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

Seattle Kraken's Jordan Eberle missed 40 games after suffering a pelvis injury, and the Kraken's captain seems to have finally found his game. 

Eberle's first three games after returning saw him record zero points and finish two games without recording a shot on goal. Since then, Eberle has recorded points in four of the next six games. 

Eberle, alongside Branon Montour, was the catalyst of a comeback against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Eberle picked up helpers on the Kraken's first two goals of the game, providing them with a 2-0 lead. The Canadiens responded with four unanswered goals before the Kraken's captain once again played the role of a playmaker.

He found Jani Nyman wide open in front of the Canadiens goal, and he made no mistake, recording his first career NHL goal. 

Throughout his time with Seattle, Eberle has been praised for his leadership both on and off the ice. On the ice, his effort to win every puck battle and make any small play he can is appartent and appreciated. Off the ice, he's been known to be a vocal leader, being there to help the young Kraken players as they navigate the early stages of their career.

Eberle was the 22nd overall pick in the 2008 NHL Draft and entered the league with plenty of hype. His performances at the World Juniors and in the WHL created a buzz about him being the player to help the Edmonton Oilers enter a new era. Eberle had multiple successful seasons with the Oilers but ultimately never became the top-end superstar some had labelled him to be. 

He would then join the New York Islanders and go on successive Eastern Conference Final runs but never had the chance to play for the Stanley Cup. 

Now 34 years old, Eberle has transitioned into a productive veteran, looking to share his wisdom with the future of the Kraken.

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

On Feb. 25, not too long ago, and having recently come out of the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off, the Anaheim Ducks had a 25-24-7 record and were six points out of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference standings. They had raised some eyebrows, displaying some resilience and fortitude after what could have been a disastrous six-game road trip from Jan. 9 through Jan. 18, where they went 1-4-1.

Takeaways from the Ducks 3-2 Loss to Utah

After that trip, the Ducks went 7-2-1 to claw their way into the edges of the playoff picture. They were finding ways to generate offense in every situation at 5v5, off the rush, cycle, and forecheck. Defensively, they managed pucks well, kept their time in the defensive zone limited by killing plays early, and were as tenacious as they were attentive in defensive zone coverage.

They even produced much-improved underlying numbers compared to their season on the whole during that stretch at 5v5, accounting for 48% of the shot attempts share (up from their season mark of 45.6%), 57.9% of the goals share (up from 48.2%), and 49.5% of the expected goals share (up from 44.2%).

The Ducks had put themselves within reach of the cluster of teams chasing that final wild card spot and were scheduled to match up against many of them in their next several games. That upcoming slate was to be the meaningful games late in the season that they, and every team looking to exit a rebuild, hoped to play in late-February/early-March.

On the docket were teams they were then in the playoff chase with like the Vancouver Canucks (twice), St. Louis Blues, and Utah Hockey Club as well as teams at or near the bottom of the NHL standings like the Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres. They also had games against powerhouse teams like the Washington Capitals and Edmonton Oilers along with a team fighting to keep its head above water in the form of the New York Islanders.

The Ducks shrank with every opportunity to gain ground or remain relevant in the nine games following their best ten-game stretch of the season. Losses to the Sabres (3-2 on Feb. 25) and Blackhawks (6-3 on March 1) may have been nails in the coffin of Anaheim’s slim playoff chances. They responded well following each loss with substantial wins against the Canucks on Feb. 27 and Oilers on March 4, but for the Ducks to pose a true threat to the playoff bubble, they needed to beat the teams near the bottom of the standings.

"I think we're kind of riding the fine line of missed opportunities and good experience," Ducks forward Ryan Strome said. "We've had a good season and we compete really hard. It's not a moral victory, but at the same time I think these are great opportunities to learn from and grow from.

"You're not going to snap your fingers and go from getting top-five draft picks for a couple years in a row to being in the playoffs. It's got to be an evolution. We're seeing now the only way to experience it is to go through it as a group"

"I'm definitely itching, no doubt." Strome said when asked if he was getting impatient to get back to the playoffs. "Since a few games before the 4 Nations break, it's been the most fun I've had in three years.

"Just seeing the intensity ramp up, seeing the importance ramp up, seeing the crowd fired up. Z (Trevor Zegras) has been commenting how great it is, how fun this is. It feels like the intensity's been ramped up. It's not pond hockey, it's not meaningless hockey."

The Ducks now have a 28-30-7 record and are eight points from the Calgary Flames in the second wild card spot and eight points ahead of the Sabres who are 30th in the overall NHL standings. Barring an unlikely scenario where the Ducks rally and win nearly all of their remaining 17 games on the schedule, coupled with the teams ahead of them struggling down the stretch, the Ducks are all but eliminated from playoff contention.

"I was thinking about that when I drove in (to practice) this morning how narrow the wins vs losses are," Ducks head coach Greg Cronin said. "They're experiencing these games where there are plays that are going to impact the outcome. 

"They've all been very coachable and what's most important, is that they're aware of it. They understand it. So now the next thing is, can they execute it when these games are teetering on the next play?"

On the positive side of the equation, the young core is clicking and producing while they also got a taste of what it’s like to play meaningful games in the second half of the season. On the negative side, in the last nine games, they’re back to producing poor underlying numbers (44.2% of the shot share at 5v5, 48.9% of the goals share, and 44% of the expected goals share). Their puck management has taken a step back and they aren’t manufacturing the early kills in defensive zone coverage necessary to spark rush offense the other way, the true strength of the Ducks’ offense.

A question looms for the remainder of the season and may as well heading into the offseason: which team are they? Are the Ducks the team that clawed their way into a brief playoff chase, or are they the team that fell out initially and later squandered opportunities to maintain relevance? The answer is likely that they’re a bit of both and they’ll now need to properly diagnose what made them successful and what didn’t in order to learn from these pivotal stretches.

Ducks Duo Ranks Second on The Athletic’s Power Rankings

Anaheim Ducks 2025 Trade Deadline Review

The Hockey News Big Show now looks toward the battle for the playoffs in the NHL and beyond with a new segment.

Every Friday, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos share their top Stanley Cup contenders in order, defending why they made those choices. The list can change depending on weekly performances, and as we get closer to the playoffs, the clear front-runners will emerge.

NHL’s Top Cup Contenders One Week After The Trade Deadline by The Big Showundefined

Here’s everything Katie Gaus, Ryan and Michael discussed in this episode:

1:47: Ryan’s Cup contenders are in order: Florida, Dallas, Colorado, Vegas, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Washington and Toronto. Why?

4:15: Michael’s Cup contenders are Florida, Dallas, Colorado, Toronto, Winnipeg, Tampa Bay, Edmonton and Winnipeg. He explains why.

6:47: Does last season's first-round exit by the Winnipeg Jets prevent Ryan and Michael from putting them higher up on the list?

8:27: How does Miro Heiskanen's injury affect the Dallas Stars’ placement? 

10:51: Which division's teams will be the most beat up by the conference finals?

14:42: Which current playoff team is in the most danger of falling down the standings down the stretch?

17:36: What team do you not want to face in the playoffs?

19:39: The Vegas Golden Knights signed Adin Hill to a six-year extension worth $6.25 million. Do we like it?

22:56: Defenseman Dougie Hamilton's regular season is over. Should the New Jersey Devils consider trying to move Hamilton in the off-season based on his injury history? Is it even possible with his cap hit?

26:46: Should Mikko Rantanen get the same "welcome back video tribute" moment other players who won the Cup got when they returned - or are things just too awkward for that now?

31:06: Who will have a bigger playoff impact on their new team: Charlie Coyle or Brad Marchand?

32:41: The NHL is reportedly considering an 84-game schedule and a possible September start. Do we like or dislike this scenario?

34:26: What NHL team gets the harshest criticism from fans and media?

37:31: Utica Comets GM Dan MacKinnon traded his son, Will MacKinnon, to the Cleveland Monsters for future considerations. If you were a GM, would you do this to your son?

38:30: Have you ever gotten lost in any arena trying to get to the dressing room?

Watch the full episode here.

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed center Linus Karlsson to a one-year extension. Karlsson's contract is a one-way deal worth $775,000. The 25-year-old has one point in nine NHL games this season but has found plenty of success in the AHL, posting 32 points in 28 games with the Abbotsford Canucks. 

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In a press release, GM Patrik Allvin wrote, "Linus has worked very hard on his development the past few seasons in Abbotsford and has also shown he can compete at the NHL level. He has good size and hands around the net, and we really like the way he competes on the ice."

