NHL

MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens picked up two points on Saturday by beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 in a shootout.

To Roberto Luongo, Aaron Ekblad looked like a nervous rookie in training camp. The Florida Panthers weren’t quite sure what they had right away in the No. 1 pick.

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The NHL has suspended Florida Panthers defenceman Dmitry Kulikov four games for clipping Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin.

TORONTO – Olli Jokinen doesn’t know how long he’ll be a Toronto Maple Leaf, but there are no doubts regarding where he’ll play with his new team.

OTTAWA – After lengthy and sometimes ugly contract negotiations, the Ottawa Senators and hometown defenceman Marc Methot have finally reached common ground.

OTTAWA – The Ottawa Senators fell 6-3 to the Carolina Hurricanes Monday, but the real extent of the loss could be much worse than two points in the standings.

DETROIT – There were plenty of blocked shots and precious few scoring chances. To the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings, this one felt like a playoff game.

Monday’s Games

CALGARY – The Calgary Flames had to rely on a usual brand of late game brilliance to beat the Boston Bruins on Monday.

TORONTO – Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli are gone and others could be on their way out before the March 2 trade deadline. But the Toronto Maple Leafs still have to finish out the season and ice a full roster.

TORONTO – Nick Bjugstad showed flashes of stardom as a rookie. In his second season, the Florida Panthers centre built a solid case for being a long-time NHL star.

OTTAWA – With their two top goaltenders out, the Ottawa Senators have recalled Chris Driedger from the East Coast Hockey League.

CALGARY – Hayley Wickenheiser will undergo season-ending foot surgery Wednesday and won’t play for Canada at the upcoming women’s world hockey championship.

TORONTO – The minor-league Toronto Marlies used to boast the slogan that “Every game is a try-out.” Right now it’s reality for the Maple Leafs.

WINNIPEG – Dustin Byfuglien could once again show why he’s worth his weight in gold for the Winnipeg Jets.

Eric Desjardins is certainly grateful for his time with the Montreal Canadiens, a stretch that included winning the Stanley Cup in 1993.

OTTAWA – Prior to his first NHL start, Andrew Hammond said his parents were too nervous to come to the game. Hammond looked anything but between the posts.

EDMONTON – Not knowing what he was doing didn’t seem to be a detriment to Martin Marincin.

CALGARY – Minnesota defenceman Matt Dumba did a little of everything for the Wild on Wednesday— and his coach took notice.

Tom Watt still has a video tape of the “Miracle On Ice,” with his own voice as part of the soundtrack. One of Canada’s coaches during the 1980 Winter Olympics, Watt worked the television broadcast of the legendary game between the United States and Soviet Union after his team didn’t reach the medal round.