The CHL is counting down its Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years list. The league recently revealed numbers 31 to 39, which included a former Vancouver Canucks captain. That captain was Roberto Luongo, who spent over seven seasons with the organization.
Before Luongo became one of the best goaltenders in the NHL, he was a star in the QMJHL. He spent the majority of his career with the Val-d'Or Foreurs before being moved to the Acadie-Bathurst Titan at the end of his junior career. Luongo would play 180 games during his QMJHL career and made it to back-to-back Memorial Cups in 1998 and 1999.
As for his Canucks career, Luongo was acquired by Vancouver in 2006. He would play 448 regular-season games and is the franchise record holder for wins with 252. During his time with the Canucks, Luongo helped lead the team to Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final and won Gold for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
CHL Player Rankings #31-39:
40 - Vincent Lecavalier 39 - Drew Doughty 38 - Ron Francis 37 - Roberto Luongo 36 - Shea Weber 35 - Bobby Smith 34 - Brendan Shanahan 33 - Ray Ferraro 32 - Joe Thornton 31 - Brad Richards
Val-d'Or Foreurs (Photo Credit: QMJHL/CHL)
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Seven months ago, no one on the outside was talking about the Penguins securing the second seed in the Metropolitan Division four games prior to the conclusion of the NHL regular season. Many had them as a bottom-five lottery team, and even if folks didn't have them finishing that low - including us here at THN - Pittsburgh Penguins - outside expectations were overwhelmingly predicting that this wasn't a playoff team.
Well, as the Penguins have been marketing since they clinched against the New Jersey Devils on Apr. 9, this team "flipped the script." They were not only one of the league's deepest and highest-scoring teams - they had 12 players finish with 13 or more goals and 10 players finish with 15 or more, both league-highs - they were a legitimately good five-on-five team with top-10 special teams units on both ends, and they won more in regulation than all but seven teams and lost less in regulation than all but six teams.
The belief in the Penguins' locker room was contagious and genuine, and the family-like, tight-knit atmosphere of that locker room has been palpable as ever all season long.
And it all started with a few savvy moves from general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas over the summer as well as during the season.
While there were a whole lot of moves that defined the 2025-26 season, some made a pretty sizable impact on the team - and some outright fueled their turnaround and led to their first postseason berth in four years.
The fact that Dubas managed to deal a goaltender with term who was on waivers just 11 months prior for a similar-caliber goaltender on an expiring contract - in addition to a typically reliable top-four defenseman on a down year and also an expiring contract, plus a second - is just bonkers. And he also flipped Kulak for another second-rounder and Sam Girard, who has played well recently for the Penguins and is younger.
No notes on that trade. It may not have had as gigantic an impact on their season as some of the other moves - as goaltending is still an issue - but it was such a clean piece of business by Dubas. Plus, Skinner provides a kind of endearing and genuine personality to the locker room that is always good for team chemistry - especially during a playoff run.
Apr 9, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Ben Kindel (81) skates with the puck against the New Jersey Devils during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Luther Schlaifer-Imagn Images
When both Kindel and young blueliner Harrison Brunicke both made the Penguins' roster out of training camp - with a combination of injuries as well as their stellar camp performances opening spots for them - many thought they saw where things were going: "Here are two teenagers making the team, but once the team gets healthy, they'll be sent back to junior hockey to avoid burning a year of their entry-level contracts (ELC), and the Pens will still favor the veterans."
Well, for Brunicke, that was more or less true, even if the path to junior for him this season had a lot of stops along the way before the final destination. Of the two, it was widely believed that Brunicke, 19, would remain the entire season, while Kindel, 18, would get his taste of the NHL and be returned to the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL.
But Kindel was simply too good to send back. He proved he belonged in the NHL, and instead of making the easy, less risky choice, Dubas elected to allow Kindel to not only stick around past the 10-game mark (where his ELC kicked in), but also past the 40-game mark, where the Penguins lost a year of team control.
And that decision impacted the roster profoundly. Kindel has been their everyday third-line center and performing well in that role on both sides of the puck, giving the Penguins far more center depth than they would have had otherwise and giving them more dangerous options at wing in their top-nine.
This decision altered the course of the Penguins' season, and, perhaps, the outlook for the future as well, as the sooner-than-expected emergence of Kindel - who put up 17 goals and 35 points in 77 games - gave this team's depth the boost it needed to roll four lines successfully all season long.
Jan 21, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames center Morgan Frost (16) and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon (28) get into a scrum during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Honestly, it was tough not to place this one higher, as probably no one - not even Dubas himself - expected the degree of breakout for Wotherspoon as a legitimate shutdown top-pairing defenseman.
As for Wotherspoon himself, this is a guy who never played in more than 55 games during his first three NHL seasons with the Boston Bruins. And, when he did, the 28-year-old was relegated to bottom-pairing minutes, some AHL time, and a system that may not have been maximizing his potential.
Dubas took a chance on Wotherspoon - already known as a physical, reliable defenseman within his role during his time in Boston - by signing him to a two-year, $2 million contract. And he made the most of that opportunity, eating heavy minutes in 80 games on Pittsburgh's top pairing, providing some much-needed grit and toughness on the blue line, and shattering previous career-highs with three goals and 30 points to go along with a plus-17.
