Wednesday night’s 2017 NHL Expansion Draft filled the roster of the Las Vegas Golden Knights, the league’s first expansion team since the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Minnesota Wild joined in 2000. MORE: Golden Knights roster coming together Each of the 30 NHL teams were set to lose one player in the draft, which meant there was a lot of intrigue to see who Vegas would steal from your favorite team....

The league’s initial buyout period began on June 15, meaning teams can shed unwanted contracts and players in order to free up cap space before the official start of free agency on June 30. Last offseason, eight players had their contract bought out, and in 2017, 14 players were shown the door by their respective teams. MORE: NHL rumors 2019: Perry, Callahan and other potential buyout candidates Sporting News is keeping track of all the players getting bought out during free agency below....

You couldn’t keep them down forever. This day was eventually coming. The Penguins have taken over first place in the Metropolitan Division. With a 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets Sunday (thanks in part to an underwhelming performance from Sergei Bobrovsky), the Penguins leapt over the Capitals into the top spot with 74 points. Remember a few months ago when everyone was wondering what’s wrong with the Penguins, and, forget a three-peat, could they even make the playoffs?...

In the NHL, the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program is available to all players and their families. The program aids those who are going through mental health, substance abuse or other issues. Red Wings forward Jakub Vrana is the latest player to enter the program. The Wings and the players’ association announced Oct. 19 that he would be away from the team indefinitely “while he receives care.” The program has been used more frequently in recent years....

All odds are current as of Saturday evening. Check our live odds page for updated numbers from Las Vegas. MORE: Rangers put Pens out of their misery | Oilers hire former Bruins GM Canadiens at Senators (Montreal leads series 3-2)Best Montreal line: +112 (CG Technology)Best Ottawa line: -120 (Westgate, Wynn)Total: 5 (under -120) Analysis: Montreal dominated the possession battle on Friday night, but the game ended in a 5-1 Ottawa thrashing....

X-clinched playoff, Y-clinched division Eastern Conference Atlantic Division Y- Boston Bruins (110 pts, 6 games remaining) X-Tampa Bay Lighting (93 pts, 6 games remaining) X-Montreal Canadiens (93pts, 5 games remaining) Metropolitan Division X-Pittsburgh Penguins (101 pts, 6 games remaining) New York Rangers (90 pts, 5 games remaining) Philadelphia Flyers (87 pts, 6 games remaining) Wild Card Detroit Red Wings (86 pts, 6 games remaining) Columbus Blue Jackets (83 points, 7 games remaining) In the hunt...

J.T. Miller’s goal in the third period helped give the Rangers a 3-2 victory against the Wild and clinch the Metropolitan Division title for New York. The Blueshirts also set a franchise record with their 26th road victory. MORE: Game highlights | Byfuglien suspended for four games Miller’s game-winner came two days after he was cross-checked in the back of the neck by the Jets’ Dustin Byfuglien. “That felt good....

The people of Edmonton either aren’t privy to the whole affair, or they’ve chosen to ignore the rancor. If it’s the latter, then they deserve an even bigger stick tap for what they did Sunday evening. GAME CENTER: Ducks-Oilers score, stats Just before the start of the Oilers’ first home playoff game in 11 years, the sound system at Rogers Place went haywire (for now, let’s assume it was an accident) as “The Star-Spangled Banner” was about to be performed by country star Brett Kissel....

What could stop them now? Enter Andrew Hammond. Yes, that Andrew Hammond, aka the “Hamburglar,” whose miraculous 20-1-2 run to conclude the 2014-15 season led the Senators down a warpath directly into the playoffs, against steep odds. Facing down a 3-1 series deficit, it’s perfect serendipity then that the Avalanche should turn to this unlikely folk hero in a last-ditch attempt to stage a comeback. GOLDEN STANDARDHow Vegas became the most successful expansion team in sports history...

