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Darryl Sutter wants Calgary Flames' top-end talent to emulate 'complete' Toronto Maple Leafs stars – TSN

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William Nylander


The Toronto Maple Leafs held an optional skate at Scotiabank Arena on Friday. The Calgary Flames held a full skate. 

Flames coach Darryl Sutter was asked Friday what adjustments he’s looking for from highly skilled stars like Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. 

“It’s just a little bit more of their shot count, shot quality, pace of the game and 200-foot game,” the veteran bench boss explained. “You look at the Toronto Maple Leafs, they play a complete game and their top players have made that adjustment to play a complete game, so you have to try to emulate those teams to have any success here.”

Gaudreau, Monahan and linemate Brett Ritchie have been dumping and chasing the puck more since Sutter took over. 

“Whether I’m comfortable with it or not that’s our team, that’s our system right now,” Gaudreau said. “You need to adapt. It doesn’t matter which coach you’re playing for, you need to follow his instructions and make sure you’re playing the right way and the way he wants you to play.”

“We’re trying to limit turnovers,” said Monahan. “We’re trying to hold pucks more in their end. If you get chances off the rush you’re going to take it, but if they’re not there we have to continue to play the right way.” 

Calgary had won three straight with Sutter behind the bench before getting shelled 7-3 on Wednesday in Edmonton. After that game, Sutter noted the Flames don’t have the same firepower as other teams in the North Division and have to play a more disciplined style to have success. 

“I haven’t found the net too much in the past few games, but we’re 3-1 and that’s all you can really ask for,” said Gaudreau, who has one goal and six shots in the past four outings. “When you’re 3-1 with the new guy, I mean, that’s a recipe for success.” 

Sutter isn’t juggling his forward lines tonight pointing out that the groups have played fairly well. The coach cited “needless penalties” as the major issue in Wednesday’s setback. The Oilers scored on three of four power-play chances. 

“You see in this division where there are nights like that, basically power-play nights,” said Sutter. “Our team has responded very well. It’s not an issue.”

“We know we have skill on our team,” said Monahan. “We know we can score. We got to check first and that’s when we’ll get our opportunities.”

Flames not looking to play run-and-gun against Leafs: ‘We know how we have to win’

Darryl Sutter brings a more defensive style behind the bench and he’s been preaching to the Flames that playing a run-and-gun game won’t lead to success against teams like the Maple Leafs and Oilers. Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan discuss the new playstyle and what it means for their offence.

The Flames have lost three of four games to the Leafs this season, but went 1-0-1 during a trip to Toronto last month. The Leafs didn’t score a five-on-five goal against Calgary in those two games. 

“We’ve played well against them in the past,” said Gaudreau. “We’ve played these guys pretty well.” 

“We know what we’re up against,” Monahan said. “It’s a game we’re looking forward to and we want to set the tone ourselves and get pucks behind them. We want to have the puck more than them and be heavy with it in their end and keep an eye [on] those top guys.”

The Leafs should have a lot of energy thanks to a four-day break between games. The rest has helped top-line centre Auston Matthews recover from a nagging wrist injury. Matthews has three goals, all from in tight, in seven games since returning from a two-game absence. 

“Tony keeps pretty even-keeled,” said linemate Mitch Marner. “Our group tries not to get frustrated and stay the same mood at all times. I’m sure it is frustrating for him to not be able to shoot it as well as he’d like, but definitely looks like he’s coming back to normal and it’s a big help for our team.” 

Already dealing with a hand injury, Matthews hurt his right wrist in a game against the Flames on Feb. 24 when defenceman Rasmus Andersson checked him hard into the boards. 

Leafs Ice Chips: Matthews looking like his old self

The Leafs are ready to resume their season tonight against the Flames. Toronto has been off since losing Sunday night in Ottawa, and this break has helped the group refocus and re-energize after a tough stretch that saw them drop five of six games. The break has been especially helpful for Auston Matthews who has been nursing a nagging wrist injury. As Mark Masters explains, the 23-year-old centre has been looking at lot better in practice this week.