And his emergence also aided in elevating his defense partner and the most crucial player on the Penguins' blue line.
Erik Karlsson also broke out in a huge way for the Penguins in 2025-26, putting up 15 goals and 66 points in 75 games and becoming the Norris-caliber version of himself in all three zones and in all situations, especially during the stretch run of the season. Karlsson's all-time offensive talents mixed well with Wotherspoon's shutdown ability, mobility, and strength in breaking the puck out of his own zone.
They were a legitimate tandem pairing for the Penguins this season, and they made each other better. The emergence of Wotherspoon and Karlsson as a formidable and elite top pairing for the Penguins changed the entire shape of their blue line - which is something the Penguins desperately needed in order to be successful this season.
Mar 31, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Anthony Mantha (39) reacts after scoring a goal against the Detroit Red Wings during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
You want to talk about a veteran player having a breakout? What a season it was for the 31-year-old Mantha.
He played in only 13 games for the Calgary Flames last season before sustaining a season-ending ACL injury. Dubas took a chance in free agency on Mantha on a one-year, $2.5 million deal, more than likely hoping that Mantha could perform well enough to flip for more assets at the trade deadline.
As it turns out, he did perform well enough - so well, in fact, that he was a primary catalyst in getting this team to the postseason.
Mantha led all Penguins' players in goals this season with 33, and his 33 tallies and 64 points obliterated previous career-highs of 25 and 48 set with the Detroit Red Wings in 2018-19. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound winger was able to use his size, hands, and reach to his advantage around the net-front area, and he was almost a sure thing on breakaways, too.
What's most impressive about Mantha's season, however, is that only seven of his goals came on the power play - as he was largely deployed on the second unit - and that he spent a great deal of time in a third-line role this season.
It's not often that a team's leading goal-scorer is primarily deployed on the third line, but here we are. Mantha has earned himself some shiny dollars this summer - whether from the Penguins or from someone else - and he was the primary figure in the Penguins' impressive goals-for number of 293 this season, which still ranks third only to the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes.
It suffices to say that $2.5 million for one year is not going to cut it this offseason.
Feb 26, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Egor Chinakhov (59) reacts after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils during the third period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Even if Mantha led this team in scoring and was the Penguins' most crucial free agent signing, the one move in terms of player personnel that made more of an impact on this team than any other was the trade that brought sniping winger Egor Chinakhov to the Penguins from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 29.
Prior to the Chinakhov acquisition, the Penguins were in a December funk - an eight-game losing streak - that nearly cost them their season. They had won two out of three in the games leading up to the trade, which involved Dubas sending Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick to Columbus.
The Penguins knew they were getting a sniper in Chinakhov, even if he had just three goals and six points in 29 games for Columbus, where he had fallen out of favor and had a tension-ridden relationship with then-coach Dean Evason and management.
Yes, Chinakhov can sling 90-plus mph wristers, and his shot is the standout element in his repertoire as well as one of the league's very best. But he also skates with 98th-percentile speed, plays responsibly in all three zones, backchecks, has an outstanding hockey IQ, meshes well with anyone, and possesses a serious playmaking acumen.
Oh, and his shot - however it finds its way to the net, whether a one-timer, heavy wrister, or backhand - is devastatingly lethal.
Whatever happened in Columbus isn't happening in Pittsburgh, and this move singlehandedly changed the entire complexion of the Penguins' top-six and its roster. He registered 18 goals and 36 points in 43 games with the Penguins, which translates to a 34-goal, 69-point pace - and which gives the Penguins three legitimate 30-goal options on the wing in Chinakhov, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell. And that's not counting Mantha, too.
The crazy thing is that it feels like there is even more left to untap in Chinakhov, and he keeps raising the ceiling each and every game. He's been a revelation for the Penguins' present and future, and the team wouldn't be where it is without him in the mix.
Nov 1, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Dan Muse instructs players during a time out against the Winnipeg Jets in the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
We could discuss the significant player moves that Dubas made in the summer and during the season all day long, and nearly all of them have positively impacted the Penguins and their push to the playoffs this season.
But none of those moves may have meant anything had it not been for the move behind the bench prior to the start of the season.
After the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Dubas made the difficult decision to part ways with longtime head coach Mike Sullivan, who had won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the team in 2016 and 2017 and was beloved by the veterans in the locker room. The mutual breakup between the Penguins and Sullivan felt written on the wall for a long while, and the clean slate provided an opportunity for a new voice in the room who was aligned with Dubas's vision to prioritize both the now and the future simultaneously.
Muse, a relative unknown in terms of candidates prior to his hiring in May of 2025, put together a coaching staff with a unique mix - some more experienced in Todd Nelson and Mike Stothers and some fresher faces in Nick Bonino and Rich Clune - to complement his development-focused approach to every player, whether a 15-year veteran or a doe-eyed newcomer to the league or the organization.
The culture shifted. The air of staleness was replaced with a fresh, renewed sense of purpose and togetherness, and it all started with Muse from the first whistle at training camp.
Simply put, this probably isn't a playoff team without him and his new staff. And that hire by Dubas was the singular most consequential factor in the Penguins' success this season.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- The New York Islanders will not be competing in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. But, for the first time since 2021-22, the Bridgeport Islanders will be battling for the Calder Cup.
And they're getting reinforcements.
Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche announced on Wednesday that not only would defenseman Isaiah George and forwards Victor Eklund and Liam Foudy be back in Bridgeport for the last week of their regular season and the playoffs, but that Cal Ritchie would be heading down as well.
Ritchie, who began this season in Bridgeport, was recalled by the Islanders on Halloween and remained up with the big club for the rest of the season.
The 21-year-old, who recorded 30 points (13 goals, 17 assists) in 65 games with Long Island, is eligible for the AHL playoffs because he was sent down ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline -- a paper transaction, something we saw many teams do.
"Ritchie will be playing. We assigned him. We're gonna send him to play in Bridgeport," Darche said. "It's a great opportunity. It's funny, I talked to Cal. I remember at the start, early on in my career, I remember at the end of the year, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards did this. They won the Cup with Philly. I think Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf, one year in Anaheim, they went back. I think it's a great experience for him."
Eklund, selected 16th overall this past summer, made his NHL debut on Tuesday night in the Islanders' regular-season finale, recording an assist, two shots on goal, and two hits skating on the top line alongside Bo Horvat and Simon Holmstrom.
He recorded nine points (two goals, seven assists) through his first seven AHL games.
Foudy, who got two games with the Islanders last season before getting a look on the fourth line in the season finale, has been one of Bridgeport's best players this season and has 46 points (25 goals, 21 assists) in 58 games.
George, who got 33 games with the Islanders last season but just four this season due to injuries, has 17 points (two goals, 15 assists) in 45 games.
There are two more players headed to Bridgeport as the Islanders also announced that Wisconsin forward Quinn Finley and the Islanders came to terms on his entry-level deal, which kicks in for the 2026-27 season -- he'll sign an ATO to play with Bridgeport.
In his junior season, Finley recorded 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) in 36 games.
Also, 18-year-old forward Daniil Prokhorov, whom the Islanders selected in the second round (No. 42) of the 2025 NHL Draft, is coming over from the KHL.
He played 23 games for Moscow Dynamo, recording one goal before failing to find the scoresheet in two playoff games. He played eight games in the MHL (junior equivalent), with six points (three goals, three assists), before 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in 25 VHL games (AHL equivalent).
Prokhorov is eligible to play in the playoffs.
Bridgeport has one week left of the regular season before they begin the playoffs, as they are still fighting for home-ice advantage.
"First of all, they can look at us and say, we're in the playoffs, you're not," Darche said on Bridgeport. "My goal is for both teams in the playoffs. It's great. Even Cal—when I talked to him last night—I told him about Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. It’s an awesome experience. Pro playoffs are a grind. You're not flying charter, you're busing everywhere. So for him to go through that, I expect him to be a major contributor. Winning anywhere is always good. Hopefully, they go on a run.
"I'll be at pretty much every game. It's fun watching those guys. What I like about Rocky -- the last few games, I probably watched 45 of their 72 games. If I'm home, I’ve got my laptop watching -- Victor Eklund on the first power play, getting minutes. Same with Cole Eiserman. Liam Foudy took a huge step. Beckman, Warren, George—you saw them come up. Isaiah George, I thought he was very good, the way he skated. The coaches down there have done a phenomenal job.Having a run can only help. Look at Tampa in Norfolk before they won Cups—Palat, Johnson, Killorn—those guys learned how to win. There’s nothing like pro playoff hockey. It’s not like juniors or college. That experience will benefit these guys immensely."
After 25 years, Bridgeport will be relocating to Hamilton, Ontario, beginning in 2026-27. Going out with a Calder Trophy would be impressive, and Darche is loading up his AHL roster to hopefully make that a reality.
The St. Louis Blues signed defenseman Arseny Koromyslov to a two-year, two-way, entry-level contract on Wednesday that begins with the 2026-27 season.
Koromyslov, 22, played in 61 regular-season games with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL this past season and put up 17 points (one goal, 16 assists). He also played in five playoff games and had an assist, while averaging 20:35 of ice time after playing in an average of 167:59 per game in the regular season.
The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Zelenograd, Russia native has played in 158 KHL regular-season games and has 32 points (four goals, 28 assists).
Koromyslov was selected by the Blues in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft.
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On this day in 1993, Teemu Selänne scored his 76th goal of the season, setting an NHL rookie record that still stands as one of the most remarkable single-season achievements in league history.
The goal capped off a dazzling debut campaign with the Winnipeg Jets and cemented Selänne’s arrival as one of hockey’s brightest young stars.
Selänne’s 1992 to 93 rookie season was nothing short of extraordinary. He finished with 76 goals and 132 points in 84 games, shattering the previous rookie goal record of 53 set by Mike Bossy.
That 132 point total still stands as the highest single season mark by a Jets player in franchise history, showing just how dominant his performance was. His combination of elite speed, a quick release, and natural scoring instincts made him an immediate offensive force and one of the most exciting players in the league.
Beyond the raw numbers, it was the consistency and flair of Selänne’s play that defined the season. He recorded multiple hat tricks, built impressive scoring streaks, and delivered highlight reel goals throughout the year.
His iconic shooting glove celebration became one of the defining images of that NHL season, and his performance earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie.
Over his time with Winnipeg, Selänne played four seasons and recorded 147 goals and 159 assists for 306 points in 231 games. He quickly became the face of the franchise and a fan favorite, bringing excitement and elite scoring to the Jets during the early 1990s.
Selänne went on to build a Hall of Fame career that extended far beyond his early success in Winnipeg. He finished with 684 goals and 1,457 points in 1,451 NHL games, won the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, and earned numerous individual honors. His longevity and scoring ability secured his place as one of the greatest Finnish players and one of the top goal scorers in NHL history.
Looking back, Selänne’s 76 goal rookie season remains one of the most unbreakable records in hockey. Decades later, no rookie has come close to matching it, reinforcing the lasting significance of one of the greatest debut seasons the sport has ever seen.
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The Detroit Red Wings are set to close out their season Tuesday night on the road against the Florida Panthers, a final game that comes with little at stake in the standings but plenty of reflection for an organization once again headed toward an early summer.
With the loss officially marking a 10th consecutive year outside the playoffs, questions have resurfaced around how Detroit approached its roster construction and, in particular, its activity at the trade deadline.
Across the fanbase, within parts of the organization, and among outside observers, there is a growing belief that the team may have needed to take a bigger swing to break through its long postseason drought.
One of the most frequently discussed names in that conversation is New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, a proven two-way presence who has continued to produce reliably this season.
On Monday’s edition of Sportsnet’s FAN Hockey Show, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman addressed speculation that Detroit had explored acquiring higher-end center help, responding to host Mike Futa, who suggested the Red Wings should have pushed harder for a player of Trocheck’s caliber.
Mike Futa: Re Red Wings: I really thought they'd go a little bit harder in on Vincent Trocheck
Elliotte Friedman: I think they did; I heard the ask was really high
Friedman indicated that Detroit likely did investigate that market, noting succinctly, “I think they did; I heard the ask was really high,” a comment that aligned with broader reporting around the team’s deadline approach. The implication was that while interest may have been real, the acquisition cost ultimately proved prohibitive.
That framing also tracks with comments made by Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman following the trade deadline, when he emphasized that the club evaluated multiple options but ultimately stepped back when prices rose beyond what they were willing to pay. The organization has prioritized preserving its prospect pipeline as part of its longer-term rebuild strategy.
Trocheck, meanwhile, has delivered another strong all-around season, posting 16 goals and 37 assists for 53 points in 66 games while continuing to serve as a dependable two-way center. For a Detroit roster that has searched for stability down the middle, his profile was widely seen as a strong fit for an immediate push.
In hindsight, Detroit’s decision to hold firm at the deadline is likely to remain a point of debate. While the Red Wings preserved future assets, they also fell short of ending their playoff drought. Whether that restraint proves prudent or costly will depend on how the franchise’s younger core develops in the seasons ahead.
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Dylan Garand will start in the New York Rangers’ 2025-26 season finale on Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Garand was recalled by the Rangers from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League on March 20, as he finally got his first taste of NHL action in Jonathan Quick’s absence due to an upper-body injury.
The 23-year-old goaltender has started in two games since being called up, posting a 1-0-1 record, 1.44 goals against average, and .954 save percentage.
However, Garand hasn’t started a game since notching his first NHL win on March 27 against the Chicago Blackhawks, but the Rangers have still opted to keep him around despite Quick returning to the lineup.
Ahead of the Rangers’ Monday night game against the Florida Panthers, Quick announced that he would officially be retiring at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
This development opens up the door for Garand to take over the Blueshirts’ backup goaltending role next season behind Igor Shesterkin.
“We have talked for a few weeks on what we were trying to accomplish with our goalies, and there were multiple objectives involved,” Mike Sullivan said. “Obviously, Shesty is our No. 1 guy, and he's a priority for us. I think how we handled Quickie down the stretch, he is deserving of, and we've spoken at length about that. And Dylan is a guy that's played well in the starts that he's had, and we're excited about where potentially he goes moving forward.
“So there were multiple objectives involved, and we had a big-picture game plan in mind, and this was part of it. As I always tell you guys, it's always subject to change based on circumstances. You guys know that. But obviously we're trying to accomplish multiple things at the same time, and that was part of it.”
With the Rangers eliminated from playoff contention and without much to play for heading into their season finale, Garand will get another opportunity to further showcase his skills at the NHL level.
The Penguins jumped out to 3-0 and 4-1 leads before letting the Blues come all the way back to win it. Normally, this would be considered an "unacceptable" loss, but it was basically a preseason game since the Penguins had already clinched a playoff spot and were sitting out numerous players, including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson.
Rutger McGroarty got things started for the Penguins in the first period with a goal right off a draw. Avery Hayes and Anthony Mantha eventually scored to make it 3-0 before the Blues made it 3-1 at the end of the first period, thanks to Jimmy Snuggerud.
Elmer Soderblom scored a gorgeous goal at the beginning of the second period to make it a 4-1 lead before everything went south for the Penguins.
"That's like a Clydesdale horse" 🐎😂
6'8" Elmer Söderblom showing off his size as he scores the Pens' fourth goal of the night 💪 pic.twitter.com/I5gR5U5JbO
The Penguins allowed five unanswered goals by the Blues, making it a 6-4 game before Avery Hayes scored his second goal to make it 6-5 in the third period. The Penguins tried to get a 6-on-5 goal, but it wasn't meant to be, as Dylan Holloway iced the game with an empty-net goal.