Giroux, who inadvertently bumped into Sidney Crosby just inside the Pittsburgh blue line, recoiled from the hit and was skating backward with Letang tracking up ice to join the rush out of the zone. In a split second, Letang ran directly into Giroux’s backside, sending him flying backward to the ice. GOLDEN STANDARDHow Vegas became the most successful expansion team in sports history Letang was clearly shaken up, but rose to his feet immediately and skated to the locker room for treatment....

Then Boston demonstrated why it’s built for a deep Stanley Cup run. Riley Nash filled in admirably for Bergeron on the Bruins’ top line, Tuukka Rask made 30 saves and Brad Marchand scored the go-ahead goal in the second period en route to a 3-1 victory at Air Canada Center that opens a near-insurmountable series lead by the same ledger. NHL teams with three-games-to-one lead are 268-28 (.905) all time....

However, Stars defenseman John Klingberg, with 2:38 left in the extra frame, took a feed from Alexander Radulov and scored a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle to seal a 2-1 win against the Predators on Monday. The Stars are headed to the second round round to face the St. Louis Blues, a rematch from the 2016 postseason. However, Dallas’ trade deadline acquisition of Mats Zuccarello may now actually cost the Stars their 2019 first-round pick....

This year’s NHL unrestricted free agent market could be the deepest in years. Among the notables potentially available include Islanders center John Tavares, Sharks wing Evander Kane, Maple Leafs wing James van Reimsdyk and Capitals defenseman John Carlson. Much of the media focus is on Tavares, Kane and van Riemsdyk, leaving Carlson largely overlooked. The 28-year-old Capitals blueliner is enjoying a career year in his contract season. As of March 29, he reached single-season highs in goals (15), assists (49) and points (64), leading all defensemen in the latter category....

In a press release, the Senators stated that the move was made out of an abundance of caution due to “COVID-19 health-related concerns.” The NHL also released a statement on the matter, saying that the team had coordinated with medical officials and found “evidence of continued spread [of COVID] in recent days.” The team’s practice ice rink and training facility have also been shut down as a precaution and will remain shuttered until Saturday....

The big factor in free agency is teams’ salary cap space. In the NHL, the salary cap isn’t as cut-and-dried as it seems. Teams can navigate around the limits by using long-term injured reserve or having other teams retain salary of players who are no longer on the team. As we enter the frenzy this offseason, some teams have tons of space and can sign a number of free agents, while other clubs are limited financially....

The St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks each earned overtime road wins Wednesday to start their journeys toward a possible Stanley Cup, while the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins opened with regulation victories. MORE: Bracket picks for each first-round matchup The Blues defeated the Minnesota Wild 2-1 in OT after allowing the Wild to tie the game with 22 seconds remaining in the third period. The Sharks, meawhile, dug out of a two-goal hole to defeat Edmonton 3-2....

Orlov, a defenseman for the Washington Capitals, was suspended two games for boarding Flyers forward Schenn on Sunday. "While it is true that Schenn takes a look over his shoulder and is aware that Orlov is behind him, this does not give Orlov the green light to finish his check from behind and with such significant force," NHL department of player safety director Patrick Burke said in a video explaining the decision....

The NHL’s youth movement is in full swing. More than ever, the league’s youngest players double as its most vibrant, marketable stars — and there are plenty. Such an embarrassment of riches is on full display in Sporting News’ NHL 25 under 25 series, a comprehensive ranking of the best NHL players under the age of 25 heading into the 2018-19 season. Between Aug. 20-24, we’ll reveal our picks in increments of five, counting down from No....

Pittsburgh dealt Phil Kessel, a 2021 fourth-round pick and Dane Birks to Arizona, the Penguins announced Saturday. Arizona has sent center Alex Galchenyuk and prospect Pierre-Olivier Joseph to the Penguins in return. There has been no money retained in the deal. “First and foremost, I want to thank Phil Kessel for his contributions to the Penguins," Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said in a press release. “He was a key component to our success in winning back-to-back Stanley Cups....