with some experience who can also play the wing may view him as an option.

19. Nick Leddy

Speaking of experience, Leddy has that in spades. The left-shot blue-liner has suited up for over 800 games, won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2013, and has played in four conference finals. The Detroit Red Wings surely want to get younger or stockpile assets, and Leddy could help them do that.

20. Nick Paul

Do the Senators trade Paul - an under-30 pending UFA - at the deadline to ensure they get something for him if he doesn't re-sign, or keep him and risk losing him for nothing in the summer? If the Sens opt for the former, he could help another team as a depth forward.

(Salary source: CapFriendly)

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San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner wasn't happy after Anaheim Ducks forward Rickard Rakell scored in what the bench boss deemed questionable fashion to win Sunday's game in overtime.

Early in the extra frame, Rakell came off the bench while teammate Adam Henrique was still leaving the ice. The Swede received a pass and buried the decisive marker moments later, only 14 seconds into the extra frame.

Here's another look at the play:

"It's a complete, disastrous blown call," Boughner said postgame, according to The Athletic's Corey Masisak, before adding he believed it was "too many men all day long."

Boughner was particularly upset with how the officiating crew handled the aftermath.

"The thing that pisses me off the most is they don't even come over to the bench. They race off the ice, (don't even have) the respect to come and explain it," the head coach said, according to the Mercury News' Curtis Pashelka.

Here's Rule 74 from the NHL rule book:

Players may be changed at any time during the play from the players' bench provided that the player or players leaving the ice shall be within five feet (5') of his players' bench and out of the play before the change is made. Refer also to Rule 71 – Premature Substitution. At the discretion of the on-ice officials, should a substituting player come onto the ice before his teammate is within the five foot (5') limit of the players' bench (and therefore clearly causing his team to have too many players on the ... ice), then a bench minor penalty may be assessed.

When a player is retiring from the ice surface and is within the five foot (5') limit of his players' bench, and his substitute is on the ice, then the retiring player shall be considered off the ice for the purpose of Rule 70 – Leaving Bench. If in the course of making a substitution, either the player entering the game or the player retiring plays the puck or who checks or makes any physical contact with an opposing player while both players involved in the substitution are on the ice, then the infraction of "too many men on the ice" will be called.

If in the course of a substitution either the player(s) entering the play or the player(s) retiring is struck by the puck accidentally, the play will not be stopped and no penalty will be called. During the play, the player retiring from the ice must do so at the players' bench and not through any other exit leading from the rink. This is not a legal player change and therefore when a violation occurs, a bench minor penalty shall be imposed. A player coming onto the ice as a substitute player is considered on the ice once both of his skates are on the ice. If he plays the puck or interferes with an opponent while still on the players’ bench, he shall be penalized under Rule 56 – Interference.

Sunday's result gave Anaheim victories over the Sharks in the first and last contests of its six-game homestand. The Ducks prevailed 4-3 in a shootout Feb. 22.

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Nikolaj Ehlers appears ready to return after a prolonged absence.

The Winnipeg Jets activated the speedy forward off long-term injured reserve Friday before their game against the Dallas Stars. The Jets placed forwards Cole Perfetti and Kristian Reichel on LTIR while reassigning winger Austin Poganski to the AHL in corresponding moves.

Ehlers sprained his MCL when Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov caught him with a knee-on-knee hit on Jan. 18. The Jets placed Ehlers on LTIR four days later. He was required to miss at least 10 games and 24 days as a result. The Danish winger ultimately sat out 19 contests.

The 26-year-old produced 13 goals and 12 assists over 34 games before the injury.

Ehlers is a key offensive contributor for the Jets. He posted nearly a point per game last season (46 in 47) and scored at least 20 goals in five of his six previous campaigns. Winnipeg drafted him ninth overall in 2014.

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One thing's for certain in the 2021-22 NHL MVP race: the winner won't be unanimous this time around. We're in the midst of one of the most competitive Hart Trophy races in years, and while three candidates have been at the forefront for most of the campaign, several others have built convincing cases of their own.

Calgary Flames star Johnny Gaudreau and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov are on the fringes of the discussion, but those who've led the charge for much of 2021-22 continue to separate themselves from the pack.

Here are our top five Hart contenders as we plunge further into the season's second half:

5. Igor Shesterkin

No goaltender has won this award since Carey Price in 2014-15, but Shesterkin has carried the contending New York Rangers and deserves to be in the conversation.

Without looking at Shesterkin's numbers, one would assume the Rangers have no business being in a playoff spot. New York ranks in the bottom half of the NHL in goals and shots per game, and is also allowing more shots per contest than over half of the league's squads. The Rangers are one of the NHL's best clubs on special teams, but their expected goals for and scoring chances for percentage at five-on-five both sit among the league's worst.

Despite New York's weaknesses, the 26-year-old leads all qualified goalies in save percentage (both in all situations and at five-on-five), and he ranks among the NHL leaders in wins despite playing fewer games than those above him. Shesterkin also leads the league in goals saved above expected at five-on-five and in all situations. He sits atop the NHL by a wide margin in goals saved above average in all situations and ranks second in GSAA at five-on-five.

All of this illustrates how valuable Shesterkin has been. Even though he likely won't be able to convince voters to make him a finalist, his play deserves recognition beyond just the Vezina Trophy.

4. Jonathan Huberdeau

Huberdeau's candidacy has taken a slight hit lately, but by little fault of his own. The Florida Panthers winger leads the NHL in assists this season while notching 22 more helpers and 25 more points than his next-closest teammate. Huberdeau has just one goal since our last edition of these rankings on Feb. 4, but he's added 10 assists across the seven-game span.

