#t: oilers

[scoringeffects]

u have poems that write themselves and the.n you have connor mcdavid best player in the world winning the conn smythe after losing the stanely cup finals after dragging his team to game seven after a 3-0 defecit ans losing his hopes and dreams since he was five years old And its reallt no comparison

[purecommemasolitude]

it's a really good thing we don't play the leafs more often because i unfortunately think amulet jokes are so so funny. at least when it's every once in a while i'm able to keep my restraint up

[sunshine-gumdrop]

Lol

[stromecat]

That’s our Viking 🫶

[babygirlknies]

no matter how “good” v*gas might be nothing will get me to like em

[ismegunster]

(Isme Gunster) @twixnmix @uusan

[tonyspep]

walkin' with his head down, i'm the one he's walking to

A/N: this is for the summer fic exchange!!! it started out as something completely different, but here we are. This is for the amazing @laurenairay I really hope you like it and that your summer is going well. This is my first time writing for Quinn Hughes so here's to trying something different. Quinn is so cute, so I hope I did him justice. This was inspired by “Call It What You Want” by Taylor Swift, which is so hurt/comfort to me. So here we are with Quinn being comforted after the game seven loss to the Oilers this year. thank you to @wyattjohnston for hosting this amazing exchange!!

Walkin' with his head down, i'm the one he's walkin' to

summary: the series didn't end the way you or quinn was hoping, but you weren't going to let him hang his head for too long

rating: t

i'm laughin' with my lover, makin' forts under covers

trust him like a brother, yeah, you know I did one thing right

starry eyes sparkin' up my darkest nights

“call it what you want” - by taylor swift

The final seconds ticked away and it was obvious this game wasn't going to end the way you or Quinn wanted it to. He and the rest of the Canucks gave the series everything they had, but McDavid and Draisaitl and company proved to be too much in the end. You felt Brock's girlfriend Bella wrap her arms around your middle, a soft sob escaping her as she rested her head against your back. It was hard for you not to cry, too. The boys had worked so hard to get to this point, they had fought all the way back to take the series lead, only to falter in the most important game and now the off season would be starting.

“I thought they had it,” Bella murmured and you could only nod. You really believed this year was going to be their year. They won the Pacific Divison. They beat the Preadators 4-2 and had home ice advantage in this series, which you knew would be tough, but still..

A tear couldn't help but trickle down your cheek. They had all the pieces to go far, maybe even all the way, and instead they would be packing up their lockers, doing exit interviews and the summer would be starting earlier than any of you anticipated.

“Me, too, Bells,” You agreed with the blonde who had become your best friend since you started dating Quinn just a little over a year ago. The two of you hugged each other tight, watching as the fans made their way out of the arena. You separated from each other after giving each other a kiss on the cheek and went down the steps to the locker room.

Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion as you waited for Quinn to appear. Out came Elias, skull cap pulled over his buzzed blonde hair, flashing you just a brief smile before his handsome face transformed into more of a grimace. JT was not standing tall, but hunched until he was embraced by his family. Brock gave you the best grin he could muster, nothing like his usual sparkling grin that you had come to know almost as well as Quinn's soft smile.

Then came a familiar head of soft brown hair, longer than it was when you first met Quinn in the hallway of your shared apartment building in downtown Vancouver. His head was down, his shoulders slumped, like they were holding the weight of the world. Your heart couldn't help but break. You knew how hard Quinn had worked to get to this point, how he took on the burden of being Captain and how seriously he took the C on his chest. He didn't want the Cup for himself, he wanted it for Brock, for Elias, JT, Thatcher, for Coach Rick Tocchect. He was so selfless and put the team first above anything and everything else.

All you wanted to do was take his pain away, to put the bashfully sweet smile you knew so well back on his face.

“Hey, you,” Quinn gave a weak laugh and there was a hint of the smile you fell in love with on his lips, making your heart lift slightly. “You can really smile you know,” You tease, reaching for Quinn's hand. “I know this didn't go the way we wanted to, but if you don't smile I'll think you're not happy to see me,” You joke and Quinn does laugh, for real this time. “Y/N,” Quinn's voice is tender as he cups your cheek in his other hand. “I'm always happy to see you. If you weren't here right now, I'd be going home to a dark apartment to just sit on my couch and think about all the things I could have done better. Instead, I'm going home with you, which makes this easier than it would be otherwise.”

You flush from Quinn's words. You want this to be easier for him, to ease some of the weight he carries and you think you know just how to do it.

Quinn can see the wheels turning in your head, see the spark that's suddenly taken over your deep eyes. He arches a brow and you kiss his cheek, teasing, “Just wait. I know just how to make this not seem so bad, but you tell me if it's too much, okay? I just want to be here for you, however you want me to be, Quinny,”

His cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink, showing through the playoff beard he's grown. Your heart skips a beat; even a bit run down after a hard fought series, Quinn is still the cutest boy you've ever known. With his big sad puppy eyes, his soft mop of dark hair that curls over his ears, his pink lips and warmly handsome face.

“Relax,” You say as you unlock your shared apartment's front door. “Just sit on the couch, don't do anything except take off your shoes, take a shower if you want, change into something comfy but leave everything else to me, okay?”

Quinn chuckles to himself and gives a joking salute, “Yes ma'am, but there is one other thing I want to do before you do whatever it is you're going to do.”

You blink curiously as you tilt your head, wondering what this one thing could be and then Quinn is touching your cheek, so gently as he presses his lips against yours. This kiss is the sweetest, softest kiss you've ever experienced. You continue kissing each other softly, neither of you wanting to pull away as your fingers sink into Quinn's wonderfully soft, thick dark hair. He nips on your bottom lip, gently, making you moan his name as his other hand wraps around your waist, anchoring you to strong frame.

You break apart out of necessity and Quinn says, “Now I'll go relax and leave you to your surprise,” and you're so tempted to follow him, heat thrumming through your veins, want clouding your thoughts as your eyes follow Quinn until he disappears down the hall.

Somehow you resist the urge, remembering that this night is about Quinn, that even though the game ended in disappointing fashion, you weren't going to let the night end that way.

Flipping through your contacts, you find the one you were looking for and you can only hope you have all the ingredients for the recipe you're planning. Talking to Ellen Hughes feels so much like talking to your own Mom. Her warmth radiates from the other side of the phone as you facetime and you feel relieved that you do have all the ingredients for her famous Kugle, which is Quinn's favorite food.

You're not the best cook but Kugle is easier than you expected. You laugh with Ellen as she goes over the recipe step by step with you and after the casserole goes into the oven, you see Quinn standing in the doorway of the kitchen, looking adorably cozy in a t-shirt and plaid pajama pants.

“Is that my Mom?” He asks, his voice so childlike his big brown eyes lit up with hopefulness and Ellen answers for you saying, “Hi, Sweetie. Y/N just called me. I'm so sorry...” and you leave the kitchen, letting mother and son have this time together, knowing Quinn needs the comfort of his Mom now more than ever.

“You made Kugle,” Quinn's voice is full of wonder as you reappear in the kitchen after changing into something comfortable yourself. “Is that why you called my Mom? So you would know how to make it? I could have helped,” He huffed a little, a pout forming on his beautiful lips, which made you laugh. “I'm the only one of us that knows how to make it. Mom shared her secrets with me,” He's proud, his chest puffing a little and how did you get such a sweet guy to call her your own?

“If you made it that would defeat the purpose of you relaxing,” You shake your head as you and Quinn walk toward each other and share another kiss unable to resist each other.

While the Kugle continues baking, you reveal part two of your of your surprise. After changing into your comfiest outfit – a shirt that used to be Quinn's and a pair of well worn shorts – you set up a fort in the living room with all the blankets and pillows in the apartment. “A fort?” Quinn's eyes are bright like they should always be and you smile just as bright. “A fort,” You confirm. “Figured after tonight you could use something fun like a fort and something comforting like your Mom's Kugle,”

Quinn wraps his arms around you from behind, his chin resting on your shoulder. “I like the way you think,” He kisses your cheek and you blush.

Getting under the blankets, you fire up Disney Plus and land on Toy Story. You know Quinn as well as you know yourself after having been together for nearly two years now and you know how much he loves this movie. Just like if the roles were reversed, Quinn would know to put on Pretty Woman or Tangled.

The familiar credits start just as the oven dings and before Quinn can get up, you push his shoulder gently saying, “I don't think so, you stay right here,” and he knows better to argue with you, so he stays put, laughing as the toys in Andy's room start to move around, letting the audience in that they're alive.

“You're a Toy!” Quinn shouts along with Woody after the new spaceman toy “lands” in Andy's room and you laugh, getting in a few Bo Peep lines and Slinky moments as Quinn can't help but get in the Woody lines before they happen. It's no surprise the cowboy is your boyfriend's favorite and you can't help but remember your first Halloween together this year when you dressed as Woody and Bo Peep to the Canucks party.

You enjoy the Kugle even stealing some of Quinn's who says, “Hey,” and shields his plate from you.

You're snuggled up together as the last credits play, Quinn humming along with “You've Got A Friend In Me.” He kisses you on the forehead and sings in your ear, “Some other folks might be a little bit smarter than I am, bigger and stronger too, maybe but none of them will ever love you the way I do, it's me and you,”

You giggle sweetly as you finish the song with the familiar refrain, beaming up at Quinn, “Boy and as the years go by our friendship will never die. You're gonna see it's our destiny. You've got a friend in me. You've got a friend in me. You've got a friend in me,”

You kiss each other softly, your tongues meeting as your hands move over each other's bodies. Your foreheads come to rest against each other's, your breath coming in soft pants as you look lovingly at each other, Quinn's big hand on your back, his fingers moving over your spine as you sigh, “I love you so much, Quinn,”

His cheeks flush – even though you've been saying I love you for months, it still makes him blush, like he can't believe you love him, which is insane, how can he love you – and your heart flutters like always whenever you're under the stare of his warm brown eyes. “I love you, too. This was amazing; just what I needed after tonight,” He says softly, his voice so tender and honest.

In your fort it's like nothing can touch you here, like, what happened tonight – the devastating loss – didn't happen. You hope you've given Quinn just a little relief, that his heart doesn't feel as heavy as it did when he watched the last seconds tick away or when he was in the handshake line or addressing the team in the locker room after, and the soft smile on his face as he holds you close tells you, you may have done all of that.

The next morning, you wake up in Quinn's arms, the safest place in the world and you smile at how serene he looks sleeping. The worry he carries with him is gone, the lines in his face smoothed away while his long, thick lashes resting on his cheeks. You see the smile creep across Quinn's lips telling you he's awake and his voice, thick with sleep, teases you, “Take a picture it'll last longer,”.

Quinn's humor is sneaky and you poke him in the ribs. “Like you haven't been staring at me too,”

Quinn's eyes open as he stretches and he says, “Can you blame me? I've never seen anyone as beautiful as you,”

“Smooth,” You remark and Quinn laughs. “It's not often, I am,” He admits and after a lazy kiss you find yourself sitting on the stools of your kitchen's island as Quinn makes breakfast.

Last night may not have ended the way both of you wanted, but today was a new day and there would be a new season on the horizon and you would make sure Quinn's days leading up to training camp and then opening night would be the brightest. You wouldn't let him get down on himself or believe he could have done more. You were going to make him believe in himself and believe in the team he had help build up to be one of the best, and that started today.

[itsnotgray]

gray’s fic recs

my tagging/recommendation system is a mess beyond the point of fixing, so i made a masterlist. (i’ll slowly be adding fics to this!)

- an asterisk is next to players who play for the ahl team of said nhl team

- if works focused on more than one person, they’re listed under the other people, but only tagged in the first one you see in the list.

- also, apologies if the links don’t work correctly, it is in fact my first time making a masterlist

NHL/AHL

Anaheim Ducks

Jamie Drysdale

hey roomie by @emaanemaa

- trevor and jamie threesome. that's right, that's all it took to get you to go read it.

Trevor Zegras

chameleon by @hischierhaze

- listen- if you're someone who, whether it be consciously or unconsciously, changes themselves and their personality for those around them, or you have a history of it- please read this. I promise you, you won't regret it.

now that we don't talk by @sc0tters

- it's a toxic relationship with trevor, of course I'm gonna eat it up (she might end with trevor... or she might not. you'll never know if you don't read it.)

hey roomie by @ emaanemaa (fic linked above under jamie)

the penalty box series by @starsandhughes

I- if you're not already keeping up with this series... where have you been? every update is laugh out loud hilarious, and leaves you itching for more.

cruel weather- apart of the penalty box series by @starsandhughes

cruel weather gets it's own link because of the amount of emotional damage this inflicted upon me.

