NHL Daily – Embracing Change

NHL News and Notes from Monday, April 28th, 2025

News

• The Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they have parted ways with head coach Mike Sullivan.
  • Sullivan has been the Penguins head coach since December 2015 winning back-to-back Stanley Cups and winning 409 games to become the Penguins all-time wins leader.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI_cJdkOwv2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• The NHL announced the finalists for the Vezina Trophy.
  • The finalists are Connor Hellebuyck (WIN), Darcy Kuemper (LA), and Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB).

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI_pb3tTObc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

• The Department of Player Safety announced a pair of fines stemming from Game 4 between the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens.
  • Capitals defenseman Dylan McIlrath was fined $2,018.23 for unsportsmanlike conduct during pregame warmups.
  • Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj was fined $3,385.42 for unsportsmanlike conduct during pregame warmups.
  • Both teams were fined $25,000 for the unsportsmanlike conduct that took place during pregame warmups before Game 4.
  • The player fines are the maximum allowed per the CBA.

Jersey Tracking and Mini Recaps

Tampa Bay Lightning v. Florida Panthers – 7p ET – Game 4

• Back in Florida for Game 4, the Panthers look to bounce back as they host the Tampa Bay Lightning, and after a scoreless first period Anton Lundell would open the scoring for the Panthers for the 1-0 lead, but goals from Mitchell Chaffee and Erik Cernak would give the Lightning the 2-1 lead. Then in the third period Aaron Ekblad, Seth Jones, and Carter Verhaeghe all scored their first goals of the playoffs to give the Panthers the 4-2 victory over the Lightning to take the 3-1 series lead.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJAzAKaIKpK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Colorado Avalanche v. Dallas Stars – 930p ET – Game 5

• With the series returning to Dallas for Game 5, the Stars look to retake the series lead over the visiting Colorado Avalanche, and in the first period Wyatt Johnston scored his first of the playoffs, and Thomas Harley scored on a fortunate bounce to give the Stars the 2-0 lead. In the second period Mikko Rantanen scored his first of the playoffs to grow the Stars lead to three, but Artturi Lehkonen would score to get the Avalanche on the board and back within two. Moments later, Nathan MacKinnon scored to get the Avalanche back within one, but a powerplay goal from Johnston and a tally from Mason Marchment would give the Stars the 5-2 lead. Then in the third period Roope Hintz got the empty netter to give the Stars the 6-2 victory over the Avalanche to take the 3-2 series lead.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJBGHksOY9p/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Today’s Games

• OTT v. TOR – 7p ET – Game 5
• NJ v. CAR – 730p ET – Game 5
• MIN v. VGK – 930p ET – Game 5
• EDM v. LA – 10p ET – Game 5

Noteworthy in Hockey

• 32 Thoughts Podcast: Another 3rd Period Comeback… (SportsNet)
• Montoya, Stars helping to build game in Mexico (Color of Hockey)

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