The Calgary Flames (30-24-11) are in must-win territory on a nightly basis, but dropped their second consecutive contest on Friday, losing to the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 at the Saddledome.

Despite the loss, the Flames remain in the second wildcard spot but no longer have a game-in-hand over the Vancouver Canucks. Since Calgary doesn't play until Monday, they will spend the weekend scoreboard watching.

Too Little Too Late

In a crucial game, the Flames came out flat. Even though it was a quiet opening period for both teams, as they combined for nine shots, 7-2, the Avalanche struck first at 13:21.

Meanwhile, Calgary didn't do much in the second, giving up the game's second goal at 5:55. Only in the dying minutes did the Flames get any momentum. They ended the period with many shots, which comprised the bulk of their eight. Still, ten shots through 40 minutes isn't part of the recipe for success.

🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥

Rasmus Andersson's shot goes off Jonathan Huberdeau's shoulder and in. That crazy bounce makes this a one goal game!

🎥: Sportsnet | NHL#Flames#GoAvsGopic.twitter.com/h7xXB60EYN

— Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) March 15, 2025

Once Blake Coleman made it 2-1 at 3:08, a costly miscommunication behind the net allowed the Avalanche to restore their two-goal lead. Jonathan Huberdeau's power-play goal made things interesting in the final four minutes, but a turnover led to an empty net goal and Colorado walked away with two points. 

Flames Are Not Ready For Top Seeded Playoff Series

It's no secret that the Flames are the lowest scoring team in the NHL and their goals-per-game average also ranks at the bottom. Against the Avalanche on Friday, the Flames scored less than their 2.55 average, which would make easy pickings in a playoff series.

If the postseason started today, the Flames, as the second-seeded wildcard, would play the Vegas Golden Knights, the fourth-best team in the NHL.

NHL Highlights | Avalanche vs. Flames - March 14, 2025Ryan Lindgren opened the scoring for the Colorado Avalanche, while Parker Kelly found the back of the net twice as the Avalanche roll against the Calgary Fla...

They score 3.35 goals a game and give up 2.70. Both numbers intimidate the Flames and their fan base because the team struggles to score.

Ultimately, on Friday, the Flames showed they are not in the same position as the Western Conference top teams like the Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets, or Golden Knights. Although they had moments where they controlled the pace of play, the outcome of this game was never in question.

Once Again, Wolf Can Only Do So Much

Dustin Wolf finished his night with 24 saves on 27 shots, good enough for a .889 SV%, the lowest total in a game...since a loss to the Avalanche on Feb. 6, when he registered a .882 SV%. 

Any contending team wants to ride their top goalie every night to climb the standings and clinch a playoff spot in the Flames' case. 

Dustin Wolf is built different pic.twitter.com/QpCfuGOJLz

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 15, 2025

However, Calgary hasn't done enough to support their young netminder, who just played his 40th game of the season for a career high. He may have played over 50 games in the AHL, but the NHL is a more competitive league and boasts some of the best players on the planet.

At this point, Wolf has worked his way into the Calder Trophy conversation, and many feel he should be a Hart Trophy candidate, but he's a one-person show with little to no help. 

With everything on the line on Friday, Wolf did everything he could to keep his team in the game, but with not much going on at the other end of the ice, it's been a difficult stretch for the youngster who remains one of the league's top netminders. 

Back on Feb. 9, the Pittsburgh Penguins took a chance on a young defenseman via a waiver claim.

And, so far, it seems to be paying off.

23-year-old Vladislav Kolyachonok took a while to get acclimated to the Penguins after he was claimed by Pittsburgh from the Utah Hockey Club. In fact - due to the 4 Nations Face-off break and the lack of practice time following the break - he didn't even make it into the lineup until Mar. 4 in a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

He made exactly three starts on the bottom pairing before impressing enough to earn top-pairing minutes with Kris Letang. And he hasn't disappointed in his two-plus games, as the Penguins are 2-0 so far in those contests.

Here's a look at the lines today against the Devils. pic.twitter.com/s3ZBpYYaOm

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 15, 2025

"I feel good playing with him," Kolyachonok said. "He's a great teammate. He helps me learn, and he's a great leader and a great person. I think we're getting on the same page. And it's good to get the results."

It's not as if Kolychonok - drafted in the second round (52nd overall) by the Florida Panthers in 2019 - has been productive up to this point, as he just registered his first point as a Penguin during Saturday's matchup against the New Jersey Devils. He is known as an offensive, puck-moving defenseman, and production will be expected at some point.

Pittsburgh goal!

Scored by Danton Heinen with 02:24 remaining in the 1st period.

Assisted by Philip Tomasino and Vladislav Kolyachonok.

Pittsburgh: 2
New Jersey: 1#NJDvsPIT#LetsGoPens#NJDevilspic.twitter.com/nXD78fKJqJ

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) March 15, 2025

But the early returns are pretty good on the blueliner from Minsk, Belarus. 

Even if it's a small sample size, Kolyachonok has the highest expected goals share of any Penguins' player in the last five games at 54.09. He also has the second-highest high-danger chances for share of 50, which trails only forward Emil Bemstrom at 58.33.

