The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has scheduled an emergency drive-up food distribution event at PPG Paints Arena.
Coronavirus In Pittsburgh: Emergency Drive-Up Food Distribution Event Scheduled At PPG Paints Arena This Friday — CBS Pittsburgh
It’s been one day since news broke of Colby Cave’s brain bleed, and the Edmonton Oilers center is receiving lots of support from both current and former teammates. The Boston Bruins are among those sending their best wishes to Cave and his family. Several members of the Bruins have recorded messages for Cave, who remains…
How Bruins Are Supporting Ex-Teammate Colby Cave During Brain Bleed — NESN.com
Cooking, barbecuing, working out. Read More
Leafs’ Tavares enjoying time with son during pandemic, mindful of those ‘on the front line’ — Toronto Sun
By Terry Koshan
Cooking, barbecuing, working out.
Maple Leafs captain John Tavares has been trying to keep himself occupied at his Toronto home with the National Hockey League season on pause in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but there’s one part of his life that takes precedence.
“I’m just really enjoying spending time with my son,” Tavares said on Monday during a video conference call organized by the NHL. “When you’re travelling through the season, you’re in and out so quickly, you don’t get to experience that consistency.
“Just having that time to be around on a daily basis and be able to help out and spend time with them has been fantastic.”
Tavares and his wife, Aryne, became parents last September with the birth of their son Jace.
During the call — which included fellow Atlantic Division players Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins, Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings and Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators — Tavares made it clear he’s not taking the time off from the game for granted.
“With the uncertainty, it’s a good time to disconnect and relax and slowly build yourself back up, as hopefully some positivity comes around the corner,” Tavares said. “The first couple of days I just tried to get an understanding of where things are at and what has hit us. Since then, (you) try to develop some type of structure to create some normalcy.”
No one has a true idea of when we’re going to see professional athletes back on the job, never mind those in the NHL, but that wasn’t at the forefront for the players on the call.
For Tavares, it was about recognizing those he knows in New York from his days as an Islander, as well as Leafs fans.
That the Leafs were inching their way toward clinching a playoff berth when the NHL went on pause doesn’t matter a heck of a lot now.
“I know a few people who are right in the fire of it, and seeing how it’s spreading and really making the impact that it is in New York, I really hope everyone there is staying safe and following the health recommendations,” Tavares said. “Whether it’s former teammates, staff and people I know very well, the fans down there, people I interacted with there, I wish all the best to them and hope it can get better.
“In Toronto, we certainly miss playing in front of our fans and going to Scotiabank Arena and competing to play in the playoffs and the opportunity that we had in front of us.
“It’s a really special thing to be a Maple Leaf, and we never take that for granted and miss it. People have been really good in my area understanding (to follow the advice of local authorities and health professionals), we’re all here supporting each other, helping each other to do the best we can to get this back to normal as quickly as possible and (to) help everyone on the front line who are making a lot of sacrifices to keep everyone safe.”
There was some levity during the call. Chara got a laugh when he said that Tuukka Rask would be the teammate he would least want to be quarantined with because of Rask’s flatulence issues.
If he had to pick a teammate to be in quarantine with, Tavares said it would be Mitch Marner or Justin Holl.
“The type of energy they bring around the locker room, how much fun they have every day is something anyone would enjoy,” Tavares said. “Two guys who are a lot of fun to be around.”
Who among teammates is Tavares glad he is not in quarantine with?
“Good question … can’t think of anyone right off the top of my head,” Tavares said.
Among the way the Leafs are keeping in touch with each other is via group chat.
“We can’t leave each other too long without giving it to one another,” Tavares said. “You miss being around the guys.”
Unlike many, Tavares hasn’t been glued to Netflix to watch the documentary Tiger King, though his wife has been watching it and the small bits Tavares has seen are “pretty mind-boggling.”
If Tavares could have one album to listen to during the time at home?
“I like a lot of 90s stuff, so whether it would be Dave Matthews Band or Goo Goo Dolls or U2, something like that,” Tavares said.
