The New York Rangers famously sent their fans a letter two seasons ago, transparently laying out that the club was going to be going through some tough times in the short term, but that they'd return to being a top contender soon enough. Well, it appears the rebuild has gone quicker than many had hoped. With their 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, New York is just two points out of a wild-card spot, with two games in hand. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are no certainty, but it appears the month of March will be much more exciting for Rangers fans than many had assumed at the start of the season.

Here's where things stand heading into Friday's five-game slate, including Minnesota Wild-Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins-Anaheim Ducks streaming live on ESPN+.

Note: Playoff chances are courtesy of Money Puck, while tragic numbers are per the NHL's Damian Echevarrieta.

Jump to:
Eastern standings | Western standings
Race for No. 1 pick | Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins

Points: 92
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: Atlantic 1
Games left: 17 (7 home, 10 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: @ NYI
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 85
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: Atlantic 2
Games left: 18 (10 home, 8 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: vs. CGY
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: Atlantic 3
Games left: 17 (9 home, 8 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: vs. VAN
Playoff chances: 83.5%
Tragic number: N/A

Washington Capitals

Points: 84
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: Metro 1
Games left: 18 (9 home, 9 away)
Next game: March 1: @ MIN
Playoff chances: 98.4%
Tragic number: N/A

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: Metro 2
Games left: 20 (9 home, 11 away)
Next game: Feb. 28: @ ANA
Playoff chances: 88.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: Metro 3
Games left: 19 (10 home, 9 away)
Next game: Feb. 28: vs. NYR
Playoff chances: 91.1%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Islanders

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: Wild card 1
Games left: 19 (9 home, 10 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: vs. BOS
Playoff chances: 68.0%
Tragic number: N/A

Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 76
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: Wild card 2
Games left: 17 (7 home, 10 away)
Next game: Feb. 28: vs. MIN
Playoff chances: 37.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20 (9 home, 11 away)
Next game: Feb. 28: vs. COL
Playoff chances: 68.1%
Tragic number: 39

New York Rangers

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19 (9 home, 10 away)
Next game: March 1: vs. PHI
Playoff chances: 40.9%
Tragic number: 37

Florida Panthers

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18 (10 home, 8 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: vs. CHI
Playoff chances: 20.9%
Tragic number: 33

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 18
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16 (6 home, 10 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: vs. CAR
Playoff chances: 2.1%
Tragic number: 24

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19 (8 home, 11 away)
Next game: Feb. 28: @ VGS
Playoff chances: 1.6%
Tragic number: 29

New Jersey Devils

Points: 61
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19 (9 home, 10 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: @ LA
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 24

Ottawa Senators

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17 (6 home, 11 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: vs. DET
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 15

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 34
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17 (9 home, 8 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: @ OTT
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: Eliminated

Western Conference

St. Louis Blues

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: Central 1
Games left: 17 (8 home, 9 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: vs. DAL
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Colorado Avalanche

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: Central 2
Games left: 20 (10 home, 10 away)
Next game: Feb. 28: @ CAR
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Dallas Stars

Points: 80
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: Central 3
Games left: 18 (10 home, 8 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: @ STL
Playoff chances: 98.7%
Tragic number: N/A

Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 78
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: Pacific 1
Games left: 17 (7 home, 10 away)
Next game: Feb. 28: vs. BUF
Playoff chances: 98.0%
Tragic number: N/A

Vancouver Canucks

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: Pacific 2
Games left: 19 (10 home, 9 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: @ TOR
Playoff chances: 76.0%
Tragic number: N/A

Edmonton Oilers

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: Pacific 3
Games left: 18 (11 home, 7 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: vs. WPG
Playoff chances: 77.2%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: Wild card 1
Games left: 17 (11 home, 6 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: @ TB
Playoff chances: 73.9%
Tragic number: N/A

Nashville Predators

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: Wild card 2
Games left: 19 (9 home, 10 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: vs. COL
Playoff chances: 56.0%
Tragic number: N/A

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16 (7 home, 9 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: @ EDM
Playoff chances: 27.7%
Tragic number: 33

Arizona Coyotes

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 16 (9 home, 7 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: vs. BUF
Playoff chances: 26.7%
Tragic number: 31

Minnesota Wild

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19 (8 home, 11 away)
Next game: Feb. 28: @ CBJ
Playoff chances: 58.4%
Tragic number: 36

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18 (11 home, 7 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: @ FLA
Playoff chances: 7.2%
Tragic number: 29

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19 (11 home, 8 away)
Next game: Feb. 28: vs. PIT
Playoff chances: 0.2%
Tragic number: 25

San Jose Sharks

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18 (10 home, 8 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: vs. PIT
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 23

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 52
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18 (12 home, 6 away)
Next game: Feb. 29: vs. NJ
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: 17

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order at the top of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. However, whoever does win the draft lottery has a chance to select Alexis Lafreniere.

