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Flyers win 3rd straight as Michkov, Konecny put up multi-point games originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Flyers matched their season-best winning streak of three games with a 2-1 decision Monday night over the Predators at the Wells Fargo Center.

Ryan Poehling and Jamie Drysdale provided the Flyers’ markers. Poehling has seven goals in the last 10 games.

Matvei Michkov and Travis Konecny had two assists apiece. Konecny is one helper away from 50.

Ivan Fedotov did the job in net.

The Flyers (31-36-9) are 3-0-0 under Brad Shaw. They’ve scored 15 goals over his three games as interim head coach.

It’s the fifth time the Flyers have won three straight this season. They haven’t won more than three straight since Feb. 6-12 of last season, when they won four in a row.

The Flyers swept the two-game regular-season series from the Predators (27-39-8). They picked up a 3-2 overtime win in Nashville, Tennessee on the eve of Thanksgiving. Two of the Flyers’ three goal scorers that night were not in the lineup for the rematch because of trades.

• Michkov’s surge continued.

The 20-year-old rookie played an excellent two-man game with Konecny to set up Poehling’s game-opening goal in the second period. Thirty-four seconds after the Predators tied it up, Michkov and Konecny assisted Drysdale’s go-ahead goal.

Over the last 21 games, Michkov has put up 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists). He’s on a six-game point streak in which he has recorded 11 points (four goals, seven assists). He’s two points away from 60 on the season and leads all NHL rookies with 24 goals.

• Fedotov converted 28 saves on 29 shots to pick up his first win since March 1.

The 28-year-old made some big stops in the third period.

“I thought he battled,” Shaw said. “Coming off a couple of tough ones for him, I thought he worked to see the puck.”

Poehling had a big blocked shot with 21 seconds left in the game as the Flyers had a gritty finish to nail down the one-goal lead.

“I think that just shows the group we have here,” Konecny said. “No matter what we’re facing as far as the standings and where we’re at, guys just can’t help themselves. They want to win games and that’s why we love this group.”

Nashville backup Justus Annunen stopped 16 of the Flyers’ 18 shots.

• The Flyers’ top defensive pair of Travis Sanheim and Nick Seeler was real solid for a second straight game.

Seeler was great defensively in the final minutes.

“I think there’s a chemistry that has to be built with a pair,” Shaw said. “I like how hard they compete. Seels, there’s never a question on how hard he works. Sanny, I thought for a guy who has played a ton of minutes the last month, I thought he was fantastic tonight. I thought it was one of the better games I’ve seen him play in the month of March and that’s not an easy thing to do with what we’ve asked from him and everything’s done this year already.”

• Garnet Hathaway returned from an upper-body injury to notch his 600th career NHL game.

The 33-year-old winger had missed almost all of March after taking a blindsided hit at the end of February. More on Hathaway and Rasmus Ristolainen’s status here.

• Karsen Dorwart, who the Flyers signed out of Michigan State, is expected to join the team for practice Wednesday. Shaw said the 22-year-old center will probably be in the lineup for the Flyers’ next game Saturday.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder will wear No. 23 when he makes his NHL debut.

“We need depth at center,” Shaw said, “and hopefully he can be one of those solutions for us.”

The club has six games left.

“Hopefully he can get in the majority of them and get his feet wet,” Shaw said. “Then when training camp comes around, he has got a way better idea of what this league is all about.”

• The Flyers now have four days before their next game Saturday when they visit the Canadiens (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

They’re scheduled to practice Wednesday and Friday at 11 a.m. ET in Voorhees, New Jersey.

While speaking to reporters, including NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jordan Hall, Philadelphia Flyers interim head coach Brad Shaw shared that former Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is unlikely to play again this season. 

Ristolainen, 30, has not played for the Flyers since their March 11 matchup against the Ottawa Senators. In 63 games this season, the 6-foot-4 defenseman has recorded four goals, 19 points, 94 blocks, 97 hits, and a plus-3 rating. This is after he had one goal, three assists, and a minus-6 rating in 31 games last season for Philadelphia. 

Ristolainen was selected by the Sabres with the eighth-overall pick of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. In eight seasons with Buffalo, he had 46 goals, 199 assists, 245 points, 848 blocks, 1,355 hits, and a minus-179 rating. The right-shot blueliner also had four seasons with at least 32 assists and 41 points during his time with the Sabres. 

Ristolainen's time with the Sabres ended when he was traded to the Flyers during the 2021 NHL off-season. 

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MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Like any nervous kid looking to do something for the first time Jimmy Snuggerud was like a sponge on Monday.

The 2022 first-round pick (No. 23) by the St. Louis Blues was on the practice ice on Monday for the first time after signing his three-year, entry-level contract on Friday, just one day after a premature ending to his collegiate season – and career – when the Minnesota Golden Gophers fell to Massachusetts 5-4 in overtime on Thursday at the Fargo Regional semifinals.

And judging by practice line combinations and power play drills, the 20-year-old is expected to make his NHL debut when the Blues (40-28-7) put their nine-game winning streak on the line to begin a three-game homestand on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings (34-33-6).

Jimmy Snuggerud on the ice for the #stlblues ... pic.twitter.com/qxYSiS0ITL

— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) March 31, 2025

“Potentially,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “He had a good practice, will talk it over with the staff, but there’s some quality talent that we’ve acquired and is going to make us deeper, better.”

Snuggerud, who had 51 points (24 goals, 27 assists) in 40 games for the Golden Gophers this season, was on a line with Oskar Sundqvist and Zack Bolduc on Monday and played the bumper with one of the Blues’ power-play units.

“It was good. It was a fast-paced practice,” Snuggerud said. “A lot of movement, a lot of speed. It was fun. It was just great to be on the ice with the guys.

“It’s kind of just learning from other guys and watching. The speed, it showed quick. The first drill, you kind of have to be ready from the start and there’s so many good players on the ice, so just watch them and what they’re doing and kind of learn from them.”

It’s been a whirlwind of emotions for the 20-year-old, who went back to school on his own accord, to not only better himself in certain areas he felt he wasn’t ready for to compete at this level yet but also to try and win a national championship, which he unfortunately was unable to do.

“It’s kind of hard to turn the page quick, but you kind of have to honestly,” Snuggerud said. “You jump from one team to another team who is the hottest team in the National Hockey League. You’ve got to switch your mindset quick. I think I’ve learned from a lot of people in my life that have taught me to do that. It’s been an easy adjustment.

“It was a really quick turnaround honestly. From zero to 100. A lot of emotions honestly. You lose your season and I’m really excited to be here now and meet this group of guys.”

Should Snuggerud jump into the lineup, he will go in for Mathieu Joseph, who was an extra along with 2023 first-round pick (No. 10 overall) Dalibor Dvorsky and Alexandre Texier.

“You come in and let him play, let him feel comfortable and go from there,” Blues captain Brayden Schenn said. “He’s going to be nervous, he was nervous today. He flat-out said it, right. He’s never been in an NHL training camp, right, so it’s our job to make him feel as comfortable as possible as quick as possible. Obviously he has elite talent and at the same time, you don’t expect him to come in here and be this guy that’s going to save your season or whatever. He’s just got to be a piece for us and that’s all we need from him and just play his game.”

Montgomery admitted prior to Monday not knowing anything about Snuggerud other than what he’s maybe seen on television or read about him. And after a practice session, he’s learned, “His hockey sense, his game management, his puck play was really good. His hands are exceptional, his skating is NHL speed. Those are things you’re looking to see, but the biggest thing is the brain, that he thinks it so well.”

With the Blues, who hold the second wild card from the Western Conference, on an absolute tear, does it disrupt the room implementing someone new into the lineup?

“We’re not going to worry about Jimmy being a disruption in our locker room,” said Schenn, who drove Snuggerud to the rink on Monday. “I think our locker room’s good enough where he can come in and just be a piece for us and a guy that has a lot of skill and a lot of talent that can fit in well for us. Even in the run, Matt Kessel stepped in for a game, Dvorsky stepped in for a game. It’s one of those things where you don’t have to worry about him coming in and disrupting or any of that stuff. That’s not what we’re worried about. You let him come in, find his game, but at the same time, don’t put pressure on him. Just let him play and let him get better game by game.”

Montgomery said, though, it was something that needed to be addressed with the leaders.