In other words, Kolyachonok is doing a fair amount to drive offense right now on the top pairing, and this is alongside a veteran who is known for his offensive instincts. And the crazy thing is that Letang has actually been playing more of a shutdown role on that pairing because of Kolyachonok's ability to aid the transition game, skate with the puck on his stick, and generate chances.

They're driving offense and creating scoring chances.

Kolyachonok has the highest 5v5 expected goals share of any Pens skater in the last six games at 54.09, and Tomasino is tied for second with Sidney Crosby in shots on goal at 15.

— Kelsey Surmacz (@kelsey_surmacz4) March 15, 2025

"I think he's competing hard," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "We're trying to get him to simplify his game and defend well. The one thing we really like about him is that he's a real good skater. He's strong on pucks, his gaps are really good, he can close on people laterally really well, and he's physical. He's not shy. He's willing to get into bodies."

He does need to work on his risk assessment and some of the defensive details in his game, especially when the puck is on his stick in the defensive zone. But all in all, it's been an impressive first few games from the young left-side defenseman. 

"There's areas of his game, obviously, where we think he can improve and get better," Sullivan said. "Just his decisions on when he joins the rush, his decisions on when he activates off the offensive blue line... he's trying to simplify the game. We're encouraging him to simplify the game with respect to his puck possession game.

"He's a young player, and we're excited about, potentially, where his game might go."

---

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In an exclusive interview with RG.org former Montreal Canadiens player of Patrick Roy trade fame Andrei Kovalenko had some advice for the Habs' top prospect. While the Russian right winger only took part in 51 games with la Sainte-Flanelle, it was long enough for him to learn a few things about Montreal. 

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Like most of his countrymen, Kovalenko is keeping an eye on Ivan Demidov's career, and he had a few words of advice for the 19-year-old SKA St. Petersburg top scorer, based on his own experience in town. For him, it's imperative that any Canadiens player embraces both the history and traditions of the NHL's most storied franchise.  He also added that Habs' fans love it when you praise their team:

In Montreal, they love it when you praise the Canadiens. When I used to say I learned hockey in the best club in the world—CSKA—people looked at me strangely. You can’t do that there. For them, Montreal is hockey’s holy land. You have to truly appreciate and be proud of playing for that team.

-

The former NHLer also adds that Demidov's decision to start learning French even before coming to town bodes very well and is a true testament to his dedication for self-improvement, but also for his respect of the Montreal culture. 

A Quebec Nordiques eight-round pick in 1990, Kovalenko spent three years playing in Quebec City before the team was moved to Colorado and became the Avalanche. With the team on the brink of success, former agent turned GM Pierre Lacroix, pulled the trigger on a blockbuster of a trade to land the final pieces that would allow his team to capture its first Stanley Cup. Unfortunately for Kovalenko he was one of the three players sent to the Canadiens, alongside Jocelyn Thibault and Martin Rucinsky, for Patrick Roy and Mike Keane. 

The trade, which went down in Canadiens' history as one of the worst deal ever made, was immediately loathed by fans, hardly winning conditions to start a new chapter of your career. 

---

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The Buffalo Sabres picked up an impressive 4-3 shootout win over the Vegas Golden Knights on March 15. The Sabres made the Golden Knights surrender 2-0 and 3-2 leads before winning this matchup, so it was a hard-fought victory for the Atlantic Division club. 

Sabres forward Ryan McLeod put together a strong performance in the team's victory. The 25-year-old scored for the Sabres just seven seconds after they allowed a goal to Golden Knights forward Pavel Dorofeyev during the first period. With this, the Sabres cut the Golden Knights' lead to 2-1. 

McLeod's goal was also a good one, too. After receiving a feed from defenseman Jacob Bryson, McLeod skated it into the offensive zone and beat Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill with a perfectly placed wrist shot.

McLeod's clutch goal was not the only notable thing he provided the Sabres with in their win. He also won an impressive 16 out of 20 faceoffs and accomplished a rare stat because of it. 

According to Buffalo Sabres PR, McLeod became just the seventh player in franchise history to take at least 20 faceoffs in a game and win 80% of them or more. When noting that the Sabres are in their 54th season and so few players have also done this, there's no question that this is an impressive achievement for McLeod. 

This strong performance is only the latest way that McLeod has benefitted the Sabres this season. The Mississauga, Ontario native has been such a solid addition to Buffalo's roster this season, posting new career-highs with 15 goals, 21 assists, and 36 points in 62 games. 

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The Golden Knights squandered the 3-2 lead they got with a little more than two minutes left in the game, and then lost to the Buffalo Sabres, 4-3, in a shootout on Saturday afternoon.

With the heated game tied at 2-all, former Sabre Jack Eichel shoveled a loose puck in the crease past Buffalo netminder Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to give the Golden Knights a 3-2 lead at the 17:27 mark of the third period.

DO THIS AGAIN PLEASE JACK pic.twitter.com/4IIuHMPsqa

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 15, 2025

With Luukkonen pulled, Tomas Hertl raced in toward the empty net but rather than ice the game and give the Knights a two-goal lead, he tried dropping the puck off to get Eichel a second goal. The unexpected forced pass missed Eichel, and moments later Buffalo captain Rasmus Dahlin sent a rocket past Vegas goalie Adin Hill to tie the game with 14 seconds remaining and force overtime.