Arizona Coyotes

Boston Bruins

Buffalo Sabres

Devon Levi

like it very much by @jackhues

there aren’t many devon fics (which there totally should be), but the way i squealed when i read this one. further affirmed the fact that i think he’d be the best bf.

Calgary Flames

Nikita Zadorov

that scar hurt by the way by @swissboyhisch

- listen…. i’m the farthest thing from a flames fan, and can wholeheartedly admit it was an adorable read.

Carolina Hurricanes

Chicago Blackhawks

Colorado Avalanche

Columbus Blue Jackets

Adam Fantilli

to you, my adamo by @hischierhaze

- it's adam's birthday + his debut, can you blame me for crying?

his return by @hischierhaze

-this made me cry. but in making this, i'm convinced anything kei writes with the fantilli brothers makes me want to cry from either just how sickeningly sweet it is, or of course, sadness.

tiny dancer au by @letsgetrowdy43

god when i say sunny and adam have my heart- i mean it. they’re sososo special to me.

Dallas Stars

Wyatt Johnston

our song by @lovinbarzal

hands down one of my favorite wy jo fics/au’s. it’s wyatt x a barzal sister, a pairing i wouldn’t have thought of, but works so well!

Detroit Red Wings

Edmonton Oilers

Florida Panthers

Matthew Tkachuk

waking up in vegas by @doc-pickles

- matty t x hughes!sister is a dynamic i didn’t know i needed.

Mackie Samoskevich*

perfect girl by @dmercer91

- this had me feeling things like no other... a big hint as to why? she's shared.

Los Angeles Kings

Alex Turcotte*

who does it better? by @harry-hollands

one of the cutest social media au’s in a while (technically has two parts, but they don’t have to be read together)

Minnesota Wild

Montreal Canadiens

Kirby Dach

here with you by @sc0tters

- it's amber's writing + kirby, what's not to love? (if that's not convincing enough, maybe the line, "I will follow you to the ends of the earth," is.)

Nashville Predators

New Jersey Devils

Jack Hughes

timeless by @babydollmarauders

- if I hadn't originally read this in the middle of the grocery store, I can almost guarantee that I would've cried from just how heartwarmingly adorable this is.

out by @babydollmarauders

- equipment manager x jacky boy- aka a trope I never knew I needed, but now crave after reading this.

ballad of a homeschooled girl by @babydollmarauders

- hands down one of the best pics I've probably ever read in terms of conveying emotion. my stomach was in knots the entire time, attesting to just how realistic the writing is.

never grow up by @aliaology

- i'm sorry but you're not human if you don't get even the tiniest bit emotional at any fic with "never grow up" as the song. BUT A FIC WITH THE BROTHERS? this rendered me emotionally unavailable for a solid 20 minutes.

medía management au by @babydollmarauders

the media management au is an ongoing series staring mr jack hughes and his lovely girl, dove! the updates always bring a a smile to my face, and more than likely make me laugh out loud.

4:41 am by @sweetestdesire

listen, as much as i adore brynn’s smut like no other, her fluffy, soft and sweet fics just do something to me. she writes them so detailed, and consistently has me craving for soft moments with a significant other (a significant other i do not have)

John Marino

stay for a while by @sc0tters

- when i talk about made me feel things, i mean it. amber never fails in writing panty-dropping smut, while also having an thought-out plot.

Luke Hughes

welcome back by @leaentries

- this literally made me swoon. a protective lukey- what's not to love?

nobody's love by @eyesthatroll

- my heart was in my throat while reading, and my emotions were all over the place. regardless of how emotional it left me, it was amazing and deserves all the love.

never grow up by @ aliaology (fic linked under jack)

- older hughes sister watches her brothers grow up + never grow up = tears

summer aches by @starry-hughes

- this fic makes me want a luke to take care of me when i get headaches, triggered by heat or not

what’s not to like? by @starry-hughes

- queen ellen and jimmy are a little apprehensive of you…

jack’s best friend by @lvrzegras

okay listen- any of the brothers x their best friends is great, but jack’s best friend x luke… it just hits different, yk?

Nico Hischier

I never could've seen you coming (I think you're everything I could've ever wanted) by @writingonleaves

- this is probably as close to a literary masterpiece as a fanfic posted on tumblr will ever get

will you take a moment? promise me this (that you'll stand by me forever) by @writingonleaves

- listen- it's apart of the universe she began in the fic above. I have the fic linked under nico (because the oc eventually ends up in a relationship with nico, as seen in the part above), but this is sososo found family heavy. if found family is your trope, then this is your fic

New York Islanders

Mat Barzal

it's nice to have a friend by @youunravelme

- put me through the emotional wringer in the best way possible.

winnie martin's favorite person by @ilyasorokinn

- god- i cannot even begin to describe how cute this is. all i can say, is that I need more pictures of barzy with kids... for science of course.

New York Rangers

Ottawa Senators

Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby

she was the (red) devil by @crosbyscurls

- hockey meets f1 is already a dream combination… but sid x f1? absolutely amazing

San Jose Sharks

Seattle Kraken

St Louis Blues

Tampa Bay Lightning

Toronto Maple Leafs

Vancouver Canucks

Quinn Hughes

these michigan summers by @lukevangelista

i feel like the only way your not aware this series exists, then your new here. because if you haven’t read this, where have you been? this is for sure one of my top three series’ on tumblr, finished or unfinished. will in fact, forever have my heart. (currently unfinished)

the sun to my moon by @ghostfacd

this fic is part of an au! i highly, highly recommend checking it out- quinny + a grumpyxsunshine trope, what’s not to love?

never grow up by @ aliaology (fic linked under jack's name)

- older hughes sister watches her brothers grow up + never grow up = tears

Vegas Golden Knights

Washington Capitals

Dylan Strome

it's never too late to come back to my side by @lukevangelista (a series)

- one of my recent favorites. particularly geared towards those who think back on old friendships (...and constantly overthink on whether you should reach out. spoilers- it's never too late)

Winnipeg Jets

NCAA

University of Michigan

Luca Fantilli

missing you, quietly by @bitchinbarzal

- emotional torture in the best way possible. i re-read a concerning amount

i lost him by @hischierhaze

- made me cry- but in a good way

baby 101- name reveal by @hischierhaze

- it's dad!luca... yeah that's right, now that you have that cute thought in your head, you kinda have to go and read it

I tell you that I think im falling back in love with you by @writingonleaves

- this fic is sososo special to me for so many reasons- and I think you should totally read this fic to figure them out... just saying

opposites attract au by @dmercer91

this is a link to the head anons for the au- but please go read this sweet au. luca and landen are one of the sweetest pairings.