Initially drafted by the San Jose Sharks in 2018, Karlsson was traded to the Canucks in 2019. He has played 13 career regular season games, and also skated in his first two Stanley Cup Playoffs games last season. During his career with Vancouver, Karlsson has one goal, 11 hits and 12 shots on goal. 

Abbotsford Canucks’ Linus Karlsson Breaks Franchise Goal RecordWhile the Vancouver Canucks gave up an important two points against the Montréal Canadiens last night, the Abbotsford Canucks were celebrating more than just their impressive 6–2 victory against the Bakersfield Condors. The go-ahead goal was scored by none other than Linus Karlsson who, with his 19th goal of the season, breaks the franchise record for goals scored with 66 in his career with Abbotsford. 

Where Karlsson has shined is in the AHL. He is the franchise leader in goals with 66 as well as points with 141. Karlsson is also climbing the all-time assist mark, and currently sits in third place with 75 through his 160 games with the franchise. 

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.

Former Columbus Blue Jackets goalie, Pascal Leclaire, was given something he'll cherish forever. 

By now, you've heard that Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is just eight goals from tying Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal mark of 894, and there's a very good chance he could break that record against Columbus on April 12th or 13th. 

Ovechkin has scored on a whopping 181 different goalies in his long career. But did you know that Ovi scored his first career NHL goal against a Columbus Blue Jackets goalie? Because, of course, he did, right? Ovi's first NHL goal was against Pascal Leclaire on October 5, 2005. 

Leclaire, who is now an analyst for TVA, shared on a February 23rd broadcast a special gift he received from Alex Ovechkin. 

Ovechkin gave him a signed Caps jersey that read "You were #1 :)", a nod to Ovi scoring his first goal against the CBJ's Leclaire. Ovechkin scored his first two career goals against Pascal and totaled five goals scored against Leclaire. 

Leclaire joked during the broadcast, "I'm the one who put Ovechkin on the map."

Pascal went on to say, “My daughters didn’t believe me that I had faced Ovi. So, I contacted Washington, and they were very fine. Ovi sent me a signed jersey… But hey, it proves the kind of person he is. He is a good person, extremely generous of his time.”

Leclaire went on to say during the French broadcast, “You know, look, it’s his first goal in the National League. I was in front of the net with the Columbus Blue Jackets. It was at his first presence, you can see how dangerous he was going to be, the kind of career he was going to have with his launch. But his flair to find himself, to be forgotten in free spaces like that, that’s really what makes him quite effective.”

*We had to use Google Translate for the above quotes.*

Pazzy went on to play seven seasons in the NHL, five of which were in Columbus. He had a record of 45-55-12 for the CBJ and was the 8th overall pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. 

What's Next: The New York Rangers visit Nationwide Arena on Saturday. 

Let us know what you think below.

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

For some time, the effect of Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews dominating from the minute they started their career skewed the expectations of other top picks entering the NHL. 

Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini met those high expectations and once again negatively affected the way fans view young players.

Youngsters such as Logan Cooley, William Eklund, Dylan Guenther and Wyatt Johnston have figured things out and found consistency, but the process isn’t always as fast for other players.

Although the opinions have been skewed, these five NHL players show that finding their games can take some time but is starting to pay off as the season progresses.

Shane Wright, C, Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Krakentraded three veteran forwards at the trade deadline. Part of the reason they felt comfortable doing so is because of the emergence of Shane Wright. Playing in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds last season, Wright gave the organization every reason to believe he was ready for the NHL. 

The season started poorly for the 21-year-old, struggling to produce and impact the game. As the struggles continued into mid-November, the Kraken decided healthy scratching Wright would allow him to view the game from a different perspective, helping him re-find his game. It did just that. 

Since then, Wright has scored 14 goals and 36 points in 45 games. His ice time has grown, and although the points have followed, his focus on the defensive side of the puck hasn’t wavered. 

The next step in Wright’s development is to search for more offensive plays, fire the puck on net more frequently and be more creative offensively.

Adam Fantilli, C, Columbus Blue Jackets

Adam Fantilli showed signs of breaking out in Columbus when playing as a second-line center, but the production wasn’t following.

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 199 pounds, Fantilli has the size to be a force in the NHL. Since moving up to the first line, he’s proving to be a force.

Sean Monahan has been out since Jan. 7 after suffering a wrist injury, and since then, Fantilli has scored 12 goals and 23 points in 24 games.

