If you told Toronto Maple Leafs fans their sixth- or seventh-best defenseman would be significantly responsible for two straight overtime goals in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, you would’ve been asked to immediately take a sobriety test. 

Lo and behold, Maple Leafs blueliner Simon Benoit – who had played exactly seven playoff games heading into this post-season, producing exactly zero playoff points in that span – was Thursday night’s hero. He scored the overtime-winner to put the Buds up 3-0 in their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators. 

Benoit also set up center Max Domi for the overtime-winner in Game 2, getting the primary assist.

Now – and at the risk of tooting our own horn here – you can’t say everyone didn’t see the potential for Benoit to have a coming-out party. Indeed, in THN.com’s playoff poll, your humble senior digital correspondent picked Benoit as the unlikely playoff hero. 

There was a legitimate reason why Benoit was our choice: as the regular season neared its end, Leafs coach Craig Berube was increasingly confident in Benoit.

Despite averaging only 16:33 of ice time in 78 games this season – slightly less than the 17:14 he averaged under former Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe in 2023-24 – Benoit averaged at least 19:44 in Toronto’s final five games of the regular season. In three of those five games, Berube gave Benoit at least 20:56 of ice time. 

You can’t chalk that up to the Maple Leafs playing in games where they had nothing at stake. Toronto fought for top spot in the Atlantic Division right down to its second-last game of the season, so Berube went with the players he trusted most – and that included Benoit.

Battle Of Ontario Has Turned Into The Battle Of The Big 4 — And So Far, The Senators' Stars Have Gone M.I.A.A bottom-six forward scored the overtime winner in Game 2 and a stay-at-home defenseman matched his season goal total with the OT winner in Game 3. But the reason why the Toronto Maple Leafs have a 3-0 lead in their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators has less to do with depth scoring and unlikely heroes — and more to do with which team’s stars have shone the brightest.

Despite Benoit’s unexpected success on offense against Ottawa, his excellent defensive play has earned him Berube’s trust. 

During the season, Benoit averaged 2:05 of shorthanded time per game  – the fourth-most on the team. While he was on the ice for slightly more chances against the Leafs during the PK, he was not far off the penalty-killing results of Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe. He also led the team in hits and was fourth in blocked shots. It’s not an accident that Benoit has become a key component of Toronto’s defense. He’s absolutely earned it.

Of course, the Leafs’ stingy defensive play is still a product of their top defensemen having sustained success defending their zone. Tanev, McCabe and Brandon Carlo are all doing their jobs in making life tough on Senators attackers. But with every shift he takes, in every game, Benoit is blossoming before our eyes. Given that he’s under contract for two more years at an average annual salary cap hit of $1.35 million, Benoit is turning into a bargain.

NHL Playoffs Are Here: Most To Prove, Cinderella Runs, Early Exits, Traditions And MoreThe NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs are full of storylines and tradition.

In 279 career regular-season NHL games, Benoit generated all of six goals. He may only produce at a similar rate through the rest of his career in hockey’s best league. But the playoffs are all about unlikely players stepping up and chipping in with much-needed offensive performances, and in Toronto’s strong playoff start, it’s Benoit who has emerged as a difference-maker.

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The NHL has officially handed out disciplinary fines following a pre-game incident in Game 3 of the Battle of Ontario first-round playoff series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators.

On Friday, the league fined Senators forward Nick Cousins $2,083.33 – the maximum allowable under the CBA – for “unsportsmanlike conduct” during warmups. The Ottawa Senators were also fined $25,000 for their role in the same incident, as reported by The Athletic's Chris Johnston.

The NHL has also issued a $25,000 fine to the Ottawa Senators for last night's "unsportsmanlike conduct" during warmups.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 25, 2025

The fines come from a moment before Thursday’s Game 3 matchup in Ottawa when Cousins and members of the Senators sent pucks directed at Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz and into the Leafs’ side of the ice during warmups.

