N H L - National Hockey League

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Three third-period goals help Flyers top Avalanche

 

Gudas, Giroux score 19 seconds apart; Philadelphia remains in second wild card spot

 

by Rick Sadowski / NHL.com Correspondent

1:09 PM

Giroux gives Flyers lead late PHI@COL: Giroux beats Varlamov for late lead

3/24/16: Claude Giroux settles a bouncing puck and beats Semyon Varlamov, giving the Flyers a 3-2 lead late in the 3rd period

 

DENVER -- Radko Gudas and Claude Giroux scored 19 seconds apart late in the third period to help the Philadelphia Flyers defeat the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 at Pepsi Center on Thursday.

Gudas scored his fifth of the season on a shot from just inside the blue line with 5:43 left. Giroux retrieved a long rebound after Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov made a save against Wayne Simmonds. He skated to his right and scored inside the near post to break a 2-2 tie with his 21st goal of the season.

The Flyers (36-24-13), who are 7-1-2 in the past 10 games, remained in the second wild card spot into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. The Detroit Red Wings also have 85 points, but Philadelphia has a game in hand.

"It was just a really big rebound there and I was able to go around and get it," Giroux said. "It was pretty fun to score that goal."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/philadelphia-flyers-colorado-avalanche-recap/c-279874662?tid=279790370

Edited March 25, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Coyotes end Stars' winning streak

 

Hanzal scores twice; Arizona stops Dallas' run at three games

 

by Jerry Brown / NHL.com Correspondent

2:08 PM

Hanzal's second goal of the game DAL@ARI: Hanzal nets SHG for his second of the game

3/24/16: Martin Hanzal cleans up the rebound for a shorthanded goal, extending the Coyotes' lead to 3-1 with his second goal of the game

 

GLENDALE, Ariz. - It took him nine years, 554 NHL games and more scrums and slashes around enemy nets than he can count, so Arizona Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal wasn't about to treat his 100th NHL goal with a shrug of the shoulders.

Hanzal scored two goals, including the long-sought milestone in the second period, and Louis Domingue made 37 saves to help the Coyotes to a 3-1 win against the Dallas Stars at Gila River Arena on Thursday.

Hanzal sits 293 goals behind teammate Shane Doan's franchise record, but kidded that he was just pacing himself at age 29 and had plenty of time challenge his 39-year-old teammate.

"Yeah 100, it's just a number. But it's a nice number," said Hanzal, who has never scored more than 16 goals in any season but has filled a big role for the Coyotes as their best down-low presence. "It took me what, nine years? So maybe another 35 and I might catch [Doan]."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/arizona-coyotes-end-dallas-stars-winning-streak/c-279879990?tid=279790416

Edited March 25, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Sharks lose to Oilers, fail to clinch playoff berth

 

Edmonton rallies from early two-goal deficit for victory

 

by Eric Gilmore / NHL.com Correspondent

2:37 PM

Maroon buries McDavid's feed EDM@SJS: Maroon scores on two-on-one for lead

3/24/16: Patrick Maroon gets a pass from Connor McDavid on a two-on-one and buries a wrist shot, giving the Oilers a 4-3 lead

 

SAN JOSE -- The San Jose Sharks will have to wait two more days for another chance to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Edmonton Oilers scored four times in the second period to overcome a two-goal deficit and defeated the Sharks 6-3 at SAP Center on Thursday, preventing San Jose from clinching a spot in the playoffs.

San Jose led 2-0 after one period, but Lauri Korpikoski, Taylor Hall, Adam Clendening and Patrick Maroon scored to give Edmonton a 4-3 lead through two periods.

Jordan Eberle scored his 24th goal of the season at 12:54 of the third, knocking a rebound past James Reimer to make it 5-3. Hall scored into an empty net with 5.8 seconds remaining, giving him 25 goals for the season.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/edmonton-oilers-defeat-san-jose-sharks/c-279879244?tid=279790488

Edited March 25, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Carlson scores in OT, Capitals defeat Devils

 

New Jersey rookie Wedgewood falls short of second straight shutout

 

by Mike G. Morreale / NHL.com Staff Writer

9:51 AM

NEWARK, N.J. -- Defenseman John Carlson scored with 2:43 remaining in overtime to give the Washington Capitals a 1-0 win against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on Friday.

Carlson took a pass from Jason Chimera in the right circle and scored on a slap shot against rookie goaltender Scott Wedgewood. Carlson returned to the lineup after missing 13 games with a lower-body injury.