Alex Galchenyuk will make his Leafs debut tonight slotting in on the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander. 

“Seeing what he did with the Marlies, it seemed like he kind of got his swagger back with his confidence with the puck and power-plays seams and just kind of getting his magic back,” Marner observed. “Through practice these last couple days you’ve seen it as well. His chemistry is getting better with JT and Will and hopefully they adapt quickly in this game tonight. Everyone is excited to see him tonight.”

Acquired in a trade with Carolina on Feb. 15, Galchenyuk played six games in the American Hockey League, producing eight points before being recalled by the Leafs this week. 

“He’ll get a chance to play with good players tonight and I thought those guys looked really good in practice yesterday,” said coach Sheldon Keefe. “I think the way that he moves the puck and the way that he can score and shoot the puck pairs well with them.”

Galchenyuk to make Leafs debut tonight, will play with Tavares, Nylander

Alex Galchenyuk will make his Maple Leafs debut tonight against the Flames. The 27-year old forward will play on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander, and head coach Sheldon Keefe explained why the timing is right for Galchenyuk to suit up tonight.

Wayne Simmonds returns to the Leafs lineup tonight after missing six weeks with a broken wrist. 

“It’s been a long time coming for him,” said Keefe. “He’s the kind of guy who has a ton of energy and he hasn’t been able to utilize a great deal of that in a competitive environment. Just to be in the practices was real good for him and we wanted to see how he responded coming in here today, but he feels good and we’re happy to have him back in the mix.”

Simmonds will start on the fourth line with Pierre Engvall and Jason Spezza and resume his role as the net-front guy on the top power-play unit. His mere presence on the bench is also expected to provide a spark. 

“He’s got a strong voice, a loud voice, you know, a guy who will stand up and kind of yell or encourage the group from one end to the other,” Keefe noted. “He also has a strong voice on the ice with his linemates and with the opposition. He’s got a lot of respect in the league.”

‘An amazing teammate’: Simmonds returns to Leafs’ lineup against Flames

Wayne Simmonds will return to the Maple Leafs’ lineup tonight against the Flames after being out since February 6th due to a broken wrist. Simmonds’ teammates discussed what he brings to the team.

After giving up seven goals on 30 shots in Wednesday’s loss to the Oilers, Jacob Markstrom gets the start again for Calgary. 

“He had a rough night last game and we’re looking for a bounce-back game tonight out of him,” said Sutter. “That’s what I’m looking for.”

Frederik Andersen starts for the Leafs. Jack Campbell will be the backup goalie. It is the first time Campbell has dressed in a game since aggravating a leg injury on Feb. 27 in Edmonton. 

Andersen aims to regain confidence; admits injury still a factor

The Maple Leafs’ hold on the North division has been shaken by losing five of six. Goalie Frederik Andersen’s not the only one to blame, but he has been shaky lately. And while Andersen has been known to get out of ruts before during his time in Toronto, he’s facing both a mental and physical challenge now. TSN’s Mark Masters has more.

Sutter will be coaching against a familiar foe tonight in Joe Thornton. The pair have seen a lot of each other over the years in the Pacific Division.  

“I have a ton of respect for him. It’s not just how long he’s played, but [also] the success and how he’s played and how he’s played at playoff time,” said Sutter. “What gets overlooked is his playoff performances. He’s a guy who’s knocked on the door lots, but his playoff performance has been immaculate and his ability to recover and play through tough injuries is remarkable.” 

Thornton has 133 points in 179 career playoff games.

