Category: NHL

The St. Louis Blues ride nine-game winning streak and could be labeled as the biggest dark horse to win Western Conference

When looking at the state of the NHL right now, there is no hotter team than the St. Louis Blues. 

After winning their last nine straight games, the Blues quickly ended the conversation around the race for the final wild card spot by separating themselves from the pack. 

More NHL: Blues To Prevail in Tight Wild Card Race Over Flames, Canucks, Utah HC

There is a special feeling around this team that spawned following Team Canada's win at Four Nations Face-Off this past February, that was spearheaded by Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington. 

History Repeating Itself?

St. Louis will face a tough first round matchup as a wild card team but as we've seen in recent history, anything can happen when teams get hot.

The Blues severely struggled back in the 2018-19 season, sitting with a league-worst 15-18-4 record through 37 games. They finished the season off by going on a similar hot streak to this season with 11 straight wins that was sparked by the arrival of Binnington to the team. 

The Blues would make the playoffs and meet the Winnipeg Jets in the first round. The Jets were coming off a Conference Finals appearance the year prior and labeled the Blues as a sizeable underdog going in. The Blues found a way to win the series in six and would go on the continue their hot streak all the way until they won their franchise's first Stanley Cup. 

St. Louis is once again expected to play Winnipeg in the first round matchup with the Jets entering as a sizeable favorite once again after finishing with the most points in the Western Conference during the regular season. 

It would be surreal to see history repeat itself and the Blues find a way to get edge out a win and they have a history of doing it before. We can look to benefit from their current value greatly and take them before the league notices. 

More NHL:The GR8 Chase: Predicting When Alex Ovechkin Breaks Wayne Gretzky's All-Time Goal Record

St. Louis has done the impossible before and at +3500 odds to win the Western Conference and +6500 odds to win their second Stanley Cup, it could be the best value on the board heading into the playoffs. 

There's several reasons as to why you can trust this Blues team and a small $10 bet on a Western Conference title can give a massive return at $350 in winnings. 

In Binnington We Trust

Since coming back from the Four Nations Face-Off, Binnington is tied for the most wins in the NHL with a 10-2-0 record that aligns itself with a 2.09 goals against average and a .917 save percentage, which both rank top seven in the league during that span. 

Binnington will enter the playoffs red hot and play in a high-pressure environment, where he does well with a 2.73 career goals against average in the playoffs as well as a .910 save percentage. He should be able to keep St. Louis in almost every game versus Winnipeg and beyond.

Confidence can be the most important thing for a goaltender and Binnington has tons of it right now. 

Young Talent Surging With More On The Way

The Blues have two of their top three point producers under the age of 27 in Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou. The pair of elite forwards have been dying to play meaningful NHL games and could make an impact. 

More NHL:MacKinnon or Draisaitl? Predicting Who Prevails in Tight Art Ross Trophy Race

Thomas has more assists than names like Aleksander Barkov and Dylan Strome with 49 while Kyrou has outplayed the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews and Filip Forsberg with 31 goals this season. 

There's been a lot of chatter around the Capitals and how they are going to be getting prospect Ryan Leonard from Boston College after they were eliminated from the NCAA tournament. What most people don't know is the Blues are also expected to get an impact player out of college hockey with forward Jimmy Snuggerud. 

Best of Jimmy Snuggerud | Minnesota Golden Gopher Hockey Career HighlightsTake a look back through some of the top goals and moments from Jimmy Snuggerud's career at Minnesota.Sign up for daily email updates from Gopher Athletics! ...

After returning to Minnesota for his junior season, the 20-year-old winger has grown immensely according to St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong and should slide into a prevalent role when joining the team, starting Tuesday versus the Red Wings. Snuggerud was the captain of the Golden Gophers with 24 goals and 27 assists for 51 points in 40 games this past season. 

"I do think he can score some goals and we're gonna find out here over the next five or six games on how he fits into our group," 

- Armstrong said on Jimmy Snuggerud during Tuesday's episode of the Spittin' Chiclets Podcast 

The youngster could add to an already solid forward unit for the Blues and could take them to another level that opposing teams may not be able to predict. If you haven't considered it yet, a subtle investment on the Blues could be worth an extra look. 

