Welcome to the PHT Morning Skate, a collection of links from around the hockey world. Have a link you want to submit? Email us at phtblog@nbcsports.com.
• Jacob Markstrom met his “mini me” prior to Canucks practice. (NHL)
• Nikita Gusev has been a healthy scratch at different times this season, but his signing in starting to pay off for the Devils. (The Hockey News)
• How has goaltending impacted the Islanders’ success this season? (TSN)
• Why aren’t the Sabres closer to locking up a playoff spot than they actually are? (Rotoworld)
• Nobody should’ve counted out the Columbus Blue Jackets before the start of the season. (The Cannon)
• The Canadiens have struggled defensively, so Habs Eyes on the Prize suggests pointing the finger at Luke Richardson. (Habs Eyes on the Prize)
• Caps GM Brian MacLellan supports Alex Ovechkin’s decision to skip the All-Star Game. (NBC Sports Washington)
• Raw Charge breaks down quality starts and steals for goalies this season. (Raw Charge)
• How should the Golden Knights handle Marc-Andre Fleury while he’s struggling? (Sinbin.Vegas)
• Marc-Edouard Vlasic has been a special player ever since he first joined the Sharks. (NBC Sports Bay Area)
• Who should the Avs target ahead of the trade deadline? (Mile High Hockey)
• Philipp Grubauer and Ilya Samsonov have both pushed Braden Holtby for playing time at different times in their career. How similar are those two situations though? (Nova Caps)
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Joey Alfieri is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @joeyalfieri.