Maxim Tsyplakov scored his first goal as a Devils player on Thursday as the New Jersey Devils fell 5-4 to the Calgary Flames.

Tsyplakov has played 11 games with the Devils since being traded from the Islanders on January 27, 2026.

The Devils traded a third and a 2027 sixth-round draft pick, plus Ondrej Palat, for 27-year-old Tsyplakov.

Tsyplakov spent two seasons with the Islanders after going undrafted. He has 12 goals and 26 assists in 115 NHL games.

Tsyplakov's first goal came in the third period off a pass from Nick Bjugstad, deflecting off a skate past Dustin Wolf. The goal was Tsyplakov’s first in 32 games and Bjugstad’s first point as a Devil.  

The team ultimately lost, allowing five goals.

After the game, Jack Hughes discussed the team’s performance.

"It's hard to win when you give up five," Hughes said. "That's probably the story of the night….Just a frustrating loss."

The Devils have lost two straight after winning three in a row. They are in the midst of a seven-game homestand with two games remaining.

The team will play again on Saturday, aiming to return to the win column against the Los Angeles Kings. 

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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OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Linus Ullmark made 23 saves for his second shutout of the season and the Ottawa Senators blanked the Anaheim Ducks 2-0 on Saturday.

Michael Amadio and Thomas Chabot scored for Ottawa. Shane Pinto had two assists. It was the 14th shutout of Ullmark's career. The Senators have won four of five.

Ville Husso stopped 27 shots for Anaheim.

Nick Cousins won a battle along the boards at center which sprung Pinto down the ice. Pinto fed Amadio on a 2-on-1 and he made no mistake, beating Husso short-side 3:54 into the second period.

At the 9:21 mark of the second, the Senators capitalized on a turnover. Pinto intercepted a pass and found Chabot in the high slot for his seventh of the season and second career short-handed goal.

Anaheim challenged for goaltender interference but was unsuccessful.

Warren Foegele had a couple of chances from in close in the opening period, but just couldn’t settle a bouncing puck.

Husso then stopped Amadio on a short-handed 2-on-1.

Amadio later drew a penalty, but Husso made a big glove save on Tim Stutzle on the Senators’ power play.

Up next

Ducks: at Montreal on Sunday.

Senators: host San Jose Sharks on Sunday.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

On Friday, TSN’s director of player scouting, Craig Button, released his list of top affiliated prospects and took a look at the best prospects affiliated with Canadian teams. Montreal Canadiens fans will be happy to hear that their favourite has four of the top eight prospects affiliated with a Canadian team.

Button has NCAA sophomore Michael Hage in the top spot, praising him as a sure bet for a top-six NHL player and one who can play both in the middle and on the right. The 19-year-old and his Michigan Wolverines are currently involved in the Big 10 playoffs, and once his season is over, likely after the Frozen Four, Canadiens’ fans should be able to see him make his NHL debut.

Canadiens To Take On Hungry Sharks
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Button then has the early second-round pick at the last draft, Alexander Zharovsky, in the second spot. The young Russian has 38 points in 56 games with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, which are very good numbers, but he’s currently struggling a bit and was demoted to the fourth line after scoring just 1 goal in the last 10 games.

#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/mGOjZ8upyv

— Karine Hains (@KarineHains) March 14, 2026

In fourth place, he has right-shot defenseman David Reinbacher, who has stepped up nicely with the Laval Rocket this season. The youngster has 22 points in 47 games, but he’s also polished his game, and his decision-making has improved.

Finally, in seventh place, Button puts right-shot defenseman Bryce Pickford, who has been lighting up the WHL this season with 81 points (including 44 goals). He’s 13th in the league in points and tied first in goals with Cameron Schmidt.

It’s encouraging for the Habs to see that not only do they have four players in that top eight, but they have two up front and two on the blueline. The Canadiens’ rebuild has been a masterclass in balance; the front office has been working hard to cover all their bases with talent at every position. While Kent Hughes said when he was hired that he wanted his version of the Canadiens to be a fast-paced, offence-oriented team, he hasn’t gone out all guns blazing, focusing solely on talented forwards like some teams have in the past.