There’s no clear answer as to if, and when, the NHL will return to action after the league paused its season March 12 due to the coronavirus outbreak. The playoffs were slated to start in April. But it’s unknown if the regular season will pick up where it left off or if the league will…
NHL Rumors: League Asks All 31 Teams For Available August Home Dates — NESN.com
The playoffs were slated to start in April. But it’s unknown if the regular season will pick up where it left off or if the league will go into an altered playoff format. For what it’s worth, commissioner Gary Bettman is optimistic a 2019-20 Stanley Cup champion will be crowned. But could the league be looking at playing games late into the summer?
TSN’s Bob McKenzie on Tuesday alluded to such on “Insider Trading.” “Earlier (Tuesday), the National Hockey League did request from each of its 31 member clubs to provide available home dates for the month of August,” McKenzie said. Of course, teams would need to figure out how to handle players who contracts expire June 30 if games were to be played well into the summer. The NHL also reportedly asked its players to continue self-quarantining until April 6 — an additional 10 days than the original March 27 plan. Even if games go into August and beyond, the NHL still plans to have a full 2020-21 season.
Read more at: https://nesn.com/2020/03/nhl-rumors-league-asks-all-31-teams-for-available-august-home-dates/
Winning on the ice may be on hold at the moment for the Winnipeg Jets, but that’s not stopping them from doing so off of it. Read More
Jets players score in the clutch, donate $100K to Harvest — Winnipeg Sun.
Winning on the ice may be on hold at the moment for the Winnipeg Jets, but that’s not stopping them from doing so off of it.
While the National Hockey League hit the pause button on the 2019-20 regular season last week thanks to the coronavirus, Jets players came together to deliver a big win for Winnipeg Harvest on Friday.
A donation of $100,000 was made to the food bank, which feeds roughly 70,000 Manitobans each month.
“We know times are difficult right now,” read a tweet that was sent out by Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler and other players on Friday. “We know there are people in the community struggling. more…
Jets players score in the clutch, donate $100K to Harvest — Winnipeg Sun
It took three days, a torrent of public criticism on social media and a fundraising campaign by an embarrassed fan, but the Winnipeg Jets are finally doing the right thing. Perhaps being linked to Ottawa owner Eugene Melnyk was what finally pushed the Jets to reach the land of common sense. On Thursday when the […]
FRIESEN: Jets finally end self-inflicted PR nightmare — Winnipeg Sun
The NHL is at a pause due to the coronavirus outbreak, but Gary Bettman is optimistic there will be a 2019-20 Stanley Cup champion. The NHL commissioner joined NHL Network on Friday and addressed the paused season, how there originally were plans to continue the season without fans until Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested…
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman Optimistic Stanley Cup Champion Will Be Crowned — NESN.com
The NHL is at a pause due to the coronavirus outbreak, but Gary Bettman is optimistic there will be a 2019-20 Stanley Cup champion. The NHL commissioner joined NHL Network on Friday and addressed the paused season, how there originally were plans to continue the season without fans until Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. Bettman even shared his thoughts about the Stanley Cup Final. According to Los Angele Times’ Helene Elliott, Bettman believes “we will be able at some point to get through the season and award the Stanley Cup.” When the season hit the pause button, the Boston Bruins were atop the NHL standings with 100 points and were in the midst of a stellar season after losing Game 7 of the Cup Final last June. Of course, only time will tell who the 2019-20 champion will be, if the season indeed is able to resume.
Read more at: https://nesn.com/2020/03/nhl-commissioner-gary-bettman-optimistic-stanley-cup-champion-will-be-crowned/
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Sheldon Keefe’s head triumphed over his heart. Read More
Andersen returns to Leafs crease on Thursday versus Kings — Toronto Sun
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Sheldon Keefe’s head triumphed over his heart.
Rather than give goaltender Jack Campbell a start on Thursday against his former club, the Los Angeles Kings, Keefe will turn to Frederik Andersen after Campbell was sharp against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday.