Nick Moldenhauer

sundays are for textiles by @drewsbuzzcut

- super cute read, and it's apart of an even cuter au

all american lace by @drewsbuzzcut

- also apart of that super cute nick au she has- but this part was not so cutesy (it was at the end). had me on the edge of my seat, and tears building in my eyes. the type of angst you physically feel- but with the type of ending that makes up for it (trust me, it does!)

Mark Estapa

icy roads by @nicohischierz

the simplest explanation i can offer is that this broke my heart- but i loved it anyway!

Boston College

Gabe Perreault

princess!gf x gabe perreault by @yankstrash

- these two are on my mind at least three times a week. i aspire to become amelia- aka find someone who is as down bad for me as gabe is for “his meels”

[bropunzeling]

i got the chance to write a bunch of friend fiction for a bunch of friends and am rounding them all up here! includes a couple timestamps & some new fics as well :) hope you enjoy some or all or one of them!

go all the way (matthew/leon, t, marriage bets series, timestamp post stanley cup finals)

The first thing Matthew thinks after they've won is: holy shit holy shit holy shit holyshit. The next thing is: fuck, this thing isn't heavy at all. The thing that comes in a vague, distant third, arriving at three in the morning while he’s watching his parents kiss drunkenly by the kitchen island and Sasha and Sam pass the cup between pool floaties in his backyard, is: Leon’s probably gonna want a divorce, isn't he.

relapse (matthew/leon, e, post-scf, sex pollen, open ending)

Succumbing to a lust curse once is unlucky. Twice is pushing your luck. By the third time Matthew spent a game half-hard in his jock and counting down the seconds until he could drag Leon off the ice, he managed to tell Leon they needed warding charms before dropping to his knees. Leon had choked out an agreement before he came down Matthew’s throat. Then, tonight, they beat the Oilers again—barely, but still—and Matthew walked out of the visitors’ locker room to find Leon lurking in the hallway, wide-eyed and red-faced. And, Matthew managed to note before Leon was yanking him around a corner, without the warding bracelet Matthew had found on Amazon with a 4.7 star rating and a money-back guarantee.

and a star to steer her by (matthew/sasha, t, alternate universe-space, the expanse fusion)

On the outside, the Concolar is a thirty-year-old hunk of junk sewn together with spit and spare parts. One errant chip of lunar ice or debris from a passing ship and she may just decompress or flame up or spin apart into a thousand pieces. That’s just on the outside, though. The inside is where you can see the care in each cobbled-together seam. Where you can notice how smooth she runs, when Sasha and Aaron fix her up and Bob asks her real nice. Where you can see how hard she works to get everyone home. Sasha loves her, of course. You don’t fly a ship like that and not love her.

still had hours (matthew/leon, e, girl!leon series, timestamp after meet me halfway, pwp, overstimulation)

"Coming three times is just fine?" Matthew repeats, crashing to his elbows and crushing her back into the bed. "Jesus. I bet other guys don't get this shit from their girlfriends." "So do better next time," Leon says. - [Matthew and Leon in St. Louis; in Florida.]

shiner (brady/tim, e, pwp, bruising, mild painplay, coming in pants)

"Hey," Brady says. "Let me get a look at that eye."

dick's deluxe (matty/shane pre-relationship, g, visiting seattle landmarks and eating cheap fries)

“Are you sure about this?” Shane asks. “Listen,” Tye says, gesturing at the bright orange neon sign, seemingly immune to the reek of grease that Shane’s been smelling for a block and a half. “It’s a classic, right? We gotta hit up the classics.”

[scoringeffects]

augh comms talking about how it looked a lot like connor wanted to give the goal to nuge ☹️

[haddonfieldwhore]

guilty conscience - matthew tkachuk

flames!matthew tkachuk x draisaitl!fem! reader pt.2

summary: you and matthew continue to sneak around, and leon figures out that something is up

warnings: langauge, mention of violence, implied smut, continuity is questionable because i didn’t plan to write a part two 😅, unrealistic leon behaviour

word count: 3.3k (oops) part one is here

it wasn’t even a month before the oilers and the flames met again, this time at home in edmonton. calgary being in town meant that matthew tkachuk was in town, and you thought back to that first night you had found yourself tangled up with the rival teams player; and all the times after. the two hour drive never stopped him from texting or calling after a tough loss, inviting you over to help him let off some steam. this quickly turned into meeting up to celebrate wins as well, and in the short few weeks since your first meeting, you felt as if you had spent more time in matthews bed than your own.

“are you gonna be at the game tonight?” he asked as he got dressed, staying at your place rather than a hotel; he would be sleeping there anyway.

“yes, but i am obligated to cheer for the oilers as long as my brother is on their team,” you laughed. leon had gotten you tickets for the game like he always did, the two of you having made up only a few days after the incident happened. however the thrill of sneaking around with matthew hadn’t worn off, even though you were no longer doing it to get back at your brother.

“how much would i have to pay you to wear my jersey to the game?” he teased, wrapping his arms around your waist as you pulled your t-shirt over your head.

“more money than your contract,” you replied. “if the crowd didn’t mob me, i think i’d be disowned by my family.”

matthew placed a kiss on your lips with a smile, and you fixed his curls that you had spent the last half hour tangling your fingers through.

“that’s too bad. you’d look hot wearing my number.”

“i wouldn’t look hot in the body bag they’d have to carry me out in. nevermind if leon found out why i was wearing it. you’d be in the back of the hearse with me.”

“as fun as that sounds,” he joked. “i have a game in a few days so-“ you interrupted him with a kiss.

“don’t worry. i’ll secretly be cheering for you,” you smiled. “you’re more fun to hang out with when you win.”

“hey,” he warned with a chuckle. “i gotta go, but i’ll meet you here after the game? we probably shouldn’t leave together…”

“you’re probably right. it’s already suspicious enough that you told the team you were staying with a friend instead of at the hotel with them.”

“is it so hard to believe i might have a friend?” he laughed, putting his shoes on to leave.

“sometimes,” you joked. “good luck,” you smiled as he snuck out of your apartment, shaking your head as you began to get ready to go to the game.

•

despite you wishing him good luck, the game went in favour of the oilers, this time the flames falling to edmonton in a 1-0 loss. at one point calgary had scored a goal to tie the game but it was waved off for interference.

your eyes met matthews on the bench, and you could tell he was frustrated as he slid his mouthguard back over his teeth. after the game ended, you went to meet up with leon backstage, the edmonton player in a significantly better mode than the last time you had seen him. he greeted you with a hug, and you returned it with a smile, but a sinking feeling sprouted in your stomach.

“hey, it’s good to see you,” your brother smiled, and you smiled back.

“you too. good game,” you commented, the words tasting funny in your mouth as you realized you didn’t mean them; and part of you wished calgary had won.

“yeah, a little bit of payback is nice. to bad we couldn’t get a few more goals, but i’ll take it,” he laughed. payback, you thought; that’s what matthew had been.

you weren’t sure that’s all it was anymore.

•

another month went by, the season nearing the midway point now. you scrolled through your phone as you waited for matthew to get out of the shower. you had spent the last few days at his house while the flames played a five game homestand, winning all but one; which meant matty was in a good mood going into the third matchup between the two alberta teams this season tonight. a message popped up on the screen, and you bit your lip as you replied to your brother.

you hated lying to him, and you’d found yourself doing it more and more the closer you and matthew became. you couldn’t exactly tell him that you weren’t even in edmonton at the moment, instead two hours away after spending the week with a man he hated.

a man who you had fallen for; and fallen hard.

the man in question had the nerve to walk out of the bathroom in just a towel around his waist, hung low on his hips as the warm air rushed out of the bathroom and tickled your legs as you sat on the edge of his bed. he walked over and placed a kiss on the top of your head, quickly noticing your expression.

“what’s up?” matt asked, his eyebrows furrowed at the upset look on your face.

“nothing, it’s just leon.”

“did he say something to you?” he asked, his fist clenching slightly at his side.

“no, nothing like that,” you assured him as you looked up to meet his eyes, his gaze softening and his jaw unclenching as he relaxed. “i just hate lying to him about…”

“…us?”

“yeah. it was kind of fun at first, and now i’m just worried what’s gonna happen when he does find out. more so worried about what he’s going to do to you,” you admitted.

“come on, sneaking around is still a little bit fun,” he teased, and you managed to crack a smile. sometimes, you thought. “it’ll be okay, we will figure it out when we get to that point.”

“i don’t want him to kill you,” you said, taking his hand in yours, you fingers playing with his absentmindedly. “which is a real possibility-“ you laughed.

“i’ll be fine. come on, the guys might kill me if im late for the game.”

•

you were only thirty minutes through the two hour drive back to edmonton when your phone rang, leon’s name popping up on the screen. panicking slightly, you answered it, matthew glancing over from behind the wheel as your leg shook anxiously.

“hey, leon.”

“where are you?” he asked, no hello. not good, you thought, trying not to freak out.

“what?” you asked, hoping to find out why he was asking.

“where are you?”

“on my way to the arena,” that at least was true. “why what’s-“

“bullshit, your car is at home.”

“what - you drove by my house? why?”

“because you’ve been hiding something. why are you in calgary?” he asked, and your heart pounded in your chest. your phone location must have been left on by accident.

“i was visiting a friend-“

“without your car?”

“i got a ride - oh my god. you’re my brother not my dad, i don’t need to tell you where i am all the time.”

“why didn’t you tell me you were out of town when i texted you this morning?”

“not that i have to explain myself, leon, but i didn’t feel like typing it all out and i had just woken up.” with each lie you told, you knew you were burying yourself in a hole that was becoming harder and harder to dig out of.

“i’m not sure i believe you.”

“you don’t have to, but it’s the truth.” half true, you thought.

“if you say so.”

“whatever. i’ll see you after the game.” you hung up the phone and ran your hands over your face.

“i’m scared to ask…”

“he knows something is up,” you sighed. “i’m so dead. we’re both dead-“

“hey, just breathe okay?” his hand rested on your thigh reassuringly.

“we just have to be really careful.”

“baby, he’s gonna find out eventually. maybe it would be better if he found out sooner than later,” he suggested. in the short two months you had been with matthew, you weren’t sure exactly when it changed from just hooking up to something more. “unless you want to just stop and pretend this never happened...” he said, his jaw stiffening.

“is that what you want?” your heart beat sped up, but you breathed a soft sigh of relief as he shook his head.

“no, that’s not what i meant at all. as much as you might think i do, i don’t actually want to cause problems between you and your family,” he laughed, and once again you found yourself cracking a smile despite the situation.

“i like you a lot, matthew,” you admitted. “i don’t care what he says to me, he’s my brother and he’ll get over it. i’m just worried what he’ll do to you.”

“don’t worry about me. do you really think he’d be that mad that we’re dating?”

“…are we dating?” you asked for clarification. you’d never really discussed it.

“i mean .. you’ve been at my house for the last week. i kind of thought that made it clear that i want to be with you,” he shrugged with a smile.

“you do?”

“of course i do. did you think i didn’t?”

“i don’t know. maybe,” you laughed, and his hand squeezed your thigh.

“does that mean we’re dating?”

“yes, i guess it does,” you smiled, leaning over to kiss him softly.

•

you cheered internally for calgary as the game went on, sending matthew a smile as your eyes met his. the shared looks between you and the calgary flame didn’t go unnoticed by edmontons number 29, and he had to restrain himself from ramming matthew into the boards whenever they shared the ice. leon noticed how everytime the flames scored, matthew was looking for you in the stands. although you weren’t outwardly celebrating, you were happy the flames were winning. sure, leon would be pissed, but he could get over it.

you felt bad that once again, matthew had taken priority in your life over your brother, but you only wanted them to lose when they played calgary, so you didn’t feel too bad.

the game ended with calgary winning 5 - 2, and you tried not to look too happy as you waited for leon to get out of the dressing room. when he did, he was in a mood again, this time not because of the loss, but because of the way he had caught tkachuk staring at his little sister.

