NHL News and Notes from Tuesday, April 29th, 2025
News
- The NHL announced the finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy.
- The finalists are Quinn Hughes (VAN, Cale Makar (COL), and Zach Werenski (CLB).
- The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that they have fined Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola.
- Mikkola was fined $5,000 for boarding Tampa Bay Lightning forward Zemgus Girgensons during Game 4 in Florida on Monday, April 28th.
- The fine is the maximum allowed per the CBA
- The Vancouver Canucks announced that Rick Tocchet has decided not to return as head coach.
- The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that they have suspended Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad.
- Ekblad was suspended for two games for elbowing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel in Game 4 on Monday, April 28th.
Jersey Tracking and Mini Recaps
Ottawa Senators v. Toronto Maple Leafs – 7p ET – Game 5
- In Toronto for Game 5, the Maple Leafs have their second opportunity to eliminate the Ottawa Senators, and after a scoreless first period Thomas Chabot scored his first of the playoffs to give the Senators the 1-0 lead, and their first lead in the series. Then in the third period Dylan Cozens scored a shorthanded tally, and then both Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk scored empty netters to give the Senators the 4-0 victory over the Maple Leafs to force a Game 6. Linus Ullmark made 27 saves for the Senators to earn the shutout.
New Jersey Devils v. Carolina Hurricanes – 730p ET – Game 5
- In Carolina for Game 5, the New Jersey Devils look to stave off elimination as they visit the Hurricanes, and in the first period Dawson Mercer opened the scoring to give the Devils the 1-0 lead, and then less than two minutes later Timo Meier scored to grow the Devils lead to two. Later in the first period Stefan Noesen scored as the powerplay was expiring to give the Devils the three goal lead.
In the second period the Hurricanes strike back as they got goals from Logan Stankoven, Jackson Blake, and Andrei Svechnikov to tie the game at three, but shortly after the Hurricanes tied the game, Nico Hischier scored to regain the lead for the Devils. However, while on the powerplay, Sebastian Aho scored to tie the game up at four for the Hurricanes.
After a scoreless third period, overtime would be required, and in the second overtime period while on the powerplay, Aho scored his second of the game to give the Hurricanes the 5-4 victory to eliminate the Devils from the playoffs 4-1.
Minnesota Wild v. Vegas Golden Knights – 930p ET – Game 5
- In Vegas for Game 5, the Golden Knights look to win at home against the Minnesota Wild to take the 3-2 series lead, and in the first period William Karlsson opened the scoring with a shorthanded tally for the Knights to take the 1-0 lead, but seconds later Kirill Kaprizov would score on the powerplay to tie the game at one. However, before the end of the first period Mark Stone would score his first of the playoffs to retake the lead for the Knights. Then after a scoreless second period, Matt Boldy scored his fifth of the playoffs to tie the game at two for the Wild to force overtime. In the extra frame, Brett Howden would score his third of the playoffs to give the Golden Knights the 3-2 overtime victory over the Wild, and take the 3-2 series lead.
Edmonton Oilers v. Los Angeles Kings – 10p ET – Game 5
- In Los Angeles for Game 5, the Edmonton Oilers look to take a 3-2 series lead back home as they visit the Kings, and after a scoreless first period, Andrei Kuzmenko scored on the powerplay to give the Kings the 1-0 lead, but Evander Kane would score to tie the game at one for the Oilers. Then in the third period, Mattias Janmark would score his second of the playoffs to give the Oilers the 2-1 lead, and then with less than a minute left in regulation, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins would get the empty netter to give the Oilers the 3-1 victory over the Kings and take the 3-2 series lead.
Today’s Games
- MON v. WAS – 7p ET – Game 5
- FLA v. TB – 730p ET – Game 5
- STL v. WIN – 930p ET – Game 5
Noteworthy in Hockey
- Mikko Rantanen, usually a playoff monster, finally gets his goal – ‘Huge relief’ (The Athletic – $)
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