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.  

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The Philadelphia Flyers return home with a renewed sense of urgency and a measure of momentum as they prepare to face the Columbus Blue Jackets.

After collecting all four points from a demanding midweek back-to-back against the Washington Capitals and Minnesota Wild, the Flyers have kept themselves within reach of the playoff race.

Yet inside the room, there is little appetite for celebration. The standings offer a clear reality: every remaining game carries weight, and any slip could erase the progress they’ve fought to regain.

That urgency will define Saturday’s matchup. With Dan Vladar set to start in goal and AHL veteran call-up Garrett Wilson joining the roster, the Flyers will look to extend their recent success against a Columbus team capable of disrupting rhythm if given the opportunity.

1. Momentum Is Real, But the Flyers Know It’s Fragile

Momentum in the NHL can—and does—quickly, and the Flyers are well aware of that fact.

Their back-to-back victories earlier in the week offered a valuable boost, not only in the standings but also in confidence. Tight games that extend into overtime or shootouts test a team’s composure, and the Flyers have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to handle those situations.

Still, internally, the focus remains squarely on the present moment. The Flyers understand that a short winning stretch means little without sustained execution. Their path toward postseason relevance depends on treating each remaining game with playoff-level urgency—a mindset that has been echoed repeatedly by players and coaches.

2. Dan Vladar Looks to Anchor Another Important Start

Goaltending consistency becomes even more valuable late in the season, and the Flyers will once again turn to Vladar to provide stability in net.

Vladar has shouldered a heavy workload at times during the stretch run, yet he continues to give the Flyers an opportunity to win when games tighten defensively. His calm approach in high-pressure moments—particularly in overtime and shootout situations—has helped the team secure critical points during their playoff push.

Against Columbus, his role may be equally important. The Blue Jackets often rely on quick transitions and opportunistic offense rather than extended zone time, meaning defensive lapses can quickly turn into dangerous chances.

For Philadelphia, that makes Vladar’s ability to track pucks through traffic and manage rebounds a key component of the game plan. When the Flyers are structured defensively and their goaltender is seeing the puck clearly, they become a far more difficult team to break down.

3. Garrett Wilson’s Call-Up Adds Experience and Energy

The Flyers’ lineup will also feature a familiar face from the organization’s developmental system.

Garrett Wilson, who has served as captain of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for the past six seasons, was recently signed to a two-way NHL contract and has now earned a call-up to Philadelphia. For Wilson, the opportunity is both a reward for leadership in Lehigh Valley and a chance to contribute meaningful minutes during a crucial stretch of the season.

Transaction: We have recalled forward Garrett Wilson from the @LVPhantoms (AHL). pic.twitter.com/aPXm9CEA1I

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 14, 2026

If he does end up playing tonight, Wilson’s impact is unlikely to come in the form of highlight-reel scoring. Instead, his value lies in the details: responsible shifts, physical engagement along the boards, and a willingness to play the type of grinding hockey that the Flyers need to fill out their bottom six. 

Veteran depth players frequently become important during playoff-style stretches because they understand the demands of tight, low-scoring contests. Wilson’s experience and leadership qualities make him a logical addition to a roster that is balancing youthful energy with situational maturity.

4. Another “Playoff Game” in Everything but Name

Perhaps the most defining characteristic of the Flyers’ current mindset is how clearly they view the remainder of the schedule.

Inside the room, there is little discussion of long-term scenarios or standings projections. Instead, the approach has become simple: treat each game as though it carries the stakes of postseason hockey.

“For me, it’s a playoff game. We need to act like it.”

- Rick Tocchet on Flyers’ game tonight against Blue Jackets, a team they’re chasing pic.twitter.com/3twxixFGmz

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) March 14, 2026

For the Flyers, success will depend on maintaining their structure and continuing to capitalize on the balanced scoring that has carried them recently.

If they can replicate the discipline and urgency shown earlier in the week, the opportunity to extend their momentum will be there.

