Author: NHL Hockey News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

In the midst of an NHL playoff race, with only 18 games remaining, Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green has much larger concerns than personal milestones. However, when the Senators face off against the Boston Bruins at Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday night, it will mark Green's 400th game as an NHL head coach.

He was asked to reflect on his coaching career and what he's learned over the years.

"I think you just get better if you have an open mind to learning," Green told the media on Thursday. "I've probably changed a lot without even knowing it. And I think it's important that you can, whatever you're doing, you look yourself in the mirror and self-assess what you're doing to try to improve."

Green says, if he's honest, he doesn't remember a lot about his first game as a coach.

"Just probably nervous and excited at the same time. I still am. I love doing what I'm doing, and it's a privilege to be in the NHL, whether you're a player or coach or anyone that works for a team."

Combined with his 970 games as a player, in a career that dates back to the Senators' expansion season 33 years ago, Green can rightly be labelled now as an NHL-lifer.

If the season ended today, Green’s .570 points percentage would represent the best season of his coaching career. Before this, he spent four and a half seasons as the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, posting a points percentage above .500 just once, making the playoffs in the 2019-20 season with a .565 points percentage.

Green's most successful coaching season came in the first year he was ever put in charge of a bench. Green was an interim head coach with the Portland Winterhawks, where he guided them to the 2013 Western Hockey League title.

This opportunity only came about after 'Hawks head coach Mike Johnston was suspended for recruitment violations. Johnston returned the following season, while Green moved on to Utica, where he served four years as head coach of the Comets in the AHL.

After being fired by the Canucks midway through the 2021-22 season, Green spent a year and a half away from the game before returning as an associate coach with the New Jersey Devils last season. He became the Devils’ interim head coach after Lindy Ruff was dismissed last spring.

While the Devils considered retaining Green for this season, they opted to interview other candidates. Green, in turn, also began exploring other opportunities and ultimately chose to accept the head coaching position with the Senators.

It's been a good fit so far. Green has taken on a team with a lot of good young pieces that appear to be wedging open a window of opportunity that's been nailed shut for almost eight years. Getting the Senators to the playoffs is the full focus right now. Savouring personal milestones can come later.

"I didn't know that it was 400, to be honest," Green said. "But hopefully, there's another 400 still to go."

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

Be sure to bookmark The Hockey News Ottawa for great Sens coverage all year around.

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The Vancouver Canucks took two points last night against the Calgary Flames, but along with Tyler Myers missing the game, they may be out another defenseman. Elias Pettersson (D) missed the majority of the game after being on the receiving end of an elbow by Flames forward Connor Zary. After having a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety today, Zary was assessed a two-game suspension.

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“On this play Zary sees a teammate take a hard but legal check and responds intentionally in retribution by delivering a hit with an extended elbow, which makes significant head contact,” the NHL DOPS said of the suspension after the hearing. 

Pettersson did not come out for the second or third periods, and it was later confirmed by the Canucks that he would not be returning to the game. The 21-year-old, who was selected 80th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, made his NHL debut this year on January 25 against the Washington Capitals. He has played in 15 games and recorded two assists. His development throughout this season was ultimately the catalyst that let Vancouver move on from defender Carson Soucy. 

Pettersson’s absence comes at a time when the Canucks have only just welcomed back their captain, Quinn Hughes. As the team makes a push for the playoffs, they'll need as many healthy bodies as possible to help them compete. 

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.

Berkly Catton, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft, is coming on strong, and he’s not the only Seattle prospect who’s turning heads this season.

By Krishna Bhagnathsingh

While the Seattle Kraken traded away seasoned veterans Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde ahead of the NHL deadline, there’s help on the way in the franchise’s prospect pipeline. Here’s a look at how Seattle’s 2024 draft class is faring this season.

Berkly Catton, C, Spokane (WHL)

2024 NHL draft: 8th overall

Catton is tearing it up for the Spokane Chiefs, averaging more than two points per game. He’s already surpassed 100 points on the season and ranks third overall in WHL scoring – although he’s just second on the Chiefs, behind Washington Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall. Catton’s ability to dangle a defender and his lightning-fast shot will one day provide the Kraken with a much-needed sniper. Look for Catton to make a push for full-time NHL duty by the 2026-27 season, at which time he could claim a spot in the top six.

Julius Miettinen, C, Everett (WHL)

2024 NHL draft: 40th overall

The 6-foot-3, 207-pound Miettinen uses his frame to drive to the net, whether it’s with the puck on his stick or fishing for a rebound, and he’s an effective net-front presence. Miettinen applies great forechecking pressure, and he’s adept at forcing turnovers in the opponent’s zone. Plus, his ability to play deep both in the defensive end and the offensive end of the ice shouldn’t be overlooked. Overall, the Kraken can expect a reliable two-way center in the coming years.

