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Game Recaps
Tampa Bay Lightning v. Pittsburgh Penguins – 1p ET
In Pittsburgh with both third in the Metro and the second Wild Card spot still up for grabs, the Penguins would play host to the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the first period Sidney Crosby would net his 40th of the season to give the Pens the 1-0 lead. In the second period Evgeni Malkin would score to grow the Pens lead to two, but Steven Stamkos would score to get the Bolts on the board and back within one. However, Kris Letang would score and Malkin would net his second of the game to give the Pens the 4-1 lead. Then in the third period Nick Paul, Anthony Duclair, and Stamkos would score to tie the game at four for the Bolts, but Michael Bunting would score late to give the Penguins the 5-4 victory over the Lightning. The victory would allow the Pens to jump into the second Wild Card spot over both Philadelphia and Washington.
RIGHT IN THIS THING!!! 💪
The Penguins win their fourth straight with a 5-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. pic.twitter.com/yz0Ww0h0HC
In Boston it would be a battle of the top two teams in the Atlantic Division as the Bruins would play host to the Florida Panthers, and in the first period both teams would trade goals as Matthew Tkachuk would open the scoring for the Panthers while Charlie McAvoy would score to tie the game at one for the B’s. In the second period Charlie Coyle would score to give the B’s the 2-1 lead. Then in the third period Aleksander Barkov would score to tie the game at two for the Panthers to force overtime. In the extra frame Jesper Boqvist would strike to give the Bruins the 3-2 overtime victory over the Panthers.
In Chicago things would get animated as the Dallas Stars would come to town to faceoff with the Blackhawks. After a scoreless first period Connor Bedard, Andreas Athanasiou, and Seth Jones would score to give the Blackhawks the 3-0 lead, but Roope Hintz would score to get Dallas on the board and back within two. Then in the third period Jamie Benn would score to get the Stars within one, but it would not be enough as the Blackhawks would hold on to defeat the Stars 3-2.
In Minnesota the Wild would play host to the Winnipeg Jets, and in the first period both teams would get a pair of goals as Vladislav Namestnikov and Kyle Connor would score for the Jets, and Kirill Kaprizov would score two goals for the Wild for the 2-2 tie. In the second period Alex Iafallo would strike for the Jets to take the 3-2 lead. Then in the third period Morgan Barron would score to give the Jets the 4-2 victory over the Wild.
In an Jose the Sharks would take on the St. Louis Blues, and after a scoreless first period William Eklund would net a pair of goals to give the Sharks the 2-0 lead. Then in the third period Jordan Kyrou and Brayden Schenn would score for the Blues to tie the game at two to force overtime. In the extra frame Eklund would strike to complete the hat trick and give the Sharks the 3-2 overtime victory over the Blues.
Philadelphia Flyers v. Columbus Blue Jackets – 7p ET
In Columbus the Blue Jackets look to play spoiler as the Philadelphia Flyers come to town, and in the first period Erik Gudbranson and Damon Severson would score to give the Jackets the 2-0 lead. In the second period Olle Lycksell would strike for the Flyers, but Severson’s second of the game and a tally from Nick Blankenburg would give the Jackets the 4-1 lead. Then in the third period Adam Ginning would score for the Flyers, but a pair of goals from Zach Werenski would give the Blue Jackets the 6-2 victory over the Flyers.
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) April 7, 2024
Toronto Maple Leafs v. Montreal Canadiens – 7p ET
In Montreal for Hockey Night in Canada it would be an Original Six battle between the Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs, and after a scoreless first period Max Domi, Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and Bobby McMann would score to give the Leafs a commanding 4-0 lead, but Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield would strike for the Habs to get them on the board and back within two. It would then be a scoreless third period as the Maple Leafs would hold on to defeat the Canadiens 4-2.
In Ottawa the Senators would take on the New Jersey Devils, and in the first period Erik Haula, Ondrej Palat, and Brendan Smith would score for the Devils to taker the 3-0 lead. In the second period Jake Sanderson would score to get the Sens on the board, but Nico Hischier would score to regain the three goal lead for the Devils. Then in the third period Claude Giroux and Brady Tkachuk would score for the Sens, but it would not be enough as the Devils would hold on to defeat the Senators 4-3.
Nashville Predators v. New York Islanders – 7:30p ET
On Long Island looking to keep their playoff hopes alive, the New York Islanders would play host to the Nashville Predators, and after a scoreless first period Noah Dobson would score to give the Isles the 1-0 lead over the Preds. Then in the third period Kyle Palmieri would score to give the Islanders the 2-0 victory over the Predators. Semyon Varlamov would stop all 41 shots faced to earn the shutout, and propel the Isles to third place in the Metro.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tampa Bay Lightning would both clinch a berth to the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs after Washington, Philadelphia, and Detroit lost their games.