Wedgewood was trying for a second straight shutout in his third NHL start. With 25 saves Friday, he has stopped 91 of 93 shots since debuting Sunday.

Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby made 22 saves for his third shutout of the season. Holtby needs three wins to tie Martin Brodeur for the most in a season (48). Brodeur set the record with New Jersey in 2006-07.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/carlson-helps-capitals-beat-devils-in-ot/c-279897428?tid=279806410

Edited March 26, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Lightning outlast Islanders, regain first in Atlantic

 

Johnson breaks tie in third period; Tampa Bay loses Stralman with injury

 

by Corey Long / NHL.com Correspondent

10:14 AM

Lightning net two in nine seconds NYI@TBL: Lightning net two in nine ticks to gain lead

3/25/16: Nikita Kucherov and Vladislav Namestnikov score nine seconds apart from each other for the Lightning in the 1st period

TAMPA -- Tyler Johnson scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period, and the Tampa Bay Lightning moved back into first place in the Atlantic Division with a 7-4 win against the New York Islanders at Amalie Arena on Friday.

Johnson broke a 4-4 tie by beating Thomas Greiss at 10:09 for his 13th goal of the season, and defenseman Jason Garrison scored his fifth 23 seconds later for a 6-4 lead. Victor Hedman hit the empty net with 1:25 remaining.

Tampa Bay (43-26-5) and the Florida Panthers each have 91 points with eight games remaining; the Lightning are ahead because they have 40 regulation and overtime victories to 34 for the Panthers. The teams play Saturday at Amalie Arena.

Nikita Kucherov, Vladislav Namestnikov, Steven Stamkos and Andrej Sustr also scored for Tampa Bay, and Ben Bishop made 27 saves.

The Lightning lost defenseman Anton Stralman in the first period with a non-displaced fracture of the left fibula. Stralman got tangled up with Islanders forward Anders Lee in front of the Tampa Bay net, his foot appeared to get caught under him and his leg bent awkwardly. He had to be helped off the ice and did not return.

Coach Jon Cooper said Stralman will be out indefinitely.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/lightning-islanders-recap/c-279898394?tid=279806614

Edited March 26, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Blues blank Canucks to clinch playoff berth

 

Elliott makes 15 saves for third consecutive shutout

 

by Louie Korac / NHL.com Correspondent

10:52 AM

Blues celebrate playoff berth VAN@STL: Blues celebrate playoff berth after 4-0 win

3/26/16: The Blues finish off a 4-0 win against the Canucks and celebrate their fifth consecutive playoff berth

 

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues became the fourth team from the Western Conference to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs by defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 at Scottrade Center on Friday.

Brian Elliott made 15 saves for his third consecutive shutout. It's the third time in his career he's had three straight shutouts. He also did it from April 7-11, 2013 and March 22-27, 2012. It's a franchise record he shares with Greg Millen, who had three straight shutouts from Dec. 1-6, 1989.

Elliott is 9-0-1 in the past 11 games he's started. His shutout streak has come after he missed 10 games with a lower-body injury.

The Blues (44-22-9) tied the Dallas Stars with 97 points in the race for first place in the Central Division; the Stars own the tiebreaker because they have 42 regulation and overtime wins to 39 for the Blues. Each team has seven games remaining; the Blues play at the League-leading Washington Capitals on Saturday.

The Stars, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks also clinched playoff berths.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/blues-clinch-nhl-playoff-spot-defeat-canucks/c-279899272?tid=279806642

Edited March 26, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Defensemen lead Predators past Blue Jackets

 

Weber, Josi each finish with multiple points; Nashville can clinch playoff berth on Monday

 

by Robby Stanley / NHL.com Correspondent

10:12 AM

Weber blasts a power-play goal CBJ@NSH: Weber rockets home one-timer on power play

3/26/16: Shea Weber lets loose a booming one-timer for a power-play goal, giving the Predators a 4-1 lead in the 2nd

 

NASHVILLE - Shea Weber had a goal and an assist, and Roman Josi had three assists to help guide the Nashville Predators to a 5-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday.

Weber gave Nashville a 4-1 lead at 14:14 of the second period on the power play. Mike Ribeiro made a cross-ice saucer pass from the half-wall and Weber one-timed the puck past Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo for his 18th goal.

