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On March 29th, the Vegas Golden Knights made a change behind the bench with just eight games left in the regular season. They relieved head coach Bruce Cassidy of his duties and subsequently brought in John Tortorella to take his place.

From broadcasters to the media to fans, this move caught the hockey world by surprise. And when Cassidy joined the NHL on TNT intermission panel nearly a month after the incident, he admitted that it shocked him, too.

“Yeah,” said Cassidy on Tuesday. “You know, you grind for 74 games, and you want to be there at the end. That’s the payoff, right? Playing for the cup, getting your name on the cup again… Great guys in that locker room, great players. I’m excited for the guys, but disappointed I didn’t get a chance to finish the job with them.”

Throughout their nine-year history, the Golden Knights have earned a reputation as a team that will do whatever it takes to win. This move is a bit too extreme to be par for the course, but it’s not completely without precedent.

“Vegas, they have their standards,” Cassidy acknowledged. “They felt we weren’t there, so they made a change.”

In 2022, the Golden Knights hired Cassidy as their third head coach in franchise history. The move immediately paid dividends, and he led them to their first Stanley Cup in 2023. Typically, Stanley Cup Champion head coaches get a longer leash; in this case, the floundering Golden Knights needed a spark, and Cassidy was the casualty.

“I think somewhere along the way, we lost our spirit, and we lost our energy as a team,” said general manager Kelly McCrimmon after the coaching change. “You need to make hard decisions, and the easiest thing in the world to do is nothing… If we didn’t have the expectations and the belief in our team that we do, we probably would’ve let this thing ride out.”

Following the coaching change, the Golden Knights went on a 7-0-1 run to close out the regular season.

“I would have liked to see it through, I’ll definitely say that,” Cassidy admitted. “We’d won once before, so we knew what it looked like to win… Yes, I would have loved to have the opportunity. But it didn’t work out that way, so you start thinking about your next challenge.”

At the moment, the St. Louis Blues haven’t decided just yet whether they are ready to move on from Jordan Binnington.

Reports indicate that the Blues will explore their options, and if he does hit the market, the Blues will have plenty of buyers. 

The 32-year-old is an experienced goaltender, having won a Stanley Cup, a 4 Nations Face-Off gold medal, and an Olympic silver medal, but 25-year-old Joel Hofer outperformed him throughout the 2025-26 season and is poised to continue improving and lock down the No. 1 role.

With all that being said, let’s visit three destinations where Binnington could thrive.

Florida Panthers

There may not be a better fit for Binnington’s character than the Florida Panthers. The back-to-back Stanley Cup champions thrive on being considered the villains, and Binnington is no stranger to the hate of NHL fans.

Besides culture fit, Binnington aligns with the Panthers’ timeline. Reports indicate the Panthers and Sergei Bobrovsky are far off in negotiations, and his time in Florida could be over. 

The Panthers’ roster is filled with players in or around 30 years old, like Binnington. The Panthers not only want to return to the playoffs but also go on a deep run again, and Binnington has the pedigree to do so.

Should The Panthers Target Blues' Jordan Binnington If Sergei Bobrovsky Walks In Free Agency?The Florida Panthers may have a new No. 1 goaltender for the first time since 2019 if Sergei Bobrovsky leaves in free agency. Could St. Louis Blues' Jordan Binnington be the answer for the Panthers?

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers and Binnington have been linked numerous times, but this season, the links were the strongest. Ultimately, the Oilers went in a different direction, trading for Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The move has failed miserably, and the Oilers might be in the market for another starting goaltender. The goaltending position in Edmonton comes with a lot of scrutiny, and no goalie is mentally stronger to handle that pressure than Binnington. 

The Oilers need to do everything they can to convince Connor McDavid that they can win a Stanley Cup, and acquiring Binnington, a netminder he’s had success with at the international level, could be a positive step toward that goal. 

Jordan Binnington Keeping Open Mind Regarding FutureSt. Louis Blues Stanley Cup-winning goalie wants to discuss future team plans with GM-in-waiting Alexander Steen, management team with one year remaining on current contract

Carolina Hurricanes

Although Frederik Andersen put on a phenomenal display for the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, goaltending remains a weak point for this contending team. 

All three goaltenders the Hurricanes used this season had save percentages below .900. Additionally, Andersen is set to become a UFA.

Binnington could come to the Hurricanes and bring the snarl they’ve lacked, while being a calming force in the crease. Binnington is at his best when the stakes are highest, and the Hurricanes need a goaltender who can deliver in those moments. 

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The Detroit Red Wings are fortunate to have two of the NHL's most intriguing goaltending prospects in their system, one of whom is expected to make the jump to a full-time role in Detroit next season. 