Find out more about Lafreniere here, read up on the rest of the top draft prospects here, and check out all of our 2020 NHL draft coverage.

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 34
Regulation wins: 12
Chance of No. 1 pick: 18.5%

Los Angeles Kings

Points: 52
Regulation wins: 17
Chance of No. 1 pick: 13.5%

Ottawa Senators

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 17
Chance of No. 1 pick: 11.5%

San Jose Sharks

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 20
Chance of No. 1 pick: 9.5% (Note: pick belongs to Ottawa)

Anaheim Ducks

Points: 58
Regulation wins: 17
Chance of No. 1 pick: 8.5%

New Jersey Devils

Points: 61
Regulation wins: 19
Chance of No. 1 pick: 7.5%

Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 64
Regulation wins: 20
Chance of No. 1 pick: 6.5%

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Chance of No. 1 pick: 6%

Montreal Canadiens

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 18
Chance of No. 1 pick: 5%

Minnesota Wild

Points: 69
Regulation wins: 27
Chance of No. 1 pick: 3.5%

Arizona Coyotes

Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Chance of No. 1 pick: 3%

Florida Panthers

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 28
Chance of No. 1 pick: 2.5%

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 72
Regulation wins: 26
Chance of No. 1 pick: 2%

New York Rangers

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 30
Chance of No. 1 pick: 1.5%

Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 74
Regulation wins: 25
Chance of No. 1 pick: 1%

Current playoff matchups

(A1) Bruins vs. (WC2) Blue Jackets
(A2) Lightning vs. (A3) Maple Leafs
(M1) Capitals vs. (WC1) Islanders
(M2) Penguins vs. (M3) Flyers
(P1) Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Flames
(P2) Canucks vs. (P3) Oilers
(C1) Blues vs. (WC2) Predators
(C2) Avalanche vs. (C3) Stars

The National Hockey League is really good at fixing problems that neither need fixing nor are problems in the first place.

"Problems" such as fans voting goons into the All-Star Game. Spin-o-ramas in the shootout. How players should or should not tuck in their jerseys. The conference playoff format. And now, if we're to believe its presumed prioritization at the next general managers meeting, the latest pox upon our great sport: 42-year-old Zamboni drivers who serve as emergency backup goaltenders (EBUGs) and have the temerity to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs at home on "Hockey Night in Canada."

After Carolina Hurricanes goalies Petr Mrazek (who played 25 minutes, 9 seconds) and James Reimer (6:10) were injured Saturday night, the team was forced to dress David Ayres, who was the designated emergency backup goalie for both teams. While he has served as a practice goalie for the Leafs, his primary gig was as the Zamboni driver for the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs' AHL affiliate.

(NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told ESPN this week that Ayres is "not an employee of the Leafs, Marlies or MLSE [Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd.]," something that has been "very widely and wrongly reported" in the aftermath.)

Ayres entered the game in the second period and gave up two goals, causing everyone to freak out -- and then the Hurricanes took the game over and Ayres made seven saves in the third period for the win.

The rest is NHL folklore: Ayres was showered with beverages in the Carolina dressing room; the Hurricanes began selling T-shirts with his name and number that benefited his charity of choice; Ayres embarked on a media tour that took him from the "Today" show through several ESPN programs to "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," making him the biggest hockey pop-culture sensation since Gritty. He was named an honorary North Carolinian by Gov. Roy Cooper.

It was fantastic fun. So naturally, the NHL wants to squash the EBUG. As least in its current form.

The general managers have discussed changes to the position in the past -- after an accountant named Scott Foster became the first EBUG to make a save in a game, for the Chicago Blackhawks in a victory against Winnipeg back in 2018; and after 37-year-old equipment manager Jorge Alves, a former ECHL goalie, suited up for 7.6 seconds for the Hurricanes in December 2016. (Carolina apparently has an EBUG infestation, comparatively.)

They're reportedly worried about the experience level and skill of the emergency backup. Sportsnet's Brian Burke, a former VP of NHL hockey operations, was outraged that a goalie over 40 was the option, saying "it was embarrassing for the NHL" and that there were "a hundred goalies in the greater Toronto area" who were younger, had substantially more junior and minor league experience and could have played.

"It happens very, very rarely, but when it happens, it obviously raises everybody's attention to the issue, and whether there are fixes that need to be made to that particular issue," Daly said via NHL.com. "There's no easy fixes to it. Particularly, we have to work with the [NHL] Players' Association. Who's a player? Who's not a player? What qualifies all of that? But obviously we want what's best for the game, and we want to make sure people aren't putting themselves in danger by playing goal in a National Hockey League game. ... So that's obviously something we have to continue to work through."