But at this stage of the season, the Flyers understand a simple truth: nothing will be given. Every point must be earned.

Projected Lines

Philadelphia Flyers

Forwards:

Alex Bump - Christian Dvorak - Travis Konecny

Nikita Grebenkin - Trevor Zegras - Owen Tippett

Denver Barkey - Noah Cates - Matvei Michkov 

Carl Grundstrom - Sean Couturier - Garnet Hathaway 

Defense:

Travis Sanheim - Rasmus Ristolainen

Cam York - Jamie Drysdale

Nick Seeler - Emil Andrae

Goalies:

Dan Vladar

Sam Ersson

Columbus Blue Jackets

Forwards:

Cole Sillinger - Adam Fantilli - Kirill Marchenko 

Kent Johnson - Sean Monahan - Conor Garland

Mason Marchment - Charlie Coyle - Mathieu Olivier

Isac Lundestrom - Boone Jenner - Danton Heinen

Defense:

Zach Werenski - Dante Fabbro 

Ivan Provorov - Denton Mateychuk 

Damon Severson - Erik Gudbranson 

Goalies:

Jet Greaves

Elvis Merzlikins 

The Colorado Avalanche have been soaring to incredible heights all season.

Today, the highest-flying team in the NHL will fly into Canadian airspace at Canada Life Center against Connor Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets to finish off their two game road swing.

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche come into today’s game fresh off a 5-1 victory over the reeling Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday night. The Avs would regain the services of Nathan MacKinnon, who returned to the lineup after being served a major penalty (courtesy of on-ice officials Kelly Sutherland and Brandon Schrader) and a corresponding game misconduct (which was rescinded by the NHL on Thursday) upon colliding with Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram (courtesy of Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse) in the 4-3 loss on Tuesday night. If MacKinnon was harboring any resentment after the events of Tuesday night, he channeled all of it towards Seattle’s Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer, resulting in a four point effort (1G/3A/4PTS), which included the game-winning tally, in the win. Martin Nečas scored his 30th goal of the season for the first time in his career, and Nazem Kadri scored his first regular season goal in a Colorado sweater since April 29, 2022, en route to the victory. Scott Wedgewood stopped 28 of 29 shots for his 25th win of the season, extending his career high.

With this victory, the Avalanche maintained a five point lead over the Dallas Stars—who defeated Edmonton by a score of 7-2 Thursday evening—and still hold a critical game in hand over their second place rivals. They remain the undisputed leader across the Central Division, Western Conference, and League standings. Coach Jared Bednar said after Thursday’s game, “Every win matters this time of the year. We’re trying to hang on to first place. Teams around us are winning, and to get a start like that [tonight], and have those guys feel good about their game is real important this time of year.”

Today’s game marks the first of two visits to Winnipeg in a two week span for the Avs. Both teams previously met on December 19 back at Ball Arena, a 3-2 Avalanche victory. Parker Kelly scored what proved to be the game winner in that contest. Look for Mackenzie Blackwood to get the start in Winnipeg today, as he looks to rebound from a performance on Tuesday night where he gave his teammates plenty of time to take control of the contest, but ultimately was unable to provide key saves when his defenders weren’t at their best.

Coach Bednar deployed eleven skaters at the forward positions on Thursday, along with seven defensemen. This saw the debut of Nick Blankenburg, acquired from Nashville just before the trade deadline, in an Avalanche sweater. Blankenburg, fared decently in his first outing with his new team, but as the seventh defenseman, had a team low 9:31 among the blue line corps. At the time of this writing, the Avalanche haven’t called anyone up from Loveland (which would be a curious decision given that there can be only five call-ups to use between now and the end of the regular season), and Ross Colton’s status is still unknown, so it’s possible that Bednar considers using this same lineup against Winnipeg and allow Blankenburg another opportunity to showcase his abilities.

Even with his four point performance on Thursday, Nathan MacKinnon trails Edmonton’s Connor McDavid in the overall points lead (MacKinnon has 108 points; McDavid leads the League with 111). His 44 goals on the season still lead all NHL skaters. Nečas is now tied for second in team goal scoring with Brock Nelson (30). Cale Makar remains one goal away from a fourth consecutive 20 goal season.

