Macklin Celebrini already hard at work day after Sharks' 2024-25 NHL season ends originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

• Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.

There are no days off for Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini.

That’s hyperbole, of course, but it was striking to see Celebrini on the ice, a day after the end of San Jose’s 2024-25 NHL regular season.

The only Sharks on the ice were Celebrini and Jack Thompson, who’s coming back from injury and ramping up to join the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL playoffs.

Of course, Celebrini still has his own hockey to play too: He confirmed what was a given, that he would be representing Team Canada at the World Championships in May in Sweden and Denmark.

Individually, could the 2024 No. 1 pick’s rookie season have gone any better?

He led all rookies with a 0.9 Points Per Game average. His 63 points was tied with Matvei Michkov for second among all NHL rookies, behind only Lane Hutson’s 66. His 25 goals was also second among all rookies, just behind Michkov’s 26. He impressed on both sides of the ice and was the San Jose Sharks’ clear-cut No. 1 center by the end of the season.

About the only thing that he could’ve done individually was play the 12 games that he missed because of an early-season hip injury, an absence which might cost him the Calder Trophy.

But besides that, he showed all the makings of a genuine superstar, both on the ice and with his work ethic.

The Sharks were a last-place team once again, with just one more win and five more points than last season’s 47 points, but the future feels a lot brighter for the franchise, chiefly because of Celebrini.

Celebrini shared what he wants to improve in his game next year, living with Joe Thornton, the World Championships as an audition for the Olympics, and what he’d say to other players to get them to join him with the Sharks.

Read the full story at San Jose Hockey Now

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The Pittsburgh Penguins have, presumably, made a roster move ahead of their final game of the 2024-25 season against the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

According to the NHL's media website, the Penguins have recalled forward Sam Poulin from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) - Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate - on an emergency basis. 

With forward Kevin Hayes designated as a "game-time decision" due to a lower-body injury - and defenseman P.O Joseph ruled out after rotating in on forward line rushes in practice this week - the Penguins would have only had 11 healthy forwards and six healthy defenseman going into Thursday's game without an emergency recall.

Poulin, 24, was a first-round pick (21st overall) by the Penguins in 2019. He has played in six NHL games this season, registering one point, and he has two points in 12 career games.

At the AHL level this season, Poulin has 19 goals and 43 points in 56 games, including four points in his last four.

Like Ovechkin's Capitals, Penguins Owe It To Crosby To Right The ShipOn Sunday, the hockey world got to witness Alexander Ovechkin - The Great “8” - surpass The Great “One” for the most goals in NHL history.

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After falling to the Dallas Stars in the second round one year ago, the Colorado Avalanche will look to use that experience toward a different result as they start their 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs looking for revenge.

“They’ve ended our year a couple of different times since I’ve been here,” said Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar on Wednesday. “They’re a very good team. They’re very opportunistic. You’ve got to find ways to expose them on all areas of the ice.”

This spring, there’s one big change: longtime Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen is playing on the other side. The Avalanche and Stars start their first-round seriesthis weekend.

Over seven seasons, Rantanen put up 101 playoff points in 81 games and was a key cog in Colorado’s run to the Stanley Cup in 2022.

“Mikko’s a playoff player,” Makar said. “That’s what he’s born and bred to do. So it’ll definitely be tough to defend. But that team in general – they’re very good.”

Before the Avalanche won their championship three years ago, then-GM Joe Sakic shored up his team’s roster by acquiring goaltender Darcy Kuemper during the summer of 2021, then bringing in Josh Manson, Artturi Lehkonen and Andrew Cogliano at the 2022 deadline.

This year, Chris MacFarland has pulled off even more extensive roster renovations. 

He handed the goaltending reins to Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood on top of adding forwards Martin Necas, Brock Nelson and Charlie Coyle, along with defenseman Ryan Lindgren.

“I look back at the year we won, and they made some key additions at the deadline,” Makar said. “Those were huge to finding success in the playoffs and we've only done more of those throughout this year – what the management thinks we need. It’s definitely great that they have trust in us, and they give us the best opportunity to win.”

Two familiar faces from ’22 are also getting back in the mix: veteran blueliner Erik Johnson, who was re-acquired at the deadline, and left winger Gabriel Landeskog.

The Colorado captain, 32, hasn’t played an NHL game since he hoisted the Cup overhead after the Avalanche dethroned the Tampa Bay Lightning. But after nearly three years of rehab, Landeskog successfully suited up for a pair of AHL games with the Colorado Eagles. He also looked every bit like his usual feisty self when he joined his Avs teammates for practice on Wednesday in Denver.

“He definitely hasn’t lost a step,” Makar said. “It’s going to take some time to get back to where he was. Missing three years of gameplay is pretty crucial, but I think he’s doing the right thing, making the right steps here. Hopefully he just keeps progressing, and it’s nice to have him around the team. That’s for sure.”

Makar was part of a group that made the trek out to Loveland to take in Landeskog’s return to action last weekend. As an added bonus, he also got to see his younger brother and Avs prospect, Taylor Makar, suit up for the first-place Eagles, just two weeks after the left winger turned pro following a Hockey East championship at the University of Maine.

“Really cool experience,” Cale Makar said. “I haven't got the chance to watch my brother live since such a long time ago – probably, like, minor hockey.”

Already a past winner of the Calder, Conn Smythe and Norris Trophies, Makar just finished his most productive season yet. 

He led all NHL defensemen with 92 points while landing in the top 10 in overall scoring. He also became just the ninth blueliner of all time to score 30 goals and the first since Mike Green of the Washington Capitals tallied 31 in 2008-09. 

As he sits in pole position for his second Norris while NHL Awards voting takes place this week, perhaps the only person in the hockey world who’s not impressed is Makar himself.

“I think it just goes back to the team, and how well they've done at giving us good players to succeed,” he said. “You’re not achieving any of that without good teammates. For us, they’ve found great fits here, and I think that’s only elevated everybody’s play.”

With playoffs set to begin, Makar and Florida Panthers left winger Matthew Tkachuk are this year’s faces of the ‘Check In To Win’ sweepstakes at Great Clips, the official hair salon of the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association.

From now through May 19, fans who download the Great Clips app and check in will be entered for a chance to see epic on-ice checks live from the stands at the 2025 Stanley Cup final. Other prizes include gift cards for Great Clips and NHLshop.com.

“It's pretty exciting for them to be sending one person to a Stanley Cup final game,” Makar said. “It's an honor to do a partnership with them.”

On top of a good haircut, Makar says “a lot” goes into his preparation to bring his best each game day.

“Nothing too superstitious or ritual-wise, but just making sure your body’s physically and mentally ready to get it going.”

Cale Makar and the Avalanche will start their first-round series against the Stars on the road on Saturday, April 19, at American Airlines Arena.

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Who's in the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery? These 11 teams can win the No. 1 pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Which NHL club will hit the lottery in 2025?

The order for the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery was set on the final night of the 2024-25 regular season Thursday. And the two teams with the best odds to land the No. 1 pick are the same as last year.

The San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks finished 32nd and 31st in the league standings, respectively, for the second straight season. San Jose has a 25.5% chance of winning the lottery, while Chicago boasts 13.5% odds of leapfrogging the Sharks for the top pick.

San Jose last year won the Macklin Celebrini sweepstakes for the franchise’s first-ever No. 1 pick. And the Sharks can now become the first team since the Edmonton Oilers from 2010-12 to pick first overall in consecutive drafts.

Chicago, meanwhile, could be selecting in the top two for a third straight year. The Blackhawks jumped from third to first in the 2023 lottery to secure Connor Bedard and they retained last year’s No. 2 pick before selecting Artyom Levshunov.

So, which other teams are in the running for this year’s top pick? And when will the lottery be held? Here’s what to know:

What is the NHL draft lottery?

The draft lottery is used to award the top two picks in the draft and set the order of the first 16 selections, which includes all of the non-playoff teams. But not all teams in the draft lottery are eligible to win the No. 1 pick.

How does the NHL draft lottery work?

That’s because the most spots a team can move up in the lottery is 10, giving 11 clubs a chance to land the first pick and 12 teams a shot at the second pick.

For the lottery, 1,001 different four-number combinations are distributed among the teams, with the worst team having the most combinations, the second-worst team having the second-most combinations, and so on.

Fourteen ping pong balls numbered 1 to 14 are placed into a lottery machine and four are randomly drawn. The team that owns that four-digit combination gets the top pick, and the process is then repeated to award the second pick. Once the top two picks are awarded, the rest of the top 16 is set in inverse order of the regular-season standings.

If, for instance, the Detroit Red Wings, who enter the lottery sitting in the 12th draft slot, win the first drawing, they would move up 10 spots to No. 2 and the league-worst Sharks would get the No. 1 pick.

A rule introduced starting with the 2022 lottery bars a team from improving its draft position via the lottery more than twice over any five-year span. But, since the 2022 lottery, no team has moved up in the order more than once.

What are the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery odds?

Here are the 11 teams with a chance to win the No. 1 pick, along with their odds:

1. San Jose Sharks: 25.5%
2. Chicago Blackhawks: 13.5%
3. Nashville Predators: 11.5%
4. Philadelphia Flyers: 9.5%
5. Boston Bruins: 8.5%
6. Seattle Kraken: 7.5%
7. Buffalo Sabres: 6.5%
8. Anaheim Ducks: 6%
9. Pittsburgh Penguins: 5%
10. New York Islanders: 3.5%
11. New York Rangers: 3%

The teams slotted from 12th to 16th are, in order, the Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Utah Hockey Club, Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames. Detroit has a 5.1% chance of jumping up to second, Columbus has a 4.2% chance of jumping up to third, Utah has a 3.2% chance of jumping up to fourth, Vancouver has a 1.1% chance of jumping up to fifth and Calgary has a 1.1% chance of jumping up to sixth, according to Tankathon.

Calgary’s pick is currently set to convey to the Montreal Canadiens.

You can check out a full odds breakdown from Tankathon here.

When is the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery?

The NHL hasn’t announced a date for the draft lottery yet. Last year’s event was on May 7.

When and where is the 2025 NHL Draft?

The draft will be held at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater in Los Angeles from Friday, June 27, to Saturday, June 28.

How many rounds are in the NHL draft?

The NHL draft features seven rounds. The first round is set for June 27 followed by Rounds 2-7 on June 28.

Who will be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft?

OHL defenseman Matthew Schaefer is expected to be the first player taken in this year’s draft. Schaefer, 17, had seven goals and 15 assists with a plus-21 rating over 17 games this season with the Erie Otters before suffering a broken collarbone while playing for Canada at the world junior championship in December.

The last time a defenseman went No. 1 overall was in 2022 when the Sabres took Owen Power.

Last night, Senators prospect Luke Ellinas kept the Kitchener Rangers' season alive by scoring all three goals in their 3-0 win over the Windsor Spitfires. 

The Windsor offense, led by L.A. Kings prospect Liam Greentree and Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas, has had its way during the first three games of the series, scoring a total of 16 goals.

The offensive dominance is surprising given Kitchener's defensive prowess during the regular season. The Rangers allowed the second-fewest goals (183) while maintaining the second-best penalty kill in the OHL. 

In last night's game, the Rangers flipped the script by shutting out the Spitfires and registering the team's first shutout of the postseason. The Rangers outshot the Spitfires 35-24 with goaltender Jackson Parsons making all 24 saves. 

If Parsons can be recognized as the defensive star of the night, Ellinas was the other side of the coin.

He scored the eventual game winner early in the second frame on a bad-angle shot that found a small hole in Joey Costanzo's armor.  

Frontenacs Rally Late In Game Three To Win On Home IceFacing the dire prospect of going down 0-3 in the second round of the OHL PLayoffs, the Kingston Frontenacs found a way to win last night. They defeated the Barrie Colts 5-3 on home ice.

On a rush later in the period, the Toronto native cut to the middle of the ice on the rush and fired a shot that once again wormed its way through Constanzo to extend the Kitchener lead. His third and final goal was an empty-netter scored moments before the final buzzer.

Ellinas seems to thrive on playoff hockey. He has never broken 40 points in his two-year OHL career. However, during last year's playoffs, he scored at nearly a point per game pace, while after last night, he is averaging more than a point per game in this year's playoffs. 

The Ottawa Senators drafted Ellinas in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft. While he still has a lot to learn, his tendency to score during the postseason should interest a team like Ottawa that will return to the NHL Playoffs for the first time since 2017.

During last night's contest, he had multiple scoring chances that didn't find the back of the net and consistently pushed the pace offensively for his team. 

Henry Mews' Commitment Shows Why The OHL Could Be In Trouble?Early yesterday evening, Calgary Flames prospect Henry Mews announced his commitment to the University of Michigan to play NCAA hockey next season. The unique decision shows how players are forging new paths in the wake of the NCAA's decision to make CHL players eligible for Division I hockey. 

While the win is sweet, the Rangers have a very long and hard road ahead if they want to make it out of the second round of the OHL Playoffs. They need to regroup quickly and come back ready to play in game five. They will be in do-or-die mode for the rest of this series.

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The Abbotsford Canucks are getting some reinforcements ahead of the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs. With the NHL regular season complete, the Vancouver Canucks assigned seven players to Abbotsford. The AHL Canucks still have two games on their schedule, and have a slim chance of finishing first in the Pacific Division.

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The seven players returning to Abbotsford are Kirill Kudryavtsev, Victor Mancini, Aatu Räty, Linus Karlsson, Max Sasson, Ty Mueller and Nikita Tolopilo. Most of the players on the list were called up under emergency conditions, as Vancouver dealt with continual injuries down the stretch. Of note, defenceman Elias Pettersson is not listed as the Canucks did not send him down before the trade deadline, making him ineligible for the AHL Playoffs.  

Some or all seven of the players could be in the lineup as early as Friday, when the AHL Canucks take on the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Abbotsford has already broken the franchise record for wins and points this season, and is three goals shy of setting the franchise record for most goals scored in a season. Puck drop for Friday's game is scheduled for 6:00 pm PT from Acrisure Arena.

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, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

The first Battle of Ontario in the postseason since 2004 will begin on Sunday in Toronto.

The schedule for the well-anticipated Battle of Ontario, between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators, has been announced.

The series will begin in Toronto on Sunday with Game 1 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Tuesday's Game 2 will start at 7:30 p.m. ET before the series shifts to Ottawa for Games 3 and 4. Below is the full schedule:

Sunday, April 20 - 7 p.m. Ottawa at Toronto
Tuesday, April 22 - 7:30 p.m. Ottawa at Toronto
Thursday, April 24 - 7 p.m. Toronto at Ottawa
Saturday, April 26 - 7 p.m. Toronto at Ottawa
*Tuesday, April 29 - TBD Ottawa at Toronto
*Thursday, May 1 - TBD Toronto at Ottawa
*Saturday, May 3 - TBD Ottawa at Toronto

On Tuesday, Toronto clinched the Atlantic Division title with a 4-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres, also locking in the Battle of Ontario. The Maple Leafs have lost all three games to the Senators this season and were outscored 9-3.

Maple Leafs 'Fairly Confident' Jake McCabe, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, David Kampf Will Be Ready For Game 1 Of Playoffs Against SenatorsThe Toronto Maple Leafs are confident they'll have their injured players back for Game 1 of the playoffs against the Ottawa Senators.

"They’re a really good team. They defend well, good special teams, good goalie, their D. They have a lot going for them," Morgan Rielly said on Thursday. "The next couple days will be important as we make a strategy and plan out what we want this to look like."

The last time Toronto and Ottawa played in the playoffs was in 2004. The Maple Leafs eliminated them in seven games before being eliminated by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round.

Since then, Toronto has won just one playoff series, against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023.

