BRAD WILTON
Have to give Providence head coach Ed Cooley some props, as he has taken this year's team and guided them to a 13-7 mark. I have watched the Friars play multiple times this year, and the word that comes to mind is "overachievers".
While the Friars are off back-to-back Big East victories, they are most definitely stepping up in class against the defending NCAA champion Wildcats, and right now Jay Wright's team is in prime form.
Villanova has won and covered 4 in a row since their lone loss to Butler back on January 4th. All 4 of the wins have come by double-digits, and in 3 of those 4 games, the Wildcats were double-digit favorites.
The 'Cats have now covered 6 of 8 at home, and 12 of 18 lined games overall. Look for them to stretch it today against the Friars.
Villanova is 7-1 straight up the past 8 series meetings, but that one loss did come almost one year ago today on the Wildcats home court in overtime.
Look for Villanova to well remember that setback, as they hammer Providence this afternoon.
5* VILLANOVA
Have to give Providence head coach Ed Cooley some props, as he has taken this year's team and guided them to a 13-7 mark. I have watched the Friars play multiple times this year, and the word that comes to mind is "overachievers".
While the Friars are off back-to-back Big East victories, they are most definitely stepping up in class against the defending NCAA champion Wildcats, and right now Jay Wright's team is in prime form.
Villanova has won and covered 4 in a row since their lone loss to Butler back on January 4th. All 4 of the wins have come by double-digits, and in 3 of those 4 games, the Wildcats were double-digit favorites.
The 'Cats have now covered 6 of 8 at home, and 12 of 18 lined games overall. Look for them to stretch it today against the Friars.
Villanova is 7-1 straight up the past 8 series meetings, but that one loss did come almost one year ago today on the Wildcats home court in overtime.
Look for Villanova to well remember that setback, as they hammer Providence this afternoon.
5* VILLANOVA
BRAD WILTON
Washington is on a roll as they head into the Motor City on Saturday, as Scott Brooks' team enters riding a 4-game winning streak, and they have been straight up winners in 10 of their last 13 games overall.
The Wizards have already dealt the Pistons a setback in the teams first meeting this year, as they dumped Detroit 122-108 back on December 16th in D.C. to make it 5-1 in favor of Washington the past 6 series meetings. They have also covered in 4 of the last 5 versus Detroit, so forgive me if I am bullish on backing the visitors in this spot. Especially when you consider the Pistons are maddeningly inconsistent.
Stan Van Gundy's team has won their last pair of games, including a crush-job of Atlanta their last time out on their home court, but those wins were preceded by straight up and against the spread losses in their 3 prior games! For the year, Detroit is only 11-9 at home both straight up and against the spread.
The Wizards are "feeling it" right now, and I like them in this Saturday showdown against the Pistons.
4* WASHINGTON
Washington is on a roll as they head into the Motor City on Saturday, as Scott Brooks' team enters riding a 4-game winning streak, and they have been straight up winners in 10 of their last 13 games overall.
The Wizards have already dealt the Pistons a setback in the teams first meeting this year, as they dumped Detroit 122-108 back on December 16th in D.C. to make it 5-1 in favor of Washington the past 6 series meetings. They have also covered in 4 of the last 5 versus Detroit, so forgive me if I am bullish on backing the visitors in this spot. Especially when you consider the Pistons are maddeningly inconsistent.
Stan Van Gundy's team has won their last pair of games, including a crush-job of Atlanta their last time out on their home court, but those wins were preceded by straight up and against the spread losses in their 3 prior games! For the year, Detroit is only 11-9 at home both straight up and against the spread.
The Wizards are "feeling it" right now, and I like them in this Saturday showdown against the Pistons.
4* WASHINGTON
NHL roundup: Pens blast 'Canes
By The Sports Xchange
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Conor Sheary scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins produced their second huge offensive output of the week in a 7-1 romp past the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night at PNC Arena.
Trevor Daley, Carl Hagelin, Chris Kunitz, Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin also scored as the Penguins won back-to-back road games for the first time since Dec. 8 and 10.