“hey,” you greeted him.

“hey. i’m sorry about how i acted on the phone earlier,” he apologized, greeting you with a hug that surprised you slightly. “you’re right, you don’t have to tell me where you are all the time.”

“thank you. i’m sorry about the game.” his face dropped and he shrugged, his eyes catching sight of a familiar head of curls down the hall. leon’s anger got the best of him, and he marched toward matthew and tapped him on the shoulder, causing him to turn around.

“i don’t know if you’re just trying to piss me off, but quit looking at my sister and focus on the game, yeah?” he warned, and matthew looked slightly confused, his eyes glancing to you as you shook your head behind leon. your brother poked his shoulder to gain his attention back. “don’t look at her.”

“maybe you’re the one who should focus on the game. remember which team won,” matthew laughed, and you could tell this was not going to end well.

“leon, just leave it. are you really gonna pick a fight with someone for looking at me?” you knew they didn’t get along, but this was beyond what you’d expected.

“when he’s a prick like this guy-“

“leon! enough,” you pulled on his arm. “let’s just go home before you do something you regret.”

“i wouldn’t regret it,” he said stepping closer till he was nearly face to face with matthew. you could tell that matt was keeping quiet for your sake, and you appreciated it as you stared in disbelief at your brother. he had never been this overprotective before, and you barely recognized him.

“what the hell has gotten into you? i’m sorry you lost but you don’t get to act like an asshole because of it. you’re making a scene.”

you stepped in between them, pushing leon back from matthew and putting some much needed space between them.

“why are you defending him?”

“why are you acting like this? you’re being ridiculous!

“why is he looking at you like that? why did he spend the whole game watching you?”

“who cares?” you argued, as you felt everything crumbling around you. leon glanced from you to matthew, who stood back and kept his mouth shut for your sake.

“who were you with in calgary?” leon asked, starting to connect the dots in his head.

“leon-“

“who. were. you. with?” he demanded.

“it’s none of your business who i was with!”

leon wasn’t listening anymore, instead staring a hole into matthew, who if looks could kill would be six feet underground.

“it’s not enough to be an jerk on the ice, you have to go and get with my sister just to piss me off?” leon took a step towards the younger man, your hands on his chest doing little to slow him down. matthew opened his mouth to speak, but you did first.

“it wasn’t like that leon,” you defended your boyfriend. “it was my idea.” leon stopped, looking down at you with wide eyes.

“tell me you’re joking right now-“ he spoke calmly, but you knew he was anything but calm, which made it even scarier.

“i’m not,” you said. “i went to him.”

“how long?” his jaw clenched as he stared at you, his eyes filled with hatred; for you or matthew you weren’t so sure anymore.

“it doesn’t matter - it’s not gonna change how much you hate me right now,” you said, hoping that he would just let it go. no such luck.

“how long?” he repeated.

“since november.”

“you’ve been sleeping with my sister for two months?” he yelled at matthew, his raised voice drawing the attention of a few other players from each team as they left their locker rooms. “and you-“ he poked your shoulder harshly. “you’ve been lying to me about it for 2 months? everytime you told me you were busy or had plans - you were with him?” he said, a disgusted look on his face.

“i’m sorry,” you pleaded as tears began to well in your eyes.

“why did you do it? why him?”

“i knew it would piss you off,” you said honestly. “after that game in november you were so rude to me, and i know it was wrong, but i wanted to get back at you somehow. but it’s not about that anymore, leon. i really like him.”

“were you ever going to tell me?”

“yes, i promise. i just knew how you would react-“ he scoffed, interrupting you.

“you mean how i would react to finding out that my little sister got with a guy she knows i don’t like just to make me mad?”

“it sounds really bad when you say it like that,” you looked down at the floor as leon laughed in disbelief.

“it sounds really bad? it is bad!” he snapped. matthew tried to send the few calgary players who had gathered away, assuring them that he was fine and he didn’t need their help. a few edmonton players lingered outside their locker room as well, aware of who you were and wondering what was going on.

“i’m sorry,” you repeated.

“i would expect something like this from him, but you? this is a new low. maybe you two are perfect for eachother.” leon began to walk away, and you called after him.

“please, leon. i know it was wrong, but it’s not up to you who i date.” he stopped, but didn’t turn around.

“you’re right,” he said coldly. “i just think it’s best that you stay away from me for a while.” your heart broke as you realized just how bad you had screwed up. “and get him out of my sight before i decide not to be so nice.”

matthews arms wrapped around your waist from behind as you watched leon walk away with his teammates, and you turned around to bury your face in the crook of his neck.

“i’m sorry,” he mumbled, kissing the top of your head as you cried, your arms thrown around his shoulders.

“he’ll get over it eventually,” you sniffled. “thank you for not saying anything to piss him off even more.” he laughed, his chest shaking lightly as he rubbed your back.

“i try to be on my best behaviour,” he teased. the few flames players that had been lingering around came over to check on you and matthew, one of them you recognized as matthew’s friend sam bennett.

“best behaviour my ass,” he joked. “leave it to you to stir up drama with draisaitl.”

“hey,” matthew warned lightly, but you laughed.

“two draisaitl’s actually. leon is my brother.”

“that explains it,” sam said, patting matthew on the shoulder. “good work, genius.”

“it was a mutual agreement to piss him off, for the record.” matthew defended himself.

“well,” sam said, looking in the direction that leon had gone. “looks like it worked.”

matthew punched his shoulder with a laugh, and you felt a smile creep onto your face despite everything.

“you wanna come for drinks with us?” one of the other flames asked, and you looked at matthew for his answer.

“what do you say? you officially switching sides?” he joked, and you shook your head with a laugh.

“what the hell, sure,” you agreed. matthew smiled, kissing you softly as the guys cheered. you followed them hand in hand with matthew as you walked you to his car, a bittersweet feeling in your chest.

leon had reacted about as well as you thought he would, but he hadn’t killed matthew, so that was a plus. you just worried for the next time they played eachother; but that wasn’t for weeks. maybe leon would calm down by then.

the older draisaitl watched from across the parking lot as you laughed with matthew and his friends.

