For months, the Calgary Flames have faced a stark reality: their current roster, despite flashes of talent and veteran leadership, is not built to contend for the top of the NHL.

A combination of aging stars, cap constraints, and a need to inject youth left the organization with a difficult choice. That decision came into sharp focus on March 6, 2026, when the Flames traded veteran forward Nazem Kadri, along with a 2027 fourth-round pick, to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for the rights to Max Curran, winger Victor Olofsson, a conditional 2027 second-round pick, and a conditional 2028 first-round selection.

Kadri, a cornerstone of the locker room and a proven scorer, carries a $7 million cap hit through the 2028-29 season—a figure that increasingly limited Calgary’s flexibility to add younger talent and build a sustainable core. For a franchise embarking on a multi-year reconstruction, retaining Kadri while balancing salary and roster development simply wasn’t feasible.

Nazem Kadri CALLS GAME in the 8th round of the shootout 🔥

The Flames spoil the Oilers' home opener after being down 3-0 😲 pic.twitter.com/4BiDH1x9yv

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) October 9, 2025

A Move That Signals a New Era

Trading a player of Kadri’s stature is never undertaken lightly. He consistently delivered offensively, brought playoff experience, and served as a leader in the dressing room. His departure underscores the Flames’ acknowledgment that the team cannot realistically compete at the highest level without recalibrating its strategy. The organization is now fully committed to a long-term rebuild, one that prioritizes youth, cap flexibility, and draft capital over established veteran presence.

The trade also creates opportunities for younger players to step into meaningful roles. John Beecher, for example, recently showcased his potential with a two-goal performance in Calgary’s 5–4 win over the New Jersey Devils. Kadri’s exit clears the path for emerging talent to take on central positions and gain valuable NHL experience, accelerating the franchise’s evolution.

Draft Capital as the Cornerstone

Ultimately, the success of Calgary’s rebuild will hinge on its draft strategy. By exchanging a fourth-round pick for the potential of a second-rounder and a first-round selection, contingent on conditions, the Flames have placed their future in the hands of scouting and player development. Smart drafting could fast-track the team’s return to competitiveness, while missteps could extend the rebuilding timeline. Every choice in the coming years will reverberate far beyond the immediate roster.

According to TSN’s Craig Button, the Flames boast a pair of promising prospects. In his annual ranking of the top 50 NHL-drafted prospects, two Flames prospects made the list: Cole Reschny at 24th and Ethan Wyttenbach at 39th.

Reschny, from Macklin, Saskatchewan, was a first-round pick by the Flames in 2025, selected 18th overall with the pick acquired from New Jersey in the Jacob Markstrom trade. He spent two seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Victoria Royals, including a standout 92-point campaign in 2024–25, his draft-eligible season. Reschny also impressed internationally, delivering a strong showing for Canada at the Under-18 World Championships.

Looking Forward

The Flames had little choice but to move Kadri. Calgary is entering a period defined by strategic patience, calculated risk, and the deliberate cultivation of young talent. The organization is signaling that the next chapter of the franchise will be built on potential and opportunity, with a new core poised to shape the team’s future. For fans, Kadri’s departure represents both the closing of a familiar era and the opening of a promising—though inherently uncertain—one.

After dropping two points against the San Jose Sharks at the Bell Centre on Saturday night, the Montreal Canadiens will have to bounce right back to take on the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night. The Habs lost their first meeting against Anaheim last week in a lengthy shootout session with Samuel Montembeault in what would be his last start before the decision was made to call up Jacob Fowler.

The good news for the Canadiens is that the Ducks will be without their captain, Radko Gudas, who is serving a five-game suspension for ending Toronto Maple Leafs’ captain Auston Matthews’ season. No, that Gudas has that much of an impact, but he plays carelessly, and the last thing Montreal needs would be an injury to a key player.

Canadiens: You Can’t Gamble Against Celebrini
Canadiens’ Prospects Dominate Lists Of Top Affiliated Prospects To Canadian Teams
Breaking: Gallagher Healthy Scratch For Canadiens In Game Against Sharks

Neither team has confirmed who will be their starter today, but given the fact that both teams played yesterday, we should see a Jacob Fowler vs. Lukas Dostal matchup. The Ducks were shut out 2-0 by the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night with Ville Husso in the net.

Fowler has never played the Ducks, but he has a 5-4-2 record this season, including a shutout with a 2.56 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. Meanwhile, Dobes has never faced them, but he is 21-7-4 with a 2.97 GAA and a .891 SV% on the season. He should be the one who backs up Fowler tonight, even though that hasn’t been confirmed yet, and there will be no media availability before the game.

As for the Ducks, Dostal has a 3-1-1 record with a 3.11 GAA and a .882 SV in five career games against the Canadiens, while Husso is 4-0-2 with a 1.95 GAA and a .929 SV and two shutouts.

Up front, we know that Brendan Gallagher will be back in the lineup tonight. Martin St-Louis was clear about that on Saturday morning, but we’ll have to wait until game time to know who will make way. Zachary Bolduc or Alexandre Texier could be possibilities. The alternate captain is the Canadiens’ point leader against Anaheim with 12 points in 16 games, followed by Phillip Danault with 11 points in 26 games, and Nick Suzuki wraps up the top three with nine points in just 10 games. It’s also worth mentioning that Lane Hutson has four points in three games against Anaheim, while Zachary Bolduc has six points in as many nights, and Cole Caufield has six points in seven tilts.

As for the Ducks, new acquisition John Carlson has 28 points in 46 games, but he has yet to play for his new team since he was traded and is currently listed as day-to-day. Chris Kreider comes in second place with 22 points in 33 games, including four in last week’s game. Veterans Alex Killorn and Mikael Granlund both have 21 points, the former in 43 games and the latter in just 20 games. As for Troy Terry, who’s currently listed as day-to-day, he only has 10 points, but he got them in just nine games.

Since beating the Habs last week, the Ducks have lost three of their last four games and have a 6-4-0 record in their last 10 games. They are involved in a three-way battle with the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers for the Pacific Division lead and sit in second place, a single point behind the Knights, making tonight’s game all the more important for them. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are 5-2-3 in their last 10 games and now only have a two-point lead on the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings, who occupy the two wild-card spots. The Habs have games in hand on both teams, but they still need the win, ideally in regulation. Should they end the season tied in points, the number of regulation wins is a tie-breaker, and Montreal only has 25 of them, just like Detroit, while the Bruins have 27. The Ducks have won six of the last 10 duels between the two teams.

The game is set for 7:00 PM, and you can catch it on RDS, TSN2, KCOP-13, and Victory+. Frederick L'Ecuyer and Francis Charron are set to officiate, while Julien Fournier and Jesse Marquis will serve as the linemen. After seeing Macklin Celbrini, the Bell Centre crowd will get to see Beckett Sennecke in action. The youngster is second in points amongst rookies with 51, just one behind Ivan Demidov, who has 52. Rookie blueliner Matthew Schaefer is catching up on both of them; however, he now has 48 points.

---

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The Montreal Canadiens are right back in action tonight against another California-based team as they welcome the Anaheim Ducks to the Bell Centre.

Both clubs have struggled to put the puck in the net over the past week, and I’m predicting a low-scoring affair in my Ducks vs. Canadiens predictions and NHL picks for Sunday, March 15.

Ducks vs Canadiens prediction

Ducks vs Canadiens best bet: Under 6.5 (+110)

The Montreal Canadiens have boasted one of the NHL’s strongest offenses this season, ranking second in goals per game (3.51), while the Anaheim Ducks have also had a respectable attack.

However, both clubs have struggled to put up much offense this week. Montreal is averaging just 2.67 gpg over its last three outings, while Anaheim has scored 2.00 gpg over its last four.

The Habs have cashed the Under in three straight, while the Ducks have done so in three of their last four.

Both teams will also have tired legs in the second half of a back-to-back.

Ducks vs Canadiens same-game parlay

The Canadiens have been hot at home, winning 10 of their last 14 games at Bell Centre, while the Ducks have struggled on the road with just one victory in their last five as the visitors.

This marks the fourth road game for Anaheim, so the tank is running on fumes.

Ducks vs Canadiens SGP

• Under 6.5
• Canadiens moneyline

Ducks vs Canadiens odds

• Moneyline: Ducks +125 | Canadiens -145
• Puck Line: Ducks +1.5 (-180) | Canadiens -1.5 (+155)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-130) | Under 6.5 (+110)

Ducks vs Canadiens trend

The Under is 4-2 in the last six meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Ducks vs. Canadiens.

How to watch Ducks vs Canadiens

Ducks vs Canadiens latest injuries

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Once again, the Western Conference race to the postseason is going to be a tight one, and the Kings are in the thick of it. 

Entering just near the end of the regular season with a few weeks left, little separates seeds three through six, meaning nearly anything is possible for the Kings. By the start of the playoffs, the Kings will either be home for the entire summer or could be staring at a potential playoff berth. 

Kings Rally Falls Short To Devils, Despite Kopitar's Historic NightThe Kings stormed back in the second period and briefly took control, but ultimately came up short as they fell to the New Jersey Devils

Now, after suffering a disappointing loss yesterday to the New Jersey Devils, the Kings fell from the fourth seed in the Pacific Division to the sixth seed just like that, with a loss. 

The difference in their standings could be the smallest of tiebreakers. 

With head-to-head being the first decider, let’s take a look at the tiebreaker situation between the Kings and all teams they are currently competing with for a playoff spot.

Seattle Kraken

With only one game remaining between the two, the Kraken already own the tiebreaker over the Kings as they've won all three meetings this season. 

The Kings and Kraken will play one more game this season on April 13, but it won't mean much for Los Angeles, which has already lost the tiebreaker. 

Both teams are currently tied for the fifth seed in their division with 69 points, so that could later come back to haunt the Kings for not playing well against Seattle this season. 

Kings Playoff Watch: Biggest Games Around The NHL To Watch This WeekIf the Kings beat the Islanders and Devils in their back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, and the right teams lose, they can end this week as a top-four team in the Pacific Division.

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks are another team that owns the tiebreaker over the Kings. San Jose completed the season series sweep, winning all three contests very early in the season. 

San Jose, like Seattle, is neck and neck with the Kings, so both teams could end up spoiling LA's playoff chances by owning the tiebreaker. 

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings have split their first two meeting this season, with the Oilers dominating the road game in Crypto.com Arena, winning 8-1. The Kings won the first meeting back in January and will meet one more time on April 11 for a chance to gain the advantage over their Western Conference foe. 

The Oilers have been struggling as of late, currently on a two-game losing streak and having lost four of their last seven games, leaving them just four points ahead of the Kings. That deciding game in the last week of the season could be a critical one. 

Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim, currently the second seed in the Pacific Division, just one point behind the Vegas Golden Knights for the top spot, won the season series 3-1 against Los Angeles. The Ducks are only six points ahead of the six-seed Kings, so it's possible for Los Angeles to climb up, but considering the lead and tiebreaker that the Ducks have on the Kings, it's only likely if the Ducks continue losing. But that remains unlikely, with Anaheim having one of the easiest remaining schedules. 

Utah Mammoth

Utah is the only top team in the Western Conference against whom the Kings have a good position right now, leading the tiebreaker 1-0, with their last matchup coming in December.  The Mammoth, who are in the Central Division, are in a good position with 74 points, but have lost four straight games, and LA can overtake them with just five points separating them.  

The pair of teams will split two games at the end of March in Utah and Los Angeles, rounding out their final two games of the season. The Kings will just need to win one of two contests to own the tiebreaker. 

Nashville Predators

Nashville, in the hunt for a playoff spot, is two points behind the Kings and three points behind the Sharks for the final playoff spot. The Predators won the first matchup very early in the season back in October in a shootout, and Nashville will fly to LA for a pair of games in April. 

Nashville is still very much alive in the playoff hunt, with the seedings changing every day in the Western Conference. Those two games at Crypto.com Arena will be critical for the Kings, needing to win both contests to own the tiebreaker.

Overall, LA is in some tough spots, having already lost the tiebreaker to Seattle, San Jose, and Anaheim. Also, have tough games coming up where they will need to capitalize against Utah, Nashville, and Edmonton to take sole possession of the tiebreaker. 

In short, they're playing with desperation every night. This late into the season, that’s giving them something to use in their games if they want to make a run at the playoffs and control their own destiny. 

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Two teams that are trying to chase the final Wild Card spot in the West collide this afternoon, when the St Louis Blues visit the Winnipeg Jets.

Both teams start the day five points back of the L.A. Kings, with three other teams between them and that spot.

After Winnipeg’s impressive win over the NHL-best Avalanche on Saturday, my Blues vs. Jets predictions and NHL picks have the home team carrying the momentum in a back-to-back.

Blues vs Jets prediction

Blues vs Jets best bet: Jets moneyline (-120)

The St. Louis Blues have been rolling since the NHL resumed after the Olympics, going 7-1-1 in their last nine. They sport the best GAA in the league in that stretch at 1.78.

The Winnipeg Jets have been good as well since coming back from the break, with a 5-2-2 record, punctuated Saturday with a nice 3-1 win at home against Colorado.

They’re well equipped to handle the mileage of a back-to-back: they're 4-2 in such a scenario this season, averaging better than 4.0 goals per game.

The Jets have also won two of the last three meetings.

Blues vs Jets same-game parlay

Mark Scheifele has picked up points in five of his last six games, including three goals. He’s also scored two goals in each of the Jets' last three games on the second leg of a back-to-back.

Kyle Connor has been hard to stop against St. Louis. He picked up two assists last game over the Blues in a 3-1 win, giving him points in 12 of the last 15 head-to-head matchups.

