Can Logan Stankoven even be stopped at this point?
For the third straight game, the Carolina Hurricanes centerman opened the scoring, giving his team yet another 1-0 lead in their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators.
The 23 year old has been red hot since the start of April and is currently riding an 11 game point streak between the end of the regular season and into the postseason, where he's scored 10 goals and collected 15 points.
Stankoven leads all skaters in the series in scoring and is also tied for the league lead in playoff goals as well.
In fact, Stankoven became the first player in franchise history to score the opening goal in three consecutive playoff games.
Logan Stankoven scored his third goal of the 2026 #StanleyCup Playoffs and matched Pat Verbeek (3 GP in 1991) for the longest postseason-opening goal streak in @Canes / Whalers history. #NHLStats
The only other player in franchise history to even have a three-game, postseason-opening goal streak was current Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek back in 1991 and the only other player in NHL history to have a longer run of opening goals was Michel Goulet, who scored five straight in 1985.
The line of Stankoven, Jackson Blake and Taylor Hall has been terrorizing Ottawa all playoffs long and it seems like the Senators just have no answer for them so far.
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Some would argue the Kings have been surprisingly good so far this series, but tonight they hope to walk away with something to show for their efforts.
The Avalanche won both games at home, but it took some doing, and the victories came on contributions from (mainly) the depth pieces of their lineup.
Is tonight the night the Avalanche stunts their star power, or will the LA Kings make good on an upset where the ocean meets the sand?
Colorado Avalanche: 2-0
The Opponent: Los Angeles Kings (0-2)
Time: 8:00 p.m. MT
Watch: Altitude, Altitude+, TNT
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
A lot has been made of the Avalanche “playing the Kings game” in games one and two, but it should come as no surprise that this Avalanche team is committed to stout support and defensive structure.
The Avalanche is perfectly fine with playing low-scoring, tight-checking games. Nathan MacKinnon said so much after the game one victory, stating, “We pride ourselves on our defensive ability. I know that might surprise some people.”
Nonetheless, it’s possible to stay committed defensively and achieve more goals.
I have three keys to a Colorado Avalanche victory:
Score first.
Martin Necas must ‘shoot-first.’
Stay out of the penalty box.
The sit-back-and-wait approach only works against the Avalanche when they don’t have a lead, especially in a game where LA should be more desperate than in games one and two.
Martin Necas’ pass to Gabe Landeskog on Colorado’s tying goal in game two was a thing of beauty, but I want him to log a minimum of 3 SOG in the first period.
He has turned down too many great looks, given his shooting ability.
The Avalanche have a large share of the expected goals in this series, and that advantage is amplified in 5-on-5 situations.
LA has two goals in the series, both from Artemi Panarin and both on the power play.
Stay out of the box, and LA might stay off the scoresheet.
The Kings have satisfied key number one in both games this series, but haven’t secured number two.
If they had, we’d be having a much different conversation ahead of game three.
Both goalies have arguably been the best players on their sides, and if LA wants to win this game or a series, they will have to humanize Scott Wedgewood, who is on fire to start the playoffs.
The Philadelphia Flyers, for now, appear to have avoided an injury scare with goalie Dan Vladar as they look to finish off the Pittsburgh Penguins in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Vladar, 28, has been the Flyers' MVP so far, posting a perfect 3-0-0 record with a .946 save percentage, 1.33 GAA, and one shutout.
As of now, the Flyers and head coach Rick Tocchet don't appear to be too concerned about their starting goalie's injury and subsequent absence from practice, and he was going to be kept off the ice anyway.
"It's more of a maintenance day. He was probably going to be off anyways, but he's a little banged up," Tocchet said to reporters after Thursday's practice. "Feels better today. That's all the information I really have."
Vladar suffered the apparent injury when a Penguins player landed on him in the crease, pulling the blocker off his hand in the process.
After a brief hold-your-breath moment with trainer Tommy Alva, Vladar ultimately carried on and finished Game 3, though he wasn't made available to speak with the media after the game.
Fortunately, the Flyers won't play again until Saturday night, so the Czech netminder will be afforded one more day of rest and recovery before it's showtime again.
If Vladar cannot play, the Flyers will presumably turn to Sam Ersson, who would be backed up by No. 3 goalie Aleksei Kolosov.
It's often said that in a best-of-seven series, you're never really in trouble until you lose a game at home. But it can also be said that if you're down 0-2, it forces you to go 4-1 in the final five games.
That second statement sounds a lot like trouble.
But if there's a team this season that's shown the resilience needed to pull that off, it's the Ottawa Senators.
The series shifts to Ottawa for Game 3 on Thursday night, where the crowd will be loud, and their All Heart, AllIn rally towels will be waving.
The Senators announced at their game day skate that they've swapped out a pair of their depth defensemen for Game 3.
Tyler Kleven is well enough to play after taking an early-April puck to the face in a game against the Buffalo Sabres. After skating for almost a week now, he'll take Dennis Gilbert's spot while Ottawa native Cam Crotty plays in his first NHL playoff game, subbing in for Lassi Thomson.
Here's the Senators' projected lineup:
Brady Tkachuk -- Tim Stutzle -- Drake Batherson
Ridly Greig -- Dylan Cozens -- Claude Giroux
Warren Foegele -- Shane Pinto -- Mike Amadio
Nick Cousins -- Lars Eller -- Fabian Zetterlund
Jake Sanderson -- Nikolas Matinpalo
Thomas Chabot -- Jordan Spence
Tyler Kleven -- Cameron Crotty
Linus Ullmark
James Reimer
If Ottawa gets a lead, this alignment probably won't change much. If Carolina gets the lead and the Sens are suddenly staring at the possibility of being down 0-3 in the series, then everything is on the table, including a very short bench.
Because a loss will all but end their season. NHL teams that take a 3-0 series lead have a tidy 209-4 record.
As a sidebar, if you're going to the game, there's a decent chance that Sens veteran Claude Giroux or one of his kids put the towel on your seat.
All hands on deck!
The Giroux’s and their teammates came out and helped fill the stands with #Sens@FullscriptHQ rally towels for tonight’s game!
The Utah Mammoth grabbed home-ice advantage with a Game 2 win and now welcome the Vegas Golden Knights to the Delta Center with a chance to seize the series lead on Friday, April 24.
My Golden Knights vs. Mammoth predictions and NHL picks, however, have Vegas spoiling the moment with a high-scoring win on the road.
Puck drop is set for 9:30 p.m. ET from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, with the game airing on TBS and Sportsnet 360.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Golden Knights vs Mammoth Game 3 prediction
Who will win Golden Knights vs Mammoth Game 3?
Vegas Golden Knights: This has the makings of a back-and-forth series, as the Mammoth can drive possession and generate more quality scoring chances than the Golden Knights for stretches.
Still, I’m anticipating Vegas rebounding with a road win after Utah scored three soft goals in their Game 2 victory.
Golden Knights vs Mammoth best bet: Over 5.5 (-125)
Both the Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth have mounted dangerous pushes in this series, with 11 goals and 12.39 expected goals through the first two games.
There’s ample scoring punch on both teams, and I’m not confident in the goaltending.
Vegas No. 1 Carter Hart allowed three goals on 29 shots in Game 2, and I’m anticipating him hovering around a .900 SV% through the remainder of the series following an unsustainable stretch where he posted a .932 mark across seven games after returning from injury.
Similarly, Utah starter Karel Vejmelka has allowed three goals or more in six of his past eight starts with an .880 SV% dating back to the regular season.
Golden Knights vs Mammoth Game 3 same-game parlay
While there’s a lot to like about Utah evening the series in Game 2, a look at the tape reveals all three goals the Mammoth scored probably shouldn’t have ended up in the back of the net.
Of course, Vegas has also been the better team at 5-on-5 with a 55.5% Corsi For percentage (CF%) and 52.8% expected goals percentage (xG).
Additionally, while I’m not all in on Hart, this is a low saves total after he stopped 57 of 62 shots through the first two games, and the Mammoth ranked fourth in CF% at 5-on-5 on home ice during the regular season.
Golden Knights vs Mammoth SGP
Golden Knights moneyline
Over 5.5
Carter Hart Over 23.5 saves
Golden Knights vs Mammoth Game 3 goal scorer pick
Jack Eichel (+220)
Golden Knights star Jack Eichel has only found the back of the net three times across his past 11 games, dating back to the regular season, despite racking up an impressive 54 shots, 17 high-danger scoring chances, and 5.97 individual expected goals.
He’s pacing Vegas forwards in ice time during the series, and his 5.6% shooting percentage during the highlighted stretch is miles below the 11.7% mark he posted across his previous 265 regular-season games.
Golden Knights vs Mammoth odds for Game 3
Moneyline: Golden Knights -110 | Mammoth -110
Puck Line: Golden Knights -1.5 (+220) | Mammoth +1.5 (-285)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-125) | Under 5.5 (+105)
Golden Knights vs Mammoth trend
The Utah Mammoth have hit the Over in 10 of their last 14 games (+5.60 Units / 35% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Mammoth.
How to watch Golden Knights vs Mammoth Game 3
Location
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Date
Friday, April 24, 2026
Puck drop
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
TBS, Sportsnet 360
Golden Knights vs Mammoth latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Manitoba Moose are facing a must-win situation heading into Friday night as they prepare for Game 2 of their best-of-three American Hockey League playoff series against the Milwaukee Admirals.
