Minnesota veteran defenseman Jon Merrill, 29, has been a low-budget, effective surprise on the back line for the Wild this season, and the club rewarded him Tuesday with a new three-year contract.
Evgeni Malkin scored twice and had an assist in his season debut, leading the surging Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.
Logan Couture scored in overtime moments after a fan threw a fake octopus on the ice, and the Sharks beat the Red Wings 3-2 on Tuesday night in San Jose.