Blues vs Jets SGP

• Jets moneyline
• Mark Scheifele anytime goalscorer
• Kyle Connor Over 0.5 assists

Blues vs Jets odds

• Moneyline: Blues +100 | Jets -120
• Puck Line: Blues +1.5 (-245) | Jets -1.5 (+215)
• Over/Under: Over 5.5 | Under 5.5

Blues vs Jets trend

The Jets are 4-2 ATS in their last six home games. Find more NHL betting trends for Blues vs. Jets.

How to watch Blues vs Jets

Blues vs Jets latest injuries

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The Vegas Golden Knights are bringing a festive twist to T-Mobile Arena this St. Patrick’s Day, unveiling plans for their second annual Go Green Knight celebration on Tuesday, March 17, when they host the Buffalo Sabres. The event, presented by Zoox, combines hockey, sustainability, and Irish-themed fan experiences in one lively package.

Fans attending the game can immerse themselves in a St. Patrick’s Day-inspired atmosphere, with complimentary gold and green hair tinsel and gold face gems available pregame on Toshiba Plaza. All attendees will also receive foam mini hockey sticks courtesy of Zoox, while traditional Irish dance performances on the concourse will kick off the pregame festivities.

Adding to the celebratory spirit, LEVY Restaurants will offer specialty concessions throughout the arena. Selections include Green Beer ($12.50), the citrus-forward “Orange You Lucky” cocktail ($23.50), and Jumbo Corned Beef Sausage ($30.00). Fans who purchase tickets through the Hat Tricks & Hops Special Ticket Package will receive their first green draft beer or soda for free, with a limited number of these packages still available.

In addition to the themed celebrations, the Golden Knights are highlighting their commitment to sustainability through the Knight SHIELD Project, located on the concourse outside Sections 9 and 10. Launched in 2024, the initiative focuses on six pillars—Sustainability, Healthy Air Quality, Improve & Inspire, Energy & Water Efficiency, Landscape Protection, and Decrease Waste Generation. The program has already earned industry recognition as a 2025 GOAL Sustainability Starter, capturing five GOAL Medals for accomplishments including promoting alternative transportation, supporting community initiatives, preserving off-site habitats, engaging digital audiences, and providing accessible hydration.

The team’s community efforts extend beyond the rink. In partnership with Garden Farms of Nevada, the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation will host a farmers’ market at Lee’s Family Forum on March 28. The market will feature produce grown by 17 local schools as part of ongoing sustainability programs, highlighting the importance of community gardening and access to fresh, locally grown food for underserved populations.

For fans interested in memorabilia, specialty St. Patrick’s Day jerseys signed by players will be auctioned online starting at 5:45 p.m. PT on March 17, concluding at 9 p.m. PT the same night. In-person viewing will be available at Sections 11 and 12 on the concourse, with a portion of proceeds supporting the March 28 farmers’ market and Garden Farms initiatives.

Merchandise for the event is also available at The Arsenal at City National Arena and The Armory at T-Mobile Arena, featuring hoodies, hats, pucks, t-shirts, decals, and drinkware for fans seeking to commemorate the occasion.

Specialty Concession Locations:

• Green Beer: Jameson, Bud Light Lounge, GHOST Energy Lounge, Bruhaus 9 & 12, and 1997 “Tito’s” Bar
• “Orange You Lucky” Cocktail: Jameson, Bud Light Lounge, GHOST Energy Lounge, Bruhaus 9 & 12, and 1997 “Tito’s” Bar
• Jumbo Corned Beef Sausage: Silver State Sandwiches

Founded in 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights quickly became one of the NHL’s most successful expansion franchises, claiming the Stanley Cup in 2022-23. Owned by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment LLC, the team has cultivated a reputation for both on-ice success and community engagement.

For further details on tickets, concessions, and event activities, fans can visit vegasgoldenknights.com and follow the team on social media platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

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The NHL has six games on tap today, with plenty of star power hitting the ice. My NHL player props focus on Kirill Kaprizov, Connor McDavid, and Brady Tkachuk.

I’ll break down all the details in my NHL picks for Sunday, March 15.

Best NHL player prop bets today

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(not available in Ontario)

Our best NHL player props for Sunday, March 15

Take a look at our best bets and expert analysis below.

Prop #1: Kirill Kaprizov anytime goalscorer

+105 at BET99

Kirill Kaprizov had his three-game goal streak snapped last night, but the Minnesota Wild star is poised to find the back of the net again today vs. the tanking Toronto Maple Leafs.

Toronto is allowing 3.46 goals per game — the worst mark in the NHL — along with 32.1 shots against per game, which ranks dead last.