Sebastian Cossa (15th overall, 2021 NHL Draft) and Trey Augustine (41st overall, 2023 NHL Draft) are both currently with the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins, and fans are understandably excited at the thought of one (or even both of them) being an eventual brick wall for the Red Wings at some point in the near future. 

Augustine, who hails from the Detroit suburb of South Lyon, played for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth and attended Michigan State University. 

He has since joined the Griffins on an amateur tryout after completing his time in the collegiate ranks.

Having grown up in Michigan as a Red Wings fan, routinely attending games at Joe Louis Arena, getting a chance to suit up for the club would be nothing short of living out a childhood dream.

“It means so much to me and my family as well,” Augustine explained recently to WILX reporter Ben Shockley, reflecting on the significance of joining the Red Wings organization.

“Me and my Dad used to go to games at Joe Louis Arena all the time, seeing Jimmy Howard, Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg play,” he added. “I mean, growing up in Michigan, I've always been a Red Wings fan. Hopefully one day, I'll get to wear the Winged Wheel.”

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

While with the Spartans, Augustine became the goaltender in school history to win the Mike Richter Award as the nation's top player at his position, and was also named a First Team All-American two consecutive years. 

Additionally, he won back to back Big Ten Goaltender of the Year awards, and was also a 2026 Hobey Baker Award Top Ten Finalist. 

Making the adjustment to life in professional hockey has been smooth so far, and Augustine hopes that he'll eventually see some playing time. 

"It's been good so far, it's a little different than Michigan State, but it's been good to get my feet wet," he said. "Looking forward to playing hockey down the stretch." 

"There are a bunch of new guys, but they're all great and helped me feel like part of the team, which is awesome. " 

Schedule Announced For Grand Rapids Griffins Playoff Clash Vs. Manitoba The Grand Rapids Griffins, who established new AHL highs this season, have released the schedule for their upcoming postseason clash against the Manitoba Moose.

Right now, Augustine is third on the Griffins' goaltending depth chart behind Cossa and Michal Postava. While his competitive side wants to see as much playing time as possible, he's also voiced his support for his teammates while standing at the ready if he's called upon. 

"Obviously, I'd like to play every game, but they're a great team with two great other goalies," Augustine said of Cossa and Postava. "I'll just do anything I can to help them be ready to go, and obviously put myself in a position where if I'm called to play, I'm ready."

"Obviously, we're trying to win the Calder Cup here, and the coaches are gonna play who they think will give the team the best chance to win the game, and I'm going to do everything I can to help support that," he continued. 

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The Montreal Canadiens head back to the Sunshine State for Game 5 against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, April 29.

This juggernaut Atlantic Division series has become a best-of-three, with both teams snagging a crucial road win.

My Canadiens vs. Lightning predictions and NHL picks expect the Canadiens' usual suspects to rise to the occasion, along with some timely help by way of secondary scoring.

Canadiens vs Lightning Game 5 prediction

Canadiens vs Lightning best bet: Nick Suzuki Over 0.5 assists (-150)

Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki has been one of the league's best playmakers all season and has registered four assists through four games in this series. He's garnered 11 apples in 12 April games, and his 72 assists in the regular season ranked fifth in the entire league.

The 101-point scorer has 10 assists in his last nine road games and will be heavily relied upon in a pivotal Game 5 in Tampa Bay.

Canadiens vs Lightning Game 5 same-game parlay

Lane Hutson has seemingly kicked into another gear in the absence of Noah Dobson.

The sophomore blue liner has compiled 10 shots on goal this series — more than he had in his previous 11 games combined. He's played over 26 minutes in every game of the series, peaking at 32:00 in Game 2.

He's everywhere, all the time, and has been firing on all cylinders this series.

Apart from the likely heroes in Suzuki, Hutson, and company, the Habs have welcomed some very timely secondary scoring. Zachary Bolduc has three points in this series and has fired seven shots on goal in his last three games.

The Quebecer makes up one-third of a formidable third line alongside Kirby Dach and Oliver Kapanen. At plus-odds, there's some serious value in a young, hometown kid making his presence felt.

Canadiens vs Lightning SGP

• Nick Suzuki o0.5 Assists
• Lane Hutson o1.5 Shots on Goal
• Zachary Bolduc o1.5 Shots on Goal

Canadiens vs Lightning odds for Game 5

• Moneyline: Canadiens +140 | Lightning -160
• Puck Line: Canadiens +1.5 (-180) | Lightning -1.5 (+155)
• Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-120) | Under 5.5 (+100)

Canadiens vs Lightning trend

Each of the last five games between these teams have been decided by a goal, with three needing extra time. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Lightning.

