{allcanada} April 1: Bossy becomes first rookie to score 50 goals

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THIS DATE IN HISTORY: April 1

1978: Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders becomes the first NHL rookie to score 50 goals in a season. Bossy scores No. 50 at 11:52 of the third period, then gets No. 51 with five seconds to play, giving the Islanders a 3-2 victory against the Washington Capitals at Nassau Coliseum.

Bossy goes on to score 60 or more goals five times during his career, and his nine consecutive 50-goal seasons are still an NHL record (shared with Wayne Gretzky). The Montreal native wins four Stanley Cup championships with the Islanders during his 10-season career, finishing with 573 regular-season goals and 85 more in the playoffs. He retires at age 30 because of back problems.

"A lot of times, players look up at the clock and say to themselves, 'Well, it's too late to score,'" Islanders general manager Bill Torrey says years later. "It was never, ever too late for Mike Bossy to score."

 

MORE MOMENTS

1919: The fifth and deciding game of the Stanley Cup Final between the Montreal Canadiens and Seattle Metropolitans is canceled because of an influenza epidemic. It's still the only time that the Cup is not awarded once the Final has begun.

 

1926: Clint Benedict becomes the first NHL goalie to earn three straight playoff shutouts when the Montreal Maroons defeat the visiting Victoria Cougars of the Western Hockey League 3-0 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Maroons lose Game 3, but Benedict helps Montreal to a 2-0 victory in Game 4 for a 3-1 victory in the best-of-5 series. It is the last Final involving a non-NHL team; after the 1925-26 season, the NHL is the only major pro league still in existence and takes sole control of competition for the Cup.

 

1954: Gordie Howe sets a Stanley Cup Playoff record for the fastest goal from the start of a game by scoring nine seconds after the opening face-off in the Detroit Red Wings' 4-3 overtime win against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 5 of the Semifinals. Howe has two goals and an assist before Ted Lindsay scores the winner 1:01 into the second overtime.

 

1976: Reggie Leach of the Philadelphia Flyers becomes the second player in NHL history to score 60 goals in a season by scoring twice in an 11-2 victory against the Washington Capitals at the Spectrum. Leach scores No. 59 at 3:58 of the first period, then gets his 60th at 10:06 of the second period. Center Bobby Clarke has five assists, and Philadelphia sets a team record with 62 shots on goal. It's the 19th straight home win for the Flyers, extending their team record.

 

1980: Mike Liut becomes the first goalie in St. Louis Blues history to win 30 games in one season, Mike Zuke has three assists and the Blues become the second post-1967 expansion team to win 250 home games. The milestone victory is a 5-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Checkerdome.

 

1989: The New York Rangers fire coach Michel Bergeron with two games remaining in the regular season. General manager Phil Esposito takes over, but the Rangers lose those two games before being swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Patrick Division Semifinals. Esposito is fired not long afterward.

 

1993: Pavel Bure becomes the first player in the history of the Vancouver Canucks to score 100 points in a season. Bure reaches the milestone by scoring one goal and setting up another in a 5-3 road win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bure also sets a Canucks record with his seventh shorthanded goal of the season.

On the same night, Winnipeg Jets rookie Teemu Selanne extends his goal streak to nine games by scoring twice in a 9-5 win against the San Jose Sharks at the Cow Palace. The goals are his 72nd and 73rd of the season. He also has two assists

 

2004: The Boston Bruins become the first team in NHL history to play 30 overtime games in one regular season. OT game No. 30 is a 3-3 tie against the Capitals at TD Garden.

 

2008: The Buffalo Sabres become the second post-1967 expansion team to win 1,400 games when they defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 in a shootout at Air Canada Centre. Sabres goalie Ryan Miller makes his 75th appearance of the season and Maxim Afinogenov scores the winner in the sixth round of the tiebreaker.

 

2015: Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins scores his 300th NHL goal in 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. He's the 18th active player to reach the mark and the 186th in League history. The goal comes against goalie Steve Mason at 3:29 in the first period.

 

2018: Alex Ovechkin becomes the first player in Washington Capitals history to skate in 1,000 NHL games, and the 54th in the NHL to do so with one franchise from the start of his career. Ovechkin and the Capitals defeat the Penguins 3-1 at PPG Paints Arena to clinch the Metropolitan Division for the third consecutive season.

 

2019: The Tampa Bay Lightning become the third team in NHL history to win 60 games in a season when they defeat the Ottawa Senators 5-2 at Canadian Tire Centre. The Lightning join the 1995-96 Red Wings (62) and the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens (60).