Kaprizov has scored in 11 of his last 16 outings while averaging nearly four shots per game over that span. He’ll come out firing tonight and will bury one against a porous Toronto team.

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: TNT

Prop #2: Connor McDavid Over 1.5 points

-130 at BET99

Connor McDavid continues to lead the league in points, and the Edmonton Oilers captain could be due for a big night on the score sheet against the Nashville Predators.

Nashville ranks tied for fifth-last in the NHL in goals allowed per game (3.40), giving up at least three goals in 18 of its last 20 contests.

McDavid has Over 1.5 points in six of his last nine outings, with multiple points in each of his previous two meetings vs. the Preds this season.

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FDSN North, Sportsnet West

Prop #3: Brady Tkachuk Over 3.5 shots

-120 at BET99

Brady Tkachuk is well known for his shooting prowess, and he has not disappointed this season, ranking second in the NHL in shots per game (3.87) behind only Nathan MacKinnon (4.48).

The Ottawa Senators captain has logged Over 3.5 shots in three of his last four games, as well as seven of his last 11 contests.

The San Jose Sharks are an exciting young team, but haven’t quite figured out their own zone yet, allowing 30.4 shots against per game — the second-most in the NHL.

• Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: NBCS-California, TSN5

These props are available now at BET99, one of our best betting sites.

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The Colorado Avalanche fought their way back to the top of the NHL power rankings the hard way.

Colorado faced adversity in consecutive divisional matchups, trailing 3–1 against the Dallas Stars and later falling behind 2–1 against the Minnesota Wild. In both contests, the Avalanche refused to fade, rallying late to secure pivotal victories against their NHL Central Division rivals.

Thought the Avalanche had the Central Division wrapped up? Think again — the race is wide open once more.

Since securing those key wins, the Avs have stumbled slightly, dropping two of their last three games. Meanwhile, the Stars have surged at exactly the right time. Dallas has won four straight, including a 3–2 victory Saturday night over the Detroit Red Wings on home ice.

Thomas Harley - Dallas Stars (6)
OT Winner pic.twitter.com/ohwzrRr3c7

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) March 15, 2026

As a result, the Stars (42-14-10, 94 points) now sit just three points behind the Avalanche (44-12-9), tightening the Central Division race as the regular season begins its final stretch.

Dallas Inches Closer To Colorado

Thomas Harley delivered the decisive moment just over two minutes into overtime, lifting Dallas to a dramatic 3–2 victory over Detroit. The goal not only secured the win but also allowed the Stars to tie a franchise record with a 15-game point streak.

Harley struck 2:06 into the extra period after collecting the puck in the neutral zone and accelerating past the Detroit defense for a breakaway. With open ice ahead of him, the young blueliner snapped a shot past the goaltender to end the game and send the home crowd into celebration.

The overtime heroics came only after Detroit forced extra time late in regulation. Lucas Raymond tied the game 2–2 with 3:26 remaining in the third period when a rebound deflected off his torso as he drove hard to the front of the net, slipping past the Dallas goaltender and erasing what had been a two-goal Stars lead.

“There's a lot of open ice out there,” Harley told reporters. “Speed and skill are the forefront of it. It’s pretty positionless out there and I like to play offense. (Overtime) fits me very well. I felt like I had a step on them and you never know. Put it on net and see what happens. Winning is fun. It’s a shame we blew our two-goal lead. But two points is two points.”

The victory pushed Dallas’ remarkable run to 15 straight games with at least a point (14-0-1), matching a franchise mark originally set from Dec. 6, 1998, to Jan. 6, 1999. That earlier stretch went 12-0 with three ties. The current surge also featured a franchise-record 10-game winning streak that was snapped in a 5–4 shootout loss to Colorado on March 6.

Throughout the streak, Dallas has received contributions from across its lineup — a key factor in maintaining momentum during one of the most demanding stretches of the schedule.

“I thought we played a good game tonight,” Dallas forward Matt Duchene said. “I don’t know how many scoring chances we gave up, I don’t think it was many. This is a grind of a schedule. We’re playing a lot of good teams.

“I think maybe we got a little tired in the third, too, but found a way to get it done. Big goal by [Harley] there. We’ve got different guys stepping up at different moments for us right now and that’s why we’re going like we are.”

Kadri Acquisition Helps Colorado

Colorado’s late push has been energized by the dramatic return of Nazem Kadri. Reacquired in the final hour before the trade deadline, Kadri received a thunderous standing ovation in Denver ahead of Colorado’s 3–2 shootout victory over Minnesota on March 8.

His presence has already injected new life into the Avalanche lineup, providing veteran experience, physicality, and offensive depth as the postseason race intensifies.