One of the key players involved, Cousins, previously won the Stanley Cup with Stolarz as members of the 2023-24 Florida Panthers. 

Here’s what NHL is looking at from last night. “Friend of Bieksa” Nick Cousins shoots puck at Stolarz. NHL not crazy about pre-game stuff…also clamped down on funny Scheifele/Hofer standoff in Blues/Jets series pic.twitter.com/ZF08AZwdO4

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 25, 2025

Ottawa head coach Travis Green downplayed the situation to the media on Friday, suggesting Cousins was likely just trying to get in Stolarz’s head to throw the netminder off his game.

"Nick Cousins and Stolarz have played together. I don't know. Yeah, he's probably trying to either laugh at him or make a joke or get him off his game, and it is what it is,” said Green. 

'It's An Active Investigation': How Senators Players Are Reacting to the Maple Leafs Puck Warmup DramaKANATA, Ont. — Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green had some fun when asked about the NHL's investigation over a pre-game incident involving his club firing pucks at Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz during warmup.

Reports of the NHL investigating the incident began surfacing Friday morning, including a video clip that appeared to show Cousins targeting Stolarz. Defenseman Thomas Chabot and forward David Perron both claimed to be unaware of the footage.

Despite the shenanigans, Stolarz wasn’t rattled. Instead, the 31-year-old earned his 11th consecutive win dating back to the end of the regular season, with a 1.53 goals-against average, a .944 save percentage, and three shutouts over that span.

Report: NHL Investigating Senators Firing Pucks At Maple Leafs' Anthony Stolarz In Game 3 WarmupsThe NHL is reportedly investigating an incident between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs that occurred before Game 3.

Backstopping the Leafs’ win, the club holds a 3-0 stranglehold on the best-of-seven series with Game 4 set to go on Saturday.

This situation hasn’t been treated with serious regard by the Senators, but the NHL appears to be clamping down on the antics.

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

The NHL fined the Ottawa Senators $25,000 and center Nick Cousins $2,083.33 for unsportsmanlike conduct tied to an incident in warmups before Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The NHL investigated an incident that occurred during the warmup ahead of Game 3, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. In it, Senators players, including left winger Nick Cousins, shot pucks at Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz.

The Senators' fine goes to the NHL Foundation, while Cousins' fine, which was the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement, goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Earlier on Friday, Senators coach Travis Green and Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube weighed in on the investigation between the two teams.   

"It's an active investigation. I don't know if I should be commenting on that now," Green said, getting a few laughs from the media in attendance. He said he was kidding.

“I saw the video,” Green said. “Nick Cousins and Stolarz have played together, he’s probably trying to laugh at him or make a joke or get him off his game. It is what it is.”

Cousins and Stolarz were teammates when playing for the Florida Panthers and won the Stanley Cup together last season. They were also teammates in the early stages of their careers with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2016-17.

Berube had less to say on the incident.

“I don’t think it’s anything,” he said.

Berube even recalled warming up before a game for the Flyers in 1992 when his teammate, Keith Acton, fired pucks at the New York Rangers’ net throughout the warmup to wind them up. Whatever happened with the Sens and Leafs on Thursday, it didn’t end like the brouhaha between the Flyers and Rangers.

The investigation doesn’t seem to concern either side of the Battle of Ontario, and it’s seen as a joke or light-hearted teasing if anything.

If Cousins was looking to get Stolarz off his game, it didn’t really work, as the Leafs goaltender stopped 18 of 20 shots the Senators threw at him. It was Stolarz’s 11th straight win dating back to the end of the regular season. In that stretch, Stolarz has recorded a.944 save percentage, 1.53 goals-against average and three shutouts.

Game 4 of this series will take place on Saturday. Toronto has a 3-0 series lead over Ottawa.

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At points during the series between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs, David Perron sees a game he's far too familiar with.

In 2019, Perron joined the St. Louis Blues on a four-year, $16 million contract. Little did he know that several months later, after a mid-season coaching change, he'd be winning the Stanley Cup.

Six years later, Perron is back in the playoffs with the Senators, battling against a familiar face: Craig Berube, who guided the Blues to their first-ever Stanley Cup in 2019.

Berube has constructed Toronto as a defensively sound team that is closing lanes, blocking shots, and physical at both ends of the rink. The Maple Leafs also have more playoff experience than Ottawa, which has made it difficult for the Senators to generate success.

Perron, though, has seen this blueprint before. He sees many similarities between this Maple Leafs team and the 2019 Blues.

"At times, they have a shooting lane, and they just keep driving the puck a little deeper, they delay, they hang onto it," Perron said Friday.

"We have our fair share of o-zone time and they do as well. It's not like they are killing us on that part, I don't think. But yeah, I do see some stuff that pops in my head and I know where it comes from."

'I Don't Score A Lot Of Goals': Leafs Take 3-0 Series Lead As Simon Benoit's Heroics Put Senators on the RopesKANATA, Ont. — After scoring the Toronto Maple Leafs' game-winning overtime goal against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, Simon Benoit took the news conference podium and was asked if it was the biggest goal of his life?

When asked point-blank whether Berube's coaching style is built for playoff hockey, the veteran forward said, "Yeah, I do," without missing a beat.

Toronto has had the upper hand over Ottawa in many categories throughout the three-game series. Their goaltending has been better, their power play is more successful, and their top players — Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares, specifically — are acting like their top players.

'When You Give Him That, He's Never Missing': Auston Matthews Breaks Out Of Goal Rut In Maple Leafs' Series-Shifting Win Over SenatorsThirty-two seconds into the third period of Thursday's 3-2 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators, Mitch Marner showed why he was Mitch Marner.

But now comes the toughest part for the Maple Leafs: closing out the series. In recent memory, Toronto has lacked a killer instinct. In their last eight playoff appearances, they've only eliminated one team, the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023.

If anything could change under Berube, it's how the Maple Leafs approach a game where their destiny lies in their hands. In the past, their play has been out of kilter in big games.

'I Don't Think This Is Anything': No Stranger To Pregame Shenanigans, Maple Leafs' Craig Berube Recalls Getting Into One As A Player KANATA, Ont. — The Toronto Maple Leafs will keep their focus on trying to sweep the Ottawa Senators when the teams face off in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday. But Toronto head coach Craig Berube couldn't help but crack a smile as he was asked about the NHL investigating a pre-game incident allegedly involving Senators forward Nick Cousins firing a puck at Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz in warmup.

Let's see if that changes in Game 4 on Saturday, where Toronto can end the Battle of Ontario with a win in the nation's capital.

"I think as a group, it’s always a work in progress. I think that last game is always the most difficult, and we expect it to be the most competitive," Morgan Rielly said Friday.

"So for us, we’re not getting carried away with anything, we’re just focusing on building our game and growing and playing within structure and becoming more comfortable, increasing the execution."

---

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The Carolina Hurricanes have had a great start to their first-round series against the New Jersey Devils. After defeating the Devils 4-1 in Game 1, the Hurricanes followed that up with a 3-1 win in Game 2. With this, the Canes sport a notable 2-0 series lead over the Devils.

The Hurricanes will be looking to take advantage of the golden opportunity in front of them in Game 3. If the Hurricanes can defeat the Devils on the road, they would have a commanding 3-0 series lead and only be another step closer to moving on to the second round.

It is incredibly rare for NHL teams to come back from 3-0 deficits in the post-season, so it would be massive if the Hurricanes defeated the Devils in Game 3. Only four teams in NHL history have successfully overcome a 3-0 deficit: the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs, the 1975 New York Islanders, the 2010 Philadelphia Flyers, and the 2014 Los Angeles Kings.

If the Hurricanes do not win Game 3, they would at least still have a 2-1 series lead. However, this would open the door for the Devils to potentially tie the series up at home in Game 4, so Game 3 carries great value for Carolina.

