The Pittsburgh Penguins are well-aware of how every game matters from here on out.

And they will have a crucial matchup against a division rival - and a team they are chasing in the standings.

The Penguins will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in Pittsburgh on Friday. They have won six of their last 10 games against Columbus, and the Blue Jackets bested the Penguins in a shootout, 4-3, on Jan. 7 - which was their first win in Pittsburgh since Dec. 21, 2015.

Columbus currently sits three points back of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, while Pittsburgh is eight points back. Needless to say, this is a must-win game for both teams - and a clean two points is nearly essential.

Alex Nedeljkovic will get his first start in goal since Mar. 7, when the Penguins lost to the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-0. Sullivan stressed the importance of making sure both of their goaltenders get reps down the stretch, but he also realizes he needs to ice the guy who gives them the best chance to win.

"The reality is with the amount of games that we've just played and that we have moving forward, it requires us to get both guys involved," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "So, when we make these types of decisions, we're thinking in terms of helping the team win the game right in front of us... but, also, there's a little bit of 'big picture' decision-making. 

"How do we set both of these guys up for success, so when they do go in the net, they have the ability to give us a chance to win? Ultimately, if we can set them up for success, it's going to help the Penguins have success."

Nedeljkovic should certainly be tested, too, as Columbus has five players with 20 or more goals on their roster. They are also getting a lot of offense from their blue line - including from Zach Werenski, who is having a career year with 20 goals and 69 points in 67 games. 

"They generate a lot of offense from their defense," Sullivan said. "If I'm not mistaken, they might be second in the league in terms of goals scored by their defensemen. And Zach's a big part of that... he's a difference-maker as far as a defenseman with the way he drives offense."

Here is the rest of the lineup for the Penguins on Friday, which includes Kris Letang in a new home on the left side of the top defensive pairing alongside Conor Timmins:

How we're lining up tonight vs. CBJ ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/yYanM7mhNU

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 21, 2025

The Penguins have points in 16 consecutive home games against Columbus, and captain Sidney Crosby enters this game just six points shy of his 20th consecutive point-per-game season, which would break Wayne Gretzky's previous record of 19.

You can track Crosby's progress here.

---

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!   

For Calgary Flames winger Matt Coronato, this week has been about more than just hockey; it's been a homecoming. As the Flames make their way through the New York area, Saturday’s game against the Islanders is particularly meaningful for the young forward.

Coronato, who grew up on Long Island as a passionate Islanders fan, is getting the rare opportunity to play in front of the family, friends, and mentors who helped him reach the NHL.

“It's awesome to get to have so many people come and watch and be a part of it,” Coronato told the Calgary Flames website team on Friday. “So thankful for so many people that helped me get to this point.”

With wins in Manhattan and New Jersey after a trip-opening loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs,  Coronato has already been in the area for a few days, making the most of the Flames’ schedule. With multiple games in close proximity, his support group has been able to watch him play live—something they haven’t had many chances to do as he chases his hockey dream.

“For them to be able to come to a few games this week has been really special,” Coronato added.

While the homecoming is a highlight, there’s no time to slow down. The Flames are in the thick of a heated battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, and every remaining game is crucial. With back-to-back wins to start this trip, they’ve positioned themselves well, but they know the job isn’t done yet.

“It’s been a great trip so far - two big wins,” Coronato said. “So, every game is so important right now. So, it'd be really big to finish this road trip off the right way.”

Coronato has played a key role in Calgary’s success, ranking fourth in team scoring with 18 goals and 35 points in 63 games. His elite shot and ability to find open space have made him a dangerous offensive weapon, and he’s been feeling confident with the puck on his stick.

“It’s great to see some pucks go in,” he said. “And I think when we're working and playing the right way, the offence will come.”

As the Flames continue their playoff push, Coronato’s homecoming serves as both a personal milestone and a reminder of just how far he’s come.

“Yeah, it’s cool,” he said. “It’s been nice being here this week, having all the support from family and friends. Definitely been enjoying it.”

Between the Stanley Cup Playoff race and the NHL GM Meetings, there was a lot to get to on this week’s episode of The Hockey Show.

That’s why hosts Roy Bellamy and David Dwork brought in some extra muscle to help go over everything.

Joining the show this week were Amazon Prime NHL host Adnan Virk, NHL Insider David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period and special guest host Jonathan Zaslow of ESPN Radio and the Zaslow Show 2.0. 

