from Larry Brooks of the New York Post, Hands, please, if you’re surprised that Alex Ovechkin was among the perps who violated the NHL’s — the NHL’s and NHLPA’s, by the way — COVID-19 protocols. Didn’t think so. We know it is not ideal. We know that restrictions imposed in our daily lives don’t always make sense. But we also know that if Ovechkin and his Capitals teammates Evgeny Kuznetsov, Ilya Samsonov and Dmitry Orlov wanted to watch television while bivouacked at the team’s hotel in Pittsburgh, they could have done so in a large ballroom set aside for team recreational activities. But no.... continue for more on Ovechkin plus other topics like this... The league has what appears to be a two-week buffer following the tentatively scheduled May 8 end of the regular season to accommodate postponements. According to deputy commissioner Bill Daly via an email exchange, the NHL has not yet begun to discuss — or even consider — contingencies if all teams are unable to complete the 56-game schedule. That, I don’t understand. Seems simple enough to declare immediately that team standings will be determined by winning percentage rather than points if everyone isn’t able complete the schedule. Why wait? In fact, the NHL could even enlist a corporation to sponsor the percentage column of the standings. The league can thank me in the morning.

Almost 18 minutes of Blashill after practice today.  No more names added to the COVID list today and Helm is questionable tomorrow. Bobby Ryan is below.  

With the Detroit beat writers doing exactly what we are doing, sitting at home, it could be a slow news period when the Wings are on the road. Basically we will depending on the team to keep us updated or perhaps a local beat writer may chime in now and then.   Practice day in Chicago. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/dYQBnLbf5Y — Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 23, 2021

Some perspective. PLD is an excellent addition to the Jets. Roslovic made it clear he was never playing for Winnipeg again. Laine didn’t see a future with the Jets beyond this season. This is asset management. 20+ teams expressed interest in Dubois. https://t.co/peOay7yCnj — Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 23, 2021

from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, For the third time this season, the Detroit Red Wings are faced with salvaging a series. They lost their first game at Chicago, falling 4-1 Friday at United Center. The teams play again Sunday afternoon. The Wings had to make do without several key players because of the pandemic, leaving them wondering if they will face a temporary shutdown. “Well’ we’re five guys down,” coach Jeff Blashill said Friday night. “The other team with five guys down is Carolina, and they postponed their games. So, that is where we are at. Certainly, it does not help chemistry, but again  … we are just trying to control what we can control.” continued

THREE HARD LAPS * The Stars erupted for seven goals, including five in the second period, to end a scoring drought against the Predators and earn a season-opening win. * A four-goal outing at Xcel Energy Center helped the Wild boost the NHL’s best points percentage in home openers to .800. * Montreal, which leads the League with 24 goals through five games this season, is set to close a six-game, season-opening road trip with its third straight game against Vancouver tonight on Hockey Night in Canada.

Kind of a yak game tonight. As Larry Murphy discussed during the 2nd intermission, Detroit 's routine has been messed up sine yesterday's practice where they skated in small groups to avoid the spreading of the COVID virus. Then flying out this morning, no morning skate an the result was a 4-1 loss tonight. Detroit's lone goal is below, see you Sunday afternoon.

Oops, puck shoved into their own net. Rangers lost 4-3 in a shootout.  

Up first is Dylan Larkin below fid Mickey Redmond, Jeff Blashill and the game highlights.  

The Wings will have their work cut out for them this weekend. Tonight’s game against the Hawks is not going to be an easy one. They’re hungry and angry. We're only four games in, but, this Wings team is starting to look better, and, are playing with more confidence. They will have a couple more players out because of Covid protocol. That's just the way this season will go on. We’ll just have to hang in there, trust in the Yzerplan, keep our fingers crossed, and, hope the guys are for real.  It’s a Live Blog!

Detroit – Adam Erne; Robby Fabbri; Sam Gagner; Jon Merrill; Filip Zadina The rest of the teams are below.

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News, Forwards Bobby Ryan and Vladislav Namestnikov, defensemen Troy Stecher and Jon Merrill, and goaltender Thomas Greiss weren’t high profile — Ryan was the biggest name, but some felt he was way past his elite days — and some analysts weren’t sure how much they’d help. So far, through one week and four games of the regular season, the new Red Wings have been impactful — both on and off the ice. “Everyone is buying into the system and doing it the right way,” forward Tyler Bertuzzi said. “They’re all great guys and they’re fitting in perfectly." read on

from John Ourand of Sports Business Journal, NBC has told distributors and some sports leagues that it plans to shut down its NBCSN sports channel by the end of the year. NBC’s most recent affiliate deals with Charter and Dish Network do not include carriage for NBCSN beyond this year, sources said. Plus, sports leagues that have deals with NBC were being told of the changes this week. The move is in line with the current media trend of consolidating cable channels. For NBC, it also is part of a bigger strategy to grow its Peacock streaming service, while, at the same time, bolstering the programming schedule for other NBC channels like USA Network. Bigger properties, like the NHL, NASCAR and EPL, will move to USA Network while keeping some windows on the broadcast channel. Smaller properties, like car shows, dog shows and some motorsports, will have to find new linear TV outlets. The big question is how a league like the NHL reacts to the shutting down of a network that has carried its games for the past 15 years. The NHL’s deal with NBC ends after this season. The NHL has made it clear that it wants to split its rights between at least two TV outlets. NBC has told the NHL that it would carve out regular windows on its broadcast channel and USA Network, which is in 86.2 million homes, plus Peacock. continued (link very slow to open at the time of this post)

from Nicholas J. Cotsonika of NHL.com, Fans are tuning into the NHL in record numbers -- in French and English, in Canada and the United States, nationally and regionally, on television and online. Demand pent up when the start of the 2020-21 season was delayed until Jan. 13 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The vast majority of fans have been at home and unable to attend games in arenas. The NHL and its broadcast partners have been creative with scheduling and promotion. This is the result. "NHL fans are incredibly passionate," said Justin Byczek, senior vice president of programming and rights management at NBC Sports Group. "I think after a really successful bubble Stanley Cup Playoffs, people are ready to get back to hockey." continued

List of teams that I believe have inquired with Columbus on Pierre-Luc Dubois, obviously some with more seriousness than others (in no particular order): Anaheim, Minnesota, Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Ottawa, Rangers, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington and Arizona. — Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 22, 2021