Campbell will start on Friday in Anaheim against the Ducks, giving Andersen another rest.
“The biggest thought process for us is we wanted to get Jack in two out of three games this week,” Keefe said. “That trumps anything in terms of him playing against his former team.
“Also, Fred’s our starting goaltender. It makes sense for him coming off (the fact) he didn’t play (Tuesday) night, had a full practice day (Wednesday) and he goes in and plays a game. He deserves that. At this time of year especially, you have to make those right decisions.”
Keefe has spoken of load management regarding Andersen, without using those words specifically.
Andersen has made 50 starts this season, tying him for third-most in the NHL prior to games on Wednesday. Campbell gives the Leafs a legitimate, don’t-need-to-worry backup, and we assume Campbell will be used more in the final month of the regular season.
Defenceman Rasmus Sandin will be back in the lineup after sitting in San Jose, with Calle Rosen likely to be scratched.
— Terry Koshan
SUNRISE, Fla. — Tyson Barrie doesn’t have Jake Muzzin’s lengthy beard and doesn’t wear Morgan Rielly’s alternate A. But before Thursday night’s game, he was being viewed as a steadying veteran influence on a Toronto defence based on his 569 NHL games. “I probably have more games than the rest of them combined,” Barrie said. […]
Tyson Barrie suddenly feels like Maple Leafs’ old man — Toronto Sun
San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton said he fully intends to resign with the team in the offseason and come back in the fall.
Joe Thornton wants to remain in San Jose past this season: “I’m a Shark” — Oroville Mercury-Register
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (34-23-8 – 76 Points) vs.
FLORIDA PANTHERS (33-25-6 – 72 Points)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2020
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | FINAL | |
| TORONTO | 3 | 0 | 2 | – | 5 |
| FLORIDA | 3 | 0 | 0 | – | 3 |
GAME SUMMARY | EVENT SUMMARY | FACEOFF SUMMARY
ON THE SCORESHEET
SHOTS ON GOAL (5-on-5 in brackets)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | OT | TOTAL | |
| TORONTO | 9 (6) | 14 (11) | 6 (5) | – | 29 (22) |
| FLORIDA | 9 (8) | 4 (4) | 14 (9) | – | 27 (21) |
SHOT ATTEMPTS (5-on-5 in brackets)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | OT | TOTAL | |
| TORONTO | 16 (12) | 22 (18) | 16 (14) | – | 54 (44) |
| FLORIDA | 18 (16) | 9 (9) | 26 (20) | – | 53 (45) |
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
| Record on the Road | 18-14-1 (33 Games) |
| All-Time Record vs. Florida | 44-35-7-5 (91 Games) |
| All-Time Record vs. Florida on the Road | 19-19-5-4 (47 Games) |
| Record vs. Eastern Conference | 19-15-6 (40 Games) |
| Record vs. Atlantic Division | 11-8-2 (21 Games) |
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
| Shots | 6 (Matthews) |
| Shot Attempts | 11 (Matthews) |
| Faceoff Wins | 10 (Matthews) |
| Faceoff Win Percentage | 100% (Engvall – 1 won, 0 lost) |
| Hits | 3 (Marincin) |
| Blocked Shots | 3 (Barrie, Marincin) |
| Takeaways | 2 (Matthews) |
| TOI | 25:00 (Barrie) |
| Power Play TOI | 1:19 (Five players tied) |
| Shorthanded TOI | 2:00 (Dermott, Holl) |
| Shifts | 27 (Barrie) |
| 5-on-5 Shot Attempt Percentage | 71.4% (Sandin – 15 for, 6 against) |
RECORD WHEN…
| Opponent scores first | 12-18-6 |
| Tied after 1 | 15-6-4 |
| Tied after 2 | 7-5-2 |
| Do not score a power play goal | 14-14-4 |
| Do not allow a power play goal | 20-8-4 |
| Outshooting opponent | 18-9-3 |
| Thursday | 5-3-1 |
OF NOTE…
UPCOMING GAMES:
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (33-23-8 – 74 Points) vs.
