NHL Pacific

The Vancouver Canucks have placed forward Jake Virtanen on leave after an unnamed woman accused him of sexual misconduct.

"We have become aware of the concerning allegations made about Jake Virtanen," the Canucks said in a statement released Saturday (h/t ESPN's Emily Kaplan).

"Our organization does not accept sexual misconduct of any kind and the claims as reported are being treated very seriously by us. We have engaged external expertise to assist in an independent investigation and we have placed the player on leave as we wait more information."

Alanna Kelly of Glacier Media spoke exclusively with the woman, who was not identified due to "fear of public backlash," per Kelly.

The woman told Kelly she agreed to meet Virtanen in Sept. 2017. He picked her up in a car and brought her to a Vancouver hotel, where she says he committed sexual misconduct toward her.

"I couldn't believe that I said no and he didn't take that for an answer," Emily told Kelly. "I felt violated and gross and wanted to leave."

The woman has contacted the police, per Kelly. No charges have been filed as of Saturday.

Kelly reported the woman made her allegations public after seeing similar stories posted on an anonymous, private Instagram account.

The NHL also released a statement via deputy commissioner Bill Daly: "We are aware of this issue and have been in contact with the club regarding appropriate response. We don't have any further comment at this time."

Vancouver selected Virtanen sixth overall in the 2014 NHL draft. The 24-year-old has played in 317 regular-season games with the Canucks over six seasons, beginning in 2015-16. 

 

Anaheim Ducks goalie Ryan Miller announced Thursday that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.

Miller said the following about his retirement, via the Ducks' official website:

"It was a dream come true when I played my first NHL game and it has been a privilege to spend 18 years as a professional. I have decided that I am going to retire after the season having been given more time doing what I love than I could ever have hoped for. Thank you to you my teammates and staff, past and present. I'm thankful to so many who made my career possible and helped me on my journey from youth hockey to the NHL. Thank you to my family for supporting me with so much love and enthusiasm."

Miller, 40, spent 18 seasons in the NHL from 2002-21 with the Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks and Ducks.

He is best known for his 11 seasons with the Sabres, during which he was a one-time All-Star and won the 2010 Vezina Trophy as the best goaltender in the NHL.

The Ducks tweeted a highlight reel Thursday in celebration of Miller's highly productive and successful NHL career:

Congratulations, @RyanMiller3039, on 18 incredible NHL seasons and the impact you've had on the game. pic.twitter.com/pKZQeGRoAf

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) April 29, 2021

The Sabres did so as well and tweeted a statement congratulating Miller:

https://twitter.com/BuffaloSabres/status/1387785219852353537

Thank you for everything, @RyanMiller3039. pic.twitter.com/Md7KFFpvhP

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 29, 2021

Miller entered the NHL in 2002 after Buffalo selected him in the fifth round of the 1999 NHL draft. He was twice named the NCAA's best goaltender and won the 2001 Hobey Baker award as the top player in college hockey at Michigan State.

The Lansing, Michigan, native picked up where he left off in the NHL, going 284-186-57 with a 2.58 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and 28 shutouts in 540 regular-season games as a member of the Sabres.

Miller also went 25-22 with a 2.47 GAA, .917 save percentage and three shutouts for Buffalo in playoff action, leading it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2006 and 2007.

He is the Sabres' all-time franchise leader in career goalie appearances and wins, and he also holds the single-season wins record for Buffalo with 41 in 2009-10.

After stints with the Blues and Canucks, Miller spent the final four seasons of his career with the Ducks, primarily in a backup role behind John Gibson.

For his career, Miller is 390-289-87 with a 2.63 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and 44 shutouts. Among American goaltenders, he is first in NHL history in wins and second in both games played and shutouts.

Miller was also a standout on the international stage, representing Team USA at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. At the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Miller led the U.S. to a silver medal and was named the MVP and best goaltender of the tournament, going 5-1 with a 1.35 GAA and .946 save percentage.

