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Ahead of Monday's first-round, Game 2 matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman held a press conference and opened the floor for questions. 

Topics such as the Penguins' ownership sale and another NHL premier event potentially coming to Pittsburgh were big topics of discussion.

But the central topic? Goaltender interference. 

According to a piece written on Mar. 31 - shortly before the conclusion of the regular season - by The Athletic's Shayna Goldman, the success rate for coach's challenges on goaltender interference this season was 35.2, which is the lowest success rate since 2018-19, when it was 26.4 percent. It is also a steep dropoff from last season, which saw a 55.4 percent success rate. 

Goalie interference has been a source of frustration for many NHL teams, coaches, and general managers. But, according to Bettman, they're getting more right than ever before.

"You know, when it was first instituted, we had warned the coaches and managers that this isn't going to be crystal-clear in every situation," Bettman said. "It will be, sort of, a judgment. Whatever your view of the process is, I guarantee you it's much better in terms of getting it right than if we didn't have video replay. There's no question. But the only difference (is) it was originally designed for the most simple case: Somebody skates by the goaltender and hits his glove, but the officials on the ice don't see it. That would be something that's clear-cut when you pick it up in video.

"I think (NHL director of hockey operations) Colin Campbell and his people have done a great job with more and more cameras in the net (behind) the crossbar and overhead. We're going to get it right overwhelmingly. And we'll get a few calls where people will debate them. Depending on your interest in the game, you may have a different view."

LIVE GAME BLOG: Pittsburgh Penguins V. Philadelphia Flyers, Game 2Follow along with the THN - Pittsburgh Penguins' LIVE game blog for Round 1, Game 2 against the Philadelphia Flyers

In addition, Bettman reiterated that it is on the coaches to make the right call when it comes to challenges and only contest calls that are blatantly obvious to overturn. He said that this was a point of discussion when meeting with NHL GMs last summer. 

"I think the issue comes when people hope that a goal will either be confirmed or overturned," Bettman said. "In final analysis, you shouldn't be challenging unless the call is clearly and conclusively wrong one way or the other. And sometimes, strategically, you'll make the call to support your goaltender. Sometimes, you hope you'll get result you want. But, no, goaltender interference - and we've had a few video calls over the weekend, and they were all bang-on.

"Sometimes, the situation room has a view that isn't shown in real-time, or, sometimes, not at all, and we have to tweet it out. But the situation room does a good job. We went through an exercise a year ago with the general managers, and I think we showed 54 examples of what were, quote, 'controversial' coach's challenges. And the general managers, as a group, I think on like 48 or 50 of them, agreed that the right call had been made overwhelmingly, and the three or four where there was some disagreement, the room was pretty split. 

"So, the rule of thumb should be that unless it's conclusively wrong, you shouldn't be challenging it."

'I Don't Think Anybody's Panicking Here': Penguins Discuss Keys To Managing Emotions In Stanley Cup PlayoffsThe Pittsburgh Penguins have excelled at "turning the page" all season long - and they will have to continue that trend heading into Game 2 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday.

Bettman doubled down when asked whether or not there was any discussion about a deviation or shift in interpretation of the rule. 

"Listen... When you have a rooting interest or you are, in the moment, very passionate or frustrated, you may challenge a call," Bettman said. "But, in the final analysis, overwhelmingly, they get it right... and this final analysis, it's a judgment call. You know, offsides - other than when it comes to control of the puck - but offsides in terms of where the skate is is a whole lot easier to do because it's more black and white. It's a fine line.

"Goaltender interference is, again, a judgment call, which is why you go with the call on the ice unless it's conclusively wrong."

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Pittsburgh Penguins v. Philadelphia Flyers - Game 2 (PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pa.)  |  Monday, Apr. 20, 2026

Puck Drop: 7:10 p.m. ET

Penguins' projected lines and pairings:

Forwards
Egor Chinakhov - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust
Tommy Novak - Rickard Rakell - Evgeni Malkin
Elmer Soderblom - Ben Kindel - Anthony Mantha
Connor Dewar - Blake Lizotte - Noel Acciari

Defensemen
Parker Wotherspoon - Erik Karlsson
Sam Girard - Kris Letang
Ryan Shea - Connor Clifton

Goaltenders
Stuart Skinner (starter)
Arturs Silovs (backup)

Flyers' projected lines and pairings:

Per Siobhan Nolan of THN - Philadelphia Flyers:

Forwards
Travis Konecny - Christian Dvorak - Porter Martone
Matvei Michkov - Noah Cates - Denver Barkey
Tyson Foerster - Trevor Zegras - Owen Tippett
Luke Glendening - Sean Couturier - Garnet Hathaway

Defensemen
Travis Sanheim - Rasmus Ristolainen
Cam York - Jamie Drysdale
Nick Seeler - Emil Andrae

Goaltenders
Dan Vladar (starter)
Samuel Ersson (backup)

First period

- Gary Bettman held a press conference prior to the start of the game. Piece to come on that. But here is a bit of a highlight. 