Tomas Hertl tried to make this pass at the end of the game when the Sabres net was empty. The Sabres came back and won in a shootout🔥😳

pic.twitter.com/oZqDV0ff6b

— Everything Hockey (@EHClothing) March 15, 2025

"I'm still trying to digest what just happened to be honest with you," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said.

Victor Olofsson gave the Knights a 1-0 lead in the shootout, but Jack Quinn made it 1-1 in the second round, which saw Eichel miss his attempt.

Former Knight Alex Tuch beat Hill in the third round while Luukkonen stuffed Pavel Dorofeyev to secure the improbable win.

Brett Howden and Pavel Dorofeyev also scored for Vegas while Hill made 34 saves. Howden's hard hit that dropped Jiri Kulich got tempers flaring in the second period.

"We weren't very good most of the day," Cassidy added. "We checked pretty well at the start of the third I thought, for a game we weren't that engaged in playing a puck possession game, a hard game. You allow Buffalo's defense to get going, that's where you gotta wear them down. And we didn't do a lot of that. I mean, we're ahead late, so we did some things right."

Here are three takeaways from Saturday's loss:

BE SELFISH: Clearly, Hertl was trying to get Eichel his second goal during what's been a record-breaking season, not to mention get a bit more satisfaction against his former team in a game the boo birds emerged just as they have since he landed in Vegas 3 1/2 years ago. Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy didn't mince words over how he felt about the play.

"I'd like to see him shoot the puck in the net and end the game, that's what I'd like to see, I think the whole team would like to see that," Cassidy said.

QUIT TRIPPIN': Three games into the four-game road trip, the Golden Knights were whistled for tripping, a play Cassidy said must stop. In their 3-2 overtime loss in Pittsburgh, Nic Roy was called for tripping Evgeni Malkin, during the 4-0 win in Columbus it was Ivan Barbashev getting sent to the box after tripping Dante Fabbro, and in Buffalo it was Pavel Dorofeyev's tripping penalty against Connor Clifton that allowed the Sabres' Jason Zucker to score his 19th of the season, and tie the game 2-all.

"It just felt like, again, the penalties we took," Cassidy said. "We're not under pressure, a delay a game, an offensive zone penalty again three games in a row over the same play and a stick foul. They're going to happen periodically, but I mean they're going to cost you, and they have. They have in this trip."

UP NEXT: The Golden Knights will have to do their best to put the nightmarish loss behind them, as they head to Detroit for the second leg of a back-to-back on Sunday. After Saturday's loss, Vegas is 4-4-1 in game one and 5-3-0 in game two of back-to-back games this season.

They'll face a Red Wings team that is in a battle for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. As of the end of Vegas' game in Buffalo, the Wings were in fifth place in the wild-card standings with 68 points, two points back of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have the second spot. The Ottawa Senators currently hold the first wild-card position with 75 points. Detroit is 11 points behind the third-place Tampa Bay Lightning in the Atlantic Division.

"Obviously (Hertl) probably wants it back, I think our game overall was not good enough," Golden Knights wing Victor Olofsson said. "I think we should have just played a better game for 60 minutes. Just don't worry about it, what happened happens. You just have to put that behind you and move forward we're looking forward to our game tomorrow."

🎥 Olofsson: I don't think we came up to our standard today. pic.twitter.com/tNnmzVq1tW

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) March 15, 2025

It’s been a week since the NHL’s trade deadline has passed, and in most cases of traded players, we’ve seen a decent sample size to judge how well or poorly they might be doing with their new team.

Let’s focus on eight traded players and examine their performance after the deadline:

Mikko Rantanen, RW, Dallas Stars

As the biggest name moved at the deadline, Rantanen had major pressure right off the hop in his time as a Star. And in his first three games with Dallas, Rantanen has looked comfortable and productive, posting two goals and three points while averaging 19:50 of ice time – nearly the exact same amount of minutes (19:49) he had with Carolina. 

STARS DEBUT GOAL FOR MIKKO RANTANEN!!!! pic.twitter.com/GkZEfYho3S

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) March 9, 2025

Rantanen is going to be crucial to the Stars’ Stanley Cup playoff hopes, so it’s encouraging to see him hit the ground running with Dallas and contributing right away. He’s going to be the Stars’ highest-paid player next season, and at the moment, he’s showing why Dallas GM Jim Nill made a long-term commitment to him.

Dylan Cozens, C, Ottawa Senators

As the centerpiece of Ottawa’s trade that sent center Josh Norris to Buffalo, Cozens has been in the spotlight immediately – and he’s delivered exactly as Sens management had hoped, generating one point in each of his first four games with the Senators. And most impressively, Cozens has produced that offense while averaging just 15:34 per-game. 

That total is nearly two minutes less per game than the 17:13 Cozens was averaging as a Sabre, so Ottawa fans have to be impressed with him thus far. If the Sens are going to make the playoffs, Cozens will have to have a major impact – and he’s under contract for another five seasons after this year – so it’s a huge relief for Senators fans to see him doing so well immediately after the trade.