Nathan Villeneuve, C, Sudbury (OHL)

2024 NHL draft: 63rd overall

Villeneuve is having a career offensive year in Sudbury, ranking in the top five in goals, assists and points for the Wolves. What stands out about Villeneuve is his performances on both the power play and the penalty kill. He’s second on the Wolves in power-play goals with 10 while also leading the team with four shorthanded goals. Villeneuve also brings speed to the table. Whether it’s along the boards or cutting through the neutral zone, he’s a speedster who can easily get to the net. He brings something valuable to the Kraken’s future by being a speedy playmaker and scorer.

Alexis Bernier, D, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

2024 NHL draft: 73rd overall

Bernier sits in the top 10 in points among QMJHL defensemen, and in January he tied the Drakkar franchise record for most goals in a month by a defender (five). Bernier isn’t afraid to grip it and rip it in the slot when he gets a chance. He also doesn't shy away from physicality, as a push and shove could benefit both him and the team. The 18-year-old has much more development ahead of him, whether it’s with Baie-Comeau next season or perhaps with the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds if the Kraken sign him to an entry-level deal.

Kim Saarinen, G, HPK (Fin.)

2024 NHL draft: 88th overall

Saarinen’s .911 save percentage and three shutouts rank among the league leaders in Finland’s top hockey circuit. He’s active in the blue paint and can easily maneuver from post to post. Still, goalies take a while to crack the NHL and Saarinen has a long way to go. He could remain with HPK for a few more seasons before the Kraken decide to bring him over. Seattle still has Philipp Grubauer and Joey Daccord under contract for the next few years, so there’s time for Saarinen to continue his development.

Oliver Josephson, C, Red Deer (WHL)

2024 NHL draft: 105th overall

Josephson has 28 points in 41 games, which is good enough for third-most on a struggling Rebels team this season. Beyond scoring, he leads Red Deer in faceoffs won (485) and faceoff percentage (57.6). Josephson has shown the ability to get into the scoring areas and put the puck in the net. He also shines when it comes to puck control and playmaking, as he’s tied for second on Red Deer in assists (18). Given that he’s only 18 years old, another season or two in junior would serve him well in terms of further development before he moves on to the next level.

Clarke Caswell, LW, Swift Current (WHL)

2024 NHL draft: 141st overall

Caswell’s 81 points are second-most on Swift Current and put him in the top 20 in the WHL. His sweet spot on the ice seems to be the slot area or right next to the blue paint, where he can whack in a rebound, bury a one-timer or attempt a deflection. Caswell also has a knack for helping out on special teams as he ranks in the top 10 in the WHL in power-play assists. Overall, the Kraken have a player who has a note for the net, whether it’s battling for rebounds or fighting for space in the slot.

Jakub Fibigr, D, Brampton (OHL)

2024 NHL draft: 202nd overall

Compared to last season, Fibigr is having a bit of a down year. In 2023-24, he ranked second in points among Steelheads defensemen with 43 in 61 games. This year, he has 27 points in 51 games. He was tied for the most points on Czechia at the 2025 world juniors with five points in seven games. Fibigr can track the puck well, but he has some issues with puck control at times, both in his own zone and the neutral zone. On the plus side, he’s a strong skater. Overall, Fibigr will no doubt need more development to make the NHL, but he has upside as a depth defenseman.

Related

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Remember when the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins rivalry was arguably the best in the NHL, matching hated cross-state rivals who were usually among the league’s elite?

Well, now the Pennsylvania teams are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference and in the middle of rebuilds.

Unsurprisingly, Flyers and Penguins fans are getting restless.

Entering Thursday, the aging Penguins were 26-31-10 (.463 points percentage), and they figure to miss the playoffs for the third-straight season, the first time that has happened in two decades.

The Flyers were 27-31-8 (.470 points percentage) and should miss the playoffs for the fifth-straight year, matching an unwanted franchise record. Out of the 16 Eastern Conference teams, only Buffalo has a worse points percentage (.444) than the Flyers and Penguins.

So, which Pennsylvania team will rebuild more quickly and become a Stanley Cup contender again?

It will probably come down to which team makes better selections in the next few drafts.

Both teams are loaded with several high draft picks, and both have similar needs: adding a quality center and upgrading their defense and goaltending.

Both teams appear at least two or three years away from challenging for a Cup. Maybe longer.