It will be very interesting to see if the Hurricanes can pick up a victory in Game 3 from here. If they take advantage of their massive opportunity and pick up a win, they would put a real stranglehold on the series. 

Recent Hurricanes News 

Hurricanes' Taylor Hall Continues To Be Great AdditionThe Carolina Hurricanes acquired Taylor Hall from the Chicago Blackhawks back in late January. The 33-year-old forward had been the subject of trade rumors during the season because of his pending unrestricted free agent status and the Blackhawks being out of the playoff race early. Thus, the Hurricanes brought him in, and it's a move that continues to benefit them.  Former Hurricanes Forward Has Big Game With New TeamFormer Carolina Hurricanes forward Warren Foegele signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings this past off-season. This was after the 29-year-old winger posted 20 goals and 41 points in 82 games with the Edmonton Oilers in 2023-24. Carolina Hurricanes 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs HubThe Carolina Hurricanes have made a seventh consecutive playoff berth and will be taking on the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Edmonton Oilers face the prospect of going down 3-0 after allowing 12 goals in losses to the Los Angeles Kings, but for a pivotal Game 3 on Friday at home, head coach Kris Knoblauch’s only lineup change will be between the pipes, as backup Calvin Pickard will make the start in place of Stuart Skinner.

Knoblauch is shaking up his line combinations and defensive pairings, such as moving Leon Draisaitl to the wing to play alongside Connor McDavid, but is not subbing in any different forwards or blueliners, which means that former Buffalo Sabre Jeff Skinner will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game. Skinner went -2 in Game 1 and had an assist in the 6-5 loss, but was taken out of the lineup in place of another ex-Sabre Evander Kane. The 32-year-old signed to a one-year, $3 million deal with Edmonton after the Sabres bought him out last June and scored 16 goals this season.

Other Sabres Stories

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Sabres Ownership Ranked Worst In NHL By Survey In The Athletic

Here is how some former Sabres did in the playoffs on Thursday:

Sam Reinhart (FLA) 0G, 1A, +2, 22:45 TOI, 1 SOG

Dmitri Kulikov (FLA) 17:00 TOI, 4 Hits

Evan Rodrigues (FLA) 11:26 TOI, 2 SOG

Zemgus Girgensons (TB) 9:42 TOI, 1 SOG

Florida takes a 2-0 lead with a 2-0 shutout in Tampa in Game 2. The game was highlighted by former Sabres draft pick Brandon Hagel getting a major and game misconduct for a hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. Hagel will have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Barkov's status for Game 3 is undetermined. 

Dylan Cozens (OTT) +1, 15:44 TOI, 3 SOG

Jake McCabe (TOR), 21:48 TOI, 1 SOG

The Maple Leafs took a commanding 3-0 lead over Ottawa in the Battle of Ontario with a 3-2 OT victory in Ottawa on Thursday when Simon Benoit's shot beat former Sabre Linus Ullmark. 

Marcus Foligno (MIN) 1G, +1, 13:34 TOI, 4 SOG

Marcus Johansson (MIN) -1, 11:09 TOI

Zach Bogosian (MIN) 1 A, +1, 11:57 TOI

Jack Eichel (VGK) -2, 24:44 TOI, 3 SOG

Victor Olofsson (VGK) 10:37 TOI

Brayden McNabb (VGK) -1, 17:05 TOI

Minnesota takes a 2-1 lead in their series with Vegas with a 5-2 win, as Kirill Kaprizov scores a pair and Buffalo native Marcus Foligno scores his second goal of the playoffs. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

ST. LOUIS -- Brett Hull is known as the greatest goal scorer in St. Louis Blues history.

But even 'The Golden Brett' was never able to accomplish a feat that Pavel Buchnevich pulled off for the Blues on Thursday in a 7-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets in Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round.

