The NFL is expected, however, to pass a rule this week that will result in an automatic ejection for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Vice President of NFL Officiating Dean Blandino told MMQB.com that the league will reiterate to officials that it’s in their power to eject players for flagrant rules violations, even if they don’t commit two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. MORE: New League Year resolutions | Richard Sherman blasts rules proposals...

Over the next two weeks, the three events—the East-West Shrine Game, the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and the Senior Bowl—will offer senior college players one final opportunity to put themselves in the shop window ahead of the NFL draft in April. A host of NFL scouts, head coaches and executives are expected at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Saturday night for the ninth edition of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl....

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith issued a memo to players Thursday. In the memo, acquired by USA Today, Smith wrote that because “the use of such technology occurs outside of games and practice, we believe such use violates the Collective Bargaining Agreement.” MORE: NFL’s 25 best under 25 | NFL Week 7 picks The CBA does allow the league to require players to wear sensors and other tracking devices during games and practices to collect performance, medical and safety-related information, as long as the NFLPA gives consent....

A 3-on-3 tournament between the four divisions — Atlantic, Metropolitan, Pacific and Central — will take place on Jan. 25 with the annual skills competition happening the night prior, starting at 8 p.m. ET. The All-Star Skills Competition will also host an Elite Women’s 3-on-3 , with some of the top Canadian and Amerian skaters lacing them up. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2020 NHL All-Star Game, including complete rosters and TV information:...

Kuznetsov has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and the league said via a statement by deputy commissioner Bill Daly that it did not find any evidence to the contrary. “Our review included, among other fact-finding steps, an in-person interview with Mr. Kuznetsov,” Daly’s statement read in part. “While we certainly do not condone or endorse some of the decisions he made on the night in question, Mr. Kuznetsov’s account of the events that transpired aligns with other information we have been able to gather, and we have found no basis to question his representations with respect to what did — and what did not — occur....

It had been a long and arduous process filled with photography obligations, autograph signing and some extra perks, like a phone call with Sabres star center Jack Eichel. The two have never met but will soon be teammates in Western New York and part of what all parties involved will be the resuscitation of an NHL franchise that hasn’t reached the Stanley Cup playoffs since 2011. Although he was the consensus No....

The NHL has chosen that family, whose ownership of the Sacramento Kings turned messy before a 2013 sale, and businessman William Foley as the theoretical owners of a theoretical Las Vegas expansion team, reports the New York Post. MORE: As NHL talks Vegas, Panthers’ arena empty again | Naming a Vegas team Deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Star Tribune on Tuesday that the league had toured an arena site and met with potential ownership groups in Vegas....

Some hockey fans are responding on social media with pictures of themselves kneeling at home after NHL players drew support from Eric Trump, son of President Donald Trump. They used the hashtag #Kneel4Hockey to voice their perspective. There have been protests across the U.S. in recent months against police brutality and racial inequality, after George Floyd died while in police custody in Minneapolis. While NHL players didn’t kneel, some did link arms during the anthem....

Some of the biggest names in the game — i.e., Alex Pietrangelo, Torey Krug and Taylor Hall — are available at the right price and term. And have you seen the goalie market? Henrik Lundqvist, Braden Holtby, Cam Talbot, Anton Khudobin and Jacob Markstrom are just some of the veteran backstops looking for new homes. While a few teams need to reach the cap floor — looking at you, Senators — other teams have little wiggle room when it comes to adding pieces that could push them from pretender to contender or protecting their top restricted free agents....

All 32 franchises are assuredly wanting to get faster, make their lineup stronger and go higher in the standings. A few are even doing it together. Already a few “I’ll scratch your back, if you scratch my back” deals have gone down. Basically, a “Hey, pal, you take this bad, cap-heavy contract and we’ll give you a bunch of guys and picks. Thanks, buddy.” MORE: All 31 teams’ UFA, RFA players | News, trade grades from 2021 draft...