"It’s been a little while, so it should be really exciting. It’s playoff hockey, you get to play for the Stanley Cup," John Tavares said of the series.

"This is what you work for all summer long, coming into training camp and earn a place in the playoffs, and certainly for us to win the division, put ourselves in a good spot, we’re excited, and that’s what it’s all about."

'It's Going To Be An Absolute War': Maple Leafs Prepare For Intense Battle Of Ontario Playoffs Series Against Senators John Tavares has fond memories of watching the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Ottawa Senators in the early 2000s.  

Toronto plays its final game of the regular season on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The Maple Leafs will have two days to prepare before playing Game 1 on Sunday inside Scotiabank Arena.

"It’s a good one for sure. I wasn’t around back when it was going on, but we’re excited. That’s a very good team over there, like I told you guys before," Craig Berube said of Ottawa.

"It’s a young team that’s grown together. They added some veterans but overall, they’re a good hockey team with a lot of good skill on the front end and the back end, and they play a gritty game. It’ll be a tough series."

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LAS VEGAS -- The Vegas Golden Knights will host the Minnesota Wild on Easter Sunday, as the teams open their Western Conference playoff series at T-Mobile Arena at 7 pm pacific.

Vegas, which earned the Western Conference's No. 2 seed, earned home ice, after winning the Pacific Division. The Knights have the home-ice advantage against every team in the conference except the top-seeded Winnipeg Jets.

The Wild are the Western Conference's top Wild Card.

The Golden Knights and Minnesota have played three times this season, with Vegas sweeping the regular-season series.

The first meeting saw the Golden Knights defeat the Wild 3-2 on Dec. 15. The next two meetings were won more dominantly, but the Wild were also without star Kirill Kaprizov.

Vegas turned in victories of 4-1 and 5-1.

Game 2 returns to T-Mobile Arena with puck drop set for Tuesday night at 8 pm.

Games 3 and 4 will shift to St. Paul.

Game 3 will be on Thursday at 6 pm pacific, with Game 4 scheduled for 1 pm.

If Games 5-7 are necessary, they've been scheduled for April 29, May 1 and May 3, with start times to be announced.

Games 5 and 7 would be in Vegas, with Game 6 being played in Minnesota.

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.  

Maple Leafs netminder Joseph Woll should stay hot, hold game to under but in losing effort to Detroit Red Wings on Thursday

Thursday night is the ultimate opportunity for NHL fans, with a loaded slate of thrilling matchups to end of the season.

The game that sticks out is one with the Detroit Red Wings, who would like to end off their troublesome season on a strong note after missing the playoffs for the ninth straight season. 

They will face off against a fierce Toronto Maple Leafs team that will likely be shorthanded after securing the Atlantic Division with their last win on Tuesday and will likely be resting their horses in this one. It should give the Red Wings a good chance to get a win and make for an exciting matchup. 

More Betting:Safe Bets to Close Out the NHL Season: Top Picks for Parlays and Futures

For bettors, this matchup provides a chance to capitalize on some of our recent strong trends, like our 11-4 record on our last 15 picks and our 17-6 record on our last 23 underdog picks.

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings Best Bets:

• Under 6.5 goals (-160)
• Red Wings ML (+136) or Red Wings +1.5 (-188)
• Patrick Kane Over 0.5 points (-125)

More NHL: The Battle of Ontario Betting Guide: Best Bets, Strategies and Futures for Maple Leafs versus Senators

Detroit should be more motivated to win this game after missing the playoffs yet again and will want to give their fans something to cheer for. A big gift for the Red Wings faithful is beating one of their longtime rivals in the Maple Leafs.

This will be the 687th meeting between Toronto and Detroit with the Maple Leafs holding the upper hand all-time with a 302-285-93-6 record. Detroit has gotten the better of Toronto lately with wins in five of their last eight matchups with a win Thursday evening up the season series at two wins a piece.

It'll be challenging as the Maple Leafs have a league-best 12-2-1 record over their last 15 games while the Red Wings have a 6-2-1 record over their last nine games. The man who should help Detroit get the job done is none other than legendary winger Patrick Kane, who has been one of the hottest player on the team as of late.

More NHL:Blues Enter Stanley Cup Playoffs As Dark Horse Contender

The three-time Stanley Cup Champion has continued to play like an all-star even into old age with six goals and 12 assists for a team-lead 18 points over his last 17 games.

Kane has also done with historically versus Toronto with three goals and four assists for seven points over his last eight games against the Maple Leafs dating back to 2023.

Woll-y MolyDavid Pastrnak rips one off the post and back into Joseph Woll, but Woll's quick reaction allows him to save the puck from going into the net.Breaking news, ...

He should be one of the only Red Wings to score as Toronto's Joseph Woll has been sensational lately with a 5-2-1 record and a 2.49 goals against average over his last eight starts.

The Missouri native has also gotten the better of Detroit in the past with a 1-1-0 record and five goals allowed or a 2.54 goals against average and a save percentage of .900 in two career starts against the Red Wings.

Woll should do enough to keep the game to a low total but I don't expect a high-offensive performance out of Toronto. 

More Hockey:Top NHL Prospect Expected to Join Michigan Wolverines Next Season

John Tavares has fond memories of watching the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Ottawa Senators in the early 2000s.  

Just a few years before being drafted first overall into the NHL in 2009, Tavares watched the Leafs and Senators trade hostilities in the 'Battle of Ontario'.  