“i know it sucks that she lied to you, but she looks happy,” connor mcdavid offered. leon simply shot him a glare, and he didn’t mention it again as connor got into the car without another word.

he hated that he was right; you did look happy. eventually he would get over it, but it still hurt that you had gone behind his back specifically to get back at him; even if he had kinda deserved it.

you didn’t notice leon watching you as got into the car with matthew, his hand holding yours over the center console as you followed behind sam’s car to the bar.

“i’m suprised he didn’t punch you, so i suppose that could have gone worse,” you laughed half heartedly. “congratulations on the win, by the way.”

“he might just be saving it for the next game,” he laughed. “and thank you. i’m sorry.”

“i knew what i was doing, you don’t have to apologize. and as much as it sucks that my brother hates my guts right now, i still have a pretty cool boyfriend at the end of the day,” you smiled, and matthew brought your joined hands up to his mouth to kiss the your knuckles, his facial hair tickling your skin.

“does that mean you’ll wear my jersey to the next game?” he asked with a goofy smiled.

“don’t push it.”

disclaimer: all screenshots, events, and/or interactions depicted in this are a work of fiction. i have no association with any parties mentioned

[toasttt11]

short

December 1, 2022

Hayden frowned softly as she looked out the bus window. She had just played in Chicago the night before winning 6-5 and she headed to Minnesota the next morning.

Unfortunately she was heading straight from the airport to the arena so she wouldn’t get to see Matt before the game and she was leaving early in the morning so she would only get to see Matt for a little bit.

Fortunately Matt would be in Edmonton in a week and they would play each two more times in a few days so she will get to see Matt quite a bit then.

Hayden has been looking forward to playing Matt especially as the next game after playing Matt she is playing against Cole and it’s alway nice to see her best friends and she plays Trevor in a few weeks.

Hayden walked with Ryan off the bus and headed to the locker room to get ready before the game.

Hayden was one of the first on the ice for warms up and beamed seeing Matt on the ice already looking over at her, she waved softly and Matt’s face lite up once he saw her and he waved back.

Connor and Leon shared a look seeing the smile on Hayden's face and why she was smiling but didn't say anything.

Hayden groaned slightly as the game finished and they lost 5-3 against the Wild, She got a goal and an assist but every time she has played the Wild they had lost.

Hayden luckily didn’t have any media after the game and she took the quickest shower and got back in her suit and rushed out of the locker room just as Matt came out of his locker room.

“Matty!” Hayden beamed as she rushed over to her best friend and Matt immediately opened up his arms letting her rush in to his arms and he wrapped his arms around her tightly.

“Hi Lee.” Matt mumbled happily closing his eyes contently as he hugged her, he hasn’t see her since he left Michigan a few months ago and had missed her a lot.

Hayden hummed happily resting her forehead on his shoulder and relaxing in his arms, she had missed him terribly.

After a few minutes of them just standing in the hallway hugging each other they pulled back from the hug and looked at each other with smiles.

Matt had a brown bag in his hand holding their dinner, they decided before the game that Matt getting food from the arena would be fine for dinner because the game was a late game.

Hayden stayed close to Matt as they walked out making their arms brush as they walked to the Oilers bus so they can grab Hayden’s bag.

Hayden grabbed her duffle bag and Matt took it from her making her playfully glare at him, “I’m not giving it back.” Matt simply smiled as he told her and started walking away.

Hayden just shook her head fondly and followed right after him.

Matt opened the passenger door for Hayden and she hopped into the car and he closed the door and then put the bags into the car before getting into the drivers seat.

Matt started driving them away from the arena and Hayden grabbed Matt’s hand not explaining as he looked at her confused as she intertwined their hands and rested their hands in her lap.

Matt swallowed dryly at her actions trying to ignore how fast his heart just sped up as his eyes went back to the road.

They just sat in comfortable silence as Matt drove them back to his home.

Hayden watched as Matt parked the car and he looked at their intertwined hands seeming deep in thought as his thumb brushed across her knuckles before he gently let go of her hand and got out of the car and grabbed the bags before walking around and opening the door for her.

Hayden hopped out of the car and followed Matt up to his apartment, he unlocked the door letting Hayden walk in.

Hayden smiled slightly as she took a deep breath and all she could smell was the comforting but distinct smell of Matt.

“I’m gonna get changed real quick.” Hayden told Matt as she was in her suit for way too long today.

Matt nodded softly and handed her duffle bag and she headed down into the guest bedroom.

She threw on grey sweatpants and a big BU t-shirt that she definitely didn’t steal from Matt over the summer.

Matt had changed into a pair of black sweatpants and t-shirt too and was getting their food out the bag as Hayden walked out from the bathroom.

Matt just shook his head seeing her in his clothes, he will always love it and Hayden seems to always steal more of his clothes not that he is complaining.

Hayden sat down next to Matt and yawned as he handed her a container of food, “Thank you Matty.” Hayden softly mumbled as she quickly started eating as she was starving.

“Course.” Matt mumbled back, he was exhausted but even exhausted he would still rather spend time with Hayden. He takes whatever time he can get with Hayden.

Hayden and Matt both quickly ate their food and Hayden got up first and started cleaning up giving Matt a look to not help.

Matt smiled fondly but listened and got up heading to the couch and grabbed his giant throw blanket on the back of the couch that Hayden got him when he moved to Minnesota.

Hayden walked over and plopped down on the couch right next to Matt, lying down beside him as he covered her with the blanket as Hayden yawned as retested her head on Matt’s shoulder.

Matt clicked on a random movie knowing they both are tired most likely not going to watch it but they are both stubborn and want to spend time with each other.

Matt set an alarm for the morning as Hayden was heading back to Edmonton earlier beside tossing his phone away and resting his head on Hayden’s head and closing his eyes.

Hayden yawned her eyes barely stating opened as she cuddled closer to Matt.

Matt sleepily smiled finally falling asleep with Hayden in his arms again as his arms wrapped around her and brought her closer as they both fell asleep.

December 2, 2022

Matt woke up early to his alarm making Hayden stir awake but grumble wanting to stay in the warmth that Matt gave her.

Matt smiled slightly his eyes slowly opened as he played with the ends of her hair and slowly woke up.

After a few minutes of just laying together and slowly waking up they both got up as realized they fell asleep on the couch.

Hayden headed to the bathroom doing her quick morning routine and rebraided her hair.

Hayden walked back to the living room with her back and saw Matt back on the couch and his hair slightly less messy and knew he got a bit ready and put on a Wild hoodie

“Jacket?” Matt frowned noticing her not wearing a jacket and it was snowing outside.