Brock Nelson, C, Colorado Avalanche

Nelson was one of the highest-profile players on the trade block, and the Avalanche gave up quite a bit of talent and draft capital to the New York Islanders to get him. But after four games in a Colorado uniform, Nelson is still looking for his first goal, and he has just one assist in that span. Clearly, the Avs are looking for more out of Nelson. 

However, on an Avalanche team that is far deeper than Nelson’s former Isles team, Nelson is averaging just 17:15 of ice time – more than two minutes fewer than the 19:21 he was averaging on Long Island. Colorado coach Jared Bednar is going to be patient with Nelson, but as the Avs battle to continue climbing up the Central Division, Bednar is going to go with the hot hand when he’s handing out minutes. Thus, Nelson has to make the most of his opportunities, or continue being utilized less than he was with the Islanders.

Seth Jones, D, Florida Panthers

Jones was the most notable defenseman available before the deadline, and he happily joined the defending Stanley Cup-champion Panthers. But in five games, he’s put up only one assist, which is far less productive than the 20 assists and 27 points he had in 42 games with Chicago this season.

Jones’ minutes are down slightly with Florida, as he’s averaging 23:57 of ice time, a reduction of 33 seconds-per-game from the 24:30 he was averaging with the Blackhawks. But Jones has otherwise been solid with the Panthers – and a godsend of sorts with Florida blueliner Aaron Ekblad serving a 20-game suspension. Jones can continue to be a big minute-muncher, and when Ekblad returns in the playoffs, Jones will give the Panthers even more-impressive blueline depth.

Brandon Carlo, D, Toronto Maple Leafs

Carlo wasn’t acquired by the Maple Leafs from Boston to post all kinds of points, so his point total of zero as a Leaf isn’t a surprise or disappointment. But Carlo has struggled a bit from a positional-defense standpoint in Toronto, and Leafs coach Craig Berube has cut down Carlo’s minutes. For example, in his first game as a Leaf, Carlo had 22:04 of ice time, in his second game, he had 19:58 of ice time and in his most recent game, Carlo had 17:34 of ice time.

That reduction in minutes isn’t a punishment from Berube. Rather, it has to do with the return to action of veteran Leafs blueliner Chris Tanev. And now, Carlo – who is being paired with D-man Morgan Rielly – can settle in with the knowledge he doesn’t have to be on the ice nearly as much as he was in Tanev’s absence. For that reason, we’re expecting Carlo’s performance to be better from this point on.

Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning

When the Lightning landed Bjorkstrand along with center Yanni Gourde from Seattle, the Bolts weren’t relying on Bjorkstrand to be a difference-maker. Rather, Bjorkstrand was brought in as veteran depth. And at this early point in his Lightning career, Bjorkstrand is still trying to hit his stride, as he has produced only one goal and one point in four games. 

Some of that lack of production can be attributed to Bjorkstrand’s considerable reduction in minutes. In Seattle, he was averaging 15:28, but in Tampa Bay, he’s averaging only 14:17. But if the Bolts encounter injuries or slumps from their top-six forwards group, Bjorkstrand’s opportunities could increase. And if he contributes a clutch goal or two in the post-season, the assets the Lightning gave up for him will be worth it.

Brandon Tanev, LW, Winnipeg Jets

Tanev wasn’t acquired by the Jets from Seattle to be anything more than a complementary component, so Winnipeg fans shouldn’t be alarmed to see him averaging only 10:42 of ice time in his first four games with the Jets post-deadline. Winnipeg has one of the deepest collections of forwards in the league, so Tanev will probably get more games like the one he had March 11, when he was on the ice for only 9:44.

Tanev’s role as a fourth-line depth forward is only going to change if the Jets have injuries. Otherwise, he’s going to be asked to play sound defense and occasionally contribute a goal or an assist here or there on the fourth line. It took him four games to register a point in his second go-around with the Jets, and that average of .25 points-per-game is probably going to remain the same for Tanev the rest of the way this season.

Cody Glass, C, New Jersey Devils

The injury-ravaged Devils need help on offense wherever they can get it, and picking up Glass from the Pittsburgh Penguins is looking like a savvy move from New Jersey GM Tom Fitzgerald. Glass has posted a goal and three points in three games as a Devil, and he’s doing it while averaging just 14:25 of ice time.

CODY GLASS IS A BEAST! GOAL! #NJDevils | #LetsGoPens | #NHLpic.twitter.com/3jj45uEBMc

— Devils Joint (@DevilsJointX) March 15, 2025

In 51 games as a Penguin this year, Glass had only four goals and 15 points, so he’s off to a far better start in New Jersey. And Devils coach Sheldon Keefe is utilizing Glass a full minute more per game – 14:25, which is an improvement on the 13:25 he averaged in Pittsburgh. Glass doesn’t have to be anything other than a bottom-six contributor – and even then, if he does nothing other than play on the fourth line, Glass will be a success if he continues to chip in a decent amount of offense.