The Ducks noted that Miller is the only player in history to be named the best goalie in the NHL, Winter Olympics and AHL, as well as the top goalie and best player in the NCAA.

While Miller was never quite able to break through by winning a Stanley Cup or Olympic gold, his place in hockey history is secure, and he could receive some consideration for the Hall of Fame in the future.

The Vegas Golden Knights became the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot with a 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday. 

⚔️ CLINCHED ⚔️

The @GoldenKnights are the first team to book their spot in the #StanleyCup Playoffs! https://t.co/S6gpkhzF4x

— NHL (@NHL) April 22, 2021

Vegas could have punched its ticket on Tuesday if the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Los Angeles Kings, but they fell 4-1. 

Either way, the NHL's newest team is headed to the postseason for the fourth straight season. The Golden Knights, three years removed from a Stanley Cup Final berth in their inaugural season, will be looking to improve on a Conference Finals appearance last year.

This year's playoff format is different than usual. With the league divided into four location-based divisions, the top four teams in each group will make the postseason. The first two rounds of the playoffs will consist of intra-division games and the advancing teams will then be reseeded based on regular-season point total. 

Here is a look at what teams would make the playoffs if the season ended today: 

West Division

Vegas Golden Knights: 68 points (33-11-2)

Colorado Avalanche: 64 points (30-9-4)

Minnesota Wild: 61 points (29-13-3)

Arizona Coyotes: 45 points (20-22-5)

 

Central Division

Carolina Hurricanes: 65 points (30-10-5)

Florida Panthers: 65 points (30-12-5)

Tampa Bay Lightning: 62 points (30-14-2)

Nashville Predators: 52 points (25-21-2)

Dallas Stars: 50 points (19-14-12)

 

East Division

Washington Capitals: 62 points (29-13-4)

New York Islanders: 62 points (29-13-4)

Pittsburgh Penguins: 61 points (29-14-3)

Boston Bruins: 58 points (26-12-6)

North Division

Toronto Maple Leafs: 61 points (28-13-5)

Winnipeg Jets: 47 points (27-15-3)

Edmonton Oilers: 56 points (27-15-2)

Montreal Canadiens: 47 points (19-15-9)

The Golden Knights are far from the same team that ran all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in their first season as a franchise, but their roster has put them atop the league table all the same. For the second successive season, the Golden Knights have surged past the competition due to the power of Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty, who served as the team's most productive skaters this season. 

Stone is among the league leaders in assists, with 35 helpers to go with 18 goals, while Pacioretty has found the net 22 times and helped out on 24 goals. Shea Theodore is also with Stone on the league leaderboards with 32 assists to go with six goals. 

Vegas also welcomed Alex Pietrangelo as a headline signing in free agency. He helped bolster the defense in front of two starting-caliber netminders in Marc-Andre Fleury and Robin Lehner. 

All of that has combined to help the Golden Knights maintain a postseason presence for the fourth year in as many tries since joining the league.

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner went on Twitter to clarify comments he made earlier Wednesday when he claimed that the NHL had lied about its COVID-19 policies.

Lehner's initial quotes were in reference to the league reportedly saying that it would ease COVID-19 restrictions "if the league hit a certain threshold of vaccinations," per Justin Emerson of the Las Vegas Sun.

The Swede said the following, referencing his team's own inoculations: "We were approached and promised things for our league if we got vaccinated. When we did it, now they changed. They said it's not happening. I think that's wrong. That was a lie, a blatant lie."

Lehner issued more remarks about his feelings during a press conference with reporters, and he later gave this statement on Twitter.

"As I'm frustrated like a lot of people in the world right now everything didn't come out of today's press in the right way. Main point is that we need to start take the mental health important as well In this situation. It has a huge impact on everyone in society right now.

"To put competitive edge before well being of people lives is wrong. As I said people are struggling with many different things mentally and we need to consider that as well. Then being lied to makes it worse. I love hockey and the league has done a lot of good things.

