The Pittsburgh Penguins may find themselves in the bottom fifth of the NHL standings, but the opposite is happening in the AHL, where the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are one of the league's top teams.

Ahead of their matchup against the Hershey Bears on Wednesday night, the Penguins will look to inch closer to 200 goals, as they are pacing the league with 193 lamplighters, just a goal ahead of the Rochester Americans, Coachella Valley Firebirds, and Calgary Wranglers.

Meanwhile, two valuable points are on the line tonight as the Bears lead the Penguins 75 to 70 points for the top spot in the Atlantic Division. 

With a 31-16-7-1 record, the Penguins have the ninth most victories in the AHL, ranking fifth in points. Every team is chasing the Laval Rocket, who are 37-15-2-1 with 77 points. 

Even though the Colorado Eagles have the league's best goal differential, plus-52, the Penguins have scored the most (193) and given up the eighth fewest, 156, good enough for a goal differential of plus-37. 

31 shots, 31 saves 🧱

Filip Larsson records his FIFTH SHUTOUT tonight against the Crunch, which once again ties him first in the league in shutout victories. pic.twitter.com/EeLLLsQhqL

— Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (@WBSPenguins) March 1, 2025

In addition to the AHL's best offense, the Penguins come into Wednesday night with the league's second best power-play statistics with a success rate of 22.5%, just shy of the San Jose Barracuda, who are at 23.1%.

Surprisingly, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has achieved their successes with limited opportunities. With only 182 power-play chances (25th in the AHL), they have tallied 41 goals, which ties them for the seventh most.

However, when on the power-play, they haven't slowed down opponents, who have tallied nine shorthanded goals against the Penguins, which is the sixth most in the AHL.

Interestingly, the Penguins are not just dominant on the power-play; they are elite penalty killers with an 85.0% success rate, which is good enough for fifth.

They have surrendered just 28 goals shorthanded, which ranks them 28th in the league, ahead of the Charlotte Checkers (28), Rochester Americans (28), Hershey Bears (27), and Coachella Valley Firebirds (26). 

With only one month left in their season, the Penguins have positioned themselves for a good spot ahead of the Calder Cup playoffs. Meanwhile, this season's successes should eventually transition to the NHL when these prospects are ready to make an impact in Pittsburgh. 

A week ago, the Pittsburgh Penguins went through the NHL Trade Deadline, shuffling the deck with several roster adjustments. Hours later, they got shut out by the Vegas Golden Knights 4-0, despite a solid effort.

Fast forward five days later, and the Penguins met the same Golden Knights, this time on home ice, where Erik Karlsson became a overtime hero, giving Pittsburgh a 3-2 overtime win on Tuesday night. On top of picking up two points, it was a special night for captain Sidney Crosby who had two goals, giving him 70 points on the season.

Meanwhile, Tristan Jarry is 2-0-0 in his return to the crease, so let's get into what happened in last night's game. 

Crosby on His Way to NHL Immortatily

As mentioned, Crosby had both the Penguins' goals in regulation. In doing so, he's notched a multi-goal game against 30 out of 32 NHL clubs, only missing the Utah Hockey Club and Penguins from his collection.

Moreover, Crosby has reached 70 points and is now just ten points shy of 80, which would give him a point-per-game average for the 20th time, breaking the record he currently holds with Wayne Gretzky.

Sidney Crosby has now hit 70 points 15 times in his career. 🤯

Crazy... https://t.co/akR0XDmEsbpic.twitter.com/gV0MUEC9LZ

— NHL (@NHL) March 12, 2025

Additionally, Crosby has 23 goals and is just seven shy of 30. If he can reach that plateau, it would be his 13th season reaching the milestone which would tie him with Mats Sundin, Brett Hull, Bobby Hull, and Phil Esposito for seventh all-time. 

Jarry Stands on His Head (Again)

Jarry returned to Pittsburgh days ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline. In his two starts, he's faced at least 30 shots in one, emerging victories twice. After the longest time posting a SV% under .900, he's backstopped the Penguins to wins thanks to 64 saves on 67 shots. 

Tristan Jarry in his return to play:
• Stopped 64/67 shots
• .955 sv%
• 1.49 GAA / 3.79 GSAx
• 1 assist
• 2 wins

Really happy for this guy. Fans have criticized him, he’s bounced between the AHL and NHL, but has kept his head high and is focused on improving his game. pic.twitter.com/9SyBDXQQpl

— ChelPenguins (@ChelPenguins) March 12, 2025

Although the fan base thinks it's too little too late, Jarry's resurgence has been a positive thing for the franchise that hasn't had many things to be excited about down the stretch. 

Jarry has three years left on his contract and has been tapped as the Penguins de facto number one goalie. Ultimately, that could change in the offseason or next year, but watching him bounceback in this fashion can help the organization reevalaute their future plans.

Penguins Hang With Contender (Again)

Even though the Penguins were shut out in Las Vegas last week, the game was never out of reach until the final 15 minutes or so, when a 2-0 lead expanded to 4-0. 

On Tuesday, after going up 2-0, Pittsburgh kept the Golden Knights at bay again, playing competitively at both ends of the ice, which included more hits and blocked shots. 

When the Penguins are firing on all cylinders, they are capable of playing with anyone in the league, including elite teams like Vegas. Because of their place in the standings, most opponents write off Pittsburgh, but as they showed on Tuesday, there is still a lot of heart in the lineup and they won't just roll over for anyone. 

Although there is no hope for a playoff spot with only 14 games left, the Penguins can still make a mess of other team's plans and that's the joy of being a spoiler. 

The Anaheim Ducks had a relatively quiet NHL trade deadline period, as was expected given their current roster construction and their position in the standings during the month leading up to the deadline.

When the NHL resumed play following the 4 Nations Face-Off, the Ducks were nine points out of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference standings. The closest they got to that spot was six points. Heading into Friday’s trade deadline, they were seven back with 21 games left to play after not capitalizing on significant opportunities against the lowly Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 25 and Mar. 1 as well as a Vancouver Canucks team they had been chasing on Mar. 5.

The Ducks only had three pending unrestricted free agents on their roster heading into the deadline period: Brian Dumoulin, Robby Fabbri, and Brock McGinn. McGinn and Fabbri remain on IR, so the likelihood of trading them was slim to none. With not much to sell and no reason to buy, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek pulled the trigger on a somewhat expected Dumoulin deal and made a couple smaller acquisitions on the fringes.

Recap

Out: Brian Dumoulin (50% contract retention) $1.575 million

In: 2025 second-round pick (the better of Edmonton’s or Winnipeg’s), F Herman Träff (19), D Oliver Kylington, G Ville Husso

Patrick

Given the number of teams still firmly in playoff contention and that the upcoming 2025 NHL Draft is projected as one of the weaker ones, this market set up well for sellers. Verbeek said he held on as long as he could, but after losing to the Canucks on Wednesday, he made the decision to trade Dumoulin.

Pat Verbeek Speaks Following Trade DeadlineAnaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek addressed the media following Friday’s trade deadline. Friday was quiet for the Ducks, who didn’t get any deals done, but were active on Thursday when they shipped Brian Dumoulin to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick and prospect Herman Traff (91st overall in 2024). They also brought in depth defenseman Oliver Kylington from the New York Islanders for future considerations.

Dumoulin was acquired for a fourth-round pick on July 2, so getting 61 games out of him and flipping him for a second-rounder and a player drafted in the third round in 2024 is a quality return. Dumoulin plays a position that isn’t one of the most sought after and the most substantial boost it gives the Ducks is the long-overdue relief of the defensive logjam.

Kylington is a nice addition as a seventh defenseman who can seamlessly be inserted in the lineup should the need present itself. Husso was a San Diego Gulls-driven move, but has talent and NHL experience if he’s needed in a pinch.

Derek

From speaking with several players, it’s clear that Dumoulin had a significant impact on and off the ice, even in such a short time with the Ducks. The trade that sent him to the Devils was a mutually beneficial transaction, with Dumoulin getting to play closer to home again and his departure opening up the ability for head coach Greg Cronin to deploy all three of his young left-handed defensemen (Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger) on a regular basis. The return package for Dumoulin also surpassed what Verbeek initially gave up to acquire Dumoulin this past summer, making this deal a home run.

Kylington, a mobile, puck-moving defenseman was added at zero cost to be the seventh defenseman. Similar to William Lagesson last season, the left-handed Kylington can play both his strong and off-side and seems like a better fit for Cronin’s system than Lagesson was.

Husso struggled during his nearly three-year tenure with the Detroit Red Wings, but has righted himself in the AHL. He was acquired to solidify the San Diego Gulls’ goaltending depth after Calle Clang went down with an MCL injury, but he’s been getting well-accustomed to heading up and down I-5 thanks to multiple recalls and reassignments.

Trevor Zegras and John Gibson Stay

“I took calls on John Gibson, so there’s an active market for him,” Verbeek said on his recent episode of “The Beeker” on the Ducks Stream Podcast Network. “At the end of the day, we have probably (a) top-five goaltending tandem in the league. Unless it makes sense for me and for our organization to improve the team, it doesn’t make sense for us to move John Gibson at this time.”

Patrick

For fans worried they’d perhaps seen the last of John Gibson and/or Trevor Zegras in a Ducks’ sweater, fear not. And for opposing fanbases thinking they’re “buy-low” candidates and hoping to acquire each or either of their services at a bargain, it likely isn’t in the cards.

Verbeek didn’t answer any questions on Zegras’ future with the organization, but stated Gibson wouldn’t be on the move unless it made sense for the organization. The Ducks are in a position where the need to trade either isn’t prevalent, so if a team is interested, Verbeek seems to be sending a message that they would have to make a substantial offer.

Derek

Once it became clear that the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes—two teams heavily rumored to be interested in acquiring Gibson—were not going to pay the high price set by Verbeek, any chance of Gibson being anything but an Anaheim Duck past the 2025 trade deadline became zero. There isn’t any incentive for Verbeek to move Gibson—who’s signed for two more years after this season—for anything lower than the price he’s set. Lukáš Dostál and Gibson have formed a dynamic duo in net that has been a large reason why the Ducks are even in the (fleeting) playoff conversation.

For a player that so many talking heads and socialites claim is a “TikTok merchant” and “washed”, so many fans sure are interested in their teams acquiring Zegras. The player has worked hard to improve his two-way game, an initiative given to him by both Verbeek and Cronin. While the point totals haven’t been there lately, it’s clear that his overall game has improved and that the team is better whenever he’s in the lineup.

Ducks Not Involved in Bigger Names on the Market

“There’s a lot of talk,” Verbeek said when asked if he had any other moves he’d been working on. “Nothing ever got to where I would consider serious and start negotiating. Really, nothing.”

Patrick

Signs have been pointing toward, and reiterated by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman specifically, Verbeek and the Ducks’ desire to make a splash at some point soon. Mikko Rantanen was the big name on the move this deadline period, which seemed like a long shot at best for the Ducks. Elias Pettersson’s future seems up in the air in Vancouver, but he remains with the team for the time being at least.

Dylan Cozens, Josh Norris, and Brandon Carlo were also impact players with term beyond this season that moved and could have been seen as fits for Anaheim, but if talks were started, they didn’t go anywhere. We’ll just have to see if that awaited splash is in the cards at the draft or in free agency.

Derek

It would have made more sense for the Ducks to make a splash or add if they were right in the thick of the playoff hunt. They’re on the fringes with this season being the first time in a good while that games in March have mattered to them for something more than a high draft pick. Verbeek is still seeking a top-6 forward, which could come as soon as this summer. (Mitch Marner, anyone?)

Toronto sent Minten, plus a first and fourth-round pick, to Boston in exchange for Brandon Carlo.

John Tavares and his two sons will surely miss Fraser Minten.

The 20-year-old lived with the Tavares family at the beginning of the 2023-24 season after Minten had made the Maple Leafs out of training camp. Throughout last season, Tavares mentioned how much his two boys, Jace and Axton, enjoyed having Minten around.

However, on Friday, Toronto shipped Minten (plus a first and a fourth-round pick) to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Brandon Carlo, who will help the Maple Leafs on the back-end. Although Tavares hasn't been home, he's spoken with his kids several times, but hasn't brought up the news about Minten.

"Actually, I haven't told them yet," Tavares said on Wednesday with a grin.

"We'll get there. I think I'm just happy to get home and to see them. And usually when I call home during the road, they're not too interested too long. So, I'm trying to grab as much attention with them as I can. So, yeah, we're not there yet."

Toronto selected Minten in the second round (38th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Since then, he's played 19 NHL games with the Maple Leafs, registering two goals and two assists for four points.

Coming up in the organization, Minten spent a lot of time with Toronto forward Matthew Knies. Knies is two years older than Minten, but admitted on Wednesday that he was "a little upset" when he heard the news.

Marner, Minten, Knies and Woll at the Kygo concert this week 🎤 pic.twitter.com/RL0NP3gkuO

— katie (@itsmitchmarney) January 26, 2025

"Obviously, he was around here. He was a younger guy. Got to know him pretty well," Knies said. "I'm excited for him that he has an opportunity to play. I think he's going to have a good chance there to play in the NHL. It's really sad to see him go."

Minten spent most of his playing time this season with the Toronto Marlies. He centered their second line and scored six goals and seven assists in 26 games. The forward was on track to soon be a strong bottom-six forward for the Maple Leafs.

"Amazing person, first and foremost. Tremendous maturity and (it's) part of the game, part of the business," Tavares said.

'He Talks Really Like A Vet On The Bench': How Fraser Minten Is Impressing Maple Leafs Early In Young NHL CareerMinten had a goal, five hits (the third-most on Toronto) and played 13:05 of ice time in the Maple Leafs' win over Chicago.

"Obviously, a team like us that's trying to set ourselves up for, obviously, a deep spring and to do something special and bring people in with their experience and their pedigree and the type of skill sets that they have.