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{allcanada} Barabanov being pursued by Maple Leafs as KHL free agent

 

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Alexander Barabanov is being targeted by the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent, general manager Kyle Dubas said Tuesday.

"Alex is a player we've scouted and watched. … We'll continue to pursue him as best we can," Dubas said of the Kontinental Hockey League forward.

Barabanov scored 137 points (62 goals, 75 assists) in 262 KHL games for SKA St. Petersburg. The 25-year-old scored 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) in 43 games this season and is a free agent.

TSN reported that Barabanov's agent, Dan Milstein, was to begin interviewing interested NHL teams Tuesday. The report said the Maple Leafs and Arizona Coyotes have been interested in the forward for almost two years and are the front-runners.

Dubas said Barabanov (5-foot-10, 191 pounds) makes up for his lack of size in other ways.

"He's a winger, he's strong, he's not tall but a very strong player," Dubas said. "[He has] great playmaking ability [and is] very good in tight.

"One of the other things we like about him is his ability to make plays under pressure. His ability to win pucks, protect pucks when people come after him and use his strength to be able to do that. A playmaking winger who can also produce at the net."

Another player who could help the Maple Leafs as early as next season is forward Nicholas Robertson, who was selected by Toronto in the second round (No. 53) of the 2019 NHL Draft. Like Barabanov, Robertson is not big (5-foot-9, 164 pounds) but is a skilled scorer.

Playing with Peterborough, Robertson was leading the Ontario Hockey League with 55 goals in 46 games when the league stopped play March 18 because of the coronavirus pandemic. He scored five points (two goals, three assists) to help Canada win the IIHF World Junior Championship.

"He's one of the more focused and hard-working [players] I've seen in my time in hockey," Dubas said. "… Come training camp we'll give him every opportunity to make the team and put the ball in his court."

As for when training camp will be, or when the 2019-20 NHL season might resume after it was paused March 12, Dubas said, "There are much more important things happening in the world right now. We try to map out as many of the situations as possible without trying to get too far ahead."

Dubas said he and his staff are concentrating on maintaining correspondence with the NHL and his superiors with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Dubas said he supports NHL Commissioner's Gary Bettman's stance that the integrity of the Stanley Cup Playoffs cannot be compromised just to declare a winner if and when the season resumes, whether an abbreviated format is adopted or not.

"I have no idea what it would look like or how it would unfold," he said. "I think these are unprecedented times and the League is looking at everything. … For me to guess would be a little bit reckless. It's not at the front of my mind and probably not the League's either."

Dubas said no discussions have been held with the NHL regarding contingency plans to finish the season. Safety has been the NHL's priority, he said.

"I know dealing with the NHL has been a great enlightenment for me and many others to see how they operate daily," Dubas said. "The way Commissioner Bettman and (Deputy Commissioner) Bill Daly and the rest of the staff there have handled this has been really enlightening for me, and for us to know that their primary concern has been the health and safety of everyone."

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{allcanada} Oilers eager for potential chance at playoffs, Tippett says

 

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Dave Tippett said he believes hunger will be a strength for the Edmonton Oilers whenever the NHL resumes play after the pause due to concerns over the coronavirus.

In Tippett's first season as Oilers coach, Edmonton is 37-25-9 and in second place in the Pacific Division, three points behind the Vegas Golden Knights. It is in good position to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017 and the second since 2006.

"Our group is a very motivated group," Tippett said Tuesday during a video call arranged by the Oilers. "They wanted that learning experience of playing down the stretch. We feel like we've earned the right to be a playoff team, and now they want to see what we can do in the playoffs, and they were excited for that.

"The teams that think they can jump into the playoffs and have a chance to go on a run are going to be the most motivated, and I put our group in that category. There will be teams that know they don't have a chance at a playoff spot, and they'll play hard because they're playing for jobs next year.

"But the teams that are really motivated to go on a run in the playoffs, those are the ones that will get the jump. I would like to put our team in that mix."

Tippett, who was hired as Oilers coach May 28, 2019, said he knows that opportunity is going to take some time. He said he has been in contact with players and they are eager to be busy but that everyone knows social distancing and other safety measures remain a priority.

"There's a little bit of frustration on the players' part because they just want to play," Tippett said. "That's what they want to do. But they all understand the gravity of what's happening in the world right now and understand that patience is of the essence. They just hope at some point we get back and get to continue what we started here this year."

Compared to some of their Western Conference rivals, the Oilers lack experience in the playoffs and other pressure situations. But Tippett said he's looking forward to the potential opportunity of watching his players finding their way together.