“As a coach, you never stop worrying about all those possibilities, but in the end, I think if you communicate to everybody that’s involved, especially your leaders, and they understand that when we bring in a new player, it’s an opportunity for us to get better, and that’s why we’re doing it, and in the end, we all want to put the best players on the ice and the best team possible,” Montgomery said. “I’ll sit with the staff and we’ll see if we make a change in the lineup or not.”

The points of emphasis Snuggerud feels he’s equipped to handle now include, “Speed, puck possession, poise, leadership things. Those things are kind of why I decided to come back and that’s what I wanted to work on. I feel like I worked on those things well enough to a point where I could jump on this team. But like I said before, it’s a fast-paced game and I’m really lucky and fortunate to be here and I feel like I’ve improved myself to be here, but there’s still a long ways to go.

Snuggerud in drills #stlblues ... pic.twitter.com/VVI0nYK1v7

— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) March 31, 2025

“I feel like my game has evolved over the past year. Obviously the speed is different. Guys in here want to win and I think I have that winning mentality. I just want to win games and I want to be here for them, be by their side when they win hockey games. That was kind of the most important thing for me is making that jump knowing the mentality is hockey, hockey, hockey. There’s no school anymore. It’s just hockey and you’re here to win hockey games and that’s it.”

“Everyone in here is so nice. Just meeting the guys already, it’s such a tight-knit group of guys. It’s cool to meet them and talk to guys on the ice. There’s some Minnesota guys in here too so it’s cool to connect with them. There’s some college players too. It’s just cool the connections you can start and create with guys in this locker room.”

Snuggerud, who chose No. 21; not out of a connection, but because, “I just happened to look at the list and happened to choose 21. I’m kind of playing for what’s on the front,” goes from playing for one title and jumping into a playoff race probably eases somewhat the sting of not accomplishing what he wanted when he went back to college.

“It’s cool. You dream of it as a kid,” he said. “You obviously still don’t know yet. But I’m playing for everyone else in here. I’m here to win hockey games. Hopefully that’s what I kind of entail on other guys. They’re the hottest team in the NHL and I’m so lucky and grateful to be a part of it.”

There are lots of rapid-fire NHL and hockey topics to discuss on The Hockey News Wraparound Show.

Has Oilers' Leon Draisaitl Ended The NHL's Hart Trophy Race? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

0:00: Has Leon Draisaitl ended the Hart Trophy race?

4:04: Which of the Chicago Blackhawks’ latest signings has a better chance of staying with the team next season?

7:21: Can Jimmy Snuggerud be an impactful player for the St. Louis Blues this season and potentially in the playoffs?

10:09: Should Jack Eichel be getting more consideration for NHL awards?

12:38: Could Nikita Kucherov go down as the best Russian-born player of all-time?

15:14: Breaking down the players and teams to look out for during the CHL playoffs

18:38: Is Ryan McDonagh one of the most underappreciated defensemen of his era?

23:13: What will Mason McTavish earn on his next contract?

25:28: Will John Tavares be the Toronto Maple Leafs’ X-factor in the playoffs?

28:21: Which playoff team will be most affected by its current injuries?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

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The flood of NCAA players signing their entry-level NHL contracts has begun. 

The Frozen Four begins on April 10, so we should see a couple more players signing after then, but a handful of prospects are jumping from the NCAA to the NHL right now after being eliminated.

Some of the most promising and exciting prospects in hockey have come through the NCAA pipeline in recent years. This year’s crop of signees will be effective on teams that are either securely in the playoffs, pushing for a wild-card spot or sitting near the bottom of the league and looking forward to the future.

Let’s look at some of the most promising entry-level signings from the NCAA in recent days.

Ryan Leonard, LW, Washington Capitals

The bull in a china shop that is Ryan Leonard has been one of the most physically dominant players in the NCAA over the past couple of years.

His speed, strength, and legitimate skill make him a player who can play up and down the lineup at the NHL level. He was the engine of Boston College's top line alongside 2025 top NHL draft prospect James Hagens and Gabe Perreault, who's expected to sign with the New York Rangers.