Pekka Rinne made 17 saves for the Predators (39-23-13), who can clinch a berth into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference with a regulation win against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday.

Columbus (30-37-8) has lost six of the past eight.

James Neal gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 3:04 of the first period on a wrist shot from the right faceoff circle. Neal took the pass from Ryan Johansen and beat Korpisalo for his 30th goal.

Boone Jenner scored for Columbus to tie the game 1-1 at 11:52 of the first. Brandon Saad took the original shot and Jenner was able to shoot the rebound past Rinne for his 28th goal.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/columbus-blue-jackets-nashville-predators-recap/c-279926328?tid=279843438

Edited March 27, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Clutterbuck leads Islanders past Hurricanes

 

New York forward scores in third period, OT in win against Carolina

 

by Kurt Dusterberg / NHL.com Correspondent

9:50 AM

Clutterbuck's overtime winner NYI@CAR: Clutterbuck cranks a game-winning goal in OT

3/26/16: Cal Clutterbuck fires a game-winning goal off Jaccob Slavin and past Eddie Lack to seal the Islanders' win, 4-3, in overtime

RALEIGH, N.C. -- After losing four of their previous five games, the New York Islanders weren't picky about the way they won Saturday.

Cal Clutterbuck scored the tying goal in the third period, then delivered the game-winner with 13.8 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Islanders to a 4-3 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena.

Brock Nelson's pass set up Clutterbuck, whose shot from the slot hit Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin at the side of the net before going past goalie Eddie Lack.

"That's what it takes," said Clutterbuck, who has 15 goals, five of which are game-winners. "I can't say I feel bad."

Jean-Francois Berube, making his fifth NHL start, struggled in the second period but made 33 saves for the Islanders (40-25-9), who hold the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

Lack made 27 saves for the Hurricanes (32-28-15).

Kyle Okposo's 21st goal of the season gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead at 1:35 of the first period. From the right faceoff circle, Okposo spun to his backhand and put a shot off Lack's stick and under his arm.

"We wanted to come out and play well in the first period and I thought we did," Okposo said. "I just tried to throw a puck on net and fortunately it found its way in."

Nikolay Kulemin extended the lead to 2-0 at 15:55 of the first with a breakaway goal. Kulemin blocked Justin Faulk's shot from inside the blue line, then raced in on Lack to score high over the blocker for his second goal in as many games after going 21 games without one.

"I just tried to be in the lane, and I saw the puck bounce right away," Kulemin said. "I saw that I could beat the defenseman to the puck. It took a nice bounce for me."

Hurricanes coach Bill Peters was not happy with his team's play through 20 minutes, when they were outshot 10-6.

"That shows you whether you're ready to compete at this stage, and we weren't early," Peters said. "That was a little disappointing. I think there are some guys who have more to offer. There are guys who can play better."

The Hurricanes answered with three quick goals to start the second period.

Carolina scored at 59 seconds to make it 2-1. After Brett Pesce's shot was stopped, Chris Terry pushed the rebound to Victor Rask, who scored with Berube out of position.

Jeff Skinner tied the game at 5:34 during a 4-on-4 situation. Skinner followed his shot from the left point, and when Ron Hainsey's rebound bid came out near the left post, Skinner finished for his 26th goal.

Jay McClement's third goal of the season put the Hurricanes on top at 8:01. Berube fumbled Ryan Murphy's shot from along the boards, and when it fell away from the goaltender's pads, McClement chipped in the rebound.

Carolina outshot New York 19-7 in the second period, including six from Skinner.

"Those are not goals that should be going in. I know that," said Berube, who is 3-1-1. "I think I owed it to the team to come back strong in the third period. The guys played huge in front of me."

Clutterbuck was not willing to put the responsibility on his goaltender.

"I feel like the puck just bounced the wrong way," he said. "They threw wrist shots from the point on net, and it just seemed like the thing was bouncing around in there. Generally over the course of the game, there was a good feeling that we weren't going to let those bounces prevent us from winning the game."

The veteran forward did his part to make sure on the first shift of the third period. Linemate Casey Cizikas won a battle behind the net and left a perfect backhand pass for Clutterbuck, who one-timed a shot past Lack.

"[Cizikas] gets down there, he's tenacious, and he's got the ability to make the plays when he comes up with the puck," Clutterbuck said. "You can't give him enough credit all year. He's been doing that the balance of the season."