Projected Lineup

Forwards:
Nazem Kadri – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas
Joel Kiviranta – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin
Parker Kelly – Nicolas Roy – Gavin Brindley
Zakhar Bardakov – Jack Drury

Defense:
Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Josh Manson – Brent Burns
Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski
Nick Blankenburg

Between the Pipes:
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood

Winnipeg Jets

After capturing the Presidents Trophy as the League’s best team in the regular season with 56 wins last year, an encore performance seemed all but certain. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was awarded his second straight Vezina Trophy as the League’s best goaltender, and secured the Hart Trophy for the first time. However, their dominant run saw an early exit in the second round of the postseason at the hands of the Dallas Stars. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff got to work through the next several months, locking up several key figures to long-term, lucrative contracts: defenseman Neal Pionk (six years, $42 million dollars), center Gabe Vilardi (six years, $45 million dollars), left wing Kyle Connor (eight years, $96 million dollars) and captain Adam Lowry (five years, $25 million dollars). Cheveldayoff also signed former Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, who hadn’t seen NHL action since the end of the 2022-2023 season, to a one-year contract. Management made their commitment to the roster, and the future was looking bright.

Winnipeg didn’t have as dominant of a start to the 2025 – 2026 season began, as they went 12-8 in the first twenty games. However, Hellebuyck underwent knee surgery on November 22nd, causing him to miss three weeks of action. The Jets lost eight of their next ten games without Hellebuyck, and eleven of twelve games after his return on December 13. With Colorado, Dallas, and Minnesota all but untouchable at the top of the Central Division standings, and Utah making a strong case for wild card consideration, Winnipeg was fighting an uphill battle, as they fought to prevent sinking to the Central Division basement. Currently, a stretch of .500 hockey coming out of the Olympic break sees Winnipeg seven points out of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. However, just one point separates them from cellar-dwelling Chicago.

With their hopes for playoff contention fading, Winnipeg traded defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for right wing Isak Rosén, defenseman Jacob Bryson, a conditional 2026 4th round pick, and a 2027 2nd-round pick prior to the trade deadline. They would later trade left wing Tanner Pearson to Buffalo for a 2026 7th round pick on trade deadline day. It would take a lot to close the gap on the teams ahead of them in the wild card race, but a successful weekend at home could help turn the tide in their favor.

Winnipeg is currently in the midst of an eight game homestand, and today’s game against Colorado serves as the first half of a back to back set of weekend games, with the St. Louis Blues paying a visit to Canada Life Center on Sunday afternoon. Winnipeg has lost its previous two games, a 4-1 defeat at the hands (wings?) of the Anaheim Ducks, and a 6-3 loss courtesy of the New York Rangers. Hellebuyck started the previous seven of Winnipeg’s eight games since the return from winning Olympic gold with the United States (and teammate Kyle Connor) in Italy, and is likely to start again today. While Hellebuyck has been a formidable opponent against Colorado, he will face them with a depleted blue line, as both Pionk and Colin Miller remain out of the lineup due to injury. Other notable absences include former Avalanche center Vladislav Namestnikov and right wing Nino Niedereitter.

Center Mark Scheifele currently leads all Winnipeg skaters in goals (30), assists (49), and points (79). Connor is second in all three categories (29G/43A/72PTS). Defenseman Josh Morrissey, who earned a silver medal with Team Canada in Italy, leads all Winnipeg defensemen in all three categories (11G/33A/44PTS).

Projected Lineup

Forwards:
Kyle Connor – Mark Scheifele – Alex Iafallo
Cole Perfetti – Adam Lowry – Gabe Vilardi
Gustav Nyquist – Jonathan Toews – Isak Rosén
Cole Koepke – Morgan Barron – Brad Lambert

Defense:
Josh Morrissey – Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg – Elias Salomonsson
Haydn Fleury – Jacob Bryson

Between the Pipes:
Connor Hellebuyck
Eric Comrie

The Winnipeg Jets have quietly built a respectable prospect pipeline in recent years, with several intriguing young players working their way toward the NHL. However, when TSN's Craig Button released his ranking of the top 50 NHL-affiliated prospects for the 2025-26 season, the Jets were notably absent from the list.