I mean ... do they have to continue to work through it? Is this even worth the agenda item at the GM meetings?

Consider this about the current EBUG swarm:

1. There are comets that pass Earth with more frequency than EBUGs enter NHL games. Since the 1965-66 season, when the NHL mandated that a team must dress two goalies, there hadn't been a case where an EBUG played substantial minutes after both goalies were injured until Foster's 2018 appearance with the Blackhawks. It's now happened again in 2020. That's twice in close to 50,000 games. More teams have played in a blizzard in the NHL since 1965 than have given ice time to an emergency goaltender. Let that sink in.

2. If an EBUG came in and was smoked for like 10 goals, who cares? Where is it mandated, in any sport, that an emergency third-stringer has to display a level of competence? THAT'S WHY IT'S AN EMERGENCY! If the Edmonton Oilers -- hockey gods forbid -- lost Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in the same game, the chances of them winning that game decrease substantially. That's just horrible luck. Just like it's horrible luck if a team loses both goalies, which, again, is something that has happened in 0.004% of NHL games played since 1965. The entire concept of the EBUG is that you're basically screwed. Except ...

3. When EBUGs do play, they ... are fine, and then the NHL gets a tidal wave of positive media. I know we're talking a very small sample here, and some are actually applauding the NHL's proactive approach to "what could happen" if an EBUG gets lit up. But they haven't been, and instant folk heroes were born both times, and media types who never talk about hockey paid attention to hockey. But by all means, the Leafs lost to their minor league team's Zamboni driver, so let's spend two days in Boca Raton, Florida, trying to reroute the comet.

My feelings on the matter aside, something is inevitably going to be done with the emergency goalie rules. So what should be done?

I pestered an EBUG for the answer.

Tyler Stewart is the EBUG for the St. Louis Blues. He participates in practices, including for rival teams on occasion. A vending machine worker at the time, he dressed as the Blues' backup goalie in a 2017 game against the Dallas Stars, watching Jake Allen play the first period from the St. Louis dressing room until Ville Husso arrived from AHL San Antonio near the end of the frame.

"People always ask me all the time if I'd be nervous, and I say, 'No, not at all.' There shouldn't be an expectation level for us. We're not NHLers. If you do have an expectation level, then you're dumb," he told me Wednesday.

Why did he believe the Ayres appearance ended up being so controversial, when Foster's wasn't?

"Some of it was his age. Some of it was because it was against the Leafs. My theory is that some of it is because it's a Leafs guy playing for the Hurricanes," Stewart said. "After those first two goals, did the GMs think he was throwing the game or something?"

Daly told me that "perception of biased participation" was one reason the emergency goalie rule was changed a few years ago, when team employees could no longer step in to play on an emergency basis.

Stewart recalls that rule change, too.

"From what I was told, it's the 'Marty Brodeur Rule,'" he said. "Before this rule, they could use guys in the organization if they needed to. Marty worked for [the Blues] as an assistant GM at the time. He was their EBUG if it happened. And everyone thought that was unfair, to have a Hockey Hall of Fame goalie ready to play."

According to the 2019-20 NHL rulebook, the EBUG rule is:

"In regular League and Playoff games, if both listed goalkeepers are incapacitated, that team shall be entitled to dress and play any available goalkeeper who is eligible. This goalkeeper is eligible to sit on the player's bench, in uniform. In the event that the two regular goalkeepers are injured or incapacitated in quick succession, the third goalkeeper shall be provided with a reasonable amount of time to get dressed, in addition to a two-minute warm-up (except when he enters the game to defend against a penalty shot). If, however, the third goalkeeper is dressed and on the bench when the second goalkeeper becomes incapacitated, the third goalkeeper shall enter the game immediately and no warm-up is permitted."

There's nothing on the books currently that suggests this rarely used "break glass for goalie" option needs to have a certain skill or experience level -- nor are there age limitations.

Burke suggested that NHL vice president Kay Whitmore, who is in charge of issues such as goalie equipment regulation, should "pick that goalie from the candidates that they have" and there should be a "guy there who meets the criteria" of the "standard that has to be met."

If someone like Ayres is insufficient, what's the alternative?

TSN's Ray Ferraro suggested having a third goalie for every team, paid a standard league salary, who practices with the team and can be available. "If a team chooses to not have him on hand for road games, that's on them," he tweeted.

This would also eliminate any worries about bias or conflicts of interest, whether it's due to quasi-employment with the team or the collection of Leafs jerseys in the closet.

Speaking as an EBUG, Stewart seconded this "third goalie" idea.