Penguins goalie Matthew Murray made 27 saves.
Carolina goalie Cam Ward, who made his 21st consecutive start, had three rebounds pushed between his pads. He finished with 34 saves. Viktor Stalberg scored a short-handed goal with 12:51 remaining with the Hurricanes trailing 6-0.
Blackhawks 1, Bruins 0
BOSTON -- Scott Darling stopped 30 shots in his first start in two weeks and Marian Hossa scored with 1:26 remaining, giving Chicago a victory over slumping Boston.
Hossa took a pass from Tanner Kero that went through the legs of defenseman Adam McQuaid and easily beat Tuukka Rask for his 516th career goal and 17th of the season.
Boston's third straight loss came with the team reeling after blowing two three-goal leads in Detroit Wednesday night -- and with storm clouds gathering above the head of coach Claude Julien.
Sabres 3, Red Wings 2 (OT)
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Kyle Okposo scored with 26 seconds remaining in overtime to lead Buffalo over Detroit.
Sam Reinhart and Ryan O'Reilly also scored for the Sabres. Anders Nilsson made 32 saves.
Frans Nielsen and Darren Helm scored for the Red Wings, who saw a three-game win streak come to an end. Petr Mrazek made 34 saves.
Canadiens 3, Devils 1
NEWARK, N.J. -- Shea Weber and Max Pacioretty scored less than two minutes apart early in the third period to lead Montreal over New Jersey at Prudential Center.
Alex Galchenyuk scored a goal and set up two others while Alexander Radulov had three assists and Al Montoya made 16 saves to pick up the win for the Canadiens.
Steven Santini scored the Devils' lone goal. Keith Kinkaid allowed three goals on 26 shots.
Canucks 2, Panthers 1
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Luca Sbisa's goal at 3:07 of the third period lifted the Vancouver Canucks to a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Friday night.
Sbisa put the Canucks ahead just over three minutes into the third period as he roofed a wrist shot from the slot during a scramble.
Vancouver's other goal came from Henrik Sedin, who picked up his 1,000th NHL career point on the play. Jaromir Jagr scored for the Panthers.
Predators 3, Oilers 2
EDMONTON, Alberta -- Ryan Ellis and James Neal scored shootout goals for Nashville Predators, who completed a sweep of Alberta with a victory over Edmonton.
Viktor Arvidsson and Ellis scored in regulation for the Predators.
Milan Lucic and Matt Hendricks scored for the Oilers.
By The Sports Xchange
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Conor Sheary scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins produced their second huge offensive output of the week in a 7-1 romp past the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night at PNC Arena.
Trevor Daley, Carl Hagelin, Chris Kunitz, Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin also scored as the Penguins won back-to-back road games for the first time since Dec. 8 and 10.
Penguins goalie Matthew Murray made 27 saves.
Carolina goalie Cam Ward, who made his 21st consecutive start, had three rebounds pushed between his pads. He finished with 34 saves. Viktor Stalberg scored a short-handed goal with 12:51 remaining with the Hurricanes trailing 6-0.
Blackhawks 1, Bruins 0
BOSTON -- Scott Darling stopped 30 shots in his first start in two weeks and Marian Hossa scored with 1:26 remaining, giving Chicago a victory over slumping Boston.
Hossa took a pass from Tanner Kero that went through the legs of defenseman Adam McQuaid and easily beat Tuukka Rask for his 516th career goal and 17th of the season.
Boston's third straight loss came with the team reeling after blowing two three-goal leads in Detroit Wednesday night -- and with storm clouds gathering above the head of coach Claude Julien.
Sabres 3, Red Wings 2 (OT)
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Kyle Okposo scored with 26 seconds remaining in overtime to lead Buffalo over Detroit.
Sam Reinhart and Ryan O'Reilly also scored for the Sabres. Anders Nilsson made 32 saves.
Frans Nielsen and Darren Helm scored for the Red Wings, who saw a three-game win streak come to an end. Petr Mrazek made 34 saves.