"You get to those games that the intensity level is there, the pressure to win is there, and those are all things you put in that memory bank," Tippett said. "That's in the regular season, to get that playoff spot. ... Those are things that teams need to learn, not just our team. There have been teams over the history of the League that they go through those experiences and then they break through. We'd like to have some those experiences. Hopefully we get our kick at the cat to break through."

Tippett said he's already been thinking of preparation and methods he might use once practice might be permitted and when and if the season may resume. The Oilers would have the benefit of having the top two scorers in the NHL: Forward Leon Draisaitl led the League at the pause with 110 points (43 goals, 67 assists) in 71 games, and center Connor McDavid was second with 97 points (34 goals, 63 assists) in 64 games.

"There will be adequate time to get fitness levels up and get back skating for players, but it'll be a little bit like the start of a season, where you've got to get up and going pretty quick," Tippett said. "You're not going to have a 28-day training camp.

"I've looked back at some of my notes from the lockout year (2012-13) when I was [with the Arizona Coyotes] and we started in (January), a short training camp, what it looked like, what we did, and had some looks at that to see if you can get up and going quick.

"I look at our team and driven by our core players, I think we could get up and running pretty quick. I'm always optimistic that we could get up and going and get playing well as quick as possible."

Better health could help Edmonton. At the pause, forward Joakim Nygard had missed 21 games because of a broken hand, and defenseman Mike Green, acquired in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings on Feb. 24 for forward Kyle Brodziak and a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2020 or 2021 NHL Draft, had missed seven games with a knee injury.

Nygard has nine points (three goals, six assists) in 33 games in his first NHL season; Green has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 50 games, none in two games with the Oilers.

"Both of them will certainly be ready to go when we get started again," Tippett said.

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{allcanada} Toronto cancels city-led and permitted events to June 30

 

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TORONTO (AP) -- Canada's largest city, Toronto, announced Tuesday it is canceling all city-led and permitted events through June 30 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor John Tory said that includes Pride Toronto in late June.

Don Peat, a spokesman for the mayor, said it applies to events that get city permits like parades and festivals and does not include sports events like the Blue Jays, Raptors and Maple Leafs..

But Ontario already has a province wide ban of gatherings of more than five people. The province has not said how long that will be in force though. Toronto city spokesman Brad Ross said games in arenas or stadiums fall under the mass gathering order issued by the province.

"We have cancelled events that are City-led or need permits to the end of June. These are, primarily, events that have been planned or are being planned to give organizers certainty," Ross said.

Tory said the health and safety of residents has to be the priority and said physical distancing is critical. The decision to cancel was made in consultation with Toronto's Medical Officer of Health.

Toronto has at least 628 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, including eight deaths.

"Many of these events of course involve thousands of people, sometimes hundreds of thousands of people, and it is doubtful that the health environment will be where it needs to be on the original scheduled spring dates if these events are to happen in a healthy safe and stress free way," Tory said.

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{allcanada} Stampeders sign ex-Raiders LB James

 

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The Calgary Stampeders signed former Oakland Raiders linebacker Cory James on Tuesday.

James, a sixth-round pick of the Raiders in the 2016 NFL draft, played 26 games and made 14 starts with the team during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. He posted 104 total tackles and forcing two fumbles over those two seasons. He was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 13, 2017, and waived with a failed-physical designation on May 4, 2018.

In college, James played 51 games over four seasons at Colorado State and finished his collegiate career fourth on the Rams' all-time list with 24 sacks. He also had 230 total tackles including 41.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three passes defended.

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{allcanada} One minute with Auston Matthews

 

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The guilty pleasure TV show he says get better every time you watch it? Get to know Auston Matthews, forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs, a little better off the ice!

 

https://youtu.be/NOXOi3-VG6Q

With the NHL season on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we wonder how many more times Auston Matthews has gotten through his favourite guilty pleasure TV show.

That, his little-known nickname and more as you get  to know Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs a little better off the ice.

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{allcanada} NHL has extended its self-quarantine recommendation

 

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The National Hockey League has extended its self-quarantine recommendation for players and staff until April 15.

Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the extension in an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday. The league had previously sent out a memo recommending self-quarantining until April 4.

So far, four NHL players -- two each from the Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche -- have tested positive for COVID-19.

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{allcanada} March 31: Gordie Howe born in Floral, Saskatchewan

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THIS DATE IN HISTORY: March 31

1928: Gordie Howe is born in Floral, Saskatchewan.

Howe scores the first of his 801 NHL goals as an 18-year-old with the Detroit Red Wings and goes on to play in 1,767 NHL games during 25 seasons with the Red Wings and one with the Hartford Whalers.