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Game Recaps
Philadelphia Flyers v. Buffalo Sabres – 7p ET
In Buffalo the Sabres would look to continue to spoil team’s plans for the playoffs as they host the Philadelphia Flyers, and in the first period Tage Thompson would score to give the Sabres the 1-0 lead. In the second period Noah Cates would score to tie the game at one for the Flyers, but goals from Rasmus Dahlin and Jack Quinn would give the Sabres the 3-1 lead. Then in the third period Owen Tippett would score for the Flyers, but Quinn’s second of the game would give the Sabres the 4-2 victory over the Flyers.
Washington Capitals v. Carolina Hurricanes – 7p ET
In Carolina both the Hurricanes and Washington Capitals would look to end their respective slumps, and in the first period Alex Ovechkin would net a pair of goals, including his 850th career NHL goal, to give the Caps the 2-0 lead. In the second period Jake Guentzel would score to get the Canes on the board and back within one. Then in the third period Martin Necas, Sebastian Aho, and Guentzel would score to give the Hurricanes the 4-2 victory over the Capitals.
In Detroit for some Original Six hockey, the Red Wings would host the New York Rangers, and in the first period Andrew Copp would score for the Wings, but goals from Will Cuylle and Barclay Goodrow would give the Rangers the 2-1 lead. In the second period JT Compher and Dylan Larkin would score to give the Wings the 3-2 lead, but Goodrow’s second of the game would tie the game at three for the Rangers. Then in the third period Chris Kreider would score to give the Rangers the 4-3 victory over the Red Wings.
On a good night of Thursday Hockey, there would be nine games of action, plus news and notes
NHL News and Notes Thursday, April 4th, 2024
News
The San Jose Sharks have come to terms with F Collin Graf to a three-year entry level contract. The contract begins immediately and has an AAV of $1,283,333.
Graf is coming from Quinnipiac University.
✍️
The #SJSharks have signed forward Collin Graf to a standard, entry level contract.
It was announced that the Arizona State Land Department has officially posted for auction a parcel of land in Northeast Phoenix on which the Arizona Coyotes hope to build their new arena and entertainment district.
The auction date has been set for June 27th, 2024.
In response to the news, the Coyotes announced their intent on winning the auction and unveiled what the new arena and entertainment district would look like.
BREAKING: The Arizona State Land Department has officially posted for auction the parcel of land in NE Phoenix on which the Coyotes hope to build the team's new arena & an entertainment district.
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Game Recaps
Boston Bruins v. Carolina Hurricanes – 7p ET
In Raleigh, the Hurricanes looked to bring a storm to the Bruins. In the first period, Boston took the lead when Brad Marchand scored his 28th of the year and then David Pastrnak brought the Bruins to the 2-0 lead with his 47th of the year. The B’s then made it a 3-0 lead when Danton Heinen struck with his 16th of the year. In the second period, Carolina got on the board when Jake Guentzel scored his 25th of the year on the power play. In the third, Hampus Lindholm scored his third of the year, an empty net goal, as the Bruins breezed by the Hurricanes 4-1.
New York Islanders v. Columbus Blue Jackets – 7p ET
In Columbus, the Blue Jackets hosted the Islanders. In the first, New York took the 1-0 lead with a power play goal from Pierre Engvall but then Columbus got a power play goal of their own when Dmitri Voronkov evened the score. Bo Horvat then scored his 32nd goal to put the Isles back in the lead but Kirill Marchenko scored his 21st as the Jackets made it a 2-2 game. Following a scoreless second, Noah Dobson scored his ninth of the year to put New York up 3-2 and then Kyle Palmieri scored an empty net goal as the Islanders doubled up the Blue Jackets 4-2.
In Montréal, the Canadiens hosted the Lightning and in the first Montréal took the 1-0 lead when Joel Armia scored his 15th of the year but then Nicholas Paul scored a power play goal as the Lightning evened the score. Then, Michael Eyssimont gave the Bolts the 2-1 lead with his 11th goal of the year. In the second, Joel Armia’s second of the year tied the game for the Habs but then Tampa took the lead for good when Steven Stamkos scored his 33rd of the year. The Lightning then took the two goal lead when Nicholas Paul scored his second of the night and then Brandon Hagel scored his 24th of the year to give Tampa the 5-2 lead. Nikita Kucherov then scored his 43rd of the year on a Tampa power play as the Bolts made this a 6-2 game. In the third, Juraj Slafkovsky scored his 16th as Montreal cut the lead to three and then Cole Caufield scored his 22nd of the year to bring the Habs within two. Steven Stamkos then scored his second of the night on an empty net as the Lightning surged past the Canadiens 7-4.
In the Canadian Capital, the Senators hosted the Panthers and in the first Nick Cousins scored his sixth of the year to put Florida up 1-0 and then Dmitry Kulikov scored his first of the year as the Panthers went up 2-0. In the second, Anton Lundell’s 11th of the year gave Florida the 3-0 lead and then Sam Bennett’s 19th put the Cats up 4-0. Sam Reinhart then went on to score his 53rd if the year as Florida took the commanding 5-0 lead. In the third, Matthew Tkachuk scored a power play goal as the Panthers demolished the Senators 6-0.