FLORIDA PANTHERS (33-24-6 – 72 Points)
FEBRUARY 27, 2020 ▪ 7:00 PM EST
BB&T CENTER (SUNRISE, FL) ▪
TV: TSN4 ▪ RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
MAPLE LEAFS HISTORY versus FLORIDA
| ALL-TIME RECORD: | 43-35-7-5 (90 Games) |
| ALL-TIME ON THE ROAD: | 18-19-5-4 (46 Games) |
| 2019-20: | 0-2-0 |
| LAST FIVE: | 2-3-0 |
| LAST 10: | 4-3-3 |
MAPLE LEAFS CAREER LEADERS versus FLORIDA
| GAMES PLAYED: | Jason Spezza (50), John Tavares (34), Morgan Rielly (26) |
| GOALS: | John Tavares (21), Jason Spezza (11), Mitch Marner (7) |
| ASSISTS: | Jason Spezza (27), Morgan Rielly (17), Mitch Marner (11) |
| POINTS: | Jason Spezza (38), John Tavares (30), Mitch Marner (18), Morgan Rielly (18) |
| PENALTY MINUTES: | Jason Spezza (20), John Tavares (14), Three players tied (10) |
MAPLE LEAFS – PANTHERS TEAM STATS
| TORONTO | FLORIDA | |
| GOALS FOR (Rank): | 223 (1st) | 216 (4th) |
| GOALS AGAINST (Rank): | 209 (28th) | 210 (29th) |
| POWER PLAY [%] (Rank): | 43/176 [24.4%] (3rd) | 44/196 [22.4%] (8th) |
| PENALTY KILL [%] (Rank): | 137/179 [76.5%] (26th) | 134/172 [77.9%] (23rd) |
| SHOTS (Rank): | 2113 (5th) | 2049 (10th) |
| 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPTS FOR (Rank): | 3196 (t-2nd) | 2806 (16th) |
| 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % (Rank): | 52.2% (6th) | 49.5% (17th) |
| FACEOFF % (Rank): | 52.8% (3rd) | 50.1% (t-14th) |
MAPLE LEAFS – PANTHERS NOTES
| First Matchup between Clubs: | October 21, 1993 (Toronto 4, Florida 3 OT) |
| All-Time Record: | 43-35-7-5 (90 Games) |
| All-Time Record at Home: | 25-16-2-1 (44 Games) |
| All-Time Record on the Road: | 18-19-5-4 (46 Games) |
| Last Win vs. Opponent on the Road: | December 28, 2016 (Toronto 3, Florida 2 SO) |
MAPLE LEAFS MILESTONES vs. PANTHERS
| Zach Hyman | Selected by Florida in the fifth round (123rd overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. |
| Denis Malgin | Recorded 28 goals and 32 assists in 184 games for Florida from 2016-20. |
| Mitch Marner | 100th NHL game (November 22, 2017 at Florida) |
| John Tavares | 500th NHL point (January 13, 2017 (NYI) at Florida) |
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS
| CATEGORY | LEADER |
| GOALS | 43 (Matthews) |
| ASSISTS | 47 (Marner) |
| POINTS | 74 (Matthews) |
| POWER PLAY POINTS | 24 (Matthews) |
| SHORTHANDED POINTS | 2 (Engvall, Kapanen) |
| PIMs | 40 (Muzzin) |
| SHOTS | 259 (Matthews) |
| FACEOFF WIN% | 56.3% (Gauthier) |
| 5-on-5 SHOT ATTEMPT % | 54.8% (Nylander) |
| BLOCKED SHOTS | 110 (Muzzin) |
| TAKEAWAYS | 70 (Matthews) |
| HITS | 109 (Muzzin) |
| TOI PER GAME | 24:15 (Rielly) |
| PP TOI PER GAME | 3:08 (Marner) |
| SH TOI PER GAME | 2:50 (Ceci) |
MAPLE LEAFS SNAPSHOTS
| Faceoffs | – The Maple Leafs rank third among NHL teams in faceoff win percentage (52.8%) and are second among NHL teams in offensive zone faceoff win percentage (53.9%). |
| Goals by Strength | – The Maple Leafs are tied for the NHL lead in goals scored at 5-on-5 (150). |
| Goals by Period | – Toronto is tied for second in the NHL in goals scored in the second period (84) and tied for seventh in the NHL in goals scored in the third period (73). |
| Power Play | – The Maple Leafs are the lone NHL team to score at least 40 power play goals (43) with fewer than 180 power play opportunities (176). |
| Penalty Kill | – Toronto has been shorthanded 179 times this season, which is the eighth-fewest times shorthanded in the NHL. |
| Scoring First | – Toronto has a .759 win percentage when scoring first, which is the seventh highest in the NHL. |
MAPLE LEAFS PLAYER NOTES