Here are some takeaways from this one:
- I know some people will look at the goals allowed by both Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silivs and get nervous, but there wasn't much they could do on a lot of the goals against. The Penguins were atrocious in their own zone for most of the evening, which shouldn't come as a surprise since they were playing without four of their top six defensemen.
Even when everyone's in the lineup, they've still been a little leaky as of late, but I expect this to get cleaned up by the time this weekend rolls around.
- Jake Livanavage made his NHL debut for the Penguins and logged 25:14 in a top-four role. I liked a lot of what I saw, especially on the power play. He was methodical with the puck, and his skating was smooth. It's only one game, but it's still something to build off going into next season.
- Elmer Soderblom continues to make a great case to be in the playoff lineup, even with everyone healthy. We still have to see if Connor Dewar and Blake Lizotte will be ready to go for Game 1, but Soderblom has been awesome since he was acquired from the Detroit Red Wings.
The goal he scored to make it 4-1 was something else. The way that he cut to the net and did the little toe before scoring the goal was awesome. He compiled five goals and 10 points in 20 games with the Penguins after they traded for him.
- Avery Hayes finished the regular season with five goals in 16 games and should be a full-time NHL player as soon as next season. He used a burst of speed to score the first goal, made no mistake with his release, and never gave up on the play to score his second. He's got what it takes to be a good bottom-six player in the NHL, and I'm looking forward to seeing how he keeps developing.
- Next up for the Penguins? Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They'll take on the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round for the first time since the 2017-18 season. The rivalry has been dormant for the last several years, but all it takes is a great playoff series to change that. I expect this one to be full of fireworks.
The final night of a regular season can seem meaningless for a team that already clinched their playoff position the night before. A sizable chunk of the regular roster is rested, meaning that younger players and AHL call-ups are brought in to take their place.
It is usually a transition—part reflection, part anticipation, rarely definitive in what it reveals. But for the Philadelphia Flyers, a 4–2 win over the Montreal Canadiens felt different.
A team that has spent months constructing an identity closed its season not by coasting into the postseason, but by reinforcing exactly who it is, even when the roster looks remarkably different from how it usually does.
The Flyers will finish 43–27–12 (98 points), third in the Metropolitan Division. Next comes the Pittsburgh Penguins for the eighth playoff meeting between the bitter interstate rivals.
But before that, this game offered something valuable: a snapshot of both present and future, converging at exactly the right time.
1. A Complete Season Ends With a Complete Performance
There is something significant about how the Flyers handled this final game. They didn’t treat it as a formality, but as legitimate preparation.
The Canadiens played most of their top guys—the likes of Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraf Slafkovsky were all in the lineup—and the Flyers' young guys were able to keep them under control.
The win completed a 3–0 season sweep of Montreal, the first time the Flyers have swept the Canadiens since 2017–18. But more importantly, it reinforced habits that have defined their late-season surge: structure, depth scoring, and composure.
There was no overextension, no chasing offense for the sake of it. The Flyers handled the game in layers—defensively sound, opportunistic offensively, and consistent in their approach. That matters heading into the playoffs, especially when the organization is keeping a close eye on who could feature in the postseason should the Flyers need to call in a replacement.
2. The Youth Movement Isn’t Coming—It’s Here
If there was a defining theme of the night, it was this: the Flyers’ future is here.
Oliver Bonk delivered a remarkable NHL debut, recording a goal and an assist—all in the first period. According to NHL stats, he became just the 10th defenseman in league history to record multiple points in his first NHL period, joining a list that spans over a century.
OLIVER BONK WASTES NO TIME!!! 🤩
He's got his first assist and goal, all in the first period of his NHL debut! pic.twitter.com/rSZ5UyH7q4
Hunter McDonald also made his NHL debut, contributing an assist and plenty of physical assertiveness to keep the Habs in check.
Speaking about his debut, McDonald said postgame, “It was just awesome. I don’t have words, honestly. It was pretty cool… It was just great that I played with them down there. It’s a big family from Lehigh to here, everyone in this organization is classy. It was awesome.”
There is a connective thread running through this organization—from Lehigh Valley to Philadelphia—and nights like this make it visible.
Head coach Rick Tocchet acknowledged the difficulty of the moment for these players, and their admirable response to it.
“I was really impressed," he said. "It’s a tough turnaround getting called up today and the travel… There’s a lot of moving parts for them. I give them a lot of credit.”
3. Porter Martone Is Operating in Rare Air
If Bonk’s debut represented the future arriving, Porter Martone continues to define the present.
With another goal and assist, Martone recorded his third multi-point game and extended his point streak to six games (4G, 5A). That ties him with Sean Couturier, Mike Ricci, and Peter Zezel for the second-longest point streak by a Flyers teenager—trailing only Eric Lindros.
Numbers like that place Martone’s production not just in the category of “impressive rookie performance,” but literally in the lineage of franchise history.
4. Matvei Michkov Is Peaking at the Perfect Time
Timing matters, and Matvei Michkov has chosen his moment well.
A goal and two assists in this game gave him his third three-point performance of the season and pushed him to 51 points (20G, 31A). More telling, however, is his recent form: 11 points in his last seven games.
In a sophomore season that admittedly left something to be desired after a standout rookie campaign, Michkov has found his legs, and recently, has not just been producing, but accelerating.
