National Hockey League

National Hockey League

Nick Leddy is back in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks, but it remains unclear as to when or where the veteran defenseman will play his next game. Now back practicing with the Sharks since he was recalled from the Barracuda on Wednesday, Leddy's playing career is somewhat in limbo, with a return to the AHL, a move to another team, or remaining on San Jose's NHL roster all possibilities in the coming days and weeks.

Rangers forward Matt Rempe is going on injured reserve because of a lingering left thumb injury and will undergo a procedure, according to an NHL source. Rempe has admitted being limited by the thumb, which was broken in a fight with San Jose's Ryan Reaves on Oct. 23. Though he returned to action in mid-December, his effectiveness as a forechecker and a fighter was hampered,

But I just think we cemented ourselves as one of the best U.S. teams in history.

Six automatic bids to the NCAA tournament will be awarded to the winners of the six conference tournaments, with championship games scheduled for March 20 and 21. Ten more teams will earn at-large spots determined by the NPI formula, which replaces the PairWise rankings this season. Every game can impact the NPI rankings, which factor in strength of schedule, home/road splits and overtime results.

When Auston Matthews and William Nylander faced off in a dramatic United States vs. Sweden showdown, Leafs Nation was guaranteed mixed emotions. And after overtime settled the score, there was no shortage of them. The game itself lived up to the billing. Representing United States men's national team, Matthews played a key role in a tightly contested battle that needed extra time to produce a winner.

SAN JOSE Winger Tyler Toffoli missed Wednesday's practice with a lower-body injury, leaving his availability for the San Jose Sharks' next regular-season game somewhat in question. Toffoli was injured in the Sharks' game against the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 4, with coach Ryan Warsofsky saying Toffoli absorbed a hit, possibly in the second period. Toffoli finished the game and was listed as having three shots on net and two giveaways in 14:59 of ice time as the Sharks lost 4-2 at Ball Arena.

The Washington Capitals have officially returned to the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, practicing for three straight days this week. At Wednesday's skate, the first full mandatory practice, head coach Spencer Carbery put his players through line rushes, giving a glimpse at how the Capitals could line up in their return game next week. The Capitals host the Philadelphia Flyers at Capital One Arena on February 25, their first of three games in four nights.

I'm not sure I thought I'd ever see the day when an American hockey player who has only worked in Vancouver and St. Paul would be getting covered by E! News, or serve as the lure in catfishing attempts. Quinn Hughes, mainstream celebrity? What a world. Being the subject of memes that allege he's haunted by the ghost of a Victorian child, and acknowledging said meme, helps. Being the best defenseman in the world doesn't hurt.

Megan Keller backhanded in a shot 4:07 into overtime and the United States won its third Olympic gold medal in women's hockey, beating Canada 2-1 at the Milan Cortina Games on Thursday night to close another thrilling chapter of one of sports' most heated rivalries. American captain Hilary Knight, in her fifth and final Olympics, forced overtime by tipping in Laila Edwards' shot from the blue line with 2:04 remaining.

Until late in the contest, it appeared that a second-period goal from O'Neill might be enough to lift the Canadians to gold. O'Neill, playing in her first Olympics, scored her third goal of the tournament less than a minute into the second period, while the U.S. was on a power play. But U.S. star Hilary Knight scored late in the third period to send the game to overtime, and Megan Keller scored the gold-medal-winning goal less than five minutes into the extra period.

Despite being the first overall pick at this past NHL draft, Schaefer was not a lock to make the Opening Night roster. The Islanders wanted to see how he looked during camp before making that decision. But Schaefer has proven the front office was smart to put him on the roster. In 58 games this season, he has racked up 16 goals and 23 assists for 58 points.