Any plans to bet online now that it is legal in Michigan? from Ryan Zuke of Mlive, Consumers will have ample options to place their wagers once online casino gaming and sports betting launches in Michigan at noon Friday, Jan. 22. The Michigan Gaming Control Board on Tuesday and Wednesday approved authorization for 10 total casinos and their platform providers to begin accepting wagers on Friday. All 10 operators are licensed in at least one other state and are reputable, according to Steve Ruddock, analyst and content director at BettingUSA.com “I think the reliability will be there across the board,” Ruddock told MLive in a phone interview. “Certain companies might have a little bit of a difference in their customer service, things like that. Other companies have a little bit of an advantage in the user experience of the mobile app. It’ll really depend on what the customer’s preferences are and what they find important.” continued

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday announced their schedule for the 2020-21 American Hockey League season. It will mark the franchise’s 25th campaign overall, 20th as members of the AHL and 19th as the primary affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings.

from Kurt Badenhausen of Forbes, The NHL’s top-earning player for the 2020-2021 season is Auston Matthews. The Toronto Maple Leafs center was scheduled to make $15.9 million in playing salary and bonus, but will instead earn $13 million net of escrow and including deferrals (a bulk of the escrow payment will be deducted from his July 2021 bonus). Matthews’ off-ice income in 2021 from endorsements, memorabilia and licensing is an estimated $3 million, pushing his total income to $16 million. The athlete endorsement market has gone into a deep freeze during the coronavirus pandemic, but Matthews added new deals last year with Verizon and equipment giant CCM Hockey. They join ongoing partners Nike, Scotiabank and sleep aid Dream Water. Matthews offers a compelling package for marketers. He was on pace to break the Maple Leafs’ single-season goals record before the season was paused in March. He is a young, fashion-forward, Mexican American playing in the hockey capital of the world. Matthews spent part of his offseason training with fellow star center Connor McDavid, who ranks as the NHL’s second-highest-paid player with $15.2 million (both are clients of sports agency Wasserman). The 2017 NHL MVP has one of the sport’s top endorsement portfolios, generating an estimated $4.5 million from partners CCM, Adidas, CIBC, BioSteel and more. McDavid’s No. 97 Edmonton Oilers jersey was the NHL’s second best-seller behind Sidney Crosby’s sweater in 2020. Rounding out the top five are Mitch Marner ($15 million), Alexander Ovechkin ($13.2 million) and Crosby ($11.9 million). more

from Dane Mizutani of the Pioneer Press, The hot start has left many fans wondering: Are the Wild for real? Here’s a counterpoint to that: Who cares? Honestly, it doesn’t matter if the Wild are a legitimate Stanley Cup contender this season, not if they are laying the foundation to be legitimate Stanley Cup contenders for seasons to come. As much as Guerin has preached that he expects the current roster to compete at a high level — something it’s proved capable of so far — it’s pretty clear he’s playing the long game here. He doesn’t even have a No. 1 center, for crying out loud. That said, it’s pretty clear the Wild are going to be a fun team to follow no matter what happens this season. They have a potential superstar in rookie Kirill Kaprizov, who goes by “Dolla Bill Kirill” in the locker room and already has the fan base wrapped around his finger. They also have a rising star in wing Kevin Fiala, who is among the most dynamic players in the league, capable of spontaneously combusting at any moment. more

"I can't wait till we all get the vaccine. "Get a shot ... and get this to be a safer world for all of us. But it's a worry." "I worry about it every day. "We show up here every morning to get tested, and every morning I get the results from the previous day and it's like, I come in with my fingers crossed because I don't think anybody knows exactly enough about where you get this." -David Poile, GM of the Nashville Predators.  More by Paul Skrbina of the Tennesseaon including Poile is a bit puzzled by the fine the Washington Capitals received.

Five and a game misconduct for Myers.  

from Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, Dubois’ situation went from a brushfire to a bonfire Thursday when the Blue Jackets’ No. 1 center was benched by coach John Tortorella for the final two periods of a 3-2 overtime loss to Tampa Bay in Nationwide Arena. Yes, the Blue Jackets’ leading scorer last season — arguably the most talented forward on the roster, though he’s off to a rough start this season — finished the game with five shifts and 3:55 in playing time and sat on the bench for the final 44:36. This could have been the last straw for Tortorella: On Dubois’ last shift, late in the first period, he took nearly 10 seconds to go from the far end of the rink to the Blue Jackets’ bench to make a change. “I’m not going to have a discussion with you guys about it,” Tortorella told reporters afterward. “It’s not difficult for me. I have to call them as I see them and go about our business on the bench and try to win a hockey game.” read on (paid subsription)

from Iain MacIntyre of Sportsnet, For the first time since Travis Green was hired as coach, the Vancouver Canucks look dead in the water, truly stalled and in danger of foundering. Hope that Wednesday’s wonderfully chaotic win against the Montreal Canadiens was a sign the Canucks were starting to move forward again was obliterated Thursday when Vancouver gave away a pile of goals, including two in nine seconds, and was embarrassed 7-3 by the Habs at Rogers Arena. The seas are getting rougher and the Canucks already look capable of sinking. They no longer seem like a team trapped by circumstance in a slow start, but a team in serious trouble. “We weren’t just giving up scoring chances, we were giving up goals,” Green, who is in the fourth and final year of his Canucks contract, said after the game. “We gift-wrapped probably four or five goals. It wasn’t a game where we were hemmed in our zone... it was just giving up breakaways. In this league, if you give up chances that are gifts, you’re going to lose bad. We did that tonight.” continued Watch the game highlights below.

THREE HARD LAPS * Tyler Toffoli followed up a hat trick with another multi-goal game against his former team as the Canadiens and Canucks concluded their back-to-back set with over 20 combined tallies. * Semyon Varlamov saw his season-opening shutout sequence end at 142:10, one of the longest such runs in League history. * The reigning Western Conference champion Stars are set to play their season opener against the Predators in a rematch of the 2020 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.

from Frank Seravalli of TSN, Hockey is back, but some National Hockey League coaches’ salaries have not returned to pre-pandemic levels with the start of the season. According to data compiled by TSN, seven NHL coaching staffs are working on reduced salary this season... League employees are also operating on reduced pay. Sources said league employees were notified at a town hall meeting in early January to continue to expect a 25 per cent reduction for the duration of the 2020-21 season for employees earning more than $75,000.... Here is the list of NHL franchises whose hockey operations staff – including coaches – are currently operating at reduced pay, according to team and league sources: Detroit Red Wings: A 20 per cent reduction for all staff over $75,000, effective Jan. 9 until July 1, 2021. more teams...