Among the tropics from the GM meetings that we discussed were potential rule changes, making cut-proof attire mandatory, extending overtime, changing the playoff format and the fact that power play opportunities across the league are down significantly this season.

We also touch on CBA negotiations, the idea of an NHL-KHL showdown floated by President Trump and how there is a real possibility that all seven Canadian NHL teams can make the playoffs this season.

Our wins and fails of the week included an OHL player losing his cup mid-game, an all-goalies game in Seattle, an empty-net blunder by Vegas, a referee assist and the conundrum that is Matt Rempe.

We also, as always, spend a full segment breaking down the latest happenings in and around the Florida Panthers. 

You can check out the full episode in the video below:

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

Three takeaways: Panthers earn essential two points in Columbus, game had playoff-level intensity

Bobrovsky, Barkov propel Panthers to 1-0 victory in Columbus

Panthers road trip continues against hungry Blue Jackets as both teams aim to escape funks

Florida Panthers prospect Jack Devine among 10 finalists for Hobey Baker Award

Dmitry Kulikov considered week-to-week, so Panthers will lean on Tobias Bjornfot

ST. LOUIS -- For the St. Louis Blues, now comes the hard part.

It's one thing to be the hunter trying to chase down those in front of them for the Western Conference wild card, but now to be the hunted, which the Blues (35-28-7), who host the Chicago Blackhawks (20-40-9) on Saturday at 2 p.m. (FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM), are, being chased by three teams (Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Utah Hockey Club) makes the final 12 games that much more interesting.

But what it does is not change a thing.

"That's a pretty myopic vision right now," Blues coach Jim Montgomery said after a very brief practice Friday. "We have the Blackhawks at (2 p.m.) tomorrow. We're going to get ready for them.

"It's going to come down to the last game because there's just not enough games left and not enough point separation to be able to take a breath, and that's great. What we've been doing, it's what we're used to. Our mindset's in the moment. I sound like a broken record, but that's what we have been focused on."

That's the message relayed to the players, and they have had it ingrained in them since making this 11-2-2 run.

"Yeah 100 percent, that's the message," said forward Dylan Holloway, who scored in the third period to give the Blues a 3-2 lead. "We can't get too high or too low. It was a big win tonight, but we've got more games coming. It's tight. ... It's as tight as it's ever been, and we've just got to keep going."

But boy, that will be a task after such an emotional 4-3 overtime win on Thursday at home against the Canucks when Philip Broberg scored at 3:42 of overtime to put the Blues one point ahead of Vancouver, two ahead of Calgary and four ahead of Utah. The Canucks have a game in hand while the Flames have two games in hand.

"They have a tough schedule coming at some point, where they're not going to be able to take a breath," Montgomery said. "Coming up, we're going to have a couple of two days off in between games. That's going to be really beneficial, but until we get there, we've just got to push through and we've done that. Our mental toughness, the way we prepare, the way guys are going out shift after shift playing really good hockey has been very impressive."

Nonetheless, there was so much to like for Montgomery in a game that had so many range of emotions, both good and bad.

"I just the think the way we played," he said. "We were committed to playing the right way. Vancouver pushed in the second, and then we pushed back in the last eight and a half minutes of the second. The third period, I think it was a combination of nerves and it's not an excuse, but the density of the schedule we made some decisions that I don't think are common for us lately, more common in January. It's just an opportunity for us to reset, recharge the batteries and get ready for another two big games here."

The Blues had their team photo day at Enterprise Center on Friday and skated for a shade under 15 minutes.

Oskar Sundqvist was the lone absentee from the skate due to a maintenance day, but Montgomery said the forward would be available to play on Saturday.

The Blues will be going for their second-ever season series sweep of the Blackhawks; they own a 6-2 win at the 2025 NHL Discover Winter Classic at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Dec. 31 and a wild 6-5 shootout win at Enterprise Center on Feb. 8.

The Blues' only season sweep was in 2919-20 when they went 4-0-0.

- - -

Blues Projected Lineup:

Jake Neighbours-Robert Thomas-Pavel Buchnevich

Dylan Holloway-Brayden Schenn -- Jordan Kyrou

Mathieu Joseph-Oskar Sundqvist-Zack Bolduc

Alexey Toropchenko-Radek Faksa-Nathan Walker

Cam Fowler-Nick Leddy

Philip Broberg-Justin Faulk

Ryan Suter-Tyler Tucker

Joel Hofer is projected to start in goal; Jordan Binnington would be the backup.