Game 1 did not unfold the way Manitoba had hoped as the Admirals set the tone early, scoring twice in the opening period to seize control. One of those goals came from highly touted prospect Brady Martin, who recorded his first AHL playoff goal against Moose goaltender Thomas Milic. The moment added to Martin’s growing profile, coming just months after he was selected fifth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators.
Milwaukee kept the pressure on in the second period, extending the lead to 3-0 and putting the Moose in a difficult position heading into the third. Manitoba showed some pushback late, managing to get on the board, but it was not enough to spark a comeback. The Admirals secured a 4-1 victory and a 1-0 lead in the series.
Now the Moose will need a much stronger effort to keep their playoff hopes alive. There is some reason for optimism as top Winnipeg Jets defense prospect Elias Salomonsson is expected to return to the lineup, providing a boost on the blue line.
Salomonsson split his season between the NHL and AHL, recording five points and a minus-six rating in 32 games with Winnipeg, along with nine points and a minus-two rating in 29 games with Manitoba.
Manitoba’s roster remains one of the most intriguing in the AHL, featuring several high-profile prospects including Colby Barlow, Brad Lambert, Brayden Yager, Thomas Milic and Salomonsson. For fans of the Jets, the Moose have become must-watch viewing, offering a look at the organization’s future core.
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BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 19: Elias Lindholm #28 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his goal with teammates Nikita Zadorov #91 and David Pastrnak #88 in the third period against the Buffalo Sabres in Game One of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center on April 19, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Ben Ludeman/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Game 3 is upon us, folks!
TD Garden should be jumping tonight, with the Bruins coming home from Buffalo with a split and playing their first home playoff game in a couple of years.
The Bruins were an excellent team on home ice this season, so here’s to hoping that continues.
If the B’s can make things start to snowball for the Sabres, some doubt/desperation may creep in for the relatively inexperienced (in the playoffs, that is) team.
Of course, those things are likely just talking points from people like me, as the Sabres remain a good team, one that hasn’t really played its best 60 minutes yet.
The Kings are coming off a 2-1 overtime loss that saw them go down 2-0 in the series. The Kings and Avalanche did not score until the 13th minute of the 3rd period, where Artemi Panarin scored his 2nd playoff goal. But the Avalanche tied it minutes after and won in overtime to get their 2nd win. The Kings have limited the Avalanche to just 2 goals per game, but they need to start scoring at 5-on-5, as their only 2 goals have come from Panarin and on the power play.
Projected Kings Lines
Here are the projected lines for the Kings in Game 3:
Artemi Panarin - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe
Trevor Moore - Quinton Byfield - Alex Laferriere
Joel Armia - Scott Laughton - Andrei Kuzmenko
Jeff Malott - Samuel Helenius - Jared Wright
Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty
Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke
Brian Dumoulin - Cody Ceci
Anton Forsberg
Darcy Kuemper
Projected Avalanche Lines
Here are the projected lines for the Avalanche in Game 3:
Artturi Lehkonen - Nathan MacKinnon - Martin Necas
Parker Kelly - Brock Nelson - Valeri Nichushkin
Gabriel Landeskog - Nazem Kadri - Nicolas Roy
Joel Kiviranta - Jack Drury - Logan O'Connor
Devon Toews - Cale Makar
Brett Kulak - Sam Malinski
Josh Manson - Brent Burns
Scott Wedgewood
Mackenzie Blackwood
Injuries and Line Changes
The Avalanche are expected to have the same lineup in the first 2 games. Kings forward Andrei Kuzmenko could play for the first time since February 25 after he has missed the last 25 games after getting surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Jared Wright has been moved to the 4th line.
Key Factors
A major factor for both teams in this series has been the goaltending. Both Forsberg and Wedgewood have played very well for their teams, with Forsberg posting a .941 SV% and a 1.90 goals-against average. Wedgewood has posted a .960 SV% and a 0.94 goals against average. Both teams are getting strong goaltending.
For the Kings, goaltending and defence have seemingly not been the problem; rather, it is the offence that has been the problem in this series. Only 1 player has scored for the Kings, and both of those goals were on the power play.
The Kings have not scored at even strength throughout this series, and if they want to change the series' outlook, they will need to do so. Panarin leading the team with 2 points is something the Kings seriously need to change, and they need to be better offensively, or they will not be in the playoffs for much longer.
Game 3 is in Los Angeles and starts at 10:00 P.M Eastern time.
The Montreal Canadiens return north of the border to host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday, April 24.
My Canadiens vs. Lightning predictions and NHL picks point to another closely contested matchup, with Cole Caufield expected to drive the offense more as a playmaker than relying solely on his usual scoring touch.
UPDATE: Added prediction for who will win.
Lightning vs Canadiens Game 3 prediction
Who will win Lightning vs Canadiens Game 3?
Montreal: After splitting the games in Tampa Bay and letting Game 2 slip out of their grasp late in the third, the Habs will return to the Bell Centre and pick up a win. They're 3-0-2 in their last five against the Lightning.
