The Dallas Stars officially named Jim Montgomery as their new head coach on Friday.
Montgomery spent the last five seasons behind the bench for the University of Denver. This is the 48-year-old's first NHL head coaching gig.
"We are extremely happy to announce Jim as the head coach of the Dallas Stars," general manager Jim Nill said. "He has achieved success at every level throughout his coaching career, establishing a unique culture around every team that he has led. He has created a standard of excellence by building trust with his players, while putting systems in place that allow his teams to compete for championships season after season."
Through his tenure with the Pioneers, Montgomery held a record of 125-57-26 and appeared in two Frozen Fours, winning the national championship in 2017. He also had a brief career as an NHL player, suiting up in 122 games for the Blues, Canadiens, Flyers, Sharks and Stars.
Ken Hitchcock, the winningest coach in Stars history, retired in April.
It's still unclear where Donato will slot in, as Brad Marchand and Jake DeBrusk have been labeled game-time decisions, though Cassidy believes they'll be playing.
Donato hasn't played since Game 2 of the opening-round series versus the Toronto Maple Leafs. But following a listless Game 3 loss to the Lightning in their second-round showdown, Cassidy felt the need to shake things up.
The Washington Capitals have signed goaltender Ilya Samsonov to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Friday.
Samsonov was drafted 22nd overall by the Caps in 2015, and has spent the last three seasons with Magnitogorsk Metallurg in the KHL. He's eligible to join Washington next season, which could create an interesting scenario in goal for the Metropolitan Division champs, as current backup Philipp Grubauer is scheduled to become a restricted free agent at season's end.
Samsonov posted a .926 save percentage in 26 games this season. The 21-year-old has represented Russia twice at the world juniors, capturing a silver medal in 2016 and a bronze in 2017, as well as earning All-Star honors for the tournament.
The incident marked the third time in the postseason Wilson has been on the giving end of a questionable hit. That, tied in with a broken jaw and concussion for Aston-Reese, likely played a role in the NHL Department of Player Safety opting to make a significant statement.
However, Oshie says he's been the recipient of several high hits in his career that went uncalled, and he isn't overly pleased to be without the Caps' top agitator until a potential Game 7.
"I'd like for them to watch the hit. I'd like for them to break it down for me," Oshie told NHL.com's Brian McNally. "From what I see, it's two guys that see each other. It's a north-south hit. Tom goes straight through his body. Yes, the head gets hit. But there's been a million times when I've gotten hit, I go to the ref, I say: 'I was hit in the head,' and the ref just says 'he's bigger than you.'
"That's the way it goes. I've been blown up a couple times this year and I haven't complained about it when it's a monster hit. I remember in New Jersey, someone blew me up at the end of the game. I knew he was coming, but I had to make a play. My head was down, he flew overtop of me, which I guess is jumping now if you fly up, and not a word was said."
Regardless of Oshie's thoughts, the highly entertaining Pens-Caps series moves on to Game 4 on Thursday night, with Washington facing an opportunity to grab a 3-1 series lead.
Any postseason matchup between the top two teams in their respective conference is bound to be a good one. But when you look at the star power between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins, it's easy to get excited at the prospect of these rosters going head to head in a best-of-seven series.
But three games into their second-round series, the Bruins' and Lightning's stars have gone mostly quiet, shifting the focus into a depth battle.
The Bruins' top line was dominant in Game 1, a 6-2 victory, but haven't been as potent in Games 2 and 3. The Kucherov-Stamkos pairing, on the other hand, has been completely silent, mustering just one point - an empty-netter from the captain to close out Wednesday's win.
With Tampa's duo struggling to get going, one would think Boston easily holds the upper hand. However, in back-to-back wins, the Lightning's depth players have outplayed the Bruins', and it's been the difference so far in the series.
After an admittedly poor Game 1, Brayden Point flipped the script and put forth a four-point effort in Game 2. Ondrej Palat, Point's left winger, scored two goals early in Game 3 to set the tone in what was a near perfect road victory, which also saw Anthony Cirelli bury his first NHL postseason marker.
(Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)
All in all, the Lightning have 25 points from lines two through four combined with the defensive corps through three games, while the Bruins have generated just nine points from players outside the aforementioned first unit.