The 20-year-old has recorded just two power-play goals and four power-play points. When the power-play numbers improve, it won’t be long before we see Fantilli scoring near a point-per-game pace across an entire season.

Surging NHL Sophomore Adam Fantilli Fuels The Blue Jackets' Playoff DriveThe Columbus Blue Jackets emerged in the NHL this season in more ways than one.

Quinton Byfield, C, Los Angeles Kings

Heading into the season, a consensus opinion was the 2024-25 season would be the breakout campaign for Quinton Byfield. It did not look that way from the get-go, not scoring in his first 13 games. On the season, the 22-year-old has recorded 15 goals and 38 points in 63 games, but lately, Byfield looks to have turned the corner with the Kings.

In his last 15 games, Byfield scored five goals and 16 points, including goals in five consecutive games. His recent offensive surge has him inching closer to the career highs he set last season. Averaging over two more minutes of ice time than he previously was, Byfield is being handed the opportunity to produce more and looks to have found his game at the right time to do so.

Will Smith, RW/C, San Jose Sharks

Playing on a young Sharks team, Will Smith’s transition into the NHL wasn’t smooth initially. He’s spent nearly the entire season playing as a right winger, although his natural position is as a center. During the season, the rookie averaged 15:05 ice time, but following the trade deadline, which saw multiple Sharks forwards exit the club, Smith saw an increase in ice time. The production tagged along.

The 19-year-old has registered five goals and 11 points in 10 games since the 4 Nations Face-Off break, including four multi-point games. 

Smith and Macklin Celebrini are the future of the franchise, and their rookie campaigns should give Sharks fans a lot to look forward to.

Cutter Gauthier, LW, Anaheim Ducks

Cutter Gauthier surprised the hockey world when he demanded a trade out of Philadelphia. An outstanding player throughout his NCAA career with Boston College and at the world juniors, fans expected the 6-foot-2 left winger to transition into the NHL fairly easily. 

The expectations were unfair, but Gauthier showed he was ready for the NHL. The 21-year-old generates a ton of shots, but his finishing hasn’t translated from his junior career to the NHL. Gauthier has an 8.6-percent shooting percentage, scoring on just 12 of his 140 shots. Only three rookies have taken more shots on net than Gauthier. 

Gauthier has also seen an uptick in offensive production since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off. In 11 games, Gauthier has scored three goals and 10 points.

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The Los Angeles Kings were dominant on home ice, shutting out the Washington Capitals 3-0 in a statement victory at Crypto.com Arena. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper was flawless in his first game back against his former team since getting traded over the summer, shutting out all 21 shots faced to record his third shutout of the year.

The Kings' defense was equally sturdy, holding Alex Ovechkin without even a single shot on goal—an unusual sight against one of the NHL's best goal-scorers. The victory extended the Kings' winning streak to four games and was a significant confidence booster as they moved to second place in the Pacific division. 

Los Angeles showed great defensive discipline and capitalized on their scoring chances to hand the Capitals their first loss in six games. The Kings' shutdown of Washington's potent offense was a testament to their growing cohesion and toughness in high-stakes games.

A High Stakes Test Passed with Flying Colors

This contest proved to be more than just another regular-season game — it was an actual litmus test of the Kings' playoff worthiness, and they answered emphatically. The Kings could stifle Washington's high-octane offense, posting one of their most complete performances of the season. 

Their organized defense persisted in frustrating the Capitals, and their ability to stifle Ovechkin's chances was a testament to their improved ability to lock down top talent. With Kuemper standing tall in net and the likes of Kevin Fiala and Quinton Byfield stepping up when it mattered most, each contributed a goal. 

Combined with eight shots on goal, the Kings collectively proved they can keep up with top-level teams when it matters.

The Kings' are now 16-1-1 whenever they score the first points at home, proving their dominance when they get off to good starts. 

Coming into this game, the Kings were in the hunt for the second seed right behind the Oilers, but with the win today and the Oilers losing their last two games, LA is now on top. Since the trade deadline, the Kings have looked like the team they were back in January, winning four in a row and now 15 games above .500. 

The Kings' well-balanced attack, good goaltending, and improved offensive dept proved worthy tonight against a formidable team. It was proven against the Capitals' deadly mixture of veteran savvy and youth that this season has been challenging to beat.  

