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Toronto has clinched the division title for the first time since the 1999-00 season.

With a 4-0 win on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres, the Toronto Maple Leafs clinched the Atlantic division title, their first divisional title since 2000.

The Maple Leafs secured the North division crown in 2021 during the COVID-19 season, but this was clearly different. With a fresh head coach who implemented new systems, Toronto found a way to stand ahead of the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

"I think it's a goal that you set out at the end of the year to claim that. It's a good step for our group," Auston Matthews, who scored his 400th career goal, said on Tuesday.

"Obviously, a lot of work to be done, but a good little checkmark for us."

here we see a great thing, and Auston Matthews scoring his 400th NHL goal pic.twitter.com/HnxyIdNDn0

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 16, 2025

Toronto's division-clinching win now sets up one of the most anticipated playoff matchups this year: the Battle of Ontario.

The Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators haven't battled in the playoffs since 2004, when Toronto eliminated them in seven games. Since then, the Maple Leafs have won just one playoff series (against the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023) but are looking to strike again.

"Yeah, I'm excited. Bring it on," Steven Lorentz said before reminiscing about the Battle of Ontario as a child.

"It's exciting for the fans, obviously. There's a lot of passion in both organizations. But I grew up watching this series when I was a kid a few times, so I've got fond memories and to be able to play in it now is just special, and I'm looking forward to it."

His favorite memory against the Senators in the playoffs?

"I remember the two back-to-back goals, the one five-hole on [Patrick Lalime]. Joe Nieuwendyk, if I remember correctly. But yeah, I just remember being a little kid, having a mini stick net right in front of the TV, and in the TV timeout, I'd fire the ball in the net," Lorentz said.

"Now, to be able to do this, I still feel like I'm that eight-year-old kid watching on TV, but I get to sit on the bench with the big boys and put my effort in out there."

Nieuwendyk gets two soft goals against LalimeWatch as Joe Niewendyk scores two identical soft goals back-to-back against Patrick Lalime in the game clincher against Ottawa in the 2004 playoffs.---------...

It'll be Lorentz's first playoff series wearing blue and white, but Matthews and Mitch Marner have had their fair share of battles in the postseason. They've played the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Tampa Bay Lightning, to name a few, but never the Senators.

"Yeah, it'll be cool. I mean, it's been a long time. Obviously, they're a good young team. They're hungry," Matthew said.

"They've taken steps as well, so I think it's going to be great. It's going to be fun. It's good for hockey. Obviously, it's going to be intense, so I think we're looking forward to it."

Anthony Stolarz, who secured his third shutout in the last eight games, has played the Senators twice this season. The Maple Leafs have lost both times, but Stolarz has put together a .908 save percentage in that span.

After Toronto's win against Buffalo, Stolarz sits first in the NHL with a .926 save percentage. While it remains uncertain who gets Game 1 against Ottawa, Stolarz will be ready if he gets the nod.

"It'll be fun for sure. I think they're a hungry team. They haven't made the playoffs in a couple years here," Stolarz said. "We feel good about our game and it's going to be a blood bath; it's going to be a little bit of a war, so we'll be ready."

Toronto has one final game — against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday — before the playoff fun begins.

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Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse received a one-game suspension Tuesday night for cross-checking Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield.

The 30-year-old will miss the Oilers' final game of the regular season Wednesday night against the San Jose Sharks. He'll be eligible to return for Game 1 of the playoffs against the Kings.

The Kings and Oilers faced off on Monday, with Los Angeles holding a 4-0 lead in the second period.

Near the Oilers' net, Nurse wrapped Byfield's upper body and took him to the ice, said the NHL's Department of Player Safety video explanation of the suspension.

"With Byfield on the ice, and after the play has ended, Nurse pulls back his stick and shoves downward onto Byfield, striking him in the head," the video said.

Darnell Nurse was issued a major penalty and a game misconduct for cross-checking Quinton Byfield. pic.twitter.com/J7yFs492ce

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

Nurse received a five-minute major penalty for cross-checking and a game misconduct. Byfield left the game and did not return in the Kings' 5-0 win.

NHL Player Safety agreed with the assertion that the cross-check was not delivered with "exceptional force," but it's for that fact the suspension wasn't longer.

Nurse has previously been suspended three times and fined once in his NHL career.