"But this missed the mark. My bad to say it's like prison and I apologize but with mental health issues that is developing in the world it develops problems mentally. We will see exactly how this effects everything with time. I don't mean to offend anyone.

"I hope we can all work together to help people that suffers trough mental help from this going forward. I've heard how a lot of people are doing trough this as people talk to me about it."

Emerson summarized the restrictions placed on players this year amid the pandemic: "The NHL has instituted strict restrictions on players that require them to remain largely sequestered in their hotel rooms while on the road. While at home, they are advised not to go out unless necessary."

An NHL spokesperson also issued this statement following Lehner's comments, per Emerson:

Comment from the NHL about Robin Lehner’s remarks today from a league spokesman: pic.twitter.com/saXy2gpVjG

— Justin Emerson (@J15Emerson) April 21, 2021

The NHL began its 56-game regular season on Jan. 13. The Golden Knights, who lead the league with 66 points, have 11 regular-season games remaining through May 10. The NHL's point leaders haven't officially clinched playoffs yet, but a postseason berth is a mere formality. The Stanley Cup Final will be held in July, with the latest possible date for Game 7 being on the 15th.

Vegas is one of the top Stanley Cup contenders this year in part because of the 29-year-old Lehner, who is 11-1-2 with a 91.9 save percentage and 2.11 goals-against average in 14 games.

Nobody has played more regular-season games in NHL history than San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau.

Monday's contest against the Vegas Golden Knights was the 1,768th game of his career, which passed the legendary Gordie Howe's mark of 1,767.

IT’S OFFICIAL!

Patrick Marleau breaks all-time games played record. @SAPSports | #HistoryMarleaud pic.twitter.com/2PWJIMdAJQ

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 20, 2021

Patrick Marleau is OFFICIALLY the ALL-TIME leader in games played in the @NHL! pic.twitter.com/Vxr3bPJIjM

— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) April 20, 2021

A special moment for Patrick Marleau in Vegas.

Thank you @GoldenKnights and @NHL! #HistoryMarleaud pic.twitter.com/DEZWrr3UKL

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 20, 2021

Marleau even had custom gloves made for the occasion:

Patrick Marleau's custom mitts for tonight though. 👀🔥

(📸: @brandonmagnus) pic.twitter.com/USmuaU8bZd

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 19, 2021

The 41-year-old entered the league in the 1997-98 season for the Sharks and played in San Jose until he joined the Toronto Maples Leafs for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. He rejoined the Sharks for the 2019-20 campaign, although they traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

That didn't stop the Sharks from signing him again prior to the 2020-21 campaign, and it feels only fitting he is wearing their jersey when he sets this record.

The three-time All-Star is San Jose's all-time leader in a number of categories, including games, goals, points, game-winning goals and shots.

In all, he has 1,196 points on 566 goals and 630 assists in his career.

San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau tied hockey legend Gordie Howe's NHL-record mark of 1,767 regular-season games played when he took the ice against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday evening.

Patrick Marleau has officially tied Gordie Howe for the most games played in #NHL history at 1,767! #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/PpdrB9ddTq

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) April 18, 2021

Marleau takes his first shift of game 1767 👏 https://t.co/9opnhIrRKM

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 18, 2021

A moment for Marleau in Minnesota.

Very classy, @mnwild! 👏 pic.twitter.com/8QIpYB723U

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 18, 2021

The two-time Olympic gold medal winner spoke about the impending honor two days beforehand, per ESPN News Services: "Just first and foremost is loving the game and I just love being out there and playing. Obviously, every kid's dream is to hoist that Stanley Cup, so I've been chasing it all this time and that goal hasn't changed for me, since you know what the Stanley Cup's about."

Hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier owns the record for most NHL games played including playoffs with 1,992. Marleau is second on that list with 1,962.