Both teams have a decent amount of projected cap space for 2025-26. According to PuckPedia, the Flyers will have $27.54 million in cap room based on contracts committed to 17 players, while the Pens will have $25.56 million available based on contracts to 17 players. Theoretically, both could speed up their rebuilds by adding a key piece in free agency. As for how the teams currently look, Philly has an advantage over the Penguins in that it has more core players on the younger side.

The Flyers’ cornerstones are Matvei Michkov (20 years old), Travis Konecny (28), Owen Tippett (26), Tyson Foerster (23), Noah Cates (26) and Travis Sanheim (28). Cam York (24) and Jamie Drysdale (22) have been slow to develop but could be key players at some point. The jury is still out on goalie Samuel Ersson (25), and Sean Couturier (32) is now more of an expensive role player.

Pittsburgh’s core revolves around veterans Sidney Crosby (37), Rickard Rakell (31), Bryan Rust (32), Erik Karlsson (34), Evgeni Malkin (38) and Kris Letang (37). One or two of those vets could be moved in the off-season.

So, the Flyers have much more NHL-ready youth than the Penguins and are in a better position in the upcoming draft.

Penguins Top Prospect McGroarty On Tear In AHLThere are several Pittsburgh Penguins prospects making some noise at the AHL level this season.

The draft, which takes place June 27 and 28, will be critical for both teams.

The Flyers have a staggering seven picks in the first two rounds, including three in Round 1. The Penguins could have six picks in the first three rounds – two in the first (though one could slide to next year), one in the second and three in the third. They also could have six picks in the opening three rounds in 2026 and 2027.

The Flyers have lost five straight, all at home, and their fans seem to want them to continue to lose and get a higher draft selection. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh both figure to draft in the top seven and could climb into the top five. With the lottery, they could climb even higher – or not.

Philadelphia will also pick around 22nd overall (from Edmonton) and 25th (from Colorado), thanks to trades. The Penguins could have a second first-rounder, originally owned by the New York Rangers. It is top-13 protected and could slide to 2026.

The Penguins, which have some promising AHL prospects and own more draft picks in the next three years (30) than any NHL team, should get a marquee player with their initial pick. Ditto the Flyers.

2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ferrari's Mid-Season Top 64It's 2025 NHL draft rankings time again as we're about to see the class playing some of its highest-level hockey.

Below are the players expected to go in the top 10, based on a study of numerous draft experts. Keep in mind that the player ranked in a particular spot may not get drafted there because of teams’ needs.

Top 10 Draft Hopefuls

1.   Matthew Schaefer, D, Erie (OHL)

2.   James Hagens, C, Boston College (NCAA)

3.   Michael Misa, C/LW, Saginaw (OHL)

4.   Porter Martone, RW, Brampton (OHL)

5.   Anton Frondell, C/RW, Djurgarden (Sweden)

6.   Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgarden (Sweden)

7.   Roger McQueen, C, Brandon (WHL)

8.   Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton (QMJHL)

9.   Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City (WHL)

10. Carter Bear, C/LW, Everett (WHL)

Bottom line: The Flyers and Penguins are far from being relevant again, but Philadelphia’s future looks brighter because of this year’s draft, making it imperative they strike gold with their three first-round selections.

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The Atlanta Gladiators announced Thursday that the club has signed a two-year extension to continue as the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Nashville Predators.

“The Nashville Predators and Milwaukee Admirals have been terrific affiliates the last two years,” Gladiators owner Alex Campbell, commented in a statement. “We’re proud to extend our partnership through the 2026-27 season, and I look forward to continued success for the Predators, the Admirals, and the Gladiators.”

Since joining forces with Nashville and the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League prior to the 2023-24 season, Atlanta has had 11 players join the club under either an AHL or NHL contract, further adding to the developmental pipeline between all three teams.

This season, the Gladiators have benefited from additions such as defenseman Jeremy Hanzel (48GP-3G-15A), forward Alexander Campbell (3GP-2G-2A), and first-year goaltender Ethan Haider, a former 5th round selection of the Predators in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft (29GP, 16-11-1, 3 SO).

The Predators are led by head coach Andrew Brunette, who played for the ECHL's Hampton Roads Admirals during the 1993-94 season. Since taking the helm, Brunette has guided Nashville to a record of 72-62-12.

Additionally, forward Cole Smith who now has over 200 games of NHL experience, began his professional career with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades.

The Predators currently sit in seventh place in the NHL’s Central Division, with a record of 25-32-7, for 57 points. This past season, Nashville qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, finishing as a Wild Card team in the consistently competitive Western Conference.