The Islanders and Hurricanes generated good scoring chances in a wide-open overtime. Jordan Staal cut to the net but was denied by Berube. Lack denied consecutive shots by Nielsen. Late in the period, John Tavares tried to set up Cizikas in close, but they couldn't connect.

Finally, Nelson picked up Clutterbuck and delivered a pass from the right-side boards.

"I didn't catch it flush," Clutterbuck said. "It kind of rolled and I pushed it out right. I couldn't really see (because) there was a guy in front of me. I just saw it end up landing behind the goalie."

Carolina has lost in overtime or a shootout four times in the past seven games (1-2-4).

"It's always tough to lose in OT, especially in the last few seconds," Skinner said. "A positive was the way we came out in the second, but something to work on is coming out in the first period a little bit better."

The Hurricanes complete a back-to-back set when they host the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. The Islanders are off until Tuesday, when they host the Hurricanes.

"We just have to keep winning games," Okposo said. "That's how we're going to do it. We've got to get back to working and grinding it out."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/islanders-defeat-hurricanes-in-overtime/c-279924928?tid=279843436

Edited March 27, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Blues blank Capitals to continue streak

 

St. Louis hasn't allowed goal in 240:18, longest run in its history

 

by Katie Brown / NHL.com Correspondent

9:16 AM

Allen's 32-save shutout STL@WSH: Allen backstops Blues to franchise record

3/26/16: Jake Allen makes 32 saves in a 4-0 win, leading the Blues to their fourth consecutive shutout, a new franchise record

 

WASHINGTON -- Goaltender Jake Allen sat on the bench three games in a row and watched teammate Brian Elliott earn three consecutive shutouts. Allen just hoped he'd be able to keep up when he got his chance to play.

Allen did just that Saturday, making 32 saves to help the St. Louis Blues continue their shutout streak in a 4-0 win against the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center.

"The goalies have been just outstanding," St. Louis coach Ken Hitchcock said. "They've been the story all year. They're what have kept us afloat all year and they're doing it again."

Kyle Brodziak, Colton Parayko, Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrik Berglund scored for the Blues (45-22-9), who defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 last Saturday, the San Jose Sharks 1-0 on Tuesday and the Canucks 4-0 on Friday.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/st-louis-blues-shut-out-washington-capitals/c-279922680?tid=279843434

Edited March 27, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Panthers storm past Lightning into first

 

Jagr, Luongo push Florida to top of Atlantic Division

 

by Corey Long / NHL.com Correspondent

10:56 AM

TAMPA -- Jaromir Jagr scored a power-play goal, Roberto Luongo made 33 saves, and the Florida Panthers took over first place in the Atlantic Division with a 5-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Saturday.

Vincent Trocheck, Jiri Hudler, Jonathan Huberdeau and Jussi Jokinen scored for the Panthers (42-24-9), who went 4-1-0 against the Lightning this season.

The Panthers have a two-point lead over the Lightning with seven games remaining.

"We weren't worried about the season series, we're looking at standings and this was a big game for our club," Luongo said. "This was a playoff-type game."

Tyler Johnson and Steven Stamkos scored for the Lightning (43-27-5), who had won three in a row.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/panthers-defeat-lightning-to-gain-first-in-atlantic-division/c-279924710?tid=279843988

Edited March 27, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Ducks rally for win against Senators

 

Rakell caps comeback in overtime, Anaheim trailed 3-0 in third

 

by Chris Stevenson / NHL.com Correspondent

11:56 AM

Rakell's overtime winner ANA@OTT: Rakell wrists overtime winner on the PP

3/26/16: Rickard Rakell completes the Ducks' comeback, firing a wrister past Craig Anderson on the power play to win the game in overtime

 

OTTAWA -- If you give the top power play in the NHL enough opportunities, the chances are it will come through.

The Anaheim Ducks rallied from a three-goal deficit in the third period and Rickard Rakell scored with the man-advantage at 2:38 of overtime in a 4-3 win against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday.

Rakell scored with Senators forward Bobby Ryan, a former Ducks player, serving a double minor penalty for high sticking. It was Rakell's 20th goal of the season.