WHAT A PASS FROM NAZEM KADRI

WE ARE SO BACK 🥹 pic.twitter.com/vTYvN21lEa

— DNVR Avalanche (@DNVR_Avalanche) March 8, 2026

Still, if the past few weeks have proven anything, it’s that the battle for the Central Division crown is far from settled.

The Stars have 16 games remaining on their regular season schedule, while the Avalanche have 17. Each team will play once more before they meet Wednesday night in a highly anticipated showdown at Ball Arena.

Colorado hosts the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday, the same night Dallas faces the Utah Mammoth.

The Avalanche are currently without captain Gabriel Landeskog, who continues to recover from a lower-body injury. Forward Logan O'Connor, who underwent a second hip surgery after a season complicated by lingering issues, is also nearing a return.

Injury updates from Bednar on @AltitudeSR

- Said looking at Lehkonen, Landeskog, LOC potentially returning around same time. Mentioned “couple” weeks and back before playoffs. Not sure on Colton yet.

- Wants to get Kadri back at C, mentioned maybe trying Lehkonen with him.

— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) March 11, 2026

Dallas has dealt with its own injury challenges throughout the season and is awaiting the return of star forward Mikko Rantanen — a longtime Avalanche standout — who suffered a lower-body injury during the 2026 Winter Olympics.

With the division lead tightening and a head-to-head matchup looming, the stage is set for what could be one of the defining stretches of the season.

It’s all coming down to the wire.

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Tim Stutzle has been a shooting machine when facing weak defensive teams, and he draws one this afternoon against San Jose.

My Sharks vs. Senators predictions and NHL picks expect him to take full advantage, as he did the last time these two teams met.

Sharks vs Senators prediction

Sharks vs Senators best bet: Tim Stuzle Over 2.5 shots (+125)

The San Jose Sharks rank 31st in shots on goal allowed per game. That’s good news for Tim Stutzle, who's feasted on poor shot suppression teams all season.

Stutzle has averaged 3.5 shots on target and cleared his line 71% of the time against Bottom-10 shot suppression sides

The numbers are even more eye-popping on home ice, where Stutzle has generated 4.1 shots per game.

He registered four shots on eight attempts in his previous meeting with the Sharks, who happen to rank dead last in shots allowed to centers over their last 10.

Sharks vs Senators same-game parlay

Drake Batherson has posted higher assist rates when playing with Stutzle and Claude Giroux than any other combination of forwards.

Given Stutzle’s shot-generation prowess, particularly against bad defensive teams, Batherson should rack up plenty of potential assists.

The Senators have won 10 of their last 13, with all three losses coming against teams comfortably in playoff position. They should handle a Sharks team playing its fourth road game in six nights.

Sharks vs Senators SGP

• Tim Stutzle Over 2.5 shots
• Drake Batherson Over 0.5 assists
• Senators moneyline

Sharks vs Senators odds

• Moneyline: Sharks +175 | Senators -215
• Puck Line: Sharks +1.5 (-130) | Senators -1.5 (+110)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 | Under 6.5

Sharks vs Senators trend

Tim Stutzle has recorded 3+ shots on goal in three of the last four games against San Jose. Find more NHL betting trends for Sharks vs. Senators.

How to watch Sharks vs Senators

Sharks vs Senators latest injuries

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The New York Islanders held on to a 3-2 win against the Calgary Flames on Saturday night to earn point 81. And it's a good thing they closed that game out, given the out-of-town scoreboard. 

The Columbus Blue Jackets extended their point streak to nine games (6-0-3) as they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in a shootout to remain just two points back of the Islanders with one game in hand. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Utah Mammoth 4-3 to earn their 81st point of the season and remain ahead of the Islanders, who have one game in hand. 

The first-place wild-card Boston Bruins also won, beating the Washington Capitals 3-2 to earn their 80th point of the season, while the Detroit Red Wings earned a point in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars to collect their 80th point. 

Teams had crossed the 65-game mark in the past week and are roaring towards 70 games in the 2025-26 NHL season. It’s moving fast now as the league crunches in games to catch up from the Olympic pause. In the Eastern Conference, a high-stakes game something akin to musical chairs is developing for playoff spots. Five teams are separated by two points as of today, fighting for just four playoff spots.

At the top of the conference, Carolina, Buffalo (!!), Tampa and (for now) Montreal are above the fray due to the points they have. The race at the bottom is truly on. The Ottawa Senators are lingering back and trying to catch up, which they may well accomplish in the next few weeks, but for now the allure has been the race between the Columbus Blue Jackets trying to catch a Wild Card team from the Atlantic (Boston and Detroit), if not a Metropolitan Team in Pittsburgh or the NY Islanders.