Lightning vs Canadiens best bet: Cole Caufield Over 0.5 assists (+130)
Fortunately, Caufield and his overshadowed vision have produced three assists in the meantime. Tampa's game plan to limit his scoring opportunities has created an abundance of passing options for the winger.
With Tampa suppressing his scoring opportunities, it's opened passing lanes and high-danger chances for his linemates (see Juraj Slafkovsky's Game 1 hat trick). At plus odds, I'm banking on a Caufield helper in Game 3.
Lightning vs Canadiens Game 3 same-game parlay
Many may be surprised Lane Hutson blocked 137 shots in his sophomore season. While his offensive numbers may be better suited for a flashy stat or a viral tweet, he's stepped up big in his own zone as Noah Dobson remains sidelined.
Hutson played over 32 minutes in Game 2, blocked two shots, and ranks third in the NHL in blocked shots over the last calendar month. He's a workhorse at both ends of the ice.
Both games in this series thus far have needed extra time, and the Montreal Canadiens have covered the puck line in five straight against Tampa — with four of them coming within the last month.
More convincingly, they've covered the PL in 10 of Jakub Dobes' last 11 starts.
Lightning vs Canadiens SGP
Cole Caufield Over 0.5 assists
Lane Hutson Over 1.5 blocked shots
Canadiens +1.5
Lightning vs Canadiens Game 3 goal scorer pick
Josh Anderson (+450)
Josh Anderson has scored in three of his last four playoff games against Tampa, including in both games in this series and dating back to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final.
He's scored in three of his last four and had his highest single-game shot total since March 3 in Game 2. I'm all over this at a whopping +450.
Three of the last five meetings between these teams have required extra time, including both playoff games thus far. Find more NHL betting trends for Lightning vs. Canadiens.
How to watch Lightning vs Canadiens Game 3
Location
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Date
Friday, April 24, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
Sportsnet, TNT
Lightning vs Canadiens latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Steve Yzerman addressed the Detroit Red Wings' 2025-26 season and how it ended with the club missing the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs for a 10th consecutive year.
Yzerman has been general manager of the team since April 19, 2019. Head coach Todd McLellan was also at the news conference at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday, April 23.
The Wings finished the season 41-31-10, for 92 points, seven points back of the team in the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Wings looked like they were going to be one of the teams inside the playoff picture when, in late January, they had a 12-point cushion. But as games grew more intense, the Wings wilted. They went 9-15-5 from Jan. 25 on, the fourth-worst record in the NHL over that span. They won only two of their last eight games, and were eliminated on April 11 in a loss at home that left fans booing the team.
The Wings finished their season on April 15, losing 8-1 at the Florida Panthers in a game that left McLellan so frustrated he only talked for 44 seconds afterward, and said that everybody involved should be embarrassed.
Here are key points from the news conference.
How to improve
Yzerman had this to say when asked what needs to change: "The most obvious would be we need better players. We need to improve specifically in certain areas. We can talk about goal scoring, we need to improve in that area, particularly five-on-five. But collectively, if you're watching the playoffs – and I'm assuming and I'm hoping our players are – to play with the intensity and determination needed to be successful to make the playoffs and get there. But ultimately, it's incumbent upon me and my staff to improve the team."
Seven years later
Yzerman on his work since he was named GM: "Knowing full well seven years ago, I knew what I signed up for, I knew what the job, the task at hand was. And so when exactly we were going to be, are going to be a playoff team, I could never pinpoint that.
"To sit here today and say everything's going perfectly according to plan, no. There's a lot of things I'm pleased about within the organization. And areas that I'm not happy, disappointed, things that we need to have done better. We sit here today, a week after the end of the regular season, and see how the season unfolded. I think we're all kind of emotional about this, and need to take a little time to analyze it, and not forget about some of the positive things that are going on here. And then try to address how we move forward."
On the last game
McLellan expanded on his unhappiness with the last game. "I think my lack of words spoke for how I felt at that moment. Listening to the players after and talking to them, they weren't pleased, they were embarrassed with that outing. It's something we have to change in our organization. Every night is important, every day is important. Obviously not happy with the way things ended throughout the season. To cap it off with that was very disappointing. My complimenting Florida was a different way of saying I was disappointed in our players."
On relationship with ownership
Yzerman said he spoke with team owner Christopher Ilitch a few days ago.
"He and the entire ownership of the Illich family are very disappointed with the way the season played out," Yzerman said. "He continues to be extremely supportive of what we're trying to do here. We intend to have further conversations about our team and our organization in the very near future.
"I don't think I'm just going to sit and hope for the best. As an organization, I'm very disappointed how this season played out."
It's been almost three months since Barry Trotz unexpectedly announced he'd be retiring as the general manager of the Nashville Predators, with the search commencing immediately.