Pittsburgh Penguins v. Washington Capitals – 7p ET
In the Nation’s Capital, the Capitals and Penguins faced off for the final time on the year. In the first, Ryan Shea scored his first career NHL goal to put Pittsburgh up 1-0 and then Pierre-Olivier Joseph scored his second of the year to put the Penguins up 2-0. In the second, Michael Bunting’s 17th of the year gave the Pens the 3-0 lead. In the third, Alex Ovechkin scored his 27th of the year on the power play to put Washington on the board but Lars Eller scored the empty net game winner as the Penguins downed the Capitals 4-1.
In Minnesota, the Wild hosted the Avalanche and in the first Artturi Lehkonen scored his 14th of the year to put Colorado up 1-0 but then Minnesota tied the game when Vinni Lettieri scored his fifth. A power play goal from Jonathan Drouin then put Colorado back in the lead. In the second, Jonathan Drouin then scored his second of the game to put the Avs up two but then a power play goal from Declan Chisholm brought the Wild within a goal. In the third, Nathan MacKinnon scored his 48th of the year to put Colorado back up two and then Mikko Rantanen scored an empty netter as the Avalanche got the 5-2 win over the Wild.
In Music City USA, the Predators hosted the Blues and in the first Nashville took the 1-0 lead when Roman Josi scored his 20th of the year but then Brandon Saad’s 26th tied the game for St. Louis. In the second, Filip Forsberg scored a power play goal, his 42nd goal of the year, as Nashville went up 2-1 and then a power play goal from Anthony Beauvillier put the Predators up 3-1. In the third, Michael McCarron scored his 12th as Nashville took the three goal lead but then Jake Neighbours scored his 27th to bring the Blues within two. Jordan Kyrou then scored a power play goal to bring St. Louis within a goal but an empty net goal from Filip Forsberg gave Nashville the two goal lead back. Then, Mark Jankowski scored a shorthanded empty netter as the Predators doubled up the Blues 6-3.
In Winnipeg, the Jets look to clinch their spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a win over the Flames. In the first, MacKenzie Weegar scored a power play goal to put Calgary up 1-0 but then Gabriel Vilardi scored a power play goal to even the score for Winnipeg. Nikolaj Ehlers then scored his 23rd of the year to put Winnipeg up 2-1. In the second, Danill Miromanov scored his third of the year as the Flames tied the game but a power play goal from Tyler Toffoli put the Jets back in the lead. In the third, Gabriel Vilardi scored a pair of goals to complete the hat trick as the Jets extinguished the Flames 5-2.
With the win by the Jets, they have qualified for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs
There would be a powder keg at Madison Square Garden as the Devils and Rangers would rekindle their rivalry.
NHL News and Notes Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024
News
The NHL, TNT Sports, and Warner Bros. Games announced that they will present the first ever MultiVersus NHL Face-Off.
The first ever MultiVersus NHL Face-Off will take place on Sunday April 14th when the Colorado Avalanche take on the Vegas Golden Knights.
The game will air on TruTV and stream on MAX.
TNT Sports, Warner Bros. Games and the NHL are joining forces to bring viewers a clash of excellence in hockey and real-time animation for the first-ever MultiVersus NHL Face-Off on Sunday, April 14.
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Game Recaps
Tampa Bay Lightning v. Toronto Maple Leafs – 7p ET
In Toronto the Maple Leafs would look to punch their ticket to the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs as they host the Tampa Bay Lightning, and in the first period Victor Hedman would open the scoring for the Bolts, but Auston Matthews would score to tie the game at one for the Leafs. In the second period Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos would score to give the Bolts the 3-1 lead. Then in the third period Nick Paul would score to give the Lightning the 4-1 victory over the Maple Leafs.
It would be a powder keg to kick things off at Madison Square Garden as the New York Rangers would faceoff with the New Jersey Devils. In the first period it would be two seconds in and we’d see a line brawl that would feature five fights and eight ejections. Then four minutes later we would see a sixth fight take place before we’d see Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere both score to give the Rangers the 2-0 lead. In the second period Ondrej Palat, Brendan Smith, and Nico Hischier would score to give the Devils the 3-2 lead. Then in the third period Kaapo Kakko and Chris Kreider would score to give the Rangers the 4-3 victory over the Devils.
The Minnesota Wild announced that forward Marcus Foligno would undergo successful core muscle repair surgery.
Foligno will miss the remainder of the season, and is expected to be full recovered for training camp in September.
Marcus Foligno underwent successful core muscle repair surgery today and will miss the remainder of this season. He is expected to be fully recovered before the start of training camp in September. #mnwildpic.twitter.com/pinKqHyuB7
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Game Recaps
Washington Capitals v. Buffalo Sabres – 7p ET
In buffalo the Sabres would take on the Washington Capitals, and in the first period Martin Fehervary would open the scoring for the Caps, but goals from Zemgus Girgensons and JJ Peterka would give the Sabres the 2-1 lead. In the second period Peterka would net his second of the game to put the Sabres up by two, but Dylan Strome would score to get the Caps back within one. Then in the third period Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson, and Alex Tuch would score to give the Sabres the 6-2 victory over the Capitals.