The Bruins' strength all season long was the success of the Bergeron line, and that carried into the postseason, as they only beat the Leafs when that line was rolling. Now facing a deficit in a series for the first time in the playoffs, head coach Bruce Cassidy knows changes, either in performance or personnel, need to be made.
Cassidy was asked about the production of his third line, the scoreless triumvirate of Danton Heinen, Riley Nash, and David Backes, following Game 3, and he indicated a shakeup may be in order to help find a spark.
"I am concerned," he said, per Tim Rosenthal of Boston.com. "We've got some guys that weren't dressed tonight that have played well for this team.
"Some guys have had a tough time ... if they stay in, obviously they need to better."
The good news for the Bruins is they have several internal options capable of subbing in successfully, as the likes of Ryan Donato and Brian Gionta occupy the press box, and could feasibly step in and help balance the scales.
The Bruins just better hope it happens fast, because their season may depend on it.
Armia hasn't played since Game 5 of Round 1 when he left the contest with an upper-body injury. He recorded 29 points in 79 regular-season games and has one goal to his name so far in the playoffs.
There could be further reinforcements on the way for the Jets, as Mathieu Perreault, out since Game 1 of the first round, participated in the morning skate and could be an option as Winnipeg seeks a 3-1 series lead.
The Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames will play two preseason games in China in September, the league announced Wednesday.
This marks the second year in a row the NHL has organized games in China, as the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings traveled across the Pacific last year to play a pair of contests in an effort to grow the game in the Chinese market.
The first game will be held Sept. 15 in Shenzhen, followed by another one Sept. 19th in Beijing, along with multiple camps and fan interactions hosted by the two teams.
The IIHF has doled out suspensions to five Swedish players and three coaches for their actions during the medal ceremony at the conclusion of the 2018 world juniors in Buffalo.
Following a 3-1 loss in the final to Canada, several Swedish players were seen taking their silver medals off their necks, most notably captain Lias Andersson, who famously tossed his consolation prize into the stands.
Although the event ended nearly four months ago, here are the issued suspensions for the players involved:
Andersson: Four games
Forward Axel Jonsson: Two games
Forward Jesper Boqvist: Two games
Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin: Two games
Goalie Olle Eriksson Ek: Two games
All punishments are enforced for the 2019 world junior tournament, except for Dahlin, the consensus No. 1 pick in June's draft, who has been banned from the first two games of the 2019 U18 World Championship.
According to the IIHF, each player violated Regulations Article 5.5.8 of the tournament rulebook, which states all players and team officials have to wear their medals around their necks in a respectful manner for the duration of the closing ceremony and postgame media procedures.
"Taking off the silver medals presented to the players shows not only the disrespect against the spectators and the organizers of the championship, but also the disrespect against their opponents and winners of the championship. The fact that the players afterwards have apologized for their behavior and have assured that they had no intentions to be disrespectful to anyone, does not excuse the actions," the IIHF said.
As for the coaching staff, the disciplinary board suspended head coach Tomas Monten three games for the 2019 world juniors, and assistants Nizze Landen and Henrik Stridh for two each.
Price had previously been skating on his own, but there's still no word on when he may be able to make a return to the Habs' active lineup. Montreal's gone 4-4-3 since he was ruled out indefinitely.
In 43 appearances this season, Price has played well below his normal standard, posting a .904 save percentage and 2.98 goals-against average.
The Canadiens will retain 50 percent of Plekanec's $6-million cap hit as a part of the deal, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.
Plekanec has appeared in 60 games with the Canadiens this season, registering 24 points. The 35-year-old provides the Maple Leafs with bolstered depth down the middle, and his 87 games of postseason experience - along with his 52.6 faceoff percentage - should help Toronto down the stretch. It should be noted Toronto also owns San Jose's 2018 second-round pick.
As for the package heading Montreal's way, the Canadiens now have four second-round picks in the upcoming draft. Rychel, 23, has 30 points with the Marlies this season, while Valiev, 22, has recorded 15 of his own in 40 contests.
Baun, the grandson of former Maple Leafs defenseman Bobby, has 16 points in 54 with Laval this season.