Canadiens 3, Devils 1
NEWARK, N.J. -- Shea Weber and Max Pacioretty scored less than two minutes apart early in the third period to lead Montreal over New Jersey at Prudential Center.
Alex Galchenyuk scored a goal and set up two others while Alexander Radulov had three assists and Al Montoya made 16 saves to pick up the win for the Canadiens.
Steven Santini scored the Devils' lone goal. Keith Kinkaid allowed three goals on 26 shots.
Canucks 2, Panthers 1
VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Luca Sbisa's goal at 3:07 of the third period lifted the Vancouver Canucks to a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Friday night.
Sbisa put the Canucks ahead just over three minutes into the third period as he roofed a wrist shot from the slot during a scramble.
Vancouver's other goal came from Henrik Sedin, who picked up his 1,000th NHL career point on the play. Jaromir Jagr scored for the Panthers.
Predators 3, Oilers 2
EDMONTON, Alberta -- Ryan Ellis and James Neal scored shootout goals for Nashville Predators, who completed a sweep of Alberta with a victory over Edmonton.
Viktor Arvidsson and Ellis scored in regulation for the Predators.
Milan Lucic and Matt Hendricks scored for the Oilers.
Preview: Blues (23-18) at Jets (21-23)
Date: January 21, 2017 3:00 PM EDT
WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- The Winnipeg Jets have a game against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday afternoon, but you can excuse their players if they were a little unfocused and giddy with excitement at Friday morning's practice.
That's because joining them on the ice for the first time in nearly two weeks was Finnish rookie Patrik Laine, who is recovering from a concussion suffered at the shoulder of Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe. Wearing a yellow non-contact jersey, the 18-year-old took part in skating and shooting drills with the rest of his teammates, even doing a stint as part of a penalty-killing unit.
Laine said afterward he doesn't remember being hit by McCabe.
"I got the puck and that's it. I can't remember anything else," he said.
Laine suffered some headaches, fatigue and had trouble focusing in the days following the hit. He skated for the first time a couple of days ago.
He needs to be symptom-free for at least one day following a full-contact practice before he can play in a game.
Jets coach Paul Maurice said the team isn't taking any chances with the cornerstone of their franchise.
"He's absolutely not getting back into a game until he's at 100 percent and clear. And then I'm more interested in getting him in the next game," he said.
Laine has 21 goals and 16 assist in 42 games, good enough to for selection to the NHL All-Star game later this month in Los Angeles. He is second in rookie scoring behind Auston Matthews and tied for fourth in the league in goal scoring.
While the Jets seem to have answered their goaltending questions with Tuesday's call-up of Ondrej Pavelec -- he won his first start since last spring on Wednesday against Arizona -- the Blues goaltending is a mess. Jake Allen gave up 4 goals on 10 shots Thursday night in a 7-3 loss at home to the Capitals. He has been pulled in his last three starts and in four of the last six. He has allowed 10 goals on 36 shots in his last 3 games.
Carter Hutton has not fared much better. He allowed three goals last night on eight shots. The pair have a combined save percentage of .888, which is last in the league.
So, the Blues have also dipped into the minors, calling up Phoenix Copley from the Chicago Wolves. He has made the trip to Winnipeg but coach Ken Hitchcock hasn't tipped his hand which goalie will start.
"We're not coming back to help our defense nearly as hard as we need to," Hitchcock said. "We're not as committed to checking in the red zone as we were two weeks ago. We're wasting a lot of energy trying to keep pucks in and keep them alive and not get it into our end and we're not focused on the energy where we you need to have it."
"We've had too many below-the-bar performances. We can't absorb people below the bar. We're a team built on the mass production of the 20 guys and when we have players who are not performing at the minimum level it really impacts us in a negative way."
It also hasn't helped matters that leading scorer Vladimir Tarasenko has gone five games without a goal.
Date: January 21, 2017 3:00 PM EDT
WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- The Winnipeg Jets have a game against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday afternoon, but you can excuse their players if they were a little unfocused and giddy with excitement at Friday morning's practice.