He wins the Hart Trophy and Art Ross Trophy six times apiece, plays on four Stanley Cup-winning teams, and sets numerous NHL records.

Howe is inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972, but returns to the ice in 1973 to play with his sons Mark and Marty in the World Hockey Association. All three Howes come to the NHL in 1979 when the Whalers are one of four teams admitted from the WHA; he finishes with 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists) and plays all 80 games before retiring for good.

If anything, Howe becomes an even more beloved figure in the years after his retirement, earning the nickname "Mr. Hockey" from generations of fans who never saw him play, before he dies at age 88 on June 10, 2016.

NHL100: Gordie Howe

• 04:15 • January 1, 2017

 

MORE MOMENTS

1923: King Clancy of the Ottawa Senators plays all six positions, including goalie for two minutes after Clint Benedict is assessed a penalty, in a 1-0 victory against Edmonton in Game 2 of the Final in Vancouver to win the Stanley Cup. Clancy, then 18, goes on to referee in the NHL and later enjoys a long career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, serving as coach and then as an executive in various capacities.

 

1927: Howie Morenz scores at 12:05 of overtime to give the Montreal Canadiens a 1-0 win against the Montreal Maroons in the first all-NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs game to be decided in OT. Rookie George Hainsworth gets his first playoff shutout.

 

1942: The Maple Leafs become the first team in NHL history to win 50 playoff games when they defeat the New York Rangers 3-2 in Game 6 of the Semifinals at Maple Leaf Gardens. Nick Metz scores the winning goal with five seconds remaining in the third period.

 

1951: The Boston Bruins and Maple Leafs play the last playoff game to end in a tie. They're even at 1-1 after one overtime in Game 2 of the Semifinals at Maple Leaf Gardens when Ontario's Sunday curfew law would have made it illegal to begin another period after midnight.

 

1973: Bobby Orr has his third NHL hat trick, giving him 100 points for the fourth straight season. The milestone comes in Boston's 7-3 loss to Toronto at Maple Leaf Gardens.

On the same night, the Philadelphia Flyers tie the NHL record for most goals in a period when they score eight times in the second period against the New York Islanders at the Spectrum. The Flyers win 10-2.

 

1984: Mike Bossy of the Islanders becomes the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in seven consecutive seasons. Bossy gets his 50th and 51st goal in New York's 3-1 win against the Washington Capitals at Capital Centre. He breaks the mark of six straight 50-goal seasons he's shared with Guy Lafleur.

 

1989: Sergei Priakin becomes the first player permitted by the Soviet Hockey Federation to play in the NH when he makes his debut for the Calgary Flames in a 4-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets at Olympic Saddledome. Priakin, a forward, wears No. 16; he has no points and is plus-1. Joe Mullen becomes the fourth player in Calgary/Atlanta Flames history to have 50 goals in a season when he scores early in the third period.

 

1990: Joe Sakic of the Quebec Nordiques becomes the first player in NHL history to get 100 points in a season while playing on a last-place team when he scores a goal in a 3-2 loss to the visiting Hartford Whalers. Sakic finishes the season with 102 points; the Nordiques go 12-61-7 and end up with 31 points, by far the fewest in the NHL.

 

1994: Jeremy Roenick scores two goals to become the first player in Chicago Blackhawks history to get 100 points in three consecutive seasons. The milestone comes in a 6-3 loss to the Capitals at Chicago Stadium.

 

2004: Mark Messier says goodbye to the NHL by scoring a goal in his final game, the Rangers' 4-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden. Ten years after Messier delivers the Stanley Cup to the Rangers in 1994 to end their 54-year drought, he scores his final NHL goal with 57 seconds left in the first period. It is the 1,887th point of his NHL career, now third in League history (his 694 goals are eighth). Though Messier doesn't officially announce his retirement until Sept. 12, he certainly acts as if he knows he's calling it a career. He skates around the Garden ice after the game, waving to the sellout crowd and shedding more than a few tears. Messier doesn't play in New York's season finale on April 4 at Washington.

 

2015: Alex Ovechkin becomes a six-time 50-goal scorer when he beats Cam Ward at 11:02 of the first period in the Capitals' 4-2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. He is the sixth player in NHL history to reach the 50-goal mark at least six times, joining Bossy and Wayne Gretzky (nine times each), as well as Lafleur, Mario Lemieux and Marcel Dionne (six times each).

 

2018: The Vegas Golden Knights become the first modern era expansion team in any of the four major North American team sports to start from scratch and finish first in its division when they defeat the San Jose Sharks 3-2 at T-Mobile Arena to clinch the Pacific Division title. A spectacular between-the-legs goal by William Karlsson breaks a 2-2 tie in the third period and gives the Golden Knights their 50th win, extending their record for first-year NHL teams.