Owner Bill Haslam said that the team wants to have a new GM by draft day in late June, but is not hard-set on that deadline.
With the Predators missing the playoffs and officially in the offseason, finding a new GM remains the key focus for this franchise.
NHL insiders Elliotte Friedman and Frank Seravalli threw out a handful of names on Thursday that they believe are being heavily considered for the leading position in Nashville's front office.
Both agreed that Florida Panthers assistant general manager Brett Peterson, Edmonton Oilers assistant general manager Bill Scott and former New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald are candidates that "stand out."
Brett Peterson, Panthers Assistant GM
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) is handed the Stanley Cup from Gary Bettman, the NHL Commissioner, after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Peterson has been with the Panthers since 2020, joining the organization with general manager Bill Zito and is the first Black assistant GM in NHL history. Their efforts led Florida to three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances from 2023 to 2025 and back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025.
He also served as the general manager for Team USA at the 2024 IIHF World Championships and returns to the role for the 2026 World Championships.
Peterson served as an assistant GM during the 2025 tournament, where the Americans won their first Gold Medal since 1933.
Bill Scott, Oilers Assistant GM
Scott has been with the Oilers organization since 2010, serving as the general manager of Edmonton's AHL affiliate in some capacity until 2018. From 2014 to 2022, he bounced between Edmonton's assistant GM and director of hockey operations.
He has held the role full-time since 2022. Scott has been part of one of the longest rebuilds in recent memory, seeing the Oilers land four No. 1 overall picks from 2010 to 2015, including Connor McDavid in 2015.
In that stretch, the Oilers have picked up other valuable assets, including Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, Zach Hyman and more, that have helped Edmonton to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 2024 and 2025.
Tom Fitzgerald, Former Devils GM
NJ Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald. Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Fitzgerald has been involved in NHL operations since 2007, joining the Pittsburgh Penguins as their Director of Player Development and being promoted to Assistant General Manager.
In his second year with the Penguins, he'd win a Stanley Cup in 2009.
In 2015, he was hired as the New Jersey Devils' assistant general manager and AHL affiliate general manager. Fitzgerald was in the Devils front office when they drafted Nico Heischer first overall in 2017 and Jack Hughes first overall in 2019.
During the 2019-20 season, he also served as an assistant coach and Executive VP of Hockey Operations before being promoted to General Manager following Ray Shero's firing.
During his time as GM in New Jersey, the Devils made the playoffs twice in 2023 and 2025, losing to the Hurricanes in the second round and the first round, respectively. He also served as an assistant GM for Team USA in the 4-Nations Face-Off and the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Fitzgerald was fired by the Devils in April. New Jersey finished 13th in the Eastern Conference, 11 points outside of a playoff spot with a 42-37-3 record.
If the name sounds familiar to Predators fans, Fitzgerald was the Predators' first captain and played for the team for four seasons from 1998 to 2002.
Scott White, Stars Assistant GM
According to Friedman, the Dallas Stars gave permission for assistant GM Scott White to speak to Nashville and Toronto.
White has been with the Stars organization since 2005, coming on as the Iowa Stars' Director of Hockey Operations. He has been the AHL affiliate since 2009, and this is the first year White has served as Dallas' assistant GM full-time.
White first moved into the Stars Assistant GM role back in 2016 after serving as the Director of Hockey Operations.
During his time with the organization, the Stars have risen to become one of the best teams in the NHL, making an appearance in the 2020 Stanley Cup Final. In 2014, the Texas Stars won the Calder Cup and in 2018 finished as runner-up.
The Philadelphia Flyers only turned to Noah Juulsen due to injury, but the veteran journeyman has responded in an encouraging way despite coming into a tough spot cold.
Juulsen, 29, has now played just four career playoff games, including Games 2 and 3 against the Pittsburgh Penguins this week.
The former first-round pick played in just 52 games for the Flyers this season, and only 10 of the team's final 26 games of the regular season. Emil Andrae had established himself next to Nick Seeler on the team's third defense pair, and that was a big portion of the team's post-Olympic turnaround.
On Wednesday night, in his second game replacing the injured Andrae, Juulsen recorded two primary assists--one on Rasmus Ristolainen's first playoff goal to make it 2-1, and one on Seeler's first playoff goal to make it 3-2--helping the Flyers put the Penguins against the wall with a commanding 3-0 series lead.
The pair of assists were the first two playoff points of Juulsen's career, and Seeler's goal stood as the game-winner. Overall, a massive impact from a forgotten depth player.
"It's great. You know what you're gonna get from Juuls. He's a competitor. He's a great defensive defenseman," Seeler said of his defense partner after the game. "He's in the right position. It's nice to see him get on the board with a couple nice assists, really good plays. And I enjoy playing with him."
Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet, who had Juulsen with him on the Vancouver Canucks for the previous three seasons, was equally impressed with the rugged defender's impact and professionalism throughout the season.
It's a common theme throughout the roster that permeates from one player to the next. Juulsen's experience and locker room presence were driving factors that ultimately led him to a reunion with Tocchet on the Flyers.
"When you're in the playoffs, if you're going to go far, you're gonna use people. The one thing with Noah or Emil, when they don't play, they're out there working hard, practicing and not complaining getting ready for their moment," Tocchet said.
"Juuls was ready for it, and a couple assists, I think he played really well. . . like, these guys, they're ready, and they're part of the team. That's what I love about them."
The Flyers needed all of Juulsen's 2:10 of shorthanded ice time with the Penguins on the receiving end of five power play opportunities.
Erik Karlsson did convert one for Pittsburgh, but any more than that could have turned the tide for the Penguins. Juulsen, goalie Dan Vladar, and many of the other vets stood tall and led the way.
Given the volatile nature of the series and the rivalry at hand, it is perfectly plausible that Juulsen remains in the lineup even when Andrae returns, and he's earned his place.
Through three games against the Penguins, the Flyers have allowed just one goal at 5-on-5, and the team's identity of having a suffocating neutral zone defense plays right up Juulsen's alley.
Lassi Thomson bet on himself last summer, but it is fair to assume that he would not have bet on being in the position he was in on Monday night: playing in game two of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.
When the Ottawa Senators announced on June 15, 2025, that they had signed Lassi Thomson to a one-year, two-way contract, it was fair to wonder why.
It was not a matter of asking, “Why would an organization want to add a then-24-year-old right-shot defenceman?” Not when every organization in the league is looking to add inexpensive and relatively young right-shot defensive depth.
Travis Green talks about the Game 2 loss and looks ahead to Game 3 back in Ottawa Thursday night.
It was simply a matter of asking, “Why would Lassi Thomson want to return to the Senators’ organization?”
Drafted out of the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL, Thomson was the 19th overall selection of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Senators. The Finnish import product was coming off a strong offensive campaign in which he tallied 17 goals and 41 points in 63 games.
Thomson would return to Finland the following season to play for Ilves in the Liiga, and once his loan to Ilves ended, he arrived for training camp with Ottawa in 2020.
The defenceman would play parts of the next four seasons in the Senators’ organization, even getting into 18 games for the Senators as an AHL recall. In September of 2023, however, it appeared that Thomson’s time with the organization was over. Unable to crack the Senators’ blue line after training camp and the preseason, the Finnish defenceman needed to clear waivers to be returned to the team’s AHL affiliate in Belleville.
The Anaheim Ducks claimed Thomson off waivers on October 8, 2023, but he would never appear in a game for them. When they subsequently tried to put him through waivers to send him to their AHL affiliate the following day, the Senators re-claimed Thomson and sent him to Belleville.
On a relatively weak Belleville team, Thomson had the worst offensive year since playing professionally in North America, compiling just six goals and 21 points in 67 games.
That performance and the offseason awareness that the Senators had Artem Zub, the recently acquired Nick Jensen, Travis Hamonic, and depth pieces like Nikolas Matinpalo and Jacob Bernard-Docker in their midst, there simply was very little opportunity for Thomson to crack Ottawa’s lineup.
Thomson looked overseas for an opportunity to reestablish himself, eventually signing with the Malmö Redhawks of the SHL.
It turned out to be a smart play, as no defenceman in the Swedish league scored more than Thomson’s 17 goals. He finished the season eighth in scoring by a defenceman, recording 29 points in 50 games.
At the conclusion of his season, the Senators came calling.
“We had a lot of talks over the summer with (management) and the coaches,” Thomson explained. “We saw an opportunity to get a couple of games in, and it was a good opportunity. Obviously, with (the Senators) making the playoffs, the (roster) was kind of settled. But I wanted to come here, have a good year, have that confidence in myself, and maybe get the chance (to play).”
Making the decision to leave Sweden, where he was enjoying success, was not easy.
“Of course it was tough,” Thomson stated while describing the decision he had to make. “Obviously, I liked playing in Europe. It was close to home, but like everything else, it was still a bit different.
“I was obviously playing good, but obviously, I've been (in Ottawa), and I know the hockey here. Everybody wants to play in the NHL. I'm still 25 years old, and kind of young. So I think I'm not losing anything by just coming over here to try, and I wanted another chance for this.”
After training camp, however, Thomson was returned to his familiar Belleville, where he simply waited for his chance.
As injuries began to mount and other defencemen were recalled, Thomson continued to focus on his game, hoping that one day the call would be his.
“Obviously, it is kind of frustrating seeing your teammates from Belleville are getting called up, and you're not getting that chance,” admitted Thomson. “But obviously, you have to try to think about it the other way and try to be positive than worry if (a recall) is going to be coming or if it's not coming.
“So, I tried not to get too frustrated. I will say, I just tried to enjoy the hockey. That was the biggest thing for me this year. Just come here and enjoy the hockey. Whatever is going to happen, it's gonna happen. Maybe everybody stays healthy, and you're not going to get a chance. So, I just try to be happy and positive around the other guys. I think it's been working.”
So, Thomson kept his head up and played hard, turning in what was arguably his best and most complete season on this side of the pond. In 55 games with Belleville, Thomson had 14 goals and 25 points while registering a positive plus-minus rating (+1) on a team that gave up the second-highest number of goals (262) in the AHL.
Eventually, it was Thomson’s turn to get a recall and play his first game.
Unfortunately, seven shifts into his first game since November 22, 2022, Thomson sustained a lower-body injury when a New York Ranger fell on his leg. Four minutes and 25 seconds into his NHL return, the defenceman’s night was done.
“I was pretty down after that,” described Thomson. “Mentally, just finally getting that chance and then getting hurt right away. It wasn't fun.”
No one could have blamed Thomson for thinking that the game at Madison Square Garden could have been his last. With other defencemen being close to returning from their own respective injuries and the uncertainty of when he would be available to play again, the possibility that he would not have another chance this season felt very real.
Having the presence of a fellow Finnish defenceman and friend in Nik Matinpalo, certainly helped Thomson.
“It helps a lot (having Matinpalo here),” Thomson laughed while looking at his friend and stallmate. “Obviously, it's always fun to have another Finnish guy. It just helps a lot of things. When you're off the ice, you have somebody else. You’re living at the hotel, so it's great to have somebody who's living there and just kind of help take care of you a little bit more. So, he’s been unbelievable.”
With the help of the team’s trainers, Thomson described the next few days as “weird”, but he recovered quickly enough and dressed in the lineup five days later.
Thomson would go on to play in 11 games for the Senators down the stretch, contributing three assists. In the 141 five-on-five minutes that Thomson played, the team would generate 52.31 percent of the shots (CF%), 55.65 percent of the shots on goal (SF%), 66.67 percent of the total goals (GF%), and 60.19 percent of the expected goals (xGF%).
To Thomson’s credit, he played well in the limited and sheltered third-pairing minutes that were afforded to him. And more importantly, he demonstrated to the coaching staff that he could be an option for them in the postseason, if needed.
The Senators continued to be beset by injuries on the blue line heading into their first-round matchup with the Carolina Hurricanes, and there was some discussion over which defenceman should play on the Senators’ third pairing to open the postseason.
Thanks to his handedness and physicality, the veteran Dennis Gilbert was called upon. But when Artem Zub sustained a lower-body injury while hitting Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis in game one and left the game, it opened the door for Thomson to enter the lineup.
No player wants to see one of their teammates get hurt to create an opportunity, but playing in an NHL playoff game is something that Thomson has dreamed about.
“(Playing in a game), it's pretty awesome,” Thomson said. “This is the point where you want to be, and that's why I came over here, to play in these games. It's pretty unreal.”
Thomson’s career took a few detours, but now he is playing in meaningful hockey games where scouts and other front offices from other franchises are watching.
As a 25-year-old on an expiring contract who has played in fewer than 80 career NHL games, Thomson is slated to become an unrestricted Group VI free agent this summer. Thomson has grown and matured a lot over the past two seasons.
Though he'll serve as a black ace on Thursday night, the way that Lassi Thomson has stepped into the Senators’ lineup and contributed, he looks poised to sign another NHL contract this summer.
Graeme Nichols The Hockey News
This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features from The Hockey News at the links below:
Apr 20, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) scores the game winner in the second overtime against the Ottawa Senators in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images | James Guillory-Imagn Images
Canada’s Capital City lights up for hockey tonight as the Carolina Hurricanes roll into town and face off against Ottawa in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
You have to wonder if the Senators are feeling like Carolina did three years ago the first time they played the Florida Panthers. They have gotten outstanding goaltending from Linus Ullmark, they got a game to multiple overtimes including having the good fortune of having a goal disallowed. Yet the squad on the other side was a little bit tougher, a little bit luckier, and got goaltending that was just a hair better. Oh, and the other side is also just a little bit deeper.
The NHL really was lucky that the Hurricanes won on Monday night to where the offside call that wiped out the original game winning goal was more of a funny side story instead of the main talking point. It doesn’t take too long to search on YouTube to find experts breaking down the call and realizing that someone in the league control room decided that they could definitively see something that was about as subjective as it gets. It’s a credit to this team the Hurricanes were eventually able to get a goal that couldn’t be turned over.