The Kings' specialty teams, which have been the catalyst for their recent success, proved dominant against Washington's power play, which has been among the top in the league. Also, with Darcy Kuemper facing his former team after the trade back in the Summer for Pierre-Luc Dubois, Kuemper didn't look fazed. He stayed locked in throughout the game, locking up the best offense. 

Ovechkin’s Goal Chase Stalled

The center of attention coming into this game was Alex Ovechkin—the future Hall of Famer with 886 goals. Under his belt, he only needed nine more goals to break Wayne Gretzky's record. 

However, tonight's game was disappointing because he remains goals behind Wayne Gretzky's all-time scoring mark. The Kings' defensive suffocation of Ovechkin's typical scoring avenues kept him from even taking a shot on goal. 

The Kings not only held Alex Ovechkin without a goal, but the Capitals forward also went without a shot on goal for only the second time this season.

— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) March 14, 2025

This performance was surprisingly quiet for a player who scored from anywhere on the ice. With time working in his favor this season, Ovechkin will look to catch up quickly as he chases NHL history.

For the Kings, they didn't care about the record Ovechkin was chasing at all. Ovechkin's goal-scoring ability is a unique feat, and he has made a career out of scoring in big situations, but today, he was held without a shot on goal for only the second time this season. 

The Kings' defense stayed alert, didn't force too many stupid penalties, and watched Ovechkin closely every time he stepped onto the ice. 

Pierre-Luc Dubois and Matt Roy Return

The Kings traded away Dubois for Kuemper during the offseason, and it's been a success for both teams. Dubois has been an integral part of the Capitals scoring punch. Dubois has been a great addition to the nation's capital by recording 57 points (17 goals, 40 assists), providing size and quality to the Capitals forward position. 

It would be interesting to see what both players would do against their former teams tonight. However, Roy struggled to get going, finishing with zero goals and shots on goal, while Dubois had a solid outing. 

On the other hand, Dubois got six shots on goal, getting very close to scoring on a few occasions, but was short with Kuemper's ruling defense on the goal line. But the whole Capitals team struggled tonight. It wasn't just individual players; the team looked unprepared for what was coming at them. 

Kuemper's First Game vs. Old Team

Another interesting subplot coming into this game was the return of goalie Darcy Kuemper, who was facing his old team for the first time since he was sent to Los Angeles in the offseason as part of a trade that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois off.

Kuemper's return against his former team looked like the Capitals may regret getting rid of him in the offseason. Kuemper's poise and sharp positioning were key in neutralizing Washington's attack. He saved all 21 shots the Capitals threw at him, especially during a crucial penalty kill in the second period that kept momentum in the Kings' favor. His performance provided a reminder of why he was such a key piece for the Capitals before the summer trade.

With a .915 save percentage and 2.29 goals-against average, Kuemper has been a solid player for the Kings all season, keeping them fighting for home ice for playoff time. Kuemper's familiarity with the Capitals' roster played a massive advantage in tonight's game. 

🎶 we want you babyyyyy 🎶 pic.twitter.com/NUMSXJXmSa

— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 14, 2025

Having spent much time in Washington, he looked like he knew their shooters and was prepared for what was coming at him. His first game against them didn't phase him; if anything, it motivated him all game. Given his track record, Kuemper was born for moments like this and was focused when it mattered most: helping the Kings beat one of the league's top teams.

A Team to Be Feared

With this resounding win against one of the league's best teams, the Kings have made it clear that they are a legitimate playoff contender. Keeping Ovechkin in check, stifling Washington's offense, and showing great poise in big moments also mark the Kings as a possible dangerous postseason contender. 

Their defensive depth, defensive skills, and goaltending have established them as a team that can abuse top-level teams, and they should take heart from this statement victory.

After the win, Kuemper had one thing to say after their shutout win against the Capitals. 

"We have our eye on trying to get home ice in the playoffs," said the should-be Vezina finalist.

So, you are saying there’s a chance?

The Detroit Red Wings are knee-deep in pursuing the final Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. They held firm to a position for a very long time. However, a recent losing streak has knocked them out of the playoff picture.

For now.

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

The hockey website MoneyPuck publishes updates on every NHL team’s playoff chances. Earlier on Friday, they posted the latest chances. Rejoice, Red Wings fans – there’s still a chance.