After a question from Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports about the success rate of coach's challenges on goaltender interference being low this season, I asked Bettman - who said that he met with NHL GMs last summer regarding the interpretation of goaltender interference - if part of those discussions involved any shift or deviation in the interpretation of goaltender interference that might help explain the low success rate.

Gary Bettman doesn’t think the league has a problem with goaltender interference challenges. Coaches just need to stop challenging the wrong ones. — From Taylor Haase in Pittsburgh pic.twitter.com/JcbQFRxAGt

— DK Pittsburgh Sports (@DKPghSports) April 20, 2026

He said:

"No. I mean, I think... listen. When you have a rooting interest or you are, in the moment, very passionate or frustrated, you may challenge a call. But, in the final analysis, overwhelmingly, they get it right... and this final analysis, it's a judgment call. You know, offsides - other than when it comes to control of the puck - but offsides in terms of where the skate is is a whole lot easier to do because it's more black and white. It's a fine line. Goaltender interference is, again, a judgment call, which is why you go with the call on the ice unless it's conclusively wrong.

"You know, when it was first instituted, we had warned the coaches and managers that this isn't going to be crystal-clear in every situation. It will be, sort of, a judgment. Whatever your view of the process is, I guarantee you it's much better in terms of getting it right than if we didn't have video replay. There's no question. But the only difference (is) it was originally designed for the most simple case: Somebody skates by the goaltender and hits his glove, but the officials on the ice don't see it. That would be something that's clear-cut when you pick it up in video.

"I think Colin Campbell and his people have done a great job with more and more cameras in the net (behind) the crossbar and overhead. We're going to get it right overwhelmingly. And we'll get a few calls where people will debate them. Depending on your interest in the game, you may have a different view."

- Penguins have been playing a bit more in the Flyers' end during thie first period. Still only three shots on goal for each team - and their power play could not convert on three opportunities - but, overall, a much better start to this one than in Game 1.

- The fourth line of Connor Dewar, Blake Lizotte, and Noel Acciari, in particular, have had a nice start to this game. The Flyers are still frustrating the Pens in the neutral zone, but this line has had the most success in terms of zone entries and simplification. 

- END OF FIRST PERIOD - 

Score: 0-0  |  Shots on goal: Philadelphia 5, Pittsburgh 2

Second period

- The fourth line had another solid o-zone shift about two and a haldf minutes into the period. The Penguins seem to be making a better effort to get pucks to the net, but they still only have two shots on goal and none this period. Flyers are still clogging up all their lanes.

Still too much happening on the perimeter. The Penguins absolutely need this first goal here. 

- Rust hits the post on a solid shift by the first line. Chinakhov also whiffed on a chance. 

Attack looks a good bit better so far in this period. 

- Pittsburgh penalty, too many men on the ice (5:33). Philadelphia to the power play. No score. 

- Penguins' penalty kill makes quick work of the Flyers' power play. Again, night and day difference between this unit with and without Blake Lizotte. It also helped generate some momentum for the Penguins, who have tilted the ice a bit for the time being. 

- Chinakhov just threw the body a bit on Trevor Zegras, much to the delight of the crowd. A "Zegras sucks" chant rang out afterward.

Pens have the momentum now. 

- Ben Kindel and the third line get mixed up with some Flyers around goaltender Dan Vladar. Kindel has been in the thick of the physicality through these first two games - but, especially, in this one - and it's a great thing to see from the 19-year-old, whose birthday was Sunday. 

There is a lot of energy in this building right now. Pens need to feed off it. 

- GOAL (Philadelphia): Porter Martone (2), from Travis Konecny an Christian Dvorak (13:39). Philadelphia leads Pittsburgh, 1-0. 