How to watch Canadiens vs Lightning Game 5

Canadiens vs Lightning latest injuries

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Boston Bruins will be without second-line forward Viktor Arvidsson when they face elimination in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series at Buffalo on Tuesday night.

Without disclosing the nature of the injury, coach Marco Sturm said Arvidsson did not travel with the team. Arvidsson was hurt after being checked by Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson in the first period of Boston’s 6-1 loss on Sunday.

The Bruins trail the series 3-1, with Arvidsson scoring twice in Boston’s 4-2 victory in Game 2.

Sturm said forwards Michael Eyssimont and Alex Steeves are among the options to make their series debuts. The coach added veteran defenseman Henri Jokiharju will replace Jordan Harris and play his first game of the series.

“I think we are excited to bounce back,” Sturm said. “We want to show that last game that’s not really us.”

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AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid will play Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks in Game 5 of the teams' first-round playoff series.

McDavid, who led the NHL in points this season, did not participate in the team's morning skate ahead of a must-win game for Edmonton and was a game-time decision, according to coach Kris Knoblauch.

The 29-year-old McDavid has looked uncomfortable at times since rolling his ankle in the second period of Game 2 when he collided with teammate Mattias Ekholm.

The Oilers are trying to avoid elimination and rally from a 3-1 deficit in the best-of-seven series. Edmonton reached the Stanley Cup final in each of the last two seasons before losing to the two-time champion Florida Panthers.

Edmonton forward/center Jason Dickinson, also a game-time decision, was also in the lineup released shortly before gametime.

Knoblauch said earlier Tuesday that Connor Ingram would start in net after Tristan Jarry started in Game 4.

McDavid, who led the league with 138 points, scored his first goal in Game 3 and had his first multi-point games in the third and fourth games of the series in Anaheim. McDavid didn’t participate in Saturday’s off-day skate in Anaheim.

McDavid was nominated Tuesday for the Ted Lindsay Award, along with San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov. The award is for the league’s “most outstanding player” as voted by NHL players. McDavid is a four-time winner.

Ingram returns to the Edmonton net on Tuesday after Jarry made 34 saves in a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 4. Ingram started the first three games of the series. He earned a 4-3 victory in Game 1 before allowing 11 goals in consecutive losses behind a leaky Edmonton defense.

“Nothing against Jarry,” Knoblauch said early Tuesday. “I thought he had a solid game the other night, but going down this last few weeks or months, Ingram’s been our starter. He’s been our guy. Now that our season’s on the line, we felt that we would go with our guy.”

Dickinson sat out the second and third games of the series due to injury. He scored twice in Edmonton’s win in the opener and assisted on the Oilers’ first goal in the Game 4 loss.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

NEW YORK (AP) — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman offered his unequivocal support Tuesday for the ruling that upheld the Anaheim Ducks’ overtime goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series.

“It wasn’t a controversy, it was absolutely the right call,” Bettman said in meeting with Associated Press Sports Editors at the NHL headquarters in New York City. “Because of the technology that we currently use and the cameras that we have inside the net, you could see it, knew for certain that it would be in and over the line.”

Bettman’s response comes two days after Ryan Poehling’s goal was extensively reviewed to determine whether it fully crossed the goal line, before being allowed to stand in a 4-3 win. The Ducks lead 3-1 and have a chance to clinch the series in playing Game 5 at Edmonton on Tuesday night.

Though on-ice officials ruled Poehling scored, questions were raised as to whether there was enough visible evidence to show the puck crossing the line 2:29 into overtime.

Poehling’s sharp-angle shot hit an Edmonton player’s skate in front and trickled under goalie Tristan Jarry. The puck creeped through Jarry’s legs, appearing to barely cross the goal line, though the top portion of the puck was hidden by the goalie’s skate blade.

NHL replay officials determined there was no reason to overturn the on-ice call.

“I thought I saw some white (between the puck and the goal line) when I was behind the net,” Poehling said. “Then everyone was celebrating. Did it go in? I’m like, ‘I think so?’ But yeah, I thought so right away.”

Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch was not convinced.

“I can’t see it going in,” Knoblauch said. “I can’t see the line. ... The (initial) goal call on the ice was probably about 60 to 90 seconds after (the shot), maybe even more. They huddled when they got to center ice and then they made the (initial) call that it was a good goal. I don’t know. Wasn’t very definitive.”

Bettman on Tuesday said the NHL is currently testing technological advancements that would further assist replay officials in determining goals. He didn’t reveal any details or provide a timeline on when the technology would be introduced.

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AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl