On Saturday’s “Coach’s Corner” broadcast, Cherry called out immigrants for not buying enough poppies. The poppy is the symbol of remembrance for Canadian veterans and those who served in times of war. It is traditionally worn during the two weeks prior to Remembrance Day on Nov. 11. “You people love, they come here, whatever it is, you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey. The least you could pay [is] a couple of bucks for a poppy or something like that,” Cherry said on the air....

MORE: Sports video game power rankings | Madden NFL 16 also on EA Access Subscribers to EA Access get 10 full hours with “NHL 16”, which doesn’t officially release until September 15. Those who decide to purchase the game will be able to continue any progress made both offline and online during the trial period. Given that there is no demo for the game, the play time represents the only opportunity to now try it out prior to making a purchase decision....

Friday’s Skills Competition allowed the league’s stars to shine in a more relaxed setting, while still satisfying the competitive nature that drives players at the elite level. Five individual events plus a dazzling women’s game between Canada and the U.S. filled the night’s docket in St. Louis, with a hometown winner in one event giving the Blues fans in attendance a little something extra to cheer for. The night began with the popular Fastest Skater event, with most in attendance expecting Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid to take the crown once again....

Well, someone (i.e., commissioner Gary Bettman) must have taken note, because now the league will allow Voynov’s $4.17 million cap hit to be treated the same as if he were on long-term injured reserve. This gives the Kings more flexibility in making roster moves. The defending Stanley Cup champs have been unable to recall players from the minors to replace injured players recently. As a result, they’ve at times played with five defensemen, one fewer than usual....

The “Return To The Ice” contest may fill easily based on increased demand. That has a $5 entry with $65,000 prize pool ($10,000 goes to first place). Also, there is the Line Change Special which has a $33 entry fee ($3,000 to 1st). There is also another qualifier to Toronto tonight ($33 entry fee). MORE: SN DFS | DFS Lineup Builder Because of the volatile nature of goalies (and other reasons), there will be more information on social media coming closer to roster lock....

Several games could have an over/under of six from Las Vegas, but it’s wise to keep in mind that Vegas is not always right. Also, there is the $20,000 Forecheck contest with a $4 entry fee and an $85,000 Tuesday Special ($15,000 to first) with a $20 entry fee. MORE: SN DFS | DFS Lineup Builder Because of the volatile nature of goalies (and other reasons), there will be more information on social media coming closer to roster lock....

On Wednesday, the NHL Central Scouting Bureau released its final rankings, with Rimouski Océanic forward Alexis Lafreniere taking the top spot for North American skaters as expected. The Saint-Eustache, Que., native is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick. “Obviously, Alexis is quite the player when you look at every aspect of his game,” noted J-F Damphousse, regional scout for Quebec and the Maritimes on a video call with reporters....

It really did happen. The NHL held Phase 1 of the 2020 NHL Draft on June 26 when the most bizarre scenario imaginable unfolded, upending this year’s draft process. The worst team in the NHL — by far, the lowly Red Wings — would not get to pick No. 1 overall. How about the second-worst team, the Senators, who had not one but two chances to win the Alexis Lafreniere sweepstakes?...

Ranking such an impressive collection of players has been more difficult than in recent years. For one, the majority of players pegged for the upper half of first round from as far back as July all either met or significantly exceeded expectations. Additionally, practically all these kids were among the top players in their respective leagues, let alone their own team. Their success in league play and on the international stage made drastic shifts in individual rankings practically non-existent — eight of the top 10 players ranked in September remained in the top 10 some eight months later....

With a flat cap and free agency on the horizon, the moves started to come fast and furious, and all before the draft itself got going. Sporting News is keeping track of the latest rumors, trades and picks, as well as handing out some grades, as it all goes down July 23 and 24. NHL Draft tracker 2021 (All times are Eastern) Day 2 12:15 p.m. — Rangers have officially bought out the contract of Tony DeAngelo....