Projected Leafs lineup for Friday’s game: 

Thornton – Matthews – Marner
Galchenyuk – Tavares – Nylander
Mikheyev – Kerfoot – Hyman
Simmonds – Engvall – Spezza

Rielly – Brodie 
Muzzin – Holl
Dermott – Bogosian 

Andersen starts 
Campbell

Projected Flames lineup for Friday’s game: 

Tkachuk – Lindholm – Dube
Gaudreau – Monahan – Ritchie
Lucic – Backlund – Mangiapane
Bennett – Ryan – Leivo

Giordano – Andersson
Hanifin – Tanev
Valimaki – Nesterov

Markstrom starts 
Rittich

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Washington Capitals 3-2 win ends Dallas Stars’ winning streak

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Tom Wilson, Dylan Strome and Taylor Raddysh scored to help the Washington Capitals end the Dallas Stars’ season-opening winning streak at four with a 3-2 victory Thursday night.

Wilson’s goal was his third in three games, Strome his second of the season and Raddysh his first since joining the team in free agency last summer. Charlie Lindgren made 22 saves as the Capitals wrapped up this early homestand with back-to-back wins.

The Stars fell from the ranks of the league’s unbeaten teams despite a short-handed goal by Colin Blackwell and one at even strength from Jason Robertson. Rookie Oskar Bäck set up Blackwell for his first NHL point.

Casey DeSmith was screened on two of the three goals he allowed on 26 shots.

LIGHTNING 4, GOLDEN KNIGHTS 3

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Nikita Kucherov scored the winning goal with less than a minute to play just 1:27 after Brandon Hagel had tied it and Tampa Bay rallied to beat Vegas.

Kucherov’s second goal of the game with 55 seconds left was his sixth of the season.

Janis Moser had a goal and two assists for the Lightning, who remain unbeaten. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 22 saves.

Brayden McNabb, Pavel Dorofeyev and Ivan Barbashev had goals for Vegas. Adin Hill turned aside 21 shots.

Jack Eichel, with two assists on Thursday, now has 10 points this season in five games and reached reached double-digit points faster than any other player in Vegas history. He is the 10th U.S.-born player to accomplish the feat.

After Barbashev put Vegas up 3-2 early in the second, Hagel pulled Tampa Bay even at 3 with 2:22 remaining in the third.

BLUE JACKETS 6, SABRES 4

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Kirill Marchenko and Mathieu Olivier each had a goal and an assist and Daniil Tarasov made 21 saves to help Columbus to a win over Buffalo.

Yegor Chinakhov, Adam Fantilli, Zachary Aston-Reese and Damon Severson also scored for Columbus, and Zach Werenski added two assists.

Ryan McLeod, Owen Power and JJ Peterka scored for Buffalo, and Jiri Kulich added his first NHL goal. Devon Lev stopped 19 shots for the Sabres (1-5-1), who have lost two straight road games and five of their first six overall.

CANUCKS 3, FLORIDA 2, OT

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — J.T. Miller scored 2:09 into overtime and Vancouver got their first win of the season, beating Florida.

Teddy Blueger and Quinn Hughes had goals for Vancouver, with Kevin Lankinen stopping 26 shots.

Anton Lundell got his fourth goal in the last three games for Florida and Jesper Boqvist also scored for the Panthers, who got 30 saves from Sergei Bobrovsky.

Florida remained without forwards Aleksander Barkov (lower body) and Matthew Tkachuk (illness).

DEVILS 3, SENATORS 1

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Jacob Markstrom stopped 30 shots and lost his shutout bid in the final minutes as New Jersey beat Ottawa.

Erik Haula, Nathan Bastian and Paul Cotter scored for the Devils, who won for the third time in four games and improved to 5-2-0.

The Senators, who were coming off an 8-7 overtime victory against Los Angeles on Monday, struggled to beat Markstrom.

Brady Tkachuk was the only scorer for the Senators, beating Markstrom, with a power-play goal with 65 seconds remaining in the third period.

Anton Forsberg, making his second straight start and hoping to rebound after getting pulled Monday, made 32 saves in the loss.

Haula opened the scoring early in the second period and Bastian added a short-handed goal, giving New Jersey a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes. Cotter scored midway through the third.