ST. LOUIS – Jimmy Snuggerud will make his NHL debut for the St. Louis Blues (40-28-7) when put their nine-game winning streak on the line to open a three-game homestand against the Detroit Red Wings (34-33-6) at 7 p.m. (FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM).

“Snuggerud’s going to play tonight, his first NHL game,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “We’re excited to see how he’s going to help us.

“’Do what you do best and what got you here, and enjoy the moment.’ It’s a special moment and if you’re a highly-competitive player, make sure you really compete hard. If you’re a goal scorer, don’t pass up shots. If you’re a defensive player and you finish checks, finish five checks tonight. Do what you do best.”

The 20-year-old and No. 23 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, who signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday after his junior season at the University of Minnesota ended at the Fargo Regional on Thursday, skated with the Blues for the first time on Monday and skated on a line with Oskar Sundqvist and Zack Bolduc.

“Conversations, just getting to know him too,” Blues captain Brayden Schenn said regarding making Snuggerud feel comfortable. “I’ve never really met him before. I’ve met him once in Minnesota earlier this year and that’s it. Hear a lot about him, same agent and stuff [Ben Hankinson], I hear he’s a great kid, a guy that obviously is well-liked by his teammates. He’s going to be quiet initially. That’s the reality of coming into pro sports being a young guy. You just kind of talk to him and if he has any questions, you’re there to answer them.”

Snuggerud, who had 24 goals and 27 assists in 40 games with the Golden Gophers this season, also will get time on the power play in the bumper.

Snuggerud said he’s played bumper, “A little bit. I’ve played it growing up with the national team a little bit. I’ve been in some scenarios up there, but it really makes it easy playing bumper when you’re with four other really good players out there, so it was really fun.”

As for using him as a bumper to start and not for the one-time threat, Montgomery said, “I don’t know, it’s the first time he’s probably been in a bumper, to be honest, and beggars can’t be choosers with the way our power play’s been. But that being said, he did a really good job there. He supported pucks well, you can tell his brain (that) he understands time and space. He’s a scorer and a shooter and those guys know how to get open. They’ve been getting open their whole lives. You could see his puck support and release are ideal for the bumper position.”

He will become the third Golden Gopher to play in the NHL and make his debut after college teammates Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel each made his debut with the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.

“I’ve talked to Oliver Moore and ‘Rinzy’ [Sunday] night after their game and just see how it went for them,” Snuggerud said. “Obviously they both had a good game. I thought ‘Rinzy’ stood out a lot. He’s a strong player and he’s had that skating ability and ‘Mooresy’ made strong plays throughout the whole game.

“It’s nice to know you have your teammates going through that too. Matthew Wood is signed with Nashville now. It’s awesome to see them doing well and in their programs.”

Bolduc, who was in a similar position not too long ago as the No. 17 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, is looking forward to playing with Snuggerud.

“For sure I can help him,” Bolduc said. “I’ve been though it not a long time ago. It’s exciting. [Tonight’s] going to be his first NHL game. It’s a dream-come-true and just got to enjoy it. You’re kind of blacked out on those days and try to enjoy it as much as you can, just work on the ice. It’s all about trying to enjoy the first one.

“He’s a good skater and he’s smart. If I put myself in his shoes, probably a little stressed, but it’s part of it. It’s part of the experience of that first game, that excitement. He’s a good player and he can shoot it too. I’m looking forward to playing with him.

“He’s a good player. He’s smart, he’s working hard and he can shoot it. … We’ve got a great line and just looking forward to it [tonight].”

- - -

Blues Projected Lineup:

Jake Neighbours-Robert Thomas-Pavel Buchnevich

Dylan Holloway-Brayden Schenn-Jordan Kyrou

Zack Bolduc-Oskar Sundqvist-Jimmy Snuggerud

Alexey Toropchenko-Radek Faksa-Nathan Walker

Cam Fowler-Nick Leddy

Philip Broberg-Justin Faulk

Ryan Suter-Tyler Tucker

Jordan Binnington will start in goal; Joel Hofer will be the backup.

Healthy scratches include Matthew Kessel, Dalibor Dvorsky, Alexandre Texier and Mathieu Joseph. Colton Parayko (knee) is out. Torey Krug (ankle) is out for the season.