- It's really a shame. The Penguins had all the momentum prior to a TV timeout, which gave the Flyers a chance to reset and generate one of their only instances of sustained zone time in the second period. They were cycling , and Martone snuck in down the left side to finish a perfect seam pass by Konecny.

The Penguins need to respond quick and keep on the pressure so Philly can't stack the blue line and deploy an effective neutral zone trap - which was their kryptonite last game. 

- MASSIVE power play for the Penguins coming up with 4:12 to go in the second. Glendening for cross-checking. Penguins trail, 1-0, and head to the man advantage. 

- This power play is a disaster right now. It's absolutely burying the Penguins, and if they lose this series, they could point to this alone as a primary reason why. Passes aren't connecting. Too many long, cross-ice, low-percentage passes. And... a shorty.

Flyers generated more on that penalty kill than the Penguins did on their power play. 

- GOAL (PHILADELPHIA): Garnet Hathaway (1) - SHG, from Owen Tippett (17:43). Philadelphia leads Pittsburgh, 2-0. 

- Fans are booing the home team here at PPG. All the life has been sucked out of the building. The Flyers continue to frustrate the Penguins, and Rick Tocchet's fingerprints are all over it again. 

- Malkin takes a high-sticking penalty that they reviewed and confirmed. Ristolainen's stick got up on Konecny, too, but it appeared that Malkin initiated the play that led to both sticks clashing with Konecny's face. 

Or, at least, that seems to be what the ruling was. 

- END OF SECOND PERIOD -

Score: 2-0 Philadelphia over Pittsburgh  |  Goals from Travis Konecny (PHI) and Garnet Hathaway (PHI)  |  Shots on goal: Philadelphia 17, Pittsburgh 14

Third period

- The Penguins needed that kill, and they got it. Crosby mentioned after last game that the Penguins wanted to make sure they were supporting their PK more and feeding off the momentum from that unit. 

Girard was stopped on a point-blank chance from the shot shortly after. 

- The top-six has been switched around. 

Chinakhov is now with Malkin and Novak on the second line, and Rakell has bumped back up to the first line with Crosby and Rust.

It's way past time for this, but the Malkin line has generated a bit so far in the third. 

- Chinakhov came in with speed and almost created a scoring chance for himself. Lost a handle on the puck as he broke away from Philly's defense. 

- Crosby with a one-time blast. The Penguins' first line has come to life. They are playing with desperation and energy and need one soon here. 

Much more smooth operation with this set of lines. They're finally not galaxy-braining it. 

Also, Penguins now lead in shots, 20-18, with 14:21 to go. 

- Rust misses a pretty wide-open chance on the backhand just after this off the faceoff.

- Crosby is "chatting" with Konecny and Sanheim at center ice. Stirring it up. Gets the crowd going. Penguins to the power play, as Konecny goes to the box (6:31). Penguins to the power play. They trail, 2-0. 

- Stuart Skinner absolutely bails out Erik Karlsson on an errant neutral zone pass on the power play. Went post-to-post for a save on Glendening. Remember that save if the Penguins come back in this one.

Talk about the game with Pens fans here!

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are officially underway. While the Vancouver Canucks will not be taking part in the post-season — unsurprisingly — there are quite a few former Canucks who will look to make their mark as they pursue the Stanley Cup with their current teams. Here are the former Canucks taking part in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs in the Western Conference. 

Central Division 

Tyler Myers, Dallas Stars 

A Canuck for nearly seven full seasons, Myers’ upcoming post-season with the Dallas Stars will be his first stint in the playoffs since Vancouver’s run in 2023–24. The defenceman was one of two long-time members of Vancouver’s roster who were traded ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, with Conor Garland being the other. 

Myers has made the post-season seven times through his NHL career, with two of these occasions coming as a member of the Canucks. The defenceman also took part in playoff runs with the Buffalo Sabres (2009–10 and 2010–11) and Winnipeg Jets (2014–15, 2017–18, and 2018–19) through his career. Prior to the Sabres’ first playoff game on Sunday, Myers was the only active NHL player to have played in a playoff game for the Sabres. 

Casey DeSmith, Dallas Stars 

Also on Dallas’ playoff squad is DeSmith, whose lone season with the Canucks resulted in a playoff run. The Stars goaltender has played in three different post-seasons — one for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2021–22, the Canucks in 2023–24, and the Stars in 2024–25. He has registered a combined five games played in through these three playoff runs. 