Hull had 27 hat tricks in his Blues career, but shockingly, none of them came in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Buchnevich became the first Blue since Vladimir Tarasenko on May 5, 2022 in a 5-2 win against the Minnesota Wild to record a hat trick. 

It was the franchise's 18th all-time.

Buchnevich, who had only one playoff goal for the Blues in 22 previous playoff games, scored his first two goals in the first 3:11 of the game, then completed the hat trick to give the Blues a 4-1 lead in the third period, helping them get back into the series, which Winnipeg leads 2-1.

When Buchnevich curled in a backhand into am empty cage, the hats reigned down.

Throw those hats #stlblues ... pic.twitter.com/jgFbp02HAt

— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) April 25, 2025

"I didn’t really look at it," Buchnevich said. "'Tommer' kind of tried to calm me down and we just stand and watch and be ready for the next shift. I don’t really pay attention."

St. Louis goal!

Scored by Pavel Buchnevich with 14:36 remaining in the 3rd period.

Assisted by Robert Thomas.

St. Louis: 4
Winnipeg: 1#WPGvsSTL#stlblues#GoJetsGopic.twitter.com/h6ZIIbWqX4

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) April 25, 2025

It was the first Blues home hat trick since Jaden Schwartz did it, also against the Jets in a 3-2 win in Game 6 of the first round on April 20, 2019.

"It’s amazing. 'Buchy' is a heart-and-soul guy," Blues defenseman Cam Fowler said. "He’s a huge part of our team, a huge part of our locker room, a huge part of why we were able to get a win tonight. A special night for him. It’s not something that comes around very often to get the chance to score three goals in a playoff game. I know he’ll tell you the team getting the win means more to him as well and that’s the mindset that we have to have, but it was a special night for him and he should enjoy it."

Blues center Robert Thomas, who assisted on the hat trick goal, said, "We had to step up. Their top players were contributing, and they were a big reason for us going down 2-0 and 'Buchy' stepped up right away, came out flying, and made some great plays and got us off to a great start. So he deserves a lot of credit.

"He provides a lot for our team, and he was the spark tonight that really got us going. So he was awesome all night.

"We were frustrated with the way we played the first two games, and wanted to respond and he did a great job."

Prior to Game 3, Buchnevich had just one shot on goal through the first two games and Blues fans were quick to jump out and complain about his lack of offensive production. 

"I thought 'Buchy' has been good in the first two games, especially defensively," Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. "But offensively, I thought there was more in his game, and I thought he brought that tonight."

When the Blues talked about getting more opportunities at the net front, Buchnevich was front and center.

"I don’t really know how to describe it," Buchnevich said. "Just a crazy, emotional start. We throw the puck at the net, we got the rebound and when you score the first goal, the game opens up and we got the second one right away. It’s a little bit easier to play with the lead, so we’ve got to score first and it’ll be easier to play."

The Los Angeles Kings aren’t just competing with the Edmonton Oilers. They’re beating them, outplaying them, and out-grinding a team that’s been handed Western Conference heavyweight treatment for years. 

And they’re doing it with the swagger of a team that’s sick of being the little brother. 

This dominance is evident in the last two games at home, where the Kings have a 2-0 lead over the Edmonton Oilers in the 2025 NHL Playoffs — and they're doing so with swagger, grit, and no fear. Here's why L.A. seems destined to flip the script.

Let’s explore the biggest takeaways on how the Kings have looked so good to start their playoff series against the team that many thought was superior to them. 

Big-Time Performances from Its Supporting Cast

Veterans like Anze Kopitar, Phillip Danault, and their young stars, Adrian Kempe, Kevin Fiala, Adrian Kuzmenko, and Quinton Byfield, have all played clutch and done their roles to win. 

Kempe was a monster in Game 2 with two goals, two assists, and eight shots on goal, with 4 points. He also leads the playoffs thus far with the most points scored with seven. 

Who will have the most points by the end of the first round? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/OmXGJDF0bo

— BarDown (@BarDown) April 24, 2025

The clutchest player for the Kings, you could argue, has been Danault, who was huge in Game 1 with his two goals, including the game-winning goal with just under 44 seconds left to stop the Oilers' late comeback after trailing 4-0 and tying the game at 5. 

Even though game 1 was almost a choke job by the Kings, they remained focused and committed to closing out the game, which is precisely what they did, showing no fear or worry. 

Almost everyone who is supposed to show up and play big has done so in this series, but it seems in these last two games, it’s been someone different who’s stepped up big to help the Kings win. 

As I mentioned earlier, Kopitar is one of the primary reasons why the Kings are currently leading 2-0. At the age of 37, he is still playing at a high level and is one of the biggest reasons why the Kings have looked so good. Kopitar is also one of the top point leaders in the playoffs, tied for second, two points behind Kempe with five points. 

It’s gotten so bad that the Oilers' goaltender, Stuart Skinner, an excellent goaltender, may be benched in favor of Calvin Pickard in Game 3 to improve their defense and make an adjustment to stay alive. 

Mind Games: L.A. is in Edmonton's Head

When Adrian Kempe provides two goals and two assists in a statement win, he doesn't even crack a smile, because this isn't an upset. 

This is business as usual. The Kings went into the series not just hoping to hang in there, but to take command — and they've done precisely that.

From the opening shift, Los Angeles has dictated the pace. They're not reacting to McDavid's bursts of speed — they're taking away lanes, forcing him wide, and finishing every check. 

Whenever Edmonton tries to create a momentum-swinging highlight-reel rush, the Kings counter with a grinding forecheck, clever stick work, and a crushing hit in the corners.

It's not just physical — it's psychological. The Kings are provoking Edmonton into rage, causing them to take revenge penalties and sloppy giveaways. Evander Kane and Darnell Nurse were visibly frustrated in Game 2, jawing at officials, throwing late hits, and overcommitting on the transition game. That's not the Oilers playing optimally — that's the Kings getting them out of sync and into a street brawl they're not built to fight.

The @LAKings have earned a 2-0 lead in their First Round series and have scored 12 goals through their first two games of a postseason for the second time in franchise history (also 12 GF in 1982).#NHLStats: https://t.co/iZWkgtp8Copic.twitter.com/Rti9zDVhzQ

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) April 24, 2025

Body language behind the Oilers' bench: McDavid's head in hands, Draisaitl pacing back and forth, players at attention, tongues hanging, with stunned silence. There is bafflement. Desperation. A sense that this is not headed anywhere anyone in Edmonton had thought.

The Los Angeles team seems loose instead. Focused. Calm. They recognize this playbook, but have finally arrived at the correct conclusion.

Home Ice, Real Loud: Crypto Is a Fortress

It’s the first time the Kings have home-ice advantage since 2016, and it’s paying off in the most significant way. 

If there's one advantage that's tipping this series, it's not necessarily tactics or execution — it's geography. The Kings have turned Crypto.com Arena into a postseason pressure cooker, and Edmonton is catching every hit.

L.A. went an NHL-record 31-6-4 at home throughout the regular season, and all that confidence obviously carried over into the playoffs. Not only is the building loud, but it's also relentless. The energy has been dynamite from the opening face-off to the final whistle, and the Kings are surfing this tidal wave.

With each of their performances, Adrian Kempe (2-2=4) and Anze Kopitar (1-3=4) are the first set of @LAKings teammates to each record four points in the same playoff game since Game 2 of the 1992 Division Semifinals when Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey did so in a Kings 8-5 victory… pic.twitter.com/iftCCKaFas

— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) April 24, 2025

This isn't about noise — it's about confidence. The Kings feel at home, playing faster, cleaner, and more physical in front of their crowd. They're winning battles, tilting the ice, and keeping Edmonton on its heels. It's no accident that the Kings' best special teams work and scoring depth have come alive in Los Angeles.

ST. PAUL - In the Minnesota Wild's 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday, forward Marcus Johansson left the game with an injury. 

Johansson, 34, was hit hard by Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb in the third period. He slowly went to the bench and later missed the last 13 minutes of the game.

Wild head coach John Hynes did not have an update after the game and on Friday, Hynes said Johansson is still being evaluated and is listed as questionable for Game 4 on Saturday.

The Wild have forwards Vinnie Hinostroza and Devin Shore as healthy scratches skating with the team. Either of them could enter the lineup for Johansson if he can't play.

Or they have Liam Ohgren as a black ace, and he could enter the lineup.  

Wild Take A 2-1 Series Lead After A 5-2 Win Over VegasST. PAUL - The Minnesota Wild walked away with a 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 3 to take a 2-1 series lead. 

Windsor Spitfires forwards Liam Greentree, AJ Spellacy, and Ilya Protas are headed to the AHL after the Spitfires were eliminated in the second round of the OHL playoffs.

Greentree will join the Ontario Reign, Spellacy the Rockford IceHogs, and Protas the two-time defending Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears.

Protas was second in OHL scoring and led the Spitfires in goals (50) and points (124) in 61 games this season before adding five goals and 20 assists in 12 playoff games. 

A third round selection of the Capitals in 2024, Ilya is the younger brother of Washington forward Alexei Protas.

Spellacy notched 18 goals and 37 points in 62 games this season and three points in five playoff games before suffering an injury. 

The 19-year-old was a third round selection of the Blackhawks in 2024. 

Greentree recorded 49 goals and 119 points in 64 games this season, finishing third in OHL scoring. He had 14 goals and 24 points in 11 playoff games. 

The captain of the Spitfires for the last two seasons, Greentree was selected 26th overall by the Kings in the 2024 draft. 

Liam Greentree, AJ Spellacy and Ilya Protas have been called up for the AHL Calder Cup Playoffs!#WindsorSpitfirespic.twitter.com/NuK4th9wkh

— X - Windsor Spitfires (@SpitsHockey) April 25, 2025

The Reign are down 1-0 and the IceHogs are up 1-0 in their respective best-of-three first round matchups while the Bears have a bye into the Atlantic Division Semifinals. 

It remains to be seen how much of an impact each player will have in the Calder Cup playoffs but given their great combination of size and skill it would not be surprising to see Greentree and Protas play meaningful minutes. Spellacy will be an interesting decision given the injury he dealt with throughout the OHL playoffs. 

Check out The Hockey News' Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, and Chicago Blackhawks sites for more insight on each team.  

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.  

Here's today's NHL Nugget – this Weekend's Way Back When rewinds to 1972 when the New York Islanders franchise was born.

When it came to the name for the Long Island team, it was a no-brainer. But the Islanders' iconic logo keeps it all about hockey, home turf and Stanley Cup championships.

 Brian T. Dessart takes fans on a distinctive ride through the historic-laden NHL with the #NHLNugget. Check out NHLNugget.com to find where to follow NHL Nugget on social media.  And for past NHL Nuggets, click here.       

Coming into 2024-25, the Chicago Blackhawks were expected to use a goalie tandem of Petr Mrazek and Laurent Brossoit. Well, Brossoit was hurt before the season even began and never returned to action. 

That opened the door for Arvid Soderblom to take the gig, and he did. It was an impressive year for him, as there were times he was the number one over Mrazek. 

The Hawks made a big-time move ahead of the trade deadline, however, that changed the present and future of the organization's plans in the net. 

In sending Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers, Spencer Knight came the other way. He is seen as the goalie of the future in Chicago. What that means for Soderblom and the other goalies in the system remains to be seen.

There is a long-term backup to Knight needs to be solidified. Chicago has options for that spot. 

One goalie who should have an NHL future is Drew Commesso, whether it's with Chicago or elsewhere. Commesso is currently playing for the AHL's Rockford IceHogs. 

