Karlsson is more than just on track to lead all defenseman in scoring for the third consecutive season - his eye-popping numbers have him in the top five in NHL scoring. If he finishes there, he'll become just the fourth defenseman with multiple top-10 seasons. The 25-year-old defending Norris Trophy winner is seeing the ice for more than 29 minutes per game - tops in the league - thanks to an increased role as a penalty killer. Those critical of Karlsson's deficiencies as a prototypical shutdown defenseman overlook how his strong possession game keeps the Senators out of their own end and pushes the edge in shots on goal in Ottawa's favor.
Drew Doughty is the NHL's best defenseman
A defenseman's responsibilities extend beyond the offensive zone, which is why Doughty's plus/minus is over 20 points better than Karlsson's. Doughty's ability to control play makes him a true two-way star. That's not to knock the Kings blueliner's ability to generate offense - he's on pace to tally more points this season than he's had since 2009-10. He was also the linchpin of Canada's offering in Sochi in 2014 - one of the most dominant performances in Olympic history. A two-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Doughty has proven himself to be a winner. He's sure to add a Norris Trophy to his mantle in the near future.
Who do you think is the NHL's best defenseman - Erik Karlsson or Drew Doughty? Cast your vote on the banner below.
TORONTO - Tyler Bozak will be in the Maple Leafs' lineup for the first time in nearly two months when Toronto faces the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.
Bozak has missed the last 21 games with the first concussion of his career, injured on a hit to...
At first glance, Colorado appears to have the edge. The Avalanche have a game in hand on the Wild and two more regulation-or-overtime wins, which would break a tie if necessary.
However, the teams' schedules tell a different story.
Take a look at Colorado's final stretch:
Yikes.
The Avalanche face teams holding playoff spots in every one of their final nine games, including a road back-to-back against the Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues.
The Wild have it much easier:
Minnesota gets to face floundering lottery-bound Canadian teams four times, including a pair of home dates against the Calgary Flames.
Latest on the Oilers and Flames plus more expansion draft speculation in your NHL rumor mill. Highlights from Friedman’s latest “30 Thoughts”. SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman noted Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins leaving Tuesday’s game against Arizona with yet another injury. He doesn’t know if Nugent-Hopkins future is in Alberta or elsewhere but it complicates things if he finished […]
Ongoing decline of scoring, odds of the 2016 first-overall pick landing in Canada & more in today’s collection of notable NHL headlines. Playoff Race. NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: Henrik Lundqvist made 39 saves and the Rangers netted two power-play goals to down the Boston Bruins 5-2. NEWSDAY: The New York Islanders snapped a four-game winless […]
WINNIPEG - John Albert's goal 19:46 into the second period stood as the winner as the Manitoba Moose staved off a late comeback attempt for a 3-2 victory over the Stockton Heat on Wednesday in American Hockey League action.
Jake Baker, on a p...
His celebration became awkward rather quickly as he attempted to throw a puck over the glass to a young fan. After a lengthy effort, the 24-year-old finally got the puck to the child - on his fifth try.
Berube later took to Twitter to blame his home arena for the trouble:
While his throwing needs work, there's no denying Berube's skill in the Islanders' net of late, boasting a .965 save percentage in his past two starts after a 2-1 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 15.
The 2012 Vezina winner stretched back and caught the Stempniak rebound attempt on the goal line. The play went to video review, but there was no conclusive evidence that the puck crossed the line, rewarding an incredible effort by the 34-year-old to maintain the Rangers' two-goal lead.
Lundqvist entered Wednesday's game with a 1-3-2 record in his past six starts.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Dan Catenacci scored twice and the Rochester Americans used a five-goal third period to rally to a 6-5 comeback victory over the St. John's IceCaps on Wednesday in American Hockey League action.
Trailing 4-0 in the second pe...
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Brock Nelson and Matt Martin scored 21 seconds apart in the second period and the New York Islanders beat the Ottawa Senators 3-1 Wednesday night to snap a season-high four-game losing streak.
John Tavares also scored in the ...
