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- Morning Skate - Friday, November 11
Morning Skate - Friday, November 11
Morning Skate - Happy Veterans & Remembrance Day!
Yesterday's NHL Scores
Last Night's News 📰
MAC'S BACK: An already-rolling Boston Bruins team got even more potent with star blueliner Charlie McAvoy returning from arthroscopic shoulder surgery to make his season debut on Thursday night against the Calgary Flames. McAvoy scored the eventual game-winner in a 3-1 Bruins win.
EICHEL'S BIG NIGHT: Jack Eichel returned to KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Thursday night to face his former team. He scored a hat trick and added an assist in his team's 7-4 victory over the Sabres. After the game, Eichel spoke to the media and was brutally honest, stating, "it's satisfying to come in here and win."
ONE STREAK FOR ANOTHER: An eight-game losing streak for the St. Louis Blues ended last night—thanks to Calle Rosen's first goal. However, the win came courtesy of the San Jose Sharks, who are now on a five-game skid. On the bright side for San Jose, Erik Karlsson recorded two assists to extend his point streak to six straight (seven goals, eight assists), tying him with Patrick Marleau (2009-10) for most points (21) through 15 contests.
SUBBAN TO THE STUDIO: Yesterday, P.K. Subban signed a multi-year contract with ESPN to work as a studio analyst for NHL coverage and some on-site action for select regular season games. Although he recently retired, Subban has experience working in the studio for ESPN during its coverage of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
RADIO REPRESENTATION: After Corey Hirsch stepped away to focus on his mental health, Vancouver needed someone to fill his role on the Canucks 650 broadcast. Enter Randip Janda, the host of Hockey Night in Canada: Punjabi Edition, who made history as the first South Asian full-time radio color commentator in the NHL. Congrats, Randip!
Friday Favorites
Let's look back at our favorite moments of the week.
A Deadpool Hockey Collaboration?
It is possible, friends! While appearing on "The Tonight Show" with Jimmy Fallon,
in purchasing the Ottawa Senators. Reynolds was born in Vancouver but said he spent time living in Ottawa. Although the 46-year-old has a net worth of $150 million, the actor will need partners to buy the franchise. As he puts it, he needs a sugar mommy or sugar daddy—same Ryan.
Andrei the Great
On Thursday night, Carolina Hurricanes forward
against the Edmonton Oilers with his 100th NHL goal. At 22 years old, he celebrated the milestone moment in his 297th game in front of the home crowd at PNC Arena. After the contest, he met with the media and said, "It's special for sure to be at home and score my 100th goal. It's been amazing."
Beasts of the East & Best of the West
It's been a terrific week for the New Jersey Devils and Vegas Golden Knights. Nico
game on Thursday night for the first time since 2011, while Mark Stone's squad won its ninth consecutive. Both clubs missed the postseason last spring and have started this season
, as Vegas is the top team in the league, and New Jersey is ranked third.
Linemates for Ovechkin & Crosby
NHL on TNT posted a video on Twitter of Alex Ovechkin answering questions, including one that Sidney Crosby presented. Crosby asked Ovi if they were linemates, who would be the third player on their line? Ovechkin answered that Crosby would probably pick Mario Lemieux, so Ovi jokingly chose Donald Brashear to protect them on the ice. Keeping those qualities in mind, here are some suggestions of current NHL right wings that could hypothetically play with these two.
Ryan Reaves
New York Rangers forward
is one of the league's best enforcers, and Ovechkin would likely have him on speed dial if he and Crosby were on a line together. Reaves is highly sought after in the NHL because he always sticks up for his teammates and never backs down from a challenge. You better believe he would protect Crosby and Ovechkin with everything he has on the ice.
Blake Wheeler
Many people consider Mario Lemieux one of the best NHL players of all time because his 6-foot-4 frame, long reach, speed, and gifted goal-scoring ability are hard to match. When thinking of right wings that carry characteristics of size and skill,
of the Winnipeg Jets comes to mind. He is 6-foot-5 and has been a
for years. Wheeler averages 66 points a season due to his explosive speed and playmaking ability. Someone like him playing with Ovechkin and Crosby would make their line that much better.
David Pastrňák
Boston Bruins forward
is everything you want in a right wing. He is fast, deceptive, and has a laser of a shot, making him one of the most dangerous forwards in the league. He is currently fifth-best in the NHL in points with 20. Adding him on a line with Crosby and McDavid would be silly, as all their
would be a nightmare for any opposition.
Patrick Kane
Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane was
as the best stick-handler and second-best passer in the NHL last year. He is one of the league's top playmakers, and if he were on a line with Crosby and Ovechkin, Kane would be sure to get them the puck. With how often Crosby and Ovechkin finish their chances, Kane could hit the 80-plus assist mark.
Hockey & Wrestling
That hockey and professional wrestling share a fair bit in common isn't all that surprising, not when you consider that hockey is the only non-combat sport in which a mid-game fistfight is neither interrupted nor results in immediate ejections. So it makes sense that the Toronto Maple Leafs would use a customized WWE championship belt, gifted to Morgan Rielly by Toronto-born WWE superstar Edge, as their internal player-of-the-game award tradition.
Of course, the hockey/wrestling links don't end there. In honor of the Leafs' new coveted championship, here are some ways we've seen the two "sports" intersect over the years.
The Goon
The colorful world of WWF/WWE features quirky characters from every walk of life. Therefore, it wasn't surprising to see the company introduce "The Goon," a cheesy, hockey-playing pugilist in the mold of old-time enforcers. Clad in hockey gear, boots made to resemble skates, and toting a stick, The Goon didn't last long but cemented himself among a long list of iconically goofy '90s wrestling characters.
Darren McCarty, Two-Sport Star?
If a wrestler can pretend to be a '90s hockey goon, then a legitimate '90s hockey goon can pretend to be a wrestler, no? Legendary Detroit Red Wings enforcer Darren McCarty is putting that theory to the test, embarking on an independent wrestling career. The four-time Stanley Cup champion is 50 years old and nearly 13 years removed from his retirement from hockey, raising questions about his in-ring ceiling—but hey, let's go D-Mac!
Calgary Hitmen
The Western Hockey League's Calgary Hitmen nickname is instantly recognizable to any wrestling fan. That's because the franchise's name comes from the moniker of one of its most famous investors, Calgary native Bret "The Hitman" Hart. Calgary even sports the pink and black motif made famous by the "Excellence of Execution."
Family & Fan Connections
However, the most secure source of connectivity between hockey and pro wrestling comes down to the people involved. New York Rangers star Ted Irvine is the father of wrestling legend Chris Jericho, while "Mean" Gene Okerlund's son Todd had a cup of coffee in the NHL. Cross-sport fan support is even more pronounced, as Hulk Hogan, Goldberg, and CM Punk love their hockey. On the flip side, Jason LaBarbera loved paying tribute to his favorite wrestlers through his goalie mask, and Bruce Boudreau was endearingly star-struck upon meeting Kevin Owens at the NHL Draft this past summer.
NHL Standings
NHL's Leading Scorers
Today's NHL Schedule