 

2019: The Calgary Flames clinch their first conference title since 1990 by defeating the San Jose Sharks 5-3 at SAP Center. Calgary becomes the 10th team since 1974-75 to finish first in its conference after failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the previous season. The Flames also win their first division title since 2005-06.

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{allcanada} Lack retires from NHL after five seasons

 

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Eddie Lack announced his retirement from the NHL on Monday.

The 32-year-old goalie last competed in the NHL in 2017-18, when he played eight games (five starts) for the Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils. He last played competitively with Binghamton of the American Hockey League on Nov. 23, 2018, before having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip that December.

"I feel like I'm kind of stuck at 85-90 percent," Lack said. "I feel good enough to live good enough to live a good life, but not good enough to play hockey. I tried to practice on the ice a few weeks ago (with Arizona State) and it was ugly and I'm like, 'There's no way I can do this.' I was so sore from being on the ice for 10-15 minutes. So, it's done."

Lack announced Aug. 14, 2019, that he would be taking over as a volunteer goalie coach for Arizona State University because "my body won't allow me to play professional hockey." At the time, he said his left hip had been bothering him on and off for about six seasons.

Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Vancouver Canucks on April 6, 2010, Lack went 56-55-18 with a 2.62 goals-against average, .909 save percentage and nine shutouts in 144 regular-season games (126 starts) over five seasons with the Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, Flames and Devils. He was 1-3 with a 3.03 GAA and .886 save percentage in four Stanley Cup Playoff games.

"This has grown on me and I've been thinking about it for so long," Lack said. "I know I did whatever I can to get back. I wish that I can play, but I can't. But it brings peace to my mind that I know I did whatever I can to get back. It just wasn't meant to be."

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{allcanada} Weber of Canadiens sends important message for coronavirus fight

 

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MONTREAL -- Shea Weber took one of the most important one-timers of his NHL career this month, and it wasn't on the ice.

In a single take on his iPhone early on March 21, the Montreal Canadiens defenseman recorded a 60-second public service announcement encouraging every listener to do what they can in the fight against the coronavirus. The message is being sent to phone numbers throughout the province of Quebec.

Almost two weeks ago, Quebec premier Francois Legault turned to popular personalities across different fields of entertainment, in both English and French, to help spread the word to the public about safety measures that can and must be taken to help combat the virus.

The messages would be dispatched as so-called robocalls, familiar voices reminding of the importance of social distancing, washing hands and being on the lookout for and acting promptly on the symptoms of illness.

Legault's office reached out to CTV Montreal news anchor Mutsumi Takahashi to record a message and called the Canadiens for a voice from the hockey club. Paul Wilson, the Canadiens vice president of public affairs and communications, immediately suggested it be Weber.

A script was produced and emailed to the Canadiens captain, who needed 30 minutes to record the announcement and email it back to Wilson. By noon that day, the message was approved by the provincial government and was put into the system for phone calls that began that same afternoon. Radio stations soon picked it up for airing as well.

"I think it's really important," Weber said Monday on a video call arranged by the NHL. "We just all have to understand that we're all in this together. The only way you can do it is do it together. As soon as someone is kind of messing around and not taking it seriously, that's when things can turn bad for everyone.

"I was willing to help out for sure, and hopefully it can influence or help some of those people who maybe wanted to go out or do something that they shouldn't. Tough times, but we've got to stick together and come through this together."

Wilson said he joked to Weber upon receipt of the recording that the captain's word-perfect delivery and the way he met a deadline "would make him a great journalist or a great politician, and Shea said, 'No way!'"

On the media call Monday, Weber addressed fans who, like the players, are eager for a return to hockey at the earliest date. He had a thought for Nashville, where he played his first 11 NHL seasons with the Predators before being traded to the Canadiens on June 29, 2016, and offered a few words in French for Canadiens fans too.

"I just want to say merci and thank you, guys, for all your support and sticking with us through these tough times," Weber said. "It's not easy for anyone, it's not easy for us. … Obviously the people of Nashville, tough times for you, not only with the (March 3) tornadoes right before this. Hopefully you guys stay strong with this virus coming next. I know you guys will, it's a good city, you guys are strong together.

"The people here in Montreal, just we're looking forward to getting back in front of you at the Bell Centre whenever that time is. Merci beaucoup and restez prudent (thank you very much and remain careful)."