Leonard should slot into the Capitals' middle six forwards and provide some energy and scoring punch down the lineup for their playoff run. Even if his offensive game takes a minute to get going, his speed and tenacity should make him a valuable part of the lineup.

Gabe Perreault, RW, New York Rangers

The Rangers announced they officially signed Perreault at 5 p.m. ET on Monday.

Perreault is one of the premier play connectors who came through the NHL draft in recent years. He’ll be playing with new linemates for the first time in three years – he won’t have either Leonard or Will Smith alongside him as he did going back to his days in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.

Perreault isn’t the fastest, most skilled or strongest player, but his value comes from his intellect and cerebral playmaking ability.

Perreault is highly effective as an off-puck attacker who can make a quick pass or get himself into a scoring area with ease. Whether he makes a one-touch pass or waits the extra half-second to allow a lane to develop on a zone entry, Perreault is such a smart player who allows his teammates to play to their strengths.

Top 25 NHL Prospects In Future Watch 2025Some players make the NHL as teenagers, but many prospects take three, four or even five years to break through.

Oliver Moore, C/W, Chicago Blackhawks

Already getting into one NHL game with Chicago, Moore is a speed demon who plays hard at both ends of the ice. 

He’s consistently played a steady middle-six game whenever he’s been asked, but he’s skilled enough offensively to drive results when asked to play up the lineup. Moore is a fantastic fit for this Blackhawks team, which is looking for some added team speed. 

The rest of the Hawks’ season means little in the standings, but Moore could make a strong case for a roster spot next year with a good run of play. 

His versatility could see him stick on the wing for now, but Moore’s two-way game and pace make him more of a fit at center. Either way, Moore should be a fixture in the middle six for Chicago for years. 

Matthew Wood, C/W, Nashville Predators

Although Wood didn’t become a dominant player during his two-year college run, he joins the Predators as they play out the stretch of a lost season. 

Wood is a big-bodied forward who is an excellent off-puck finisher. He’s grown as a playmaker in the NCAA. His last month of the season with the University of Minnesota was as good as he’s been in college, and it should give him confidence heading into the NHL.

While he shouldn’t be expected to hit the ground running, especially on a Preds team where nothing has gone right this year, Wood should be a nice addition that provides a glimpse into the future. The 6-foot-4 Albertan could play down the lineup as a center or a left winger. 

Wood has the skill and shooting talent to score some goals. He just needs someone to help him get the puck in good positions. 

Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, St. Louis Blues

After setting career highs in goals and points in the NCAA, Snuggerud joins the Blues in the thick of a playoff race. 

He doesn’t necessarily drive play, but he is an excellent Robin to someone’s Batman. He plays with speed and energy, finds open space in the offensive zone and helps make life easier on his linemates by doing a little bit of everything. 

Snuggerud is slated to line up on the third line for the Blues, which could give them the depth scoring they need to pull away in the playoff race. 

Snuggerud has always found a way to elevate his game as the stakes get higher, whether it's the World Junior Championship or the NCAA tournament.

Sam Rinzel, D, Chicago Blackhawks

Like Moore, Rinzel got into his first NHL game already, and he looked quite solid. He has size, skating ability and some skill, which immediately makes him one of the Hawks' more intriguing blueliners. 

Rinzel has the kind of reach and mobility that it takes to play a solid defensive game and the passing and skill to play well enough in the offensive end. 

Rinzel will make some mistakes, but the experience he gains in this season's final days could spur him on to being a regular in the lineup in the fall. His raw tools have always been incredibly intriguing, and his development in college has been encouraging. Getting a glimpse of pro hockey will be integral as he heads into a summer training to be a full-time pro. 

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl will be unavailable this week as he deals with an injury. 

The 31-year-old suffered a shoulder injury against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Mar. 23 after he was pushed from behind and crashed into the boards. The initial reaction was an unpleasant one, and the Golden Knights are yet to release any positive news about the injury.

Following the Golden Knights' practice, HC Bruce Cassidy confirmed that Hertl would remain out, forcing him to miss games against the Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames.

In 70 games, the skilled Czech forward has scored 31 goals and 59 points, tying him for the team lead in goals with linemate Pavel Dorofeyev. 