- - -

Red Wings Projected Lineup:

Alex DeBrincat-Dylan Larkin-Patrick Kane

Michael Rasmussen-Marco Kasper-Lucas Raymond

Jonatan Berggren-J.T. Compher-Vladimir Tarasenko

Craig Smith-Tyler Motte-Austin Watson

Ben Chiarot-Moritz Seider

Simon Edvinsson-Justin Holl

Albert Johansson-Jeff Petry

Cam Talbot will start in goal; Alex Lyon will be the backup.

Healthy scratches include William Lagesson and Dominik Shine. Andrew Copp (upper body), Elmer Soderblom (undisclosed), Erik Gustafsson (undisclosed) and Petr Mrazek (upper body) are out.

The Vegas Golden Knights have signed top prospect Trevor Connelly to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The 19-year-old completed his first and only season in the NCAA with the Providence Friars, scoring four goals and 13 points in 22 games.

He dealt with injury issues throughout the season, forcing him to miss a significant amount of games. Connelly and Providence earned a spot in the college playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by the University of Denver. 

The 19th pick in the 2024 NHL Draft did not take home any hardware during his college career but earned a gold medal with Team USA's world junior team, scoring a goal and four points in seven games.

Connelly is listed at 6'1, but just 161 lbs, which means he still has a lot of muscle and weight to add to his frame. His goal heading into his freshman season was to do so, but the injury he sustained hampered that.

The Golden Knights have a bit of a log jam with NHL forwards and according to PuckPedia, Connelly is signing an Amateur Tryout (ATO) to play in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights. The Silver Knights have eight games remaining on their schedule which should provide Connelly the opportunity to gain his first bit of professional hockey experience. 

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The Vegas Golden Knights could clinch a playoff spot tonight if they can beat the Edmonton Oilers tonight.

Despite not playing on Monday, the Golden Knights could have clinched their seventh playoff berth in eight years. If the Calgary Flames lost in regulation to the Colorado Avalanche the Golden Knights would have earned a spot in the postseason, but a two-goal comeback in the third and a shootout win put a halt on those celebrations.

The Golden Knights now have the opportunity to control their fate and with a win over the Oilers, they'll bring themselves a step closer to locking up their desired regular season achievements.

If the Golden Knights lose in regulation and the Flames also lose in regulation to Utah HC, the Golden Knights will clinch a playoff spot. 

The Oilers are attempting to hunt down the Golden Knights for the Pacific Division lead, but a six-game win streak by the Golden Knights has created some much-needed separation. 

The Oilers remain without Connor McDavid but recently reinstated Leon Draisaitl back into their lineup. In his return on Saturday, Drasaitl recorded two goals and three points, picking up points on all three goals and scoring the overtime winner. 

Slowing him down will be a difficult task but it's a matchup that Jack Eichel seems to relish in. His game elevates whenever he's matched up against another superstar and his history against the Oilers is quite good. In 19 games against the Oilers, the 28-year-old has scored eight goals and 21 points. 

The Oilers are ravaged by injuries at the moment, currently without McDavid, Mattias Ekholm, Stuart Skinner, Trent Frederic and Evander Kane, but the Golden Knights too are dealing with several injuries. They'll be without Tomas Hertl, Ilya Samsonov and likely Alex Pietrangelo. 

It's a vital game for the Golden Knights as they continue to gear up for the playoffs. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Tomas Hertl Unavailable For The Golden Knights This WeekVegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl will be unavailable this week as he deals with an injury.  Golden Knights Recall Akira Schmid Amid Injury Concern For Ilya SamsonovThe Vegas Golden Knights have recalled goaltender Akira Schmid from the Henderson Silver Knights as they deal with a possible injury concern with Ilya Samsonov.

The Chicago Blackhawks face off against the Washington Capitals on Friday, April 4 with Alex Ovechkin hot on the heels of Wayne Gretzky's goal record.

While the Blackhawks only have one game before playing the Capitals, Washington plays twice ahead of hosting the Blackhawks. It seems like the likeliest time that the soon-to-be all-time goal scorer in the NHL is going to break Gretzky's record.

Ovechkin is just four goals away from tying the record as he sits at 890 goals. The Capitals play the Boston Bruins, who are on the verge of falling into last place in the Eastern Conference, and the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals' captain doesn't have to get four goals in the next two games to be able to break the record at home against the Blackhawks. Chicago isn't a good team and has allowed the third-most goals against this season.