"We are excited to keep the Atlanta Gladiators as part of the Predators family moving forward," Predators General Manager Barry Trotz said in a news release. "We've been fortunate enough to reap the benefits of having a longstanding AHL affiliate in Milwaukee, and we are hoping that our partnership with Atlanta will blossom into something similar. The proximity between our two teams offers us the chance to further expand the game of hockey in the South, with two strong, passionate fan bases cheering us on. I'd like to thank the Gladiators organization – including the ATL Hockey Group, led by Alex Campbell – for their leadership and commitment to making this relationship even stronger in the coming years."

Over the years, Nashville has partnered with several teams, including the Hampton Roads Admirals (1998-00), New Orleans Brass (2000-01), Cincinnati Cyclones (2001-02, 07-17), Toledo Storm (2003-04), Norfolk Admirals (2017-18), the Florida Everblades (2019-22), and most recently the Atlanta Gladiators (2023-Present).

Atlanta was initially affiliated with the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers from 2003 until 2011, when the franchise relocated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Following the Thrasher’s departure from the NHL, the Gladiators have partnered with the Arizona Coyotes (2011-15, 2022-23), Boston Bruins (2015-18), Ottawa Senators (2021-22), and the Predators (2023-Present).

The Predators are currently on a west coast road trip, with their next game set forFriday in Anaheim against the Ducks. The Gladiators are also back in action on Friday when they host the South Carolina Stingrays for Heroes Night. Puck drop is set for 7:30 Pm.

Ivan Barbashev and Brett Howden will return to the Vegas Golden Knights lineup tonight after missing Tuesday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins for personal reasons. 

The Golden Knights were defeated by the Penguins in overtime, 3-2 after Noah Hanifin scored the equalizer with seven seconds remaining. The Golden Knights carried the play for most of the night despite missing two key forwards in Barbashev and Howden.

Both forwards will return to the lineup tonight and will skate together alongside Keegan Kolesar. Exiting the lineup will be Cole Schwindt and Jonas Rondbjerg. 

Barbashev and Howden were paired together on Feb. 27 against the Chicago Blackhawks and clicked instantly. They mesh well offensively, providing north-south oriented offence and are defensively responsible, allowing them to play against any of the opposition's lines. 

Howden is enjoying a career year, scoring 17 goals and 13 points in 62 games. If he continues to score at this pace, the 26-year-old could set a career-high in goals that eclipses his previous career-high in points. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets enter tonight's game feeling confident, holding the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. When Sean Monahan went down with an injury, many believed the Blue Jackets' chances of making the playoffs were dwindling, but the emergence of Adam Fantilli and stepping up of Kirill Marchenko, Dmitri Voronkov, and Kent Johnson has kept the Blue Jackets afloat. 

Slowing down Zach Werenski will be another difficult task. The 27-year-old has scored 20 goals and 69 points in 63 games. 

The Blue Jackets have struggled to keep the puck out of their net, and the Golden Knights should be able to take advantage of that tonight.

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On Monday night, the Chicago Blackhawks (20-36-9) snapped a five-game point streak (3-0-2) against the Colorado Avalanche. Despite playing a mostly good road game, they took a hard loss 3-0. 

Next up is the San Jose Sharks (17-40-9) who are the one NHL team with a worse record than the Blackhawks this year. Both teams believe that they have a bright future but this isn't a winning season for either franchise. 

This is the third and final time that these two will meet in 2024-25. They split the first two with each team winning at home. Chicago's win was in their home opener and San Jose's win came on Halloween. 

In those two matchups, 2024 number one overall pick Macklin Celebrini was injured and did not play. That means that Thursday's matchup will be the first time that Celebrini will face 2023 first-overall pick Connor Bedard in the NHL. These two are friends away from the rink but it will be all business at SAP Center on Thursday night. 

Bedard locked up the Calder Trophy as the top rookie in the NHL during the 2023-24 season and Celebrini is trying to do the same thing in 2024-25. He has a chance but Lane Hutson of the Montreal Canadiens and Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers may have something to say about it. 

This will also be Celebrini's first chance to play against Artyom Levshunov, who went one pick after him in the 2024 NHL Draft. Levshunov made his NHL debut on Monday against Colorado and was great. It is always interesting to see the top two picks from a draft go head-to-head. 

Bedard and Levshunov will fit into Chicago's lineup like this: 

Dach - Bedard - Dickinson

Teravainen - Donato - Mikheyev

Slaggert - Nazar - Foligno

Reichel - Veleno - Bertuzzi

Del Mastro - Murphy

Vlasic - Kaiser

Martinez - Levshunov

Knight

This is the same lineup that Chicago played well with on the road against the Colorado Avalanche. Bedard will skate with Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach. Levshunov will skate with Alec Martinez again despite Martinez leaving the game early on Tuesday.

Spencer Knight will be in the net for the Hawks again. This is notable because it is the first time that he will make consecutive starts in a Chicago sweater. With three days rest in between games, they are going back to Knight which identifies him as the number one goalie.

For San Jose, Celebrini usually plays with William Eklund and Tyler Toffoli on the top line. Their other exciting rookie, Will Smith (taken 4th overall in the Bedard draft), is on the second line with Alex Wennberg and Collin Graf. Alexander Georgiev will be in the net for the Sharks. 

With the way that the Blackhawks have played since the Seth Jones trade, the vibes in the room are good. This San Jose team has talent but it is far from the Colorado team that Chicago just looked good against in a loss. 

No wins are easy in the NHL for any team but this is a matchup that should allow certain players on both teams to get their touches. For the two number-one picks specifically, this is a chance to shine bright. 

Both Bedard and Celebrini are expected to help carry the NHL in the coming years so seeing them match up against each other for the first time is a reason to tune in. Both guys are proud to represent their NHL teams well while trying to become top-flight players. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice has noticed something interesting of late ahead of Thursday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

When he pre-scouts his opponents, he sees a far different team than the one that ends up stepping on the ice against his team.

"When we look at the games teams play two or three prior to us, they don't look like the game they play against us," Maurice said after the morning skate prior to his team visiting the Maple Leafs. "There's high-end energy. We're always prepared for their best, which we need to do to stay sharp."

Such is life when you've won the Stanley Cup and done so largely with smash mouth hockey.

It would seem that the three games the Maple Leafs and Panthers play down the stretch going into the playoffs will be no different – high-octane, high-energy. It should provide an interesting glimpse into what should be an outstanding playoffs.

Today's video column has more.

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NHL Power Rankings: Key Matchups That Will Determine Each Team's FateWelcome back to The Hockey News' NHL power rankings, where we rank all 32 teams based on their weekly performance.

The New Jersey Devils face an added challenge in their quest for the Stanley Cup playoffs and beyond.

New Jersey’s top-scoring defenseman, Dougie Hamilton, is out for the rest of the regular season with an injury he suffered on March 4 against the Dallas Stars.

Hamilton’s recovery time may last into the second round of the playoffs, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald told the Krackin’ Canuckleheads podcast on Thursday.

After losing center Jack Hughes for the rest of the season and playoffs due to a shoulder injury and blueliner Jonas Siegenthaler for at least the rest of the regular season with a lower-body injury, New Jersey must move forward without Hamilton.

“We turned the page pretty quickly when the injury happened. We just have to press on,” Devils coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters on Thursday.

Hamilton was only one of six Devils players to appear in all 63 of New Jersey’s games before his injury, causing him to miss the following three games. He recorded nine goals and 31 assists for 40 points, as well as 89 blocked shots, 74 hits and an average ice time of 19:48.

New Jersey played most of last season without Hamilton after he suffered a torn pectoral muscle. The Devils finished 10 points out of a playoff spot despite ranking third in the NHL in 2022-23, when Hamilton had 74 points in 82 games.

The Devils rebounded this season by currently ranking third in the Metropolitan Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference, but they’ve largely struggled since Dec. 28. They have the fourth-worst points percentage in that span at .446, with an 11-14-3 record. That’s caused them to fall from a tie for the most points in the NHL on Dec. 27 to 13th place.

Which NHL Teams Will Remain In The East's Wild-Card Battle?Now that the NHL’s trade deadline has passed, the race for playoff spots heats up.

What’s helped the Devils maintain third place in the division is the Columbus Blue Jackets’ streaky results. Despite having a four-game win streak from Feb. 22 to March 1, Columbus had a four-game winless streak before that and three losses in four outings after that, including on Tuesday against New Jersey.

Since Feb. 1, New Jersey and Columbus are nearly tied in points percentage at .462 and .458, respectively.

But playing an extended stretch without Hughes, the team’s top scorer before his injury, and defensemen Hamilton and Siegenthaler will test the squad’s depth when it matters most.

It will especially test Luke Hughes, who’s averaged 22:29 in ice time in Hamilton’s absence. The 21-year-old has a goal and three points in those three games on the top pair with shutdown D-man Brett Pesce and on the top power-play unit. Fellow 21-year-old blueliner Simon Nemec must also show what he can do in his call-up but has drawn criticism from Keefe about his inconsistency and missed assignments.

The team’s also pressed on with newly acquired center Cody Glass, who’s playing with new leading scorer Jesper Bratt and Erik Haula. Glass has a goal and two assists for three points since the Pittsburgh Penguins traded him on deadline day. Whether he continues his strong start remains to be seen, but he only has 18 points in 53 games this season, and his career-high 35 points came in 2022-23 with the Nashville Predators.

If the standings remain the same, the Devils will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round. Both teams rank near the top of the NHL in fewest goals against per game and in the middle of the pack for goals-for per game.

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On Thursday, the NHL announced the creation of "Hockey Day in Sweden." The event will take place in Linköping, Sweden, on March 21 and 22. Part of the festivities will include a special presentation of the Vancouver Canucks versus New York Rangers game, which Niklas Holmgren and Jonatan Lindquist will commentate. 

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

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Selecting the Canucks is a smart idea, as their roster is full of Swedish players, which includes Elias Pettersson and Marcus Pettersson. Vancouver also has a large amount of staff members from Sweden, including GM Patrik Allvin. As for the Rangers, they have Mika Zibanejad on their roster, who recently played beside Pettersson at the 4 Nations Face-Off. 

🇸🇪 NHL to celebrate first-ever "Hockey Day in Sweden" March 21-22.

The city of Linköping will host the festivities including the NHL Global Fan Tour and a @Canucks vs. @NYRangers viewing party.

Info: https://t.co/mryLnkcXv5pic.twitter.com/xDXBVQt8Sd

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) March 13, 2025

The game itself should be emotional, as these two teams have made multiple trades over the past two months. Canucks fans will get to see J.T. Miller and Carson Soucy against, while fans in New York will have the opportunity to welcome back Filip Chytil and Victor Mancini. Both teams are also desperate for wins, which should make the game on March 22 must-watch television.

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.

Can Celebrini vs. Bedard become NHL's next great rivalry? 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 X at @Sheng_Peng.

For the first time on Thursday, Macklin Celebrini will play against Connor Bedard.

It’s the No. 1 pick of the 2024 NHL Draft versus the 2023 top pick, two North Vancouver boys who skated with each other when they were kids at North Shore Winter Club … and the NHL’s next great star rivalry?

“I don’t know if it’ll be the Crosby-Ovechkin,” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said, “but it’ll be probably in that ballpark.”

Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin has been must-see TV for two decades, since Crosby was the 2005 first-overall pick and Ovechkin was the 2004 first overall.

But like Crosby’s Pittsburgh Penguins and Ovechkin’s Washington Capitals, both Celebrini’s Sharks and Bedard’s Chicago Blackhawks have a ways to go before they see each other in a meaningful game.

For the third consecutive season, San Jose and Chicago are vying for the No. 1 pick.

The 2024 Calder Trophy winner, in his second season in the cellar, had this advice for the 2025 Calder front-runner.

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The road trip continues for the St. Louis Blues (31-27-7), who go up against the Pittsburgh Penguins (26-31-10) from PPG Paints Arena on Thursday at 6 p.m (FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM).

It's the fifth of a season-long six-game road trip that has been broken up into two parts, with the Blues returning home following their 2-1 overtime loss against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, so they got to spend four nights in their own beds before finishing off the last two legs of the trip, which concludes Saturday against the Minnesota Wild.

As for the standings, the Blues sit now two points behind the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks after those two teams settled their game on Wednesday in a shootout, with the Canucks winning 3-2. Also, the Utah Hockey Club won, 3-2 against the Anaheim Ducks and pulled even with the Blues, so four teams are separated by two points in a logjam for the second wild card in the Western Conference. St. Louis, Vancouver and Utah all have 17 games remaining, Calgary has 18.

The Blues, according to coach Jim Montgomery, have done a good job of just living in the moment, which has enabled them to shave seven points off their deficit when they came back from the 4 Nations Face-Off, going 6-1-2 playing nine games in 15 days; they are 7-1-2 in the last 10.

"Since the break has started, every game has been important for us to be in the situation that we are, so we had to do the job early," Montgomery said. "Now we just need to continue on that path. It doesn't matter who we're playing. We've seen our next opponent, Pittsburgh just beat Vegas (3-2 in overtime), so we've got to be focused on that next task at hand and bring that same attitude of we're going to stay in the moment, we're going to have a great start, and then we're going to worry about the next shift, then we're going to worry about the next period and then we're going to worry about the 60 minutes.

"With that, we know the schedule is favorable right now. We're going to play two teams where we're going to playing back-to-backs again where they are not. They are rested waiting for us, so there's another challenge that's coming within that time frame. I think we're in the midst of starting (10) in 17 days."