In Montreal the Canadiens would take on the Florida Panthers, and in the first period Joel Armia would score for the Habs, but goals from Anton Lundell and Aleksander Barkov would score to give the Panthers the 2-1 lead. In the second period Nick Suzuki would net a pair of goals to give the Habs the 3-2 lead. Then in the third period Sam Bennett would score for the Panthers, but goals from Cole Caufield and Jake Evans would give the Canadiens the 5-3 victory over the Panthers.
In New Jersey the Devils would faceoff with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and in the first period Erik Karlsson would score for the Pens while Timo Meier would score for the Devils for the 1-1 tie. In the second period Curtis Lazar and Jesper Bratt would score to give the Devils the 3-1 lead. Then in the third period both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin would net a pair of goals and Rickard Rakell would score to give the Penguins the 6-3 victory over the Devils.
Chicago Blackhawks v. New York Islanders – 7:30p ET
In Long Island the Chicago Blackhawks would come to town to battle the New York Islanders, and in the first period Jason Dickinson would score to give the Blackhawks the 1-0 lead. Then after a scoreless second period Bo Horvat and Simon Holmstrom would score to give the Islanders the 2-1 victory over the Blackhawks.
In Minnesota the Wild would play host to the Ottawa Senators, and in the first period Mason Shaw would score to give the Wild the 1-0 lead. In the second period Matt Boldy would score to grow the Wild’s lead to two, but Drake Batherson would score to get the Sens back within one. Then in the third period Jakob Chychrun would score to tie the game at two for the Sens, but Vinni Lettieri would score to give the Wild the 3-2 victory over the Senators.
In Nashville the Predators would take on the Boston Bruins, and after a scoreless first and second periods Charlie Coyle, Pavel Zacha, and David Pastrnak would score to give the Bruins the 3-0 victory over the Predators. Linus Ullmark would stop all 32 shots faced to earn the shutout.
Today the National Hockey League has announced the Stars of the Month for the month of March 2024.
First Star – Connor McDavid (C – EDM)
McDavid paced the League with 24 assists and 31 points in 15 games (7-24—31) to lift the Oilers (45-23-5, 95 points) into second place in the Pacific Division via a 10-3-2 March. McDavid, who became the first NHL player to accumulate 30 points in a calendar month since he accomplished the feat in December 2022 (14-17—31 in 15 GP), also ranked among the March leaders in power-play points (1st; 10), power-play assists (t-1st; 8), plus/minus (t-10th; +12), game-winning goals (t-11th; 2) and shots on goal (18th; 51). He collected points in 13 of his 15 contests, highlighted by 11 multi-point performances. That included his ninth career four-assist outing (March 21 vs. BUF), five three-point efforts and a stretch of seven straight multi-point games to close the month (March 19-30: 4-15—19). McDavid picked up his 100th point March 7 at CBJ to become the sixth player in League history to reach the milestone at least seven times and the first to do so in four or more consecutive seasons since 1992-93, when Steve Yzerman (6) and Brett Hull (4) both achieved the feat. McDavid then collected his 90th assist March 24 at OTT to become the first player to hit the mark since Joe Thornton in 2006-07 (92). The 27-year-old McDavid has appeared in 71 total games this season (29-97—126), placing among the top performers in assists (1st; 97 – the most by any player since 1992-93), power-play assists (t-1st; 35), points (3rd; 126), power-play points (3rd; 42) and plus/minus (t-6th; +32).
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Second Star – Nathan MacKinnon (C – COL)
MacKinnon ranked among the March leaders in points (2nd; 27), shots on goal (t-2nd; 68), plus/minus (4th; +14), goals (t-4th; 11), assists (t-4th; 16) and power-play points (t-4th; 8) across 13 contests to power the Avalanche (47-22-6, 100 points) to their seventh straight playoff berth via a 10-2-1 month. He ran his home and overall point streaks to 35 (Oct. 19 – March 26: 29-48—77) and 19 (Feb. 13 – March 26: 13-25—38) games, respectively, before being held off the scoresheet March 28 vs. NYR. The former finished as the second-longest home point streak in NHL history – behind Wayne Gretzky’s unblemished 1988-89 home campaign (33-70—103 in 40 GP w/ LAK) – while the latter made MacKinnon the first player in League history to produce two separate point streaks of at least 19 games within the same season (also Nov. 20 – Dec. 27: 13-23—36). MacKinnon rebounded from his lone pointless outing with 2-2—4 March 30 vs. NSH, his eighth multi-point performance of the month, third with four points and second with multiple goals. The 28-year-old MacKinnon tops the NHL with 47-80—127 through 75 total contests this season, the second-most points in one campaign in franchise history behind Peter Stastny in 1981-82 (46-93—139 in 80 GP w/ QUE). MacKinnon also sits among the 2023-24 leaders in shots on goal (1st; 369), power-play points (2nd; 44), assists (3rd; 80), power-play assists (3rd; 34), goals (4th; 47), game-winning goals (t-4th; 9) and plus/minus (t-6th; +32).