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With a month left in the 2024-25 season, NHL fans will likely be checking the standings multiple times daily. This could lead to confusion and questions about why certain teams are ranked where they are. With this in mind, here is a look at the NHL's tie-breaking procedure for deciding seeding and which teams make the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

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In the case that two teams have the same amount of points at the end of the year, the NHL has created a list of seven tie-breakers. The list must be followed in order to determine playoff seeding and participation. Below are the seven tie-breakers for this season. 

1. The fewer number of games played (i.e., superior points percentage).
2. The greater number of games won, excluding games won in Overtime or by Shootout (i.e., 'Regulation Wins'). This figure is reflected in the RW column.
3. The greater number of games won, excluding games won by Shootout. This figure is reflected in the ROW column.
4. The greater number of games won by the Club in any manner (i.e., 'Total Wins'). This figure is reflected in the W column.
5. The greater number of points earned in games against each other among two or more tied clubs. For the purpose of determining standing for two or more Clubs that have not played an even number of games with one or more of the other tied Clubs, the first game played in the city that has the extra game (the 'odd game') shall not be included. When more than two Clubs are tied, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other (and not including any 'odd games') shall be used to determine standing.
6. The greater differential between goals for and against (including goals scored in Overtime or awarded for prevailing in Shootouts) for the entire regular season. This figure is reflected in the DIFF column.
7. The greater number of goals scored (including goals scored in Overtime or awarded for prevailing in Shootouts) for the entire regular season. This figure is reflected in the GF column.

To understand this better, we will use the second Wild Card situation in the Western Conference. As of the morning of March 15, 2025, the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks were tied with 71 points. Both teams have played 65 games and secured 30 total wins on the season. 

In this scenario, the Flames currently have the advantage over the Canucks, thanks to rule number two. While the two teams have the same amount of wins, the Flames have one more regulation win (24) compared to the Canucks (23). That would mean that if the postseason started today, Calgary would claim the final Wild Card spot over Vancouver in the tie-breaking procedure. 

Based on the way the season is trending, it is very likely that a tie-breaking procedure needs to be used. In fact, the same situation happened last season, with the Washington Capitals claiming the final Wild Card spot over the Detroit Red Wings thanks to a tie-breaker. While who makes the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs is still a mystery, one certain thing is that fans will be checking the standing page constantly until the end of the regular season. 

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. 

By Anthony Carbone, The Hockey News Intern

The NHL playoffs are where rivalries ignite, underdogs rise up and legends are made. Every post-season delivers its unforgettable battles, but some matchups have the potential to steal the spotlight before the puck even drops. Imagine high-octane superstars clashing, old foes revisiting past grudges or an upstart team trying to topple a dynasty. As the regular season winds down, the standings hint at some electrifying possibilities.

From classic showdowns to fresh new storylines, here are five potential first-round NHL playoff matchups that could set the hockey world ablaze and keep fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars

The first matchup to consider would be between two Western Conference juggernauts, the Avalanche and the Stars. Superstars across both lineups would see Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas take on the likes of Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston and Roope Hintz, leading to an entertaining matchup.

The Avs are looking to win another Stanley Cup this decade – having hoisted the NHL’s championship trophy in 2022 – as they attempt to get back to the final. Not to mention, this series would pit former Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen against his former team as the newest member of the Stars.

Dallas has made it to the Western Conference final two years in a row, but his year, they want to take another step and compete for Lord Stanley’s Cup. This series will most likely happen if these two teams remain in second and third place in the Central Division, and with the way the standings look, a series between these two teams seems almost inevitable. With the amount of star power on both sides and their Stanley Cup windows open, these two teams are looking to do anything to win, and seeing them go against each other in Round 1 would make for a must-see series. 

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Rangers 

Here's an Original Six matchup for the list, as a battle between the Leafs and Rangers would make for a great first-round series. With the NHL’s current playoff format, Toronto hasn’t played a Metropolitan Division opponent in a long time – and the last time the Leafs faced the Rangers in the playoffs was way back in 1962. If the Leafs can win the Atlantic Division and the Rangers line up in a wild-card spot, this matchup could spark a lot of interest. The ‘Core Four’ in Toronto going up against Rangers newcomer J.T. Miller and standout goaltender Igor Shesterkin? Yes, please.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators

The Battle of Ontario would be a compelling matchup in the first round of the playoffs. The Senators, looking to make the post-season for the first time since 2017, would love a shot at playing their division rival in the first round. The Leafs, looking to progress from the second round and go on a Cup run, would entertain a Battle of Ontario matchup.

The rich history between the two teams could result in a great series with great matchups between Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander going up against the likes of Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle and goalie Linus Ullmark. The last time these two teams met in the playoffs was 2004, with the Leafs winning in seven games. 

Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames

From the Battle of Ontario to the Battle of Alberta. The rich legacy between Alberta’s two teams began in 1980 when the Atlanta Flames moved to Calgary, and the rest is history. Most recently, in the 2022 playoffs, the Oilers faced off against the Flames in a highly anticipated second-round matchup. The Oilers took that series in five games, and Connor McDavid was the hero in overtime of Game 5 in Calgary.

