Category: NHL

ST. LOUIS -- In a season that was blatantly obvious, at least prior to the Olympic break, that the St. Louis Blues were not a playoff team and looking more and more like a shoe-in for a lottery pick, the fan faction became divided.

On one side, you had the 'Embrace the Tank' faction, that was clamoring for a lottery pick, getting one for the first time since 2008 when the organization took defenseman Alex Pietrangelo with the fourth pick, and on the other hand, you had the loyal diehards that wanted to see the team turn things around and play competitive hockey.

And with each Blues win, when they went 17-5-3 in the final 25 games to go from second-worst in the NHL standings only to the Vancouver Canucks to now jumping all the way up to 11th from the bottom and having just a slim three percent chance (3.5 percent if it includes the first-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings the Blues acquired in the Justin Faulk trade) of winning the draft lottery and moving up, the tanksters continued to get louder and louder.

Why in the world would you double down and not only mess the season up but also mess up the chance at a lottery pick, they screamed? And when the Blues were putting together a stretch of three four-game winning streaks among their 17 wins in the final 25 games, the other side could be heard from with a collective, "finally."

So how should this be viewed? Did the Blues mess up their chance at drafting the next star in the organization or is this a steppingstone to finding a blueprint for playing the way that this group can have success moving forward and let the chips fall where they may when it comes to draft prospects?

Of course, there will be more clarity on this when the draft lottery takes place on May 5, but from the Blues' perspective, they've prepared for either scenario. But in the process, there was never a question of playing poorly just to play poorly and lose compared to playing the right way.

"Once the season’s over, you wish you had the high pick," Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said. "It’s the pain of going through that to get it. I did talk to the players after the trade deadline and I told them, our mandate (was) we’re going to bring up younger players and we’re going to put them in positions that reflect what we want to see them. Theo [Lindstein] came up, he never played an NHL game and he was a top four defenseman. It’s not like we hid him as a seven. [Dalibor] Dvorsky against the other teams’ top players a lot of nights with Robert [Thomas]. [Otto] Stenberg came up, [Logan] Mailloux, what was his ice time pre- and post-Olympics? I said to the players, ‘We have a plan. Your job is to disrupt the plan. You’re professionals. This is how you make your living. I expect you to disrupt our plan, and they did and I give them full marks. Could we have picked (No.) 2 or 3 this year? It would have ... I think there would be less belief in our group. In the players that you have asked about, that you have talked about, there would be a lot less belief in that if we just had rolled over and just got door-matted for the last seven weeks of the season."

As it sits now, the Blues have the Nos. 11, 15 and 32 picks in the first round; they have the New York Islanders' second first-round pick from the Brayden Schenn trade, which belongs to the Colorado Avalanche, and Armstrong was asked if those picks, depending on where they align after the draft lottery and playoffs are concluded, could be part of a trade or move up. 

Everything is in play.

"We’re all going to have our amateur scouting meetings," Armstrong said. "We’re all going to go to the U-18s, Alex [Steen] and I and the decision-makers on the amateur side. That’s (today), we leave. We’ll be in Slovakia for 10 days. We’ll come back, we’ll go to the combine, we’ll interview the players. After that we’ll go to amateur scout retreat with part time, full time (scouts). We’ll get our list together and the way that I’ve done it in the past is OK, give me lines, blocks of players. Where’s a block? So if there’s a block of four guys and we want to get into that block, then yeah. Yes we would, I guess that’s the long answer. We would move up if we can. We’ll also move back if we don’t like what we see. We can use the picks, we can use prospects, we can use players, but every team is the same in that fashion. If there’s somebody there that we believe is in a block outside of our pick and we can acquire him, we’ll give it our best chance. You also have to have someone that wants to move out of that pick too."

Jordan Kyrou Undergoes Minor Knee ProcedureBlues forward had surgery earlier this week, expected to be ready for training campJim Montgomery Will Finally Get His Say On Assistant CoachesBlues coach has had three stops, and in each one has not been able to pick own coaches; will get opportunity to select those he wants after Ott moved to Springfield, Julien, Weber contracts not renewedFor St. Louis Blues, Harsh Reality Is They Must Change One Aspect More Than Any Early In A SeasonTeam has been chasing standings two years in a row; last year they got away with it, this year they fell four points short, and they must change their attitude more than anythingJordan Kyrou's Down Season Raises Trade Questions Again; Should Two Sides Seek Fresh Start Or Refocus On Coming Back Better, Stronger?Forward had lowest output in goals, points since 2020-21, remains committed to St. Louis; team also remains committed -- for nowIf Robert Thomas Was Available For Trade Before, He Shouldn't Have Been, Nor Should Be Moving ForwardSt. Louis Blues' No. 1 center found game again down stretch for second straight season, formulated team's No. 1 line with play with Dylan Holloway, Jimmy Snuggerud; but 26-year-old wants to hear management's plans moving forward despite four years left on contractWhat Does Dylan Holloway's Next Contract Look Like For St. Louis Blues?Forward who overcame torn abductor muscle, high ankle sprain within past year, set to become restricted free agent July 1, but unlike Philip Broberg, Doug Armstrong more open-ended regarding 24-year-old's contractJordan Binnington Keeping Open Mind Regarding FutureSt. Louis Blues Stanley Cup-winning goalie wants to discuss future team plans with GM-in-waiting Alexander Steen, management team with one year remaining on current contract

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Top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone has impressed his teammates, the organization, and fans with how well he's played so far, but he's quickly earning the respect of his peers, too.

Ironically, one of those peers is an NHL star who was often the comparison for the 19-year-old forward.

Florida Panthers standout Matthew Tkachuk, on his "Wingmen with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk" podcast, had nothing but good things to say about Martone in the early goings of his NHL career.

"Yeah, Martone, he looks unreal. He had that snipe that ended up being the game-winner. But he looks so confident. Some of these younger players in Philly are making that team fun to watch," Tkachuk said.

"If you look at some of those forwards, man, like, they just buzz around. . . That Martone, he's solid. I haven't played against him--it's hard to say how good these guys are or what type of player they are, because I haven't played agains them yet--but watching them, this team might be for real. They might be for real. They might just be a sneaky, sneaky wagon."

Flyers' Porter Martone Makes NHL History After Latest Big Playoff GameFlyers top prospect Porter Martone is thriving right now, and he has made some NHL history because of it.

Between the regular season and playoffs, Martone has scored 13 points in 12 total games, registering a point in each of the three Stanley Cup playoff games the Flyers have played against the Pittsburgh Penguins here in Round 1.

The 2025 No. 6 overall pick delivered a key assist against the Carolina Hurricanes, too, to help the Flyers clinch their playoff berth.

The big moments aren't too big for Martone despite his age and relative inexperience, and it has obviously manifested on the scoresheet as well.

For someone like Tkachuk, a player who Martone plays very similarly to despite not having quite the same level of nastiness and physicality, is a huge compliment and a testament to Martone's work ethic and talent.

Flyers Coach Rick Tocchet Has Rave Reviews for Porter MartoneAfter a short adjustment period, Porter Martone was one of the best players for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> during their playoff push, and head coach Rick Tocchet quickly took notice.

If he can maintain this trajectory, the Flyers have a rising star in Martone.

Happy Shawn Bates Penalty Shot Day.

After last night’s AHL results, there is officially nothing Islanders playoff-related to discuss anymore except the past and perhaps hopes for the future.

The end of Bridgeport’s 25-year run as the Islanders’ AHL affiliate came with a frustratingly familiar, quick playoff exit. The Bridgeport Islanders (nee Sound Tigers) were swept in their best-of-three opener against Hershey, losing Game 2 Thursday night.

Their previous postseason appearance, in 2021-22, included a qualifying mini-round 2-0 sweep of Providence before quickly exiting at the hands of Charlotte, 3-1.

Prior to that, in their Sound Tigers era, they’d make the playoffs about once every three seasons with first-round exits — often to Hershey or Wilkes-Barrie — each time other than their first two appearances. The first season, when they made it to the finals under Steve Stirling, was and remains the high point.

Raise a glass to Mike Fornabaio, Alan Fuehring, Brent Thompson, Steve Stirling, Jason Shaya and so many others https://t.co/aiTk5ltGn3

— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) April 24, 2026

By the way, Cory Schneider has been doing some unofficial goalie coaching with the Baby Islanders. [THN]

Meanwhile, in the NHL playoffs, there are some good series…and some laughers.

• The Stanley Cup favorite Avalanche have the Kings on the brink at 3-0, which is no surprise to anyone — honestly, the Kings have done well with their vaunted defense to keep each game close.
• The Hurricanes likewise have the Senators’ backs against the wall after winning Game 3 in Ottawa. That included an amazing sequence where the Senators couldn’t get the puck out of their half of the ice with a sixth attacker. It was a remarkable display of incompetence for a playoff team, and great work by the Canes.
• The other 3-0 series is the Battle of Pennsylvania, but the Penguins get an extra day to complain about officiating and stew over their doomed fate in Philadelphia, as that series resumes on Saturday.

Friday night’s games span the time zones, with three 1-1 series shifting venues: The Lightning in Montreal, the Knights in Utah and the Oilers in Anaheim.

Meanwhile, in Detroit, the man who has been in charge of getting players for the Wings for most of their decade-long playoff drought says they need to get better players. [TSN]

The Los Angeles Kings find themselves in the biggest possible hole in a playoff series they can be in, besides actually being eliminated entirely.

With a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 on Thursday, the Kings now face elimination and could get swept on Sunday in Game 4.

Los Angeles, which was a heavy underdog against Colorado going into this series, has put up a respectable fight so far. They've been able to shut down the Avs' star players for the most part, but haven't been able to execute on the other side of the ice.

One reason for that could be that the Kings have been one of the least threatening teams offensively all season long, finishing with the fourth fewest goals scored in the regular season. But another glaring problem stands in the Avalanche's crease, goaltender Scott Wedgewood.

Wedgewood has been incredibly sound in this post-season so far. Across those first three outings, he's statistically been the second-best goaltender in the NHL.

The 33-year-old netminder recorded three victories, as well as a .946 save percentage and a 1.28 goals-against average.

Among goaltenders who have made more than one start in these Stanley Cup playoffs so far, only Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes has been more impressive.

Wedgewood has had an answer to nearly every single question the Kings have thrown at him and the Avalanche, and that's why they're one win away from moving on to the second round. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is still looking for its first victory of the post-season.

It's a shame because the Kings have outdone themselves defensively. Game 3 was the first time they gave up more than two goals, and one of them was an empty-netter by Brock Nelson.

The Kings' goaltender, Anton Forsberg, also deserves his flowers for his performance in this series and the season overall. He's posted a .922 SP and a 2.28 GAA in three playoff games.

How Long Can Anton Forsberg Keep This Up For The Kings?Despite back-to-back standout performances under the crease, the Kings still trail 2-0, as their offensive struggles have wasted Anton Forsberg's elite goaltending.

With that, Nelson, Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas and Nazem Kadri all have just one point after three games. Wedgewood has truly been the team's MVP to this point if one had to be named.

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Kings coach D.J. Smith gave his team the day off Friday, but he sent his players home with a message: if they don’t show up for work Sunday, they’ll have the rest of the spring and summer off, too.

Players don’t like to call any game a “must-win” because of the pressure it brings, but there’s no other way to look at Sunday’s game for the Kings. After losing the first three games of their best-of-seven playoff series with the Colorado Avalanche, the Kings are one loss away from being eliminating in the first round for a fifth consecutive season.

“Must-win game,” agreed defenseman Drew Doughty, who hasn’t played on a winning team in a playoff series since the Kings last won the Stanley Cup in 2014. “Everyone's going to give everything and we’ve got to win that one. And then hopefully go back to Denver.”

Read more:Kings lose again to Avalanche, who take commanding 3-0 series lead

The most recent loss came Thursday when the Avalanche scored two fluky goals on pucks that bounced in off the skates of Kings players and put another one into an empty net in a 4-2 victory that pushed the Kings to the brink of elimination.

“You don’t like the result,” Smith said. “And it’s tough to swallow.”

For Colorado, the best team in the NHL during the regular season, it hasn’t been the most stylish of postseasons. But after a pair of hard-fought 2-1 wins at home, the Avalanche have a chance to sweep a playoff series for the first time since 2022, when they won their last Stanley Cup.

“All the games have been tight. We’re right there,” forward Quinton Byfield said. “Each guy, including myself, we just have to give a little bit more.

“We're doing the right things, we just have to dig in a little bit more."

It’s hard to say how. The Kings’ power play has been good, scoring a goal in each of the three games, and their penalty kill even better, shutting out the top-scoring team in the NHL on nine tries with a man advantage.

The Kings have been physical and fast and goaltender Anton Forsberg has been brilliant in his first career playoff series, making 90 saves in the three games. Yet none of that has paid off with a win.

“Sometimes you play real well for stretches and you don’t get the results. And then you’ll win a game you don’t deserve to win,” Smith said. “Maybe we didn’t stay with it long enough.”

“Those games are over with,” a frustrated Byfield added. “You can’t look back at those games. It’s just on to the next one, that’s our focus.”

Doughty said the Kings need to wear down the Avalanche, something they clearly couldn’t do in the two games played in Denver’s mile-high altitude. They might have a better chance Sunday at sea level.

“I don’t think we’re creating enough Grade-A chances,” he said. “They’re statistically one of the best teams in the neutral zone. So for us to beat them, we’ve got to wear them down in the D zone, make them tired and score goals that way. We haven't done that enough.”

Every team has its kryptonite and for the Kings that appears to be the first round of the playoffs. Over the past dozen seasons, the team has gone 9-27 in the postseason, taking a series to a seventh game just once in six tries. Along the way they’ve changed general mangers twice, changed head coaches five times and even changed their opponents, facing the Avalanche this year after losing four straight series to the Edmonton Oilers.

None of that has changed the results.

Smith, in fact, is an interim coach, having taken over for Jim Hiller with 23 games left in the regular season. He figures to be coaching for his future Sunday since a playoff sweep won’t look good on his resume.

Read more:Kings let late Game 2 lead slip away and lose to Avalanche in overtime

“There’s no quit in there,” Smith said of the Kings’ locker room. “We’ll get reset with practice [Saturday] and I think you’re going to see our best effort.

“Now we’ve got to make a few changes and see if we can spark something.”

If that works, the Kings will be heading back to Denver. If it doesn’t, they’ll be heading home for another long summer.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

The Pittsburgh Penguins face their first truly must win game of the season tomorrow night in Philadelphia. If they can do that, they would have another in Pittsburgh on Monday. If they won that, it’d be another must win situation setup for Game 6 in Philadelphia. If somehow they won that too, then there would be a Game 7 back in Pittsburgh.

As we all know the odds of that happening, realistically, are grim right now. Perhaps even non-existent. The Pens have been outplayed in any and every facet over the first three games, and the only time they were leading a game got thrown away due to a post-whistle scrum that quickly put them back behind. The goaltending has been spotty, and certainly much better for the other club. The adjustments made have made little difference. We could go on and on, but you probably get the picture and have already accepted that Pittsburgh’s impressive season is coming to a shockingly ugly end.

With that dose of reality out of the way, why not dream a little? It’s Friday, there’s no game today and 0-3 comebacks (completed or attempted) are on the rise in hockey. It’s still a fact that the series is almost a foregone conclusion – teams up 3 games to 0 have ended up winning 209 out of 213 times in NHL history in a stat from the Tribune Review, but that doesn’t necessarily mean all the drama has to be over just yet.

No one would know that better than Stuart Skinner. In 2024, the Edmonton Oilers fell down 3-0 to the Florida Panthers. Skinner, of course, was the goalie for the Oilers back then. Edmonton won the next three games to force a Game 7. They’d lose 2-1 to come so close to the ‘reverse sweep’ of winning four straight games after falling into a big hole.

“Playoffs are intense,” Skinner said. “There’s a lot of pressure, a lot of noise going on everywhere. I feel like when you go down 3-0, what really helped me in my experience was it kind of just frees you up. You don’t really have anything to lose. And we’re in a spot where we don’t have anything to lose, and they do. If we catch them a couple times — just talking about momentum — you can change momentum, and when that happens, things can go in your favor.”

By the way, Skinner’s performances in Games 4-7 of the ‘24 Stanley Cup Final were outstanding. He only allowed seven goals over the four games (1.76 GAA) and posted a .935 save%, he played some extremely great hockey with his back to the wall, so his words about getting freed from the pressure sound like they worked. It’s not like the first round against the Flyers carries the same burdens of playing for a Canadian team in the SCF where every question is built around if Connor McDavid can ever win ‘his’ Cup, so who knows how much that will change the performance this time around. At this point that sounds like one of the best straws to grasp at that at least the Penguins have a goalie who has been in this exact situation before and handled it extremely well.

The most recent time for a 0-3 series comeback in the NHL dates back to 2014, when the Los Angeles Kings pulled the trick against the San Jose Sharks in the first round. The Kings would go onto win the Stanley Cup that year. It’s crazy to think how close that was to going out the window in the very opening games of the playoffs, which goes to provide yet another instance of just how thins the margins are in the NHL this time of year between winning and losing.

Back in 2011, there were two close calls: the Sharks almost blew a 3-0 lead against Detroit, but SJ held on and earned a Game 7 victory. In that very same year and round, the then-defending Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks dropped an overtime Game 7 to fall just short of making an 0-3 comeback of their own against Vancouver at the very same time the SJ/DET series was going on.

The year prior, in 2010, Philadelphia was able to overcome a 0-3 deficit to the Boston Bruins in the conference semifinals and advance. There must have been something in the water during that 2010-14 time frame with a couple close calls (Detroit and Chicago in ‘11) and then a pair of successful comebacks (LA in ’14 and Philadelphia in ‘10) all happening in the same period.

For historical completion, the Penguins have been involved in a 0-3 series comeback, albeit on the wrong end. The NY Islanders made the massive comeback in 1975, serving as a sore spot for the franchise for many years, especially considering that ‘75 series made for a recurring trivia note since it was the only time from 1943-2009 that an NHL team blew a 3-0 series lead. The time before that, in 1942, was the Stanley Cup Final where Toronto pulled the comeback against Detroit.

It sounds daunting to even consider the Penguins joining those groups of teams to make a run. Based on the numbers (209 out of 213) it’s obvious a lot of these series are bound to conclude in four or five games when it gets to this situation. Just call it some Friday morning optimism that just because the vast majority of these instances are foregone conclusions doesn’t necessarily mean it’s unprecedented.

“We have to win a hockey game,” Dan Muse said. “So, we’ll have a practice [Friday], get ready for that game. Then, we’ll go into that game, we need to win a game. And so, that’s entirely where the focus is right now.”

Climbing out of an 0-3 hole is sort of like that old saying about eating an elephant. It has to be done one bite at a time. Game 4 is that first bite. Win that, extend the season and earn the chance to take that next bite in Game 5. It’s easier said than done but the Penguins still have an opportunity available to go down a path that exists for teams to at least make a run at pulling the reverse sweep.

Ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline, the Chicago Blackhawks acquired forward Andrew Mangiapane and a 2027 first-round pick from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach. Mangiapane was thrown into this deal for salary cap purposes.

It was a tough 2025-26 season for Mangiapane. In 52 games with Edmonton before being traded to Chicago, he had seven goals and 14 points. He then had one goal and one assist in 10 games for the Blackhawks. With this, he finished the season with eight goals and 16 points in 62 games, which is far below expectations from the 30-year-old forward. 

While Mangiapane had a tough year, the possibility of him bouncing back next season, whether he remains with the Blackhawks or plays elsewhere, should not be ruled out. In 2024-25 with the Washington Capitals, he had 14 goals and 28 points in 81 games. He also recorded at least 40 points from 2021-22 to 2023-24.

With this, Mangiapane has shown many times during his career that he can provide solid secondary offensive production when playing at his best. It is going to be interesting to see what kind of season Mangiapane can have in 2026-27 from here. 

The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a very challenging spot, as they are down 3-0 in their series against the Philadelphia Flyers. If they hope to have any chance of reverse-sweeping the Flyers, they are going to need all of their top players to be on their A-game from here.

This includes Penguins forward Anthony Mantha, who has had a slow start to the playoffs. In three games so far this postseason, Mantha has zero points to go along with a minus-4 rating. With this, the 6-foot-5 winger has gone cold offensively, and the Penguins absolutely need him to regain his scoring touch from here.

When looking at how well Mantha played during the regular season, he certainly has the potential to heat back up for Pittsburgh. In 81 games this regular season, he set new career highs with 33 goals, 31 assists, and 64 points. With numbers like these, he was a notable reason behind the Penguins getting into the playoffs. Now, Pittsburgh needs him to snap his cold streak and regain his top form. 

It will be interesting to see how Mantha performs for the Penguins in Game 4 from here. 

The countdown has started in less than eight hours, and the Bell Centre sound system will blast Fix You as the Montreal Canadiens players take to the ice for Game 3 of their first-round battle with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The young Habs came very close to coming back home with a 2-0 lead in the series, but when Lane Hutson hit the post late in Game 2, the team was deflated. So much so that in overtime, the Sainte-Flanelle couldn’t even muster a single shot while the Bolts peppered Jakub Dobes’ net.

Not shooting in overtime can only lead to one result: a loss. Even if Kirby Dach didn’t ice the puck and stopped playing for a fraction of a second in the ensuing defensive zone faceoff, the Canadiens would still have lost eventually. It couldn’t have been any other way without attacking. The two teams are now back to square one, tied 1-1, 70% of the time, the team that wins Game 3 of a best-of-seven duel wins the series. Will the young Canadiens be able to put the deflating end of Game 2 behind them and move on?

Canadiens Briefly Skate Ahead of Game 3
Canadiens: Will Lightning’s Approach Change In Montreal?
Canadiens’ Suzuki, Caufield And Slafkovsky Have To Be The Difference Makers On Friday

Historically, in the third game of a series, the Bolts have a strong record: 23-16 overall for a .590 winning percentage. On the road, they are even better with a 14-7 record for a .667 winning percentage. When a series is tied at one all, they have 13 series wins and only 7 series losses for a .650 winning percentage.

Meanwhile, the Habs have a 74-51 record in the third game of a series for a .592 winning percentage. At home, they are 24-21 in third games for a .533 winning percentage. When a series is tied at 1-1, they have 24 series wins and 19 series losses, for a .558 winning percentage, but they are 12-9 when the series started on the road for a .571 winning percentage.

Those numbers only reflect what has happened in the past, though. This new iteration of the Canadiens is keen to write its own story, and it starts by bouncing back from a heartbreaking defeat. Since that loss in Tampa, there have been no hints of what changes, if any, Martin St-Louis is likely to make to his lineup. He’s the kind of coach who doesn’t change a winning formula, but after that kind of loss? All bets are off.

Could it have made a difference to have Brendan Gallagher’s experience on the bench last time? There’s a reason why the battle-tested warrior wears a letter on his jersey. He’s a great leader, and he’s seen it all. The alternate captain has played 76 playoff games and has racked up 33 points with just 25 penalty minutes. He plays an intense game, but he knows not to cross the line when it matters the most. 15 of his 76 playoff games have been played against Tampa, and he gathered nine points against them, including five goals.

Granted, he doesn’t have the same speed and stamina he once had, but he still has the same dedication to the sweater. He still battles hard in front of the net and can create havoc or much-needed screens in front of goalies. On Tuesday, Dach spent a total of 10:53 on the ice, and only 9:16 in regulation, on a fourth line. After a lot of rest, Gallagher can give you that kind of ice time. Corey Perry, who’s older than Gallagher, had 10:49 of ice time, 8:40 in regulation. Gallagher has often been the spark the Canadiens needed in the past, and he could still play that role if he gets the opportunity.

Of course, Joe Veleno could also be an option; he’s younger, can play a physical game, is heavy on the forecheck, and brings combativeness, but he has never played a single playoff game. Chances are the Montreal-born center is chomping at the bit for an opportunity to play not only a playoff game, but one in Montreal, in front of friends and family.

Dach is not the only player who could find himself on the outside looking in. Alexandre Texier, who has been skating on the second line, has failed to impress. He has been kept off the scoresheet in the first two games. The Frenchman normally plays better in Montreal than he does on the road, however.

Whatever St-Louis decides to do with his lineup, don’t expect to hear about it before tonight’s warmup. He’s been keeping his cards close to his chest, and he has no intention of showing his hand before the puck drops.

The game is set for 7:00 PM, and if you are going, make sure to be in your seat well in advance. The Canadiens have a knack for spectacles when it comes to opening a playoff series at home, and yesterday they asked the media to leave the arena by 3:00 PM because they didn’t want any leaks about what they are preparing. It should be a perfect starter to what promises to be a sumptuous multicourse meal for Montrealers hungry for playoff hockey. Chris Rooney and Peter MacDougall will officiate, while Devin Berg and James Tobias will serve as linemen. You can catch the game on CBC, TVAS, SN, TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, and The Spot.

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Here are your Pens Points for this Friday morning…

Anthony Mantha’s poor playoff showing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, which includes zero postseason goals after leading the team in the regular season with 33, in addition to costly penalties across the first three games, may be making the team’s offseason choice easier by pushing them away from re-signing him this summer. While Mantha had a career-best regular season, his age, injury history, and lack of playoff impact make him a questionable fit for a team that needs to get younger and faster. [PensBurgh]

If you’re looking for a sliver of optimism in what has been a disaster-filled three-game series thus far, maybe it’s comforting to know that Stuart Skinner’s experience helping Edmonton nearly climb out of a 0-3 Stanley Cup Final deficit in 2024 gives the Penguins reason to believe he can handle adversity again. [Trib Live]

Three Penguins prospects selected in the 2025 draft, forwards Jordan Charron, Kale Dach, and Travis Hayes, have signed amateur tryout contracts with the Penguins’ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the remainder of the season. [Trib Live]

News and notes from around the NHL…

St. Louis Blues forward Jordan Kyrou underwent a minor knee surgery earlier this week, but is expected to be ready for training camp, the team says. [Sportsnet]

The New York Islanders have trademarked three possible names—Hamilton Mustangs, Hamilton Havoc, and Hamilton Hammers—for their AHL team relocating from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Hamilton, Ontario, for the 2026-27 season. [Sportsnet]

Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger denied rumors that he interviewed for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ general manager job, saying in a recent radio interview, “I did not interview for that role.” [TSN]

Dallas Stars (50-20-12, in the Central Division) vs. Minnesota Wild (46-24-12, in the Central Division)

Saint Paul, Minnesota; Saturday, 5:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Wild -135, Stars +114; over/under is 6

NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Stars lead series 2-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Dallas Stars visit the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 2-1 lead in the series. The teams meet Wednesday for the eighth time this season. The Stars won 4-3 in overtime in the last matchup.

Minnesota has a 14-11-4 record in Central Division games and a 46-24-12 record overall. The Wild have a +33 scoring differential, with 268 total goals scored and 235 allowed.

Dallas has a 50-20-12 record overall and a 19-7-3 record in Central Division play. The Stars lead the Western Conference with 71 power-play goals.

TOP PERFORMERS: Matthew Boldy has 42 goals and 43 assists for the Wild. Kirill Kaprizov has six goals and four assists over the past 10 games.

Jason Robertson has 45 goals and 51 assists for the Stars. Wyatt Johnston has scored seven goals and added four assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wild: 5-4-1, averaging 3.6 goals, 5.8 assists, five penalties and 11.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.

Stars: 8-2-0, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.4 assists, 5.3 penalties and 12 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game.

INJURIES: Wild: Yakov Trenin: day to day (upper-body), Mats Zuccarello: day to day (upper-body).

Stars: Nathan Bastian: out (hand), Roope Hintz: out (lower body), Tyler Seguin: out for season (acl).

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