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

- - -

Blackhawks Projected Lineup:

Ilya Mikheyev-Frank Nazar-Connor Bedard

Teuvo Teravainen-Jason Dickinson-Nick Foligno

Joe Veleno-Ryan Donato-Tyler Bertuzzi

Landon Slaggert-Lukas Reichel-Patrick Maroon

Alex Vlasic-Wyatt Kaiser

Ethan Del Mastro-Connor Murphy

Alec Martinez-Artyom Levshunov

Arvid Soderblom will start in goal; Spencer Knight will be the backup. 

Healthy scratches include Philipp Kurashev, TJ Brodie and Louis Crevier. Laurent Brossoit (knee) and Colton Dach (elbow) are out.

On Thursday night, Connor Hellebuyck became the first NHL goalie to reach 40 wins in the 2024-25 NHL season when the Winnipeg Jets beat the Edmonton Oilers in overtime.

It’s the second time in his career that the 31-year-old has reached that plateau, and it’s quite a feat. The only other active netminder with multiple 40-win seasons is Marc-Andre Fleury, whose career has been 11 years longer. 

One other challenger could also get to 40 this season: the goalie who was also drafted 111 picks ahead of Hellebuyck in 2012, Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Tampa Bay Lightning have 14 games remaining, and Vasilveskiy currently sits at 33 wins. 

Look back at the last decade, and Vasilevskiy is the only goalie whose body of work comes close to touching Hellebuyck’s. He won 44 games in 2017-18 and hit 39 in two other seasons, and their career performances have been almost identical. Both have save percentages of .917, and while Vasilevskiy’s career goals-against average is 2.53, Hellebuyck’s is just a few ticks higher, at 2.57.

When it comes to Vezina voting, Hellebuyck holds the edge. He already has two wins under his belt, from 2020 and from last season, when he collected 31 of 32 first-place votes from the league’s GMs. As well as his strong lead in the win category, which the GMs value highly, Hellebuyck is also first with his .924 save percentage, which ties his career high, along with his career-best 2.06 GAA and his 34.4 goals saved above expected per moneypuck.com. 

Washington’s Logan Thompson is the only other stopper over 30 GSAE, and Hellebuyck nearly doubles Vasilevskiy’s 18.1.

Hellebuyck and Sergei Bobrovsky are the only active goalies with two Vezina wins. If the voters reward Hellebuyck again this spring as expected, he’ll be just the 13th goalie in NHL history to win three times and the first to collect back-to-back awards since Martin Brodeur did it in 2007 and 2008.

But there’s one notable achievement missing from Hellebuyck’s resume: a Stanley Cup. 

To date, his best playoff run was his first. In 2018, the Jets bested the Nashville Predators in a seven-game second-round slugfest before losing to Fleury and the first-year Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference final. 

After last year’s chaotic first-round loss to the Colorado Avalanche, the Jets look like they’ve done everything right in preparing to erase that memory. Thursday’s win in Edmonton got them to 100 points for the second-straight year, and they’re on their way to clinching their first division title since returning to Winnipeg and the first conference championship in the history of the Jets/Thrashers franchise.

That positioning will protect them from a first-round matchup against one of the Central’s other strong contenders. Instead, they’ll meet whichever bubble team ultimately snags the second wild card in the West. 

Having home-ice advantage for at least three rounds should also pay big dividends. The Jets’ record of 25-5-4 at Canada Life Centre is one of the best in the NHL, and that’s also where Hellebuyck has played his best hockey. He’s 22-3-3 on home ice this year, with a save percentage of .934 and a 1.74 GAA.

While most NHL players were re-charging their batteries in February, Hellebuyck was logging some of the most intense minutes of his career with Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off. And while there’s always a risk attached when top teams shift into cruise control in an attempt to rest up for the playoffs, the Jets are comfortable enough that they don’t need Hellebuyck to stand on his head over the next four weeks. 

Right now, he’s near the top of the list of total minutes played — as usual. But the Jets are one of nine teams that have already completed 70 games.

And while Eric Comrie’s record is a moderate 8-8-1, he has delivered quality minutes, with a .914 save percentage, 2.39 GAA, and 2.4 GSAE.

Other than a 10-minute pull by the concussion spotter in Seattle last weekend, Comrie has delivered complete games in all his other starts this year — helping to keep Winnipeg’s rotation stable and predictable, which Hellebuyck appreciates.

“The way that I usually handle it is telling the other guy, ‘You’re not coming out, no matter what,’ ” he said. “Make him feel good, that no matter what’s gonna happen, he’s in.”