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Third Star – Filip Forsberg (LW – NAS)
Forsberg shared second place in goals (12) and finished fifth in points (23) across 13 outings (12‑11—23) to help the Predators (43-27-4, 90 points) move into the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference via a 9-2-2 month, highlighted by a franchise-record 18-game point streak from Feb. 17 – March 26 (16-0-2). Forsberg found the scoresheet in all but one of his March appearances, ending the month on a nine-game point streak (March 10-30: 8-9—17) that also featured a Nashville-record seven-game goal streak (March 13-28: 8-7—15). Overall, Forsberg scored in nine of his March contests, registered seven multi-point performances and collected a trio of game-winning goals (March 7 vs. BUF, March 13 at WPG and March 23 vs. DET). He also potted his franchise-record ninth career hat trick (March 7 vs. BUF) – five more than any other player in Predators history – and reached the 40-goal milestone for the second time (March 26 vs. VGK) – a first in team history. The 29-year-old Forsberg has played in 74 total contests this season (41-43—84), placing among the League leaders in game-winning goals (t-2nd; 10), shots on goal (5th; 304), goals (9th; 41) and points (13th; 84).
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Today the National Hockey League has announced the Rookie of the Month for the month of March 2024.
Connor Bedard (C – CHI)
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, who led all rookies with 4-13—17 in 14 games (the most assists or points by a rookie in a calendar month since Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell in January 2022: 3-14—17 in 15 GP), has been named the NHL’s “Rookie of the Month” for March.
Bedard, who also earned “Rookie of the Month” honors for November and December, is the first player to win the award at least three times in one season since Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid in 2015-16 (October, February and March).
Bedard edged New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (1-11—12 in 15 GP), Arizona Coyotes center Logan Cooley (8-3—11 in 15 GP), Colorado Avalanche goaltender Justus Annunen (4‑1-0, 1.51 GAA, .952 SV%, 1 SO) and Montreal Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau (3-1-1, 1.97 GAA, .939 SV%, 1 SO) for the March honor.
Bedard, who also ranked among the March rookie leaders in shots on goal (1st; 54), power-play points (t-1st; 8), power-play assists (2nd; 7) and average time on ice (3rd; 21:06), set a franchise record for assists in a calendar month by a rookie – ahead of Brandon Saad’s 12 in March 2013 (3-12—15 in 14 GP) – and became the third Blackhawks rookie to compile at least 17 points in a single month, joining Steve Larmer in December 1982 (9-10—19 in 14 GP) and March 1983 (8-9—17 in 14 GP) as well as Jeremy Roenick in December 1989 (7-11—18 in 12 GP).
The 18-year-old Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft, found the scoresheet in nine of his 14 March appearances. That included his fourth career multi-goal and third career three-point performance March 10 vs. ARI (2-1—3), followed by a career-best 1-4—5 March 12 vs. ANA. The latter marked the fifth five-point game by an 18-year-old in NHL history, following Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (0‑5—5 on Nov. 19, 2011), Ilya Kovalchuk (1-4—5 on Jan. 19, 2002), Dale Hawerchuk (3-2—5 on March 13, 1982) and Jack Hamilton (4-1—5 on Dec. 4, 1943), as well as the third four-assist contest by an 18-year-old (after Nugent-Hopkins and Kovalchuk).
Bedard also reached the 50-point and 20-goal milestones as part of his five-point performance (52 GP). He became the third-fastest Chicago player, from the start of his NHL career, to hit the 50-point mark – behind Bill Mosienko across three campaigns from 1941-42 to 1943-44 (35 GP) and Terry Ruskowski in 1979-80 (50 GP) – as well as the second 18-year-old in franchise history to score 20 goals in a season, joining Eddie Olczyk in 1984-85 (20-30—50 in 70 GP).
Despite missing 14 games due to injury, Bedard places first among rookies in goals (21), assists (36), points (57), shots on goal (190) and game-winning goals (t-2) through 60 total appearances this season. He also sits among the 2023-24 rookie leaders in power-play assists (2nd; 16), power-play points (2nd; 19), power-play goals (t-4th; 3), average time on ice (5th; 19:42 – minimum: 5 GP) and shooting percentage (10th; 11.1% – minimum: 1 SOG/GP).
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The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that they have suspended Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman.
Hartman would be suspended for three games for unsportsmanlike conduct on Saturday night.
Hartman will forfeit $62,195.13 based on his average annual salary per the CBA.
Minnesota’s Ryan Hartman has been suspended for three games for unsportsmanlike conduct for his actions during Saturday’s game against Vegas. https://t.co/zpv4qbCxUs
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 1, 2024
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Game Recaps
Colorado Avalanche v. Columbus Blue Jackets – 7p ET
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Alex Nylander scored twice and the Columbus Blue Jackets used a three-goal second period to beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 Monday night for their second straight home win.