| Frederik Andersen | – Tied for third among NHL goaltenders in wins (26).- Ranks third in the NHL in saves (1,323).- Has a save percentage of .915 in 19 games played on one day rest.- Is 15-6-0 with a 2.77 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage on the road this season. |
| Tyson Barrie | – Has seven multi-assist games, which is tied for eighth-most among NHL defencemen.- Tied for fourth among NHL defencemen in multi-point games (11). – Averages 14.67 shot attempts per game at 5-on-5, which is the fourth-highest average among NHL defencemen who have played in at least 50 games.- Ranks 19th among NHL defencemen in 5-on-5 time on ice per game (18:09). |
| Jack Campbell | – Has a 3-0-1 record with a .919 save percentage and a 2.40 goals-against average since being acquired by the Maple Leafs. |
| Kyle Clifford | – Tied for seventh among NHL left wingers who have appeared in 50 games in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (54.4%). – Averages 14.90 shot attempts per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which ranks 17th among left wingers.- Ranks 9.72 hits per 60 minutes of ice time, which ranks 31st among NHL skaters. |
| Pierre Engvall | – Tied for eighth among NHL rookie forwards in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (51.7%). – Has an on-ice goals-for percentage of 54.2 percent at 5-on-5, which is the sixth highest among NHL rookie forwards who have appeared in 30 games.- Ranks fifth among rookie forwards in 5-on-5 shot attempts per 60 minutes (13.70). |
| Justin Holl | – Has started the 10th-lowest percentage of his 5-on-5 shifts (42.9%) in the offensive zone among right-handed defencemen.- Ranks second in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (52.2%) among NHL defencemen who have started less than 45 percent of their 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone (42.9%).- Has the highest unblocked shot attempt percentage at 5-on-5 (52.8%) among NHL defencemen to have started fewer than 45 percent (42.9%) of their shifts in the offensive zone. |
| Zach Hyman | – Ranks fifth among Maple Leafs skaters in points per game (0.77).- Fourth among Toronto skaters in even-strength time on ice per game (15:58).- Ranks eighth among NHL left wingers in shorthanded time on ice percentage (45.3%). |
| Kasperi Kapanen | – Has drawn 17 penalties this season and taken seven, which gives him the highest net penalties among Toronto skaters (+10) and ranks tied for 23rd among NHL forwards.- Ranks third among Maple Leafs and 11th among NHL right wingers who have appeared in 50 games in assists per 60 minutes of ice time (1.30) at 5-on-5.- Has recorded 20 (8-12-20) of his 35 points on the road this season. |
| Alex Kerfoot | – Ranks fourth among Toronto skaters who have appeared in 40 games in assists per 60 minutes of ice time (1.26) at 5-on-5.- Eighth among Maple Leafs in even-strength points (8-16-24).- Tied for second among Maple Leafs in primary assists at 5-on-5 (11). |
| Mitch Marner | – Ninth among NHL skaters in assists (47).- Has 12 multi-assist games, which is tied for the fifth-most among NHL skaters.- Averaging 1.17 points per game, which is the 15th-highest average in the NHL.- Averaging 1.81 assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which is fifth among NHLers who have appeared in at least 50 games.- Tied for eighth in the NHL in primary assists (30).- Ranks fifth among NHL forwards in time on ice per game (21:26) |
| Auston Matthews | – Tied for second among NHL skaters in goals (43).- Leads the NHL with 32 even-strength goals.- Leads the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (27).- Second in the NHL in wrist shot goals (26).- Second in the NHL in multi-goal games (10).- Ranks 11th among NHL skaters in points (43-31-74).- Fourth in the NHL with 259 shots on goal. |