What impact will the Capitals COVID-19 news have on the team as a whole? What would happen if a team had too many games cancelled, and wouldn't be able to finish the complete 56 game schedule? Are NHL coaches still working with reduced pay? TSN Hockey Insiders Pierre LeBrun, Darren Dreger and Frank Seravalli discuss this and more. Watch at TSN

NEW YORK (Jan. 21, 2021) – The National Hockey League today released the list of Players who are unavailable to play or practice on Jan. 21, 2021, in accordance with the League’s COVID Protocols.

from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, It’s at least a week without four critical players for the Washington Capitals — including captain Alexander Ovechkin — after contact tracing following a positive COVID test revealed the group was together in a hotel room, in violation of league protocols. Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov were the other players added to the league’s COVID-Related Absences List on Wednesday evening. The Capitals’ next game is Friday against Buffalo, and, as of Thursday afternoon, there were no plans to postpone. “We totally understand why the rules are in place and there's no arguing with that,” head coach Peter Laviolette said Thursday. “We want to be compliant. We made a mistake and we need to do a better job.” Ovechkin’s wife, Nastya, was not as understanding, blasting the decision in an Instagram post, which revealed both Orlov and Ovechkin have antibodies. She made sure to post in both Russian and English so no one misunderstood her message. continued

Tippett "It's almost funny to me how everybody talked all summer about Toronto and Edmonton have to defend better and then Toronto and Edmonton actually defend well, and now they think its a bad hockey game. It just baffles me sometimes hearing what's going on." — Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) January 21, 2021 Edmonton beat Toronto 3-1 last night.

Anthony Mantha first and Jeff Blashill is below.  

Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov and Ilya Samsonov are all in quarantine. Laviolette just said he believes all will miss the next four games and then under review. — Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 21, 2021

via Ansar Khan tweet, practiced in four small groups today using both rinks. The early groups are done. The later groups feature: Zadina, Larkin, Helm Nemeth-Hronek And Ryan, Rasmussen, Mantha, Smith DeKeyser, Djoos

via the YouTube page of the Detroit Red Wings, Today's episode features a recap of Tuesday's Red Wings win over Columbus, looking forward to facing Chicago on Friday and Christian Djoos’ first week in Detroit. Plus, MLive.com's Ansar Khan and NBC hockey analyst Eddie Olczyk join us for interviews. Stream scheduled to start at 12pm, watch below.

Just under 5 minutes long.  

from Will Burchfield of 97.1 The Ticket, Detroit was a comforting situation for Ryan. So much had changed in his life over the past year. Here was a chance to retain his role as a leader. And here was a chance to play. Here was a chance to chase those dreams in the back of his mind of racking up goals and lighting up crowds and "getting back to the Bobby Ryan I was." Ryan calls these dreams 'selfish.' Another word might be 'human.' "For me personally, this was a prove-it year," Ryan said Monday after his two-goal game. "And an opportunity to take the step that I should have taken years ago but hadn’t been able to because of the outside stuff. So (this start) means a lot." For now, that's all it is. A start. Ryan has put seven pucks on goal and four have gone in. That won't continue. But the jump in his step is back, and he never lost his nose for the net. They were right about Bobby Ryan. He's the kind of player you want in your locker room. Perhaps they were wrong about him, too. He's still the kind of player you want high in your lineup. more

from Dan Rosen of NHL.com, To create the Super 16, each of the 14 participating staff members put together his or her version of what they think it should look like. Those were submitted and a point total assigned to each. The team that was selected first was given 16 points, second got 15, third 14 and so on down to No. 16, who got one point. Here is the Super 16: 1. Tampa Bay Lightning (2-0-0) Total points: 221 Preseason rank: No. 1 The Lightning have eight players who've scored at least one goal and 13 at least one point. Forward Steven Stamkos leads them with five points (two goals, three assists). 2. Vegas Golden Knights (4-0-0) Total points: 207 Preseason rank: No. 3 Alex Pietrangelo appears to be a fit; the defenseman scored his first goal with Vegas in a 5-2 win against the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday and entered averaging more than 26 minutes of ice time per game. The Golden Knights have shown resiliency by coming back to win games against the Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks after falling behind in each of them. 3. Colorado Avalanche (2-1-0) Total points: 180 Preseason rank: No. 2 The Avalanche responded to their season-opening 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues by scoring 11 straight goals across five periods before allowing two in the third period of a 3-2 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday. Nathan MacKinnon scored his 500th NHL point against the Kings. The center has 191 goals and 309 assists in 528 games, all with the Avalanche. 13 more teams

THREE HARD LAPS * The Lightning and Blue Jackets are set to renew acquaintances five months after squaring off in the 2020 First Round, which included contesting the fourth-longest game in NHL history. * The Canucks and Canadiens combined for five game-tying goals in the first of three consecutive head-to-head games. * New Golden Knights captain Mark Stone factored on another game-winning goal as Vegas extended its season-opening win streak.

from Sean Fitz-Gerald of The Athletic, Mike Ross, the voice of the Maple Leafs, spent time working in Toronto’s playoff bubble last year, and he was told the public address voice maintains a sense of routine for players, even in abnormal times. The in-arena game script has changed — the Kiss Cam had probably run its course, anyway, before the pandemic arrived — but the essential elements remain. Ross still did player introductions, and he still announces the penalties and goals. “I understood pretty quickly that part of it was also to bring a little bit of normalcy to the players,” said Ross. “They’re so used to certain sounds and certain elements being there, that it was about bringing everything that I would normally bring to a game for them, as well — to bring a little bit of that normalcy.” more ($$$) PA announcers chime in...