In May 2023, he was suspended one game for for instigating a fight in the final five minutes of regulation time against Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague. He received another one-game suspension in May 2022 for head-butting Kings center Phillip Danault, and in March 2016, he was suspended three games for being the aggressor in a fight with Roman Polak of the Sharks.

Nurse will forfeit $48,177.08, which goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund. His regular season ends with five goals, 28 assists, 33 points and an average ice time of 22:22 in 76 games played.

Danault reacted to the cross-check and the rough game during the second intermission of Monday's match, when the Oilers were without Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Mattias Ekholm and more.

"I think they just have their B squad in trying to hurt us," he told Patrick O'Neal of FanDuel Sports Network.

Oilers right winger Corey Perry was asked to address those comments post-game.

"What the f---?" Perry told reporters. "Did he not look at what's happened over the last couple weeks? Like, what do you want us to do? We're not out there to hurt anybody."

This year's first-round matchup between the clubs will be the fourth straight year they battle in the playoffs. The Oilers won the previous three series, but the Kings will have home-ice advantage this time.  

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Los Angeles, CA - The Los Angeles Kings (47-24-9) face the Seattle Kraken (35-40-6)  in a season series winner-take-all match at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA on Tuesday, April 15. 

Both the Kraken and the Kings won two games apiece during the 2024-2025, and notably the last time the LA Kings played the Kraken on home ice, they were shocked with a 2-1 loss on Monday, April 7.  With the Las Vegas Golden Knights clinching the Pacific Division, though the Kings play these games with the intent to maintain their second place standing which affects seeding for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Notably, many of the Kings' best stars including defenseman Drew Doughty, defenseman Mikey Anderson, center Anze Kopitar, right wing Quinton Byfield, and defenseman Joel Edmundson are out in order to rest them with the playoffs right around the corner. 

FIRST PERIOD

Los Angeles have deployed the B-squad to face the Kraken tonight, with goaltender David Rittich starting for the Kings. The first period begins with the Kings' B squad and the Kraken vying for control of the puck.

x - LA Kings (@LAKings) on XGo time in the Emerald City! 🏙️ @SimonLawGroup | #GoKingsGo

LA commits the first penalty of the night - defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov with a hooking penalty. Seattle begin the first period with a free power play against the B-squad. The Kraken make no use of the power play, but neither team has much offensive momentum at the moment. 

As the former half of the first period comes around, both teams play relatively clean hockey and Seattle surprisingly has made an impressive amount of shots at the Los Angeles net -- 11 shots compared to the Kings' 3 shots. So far, neither team has broken through, despite some excellent stick play by both teams. 

AS I SPEAK, THE RINK HAS WOKEN UP AS KINGS CENTER SAMUEL HELENIUS, WITH THE ASSIST BY GAVRIKOV TO REDEEM HIMSELF, 1-0

BIG SAMMY GETS US STARTED! pic.twitter.com/sIYItUYWnh

— x - LA Kings (@LAKings) April 16, 2025

Los Angeles has jolted their offensive momentum during this first period, even with many bench players getting to shine on the hockey rink tonight. Meanwhile, Seattle commits their first penalty --- tripping against LA King left wing Trevor Moore ---, granting the Kings their first power play.

AS I WRITE THAT, ALEX TURCOTTE TIPS IN ANOTHER GOAL FOR THE KINGS, WITH LEFT WING KEVIN FIALA AND RIGHT WING ADRIAN KEMPE SCORING A POWER PLAY GOAL, 2-0 

TURCY DAY! pic.twitter.com/W0KbHKbx05

— x - LA Kings (@LAKings) April 16, 2025

The Kings' B-squad so far during the first period has kept the same offensive prowess the team is known for, peaking at the right time as the Stanley Cup Playoffs round the corner. 

SECOND PERIOD

The second period starts and so far both teams vie for control of the puck. Kraken defenseman Vince Mann has been penalized orignally for slashing Kuzmenko, but now he has been docked another penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct against the Kings' B-squad players, granting LA a power play.

The Kings get nothing out of their second power play. 

As the period progresses, Seattle has gotten fairly aggressive in their shots. Kraken left wing Tye Kartye scores the first goal for his team with his own unassisted "I'm the man" shot into the LA net to keep the Kraken within one score, 2-1. 

Los Angeles defenseman Kyle Burroughs commits the second penalty -- high sticking ---, granting the Kraken another power play. Ultimately, the Kraken are unable to break through the Kings' defense, which burned time off the clock despite the Kraken's brazen amount of shots to the LA net. 

Now, the Kings are giving away power plays left and right, as center Phillip Danault get penalized for tripping. As a result, Seattle defenseman Brandon Montour scores another goal for the Kraken, tying the game2-2. 

So far in the second period, both goals made by Seattle were capitalized on through power plays and mistakes made by the Kings' B-squad. At the 7:00 minute mark, the Kraken have also outhit the Kings 21-8, despite the Kings not being afraid to put some hits onto the Seattle roster on ice. 

Adrian Kempe has now made history for himself, scoring 400 points throughout his National Hockey League career. 

AND WITH THAT IN MIND, KINGS LEFT WING WARREN FOEGELE SCORES ANOTHER GOAL FOR THE KINGS WITH A BACKHAND SHOT TO PUT THEM AHEAD AGAIN, 3-2

FAST HANDS FOEGS! pic.twitter.com/ZEdTdvJzVf

— x - LA Kings (@LAKings) April 16, 2025

OH MY, NOW THE KINGS HAVE GONE BACK-TO-BACK WITH RIGHT WING ALEX LAFERRIERE HITTING A SNAP SHOT TO EXTEND THE KINGS' LEAD, 4-2

LaFOURriere pic.twitter.com/5cHnEzHOhx

— x - LA Kings (@LAKings) April 16, 2025

Los Angeles have redeemed themselves this second period with their offensive bounce back, but the penalties they have made which at one point kept the Kraken in the game linger.

NEW YORK (AP) — Dylan Strome scored three times, and the Washington Capitals beat the New York Islanders 3-1 on Tuesday night.

It was Strome's third career hat trick. Charlie Lindgren made 33 saves for Washington, which had dropped two in a row.

Hudson Fasching scored in the third period for New York, and Ilya Sorokin stopped 33 shots.

The Islanders have dropped four of five going into their season finale at Columbus on Thursday night. They will miss the playoffs for the second time in four seasons.

The Capitals are preparing for the playoffs after winning the Metropolitan Division.

Strome completed the hat trick at 18:49 of the third period with an empty-net goal.

Takeaways

Capitals: Martin Fehervary left in the first period after blocking a Bo Horvat wrist shot with the inside of his left foot. He later returned — a positive sign for Washington, which can’t afford to lose another defenseman ahead of the playoffs.

Islanders: Veteran forward Matt Martin was an alternate captain for the first time in his career with New York. It was likely his final home game with the Islanders, after spending 14 of his 16 NHL seasons with the team.

Key moment

Lindgren made two critical stops on Pierre Engvall and Noah Dobson at 14:53 of the first period during an Islanders power play.

Key stat

Washington star Alex Ovechkin recorded his 28th assist this season and No. 726 for his career — part of a milestone season in which he surpassedWayne Gretzky atop the NHL’s career goals list.

Up next

The Capitals close out the regular season on Thursday at Pittsburgh.

The Islanders finish their season against the Blue Jackets.

The Chicago Blackhawks took on the Ottawa Senators in Canada's capital on Tuesday night. That marks the final game of the 2024-25 season for Chicago. 

Connor Bedard kicked things off with his 22nd goal of the season to make it 1-0 Chicago. With this goal, Bedard matched his total from his Calder Trophy-winning season in 2023-24. 

Joe Veleno then gave the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead at the 6:13 mark of the opening frame. They weren't able to hold that two-goal lead for long, however, as Nick Cousins put Ottawa on the board at 6:56. 

Early in the second frame, Thomas Chabot scored a power play goal to tie the game up at 2. It looked like the Senators may take over from there as they were outshooting the Blackhawks badly, but the Hawks stayed in the game. 

Just over a minute later, Connor Bedard scored his second goal of the game to give Chicago the lead again. Now, Bedard has more goals and points than in his memorable rookie year. Being a teenager with 45 career goals is nothing to look past. 

Later in the middle frame, Drake Batherson tied the game right back up. Once again, it was easy to think the Senators were going to run away with it. After the second period was over, Chicago was being outshot by Ottawa 31-9. 