Despite having promising names such as Brayden Yager, Colby Barlow, Kieron Walton and Kevin He developing within the organization, none were included in Button’s ranking. The list is difficult to crack, particularly with several high-end recent draft picks occupying prominent spots. Prospects like Anton Frondell, Brady Martin and Caleb Desnoyers headline the rankings, many of them still in junior or European leagues but carrying the pedigree of top draft selections.

That pedigree often carries significant weight in prospect rankings. Many of the players listed have yet to make the transition to professional hockey, but their draft status and projected ceilings keep them highly regarded among evaluators.

Iginla No. 1, Habs among NHL leaders in Button’s Top 50 prospects rankingThe Kelowna Rockets forward has had a mammoth season, while a clear line is drawn between the haves and have-nots among Canada's NHL teams.

Both Yager and Barlow made the jump to the American Hockey League this season and have experienced quieter starts as they adjust to the pro game. While that transition period is common for young players, it can sometimes stall momentum in prospect rankings that prioritize immediate impact or standout performances.

Still, the omission of any Jets prospects feeds into a narrative that has followed the organization for years: the sense that Winnipeg teams and players often fly under the radar compared to larger markets around the league. While the names included on Button’s list are undeniably elite, there is a growing argument that a few Jets prospects could have warranted at least consideration.

One of the strongest cases belongs to Walton as the young forward has emerged as one of the most productive players in junior hockey this season, recording 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points in just 25 games. That production places him on pace for roughly 90 points over 62 games.

Another compelling candidate is He, whose breakout campaign has become one of the most notable stories in junior hockey this year. The Chinese forward has been electric offensively, posting 36 goals and 36 assists for 72 points in 56 games while showcasing a dynamic scoring touch and strong playmaking ability.

Both Walton and He are building impressive resumes that could push them onto more prospect radars moving forward. While the Jets’ system may lack the top-heavy collection of elite prospects found in organizations that have recently drafted near the top of the NHL Draft, it remains a pipeline filled with promising talent.

Winnipeg’s sustained success at the NHL level has naturally limited its opportunities to select near the top of the draft in recent years. As a result, the organization’s prospect pool leans more on depth and development rather than headline-grabbing blue-chip names.

Even so, the performances of players like Walton and He suggest the Jets may have more emerging talent than some rankings currently recognize. If their upward trajectories continue, it may only be a matter of time before Winnipeg prospects begin appearing on lists like Button’s in the future.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

For a team that has spent much of the season overwhelming opponents with speed, skill, and offensive pressure, the Colorado Avalanche have one oddly persistent blemish on their résumé.

They keep giving up shorthanded goals.

The Avalanche have allowed 12 shorthanded goals through 64 games this season — the most in the NHL — a surprising statistic for one of the league’s top teams. On the surface, it sounds alarming, and to some degree, it is.

But history suggests it’s far from a fatal flaw.

Colorado has dominated large portions of the season despite operating with a power play that hasn’t always been among the league’s elite. The penalty kill, meanwhile, has remained one of the NHL’s most dependable units, consistently shutting down opposing power plays and keeping the Avalanche firmly in control of games.

WILD GET A SHORTHANDED GOAL AND THEY'RE UP 2-1!!! 😱🚨 pic.twitter.com/cdco9G04XS

— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) March 8, 2026

Recently, however, a strange trend has emerged.

While the Avalanche power play has started converting at a higher rate, the risk has grown on the other end of the ice. Colorado has surrendered eight shorthanded goals over its last 24 games — a spike that stands out for a team with legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations.

It’s not a crisis, but it is something the Avalanche would prefer to clean up as the calendar inches toward the playoffs.

A Problem Even Great Avalanche Teams Have Had

Oddly enough, shorthanded goals against have followed the Avalanche before — even during championship seasons.