Joe Thornton heads to the dressing room after taking a hit along the boards. #NHLonSN #ItsOn pic.twitter.com/jDYzdJmyhW — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 21, 2021   Sheldon Keefe on Joe Thornton: "It looks like he's definitely going to miss some time." — Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) January 21, 2021

via NBC Sports, Darren Dreger joins NHL Live to discuss concerns surrounding the Canes' COVID-19 outbreak, teams making use of waivers to manage rosters and what the future holds for Aleksander Barkov and Keith Yandle with the Panthers.   Your browser does not support iframes.

NEW YORK (Jan. 20, 2021) – The National Hockey League announced today that it has fined the Washington Capitals $100,000 for Player violations of the League’s COVID-19 Protocols which involved social interactions among team members who were in close contact and who were not wearing face coverings.

.@hulu and @YouTubeTV subscribers: We share in your frustration. We’ve offered both providers rates in line with what hundreds of others have agreed to. We’ve been waiting to have constructive conversations, but until then encourage you to make the switch: https://t.co/6CjOFiBTc9 — FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) January 20, 2021

from Josh Berenter of DetroitRedWings.com, Eleven Stanley Cup championships. Original Six. The Winged Wheel. Hockeytown. That's the cache that comes with being a member of the Detroit Red Wings, and this season, the Wings welcomed seven new members to the exclusive fraternity as the clubs looks to jumpstart their rebuild. The Red Wings began their offseason by signing Swedish forward Mathias Brome on April 29 and traded for 13-year New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal on September 26 before attacking the free-agent market in October. On the first day of free agency on October 9, Detroit signed veteran forward Bobby Ryan and Michigan native defenseman Jon Merrill to one-year deals. The next day, the Red Wings added 11-year NHL goalie Thomas Greiss and 26-year-old defenseman Troy Stecher, and on October 11, Detroit capped off its new haul by signing center and Red Wings bloodline Vladislav Namestnikov. Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said he was pleased with the offseason work of executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman. "I think all of them have the opportunity to make our team a better hockey team, without a shadow of a doubt," Blashill said during training camp. "They all have good hockey in them. I think they're a good group in their own different ways that can give us good, good minutes, which is what you need lots of times in the NHL." The Wings badly needed defensive depth after finishing last season near the bottom of the NHL in goals-against average. And with the help of Merrill, Staal and Stecher, along with the return of Danny DeKeyser from a back injury, Blashill said the back end has been stabilized. continued

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News, The important thing to remember is it’s only been four games. Four games to begin this weird, unique, short season of an NHL schedule, and all the Red Wings did was split them. But Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime victory over Columbus was another reminder that this does feel different from last season’s misery. The Red Wings appear to be much more competitive. “We are feeling good,” said forward Tyler Bertuzzi, who scored Tuesday’s winner, essentially banking in Dylan Larkin’s pass off a 2-on-1 rush. “We have a really good team this year and if we can play like that and keep doing the right things we’ll get rewarded with these one-goal wins.” At least in the first 240 minutes and 15 seconds of hockey this season, general manager Steve Yzerman’s free-agent and trade acquisitions have been impactful on and off the ice. They’ve added an air of professionalism, and stability, that was much needed. continued

Five minutes to watch.  

from Ilitch Companies News Hub at the Wings website, In this time of uncertainty, we are committed to standing with and supporting our dedicated and hardworking colleagues and providing them and their families the reassurance they deserve.   The Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, 313 Presents, Fox Theatre, and Little Caesars Arena have set up a $1 million fund to cover one month's wages for our part-time staff for games, concerts, and events that they would have otherwise worked were it not for the recent cancellations and postponements caused by the coronavirus crisis. In other words, if they were scheduled to work at an event that has been cancelled in the next month, they will be paid. Where there are opportunities, arena staff will be moved into other roles.   This fund will cover our part-time colleagues' wages for the Red Wings four home games that were paused; Detroit Pistons eight home games that were suspended; and for the Detroit Tigers six Spring Training games that were cancelled at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, FL. This also will include our Little Caesars Arena and Fox Theatre colleagues impacted by the postponement of concerts and events, which currently includes: continued

from Sarah McLellan of the Star-Tribune, If they aren't at the arena for a game or working out on the practice ice, there's a good chance Wild players are staring at their cellphones. "Uber Eats and DoorDash have been very popular," winger Marcus Foligno said. A week into its season-opening, four-game trip, which wraps Wednesday at Anaheim, the Wild is starting to get the hang of life on the road in 2021. New rules have been implemented to stay safe while traveling during the pandemic. Although the policy has restricted players' access to the outside world in between games, it's also increased their bonding time. "You can't go anywhere, so everyone is together," captain Jared Spurgeon said. "Having new guys on the team, you're able to play cards or just hang around and talk. It's definitely been good for the group." continued

from Larry Brooks of the New York Post, It wasn’t so much hype as a sense of anticipation. A year ago, for the first time ever, the first two overall selections in the NHL draft were going to teams based approximately six miles apart, and weren’t we all going to be in for a treat watching the rivalry develop between the Devils’ No. 1, Jack Hughes, and the Rangers’ No. 2, Kaapo Kakko? Well, the future obviously all lies ahead of the two 19-year-olds, which is a pretty good thing considering their one season of NHL past added up to the biggest combined one-two statistical flop in more than two decades.... And let me tell you, Hughes was dancing all night long at the Garden on Thursday, racking up a pair of goals and an assist in an eye-opening performance to co-star with 47-save goaltender MacKenzie Blackwood in the Devils’ 4-3 victory. The young man added musculature to his frame with diligent offseason work that has allowed him to battle in those 50-50 areas, but Hughes just never stopped moving his feet. He was dynamic and quicksilver, on his toes throughout while thriving under head coach Lindy Ruff, who worked as an assistant the previous three years on the other side of the Hudson. “My confidence level is obviously high,” said Hughes, who has six points (2-4) through three contests. “I think it’s always been high, you know, but we’re building and I’m building personally. more

from Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun, Nine meetings between Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid this season, starting on Wednesday night. Buckle up. For entertainment value in the North Division, it won’t get much better than that when the Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers clash. “They play different games but what makes them similar is that they are elite in what their skill sets are,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said after Toronto practised at the Ford Performance Centre on Tuesday. “McDavid’s speed and Auston’s shot and goal-scoring ability … both players are more experienced in the league and they’re adding different layers and pieces to their game. They’re special talents. “Just to be on the bench for these games are great, all throughout the division, there’s elite talents on every team. The challenge certainly doesn’t get easier now with Edmonton.” Each player is producing at a point-a-game pace — Matthews has four points in four games and McDavid five in four — but we know each is capable of more and busting out at a moment’s notice. continued