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According to MoneyPuck’s model, the Red Wings have a 9.3 percent chance of reaching the postseason.

The only other Eastern Conference teams with a lower chance of making the playoffs are the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. Of those teams, only the Sabres have no chance of making it.

The Red Wings currently have 68 points, two points back of the final Wild Card team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. The New York Rangers also have 70 points but have played 66 games to the Red Wings' (and Blue Jackets') 65.

Can The Red Wings Make The Playoffs?Nobody likes losing.

There is always a chance because so much of making the playoffs is outside of the players’ control. They can’t influence how other games play out.

What they can control is their individual performances. The Red Wings have 17 games remaining on the schedule, which is plenty of time to close the gap and pull ahead of other teams in the running.

Buckle up, Red Wings fans, the end of this season could be a photo finish.

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On Wednesday night, the Vancouver Canucks did something they previously hadn’t done at all this season — they won a game after trailing two periods. Taking the 4–3 shootout win against the Calgary Flames brings them up to 71 points on the season with 17 games remaining. Two of those games occur this weekend at Rogers Arena, where the Canucks will play the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday and Utah Hockey Club on Sunday. While Chicago is pretty much a shoe-in for a top-three draft pick this year, Utah is sneakily only two points back of Vancouver. Let’s take a look at what this weekend could have in store for the Canucks. 

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Vancouver’s first matchup this weekend comes against Chicago, who are currently sporting a 20–37–9 season record that puts them second-last in the Western Conference with 49 points. Only the San Jose Sharks have a lower point total than them. Despite their abysmal record, Vancouver can’t approach this game with the expectation of automatically gaining two points. 

Chicago’s most dangerous factor coming into this game is the newly-acquired Spencer Knight, who is sporting a 2.24 GAA and .928 SV% in his three games with the Blackhawks so far. Knight has led the Blackhawks to a win against Utah and the Los Angeles Kings. In his two losses against the Colorado Avalanche and Sharks with Chicago, he only let in two goals and three goals respectively, still posting save percentages of .900% and .875%. Prior to being traded, he registered two shutouts and a 2.40 GAA with the Florida Panthers. 

Another thing Vancouver should also be aware of is Chicago’s strong special teams. Their power play currently sits at fifth in the NHL with an effectiveness rate of 24.8%. Notably, they have scored five power play goals in their last 10 games. Their penalty kill has been steady as well, posting a killing percentage of 80.9% — 11th in the league. 

Vancouver and Chicago are the bottom-two shot producers in the NHL. They’re both also towards the bottom of the standings in goals-for. While it’s likely that this game could be a low-scoring affair, since the start of March, Vancouver has seen a significant increase in shots-for, while Chicago has not. In this case, the key to securing two points against the Blackhawks will be to play the same way they did at the end of their match against the Flames. They’ll need to control play and keep applying pressure (or should I say, meet pressure with pressure?). 

Utah has been a surprise team for many this season. A rebranded version of the Arizona Coyotes, Utah wasn’t expected to perform too well given the circumstances. However, they’ve put on quite the show for their new fanbase and have climbed up to a 29–25–11 record. This puts them at 69 points with 17 games left in their season, only a hair away from reaching Vancouver’s current position. Utah has had Vancouver’s number in both of their season matchups so far, taking both of their victories by only one goal. 

As it stands, Utah has two players at the 50-point mark and above, and five who have more than 40 points. Vancouver’s lone player with more than 50 points is Quinn Hughes, who has 61 in 51 games played. Next in line are Conor Garland and Elias Pettersson with 39. For reference, Clayton Keller (74), Nick Schmaltz (50), Dylan Guenther (48), Logan Cooley (47), and MIkhail Sergachev (43) all have more points than Vancouver’s top-scoring forwards. While Utah is not a particularly high-scoring team compared to others in the NHL, their goals-for count of 184 is still higher than Vancouver’s 176. 

One surprising stat about Utah is their corsi-for percentage, which tracks even-strength shot attempts by a team. They are currently ninth in the NHL in this stat with 51.68%, putting them higher than the Vegas Golden Knights, Washington Capitals, and Winnipeg Jets. Vancouver is 22nd in the league with 49.03%. 

As is the case with all games at this time of year, this weekend’s back-to-back is a big one for Vancouver. They have the opportunity to escape with all four points, taking two away from a team currently chasing them in the standings. Puck drop for Saturday is at 7:00 pm PT, while Sunday’s game starts at 5:00 pm PT. 