⏪🗓 May 26, 2022

The #Oilers clinched the second-round series over the Flames as Connor McDavid ended the #BattleofAlberta with an unforgettable 5-4 OT winner. pic.twitter.com/WXeYAloR7I

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) May 26, 2023

With the Oilers looking to make it back to the Cup final, a feisty Flames roster is looking to make the post-season for the first time since 2022. The Flames are leaning on rookie goalie Dustin Wolf to lead them into the playoffs. This series will likely happen if Edmonton can capture the top spot in the Pacific from Vegas and if Calgary remains in a wild-card position. If it does happen, it will certainly be electric.

Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

The Battle of the Sunshine State is the Florida showdown that NHL fans need. This rivalry has intensified over the past few seasons as these clubs have battled in the playoffs three times in the past four years. In 2021, the Lightning won the series 4-2. In 2022, they swept the Panthers 4-0. And last post-season, the Panthers won 4-1.

Every regular-season meeting between these two teams is always intense – in a game in December, Lightning superstar Nikita Kucherov hit Panthers pot-stirrer Matthew Tkachuk knee-on-knee, which did not sit well with Florida’s bench. The Panthers are looking to go back-to-back and win their second Stanley Cup in a row, while the Lightning are pushing for another Cup with their core players, after going back-to-back in 2020 and 2021.

This series will most likely happen if these two teams finish in the second and third spots in the Atlantic Division, which could happen if Toronto overtakes Florida again. Two Eastern Conference favorites that could potentially meet in the first round would make for must-watch playoff hockey.

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By Nicholas Rego, The Hockey News Intern

In recent years, one of the best teams in the NHL has been the Tampa Bay Lightning. They have been dominant throughout the regular season and, more importantly, in the playoffs. The Lightning won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021 and then made it back to the Cup final in 2022, losing to the Colorado Avalanche in six games.  

Entering this season, there was some doubt that the Lightning were going to continue being a dominant team. And losing former captain Steven Stamkos to the Nashville Predators via free agency left some questions about the direction the team was going in. But those questions were quickly answered when the Lightning signed UFA winger Jake Guentzel to a seven-year, $63-million contract on July 1. 

One of the main reasons why the Bolts are considered one of the best teams in recent history is goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. During the Lightning’s three straight Stanley Cup-final runs, Vasilevskiy stood on his head. During those three playoff campaigns, he averaged a .928 save percentage, 2.10 goals-against average and posted seven shutouts. This year, Vasilevskiy is still performing at a high level, giving the Lightning a chance in the highly competitive Atlantic Division. He currently sits at a 2.01 GAA, .926 SP and has four shutouts on the season.

Another big reason for the Lightning’s success is two-time NHL scoring champion Nikita Kucherov. During Tampa Bay’s three-year run to the Cup final from 2020 to 2022, Kucherov scored 23 goals and 93 points in 71 playoff games – nearly 30 points more than the second-highest playoff scorer during that span. This season, Kucherov is still Kucherov, with 28 goals and 92 points in 61 games. When the games count the most, having someone like Kucherov leading the way on the scoring front and someone like Vasilevskiy in the crease can only lead to success deep into the playoffs. 

The supporting cast of players are contributing in so many ways that they are helping the Lightning continue their regular-season success. Players such as Guentzel, Brandon Hagel, Brayden Point and Anthony Cirelli have the ability to take over a game on any given night. And having veteran defensemen such as Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh to steady the blueline helps the rest of the roster breathe when the puck is on their sticks. In addition, the team recently acquired center Yanni Gourde and right winger Oliver Bjorkstrand at the 2025 trade deadline, further deepening their roster.

Three-quarters of the regular season is in the books and the Lightning are holding their own in the Atlantic Division, chasing the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers for first place. The Bolts have a shot at securing the top spot and becoming a Stanley Cup threat once again as they pursue their fourth NHL championship in franchise history.

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One hundred and ten years ago, Lt.-Col. John McCrae wrote In Flanders Fields after the funeral of a close friend who had died in battle in the First World War. More than 30 years later, Montreal Canadiens GM Frank Selke absconded the famous line, “To you from failing hands we throw the torch. Be yours to hold it high.” And for almost 75 years, that line has greeted Canadiens players as they’ve entered the team’s dressing room, either in the Forum or the Bell Centre. It’s there to remind them of the greatness that has preceded them and their responsibility to uphold the standard that was established by the franchise’s icons.

Generations of players have done their parts, but woo-boy there have been some rough years lately. With a few notable exceptions, young Canadiens players have spent the better part of the past 20 years or so handling the torch like it was a book of matches from a Crescent Street strip club that someone had inadvertently set on fire. There have been some hits, lots of misses and a team that has been among the top 20 in the NHL only once in the past five years. Of course, they finished 18th that year and made it to the Stanley Cup final, so there’s that.

Canadiens GM Kent Hughes remembers the glory days. Larry Robinson’s son played minor hockey with him in Beaconsfield, and Jacques Lemaire’s kid played with Hughes’ younger brother, Ryan. And what the Canadiens are building right now is not the 1970s dynasty that Hughes and his brother idolized, but it’s something. Lane Hutson, Kaiden Guhle and David Reinbacher will never be confused with Robinson, Serge Savard and Guy Lapointe, but they’re really good. Nick Suzuki probably isn’t Lemaire, but work with us. Cole Caufield could stand in for Steve Shutt and Juraj Slafkovsky or Michael Hage for Pete Mahovlich. Nobody is saying Owen Beck and Oliver Kapanen are the next Bob Gainey and Doug Jarvis, but let’s use our imaginations here. Arber Xhekaj as Pierre Bouchard? Sure. (Just keep him away from the modern-day Stan Jonathan.) People are saying great things about Jacob Fowler, the same way they did about Cayden Primeau at the same age, but the kid is putting up Ken Dryden-like numbers at Boston College.

