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Pre-game reading: The NHL wants to play some games in China

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The Columbus Blue Jackets have stunned the NHL world with their 16-game winning streak. Here's a special look at their incredible run.

-- Up top, relive the best moments of the Blue Jackets’ winning streak, which came to an end last night in Washington.

-- The NHL wants to play some games in China. So says deputy commissioner Bill Daly, who will visit the country later this month. “I think it’s fair to say we hope to be in a position to stage NHL games there, probably initially preseason games and then potentially on a longer-term basis, regular-season games. We’re working on that possibility potentially as early as next year and with this visit, we’ll know a lot more about whether we can pull that off or not.” (Yahoo Sports)

-- Ottawa Senators GM Pierre Dorion, on the state of trade talks around the league: “I’ve been on the phone all day pretty much with my other counterparts. As quiet as it was before Christmas, I think talks are heating up, but it’s very difficult to make trades. Sometimes budget comes into it for other teams, sometimes it’s the number of contracts ... So, working hard at it, I’m always looking to improve our team but there’s nothing imminent or at the forefront right now.” (Ottawa Sun)

-- Patrick Maroon had a hat trick last night in Boston, and he threw in a fight with Zdeno Chara for good measure. The big Oilers winger now has 14 goals on the season, all for the low, low cap hit of $1.5 million. And in case you’re wondering, no, he doesn’t always get to play with Connor McDavid. (Edmonton Journal)

-- Pierre LeBrun continues his series on the upcoming expansion draft, this time with a look at the Tampa Bay Lightning. “The Bolts have four players on a list of 66 guys who must be protected in the expansion draft (unless the players agree to waive them) as per the memo that the league sent to all 31 teams in November: Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, Valtteri Filppula and Ryan Callahan. The last two players are an issue, to be sure -- quality guys but players whose contracts have outgrown their actual value on the ice these days.” (ESPN)

-- It wasn’t long ago that Nikita Tryamkin couldn’t get into a game for the Vancouver Canucks, and there was pressure on the big Russian defenseman to accept an AHL assignment. He never did go down to the AHL, but it’s turned out pretty well all the same. These days, Tryamkin is playing regularly and making a positive impact for the Canucks. “He wanted to play,” said coach Willie Desjardins. “He did not want to sit. He was not happy when we didn’t play him. I felt, for him to be his best, he had to change his (fitness) to be ready. It’s not that he ever accepted it, but he worked at it and did it.” (The Province)

Enjoy the games!