The third period was much more even as they tied in shots with six. Despite this, no goals were scored in the third. The game required overtime. 

Frank Nazar ended Chicago's season after Connor Bedard set him up for a beautiful shot. Nazar's third goal in as many games gave Chicago their final win of the season.

Nazar had five total points and a shootout winner in that span as well, which ends his season about as strong as he could want. 

With the assist on Nazar's goal, Bedard's three-point night ended his season on a high as well. He finishes with 23 goals and 44 assists for 67 points in 82 games. 

One other player who deserves extra praise in this game is Spencer Knight. He made 34 saves on 37 shots in the overtime win. His GAA for the game was 2.96, and his save percentage was .919. Knight was under duress all night, but he stayed composed. The Blackhawks won because of him. 

So that's it for Chicago. They will now move on to getting this roster into a more competitive state with free agency and the draft. At 25-46-11, Chicago has the second best odds of winning the lottery and a ton of cap space. 

Next time they play, they will be kicking off their centennial season, which is sure to come with tons of great celebrations. Expect the team to be better as well. 

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

Timo Meier had one goal and two assists, and the New Jersey Devils jumped back into the win column with a 5-4 overtime win against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Tuesday.

Nico Hischier and Luke Hughes had two assists for the Devils. Jake Allen made 20 saves on 24 shots. 

Meier gave the Devils a 1-0 lead at 7:25 of the first period on a slap shot from the circle. Defensemen Brett Pesce and Hughes were credited with the assists. 

Morgan Geekie tied it 1-1 for Boston at 8:43. David Pastrnak gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead 29 seconds into the second period. 

Stefan Noesen tied the game while the Devils were on the power play at 4:07. The 32-year-old has a career-high 22 goals. Less than one minute later, defenseman Simon Nemec extended New Jersey's lead to 3-2. 

Dawson Mercer scored his 18th goal on the power play for a 4-2 Devils lead. It was the 23-year-old's first goal since Mar 26, 2025. 

Red Bank, New Jersey native John Farinacci scored his first career NHL goal late in the middle frame to bring the Bruins within one goal. Boston center Marat Khusnutdinov's snap shot beat Allen five minutes into the third period to tie the game at 4-4. 

Defenseman Brian Dumoulin scored the overtime winner 1:30 into overtime. It was his first goal as a Devil and was assisted by Mercer and Meier. 

The Devils will return to New Jersey and host the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday night to conclude the 2024-25 regular season. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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BOSTON (AP) — Brian Dumoulin scored 90 seconds into overtime to lead the New Jersey Devils past Boston 5-4 on Tuesday night and end the Bruins' first season without a playoff berth since 2016.

Timo Meier had a goal and two assists, and Jake Allen made 20 saves for the Devils, who had already clinched a postseason matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes. Dawson Mercer had a goal and an assist for New Jersey.

David Pastrnak had a goal and an assist for Boston and led the team with 106 points — his third straight 100-point season. Jeremy Swayman stopped 21 shots for the Bruins, who finished with the worst record in the Atlantic Division — and perhaps the Eastern Conference.

Former Harvard hockey captain John Farinacci made his NHL debut and scored his first career goal, cutting the Bruins deficit to 4-3 late in the second period.

Takeaways

The Devils snapped a three-game losing streak.

The Bruins look ahead to the draft lottery: They could finish anywhere between fourth and eighth from the bottom of the NHL standings.

Key moment

Stefan Noesen and Simon Nemec scored 30 seconds apart early in the second period for New Jersey to turn a one-goal deficit into a one-goal lead. The Devils never trailed again.

Key stat

The Bruins were 25-30-7 for interim coach Joe Sacco, who took over on Nov. 19 when Jim Montgomery was fired. Montgomery, who led the Bruins to the greatest regular season in NHL history two years ago, was hired five days later by the St. Louis Blues.

Up next

The Devils finish the regular season on Wednesday night at home against the Red Wings.

The Bruins are done for the season; they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

The Florida Panthers wrapped up their regular season schedule on Tuesday night in Tampa Bay.

Locked into third place in the Atlantic Division, Florida rested several of their key players in preparation for the battles to come in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Tampa Bay, on the other hand, still had a shot at the division title, so they were going all out, and that led to a lopsided 5-1 final score.

It didn’t take long for the Lightning to strike first.

Yanni Gourde sent a cross-ice pass to Brayden Point as he crossed into Florida’s zone, and Point fired a quick shot that beat Vitek Vanecek glove side and put the Bolts up 1-0 just 92 seconds into the game.

A Conor Geekie one-timer and a shorthanded goal by Jake Guentzel less than three minutes apart sent Tampa into the first intermission riding high and leading 3-0.

Things got worse for Florida early in the second period when Nikita Kucherov was the recipient of a pretty passing play.

A failed zone clear by Seth Jones led to Point finding Yanni Gourde who quickly fed Kucherov at the side of the net.

His 37th goal and 120th point extended Tampa’s lead to 4-0.

Florida finally got on the board thanks to newcomer Brad Marchand.

Taking a neutral zone pass from Carter Verhaeghe, Marchand wired a shot past Andrei Vasilevskiy’s glove to get the Cats going.

Kucherov picked up point 121 when he assisted on a 5-on-3 power play goal by Darren Raddysh late in the third after a round of penalties that started with an illegal check to the head by Jesse Puljujarvi.

These teams will meet again, soon and often.

On to the playoffs.

QUICK THOUGHTS

Florida and Tampa will meet in the first round of the playoffs for the fourth time in five years.

Marchand played in his 1,100th NHL game on Tuesday.

He’s now got two goals and three points over his past four games.

Verhaeghe closed out the regular season on a five-game point streak, racking up three goals and six points during the run.

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During the St. Louis Blues' April 15 contest against the Utah Hockey Club, top prospect Jimmy Snuggerud scored his first career NHL goal. It was a significant one, too, as it gave the Blues a 3-0 lead in the first period. 

JIMMY SNUGGERUD!

That's his first NHL goal! 💥 pic.twitter.com/c5SvDSiI3y

— NHL (@NHL) April 16, 2025

Snuggerud certainly worked hard to score his first NHL goal, as the 2022 first-round pick jammed in front of the net before getting the puck past Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka.

Before this goal, Snuggerud already was making an impact in this contest against Vegas. Earlier on in the first period, the promising youngster was denied on a breakaway attempt, but Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich scored on the rebound. As a result, Snuggerud recorded an assist on this play. 

Snuggerud is one of the Blues' most exciting young players, and he certainly showed off his offensive potential against Utah with this multi-point game. 

Exciting Blues Goalie Prospect Continuing To ThriveSt. Louis Blues goalie prospect Colten Ellis is enjoying an excellent season down in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Springfield Thunderbirds. In 41 appearances, the 24-year-old netminder has a 22-13-3 record, a 2.62 goals-against average, and a .922 save percentage.  However, what's more encouraging about Ellis' strong play is that he is only continuing to thrive as the campaign carries on. In his last appearance against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on April 12, he stopped 40 out of 43 shots, which equates to a .930 save percentage. Furthermore, he has had a .900 save percentage or better in six out of his last seven appearances. This includes a 36-save shutout against the Iowa Wild on March 28. Blues Star Is Heating Up In A Big WaySt. Louis Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich is one of the team's most important players. When playing at his best, the 29-year-old is a big difference-maker because of his high offensive skill.  Former Blues Star Struggling With New TeamDuring this past off-season, former St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings. This was after he appeared in 76 games split between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers last season, posting 23 goals and 55 points in 76 games. He also won his second career Stanley Cup with Florida that spring.

All of Windsor is flying high after the Spitfires pummeled the Kitchener Rangers 6-3 last night to take a 3-0 lead in round two of the OHL Playoffs. The victory is extra sweet for L.A. Kings prospect Liam Greentree, who set a franchise record by scoring five goals in the game.

He's the first player to score five goals in a playoff game since Connor McDavid, who completed the feat during the 2015 OHL Playoffs. Greentree also set a franchise record, surpassing Ernie Godden, who put up a four-goal effort back in 1981 for Windsor.

While the Spitfires' success comes from a team effort, it cannot be denied that Greentree is leading the charge,e showing all of the skill and tenacity that made him a first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. 

He leads the playoffs with 14 goals in eight games, scoring at nearly a two-goal per game pace. The 6-foot-3 forward is tied for the playoff lead in points with linemate and Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas, both of whom have tallied 24 points in eight games. 

Greentree scored two goals in the opening period to give Windsor a 2-0 lead heading into the second period. 

His first goal in the second period couldn't have been timed better. It restored the Spitfires' two-goal lead, coming just a minute and a half after Ottawa Senators prospect Luke Ellinas scored Kitchener's first goal of the game. 

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

Early in the third, Greentree scored his fourth goal of the game on the power play, making the Windsor lead 5-2 before finishing the night with an empty net goal. 

Protas, Greentree's partner in crime, also had a fantastic night scoring a goal and adding three helpers. The pair reminded the league that they are one of the deadliest duos in major juniors, scoring all six Windsor goals and accounting for 11 points.

The Windsor Spitfires have absolutely dominated the Kitchener Rangers in round two of the OHL Playoffs. Through three games they've scored 16 goals while Kitchener has only recorded five. 

MVP Candidate Scores Hattrick In Game Two WinEarlier this afternoon, the Brantford Bulldogs defeated the Oshawa Generals 8-5 to take a two-game lead in the series. Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis was the center of attention, scoring a hattrick in the win. 

The win gives Windsor a 3-0 series lead and the opportunity to eliminate their opponent and move on to the Western Conference Final on Wednesday. At this point it it seems almost impossible that Kitchener will make a comback in the series. 

Only four NHL teams have ever come back from that kind of a deficit, the most recent being the 2014 L.A. Kings, who defeated San Jose and went on to win the Stanley Cup. 

While it seems like Windsor will soon book their tickets to the Western Conference Finals, junior hockey is entirely unpredictable. We will see what happens come Wednesday night when Kitchener will host Windsor for game four.

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On Monday, Quinn Hughes celebrated a special milestone. The Vancouver Canucks captain recorded his 350th career assist, becoming just the seventh player and first defenceman in franchise history to achieve the feat. Over his 432-game career, Hughes has developed into one of the best passers in the NHL and now finds himself in elite company alongside some of the best players ever to play in the NHL.

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With his assist on Monday, Hughes became the 21st player in NHL history to record at least 350 assists before turning 26. The list includes many Hall of Famers, including Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemiux, as well as current NHLers in Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Mitch Marner and Nathan MacKinnon. Hughes is currently tied with MacKinnon for 20th on the list and will have one final chance to move past the Colorado Avalanche superstar before his 26th birthday as Vancouver battles the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.

As for defensemen, Hughes is the fifth defender to record 350 assists before turning 26. The other four are Bobby Orr (522), Paul Coffey (460), Phil Housley (380), and Ray Bourque (366). Hughes also ranks 11th in all-time points by a defenceman before turning 26, while his 409 points are the most by any defender currently playing in the NHL. 

To wrap things up, the 2024-25 season was also the fourth time in Hughes' career he has recorded at least 60 assists. That ranks tied for sixth with Jaromír Jágr, Joe Sakic, Lemieux and Denis Savard for the most by any skater before their 26th birthday. As for the players with more, those would be Gretzky (7), McDavid (6), Bryan Trottier (6), Orr (5) and Coffey (5).

While Hughes still has a ways to go, he is on pace to become one of the highest point-producing defensemen in NHL history. His .95 points per game ranks sixth among defenders in NHL history who have played at least 200 games, while he leads all defensemen in points since the start of the 2018-19 season, during which he only played five games. Ultimatley, if Hughes can keep up this production, and be signed to a long-term contract, he could very well finish his career as the greatest player in Canucks history.

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.

You can say what you want about the NHL’s current Stanley Cup playoff format, but it ignited the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings’ rivalry.

The ultimate goal of the current division-based playoff format is creating and improving rivalries between teams. In the Atlantic Division, the first-place Toronto Maple Leafs will likely battle their provincial rivals, the Ottawa Senators, and in the Central Division, the Dallas Stars will square off against the Colorado Avalanche. There’s plenty of history in both of those likely series, and emotions will be high right off the hop.

But what the Oilers and Kings have developed out of three straight years of first-round meetings is perhaps the best example of the format in action. They’re going at it once again in the first round of this post-season, and as we saw Monday night in the final regular-season game between the two clubs, there’s already no shortage of ill will between the Oilers and Kings.

