MONTREAL -- The 4 Nations Face-Off starts three weeks from Wednesday in Montreal, but the rivalry between Sweden and Finland is already heating up. Just ask Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine, who will represent Finland on his home rink at Bell Centre in Montreal.

There have been stages the Canadiens have gone through in showing maturity as a young team, in learning how to win. They’ve gone through stages where they’ve learned the value of puck management, the value of game management, the value of risk management.

Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov joined teammate Victor Hedman in an exclusive club during Saturday's win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Notches apple Saturday

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman became the first player in franchise history to reach 600 assists on Thursday night against the Anaheim Ducks. Back in November, the veteran defenseman earned the top spot on the Lightning's all time assist record, passing Martin St. Louis who recorded 588 assists throughout his 13 seasons in Tampa Bay.

Anaheim opened the scoring 6:03 into the game on a redirection by forward Troy Terry, but the Lightning tied the score eight minutes later on the power play. Hedman got the puck at the left point and fed forward Brandon Hagel in the right corner, where the latter passed the puck to Anthony Cirelli at the back post for a tap-in and a tie game.

On every game day this season, THN Fantasy will highlight players and goalies for fantasy managers to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goal

Quinn Hughes is the reigning Norris Trophy winner, and while he’s in the conversation again, the race for this year’s Norris Trophy looks highly competitive.

Matthew Knies had two goals and an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs held on late to down the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 on Monday night.

Hedman put up an assist Thursday in a 4-3 shootout win over the Ducks. It was a big night for the big defender. Hedman is the fourth defenseman from Sweden to reach 600 NHL assists, joining Nicklas Lidstrom (878),

Vlasic and Slavin play similar defense-first styles with ranginess and discipline, making the latter a good model for the former as he continues developing.

Matthew Knies had two goals and an assist and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 on Monday night. Mitchell Marner had a goal and two assists and Auston Matthews added a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs,