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The Montreal Canadiens will continue their quest for the Atlantic Division crown against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, April 11.

Montreal narrowly won a 2-1 nailbiter on March 26th, which kick-started an ugly six-game losing streak for the Jackets.

My Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens predictions and NHL picks suggest that an iconic milestone may be achieved for the second consecutive game at the Bell Centre.

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens prediction

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens best bet: Nick Suzuki Over 1.5 points (+135)

Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki is just two points shy of the century mark.

Of course, his linemate Cole Caufield had his moment of glory on Thursday, becoming the first Canadiens player to score 50 goals in a season since 1989-90. Suzuki would become the first Hab to hit 100 points in exactly 40 years.

The Habs captain has tallied 33 points in 22 games since the Olympic break, and he notched a point on both Montreal goals against Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Suzuki ranks sixth in NHL scoring over the last two seasons, and a 100-point campaign would be a significant addition to his resume.

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens same-game parlay

With the 50-goal monkey off his back, Caufield remains the hottest goal scorer in 2026.

Caufield has notched 28 goals in his last 30 games and 10 in his last 11. Perhaps he has an ounce of extra motivation to find twine, as he’s just two goals behind Nathan MacKinnon for the league lead.

On the topic of red-hot Habs, Jakub Dobes has been arguably the best goalie in the league over the past month.

While more aggressive and erratic than calm and prude, Dobes has allowed two or fewer goals in seven of his last nine starts (and has won seven straight for good measure), boasting a .944 save percentage during that span.

Additionally, the Columbus Blue Jackets have only scored eight goals in their last five games.

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens SGP

• Nick Suzuki Over 1.5 points
• Cole Caufield anytime goal
• Blue Jackets Under 2.5 team total

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens odds

• Moneyline: Blue Jackets +110 | Canadiens -130
• Puck Line: Blue Jackets +1.5 (-220) | Canadiens -1.5 (+180)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+110) | Under 6.5 (-130)

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens trend

Montreal has won eight of the last 10 matchups against Columbus, including seven straight from Nov. 2022 to Nov. 2024. Find more NHL betting trends for Blue Jackets vs. Canadiens.

How to watch Blue Jackets vs Canadiens

Blue Jackets vs Canadiens latest injuries

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Two Atlantic Division rivals meet for the final time this season as the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers.

Joseph Woll gets the call between the pipes for the Buds tonight, and my Panthers vs. Maple Leafs predictions expect another busy night for Toronto’s netminder.

Find out more in my NHL picks for Saturday, April 11.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs prediction

Panthers vs Maple Leafs best bet: Joseph Woll Over 26.5 saves (-110)

If there’s been one positive about the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, it’s been their goaltending.

Joseph Woll carries a respectable .901 save percentage this season despite plenty of difficult assignments, and he’ll likely be busy again tonight against the Florida Panthers.

The Leafs’ goaltender has faced an average of 33.1 shots against per game — the highest mark in the NHL among netminders with more than two games played.

Woll has made Over 26.5 saves in nine of his last 10 appearances, while the Panthers have recorded 26+ shots in all three of their meetings against the Maple Leafs this season.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs same-game parlay

John Tavares has improved as the season has worn on, logging a point in eight of his last 10 games.

On the Panthers' side, Sam Bennett seems to always bring his A-game against his hometown Leafs, and he’s eclipsed 2.5 shots in five of his last six contests.

The Over is also 6-3-1 in Toronto’s last 10 games.

Panthers vs Maple Leafs SGP

• John Tavares Over 0.5 points
• Sam Bennett Over 2.5 shots
• Over 6.5

Panthers vs Maple Leafs odds

• Moneyline: Panthers +110 | Maple Leafs -130
• Puck Line: Panthers +1.5 (-215) | Maple Leafs -1.5 (+175)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-115) | Under 6.5 (-105)

Panthers vs Maple Leafs trend

Toronto has cashed the first-period game total Over in 16 of its last 20 games at home (+10.45 Units / 37% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Panthers vs. Maple Leafs.

How to watch Panthers vs Maple Leafs

Panthers vs Maple Leafs latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The 100th meeting between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin will have to wait.

That's if it even happens at all.

The Pittsburgh Penguins scratched Crosby and longtime teammate Evgeni Malkin, among many others, just hours before Pittsburgh was scheduled to host Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

The Penguins said Crosby is day to day with a lower-body injury and Malkin is day to day with an upper-body injury. Pittsburgh also scratched forwards Ben Kindel and Bryan Rust and defensemen Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson and Parker Wotherspoon.

Crosby and Malkin have both missed games recently with injuries. Crosby didn't play for a month after injuring his knee while playing for Team Canada at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Malkin has missed nearly 20 games this season with various health issues.

The decision came two days after Pittsburgh clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2022 with a victory over New Jersey. The Penguins have basically locked up second place in the Metropolitan Division with three games remaining.

Ovechkin, the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer, and the Capitals are still holding out faint hope of making the postseason. Washington is still mathematically alive but likely needs to win each of its final three games and get some help.

___

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

The Los Angeles Kings (33-26-19) will compete in front of their home crowd for the final time this season on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers (40-29-10). 

After pulling away against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, Los Angeles has won three games in a row and currently holds the second wild card spot, just a one-point lead ahead of the Nashville Predators. 

Adrian Kempe Leads The Way In Kings Win Over CanucksThe Los Angeles Kings took care of business with a victory against the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

 A win against Edmonton will not only give the Kings momentum heading into the playoffs, if they get there, but also put them just two points behind Vegas and Anaheim if either team loses. Right now, the Ducks and Golden Knights are tied for the second seed, and Los Angeles will have a great chance to move into the top three, assuming one of them loses their remaining games. 

Start Time and TV Schedule

Who: Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers

When: 1:00 p.m. PT

Where: Crypto.com Arena

Watch: FanDuel Sports Network West

Projected Kings Lines

Artemi Panarin - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe

Trevor Moore - Quinton Byfield - Alex Laferriere

Joel Armia - Scott Laughton - Jared Wright

Jeff Malott - Samuel Helenius - Taylor Ward

Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty

Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke

Brian Dumoulin - Cody Ceci

Anton Forsberg

Darcy Kuemper

Projected Oilers Lines

Vasily Podkolzin - Connor McDavid - Matt Savoie

Max Jones - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Kasperi Kapanen

Colton Dach - Josh Samanski - Trent Frederic

Jack Roslovic - Adam Henrique - Curtis Lazar

Mattias Ekholm - Evan Bouchard

Darnell Nurse - Connor Murphy

Jake Walman - Ty Emberson

Connor Ingram

Tristan Jarry

Key Factors

The Oilers have had the Kings' number for years now, in both the regular season and the playoffs. But this season, the two teams have split their two meetings, with the Kings losing the humiliating February match, getting throttled 8-1 at home. 

Even with Leon Draisaitl out for the rest of the season, the Oilers are still winning, led by Connor McDavid and his heroics. With that being said, Edmonton is playing for the No. 1 seed, right now holding a one-point lead over Vegas and Anaheim, while Los Angeles continues to fight to make the postseason. 

So, both teams have something to play for, and if we see the Kings play like how they've played in their last three games, with Adrian Kempe continuing his recent hot play, Anton Forsberg being a monster under the crease, and the third line giving contributions, the Kings can absolutely win this game at home. 

With this being Los Angeles' last home game and with the Kings playing with urgency, that could work in the Kings' favor. The Kings need this game with Nashville still on their tails and a chance to continue moving up in the standings. A win against a potential playoff contender gives them momentum heading into the postseason. 

Notes and Updates

For the Kings' injury report, Alex Turcotte (undisclosed) and Andrei Kuzmenko (meniscus) will remain out.

As for the Oilers, Jason Dickinson (lower body), Leon Draisaitl (lower body), Zach Hyman (undisclosed), and Mattias Janmark (shoulder) are all out. 

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

The Pittsburgh Penguins will play the first half of a home-and-home back-to-back against the Washington Capitals on Saturday.

Saturday's game will be in Pittsburgh, followed by Sunday's game in Washington. 

Both games are meaningless for the Penguins since they already have the second seed in the Metropolitan Division locked up. Meanwhile, the Capitals will be playing for their season this weekend, even if their playoff odds are only at 7.4% right now. 

Saturday's game could be Alex Ovechkin's last in Pittsburgh, as he's contemplating retirement this offseason. He's one of the best players in NHL history and broke Wayne Gretzky's record for the most goals in NHL history last April. He may be 40, but he still has 31 goals and 61 points in 79 games this season.

Outside of Ovechkin, the Capitals still have power forward Tom Wilson, who's having a great year with 29 goals and 59 points in 69 games. Aliaksei Protas has been fantastic, racking up 24 goals and 50 points in 73 games.

Jakob Chychrun has been the Caps' No. 1 defenseman this season with 25 goals and 59 points in 77 games. However, don't sleep on Cole Hutson. He already has three goals and eight points in 11 games since making his NHL debut in March. 

Goaltender Logan Thompson is expected to get the start for the Caps, and he's been one of the best goaltenders in the league this year. He leads the NHL with 28.1 goals saved above expected and has a .912 save percentage. 

The Penguins are resting a lot of their key starters for Saturday's game after clinching a playoff spot on Thursday, including captain Sidney Crosby. This was supposed to be the 100th all-time meeting between Crosby and Ovechkin, but it won't happen. 

Outside of Crosby, Ben Kindel, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust, Parker Wotherspoon, and Kris Letang will also not play. 

Forwards Joona Koppanen, Rutger McGroarty, and Ville Koivunen have been recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

The following players will not play today and their statuses are considered day to day:

- Sidney Crosby (lower-body)
- Ben Kindel (upper-body)
- Evgeni Malkin (upper-body)
- Bryan Rust (lower-body)
- Parker Wotherspoon (upper-body)
- Erik Karlsson (lower-body)
- Kris Letang…

— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) April 11, 2026

Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. ET on ABC. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'

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

The Edmonton Oilers can officially clinch a spot in the 2026 NHL players on Saturday as they face the Los Angeles Kings. 

The Oilers will face off against the Kings at 4:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. and with a win, they control their own fate. However, it's not the only way they can put an x beside their name in the standings. 

Pre-game Stats: Oilers At Kings40-29-10 | 90 PTS

The Simplest Clinching Scenarios

The Oilers will officially clinch a playoff berth in any of these situations.

They earn at least one point in their game vs. the Kings. That means that if the Oilers win in regulation, OT, or a shootout, or they lose in OT/shootout (getting the loser point), they're in.

A regulation loss means they've missed an opportunity and don't clinch from their own game. However, that doesn't necessarily mean they're not in.

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Even if they get zero points (regulation loss), they still clinch if the Winnipeg Jets do NOT win in regulation against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Jets play at 7:00 p.m. ET, and if the Flyers win in any fashion (regulation, OT, or SO), or the Jets win in OT, the  Oilers clinch.

Only a Jets regulation win keeps the door open for Edmonton to potentially need more help.

How the Math Works

Edmonton leads the Pacific Division with 90 points (Vegas and Anaheim are at 89). They’re currently in a strong position for a top-three Pacific spot or wild card. 

Here’s every practical combo (assuming games finish as they can):

#LetsGoOilers can clinch a playoff spot on Saturday in the following situations. pic.twitter.com/ujnSk0DMYX

— NHL Trade Talk (@nhl_tradetalk) April 11, 2026

Other Notes

No other games tonight directly affect Edmonton’s clinch (other Western games like Vegas-Colorado or Vancouver-San Jose matter more for seeding/division than basic qualification at this point).

The Oilers have three games left, including today's, so even in the unlikely “not clinched” scenario, they’re still heavy favorites to make it.

The Oilers control their own destiny — one point tonight and it’s official. Even without it, unless the Jets blow out the Flyers in regulation, Edmonton is in.

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The Vancouver Canucks would love nothing more than to spoil the San Jose Sharks’ home finale tonight, as San Jose desperately chases a Wild Card berth.

A win at SAP Center would also ensure Vancouver avoids a sweep in the four-game regular-season series, and my Canucks vs. Sharks predictions have the road team dragging this one into a low-scoring slugfest.

Read more in my NHL picks for Saturday, April 11.

Canucks vs Sharks prediction

Canucks vs Sharks best bet: Under 6.5 (-105)

The Vancouver Canucks have just one win in their last 11 games. In seven of those losses, they’ve mustered two goals or fewer.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Sharks sit four points back of a Wild Card spot in the West after scoring just a combined three goals in back-to-back losses to Edmonton and Dallas.

And yet, the books have pegged the total at 6.5, despite the Canucks ranking last in scoring and the Sharks sitting 26th.

Despite their struggles, Vancouver has kept the total Under seven goals in each of its last two games. Against an offensively challenged Sharks side, I’m betting they make it three straight.

Canucks vs Sharks same-game parlay

Although I anticipate offense will be at a premium, Macklin Celebrini ranks seventh in NHL scoring with 42 goals, and the Sharks phenom has found the back of the net in three of his last four games against the Canucks.

Jake DeBrusk has also recorded three or more shots on goal in seven of his last 11 contests. While the Canucks winger has hit that mark in just five of his last 13 against the Sharks, he’s missed the Over by a single shot on goal seven other times.

Canucks vs Sharks SGP

• Under 6.5
• Macklin Celebrini anytime goal
• Jake DeBrusk Over 2.5 shots

Canucks vs Sharks odds

• Moneyline: Canucks +180 | Sharks -220
• Puck Line: Canucks +1.5 (-130) | Sharks -1.5 (+110)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-115) | Under 6.5 (-105)

Canucks vs Sharks trend

Eight of San Jose's last nine home games following a road loss have gone Under the total. Find more NHL betting trends for Canucks vs. Sharks.

How to watch Canucks vs Sharks

Canucks vs Sharks latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

One of the interesting NHL debates in recent years has been the idea of expanding the Stanley Cup Playoffs to allow for bubble teams to participate in a play-in round that would determine bottom seedings just before the official post season begins.

When asked about it before the start of last year's Stanley Cup Final, Commissioner Gary Bettman didn't care much for the idea.

“We had a play-in,” Bettman said. “Did you know that three clubs' positions in the playoffs weren't determined until the last game that they played in the regular season?”

He's quite right, of course. Like it or not, the parity that the NHL has created with the salary cap and three point games has led to more teams staying alive right into the final week.

Saturday afternoon's game on Long Island between the Senators and the New York Islanders (1 pm) isn't a play-in game, but in every way but name, both teams will be treating it exactly like a playoff game.

The Senators are in the driver's seat for the final wild card spot. They need to pull three points out of their final three games, and if they do that, then nothing that happens in their rear view mirror will matter. They're in.

Their fastest route to clinching would be a win over the Islanders on Saturday in any fashion and the Detroit Red Wings losing later on in any fashion to the New Jersey Devils (5 pm).

The Islanders are three points behind the Senators, but only one point behind Philadelphia, which holds down third in the Metro.

Here are Saturday's line combinations (per NHL.com)

Senators projected lineup

Drake Batherson -- Tim Stutzle -- Claude Giroux

Brady Tkachuk -- Dylan Cozens -- Ridly Greig

Nick Cousins -- Shane Pinto -- Michael Amadio

Warren Foegele -- Lars Eller -- Fabian Zetterlund

Jake Sanderson -- Artem Zub

Thomas Chabot -- Jordan Spence

Lassi Thomson -- Nikolas Matinpalo

Linus Ullmark

James Reimer

Scratched: Stephen Halliday, Kurtis MacDermid, Cameron Crotty

Injured: Nick Jensen (lower body), Dennis Gilbert (upper body), Tyler Kleven (upper body)

Islanders projected lineup

Anders Lee -- Bo Horvat -- Simon Holmstrom

Calum Ritchie -- Mathew Barzal -- Brayden Schenn

Maxim Shabanov -- Jean-Gabriel Pageau -- Emil Heineman

Ondrej Palat -- Casey Cizikas -- Marc Gatcomb

Matthew Schaefer -- Ryan Pulock

Adam Pelech -- Tony DeAngelo

Carson Soucy -- Scott Mayfield

Ilya Sorokin

David Rittich

Scratched: Anthony Duclair, Adam Boqvist, Isaiah George

Injured: Kyle Palmieri (ACL), Alexander Romanov (upper body), Semyon Varlamov (knee)

William Villeneuve is finally getting his chance.

After 224 AHL games over four seasons with the Toronto Marlies, where he scored 12 goals and 119 points, Villeneuve is set to make his NHL debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night against the Florida Panthers.

"I think it's pretty special, especially in Toronto," said Villeneuve following Toronto's morning skate on Saturday. "When I look back, got into the organization in 2020, and I have been playing here for four years, so I feel grateful and pretty lucky to be here today. I'm excited for the opportunity."

After being selected by Toronto in the fourth round (122nd overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft, Villeneuve truly arrived on the scene in Toronto at the beginning of the 2022-23 season.

In his rookie year, the defenseman put up 25 points in 54 games, and did the same in his second season with the Marlies. Villeneuve scored 40 points in the 2024-25 season in 55 games, which is his career-high at the AHL level.

This season, while trying to become a better defensive player, Villeneuve took a step back offensively, scoring 29 points in 59 games.

"I think everyone has their own path and own timeline," said Villeneuve of what it's been like waiting for this opportunity to come. "If I look at myself back four years ago, it's a different player, different person. I'm confident in my game, and I worked a long way for that, so I'm excited."

Indeed, he is a different player.

When Villeneuve joined the Marlies, he was coming off an incredible Memorial Cup win with the QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs. But the AHL was a different beast, and it always is for players coming out of junior and college.

Maple Leafs Shut Down Three Players For The Remainder Of The SeasonThe Toronto Maple Leafs will finish their schedule without Anthony Stolarz, Brandon Carlo, and Dakota Joshua after head coach Craig Berube confirmed the trio has been sidelined for the remainder of the season.

As the years progressed, Villeneuve became more confident with his offensive abilities at the pro level. He slowly became the Marlies' top power-play quarterback and one of their best producers on the man advantage.

After re-signing with the Maple Leafs last summer, Villeneuve needed to improve his game defensively in case of an NHL call-up. You can be one of the top-producing defensemen in the AHL, but if you get exposed defensively, it'll be difficult to make your mark in the NHL.

"I just think when I got to pros, I was like 6-foot-2, 170 pounds. Like, it's hard to battle against guys that are 220 pounds and stuff like that, so [I'm] just physically and mentally more mature," said Villeneuve, whose weight is now listed at 196 pounds.

"Just defensively and my physical game has improved a lot, so I just got to go out there, not overthink it, just play my game and do what brought me here today."

The Sherbrooke, Quebec, native said he had an idea he could be making his NHL debut on Saturday, following the Maple Leafs' 5-3 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday, a game in which Brandon Carlo left with a lower-body injury.

"Got here this morning and got confirmation, so it's awesome," Villeneuve said.

Maple Leafs Get Guided Tour Of Rogers Centre By Kevin Gausman Ahead Of Blue Jays GameSeveral Maple Leafs players were on the field before Friday's Blue Jays game against the Minnesota Twins.

Both of his parents will be in the crowd inside Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night when Villeneuve steps foot onto the ice. Both parents have been vital parts of his support system ever since he began playing hockey.

"I think it's a great moment for me, but a great moment for them, too," he said.

"There's a lot of people behind someone making their debut, and I think about my parents or even the staff here that's been here since I got here," Villeneuve continued. "There's a lot of people behind that, so yeah, it's going to be fun."

The biggest question of the day was: Will Villeneuve be able to get a pre-game nap in ahead of what's likely the most-anticipated game of his life?

"I didn't sleep a whole lot last night, to be honest," he laughed. "Hopefully, I can get down a bit for a nap."

Since being acquired by the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline, Scott Laughton has fit in quite nicely as the team continues their push for the playoffs. 

In 17 games played with the Kings, the 31-year-old center has scored five goals along with three assists for eight points. Much better production than his previous 43 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs where he recorded just 12 points.

While the Kings are likely happy with the secondary scoring Laughton has produced, they didn't acquire him to put up eye popping numbers. They brought him in to continue to play his role, which is one of the best third line centres in the NHL.

Laughton is in the final year of his five-year, $15M deal. After spending most of his career with job security in Philadelphia with the Flyers, Laughton will be heading into unrestricted free agency for the first time, and he is expected to garner a plethora of interest. If the Kings decide to re-sign the veteran forward, what might that contract look like?

Let's take a look at some players the Kings and Laughton could use as comparisons in potential contract negotiations.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau - New York Islanders

In March, the New York Islanders signed 33-year-old forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau to a three-year deal worth $14.55M ($4.85M AAV).

This season, Pageau has recorded 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 71 games played. So like Laughton, the veteran forward has provided the Isles with solid secondary scoring while also playing a respectable two-way game.

Ryan Poehling - Anaheim Ducks

Near the trade deadline, the Anaheim Ducks signed 27-year-old forward to a four-year deal worth $15M ($3.75M AAV).

In his first season with the Ducks, Poehling has been an underrated part of their success. In 72 games played, he has 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points while playing a good two-way game in the bottom six.

Western Conference Standings Watch: The Final WeekWill the Los Angeles Kings climb the standings in the final week as the teams around them continue to stumble?

Christian Dvorak - Philadelphia Flyers

Back in January, the Philadelphia Flyers and Christian Dvorak agreed on a five-year deal worth $25.75M ($5.15M AAV).

This season has been a career-year for Dvorak who has 18 goals and 32 assists for 50 points in 78 games played. While obviously producing more offence this season, his previous seasons are a lot more comparable to Laughton's.

Alex Wennberg - San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks and Alex Wennberg agreed to a three-year deal worth $18M ($6M AAV) back in January. 

This season, the 31-year-old has had a really solid season, scoring 18 goals to go with 36 assists for 54 points in 77 games. Similar to Dvorak, Wennberg has had a much better offensive season compared to years past, which could be used as a comparison for Laughton.

What Should The Kings Pay Laughton?

Based on his production and looking at comparisons, the Los Angeles Kings have the means to bring back Scott Laughton who has been a great fit in their bottom six.

Although it may seem crazy after looking at his statistics, Laughton's next contract could look similar to a mixture of all the players listed above. With the quickly rising every year, unrestricted free agents will continue to get overpaid due to the urgency to get a deal done.

If the Kings and Laughton can come to an agreement on a contract in the summer, I would expect the contract to be three to five years, paying him an AAV of $4.75M to $5.5M per season.

Official Prediction: Scott Laughton signs four-year deal worth $5.25M AAV to remain a Los Angeles King.

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

The postseason stakes are already locked in, but Saturday afternoon’s matchup at the Delta Center still carries plenty of weight as the Carolina Hurricanes visit the newly playoff-bound Utah Mammoth for a 3:00 p.m. MT puck drop.

Broadcast coverage will be available on Utah16 and Mammoth+, with radio coverage across the Mammoth App, NHL App, NHL.com, KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM), and the KSL Sports App.

Playoff Surge Meets Division Dominance

Utah enters the contest at 42-30-6, riding a five-game winning streak and sitting 7-3-0 over its last 10 games. The momentum has carried the club into franchise history, as the Mammoth officially clinched their first-ever playoff berth on Thursday night. They currently occupy the first Western Conference wild card position with 90 points, holding a five-point cushion over the Los Angeles Kings in the second wild card spot.

Their most recent outing was a convincing 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators, powered by goals from Kailer Yamamoto, Nick Schmaltz (power-play), Lawson Crouse, and Dylan Guenther. Goaltender Karel Vejmelka was steady once again, turning aside 29 of 30 shots faced.

Offensively, Utah has leaned heavily on Dylan Guenther, who leads the team with 39 goals and ranks third in scoring with 71 points. Captain Clayton Keller remains the engine of the attack, pacing the team with 57 assists and 83 points. Nick Schmaltz has been equally impactful, contributing 31 goals and 72 points, while Mikhail Sergachev continues to drive play from the blue line with a team-leading 47 assists among defensemen.

Between the pipes, Vejmelka has delivered a workhorse season, appearing in 61 games with a 37-19-3 record, a 2.71 goals-against average, and a .898 save percentage. Backup Vítek Vaněček has appeared in 20 games, posting a 5-11-3 record, a 2.87 goals-against average, and a .886 save percentage.

Looking ahead, Utah will travel to face the Calgary Flames on Sunday in the second half of a back-to-back before returning home for its final two games of the regular season.

On the other side, Carolina arrives at 51-22-6, also 7-3-0 in its last 10, and riding a two-game winning streak with victories in four of its last five. The Hurricanes have already secured both a playoff berth and the Metropolitan Division title, marking their fourth division crown in six seasons.

Their most recent performance was a dominant 7-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, highlighted by multi-goal efforts from Logan Stankoven and Mark Jankowski. Sean Walker, K’Andre Miller, and Taylor Hall also found the net, while Frederik Andersen stopped 23 of 25 shots.

Seth Jarvis leads Carolina with 32 goals, while Sebastian Aho remains the primary playmaker with 53 assists and 79 points. Andrei Svechnikov has added 30 goals and 69 points, and Nikolaj Ehlers has contributed 42 assists in a strong supporting role.

In net, the Hurricanes have leaned on a tandem of Brandon Bussi and Frederik Andersen. Bussi has quietly put together a strong 30-6-1 record with a 2.52 goals-against average and .892 save percentage. Andersen, meanwhile, sits at 15-14-5 with a 3.11 goals-against average and .871 save percentage.

Saturday’s game marks the second stop on Carolina’s four-game season-closing road trip, which will continue against the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders next week.

From a numbers standpoint, both teams bring elite resumes into the matchup. Schmaltz’s nine game-winning goals are tied for third-most in the NHL, while Keller is tied for second in overtime goals with four. Jarvis’ four shorthanded goals also rank among the league leaders.

Carolina’s 108 points are second-best in the NHL, trailing only the Colorado Avalanche, while its 51 wins are second only to Colorado’s 52. Utah, meanwhile, becomes just the fourth Western Conference team to clinch a postseason berth this season.

The Hurricanes have also been especially dangerous in key moments, scoring the second-most first-period goals in the league (92) and leading the NHL in third-period goals (102). In goal, Vejmelka’s 37 wins are tied with Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the most in the league, while Bussi’s 30 wins rank tied for fourth.

This is the final regular season meeting between Utah and Carolina. The Hurricanes edged the first matchup 5-4 back on Jan. 29.

Utah’s remaining schedule includes a road game in Calgary on Apr. 12, a matchup with the Winnipeg Jets on Apr. 14, and a regular-season finale against the St. Louis Blues on Apr. 16. layoff Surge Meets Division Dominance

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John Tortorella has seemingly righted the ship in Las Vegas, going 4-1 in his first five games as the bench boss.

My Golden Knights vs. Avalanche predictions expect Vegas to pick up another win against a Colorado team that doesn’t have much to play for after clinching the Presidents’ Trophy.

Let’s break down my NHL picks for Saturday, April 11.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche prediction

Golden Knights vs Avalanche best bet: Golden Knights moneyline (+110)

The Vegas Golden Knights have seen a big coaching bump under John Tortorella, winning four of five games and posting exceptional underlying numbers.

No team has controlled a larger share of 5-on-5 expected goals (61.23%) than the Golden Knights over the last five games. They also top the league with a +23 high-danger chance differential.

The Golden Knights need all the points they can get in a three-horse race for top spot in the Pacific Division.

Their improved play, and urgency for points, should serve them well against a Colorado Avalanche team that just clinched the President’s Trophy.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche same-game parlay

Jack Eichel has seen an uptick in shot volume under Tortorella. He has gone Over 2.5 shots in four of five games and leads the team in power play shot attempts despite not having scored on the man advantage this season.

It’s clear Vegas wants to get its star center scoring again.

Regardless of whether his shots translate to goals, it’s still very likely he finds the scoresheet. Eichel has points in 73% of his games this season following a day of rest, and 91% of the time when Vegas wins.

Golden Knights vs Avalanche SGP

• Golden Knights moneyline
• Jack Eichel Over 2.5 shots on goal
• Jack Eichel Over 0.5 points

Golden Knights vs Avalanche odds

• Moneyline: Vegas +110 | Colorado -130
• Puck line: Vegas +1.5 (-220) | Colorado -1.5 (+180)
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+110) | Under 6.5 (-130)

Golden Knights vs Avalanche trend

Vegas owns a 4-1 record since making the coaching change. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Avalanche.

How to watch Golden Knights vs Avalanche

Golden Knights vs Avalanche latest injuries

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This is one for the history books.

When the Waashington Capitals take on the Pittsburgh Penguins at 3 p.m. today, Alex Ovechkin will meet Sidney Crosby on the ice for the 100th time in their storied careers.

That’s more than an entire season’s worth of games.

Although the stakes are high — both Pittsburgh and Washington are on the playoff bubble —  the main attraction will be seeing these longtime rivals who have been playing against each other since 2005 (!) go skate-to-skate in a milestone contest.

“I’m just trying to enjoy these last few matchups with Sid,” Ovechkin, 40, said. “We’ve had so many epic battles over the years, and I’m grateful we’ve both been able to play at such a high level for so long.”

Don’t miss this one- there aren’t many chances left to see Ovie and The Next One duke it out live (although they will meet tomorrow in Washington, D.C. in what may be Ovechkin’s final NHL game).

Capitals vs. Penguins start time:

The puck drops on the Capitals vs. Penguins game at 3 p.m. ET today (April 11).

How to watch Capitals vs. Penguins:

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the game for free.

Sling TV is an affordable way to watch TV live and stream NHL games; its Select plan includes ABC and starts at $19.99/month.

DIRECTV is another great service to try — its five-day free trial includes ABC (plus every other channel you’ll need for the NHL season).

Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post

This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

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The Calgary Flames can make their final road game of the season a meaningful one if they can take at least a point from the Seattle Kraken.

Seattle is hanging on by a thread in the West Wild Card picture, starting Saturday, eight points back with four games to play. Any LA point earned, or Seattle not winning, is curtains for the Kraken.

My Flames vs. Kraken predictions and NHL pickstarget the total, as their most recent matchups have seen plenty of scoring.

Flames vs Kraken prediction

Flames vs Kraken best bet: Over 5.5 goals (-135)

It's been a beast of a trip for the Calgary Flames, with stops at Colorado (2), Dallas, Anaheim, and Vegas. No wonder they're 1-3-1.

That's two of the NHL's best teams and two of the top teams in the Pacific Division if you're scoring at home. They've definitely scored on Calgary, piling up 26 goals through five games.

The Seattle Kraken is the only sub-500 squad the Flames will face, and they've allowed four or more goals in four of the last five.

The Over has cashed in three straight meetings between these teams, and the total is set at a generous 5.5 Saturday night.

Flames vs Kraken same-game parlay

Joel Farabee is closing in on his third career 20-goal season, and he's been one of the few bright spots on Calgary's road trip, potting two goals and four points in the last five games.

Bobby McMann scored in the last game in Seattle's 4-3 SO win over Vegas, but he loves lighting up the Flames, with three goals against them in five career meetings.

Flames vs Kraken SGP

• Over 5.5 goals
• Joel Farabee anytime goal
• Bobby McMann anytime goal

Flames vs Kraken odds

• Moneyline: Flames +115 | Kraken -135
• Puck Line: Flames +1.5 (-220) | Kraken -1.5 (+180)
• Over/Under: Over 6 (-125) | Under 6 (+105)

Flames vs Kraken trend

Five of Calgary's last six games have gone Over the total. Find more NHL betting trends for Flames vs. Kraken.

How to watch Flames vs Kraken

Flames vs Kraken latest injuries

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Connor McDavid has been firing the puck with authority lately, and it's led to a lot of goals, capped by off a last-out hat trick vs. the Sharks. I expect that trend to continue today against the Los Angeles Kings. 

Find out more with my Oilers vs. Kings predictions and NHL picks for Saturday, April 11.

Oilers vs Kings prediction

Oilers vs Kings best bet: Connor McDavid anytime goal (+100)

Connor McDavid has seen a sudden surge in his shot volume recently, averaging 5.66 shots on goal per game over his last six outings. 

Those shots have led to six goals for the Edmonton Oilers captain in that span, including his Wednesday night hat trick vs. the Sharks.

McDavid now has at least one goal in seven of his last nine games, and with Leon Draisaitl still out during the Oilers late-season playoff push, the burden to produce is still squarely on McDavid’s shoulders.

Oilers vs Kings same-game parlay

I’ll continue to bet on one of the most automatic bets on the board for the Oilers — Over 0.5 assists for Evan Bouchard. The Oilers blueliner has piled up a staggering 70 assists this season, and has hit this prop in 17 of his last 22 games.

Lastly, Vasily Podkolzin has been a steady point producer down the stretch for Edmonton. Due to a rash of injuries, he’s been elevated to the top line alongside McDavid and is getting some PP1 time as well. 

This has allowed him to record 1+ point in five of his last seven outings.

Oilers vs Kings SGP

• Connor McDavid anytime goal
• Evan Bouchard Over 0.5 assists
• Vasily Podkolzin Over 0.5 points

Oilers vs Kings odds

• Moneyline: Oilers -104 | Kings -115
• Puck Line: Oilers +1.5 | Kings -1.5
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 | Under 6.5

Oilers vs Kings trend

The Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings between these two clubs. Find more NHL betting trends for Oilers vs. Kings.

How to watch Oilers vs Kings

Oilers vs Kings latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.