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{allcanada} Draisaitl tells fans to be patient, optimistic with Oilers season paused

 

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Leon Draisaitl preached patience Monday to fans anxious for a return to play with the NHL season paused because of concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

"Just stay positive," the center said during a video call arranged by the Edmonton Oilers. "Stick with it, just like we are. We all want to play, get back to playing as soon as possible, but right now there's more important things in the world going on, and we have to accept that. Hopefully we can all get back to playing soon and bring this into the [Stanley Cup] Playoffs."

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said Friday that the League has a bigger window than originally thought to finish the regular season and playoffs, and that the NHL has asked teams for building availability into August.

"Obviously we don't know yet what's going to happen," Draisaitl said. "I think there's some talking left to do in all the professional leagues. But I think that goes for everyone playing the game. If we don't get to play the playoffs, obviously it's frustrating.

"But like we have all said, I think the health of people at this time is more important. I think they made the right decision so far (to pause) and hopefully, I'm speaking for everyone, we can return to playing again, but that's not necessarily up to us."

Draisaitl, leading the NHL with 110 points (43 goals, 67 assists) in 71 games, was the only player to have reached 100 points when the League paused the season March 12. The Oilers (37-25-9) were second in the Pacific Division, three points behind the Vegas Golden Knights, putting Edmonton in good position to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2017 and the second time since 2006.

That is among the things that is keeping Draisaitl motivated as he practices social distancing from his in-season home in Edmonton. He said he will have no trouble staying mentally ready for a return to competition.

"I don't think it's too hard to stay good mentally," he said. "It's not ideal right now, not an ideal situation for any of the players. I think once a decision is made, there's some clarity. And if it is, hopefully, going back to playing, then it'll be very exciting. Everyone will be fired up to play again."

Draisaitl said he is doing his best to work out at home, becoming creative when needed.

"We're obviously a little bit limited, but I have a gym in my house here in Edmonton," Draisaitl said. "So I try to do something different every day, try to stay fit, stay in shape. So [I] go for runs, do stairs, all kinds of different stuff."

His days also include plenty of time with his dog Bowie, a cavapoo who occasionally helps with the training.

"I try to dangle around my dog once in a while with my stick," Draisaitl said. "I have a stick in my basement. Other than that, there's not much opportunity for me to work on my skills or anything like that."

Draisaitl said there has been plenty of time for one of his new hobbies, puzzles, and to watch movies, TV shows like his favorite, "Friends," and some classic Oilers games.

"I've watched a few of them, sitting on the couch," Draisaitl said. "I've watched Game 5 against San Jose a couple of years ago (a 4-3 overtime win in the 2017 Western Conference First Round). It's a little bit of a tease, I have to say. You start to miss it even more. Sometimes it's better watching 'Friends' than hockey."

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{allcanada} CFL postpones training camps indefinitely

 

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The Canadian Football League has announced it is delaying the start of training camps indefinitely as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Main training camps had been scheduled to begin May 17, with rookie camps allowed to open as early as May 11.

The CFL board of governors made the decision last week, citing uncertainty over whether players should be making plans to travel to camps. It's also believed that government guidelines restricting gatherings may not be lifted in time for the start of camps.

"The postponement stinks for sure, but we have to look out for what's best for people's health." Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Trevor Harris told TSN's Matthew Scianitti on Monday. Harris added, though, that he's made sure his prep [at home] hasn't been affected, stating "I'll be ready to report, in a days notice."

#Eskimos QB Trevor Harris on #CFL postponing training camps: "The postponement stinks for sure, but we have to look out for what's best for people's health." Harris says he's made sure his prep [at home] hasn't been affected and "I'll be ready to report, in a days notice." @CFL

— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) March 30, 2020

The league has made no decisions about changing the start of the preseason or regular season, although with the first preseason game scheduled for May 24 and the regular season slated to open June 11, it will be difficult to avoid delaying both.

"As for our future plans, we are in the hands of our public health officials, the advice they are providing governments, and the directives those governments are issuing to us all, and we acknowledge their timetable will be dictated by the virus itself," CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said Monday. "We will make further decisions when we can and share them with our fans and the public as soon as possible.

"The CFL and its member clubs would like to take this opportunity to thank our fans, partners, players, prospects, coaches and staff, for their dedication and patience as we face this challenge. We are facing it together, even if we have to be physically apart. An additional thank you to everyone doing their part to fight the virus. Please wash your hands, stay home and practice social distancing. The sooner we stop the spread, the sooner we can get back to normal – and back to football.

"Finally, but most importantly, we want to express our gratitude to the people on the front lines of healthcare and the supply chain. Your hard and courageous work – to inform us, feed us and care for us, our communities and our loved ones – makes you our champions.

