What happened last night that you need to know about? Joe McDonald gives us his take on the biggest and best performances. This is where we say, Morning, Joe.Marchand for Art Ross: In our preseason picks, I picked the Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin to win the scoring race for the 2016-17 season. Hes a pretty good choice considering he scored 50 or more goals the last three seasons. But after watching the Boston Bruins Brad Marchand?slice up the opposition for Team Canada during the World Cup of Hockey, and then to see what he did in the season opener Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, is it possible to think he could win the scoring race in the NHL? Many would think theres no way Marchand had that ability, but his two goals and three assists for five points against the Blue Jackets was a true indication that hes destined to have an incredible season.If you havent seen it yet, watch his second goal of that game and you will be mesmerized by his ability to score. I guess playing at the World Cup with Sidney Crosby helped Marchand realize how good he can be. He scored 37 goals last season and theres no reason to think he cant match, or better, that stat this season. Oh, by the way, the Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews -- he of the record-setting four-goal NHL debut -- held the leagues scoring lead for just one night thanks to Marchands five-point game.Z fits right in: When New York Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton traded forward Derick Brassard to the Ottawa Senators for Mika Zibanejad during the offseason, it was interesting to think how 23-year-old forward would fit with his new team. Well, he proved on Thursday just how good he could be with the Rangers. He showed instant chemistry with linemates Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich. Not only that, but Zibanejad was solid on the power play.Kreider said it best after the Rangers 5-3 win over the New York Islanders: I can speak all day about the guys I am playing with because theyre incredible, he said. They make some ridiculous plays. Zibanejad made it look like he has been playing for the Rangers his entire six-year career in the NHL. When the season ends, this could turn out to be a major acquisition for Gorton and the Rangers.Laine is no slouch, either: You just know that Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine was motivated by Matthews four-goal NHL debut. Its nearly impossible for anyone to achieve the rookie success that Matthews had on Wednesday, but Laine produced a decent effort on Thursday. He registered one goal and one assist for two points in the Jets 5-4 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes.I picked Laine to win the 2016-17 Calder Trophy as the leagues rookie of the year. Im impressed by his confidence and ability. The No. 2 overall pick in last Junes draft is not shy when it comes to comparing his ability to that of Matthews, who was the top pick. Not only did Laine register a two-point night in his debut, he was physical and demonstrated how dominant he can be. He proved that during the World Cup of Hockey for Team Finland and it was on display again Thursday night for the Jets.Safe to say, with Laine and Matthews leading the way, this rookie class is an impressive one. Discount Nike Free Shoes . The All-Pro lineman got the leg bent under him while trying to make a tackle during the first half of a 22-20 overtime loss at Miami on Thursday night. The medical staff initially thought hed torn the ligament, and the test a day later in Cincinnati confirmed it. Cheap Nike Free Authentic . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. http://www.discountnikefree.com/ . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. Nike Free Shoes From China . It was Kerbers third final of the year after losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in Monterrey in April and to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in Tokyo two weeks ago. The 10th-ranked German improved her record in finals to 3-5. Cheap Nike Free For Sale . After slipping from the summit during the week, the Gunners overcame struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains second-half brace.TORONTO -- Toronto FC had little to say Monday in the wake of a story that Uruguayan star striker Diego Forlan was headed to the MLS club. "Nothing to report," was the official response. The Globe and Mail, however, said an announcement could come as early as Tuesday when the international transfer window reopens. The Washington Post reported last week that Toronto seemed in the front of the MLS queue to sign Forlan from Brazils Internacional. The Uruguayan, who previously played for Independiente, Manchester United, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid, won the Golden Boot at the 2010 World Cup as the tournaments leading scorer. Forlans agent, in a Brazilian publication, seemed to suggest that the striker was happy to stay where he was until after the 2014 World Cup. Other reports had the player himself saying, while he was interested in playing in the U.S. and the Middle East, he was happy where he was with a contract that runs for another two years. But where theres smoke, theres fire. Forlan has been linked to Major League Soccer since May when reports carried on the leagues own website quoted the striker as saying: "I like the MLSS a lot.dddddddddddd I have gone there on holiday a lot. I would love to go." Toronto, meanwhile, is in needed of bolstering its attack and Tim Leiweke, newly appointed president and CEO of TFC owner Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, has gone on the record saying the MLS team is not averse to signing a marquee name if the right player presents himself. It was on Leiwekes watch that the Los Angeles Galaxy signed David Beckham, after all. Toronto FC manager Ryan Nelsen has been coy when asked about Forlan, offering little more than a smile and praise for the player. And the club has talked recently of chasing a forward, with club officials having made regular trips to South America in recent months. The club was also gearing up for a possible player announcement this week. But Toronto, which has signed 20 new players since the end of last season, also has a track record of talking up transfers. Argentine striker Maximiliano Urutti was said to be a virtual done deal only to have the sale fall through. Toronto has also talked of hiring a Honduran, which has yet to happen. With a record of 2-8-7, help would be appreciated. ' ' '