RANGERS 5, RED WING 2

DETROIT (AP) — Artemi Panarin had his eighth career hat trick and New York rolled to a victory over Detroit.

Panarin became the first Rangers player to have multiple points in the first four games of a season. He scored twice on the power play. Vincent Trocheck also had a power- play goal and assisted on all of Panarin’s goals.

Jonathan Quick made 29 saves in his season debut. Victor Mancini also scored.

The Rangers have won the last five meetings, including twice this week. New York had a 4-1 home victory over Detroit on Monday night.

Moritz Seider and J.T. Compher scored for Detroit. Red Wings goalie Cam Talbot was pulled in the second period after allowing five goals.

KINGS 4, CANADIENS 1

MONTREAL (AP) — David Rittich made 26 saves a night after being benched in the second period in Toronto, helping road-weary Los Angeles snap a three-game losing streak with a victory over Montreal.

Los Angeles improved to 2-1-2 on a season-opening, seven-game trip necessitated by arena renovations.

Rittich rebounded after allowing four goals on 14 shots in a 6-2 loss to the Maple Leafs. Alex Laferriere, Mikey Anderson, Andreas Englund and Adrian Kempe scored.

Justin Barron scored for Montreal (2-3-0). Sam Montembeault stopped 28 shots. He made a save on Kevin Fiala on a penalty shot.

BLUES 1, ISLANDERS 0, OT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Joel Hofer made 34 saves and assisted on Jake Neighbours’ goal at 2:04 of overtime in St. Louis victory over New York.

Hofer had his second career shutout in his and the team’s second overtime victory of the season.

Philip Broberg carried the puck into the New York zone and made a centering pass to Neighbours for the winner.

Islanders goalie Ilya Sorkin made 29 saves.

Blues defenseman Nick Leddy sat out because of a lower-body injury, the first game he has missed this season. Leddy played in all 82 games last season.

OILERS 4, PREDATORS 2

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Brett Kulak scored twice and Connor McDavid added his first goal of the season to lead Edmonton to a victory over reeling Nashville.

Jeff Skinner also scored and Calvin Pickard made 25 saves for the defending Western Conference champion Oilers, who have won consecutive games after beginning the season with a three-game skid.

Filip Forsberg and Jonathan Marchessault scored and Juuse Saros made 32 saves for Nashville (0-4).

Forsberg’s goal midway through the first period gave Nashville its first lead of the season. That lasted less than six minutes before Kulak tied it.

Kulak sealed it with an empty-netter in the final minute for the defenseman’s first career two-goal game.

BLACKHAWKS 4, SHARKS 2

CHICAGO (AP) — Tyler Bertuzzi and Nick Foligno each scored a power-play goal, and Chicago beat San Jose.

Taylor Hall and Jason Dickinson also scored for Chicago. Connor Bedard and Teuvo Teravainen each had two assists.

Hall, who missed most of last season because of right knee surgery, put the Blackhawks in front 4:20 into the first period. It was Hall’s first goal since Nov. 5 and No. 267 for his career.

Tyler Toffoli and Fabian Zetterlund scored for San Jose, which trailed 3-0 early in the second. William Eklund and Mikael Granlund had two assists each.

The Sharks dropped to 0-2-2 under Ryan Warsofsky, who was promoted to head coach in June.

Petr Mrazek had 20 saves for Chicago, and Vitek Vanecek made 23 stops for San Jose.

KRAKEN 6, FLYERS 4

SEATTLE (AP) — Eeli Tolvanen, Jordan Eberle, and Shane Wright scored three goals in less than three minutes in the second period and Seattle held off a Philadelphia rally in a victory.

Tolvanen’s goal broke a 2-2 tie at the 14:57 mark. Eberle made it a two-goal game with a goal at 17:44. Eight seconds later, Wright scored to give Seattle a three-goal lead.

Jared McCann tied the game at 2-2 with the first of Seattle’s four second-period goals.

