News » Brendan Gaunce and Darren Archibald

NEW YORK (AP) — Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson’s suspension for domestic abuse has been reduced from 27 to 18 games by an arbitrator.The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association announced arbitrator Shyam Das’ decision Thursday.Commissioner Gary Bettman handed down the suspension last month. Watson pleaded no contest in July to a charge of domestic assault stemming from an incident in June Authentic Alexander Wennberg Jersey , and the NHL found Watson engaged in unacceptable off-ice conduct.The Predators weren’t involved in Watson’s appeal but have supported the forward . Watson has been able to use the team’s resources and practice with Nashville during his suspension, and he was on the ice Tuesday night in full uniform before the Predators’ home opener as the team hung banners for winning the Central Division and Presidents’ Trophy last season.“We are aware of its reduction to 18 games,” the Predators said in a statement. “As previously stated, our focus has and will continue to be the health and well-being of Austin and his family.”Now Watson is eligible rejoin the Predators on Nov. 15 when they wrap up a five-game road trip Arizona. If the 27-game ban had stood, he would have been out until Dec. 3.The NHL does not have a written domestic abuse policy and has chosen to judge each incident separately. Slava Voynov is currently still suspended indefinitely for a 2014 incident.Watson was charged in an incident June 16 with his girlfriend after a witness flagged down a police officer to a gas station in Franklin, Tennessee. Watson told police he and his girlfriend were arguing and that he pushed her. Officers said they found red marks on her chest Los Angeles Kings T-Shirts Womens , and she said Watson caused them. Watson pleaded no contest to domestic assault on July 24.As part of that plea, Watson can have the misdemeanor charge dismissed by fulfilling terms of the diversion program. Watson must serve three months of probation and complete both an in-patient treatment program and a batterer’s intervention program.The 18th pick overall in 2010, Watson scored a career-high 14 goals with five assists in 76 games last season. He had five goals and three assists in 13 playoff games. VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Patrick Kane hopes to whet his palate again Wednesday night.The Chicago winger is riding a six-game point streak as the Blackhawks prepare to visit the Vancouver Canucks in the first contest of a three-game road trip through Western Canada.“It’s always fun scoring goals,” Kane told reporters Tuesday in Chicago. “So I think when you get a taste of that, you feel like you’re getting hot. You want to keep it going.”Article continues below ...Kane ranks among the National Hockey League’s top scorers with 11 goals and seven assists after his latest run yielded six and four. He has earned a point in all but one of Chicago’s 12 games.The Canucks are not the same version of the squad that waged several heated playoff and regular-season battles with the Blackhawks in the past. But Kane will not have trouble getting motivated for Wednesday’s contest against a young Vancouver club that has surprised people despite enduring several injuries to key players.“That was always a fun rivalry Sam Reinhart Jersey ,” Kane said. “I know it’s not the same as it once was. But it’s still fun to go into Vancouver and play in that rink.”But the Blackhawks have not had much fun on the power play lately. Kane and company have only scored on two of 14 power-play opportunities in the past four games. The Blackhawks split those contests.“I think we need to do a better job of recovering (the puck) off the (first) shot, and maybe some plays will open up,” Kane said. “But it’s still a work in progress.”Chicago coach Joel Quenneville wants his club to get off to a good start on what he calls “an all-important three-game trip.”“We’re playing three teams that are all in the (playoff) mix,” Quenneville told reporters. “All are improved. They’re all younger and have some speed through the lineup.”Swedish rookie Elias Pettersson, 19, is one player who has added to Vancouver’s speed this season. He has also provided some scoring punch to make up for the retirements of Daniel and Henrik Sedin.Pettersson scored two goals Zemgus Girgensons Jersey , including the winner, Monday as the Canucks posted a 5-2 home win over the Minnesota Wild, who had won five straight beforehand. Despite missing six games to a concussion, he has seven goals in as many games — including a pair of two-goal performances.“He gets the building going like no other player — like Hank and Danny (Sedin) used to do, so it’s nice,” Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom told reporters.“He has really good hockey sense Los Angeles Kings Hoodies Womens , and it’s not just offensively,” Canucks coach Travis Green said. “He’s got a good mind for the game and his details are sharp.”Pettersson’s on-ice sharpness was evident Monday as he scored on a one-timer and then capitalized on a breakaway after blocking a shot and taking a lead pass from Brock Boeser. The rookie said he wants to do his best at everything to help the team win.“If I have to block a shot, I’ll do my best at that, too,” he said.The Canucks will likely need another strong effort from him against Chicago. Vancouver lost center Brandon Sutter to an apparent shoulder injury against Minnesota. Coach Travis Green said Sutter is expected to be out “weeks.”The Canucks are also again expected to be without injured defensemen Alex Edler (knee) and Chris Tanev (hip) as well as winger Sven Baertschi (concussion). Vancouver called up two forwards — Brendan Gaunce and Darren Archibald — from Utica of the American Hockey League on Monday. That suggests another forward could also be unable to suit up.“I don’t know what’s going on around this team,” Markstrom said. “We keep getting injuries.”