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

The Los Angeles Kings concluded their two-game road trip with a split 1-1 record after a commanding 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. This victory capped off a six-win out-of-seven-game stretch and was a good rebound from their disappointing 3-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Monday.

Road Trip Recap

A balanced effort across the roster marked the Kings’ latest trip to Chicago. Trevor Moore opened the scoring in the first period, giving Los Angeles an early lead. Alex Turcotte made it a two-goal cushion in the second period, depositing his eighth goal. 

Thursdub 🙌#GoKingsGopic.twitter.com/pe4N9W5sar

— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 21, 2025

Despite a Chicago surge that began when rookie sensation Connor Bedard got the Blackhawks on board, Joel Edmundson's empty-netter ultimately secured the win for the Kings. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper backstopped the Kings with 17 saves, extinguishing Chicago's limited scoring opportunities.

The victory followed Monday night's disappointing 3-1 defeat to the Wild that saw LA’s five-game winning streak snapped. The Kings could not penetrate Minnesota's tight defensive approach in that contest. 

Strength Against Strong Competition

Even though the Kings lost to the Wild, who have been playing solidly this season, Los Angeles is still an excellent team against top-heavy teams in the league. 

At 22-15-3 against teams with a record of better than .500, the Kings have consistently been able to push elite competition. Their success comes from the combination of defense-based structure and scoring at the correct times, exemplified in the Kings' latest victories over playoff contenders like the Washington Capitals, the Winnipeg Jets twice, and even the Vegas Golden Knights on three separate occasions this season. 

Quinton Byfield's extra-session heroism vs. Nashville on March 15 demonstrated the Kings' resiliency. During that span, Byfield extended his goal streak to six consecutive games.

Looking Ahead

The Kings are home now for a highly critical three-game homestand. They will start with back-to-back games this weekend against. Carolina and Boston before finishing off against the Rangers on Tuesday night. 

LA will also finish the season playing 11 of its remaining 15 games at home, which will be a big test in deciding where it will finish in the Pacific division and who its matchup will be come playoff time. 

Updated Pacific standings after tonight’s games.

Kings finish with 11 of their remaining 15 games at home starting with a back-to-back this weekend vs Carolina and Boston. pic.twitter.com/BdlaKo0FVb

— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) March 21, 2025

With the Western Conference standings tightening up, Los Angeles must continue playing defense with discipline and convert on prime scoring chances to stay atop the pursuit.

Byfield and Moore are also guys to watch. Byfield is emerging as a consistent scoring threat, and Moore has rekindled his goal-scoring ability. Kuemper's ability to keep his cool in the net will also be key, particularly against high-scoring teams like Winnipeg and Edmonton.

With momentum restored after the win in Chicago, the Kings can ride their good play back home to Crypto.com Arena. As the playoff push intensifies, Los Angeles' performance against quality teams determines its postseason standing and capacity to perform when it counts most.

The Chicago Blackhawks took a tough loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night. The 3-1 final didn’t indicate how much LA dominated Chicago at United Center. 

The score was closer than it should have been because of Spencer Knight's play. He made 31 saves on 33 shots against a playoff-bound Kings team loaded with talent. Without Knight playing lights out, this game would have been ugly. 

Both goals that Knight gave up came within a minute of each other in the first period. One was a perfectly placed wrist shot by Trevor Moore and the other was a deflection by Alex Turcotte. Outside of those, he was perfect and you can’t ask for much more. 

The most notable fact about Knight’s game against the Kings is that he started it. The loss to the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday was hardly his fault, but he did allow six goals. Interim head coach Anders Sorensen went right back to him, and it paid off. 

This isn’t the first time that Knight has gone back-to-back, either. Last week, he made two consecutive starts for the first time in his Blackhawks career. This is contrary to Sorensen's statement that he would rotate with Arvid Soderblom when Knight was first acquired. 

It seems like Knight is the number one goalie in Chicago moving forward. Being a first-round pick, Stanley Cup champion, and main piece in the Seth Jones trade, Knight has the pedigree needed to be the main guy. 

The Blackhawks have a back-to-back this upcoming weekend. Saturday is a road tilt against the St. Louis Blues, and Sunday is a home match against the Philadelphia Flyers. Soderblom will go against the Blues and Knight will get the Flyers. 

"Good. Today he gave us a chance to stay in the game in the first period." Interim head coach Anders Sorensen said of Knight and how he's been playing. "Really good down low, reads the play, handles the puck well. There is lots to like."