The Blue Jackets are making progress, having gone 5-0-4 in their last nine games, including completing a 2-0-1 road trip this week. On the other side, Detroit is fading away having only won one of their last six games (1-3-2).

The Penguins, for their part, have mostly been in a ‘hang on and survive’ mode lately, attempting to weather injury to Sidney Crosby, suspension to Evgeni Malkin and a nasty-strong March schedule that would be enough to make any team pause. The results have been uneven, but the worst could be behind them — Malkin is set to be back for the next game, Crosby won’t be that far behind him, and they’ve almost made it to what could be a place to clean up in April, where the Penguins end the season with six-straight games against non-playoff opponents who could all be sputtering to the finish line in the meaningless final games of their season (Florida x2, New Jersey, Washington x2, St. Louis).

The other bit of good news for the Pens — their 28 regulation wins put them in a very strong situation for the first tiebreaker against the teams they are directly competing with for a playoff spot. Boston (27) is close, all the other teams in the mix (Detroit 25, NYI 24, Columbus 23) are some level of overtime/shootout merchants that haven’t won consistently in regulation as much as Pittsburgh has. If the standings come down to a tie at the end of the year, the first tiebreaker is looking favorable for Pittsburgh, which essentially means a tie is as good as a lead right now for the Pens. These other teams are going to have to move past them, if it comes to that, by putting up more points, not just catch up to the same number as them.

For now, the race goes on. Five teams vying for four places when the music stops. Things may be trending up in Columbus, down in Detroit and sideways in Pittsburgh at the moment, but the moment will pass and the next twist in the story could be coming down the pike. Whatever trends up is sure to pull back to the pack and whatever lagging behind (hello again, Ottawa?) could draw back closer as the schedule moves on.

These teams have going on 15 games left to figure out who will get into the postseason dance and who will be the disappointed one still standing when the music stop. As always, there are more playoff hopefuls than there are spots available. The East has some quality teams with Carolina, Tampa and Buffalo playing very well this season, yet the depth in the mid-levels has been impressive as well. 70 points is good enough for a playoff spot today in the Western Conference, 70 points in the East gets a team 13th place. The East has been surprisingly strong and is tracking towards team needing 95+ points to qualify for the playoffs, with the emphasis possibly on the “+” given how few regulation losses we’re seeing out of the teams in the chase lately.

The Boston University Terriers men's hockey team made Chicago Blackhawks prospect Sacha Boisvert a healthy scratch on Wednesday night in their Hockey East first-round matchup against Vermont. 

BU won that game, so they moved on to Saturday's quarterfinal round, where they were matched up against UConn. The Terriers lost the game 5-3, ending their 2025-26 season with a whimper. 

Boisvert took his spot back in the lineup for the loss, but that decision won't go forward without dialogue surrounding it. 

Regardless, Boisvert, who the Blackhawks made a first-round pick (18th overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft, is free to sign his first pro contract now that his NCAA season is complete.  

Although another year of college may do his development some good, the expectation is that he will turn pro. Eventually, time with the AHL's Rockford IceHogs is likely, but he could finish out this year in the NHL with the Blackhawks. 

Boisver's potentially final college season ends with 3 goals, 14 assists, and 17 points in 26 games. Injuries and inconsistencies made it a very disappointing year for him, especially after being one of the best freshmen in the nation one year prior as a member of the University of North Dakota. 

There are expected to be some work visa issues when he first signs his contract with Chicago, but he could get pen to paper before the weekend is even over.

If that's the case, Tuesday or Thursday against the Minnesota Wild start looking like potential days for his NHL debut. Friday night against the Colorado Avalanche is also a possibility. 

There will be eyes on Boisvert to see how he competes once he reaches the NHL level. If he brings his A-effort every night, what does that look like on all three zones? It won't be long now until some of that is learned, but full development will take multiple years. 

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The Philadelphia Flyers have only one post-NHL trade deadline call-up remaining, and it is becoming increasingly clear which prospect they are going to use it on come the final days of the season.

For as long as they remain maddeningly inconsistent, and incapable of winning multiple games in regulation, the Flyers are playoff longshots at best.

At the time of this writing, the Flyers are six points out of a playoff spot with 16 games remaining, and tiebreakers won't be kind to them since they have the second-fewest regulation wins in the Eastern Conference (20) and the fewest regulation and overtime wins (ROW, 23) in the conference.

With that all in mind, the Flyers are overwhelmingly likely to bring in one more prospect for a look at the end of the season, and that is going to end up being none other than David Jiricek, their prized trade acquisition in the Bobby Brink swap deal on trade deadline day.