Tonight does begin another tough stretch of games clustered into limited days, which includes three in the next four days where the Blues come home from Minnesota Saturday after a 7 p.m. start and play against the Ducks at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

- - -

With the team rolling, the only lineup change is Cam Fowler, who missed Saturday for the birth of his son, will return and go in for Matthew Kessel, and Jordan Binnington, who has won six straight starts and is 7-0-1 the past eight games he's started, will start in goal.

Also, forward Jordan Kyrou will play in his 400th NHL game tonight.

- - -

Blues Projected Lineup:

Jake Neighbours-Robert Thomas-Pavel Buchnevich

Dylan Holloway-Brayden Schenn-Jordan Kyrou

Mathieu Joseph-Oskar Sundqvist-Zack Bolduc

Alexey Toropchenko-Radek Faksa-Nathan Walker

Cam Fowler-Nick Leddy

Philip Broberg-Justin Faulk

Ryan Suter-Tyler Tucker

Jordan Binnington will start in goal; Joel Hofer will be the backup.

Healthy scratches include Alexandre Texier and Matthew Kessel. Colton Parayko (knee) is out. Torey Krug (ankle) is out for the season.

- - -

Penguins Projected Lineup:

Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Connor Dewar-Evgeni Malkin-Philip Tomasino

Danton Heinen-Kevin Hayes-Emil Bemstrom

Bokondji Imama-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari

Vladislav Kolyachonok-Kris Letang

Matt Grzelcyk-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Conor Timmins

Tristan Jarry will start in goal; Alex Nedeljkovic will be the backup.

Healthy scratches include Matt Nieto and Sebastian Aho. P.O Joseph (upper body), Tommy Novak (lower body) and Ryan Shea (upper body) are out.

The Columbus Blue Jackets emerged in the NHL this season in more ways than one.

Three-quarters into the season, the Blue Jackets find themselves in a playoff spot with a legitimately good chance of holding on and getting into the post-season.

Sean Monahan re-emerged as well by logging 41 points in 41 games as the Blue Jackets’ top center until he got injured on Jan. 7.

Since then, sophomore Adam Fantilli elevated his game to another level. He became a point-per-game center who can take over a shift – and a game – when he’s most needed.

For Columbus to hold off the rest of the pack in the battle for the wild-card spots, Fantilli must continue to fuel its playoff drive.

Fantilli has 23 points in 23 games with 12 goals over the span, highlighted by a hat trick against the New York Rangers last weekend. That massive performance came in a pivotal game that held off the Rangers and solidified the Blue Jackets’ playoff standing. 

Hatty for Fantilli 🤩

Adam Fantilli records his second three-goal performance of the season!

Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUSpic.twitter.com/toSz76rbdv

— NHL (@NHL) March 10, 2025

Since Monahan’s wrist injury on Jan. 7, Fantilli has scored at a rate of 2.66 points per 60 minutes at even strength, according to evolving-hockey.com. That ranks Fantilli in the top 25 NHL players who have played at least 300 minutes (roughly top-six forward minutes) over that period. Only Matvei Michkov (2.85) and Will Smith (2.7) have scored at a higher rate over that time among under-21 talent, and both have played significantly smaller roles for their teams, barely meeting the 300-minute criteria. 

Fantilli’s rocked a 66-percent goal share since becoming the Blue Jackets' No. 1 center, outscoring his opponents 31-16 since Jan. 7. While that’s largely due to the step he’s taken offensively, his defensive game’s massively improved as well, which coach Dean Evason noticed.

“I wish there were inside looks at where he was at the start of the year and how his commitment to playing the game the right way, how his commitment to playing defense, is commitment to being a good leader and teammate (have grown),” Evason told reporters on Monday.

Fantilli has always had the skating and strength to be a dominant two-way force, but his mental development is most notable. He’s tracking play much more effectively in his own zone, filling gaps in the middle of the ice and battling for loose pucks down low. When he gets the puck back on his stick, he’s showing off the explosive skating and transition ability up ice that he’s been known for. 

If the Blue Jackets will make the playoffs, it will be because Fantilli – and other youngsters Kent Johnson, Kirill Marchenko, and Dmitri Voronkov – continue their strong play. But if Fantilli maintains his pace from the last 23 games, we could see him surpass the 30-goal and 60-point plateau as a 20-year-old.

Playing upward of 20 minutes on most nights, Fantilli’s asserting himself as the centerpiece for the Blue Jackets' run toward the playoffs. He is showing why there was the conversation about him being a first-overall caliber player in his draft year, even though he eventually went third overall after Connor Bedard (CHI) and Leo Carlsson (ANA). 