"In a selfish way, I hope they add what's essentially a bullpen catcher. If they're worried about the conflict of interest, then have the St. Louis guy on the road with the Blues. Have your own guy with you at all times, someone who can fill in when the [NHL goalies] don't want to practice in the morning, or to play against the scratches," he said.

Of course, there would be some benefits for a guy like Stewart if his "emergency" job were redefined.

"I'm cool with doing it. They're staying in five-star hotels, they're eating like a king. It's like being one of the boys without being one of the boys. That's the ideal role. I don't see why it would be a big expense," he said.

That sounds reasonable if this is actually an issue that needs addressing. (Narrator: "It's not.")

But it does sound like an expansion of the active roster in some way. As Daly said recently: "Who's a player? Who's not a player? What qualifies all of that?"

So the solution to the EBUG dilemma is a labor matter, which makes sense: The only thing the NHL does better than fixing problems that don't need fixing is tethering every decision the league makes to the next collective bargaining agreement.

Jersey Fouls

From the Windy City:

@wyshynski #jerseyfouls pic.twitter.com/VSVOITY4tO

— Dave "Killer" Carlson (@KillerCarlson3) February 22, 2020

This is a reference to Blackhawks left wing Matthew Highmore, who is No. 36 in your program and No. 1 in this dedicated fan's heart. Once again, we wish we could have seen the look on the pro shop worker's face when this request rolled in.

The three NHL deadline trades I (personally) loved most

1. Ilya Kovalchuk to the Capitals. The NHL doesn't hold a candle to the NBA when it comes to personal beefs, but back in 2009 there was legit heat between Alex Ovechkin and Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, on top of the competitive fire that burned between their teams (and still does).

At the 2009 NHL All-Star Game in Montreal, both Russian stars were on the Eastern Conference squad, and I remember there was a certain tabloid-esque gawking at how they interacted that weekend. But it ended up being the site of their reconciliation, as Malkin helped Ovechkin put on a goofy hat and sunglasses during the trick-shot competition. The catalyst for that hockey peace accord? Ilya Kovalchuk, as the duo hashed out their differences -- "talked like men and forgot everything," Malkin would say -- at a Montreal restaurant.

These three players have been linked for 15 years, and I always hoped to see them team up in an effort to win the Stanley Cup. Ovechkin gave his blessing to GM Brian MacLellan, and the trade was made. Kovalchuk said he and Ovechkin have wanted to play together "since we were 13 years old," even though Ovechkin was 11 when Kovalchuk was 13. But hey, who's counting?

2. Robin Lehner to the Golden Knights. This was one of the true shocking trades of the day, both because it was assumed Chicago might stick with Lehner beyond this season and because the Golden Knights' franchise player happens to also be a goaltender. But this move addressed two issues for Vegas.

The first was Malcolm Subban, a backup goalie who could no longer be trusted down the stretch, with a .368 quality starts percentage and a putrid minus-10.41 goals saved above average this season. The second was Marc-Andre Fleury himself, with his numbers for the first four months of the season well off his averages with Vegas. He lost his father in November. A source close to Fleury told me that it affected him greatly, as one might expect. He's turned the corner this month (7-2-1, .913 save percentage, 2.27 goals-against average), but having Lehner there relieves some pressure while also challenging him.

It's rare you see championship contenders with established starters bring in another renowned goalie -- remember that Lehner was a Vezina Trophy finalist last season -- at the deadline. This was an aggressive, smart bit of business for GM Kelly McCrimmon.

3. Zach Parise (almost) to the Islanders. I don't care that it didn't happen. I still love it. The trade would have sent Andrew Ladd's contract ($5.5 million AAV through 2023) to Minnesota for Parise's contract ($7,538,461 AAV through 2025) in some sort of wacky package. The Islanders (for whom Parise's father played) and GM Lou Lamoriello (who drafted him in New Jersey) were enough for Parise to waive his trade protection. The Wild would have actually found a taker for a contract no one thought they could move. It was perfect! Too bad the news got out before the deal was done, scaring Lamoriello away like a deer when the porch light clicked on. Hopefully they revisit it in the summer.

Listen To ESPN On Ice

Emily Kaplan, Chris Peters and I combined forces to run down all 31 NHL teams at the trade deadline, while also chatting about EBUG legend David Ayres. Listen to the podcast here, and be sure to review and subscribe.