Although Monday’s game featured an Oilers team with a handful of players sitting out – including star forwards Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman – there was no shortage of chippiness and flat-out hatred between Edmonton and Los Angeles. 

Both sides spoke out during and after the game about the rivalry – including Kings center Phillip Danault, who talked about Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse cross-checking Kings center Quinton Byfield in the back of the head. Nurse was ejected from the game and may face supplemental discipline, but anger over the hit on Byfield clearly lingered with Danault.

“I think they just have their B squad in trying to hurt us,” Danault said on the Kings’ broadcast during the intermission.

For his part, Oilers right winger Corey Perry was incredulous after the game when told of Danault’s comments.

“What the f---?” Perry said to reporters. “Did he not look at what's happened over the last couple weeks? Like, what do you want us to do? We're not out there to hurt anybody.”

Edmonton left winger Connor Brown also discussed the bad blood between the two teams – and specifically, about Danault clashing with him during Monday’s game.

“I’m not really interested in getting into a media war with Danault,” Brown said. “He took a run at me. I took a run at him. I don’t really have anything to say.”

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There’s every reason to believe tensions will be sky-high when the two teams go head-to-head in the next week. There’s a difference this time around in that the Kings have earned home-ice advantage, but otherwise, this is going to be a battle between teams that have developed a healthy hate for each other. 

That’s the whole point of the NHL’s playoff format. This isn’t to say that a different format could also create and develop rivalries, but there’s no doubt the current format is working in that regard.

The Oilers have won the previous three playoff series between the teams, but many people – this writer included – believe the result could be different this year. The Kings have the league’s best home record at 31-5-4, while the Oilers’ road record is 22-16-2 – not subpar but not intimidating, either. So Edmonton could be considered the underdog in this series, especially because key Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm will be out of action for at least the first round.

There’s no question that the emotions between the two teams are already at a fever pitch, and it won’t take much for those emotions to boil over. It’s going to be high drama between the Oilers and Kings, and because of that – and regardless of who wins – the NHL will consider that a tremendous success.

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Konnor Smith becomes the latest Ducks draft pick to officially join the organization after signing his entry-level contract (ELC) on Tuesday. He will report to the AHL and play with the San Diego Gulls on an amateur tryout (ATO) for the rest of the 2024-25 season, with his ELC beginning at the start of the 2025-26 season.

At six-foot-six and 216 pounds, Smith is a big boy. Naturally, he uses his size and strength to his advantage and is a very physical player. Smith played parts of three seasons with the OHL's Peterborough Petes and had a crucial role in the Petes' playoff run as a shutdown defenseman en route to an OHL championship. In 2023-24, he was traded mid-season to the Owen Sound Attack and appeared in four playoff games that season before finishing the year with the Gulls on an ATO. He appeared in six games and scored in his AHL debut.

After being named captain of the Attack for the 2024-25 season, Smith played in just eight games before being traded to the Brampton Steelheads. He had 18 points in 32 games, setting a new career-high. Smith and the Steelheads faced off against fellow Ducks draft pick Beckett Sennecke and the Oshawa Generals in the first round of the OHL Playoffs. Sennecke missed part of the series due to injury, but the Generals still came out on top in six games.

Anaheim Ducks Prospect Spotlight: Six Prospects Advance in CHL PlayoffsThe NHL season is in its final days, but the CHL playoffs are heading to their second round. All eight Anaheim Ducks prospects playing in the CHL saw their teams make the playoffs and six of them saw their teams advance to the second round.

Smith could play a large role for the Gulls next season. Behind Stian Solberg and Tyson Hinds, there are currently few left-handed options. It's uncertain if Rodwin Dionicio will return from Biel in Switzerland and Dillion Heatherington's AHL contract is up at the end of this season. On the right side are Noah Warren and AHL veteran Roland McKeown, and recently-signed Ian Moore will likely spend most of next season in the AHL as well.

To elevate his game, Smith must continue to improve his discipline. He tends to toe the line between being physical and outright destructive at times. While physicality is his killing card, it will do him no good if he's spending more time in the penalty box than on the ice. Continuing to improve his puck skills and skating is also a necessity as the game continues to trend toward mobile, puck movers versus prototypical stay-at-home defensemen.