He’s been a force of nature in every league he’s played in whether it was the GTHL, the USHL or the NCAA. Fantilli is on his way to becoming an everyday impact player in the NHL. 

What could be the greatest era in Columbus Blue Jackets hockey is emerging. Fantilli will be an instrumental part of that.

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The Buffalo Sabres have loaned forwards Isak Rosen and Josh Dunne to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans.

The Buffalo Sabres have loaned forwards Josh Dunne and Isak Rosen to the Rochester Americans (AHL).

— Buffalo Sabres PR (@SabresPR) March 13, 2025

Rosen and Dunne were recalled by the Sabres back on March 8 but are now heading right back to Rochester.

Rosen, 21, has appeared in three games this season with the Sabres, where he has zero points and a minus-2 rating. He has been on a tear in the AHL with Rochester this season, posting 26 goals and 50 points in 51 games. 

Dunne, 26, has zero points and four hits in one game with the Sabres this season. Down in the AHL with Rochester, he has eight goals and 24 points in 54 games. In 15 career NHL games split between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Sabres, he has zero points, 35 hits, and a minus-2 rating. 

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From sleepovers to leading his team in scoring, Tyler Toffoli is living his best life this year. It just happens to be on a team that is in last place overall in the NHL and recently went an entire month without a win.

Not that he's complaining.

When asked what it's like to be the old guy on a rebuilding San Jose Sharks team that has its future sewn up in rookies Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, the 32-year-old laughed.

"I think we've said it all season long — we have a lot of fun in here," Toffoli said after a recent win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. "It's one of those things where it sucks to lose. But then you come to the rink and hang out outside the rink, for the most part we're always together. It's fun."

It's fun for Toffoli, because despite the team's struggles he is having what looks like yet another career-type year.

With 24 goals in 63 games, Toffoli is once again leading his team in goal-scoring. If it stays that way, it will be the fourth time in his career — having previously led the Kings, Canadiens and Flames in goals — that he's finished as the team leader in that category.

tyler toffoli came to the sharks like an angel from heaven pic.twitter.com/hwgkHbiRwY

— laz (@72onice) March 5, 2025

"I think it's just one of those things where I personally felt very confident that past few seasons," said Toffoli, who has 43 points in 63 games. "Being able to play with some really good players obviously helps. It's just one of those things where I try to get open."

The chemistry that Toffoli has forged with Celebrini and Smith extends well beyond the rink. During a recent bus ride from Toronto to Buffalo, a wager was made that if Toffoli, Celebrini and Smith all scored in the same game that the three of them would bunk together in the same hotel room.

"Out of no where, (Smith) is like 'If all three of score tomorrow, you're sleeping over," said Toffoli, who initially balked at the idea of crashing with his teammates. "I'm like, 'Will, I'm not sleeping over. I'm 32 years old. That doesn't happen anymore.'

"SLEEPOVER! SLEEPOVER!"

Tyler Toffoli joined Never Offside with Julie Petry and @catbtoffoli to talk about his sleepover with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. 🦈

Check out the full episode here ➡️ https://t.co/p4M8N6LCN3pic.twitter.com/U0vLt9NFqR

— NHL (@NHL) March 11, 2025

"Long story short, we end up playing really well in Buffalo and I score the empty-net goal with 30-, 40-seconds left, whatever it was. As soon as it went in, I went to the bench and I was laughing. I didn't even realize that all three of us had scored.

"Will was like, 'Sleepover! Sleepover!"

"I'm like, 'What are you talking about? It's not happening.' And then we end up getting on the plane after the game and my coach came up to me and was like, 'You have to sleep over, you know that, right?' I'm like, Oh God, here we go."

Indeed, that led to a hilarious Instagram post where Toffoli was on a roll-away cot next to Smith and Celebrini, with Celebrini remarking that he "Slept like a baby."

I’ll just put this 🧾 right here…

The “bet” 😭 https://t.co/Age2ruwcjSpic.twitter.com/gM7xGedljx

— Cat (Belanger) Toffoli (@catbtoffoli) March 6, 2025

Toffoli, who signed a four-year contract with the Sharks last summer, could have more sleepovers in his future. Based on the way that Celebrini and Smith have been playing — they have combined for 32 goals and 81 points — don't be surprised if the wins start coming as well.

"It's tough, but it's one of those things where we have a lot of talent in here and we have guys that want to win," said Toffoli. "There's never any give. Even if we're not having a good night, we're going to come back and keep fighting — whether that's the same night or the next game, we bounce back and we try to pull things together."