Winners and losers of the week

Winner: Bobby Ryan

Bobby Ryan fighting back tears on the bench after recording a hat trick in his return to Ottawa and receiving a massive ovation from the fans pic.twitter.com/lpVpDSh7J1

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) February 28, 2020

It's one of the images of the season: Bobby Ryan breaking down on the bench as Senators fans cheered his hat trick, which he scored in his first game back after entering the joint NHL/NHLPA assistance program on Nov. 20. "It just got harder to keep the emotions down throughout the game. It was incredible. They supported me and I got to contribute. You can't write that, the way that went. It was just an incredible evening, so thank you to all of them," he said. Best of luck to Bobby Ryan in his continued recovery. He's lived a life with significant adversity, and we've always admired his strength.

Loser: Joe Thornton

Patrick Marleau will get a shot at a "Raymond Bourque" moment with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but his San Jose running mate is still a Shark despite his hopes to do the same. It's a bummer we won't get Jumbo on teams like the Bruins, Leafs or Knights. It's a little strange that a team like the Avalanche didn't push harder for someone with his skill set and experience. Hopefully this isn't the end. Thornton deserves better.

Winner: Kings of the West

The St. Louis Blues have won six games in a row. The Vegas Golden Knights have won seven in a row. Because the Western Conference is a giant cauldron of parity, neither team is clear of the field for a division title. But they're both rolling.

Loser: Princes of the East

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning were steamrolling teams a week ago. Then both hit four-game losing skids. That's OK for Tampa, which is ensconced in second place in the Atlantic Division. But the Penguins entered Friday night six points up on the Carolina Hurricanes, who are just outside the wild-card bubble.

Winner: Chris Kreider

Things got a little dicey between the Rangers and Kreider in the days leading up to the trade deadline, but in the end both got what they wanted: The forward earned a seventh contract year, and the Rangers won't have to look for another "Chris Kreider type" as they blossom into a contender. Which, by the looks of things, is happening sooner than expected.

Loser: Jimmy Howard

Oh, to be the goalie for a team in the tank. The Red Wings goalie was pulled for the sixth time since Oct. 29 in Detroit's 7-1 loss to Minnesota on Thursday night. Oct. 29 is a significant date: It's the last time Howard won a game. He's 2-23-2 with an .882 save percentage in 27 games. In the past 40 years, only one goalie has had more losses in the first 66 games of his team's season: Jeff Hackett of the second-year San Jose Sharks in 1992-93, with 25 losses in 31 appearances. He would end up going 2-30-1. Howard is an unrestricted free agent this summer, unfortunately.

Winner: Alex Ovechkin

Congrats to the Russian Machine for finally cracking the 700-goal ceiling last weekend, and for the new addition to the Ovechkin family who's on the way.

Loser: Alex Ovechkin's news cycle

Ovechkin becoming only the eighth player in NHL history to break the 700-goal barrier should have dominated the hockey conversation through the trade deadline. But then the Leafs had to go and get beaten by their own Zamboni driver, and Ovi was old news.

Puck Headlines

Jeremy Roenick speaks out after his firing at NBC. "I think anybody [that] knows the situation and knows me knows I got one of the biggest raw deals of all time."

A cool look at the Stadium Series branding at Air Force.

Projecting the 2020 NCAA men's hockey bracket.

Good piece on Blake Bolden, hired by the Kings as a scout for the Pacific region. "It's believed that she is the first black female professional scout in the NHL."

Residents of Henderson are worried about the new Golden Knights minor league arena.

Shayne Gostisbehere survived the trade deadline. From Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher: "Yeah, you know, that's been the interesting one. I've been here a year and I can't say I'm always on social media, but I'm amazed at how often I'm trading him."

It's been 10 years since one of the greatest moments in Canadian Olympic hockey history: Jarome Iginla's golden pass that Sidney Crosby converted.

Hockey tl;dr (too long; didn't read)

Behind the scenes at TSN's TradeCentre circus. ($)

In case you missed this from your friends at ESPN

My feature on NHL executive Kim Davis, and her leadership on diversity and inclusion behind the scenes at the league.

Saurashtra will miss Cheteshwar Pujara's batting prowess during their Ranji Trophy semi-final against Gujarat, but his cricketing know-how is still very much with his domestic side.

Despite being in New Zealand, Pujara has been in constant touch with Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat, providing inputs about the pitch and the team combination.

"Cheteshwar has been carrying this team as much as I have been," Unadkat said on the eve of the semi-final. "He was there with us for the first five-six games this season which was good. I have been in constant touch with him regarding how the team is doing, and he has also been asking me about things from there [New Zealand]. I had a word with him the last night for that matter, about how the pitch is and what the team composition should be going into this game. So he is very much in touch, and he does care a lot about this team and I am just happy that he is as much passionate for this team as we all are."

Pujara was instrumental in taking Saurashtra to the final last season. His unbeaten 67 against Uttar Pradesh in the quarter-finals helped Saurashtra pull off a record chase. Then in the semi-finals, he scored 45 and 131 not out against Karnataka to give his side a shot at the title. However, they faltered against defending champions Vidarbha in the final, making it their second defeat in the final in the last four years .