The Golden Knights are on the cusp of clinching a playoff spot and are inching closer to locking up first place in the Pacific Division, which is allowing them to be patient with Hertl's recovery, but nerves are beginning to settle in about his chances of being ready for the start of the playoffs. 

Alex Pietrangelo was a participant in practice today, taking line rushes alongside healthy scratch Ben Hutton, indicating that he isn't quite ready to hop back into the lineup. While things can change, and he hasn't been officially ruled out of tomorrow's fixture, all signs lead to Kaedan Korczak remaining in the lineup for Pietrangelo. 

Ilya Samsonov has also sustained an injury and has been announced day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Akira Schmid has been called up to replace him as the back-up goaltender. 

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.

It’s been 70 years since Stan Fischler got his first paying job covering the NHL – and he’s still at it on his 93rd birthday.

‘The Maven,’ who turns 93 on March 31, got started writing about the New York Rangers in 1954-55. He began writing for The Hockey News not long after when co-founder Ken McKenzie reached out to him.

Since then, his career has earned him a place in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame and the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame, as well as the NHL’s Lester Patrick Trophy in 2007 for outstanding service to hockey in the United States. He also won seven Emmy Awards during his television broadcasting career of more than 40 years, covering the Hartford Whalers, New York Islanders, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils.

The Islanders, in particular, named its press level at new UBS Arena after Fischler in October 2022, featuring a collection of his articles, equipment and photographs. Fischler has also gifted the Islanders his hockey library, featuring more than 90 books.

“Perhaps the most astonishing – at least to me – aspect of this personal saga is that I've never tired of talking or writing hockey,” Fischler wrote in his birthday column on The Hockey News’ Rangers site on Monday.

Fischler continues to cover the Rangers for The Hockey News, often writing multiple articles daily.

“This man is a phenomenon, plain and simple,” longtime New York Mets radio play-by-play commentator Howie Rose wrote on X. “However controversial and acerbic he might have been during his career (might have?) his love for hockey always shone through. Proud to call him a longtime friend who is worthy of the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Elmer Ferguson award.”

Fischler thanked everyone for their birthday wishes as well.

“A million thanks to all for the happy birthday wishes,” he posted to X. “It’s on to 94, but gotta enjoy 93 for a dozen months.”

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have made a move, seemingly, to clear up a spot on their active NHL roster.

On Monday, forward Emil Bemstrom was placed on waivers. In 13 NHL games with the Penguins this season, Bemstrom registered one point.

The 25-year-old Swedish forward was traded to Pittsburgh on Feb. 22, 2024, from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Alex Nylander and a conditional draft pick. He was re-signed on a one-year deal this summer by the Penguins, and he is set to become a restricted free agent (RFA) this summer.

In 37 total games with the Penguins since last year's deadline, he had three goals and six points. 

Since Bemstrom was on the roster for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins - Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate - on deadline day, he is able to rejoin WBS for the team's Calder Cup run if he clears waivers on Tuesday. Waivers was required because he appeared in more than 10 NHL games.

WBS Penguins Lose 5-2, Split Weekend Series With CheckersThe Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' quest for 40 wins will have to wait another day, as the Charlotte Checkers avenged a 5-3 loss on Saturday by returning the favor in Sunday's rematch with a 5-2 victory.

In 43 AHL games this season, Bemstrom racked up 21 goals and 46 points in 43 games and was named an AHL All-Star.

Once Bemstrom either clears waivers or is claimed by another NHL club, the Penguins will have a roster spot opened up. With the NCAA season - aside from the Frozen Four - wrapped up, it remains to be seen whether or not the Penguins target a collegiate free agent.

---

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The Vegas Golden Knights have recalled goaltender Akira Schmid from the Henderson Silver Knights as they deal with a possible injury concern with Ilya Samsonov.

Samsonov was scheduled to start on Saturday against the Nashville Predators but was replaced by Adin Hill due to something "tightening up."

"Sammy just wasn't able to go," he said. "Something tightened up. So that was that. It was not going to be Hilly. We tend not to play a guy back-to-back, especially this time of year. But that was the choice we were left with, and good on him." HC Bruce Cassidy added he had "no idea ... because it's something we expected to play right up until 5:10, or something. So hopefully not. Once we get back, it'll be re-evaluated."

Hill stepped into the crease and was phenomenal, turning away 23 of the 24 shots he faced en route to a 3-1 win. 

Samsonov has played in 28 games during his first season with the Golden Knights, posting a 16-9-3 record, as well as a .892 SV% and a 2.78 GAA. Following Monday's practice, Cassidy stated that the 28-year-old is out day-to-day with an upper-body injury. 

Schmid has played in one NHL game this season, coming in relief of Adin Hill against the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 11, where he turned away all 12 shots he faced. In 30 AHL games with the Silver Knights, the 24-year-old has recorded a 9-18-4 record, including a .886 SV% and a 3.58 GAA. 

The Golden Knights return home from a three-game road trip to take on the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday before a highly anticipated matchup against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. The Golden Knights play a back-to-back against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, and the Calgary Flames on Sunday, and that could be when Schmid gets into NHL action if Samsonov remains out. 

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.

The Winnipeg Jets have recalled forward Jarret Anderson-Dolan and goaltender Chris Driedger from the Manitoba Moose.

Anderson-Dolan will provide the Jets with insurance on their upcoming three-game road trip. Rasmus Kupari suffered a setback in his recovery from a concussion and without him and Gabriel Vilardi, the Jets only have 12 healthy forwards. If they suffer another injury on the road trip, Anderson-Dolan can step into the lineup.

In 51 AHL games, the 25-year-old has scored seven goals and 19 points. He was selected in the second round of the 2017 NHL draft by the Los Angeles Kings but has never been able to cement his place on an NHL roster. 

Driedger was acquired by the Jets at the NHL trade deadline in a swap for Kaapo Kahkonen. Since joining the Moose, the 30-year-old has posted a 1-3-0 record in five games, including a .872SV% and a 3.30 GAA. 

According to Mike McIntrye, Eric Comrie's wife went into labour over the weekend. If Comrie is forced to miss time, Driedger will serve as the backup goaltender to Connor Hellebuyck. Driedger has accumulated 67 games of NHL experience throughout his career. 

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

NHL Player Safety handed the Florida Panthers’ Niko Mikkola a $5,000 fine after the brouhaha that ended Sunday’s matinee against the Montreal Canadiens.

With two seconds left in the Panthers’ 4-2 loss to the Canadiens, and with the Montreal players turning around to skate toward their goaltender, Mikkola unloaded a slapshot from the defensive zone.

The puck rose high, prompting Canadiens defenseman David Savard to duck to avoid it.

Niko Mikkola has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for unsportsmanlike conduct during the Panthers' loss to the Canadienspic.twitter.com/b3X7OinWRC

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 31, 2025

The Habs players skated over to confront Mikkola, leading to a skirmish after time expired. Jayden Struble, Christian Dvorak, Brendan Gallagher and Savard all tried to get at Mikkola as Panthers players and officials tried to separate them.

After linesman Julien Fournier brought Mikkola to the Panthers bench, the defenseman and Struble continued to shout at each other before heading to the dressing room.

Mikkola received a two-minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct and a 10-minute misconduct. The $5,000 fine, which is the highest the collective bargaining allows without a hearing, goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Are The Florida Panthers In Danger Of A Playoff Upset?The Florida Panthers have earned their reputation as one of the NHL’s best teams, getting to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in each of the past three seasons, making it to the Cup final in each of the past two seasons, and of course, winning their first Cup in franchise history last season. And for much of this year, the Panthers have been at or near the top of the Atlantic Division. Obviously, there’s a whole lot to like about this Florida team.

Both teams face each other again in Montreal on Tuesday. They’ve played each other three times already this season, with the lower-ranked Canadiens winning in regulation every time and outscoring Florida by a combined total of 11-3.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been named the NHL's third star of the week.

The 31-year-old posted a 3-0-0 record this week, including a .961 SV%, a 1.00GAA and a shutout. Hellebuyck has been dominant all season, earning praise and consideration in the Hart Trophy raise.

The three wins Hellebuyck picked up this week were against the Washington Capitals, New Jersey Devils and the Vancouver Canucks, all of which are desperately looking for wins.

He currently leads all goaltenders in wins (43), save percentage (.925), goals against average (2.01) and shutouts (7). This feat has been achieved twice in NHL history, by Jaques Plante in the 1958-59 season and Bernie Parent in the 1973-74 season. 

Here's what the NHL's press release had to say about Hellebuyck's week:

"Hellebuyck went 3-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average, .961 save percentage and one shutout to help the Jets (51-19-4, 106 points) reclaim first place first place in the overall NHL standings as they clinched their third straight playoff berth. He denied 27 of 29 shots to lead Winnipeg to a 3-2 overtime win against the Washington Capitals March 25 in a battle of the League’s top two teams. Hellebuyck then made 24 saves to set a franchise record with his seventh shutout of the campaign in a 4-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils March 28. The reigning Vezina and William M. Jennings Trophy winner closed the week by stopping 23 shots, including all 18 he faced over the final two periods, in a 3-1 triumph versus the Vancouver Canucks March 30. The 31-year-old Hellebucyk has played in 57 total contests this season (43-10-3), topping the NHL (minimum: 25 GP) in wins (43), goals-against average (2.01), save percentage (.925) and shutouts (7)."

Nikita Kucherov, Roope Hintz and Connor Hellebuyck have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” presented by GEICO for the week ending March 30.#NHLStats: https://t.co/pTkB7APFWopic.twitter.com/9F3CXC8cl9

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) March 31, 2025

The Jets begin a three-game road trip which will feature another two difficult tests against the Los Angeles Kings and the Vegas Golden Knights. With the Dallas Stars breathing down the Jets' neck, they'll need every bit of Hellebuyck's dominance to continue. 

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The Buffalo Sabres have announced that defenseman Jack Rathbone has been loaned back to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans.

The Sabres just recalled Rathbone from Rochester on March 30 ahead of their matchup against the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old blueliner did not dress for the Sabres' contest and is now returning to Rochester. 

Rathbone has yet to appear in a regular-season game for the Sabres this season. In 56 games this season with Rochester, he has five goals, 15 assists, 20 points, and a plus-6 rating. This is after he posted nine goals and 25 points in 69 AHL games last season split between the Abbotsford Canucks and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 

In 28 career games over three NHL seasons, Rathbone has posted two goals, three assists, five points, and a minus-5 rating. 

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The Vegas Golden Knights can clinch a playoff spot if the Calgary Flames lose to the Colorado Avalanche in regulation tonight.

If the Flames lose to the Avalanche in regulation tonight, the Golden Knights will clinch a playoff spot for the seventh time in eight seasons. The Golden Knights currently sit atop the Pacific Division with 98 points, leading the Los Angeles Kings by seven points. 

The Golden Knights have nine games remaining on the schedule and are back in action on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, who they hold a nine-point lead over. Six of the Golden Knights' last nine games are against Pacific Division teams, and all but two are against teams fighting for a playoff spot. 

If the playoffs started today, the Golden Knights would battle the Minnesota Wild in the first round. Due to their point percentage, they currently hold the second wild card spot in the Western Conference, tied with the St. Louis Blues with 87 points.

The postseason in the Western Conference is shaping up to be a gauntlet, with several teams capable of going on a long run.

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.

The NHL has levied a fine against Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola.

On Monday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Mikkola had been fined $5,000 for what it calls “unsportsmanlike conduct” during Sunday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Montreal defeated Florida 4-2 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.

In the game’s final seconds, Mikkola had the puck on his stick in the Panthers defensive zone.

As time expired, Mikkola wound up and fired a blistering slapshot down the ice that nearly hit David Savard about 150 feet away.

Niko Mikkola ripped an absolute CLAPPER at the Habs at the buzzer and the Habs weren't having that 😳 pic.twitter.com/E2dHyzd7BM

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 30, 2025

The Canadiens players responded, understandably so, by going after Mikkola as officials attempted to usher the players to their respective locker rooms.

Mikkola was given a two-minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct and a ten minute misconduct, according to the game’s official scoresheet.

It took less than 24 hours after the game had ended for the NHL to respond with the $5,000 fine, which is the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement.

We’ll see how Montreal responds when they host the Panthers Tuesday night at Bell Center.

Between the aforementioned animosity and how both teams are fighting for every point they can get in the standings, it should be a doozie.

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