Kirill Marchenko had a goal and an assist, Cole Sillinger also scored and Eric Gudbranson had two assists for last-place Columbus, which won consecutive games for just the fourth time this season. Daniil Tarasov stopped 46 shots in his first game against the Avalanche.
Chris Wagner scored and Justus Annunen had 21 saves for the Avalanche, who remain tied at 100 points with the Vancouver Canucks, three points behind the Dallas Stars for the Western Conference lead.
“We played a real smart game,” Blue Jackets coach Pascale Vincent said. “That’s a real fast team.”
Marchenko broke a scoreless tie at 9:35 of the second period, sliding the puck between Annunen’s pads on the rush for his second goal in two games and his 20th of the season. Johnny Gaudreau’s secondary assist was his team-leading 56th point and 45 assist.
Nylander gave Columbus a two-goal lead with a wrister from the right circle with 5:48 remaining in the second, and notched his second of the game with 1:57 to go in the period. His 10 goals in 17 games since joining the Blue Jackets is a team record.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said the Blue Jackets were able to capitalize off Colorado turnovers in their own zone.
“The second period our game kind of went away,” he said. “We didn’t execute well enough in the offensive zone.”
Colorado finally got on the board at 4:39 of the third with Wagner’s first goal of the season after he was recalled Sunday from AHL Colorado.
“A 3-0 lead going into the third period against team like that is always a little scary,” Gudbranson said. “They got one back, but we did a very good job of bending today, but not breaking.”
Sillinger had an empty-netter with 1:33 remaining.
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) April 2, 2024
https://youtu.be/lcYaUqBKZH8?si=E06jeLvoOEfDabh0
Pittsburgh Penguins v. New York Rangers – 7p ET
NEW YORK (AP) — Sidney Crosby had two goals and an assist and Alex Nedeljkovic made 28 saves as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat New York 5-2 on Monday night, snapping the Rangers’ five-game winning streak.
Bryan Rust also scored twice and Emil Bemstrom added a goal for Pittsburgh, which ended a four-game losing streak in New York and improved to 14-9-3 in its last 26 games against Rangers. The Penguins lost both previous games this season at home against the first-place Rangers and were making their lone appearance at Madison Square Garden.
Kaapo Kakko and Jack Roslovic scored goals for the Rangers, and Igor Shesterkin finished with 16 saves.
The Rangers trailed 3-0 before Kakko ruined Nedeljkovic’s shutout bid at 10:42 of the third with his 12th goal of the season. Artemi Panarin got his team-leading 64th assist and 108th point on the play.
Roslovic made it 3-2 with 3:07 left in the third with his eighth goal of the season and second with the Rangers.
However, Rust and Crosby scored empty-net goals over the final 2:11 to cement the Penguins’ win as Nedeljkovic improved to 13-6-6 in his first season with the Penguins.
Pittsburgh is still facing missing the playoffs for a second straight season for the first time during Crosby’s career, which began in 2005-06.
The Rangers were coming off an 8-5 win at Arizona on Saturday, their 50th victory of the season. New York had won 11 of their previous 13 home contests, including last Tuesday’s wild 6-5 overtime win over Philadelphia.
Rust opened the scoring just 18 seconds into the contest, beating Shesterkin.
Crosby made it 2-0 at 10:39 and Bemstrom increased the lead to 3-0 with a breakaway goal at 9:51 of the third, his seventh.
Rust’s second goal of the game was his 26th of the season at 17:21 while Crosby’s second of the contest with 45 seconds left was his 37th of the season and the 587th of his career.
With 82 points this season, the 36-year-old Crosby is assured of averaging a point per game for the 19th time in his 19 NHL seasons. Wayne Gretzky also had 19 such campaigns.
Crosby’s first-period assist was the 997th of his career and his 80th point this season, marking the 13th time he has reached that milestone, tying him with Marcel Dionne, Mark Messier and Dale Hawerchuk. Gretzky has the most such seasons with 17.
The Rangers still have wins in seven of their last nine games and points in 24 of their last 30 with a 22-6-2 record.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brock Nelson scored 1:25 into overtime and the New York Islanders preserved their playoff hopes with a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night.
Anders Lee, Bo Horvat and Matt Martin also scored for the Islanders, who moved within four points of Philadelphia for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. New York has two more games remaining on their schedule than the Flyers.
“We were approaching this game like it was a do-or-die scenario for us just given that this is a team specifically that we’re chasing,” Nelson said. “We need the points.”
Semyon Varlamov stopped 29 shots to help the Islanders get their third win in 11 games.
Nelson scored after a turnover by Morgan Frost in his own zone for his 30th goal of the season, tyring him with Horvat for the team lead.
Frost, Noah Cates and Travis Sanheim had goals for the Flyers, who have lost three straight and eight of their last 10.
Frost forced overtime when he scored on a rebound with 10 seconds remaining in regulation to secure an all-important point for the Flyers, who are clinging to the final playoff spot.