The Panthers have plenty of firepower, including two-way wizard Aleksander Barkov. Florida's depth hurts Huberdeau's MVP case, but the 28-year-old carried the club when Barkov was out earlier in the campaign, further demonstrating his importance to this ultra-competitive squad.

Huberdeau likely won't garner as much Hart buzz as those above him on this list due to the trio of players providing superior value.

3. Alex Ovechkin

Ovechkin's production has cooled since he led this race a month ago, but the Washington Capitals captain's season remains remarkable considering he's in his 17th campaign and 36 years old.

The three-time MVP is still in the "Rocket" Richard Trophy hunt, and he's been more versatile than usual in 2021-22. Ovechkin's assists per game rate is his highest since 2010-11 and he ranks third in the NHL in even-strength goals, so he's doing far more than burying one-timers from his office on the power play.

Ovi has amassed 16 more goals and 14 more points than his next-closest teammate, displaying significant value relative to his club. Washington sits fourth in the Metropolitan, but Ovechkin's squad would be in danger of missing the playoffs without his efforts.

His dip in production is also partly due to the fact he's only played eight games over the last month, whereas both of the players ahead of him here have suited up for 13 and 12, respectively. Ovechkin tallied four goals and three assists over that span, which is solid but unspectacular, especially when compared to the top two Hart candidates.

2. Connor McDavid

No one will argue that McDavid is the most gifted player in the NHL, but that's not what this award recognizes. The Edmonton Oilers captain leads the league in points and ranks second in assists, but this isn't the Richard or Art Ross Trophy.

McDavid has excellent underlying numbers, which is partly why he's on the doorstep of the top spot. The 25-year-old's SCF% at five-on-five (55.2) is nearly as good as his xGF%, and he's fourth in the league in goals above replacement.

However, McDavid's bid to repeat as MVP is hurt by Leon Draisaitl's offensive exploits, and unlike last season, the reigning Hart winner isn't piling up points at the historic clip that made him a rare unanimous pick. Draisaitl still has less-than-stellar analytic figures, which show how much of his success is due to McDavid.

McDavid has lit it up lately with six goals and 13 assists over the 13 games since our last edition, but the player ranking No. 1 here scored two more goals in one fewer contest over that span.

1. Auston Matthews

Matthews has been one of the NHL's most potent goal-scorers since coming into the league, but the new dimensions he's added to his game have vaulted him atop the MVP race. The Toronto Maple Leafs center has a realistic shot at winning the "Rocket" Richard Trophy for the second straight year. However, he also has the highest assist per game rate of his career; he can set a career high in helpers with just six more before season's end.

Primary points are a key indicator of a skater's worth, and Matthews has more per game than the others on this list. The Maple Leafs superstar has posted 1.078 goals or primary assists per contest, edging out McDavid (1.055) as well as Ovechkin and Huberdeau (0.963 apiece). This shows Matthews has played a larger role in creating offense.

Even more impressively, the 24-year-old is excelling on the defensive end. Matthews ranks among the league leaders in takeaways and sits atop the NHL in goals above replacement, which assesses a player's all-around value. He trails only Patrice Bergeron in xGF% among skaters with at least 600 minutes played at five-on-five, and ranks third in the league in SCF% among the same group in those situations.

To top it all off, he's been on an absolute tear recently, racking up eight goals and nine assists in the 12 games he's played since our last edition. Toronto has a boatload of skill up front just like Florida, but Matthews' universal prowess and explosive output of late have pushed him ahead of the other contenders.

(Analytics sources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey)

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Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe didn't mince words after the Buffalo Sabres snapped a six-game losing streak by defeating his club 5-1 on Wednesday night.

“It was terrible from start to finish," the Leafs bench boss said, according to The Athletic's Joshua Kloke.

"In terms of how we played with the puck, we were really careless and didn’t have much happening," Keefe added, per the Toronto Sun's Terry Koshan. "Offensively, we were abysmal. All four lines."

The Leafs head coach had harsh criticism for the team's top line led by superstar Auston Matthews.

"That’s as bad as they’ve played in quite some time," Keefe said, according to Sports Illustrated's Mike Stephens.

Keefe experimented with a defensive pairing of Morgan Rielly and Rasmus Sandin in the loss and said he will "probably not" keep the duo together in the future.

The Sabres only outshot the Maple Leafs by one (31-30), but Buffalo controlled 60% of the scoring chances at five-on-five and 55.27% of the expected goals in those situations, according to Natural Stat Trick. Sandin tied the game at 1-1 in the first period but the Sabres replied with four unanswered goals over the final two frames.

Toronto had won three consecutive contests before the loss.

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The Toronto Maple Leafs moved Jake Muzzin to long-term injured reserve Wednesday, according to CapFriendly.

The defenseman must miss 10 games and 24 days, during which time the club can acquire players up to a maximum of his $5.625-million cap hit.

Muzzin exited during the second period of the Maple Leafs' loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday after inadvertently colliding with opposing blue-liner Chris Wideman.

The Leafs held Muzzin out for the remainder of that contest as a precaution, and he stayed in Montreal overnight for observation and testing.

He then missed Tuesday's defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Before that matchup, Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe said Muzzin was back home in concussion protocol and that the 33-year-old had a "positive day."

Muzzin missed seven games earlier this season after sustaining a concussion in January, and he returned on Feb. 10.

The veteran is in his third full campaign with the Maple Leafs, who acquired him in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings in 2018-19. Muzzin has collected 12 points while averaging 21 minutes of ice time over 41 contests in 2021-22.

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