So now how does that linger for the Senators? Their first full team skate was this morning after getting back into Ottawa just before the sun came up Tuesday Morning. Coach Travis Green is clearly trying to maximize rest, especially as the ranks continue to be depleted. On Wednesday he still didn’t have an update on when their first pairing defenseman Artem Zub would resume skating let along return to action. Another defenseman Tyler Klevin was on the ice in a regular jersey and he will be in tonight. Any help would be appreciated as three defensemen played at or near 40 minutes on Monday, while two still only played about 15 minutes of a 94 minute game. It tells you the level of trust the team has, and mirrors what the defensive corps was looking like for Carolina by the end of the playoffs last year. Heres what Ottawa skated with this morning:
The extra day off had to have helped, but right after getting that extra day the schedule shifts to another grind. The two teams will play tonight then turn around and play a 3 PM tilt on Saturday. Should Ottawa take one, there will be no extra day before Game 5 as the teams will immediately head back to Raleigh for a game Monday night.
On the Canes’ side there was an optional skate this morning with most in attendance, but there’s really no reason to expect any line or pairing changes as everyone was a full participant in the Wednesday practice before flying up to Ottawa. The minutes distribution was a lot more balanced for the Hurricanes, with just a ten minute range on the defense and a twelve minute range for the forwards. Clearly the fact that Carolina practiced at all on Wednesday means coach Rod Brind’Amour feels good with where his team is at.
Speaking of feeling good with where things are, signs are pointing to Andersen making a third straight start tonight—something that Brind’Amour all but confirmed in his availability. It’s tough to pull the Dane from the net considering he’s only let in two shots of the 61 he’s faced. What was especially encouraging was that after he let in his first tough goal of the series—you can see by his reaction from the normally stoic goaltender he knew it—he was able to put it behind him and kept the Senators off the board despite them pushing hard throughout the rest of the game.
That said at some point Brandon Bussi is likely going to see action. In speaking to Rod Brind’Amour before Game 2, even after the great performance, Brind’Amour told Adam Gold the goal was to get Bussi into one of the Ottawa games. Now you can see the logic: the extra day off would work to where you use Andersen again, then you likely see Bussi for Game 4 as that’s like playing a back-to-back with the early start time. Then Game 5 probably goes back to Andersen unless he really struggles.
So throw all the cliches out there, but there’s no denying the Hurricanes can put an absolute hammer lock on the series if they can go into Ottawa and beat the Senators who will likely be throwing everything they can to get their first win before the series gets out of reach.
If you aren’t in Canada’s Capital tonight to see the game, here’s how you can catch the action:
Time: 7:30 PM
TV: A reminder that you get both a National and Local call of tonight’s game. TBS (yes TBS not TNT) has the national broadcast with Alex Faust—normally doing play-by-play for the Rangers so he will be familiar with the Canes—doing play-by-play and Jennifer Botterill & Colby Armstrong handling color. They will be on site, by the way. For FanDuel Sports Net in the Carolinas, Mike Maniscalco will handle play-by-play alongside Tripp Tracy doing color. Hanna Yates and Shane Willis will provide off-ice reports.
Streaming:HBO Max will have the game for National folks, FanDuel Sports Network App for fans in the Carolinas. A very important note—the NHL Power Play feature isn’t available on ESPN during the playoffs, so the only way to hear Mike and Tripp on the TV will be through the FanDuel app.
Radio: The pregame on 99.9 The Fan starts at 6PM and runs for 60 minutes in the playoffs. At 7PM the Hurricanes Radio Network (consisting of 99.9, 730 The Game in Charlotte, ESPN New Bern 107.5/1490, and ESPN Greenville 107.5/1570) picks up the FDSN feed. You can also stream the call on the Hurricanes app.
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Connor McDavid downplayed getting banged up in Game 2 of the Edmonton Oilers’ first-round series against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night.
McDavid’s lower right leg appeared to buckle when he collided early in the second period with teammate Mattias Ekholm, who was attempting to check Anaheim’s Ian Moore. McDavid left the bench briefly but returned not long after, testing his ankle in the process.
“I just rolled up on it a little bit," McDavid said after the 4-2 loss that evened the series. “It’s fine.”
McDavid has not registered a point in either of the first two games. He also had a turnover after resuming play, when his weak backhand attempt was picked off by Alex Killorn on the way to a shorthanded goal for the Ducks.
“Just a little bit of a miscommunication,” McDavid said.
Game 3 is Friday night at Anaheim.
Coach Kris Knoblauch said McDavid is putting a lot of pressure on himself.
“He wants the team to do well," Knoblauch said. "He’s a leader and usually when we have success, he’s a big part of that. There’ve been stretches during the season that he hasn’t been the best player, nights where he hasn’t been outstanding. That doesn’t happen very often, and I’m certain that he’s going to find his game.”
Edmonton's power play, which led the NHL at 30.6% during the regular season, is 0 for 6 so far in the playoffs.
“We’ve got to find a way to score,” McDavid said, calling the power play still a work in progress. "We haven’t ran our normal routes and had our normal looks for some time. It’s not just a light switch, so we’re working at it.”