Jiricek, 22, is already thriving in his new environment with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, having quickly racked up a goal, three assists, and four points in just three games.

Flyers' Connections Can Help Them Land Top KHL Free AgentAfter missing out on Maxim Shabanov in the summer, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> could dip right back into the KHL free agent pool this coming offseason.

Each of his three assists -- 5-on-5, 6-on-5, and power play -- came in the Phantoms' 4-3 dramatic comeback overtime win against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday night, and Jiricek's only goal with the Phantoms thus far also came on the power play.

The Flyers and their dreaded 32nd-ranked power play can use all the help they can get as they continue to helplessly fail with their playoff hopes on the line.

Notably, Jiricek has already produced half of the offense he had all season coming into his new NHL home.

In 49 games between the Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild, Jiricek managed only two goals, eight assists, and 10 points and had a -15 rating.

Flyers' David Jiricek Experiment Will Require PatienceJiricek scored in his Phantoms debut, but made a costly blunder that resulted in a goal against.

So far with the Phantoms? It's a small sample size, but Jiricek is holding strong defensively with a neutral +0 rating while doing a little bit of everything at the other end of the ice.

In the last week, right-shot veteran Noah Juulsen ceded his place in the lineup to the diminutive Emil Andrae, who has rewarded head coach Rick Tocchet with points in consecutive contests.

If the Flyers continue that theme as their playoff hopes wane, Jiricek could quickly find himself jumping into the NHL lineup in place of a veteran like Nick Seeler or Rasmus Ristolainen.

It would be unwise to label Jiricek a future first-pairing defenseman already, especially until his agility and four-way mobility improves, but his talent is undeniable and is immediately jumping off the page for the Flyers organization.

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Just when it seemed that the Detroit Red Wings were down and out, destined for another regulation loss, they demonstrated some major fortitude that they hope will ultimately pay off down the road. 

Despite ultimately falling by a 3-2 final score in overtime to the Dallas Stars on Saturday evening, the Red Wings managed to score twice in the third period to salvage a badly-needed point in the standings. 

Goals from Simon Edvinsson and Lucas Raymond made Detroit's comeback possible, and as a result, they now have a total of 80 points on the season and are still in the second Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. 

Their comeback effort is something they'll take into their next game.

“It’s a huge point, for sure," said Raymond afterward. "We wanted to get two, but it’s tight this time of the year. They’re a good team over there. Obviously, we put ourselves in a lot of bad spots, especially on the penalty kill, and then didn’t really get it done on the power play."

"We’ll take the one point and move on.”

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Saturday also featured the Red Wings season debut of David Perron, who was re-acquired last week from the Ottawa Senators for his second tenure with the club.

Red Wings Fall To Stars In OT, But Gain Huge Point Thanks To Third Period ComebackThe Detroit Red Wings fell to the Dallas Stars 3-2 in overtime, but earned a huge point in the standings thanks to a third-period comeback effort.

Perron skated in 13:46 of ice time and had a shot on goal, later saying that he liked the club's resolve from their early deficit. 

“A good battle back, lots going on recently, obviously, but we found a way and kept pushing," Perron said. "It was nice to get rewarded as a group to have one point there.”

The Red Wings will return home for a pair of crucial matchups against the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens. 

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Anaheim Ducks (36-27-3, in the Pacific Division) vs. Montreal Canadiens (36-19-10, in the Atlantic Division)

Montreal, Quebec; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Canadiens -152, Ducks +126; over/under is 6.5

BOTTOM LINE: The Montreal Canadiens play the Anaheim Ducks in a non-conference matchup.

Montreal is 36-19-10 overall and 18-12-2 at home. The Canadiens have committed 273 total penalties (4.2 per game) to rank fourth in the league.

Anaheim has gone 14-17-2 in road games and 36-27-3 overall. The Ducks have a 14-2-2 record in games they score one or more power-play goals.

Sunday's game is the second time these teams meet this season. The Ducks won 6-5 in a shootout in the last matchup.

TOP PERFORMERS: Cole Caufield has 38 goals and 27 assists for the Canadiens. Nicholas Suzuki has four goals and eight assists over the last 10 games.

Jackson LaCombe has eight goals and 38 assists for the Ducks. Cutter Gauthier has scored eight goals and added one assist over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Canadiens: 5-2-3, averaging 3.9 goals, 6.9 assists, 3.4 penalties and 7.1 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game.

Ducks: 6-4-0, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.4 assists, 4.5 penalties and 11.6 penalty minutes while giving up 3.3 goals per game.

INJURIES: Canadiens: None listed.

Ducks: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.