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Toronto coach Craig Berube said Matthews took a cross-check to the back late in a 6-3 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.

Lindy Ruff is but the latest in a line of six Sabres coaches who followed his firing 11 years ago to be dealing with a lengthy skid.

The Predators announced the deal Wednesday night, a little more than 24 hours before the NHL's holiday roster freeze.

New York has lost 11 of its past 14 games, including five of seven since trading captain Jacob Trouba to Anaheim.

Schultz won the Cup with Pittsburgh in 2016 and '17 after spending his first four seasons in the league with Edmonton.

Winnipeg picked the 18-year-old forward in the fourth round of the 2024 draft, becoming the second player from China.

Brind'Amour received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is given to people who have made significant contributions to the state and their community.

The 32-year-old Mrazek was placed on injured reserve earlier this month. He is 7-11-1 with a 2.83 goals-against average and .906 save percentage in 20 games this season.

Barzal hadn't played since Oct. 30, missing a total of 21 games. Pelech had been out since he took a puck to the face on Nov. 1 in Buffalo.

Defense was a hallmark of the Golden Knights' Stanley Cup championship run two seasons ago under coach Bruce Cassidy, and it's a key reason they're surging again.