That's because joining them on the ice for the first time in nearly two weeks was Finnish rookie Patrik Laine, who is recovering from a concussion suffered at the shoulder of Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe. Wearing a yellow non-contact jersey, the 18-year-old took part in skating and shooting drills with the rest of his teammates, even doing a stint as part of a penalty-killing unit.
Laine said afterward he doesn't remember being hit by McCabe.
"I got the puck and that's it. I can't remember anything else," he said.
Laine suffered some headaches, fatigue and had trouble focusing in the days following the hit. He skated for the first time a couple of days ago.
He needs to be symptom-free for at least one day following a full-contact practice before he can play in a game.
Jets coach Paul Maurice said the team isn't taking any chances with the cornerstone of their franchise.
"He's absolutely not getting back into a game until he's at 100 percent and clear. And then I'm more interested in getting him in the next game," he said.
Laine has 21 goals and 16 assist in 42 games, good enough to for selection to the NHL All-Star game later this month in Los Angeles. He is second in rookie scoring behind Auston Matthews and tied for fourth in the league in goal scoring.
While the Jets seem to have answered their goaltending questions with Tuesday's call-up of Ondrej Pavelec -- he won his first start since last spring on Wednesday against Arizona -- the Blues goaltending is a mess. Jake Allen gave up 4 goals on 10 shots Thursday night in a 7-3 loss at home to the Capitals. He has been pulled in his last three starts and in four of the last six. He has allowed 10 goals on 36 shots in his last 3 games.
Carter Hutton has not fared much better. He allowed three goals last night on eight shots. The pair have a combined save percentage of .888, which is last in the league.
So, the Blues have also dipped into the minors, calling up Phoenix Copley from the Chicago Wolves. He has made the trip to Winnipeg but coach Ken Hitchcock hasn't tipped his hand which goalie will start.
"We're not coming back to help our defense nearly as hard as we need to," Hitchcock said. "We're not as committed to checking in the red zone as we were two weeks ago. We're wasting a lot of energy trying to keep pucks in and keep them alive and not get it into our end and we're not focused on the energy where we you need to have it."
"We've had too many below-the-bar performances. We can't absorb people below the bar. We're a team built on the mass production of the 20 guys and when we have players who are not performing at the minimum level it really impacts us in a negative way."
It also hasn't helped matters that leading scorer Vladimir Tarasenko has gone five games without a goal.
Preview: Hurricanes (21-17) at Blue Jackets (30-10)
Date: January 21, 2017 5:00 PM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Prior to last week, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes had not played against each other during the 2016-17 campaign.
The two Eastern Conference foes will face off for the third time in 12 days on Saturday when the teams take the ice for an atypical puck drop time of 5 p.m. at Nationwide Arena.
The teams won't see each other again until March 30, marking for the final game of the season series.
Perhaps familiarity will breed contempt as the teams have split the opening pair of games. Each team has held serve on home ice with Carolina winning the first matchup 5-3 on Jan. 10 and Columbus rebounding in a 4-1 win on Tuesday.
Since its franchise-record 16 game win streak was halted on Jan. 5, Columbus has not managed to win back-to-back games and is 5-5-0 in its last 10 contests. While there is certainly no sense of panic or extreme concern, there was some expression about a lack of urgency after the Blue Jackets dropped a 2-0 decision to Ottawa on Thursday night.
It was the third time that Columbus has been shut out this season and the second time in eight games.
"Right now we're just going through the motions and that's why we are losing hockey games," Blue Jackets winger Brandon Saad told the Columbus Dispatch. "We have to play with more energy. We have the talent, but even as a team, not just one line, it seems like we have a lack of urgency."
"I think it's more of a lack of urgency in the dangerous areas," Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno told the Columbus Dispatch. "When we are in the scoring areas we're looking for that one extra pass instead of putting everything we can into burying it."
Throughout the win streak, Columbus coach John Tortorella reminded all who would listen that it was a long season and that good times will give way to challenging ones in the course of a NHL season.
It seems that the Blue Jackets may be facing one of those challenging stretches.