"We at the CFL are pragmatic optimists. Our pragmatism dictates that, unfortunately, training camps cannot go forward as scheduled. But our optimism remains strong. We continue to look forward to a CFL season and the Grey Cup."

No decision made to delay start of @CFL preseason or regular season. But very hard to see how that doesn't happen. #CFL

— David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) March 30, 2020

The league is planning to go ahead with its Canadian college draft on April 30. However, there remains sufficient time to reconsider that decision if necessary.

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{allcanada} Tkachuk says Senators' teammates with coronavirus are feeling well

 

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Brady Tkachuk said the two players on the Ottawa Senators who tested positive for the coronavirus are feeling well.

The Senators forward provided the update during one of two video calls arranged by the NHL on Monday, the 18th day since the League announced March 12 it would pause the season because of concerns over COVID-19.

"I think those guys are doing well," Tkachuk said. "We're a tight group so we're always in contact with one another, but I think all of us are just concerned about them and everybody impacted by it."

One player tested positive for the coronavirus March 17 and a second tested positive March 21. The name of each player has not been revealed by Ottawa.

The Senators played at the San Jose Sharks on March 7, at the Anaheim Ducks on March 10, and at the Los Angeles Kings on March 11 before NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced the season pause.

Ottawa's medical team continues to monitor the players and staff while following all appropriate and professional guidelines to help ensure the health and safety of its employees and the community, according to the Senators.

"I think for myself and everyone on the team, we miss being in Ottawa and being part of the community," Tkachuk said. "I think all the families ... we kind of miss the game. For now, it's just staying safe and follow the guidelines of social distancing and being six feet away and washing your hands.

"For all the first responders, doctors and nurses who are battling this virus and, like everybody said, they've sacrificed so much. We think of them and everyone affected ... we just pray for them all."

Tkachuk returned home to St. Louis to be with his parents, his brother -- Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk -- and sister Taryn, during the pause.

"It's been pretty crazy with this going on in the world," Tkachuk said. "So, being able to hang out and spend time with family ... you don't get to hang out that much during the year and kind of be together for this time is good. But I think we're all just concerned with everybody impacted."

Tkachuk, who leads the Senators with 44 points (21 goals, 23 assists) and 303 hits in 71 games this season, said he's trying to keep busy by staying as active as possible.

"Matthew is here so I've been keeping busy with him and my younger sister," he said. "We have the Peloton (bike) downstairs that we're kind of going on. We're keeping active with basketball and stuff like that, so it's been good. It's stuff I'm not that used to [this time of year] but we're trying to make the most of it in this situation and trying to stay active the best we can."

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{allcanada} March 30: Toronto becomes first NHL team to win Stanley Cup

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THIS DATE IN HISTORY: March 30

1918: The Toronto Arenas defeat the Vancouver Millionaires 2-1 in the final game of their best-of-5 series to become the first NHL team to win the Stanley Cup.

The Arenas, who later would be renamed the Toronto St. Patricks and then the Maple Leafs, win the inaugural NHL championship and earn the right to play the Millionaires of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association in a Stanley Cup challenge.

The different rules used by the leagues present a problem: The NHL uses six players on the ice while the PCHA employs a rover as a seventh player. An agreement is reached: PCHA rules will be used in even-numbered games, NHL rules employed in the odd-numbered games.

The Millionaires win Games 2 and 4 playing seven a side. Toronto sweeps Games 1, 3 and 5 with one fewer player on the ice.

Alf Skinner scores eight goals in five games for Toronto. Cyclone Taylor scores nine goals for Vancouver.

 

MORE MOMENTS:

1916: The Montreal Canadiens, a member of the pre-NHL National Hockey Association, win the first of their 24 Stanley Cup championships, defeating the Portland Rosebuds of the PCHA 2-1 in the fifth and deciding game of the Final. Each Montreal player receives $238 for the victory.

 

1944: The Canadiens set a playoff record for goals in one period when they score seven in the third period of Game 5 in their Stanley Cup Semifinal series. Five of the seven come in a span of 3:36. Maurice Richard and Ray Getliffe lead the way with five points apiece as Montreal wins 11-0 to clinch the series.

On the same night, Chicago Blackhawks center Doug Bentley has a hat trick for the second consecutive game, keying a 5-2 series-clinching victory against the Detroit Red Wings at Olympia Stadium in Game 5 of the other Semifinal series.

 

1957: Richard has a goal and an assist to become the first NHL player with 100 career points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Richard's milestone comes in an 8-3 victory against the New York Rangers at the Forum in Game 3 of the Semifinals.