Cam York and Jamie Drysdale scored to pull Philadelphia within 5-4 in the third period, but Oliver Bjorkstrand responded with a goal to push Seattle’s lead to two with just over five minutes left in the game.

Scott Laughton scored twice for the Flyers in the first period, while Brandon Montour scored one in for the Kraken.

Chandler Stephenson had an assist in his 500th NHL game. Seattle’s Philipp Grubauer had 21 saves.

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Canada’s Dabrowski, New Zealand’s Routliffe out of Japan Women’s Open after walkover

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OSAKA, Japan – Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski and New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe are out of the Japan Women’s Open tennis tournament.

Spain’s Cristina Bucsa and Romania’s Monica Niculescu advanced to the final on Thursday by way of walkover.

The fourth seeds were supposed to play the top-seeded Dabrowski and Routliffe in the semifinals.

Bucsa and Niculescu will next face third-seeded Ena Shibahara of Japan and Laura Siegemund of Germany in the final.

Dabrowski and Routliffe defeated Japan’s Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi in the quarterfinals 6-2, 6-4 on Wednesday to advance.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Mountain West commissioner says she’s heartbroken over turmoil surrounding San Jose State volleyball

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LAS VEGAS (AP) — Mountain West Conference Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said Thursday the forfeitures that volleyball teams are willing to take to avoid playing San Jose State is “not what we celebrate in college athletics” and that she is heartbroken over what has transpired this season surrounding the Spartans and their opponents.

Four teams have canceled games against San Jose State: Boise State, Southern Utah, Utah State and Wyoming, with none of the schools explicitly saying why they were forfeiting.

A group of Nevada players issued a statement saying they will not take the floor when the Wolf Pack are scheduled to host the Spartans on Oct. 26. They cited their “right to safety and fair competition,” though their school reaffirmed Thursday that the match is still planned and that state law bars forfeiture “for reasons related to gender identity or expression.”

All those schools, except Southern Utah, are in the Mountain West. New Mexico, also in the MWC, went ahead with its home match on Thursday night, which was won by the Spartans, 3-1, the team’s first victory since Sept. 24.

“It breaks my heart because they’re human beings, young people, student-athletes on both sides of this issue that are getting a lot of national negative attention,” Nevarez said in an interview with The Associated Press at Mountain West basketball media days. “It just doesn’t feel right to me.”

Republican governors of Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming have made public statements in support of the cancellations, citing a need for fairness in women’s sports. Former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee in this year’s presidential race, this week referenced an unidentified volleyball match when he was asked during a Fox News town hall about transgender athletes in women’s sports.

“I saw the slam, it was a slam. I never saw a ball hit so hard, hit the girl in the head,” Trump replied before he was asked what can be done. “You just ban it. The president bans it. You just don’t let it happen.”

After Trump’s comment, San Diego State issued a statement that said “it has been incorrectly reported that an San Diego State University student-athlete was hit in the face with a volleyball during match play with San Jose State University. The ball bounced off the shoulder of the student-athlete, and the athlete was uninjured and did not miss a play.”

San Jose State has not made any direct comments about the politicians’ “fairness” references, and Nevarez did not go into details.

“I’m learning a lot about the issue,” Nevarez said. “I don’t know a lot of the language yet or the science or the understanding nationally of how this issue plays out. The external influences are so far on either side. We have an election year. It’s political, so, yeah, it feels like a no-win based on all the external pressure.”

The cancellations could mean some teams will not qualify for the conference tournament Nov. 27-30 in Las Vegas, where the top six schools are slated to compete for the league championship.

“The student-athlete (in question) meets the eligibility standard, so if a team does not play them, it’s a forfeit, meaning they take a loss,” Nevarez said.

Ahead of the Oct. 26 match in Reno. Nevada released a statement acknowledging that “a majority of the Wolf Pack women’s volleyball team” had decided to forfeit against San Jose State. The school said only the university can take that step but any player who decides not to play would face no punishment.

___

AP college sports:

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