As the Flyers transition into playoff hockey, they will need players capable of creating offense in tighter, more structured environments. Michkov’s ability to generate in space, to read pressure, and to execute quickly positions him as a central figure in what comes next. He simultaneously is finishing the season strong, and entering the postseason as a difference-maker.
Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov (39). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
5. Depth, Identity, and Joy Are All Aligned
The Flyers’ fourth goal—scored by Alex Bump, his fifth of the season—was emblematic of something deeper.
It was about who was on the ice.
“I think my line was under 22 [years old], so we’re just happy to be here,” Bump said postgame. “We’re trying to do the best we can and contribute in any way and have fun while we’re doing it.”
That blend—youth, contribution, and enjoyment—is not always present in teams heading into the playoffs. But for the Flyers, it is a crucial part of their identity.
Tocchet made it clear that performances like this are not just appreciated—they are being evaluated with purpose.
“Yeah, I mean, if you go far into the playoffs, you can go 28 deep on the roster. So, yeah, you’re looking, for sure," he said. "One of those guys—it’s not out of the question that they can play in the Penguins series. You definitely look for that stuff. That’s why it’s big.”
One more Western Conference series can be set on Wednesday, April 15, with the Vegas Golden Knights having a chance to wrap up the Pacific Division title during their season finale. If they do, they will face the Utah Mammoth in the first round.
That would leave the second and third Pacific Division seeds, plus the second wild card in the West, up for grabs on the final night when the Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings play. If Vegas doesn't clinch on Wednesday, all four playoff seeds will be in play on Thursday.
Here's what to know about the NHL standings, including the latest playoff bracket, Wednesday's clinching scenario and the tiebreaker procedures for the 2025-26 season before the postseason begins on April 18:
Who's in the 2026 NHL playoffs?
Eastern Conference: Carolina, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Montreal, Tampa Bay, Boston, Ottawa
Western Conference: Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Vegas, Edmonton, Anaheim, Utah, Los Angeles
Who can clinch an NHL playoff seed today?
The Vegas Golden Knights will clinch the Pacific Division title if they get at least one point against the Seattle Kraken.
NHL games today (Wednesday, April 15)
Dallas at Buffalo, 7, TNT, tru
N.Y. Rangers at Tampa Bay, 7
Detroit at Florida, 7
Toronto at Ottawa, 7:30
San Jose at Chicago, 8:30
Seattle at Vegas, 10
NHL playoff standings
NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26
After April 14 games. x-clinched playoff spot. y-clinched division. z-eliminated.
Out of the playoffs: z-Washington Capitals (95), z-Columbus Blue Jackets (92), z-Detroit Red Wings (92), z-New York Islanders (91), z-New Jersey Devils (87), z-Florida Panthers (82), z-Toronto Maple Leafs (78), z-New York Rangers (75)
NHL Western Conference standings 2025-26
After April 14 games. x-clinched playoff spot. y-clinched division. z-eliminated.
Out of the playoffs:z-Nashville Predators (86), z-San Jose Sharks (84), z-St. Louis Blues (84), z-Winnipeg Jets (82), z-Seattle Kraken (79), z-Calgary Flames (75), z-Chicago Blackhawks (70), z-Vancouver Canucks (58)
NHL playoffs if they started today
NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 14:
Carolina (M1) vs. Ottawa (WC2) This series is set
Pittsburgh (M2) vs. Philadelphia (M3) This series is set
Buffalo (A1) vs. Boston (WC1) This series is set
Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Montreal (A3) This series is set
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: M - Metropolitan Division. A - Atlantic Division. WC - wild card
NHL Western Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 14.
Colorado (C1) vs. Los Angeles (WC2)
Dallas (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3). This series is set
Vegas (P1) vs. Utah (WC1)
Edmonton (P2) vs. Anaheim (P3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: C - Central Division P - Pacific Division. WC - wild card
NHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?
If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:
Regulation wins
Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)
Total wins
Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded. When more than two clubs are tied, the percentage of available points earned in games among each other (and not including any odd games) shall be used to determine standings.
Goal differential
Total goals
In the Pacific Division, the Oilers have the most regulation wins, followed by the Golden Knights, Ducks and Kings.
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.
When do the NHL playoffs start?
The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are schedule to begin on Saturday, April 18.
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube understands how Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness feels.
Following the Blue Jackets' final regular season game on Tuesday, a 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, Bowness lashed out at his players after what he called a careless performance.
It had been three months since Bowness' hiring in Columbus, and the Blue Jackets have had a 21-11-5 record since, tying them for the fifth-most points in the NHL since Jan. 13.
But after an uptick in play in the first two months following Bowness' hiring, the Blue Jackets fell off a cliff, securing just seven of a possible 26 points in the final 13 games of the season.
The playoffs were a possibility for the Blue Jackets, much like they were for the Maple Leafs coming out of the Olympic break. However, after picking up numerous costly losses, the team's playoff hopes drifted further and further away.
"I don't know if I'm back, but if I'm back, I'm changing this culture," Bowness told reporters in Columbus following their loss on Tuesday.
"These guys, they don't care — losing is not important enough to them. It doesn't bother them. Like, how can you go out and play like that? I should've done this a month ago. But this is why we are where we are. This is why we're out of the playoffs."