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News, The Wings are 2-2 through the first four games, splitting each of the two-game series they've had thus far. "Very significant," said Larkin, of splitting the four-game season-opening home stand. "I've liked our process every game. The way we played with the puck, and our confidence, and the goaltending has been great. Just the way we've played, it's repeatable."... Larkin was between Vladislav Namestnikov and Filip Zadina, while Mantha played with Michael Rasmussen and Ryan. Luke Glendening centered Bertuzzi and Mathias Brome. The fourth line had Valtteri Filppula between Frans Nielsen and Sam Gagner. Blashill hinted after the morning skate the Mantha,  Larkin and Bertuzzi line may have been forcing things in an attempt to get going offensively. Whatever the purpose, the decision sparked the victory. "(There was) no message," Blashill said. "We wanted to spread the lines around a little bit and see what type of chemistry we could have with some different lines. Our guys came out and played hard. Our guys do a good job of not worrying what my decisions are and I make my decisions and they go and play." more Watch extended game highlights below.

THREE HARD LAPS * In a game to be broadcast nationally in the U.S. and Canada, Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews are set to face off in their first of nine meetings this season. * In the first matchup between the most recent No. 1 picks, Jack Hughes propelled the Devils to victory in the first rendition of the ‘Hudson River Rivalry’ this season. * Nathan MacKinnon collected his 500th career regular-season point in Colorado’s win and joined a short list of players to reach the milestone before their 26th birthday.

One thing about this team after four games is they don't quit. You can see the determination from this team, especially from the youngsters. Tonight, they get rewarded with a 3-2 OT win. Be patient folks, this team is starting to gel slowly but surely Goals are below.

First up is Dylan Larkin and Mickey Redmond below.  More coming. added 10:27pm, Game highlights are below.  added 10:35pm, Jeff Blashill is below.  added 10:52pm, Tyler Bertuzzi is below. sdded 11:05pm, in one video, Larkin, Bertuzzi and Blashill below.  

It’s still to soon to know what to expect from this team. Many have pointed out that this is still a somewhat pre-season mode for the entire league. With all the new health protocols, and, uncertainty surrounding everything, it’s too soon to know what’s what. The best takeaway a mere three games in, is so far the Wings have not played as bad as we’re used to seeing them play. It’s definitely more entertaining to watch a game. There is more confidence with this group. They’re not giving up on themselves mid-game like they used to, and, that is an important improvement. We’ll take it. It’s a Live Blog!

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News, Detroit's Michael Rasmussen didn’t get much notice he was going into the Red Wings lineup Monday afternoon, but maybe that was a good thing. Rasmussen and Frans Nielsen entered the lineup replacing Robby Fabbri and Adam Erne, who were placed on the COVID-19 protocol list. Rasmussen, the Wings’ 2017 first-round pick, has been on the Wings’ taxi squad, practicing with the team daily and waiting for an opportunity to play. That chance came Monday, with Rasmussen earning an assist on Bobby Ryan’s first of two goals in the 3-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. “It was good to get back in the lineup and play a game with the guys,” Rasmussen said a Zoom session Tuesday with media. “It’s been a good experience so far with the taxi squad. It’s good to be around the guys and work on your game and skate and get some work in the gym, too. continued

DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the team has acquired defenseman Greg Pateryn from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman Ian Cole. Pateryn, 30, has recorded two points (0g/2a) in three games for the Minnesota Wild so far this season. After undergoing surgery on Oct. 1, 2019, Pateryn made his 2019-20 season debut on Jan. 12, 2020 against Vancouver and played in 20 contests for Minnesota during the regular season, tallying three points (0g/3a). He recorded a career-best, three-game point/assist streak from Feb. 25-28, 2020. The Sterling Heights, Michigan, native missed the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs due to an upper-body injury.

NEW YORK (Jan. 19, 2021) – The National Hockey League announced today that, effective with tonight’s games, the League will be using game pucks without the imbedded tracking technology. The decision was made after concerns were raised about the puck’s performance during the first few days of the 2020-21 season. A review by the League determined that the first supply of 2020-21 pucks did not receive the same precise finishing treatments during the off-season manufacturing process as were used during the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. It is expected that a new supply of the League’s “tracking pucks” will be available soon and, after undergoing appropriate quality control testing, will be back in use for all games. In the interim, the League will use the official game pucks from the 2019-20 season and will continue to utilize Player tracking technology for all games.

from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, It began with former Red Wings defenceman Chris Chelios going on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast and alleging that Babcock had verbally assaulted Franzen during a playoff series against Nashville. Franzen, in a subsequent interview with Swedish newspaper Expressen, called Babcock a “great coach,” but a “terrible person” and a “bully,” saying he suffered from verbal attacks from the coach. Former Red Wings GM Ken Holland was asked by the Detroit Free Press last December if a player had ever come to him and accused Babcock of verbal abuse. Holland said no.... “(Franzen) had unbelievable years in Detroit,’’ Babcock said. “He was a big man with great hands. When he first came here, we thought he was a checker and he turned himself into an unbelievable player. “When a player that you’ve coached says that about you, it stings you big time. But not only does it sting for that, if you’ve been involved with mental health like I have …'”... “Can you imagine having someone say that about you when you have been involved in mental health as much as I have? Now, I’ve reached out to (Franzen). That’s not going to make anything go away. “It doesn’t matter what I perceive. When you’re talking about this kind of thing, if the person — whether it’s a co-worker, your spouse, your student — if they think that’s the environment, that’s what they’re feeling. Now, I sure wish I would have known about that then. And I could have done something about that. Besides apologize, there’s not much I can do about that now. But does it sting? Does it hurt? Absolutely.’’ more ($$$) and Babcock addresses other topics too...

from Frank Seravalli of TSN, If only, Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice mused, the NHL could have it all – an all-Canadian North Division and fans in the stands. What a bubbling cauldron that would create: endless one-anthem nights to feed frenzied fan bases with rivalries that feel like more than just key divisional points are on the line. "The idea is wholly selfish … We have our own little tiny league here,” Maurice said Monday, before Winnipeg visited Toronto. “We’re not crossing the border, not going all over the place. “It would be fantastic.” Alas, Maurice will be hard-pressed to get his wish. A permanent all-Canadian division is not feasible – not over an 82-game campaign. The rest of the hockey world (and paying rights holders) in the United States should get variety and the opportunity to see Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews, just as much as Canada should be able to have Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon come home to play. But the NHL may be on to something with the wildly popular North Division. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun on Monday that the league has agreed to explore the results gathered from this season’s baseball-style schedule with multiple games played against the same opponent on single trips. continued

NEW YORK (Jan. 19, 2021) – The National Hockey League today announced that Game #52, Carolina Hurricanes at Nashville Predators, scheduled for tonight, has been postponed. The rescheduled date of Game #52 will be announced when available. The decision was made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts.