When the franchise captured its first Stanley Cup after relocating to Denver in 1996, Colorado allowed an astonishing 22 shorthanded goals during the regular season. That total remains tied for the most in NHL history, alongside the 1984–85 Pittsburgh Penguins and the 1991–92 Minnesota North Stars.

Yet that didn’t stop the Avalanche from hoisting the Stanley Cup.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the other two teams. The Penguins — despite having Mario Lemieux, who debuted that season and scored on his very first NHL shot — finished with a 24-51-5 record. The North Stars weren’t much better, ending the season at 32-42-6.

The Avalanche were the clear anomaly, and it certainly didn’t hurt that they had one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history — Patrick Roy — anchoring the crease.

Even the legendary 2000–01 Avalanche, widely regarded as one of the most talented teams of the modern era, wasn’t immune to the issue. That team allowed 11 shorthanded goals during the regular season, which ranked ninth-most in the league.

In other words, elite teams can survive this problem — and sometimes even win championships despite it.

The Current Pace

Still, the numbers are worth keeping an eye on.

Colorado’s 12 shorthanded goals allowed already lead the league, and there are still 18 regular-season games remaining.

At their current rate — 12 goals in 64 games — the Avalanche are on pace to allow about 15 shorthanded goals over an 82-game season. That would still be a notable number, but it remains comfortably below the all-time record.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s a manageable issue rather than a catastrophic one.

The Real Fix

At this stage of the season, sweeping changes are rarely the answer.

The Avalanche aren’t going to reinvent their power play system with the postseason looming — nor should they. What matters now are the small adjustments that separate good teams from championship teams.

Puck management becomes critical. So does anticipation.

Loose pucks at the blue line must be won. Risky cross-ice passes have to be timed properly. When a play breaks down — and eventually one will — the response has to be immediate.

That’s where championship habits take over.

Backchecking urgency. Defensive awareness. The instinct to recover rather than hesitate.

In the playoffs, every mistake is magnified. A single shorthanded goal can swing momentum, silence a crowd, or flip an entire series.

But if the Avalanche continue generating offense on the power play while tightening those defensive gaps, the equation becomes simple.

A dangerous power play paired with elite five-on-five play makes Colorado one of the toughest teams in the NHL to beat.

And if history has taught us anything, it’s this:

Even Avalanche teams with flaws have found a way to win it all.

The Islanders really need to not mess this up. The second-worst team in the league (even worse than the Rangers) is in town and the Isles need the points in the very tight Eastern Conference playoff race. David Rittich will get the start, so hopefully he and the skaters in front of him recapture their better forms.

The Flames are two games from finishing a long trip, having lost 4-0 at MSG but then winning 5-4 in Newark. Both teams have equally putrid power plays, clicking at 16% for a tie for 29th in the league.

With the Isles having played (and lost to) the Kings last night, lineup updates and injury statuses will come closer to game time.l

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News

• Takeaways: The Isles lament their pattern of slow starts. Flipping the top two lines back was a bid for a “spark” after they fell behind 3-0. [Isles]
• The Skinny: Matthew Schaefer breaking more ice-time-at-18 records, and Anders Lee’s next goal will have him pass Clark Gillies and his next point will pass Bob Bourne. (At the other end, Brayden Schenn is in a 58-way tie for 444th on the Isles’ all-time points list. But he’s gunning for Carson Soucy, Travis Zajac and Aatu Raty, I just know it.) [Isles]
• Gross: The Isles could use some more raucous nights and electricity at Belmont. [Newsday]
• Max Shabanov spoke a bit (through a translator) about the adjustment from the KHL and getting, maybe, a little bit, more of a chance the last two games. [Post]
• Part of the reason Roy is tinkering with lines is to learn what (re)combos he can turn to when playoff matchups cause problems. [THN]

Elsewhere

Only two games last night. In the other, the Blues rallied to top the Oilers in overtime.