ALSO READ: Saurashtra and Gujarat, familiar foes

Unadkat, however, believes the current bunch will win a maiden Ranji title for Saurashtra in the next couple of years, if not now. "The one thing that I have been telling my team, and I would like to make it public now, is that I have told these guys that this is the group of players that is going to win the trophy for Saurashtra, be it this year, be it the next year, or two years from now. This is the group that's gonna win the trophy.

"What I tell the guys is not to take the added pressure just because we have lost a couple of finals, and what if we don't win another final. Obviously, we are still one game away from the final, and I have been saying it's one game at a time now, in the knockouts especially. Even if we reach the final, that will remain the same. I will tell the guys that we are already doing things we should be proud of as a team. It doesn't really matter if we falter in one game. Obviously, I am as hungry as anyone else to win the trophy but having said that I am pretty much sure this group of players will do it at some point for Saurashtra if not now."

The immediate hurdle for Saurashtra though is Gujarat, who had topped the combined Elite A and B groups and have been unbeaten so far. But, according to Unadkat, if his side can keep playing the way they have been, the can beat any side.

"I believe on paper both teams are equally strong," Unadkat said. "At the same time, it's how we have played our cricket in the last two seasons, the brand of cricket we have played is something I am proud of and we continue that, I don't think we cannot not beat any team, be this team or any other team."

Unadkat himself has been in great form this season and is currently the joint-leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 55 wickets at an average of 11.80 and a strike rate of 25.2. While that gives an impression it has been a one-man show, Unadkat clarified that's not the case.

"There has to be one strike bowler in the team who should be leading the attack," Unadkat said. "It was Dhamendra[sinh Jadeja] doing it last year for us, and I have been doing that this season. I was doing well last season as well, that's why we were bowling in tandem, which wasn't the case this year but I still believe the way Prerak [Mankad] and Chirag [Jani] have bowled this season - they have 30 [32] wickets combined if not more than that - so I think they are supporting me well.

"Yes, I have been taking the load of taking wickets, still it's a bowling attack that's balanced. Dharmendra has provided crucial breakthroughs, it has been just one or two breakthroughs that's why it's not visible that much but he has actually given us those crucial breakthroughs throughout the season. So, I just hope it continues like that and I don't mind taking the extra load if they keep continuing doing the same job.

"It's my responsibility as a strike bowler that whenever the team requires, I provide the breakthroughs. This has happened two-three times this season that I have been able to do it and win the games. That's why my performance is more visible this time. As far as my bowling is concerned, I am in a great mental space right now. I am not really worried about my own performance, I just want this team to win and I want to contribute to that. Side by side if I am taking wickets, that's good for the team and for me as well. So I am just happy how things are going."

The PCB is hopeful that an England Lions squad will tour Pakistan next winter.

ESPNcricinfo understands that the PCB's managing director Wasim Khan has engaged in discussions with the ECB, with the hope that a successful Lions tour can act as a precursor to a full international tour down the line. England last toured Pakistan in 2005-06, while the most recent 'A' tour there was in 1995-96.

Pakistan has hosted several international games in the last five years, having spent almost ten years playing 'home' games in the UAE. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have both toured in the 2019-20 season, including the first three Tests played in the country since the terror attacks in Lahore in 2009.

Last month, MCC led a tour to the country, while English players have regularly travelled to the country to play in the Pakistan Super League. In 2017, Dawid Malan, Chris Jordan and Samit Patel all travelled to Lahore for the competition's final - the first PSL game to be hosted in Pakistan - while as many as 15 England-qualified players are involved this season, with all games being played in Pakistan.

Last week, Clare Connor, the ECB's director of women's cricket, attended Multan Sultans' home fixture against Peshawar Zalmi during a stop-over en route to the Women's T20 World Cup in Australia, and tweeted her thanks for "a wonderful welcome and an incredible first experience of the PSL".

Asked after a Multan Sultans game if he thought England would tour Pakistan soon, Moeen Ali said: "I hope so, inshallah. It's something that I'm sure they're talking about. I know other countries are also talking about coming, so hopefully, in the future. It's great that English players are here… it shows that the guys are keen to come and play here."

England's next scheduled tour to Pakistan is in 2022-23, which will comprise three Tests and five ODIs. The Lions have played recent series against Pakistan A (recently rebranded as Pakistan Shaheens) in 2015-16 and 2018-19, with all games being held in the UAE.