"You're going to play good teams and not going to win all the games," Tortorella said during his postgame comments on the team's website after the loss to the Senators.
"It's not always going to go your way. We have to be really careful here. A lot of things have gone our way. Now it's not kind of going our way. This is where you rely on your structure and you just stay with it and have a little bit of mental toughness here," Tortorella continued.
The Hurricanes are on the doorstep of the playoffs in the current standings, but remain on the outside looking in.
Carolina sandwiched victories against the Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders between the first two matchups against Columbus. The Hurricanes were pummeled 7-1 by Pittsburgh Friday night in front of a hometown crowd in the first of back-to-back contests this weekend.
The Hurricanes will have the opportunity to quickly return to their recent winning ways having emerged victorious in five of their last seven prior to the letdown against the Penguins.
"We don't need to do a lot of study as we know we are playing a good team (Columbus)," Carolina defenseman Ron Hainsey said Friday.
After the recent loss to Columbus, Carolina coach Bill Peters commented on the Hurricanes website that "(the Blue Jackets) won most of the individual battles. A lot of the puck battles, their support was there quicker than we were. I just thought we lost a lot of battles in all three zones."
When questioned about players managing the mental fatigue that can begin to develop at this time of the season, Peters was quick with an answer.
"That's called being a pro. That's what being a pro is all about, getting dialed in and staying within your own routine," he said. "If you don't have one (a routine), you better establish one. I know everyone has one and stay true to your routine that works and don't deviate."
On a lighter note, Peters addressed a potential distraction of playing in front of family on the "Dad's trip."
"You play hard when your parents are around," he said. "You gotta make your parents proud."
Date: January 21, 2017 5:00 PM EDT
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Prior to last week, the Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes had not played against each other during the 2016-17 campaign.
The two Eastern Conference foes will face off for the third time in 12 days on Saturday when the teams take the ice for an atypical puck drop time of 5 p.m. at Nationwide Arena.
The teams won't see each other again until March 30, marking for the final game of the season series.
Perhaps familiarity will breed contempt as the teams have split the opening pair of games. Each team has held serve on home ice with Carolina winning the first matchup 5-3 on Jan. 10 and Columbus rebounding in a 4-1 win on Tuesday.
Since its franchise-record 16 game win streak was halted on Jan. 5, Columbus has not managed to win back-to-back games and is 5-5-0 in its last 10 contests. While there is certainly no sense of panic or extreme concern, there was some expression about a lack of urgency after the Blue Jackets dropped a 2-0 decision to Ottawa on Thursday night.
It was the third time that Columbus has been shut out this season and the second time in eight games.
"Right now we're just going through the motions and that's why we are losing hockey games," Blue Jackets winger Brandon Saad told the Columbus Dispatch. "We have to play with more energy. We have the talent, but even as a team, not just one line, it seems like we have a lack of urgency."
"I think it's more of a lack of urgency in the dangerous areas," Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno told the Columbus Dispatch. "When we are in the scoring areas we're looking for that one extra pass instead of putting everything we can into burying it."
Throughout the win streak, Columbus coach John Tortorella reminded all who would listen that it was a long season and that good times will give way to challenging ones in the course of a NHL season.
It seems that the Blue Jackets may be facing one of those challenging stretches.
"You're going to play good teams and not going to win all the games," Tortorella said during his postgame comments on the team's website after the loss to the Senators.
"It's not always going to go your way. We have to be really careful here. A lot of things have gone our way. Now it's not kind of going our way. This is where you rely on your structure and you just stay with it and have a little bit of mental toughness here," Tortorella continued.
The Hurricanes are on the doorstep of the playoffs in the current standings, but remain on the outside looking in.
Carolina sandwiched victories against the Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders between the first two matchups against Columbus. The Hurricanes were pummeled 7-1 by Pittsburgh Friday night in front of a hometown crowd in the first of back-to-back contests this weekend.
The Hurricanes will have the opportunity to quickly return to their recent winning ways having emerged victorious in five of their last seven prior to the letdown against the Penguins.