"I remember (Joe) Nieuwendyk's goal, watching that," Tavares said, reflecting on Toronto's Game 7 victory over Ottawa in the 2004 first-round series. "I think Cujo (Curtis Joseph) running into the ref or the linesman there. So the intensity I thought was pretty unbelievable".  

The two teams squared off four times in the postseason between 2000 and 2004, creating some epic moments. Tie Domi was part of those teams, and his son, Max, will get to experience that rivalry in the playoffs for the first time.  

Part of the series' charm is the dedication of the well-traveled Leafs fans, who will undoubtedly make the trip to Ottawa for road games.  

"I think that's going to be key," Domi said. "Obviously, going into a tough building like Ottawa, it's going to be nice to have some support there. But at the end of the day, it doesn't matter. Every game is going to be tough. It's going to be an absolute war".  

This upcoming series reignites a natural hostility already established between the teams. Who could forget when Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly was suspended for five games after crosschecking Senators forward Ridly Greig in the head following the player's slapshot into an empty net?  

Report: Maple Leafs Defenseman Morgan Rielly's 5-Game Suspension Appeal to Commissioner Gary Bettman to be Heard In-Person on FridayRielly was suspended five games by the NHL's Department of Player Safety for a cross-check to the head of Ottawa's Ridly Greig.

While it's doubtful past incidents like the Rielly-Greig one will resurface, the three intense contests between the clubs this season make it clear they don't like each other, and much will be on the line.  

"I think it's just kind of natural intensity just because it's the playoffs and there's more at stake," Rielly said. "You look around at the other matchups, they're all going to be very intense and they're all going to be very competitive. That's what you get this time of year. And that's what makes it fun".  

'Good For Hockey': Leafs And Senators Will Be Hungry In The Battle Of Ontario's Newest ChapterThere might not be an NHL first-round series with more built-in emotion than the Battle of Ontario between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Senators' entry into the playoffs was somewhat unexpected this season; it's their first playoff appearance since 2017. They are clearly the underdog of the series, despite beating Toronto in all three regular-season contests this season.  

"That's a very good team over there," Berube said of the Senators. "It's a young team that's grown together. They added some veterans, but overall they're a good hockey team with a lot of good skill on the front end and the back end, and they play a gritty game. It'll be a tough series"

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are confident they'll have their injured players back for Game 1 of the playoffs against the Ottawa Senators.

Jake McCabe is on the ice for the Maple Leafs’ well-attended optional skate.

He’s been out since Apr. 2 with an upper-body injury. pic.twitter.com/zG1gyZg0zI

— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) April 17, 2025

David Kampf, Jake McCabe, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson participated in the Maple Leafs' optional skate before their final regular season game. Kampf and McCabe have been out since Apr. 2, while Ekman-Larsson has been dealing with an upper-body injury since Apr. 9.

All three won't be in the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, but Toronto head coach Craig Berube is "fairly confident" each will be available for the first Battle of Ontario in the playoffs since 2004.

"I think they’re all in pretty good shape. I feel pretty good about it," Berube said.

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube says he feels "pretty good" about David Kampf, Jake McCabe, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson being ready for Game 1 vs. Ottawa.

"I think they’re all in pretty good shape."

— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) April 17, 2025

Max Pacioretty and Jani Hakanpaa, who have been on long-term injured reserve for some time, were also on the ice for Thursday's optional skate. Pacioretty hasn't played since Feb. 8, while Hakanpaa hasn't played since Nov. 16 as he deals with knee issues.

Berube has mentioned that he's "pretty confident" he'll be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs. Hakanpaa, however, seems to be more of a feel thing, with the veteran defenseman saying, "It’s been trending really good in the gym and on the ice, off the ice, everything. Hopefully, we'll get there. We’ll see."

‘Hopefully, We’ll Get There; We’ll See’: Maple Leafs’ Jani Hakanpaa Making Progress, But Return For Playoffs Still UncertainAs the Toronto Maple Leafs inch closer to the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, there’s cautious optimism surrounding the status of the return of defenseman Jani Hakanpaa — but no guarantees.

Both players wouldn't be eligible to return in the regular season anyway because of how close the Maple Leafs are against the salary cap.

Kampf has played 59 games this season, scoring five goals and eight assists, and averaging 12:24 in that span. Pacioretty has put up five goals and eight assists in 37 games this year.

McCabe and Ekman-Larsson have been vital parts of Toronto's defense corps. McCabe has played most of his season alongside Chris Tanev on the team's shutdown pairing. He's scored two goals and 21 assists (a career high) through 66 games, plus has averaged the most ice time among Toronto players this season (21:31).

Ekman-Larsson has four goals and 25 assists this season after signing a four-year, $14 million contract with Toronto in the summer. His 21:04 of ice time per game is the fourth-most on the Maple Leafs, behind McCabe, Morgan Rielly, and Mitch Marner.

Toronto clinched the Atlantic Division title on Tuesday with their 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres. According to several reports, Game 1 against the Senators is set for Sunday inside Scotiabank Arena.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins may not be participating in the Stanley Cup playoffs this season.

But a whole lot of ex-Penguins are.

There are only three playoff teams - the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Colorado Avalanche, and the Los Angeles Kings - that are not employing a former Penguin (who was on Pittsburgh's NHL roster at some point) on their playoff rosters. But the remaining 13 teams have at least one, and in many cases, several.