The Sharks have 12 more regular-season games left, so Marleau could inch a little closer to Messier. However, it's unlikely that Marleau could eclipse the total-game mark this year with the sixth-place Sharks currently on the outside looking into the playoff picture.

Marleau would also have to play in all remaining regular-season games plus 18 playoff contests to get it done.

However, the 41-year-old hasn't hinted at ending his illustrious career, which has seen him score 566 career goals and post 630 assists since entering the league in 1997. He could conceivably come back for at least one more season, break Messier's record and perhaps surpass 2,000 total games played too.

"I still love playing, I still love the competition," Marleau said upon signing a one-year contract with the Sharks in October, per NHL.com.

"[I'm] still going after my dream of winning the Stanley Cup and, yeah, [I'm] still able to get out there and play and have fun. I think that's the thing that keeps me going."

He's also one of the more durable players in NHL history, as ESPN News Services explained.

"But it is his supreme skating skill and dependability that has allowed him to play 896 consecutive games since last missing a contest when he was 29 that will be his legacy. He has played through the flu, various other bumps and bruises and even chartered a plane to join his teammates in Nashville for a game in 2009 after the birth of one of his sons."

Marleau, who was the second overall pick in the 1997 NHL draft, has now played in San Jose for 21 seasons.

The Arizona Coyotes will posthumously induct Leighton Accardo into the team's Ring of Honor on Saturday, making her the first person who wasn't a player, coach, general manager or broadcaster to receive the distinction.

In our hearts.

On our backs.

4.17.21 pic.twitter.com/uq8pu6hAsZ

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) April 15, 2021

Accardo died in November at age nine after being diagnosed with cancer. Her family will be present at the pregame ceremony, and the team will wear special warm-up jerseys designed to honor the Coyotes fan. The sweaters will be auctioned off, and all proceeds will support the Leighton Accardo Scholarship Fund to help provide access for girls who want to play hockey in Arizona.

"I'm not scared. My friends are here with me right now."

When Leighton was first diagnosed with cancer, her teammates hosted a head shaving party in support of her fight. 💜 pic.twitter.com/gKIebeqMux

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) April 16, 2021

Leighton's legacy will live on forever.

In 2021, we introduced "Little Leightons," a program for girls 5-9 to learn how to play hockey. All girls wear yellow for childhood cancer awareness and #49 to remember to always "skate hard, have fun." 💛🎗️ pic.twitter.com/3h6yEK0uaj

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) April 16, 2021

Coyotes president Xavier A. Gutierrez said in a statement:

"Leighton was a very special person, and we were all inspired by her incredible strength, courage, positivity, and passion for life. Leighton loved the game of hockey and she had an incredible impact on our entire organization and the Arizona hockey community. We are honored to carry on her legacy and preserve her memory by inducting her into our Ring of Honor. Leighton will forever be a part of our Pack."

The Coyotes have raised $75,000 for the scholarship fund as their efforts to honor Accardo continue.

On Thursday, the NHL announced it delayed plans for the Vancouver Canucks to return to action Friday because of the COVID-19 outbreak that struck the team.

"The decision to extend the period prior to the team's resumption of play was made to provide Club staff and Players with additional time for recovery and preparation following its recent COVID outbreak," the announcement read. "The NHL made the decision with input from the League's, NHLPA's and Club's medical groups."

Schedule changes for the North Division will be released Friday.

Vancouver has not played a game since March 24.

This comes after forward J.T. Miller told reporters he did not believe the league's rescheduling plan for the Canucks was safe:

"I don't really feel ready at all." J.T. Miller speaks on the #Canucks current situation.

(Part 1 of 2) pic.twitter.com/JkoV2Esy2O

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 14, 2021

"It's all about the health and safety of our players and their families and children." - J.T. Miller speaks on the #Canucks mindset

(Part 2 of 2) pic.twitter.com/H7CHqgYZYl

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) April 14, 2021

"This is nothing to do with hockey," Miller said. "To be brutally honest, we're going to need more time than this to come back and play hockey. Even the guys that didn't get it aren't ready."