"We had a plan when we came out (for the power play in overtime)," Rakell said. "We tried it the first time, rolled it the second time and (Ryan) Getzlaf found me and I thought I had some time in the slot there, so I just went for the shot."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/anaheim-ducks-defeat-ottawa-senators/c-279925574?tid=279843430

Edited March 27, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Kreider, Rangers knock off Canadiens

 

Forward scores twice, helps New York maintain second place in Metropolitan

 

by Sean Farrell / NHL.com Correspondent

11:29 AM

Kreider's goal on breakaway NYR@MTL: Kreider gives the Rangers a three-goal lead

3/26/16: Chris Kreider forces a turnover, wins the race to the loose puck and scores his second goal of the game on a breakaway

 

MONTREAL -- New York Rangers coach Alain Vigneault tinkered with his lines and came up with a potent combination in Chris Kreider, Derick Brassard and Rick Nash.

Kreider had two goals and an assist, and Brassard had a goal and two assists in the second period to help New York to a 5-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre on Saturday.

Kreider assisted on Brassard's 27th goal of the season, which leads the Rangers, at 1:32 of the second. Brassard and Keith Yandle assisted on Kreider's power-play goal at 8:19.

Kreider made it 4-1 when he scored unassisted at 10:42 for his 18th goal.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-rangers-montreal-canadiens-recap/c-279922678?tid=279843322

Edited March 27, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Bruins edge Maple Leafs, end five-game slide

 

Bergeron, Chara score in second period; Rask makes 25 saves

 

by Mike Brophy / NHL.com Correspondent

9:30 AM

TORONTO -- The Boston Bruins ended a five-game losing streak by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 at Air Canada Centre on Saturday.

Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara scored in the second period for Boston (40-28-8), which is third in the Atlantic Division, three points ahead of the Detroit Red Wings, who lost 7-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier Saturday.

"You want to win and you look at our situation with Detroit losing this afternoon, so this is an opportunity for us to gain some points," Boston coach Claude Julien said. "It was an important game for us for that reason, but also you don't want to prolong that streak any more than you had to. That first win is always the toughest, so hopefully we can build on it."

Matt Beleskey scored a power-play goal into an empty net with 49.5 seconds remaining in the third period, and Tuukka Rask made 25 saves for the Bruins, who continue a four-game road trip at the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/boston-bruins-toronto-maple-leafs-recap/c-279923432?tid=279843318

Edited March 27, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Janmark, Stars keep Sharks from clinching

 

Dallas forward scores twice; San Jose loses third straight

 

by Eric Gilmore / NHL.com Correspondent

8:21 AM

Janmark buries Spezza's feed DAL@SJS: Janmark scores his second goal of the game

3/26/16: Mattias Janmark fires Jason Spezza's feed past Martin Jones for his second goal of the game, putting the Stars up 2-0 in the 2nd

 

SAN JOSE -- Some time off turned out to be a good thing for Dallas Stars goaltender Antti Niemi and forward Mattias Janmark.

Janmark scored two goals, and Niemi made 34 saves in a 4-2 victory against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Saturday.

The Sharks (41-28-6) missed their third straight chance, all at home, to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. San Jose can clinch Saturday if the Arizona Coyotes lose in regulation to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Janmark returned to the lineup after missing six games with an upper-body injury and skated on the second line with center Jason Spezza and Valeri Nichushkin. He gave the Stars a 1-0 lead at 15:28 of the first period with his 14th goal of the season, deflecting defenseman Jordie Benn's shot from the point past Martin Jones, inside the left post.

"Maybe in some way it was a blessing having some time off," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said of Janmark. "He looks refreshed. He was skating well. He looked a little fatigued before he went out. Not only did he score a couple goals, his compete and his skating was good."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/dallas-stars-san-jose-sharks-game-recap/c-279915496?tid=279843316

Edited March 27, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Dubnyk, Wild shut out Avalanche

 

Minnesota increases wild-card lead over Colorado to five points

 

by Rick Sadowski / NHL.com Correspondent

6:10 AM

DENVER -- Devan Dubnyk made 29 saves and Zach Parise had two goals when the Minnesota Wild defeated the Colorado Avalanche 4-0 at Pepsi Center on Saturday.

The win was the fifth in a row for the Wild (37-28-11), who increased their lead to five points ahead of the Avalanche for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.

"Until we're in, you're never happy," Wild coach John Torchetti said. "That's just the bottom line, that's why it's game by game. Anyone can make up points, you've seen it all over the League. That's a great win and we're going to have a nice plane ride, then back to work."

The Wild have six games remaining and play the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday to open a two-game homestand.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/minnesota-wild-colorado-avalanche-game-recap/c-279913758?tid=279843314

Edited March 27, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots