AHL’s Silver Knights Continue Impressive Midseason Run

A natural hat trick from Raphael Lavoie powered the Henderson Silver Knights to a wild 7–6 overtime victory over the Tucson Roadrunners on Wednesday night at Tucson Arena.

Lavoie delivered the decisive moment just 90 seconds into overtime, completing his hat trick and capping one of the most chaotic games of the season for Henderson. The forward’s three-goal performance headlined a back-and-forth contest that featured 13 total goals and multiple momentum swings.

The Silver Knights are now winners of 7 of their last 10 contests.

A Chaotic Opening Period

Henderson struck first when Lavoie opened the scoring at 3:14 of the first period to give the Silver Knights an early 1–0 lead.

The Roadrunners quickly flipped the script.

In a stunning stretch that lasted less than two minutes, Tucson rattled off four consecutive goals to seize control of the game. Austin Poganski started the surge before Scott Perunovich, Cameron Hebig, and Ty Tullio followed in rapid succession to build a 4–1 Roadrunners lead.

Henderson began to claw its way back midway through the period when defenseman Jaycob Megna cut the deficit to 4–2 at the 8:11 mark.

Tucson regained breathing room late in the frame when Julian Lutz found the back of the net with 3:30 remaining, sending the Roadrunners into the intermission ahead 5–2.

Silver Knights Rally in the Second

Henderson wasted no time reigniting the comeback.

Just 11 seconds into the second period, Lavoie scored his second goal of the night off a setup from Tanner Laczynski, cutting the lead to 5–3. The assist marked the 100th of Laczynski’s American Hockey League career.

Momentum continued to swing toward Henderson midway through the period. Matyas Sapovaliv converted on the power play to bring the Silver Knights within one.

Moments later, rookie forward Trevor Connelly completed the rally by tying the game 5–5.

The Roadrunners briefly regained the lead when Poganski netted his second goal of the night less than a minute later, restoring Tucson’s advantage at 6–5.

But the Silver Knights refused to go away.

With just 45 seconds remaining in regulation, Connelly struck again, finishing a play set up by Alex Holtz and Kai Uchacz to force overtime.

Lavoie Finishes the Job

Overtime lasted only a minute and a half.

Lavoie completed the hat trick with the game-winning goal 90 seconds into the extra period, sealing a dramatic 7–6 victory and completing Henderson’s comeback effort.

The Silver Knights will continue their road trip north of the border with a pair of games against the Abbotsford Canucks before concluding the trip against the Calgary Wranglers.

  • Saturday, March 14 — at Abbotsford Canucks (7 p.m.)
  • Sunday, March 15 — at Abbotsford Canucks (4 p.m.)
  • Tuesday, March 17 — at Calgary Wranglers (7 p.m.)

Fans can follow the Silver Knights throughout the road trip by tuning in on 1230 The Game or streaming the broadcast on FloHockey.

Image

Kings Vs Islanders Game Preview: Kings Looking To Move Into Playoff Spot With A Win

The Kings are still chasing a playoff spot after a 2-1 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins. That game was a low-scoring affair, as the Kings tied it with 6 minutes left in the 3rd before Boston won it in overtime. The Islanders are coming off a 4-3 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues, in which they clawed back from a 3-0 deficit and scored 4 unanswered goals for the win. This game has major implications for both teams as they are both in the playoff race. This is the second matchup between the Kings and Islanders, and the last meeting ended with the Kings winning 5-3. 

Kings Projected Lines

Here are the Kings' projected lines

Artemi Panarin - Anze Kopitar - Adrian Kempe

Trevor Moore - Quinton Byfield - Alex Laferriere

Alex Turcotte - Scott Laughton - Jared Wright

Jeff Malott - Samuel Helenius - Taylor Ward

Mikey Anderson - Drew Doughty

Joel Edmundson - Brandt Clarke

Brian Dumoulin - Cody Ceci

Darcy Kuemper

Anton Forsberg

Islanders Projected Lines

Here are the Islanders' projected lines

Emil Heineman - Bo Horvat - Calum Ritchie

Ondrej Palat - Brayden Schenn - Mathew Barzal

Anders Lee - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Simon Holmstrom

Max Shabanov - Casey Cizikas - Marc Gatcomb

Matthew Schaefer - Ryan Pulock

Adam Pelech - Tony DeAngelo

Carson Soucy - Scott Mayfield

Ilya Sorokin

David Rittich

Injuries and Line Changes

The Kings have scratched Mathieu Joseph and Jacob Moverare, and they do not have any new injuries to report. The Islanders are scratching Anthony Duclair, Kyle MacLean and Adam Boqvist. Both of these teams are playing their first game of a back-to-back. The Kings are likely going to start Darcy Kuemper, and the Islanders are likely to start Ilya Sorokin. 

Key Factors

The Kings will be looking at Darcy Kuemper tonight as he is coming off a 23-save game against Boston, but with the playoffs around the corner, the Kings will need Kuemper at his best, especially during this playoff push. The Kings will also have to beat one of the NHL's best goalies tonight in Ilya Sorokin, who, in his last 5 starts, has a record of 4-1. 

One of the biggest factors for the Kings tonight will once again be the duo of Panarin and Kempe, as since their 1st game against the Islanders, they have combined for 11 points in the last 4 games, making them a major factor in tonight's matchup. It is also worth noting that Anze Kopitar is 2 points away from tying Marcel Dionne for the Kings' franchise points record. 

Overall, this is a very important game for both teams: the Islanders look to overtake the Penguins for 2nd in the metro, and the Kings look to move into the 2nd wild card spot. 

My predictions for tonight's matchup are a 4-3 Kings win. 

The Hockey Show: Rampant Violence, Panthers Tanking, Dave Dameshek's Stanley Cup Heist Plan

The Hockey Show returned this week and had quite a bit of puck-talk to get to.

THS co-hosts Roy Bellamy and David Dwork dove into the fallout from an NHL Trade Deadline that the boys felt was somewhat ‘meh’ compared to recent years.

They discussed the Florida Panthers deciding to hang on to their UFAs, Sergei Bobrovsky and A.J. Greer, and how the team could manage their first-round pick, should they end up finishing low enough in the standings. 

Roy and Dave also got into a recent string of violent plays, several of which have led to fines and suspensions involving Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon and Evgenii Malkin, including two that happened within a couple days, both against Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.

Joining this week’s show was Football America host and hockey fan extraordinaire and Pittsburgh native Dave Dameshek.

Dave discussed several topics, including why he’s like to see an NHL division named after Mario Lemieux and the time he and his buddies were at a bar with the Stanely Cup and nearly tried taking off with it for the night.

Wins and fails this week included a touching, overtime high school semi-final goal scored by Colin Dorgan, who lost his mother, brother and grandfather in the shooting at a Pawtucket, RI hockey rink last month, the continuing injuries occurring to the face of Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy, an amusing interview height differential between a former player and a current one, and a sentimental visit to the Saddledome by Shoresy star Jared Kesso.

You can check out the full show and interview in the videos below:

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

Comeback Cats Strike Again, Panthers Take Down Columbus 2-1 In Overtime

Panthers Assistant GM Named Team USA World Championship General Manager

Panthers Coach Announces Several Lineup Changes Ahead Of Matchup With Blue Jackets

Panthers Recall Defenseman Mike Benning, Florida To Host Columbus Looking For Third Straight Win

Verhaeghe, Balinskis Held Out Of Panthers Practice, Reinhart Returns

Just Get In: Realistic Outlooks At Where The Oilers Are At

The Edmonton Oilers' wins over the Vegas Golden Knights and the Colorado Avalanche felt good, and for a couple of nights this week, the Oilers looked like the team everyone thought they would be this season. Hold onto that feeling, because Thursday in Dallas with a 7-2 loss to the Stars was a reminder of where they actually stand.

Dallas is 41-14-10, one of the best teams in the league, and the Oilers went in there on the first night of a back-to-back and got run out of the building.

It's not a mark on their whole season, but it confirmed what's been clear for a while now: this Edmonton team is not going on another legendary run, and June hockey is not in the cards.

"We're on the brink of not making the playoffs," said Kris Knoblauch before the road trip started.

The Oilers are sitting third in the Pacific at 32-26-8, and  while the Oilers were getting owned by the Stars, the San Jose Sharks were topping the Seattle Kraken in the standings. They now sit 31-26-6 with three games in hand over the Oilers.

If San Jose keeps winning, Edmonton is looking at a Wild Card spot. Wild Card 2, potentially, which in the Western Conference right now would probably mean drawing Colorado in the first round. Good luck with that.

Pre-game Stats: Oilers At BluesPre-game Stats: Oilers At Blues32-26-8 | 72 PTS

Tonight they play the St. Louis Blues in St. Louis, and the Blues are also playing on the back end of a back-to-back. They beat Carolina 3-1 last night, which, whatever you want to say about where St. Louis sits in the standings, is an impressive result. Carolina is one of the best teams in the East. The Blues aren't going to roll over.

Edmonton needs a win tonight, and they need to play the kind of hockey that got them through Vegas and Colorado earlier this week. More structure, fewer odd-man rushes against, keeping the first shot on goal out of the net. 

The realistic version of this Oilers season ends in the first round of the playoffs, maybe a spirited series, a game or two that reminds you why you watch, but a first-round exit.

McDavid And Oilers Stand Up Physically, But Lose Stinker to StarsMcDavid And Oilers Stand Up Physically, But Lose Stinker to StarsConnor McDavid shed his scoring touch for physicality after a disastrous Oilers start against the Stars. Frustration boiled over in a feisty loss.

After all the defensive meltdown through February and into March, the 56 goals surrendered in 12 games, the anxiety, just making it in would count as something.

What comes this summer matters because some real decisions have to be made. Whether that means a new GM, trades, a different approach to the cap,  something has to change.

Knoblauch is probably more complicated of a question than people are making it. There's an argument that this team's problems run deeper than coaching, that the personnel decisions and the structure around him matter more than whether he's behind the bench. But someone is going to be accountable for how this season fell apart, and head coaches tend to pay that price first.

Oilers Goalies Hit Hard With Low Rankings On Recent Tandem PollOilers Goalies Hit Hard With Low Rankings On Recent Tandem PollOilers' goaltending plunges to 31st in recent rankings, revealing a grim tandem performance and challenging playoff hopes amid defensive struggles.

But that's tomorrow's problem. The only thing that matters is the Blues tonight, then Nashville, then the Sharks, then Florida. Game by game, point by point, just get across the playoff line and give the fanbase something to show up for in April. A first-round series, even a short one, is better than watching the standings one more time and realizing you're done too soon.

The Oilers have enough talent and experience to win the games they need down the stretch. Get in, compete, and then spend the summer figuring out why a team this talented keeps finding new ways to make things harder than they need to be.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest newsgame-day coverage, and moreAdd us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.

The Sharks sign forward Ty Dellandrea to a 2-year contract extension

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The San Jose Sharks signed forward Ty Dellandrea to a two-year, $3.25 million extension on Friday.

The 25-year-old Dellandrea was in the final year of his contract but now is locked up in San Jose through the 2027-28 season.

Dellandrea has two goals and nine assists in 42 games this season but has been sidelined since suffering a lower-body injury on Jan. 6. At the time of his injury, Dellandrea led Sharks forwards by winning 52.3% of his faceoffs, while ranking second with 117 hits and 36 blocked shots. He also had the second most short-handed time on ice among San Jose forwards before his injury.

Dellandrea joined San Jose before last season after spending his first four seasons in the NHL in Dallas. He has 17 goals and 44 assists in 261 career games.

The Sharks also called up goalie Laurent Brossoit from the AHL with Yaroslav Askarov out with what has been described as a minor lower-body injury. Brossoit has made 118 career starts but hasn't played in the NHL since the 2023-24 season. He was acquired in a deal from Chicago in January.

___

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

Canucks Conduct Prospect Swap With The Edmonton Oilers

The 2026 NHL Trade Deadline may have concluded, but that doesn’t mean teams are done swapping players. The Vancouver Canucks announced today that they have swapped prospects with the Edmonton Oilers, exchanging forward Josh Bloom for forward Jayden Grubbe. 

Grubbe, 23, was drafted 65th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers. He found himself with the Oilers via trade after the Rangers flipped him for a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Grubbe wore the ‘C’ for the Red Deer Rebels from 2019 to 2023 and has since played with both the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL and the Fort Wayne Komets in the ECHL. This season, he has scored seven goals and 12 assists in 28 games with Fort Wayne. 

Bloom, also a third-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, is coming off an impressive stretch of play in the ECHL with the Kalamazoo Wings. The 22-year-old forward has scored 15 goals and 13 assists in 19 games played with Kalamazoo and has also spent 19 games in the AHL with the Abbotsford Canucks. Vancouver first acquired Bloom in exchange for defenceman Riley Stillman back in February 2023. 

NHL teams are allowed to conduct trades after the deadline, though the players involved in these deals will not be permitted to play in any regular season or playoff NHL games for the rest of the season. 

Vancouver will resume their current home stand with a game against the Seattle Kraken on Saturday at 7:00 pm PT. Abbotsford will play the Henderson Silver Knights on the same day at home at 7:00 pm PT as well. 

Sep 21, 2025; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Jayden Grubbe (47) skates during the second period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2025; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Jayden Grubbe (47) skates during the second period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site

How The Vancouver Canucks Stack Up To The Rest Of The NHL: 65 Games In

2025-26 Canucks Closing In On Franchise Record For Goal Differential

Former Canucks First-Rounder Having Career Season With Division-Rival

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 Hockey News
The Hockey News

Avalanche Dominate Kraken in 5-1 Road Victory

After a frustrating loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, the Colorado Avalanche rebounded emphatically on the road tonight, defeating the Seattle Kraken 5-1 to kick off a two-game road trip. The visitors set the tone early, scoring consistently throughout the game to secure a commanding victory.

First Period

Colorado struck first as Martin Necas opened the scoring with his 30th goal of the season. Nathan MacKinnon orchestrated the play with a perfectly timed cross-ice pass, leaving Necas wide open for a clean finish past Joey Daccord.

MacKinnon would add to the lead shortly thereafter. Necas returned the favor with a cross-ice setup, allowing MacKinnon to maneuver behind the Kraken net. Attempting a backdoor pass to Nazem Kadri, the puck deflected off a Seattle defender and into the net, giving the Avalanche a 2-0 advantage.

The period concluded with Nic Roy extending Colorado’s lead to 3-0 on the power play. Positioned right in front of the crease, Roy capitalized on a loose puck, finishing with precision just over a minute before the first intermission.

Second Period

Seattle managed to break through on the penalty kill, as Ryker Evans scored a shorthanded goal past Scott Wedgewood, narrowing the deficit to 3-1.

However, Colorado responded swiftly. Nazem Kadri recorded his first goal since returning to the Avalanche, restoring a three-goal lead with a tally that made it 4-1 heading into the third period. How about that for a dagger?

Third Period

The Avalanche sealed the victory early in the final frame when Joel Kiviranta deflected a shot from Josh Manson past Seattle goaltender Philipp Grubauer, bringing the final score to 5-1.

Looking Ahead

Colorado (44-11-9) concludes this two-game road trip on Saturday, traveling to Winnipeg to face the Jets (26-28-10). Puck drop is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. MT.

Stay tuned with The Hockey News for the latest. 

How The Vancouver Canucks Stack Up To The Rest Of The NHL: 65 Games In

The Vancouver Canucks are 65 games into their 2025–26 NHL season and, unsurprisingly, still sit at dead-last in the league. They are, however, coming off a 4–3 shootout win against the Nashville Predators that felt like the culmination of strong efforts from the team since the passing of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. Now that the Canucks have weathered the trade deadline, here’s how they stack up to the rest of the NHL after 65 games. 

Team Stats

Vancouver Canucks team stats 65 games into 2025-26.
Vancouver Canucks team stats 65 games into 2025-26.

The most surprising of Vancouver’s team stats may be their faceoff win percentage (48.7%, t-21st in the NHL), which has previously ranked pretty low. Surprisingly enough, it’s the Minnesota Wild (46.5%) and the Buffalo Sabres (45.2%) who sit 31st and 32nd in the NHL respectively when it comes to winning faceoffs. Another intriguing team that sits below Vancouver in this stat is the Tampa Bay Lightning with 47.3% (28th in NHL). 

While it has suffered from dry spells at times, the Canucks’ power play currently ranks higher than some of the NHL’s top teams with a success rate of 18.1%, tying them with the Winnipeg Jets for the 22nd-most in the league. A few other teams currently in a playoff spot also rank behind Vancouver: the New York Islanders (16.2%, 30th), Colorado Avalanche (16.3%, t-28th), and (Utah Mammoth (16.6%, 26th). 

Individual Skater Stats

Vancouver Canucks individual skater stats 65 games into 2025-26.
Vancouver Canucks individual skater stats 65 games into 2025-26.

Vancouver’s leading points-getters, Filip Hronek and Elias Pettersson, are currently tied with four other players for 141st in the NHL — Patrick Kane, Valeri Nichuskin, Christian Dvorak, and former Canuck J.T. Miller. On the goal front, it’s Brock Boeser who has taken the new lead for the Canucks in goal-scoring, having potted his 16th of the season against Nashville last night. 

Since Kiefer Sherwood was traded back in January, Aatu Räty has held Vancouver’s lead in hits with 115 on the season, tying him with Andrei Svechnikov and Mackie Samoskevich. He may face some internal competition soon, however, as Hronek (107), Evander Kane (102), and defenceman Elias Pettersson (102) are not far behind. It’s highly unlikely that any of them catch up to Sherwood, however, as he currently remains second in the NHL with 260 hits made. 

Goaltending Stats 

Vancouver Canucks goaltending stats 65 games into 2025-26.
Vancouver Canucks goaltending stats 65 games into 2025-26.

Ironically enough, two of the Canucks’ goaltending stat leads are held by Thatcher Demko, who was ruled out for the remainder of the season and last played on January 10. This includes his eight wins on the season, which has remained a team-high since the 35-game checkpoint. His 2.90 GAA also remains a team-high. 

The most intriguing stat remains Nikita Tolopilo’s .851 SV%, which is currently tied for the sixth-highest in the NHL. From solely the stat’s perspective, Tolopilo is tied with Andrei Vasilevskiy and ranks higher than goaltenders such as Brandon Bussi (.840%) and both Colorado’s Mackenzie Blackwood (.842%) and Scott Wedgewood (.835%). Having said that, Tolopilo has also faced the seventh-least high-danger shots (114) of goaltenders who have played in 10+ games this season. In that particular stat category, Kevin Lankinen leads the way with 293. 

Vancouver will continue its current eight-game home stand with a matchup against the Seattle Kraken tomorrow night at 7:00 pm PT. They will then face the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks, and Los Angeles Kings before heading back on the road. 

Mar 7, 2026; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Linus Karlsson (94) is congratulated by his team mates on his goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images
Mar 7, 2026; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Linus Karlsson (94) is congratulated by his team mates on his goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site

2025-26 Canucks Closing In On Franchise Record For Goal Differential

Former Canucks First-Rounder Having Career Season With Division-Rival

Former Canuck Makes Franchise History With New Team

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 Hockey News
The Hockey News

MacKinnon’s Major Rescinded: NHL Replay System Under Fire

Sorry isn't enough.

The National Hockey League has rescinded the controversial five‑minute major penalty assessed to Nathan MacKinnon for goaltender interference against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Connor Ingram, overturning a call that had ejected the star forward and put him at risk of an automatic suspension.

The league informed MacKinnon on Thursday that the major penalty would be removed from his record, resetting his count under Rule 23.6, which mandates automatic suspensions for players who accumulate multiple major or game misconduct penalties within a defined span of games. With the reversal, MacKinnon is once again clear of any automatic disciplinary risk.

The original call drew immediate scrutiny. Broadcasters and analysts questioned whether MacKinnon’s contact with Ingram constituted true interference or simply a legitimate scoring attempt. Slow‑motion replays showed MacKinnon attempting to avoid the goaltender, while Edmonton defenseman Darnell Nurse appeared to play a substantial role in driving MacKinnon into Ingram.

Even the NHL’s own review concluded that the play did not warrant a major penalty, with a standard two‑minute minor—or no penalty at all—being the more appropriate ruling.

The incident also highlights ongoing concerns about the league’s centralized replay system. The NHL’s Situation Room in Toronto has access to ultra‑high‑definition cameras and more than a dozen dedicated angles for each game, designed to ensure accurate and timely decisions.

The very purpose of this technology—and the trained personnel monitoring it—is to get calls right the first time.

That it took an entire day to correct the call is troubling. With the tools and personnel in place to evaluate plays immediately, there is no acceptable reason for such a delay.

As the regular season winds down and the playoffs approach, the league faces increased pressure to ensure its replay officials can deliver accurate, decisive rulings without requiring retroactive fixes.

The saying goes, "Hope for the best. Plan for the worst." The last thing the NHL needs is for a mistake to be made, a lengthy review somehow produces the wrong outcome and another investigation the following day reveals that they were wrong all along. 'Oh, wait let's try to fix this. Oh, just kidding.' This is a hypothetical, but, 'The Edmonton Oilers already clinched the series. Sorry, there's nothing we can do.'

The league needs to ensure as soon as possible that everyone involved in these decisions is competent and capable of doing the job properly on the spot. And if they aren't, they need to be replaced.

This is not difficult. In the public sector, if a regular person screwed up on the job and the wrong person was disciplined and/or fired, the person responsible for the mess up would likely lose their job. The same has to be applied to the replay officials and the referees on the ice.

Image

"Guys Have To Step Up": Shorthanded Red Wings Have No Choice But To Press On

Follow Michael Whitaker On X

The shorthanded Detroit Red Wings knew that they were in for a fight on Thursday evening against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

While they played a good road game, they ultimately fell short by a 4-1 final score. 

Tampa forward Brayden Point, who was selected in the third round (79th overall) in 2014 by Steve Yzerman, shut down Detroit's comeback attempt with a goal late in the third period, halting what had been their effort to knot the score at 2-2. 

Jake Guentzel, who broke the ice with the game's first goal early in the second period, salted it away with an empty-net goal soon afterward. 

While the Red Wings halved the Lightning lead thanks to a nifty redirect from J.T. Compher in the third period, they weren't able to come up with the tying marker. 

Detroit continues to play without both Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp, along with David Perron. However, they have no choice but to press on and get elevated performances from the players they have available to them. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest newsgame-day coverage, and player features

Image

"We need some offensive production from some individuals that probably haven't produced enough of it, and when they do get the looks, they've got to find a way to finish it," head coach Todd McLellan said afterward. "Guys have to step up, it's just the way it is."

Compher, who scored Detroit's lone goal, echoed McLellan's sentiments by saying that everyone who is able to play must raise their game level. 

"We know the situation with our lineup, that it's not going to be super pretty," he said. "Every guy just got to continue to raise their level, scratch and claw, and find any way we can to get points."

The Red Wings, who have now lost three of their last four games in regulation, conclude their road trip on Saturday evening by meeting the Dallas Stars, one of the top teams in the Western Conference. 

Because of the loss by the Boston Bruins to the San Jose Sharks, Detroit remains in the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, with the Bruins only one point behind.

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

Image

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.

Red Wings Make Minor League Deal, Adding 2 Forwards From Lightning

Late Thursday night, the Detroit Red Wings completed a trade that added depth to their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, surprising some fans since the NHL trade deadline passed last Friday. The deal came as the Red Wings’ main roster suffered multiple injuries, requiring several top AHL players to be called up.

Detroit acquired forwards Michael Milne and Wojciech Stachowiak from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for defenseman Ian Mitchell.

Milne, a 23-year-old from Abbotsford, British Columbia, is in his fourth professional season. He started this year with the Iowa Wild, recording five points and a minus-11 rating in 15 games.

Drafted in the third round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Milne was traded to the Lightning organization and spent the rest of the season with the Syracuse Crunch, adding one assist and a minus-two rating in 19 games. Over five AHL seasons, he has totaled 66 points in 191 games and briefly made his NHL debut with the Wild last season.

Stachowiak, 26, is in his first AHL season and has produced 17 points in 38 games with the Crunch. He previously played six seasons in Germany’s top professional league with ERC Ingolstadt, recording 104 points in 239 regular-season games.

Stachowiak is also familiar with Michigan, having spent two seasons at Michigan State University from 2018 to 2020, registering five points in 40 games. Internationally, he represented Germany at the 2026 Winter Olympics alongside Red Wings teammate Moritz Seider, posting one assist, two penalty minutes, and a plus-two rating in two games.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest newsgame-day coverage, and player features

Mitchell, 27, has been a standout on the Griffins this season with 20 points and a plus-27 rating in 45 games, ranking tied for fourth in the AHL and second among league defensemen. He has also recorded 19 points in 110 NHL games since 2020-21.

While the trade may appear minor, it could have long-term implications, as both Milne and Stachowiak are young players with potential to grow within the Red Wings organization. The deal addresses immediate AHL depth concerns while offering Detroit additional flexibility for the future.

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

Image

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.

Mikael Backlund Joins Elite Company with 600th NHL Point

Calgary Flames captain Mikael Backlund added another chapter to his long and steady career on Thursday night, reaching a significant personal milestone during Calgary’s 5–4 victory over the New Jersey Devils.

Backlund scored the game-winning goal in the third period—his 229th career tally—to record the 600th point of his NHL career. The milestone further strengthens the veteran centre’s legacy with the Flames, the only NHL team he has played for since entering the league.

© Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
© Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

The goal also moved the Västerås, Sweden native into a tie for fifth place on the franchise’s all-time goals list alongside former Flames star Kent Nilsson.

“It’s really cool to be talked about with a player like that,” Backlund told the media postgame about tying Nillson. “He’s a real legend… it’s an honour to be tied with him.”

Adding another layer to the moment, the milestone goal came against fellow Swede and former Flames teammate Jacob Markstrom, who was in net for New Jersey.

“Feels good to score and help the team win and (finally on) Marky, (and) do it at the same time (as) 600,” expressed Backlund.

May 3, 2022; Mikael Backlund (11) and Jacob Markstrom (25) celebrate the win over the Dallas Stars in game one of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
May 3, 2022; Mikael Backlund (11) and Jacob Markstrom (25) celebrate the win over the Dallas Stars in game one of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images

Flames head coach Ryan Huska said he was pleased to see the captain reach the milestone—especially with such a meaningful goal.

“Happy for him,” Huska told the media following the game. “That’s a great milestone for a guy that’s given a lot to this organization, so it ’s really nice to see him score that.”

Backlund has been a consistent presence in Calgary’s lineup this season, currently leading the club in scoring with 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points through 65 games. He also carries a team-best plus-11 rating.

Blackhawks and Senators to play games in Duesseldorf as the NHL looks to grow hockey in Germany

NEW YORK (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators will play two games in Duesseldorf later this year as part of the NHL and NHLPA’s efforts to grow hockey in Germany, the league announced Friday.

The Global Series games on Dec. 18 and 20 at PSD Bank Dome are the second and third regular-season games the league has staged in the country, along with several exhibitions. The Buffalo Sabres and Los Angeles Kings played in Berlin in 2011.

Overall, the league has played 42 regular-season games in Europe since 2007.

Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly called the commitment to grassroots development in Germany “a critical next chapter for the NHL.”

Rob Zepp, the union's Director of International Strategy and Growth, played several years in Germany and represented the national team as a goaltender during his career and said it “is a wonderful country with an avid, sophisticated hockey audience that is eager to engage with the NHL.”

Senators forward Tim Stützle is expected to be the big star of the event. Stützle grew up just outside Duesseldorf in Viesen and led Germany in goals at the Milan Cortina Olympics with four.

"I think German hockey has been growing a lot, and there are a lot of great players from there,” Stützle said. “Hopefully it gets even more people to play hockey in Germany. It’s really exciting news.”

Germany, with Stützle, 2020 NHL MVP Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers and emerging star Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings, lost in the quarterfinals at the Olympics. The country's team went on an improbable run to the final at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, with now-Boston Bruins coach and retired player Marco Sturm behind the bench.

___

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

Oilers vs Blues Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

We’ve got only two games on the NHL betting slate tonight, including a Western Conference clash between the Edmonton Oilers and St Louis Blues.

I’m expecting a bounce back from the Oilers forgetting walloped by the Stars last night. 

The Oilers' team goal total will be the feature for Oilers vs. Blues predictions and NHL picks for Friday, March 13. 

Oilers vs Blues prediction

Oilers vs Blues best bet:Oilers TT Over 3.5 goals (-110)

If there’s one thing the Edmonton Oilers have done well this year, it’s score goals. Edmonton averages 3.53 goals per game this season, tied for the second-most in the league. 

The Oilers’ posted goal total tonight is set at 3.5, which is a number they’ve eclipsed in six of their last eight contests. 

After losing an important match to Dallas last night, I’m expecting a bounce back against the St. Louis Blues tonight, a team with an .883 SV% this season, and the seventh-highest GAA in the NHL. 

Oilers vs Blues same-game parlay

I'll back Connor Ingram to go over 21.5 saves. The Oilers have allowed 25+ shots against in eight of their last 10 outings. 

Lastly, I’ll add Over 0.5 assists for Evan Bouchard. The Oilers defenseman has an assist in seven of his last eight games, and leads all NHL blueliners with 74 points, 56 of which count as assists. 

Oilers vs Blues SGP

  • Oilers TT 3.5 goals
  • Connor Ingram Over 21.5 saves
  • Evan Bouchard Over 0.5 assists 

Oilers vs Blues odds

  • Moneyline: Oilers -155 | Blues +136
  • Puck Line: Oilers -1.5 (+157) | Blues +1.5 (-180)
  • Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-115) | Under 6.5 (-105)

Oilers vs Blues trend

The Under is 7-3 in the last 10 contests between the two teams. Find more NHL betting trends for Oilers vs. Blues.

How to watch Oilers vs Blues

LocationEnterprise Center, St. Louis, MO
DateFriday, March 13, 2026
Puck drop8:00 p.m. ET
TVHulu

Oilers vs Blues 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.

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.

Radko Gudas to have suspension hearing for kneeing Auston Matthews

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas will have a disciplinary hearing on Friday, March 13, for his knee-on-knee hit that injured Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews.

Matthews, who was also the captain of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team, left the game after the hit at 15:47 of the second period on Thursday night. He was unable to put weight on his left leg.

Gudas received a five-minute major and a game misconduct.

Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube called it a "dirty play" and said Matthews would be looked at on Friday.

Gudas has been suspended four times in the NHL for a total of 21 games, including a 10-game suspension in 2017 for slashing.

He delivered a hard, but clean, hit that injured Sidney Crosby at the Olympics. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain has yet to return.

Will Radko Gudas be suspended?

Yes, the NHL has scheduled a hearing for the Ducks captain and will factor in his disciplinary history. It's a phone hearing, so the maximum would be five games.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Radko Gudas faces suspension hearing for kneeing Auston Matthews