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• Features on #GoHabsGo Demidov, #FlyTogether Sennecke, #Flames Parekh, #Spartans Augustine, #RaiseUp and more: https://t.co/smKk3NQdgQpic.twitter.com/a869o9ZcIN

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And then there’s Ivan Demidov, star of YouTube and the single-season under-20 scoring leader in KHL history. He plays right wing. So did Guy Lafleur. So, let’s imagine the possibilities. The thing that sports sells better than anything is hope, so let’s give this a go. What if Demidov becomes the dynamic, lift-you-out-of-your-seat scoring star the Canadiens have lacked for decades? And what if the rest of them come together and hit their career peaks simultaneously? Hey, even a poor man’s 1970s dynasty could win the Stanley Cup in today’s parity-ravaged NHL. “I can tell you that if you made those comparisons and you were right,” Hughes said, “you’d be talking to the happiest man in the world.”

"His ability to move laterally suddenly is one of his calling cards."

- Kent Hughes

Which brings us back to Demidov, who fell to the Canadiens when they were picking fifth overall in the 2024 NHL draft and who has since emerged as the world’s No. 1 NHL-affiliated prospect. There’s a video going around in which Canadiens executive VP of hockey operations Jeff Gorton asks Demidov in his draft interview if the team would be crazy to pass on him at their position, and Demidov confirms they would be. Demidov is making them look pretty good, which is probably why the Canadiens allowed the video to surface.

Demidov doesn’t have Lafleur’s shirt-flapping speed – he probably doesn’t spark up a heater between periods, either – but he’s deadly in the scoring areas. His sense of deception is sublime, and he can make a puck find the net while negotiating its way past multiple sets of shin pads. Nobody in KHL history – not Kirill Kaprizov, not Matvei Michkov – has as many points in a teenage season as Demidov has so far in 2024-25. All that is great, but Hughes is most impressed with how Demidov has handled the situation with his KHL team in St. Petersburg, being sat out of the lineup by coach Roman Rotenberg, then playing sparingly early in the season. He has figured it out, which means the Canadiens have been handed a bit of a development gift in the tough love that Rotenberg has shown Demidov.

In December, Hughes accompanied Canadiens head amateur scout Nick Bobrov and special consultant Vincent Lecavalier (along with Demidov’s agent, Dan Milstein) on a multi-pronged mission to assure Demidov that his early-season struggles were not a concern to them and to find out from Rotenberg what Demidov had to improve upon to get more playing time.

“To be honest, some of the stuff they were asking him to do, as much as it made for some frustrating times for him, it’s probably going to help his transition to North America,” Hughes said. “With any young prospect, before you have complete control over their development, you want them in an environment where the things being asked of them are productive in terms of making them better future NHL players. The ice time was not ideal, and he couldn’t do what they were asking of him if he wasn’t playing.”

So, fans of the Canadiens – and there are apparently a few of them – watch the regular postings of Demidov’s most recent exploits in a league where Josh Leivo is the leading scorer and they wonder whether the parade is going to go the usual route down Rue Ste-Catherine. Since Demidov’s contract with SKA expires on May 31, it’s assumed that he’ll be in the Habs’ lineup next season. And there’s a good chance he will be. The Laval Rocket had the best points percentage in the AHL at the all-star break, and, hey, it’s not out of the question that Demidov could sign with the Canadiens and join the Rocket for their playoff run. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Both Hughes and Milstein are loath to talk about when the NHL might see Demidov because, well, Russia. Both will breathe a huge sigh of relief when the young man sets foot in Montreal.

But for now, the Canadiens are thrilled he’s turned his season around, and good things are on the horizon. When Hughes watches Demidov play, both in person and on video, he sees a player with a unique set of skills and the ability to control his edges like few other players. “His ability to move laterally suddenly is one of his calling cards,” Hughes said. “It makes him so elusive. Ivan doesn’t skate at the high speeds Connor McDavid does, but he cuts and moves from right to left, and the amount he covers is significant. He can score, but he also has the ability to see plays and make plays. He has a lot of qualities that we think are going to allow him to be successful in the NHL.”

Hughes waits a second or two, then adds, “And very different. Not the kind of player you see every day.” That makes the Canadiens excited for the time when they can start seeing him every day.

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This article appeared in our 2025 Future Watch issue. Our cover story focuses on Ducks prospect Beckett Sennecke, who is tearing it up with the OHL's Oshawa Generals this season. We also include features on other exceptional NHL prospects, including: Zayne Parekh, Porter Martone, Gavin McKenna and more. In addition, we look at the top-10 prospects in the pipeline for each of the 32 NHL clubs.