• Radko Gudas got five games for taking out Auston Matthews’ knee. [NHL] Matthews will miss the rest of the season with a Grade 3 MCL tear.
• The next Global Series matchup will have the Senators and Blackhawks meet for two games that count in Dusseldorf, Germany. [NHL]

BUFFALO — One day after the Toronto Maple Leafs learned they would be without their captain for the remainder of the season, players and staff reacted to the NHL’s Department of Player Safety’s decision to suspend Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas for five games following his knee-on-knee hit on Auston Matthews.

Not surprisingly, the consensus was that the suspension was insufficient.

“I think the league could have done a little bit more, seeing as our best player, our captain, is not going to be with us for the rest of the year,” Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies said, following his team’s morning skate at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. “That's a big loss for us. That decision is kind of out of my control, but I would have loved to see a little bit more.” 

The Leafs announced late Friday that Matthews would miss the rest of the season with a Grade 3 tear of his MCL and a quad contusion. Shortly after the decision was handed down by the NHL Department of Player Safety, led by former NHL enforcer George Parros, Matthews’ agent, Judd Moldaver, released a statement to reporters ripping the league’s safety department for the discipline handed down to Gudas.

Auston Matthews’ Agent Rips NHL Player Safety Over Radko Gudas’ Five-Game Suspension For Kneeing Maple Leafs StarAuston Matthews has been shut down for the 2025-26 NHL season and his agent, Judd Moldaver, didn't hold back on his thoughts of the discipline handed out to the Anaheim Ducks captain for his knee-on-knee hit.

While the players did not use the same harsh language as the agent, there appeared to be a shared sense of resignation that the outcome would not change.

“I can sit here and say whatever, but it's not going to change it,” Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe said of the suspension. “I'm not George (Parros) sitting in the chair making the phone call and making those decisions. So it doesn't matter what the hell I say.” 

The Maple Leafs snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 6-4 win against the Ducks on Thursday, though they were heavily criticized for their lack of an initial response to the Gudas hit. Eventually, they found more physicality in the third period and will look to carry that momentum into their game against the Atlantic Division-leading Sabres.

However, being without their captain certainly dampens the morale in the Toronto locker room, and many felt the league missed the mark.

“I feel like he was a repeat offender in situations like that,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of Gudas, noting that the defenseman has been suspended five times previously. “I don't think it was enough is all I'll say about that.” 

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The Montreal Canadiens look to push their win streak to four when they welcome the San Jose Sharks to Bell Centre tonight.

Cole Caufield has been one of the league’s most lethal goal scorers since the calendar flipped to 2026, and he features in tonight's Sharks vs. Canadiens predictions.

Find out why in my NHL picks for Saturday, March 14.

Sharks vs Canadiens prediction

Sharks vs Canadiens best bet: Cole Caufield to score (+130)

Cole Caufield’s 37 goals are tied for third-most in the NHL this season behind only Nathan MacKinnon (44) and Kirill Kaprizov (38), but the Montreal Canadiens forward has actually been the best scorer in the league down the stretch.

Since the calendar flipped to 2026, Caufield leads the league with 18 goals in 24 games, scoring in 10 of his last 16 outings.

At the other end of the rink, the San Jose Sharks are floundering with just four wins in their last 12 games while giving up 3.67 goals per game — tied for the fourth-most in the NHL over that span.

Sharks vs Canadiens same-game parlay

The Sharks (65.1%; 1st) and Canadiens (59.4%; 8th) are two of the NHL’s top puckline teams this season, but they’ve been trending in opposite directions. San Jose is 4-8 ATS over its last 12, while Montreal is 8-4 ATS over that same span. The Habs are also 8-2-1 over their last 11 games at Bell Centre.

Sharks vs Canadiens SGP

• Caufield to score
• Canadiens -1.5

Sharks vs Canadiens odds

• Moneyline: Sharks +140 | Canadiens -165
• Puck Line: Sharks +1.5 (-170) | Canadiens -1.5 (+145)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5| Under 6.5

Sharks vs Canadiens trend

The Canadiens have covered the Puck Line in 17 of their last 25 games (+11.05 Units / 28% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Sharks vs. Canadiens.

How to watch Sharks vs Canadiens

Sharks vs Canadiens latest injuries

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