Ovechkin just has to be within range, whether that means scoring 2-3 goals in his next two games and then lighting up the Blackhawks, it can be done. The team that it would be the most special against is the Pittsburgh Penguins though. The Capitals and Penguins face off in the last game of the season in Pittsburgh.

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game day coverage, player features, and more.

As if the Washington Capitals aren't good enough, they're getting one of the top prospects outside of the NHL for the stretch run and the playoffs.

The No. 2 NHL prospect in The Hockey News' annual Future Watch edition signed an entry-level deal with the Capitals after his Boston College Eagles were eliminated from the NCAA playoffs Sunday night.

Leonard has the complete package - skill, size, competitiveness, toughness. He has the opportunity to make an immediate impact with a Stanley Cup contender.

Can he do what Cale Makar did in 2019? That might be a bit of stretch, considering he'll be eased into the Capitals' lineup on the bottom six, but don't be surprised if he proves very quickly that he can make a tangible contribution.

Today's video column has more.

Capitals' Leonard, Rangers' Perreault Lead The Most Promising NCAA Talents Signing NHL DealsThe flood of NCAA players signing their entry-level NHL contracts has begun. 

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The NHL and Rogers agreed to a new Canadian television broadcasting deal worth $7.7 billion, according to multiple reports.

With one season remaining on Rogers’ current rights deal, the media giant negotiated another 12-year deal with the NHL, Sportico first reported Monday. The Associated Press and Globe and Mail also reported the agreement, which hasn’t been officially announced. Rogers hasn’t commented on the reports.

Sportico reported owners would vote on the agreement this week.

NHL and Rogers agreed on the current 12-year deal in 2013 for $5.2 billion Cdn. It lasts through the 2025-26 campaign before the new deal – roughly $11 billion Cdn – kicks in for 2026-27 through 2037-38.

This deal is expected to keep most, if not all, national hockey broadcasts on Rogers’ Sportsnet network. The telecommunications company and the NHL agreed on a two-year deal with Prime Video to broadcast a game online every Monday, but that expires with Rogers’ current rights deal.

Rogers has a large imprint on sports in Canada. In September, it announced it’s acquiring Bell Media’s 37.5-percent stake in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), which owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, MLS’ Toronto FC and CFL’s Toronto Argonauts.

The company has also owned the MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays since 2004.

The Graeme Roustan Show: Edward Rogers And Tony StaffieriEdward Rogers, the executive chairman of Rogers Communications, and Tony Staffieri, the president-CEO of Rogers Communications, discuss their backgrounds in hockey, why the Rogers company wanted to invest in the Maple Leafs and when a Stanley Cup is coming to Toronto.

As for NHL coverage in the U.S., ESPN and TNT hold the media rights through the 2027-28 season after reaching an agreement in 2021. That deal is worth a reported $4.5 billion.

According to the NHL, the 2024 calendar year was the best the league has seen in terms of revenue and business. This season, the NHL said it’s projected to surpass $6.6 billion in revenues.

After stagnated salary caps due to COVID-19, the NHL and NHLPA announced earlier in the season that there will be a $7.5-million increase from the current $88-million cap in 2025-26. In three years, the league projected a $113.5-million salary cap upper limit, $25.5 million more than the current cap.

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Everything is going right for the St. Louis Blues at the perfect time. After winning each of their last nine games, the Blues now have a five-point lead over the Calgary Flames for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. As a result, their playoff odds are certainly increasing.

Several players have stepped up for the Blues over the last month, and forward Zack Bolduc is undoubtedly among them. 

Bolduc, 22, has been solid for the Blues this campaign, but he has hit a new level offensively down the stretch. In his last 17 contests, the 2021 first-round pick has scored 10 goals and recorded 13 points. This includes four goals and five points in his last six contests. 

With his ongoing hot streak, Bolduc now has 16 goals, 15 assists, 31 points, and a plus-19 rating in 65 games this season. The Trois-Rivieres, Quebec native has been improving as he continues adjusting to the NHL level and is showing off his offensive potential. 

From here, it will be interesting to see how Bolduc builds on his strong stretch of play. He is not showing any signs of slowing down, and it is hard not to be impressed by what he's providing for the Blues right now. 