"We don't need to do a lot of study as we know we are playing a good team (Columbus)," Carolina defenseman Ron Hainsey said Friday.
After the recent loss to Columbus, Carolina coach Bill Peters commented on the Hurricanes website that "(the Blue Jackets) won most of the individual battles. A lot of the puck battles, their support was there quicker than we were. I just thought we lost a lot of battles in all three zones."
When questioned about players managing the mental fatigue that can begin to develop at this time of the season, Peters was quick with an answer.
"That's called being a pro. That's what being a pro is all about, getting dialed in and staying within your own routine," he said. "If you don't have one (a routine), you better establish one. I know everyone has one and stay true to your routine that works and don't deviate."
On a lighter note, Peters addressed a potential distraction of playing in front of family on the "Dad's trip."
"You play hard when your parents are around," he said. "You gotta make your parents proud."
Preview: Senators (24-15) at Maple Leafs (21-14)
Date: January 21, 2017 7:00 PM EDT
TORONTO -- The Ottawa Senators will have revenge on their minds and the Toronto Maple Leafs will be seeking redemption when the teams play at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday night.
The Senators will be out to reverse a 4-2 loss at the hands of the Maple Leafs last Saturday in Ottawa. They go into the game riding the high of two wins in a row, including a 2-0 verdict over the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Thursday when goaltender Mike Condon made 42 saves in his 20th straight appearance and 11th consecutive start.
The Senators were dealing with a flu outbreak when they played the Blue Jackets.
"This was a battle for everyone," Senators defenseman and captain Erik Karlsson said. "This is the time of year when you don't feel your best. We kept it simple when we needed to and we created enough scoring chances to put the puck in the net."
"A lot of guys were feeling under the weather, not just me, but as the game went on I started feeling a lot better," said Ryan Dzingel, who scored his first goal in nine games Thursday. "Scoring and winning helps you to feel a little less sick."
The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, had their three-game winning streak stopped with a 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday night at the ACC. They had defeated the Rangers in New York 4-2 last Friday.
"We were terrible last night," Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said after the team practice on Friday. "We didn't compete, we weren't prepared. That's my job. Our goaltender (Frederik Andersen) gave us a chance and we still found a way not to respond."
Toronto was without top defenseman Morgan Rielly, who suffered a lower-body injury during the win Tuesday over the Buffalo Sabres. Rielly is listed as day to day but will not play Saturday.
"One hundred percent not available tomorrow," Babcock said.
Defenseman Martin Marincin could return to the Leafs' lineup on Saturday. He has been out with a lower-body injury since Dec. 10.
Frank Corrado took Rielly's roster spot Thursday, only his second game with the Maple Leafs this season, and he was inconsistent.
Jake Gardiner took Rielly's place on the team's top defensive pairing with Nikita Zaitsev.
"It definitely wasn't the way we've been playing," Gardiner said of the game on Thursday. "I think we can be better in all areas. When you go down like that, it's tough to come back. When one of your top defensemen, Morgan, goes down, it's going to change a lot for everyone and different guys have to step up.
"Just move on and go to work on Saturday. We've been really hot lately and it's probably time for a reality check."
Ottawa received a reality check of its own Friday when it was announced that left winger Clarke MacArthur will not return this season because of a concussion.
He suffered his fourth concussion in 18 months on Sept. 25 during training camp and did not play this season. MacArthur is considered an important presence in the dressing room, which makes a trade to replace him that more difficult.
This will be the third meeting between the Maple Leafs and the Senators this season. The Senators won the season opener 5-4 on Oct. 12 in overtime, overcoming a four-goal NHL debut by Toronto's Auston Matthews
"We're going to be extremely hungry," Senators coach Guy Boucher said. "Toronto's very hot. It's 1-1 now versus them and we're going into their barn, hostile territory, but I think that's what's exciting. We're looking forward to it."
Date: January 21, 2017 7:00 PM EDT
TORONTO -- The Ottawa Senators will have revenge on their minds and the Toronto Maple Leafs will be seeking redemption when the teams play at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday night.
