Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson is in the lineup tonight against the New York Rangers (as per Eric Engels of Sportsnet). Matheson left the Canadiens game last Thursday night with an apparent upper-body injury after playing just 7:35 during the first period. He didn’t return for the second period and was ruled out of the game. The 30-year-old then returned to the Canadiens lineup on Saturday night against the Islanders and played over 28 minutes, tallying an assist.
Matheson’s dressing tonight left fellow defenseman Arber Xhekaj on the outside looking in as the Hamilton, Ontario native was made a healthy scratch. It marks the second game in a row that the 23-year-old has had to watch from the press box as he didn’t dress in New York on Saturday night.
In other evening notes:
- Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson sat out tonight’s game and has been dealing with an issue since the team opened the season in Prague (as per Joe Yerdon of Noted Hockey). Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff credited the youngster with trying to play through the injury but said the ailment was beginning to affect his play. The 13th overall pick in 2023 is pointless through six games this season but has very strong underlying numbers and could benefit from a bit of rest to try and deal with the issue that has been nagging him. Buffalo doesn’t play again until Saturday.
- The Athletic ran a poll with 40 high-ranking league executives to see who they believe is the NHL’s top front office. Among the participants were scouting directors, senior advisors, general managers, and assistant general managers. The top three clubs in the rankings were the Dallas Stars at one, the Tampa Bay Lightning second, and the Florida Panthers in third. The Golden Knights and Bruins rounded out the top five. It’s no surprise to see three recent Stanley Cup winners in the top five, but what is surprising is seeing the number one ranking go to a team that hasn’t won a Stanley Cup since 1999. Although, the Stars did go to a Stanley Cup Final in 2020.
So, the Stars, Lightning, Panthers not only have the benefits of no income tax, but also have a better front office than everyone else?
Waiting for someone calling to fix this blatant injustice.
I suspect this is a big reason why there hasn’t been a cup in Canada for 30 years, and Southern teams have had much better success. It’s not the only reason, but certainly there is an advantage in having a bit of extra additional capital due to tax savings. And I say that as both a Panthers fan and as someone who kind of enjoys watching Leafs fans suffer.
It is where Woke reaches into your wallet that teams have the most trouble in building a champion. It affects all other inhabitants negatively as well.
Leave that fascist brain rot out of sports, thanks. “Woke” is a fantasy bigots have made up to justify their goon behaviour.
Woke justifies “goon behavior”. You have a perception problem.
I should have flagged irony in my initial comment lol.
What I wanted to say: I hope the fact that Panthers/Stars/Lightning are credited as the best team brass gives those a pause who try to blame tax and politics for everything.
Also warm weather
I think the recognition of Dallas has to go to their scouting. They win, and keep their 1st rounders and make great picks. So many great young talent that they picked that in a redraft would be a top 5 pick… Wyatt Johnston at 29th pick. When you have great solid basis of young budding superstars at cost controllable and you can take a few cast off talented veterans… Lots of flexibility to always be competitive.
Bruins front office about to take a tumble methinks in any “best of” poll… overrated and blowhards, thanks to Seabass’ ranting & bottle tantrums.