The live stream is below and I will update any news from the skate right here.

from Mac Engel of the Dallas Morning News, “Sinclair remains committed to reaching a fair agreement with both Hulu and YouTube TV to carry the FOX (regional sports networks),” Sinclair wrote in a statement. “At no time have we demanded exorbitant fees for these channels. Instead, we have consistently offered both pay TV providers extremely fair deals in line with what hundreds of other TV services have agreed to and continue to agree to.” “However, despite high profile ad campaigns and website claims touting their live sports content, we have yet to see that same commitment from either provider to put consumers first. Unfortunately, at this point we have no choice but to conclude that neither Disney (which owns Hulu) nor Google (which owns YouTube) is willing to engage in good faith discussions or return the RSNs to their platforms.” more on the issued in the Dallas market...

"I don’t think there’s any advantage in any rink in the National Hockey League right now, to be quite honest with you, just because the fans do have an important effect," he said. "I think we saw that in Madison Square Garden [Thursday and Saturday]. "I mean, it’s quiet in there . . . [Normally] when the Rangers and Islanders are playing, we could be playing at 7 a.m. in the morning, with a full building and the place is going crazy."  "You’ve got to bring your own sense of emotion, your own game every night. You’re not going to get any help from the atmosphere. You’re not . . . Here, it’s a lonely road out here." -Barry Trotz, head coach of the New York Islanders.  Nei Best of Newsday has more.

from Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun, Wouldn’t it be something if Bobby Ryan rejuvenated his career with the Detroit Red Wings? Wouldn’t it be nice to see? Of course it would. Everybody loves Bobby Ryan as much as Everybody Loves Raymond Barone. Well, last season’s Bill Masterton Trophy winner sure is off to a sensational start with his new team. Ryan missed the opener, a 3-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, because of an injury he suffered in the first week of camp, but since then he has been, well, coming in hot. In his Detroit debut on Saturday, he scored in a 4-2 win over the Hurricanes, and then on Monday afternoon he had both goals in a 3-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. That puts Ryan on pace for, hmmm, 56 this season. Not bad for a guy who the Red Wings signed to a one-year, $1 million deal as a free agent after Ottawa decided to buy him out. A reminder: Ottawa is now paying Ryan $1,833,833 in each of the next four seasons to not play in the nation’s capital. continued plus more hockey topics...

from Aaron Portzline of The Athletic, “I knew (it was Larkin) pretty much right away,” Werenski said. “I was kind of laughing during it. We weren’t holding back. I was trying to win the fight, and I think he was as well. “Once I realized it was him, with everything going on, him leaving tickets for my family, my parents being here, my friends … pretty funny how it all worked out.” Larkin offered his own play-by-play: “We had six guys (with their goaltender pulled); they have five. I saw Korpisalo in there with his stick — I was kind of late to the pile — and didn’t like it, and I think as I tried to jump in, I think I elbowed Zach and didn’t make him happy. We fought, and that was it. Not our first fight. We’ve had plenty of battles.” more (paid) If you missed the tussle watch it below.

THREE HARD LAPS * Semyon Varlamov became the first goaltender in Islanders history to record a shutout in each of his first two appearances of a season and the 14th goaltender in NHL history to do so. * Taylor Hall and Jack Eichel continued to produce at over a point-per-game pace and helped Buffalo snap a seven-game winless skid in Philadelphia. * Up to 11 No. 1 picks could be on the ice tonight, including a pair of matchups between back-to-back top picks: Jack Hughes of the Devils (2019) vs. Alexis Lafrenière of the Rangers (2020) and Alex Ovechkin (2004) of the Capitals vs. Sidney Crosby of the Penguins (2005).

from Terry Jones of the Edmonton Sun, At age 31, Grosenick, a goaltender with two games of NHL experience, had been put on waivers by the Los Angeles Kings and claimed by the Oilers with the intent of giving him a job on the newly created coronavirus pandemic taxi squad because of the crease conundrum in Edmonton. Grosenick was said to be driving to Edmonton, apparently because the quarantine time involved in crossing the border by car for an NHL player is less than the 14 days that would be involved if he’d taken a flight. A job in the newly created position of taxi squad goalie isn’t likely to get his picture on a Tim Hortons hockey card next year, but for Grosenick it’s employment. But hold it, there, Tony. Pull over to the next town and wait until 9 a.m., Pacific or 10 a.m., Mountain time. The Toronto Maple Leafs put Aaron Dell on wavers and he has played 107 NHL games with a .908 save percentage. So it was in Zigzag, Oregon or Humptulips, Washington or Slickpoo, Idaho or Pray, Montana that Grosenick allegedly overnighted to find out if he should continue his trek North or turn around and head to maybe Bakersfield, California to become a Condor. It turned out that Dell was claimed by the New Jersey Devils and Grosenick could head north again with maybe a chance of catching Cam Moon call his second NHL game on 630 CHED during the final few hours of his drive. read on

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News, The Red Wings allowed two quick third-period goals in a holiday matinee, allowing Columbus to escape with a 3-2 victory Monday at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit head coach Jeff Blashill, left, talks with assistant coach Dan Bylsma in the second period of Monday's game. "The second half of the game we stopped getting behind them and defended a little more, but we certainly had our chances," coach Jeff Blashill said. "Two games in a row we've given up too many chances. "We have to make sure we limit some of those chances against.".. "We've given up some goals but we've played the right way," forward Dylan Larkin said. "We've had lots of communication, lots of puck support. We've got out of our zone pretty efficiently. more

In the first period the Wings looked good and lead 1-0 after 20 minutes Period two Detroit spent too much time in their own zone and it eventually cost them, 1-1 after 40 minutes. Columbus scored two quick goals in the 3rd and the Wings added a goal with Greiss pulled late in the game but could not add the equalizer. Final score Columbus 3 Detroit 2 Goals are below. added 3:01pm, The battle with a minute left in the game can be watched below.