Emily Kaplan of ESPN noted the NHL planned for Vancouver to play its last 19 games in the span of 31 days, which delayed the end of the North Division's regular-season slate. However, the league held a Zoom call with players Wednesday to address their concerns.

Kaplan reported a number of the players who contracted the virus were symptomatic, including one who needed an IV.

Vancouver is 16-18-3 for 35 points through 37 games. It is 10 points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final playoff spot from the division.

The Vancouver Canucks are gearing up for their return to play on Friday, as the team removed nine players from the NHL's COVID-19 list on Wednesday.

Trevis Boyd, Thatcher Demko, Braden Holtby, Bo Horvat, Marc Michaelis, Tyler Motte, Tyler Myers, Antoine Roussel and Brandon Sutter were the latest players to come off of the list (h/t Joshua Clipperton of the Canadian Press).

There are still seven players under the designation.

The Canucks haven't played since March 24 as a COVID-19 outbreak spread through the organization, with 22 players and four staff members testing positive for the virus, according to Tim Campbell of NHL.com. 

The Canucks had eight total games postponed over the 11-day span.

On Monday, the team had 10 players skate on their first day back on the ice, per. 

"Some guys feel really good and they're ready to go," general manager Jim Benning said. "Other guys are still feeling some residual effects of the COVID. But the next step for them is to start working out, getting on the ice and getting back in shape to play again." 

Benning said coach Travis Green was among the players affected, while forward Tanner Pearson was able to avoid any issues. 

"Obviously I've stayed on the right side of it," Pearson said. "For the most part, our team hasn't. I've talked to most guys that got it, array of symptoms, some are still battling them, so hopefully that gets in a positive way better soon." 

Forward J.T. Miller voiced his concerns about resuming the season with so many players still affected:

JT Miller, “I don’t feel ready if I’m being honest... It's kind of crazy. I know everyone has a job to do but to expect our entire team to be ready to play in one practice and a pre-game skate is a bit hard to comprehend." #Canucks

— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) April 14, 2021

When their season picks back up on Friday, the Canucks will play their 19 remaining games in 31 days, concluding the year on May 16. That is eight days after the scheduled NHL regular-season end date of May 8, but the league has had to deal with 49 postponements due to COVID-19 protocols since the start of the year. 

The Canucks are currently in sixth place in the North Division, 10 points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final playoff spot. 

The Vancouver Canucks' pause because of COVID-19 will last at least another day.

The team—which has had eight games postponed dating back to March 31 amid a virus outbreak within the organization—was scheduled to reopen its facilities Sunday, but Jay Beagle was placed into the league's COVID-19 protocols Sunday, according to Jeff Paterson of The Athletic.

As a result, the facilities will be closed until at least Monday, per ESPN.

Vancouver is currently scheduled to resume play Friday against the Edmonton Oilers. 

The Canucks haven't played since March 24, as 21 players and four staff members returned positive tests for a COVID-19 variant, according to Mike Battaglino of NHL.com.

ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported that several of the players were in "rough shape" while battling the virus and had "intense" symptoms, including fatigue and dehydration so severe that team staff went to their homes to administer IV treatments. 

On Saturday, there were 19 players on the COVID-19 protocol list, Battaglino reported. 

Meanwhile, the NHL regular season was extended a second time and is now slated to end May 16. The league was originally scheduled to wrap things up on May 8 but had already added extra time once, up to May 11. 

Since the NHL season began on Jan. 13, 54 games had to be postponed, including 49 because of COVID-19 protocol.

The all-Canada North Division managed to stave off COVID-19-related postponements until March 22, when the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens were postponed because of two Canadiens players entering COVID protocols. 

The Canucks (16-18-3) are in sixth place and are eight points behind the Canadiens with 19 games left to play. The top four teams in each division will make the Stanley Cup playoffs, though a start date has not been announced.