| William Nylander | – Leads the Maple Leafs and is tied for seventh among NHLers in game-winning goals (6).- One of nine NHLers to average at least 14:00 minutes per game at 5-on-5 (14:30) while maintaining a goal per 60-minute rate of at least 1.20 (1.20).- Tied for ninth in the NHL in goals scored at 5-on-5 (18).- Ranks seventh among NHL forwards who average 14:00 per game (14:29) in 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage (54.8%). |
| Rasmus Sandin | – Ranks eighth among rookie defencemen who have appeared in at least 10 games in points per 60 minutes of ice time (0.97) at 5-on-5. – Has a 5-on-5 shot attempt percentage of 53.5 percent, which ranks fourth among rookie defencemen who have skated in at least 10 games. |
| Jason Spezza | – Averaging 2.07 points per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 this season, which is the fourth-highest average among Toronto skaters who have appeared in at least 40 games.- Averaging 0.85 goals per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 this season, which ranks fourth among Maple Leafs who have appeared in at least 40 games.- Averaging 1.22 assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5, which is the fifth-highest average among Toronto skaters. |
| John Tavares | – Tied for 18th among NHL skaters in multi-point games (17).- Has 15 points (8-7-15) in 13 games during the month of February.- Ranks 14th in the NHL in faceoff wins (561)- Has 17 points (10-7-17) in 17 games against Atlantic Division teams this season.- Has recorded 30 points (16 goals, 14 assists) in 29 games on the road this season. |
CURRENT POINT STREAKS
| Tyson Barrie | Has assists (4) in two consecutive games. |
| Jake Muzzin | Has points (3-5-8) in six consecutive games. |
| William Nylander | Has assists (2) in two consecutive games and points (2-3-5) in four consecutive games. |
| John Tavares | Has goals (3) in two consecutive games and points (3-2-5) in three consecutive games. |
UPCOMING MILESTONES
| Zach Hyman | Four games from 300 NHL games |
| Kasperi Kapanen | Four games from 200 NHL games |
| Jason Spezza | Two assists from 600 assists |
RECENT MILESTONES
| Denis Malgin | First game as a Maple Leaf (February 20 vs. Pittsburgh) |
| William Nylander | 300th NHL game (February 22 vs. Carolina) |
INJURY REPORT
| Cody Ceci (Ankle) | On injured reserve. |
| Andreas Johnsson (Knee) | On injured reserve. |
| Ilya Mikheyev (Wrist Laceration) | On injured reserve. |
| Jake Muzzin (Hand) | Sustained a broken hand on February 25 at Tampa Bay. |
| Morgan Rielly (Foot) | On injured reserve. |
| Man Games Lost: 172 |
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
| February 26 | Recalled defenceman Calle Rosen from the Toronto Marlies (AHL). |
| February 24 | Loaned defenceman Kevin Gravel to the Toronto Marlies (AHL). |
| February 24 | Acquired forward Matt Lorito from the New York Islanders in exchange for defenceman Jordan Schmaltz. |
| February 24 | Acquired Vegas’ 2020 fifth-round pick in a three-team trade with Chicago and Vegas in exchange for forward Martins Dzierkals. |
| February 24 | Recalled defenceman Kevin Gravel from the Toronto Marlies (AHL). |
| February 24 | Acquired defenceman Calle Rosen from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for goaltender Michael Hutchinson. |
| February 22 | Acquired forward Miikka Salomaki from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenceman Ben Harpur. |
The view from left field 