“No one was happy when that one went in because we knew exactly what it meant,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said. “But we just kept the focus and we scored a big one. … We might not be happy to give them one point today, but we are probably going to be happy maybe down the road to have two points.”
Sam Ersson started and gave up two goals on six shots in the first period. He was replaced by Ivan Fedotov, who was added to the Flyers roster last week after having his KHL contract terminated after his SKA St. Petersburg team was eliminated from the playoffs in the top Russian hockey league. The 6-foot-7 Fedotov made his NHL debut by coming off the bench to start the second period and had 15 of his 24 saves in the period.
“There are certain people that don’t have a clue how to play or don’t have it in them to play in these types of situations,” Flyers coach John Tortorella said. “This is why I’m glad we’re playing them. We have to figure things out as far as what we’re going to become as a team here. That was embarrassing in the second period for the Philadelphia Flyers uniform. Embarrassing.”
He was challenged right away and made a glove save on a breakaway against Matthew Barzal early in the second period, prompting a standing ovation from the Philadelphia fans.
Fedotov became the fifth goalie to play for the Flyers this season, a situation that was made unstable after Carter Hart took a leave of absence from the team days prior to being charged by London, Ontario, police with sexual assault dating back to an alleged incident in 2019 involving members of the 2018 Hockey Canada World Junior Championship team.
“I’m totally impressed (with Fedotov),” Tortorella said. “I put him in a hell of a spot – and he was the only player who played in the second period.”
Tortorella did give the team high marks for how they played in the third period, one in which they outshot the Islanders 19-3.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — David Perron scored the go-ahead goal with 2:40 remaining and the Detroit Red Wings ended a four-game winless streak with a 4-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.
Perron shoveled a rebound past Andrei Vasilevskiy to break a 2-2 tie as the Red Wings won the finale of a five-game road trip. Patrick Kane, Robby Fabbri and Lucas Raymond also scored and Alex Lyon made 34 saves to end a personal 0-8-2 streak. The Red Wings have 82 points and are even with the Washington Capitals for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference, though Washington has played two fewer games.
“DP does a lot of things right all the time,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “He’s an emotional leader for us. No one wants it more than him. It’s one thing to talk, but he’s doing it by example.”
Lyon won for the first time since Feb. 27, an 8-3 win against the Capitals.
“For me it was very satisfying; it’s been a while,” he said. “We’ve got to take it a day at a time and a game at a time. That was a big win, so we can enjoy that one on the flight home.”
Perron said Lyon was “the best player on the ice for us. That’s what we need from our goalies, to be honest. The margin of error is very slim for us, and we’ve got to be solid all the time.”
Anthony Cirelli and Steven Stamkos scored for the Lightning, who had been 8-0-1 in their previous nine. Vasilevskiy finished with 28 saves.
Perron’s goal came after the Lightning had dominated for long stretches of the third period.
“We were in pretty good shape for most of that third period, until we weren’t,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “We haven’t lost in regulation since the first week in March, now we’re in April. We’ve asked a lot from the guys, and they’ve delivered.
“I can’t sit here and be hard on the guys, they’ve played really well for us.”
The Red Wings took a 1-0 lead 37 seconds into the second when Kane picked up the rebound of Dylan Larkin’s shot and whipped in a backhander from the lower right circle. But Cirelli tied it at 8:36 with a shorthanded goal, beating Lyon with a wrist shot from the top of the right circle.
Fabbri put the Red Wings back in front at 3:40 of the third period, jamming a loose puck past Vasilevskiy. Stamkos tied the game 2-2 at 5:59 with a power-play goal.
Raymond hit the empty net with 1:03 left.
The Lightning dressed Kyle Konin, a 26-year-old emergency backup goalie, because Jonas Johansson was unable to play due to a lower-body injury. Konin last dressed for an NHL game on Dec. 2, 2021, for the St. Louis Blues when Jordan Binnington was placed in COVID-19 protocol the morning of their game against the Lightning.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 2, 2024
Florida Panthers v. Toronto Maple Leafs – 7p ET
TORONTO (AP) — Auston Matthews scored his NHL-leading 61st and 62nd goals of the season to go along with an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs built a four-goal lead before hanging on late to down the Florida Panthers 6-4 in a potential first-round playoff preview Monday night.
“Unbelievable player, (future) Hall of Famer,” said Toronto winger Nicholas Robertson, who finished with a goal and an assist. “I really hope he gets to 70. It would be something special to witness.”
Matthew Knies also had a goal and an assist each for Toronto, while Tyler Bertuzzi and David Kampf provided the rest of the offense.
Matthews is now on pace for 69 goals — which would be the most in the NHL since Mario Lemieux hit the same number in 1995-96 — with eight games left on the schedule.
“We just came out with a lot of purpose,” said Matthews, whose 17 multigoal performances is the most in a season over the last 30 years. “In the third period, I thought we were a little bit more on our heels than we’d like.”
Ilya Samsonov made 26 saves for the Leafs, who were without five regulars — including star winger Mitch Marner (high ankle sprain) for an 11th straight game.