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 Pittsburgh Penguins were among the busiest teams at last week's NHL trade deadline.

In the 48 hours leading up to the March 7 deadline, they shipped out Michael Bunting to the Nashville Predators for Luke Schenn and Tommy Novak, flipped Schenn to the Winnipeg Jets, sent Vincent Desharnais to the San Jose Sharks, dealt Anthony Beauvillier to the Washington Capitals, traded Cody Glass to the New Jersey Devils and acquired Conor Timmins and Connor Dewar from the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

The Athletic's Josh Yohe reported there was “heavy interest” in Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell. One of those clubs was the Edmonton Oilers. On March 8, TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported the Oilers looked into Rakell's availability.

Yohe indicated the Penguins set a high price for the 31-year-old Rakell. He believes GM Kyle Dubas didn't expect anyone to meet it, adding that they never really wanted to move him.

Erik Karlsson is another story. Yohe believes Dubas discussed moving the 34-year-old defenseman with several teams, suggesting that Karlsson's puck-moving skills could be valuable on a good team where his defensive flaws could be offset.

Yohe cited two NHL sources claiming Karlsson could be moved this summer if Dubas is willing to retain $3 million of his cap hit. The Penguins carry $10 million of his $11.5-million average annual value, with the Sharks holding the rest.

With the salary cap projected to rise to $95.5 million for next season, Dubas could try to find a club willing to take the entirety of Karlsson's cap hit off the Penguins' books. Nevertheless, teams will likely squeeze him to retain part of it.

Flyers Vs. Penguins: Who Will Be Cup Contenders Sooner?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?

Shifting our gaze to the New York Islanders, defenseman Noah Dobson surfaced in the rumor mill after it was reported he changed agents a couple of weeks before the trade deadline. However, Ethan Sears of the New York Post reported they weren't shopping Dobson, nor was the 25-year-old blueliner seeking a trade.

Dobson will become an RFA with arbitration rights on July 1. He indicated that the change of agents occurred well before the report emerged in the press.

Meanwhile, The Athletic's Arthur Staple reported the Islanders didn't float Jean-Gabriel Pageau's name in the trade market before the deadline. He anticipates Pageau and captain Anders Lee could be shopped in the off-season as management attempts to make the roster younger. He also speculated that Pierre Engvall and Scott Mayfield could be bought out in June.

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The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Tyson Kozak from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans. 

Kozak, 22, has played in his first 11 NHL games this season with the Sabres, where he has one goal and a minus-2 rating. His last appearance was against the Nashville Predators on Jan. 31, where he had 10:02 of ice time in 15 shifts.

Kozak has taken a step forward offensively down in the AHL with Rochester this season, posting new career-highs with eight goals and 14 points in 31 games. This is after he had five goals and 12 points in 41 games last season with Rochester.

Kozak will now look to make an impact during this latest call-up to the Sabres' roster from here. If he does well, it would help his chances of sticking around with the NHL club. 

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Here's today's NHL Nugget – this Birthday Backcheck features New York Rangers center J.T. Miller, who turns 32 years old on March 14.

Miller is in his second stint with the Rangers after the team drafted him 15th overall in 2011. During his first stint, he became the first Rangers player to have a multi-goal game in more than two decades. He then played for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks before returning to New York.

 Brian T. Dessart takes fans on a distinctive ride through the historic-laden NHL with the #NHLNugget. Check out NHLNugget.com to find where to follow NHL Nugget on social media.  And for past NHL Nuggets, click here.    

The Vegas Golden Knights have signed goaltender Adin Hill to a six-year, $6.25M AAV contract extension.

The 28-year-old is enjoying his third season with the Golden Knights, posting a career-high in games played with 17 games remaining on the schedule.

In the 39 games he's played, Hill has posted a .906 SV% and a 2.53 GAA. The save percentage is the lowest of his three years in Vegas, but the numbers have been steadily rising as the season has progressed. 

The Golden Knights defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets last night, and Hill recorded his fourth shutout of the season, turning away 27 shots. 

The Golden Knights and GM Kelly McCrimmon placed a lot of trust in Hill when they elected to trade away Logan Thompson. Thompson has been enjoying a great season with the Washington Capitals, but the recent performances by Hill have put fans at ease about the decision the franchise made. 