Pens fans: Here is your ultimate guide to help you distinguish which ex-Penguins to root for - or root against.

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Carolina Hurricanes

-  F Jordan Staal: Staal played for the Penguins from his draft year in 2006 - he was late former Penguins GM Ray Shero's first draft pick (2nd overall) with the Penguins - through the end of the 2011-12 season, winning the only Stanley Cup of his career with Pittsburgh in 2009. He was, primarily, the team's third-line center during that time.

-  F Mark Jankowski: Jankowski was with the Penguins for one season in 2020-21, playing in 45 games and registering four goals and 11 points.

Dallas Stars

-  G Casey DeSmith: DeSmith played NHL games for the Penguins from 2017-23 as, largely, their primary backup goaltender, and he was dealt in the summer of 2023 to the Montreal Canadiens as part of the blockbuster Erik Karlsson trade.

-  D Cody Ceci: Ceci spent one season in Pittsburgh - a solid one - in 2020-21 before signing a four-year, $13 million free agent contract with the Edmonton Oilers during the summer of 2021. 

-  F Mikael Granlund: Granlund was acquired by the Penguins and former GM Ron Hextall at the 2023 NHL trade deadline, and... let's just say it didn't work out. 

Edmonton Oilers

-  F Kasperi Kapanen: Kapanen - originally drafted 22nd overall by the Penguins in 2014 before being traded to Toronto and then brought back to Pittsburgh - played parts of three seasons with the Penguins from 2020-23 before getting waived, recording 29 goals and 82 points in 162 games. 

Florida Panthers

-  F Evan Rodrigues: Rodrigues spent parts of three seasons on Pittsburgh's NHL roster from 2019-22 and was a solid depth piece. He was traded to Toronto as part of the deal that brought Kapanen back to Pittsburgh, and then he signed with the Penguins as a free agent for the 2020-21 season.

-  D Dmitry Kulikov: The veteran defenseman had a brief stint with the Penguins post-trade deadline in 2023, but he only played in six games total - registering one point - due to injury.

Even In Passing, Shero Leaves Legacy On Penguins OrganizationIt's hard to talk about the Sidney Crosby-era Pittsburgh Penguins without talking about former general manager Ray Shero.

Minnesota Wild

-  F Frederick Gaudreau: Gaudreau, 31, spent parts of one season in 2020-21 with the Penguins, as he was back-and-forth between Pittsburgh and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate. He posted two goals and 10 points in 19 games with the NHL club that season.

-  F Vinnie Hinostroza: A bit of a journeyman, Hinostroza was with the Penguins' organization in 2023-24 and played in only 14 games at the NHL level, registering a goal and three points. 

-  G Marc-Andre Fleury: Beloved to the Pittsburgh faithful, Fleury was drafted first overall by the Penguins in 2003 and went on to help the team win three Stanley Cup championships. He was selected first overall in the 2017 expansion draft by the Vegas Golden Knights, ending his long Pittsburgh tenure. Fleury plans to retire once the 2024-25 season concludes for the Wild.

Montreal Canadiens

-  D Mike Matheson: A smooth-skating, puck-moving, high-risk defenseman, Matheson came to Pittsburgh from Florida in the Patric Hornqvist trade and played two seasons with Pittsburgh from 2020-22. He was traded to the Habs in a package for defenseman Jeff Petry in the summer of 2022.

New Jersey Devils

-  F Cody Glass: Glass was brought to Pittsburgh from the Nashville Predators last summer, along with a couple of draft picks. He was dealt to the Devils at the trade deadline.

-  F Daniel Sprong: Sprong was drafted in the second round (46th overall) by Pittsburgh in 2015, and he never quite panned out in parts of his first three NHL seasons with the Penguins. He was traded to the Anaheim Ducks during the 2018-19 season.

-  D Brian Dumoulin: 'Dumo' was a key contributor to the Penguins' back-to-back Stanley Cup runs in 2016 and 2017 as an elite shutdown presence. He was mostly paired with Kris Letang during his 10-year tenure with the Penguins from 2013-23.

Penguins Defenseman Kris Letang Has Surgery To Repair Hole In HeartIt appears the Pittsburgh Penguins will be down one more man for their final game of the season on Thursday against the Washington Capitals.

Ottawa Senators

-  F David Perron: Perron was with the Penguins for parts of two seasons from 2014-16 before being dealt to the Ducks, recording 16 goals and 38 points in 86 total games.

St. Louis Blues

-  F Oskar Sundqvist: An oft-injured Sundqvist played in 28 total games for the Penguins from 2015-17, posting only a goal and four points.

Tampa Bay Lightning

-  F Jake Guentzel: Guentzel enjoyed a spectacular Penguins' career for eight seasons as, primarily, Sidney Crosby's best winger. He scored 219 goals and put up 466 points in 503 games with Pittsburgh before being dealt to the Hurricanes as a rental at last season's trade deadline.

Vegas Golden Knights

-  F Tanner Pearson: Pearson came to Pittsburgh during the 2018-19 season when forward Carl Hagelin was sent to Los Angeles, and that was his only season with the Penguins. He registered nine goals and 14 points in 44 games.

-  F Reilly Smith: Smith came to Pittsburgh from Vegas prior to the 2023-24 season and showed little interest in being there, was traded to the New York Rangers in the 2024 offseason and showed little interest in being there, then got what he wanted all along and was traded back to Vegas at the 2025 trade deadline.