The Senators will be out to reverse a 4-2 loss at the hands of the Maple Leafs last Saturday in Ottawa. They go into the game riding the high of two wins in a row, including a 2-0 verdict over the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Thursday when goaltender Mike Condon made 42 saves in his 20th straight appearance and 11th consecutive start.
The Senators were dealing with a flu outbreak when they played the Blue Jackets.
"This was a battle for everyone," Senators defenseman and captain Erik Karlsson said. "This is the time of year when you don't feel your best. We kept it simple when we needed to and we created enough scoring chances to put the puck in the net."
"A lot of guys were feeling under the weather, not just me, but as the game went on I started feeling a lot better," said Ryan Dzingel, who scored his first goal in nine games Thursday. "Scoring and winning helps you to feel a little less sick."
The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, had their three-game winning streak stopped with a 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday night at the ACC. They had defeated the Rangers in New York 4-2 last Friday.
"We were terrible last night," Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said after the team practice on Friday. "We didn't compete, we weren't prepared. That's my job. Our goaltender (Frederik Andersen) gave us a chance and we still found a way not to respond."
Toronto was without top defenseman Morgan Rielly, who suffered a lower-body injury during the win Tuesday over the Buffalo Sabres. Rielly is listed as day to day but will not play Saturday.
"One hundred percent not available tomorrow," Babcock said.
Defenseman Martin Marincin could return to the Leafs' lineup on Saturday. He has been out with a lower-body injury since Dec. 10.
Frank Corrado took Rielly's roster spot Thursday, only his second game with the Maple Leafs this season, and he was inconsistent.
Jake Gardiner took Rielly's place on the team's top defensive pairing with Nikita Zaitsev.
"It definitely wasn't the way we've been playing," Gardiner said of the game on Thursday. "I think we can be better in all areas. When you go down like that, it's tough to come back. When one of your top defensemen, Morgan, goes down, it's going to change a lot for everyone and different guys have to step up.
"Just move on and go to work on Saturday. We've been really hot lately and it's probably time for a reality check."
Ottawa received a reality check of its own Friday when it was announced that left winger Clarke MacArthur will not return this season because of a concussion.
He suffered his fourth concussion in 18 months on Sept. 25 during training camp and did not play this season. MacArthur is considered an important presence in the dressing room, which makes a trade to replace him that more difficult.
This will be the third meeting between the Maple Leafs and the Senators this season. The Senators won the season opener 5-4 on Oct. 12 in overtime, overcoming a four-goal NHL debut by Toronto's Auston Matthews
"We're going to be extremely hungry," Senators coach Guy Boucher said. "Toronto's very hot. It's 1-1 now versus them and we're going into their barn, hostile territory, but I think that's what's exciting. We're looking forward to it."
Preview: Sabres (18-18) at Canadiens (28-13)
Date: January 21, 2017 7:00 PM EDT
MONTREAL -- A clean slate lay before the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres the last time the two teams met; their regular seasons were set to begin with both having their sights set on the playoffs.
Three months later, the two clubs find themselves at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Montreal (28-13-6) leads the Atlantic Division with 62 points after a 3-1 win against the New Jersey Devils. The Sabres, meanwhile, sit last in the division -- and 14th in the Eastern Conference -- with 45 points, five points back of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who currently hold the second Wild Card spot. While the points gap isn't too big of a hole, six teams sit between Buffalo and Toronto.
"I've got to be one of the key guys that has to be a leader on the stat sheet," Sabres center Ryan O'Reilly, who tied the game late, said after the game. "In the room, I've got to be a voice and if we want to get back and get into the playoffs, which is possible, it's going to be tough but I've got to start with myself."
Buffalo (18-18-9) took a step in the right direction on Friday night, erasing a pair of one-goal deficits before skating away with a 3-2 overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings at home, courtesy of a Kyle Okposo power-play tally.