Vancouver first acquired DeSmith via trade at the start of the 2023–24 season, with the goaltender posting a 12–9–6 record during the regular season. An injury during the playoffs forced Artūrs Šilovs into the net and resulted in the Latvian leading the way through the rest of Vancouver’s run. DeSmith later signed with the Stars in free-agency. 

Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild 

Once the franchise’s hope for a better future, a mid-December trade resulted in Hughes becoming the next big thing for a Minnesota Wild team that is looking to do some damage heading into the playoffs. The Wild have not made it past the first-round in the playoffs since 2015; with Dallas as an opponent in the opening-round of this year’s post-season, this task will be a difficult one. 

Vancouver made the playoffs twice in Hughes’ time as a Canuck — in 2019–20 and 2023–24. Through both post-seasons, the defenceman averaged nearly a point per game, putting up two goals and 14 assists in 17 games in 2020 and 10 assists in 13 games in 2024. In both playoff runs, Vancouver was eliminated in Game 7 of the Pacific Division Finals. 

Ian Cole, Utah Mammoth 

Cole is one of two Utah Mammoth defencemen who previously played for the Canucks and will now help Utah succeed in their first playoff appearance in franchise history. Cole joined Utah the season after his one-year stint with the Canucks, then re-upping his contract with the Mammoth for another year. This season, he put up near career-high totals with three goals and 20 assists in 82 games. 

In Cole’s lone season with the Canucks, Vancouver scraped together a division-leading season that saw them lose in Game 7 of the second-round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Cole was a massive factor in the team’s success early-on for his sharp defensive play and previous playoff experience. He’ll be a player Utah will rely heavily on heading into the post-season. 

Nate Schmidt, Utah Mammoth  

The other one-year Canuck who now plays for the Mammoth is Schmidt. Traded to Vancouver back in October of 2020, Schmidt’s tenure with Vancouver lasted only one season — 2020–21 — during which he put up five goals and 10 assists in 54 games played. The defenceman was then traded at the end of the season, this time to the Winnipeg Jets. 

Schmidt’s most recent playoff run went about as successfully as any player could ask for, as the defenceman joined the Florida Panthers in winning their second-straight Stanley Cup and the first in his career. Previously, Schmidt had come close, joining the Vegas Golden Knights for their inaugural-season Stanley Cup run back in 2017–18. 

Pacific Division 

Vasily Podkolzin, Edmonton Oilers 

Podkolzin appears to have fit with the Edmonton Oilers like a glove since being traded there in August of 2024. The forward had a strong 24-point season the year prior and has now hit career-highs in goals (19), assists (18), and points (37) in his sophomore season with the Oilers. Were he playing at this rate while still on this year’s Canucks team, the forward would be fifth on the team in points. 

Podkolzin has made the post-season in his past three seasons, starting with the Canucks’ 2024 Stanley Cup Playoff run. While he only got into two games during this run, the season after, he was a much more noticeable force for Edmonton. Through 22 playoff games with the Oilers, he had three goals and seven assists. 

Jason Dickinson, Edmonton Oilers  

Dickinson has seen some of his best NHL seasons as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, who acquired him from the Canucks in July of 2021. With Vancouver, on the other hand, Dickinson put up five goals and six assists in 62 games played. The forward followed that up with back-to-back 30-point seasons with Chicago, including a career-high 22 goals and 13 assists in 82 games during the 2023–24 season. 

The Oilers acquired Dickinson and prospect Colton Dach at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline in exchange for Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional first-round pick in next year’s draft. Since joining Edmonton, Dickinson has a goal and three assists in 17 games. The forward’s last playoff appearance was in 2019–20, when he and the Dallas Stars lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final. 

Curtis Lazar, Edmonton Oilers  

Lazar was only a Canucks for 45 games, during which he scored three goals and two assists, before he was traded to the New Jersey Devils in March of 2023. He stayed with the Devils for two seasons after that before signing a one-year deal with the Oilers this season. With Edmonton this season, Lazar scored four goals and two assists in 45 games. 

This will be the sixth NHL post-season that Lazar participates in. His first playoff run came as a member of the Ottawa Senators in 2014–15, followed by a one-game performance with the Calgary Flames in 2016–17. The bulk of his post-season experience comes from his time with the Boston Bruins in 2020–21 and 2021–22, during which he played in 10 and seven games respectively. 

