NHL Saturday: Blackhawks avenge conference final loss in Los Angeles

Chicago played like they had something to prove to themselves. Skating against the team that knocked you out of the playoffs the previous season tends to bring that out of you. Los Angeles wasn’t sharp, and the Blackhawks were buzzing. The final result wasn’t really in doubt until the Kings began pushing back in the third period.

2. You can’t turn the puck over against Chicago and hope to win. The Kings are usually pretty careful with the puck, but they committed 11 giveaways through the first two periods as the Blackhawks piled on a 3-1 lead. Chicago is great in transition up ice, so the Kings doomed themselves.

What we have here is an excellent example of the two sides of puck luck.

(H/T @MyRegularFace)

Nothing. The answer is nothing.

The deal is worth $22.5 million, bringing Gallagher’s AAV to about $3.75 million per season. That certainly seems like a great price for a rising force in the NHL.

Gallagher has become a key cog in the Canadiens’ offensive attack since joining them in 2012, with 39 goals and 81 points through three seasons. He proved he is still a threat on the power play after scoring eight power play goals last season. He also continues to be one of the feistiest players in the NHL, willing to mix it up with any player despite his small 5’9 frame.

Apparently scoring overtime winners pays off. Literally.

By locking him up for five years, the Wild only take a $4 million cap hit per year and keep an important part of their burgeoning young blueline in play.