Although Sorensen is likely not going to be the head coach next year, he is giving a hand in developing him right now. Sorensen has confidence in Knight as he continues to start him despite what he said when the deal to get him was first made. 

The organization is showing Spencer Knight that he is their guy and that they are going to ride with him through thick and thin. A champion can be built with that mentality if the right players are involved. 

If Knight can truly be a high-end number-one goalie for a long time, the Blackhawks have an incredibly important piece locked down. 

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

San Jose Sharks rookie defenseman Luca Cagnoni made his much-anticipated NHL debut on Thursday following the 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Cagnoni became the first defenseman from the 2023 NHL Draft to play in the NHL. The Sharks rookie told reporters he did not know that postgame.

"I mean, I've been saying it all week since the call-up, it's pretty surreal," Cagnoni said postgame. "Definitely where I started my career, like not getting drafted in the WHL. It's a pretty special moment, even for my family. Probably them the most. To see me go through it and them being by my side, It's pretty special to have them here."

Cagnonii confirmed. pic.twitter.com/98ibHdI5hb

— JD Young (@MyFryHole) March 21, 2025

Cagnoni led all Sharks players in ice time with 23:15. He was paired with Vincent Desharnais on defense, and head coach Ryan Warsofsky liked what he saw.

"The game started slowing down for him in the second and third period," Warsofsky said. "Luca helps from a puck-moving standpoint."

READ THE FULL STORY ON SHARKS HOCKEY DIGEST

Latest On THN's San Jose Sharks site

Sharks Lineup Has New Faces Against Hurricanes

Sharks Recall Top Scoring Defenseman From AHL

Sharks Forward Breaks Barracuda Scoring Record

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

Follow Max on Twitter: @Real_Max_Miller

LAS VEGAS -- Golden Knights center William Karlsson skated down the right side of the ice and without hesitation, with defenders around, fired a ridiculous backhanded pass to hard-charging Reilly Smith as he approached the net.

It was the type of play that reminiscent of what Golden Knights fans were used to seeing during the team's first six years of existence. If only Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman wasn't there to stonewall Smith, a raucous crowd of 18,225 would have lost it to see two of their favorite original misfits connect for a goal after skating together for the first time since Smith's return.

After the Knights won the Stanley Cup in 2023, Smith was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Last offseason he was traded to the New York Rangers.

Smith was reacquired by the Golden Knights earlier this month, just before the deadline, and Karlsson returned to the lineup for Thursday night's 5-1 win over the Bruins.

"Yeah, one thing I did well there on that shift, especially that pass to Reilly," said Karlsson, who had an assist and played 20 shifts for a total of 15:57 on the ice. "I had a lot of speed on my boots. Too bad it wasn't meant to be."

Vegas goal!

Scored by Brett Howden with 14:13 remaining in the 3rd period.

Assisted by William Karlsson.

Vegas: 3
Boston: 0#BOSvsVGK#VegasBorn#NHLBruinspic.twitter.com/d9FVuEB5ea

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) March 21, 2025

Karlsson said he'd like to work on his sharpness, but was otherwise pleased with his speed and ability to see the ice and play in all facets of the game.

"Pretty good, pretty good," Karlsson said. "Good to be back out there with the fellas and the body felt pretty good, so can't complain. I think I adjusted pretty quick. I didn't feel like it was super fast out there, and it felt like it usually is."

Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy agreed.

"I figured his pace would be there," Cassidy said. "That's why he missed time, to correct some of that. And I think he's feeling really good, his body and his legs and that part of it. It's the rust of playing with people around you. It's hard to get that, especially this time of year, we're not practicing that much. So I liked his game a lot, thought he did some good things ... grabbing pucks down low in our end, playing good defense and being in the right spot. I think he made a couple plays to Smitty, good on the kill, power play."

One area Cassidy said Karlsson will benefit over the others is the excitement of wanting to be back on the ice, while others may be feeling normal end-of-the-season fatigue.

"(He) does have a little bit of catching up to do, but you know, sometimes that's not a bad thing," Cassidy added. "He's excited to play, where other guys have played a lot and ... it's the mental grind. He doesn't at least have to go through that. It's the excitement of being back in the lineup. So you know, there's always a positive to it."