Andrei Kuzmenko, Los Angeles Kings 

Due to a meniscus tear suffered on February 25 against Vegas, Kuzmenko’s season ended early as the forward required time to adjust after undergoing surgery. Prior to the injury, the forward put up 13 goals and 12 assists in 52 games played. He has since appeared to recover and is now available to play for his team, though he did not end up skating in Game 1 of Los Angeles’ series against the Colorado Avalanche. 

Kuzmenko has only been to the post-season once while in the NHL — in 2024–25 with the Kings. Despite Los Angeles being eliminated in the first round in Game 6 against the Oilers, the forward scored three goals and three assists. 

Ben Hutton, Vegas Golden Knights 

Hutton seems to have found a great fit with the Golden Knights since departing from Vancouver. After bouncing around from Los Angeles, to the Anaheim Ducks, to the Toronto Maple Leafs, he found himself in Vegas where he has since spent the past five seasons. He hit a new season-high in points with the Golden Knights, putting up six goals and nine assists in 55 games this year. 

All of Hutton’s career post-season experience has come as a member of the Golden Knights. He played in two playoff games with Vegas in their Stanley Cup-winning effort in 2023, also taking part in one game the season after. 

Nic Dowd, Vegas Golden Knights 

Once a Canuck for only 40 games, Dowd’s eight-year tenure with the Washington Capitals ended at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, when he was moved to Vegas in exchange for goaltender Jesper Vikman, a 2027 third-round pick, and a 2029 second-round pick. Through 20 regular season games with the Golden Knights this season, Dowd put up a goal and four assists. 

Aside from this season, Dowd has taken part in the Stanley Cup Playoffs six times throughout his career, all with Washington. In 40 total playoff games with the Capitals, Dowd scored four goals and two assists, with his highest single-season numbers being registered in 2020–21 (2 G, 5 GP) and 2021–22 (1 G, 1 A, 6 GP). 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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In 2018, the St. Louis Blues made a blockbuster trade to acquire Ryan O’Reilly.

The move paid off greatly for the organization. In his first of five seasons with the Blues, O’Reilly notched career highs in goals (28) and points (77). He also helped the Blues hoist the Stanley Cup, skating as the No. 1 center. 

The Blues should have no regrets about making that deal, but if they did, it’s because of the play of former Blues first-round pick Tage Thompson.  

To acquire O’Reilly, the Blues traded Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, and Thompson, as well as a first-round pick in the 2019 NHL draft, and a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL draft, to the Buffalo Sabres. 

Berglund and Sobotka amounted to nothing more than depth players for the Sabres, and the first-round pick the Sabres acquired turned into Ryan Johnson, a defenseman who has spent most of his professional career in the AHL. 

But Thompson has morphed into a superstar, a true No. 1 center who won gold with Team USA at the Olympics and is centering the top line of a Stanley Cup-contending team. 

Thompson played just 41 games with the Blues, scoring three goals and nine points, and while it did take Thompson a bit of time to get his feet under him at the NHL level, he’s now a consistent 40-goal scorer with a career high of 47 and a point per game player with a career high of 94 points. 

Sabres Managing Excitement After Comeback Win With “One Game At A Time” Approach Buffalo scores four goals in the last 10 minutes of the third period to win Game 1 vs. Boston

On Sunday, the Sabres hosted their first playoff game in 14 years, but they found themselves down 2-0 late in the third period. That’s when Thompson introduced himself to the post-season.

The 28-year-old found a loose puck behind the Boston Bruins’ net and scored a wrap-around on his backhand to cut the Bruins’ lead in half. Just over three minutes later, Thompson won another puck battle, made a slick move to create space, and ripped a shot past Jeremy Swayman to tie the game and send the KeyBank Center into a frenzy. 

A minute later, Mattias Samuelsson gave the Sabres the lead before Thompson once again won a key puck battle and sprung Alex Tuch on a breakaway with the Bruins’ net vacant. 

The Sabres pulled off a miraculous comeback in Game 1 to take an early series advantage, which Thompson led.

The Sabres First Home Playoff Game Absolutely Lived Up To The Hype In Win Over BruinsAfter a fifteen-year wait, the Buffalo Sabres made NHL history with a four-goal third-period explosion to stun the Bruins and ignite a city-wide frenzy.

He finished his first career playoff game with two goals, one assist, two penalty minutes, seven shots on goal, and three hits in 20:01 of ice time. He also finished with a Corsi For percentage of 59.38 percent, an expected goals percentage of 61.23 percent, and a high danger chances percentage of 60 percent at 5-on-5. 

