Nashville Builds Bid For Franchise

Nashville is the only finalist for an NHL expansion franchise with a new arena. But Craig Leipold says Nashville’s real edge will come from its intangibles.

“What I want them to see is the exceptional level of corporate and fan support this city has for an NHL team,” said Leipold, a Racine, Wis., businessman, who would be the majority owner if Nashville wins a franchise.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and eight league board of governors members arrive today to scout the city as a potential expansion site. They already have visited Atlanta; St. Paul, Minn.; and Columbus, Ohio.

Early return likely

Philadelphia Flyers right wing Mikael Renberg, who needed more than 200 stitches and plastic surgery to close a gash on his face, could return to the lineup by Thursday.

Renberg was injured Sunday night just 7 seconds into the Flyers’ 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators when Randy Cunneyworth’s skate caught him in the face, gashing him from chin to nose.

Tkachuk honored

Phoenix Coyotes left wing Keith Tkachuk was named the NHL player of the week after leading all scorers with four goals and four assists to become the first player to reach the 50-goal plateau this season.

On the ice

Benoit Brunet flipped a backhand shot off a New York Islander defenseman with 3:10 left in the game to give the Montreal Canadiens a 2-1 victory Monday night and a tighter grip on a playoff spot.

Montreal, in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, has 74 points - one more than Hartford, which defeated Buffalo 4-2 Monday night, and three more than Ottawa.