The NHL Evening Skate for Nov. 21
Heading into this evening’s action, here are the day’s top NHL storylines:
Sidney Crosby returns to Penguins lineup after missing three games
The Penguins, mired at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with only one win in their past 10 games, will get a potential spark Wednesday when star center Sidney Crosby returns to the ice against the Stars. Crosby has missed three games with an upper-body injury suffered Nov. 14 in a loss to the Devils. [Read]
Sabres, Penguins heading in opposite directions
While the Buffalo Sabres have seemingly turned the corner, the Pittsburgh Penguins are still looking to rekindle their championship model of play after losing four-straight games. Yahoo Sports Canada’s Justin Cuthbert and Kyle Cantlon discuss two teams that are headed in completely different directions. [Watch]
Nylander holdout: Trade rumors mount ahead of deadline to sign with Maple Leafs
William Nylander’s contract holdout began innocently enough. He and the Maple Leafs negotiated in good faith, hoping to settle on a price that fit within plans for both player and team before the 2018-19 season began. But as weeks and months passed without a deal, it now appears the 22-year-old’s future in Toronto may now be in jeopardy. [Read]
Avalanche’s Mikko Rantanen fined for diving
The NHL handed out its first diving/embellishment fine of the 2018-19 season on Wednesday when it announced that Colorado Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen, the NHL’s leading scorer entering the day, has been hit with a $2,000 fine. Rantanen was punished for an incident that took place on Nov. 14 against the Boston Bruins. [Read]
Vincent Trocheck has surgery on broken ankle, out indefinitely
Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck underwent successful surgery to repair a broken right ankle and will be out of the lineup indefinitely, the NHL team announced Wednesday, but GM Dale Tallon expects him back on the ice this season. [Read]
Lamp-lighters
Sharks’ Joe Thornton ties Mario Lemieux on all-time assist list
Now in his 21st season, Joe Thornton continues to prove he belongs in the Hall of Fame when his long, storied NHL career comes to an end. A week after he netted his 400th career goal, the 39-year-old tied Mario Lemieux for 11th on the all-time assist list with number 1,033. [Read]
What’s driving the Buffalo Sabres’ unexpected results?
Now with 28 points from 21 games, the Sabres are just two points out of first place in the most competitive division in hockey and have the fourth-most points in the entire NHL. Yahoo Sports Canada’s Justin Cuthbert takes a look at what’s behind Buffalo’s surge up the standings early in the 2018-19 season. [Read]
Game of the Night
Pittsburgh Penguins at Dallas Stars
Marred in a four-game losing streak, the Pittsburgh Penguins are in desperate need of their superstar captain. Sidney Crosby returns to the lineup after missing his team’s last three losses. The seven-time All-Star and two-time league MVP has eight goals and 19 points in 16 games, but Pittsburgh has only 18 points, tied with the Devils for the worst in the conference entering Wednesday’s play. They’ll look to right the ship Wednesday night against the Dallas Stars. [Full Preview]
More from Yahoo Sports:
• Report: Attorney advises 76ers star to leave team over shoulder
• Forced bet shows problem with Tiger-Phil match
• After Smith injury, Redskins turn to ‘insurance package’
• Chiefs’ Mahomes downplays confrontation with Rams’ Peters