Washington Capitals

-  F Lars Eller: Eller was a reliable third-line center for the Penguins for parts of two seasons from 2023-24 with 19 goals and 38 points in 99 games. He was dealt to the Capitals in November this season after some brutal losses by the Penguins.

Like Ovechkin's Capitals, Penguins Owe It To Crosby To Right The ShipOn Sunday, the hockey world got to witness Alexander Ovechkin - The Great “8” - surpass The Great “One” for the most goals in NHL history.

-  F Anthony Beauvillier: After a rough season where he was traded three times, Beauvillier found his inner New York Islander again in Pittsburgh this season before - you guessed it - getting traded, this time, to the first-seeded Capitals. Not a bad outcome for him this time.

Winnipeg Jets

-  F Brandon Tanev: After spending two solid seasons as a bottom-six piece for the Penguins from 2019-21, 'Turbo' was, unfortunately, a casualty of the 2021 expansion draft for the Seattle Kraken. He was well-liked in Pittsburgh.

-  D Luke Schenn:He wasn't in Pittsburgh for a long time (48 hours), and he certainly wasn't there for a good time (he wanted to play for a contender instead).

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While the final week of the regular season is fan appreciation week in Montreal, it turned into Brendan Gallagher appreciation week this season. The Montreal Canadiens’ alternate captain lost his mother in early March, and since then, the fans have rallied around him to offer support and condolences.

Mission Accomplished, The Canadiens Are Back In The Playoffs
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Two fans went above and beyond, though. Artist Jessica Boudreau (jb_artmtl on Instagram) painted a picture of the right winger hugging his mother on his wedding day. When Gallagher saw it on Instagram, he asked to meet her in person to thank her and receive the painting. The meeting happened on Wednesday at the Bell Centre.

Later, after the Canadiens had finally clinched their playoff berth, Gallagher met Lucie Lachance on the red carpet. The Gatineau fan who had won his Hockey Fights Cancer lavender jersey in an auction in 2022 had offered to send it back to him after Della Gallagher’s passing, as he had dedicated it to her, but Gallagher replied he wanted to do a jersey swap on the final night of the season with her.

Lachance went a bit further, bringing the player gifts for his daughter Everly, who was born days before his mother's passing. Gallagher gave her a signed jersey and a signed stick as well, along with what looked like a long thank-you note.

Chanceux d’avoir des partisans comme vous 💜

Habs fans are the best#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/Iv15JaL4ym

— x - Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 17, 2025

Montreal Canadiens fans may be intense and willing to drive to the airport to get a glimpse of a 19-year-old’s arrival in the country. Still, their intensity also shows in how they support their players in sickness and health until death do them part, and even beyond that. Who doesn’t remember the funerals of Jean Beliveau and Guy Lafleur?

The fans' love for this team knows no end, making Montreal an actual hockey city. In this market, hockey is so important that electoral campaign debates are moved to ensure fans won’t prioritize hockey over politics. After all, politics and religion should never be mixed and for some, the Sainte-Flanelle is more than a hockey team, it is a religion. 

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Win or lose on Thursday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins (33-35-12) will have their first losing season since the 2005-06 campaign, when the club was 22-46-14.

That season was memorable for so many reasons. Mario Lemieux retired after 26 games, and Sidney Crosby debuted, finishing second in the Calder Trophy to future long-time rival Alex Ovechkin. 

Meanwhile, the NHL had only 30 teams; Jaromir Jagr was on Broadway, Martin Brodeur was still chasing the all-time wins record, Wayne Gretzky owned all the scoring records, and Joe Thornton became the only league MVP in North American sports history to be traded mid-season. 

Ultimately, the NHL was quite a different place in 2006, the last time the Penguins failed to win more games than they lost. Here are 25 fascinating facts about the league 20 years ago.

25 Fascinating Facts About The NHL In 2005-06, The Last Time The Penguins Had A Losing Season

25. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings played in the Western Conference.

Both clubs moved to the Eastern Conference for the 2013-14 season.

24. The Winnipeg Jets, Vegas Golden Knights, Seattle Kraken, and Utah Hockey Club did not exist.

The Jets relocated in 2011, while the Golden Knights joined the NHL in 2017, followed by the Kraken in 2021, and the Utah Hockey Club became a new franchise in 2024.

23. The Phoenix Coyotes and Atlanta Thrashers were still active clubs.

Atlanta would move to Winnipeg in 2011, while the Coyotes would change their name from Phoenix to Arizona and fold operations in 2024.

22. The Boston Bruins hadn't won the Stanley Cup in 34 years.

Boston's drought would reach 39 seasons before a title in 2011.

21. The Toronto Maple Leafs' Stanley Cup drought was only 39 years old in 2006.

The Maple Leafs haven't played in the Stanley Cup Final since 1967.

20. The Chicago Blackhawks were in their 45th year without a championship.

The Blackhawks would win three Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013, and 2015.

19. Neither the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues, nor the Florida Panthers had won the Stanley Cup yet.

All these clubs have won the Stanley Cup in the past 20 seasons, including the Ducks in 2007, the Kings in 2012 and 2014, the Capitals in 2018, the Blues in 2019, and the Panthers in 2024.

18. Martin Brodeur had only 446 wins in 813 games with 80 shutouts.

Brodeur would go on to set the NHL records for wins (691), games played (1,266), and shutouts (125).