McCrimmon has been busy this season with re-signings. Last season, he watched multiple integral players leave in free agency and seems determined to avoid doing so this season.  During the 2024-25 campaign, McCrimmon has re-signed Brett Howden, Keegan Kolesar, Brayden McNabb, and Shea Theodore. He's also handed out entry-level contracts to Trent Swick, Kai Uchacz and Braeden Bowman. 

With the salary cap rising, McCrimmon has put the Golden Knights in a better position to chase after free agents, instead of replacing key players. 

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 biggest obstacle to a long playoff run for the Kings may be the airport.

Provided the Kings make the playoffs, of course, and right now things are looking pretty good. With a dominant 3-0 win Thursday over Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals at Crypto.com Arena, the Kings jumped over Edmonton into second place in the Pacific Division and moved within six points of first-place Las Vegas.

The win was the team’s fourth in a row, its longest winning streak in more than two months. But it wasn’t just that the Kings won; it was how they won and where they won that mattered.

They controlled every phase of the game, outshooting and outhitting the physical Capitals. They scored a power-play goal while killing five penalties of their own. And they shut out the highest-scoring team in the league while stopping Ovechkin, the second-highest-scoring player in history, leaving him nine goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s once-unbreakable record of 894 career goals.

Read more:Kings shut out Capitals, hold Alex Ovechkin without a shot in pursuit of Gretzky mark

“That was as complete as it's been all year,” coach Jim Hiller said of his team’s effort. “We had a game plan. We adhered to it as well, for 60 minutes, as each player can.”

That’s how they won. Where they won is just as important.

The Kings have lost in regulation just three times in 29 games at home this season, the best record in the NHL. On the road, their 17 losses are the most among likely Western Conference playoff teams. So if the team begins the playoffs with a trip to LAX, its postseason run could be a short one.

Which wouldn’t be novel. The Kings have been eliminated in the playoffs in the first round in each of the last three seasons — and each time they opened the postseason on the road in Edmonton. In fact, the team has never won a playoff series under general manager Rob Blake, whose job may depend on the Kings winning one this spring.

But then they’ve never had home-ice advantage in a playoff series under Blake, either. Finishing first or second in the division would give them that this year and that would potentially flip the script since the Kings haven’t lost at home to any of the top 15 teams in the NHL this year.

On the road, they’ve beaten just one of those same 15 teams in the last two months.

“We feel, especially on home ice, that it doesn't matter who we're playing. If we play our game, we're going to come out in front,” said goalie Darcy Kuemper, who hasn’t lost in regulation at home since Nov. 7, matching a 34-year-old franchise record by earning a point in 11 consecutive games.

“Obviously we have our eye on trying to get home ice for playoffs,” said Kuemper, who posted his first shutout since New Year’s Day against a team that hadn’t been blanked since the seventh game of the season. “Every team in the race wants that and we know how important every point is going to be down the stretch.”

“We're strong at home this year, way better than last year,” added Kevin Fiala, who had a goal and an assist Thursday. “We feel comfortable we can beat anybody and we’re showing it.”

Thursday’s game definitely had a playoff feel to it and the Kings rose to the challenge, with Warren Foegele giving them the only goal they’d need when he banged in a loose puck from the edge of the crease with 6:52 left in the opening period. The goal, Foegele’s 19th of the season, gave him 200 points for his NHL career.

Fiala doubled the lead with his 22nd goal of the season on a power play 65 seconds into the third period, and while the goal was being announced over the PA system, Quinton Byfield made it 3-0 off an assist from Fiala.

It was the team's 15th goal in the four-game home winning streak; they scored just 16 times in the last eight road games.

Read more:Alex Ovechkin is set to break Wayne Gretzky’s goal record, but he's not 'The Great One'

“In the locker room, we always believed,” Fiala said. “Doesn’t matter the standings. Doesn’t matter who we beat. But tonight we beat the best team in the league.”

The game turned chippy as the minutes ticked away, with five players sharing the penalty boxes at one point. But the Kings didn’t back down. If they play like that in the playoffs, they’re going to win a lot of games.

“I do believe that our players know that if we are all together, we all do the same thing and play the game the way we believe that our team has to play it to have success, then we can beat anybody,” Hiller said.

Especially if they play at home.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.