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The Vegas Golden Knights will play the third game of their four-game road trip this afternoon against the Buffalo Sabres.

The Golden Knights have started the Eastern Conference road trip going 1-0-1, most recently beating the Columbus Blue Jackets. During the road trip, Jack Eichel set the new franchise record for points in a season and starting goaltender Adin Hill signed a six-year contract extension. 

The three points they've picked up have also given them a five-point lead on the Edmonton Oilers and closed the gap to the Dallas Stars for second place in the Western Conference. 

The Sabres are once again going through a difficult campaign. Hope and optimism were high heading into the season, expecting breakthroughs from multiple young Sabres players, but nothing came to fruition, they sit in 30th place in the NHL and traded away 24-year-old centerman Dylan Cozens to a division rival. 

Playing against struggling teams can often lower the intensity, and this is why these games can be referred to as "trap games," but the Golden Knights need every point they can conjure at the moment. Focus and execution will likely be what HC Bruce Cassidy preaches to his players.

Puck drop is at 9:30 AM PST at the KeyBank Center.

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Flyers ‘still evaluating' Ersson, hoping for a tandem in future originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

VOORHEES, N.J. — The goaltending situation in Philadelphia has been far from unassailable.

The Flyers parted ways with Carter Hart last summer because of the Hockey Canada sexual assault case. They lost their No. 1 goaltender in January last season, when he requested and was granted an indefinite leave of absence.

Since 2021, they’ve drafted three goalies in the third round or higher. In John Tortorella’s three-year tenure as head coach, they’ve played six goalies.

So it’s probably stating the obvious that the Flyers don’t feel like they have the position figured out in their rebuild. They’re still learning about Samuel Ersson, who had to suddenly take over the No. 1 duties with Hart’s exit.

“Sam has been thrusted into a spot that I just think it has been unfair for him,” Tortorella said Saturday morning ahead of his team’s game against the Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP). “This organization was set back when things changed with our goaltending situation, especially Sam, not allowing him to develop. So he has been force-fed a little bit here.”

Ersson has had an up-and-down season that started with nagging lower-body issues. He went on an excellent run from Christmas to around the end of February, putting up an 11-4-1 mark, a 2.23 goals-against average and .919 save percentage. Since then, he has gone 1-2-1 with a 4.47 goals-against average and an .826 save percentage.

On the season, the 25-year-old is 19-12-4 with a 2.96 goals-against average and an .888 save percentage.

“I think with Sam, as we move forward, we’re hoping it’s going to be a tandem,” Tortorella said. “We’re not going to ask Sam to play 55, 60 games if he’s the guy. I think it’s going to be a tandem. We’re still evaluating. He has been inconsistent. Sometimes you watch him play and you think he has got it but then he falls off.

“It happens to a lot of goalies, that’s why some goalies just don’t play and are out of the National Hockey League. So we continue to evaluate and we’re going to continue to do the same thing these last 15 games or so.”

The Flyers entered Saturday last in the NHL with an .875 save percentage. They’ve allowed 26.8 shots per game. Only six teams have allowed fewer and they’re all in playoff position: the Hurricanes, Kings, Avalanche, Golden Knights, Devils and Panthers.

It’s also fair to note the Flyers have not given their netminders consistent goal support. Over their last 20 games, the Flyers have scored just 2.20 goals per game.

“It’s a constant team evaluation as we go through it,” Tortorella said. “I’m certainly not laying everything at the doorstep, but it’s the most important position in the game as far as winning and losing and giving your team a chance to win.”

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Arber Xhekaj’s younger brother Florian is currently playing his first year of professional hockey with the Laval Rocket, and to say the 101st pick at the 2023 draft is having a good season would be an understatement.

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Drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in his second year of eligibility for his hard-nosed play and potential, Xhekaj developed well in the OHL with the Brantford Bulldogs, going from 25 points in his draft year to 65 in the following season. He also upped his penalty minutes from 76 to 81 minutes and came to training camp ready to make an impact. On September 14, during a tilt with the Toronto Maple Leafs' rookies, he dropped the gloves against Chas Sharpe.

The Canadiens assigned him to the Rocket during camp, and he’s done very well under Pascal Vincent's tutelage. On Friday night, in the Rocket’s 4-1 win over the Utica Comets, he scored two goals, including an empty netter, which brought his total to 17 lamplighters on the season.

The goal broke the Rocket’s record for most goals in a season by a rookie player, established by Lucas Condotta in 2022-23. While coach Vincent wasn’t aware of the feat, Xhekaj’s teammates were and collected the puck for him.

Asked about his player after the game, Vincent admitted that all options were considered about Xhekaj before the start of the season. They decided to keep him in Laval and his performance shows it was the right call. The coach explained he has a great capacity to learn and is a significant contributor to the Rocket’s success.

Xhekaj plays on penalty kills but not on power plays, so his goals are scored even at strength. He’s ready to step up for a teammate whenever the situation calls for it and is a great team player.

While he won’t ever be a top-six player in the NHL, he has the potential to be a very good bottom-six forward who can play with an edge. In my opinion, he still needs some seasoning in the AHL, but eventually, he will join the Canadiens and become a success story for development in the organization.

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