An ECB spokesperson said: "We welcome the fact that international cricket is beginning to return to Pakistan. Recently, we made a preliminary fact-finding visit at the invitation of the Pakistan Cricket Board along with Cricket Australia and Cricket Ireland. For us this was a first step in assessing the viability of future tours to Pakistan.

"All future tour schedules will be announced in due course."

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Cardinals are heading back to Mexico City.

Fifteen years after they played there in the NFL's first regular-season game outside of the United States, the Cardinals will return to Mexico's capital for another regular-season game in 2020, the league announced Friday.

Details of what day, kickoff time and opponent were not released, but the Cardinals will be the home team and the game will be played at Estadio Azteca.

This trip will be Arizona's tradeoff for hosting Super Bowl LVII in February 2023. The NFL stipulates that the host team for a Super Bowl must give up a home game to play internationally.

"We are thrilled to learn that this game will take place at Estadio Azteca where we received such an enthusiastic reception in 2005," Cardinals chairman and president Michael Bidwill said in a release. "We are extremely grateful for the support we receive from fans in Mexico and look forward to an incredible experience."

The Cardinals beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-14 in 2005 in Estadio Azteca. The crowd was a then-record of 103,467.

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The UFC was set to usher in a new era for its flyweight division in Saturday's UFC Fight Night main event. Now only one of the participants is even eligible to win the title.

Brazilian flyweight Deiveson Figueiredo (17-1) weighed in at 127.5 pounds on Friday, 2 pounds over the 125-pound limit for his flyweight title fight. His opponent, Joseph Benavidez (28-5), easily made weight at 124.5 pounds. As a result, the fight will still headline UFC Fight Night inside Chartway Arena, but Figueiredo will not claim the flyweight title even if he's successful.

Benavidez, 35, will become the flyweight champion if he wins. He will also receive 30% of Figueiredo's purse.

Currently, the UFC's flyweight championship is vacant. Former champion Henry Cejudo vacated the title late last year to focus on the bantamweight division. The UFC considered eliminating the division altogether, but eventually elected to keep it. Now, if Figueiredo wins on Saturday, the promotion will still have a vacant title on its hands.

Figueiredo will become the third fighter in UFC history to miss weight for a championship fight and still compete. The other two were middleweights Travis Lutter in 2007 and Yoel Romero in 2018.

For Benavidez, 35, it is his third crack at a UFC championship. He fought Demetrious Johnson for the first-ever flyweight title in September 2012, and lost a close split decision. He challenged Johnson for the belt again in 2013, and suffered a first-round knockout loss. Johnson went on to defend the title a record 11 times.

Fighting out of Las Vegas, Benavidez has gone 9-1 since that loss, including a victory over the former champion Cejudo.

Figueiredo, of Belem, Brazil, is 6-1 in the UFC. His only loss came via decision to fellow Brazilian Jussier Formiga last year. This is the first time he has missed weight in the UFC.

BATAVIA, Ohio – After previously announcing the purchase of two Porsche 911 GT3 R cars for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Wright Motorsports will now enter the second Porsche in the WeatherTech Sprint Cup, beginning with April’s Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Anthony Imperato, who is also racing in the No. 16 Wright Motorsports 1st Phorm Porsche for the four endurance races on the calendar, will be joined in the No. 91 Henry Repeating Arms Porsche with sports car racing veteran Jeroen Bleekemolen.

“We’re excited to be getting our second Porsche on track to begin the WeatherTech Sprint Cup championship,” said team owner John Wright. “Anthony has done a great job in the endurance side of our program, and after Sebring, he’ll now get to run the Sprint events in his own car. Jeroen will be a fantastic addition to the program as our Pro driver, and we expect to be strong contenders for the title.”

Imperato started the season with the Rolex 24 at Daytona, where he, Patrick Long, Ryan Hardwick, and Klaus Bachler earned a fourth place finish in the No. 16 car. Next month, Long, Hardwick, and Imperato will compete in the Twelve Hours of Sebring at Sebring Int’l Raceway, the second of four endurance events on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar calendar. The eight WeatherTech Sprint Cup events will include two street circuits and six of North America’s most prestigious road courses.

“I’m looking forward to the IMSA Sprint Cup season with Wright Motorsports in the Henry Repeating Arms Porsche,” said Imperato. “It’s an awesome opportunity to be driving with Jeroen. He will be a great addition to the team, and I think we will have some success this year. I can’t wait to get started in Long Beach.”

Bleekemolen will bring a wealth of sports car racing experience to the team, holding professional sports car racing wins from all over the world. The 2008 and 2009 Porsche Supercup Champion also holds wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as other 24 hour events including Nürburgring, Dubai, and Circuit of the Americas.

The two time American Le Mans Series GTC champion, and three time North American Endurance champion has also clinched wins at iconic events such as the Twelve Hours of Sebring, Bathurst and Abu Dhabi.