Recent Blues News 

Blues Star Is Absolutely Thriving Right Now

Blues Reveal Number For Top Prospect Jimmy Snuggerud

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Jacob Fowler hasn't signed with the Montreal Canadiens so maybe it has to do with burning that year of the ELC. Guess what, that's what you do when you sign a potential NHL star who plays college. That's the deal and if the Canadiens don't do that, he will stall. This is expected.

Fowler has his NHL dream and he should get at least one game and then he should go to Laval for the playoffs.  He has great ability but he is 20. He is mature and plays like an older goalie but this isn't the time to throw him into the soup. I'm sure that's part of this conversation they must be having as well. 

Fowler needs to play at least half a season in the AHL next year to make sure he is up to the task. Most need much more time to develop. There's a reason there aren't a lot of very young goalies in the NHL. There is a path to development that most teams follow especially with goalies because it's a hard position mentally.

The Canadiens don't have any bargaining power here. Fowler could go back and then watch Montreal sweat after that. I don't think that's going to happen but the longer this goes the more it makes you think about it.

Burn the first year of ELC. Give him all top bonuses. Give him a game and move on. He is your future. Trying to reinvent the wheel here can create bad feelings between the player and the organization and that's the last thing you want to do.

The Montreal Canadiens had a disastrous road trip last week, but they still managed to redeem themselves by winning their duel with the Florida Panthers on Sunday afternoon in Sunrise. It was the third time the Habs beat the Stanley Cup champions this season, this time by a score of 4-2. The Cats appeared frustrated at the end of the game, as evidenced by Niko Mikkola's slapshot at the buzzer that nearly hit David Savard in the head.

Well, Wifi probably just circled Niko Mikkola’s number for Tuesday night’s rematch.
pic.twitter.com/qa0LwQLDVg

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 30, 2025

On Monday, the NHL Player Safety announced Mikkola had been fined $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct. This came as a surprise to some, but it was a reckless act, and the Canadiens took it as an act of aggression. The referees quickly intervened and sent Mikkola back to the dressing room, but it wouldn’t be shocking if there were some repercussions on Tuesday night.

Canadiens: The Jacob Fowler Watch Is On
Three Takeaways From The Canadiens' Excellent Display On Sunday
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The Canadiens had a day off on Monday, so there’s been no indication of possible lineup changes, but generally speaking, Martin St-Louis is of the “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” school of thought. It would, therefore, be surprising if he did make some changes.

I fully expect Samuel Montembeault to be back in the net; he has a 3-4-1 record with a 3.95 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage against Tuesday’s visitors, while Jakub Dobes has blanked them in his only start. Sergei Borbovsky is 16-9-1 against Montreal with a 2.47 GAA and a .918 SP. Meanwhile, backup Vitek Vanecek is 3-1-0, with a 2.74 GAA and a .894 SP.

The numbers up front haven’t changed much since our last preview. Brendan Gallagher is still the Canadiens’ point leader against the Panthers; he now has 24 points in 39 games, having added one on Sunday. Patrik Laine still comes second with 23 points in 22 games, but Nick Suzuki is closing in. Thanks to his three-point outing, he’s got 18 points in as many games.

As for the Cats, Aleksander Barkov is now the leader of the pack in points as well. His two-point performance Sunday gives him 49 points in 38 games. Brad Marchard is now in second place with 48 points in 58 games, having been held off the scoresheet last weekend, and Sam Reinhart padded his total to 23 points in 33 games.

The Habs are still holding the second wild card spot in the eastern conference, but the race is tight and the Columbus Blue Jackets could catch them up tonight if they win and St-Louis' men lose. 

The game is set for 7:00 PM, and the first 8,000 fans to come to the Bell Centre will receive a free Juraj Slafkovsky bobblehead. Montreal now has six home games remaining, with the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers set to visit this week, the Detroit Red Wings next week, and the Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes closing the regular season.

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Don't be surprised to see some fireworks on Monday night when the Florida Panthers open their latest road trip in Montreal.

The Panthers and Montreal Canadiens faced off on Sunday afternoon in Sunrise, with the Habs coming away with a 4-2 victory, snapping Florida's seven-game home winning streak.

It was an important victory for the Canadiens, who are clinging to the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Entering play Tuesday, Montreal is tied with the New York Rangers, each holding 77 points, but the Habs have played one less game than the Blueshirts and, as such, hold the tiebreaker.

Sunday's game was important for Florida, too, as the loss dropped the Cats down to third in the Atlantic Division.

Florida and Tampa Bay each have 91 points and 73 games played, but the Lightning have two more regulation wins than Florida, which is the next tiebreaker. Toronto is currently three points clear of both Florida and Tampa, though with one more game played.

So yeah, plenty of playoff intrigue and implications on Tuesday night at Bell Centre.

But wait, there’s more!

In literally the final seconds of Montreal’s victory on Sunday, Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola fired a howitzer of a slapshot down the ice into the Canadiens’ zone, nearly hitting David Savard and incited a ruckus that had several Habs players trying to get at Mikkola.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety responded quickly, fining Mikkola $5,000, the maximum amount allowable, for unsportsmanlike conduct.

We’ll see if anything happens when Panthers and Canadiens reconvene on the ice in Montreal.

Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Tuesday's clash with the Canadiens:

Carter Verhaeghe – Sasha Barkov – Sam Reinhart

Mackie Samoskevich – Sam Bennett – Brad Marchand

Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Jesper Boqvist

A.J. Greer – Nico Sturm – Evan Rodrigues

Gus Forsling – Seth Jones

Niko Mikkola – Nate Schmidt

Tobias Bjornfot – Uvis Balinskis

Scratches: Jonah Gadjovich, Tomas Nosek, Dmitry Kulikov

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It should come as no surprise that Sidney Crosby has been, once again, recognized by his Pittsburgh Penguins teammates. 

On Monday, the Penguins announced that Crosby was the recipient of the Penguins' Most Valuable Player award for the fifth consecutive season, as voted by his teammates. It is the 13th time he's been named Team MVP, which breaks Mario Lemieux's previous franchise record of 12.

He was also given the Player's Player Award by teammates, which is awarded to the player whose leadership shines through both on the ice and away from it.

Crosby, 37, surpassed Wayne Gretzky to become the NHL's all-time leader in point-per-game seasons with 20 on Thursday in a 7-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The captain's 27 goals and 81 points in 73 games pace the Penguins once again, and he ranks third in the NHL in five-on-five points with 53.

In addition, forward Noel Acciari was named by teammates for the Penguins' Unsung Hero Award, which is given to the player who best exemplifies extreme effort despite little recognition. 

Acciari leads the Penguins in both hits (168) and blocked shots (98), and he is well on his way to earning the second 100-block season of his career. He also has 179 shorthanded minutes this season, which also leads the team. 

He registered seven hits and two blocked shots in Sunday's 1-0 win over the Ottawa Senators. 

"He's an important player for us," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "I think a lot of his contributions don't always show up on the highlight reel or they don't show up on the scoresheet. Those are the 'thankless jobs' that we're talking about.

"He pays a price. There's a cost to winning, and he's willing to pay it. I think Noel's been an invaluable player for us throughout the course of the year."

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Welcome back to Screen Shots, a regular THN.com feature in which your humble correspondent breaks down a few hockey topics and analyzes them in a handful of brief paragraphs.

On to it, we go:

Relatively quietly, Vegas Golden Knights star center Jack Eichel has been having a career season and demolishing his previous bests on offense. 

The 28-year-old center has 66 assists – 12 more helpers than his previous career high – and 93 points, 11 points more than his previous career high, set in 2018-19. 

In his last 15 games, Eichel has 16 assists and 24 points, putting up at least a point in 14 of those outings.

Eichel is far and away Vegas’ top point-producer, with 27 more points than Golden Knights captain Mark Stone in second place. But this isn’t the first time Eichel has had to do all the heavy lifting for his team. For example, when Eichel posted 82 points for the Buffalo Sabres in 2018-19, he had 17 more points than second-place Sam Reinhart. 

The difference for Eichel between ‘18-19 and now is that, in Vegas, Eichel has a far better supporting cast – and he’s playing for an organization that has shown it knows how to win. Now, Eichel is thriving and has a chance to win the second Stanley Cup of his career.

Who’s Surging In The NHL Since The 4 Nations Face-Off?There’s always a risk of peaking too early. But if all goes well, NHL players and teams hope that the positive momentum that’s built down the home stretch of the regular season will carry into playoffs and boost them when it matters most.

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The Anaheim Ducks aren’t going to make the playoffs this season, but since Jan. 21, they’ve gone 14-11-2 – something to build on when they begin next season. 

In the relatively weak Pacific Division, the Ducks have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18 – and given that Anaheim GM Pat Verbeek will have about $39.56 million in salary cap space this summer, you have to think the Ducks will be a major player in free agency and trades.

Anaheim’s biggest area of need is on offense, as they’re currently 26th overall in goals-for per game, with 2.71. Their defense isn’t great, either, as they’re 21st overall with 3.12 goals against per game. But bringing in veterans who can produce points is an easier fix than landing defensive specialists, so that’s the direction we expect the Ducks to take next year.

Regardless, it’s clear Anaheim is taking steps forward. They won’t be a legitimate Cup front-runner for a while longer, but for Ducks fans who’ve watched their team stumble time and again for the past seven seasons, seeing Anaheim produce positive results is a very welcome harbinger of what’s ahead for them.

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Finally, on Canada's East Coast, two separate incidents of fighting at hockey games have triggered league investigations.

The incidents – one of which came in a senior league in Miramichi, N.B., while the other came in a U-18 tournament game in North Rustico, P.E.I. – saw fights breaking out on the ice. In the senior league game, the fights continued in the hallway, and fans of opposing squads fought in the stands as well. 

In both cases, the response from the leagues is another indication of the increasing lack of tolerance there is for this over-the-top behavior.

“The worst thing about it is it was a great hockey series, and everybody’s focused on a fight that took place at the end of the game and the fights in the crowd,” Doug White, co-owner of the Miramichi Northmen in the New Brunswick-based Beausejour Senior Hockey League, told CTV News. “It kind of took away (from the game) a bit.”

Hockey P.E.I. called the U-18 melee a “disgraceful representation of our game and completely contrary to the values of good sportsmanship, respect, and safety that Hockey PEI upholds at every level of play” in a statement.

Although there will always be a segment of players and fans who respond with glee over fights, the reality is that hyper-aggressive, violent behavior at hockey games is less acceptable as the years go by. The optics of players and fans gone wild are not ideal – to the contrary, they’re seen more and more as a stain on the image of the sport. 

Fans and players should always feel safe on the ice and in the stands, and this is why these types of incidents should be fewer and farther between. There’s no rationalizing it or promoting it anymore, and when punishments are handed out by the respective governing bodies for these events, no one should be surprised.

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The Los Angeles Kings have continued to add depth to their blue line by signing Finnish prospect Otto Salin to a three-year entry-level contract. 

The 21-year-old defenseman, drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, has spent the past couple of years developing in Finland's top league, Liiga. His signing is an investment in bringing young talent into the mix with the hope of integrating it into the team's future, and his potential contribution over the next few years could be significant.

The @LAKings signed defenseman Otto Salin to a three-year entry-level contract through the 2027-28 season. pic.twitter.com/TbfTUU14cu

— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) March 31, 2025

Who is Otto Salin?

Salin, who hails from Helsinki, has moved steadily up the ranks of Finnish hockey. He started playing for HIFK Helsinki and later TPS Turku, where he set career highs with eight goals and 20 assists for 28 points in 56 games last season. The right-shot defenseman is a playmaker with solid skating and is noted for his offense and skills in quickly moving the puck out of the defensive area.

Standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 205 pounds, Salin is not imposingly large, but his quickness and hockey smarts allow him to be an effective two-way defenseman. He also showed flashes of being a power-play specialist, utilizing his vision and puck skills to create scoring chances.

What the Signing Means for the Kings

The Kings' blue-line defense has struggled the last few years, though it's been better this season. Veterans like Drew Doughty and Darcy Kuemper are the anchors on the back end, while young guns like Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence battle more significant minutes. Adding Salin into the mix gives the franchise another right-shot defenseman in the works, something of a precious gem in today's NHL.

Salin's deal suggests that the Kings see a real future for him within the organization. Even if he doesn't receive a direct promotion to the NHL, the agreement ensures he'll be in the team's system, likely starting with the AHL's Ontario Reign. If he fits into the North American game well, he could be in contention for a call-up in the next few years.

What Salin Adds to the Organization

Salin's most appealing characteristic is arguably his puck-moving ability. His skating is a huge asset, allowing him to escape the defensive zone in trouble and deliver clean breakout passes. The Kings have prioritized puck-moving defensemen over the past few seasons, understanding that speed and agility from the backend are needed in the modern NHL.

The @LAKings have signed defenseman Otto Salin to a three-year, entry-level contract, beginning with the 2025-26 season.

Salin led all U-25 defensemen in Liiga in points this past season with 28 (8-20-28) at just 21-years-old! More 👇https://t.co/9lGmo5mDmw

— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) March 31, 2025

Defensively, Salin is not the most physical, primarily due to his size, which will be tough to overcome and adjust in the NHL, but he plays with a good positional awareness that enables him to close down plays. 

His reading of the game and anticipation will be important factors in enabling him to adapt as quickly as possible to North American hockey, where the rink is tighter and time and space are limited.

With his offensive potential, he could be a valuable power-play player in the future. His game with TPS Turku proved that he can produce offense, and the Kings, with all their young talent and veterans to guide them, could have great scoring from the blue line in the future.

What's Next for Salin?

Upon signing, Salin is set to play for the rest of the season with the Ontario Reign. AHL time will serve as valuable experience in getting used to the game's style, particularly in adapting to keep up with the quicker and harsher pace of the game than Liiga.

His priority will be establishing himself as a reliable defenseman in the AHL, playing top-four minutes, and demonstrating his ability to withstand the demands of the pro level in North America. 

If he performs well, he may receive an NHL call-up as early as next season, but the most probable scenario is that he will spend at least one complete season in the AHL before competing for a roster spot in 2026.

Long-Term Outlook with the Kings

Salin's future with the Kings will depend upon how quickly he can develop in the AHL. If he thrives with the Ontario Reign and shows he can handle defensive responsibilities while also contributing offensively, he could force his way into an NHL role sooner rather than later.

The Kings' right defense now is staffed by Doughty, Clarke, Spence, and Joel Edmundson, so breaking into the rotation won't be easy. But injuries and roster changes always leave opportunities, and Salin will be ready when his moment comes.

His best role in the NHL is that of a second—or third-pairing defenseman with power-play ability. If he can solidify his end without sacrificing his offense, he can become a valuable asset on the Kings' roster as they try to maintain success.

Final Thoughts

Signing Otto Salin is another part of the Kings' quest to assemble youth. While he will not be on the ice right away in the NHL, he can be an effective defenseman in the short term. His skating, vision, and offensive skill set make him an intriguing player as he transitions to North American hockey.

For now, Kings fans can follow his development in the AHL, where he'll be given the chance to demonstrate what he has to offer and gain experience for a potential spot in Los Angeles. Salin could be one to watch as a component of the Kings' blue line.

 

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The Nashville Predators (27-38-8, 62 points) kick off a three-game road trip with a visit to the Philadelphia Flyers (30-36-9, 69 points) Monday at Wells Fargo Center.

The Predators are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday, while the Flyers have won two straight games since firing head coach John Tortorella late last week.

Nashville is also navigating multiple injuries to its forward group, including Colton Sissons (week-to-week, lower-body) and Jonathan Marchessault (day-to-day, lower-body).

Justus Annunen will make his second consecutive start in goal for the Predators, while the Flyers will turn to Ivan Fedotov in net.

How the Predators Lined Up vs. Philadelphia

Forsberg-O'Reilly-Stamkos
Bunting-Svechkov-Evangelista
Smith-McCarron-L'Heureux
Vrana-Bellows

Skjei-Blankenburg
Del Gaizo-Barron
Englund-Stastney
Oesterle

Annunen
Saros

Extra: Sissons (week-to-week, lower-body), Marchessault (day-to-day, lower-body), Wood
IR: Lauzon, Wilsby, Josi

With the injuries to Sissons and Marchessault, the Predators went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen against the Flyers. Matthew Wood, who signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the Predators on Saturday, has yet to make his NHL debut.

Predators at Flyers: Live Updates

First Period (NSH 0, PHI 0)

The Flyers outshot Nashville, 7-1, to begin the first period, and Annunen came up with some key saves early. Eventually, the Predators started to click offensively; while neither team found the back of the net during the first 20 minutes of play, Nashville was able to pull even with Philadelphia with seven shots on goal by the end of the frame.

Second Period (NSH 0, PHI 0)