“It’s in my bag.” Hayden simply exclaimed too tired to go through her bag and pull it out.

Matt just shook his head fondly at her as he stood up and grabbed his plan black hoodie hanging up on the hook and tossed it at her.

Matt gave her a look and she fondly rolled her eyes but put the hoodie on and it was slightly oversized which didn’t happen often for Hayden.

Hayden and Matt left his warm apartment walking down to his car and Matt opened the door for her again and got in after her.

Matt drove her to the hotel she is meeting her team at and looked over at her as he parked the car.

“I’ll see you in a few days.” Hayden mumbled as she pulled him into a hug and for once saying goodbye wasn’t sad because she was seeing him in a few days.

“There are puppies waiting for you.” Hayden reminded him with a small laugh making him smile.

“I’m looking forward to it” Matt smiled gently as he leaned to her and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek making her blink and her cheeks warm, “See you then.”

Hayden slowly nodded and hopped out of the car, she turned around and started walking away as her hand brushed her cheek where Matt kissed she ever shaking her head ignoring the thoughts and feelings.

[sunshine-gumdrop]

Stop he is already down!

[reavenedges-lies]

NHL Captains & Alternates Primer/Refresher

All teams per the NHL Rule book (Rule 6, pg 7-8) must list either One (1) Captain and Two (2) Alternate Captains or Three (3) Alternate Captains during the game line-up submissions*. There may only be Three (3) Alternates if the Captain is not in uniform or if there is no designated Captain. No Coach, Manager or Goaltenders are allowed to act as a Captain or Alternate; Goaltenders are not allowed to act as captains due to (un)intentional delay of game as per the "Durnan Rule". They must wear either a "C" or "A" about three inches (3") high and of a contrasting color in a visible spot on the front of their jerseys. Only the Captain [ or any one (1) Alternate, if the Captain is not on the ice] is allowed, if invited by a referee, to discuss interpretations of the rules**. They may not leave the bench to protest or hinder any officials in light of a call on the ice, and are subject to being given a penalty (Abuse of Officials: unsportsmanlike conduct).

Notes:

(*) Some teams have named more than the regulation two (2) or three (3) alternates and are required to rotate the designation between players. The method of choosing who gets the designation when is left to team digression.

(**) Complaints about penalties are not considered 'a discussion pertaining to the interpretations of the rules', and any skater making such complaints are subject to a minor penalty in response.

Current NHL Captains & Alternates under the cut. (per eliteprospects please take this with a grain of salt for the alternates as not every team has indicated who they are fully)

Anaheim Ducks: Captain- Radko Gudas Alternates- C. Fowler, M. McTavish, T. Terry

Boston Bruins: Captain- Brad Marchand Alternates- C. McAvoy, D. Pastrnak

Buffalo Sabres: Captain- Rasmus Dahlin Alternates- D. Cozens, M. Samuelsson, T. Thompson, A. Tuch

Calgary Flames: Captain- Mikael Backlund Alternates- R. Andersson, J. Huberdeau

Carolina Hurricanes: Captain- Jordan Staal Alternates- S. Aho, J. Slavin

Chicago Blackhawks: Captain- Nick Foligno Alternates-

Colorado Avalanche: Captain- Gabriel Landeskog Alternates- N. MacKinnon, M. Rantanen, C. Makar

Columbus Blue Jackets: Captain- Boone Jenner Alternates- Z. Werenski

Dallas Stars: Captain- Jamie Benn Alternates- M. Heiskanen, E. Lindell, T. Seguin

Detroit Red Wings: Captain- Dylan Larkin Alternates-

Edmonton Oilers: Captain- Connor McDavid Alternates- L. Draisaitl, R. Nugent-Hopkins, D. Nurse

Florida Panthers: Captain- Aleksander Barkov Alternates- A. Ekblad, M. Tkachuk

Los Angeles Kings: Captain- Anze Kopitar Alternates- P. Danault, D. Doughty

Minnesota Wild: Captain- Jared Spurgeon Alternates- M.Foligno, K. Kaprizov, J. Eriksson Ek

Montreal Canadiens: Captain- Nick Suzuki Alternates-

Nashville Predators: Captain- Roman Josi Alternates- R. O'Reilly

New Jersey Devils: Captain- Nico Hischier Alternates- J. Hughes, O. Palat

New York Islanders: Captain- Anders Lee Alternates-

New York Rangers: Captain- Jacob Trouba Alternates-

Ottawa Senators: Captain- Brady Tkachuk Alternates- T. Chabot, C. Giroux

Philadelphia Flyers: Captain- Sean Couturier Alternates- T. Konecny, S. Laughton

Pittsburgh Penguins: Captain- Sidney Crosby Alternates- E. Malkin, K. Letang

San Jose Sharks: Captain- Logan Couture Alternates- M. Ferraro, B. Goodrow, M. Granlund, L. Kunin, T. Toffoli

Seattle Kraken: Captain- Vacant Alternates- J. Eberle

St. Louis Blues: Captain- Brayden Schenn Alternates- J. Faulk, C. Parayko, R. Thomas

Tampa Bay Lightning: Captain- Victor Hedman Alternates- N. Kucherov, R. McDonagh

Toronto Maple Leafs: Captain- Auston Matthews Alternates-

Utah Hockey Club: Captain- Clayton Keller Alternates-

Vancouver Canucks: Captain- Quinn Hughes Alternates- J.T. Miller, E. Pettersson

Vegas Golden Knights: Captain- Mark Stone Alternates- J. Eichel, W. Karlsson, A. Pietrangelo

Washington Capitals: Captain- Alexander Ovechkin Alternates- J. Carlson, T. Wilson

Winnipeg Jets: Captain- Adam Lowry Alternates- J. Morrissey, M. Scheifele

[stromecat]

I showered and there’s been a fight and now a PP?

[fannyyann]

https://x.com/dreamer29_97_93/status/1809758873332715679?s=46&t=E7sk_G9hO2mILI3XElAQFg

Oh i love him

i'm obsessed with him!! "we'll never know" with that #1 finger is soooo perfect

a similar thing happened to him when an oilers fan caught him out to lunch with a bunch of the other flames right after the got bounced by the oilers in 2022

he's such a good sport :')