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The Colorado Avalanche are set to take on the Dallas Stars in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. But on Tuesday, the Avalanche made big news when they recalled veteran star Gabriel Landeskog -- and Landeskog's return to action after nearly three calendar years on the sidelines with a catastrophic knee injury could be the best story of the post-season.

Landeskog returned to on-ice action this week when he played two games with the American League's Colorado Eagles. Landeskog posted a goal and two points in his second game, a performance that had to infuse him with confidence that he could do great things after more than 1,000 days between NHL games. And certainly, Landeskog's teammates fully believe Landeskog still can contribute in hockey's top league.

"It was awesome," Avs superstar Nathan MacKinnon told NHL.com in regard to Landeskog's two AHL games. "I [didn't] know what to expect, obviously, but I thought every shift he looked better. I thought Game Two, he looked a lot better as well...He's Gabe Landeskog at the end of the day, and, obviously, there's going to be some rust. Three years is a crazy amount of time off, and he hasn't really been practicing that much either...But I think he looks great, and in game situations, you can still see those instincts are there. He's still got it, for sure."

Hockey fans always enjoy a great comeback story, and Landeskog's fight to overcome adversity is one of the NHL's best human interest stories in recent memory. The 32-year-old Swede has played 738 regular-season NHL games and 69 playoff games, but if and when he suits up for the Avs in the current post-season, he's going to give his teammates a huge inspirational boost.

Landeskog was a key factor in the Avalanche's most recent Cup victory, and now, he has a chance to help push them to another Cup win. We shouldn't expect him to be a difference-maker -- at least, not right away -- but it's hard not to root for someone who probably felt at some point like his on-ice career was at an end.

Gabriel Landeskog Set to Play in His First Professional Game Since 2022Loveland, Colo. - The Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Eagles (AHL) announced this morning that Gabriel Landeskog will dress for the Colorado Eagles in their match tonight against the Henderson Silver Knights. This will be his Eagles debut.

Landeskog will have scores of Avs fans cheering him on, and just getting back to the NHL is a massive achievement for him. We'll all be watching him and hoping for the best -- and if he does deliver a memorable performance, Landeskog will carve out a particularly special place in hockey history.

The 2024–25 season will be remembered in these parts as the year the Ottawa Senators finally returned to the playoffs. By doing so, the Senators are about to remove themselves from an NHL Top 10 List they wanted no part of.

Heading into this season, the Senators had missed seven straight playoffs, the third-longest playoff drought among active NHL teams. At the moment, they are the only team in the top 10 in this category that's guaranteed to drop off this list, having clinched the first wild card spot in the East. 

The winner of Wild Card 2 in the East, Montreal or Columbus, is the only other team that can join the Sens in being stricken from the record.

The Buffalo Sabres are not only the active leaders—now at 14 straight seasons without a playoff appearance—but they also continue to build on the NHL's all-time record in this ugly category.

The Detroit Red Wings used to bill themselves as "Hockeytown" during their glory years. That feels like a long time ago now, especially with the Wings about to mark the ninth anniversary of their last playoff berth. 

The Anaheim Ducks have taken the bronze medal position, bumping the Senators off the podium. As it did for the Sens, the Ducks hope their hunt ends at 7. 

Ottawa's return to the playoffs will be a baptism by fire for many of their young players—especially since it looks like their first-round opponent will be the Toronto Maple Leafs. The hype for the first playoff Battle of Ontario in 21 years will be off the charts, though much of it will be powered early on by fan and media-driven nostalgia. Most of the players on both sides were babies or little kids when this playoff battle last occurred.

But it won't be long before old beefs are replaced by new ones.

That matchup could officially become reality as early as Tuesday night. Unless Toronto loses in regulation in Buffalo and Tampa Bay wins versus Florida, the first-round Battle of Ontario will be locked in.

As for Columbus and Montreal potentially joining Ottawa in excusing themselves from the playoff futility table, the Blue Jackets are making a remarkable late-season push. If they win in regulation in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, they would be able to grab the final Eastern playoff spot with a regulation win over the New York Islanders on Thursday—and a Canadiens regulation loss to Carolina on Wednesday.

Ottawa’s last playoff appearance was in 2017, a Game 7 double overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Final. After coming that close to winning it all, no one would ever have dreamed their return to the postseason would take this long.