Bolts hand Caps first regulation loss
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Lightning have handed the Washington Capitals their first regulation loss of the season.
The Caps were 5-0-3 until Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 31 shots in the Lightning’s 3-2 victory against Washington. Anthony Cirelli had a goal and two assists for the Bolts, who also stopped Alex Ovechkin’s eight-game point streak.
Tampa Bay also got goals from Alex Killorn and Brayden Point.
Elsewhere on NHL ice:
— The Blackhawks finally have their first victory in 10 games this season after Patrick Kane recorded a hat trick and collected four points in a 5-1 thumping of the Senators. Kane was in the lineup on Monday after being removed from the league’s COVID-19 protocol earlier in the day. Brandon Hagel scored twice and Jonathan Toews had three assists for the Hawks, who opened the season 0-7-2 before leaving Arizona as the league’s only winless team.
— The Oilers are 7-1 after Leon Draisaitl delivered two goals and two assists in a 5-2 win versus the Kraken. Duncan Keith, Kyle Turris and Kailer Yamamoto also scored to support Mikko Koskinen’s 27-save performance. Jaden Schwartz and Carson Soucy tallied for the Kraken, who are 2-6-1 after their second loss in a row.
Bettman defends handling of Hawks assault allegations
UNDATED (AP) — Commissioner Gary Bettman has defended the NHL’s decisions and discipline meted out following an investigation into the Chicago Blackhawks’ handling of sexual assault allegations in 2010.
Bettman called the organization’s $2 million fine significant. He stood by decisions to let Joel Quenneville coach one more game for Florida and not discipline Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff based on his limited role in Chicago’s front office at the time.
Quenneville was head coach of the Blackhawks in 2010. He resigned as Florida’s coach after meeting with Bettman last week.
Also around the NHL:
— Penguins defensemen Marcus Pettersson and Chad Ruhwedel have entered the COVID-19 protocol after testing positive for the coronavirus. Coach Mike Sullivan confirmed the positive tests, saying Pettersson is symptomatic while Ruhwedel is so far asymptomatic. Pettersson and Ruhwedel are the fifth and sixth members of the Penguins to enter the protocol so far this season.
— The Sharks removed one of their seven players from the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol but added another as they returned to practice on Monday. Forward Andrew Cogliano was taken off the list after missing Saturday’s game against Winnipeg. Forward Kevin LaBanc went on it.
— The league has suspended Canadiens forward Cedric Paquette for two games without pay for boarding Ducks forward Trevor Zegras during Anaheim’s 4-2 win on Sunday. Paquette was given a major penalty and game misconduct for boarding.