AROUND THE BEAT

From The Hockey News' Julian Gaudio: Golden Knights' Pavel Dorofeyev Records A Hat Trick As He Hits The 30-Goal Mark

From Sin Bin Vegas' Ken Boehlke: Karlsson’s Return Offers First Look At Post-Deadline Healthy Forward Lines

From The Athletic's Jesse Granger: Alex Ovechkin 7 goals from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record after scoring vs. Flyers

From Las Vegas Review-Journal's Danny Webster: Golden Knights’ consistent star continues chase for 100-point season

From Las Vegas Sun's Jack Williams: Golden Knights always believed in Dorofeyev's offensive potential

FORMER KNIGHTS

Logan Thompson appears to have regained his winning touch for the Capitals, after a brief lull. Thompson is 5-0-0 since March 3, with a 2.36 goals-against average and .907 save percentage. The undefeated streak follows a 2-2-2 showing from Feb. 1 through March 1.

Jonathan Marchessault goes into the final several weeks of the season looking for a spark, as he's got just one goal and three assists over his last 13 games for the Predators. The Golden Knights visit Nashville on March 29.

Erik Haula had a goal for the Devils in Thursday's 5-3 home loss to the Flames. It was just his seventh goal of the season. Haula had 16 goals last season, and 14 the year before, his first in New Jersey.

LAS VEGAS - The Golden Knights returned home from what turned into a disappointing road trip and was fueled by Pavel Dorofeyev's three-goal game to defeat the Boston Bruins, 5-1.

Brett Howden and Ivan Barbashev added goals for Vegas, while goaltender Adin Hill made 18 saves.

The Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights moved three points in front of the Edmonton Oilers, who lost in overtime to the Winnipeg Jets earlier in the night.

Hill was on the brink of his fifth shutout this season until Morgan Geekie scored for Boston with 2:11 left in the game.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

WILD BILL IS BACK: After missing two months with a lower-body injury, center William Karlsson returned to the lineup and was reunited with fellow original misfit Reilly Smith. It was the first time they've skated together since Smith was reacquired just before the deadline.

"I think I adjusted pretty quick," said Karlsson, who had an assist and played 20 shifts for a total of 15:57 on the ice. "I didn't feel like it was super fast out there, and it felt like it usually is."

DOROFEYEV'S HATTIE: Dorofeyev's hat trick was his second this season, as he also had one in a 5-3 loss at Nashville on Jan. 14. The 24-year-old, who was drafted 79th overall by the Knights in 2019, leads the team with 30 goals. He now has six goals in the team's last five games.

"We always knew that he had the goal-scoring in him," Karlsson said. "I think he's just playing a solid 200-foot game, and then he adds all his scoring on top of that. And just mature, mature guy. He's grown a lot this year."

INJURY UPDATE: Late in the second period Jack Eichel stood tall to block a shot, but immediately limped to the bench and down the tunnel. Eichel would later return to the bench and played in the third period, but he was seen in the locker room after the game limping badly. Asked if he was okay, Eichel promptly replied: "Yep!" The team is off Friday, will hold a morning skate on Saturday and then plays back-to-back games against the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday. Eichel will be someone to watch, in the event he may need to sit one of the two games, if not both.

Welcome to The Hockey News Big Show, where we explore some of the biggest NHL and hockey topics

Which NHL Team Could Pull Off A Cinderella Run? by The Big Showundefined

Here’s what Katie Gaus, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

0:54: Michael revisits his top eight Stanley Cup contenders list from last week and explains his new Nos. 5 to 8 teams this week.

2:59: Ryan also goes over the changes in his list from last week.

6:14: Ryan has the Washington Capitals in his top four, while Michael has them in his bottom four. What's the argument for both of your reasoning? 

10:51: Who should be the starting goalie for Game 1 of the playoffs for the Toronto Maple Leafs?

14:58: How does the addition of a healthy Evander Kane and Trent Frederic change the complexion of this Oilers team in the playoffs?

18:03: How does Miro Heiskanen potentially missing the first round affect your opinion on the Dallas Stars beating the Colorado Avalanche?

21:20: The New York Islanders are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and are very much in the mix again for the second wild-card spot. Do we buy them as a real threat to earn that spot?

23:54: Who is your front-runner for the Calder Trophy race?

26:35: The Top 10 Hobey Baker nominees were recently released. Who are your picks for the top three finalists for the NCAA’s men’s hockey player of the year?

31:09: March Madness is officially underway. Which NHL team would be the best "Cinderella story" to shock the world and make a run, even if they don’t win the Cup?

33:05: Gary Bettman said the playoff format is not changing. Are you GLAD because you like the current format or SAD because you want the 1 vs. 8 format?

35:19: The New York Rangers released their Centennial logo for next season, and people online aren't super impressed. Yay or nay to the logo? 