“It’s great to be able to join Wright Motorsports and Anthony for the IMSA GTD Sprint Cup,” said Bleekemolen. “I have raced against Wright a lot, so I know just how good the team is. Anthony has been showing great speed and development, it will be nice to work together. I really like the sprint race calendar with some classic track and events. The competition will be very hard but we should be able to fight at the front of the field. I’m really excited to get started at Long Beach.”

Henry Repeating Arms, one of the leading rifle and shotgun manufacturers in the United States, will return as Imperato’s primary sponsor. The company is also known for its charitable endeavors under its Guns For Great Causes program, which focuses on sick children, both individual cases and children’s hospitals, veteran and wounded veteran organizations, Second Amendment and wildlife conservation organizations.

SPOKANE, Wash. – HARD Motorsport and Johan Schwartz have united to compete in the SRO TC America road racing series.

Schwartz, the reigning TC champion and 2019 BMW Sports Trophy Cup runner-up, will drive the No. 31 BMW M240iR featuring HARD Motorsport for the full season.

“This partnership is very much a right time, right place story,” Schwartz said. “I recently found out my team from the last two years, Rooster Hall Racing, is sitting out a season.  Not wanting to miss the 2020 season, I immediately starting sourcing a car. Adam Harding, team principal for HARD Motorsport Racing, reached out to me and here we are readying for Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas.  Having HARD on the side of the car is a great fit as they are in the business of BMW race parts and accessories.”

The HARD Motorsport team had an exciting 2019 season with some highlight reel-worthy racing at Sonoma (Calif.) Raceway and Portland (Ore.) Int’l Raceway.

“We feel very fortunate to be able to have Johan on board this year,” Harding announced.  “Our entire team is looking forward to some spectacular racing and to have a driver of Johan’s talent is truly a blessing. I’ve wanted to race at COTA since we launched our TC racing program, so this couldn’t get much better.”

HARD Motorsport will be the featured partner with support sponsors of Instrumart, Diamond Creek Water, Sabelt, Speed Seat, Scope Anesthesiology, Revshift, Laird Plastics, Motorsport Hardware and Tedder Engineering.

“There is a lot of prep work and coordination to be done in the next week,” said Schwartz. “Adam and I each have amazing support crews, our synergies have been great right from the start and everyone has their ‘to do’ list. I am confident it will pull together to the best of our ability for COTA.”

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. – Rudeen Racing has added a midget team to its stable of racing operations, giving an additional dimension to the Washington-based race team.

Twenty-one-year-old Tristin Thomas, of Burlington, Wash., has been selected to drive the Rudeen Racing midget, which will carry the team’s familiar No. 21.

Tristin’s father, J.R. Thomas, will serve as the crew chief for the teams newly-acquired Spike Chassis midget, which will be powered by a Stanton SR-11 engine.

The team plans to compete for the USAC Western States Midget Series title. The first of 12 points races for that division is scheduled for March 21 at Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway.

“I’d like to thank Kevin Rudeen and the whole Rudeen team for giving me an incredible opportunity and taking a chance on me,” said Thomas, who boasts multiple track and series titles in both focus midgets and micro sprints in the Pacific Northwest.

“I’ve kept a close eye on midget racing for years and I’m really excited to expand Rudeen Racing into the world of USAC with a talented young driver like Tristin,” added team owner Kevin Rudeen on his new venture.

PLYMOUTH, Ind. – Sprints on Dirt Owner Ed Kennedy has announced the series will not go on tour this year as the organization seeks a new strategy for 2021 and beyond.

In a statement, Kennedy also confirmed that Sprints on Dirt Series Director has departed the organization.

“After much thought and consideration, the SOD series will not compete as a traveling series in 2020,” Kennedy said in his statement. “Throughout the course of this year, we will work on a refresh of the strategy and direction of the series to develop towards a strong future. Specifically, we will work towards building a new leadership team and competition structure that better aligns the series towards long-term stability for our competitors, teams, tracks, partners, and fans that have supported the series throughout our 40+ year history. We will look to do this in collaboration with other series and organizations willing to work together for the collective good of the sport and all stakeholders.

“As part of this transition, we have parted ways with 2019 Series Director Dave Muzzillo and will immediately begin the search for a visionary leader that can develop and execute our plans for the future. Finally, we will sanction one race at the end of the 2020 season where we will reveal the revised strategy and direction for the SOD series in 2021 and beyond.”

Launched in 1980, the Sprints on Dirt has toured largely around the Michigan area and the surrounding states. Muzzillo had been a part of the organization since August of 2018.

Chad Blonde is the most recent series champion, claiming the title with six victories in 2019.