“Interesting for fans,” Samsonov, who picked up his 100th career victory, said of those anxious final 20 minutes. “We’ve got some nerves for everybody.”
Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and two assists for Florida. Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett and Brandon Montour also scored. Sergei Bobrovsky allowed five goals on 16 shots through two periods before getting the hook. Anthony Stolarz made six saves in relief.
“We just don’t bring our best in the beginning,” Tarasenko said. “Good pushback, but not enough.”
The Leafs, who sit third in the Atlantic Division, had a chance to clinch a post-season berth for an eighth consecutive year, but results elsewhere didn’t go their way.
The Panthers, meanwhile, could have overtaken the Boston Bruins for first in the Atlantic with a victory.
“We were really good for two periods,” Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe said. “They probably weren’t at their best and we capitalized on that. And then probably a little bit of a reverse in the third.”
Toronto opened the scoring at 13:59 of the first period when Robertson scored on a breakaway following a turnover at the Leafs’ blue line.
Today the National Hockey League announced their Three Stars of the Week for the week of March 25th through 31st.
First Star – Connor McDavid (C – EDM)
McDavid led the NHL with 3-5—8 in three games to propel the Oilers (45-23-4, 94 points) to a perfect week and four-point cushion for second place in the Pacific Division. He collected a pair of assists in a 4-3 overtime victory against the Winnipeg Jets March 26. McDavid then posted 1-2—3, his fifth straight multi-assist performance (March 21-28: 1-13—14), in a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings March 28 to become the seventh player in NHL history to record 120 points in at least three consecutive seasons, joining Wayne Gretzky (13 straight), Phil Esposito (5), Guy Lafleur (5), Paul Coffey (3), Marcel Dionne (3) and Mario Lemieux (3). McDavid added 2-1—3, including the game-winning goal, in a 6-1 triumph versus the Anaheim Ducks March 30 to extend his multi-point streak to seven contests dating to March 19 (4-15—19). The 27-year-old McDavid, who has won three consecutive and five total Art Ross Trophies, ranks third in the NHL with 29-96—125 through 70 total appearances this season – two points behind League leader Nathan MacKinnon (47-80—127 in 74 GP) – after sitting as many as 22 points back of first place through games of Jan. 24. McDavid also places among the top 2023-24 performers in assists (1st; 96 – the most by any player since 2005-06), power-play assists (1st; 35), power-play points (3rd; 42) and plus/minus (t-5th; +33).
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Second Star – Logan Thompson (G – VGK)
Thompson paced the NHL with three wins and 102 saves in three starts, compiling a 0.98 goals-against average and .971 save percentage to lift the Golden Knights (41-25-8, 90 points) into third place in the Pacific Division via a 3-0-1 week and 5-0-1 record in their past six contests dating to March 21. He made 31 stops, and denied an overtime penalty shot, in a 2-1 triumph over the St. Louis Blues March 25 to reach the 20-win milestone for the second consecutive season. Thompson then turned aside 39 shots, including all 15 he faced in the third period, in a 4-1 victory against the Winnipeg Jets March 28. He finished the week with 32 saves, his 13th 30-save performance of 2023-24, in a 2-1 overtime win versus the Minnesota Wild March 30. The 27-year-old Thompson, who is 5-0-0 in his last six appearances dating to March 17 (1.13 GAA, .962 SV%), owns a 22-12-5 record, 2.63 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and one shutout through 41 total games this season.
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Third Star – Alexis Lafreniere (LW – NYR)
Lafrenière topped the NHL with five goals and ranked third with seven points (5-2—7) in three games to help the Rangers (50-20-4, 104 points) extend their winning streak to five contests dating to March 21. He scored twice, his fifth career multi-goal outing and third of 2023-24, in a 6-5 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers March 26 as New York became the first team to clinch a berth in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Lafrenière then was held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 shootout win versus the Colorado Avalanche March 28, but rebounded with a career-high 3-2—5 (including his first career hat trick) in an 8-5 triumph over the Arizona Coyotes March 30. The 22-year-old Lafrenière, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2020 NHL Draft, has established career highs in goals (25, six more than his previous best), assists (27, four more than his prior high) and points (52, 13 more than his previous best) through 74 total appearances this season.
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*All Graphics courtesy of the NHL and New York Rangers. Player Profiles written by NHL Staff.
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It would be a quiet Easter Sunday as the Vancouver Canucks would host the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL’s lone game of the day.
NHL News and Notes Sunday, March 31st, 2024
News
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Game Recaps
Anaheim Ducks v. Vancouver Canucks – 3:30p ET
In the lone game of the day the Vancouver Canucks would play host to the Anaheim Ducks, and in the first period Brock Boeser would score to give the Canucks the 1-0 lead. In the second period Dakota Joshua would score to grow the Canucks lead to two. Then in the third period Olen Zellweger and Mason McTavish would score to tie the game at two for the Ducks, but Joshua would net his second of the game to give the Canucks the 3-2 victory over the Ducks.