"Sometimes, you lose prospects or obviously players that have tremendous potential. So, obviously, you're going to miss them. But it's obviously part of it (the business)."

Minten will debut with the Providence Bruins on Wednesday against the Marlies at Coca-Cola Coliseum in Toronto.

---

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Last month, Quick became the first U.S.-born goaltender to record 400 wins in the league.

Dig a little deeper into Nathan MacKinnon’s arrival at the NHL's 1,000-point plateau, and some impressive details stand out.

When only 100 players in the NHL’s entire 108-year history have reached that milestone, it’s incredible that while MacKinnon is already in his 12th NHL season, he’s also still in his 20s. He has plenty of runway left in what’s already a Hall of Fame-level career, and he may not even have peaked yet.

This season, MacKinnon was named MVP at February’s 4 Nations Face-Off. He’s also on track to win his first-career scoring title. That puts him in the pole position to become the first back-to-back Hart Trophy winner since Alex Ovechkin in 2008 and 2009.

With a Sept. 1 birthday, MacKinnon was one of the youngest players in his draft class when the Colorado Avalanche selected him first overall in 2013 — more than two months before he turned 18. That didn’t stop him from seizing an NHL roster spot in his first training camp, skating in all 82 games, and winning the Calder Trophy with 130 of 137 first-place votes after leading all rookies with 63 points.

MacKinnon’s fierce focus and phenomenal wheels were obvious from the jump, but the level of success he’s achieved was far from guaranteed.

He went through a classic sophomore slump, with 38 points in 64 games before a broken foot ended his second season ended in March 2015. That year, the Avalanche also missed the playoffs for the first of three-straight seasons. By 2016-17, Jared Bednar’s first year as coach, Colorado had slid to last place in the NHL with just 48 points.

That’s just one point more than the San Jose Sharks managed last year, and 11 fewer than the Chicago Blackhawks collected when they won the 2023 NHL draft lottery. So MacKinnon was truly speaking from experience earlier this week when he offered a vote of confidence to Connor Bedard.

Nathan MacKinnon Has Intense Confidence In Connor BedardThe Chicago Blackhawks took on the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night and they played a solid game. The difference in the game, besides Scott Wedgewood in the net for Colorado, was the playmaking of Nathan MacKinnon. 

“He’s a 19-year-old kid, and he’s close to a point a game,” MacKinnon told Mark Lazerus of The Athletic. I’d have killed for that when I was 19. I had like 30 points. He’s doing great.”

While Bedard is the centerpiece of the Blackhawks’ offense, MacKinnon ranked fourth in scoring on his team as a rookie behind Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog and Ryan O’Reilly — all just a few years older. Jarome Iginla’s arrival in his second season provided coach Patrick Roy with another dangerous offensive weapon and power-play option.

“I wasn’t the guy by any means,” MacKinnon said to The Athletic. “There was a lot of learning, a lot of difficulties, obviously. Everything was new and everything was different. It feels like another career, honestly, it’s a long time ago now. But I remember it really well. I had a lot of fun, but there were so many things that I did wrong. So many things.”

There were also some successes in those early days. Skating with his friend and mentor Sidney Crosby, he won a gold medal at the 2015 World Championship, where Canada went undefeated. And at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, MacKinnon was a standout for the U-23 Team North America — the group whose speed, skill and drive formed the template for the style of game that we see in today’s NHL.

In his fifth NHL season at age 22, MacKinnon figured everything out. In 2017-18, he exploded for 97 points and led the league with 12 game-winning goals. The Avalanche returned to the playoffs, and he finished second to Taylor Hall in a tight Hart Trophy race.

He was a Hart finallist two more times before he lifted the Stanley Cup in 2022, at age 26. In 2023, he logged his first of three-straight 100-point seasons. In 2024, he pulled off the double by winning the Hart and the Ted Lindsay Award, voted by the players. And this year, he currently holds a five-point lead over Leon Draisaitl in the Art Ross race. 

MacKinnon is the second player this season to hit the 1,000-point milestone, after Connor McDavid became the fourth-fastest (659 games) and fourth-youngest (27 years, 306 days) to reach the mark on Nov. 14, 2024. 

MacKinnon needed 856 games, ranking him 24th. But at 29 years and 190 days, he’s the 12th-youngest to get there and the second-youngest active player behind only McDavid. He got there three days quicker than Crosby, who was 29 years and 193 days old when he hit the mark in his 757th game on Feb. 16, 2017. 

McDavid blew us all away when he needed just 58 games and 10 months to get from 900 points (Jan 3, 2024) to 1,000 (Nov. 14, 2024) — the fourth-fewest games in NHL history.

MacKinnon needed barely five months — and 64 games — to hit 1,000 on March 10, 2025. He started the season with his 900th point in Colorado’s season opener against the Vegas Golden Knights back on Oct. 9, 2024, so that’s the sixth-fewest games in NHL history. He falls just behind Marcel Dionne (63 games) and ahead of Steve Yzerman and Mark Messier (both 65 games).

Is Oilers' Leon Draisaitl The Runaway Hart Trophy Winner? (What About The Selke?)Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch doesn't have a say in the matter, but if he did he knows which player would receive his vote for the Hart Trophy this season.

The 1,000-point club should also welcome more new members next season. 

Brad Marchand is currently at 976 points, Nikita Kucherov is at 965, and Leon Draisaitl and Jamie Benn are both at 947. Kucherov and Draisaitl are on pace to get there in fewer games played than MacKinnon, but both will be into their 30s. The Tampa Bay Lightning sniper is currently at 786 games, while the Edmonton Oilers ace is at 783.

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Matthew Knies didn’t waste any time settling the score with Zach Whitecloud on March 5.

Just four seconds into the Toronto Maple Leafs' last matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights, the 22-year-old forward dropped the gloves for the second time in his career, throwing a series of heavy left-handed punches before both players hit the ice.

right off the bat

Knies vs. Whitecloud pic.twitter.com/K3CUItPP6S

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 6, 2025

Returning home after a three-game road trip, Knies had the chance to reflect on the fight following Wednesday’s practice. 

He explained that the decision to engage Whitecloud was premeditated, stemming from a hit he took back on November 20 that forced him to miss two games with an upper-body injury. His head hit the ice after being on the receiving end of a high hit from the Golden Knights defenseman.

Matthew Knies Leaves Maple Leafs Game And Didn't Return After Getting Hit By Golden Knights Defenseman Zach Whitecloud, Review Deems Hit CleanKnies appeared dazed after his head hit the ice as he came down from the hit.

“I think it just kind of lined up perfectly that we were both starting, and I thought I'd ask him and kind of get it out of the way early,” Knies said. “I just kind of earned some respect there, and I just wanted to get back at him a little bit for the hit.”

The fight was one that his teammates and head coach fully supported.

Mitch Marner also revealed post-game that Knies had informed team members beforehand that he intended to square off with Whitecloud if the opportunity presented itself.

And it did. 

“He told us he was going to see if he could get that, obviously with the hit that happened the last time that we played them,” Marner explained. “He kind of gave us the heads up, so we didn’t know if it was going to happen or not. Great fight by Kniesy.”

With that, he's sent a clear message to opponents to be ready to answer the bell.

Craig Berube, a former enforcer in his playing days, also commended Knies for standing up for himself.

“I think going back to that hit, he wanted some redemption,” said Berube. “I give him a lot of credit to do that and get it out of the way early and then go play hockey.”

‘He Wanted Some Redemption’: Maple Leafs React To Matthew Knies Dropping The Gloves With Zach Whitecloud In Meeting With Golden KnightsMatthew Knies wasted no time making a statement on Wednesday night.

Knies said after practice at Ford Performance Centre that although he has not been paying attention to fan reactions to the fight, he was pleased to hear it was well-received.

“No, I haven’t. Not really, no,” Knies admitted when asked if he had seen the response. When told it was rather beloved by fans, he responded, “That’s good to hear.”

Knies continues to establish himself as a crucial part of the Maple Leafs' future, growing into a physical, two-way presence with the ability to make an impact in all areas of the game. At 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds, Knies has embraced the power forward style of play, quickly molding into his own.

In his second full season with the organization, the Phoenix, AZ., native has 24 goals, 19 assists, and 43 points in 60 games.

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David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period revealed the four teams Mikko Rantanen was willing to sign an extension with and named the Vegas Golden Knights as one of those teams. 

Along with the Golden Knights and the Dallas Stars, Rantanen was open to discussing an extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers. The 28-year-old played the first 619 games of his career with the Colorado Avalanche, scoring 287 goals and 681 points. 

After ongoing disputes about contract extensions with the Avalanche, GM Chris McFarland shocked the hockey world, sending Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes. Rantanen would go on to play just 13 games with the Hurricanes before they too moved him after he informed them he would not re-sign.

Reports had stated the Golden Knights could be an option for Rantanen, but no formal deal or proof has shown the Golden Knights went out trying to acquire him. Alongside the Stars, both the Panthers and Maple Leafs submitted offers, with the Maple Leafs reportedly having a deal in place with Rantanen and an offer the Hurricanes gave serious thought to. 

The Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers, two Pacific Division rivals, both had high hopes of working out a deal, but Rantanen expressed no desire to join those clubs. 

Rantanen is a tremendous player who would have provided the Golden Knights with a massive offensive boost. Finding the assets to give up and making space in the salary cap would have been incredibly difficult, but it would have been another franchise-altering move, similar to acquiring Jack Eichel. 

The 10th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft had been a thorn in the Golden Knights' side during his time with the Avalanche and will be for the next eight seasons he spends with the Stars. 

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ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Wild (37-24-4) entered Tuesday's game against the Colorado Avalanche (39-24-3) without having a win on home ice against the Avs since March 29, 2022. 

It had been 1,078 days since the Wild last beat the Avs on home ice and were 2-7-1 in their last ten games against the Avs in the last three seasons. 

The Wild also entered Tuesday's game coming off a loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins. They had lost five of their last seven games before Tuesday. 

Against a red-hot Avalanche team that had won six in a row coming into Minnesota, the Wild were able to limit the Avs to one goal and walked away with a shootout win. 

“It’s huge, not only for the standings but our confidence, too,” said defenseman Jake Middleton. “We played a solid game. We definitely deserved two points.”

Mats Zuccarello opened the scoring for the Wild after a nice play by his linemates. Matt Boldy forced a turnover and got it to Marco Rossi who dropped it off for Zuccarello for a mini-breakaway. 

Zuccy top shelf 😛 pic.twitter.com/ygeyjqYU95

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 12, 2025

The veteran forward flipped it over the glove of MacKenzie Blackwood to give the Wild a 1-0 lead in the second period. That trio has actually been one of the best lines in the NHL in terms of generating offense. 

The Boldy-Rossi-Zuccarello line ranks 21st in the league in xGoals Against, according to Moneypuck. They also rank 32nd in xGoals for and 18th in xGoals for per 60 minutes. They also lead the Wild in xGoals and are second in goals for with two goals behind the Kaprizov-Rossi-Zuccarello line.

Colorado was able to score a goal in the third period to force extra time but the Wild were able to finish it off in the shootout.

Zuccarello went first for the Wild and scored. Filip Gustavsson then stopped Nathan MacKinnon on his attempt and Boldy sealed the deal with a goal on his move.

Some BOLD moves from Matt Boldy 🤭 pic.twitter.com/APuOrQNMmq

— NHL (@NHL) March 12, 2025

Gustavsson then stopped Martin Necas to end the game. The Wild picked up two huge points and, most importantly, some confidence.

“There’s so many different components to win the game, right?” Wild head coach John Hynes said after the game. “Scoring is a big part of it. Killing two penalties is a part of it. Getting timely saves is a big part of it. Being strong and attention to detail when you don’t have the puck, to check the right way. Those are all important aspects of the game, and I think that for the most part we’ve been pretty good at those areas, but then you need to find ways to win and tonight we found a way to win by playing a detailed, highly competitive game.” 

The Vancouver Canucks (29-24-11) wrap up their back-to-back on Wednesday when they take on the Calgary Flames (20-23-10). This will be the final regular season meeting between these two clubs, with Calgary holding a 2-1 series lead. Wednesday will be a must-win in regulation for both the Canucks and Flames, as they are two of the four teams battling for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. 

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

Abbotsford Canucks’ Linus Karlsson Breaks Franchise Goal Record

Canucks Penalty Kill Ranked First In The NHL Since The Start Of February

How Does The Canucks’ Power Play Stack Up To The Rest Of The NHL?

While nothing is official until puck drop, it looks like Vancouver will be getting a massive boost as Quinn Hughes could be making his return to the lineup. Hughes has missed the last four games with an injury and has only played in three games since the beginning of February. If Hughes is cleared to play, it will be a massive boost to the lineup, both at even strength and on the power play. 

Player to Watch:

Nils Höglander:

Despite the low goal total, Nils Höglander has been very impressive over the past month. He had a strong game Tuesday against the Montréal Canadiens and played a key factor in the Canucks first goal of the game. If Höglander can be his energetic and chaotic self, he could be set for a big game against Calgary.

Dustin Wolf:

Goals will be at a premium on Wednesday, in large part due to the play of Dustin Wolf. The Flames goalie is in the Calder conversation and is coming off a shutout against the Canadiens. With already one win against Vancouver in his NHL career, Wolf could make Wednesday a frustrating night for fans in Vancouver. 

Vancouver Canucks (29-24-11):
Last 10: 4-6-0

Quinn Hughes: 14-46-60
Conor Garland: 16-23-39
Brock Boeser: 18-20-38
Elias Pettersson: 13-24-37
Jake DeBrusk: 22-14-36

Calgary Flames (30-23-10):
Last 10: 4-3-3

Nazem Kadri: 22-24-46
Jonathan Huberdeau: 22-24-46
MacKenzie Weegar: 7-29-36
Matthew Coronato: 16-16-32
Blake Coleman: 12-18-30

Game Information:

Start Time: 6:00 pm PT
Venue: Scotiabank Saddledome
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650

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, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. 

Welcome back to The Hockey News' NHL power rankings, where we rank all 32 teams based on their weekly performance.

With the NHL trade deadline behind us, we now look ahead to the playoff race.

Up for grabs: the Atlantic Division crown, both wild-card spots in the East and the last wild-card spot in the West. Everything else is about jostling for playoff standing, and there are huge implications in the Atlantic and Central. 

The Atlantic and Central participated in one of the biggest arms races at the deadline, and winning the division title will avoid a matchup between the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in the division, which could just as easily be a semifinal or conference final matchup. Thus is the life in the divisional playoff format.

Regardless, as we wind down the season, we look ahead to some key matchups for every team that will determine its fate as the 2024-25 regular season hurtles toward its conclusion. 

1. Winnipeg Jets (45-17-4, +77. Previous: 1)

After a brief 0-2-1 slide, the Jets got right back on track and went 3-1-0 with only one goal allowed in each of their wins. Barring some sort of disaster, Connor Hellebuyck has already locked up the Vezina. Their upcoming key matchups are Friday versus the Stars following a two-day break and then in Dallas on April 10. The season series is split 1-1-0 with a one-goal differential. 

2. Washington Capitals (43-14-8, +68. Previous: 2)

The Capitals have won five straight, and based on tankathon.com’s strength of schedule have the third-easiest schedule to finish the season. All the have to do is hold on, and they’ll lock up the Metro and the East and face the second wild-card team. With 33 goals in 49 games this season and eight away from tying Gretzky’s record, Alex Ovechkin is on pace to tie him in his 12th game from now, which is on Sunday, April 6, on Long Island. He gave an empty-net chance Tuesday against the Ducks to give Aliaksei Protas his first career hat trick – that’s good karma, and the hockey gods will reward Ovechkin somehow.

3. Dallas Stars (42-20-2, +55. Previous: 4)

The Stars made the biggest splash at the deadline and they will undoubtedly have the deepest team when and if Tyler Seguin and Miro Heiskanen return in the playoffs. They have lost just three times in regulation since Jan. 24 and the second-best points percentage since Jan. 1. Key matchups? A potential preview of a first-round matchup visiting Winnipeg on Friday and then Colorado on Sunday, Mikko Rantanen’s first game against his former team.

'He's A Superstar': Take Notice, NHL – The Cup-Contending Stars Are Deeper Than EverLeading up to last Friday’s NHL trade deadline, the Dallas Stars already looked like a true Stanley Cup contender.

4. Florida Panthers (40-22-3, +40. Previous: 5)

The tricky thing about the Panthers is we really won’t see them at full strength until the playoffs when Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad return. Regardless, they’re an incredible 10-3-0 since Feb. 1. They play the Leafs three more times and the Lightning in their regular-season finale, previews of what could be their first-round opponents if they fail to win the Atlantic. It’s the difference between facing a potential Cup contender and a just-happy-to-be-here wild-card winner.

5. Colorado Avalanche (39-24-3, +28. Previous: 7)

Crazy to think that in December the Avalanche were a team hovering around .500. GM Chris MacFarland took decisive and drastic actions to improve their roster, and it’s really paid off. Gaining home-ice advantage might not be a big factor for the Avs’ chances in Round 1, but preventing the Stars from doing so might be the bigger deal. A home matchup against the Stars on Sunday awaits.

6. Carolina Hurricanes (39-22-4, +32. Previous: 9)

Time will tell if the Hurricanes ultimately made the right move or not, but there’s no denying they miscalculated when they acquired Mikko Rantanen. No matter – they’ve rattled off five wins in a row and seem to have caught a break in a first-round matchup against the Devils, which lost Jack Hughes for the season and just clawing their way to the finish line. The Hurricanes play 10 of their remaining 17 games on the road, including six of their last eight, where they’re just 13-15-3. Can they build moment just before the playoffs?

7. Tampa Bay Lightning (37-23-4, +52. Previous: 6)

They’ve lost three of their past five games, but no third-place team looks more frightening than the Lightning. Another team who has struggled on the road this season, the Lightning fortunately play four of their last five games at home, and three of those opponents are potential first-round opponents Leafs, Panthers and Rangers. A strong finish will be key.

8. Edmonton Oilers (37-23-4, +18. Previous: 8)

A statement was made in a 5-4 win against the Stars, but they nearly blew a 5-1 lead and subsequently lost in Buffalo. Wobbly is a pretty good term to describe their play, going 15-11-1 since Jan. 1, ranking 14th in points percentage. I don’t think the Oilers fear the Kings, and finishing second in the Pacific is probably better than winning the division and facing the Wild (or Avalanche, god forbid) in Round 1. We will see how their offense really stacks up against the NHL’s best goalie March 20 hosting the Jets and then visiting them on April 13.

9. Los Angeles Kings (34-20-9, +12. Previous: 10)

I’m not sure Andrei Kuzmenko is the answer, but the Kings are slated to face the Oilers for the fourth-straight time in the playoffs, and they’ve won fewer games in each subsequent meeting. This is not good, and the Kings continue to have trouble scoring at times and getting quality goaltending. We get our first-round preview on April 5 when they host the Oilers and then on April 14 when they visit Edmonton.

10. Vegas Golden Knights (38-19-7, +38. Previous: 11)

The Knights were the biggest tease at the deadline and did nothing despite their reputation for big-game hunting. The immediate aftermath is losing two straight. They spotted the Kings a 3-0 lead and nearly made a comeback, but good teams don’t give that up to a division rival. The Knights are 15-4-1 against divisional opponents, with three of those losses coming against the Kings. Are they the Knights’ kryptonite? They will not meet again this season unless it’s in the playoffs, and the Knights play six of their last nine games against divisional opponents, which will help them lock up the first seed.

11. Toronto Maple Leafs (39-22-3, +16. Previous: 5)

After winning four straight on the road, the Maple Leafs lost at home in the second half of a back-to-back to the floundering Sharks, had no legs in a pitiful loss to the Knights, couldn’t outscore the Avs and then barely beat Utah in a shootout. A division title is in reach, which would avoid a Round 1 matchup against the Panthers or Lightning – I think that’s a lot of incentive. The Leafs are two points behind the Panthers and face them three more times: this Thursday, April 2 and April 8. 

Where Could Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Sign In The Summer? Five Potential FitsFollowing last week’s NHL trade deadline, a major storyline has been the future of Toronto Maple Leafs star right winger Mitch Marner. 

12. New Jersey Devils (35-25-6, +30. Previous: 12)

The Devils will likely lock up their playoff spot soon, but I can’t help but feel they will have the least amount of momentum going in. The two wild cards will likely need winning streaks to get in, while the Devils have big voids in the injured Jack Hughes and Dougie Hamilton. Entering Tuesday’s game against the Jackets that saw a five-goal outburst, they had trouble scoring more than three following Hughes’ injury. Thursday’s game against the Oilers doesn’t seem out of the ordinary, but note if the Devils, win it’ll be their first three-game winning streak since Dec. 21 to 27.

13. Ottawa Senators (34-25-5, +3. Previous: 18)

Dylan Cozens has been excellent since joining the Senators, quickly erasing any ill emotions from trading the beloved Josh Norris. There have been close calls, and they needed Linus Ullmark to be brilliant, but four-straight wins has launched them into the first wild-card spot with a three-point cushion and setting up a potential Tkachuk versus Tkachuk matchup in Round 1. A Battle of Ontario looms on Saturday. 

14. Columbus Blue Jackets (31-25-8, +4. Previous: 13)

Please don’t let this be the time the Jackets lose steam. They’ve lost three of their past four after winning four straight, and their cushion for the last wild-card spot is now just two points. This coming four-game homestand is vital because they’ve been excellent at home (20-6-4) and need to distance themselves from the pack. They also have three games against the Sens, including a home-and-home on April 6-8, that will be basically must-wins. 

15. Montreal Canadiens (31-27-6, -20. Previous: 16)

They’re 6-1-1 since play resumed following 4 Nations, and both losses were by just one goal. A key matchup awaits next Tuesday against the Sens, followed by the Isles on Thursday. After that, the Canadiens don’t have many games against other teams in the wild card race except for the Bruins, Wings and Sens in their final 14 games. 

16. Minnesota Wild (37-24-4, -5. Previous: 14)

It looks like another first-round exit for the Wild, who will likely play the Pacific Division winner or face the second-best team in the Central. The interesting tidbit is they might decide who gets the final wild card in the West; they play a back-to-back on the road in Calgary and Vancouver before returning home for their final game to close out the season.

17. New York Rangers (31-28-6, -3. Previous: 15)

For a while, the Rangers looked good with five wins in seven games, but then dropped four straight, including key points to the Sens and Jackets in the wild-card race. They have a really difficult path to make the playoffs with a late-season road trip through California and then end the season facing the Hurricanes, Panthers and Lightning in succession. 

18. Detroit Red Wings (30-28-6, -22. Previous: 17)

They’re losing a ton of steam with six-straight losses, and I’m pretty sure Petr Mrazek is not the answer to their problems. A brilliant power play powered their winning streak earlier this year, but it’s ranked 19th during their losing streak, and they’ve allowed at least four goals in four of their six losses. Some of it’s just bad luck – they’ve been outshooting their opponents a lot – but if the Wings lose to the Sabres in their next game, we’re going back to doubting the Yzerplan.

19. St. Louis Blues (31-27-7, -7. Previous: 19)

The Blues weren’t buyers nor were they really sellers at the deadline, but what they can be still are spoilers. They’re 6-1-1 in their past eight and are still just one point out of a wild-card spot. Shades of 2019? Not really, but circle March 20 against the Canucks. 

20. Calgary Flames (30-23-10, -18. Previous: 20)

Dustin Wolf keeps doing it. He’s won two of their past three games and allowed five goals in his past three starts while the Flames cling onto the last wild-card spot. Scoring is a big problem – they’ve been shut out twice in their last five games and scored more than two goals just once. Coming off a three-day break and facing a listless Canucks team that just lost on home ice and playing the second game of a back-to-back with travel, they have zero excuses not to win this game.

21. Utah Hockey Club (28-25-11, -9. Previous: 21)

There is still hope! Utah is three points out of a playoff spot, but dropping points in extra time to the Hawks (overtime) and Leafs (shootout) really stings. Otherwise, they’re 7-3-2 following their five-game losing streak. Their three upcoming games against the Ducks, Kraken and Canucks are must-wins if they want to stay in the race, and it’s very, very doable. 

22. Vancouver Canucks (29-24-11, -21. Previous: 22)

The Canucks drew some of the lowest grades at the deadline. They weren’t sellers when they could be in the ultimate sellers’ market, and they weren’t buyers despite accruing cap space all season. What is this team? Facing an existential crisis, they’ve lost six of their last nine, four of their last six and now play the second game of a back-to-back in Calgary with another back-to-back later this week while carrying only one goalie they trust. 

Opinion: Vancouver Canucks Lose Leverage To Brock Boeser After Uneventful Trade DeadlineThe Vancouver Canucks had the opportunity last week to either re-sign Brock Boeser or trade him.

23. Boston Bruins (30-28-8, -27. Previous: 25)

The Bruins dealt captain Brad Marchand and top-four defensive stalwart Brandon Carlo but still have a chance in spite of this with impressive wins against the Panthers and Lightning. The next two games against the Senators and Lightning (again) gives them a chance to make huge swings in the wild-card race.

24. New York Islanders (29-28-7, -18. Previous: 24)

The Islanders' power play woes are one of the biggest reasons they’ll likely miss the playoffs this season. Since Feb. 1, the Islanders are tied-sixth for most power-play opportunities but converted only just five of their 39 chances, rendering the most offensively inept team in the East. It doesn’t matter the opponent; the Isles need to run the table with key games on March 20 versus the Habs and March 24 versus the Jackets to stay in it.

25. Anaheim Ducks (28-29-7, -27. Previous: 26)

The Ducks are 3-5-1 after going 7-1-0 and lost so much ground they’re practically out of the playoff race. Wednesday’s matchup in Utah will bring them closer in the standings, but they must sweep the season series against the Predators and defeat the Blues and Stars on the road to stay in the race. That will put them in a strong position during a five-game homestand where four of the teams are visiting from the East and may not be used to the late starts. 

26. Philadelphia Flyers (27-31-8, -36. Previous: 23)

Like, what happened?! The Flyers are on an extended losing streak once again for the second time in less than two months, now sitting eight points out of the playoffs. They’re not mathematically out, but they’re probably out, and what hurts most is all five losses were at home. They have two more home games and then a five-game road trip, and face Lightning-Canes-Lightning-Caps next. 

27. Nashville Predators (25-32-7, -41. Previous: 29)

Where was this all season, right? The Predators have won four straight with 17 goals scored, though the competition wasn’t very good to begin with. It’s not out of the realm of possibility the Preds make the playoffs, but they’ll need to at least win against the Kings, Ducks (twice) and Blues (twice) over their next six games.

28. Seattle Kraken (27-34-4, -20. Previous: 27)

Since Feb. 1, the Kraken are 4-7-1 with 3.42 goals allowed per game, and the normally dependable Joey Daccord has a .889 save percentage. I think fatigue is a huge reason for that, starting 11 of 13 games after Philipp Grubauer was waived. With the playoffs out of reach, you wonder if Daccord gets a lesser workload to finish the season. The Kraken play only two teams (Hawks, Sharks) currently not in playoff contention in their remaining 17 games. 

29. Pittsburgh Penguins (26-31-10, -54. Previous: 32)

Just like we predicted a month ago, Tristan Jarry is back to save the Penguins’ season. Jokes aside, it’s clear the Pens have thrown in the white towel after a flurry of deadline moves to accumulate draft picks. Despite their teams going in opposite directions, a Ovechkin-Crosby hurrah to conclude the Penguins’ disappointing 2024-25 season should be good TV. 

How Much More Losing Can Rasmus Dahlin Take Before He Demands Out Of Buffalo Like Eichel and Reinhart?They say patience is a virtue. But even the most virtuous people have limits on how much they are willing to take.

30. Buffalo Sabres (25-32-6, -21. Previous: 28)

A 3-2 win against the Oilers brings some reprieve, but we all collectively wonder what the Sabres are planning following a seemingly sideways move that sent Dylan Cozens to the Senators. It’s a total bust season, but at least the Sabres can play spoiler facing the Wings, Jackets, Sens (twice) and Bruins (twice) to close out the season. 

31. Chicago Blackhawks (20-36-9, -49. Previous: 31)

A bit of a strange schedule since the Hawks finish their season facing Eastern Conference opponents in six of their last seven games. It’s a moot point, anyway, since the Hawks will likely win less than 30 games for the fifth-straight season. 

32. San Jose Sharks (17-40-9, -75. Previous: 30)

The Sharks are close to clinching the best odds to land the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, and that starts with losing to the Hawks on Thursday. It’s their last meeting of the season, and the Sharks will play four of their final five games on the road where they’ve won only eight games. 

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The NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone and while other NHL teams made moves to address needs to replace injuries. The Utah Hockey Club decided to make a minor trade with the Chicago Blackhawks to clear cap space for next season. But didn’t bring in any reinforcements, giving their roster the ultimate vote of confidence. 

A Bit of Everything Happens In Utah HC's Thrilling 4-3 Shootout Loss to TorontoUtah's game against Toronto had every element a hockey fan dreams of, starting with a dramatic finish on the final shot.

Utah has been relatively lucky with not having a ton of injuries derail their season and that continues into week 21. There are a few names added to the list, so let’s get into it.

Injuries:

• Robert Bortuzzo, D, (lower body) is on Injured Reserve retroactive to December 10th
• Nick Bjugstad, F,(upper body) on Injured Reserve retroactive to March 7th.
• Juuso Valimaki, D, (ACL) out for seasonhttps://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah/latest-news/utah-hc-announces-defensemen-juuso-vlimki-out-long-term

Utah HC Announces Defensemen Juuso Välimäki Out Long-TermThe Utah Hockey Club has announced that defenseman Juuso Välimäki underwent successful surgery to repair a torn ACL. He is expected to be out for eight to nine months but is expected to make a full recovery.

Connor Ingram is going to be away from the team indefinitely as he is enrolled in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.

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

Report: Utah HC's Connor Ingram Enters NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance ProgramThe National Hockey League Players’ Association and the National Hockey League announced today that goaltender Connor Ingram of the Utah Hockey Club will be unavailable to his team for an indefinite period while he receives care from the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

While the Vancouver Canucks gave up an important two points against the Montréal Canadiens last night, the Abbotsford Canucks were celebrating more than just their impressive 6–2 victory against the Bakersfield Condors. The go-ahead goal was scored by none other than Linus Karlsson who, with his 19th goal of the season, breaks the franchise record for goals scored with 66 in his career with Abbotsford. 

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LINUS KARLSSON: ABBOTSFORD CANUCKS ALL TIME GOAL LEADER 🚨

With a goal in tonight’s game against the Bakersfield Condors, Linus Karlsson surpassed Sheldon Dries with the most goals in franchise history (66)!#ProudlyAbbotsford@TheAHLpic.twitter.com/662LzWR9p5

— Abbotsford Canucks (@abbycanucks) March 12, 2025

Karlsson was acquired by Vancouver in 2019, when he was traded by the San Jose Sharks in exchange for forward prospect Jonathan Dahlén. He played his first full season with Abbotsford in the 2022–23 season, putting up 24 goals and 25 assists in 72 games played. In his second season with Abbotsford, he put up a point-per-game pace over 60 matches and even made his NHL debut on November 16, 2023. 

We've got a first NHL goal 🗣️

Congrats, Linus Karlsson! pic.twitter.com/hsFnK3tBw6

— NHL (@NHL) January 30, 2025

This is not the only milestone Karlsson has reached this season. In Vancouver’s 3–1 win against the Nashville Predators on January 29, 2025, he scored his first NHL goal against Juuse Saros. Just like last night’s goal, his first NHL tally was ultimately the game-winner for his team. Along with his 19 goals on the season, he also has 13 assists in 27 games played. So far this season, he has played nine games with Vancouver. 

Right now, Karlsson is also Abbotsford’s franchise leader in points with 141 in 159 games played. Behind him are Arshdeep Bains (122), Sheldon Dries (118), Christian Wolanin (117), and John Stevens (112). Following him in the franchise goal record are Dries (65), Tristen Nielsen (47), Danila Klimovich (47), and Stevens (43). 

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, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

The last time Petr Mrazek wore a Detroit Red Wings jersey to play in an NHL game was Feb. 18, 2018, when he made 31 saves on 34 shots in a 3–2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.  A day later, he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for two draft picks.  The first time came five years before that: Feb. 7, 2013, when Mraek made 26 saves to beat the Blues 5–1 in his NHL debut. 

The next time Mrazek will wear the Winged Wheel and compete in net for Detroit is Wednesday evening against the Buffalo Sabres at Little Caesars Arena.  Mrazek said Wednesday morning, it "feels great" to put the iconic Winged Wheel sweater back on, adding that because his "first steps in the NHL were here...it wasn't easy to leave this place."

Just one player remains from Mrazek's last game as a Red Wing the first time round: Dylan Larkin, who has since graduated from promising and productive 21-year-old to captain and franchise cornerstone at the age of 28.  

Unlike Larkin, the Red Wings as a collective haven't kicked on to brighter days since Mrazek's departure.  The trade was an unequivocal marker of rebuilding that has not yet yielded a return to the postseason.  The regime overseeing the rebuild has changed, and the lineup is much stronger than the one Mrazek left behind, but the payoff on years of accruing draft picks and prospects has not yet arrived.

Instead, Detroit enters Wednesday's game in desperate, if not dire, straits.  The Red Wings have lost six straight, the latest a 2–1 defeat in Ottawa Monday night, in which they outshot the Senators 49–23.  Controlling the run of play is cold comfort as the playoff cut line slips further into the distance, but at least the loss provided something positive to latch onto.

"I thought everything was really good," said defenseman Moritz Seider after Wednesday's morning skate.  "We didn't allow a five-on-five goal.  That's obviously something positive.  Even the game before, we limited the goals against...[Against Ottawa], we came out and played a really good road time...If you want to pick one thing [we did well], I think we stayed mentally dialed the whole game, even though things weren't always as pretty, and I think that's a good start."

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Detroit lost to the Sens without conceding at five-on-five because of two goals against from its struggling penalty kill.  Per Seider, the Red Wings' short-handed struggles have more to do with their own mistakes than the exploits of the opposing power play.

As for what Detroit is looking for while short-handed, Seider said, "If the pucks bouncing around the yellow [at the base of the boards], you want to pressure like every other team.  Other than that, we want to stay in our structure and just eliminate danger zones in front of our net.  I think usually we do a pretty job [of that].  It's just easy mistakes, usually in the end of a power play, that kind of kills us and takes the momentum away."

Red Wings Power Play No Longer Able to Cover for Struggling Penalty KillIn the nine games since the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the Detroit Red Wings penalty kill has given up six power play goals in 19 opportunities.  That success rate ( just 68.4%) while short-handed is a driving factor in the fact that Detroit has won just twice in those nine contests.

For a team that's lost six straight but still lingers on the outer reaches of the playoff race, the imperative of winning each night is obvious.  For the Red Wings against the Sabres Wednesday night, that imperative holds, with its own unique twist in the form of the upcoming schedule.

As NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika pointed out Wednesday morning on Twitter, Wednesday's game is the last game Detroit will play this season against a club currently sitting below it in the standings.  With veritable Cup contenders in Carolina, Vegas, and Washington next up in the league's toughest schedule to close the season, the Red Wings' need to take two points against the Sabres (last in the Eastern Conference) only grows.

The Red Wings will be rolling with the same lineup from Monday night in Ottawa as they look to force their way off the schneid, with Mrazek taking over the goaltending duties from Cam Talbot.

Red Wings back in the Stadium Series gear ahead of tonight’s game vs. BUF

Soderblom-Larkin-Raymond
DeBrincat-Kasper-Kane
Smith-Compher-Tarasenko
Motte-Rasmussen-Shine

Chiarot-Seider
Edvinsson-Johansson
Gustafsson-Holl
(Lagesson-Petry)

Looks like Mrazek in the starter’s net pic.twitter.com/tThcHoKaWl

— Sam Stockton (@_samstockton) March 12, 2025

It hasn't been an easy '24-25 season for Mrazek (an .890 save percentage and 3.46 goals against average in 33 games a Chicago Blackhawk).  Now, he's cast into a spot where the Red Wings need him to reward their bet on him for the end of this season and onto next in a hurry. 

Before the Ottawa game Monday, coach Todd McLellan rejected the notion of a "must-win" game on the grounds that any team approaches every game with that mindset.  However, with the losing streak ballooning and the strength of the forthcoming schedule, Wednesday night clearly represents a game where a strong performance won't be sufficient.  All that matters is the result.  And to get that result, McLellan and his team will be counting on Mrazek, in his return to Hockeytown, to set the tone from the net out.

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Article Written By Ella Tsotsos

It’s a long journey from backyard rink to the NHL, and going from Jr. A to major junior is a key step along the way

When a young player makes the jump from Ontario Jr. A to the OHL, it’s a big step. Players tend to call the OHL ‘The O Show’ because the OHL is the big show, the highest level of hockey for teenage players. For many players it will be the highest level of hockey they will ever play in their entire life. And of course, it’s the first big step before the NHL. 

Andre Mondoux, a 17-year-old defenseman from North Bay, Ont., made his OHL debut with the Kingston Frontenacs on Dec. 20, 2024, in a 4-1 win over the Peterborough Petes.

OHL Highlights: Peterborough Petes @ Kingston Frontenacs Dec. 20, 2024Kingston bounces back with a dominant 4-1 win over Peterborough. Vann Williamson (1G, 2A) and Cedrick Guindon (1G, 2A) led the charge, while Jacob Battaglia ...

Mondoux continues to adjust to his transition from the Ontario Jr. A League as he signed an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. He says the opportunity to play in the OHL is a result of his lifelong dedication and love for the game. 

“Since I was a kid it was always my dream,” Mondoux said. 

Growing up in North Bay, Mondoux’s ambition for hockey was fuelled by watching the OHL’s North Bay Battalions. Ever since he was a child, his love for hockey grew.

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Bookmark The Hockey News OHL site to never miss news, interviews, and any updates around the league.

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Make no mistake, the OHL is the league where young hopeful players strive to be. For generations of players, the OHL has been a pipeline to the NHL. Mondoux’s skill has afforded him the opportunity to play at this high level, furthering his development and the potential to be scouted by NHL teams. 

“The transition was very smooth,” Mondoux said. “It’s a bit of a change of pace and size, but once I got comfortable with the speed, the size, just the skill level, everything went well,” Mondoux said.

Every day, players train on and off the ice in order to ensure their skills and development are of their highest caliber. Transitioning from Ontario Jr. A to the OHL is a higher skill performance and can be a difficult jump for many players.

Currently, Mondoux bounces back from the Pickering Panthers Jr. A team to the OHL’s Frontenacs. This is a developmental process as players often go back and forth between the leagues to continue refining their skills and gain increased roles in the OHL. This is to ensure their preparedness for playing at a higher level. 

The OHL not only provides players with equipment, a full support staff, and health and dental insurance, but also prioritizes their education by covering tuition, books and other expenses.

OHL scholarships can be used at any university or college, subject to certain requirements. Committed to developing well-rounded individuals, the league prepares its players for both academic success and potential careers in the NHL.

“It’s the major Canadian pipeline,” said Rob Pearson, a former OHL and NHL player, and the head coach for the Pickering Jr. A team. “I believe it's the one spot if you can go and you're drafted in the higher rounds to the OHL and you're gonna play and get lots of ice time. Every single game there are NHL scouts and they're looking for the next guy.”

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San Jose Sharks’ Top Prospect Shines Bright, Leading Sudbury With A Dazzling Five-Point Game In Playoff-Berth Win

Cam Allen Receives Hefty Suspension Following Guilty Plea To Impaired Driving Charge

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From a coaching perspective, Pearson noted that Mondoux’s confidence has soared since signing with Kingston. He believes Mondoux has shown remarkable growth from his time playing in the OHL and Jr. A.

“For me, (the OHL) had a great impact.” Pearson said. “I wanted to go there, I wanted to play the highest level I could and to me it was just a great spot to excel and get to that next level.” 

To be able to play in the NHL is the goal for every dedicated young hockey player. If you’re fortunate like Mondoux or Pearson, NHL scouts are in the stands looking for potential big-league players. 

“I’m just taking one step at a time right now, just hopefully being able to play full-time with Kingston next year,” Mondoux said. “For sure, being able to play in the NHL would be awesome and just being in the OHL is one step closer to the NHL, but still very far.” 

Mondoux has ambitious goals but is focused on a strategic, day-by-day approach to his development. Hockey is one of the most competitive sports, demanding relentless dedication from players striving to advance their careers.

The OHL remains a vital platform for growth, both on the ice and academically. For Mondoux, it’s the next step in a journey that began years ago.

“My dad built me an (outdoor rink) when I was younger, maybe three or four years old and I started skating,” Mondoux said. “From there, I just always started playing hockey and just fell in love with it.”

OHL Announces Hefty Suspensions For Brawl Between Peterborough and ErieEarlier today, the OHL announced suspensions for members of the Erie Otters and Peterborough Petes following Sunday's brawl.