But while Dan Bylsma's troop got two much-needed points, it lost yet another defenseman to injury. Already without Josh Gorges (hip) and Dmitry Kulikov (lower back), the Sabres' blue line took another beating when Jake McCabe suffered a shoulder injury in the first period and did not return; Bylsma said the team would call someone up ahead of Saturday's tilt.
With McCabe out, Risto Ristolainen set a new career high in logging 35:24 of ice time, including the entire 4:34 of overtime.
"He's so poised, makes good hard plays," Justin Falk told the Buffalo News. "He knows when to be simple and when to make the pass as well."
The Canadiens are no strangers to missing key elements. They've been without Andrei Markov (groin) since Dec. 18; he remains on injured reserve along with defenseman Greg Pateryn and forwards Brendan Gallagher and David Desharnais.
Alex Galchenyuk was among those until returning last weekend. And while he played the first few games of his return on the top line with Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov, coach Michel Therrien swapped things up ahead of Friday's game in search of offense, moving the 22-year-old to the third line.
"It's funny. I think we made such a big deal out of if I lost my game and stuff like that," Galchenyuk said following the win. "I knew going out there, just play my game. Last game, we didn't get a lot of scoring opportunities and as a team, we weren't satisfied and we knew we were going to bounce back. We worked on the power play a lot and it definitely paid off."
Galchenyuk scored one of three power play goals for Montreal, marking the first time since Nov. 22, 2015, that the team has converted three times with the man advantage.
Carey Price will get the start for the Canadiens while Robin Lehner is expected to get the nod for the Sabres.
Date: January 21, 2017 7:00 PM EDT
MONTREAL -- A clean slate lay before the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres the last time the two teams met; their regular seasons were set to begin with both having their sights set on the playoffs.
Three months later, the two clubs find themselves at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Montreal (28-13-6) leads the Atlantic Division with 62 points after a 3-1 win against the New Jersey Devils. The Sabres, meanwhile, sit last in the division -- and 14th in the Eastern Conference -- with 45 points, five points back of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who currently hold the second Wild Card spot. While the points gap isn't too big of a hole, six teams sit between Buffalo and Toronto.
"I've got to be one of the key guys that has to be a leader on the stat sheet," Sabres center Ryan O'Reilly, who tied the game late, said after the game. "In the room, I've got to be a voice and if we want to get back and get into the playoffs, which is possible, it's going to be tough but I've got to start with myself."
Buffalo (18-18-9) took a step in the right direction on Friday night, erasing a pair of one-goal deficits before skating away with a 3-2 overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings at home, courtesy of a Kyle Okposo power-play tally.
But while Dan Bylsma's troop got two much-needed points, it lost yet another defenseman to injury. Already without Josh Gorges (hip) and Dmitry Kulikov (lower back), the Sabres' blue line took another beating when Jake McCabe suffered a shoulder injury in the first period and did not return; Bylsma said the team would call someone up ahead of Saturday's tilt.
With McCabe out, Risto Ristolainen set a new career high in logging 35:24 of ice time, including the entire 4:34 of overtime.
"He's so poised, makes good hard plays," Justin Falk told the Buffalo News. "He knows when to be simple and when to make the pass as well."
The Canadiens are no strangers to missing key elements. They've been without Andrei Markov (groin) since Dec. 18; he remains on injured reserve along with defenseman Greg Pateryn and forwards Brendan Gallagher and David Desharnais.
Alex Galchenyuk was among those until returning last weekend. And while he played the first few games of his return on the top line with Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov, coach Michel Therrien swapped things up ahead of Friday's game in search of offense, moving the 22-year-old to the third line.
"It's funny. I think we made such a big deal out of if I lost my game and stuff like that," Galchenyuk said following the win. "I knew going out there, just play my game. Last game, we didn't get a lot of scoring opportunities and as a team, we weren't satisfied and we knew we were going to bounce back. We worked on the power play a lot and it definitely paid off."
Galchenyuk scored one of three power play goals for Montreal, marking the first time since Nov. 22, 2015, that the team has converted three times with the man advantage.
Carey Price will get the start for the Canadiens while Robin Lehner is expected to get the nod for the Sabres.