 

1969: Pat Stapleton of the Chicago Blackhawks ties an NHL single-game record for defensemen with six assists in a 9-5 win against the Detroit Red Wings. Stapleton also becomes the first defenseman in League history to be credited with 50 assists in one season. Detroit's Gordie Howe has two goals and two assists; he finishes the season with 60 assists and 103 points, setting NHL records for right wings in each category. It's Howe's only 100-point season in the NHL.

 

1974: Bernie Parent sets an NHL single-season record for most wins in a season. He gets his 45th victory when the Philadelphia Flyers defeat the Bruins 5-3 at the Spectrum. Parent surpasses the mark of 44 set by Terry Sawchuk with the Red Wings in 1950-51 and matched in 1951-52.

 

1975: The Flyers become the first NHL team to win 13 games in one month with a 4-1 victory against the Blackhawks at the Spectrum. Rick MacLeish has a goal and two assists for the Flyers.

On the same night, Steve Vickers scores four goals and Rod Gilbert has five assists for the New York Rangers in an 8-2 victory against the Kansas City Scouts at Madison Square Garden. All of the points except one assist (by Gilles Marotte) are credited to forwards. New York outshoots Kansas City 59-18.

 

1976: Jean Ratelle reaches the 100-point mark when he scores a goal and has two assists for the Boston Bruins in a 4-4 tie against the Buffalo Sabres at Boston Garden. Ratelle, a center acquired from the Rangers on Nov. 7, 1975, becomes the first NHL player to have 100 points while playing for two teams in the same season.

 

1979: The NHL announces that it will expand from 17 to 21 teams with the addition of four clubs from the World Hockey Association. The Edmonton Oilers, Hartford Whalers, Winnipeg Jets and Quebec Nordiques will begin play in October 1979. The Oilers become the most successful of the four teams, winning the Stanley Cup five times from 1984-90. They are also the only one of the four teams that has not relocated.

 

 

1989: Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins sets a single-season NHL record with his 13th shorthanded goal, breaking the mark set by Wayne Gretzky in 1983-84. It's one of four goals scored by Lemieux in a 9-5 loss to the visiting Hartford Whalers.

 

1991: Guy Lafleur scores his final NHL goal, the 560th of his career, in the Quebec Nordiques' 4-3 loss to the Canadiens at the Forum. Of Lafleur's 560 goals, 518 come as a member of the Canadiens before he retires in 1984, only to return to the NHL four years later.

On the same night, Detroit's Steve Yzerman reaches the 50-goal mark for the fourth consecutive season. He scores goal No. 50 at 6:01 of the second period in the Red Wings' 6-5 win against the Rangers at Joe Louis Arena.

 

1993: Teemu Selanne becomes the first NHL player to score 20 goals in one month. The Winnipeg Jets rookie scores a goal and has two assists in a 5-4 road victory against the Calgary Flames.

 

1995: Ray Bourque becomes the second defenseman in NHL history with 900 assists when he sets up two first-period goals for the Boston Bruins in a 3-2 win against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum. He retires in 2001 with 1,169, still the NHL record for defensemen.

 

2004: Pat Burns became the ninth NHL coach to win 500 games and Martin Brodeur becomes the eighth goaltender in NHL history to have 75 shutouts when the New Jersey Devils defeat the Rangers 5-0 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

 

2013: The Penguins become the first team in NHL history to win every game during a full calendar month. They finish March with a 15-0-0 record after defeating the New York Islanders 2-0 at Consol Energy Center. Tomas Vokoun makes 35 saves for the shutout.

 

2018: The Maple Leafs reach the 100-point mark for the fourth time in their history when they defeat the Islanders 5-4 at Barclays Center. The victory gives Toronto (47-24-7) 101 points; the only time the Maple Leafs end a season with more points is 2003-04, when they have 103. Frederik Andersen earns his 37th win, tying the Maple Leafs' single-season record held by Ed Belfour (2002-03) and Andrew Raycroft (2006-07).

 

2019: Alex Ovechkin becomes a 50-goal scorer for the eighth time in his NHL career. Ovechkin scores twice for the Washington Capitals in their 6-3 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena, giving him 51 goals and making him the first player to reach 50 for the season. The 33-year-old also becomes the fifth player in NHL history to have multiple 50-goal seasons after his 30th birthday, joining Phil Esposito (four), Bobby Hull (two), Marcel Dionne (two) and Mario Lemieux (two). The two goals give Ovechkin 658 in his career, passing Brendan Shanahan for 13th place on the League's all-time list.

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