37:17: Josh Morrissey becomes the top scorer among defensemen in Jets 2.0 history, passing Dustin Byfuglien. Has he been a better blueliner for Winnipeg than Byfuglien?

39:23: Alex Ovechkin is now seven goals away from breaking Gretzky's 894 all-time goals record with 13 games left. Will it take him all 13 games, or will he do it with games to spare?

Watch the full episode here.   

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

It's coming down to the wire in the Western Conference.

Four teams are separated by just four points in the hunt for the final wild-card spot, and the situation changes daily. As of Friday, the St. Louis Blues hold the final playoff spot in the west, thanks in large part to two former Edmonton Oilers: Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. 

We've written ad nauseam about the Blues' breakout stars here at The Hockey News this season, but they keep giving us reasons to come back to the well. Most recently, the pair came up huge in the biggest game of St. Louis' season, a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks that vaulted them into the playoff spot they currently occupy.

Tied with Vancouver coming into the night, the Blues were riding a hot streak and trying to fend off the Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Utah Hockey Club in search of a playoff spot. Down 2-1 in the third period, St. Louis scored two goals in 24 seconds to flip the game on its head and take the lead. Who scored the go-ahead goal? Holloway, of course:

THIS PLACE IS ROCKIN' pic.twitter.com/Y8hYRIz6PX

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 21, 2025

"It reminds you of [Teemu] Selanne and [Paul] Kariya," Blues head coach Jim Montgomery said of Holloway and linemate Jordan Kyrou after the game. "They just used to burn to each post and make great backdoor plays."

High praise, indeed. 

"That's a helluva compliment," Holloway said in response. "Those guys are legends, so I'll take that."

Trending Oilers Articles

Oilers Key Player Grades: McDavid Exits In OT Loss To JetsIt's hard to think of a worse time for the injury bug to bite the Edmonton Oilers.

Oilers Host Special Guest Mark Carney

How Oilers Can Get The Most Out Of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Oilers Injury Report: Connor McDavid & Stuart Skinner

Revamped Oilers Blueline Could Be Best In The League

Oilers Game Schedule For March 2025EDMONTON -- It's trade deadline month.

The drama wasn't over in St. Louis, however. Vancouver's Brock Boeser spoiled the party with a huge game-tying goal with just two seconds remaining in regulation, setting up overtime to decide which team would sit inside the playoff picture. 

Though Vancouver could salvage a point, they couldn't complete the comeback. Of course, it had to be Philip Broberg who played the hero, beating Kevin Lankinen with a slick move to put the Blues in a playoff spot for the first time since November 6th. 

THE BLUES ARE BACK IN A #STANLEYCUP PLAYOFFS SPOT!! 👏

The @StLouisBlues pick up a crucial extra point thanks to Philip Broberg's @Energizer OT winner! pic.twitter.com/XSMlAYZMtg

— NHL (@NHL) March 21, 2025

The goal was Broberg's seventh, bringing his point total up to 22 for the year. Holloway assisted on the game-winner--of course--giving him 23 goals and 56 points this season, tied with Robert Thomas for second on the Blues. 

For comparison's sake--or to twist the knife on Oilers fans--Holloway's 56 points would be third on the Oilers, while Broberg's 22 points are more than Trent Frederic, who the Oilers acquired in exchange for the pick they got in compensation for Broberg leaving, has scored this season in exactly as many games.

While it's impossible to know how Holloway and Broberg would have fared had they stayed in Edmonton, it's hard not to look at their success in St. Louis and wonder what might have been.

Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.

The Vegas Golden Knights ran the Boston Bruins out of T-Mobile Arena last night, and it was headlined by Russian forward Pavel Dorofeyev. 

Dorofeyev got the scoring started for the Golden Knights, recording his 28th goal of the season and his 12th on the power play. As time was set to expire in the second period, Dorofeyev added another, extending the lead to 2-0.

Brett Howden made it 3-0 before Dorofeyev scored his third of the night, recording his first career hat trick and reaching the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career.

Pavel Dorofeyev's third of the game is his 30th of the season! 👏

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

— NHL (@NHL) March 21, 2025

The 24-year-old has played parts of four seasons with the Golden Knights, recording just two games in the 2021-22 season and 18 in the 2022-23 season. He showed flashes of offensive ability but never received consistent ice time. In his rookie campaign last year, he scored 13 goals and 24 points in 47 games, still unable to maintain a nightly roster spot. 

Fast forward to the 2024-25 season, Dorofeyev has taken full advantage of offseason departures and has formed a formidable duo with Tomas Hertl.