Ahead of Toronto's final game of the regular season on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators, Berube was asked about Bowness' comments and the importance of players having to hate to lose.
"Well, they do," the Maple Leafs' head coach said.
"I think more than anything — and I'm not in (Bowness') head or what he was thinking or whatever — for me it's like, losing has to hurt. It's got to be vocalized in the room by the players. When you're losing and you're not winning, things have to be said in a not-so-nice manner.
"And when that happens in a locker room enough times, things are bound to change. You got to challenge each other, and he's not wrong."
Coming out of the Olympic break, the Maple Leafs were six points out of a playoff spot. They lost their next eight straight in what was one of their longest losing streaks in recent memory.
Since the Olympic break ended, the Maple Leafs have held the NHL's worst record of 5-14-5 in 24 games. They've picked up just 15 of a possible 48 points and were outscored 64-99 in that stretch.
We've seen more fight out of the team recently, after Auston Matthews suffered a knee injury at the hands of Anaheim Ducks defender Radko Gudas on Mar. 12. That's in part due to no one standing up to Gudas right away after Toronto's captain went down.
But does what occurred with the Blue Jackets — with Bowness calling out the team's culture — need to happen in Toronto? Is culture something that needs to improve within the Maple Leafs?
"I'm not going to talk about all that," Berube said. "I'm not getting into all that stuff."
Thursday is the final night of the NHL regular season (Game 82 for the teams involved), and the Pacific Division is still anything but decided. While the teams involved have all clinched, who they'll play is undetermined — everything is still up in the air.
The Edmonton Oilers still have four possible ways the season can end, which means four very different first-round playoff opponents and home-ice situations.
Here is a quick breakdown of the possible scenarios (as explained by NHL insider Frank Seravalli.
A Los Angeles Kings vs. Oilers first-round matchup is still possible (which would make it the fifth straight year these two teams have faced each other in the first round).
This can happen if the Golden Knights earn 1 point (an OT loss or a regulation tie) and the Kings earn 1+ points (a win or an OT loss). If the Ducks don't earn a single point, the Kings and Oilers would meet again in the playoffs.
The Anaheim Ducks can still finish anywhere from 2nd to WC2. Depending on results, they could play the Oilers as well. To avoid Anaheim, this would require the Kings to get 2 points (straight win), the Ducks to get 2 points (straight win), and the Oilers to get 0 points (regulation loss).
That exact outcome would push the Oilers out of the top 3 in the Pacific. It would also drop the Oilers to Wild Card #2. It would mean Edmonton playing the Colorado Avalanche.
That said, Edmonton can still finish 1st in the Pacific and win the division for the first time since 1987. For the Oilers to win, the Golden Knights would have to lose to Seattle on Thursday night. It wouldn't matter what the Ducks or Kings do.
If the Oilers finish first or second in the division, they would have home-ice advantage. Perhaps more importantly, it would ensure they don't have to play the Avalanche as the Wild Card #2, and give them a much easier path to the Western Conference Final.
What This Means for the Oilers Right Now
They're still alive for the division title.
They control a lot of their own destiny if they can beat the Canucks in their final game, but other results (Vegas, Kings, Ducks) matter too.
The "good" outcomes for them are finishing 1st or 2nd in the Pacific → they stay in the Pacific bracket and get home ice vs a Pacific rival. The "bad" outcome everyone is worried about is dropping to Wild Card #2.
That would leave the Oilers "stuck with Colorado", a team they've struggled against this season. This happens if:
Oilers get 0 points in Game 82 → regulation loss.
Kings get 2 points → regulation win.
Ducks get 2 points → regulation win.
The teams in the Central were so much more dominant than the teams in the Pacific and Colorado was tops among them.
The Oilers have a ton of paths, but a win by Vegas on Wednesday and one bad night on Thursday sends Edmonton straight into a tough road series against a team they'd rather avoid.
The Los Angeles Kings suffered one of their worst losses of the season on Tuesday, losing in overtime against the Vancouver Canucks. Against the weakest team in the NHL, with major playoff seedings on the line, LA chooses to lose at the worst time.
It should've been an easy routine win against the Canucks, instead the Kings had to battle all night long just to lose in overtime, as they've regularly done all throughout this season.
Now, with that loss turning into a missed opportunity, it may ultimately shape their playoff path and doom a possible deep playoff run. With just one game remaining against the Calgary Flames on Thursday, the Kings now face a critical decision: rest starters to stay healthy for the postseason, or go all out and win for a more favorable seeding.
Given what’s at stake, the answer should be clear. This is not the time for Los Angeles to take its foot off the gas.
Seeding On The Line
On paper, the loss to Vancouver might not seem devastating. The Kings have already clinched a playoff spot and are preparing for the postseason. But the context of the loss tells a much different story.
The Canucks entered the game with nothing to play for, sitting near the bottom of the standings. Meanwhile, the Kings had everything to gain, with a chance to improve their position in the Pacific Division and avoid a difficult first-round matchup.
The loss now leaves them still in the second wild-card spot in the postseason, with a much tougher playoff path ahead.
Rather than positioning themselves for a potentially favorable matchup against a Pacific Division opponent, the Kings are now staring at the possibility of facing the Colorado Avalanche in the first round, a team that just won the Presidents' Trophy and is widely considered the most dangerous team in the Western Conference.
It gets even more challenging because, even if the Kings can somehow pull off a miraculous upset over the Avalanche, they'll still face an even steeper uphill battle in the second round against either the Dallas Stars or the Minnesota Wild.
The #StanleyCup Playoffs start next Saturday, April 18! 🤩
This is, without question, a very brutal path for the Kings to overcome if they hold the second wild card spot. Now, if they want a favorable matchup in the first round and an easier path to the Western Conference Finals, they'll need to finish either second or third in the Pacific Division.
LA will need help, though, from the Edmonton Oilers or Anaheim Ducks if they want to finish at worst as the third seed. Either Edmonton or Anaheim has to lose their final game, and the Kings must win their regular-season finale against the Flames.
At best, the Kings can get the second seed and earn home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, and likely play an injured Oilers team or an inconsistent Ducks team, making for a much easier first-round matchup and likely face Vegas or Utah in the second round, avoiding the Central Division monsters until the WCF.
Thursday
Canucks at Oilers -
The Canucks have a chance to end the regular season defeating four Pacific Division teams if they can defeat the Oilers on the road on Thursday. After defeating the Sharks, Kings, and Ducks this week, Vancouver can drop Edmonton in the playoff seeding if it decides to play hard.
Ducks at Predators -
Anaheim has been on its worst stretch of the season since Dec/Jan, winning just one game in April, and is 1-6-2 in its last nine games. The interesting part will be whether Nashville decides to rest its starters or try to win its final regular-season home game.
One Final Opportunity
A strong performance against Calgary and an Anaheim or Edmonton loss can help put the Kings in the best possible position heading into the playoffs. If that doesn't happen, we'll look back on their game against Vancouver and blame their performance in that game for going home in the first round against Colorado.
That’s why the decision in the season finale is so important. Resting players might seem like the safe choice, but in reality, it could come at a much greater cost. And after letting one opportunity slip away, the Kings can’t afford to waste another.
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It’ll be all hands on deck for the Dallas Stars heading into their season finale against the Buffalo Sabres.
My Stars vs. Sabres predictions expect that to result in the road team picking up their 50th win.
Let’s take a closer look at my NHL picks for Wednesday, April 15.
Stars vs Sabres prediction
Stars vs Sabres best bet: Stars moneyline (-145)
This game carries no implications in the standings for either side, and while teams generally sit key players in these circumstances, that’s not the case with the Dallas Stars.
Head coach Glen Gulutzan noted his guys — even those routinely playing heavy minutes — want to play in the regular season finale, and they will.
This contest should serve as one last tune-up before their first-round series against the Minnesota Wild.
Mavrik Bourque is coming off a hat trick, but he still has more assists than goals. Playing on a line with Jason Robertson, the youngster definitely has assist upside.
We’ll round out the parlay with an Under. Playing pond hockey in their finale isn’t going to get the Stars ready for the playoffs, so they should rely on their structure and sound defense to guide them in their finale.
The Sabres are sitting a healthy chunk of firepower in this game, and third-string goaltender Colten Ellis (8-4-1 with a .904 save percentage) is more than capable of handling this level.
Stars vs Sabres SGP
Stars moneyline
Mavrik Bourque Over 0.5 assists
Under 6.5
Stars vs Sabres odds
Moneyline: Stars -105 | Sabres -115
Puck Line: Stars -1.5 (+225) | Sabres +1.5 (-280)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+110) | Under 6.5 (-130)
Stars vs Sabres trend
Buffalo has only hit the game total Over in 10 of its last 25 games (-6.85 Units / -24% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Stars vs. Sabres.
How to watch Stars vs Sabres
Location
KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
Date
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
TNT
Stars vs Sabres latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 14: Porter Martone #94 of the Philadelphia Flyers reacts after the game against the Montréal Canadiens at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yes, there are still games to be played in the NHL’s regular season, but all 16 playoff spots have been clinched so we know who is and is not going to be competing for Lord Stanley’s Cup. Like me, I am sure many of you are fans of the Detroit Red Wings, so you will not have your team in the postseason (again). I’ll take this opportunity to point out that at least the Red Wings did better than my cowriter Steve’s Chicago Blackhawks.
For those who still want to enjoy some playoff hockey and need help deciding which team to get behind, let’s analyze the 16 playoff rosters in search of former Spartans.
Amazingly, there are only five former MSU skaters currently on an NHL roster. This number does not include players that are signed by NHL teams but who are currently on an affiliate (e.g. AHL) roster. This low number took me by surprise, but it is sure to grow in the next year or two as more of the Adam Nightingale-era players make it to the big league.
Of those five Spartans, three of them are on a playoff-bound team. Those three are:
Isaac Howard – Edmonton Oilers
Jeff Petry – Minnesota Wild
Porter Martone – Philadelphia Flyers
The other two players whose teams did not make the playoffs are Mason Appleton in Detroit and Artyom Levshunov in Chicago.
The regular season wraps up on Thursday and the playoffs are scheduled to start on Saturday. Will you be cheering one of the three teams with a Spartan on it? Do you live in a city with an NHL team that you will be cheering for? Will this be the year that a Canadian team wins the Cup? None have won since 1993. Are you just waiting for football season?