17. Macklin Celebrini wasn't born yet, and Connor Bedard was turning one.

The Penguins' final game of the 2005-06 season took place on Apr. 18, 2006. Celebrini was born on June 13, 2006, while Bedard was born on July 17, 2005.

16. Connor McDavid was only nine years old.

McDavid was born on Jan. 13, 1997.

15. Mark Messier ranked second all-time in points (1,887).

Messier now ranks third all-time behind Jaromir Jagr (1,921).

14. 2006 Hart Trophy winner Joe Thornton had only 189 goals, 347 assists, and 546 points in 590 career games.

Thronton would finish his 24-year career with 430 goals, 1,109 assists, and 1,539 points.

13. The Detroit Red Wings had the fifth-best season in NHL history.

In 2005-06, the Red Wings were 58-16-8 with 124 points, the fifth-best single-season performance in NHL history. Since then, the Tampa Bay Lightning (2019) and Bruins (2023) have surpassed their totals.

12. Steve Yzerman was a few weeks away from retirement.

Yzerman played his final game on May 1, 2006, and ranked sixth all-time in NHL scoring with 692 goals, 1,063 assists, and 1,755 points at the time of his retirement. 

11. Six active players were in the NHL during the 2005-06 season.

According to statistics at NHL.com, only Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Corey Perry, Brent Burns, Ryan Suter, and Marc-Andre Fleury were around to see the last Penguins' losing season.

10. Mark Recchi had one Stanley Cup ring when the Penguins traded him in March 2006, winning his second with the Carolina Hurricanes in June.

Recchi won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 1991, another ring with the Hurricanes in 2006, and a win with the Bruins in 2011. 

9. The Civic Arena was 45 years old.

Built in 1961, the Civic Arena was still four seasons away from closing its doors in 2010.

8. Mike Sullivan had only 164 games of head coaching experience, going 70-56-15-13 with the Boston Bruins.

The winningest coach in Penguins history has compiled a record of 408-254-89 in 751 games behind the Pittsburgh bench in ten seasons, including championships in 2016 and 2017.

7. Jaromir Jagr had 591 goals and 1,432 points in 1,109 games with only three teams.

Jagr is the second-highest scorer in NHL history, with 766 goals and 1,921 points in 1,733 games.

6. Mario Lemieux played his last NHL game on Dec. 16, 2005, five months before the season ended.

Lemieux played 26 games during the 2005-06 season, skating alongside rookie Crosby. 

5. Marc-Andre Fleury was 21 with 17 career wins in 71 games.

Fleury will retire at age 40 after the 2024-25 season, winning the second-most games (575) and skating in the second-most games (1,051).

4. Evgeni Malkin (1,212 games) and Kris Letang (1,161 games) hadn't made their NHL debuts.

Malkin ranks third all-time in Penguins history with 1,346 points, while Letang owns all the team's defensive scoring records. 

3. Alex Ovechkin had only 52 goals in 81 games.

In April 2025, Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky's goal record with his 895th career goal.

2. Sidney Crosby had 39 goals, 63 assists, and 102 points as an 18-year-old.

As the Penguins' all-time assist leader with 1,061, Crosby is chasing down Lemieux's goal (690) and points (1,723) records with 624 goals and 1,685 points.

1. The Penguins were a perfect 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final.

The Penguins have played in the Stanley Cup Final four times since 2006, losing in 2008 but winning in 2009, 2016, and 2017 to improve to 5-1 in the championship series.

Most of the speculation regarding the Philadelphia Flyers has focused on their potential replacements for fired coach John Tortorella. 

Candidates range from interim coach Brad Shaw and the University of Denver's David Carle to Vancouver Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet.

As the off-season approaches, there is growing conjecture over their roster plans. GM Daniel Briere is reportedly open to using one of his three first-round picks in this year's draft as trade bait to acquire an established young player. 

Kevin Kurz of The Athletic wondered if Briere might consider going the offer-sheet route this summer. He pointed out the Flyers GM isn't afraid to make bold moves during the off-season.  

Kurz suggested Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks, Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild and Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs as potential offer-sheet targets. However, there's no certainty that those pending RFAs will be open to entertaining offers from other clubs.

McTavish could be an intriguing possibility. Anaheim has a projected cap space of $38.6 million with 16 active roster players under contract for next season. Kurz points out that the rebuilding Ducks usually don't spend to the cap ceiling, noting they must ensure they have sufficient long-term space for rising stars Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier.

Kurz believes fixing their goaltending should be the Flyers' priority. Their team save percentage (.879) and goals-against per game (3.43) are among the league's worst.

The Flyers could stick with Samuel Ersson as their starter and have Ivan Fedotov as their No. 3. Aleksei Kolosov is reportedly returning to Belarus following this season. 

Kurz suggested Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils and oft-injured Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes could be the best option in a thin free-agent market for goaltenders. 

Trade options could include John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks. Thatcher Demko might be available if the Canucks decide to part with him after signing Kevin Lankinen to a contract extension. 

Briere could also be in the market for a young prospect with another club who could soon be NHL-ready. 

The Hockey News' Jonathan Bailey suggested the Flyers' seven picks in the first two rounds of this year's draft could help them make a competitive bid for Isaac Howard if the Tampa Bay Lightning decide to trade the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner.

Correction: Marco Rossi is the Wild's pending RFA.

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