CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Louis Crevier and forward Andrew Mangiapane missed Friday night's 4-1 loss to Colorado because of unspecified injuries.
Crevier and Mangiapane got hurt during Thursday night's 2-1 victory at Minnesota.
“I don’t think it’s anything long, long term for either guy, but certainly not available tonight,” coach Jeff Blashill said before the matchup with the Avalanche.
Forward Dominic Toninato skated for more than nine minutes after he was recalled from the minors earlier in the day.
Crevier, a seventh-round pick in the 2020 draft, has become a steady performer for Chicago in his third NHL season. The 6-foot-8 Crevier has a career-high five goals and 12 assists in 65 games.
Mangiapane was acquired in a March 4 trade with Edmonton. He has one goal and one assist in seven games with Chicago.
The Blackhawks are still awaiting immigration clearance for Sacha Boisvert after announcing a three-year contract for the forward prospect on Monday. Boisvert, a Quebec native who turned 20 on Tuesday, was the No. 18 pick in the 2024 draft.
The delay could push Boisvert's NHL debut back to the team's upcoming four-game road trip.
While the good news is that Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond has produced at a point-per-game pace this season with 67 points in as many games played, the not-so-good news is that he's hit a bit of a scoring snag.
Raymond has one goal and an assist in his last seven combined games, several of which have been when the Red Wings were missing both Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp, their top two centers.
There’s no question about Raymond’s offensive talent, but his recent production hasn’t matched what the Red Wings need from one of their top scoring threats during such a critical point in the standings race.
On Thursday evening, the Red Wings picked up one of their best wins of the season, rebounding from a 1-0 deficit in the third period against the Montreal Canadiens to earn a 3-1 victory.
Early in the first period, Raymond maneuvered around a Canadiens defenseman and found himself all alone in the slot with a perfect opportunity at a high-danger scoring chance.
Instead, he passed up on the shot and tried to feed the puck to David Perron, who was tied up at the side of the net.
Head coach Todd McLellan, who recently said Raymond’s shot totals are lower than they should be, explained that while he would have liked to see a shot in that situation, he understands that Raymond’s hockey instincts may have led him to pass.
“The easy answer for me is to say yes," McLellan said afterward. "We watched it live… for some reason in that moment, he read something or saw something and chose not to (shoot). Would we like him to shoot? Yes, but I’m not going to crucify the young man because he chose to move the puck over."
“Would I like to see him shoot there? Yes, but he’s playing the game, and his instinct told him to go somewhere with it."
Raymond, who finished the game with a single shot on goal, has shown so far in his career that he possesses one of the more elite releases amongst NHL forwards.
Now more than ever, with the standings ultra-tight and with team captain Dylan Larkin still unavailable because of a lower-body injury he sustained earlier in the month, Detroit needs Raymond to put more pucks on net - because when he does, good things usually follow.
"We do need him shooting the puck, because he can fire it," he said.
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The Colorado Avalanche will earn a playoff berth tonight at United Center.
If NHL 26 has their way, the Avalanche will get the victory in a 2-1 effort.
Nic Roy and Brett Kulak scored for the Avs and Mackenzie Blackwood made 17 saves in the winning effort.
Brett Kulak scored a virtual goal in this one.
Andrew Mangiapane lit the lamp in the third period for the Blackhawks and Spencer Knight stopped 35 of 37 shots.
First Period
Just over four minutes into the game, Knight fumbled a routine cover up and had to make a diving stop, but that prevented the Avalanche from scoring the opening goal of the game.
At nearly the six-minute mark of the frame, Nazem Kadri ripped a slap shot from the slot, but Knight made the blocker save.
Halfway through the period, the Avs had outshot the Blackhawks 6-1. The second shot for Chicago came off a one-timer blast from Hawks defenseman Alex Vlasic, but Blackwood was quick with the glove.
At the end of the first, the game was scoreless, while the Avalanche held a 12-6 advantage in shots on net.
Second Period
Colorado took a 1-0 lead 5:08 into the second period when Roy one-timed a feed from Josh Manson from the slot that clanged off the left post and into the net. Manson initiated the breakout, but rather than pass, he carried the puck through the neutral zone and deep into the Blackhawks defensive zone before finding Roy waiting for his opportunity, and he made the most of it
On the next play, following a poor clear from the Blackhawks, Kulak intercepted the puck in front of the net and fired it by Knight, who had no chance of catching up to it. And just like that, we quickly went from a tie game to a 2-0 score in favor of the Avs.
Despite the fact they were getting outgunned, the Hawks continued to fight. Connor Bedard teed up a nasty slap shot from the left circle with nearly five minutes to go in the period, but that was snagged by Blackwood with the fancy glove.
At the end of two periods, the Avalanche held a 2-0 lead and a 24-12 edge in shots on net.
Third Period
Chicago got on the board 7:10 into the third period to spoil Blackwood's shutout when Mangiapane took a pass from Ryan Donato in the slot and ripped a backhand by a diving Blackwood to make it a 2-1 game.
Gavin Brindley attempted to one-hand deke his way by Knight just over halfway into the period, but Knight was able to poke check the puck away and cover it up for the whistle.
Knight was pulled for the extra attacker with 38 seconds left in the game. Colorado was unable to score on the empty net and the Hawks were unable to tie the game as the Avs took home the 2-1 win.
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 15: New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec (17) scores game winning shootout goal on Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) during the NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the New Jersey Devils on November 15, 2025, at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. (Photo by Bella Sagarese / Icon Sportswire) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Matchup: New Jersey Devils (35-31-2) at the Washington Capitals (34-27-8).
The Rules: If you have been a reader here, you already know the rules. But for the rest, a reminder: please do not swear in the comment section, and keep comments relevant to the hockey game going on. Beyond that, do not attack any other commenters, and do not ask for or pass along illegal streams on this board.
The Florida Panthers dismantled the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, securing a 4-0 victory on the road.
Sergei Bobrovsky led the way with a 21-save shutout, while Evan Rodrigues and Sam Bennett recorded multi-point games. But the player who stole some headlines is 24-year-old defenseman Mike Benning.
In just his fourth career NHL game, Benning notched his first multi-point performance, recording two assists and giving him three total points this season.
For Benning, it was already a special night. His father, Brian Benning, a former NHL defenseman who was also born in Edmonton, Alta., was in the stands to watch his son. Benning was an original Panther, playing 97 games with Florida.
Mike recorded two assists in the first period, picking up primary helpers on the Panthers’ first two goals of the game. Benning would finish the night with one hit and a plus-2 rating in 15:43 of ice time.
The analytical side favored Benning as well, as the Panthers held a CorsiFor percentage of 62.07 percent with Benning on the ice at 5-on-5, according to naturalstattrick.com. Additionally, the Panthers had more scoring chances and high-danger chances with Benning.
Prior to his call-up, Benning was in the midst of another solid AHL campaign, scoring eight goals and 31 points in 56 games. Despite being listed at just 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, Benning has found a way to be impactful, using his skating and puckhandling to help the Panthers break out of their own end and create offense in their opponents’ zone.
With Uvis Balinskis’ timeline remaining undetermined, Benning will have an extended stretch to prove his worth at the NHL level. So far, he’s done everything asked of him.
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An important question was tackled this week on The Hockey Show.
Like many hockey fans, THS co-hosts Roy Bellamy and David Dwork would like an explanation from an expert on what exactly goaltending interference is in the NHL.
To break down goalie interference, and also to discuss some of the controversial penalties that have occurred lately in the league, Roy and David welcomed former NHL referee and current ESPN Rules Analyst Dave Jackson to The Hockey Show.
Also on the latest episode was a chat about the Florida Panthers having an efficient tank, and how even amid all their struggles, the Panthers still found a way to go into Edmonton and crush an Oilers squad trying to rack up every point they can get in a very tightly contested Western Conference playoff race.
This week’s wins and fails included a very unlucky Montreal Canadiens fan attending a Maple Leafs-Islanders game in Toronto, a nice job of rage-baiting by Philadelphia’s Matvei Michkov, an amazing 30 seconds during an ECHL game that gave us a pretty goal, fun celly and line brawl, and a hockey-related fashion faux pas by Team USA at the World Baseball Classic.
You can check out the full episode and interview in the videos below:
The Chicago Blackhawks have made a roster move, as they have called up forward Dominic Toninato from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.
Toninato has played in five games this season with the Blackhawks, where he has recorded one assist, four penalty minutes, 10 hits, and a plus-1 rating. His most recent appearance with the Blackhawks was on Dec. 27 against the Dallas Stars.
Toninato has spent the majority of this season in the AHL with the IceHogs. The 32-year-old forward has been a nice part of the AHL club's roster, as he has recorded 16 goals, 27 assists, 43 points, and 57 penalty minutes in 52 games.
Toninato was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the 126th overall pick of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. In 194 career NHL games over nine seasons split between the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, Winnipeg Jets, and Blackhawks, he has recorded 13 goals, 23 assists, 36 points, 226 hits, and a plus-13 rating.
A recent stretch of inconsistent play has exposed vulnerabilities, and with a demanding road trip against strong Pacific Division opponents on the horizon, every game will test their ability to regain form and reassert themselves as legitimate contenders.
The Golden Knights are mired in a 3-7-0 stretch over their last 10 games, searching for consistency at a pivotal point in the season. Recent performances have highlighted several recurring issues, including defensive lapses, inconsistent puck management, and an inability to sustain momentum within games. These problems have contributed to a stretch of play that falls short of the standard expected from a contending team.
The upcoming matchup against the Nashville Predators presents an immediate test. Despite roster changes, the Predators remain a competitive group, driven by structured forechecking and opportunistic scoring. Their ability to generate offense from multiple areas of the lineup makes them particularly dangerous, especially against teams that struggle with defensive coverage and discipline.
For Vegas, addressing these shortcomings must begin with improved defensive structure. Limiting high-danger opportunities, maintaining positioning in the defensive zone, and reducing unnecessary penalties will be essential. In prior meetings, lapses in these areas have allowed Nashville to capitalize quickly and shift momentum.
Although the Predators have lost three of their last four games to the Golden Knights, mistakes can accumulate quickly, and in the NHL, any team can beat anyone on any given night.
Equally important is a more consistent offensive approach. The Golden Knights have shown they are most effective when scoring contributions extend beyond the top line. Secondary scoring—from depth forwards and the blue line—can alleviate pressure on primary playmakers and create a more balanced attack. Generating sustained zone time and establishing a stronger net-front presence will also be key in breaking through opposing defenses.
Goaltending Stability and Organizational Considerations
Goaltending stability will play a significant role as well. Timely saves, particularly during momentum swings, can help the team reset and avoid extended periods of defensive-zone pressure. Adin Hill is a Stanley Cup champion, but he is no longer conditioned to handle six consecutive starts.
General manager Kelly McCrimmon should consider drafting a goaltender in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft or exploring upgrades through free agency. With cap space adjustments, bolstering the position should be a priority. Carter Hart has proven inconsistent and has struggled with injuries, making him an unreliable long-term solution in net.
Carter Hart has spent a lot of time on the ice this year -- in pain.
The Golden Knights (31-24-14) have a clear opportunity to kickstart their winning ways Saturday at 11 a.m. local time when they face the Predators (31-28-9) at Bridgestone Arena. Execution, balance, and stability—both in net and across the lineup—will determine whether Vegas can turn this stretch around.
Former New Jersey Devil Bobby Farnham, along with Brett Jefferson and Marc Grandisson, purchased minority ownership interests in the Carolina Hurricanes.
This announcement followed the team's official statement released on Friday.
Further details on the transaction emerged when Sportico reported that owner and CEO Tom Dundon agreed to sell 12.5% of the Hurricanes at a $2.66 billion valuation for about $332.5 million.
Regarding the sale, Dundon spoke about his decision to sell a portion of the ownership.
“Brett, Marc, and Bobby are accomplished executives whose experience will help us grow,” Dundon said. “Brett lives in the area, and Marc will soon relocate to Raleigh, making their influence local. As a former NHL player, Bobby brings a unique perspective as we move forward.”
Farnham formerly played four seasons in the National Hockey League. The undrafted right-winger began his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Farnham spent two seasons with the Penguins (2014-15, 2015-16) before joining the New Jersey Devils in 2015-16.
In 50 games with the Devils, Farnham had 10 points, eight goals, and two assists.
He finished his career with the Canadiens in Montreal.
Over his four-year NHL career, Farnham played 67 games, tallying all of his 10 points while with the Devils.
Since concluding his playing career, he has shifted to the business side of the industry.
Now, at 37, this transition has brought Farnham back into the league in a new capacity.
Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
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The Buffalo Sabres continued their four-game Western road swing with a sluggish start and some good hunting luck in a 5-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday. The Sabres relied on goalie Alex Lyon to fend off the young Sharks until the middle of the second period, when Noah Ostlund, Sam Carrick and Rasmus Dahlin scored on Buffalo’s only three shots of the middle frame.
The Sabres only had 16 shots on Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, but extended their lead early in the third on Tage Thompson’s 35th of the season, with Carrick registering his second of the game and fourth goal in seven games with Buffalo. Lyon made 23 saves for his third shutout of the season, extending the Sabres scoreless streak to 164:07, going back the second period of the 3-2 shootout victory over Toronto.
Head coach Lindy Ruff commented on the performance after the game:
What were your thoughts on the effort in the victory?
(San Jose's) compete early on was at a higher level than ours. We turned some pucks over in the neutral zone. Had some lateral passes again, but our goaltender gave us some great saves. And then I thought we passed up a couple of great opportunities, but then once we got rolling offensively, I thought made a couple of real nice plays.
Who is the Sabres most surprising standout this season?
What were your thoughts on Mattias Samuelsson’s performance and the overall defensive effort against the dangerous Macklin Celebrini?
We knew they were gonna have to be aware of (Celebrini). I thought, as a group, and Sammy especially, when he was out there, he did a good job making sure he didn't get free. He caught us a couple of times in Buffalo, and we tried to make sure we were aware when he was on the ice.
Lyon really kept you in the game early on, he’s done that for you all year….
(He made) real important saves. I mean, to get through that first period, and not give up any with some of the opportunities we gave him, you've got to give our goaltender a lot of credit.
Thompson scored in the third, but it was nice that you were able to get some secondary scoring in this game:
Yeah, the depth of our scoring has been something that's helped us stay on this roll. I think there are nights where top guys don't get on the board, and that secondary scoring really helps you out. I think you look at again tonight the our fourth line got a couple for us, and then finally, Tage came through in the two on one with Krebs, but the Ostlund line with Norris, they got us started. At different times, I think it's been important that all those guys produce.
The Sabres move down the coast to take on the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday and finish off the road swing in Anaheim against the Ducks on Sunday.
The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night in St. Paul. This snapped a 19-game point streak for Minnesota in the head-to-head matchup, losing in regulation to Chicago for the first time since 2019.
The Blackhawks don’t have much time to celebrate that win, however, as they are at home on Friday for the second half of a back-to-back. They are going to face one of the few teams ahead of the Wild in the standings this season, the Colorado Avalanche.
Scouting Colorado
The Colorado Avalanche have the best record in the NHL. At 44-13-10, they lead the league with 98 points. Over the last 20 games or so, however, they’ve been a good team but not a great team. There is another gear this team is capable of reaching, and they hope to get there before the playoffs begin.
For the Blackhawks, they will do what they can to keep them at bay for at least another game. It’s hard with the lineup that they have, including multiple game-breaking superstars.
Nichushkin - MacKinnon - Necas
Kadri - Nelson - Roy
Kelly - Drury - Kiviranta
Ivan - Bardakov - Brindley
Kulak - Makar
Manson - Burns
Toews - Malinski
Blackwood
Wedgewood
Everything that the Avalanche does starts and ends with their two superstars, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. They are both top-five players in the sport. MacKinnon is second in NHL scoring with 111 points, while Makar is tied for third in points by a defenseman with 69.
Makar does a lot more than create an elite amount of offense. His ability to skate, close gaps, and make a breakout pass from the back-end is among the best in NHL history. As for MacKinnon, the only center in the same conversation with him right now is Connor McDavid.
The Avalanche have some tremendous depth as well, which is why they are so good, but a few players stick out above the rest. Martin Necas is an outstanding forward, and he has tremendous success playing on a line with MacKinnon.
The other is Devon Toews, who thrives playing as a stay-at-home defenseman with Cale Makar. If the two are seperated, it is the coaching staff looking for a spark between their pairs.
Colorado traded for Nazem Kadri at the trade deadline. He played a huge role in them winning the Stanley Cup in 2022 before leaving for the Calgary Flames in free agency. They haven't used him at center yet, but you can't help but wonder if running Nathan MacKinnon, Nazem Kadri, and Brock Nelson down the middle is their ultimate plan for the playoffs. For now, expect Kadri to start on the wing playing alongside Nelson.
Gabriel Landeskog, Artturi Lehkonen, Logan O'Connor, and Ross Colton all skated in Chicago this morning, but none of them will suit up against the Blackhawks.
In goal, it doesn't matter if it's Scott Wedgewood or Mackenzie Blackwood. Each of them is perfectly good enough to win every game with, and the way that the skaters defend as a unit in front plays a big role.
Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago
The Blackhawks didn't have a morning skate on Friday, so a lot is up in the air as far as their lineup goes. They called up Dominic Toninato from the Rockford IceHogs on Friday morning, which makes Sacha Boisvert's NHL debut seem unlikely.
Greene-Bedard-Burakovsky
Bertuzzi-Nazar-Teravainen
Mangiapane-Donato-Mikheyev
Lardis-Lafferty-Slaggert
Toninato
Vlasic-Levshunov
Kaiser-Rinzel
Del Mastro-Crevier
Grzelcyk
Soderblom
Knight
The Blackhawks went with 11 forwards and seven defensemen on Thursday night against the Minnesota Wild, and it worked out well for them. It won't be known until Jeff Blashill speaks at 6 PM CT anymore on this lineup.
History says that two of Landon Slaggert, Dominic Toninato, Matt Grzelcyk, or Ethan Del Mastro will sit, and the other two will play. With Spencer Knight starting on Thursday, expect Arvid Soderblom to get his first nod since Knight came back from illness.
How To Watch
The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it can be found on CHSN locally. Nationally, it is available to stream on ESPN+. The puck will drop shortly after 7:30 PM CT.
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 Colorado Avalanche aren't as dominant as they were at the beginning of the season, but they have a chance on Friday, March 20, to become the first team to clinch a 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs berth.
The Avalanche had only two regulation losses on Jan. 1. That's up to 13 now and the Dallas Stars are just two points back in the race for the Central Division title. But the early goodwill puts Colorado in position to clinch less than four weeks before the end of the regular season.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, surging after a coaching change, moved into a playoff position on Thursday night by improving to 17-2-4 under Rick Bowness. The New York Islanders dropped below the playoff line.
Here's what to know about the NHL standings, tiebreaker procedures and playoff field for the 2025-26 season:
Who can clinch today?
The Colorado Avalanche will clinch a playoff berth if they get at least one point against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.
NHL games today (Friday, March 20)
All times p.m. ET
Carolina at Toronto, 7
New Jersey at Washington, 7
Colorado at Chicago, 8:30
Florida at Calgary, 9
Anaheim at Utah, 10
NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes (92)
Pittsburgh Penguis (84)
Columbus Blue Jackets (83)
Atlantic Division
Buffalo Sabres (92)
Tampa Bay Lightning (88)
Montreal Canadiens (84)
Wild card
Boston Bruins (84)
Detroit Red Wings (84)
Sitting out of playoff position: New York Islanders (83), Ottawa Senators (79), Philadelphia Flyers (78), Washington Capitals (76), New Jersey Devils (72), Florida Panthers (71), Toronto Maple Leafs (70), New York Rangers (64)
NHL Western Conference standings 2025-26
Central Division
Colorado Avalanche (98)
Dallas Stars (96)
Minnesota Wild (90)
Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks (78)
Edmonton Oilers (77)
Vegas Golden Knights (76)
Wild card
Utah Mammoth (78)
Los Angeles Kings (72)
Sitting out of playoff position: Seattle Kraken (71), Nashville Predators (71), San Jose Sharks (70), Winnipeg Jets (67), St. Louis Blues (65), Chicago Blackhawks (64), Calgary Flames (61), Vancouver Canucks (50)
NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended
Carolina (M1) vs Detroit (WC2)
Pittsburgh (M2) vs. Columbus (M3)
Buffalo (A1) vs. Boston (WC1)
Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Montreal (A3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: M - Metropolitan Division. A - Atlantic Division. WC - wild card
NHL Western Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended
Colorado (C1) vs. Los Angeles (WC2)
Dallas (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3)
Anaheim (P1) vs. Utah (WC1)
Edmonton (P2) vs. Vegas (P3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: C - Central Division P - Pacific Division. WC - wild card
NHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?
If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:
Regulation wins
Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)
Total wins
Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded.
Goal differential
Total goals
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.
When do the NHL playoffs start?
The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are expected to begin on Saturday, April 18.
The Colorado Avalanche are on the verge of becoming the first team to secure a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs this season, with a pivotal matchup set for Friday night against the Chicago Blackhawks.
With the postseason less than a month away—set to begin April 18—the Avalanche need just a single point against Chicago to officially punch their ticket to the playoffs. But Colorado will surely want more than an overtime or shootout consolation; they want, and need, a decisive victory over the Blackhawks, who enter the contest with the second-worst record in the NHL at 26-30-12.
Martin Necas after Colorado's most recent win over the Blackhawks. Credit: DNVR
The Avalanche may be facing a team that isn’t quite on their level, but Chicago has shown they can disrupt expectations. Colorado holds a slim two-point lead—a margin that once seemed unassailable but has shriveled since the Olympic break. That lead has continued to erode as the Avalanche have struggled, while the Dallas Stars have surged with an 8-1-1 run over their last 10 games. Meanwhile, Colorado has gone 6-3-1 in the same span and has dropped its last three games, including a 2-1 shootout loss to Dallas in their most recent outing at Ball Arena.
Previous Matchups Offer a Glimpse
These teams have already squared off twice this season, and in both instances, the Blackhawks demonstrated they can hang with the Avalanche.
The first matchup came on November 23 at the United Center. Scott Wedgewood stopped 22 shots to backstop a 1-0 Colorado victory, while Cale Makar scored the game’s lone goal. That contest marked only the 25th game of the season, and at that point, Colorado had suffered just one regulation loss—highlighting the Avalanche’s early-season dominance.
Fast forward to February 28 for their most recent meeting. Colorado was entering only its third game since the Olympic break and had lost four of its previous seven contests, signaling some midseason turbulence. Chicago struck first when Connor Bedard netted an early goal to take a 1-0 lead. But the Avalanche quickly regained control, responding with three unanswered goals over the next two frames to secure the win.
The Blackhawks managed just 15 shots on net that night, while Mackenzie Blackwood guarded Chicago’s crease, making Colorado’s path to victory appear controlled, yet far from effortless.
The Road Ahead
Colorado has 15 games remaining in the regular season, and in a league as unpredictable as the NHL, anything can happen. Under the playoff format, the division winner with the best record in each conference faces the wild-card team with the lesser record, while the wild-card team with the better record takes on the other division winner.
If the playoffs were to start today, the Avalanche would face the Los Angeles Kings, while the Anaheim Ducks would square off against the Utah Mammoth—a team quietly loaded with talent and rising stars.
With the division race tightening and the postseason looming, the Avalanche know there’s no room for complacency. It’s time to put the pedal to the metal.
Tonight’s game against Chicago kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET at United Center.
Since their 2–1 win against the New Jersey Devils on December 14, the Vancouver Canucks have put up clips on social media showing their team-assigned player of the game award handoff. The award itself is a custom axe given to the team by Vancouver Firefighter Charities, which the Canucks brought into the locker room as “a symbol of all the first responders and what they do for [...] the city.”
The axe has been distributed 10 times so far this season, with only one player earning it twice. Here’s a list of all the Canucks’ axe recipients since December 14.
Mar 17, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) and forward Brock Boeser (6) celebrate their victory against the Florida Panthers at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-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.
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There are five games on the ice on Friday, March 20, and I’ve got three NHL player props to cover you through the night.
Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers leads off myNHL picks, with a big night for Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, and Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin rounds out the betting card.
Best NHL player prop bets today
Player
Ehlers Over 2.5 shots
-110
Thompson Over 25.5 saves
-130
Nichushkin Over 0.5 points
-125
img alt="Get a first bet encore up to $800 with the BET99 promo code COVERSNHL" width="100%" loading="lazy" src="https://img.covers.com/promo-articles/bet99nhlcreative2526.jpeg"Get a first bet encore up to $800 with BET99 bonus code COVERSNHL. (not available in Ontario)
Our best NHL player props for Friday, March 20
Take a look at our best bets and expert analysis below.
Prop #1: Nikolaj Ehlers Over 2.5 shots
-110 at BET99
Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers has recorded just five shots across his past four games despite registering 17 attempts, so I’m anticipating improvement to that miniscule 29.4% conversation rate given his 47.2% mark through the first 64 games of the season.
Of course, the Toronto Maple Leafs are also allowing shots in bunches with the most in the league for the year (32.2 per game), and an even higher 35.0 SOG out of the Olympic break.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NHL Network, Sportsnet Ontario
Prop #2: Logan Thompson Over 25.5 saves
-130 at BET99
Washington Capitals No. 1 Logan Thompson has found a groove with a .923 save percentage and 15.55 goals saved above expected across his past nine starts, including turning away 34 and 32 shots across his past two.
With the New Jersey Devils ranking fifth in the league with 30 shots per game, I’m anticipating Thompson piling up saves again tonight.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: MSGSN, Sportsnet East
Prop #3: Valeri Nichushkin Over 0.5 points
-125 at BET99
Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin has primarily skated on the No. 1 line with Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas the past two games, and the trio hasn’t exactly clicked with just 1.31 expected goals despite a 67.4 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five.
With a script-flipping matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks on deck, I’m expecting Nichushkin to mark the scoresheet tonight.
After all, Chicago has surrendered a healthy 3.13 goals per game this season.
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Ehlers Over 2.5 shots
Thompson Over 25.5 saves
Nichushkin Over 0.5 points