Beginning today, all league goalies must wear new style, tight-fitting pants that aim at increasing scoring without changing the game too much. MORE: All signs point to NHL skipping 2018 Olympics Goalies who violate the new wardrobe policy will be subject to a two-game suspension, a $25,000 fine will be issued to the team and $1,000 fine to the equipment manager, according to ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun. Over the years, NHL teams have opted to invest in massive goaltenders to cover up more of the net, rather than smaller, more elusive netminders....

The 2022 NHL postseason gets going in full swing on Monday as 16 teams are battling for the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup. There are plenty of intriguing storylines as we head into the postseason. Is this finally the year the Maple Leafs win a playoff series? Do the Oilers have what it takes to make a deep run? Will the Avalanche and Panthers live up to expectations and meet in the Stanley Cup Finals?...

X-clinched playoff, Y-clinched division Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Y- Boston Bruins (113 pts, 4 games remaining) X-Montreal Canadiens (97pts, 3 games remaining) X-Tampa Bay Lightning (93 pts, 4 games remaining) Metropolitan Division Y-Pittsburgh Penguins (105 pts, 3 games remaining) X- New York Rangers (91 pts, 3 games remaining) Philadelphia Flyers (89 pts, 4 games remaining) Wild Card Detroit Red Wings (88 pts, 4 games remaining) Columbus Blue Jackets (87 points, 4 games remaining) In the hunt...

That’s the ultimate accomplishment for a player: to hoist the Stanley Cup above their shoulders and be a NHL champion. While the focus is on winning the Cup, there is also the chance to move up the NHL postseason records lists. Certain players have built their careers on being playoff performers and coming through in the clutch when their teams need them the most. Players like Sidney Crosby, who sits in the top 10 in both career playoff points and assists, can further burnish their historic careers by climbing further up the all-time lists....

To make matters worse for him and the Jackets, play continued after he was hurt and the Penguins scored a game-tying goal. MORE: Playoff scores, schedule, news, updates Werenski began to bleed after a shot from the blue line flew into his face. While he was dealing with the injury, the Penguins essentially went on a power play. Bryan Rust eventually scored to make the score 3-3 in the second period....

Yet, as has been the case all season, there was Taylor Hall leading the way to give his team life in the series, with the Devils now trailing the Lightning two games to one, the home team winning all three games, so far. “Taylor Hall is Taylor Hall every night,” offered Coleman in a satisfied postgame dressing room. “He’s a professional; he’s one of the best players on the ice every single night; he scores big goals; and he’s our emotional leader....

But while they beat Sergei Bobrovsky four times on the night, they needed a fifth, and Bobrovsk’y 54 saves – a career-high– helped propel Columbus to another road victory, a 5-4 overtime win to see the Blue Jackets go up 2-0 in the series. Through two games, Bobrovsky has now stopped 81 of 88 shots against. It was a busy night for Bobrovsky, who made 17 saves in the first period, including this one with the right pad to deny the Capitals’ Lars Eller....

The 24-year-old forward was suspended three games after his high hit in Game 3 concussed Zach Aston-Reese and broke the jaw of the Penguins forward – this after two controversial hits earlier in the postseason, one on Alex Wennberg in the first round against Columbus and another on Pens defenseman Brian Dumoulin in Game 2 of the second round. “I mean it’s a tough one,” Wilson told reporters Wednesday as the Caps began to prepare for the Eastern Conference finals against the Lightning....

Alex Ovechkin and Co. are in the playoffs for a 10th time in 11 seasons. The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, are in search of their first series win in franchise history. Sporting News’ NHL experts Brandon Schlager, Evan Sporer and Jim Cerny make their series predictions below. SN STAFF PREDICTIONS Eastern Conference | Western Conference | Stanley Cup Washington Capitals (-175) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (+145): Schedule, picks, predictions Game 1: April 12 at Washington, 7:30 p....