Dylan Larkin first, more coming.   We hear from captain Dylan Larkin after a fisticuffs with a friend and a 3-2 Red Wings loss to the Blue Jackets. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/SBHsOOwg4q — FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) January 18, 2021

NEW YORK (Jan. 18, 2021) – Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov and Fairview Hospital RN Brittany Hutchinson have been named the NHL’s “First Stars” for the week ending Jan. 17. Throughout the 2020-21 season the NHL will celebrate the remarkable efforts of the off-ice stars who make it possible for us to play our games amid a pandemic by honoring frontline healthcare heroes from the regions represented by the League’s weekly and monthly “Stars.” Hutchinson, a Wild season-ticket holder, is a registered nurse who works on the COVID unit at Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis. In 2004, she became the youngest person in America to receive the Medal of Valor, earning the honor after pushing a child out of the way of a school bus and allowing herself to be run over instead. Hutchinson also survived a terminal illness when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor nine years ago. She went on to attend Bethel University, where she graduated with honors and received her BSN, RN and PHN. Hutchinson also has participated in 12 humanitarian and medical relief missionary trips to eight states and four countries, including India, Taiwan, Paraguay and Belize. Rounding out the “Three Stars” of the week are Philadelphia Flyers right wing Travis Konecny and Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos. More on each NHL player’s performance can be found below:

The Wings are coming off their first win of the season, and, every one is happy plus surprised. Not just the fans either. Per Larkin after the game Saturday night; “I just felt a calmness from a lot of the new guys that we’re just going to keep going, we’re not going to get frustrated,” Larkin said. Hearing him say that after the game was encouraging. I would dare to say hopeful, for the fans that have had to endure some really bad hockey for quite a while. Keeping that in mind, in this shortened season, anything can happen. It's a Matinee Live Blog!

from the IIHF, Due to safety and security issues that are beyond the IIHF’s control, the IIHF Council confirmed today that the decision to move the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship from Minsk, Belarus is unavoidable. The decision was reached by Council following the conclusion of an extensive due diligence process. The IIHF has a duty of care to all Championship participants. As such, IIHF Bylaw 9 provides the IIHF Council the ability to withdraw an IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship from a hosting nation if there is reason for concern that the well-being or the safe freedom of movement of the players, officials, traveling spectators and media is in doubt. Therefore, the IIHF Council has conducted a fair and unbiased due diligence process whereby independent experts and all stakeholders were consulted on the viability of holding the 2021 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Belarus in the face of the growing safety and security concerns related to both the rising political unrest and COVID-19. The final stage of the IIHF Council due diligence process was meeting with the Belarusian government last week and the commissioning of a further independent expert report. continued

from Emily Kaplan of ESPN, - After the complicated situation where players' families were mostly prevented from joining the NHL bubble this summer, I was curious how teams would handle family members attending games this season. According to the CBA, each team must make available two complimentary tickets per player per home game, and a minimum of two tickets for purchase for each home and visiting player. In negotiations for 2021, the NHL and NHLPA agreed to an updated policy for this season. Each home player's group of guests will be seated in their own "pod" while keeping distance from other player guest pods. Teams were also told to designate a separate visiting player guest section. If you've been watching broadcasts, you've probably noticed some family members in the seats, but not at all arenas just yet. Some markets still can't allow family members due to attendance restrictions from local public health authorities, though that could evolve as the season goes on. - A few observations from players on how this season feels different: "I don't do much outside the rink at all. I feel like I'm living in a bubble at home." "They're definitely pumping the sound loud at the arena, but it's a different energy without fans. Sometimes [fake] crowd reaction sounds one or two seconds delayed." And from a player on a road trip: "I think there's a team room we're allowed to hang out in, but there's not much to do just hanging at the hotel. Most guys will probably spend a lot of time in their rooms." many more topics, a good way to catch up on what you may have missed reently...

from Mike Chambers of the Denver Post, They lack a deterrent — a guy who can lead his teammates into the fight. And in this Original Six-type season that has Colorado playing the Blues and Knights eight times apiece — plus possibly in a seven-game playoff series — team toughness is paramount. “In the case of the Avalanche, you’re going to have some pretty contentious games with the Vegas Golden Knights and the St. Louis Blues, because they seem to be the clear top-three teams in that division,” NHL Network analyst E.J. Hradek told me. “And they’re going to see each other in the first two rounds of the playoffs, so there’s going to be even more meetings with those teams.”... Here’s an idea: The Avs should unleash top-size power forwards Gabe Landeskog and Nazem Kadri. Yes, they want Landeskog and Kadri to score goals and make plays — not fight and potentially break a hand or an orbital bone. But this highly talented team can’t have it both ways. It can’t forget about the blood-and-guts toughness every Stanley Cup winner must possess. more

from Ansar Khan of Mlive, Secondary scoring from a reliable second line is vital for the Detroit Red Wings, something they lacked a season ago. More nights like Saturday will solve that issue. Bobby Ryan, in his Red Wings debut, opened the scoring early in the second period, a key goal that alleviated some pressure for a team that had gone scoreless in four periods until then. Robby Fabbri snapped a tie by scoring what proved to be the winning goal with 2:42 remaining in the third period. Filip Zadina made nice passes to set up both goals. The 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes was the first time the line had been together since early in training camp, before Ryan was injured. “They all have the offensive ability to be a top-six type line in the NHL,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “You hope they can feed off each other, you hope their offensive acumen complements each other. We needed to make sure Fabbri can play with the tenacity to get the puck, that Zadina can play with the tenacity to go get the puck. Bobby has a lot of experience and can help those guys in a lot of situations. continued

THREE HARD LAPS * Fourteen American teams are in action today as NBCSN marks Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with its first-ever NHL quadrupleheader, with feature-packed coverage starting at noon ET and spanning more than 12 hours. * Eetu Luostarinen and Patric Hornqvist each scored goals in their team debut as the Panthers earned a win in season-opening fashion. * Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal of the season to inch closer to another Hall of Famer on the all-time list.  

