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Mikko Rantanen sustained a torn MCL in his knee during the Olympics, an injury that Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill says kept their standout forward from being himself the rest of the season.

Colorado's Cale Makar, Buffalo's Rasmus Dahlin and Columbus blueliner Zach Werenski are all finalists for the Norris Trophy, awarded each year to the NHL's top defenseman.

Anaheim, one of the weakest goal prevention teams in the regular season, gave a rare defensive performance in its Game 2 win in Vegas on Wednesday night.

The Sabres defeated the Canadiens 4-2 in Game 1 of their second-round series Wednesday with a power-play showing the likes of which Buffalo hadn't been able to produce since March.

Live coverage of the Anaheim Ducks vs. Vegas Golden Knights NHL game on ESPN, including live score, highlights and updated stats.

Live coverage of the Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres NHL game on ESPN, including live score, highlights and updated stats.

The NHL salary cap will climb to $104 million next season -- an $8.5 million increase. "It's a really good time, and we don't even have the biggest markets. This is about how good the hockey is," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday.

Flyers center Noah Cates will miss the rest of their series against the Hurricanes with a lower-body injury, the team announced on Wednesday.

Brock Nelson and Nick Suzuki are first-time NHL awards finalists, joining Anthony Cirelli as Selke Trophy contenders for top defensive forward.

The PWHL is revamping its expansion rules, including the elimination of an expansion player draft, in preparing to add as many as four markets for next season.