The Blues needed to win, and they did A few days ago, Mike Yeo sounded like a guy who may have coached his final game with the St. Louis Blues. But GM Doug Armstrong, who orchestrated the plan to bring Yeo on as associate coach – and head-coach-in-waiting to Ken Hitchcock – stuck with his bench boss at least through the weekend, and the Blues were able to get their biggest win of the season on Saturday night....

The betting lines below are current as of Friday morning. Visit our odds page for updated Las Vegas lines. MORE: Ranking all 16 playoff teams | Opening first-round series odds Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens (MTL leads 1-0) Best Ottawa line: +125 (Westgate, CG Technology)Best Montreal line: -135 (Vegas consensus)Total: 5 (under -115) Analysis: Things are just getting started between the two Canadian rivals. It looks like the Senators will be without Mark Stone for the foreseeable future because of a fractured wrist....

Here is a betting preview for the Tuesday’s NHL playoff card. Lines are current as of early Tuesday morning. Check our live odds page for updated numbers from Las Vegas. Chicago Blackhawks at Minnesota Wild, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN Best Chicago line: +130 (Westgate, CG Technology)Best Minnesota line: -135 (MGM, Wynn)Total: 5 (under -120) Analysis: Minnesota had been one of the best road teams to back during the regular season, especially after Devan Dubnyk joined the club in January....

The jokes are flying again after the team made another early exit from the Stanley Cup playoffs. This year’s farewell came Wednesday courtesy of a seven-game loss to the rival Penguins in the second round. Washington fell 2-0 at home in the finale. MORE: NHL playoff format is dumb, and here’s why We’re legally obligated to say this: While the Caps may have lost again, the internet remains undefeated.

Goaltenders Braden Holtby and Matt Murray largely stole the show in the first two games of this year’s Round 2 playoff series, exchanging tremendous saves ranging from splits to butterfly saves to blocker stops at critical moments. Both goaltenders stood on their heads for their respective teams at each end of the ice, bailing their teams outtime and again. In Game One, Murray was the backbone of a third-period comeback in a 3-2 Penguins victory....

After the Predators eliminated the Avalanche from the playoffs in Round 1 with a 5-0 shutout on Sunday, Subban told MacKinnon in the post-game handshake line that he hopes Colorado’s alternate captain wins this year’s MVP award. “In my opinion, he was the best player in the league this year,” Subban told reporters after Game 6. “That’s not to take anything away from other guys like Taylor Hall who have had great years....

Marchand appeared to punch Scott Harrington in the back of the head during Columbus’ 2-1 win Tuesday. Harrington was down on his knees and facing away from Marchand at the time of the blow. There was just 1:01 remaining in the final period. Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella refused to address the incident after the contest. “I’m not giving you my thoughts. I don’t need to give you thoughts. You can come up with something there,” Tortorella told ESPN....

“F— off. Please, come on, man,” Wheeler said when he was asked what went wrong after the game. “This is a tough trophy to win. Maybe our best just wasn’t good enough today. And their best was pretty darn good.” The 11-year veteran’s frustration is understandable: he posted just five points (one goal, four assists) in the six-game series after leading the Jets in the regular season with 91 points (20 goals, 71 assists)....

Warren Foegele kicked off the action just 17 seconds into the Hurricanes’ 2-1 win over the Capitals on the team’s first rush of the game. About 90 minutes later, Adam Lowry put the Jets on the board 12 seconds after the first puck drop. This was the first time in NHL history that multiple playoff games featured a goal in the first 20 seconds on the same day. In addition, these were the fourth and fifth goals of the current postseason to come 20 seconds or sooner into a game, tying three other years for the most such goals in a first round....

The sixth-year player netted the game-winning goal in overtime against the Flames in Calgary to tie the teams’ first-round series 1-1. The game was the third overtime contest of the day. Ian Cole picked up the puck after a save by Philipp Grubauer and found Mikko Rantanen on the rush. Rantanen then connected with MacKinnon, who fired a shot past Calgary goaltender Mike Smith. The goal was MacKinnon’s first of the 2019 postseason and the third game-winner in his playoff career....