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News, “It’s definitely different,” forward Robby Fabbri said. “It takes me back to junior (hockey) days when you play in the afternoons. It’s like any other game, you get used to it and get adjusted to the time. “You go through the same routine — just earlier in the day.” A big consideration for an abnormal game-start switch, such as Monday’s game, is the pre-game meal — and what and when to eat. Hockey players, generally, will have a meal high in carbohydrates and protein some 2-3 hours before a game. But pasta and salmon may not go down easily at 8 or 9 a.m. “There’s obviously things game-wise that are different, (but) I would say in terms of body clock, this (noon) is the time we practice every day, and they’ve been doing it for months, so I don’t think it’s a huge adjustment,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “Both teams are in the same boat. They (Blue Jackets) have a little more travel involved (coming in from Nashville). read on

The Wings had a short and light practice today before heading to Columbus for their noon game on Monday and 7:30pm game on Tuesday. Interviews after practice today are Robby Fabbri and Jeff Blashill below.  

from Tom Gulitti of NHL.com, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin have had many memorable showdowns over their first 15 NHL seasons. Peter Laviolette was previously restricted to observing and admiring those battles between the Pittsburgh Penguins center and Washington Capitals forward from afar. So the new Washington coach is looking forward to his first up-close look at the rivalry when Crosby and the Penguins host Ovechkin and the Capitals at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday (noon ET; NBC, SN). It will be the first of eight games between Washington and Pittsburgh in the MassMutual East Division this season and the 78th time Ovechkin and Crosby will play each other in the NHL, including the regular season and the Stanley Cup Playoffs. "For so long when these two teams, Pittsburgh and Washington, have squared off, it made noise and it made noise because of these guys," Laviolette said. "They've been elite for a long time, and I think that always makes for good hockey. It makes for a good story." Part of the story this time is the Penguins are desperate for a win after opening the season with two losses to the Philadelphia Flyers. Crosby scored a goal in each of those defeats. continued

from Terry Jones of the Edmonton Sun, ...what was that Saturday, on Hockey Night In Canada, against an inspired Montreal Canadiens club that came to Rogers Place to make good on blowing their opener to the Toronto Maple Leafs? The Oilers were outshot 12-3 in the first 10 minutes. The Canadiens had an 8-1 ‘edge’ in scoring chances in the first period. It was total domination. For long periods of time, you didn’t hear the names Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, just 48 hours after they seemed to own the puck. On a night when this hockey club needed to show up and win battles like they did the previous time out, if for no other reason to build some confidence in Mikko Koskinen in goal, the Oilers looked like they didn’t deserve to be on the same sheet of ice as Montreal. And the 5-1 final score was representative. Yes, Montreal was the more rested team. The Canadiens were the hungrier hockey team. Koskinen wasn’t to blame for the Oilers being down 4-0 after 30 minutes. But he wasn’t playing well, either. And he’s already well on his way to setting some sort of record for goals allowed high glove side.   Game highlights are below.

via Sportsnet, Brian Burke talked about the struggles as a GM of dealing a player after they’ve demanded a trade, and why Canadian teams face an extra challenge in that sense. Plus the future of the Canadian Division.  

THREE HARD LAPS * Longtime rivals Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will face-off in the first NHL On NBC Sunday matchup of the season when the Capitals visit the Penguins. * Separated by 22 years and 197 days, 41-year-old Joe Thornton and 19-year-old Tim Stützle each scored goals as the Maple Leafs and Senators contested their second game in as many days. * The Wild have won each of their first two games of the 2020-21 season by overcoming multi-goal third-period deficits to win in overtime.

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News, Goaltender Jonathan Bernier stopped 29 shots to earn the win, as the Wings salvaged a split in the season-opening two-game series. "We competed extremely hard, that's the level of compete you need in order to have a chance to win in this league," coach Jeff Blashill said. "That was the biggest thing that stood out for me. Between our work ethic and compete, I was real happy. "The other thing is, we were deeper as a team. We had four lines going pretty hard, not everybody gets as much ice time as they'd like, but all four lines were going and all six defensemen went well. Ultimately, we'll have to win that way." The Wings’ last victory? March 8, 2020, when they defeated eventual Stanley Cup champion Tampa 5-4 in a shootout — a few days before the pandemic closed most every sport. And considering the sluggish way the Wings opened the season against Carolina, Saturday's victory was needed and felt good. "We got timely goals and we outplayed a great team," Larkin said. more Watch the extended game highlights below.

The Wings played better tomight with a 4-2 win. Two points out of first boys! Discuss Detroit goals are below. See you at 12:00pm ET on Monday (MLK Day).  They'll be playing in Columbus.

Bobby Ryan first, more coming. added 10:01pm, Mickey Redmond is below.  added 10:04pm, Dylan Larkin now below... added 10:11pm, Jeff Blashill is below. Game highlights added below at 10:15pm. added 10:46pm, Larkin, Zadina and Blashill in one video bekow.  

Elliotte Friedman, Chris Johnston along with host Ron MacLean discussed- Injuries around the league, Dubois trade update, Winnipeg canceled practice today and Edmonton's goalie situation.  Ken Holland did call Jimmy Howard, sounds like Howard will announce retirement in coming days. Plua a few more topics. via Sportsnet,  

from Larry Brooks of the New York Post, Apparently the folks at the league were unable to find clear evidence that Staal’s head was the main point of contact, though Dowd was assessed a minor for an illegal check to the head. Which raises the question: What is a legal check to the head and why on earth would anyone even countenance the suggestion that there could be such a thing in 2021? Why would the league want to encourage cheap shots like this? Why would the players want to camouflage predators in their midst? Who is in favor of the manner in which supplemental discipline, and specifically as it relates to head shots, is adjudicated in the NHL? So the Department of Player Safety couldn’t find “clear evidence?” Why must perpetrators be judged under the criminal court standard of “beyond a reasonable doubt?” Why not under the civil court mandate of “preponderance of evidence?” The time has come, has way past come, to eradicate hits to the head. That starts by punishing the perps. more topics including the AHL players are facing financial hardship...