The pair of forwards are big and strong around the front of the net, both possessing heavy shots capable of beating goaltenders.  Dorofeyev has also become an improved scorer due to the power play opportunities. His size and shot allow him to be effective in the bumper or on the half-wall. Playing with star playmakers like Jack Eichel and Mark Stone helps showcase his skill set. 

"He's put the work, he put in a lot of work in this summer, and he's progressively gotten better through our organization," said HC Bruce Cassidy about Dorofeyev. "He's earned it. He's done a lot of the right things... he's doing things that will lend itself to success in any environment. That's what I like about his game."

The third-round pick (79th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft not only leads the Golden Knights in goals but is tied in power play goals and ranks fifth in points.

He's among the NHL's most improved players and is poised to be a key contributor in what Vegas hope will be a long playoff run. 

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

The Anaheim Ducks embarked on a three-game road trip to face the St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, and Nashville Predators, three teams sitting in vastly different positions in the Western Conference Standings. The Ducks entered the trip with a 29-30-7 record and came away with a 1-1-1 result.

Game #67: Ducks vs. Blues Gameday Preview

St. Louis was fighting for their playoff lives as a bubble wild card team in the West and thoroughly outplayed Anaheim for the entire 60 minutes of their game on Sunday and came away with a result of 7-2.

Game #68: Ducks vs. Stars Gameday Preview

The Ducks responded well against a Stanley Cup hopeful in the form of the Dallas Stars. They were outplayed again in the first period but were advantageous in the second period and entered the third with a 3-2 lead. Dallas was able to tie it up and, ultimately, win in overtime 4-3.

Game #69: Ducks vs. Predators Gameday Preview

Thursday’s game in Nashville was one of the Ducks’ better 60-minute efforts in the 2024-25 season. They were dictating tempo from the opening puck drop and came away with a 4-1 win over an underachieving team at the bottom of the NHL standings.

Lukas Dostal got the first two starts against the Blues and Stars. He was pulled after the second period of the Blues game. He saved 36 of 45 shots in five periods in the Ducks’ crease.

Ville Husso entered in relief of Dostal for the third period against St. Louis and saved 10 of 12 shots.

John Gibson returned from injury to face the Preds. He was sensational, stopping 33 of 34 shots.

Ducks head coach Greg Cronin tinkered with lines a bit throughout the road trip, both out of necessity, as Nikita Nesterenko was forced out of the Nashville game with illness, and in an attempt to generate offense with new combinations. Cutter Gauthier ended the trip on the wing of Leo Carlsson (where he started the season) and opposite Alex Killorn. Trevor Zegras finished on the wing of Mason McTavish, also in the position where he started the season.

Here are my on-ice notes from these games:

Cycle-The Ducks have been relying on crowding the home plate area of the offensive zone in attempts to generate offense, taking away goaltenders’ eyes and hoping for positive bounces. As a result, they’ve been one of the poorest offensive teams at 5v5 in 2024-25.

They seemed to make some adjustments as the road trip wore on, and in the Nashville game, they were more reliant on perimeter movement, defensemen activating, and cuts into the slot area for needed traffic. They were able to dictate possession time and create more dangerous opportunities. They can strike up a potent balance between rush and cycle offense and attack in a myriad of ways if they continue with this philosophy.

Power Play-The Ducks’ power play went just 1-10 on the trip, but they experimented with a variety of structures when they set up. They seemed to mandate more movement on and off the puck with Carlsson and Zegras’ unit and utilized the area below the goal line more frequently.

Troy Terry may have been the largest benefactor of this new scheme, as he had been too keen to rip distance shots from the flank. He now can keep his feet moving more and utilize his natural manipulation and deception abilities to create far more dangerous looks. The next phase of his evolution will be to increase his effectiveness as a net-front presence, timing cuts and getting tips on perimeter shots.

Regroups/Breakouts-The Ducks did well in the latter two games to absorb oncoming forechecks and defensemen did well to handle opposing high-flips out of the defensive zone to maintain possession and quickly move pucks back up ice to generate rush chances.

The Ducks began to utilize a low, swinging forward to better support retrieving defensemen and activated weak-side defensemen to join rushes. This spread the ice out more and ignited more dangerous rush looks.

The Ducks will now return home to Anaheim for a five-game home stand where they will look to return their record to at least that of a .500 team.

Gulls’ Blue Line Strengthened by Addition of Three Prospects

Leo Carlsson's Scorching Pace Down the Stretch of the Season