Thompson was nothing short of dominant.

Although he was once the 26th overall pick of the Blues in 2016, Thompson was the key part of a deal that helped the Blues hoist the Stanley Cup, and could help the Sabres hoist their own. 

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

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Charlie McAvoy has been a road warrior in recent months, tallying 21 points over his last 20 away games.

While he was held off the scoresheet in Game 1, my Bruins vs. Sabres predictions see McAvoy getting back on track in this one.

Let’s dive into my NHL picks for Tuesday, April 21.

Bruins vs Sabres Game 2 prediction

Bruins vs Sabres best bet: Charlie McAvoy Over 0.5 points (-105)

Charlie McAvoy played 40.5% of Game 1, leading all skaters. The Boston Bruins didn’t generate many chances during his minutes, but score effects played a big part.

The Bruins led from the 10-minute mark of the opening period until there was less than five minutes to go in the third. Boston was trying to see their lead through, which led to a larger focus on defense.

Even if the Bruins get another lead, I don’t think they’ll be as conservative in Game 2.

McAvoy has hit the scoresheet in 20 of his last 23 games following a day of rest. Look for him to make his mark offensively.

Bruins vs Sabres Game 2 same-game parlay

Morgan Geekie averaged 2.2 shots on goal and cleared this line in 65% of his games this season. The only extended lull came when Geekie was playing away from David Pastrnak.

Geekie is back on the top line and scored in Game 1, so his role on Pastrnak’s opposite wing should be solidified.

Josh Doan had two shots on goal and five attempts in Game 1, pushing his Over rate to 85% in home games against Bottom-10 shot suppression teams. 

Doan earned a solid 16 minutes of ice in his first playoff game, so head coach Lindy Ruff clearly trusts him.

Bruins vs Sabres SGP

• Charlie McAvoy Over 0.5 points
• Morgan Geekie Over 1.5 shots on goal
• Josh Doan Over 1.5 shots on goal

Bruins vs Sabres Game 2 goal scorer pick

Josh Doan (+310)

Doan was a threat in the series opener, generating five shot attempts and a couple of scoring chances on the doorstep. His expected goal output of 0.91 was actually second-highest among all skaters. Jeremy Swayman is very tough to beat from range, so it's best to target players who live in high-danger areas.

Bruins vs Sabres odds for Game 2

• Moneyline: Boston +130 | Buffalo -150
• Puck line: Boston +1.5 (-190) | Buffalo -1.5 (+160)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+120) | Under 6.5 (-140)

Bruins vs Sabres trend

Charlie McAvoy has six points over his last six games in Buffalo. Find more NHL betting trends for Bruins vs. Sabres.

How to watch Bruins vs Sabres Game 2

Bruins vs Sabres latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

It wouldn’t be the Stanley Cup Playoffs without the Florida Panthers showing up on TV, right?

That is the reality that we’re living in, and people should just get used to it.

Despite the Panthers missing out on qualifying for the postseason this year due to the injury issue we’ve mentioned once or twice, fans tuning in to the opening weekend of the playoffs were treated to a new commercial featuring two of the most popular Panthers players around!

Mutual life insurance and financial services company MassMutual has done an excellent job in recent years putting out some very entertaining ads starring NHL players.

There was the “and why is he always here for breakfast” spot with Washington Capitals’ Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Ovechkin and his wife, Anastasia, the “no goals” ad with Juuse Saros and Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators, or the “Baby Skates” commercial featuring Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman talking about saving for their kids’ college funds.

This year, a couple new spots hit the airwaves.

One of them has Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen and goalie Jake Oettinger playing bubble hockey, and the other…well, that’s why you’re here.

The commercial features Panthers forwards Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett, with the two providing some sound investment advice to a young autograph-seeking fan.

You can check out the video below:

For those Cats fans with sharp eyes, they may have noticed the spot took place inside Florida’s new practice facility, the Baptist Health IcePlex, in Fort Lauderdale, where it was filmed earlier this season.

Let us know in the comments what you think of the new spot, which is titled, “It’s Never Too Soon to Think About Your Future,” and where it ranks among the MassMutual hierarchy of ads featuring NHL players.

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Photo caption: Dec 29, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand (63) and center Sam Bennett (9) celebrate his goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Jeff Romance-Imagn Images)