Commesso was a second-round pick (46th overall) by the Blackhawks in the 2020 NHL Draft. He has since had success with Boston University, Team USA at different levels, and now with the Hogs down in Rockford. 

He made his NHL debut in 2024-25 but didn't get more than one start and two appearances. In 39 games with Rockford in 2024-25, Commesso had a 2.54 goals against average and a .911 save percentage. 

On Wednesday night, Rockford took a 1-0 series lead over the Chicago Wolves in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. It was a tight 2-1 win that came in overtime thanks to a sudden-death goal scored by Artyom Levshunov. 

Without Commesso's brilliance, Rockford would have never pulled off the win. He made some game-changing saves throughout, including on high-danger chances in the final minute of regulation. 

"Just a continuation of the way he's been the last month and a half, two months," interim head coach Mark Eaton said of Commesso after the big win. "He's been so solid, making the saves that you expect him to make, but then making the big ones when called upon."

In the second half of this AHL season, Commesso has seemed to turn a corner in his development, which has allowed the IceHogs to elevate their overall game in front of him. It was apparent in their first postseason victory of this potential run. 

"Drew's been huge." IceHogs captain Brett Seney said following the victory. "All year, he's been great. The second half, especially down the stretch, he's won us a lot of games. He made a couple of huge saves tonight that turned the tide for us. He lets our [defense & forwards ] play a little more free." 

When skaters know that they have a solid netminder back there, they can play to their strengths with a lot more confidence. That much was clear with Commesso in the net on Wednesday. 

Next up for the IceHogs is Game 2 of this series on Friday night. If Rockford wins, they will move on and play the Milwaukee Admirals in the second round. If the Wolves take this one, a decisive game three will take place on Sunday. 

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Having missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years, the Boston Bruins' off-season plans have been the subject of recent media speculation.

On Wednesday, Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs expressed confidence in president Cam Neely and GM Don Sweeney getting the club back into playoff contention next season. During the hour-long press conference, Sweeney indicated he will use “every mechanism possible” to improve the roster during this off-season.

Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic reported Sweeney emphasized bolstering the Bruins' depth on the wings, indicating they only have two legitimate top-six wingers (David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie) under control. Geekie is an RFA with arbitration rights. Sweeney said contract talks are underway with the 26-year-old left winger.

Shinzawa believes the Bruins also need another top-six center. However, he thinks Sweeney will stand pat this summer due to the high cost of addressing that need.

Nick Goss of NBC Sports Boston suggested Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets as the best potential free-agent targets for the Bruins. However, it's uncertain if they'll be available when the UFA market opens on July 1.

Goss felt Sweeney could attempt to bring in a winger or two through the trade market. He pointed out the Bruins have considerable draft capital to use as trade bait, with four first-round picks and five second-rounders over the next three drafts.

Meanwhile, Joe Haggerty of Boston Sports Journal wondered if the Bruins might make any surprising moves involving their veterans. He noted that Jeremy Swayman is their only high-priced veteran lacking no-trade protection for next season. 

Haggerty cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman musing whether Swayman could be a trade candidate, citing his struggles this season following his ugly contract extension negotiations last summer. However, Friedman believes the Bruins will remain patient with the 26-year-old goaltender, hoping he rebounds next season. 

Swayman's difficult season contributed to the Bruins' decline this season, but they won't part ways with him. They have no one within their system or in the trade and free-agent markets to replace him as their starter. Their odds of a bounce-back season are greater with Swayman manning their crease.

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It’s hard to win hockey games when you don’t score goals.

After exploding for five in Game 1, the Colorado Avalanche were limited to four goals total in Games 2 and 3.

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This cannot continue.

For the Avalanche to advance past the Dallas Stars, things have to change. The players responsible for carrying the offensive load need to step up.

The big guns need to start firing.

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Valeri Nichushkin

Valeri Nichuskin scored the Avalanche’s only goal against the Stars in Game 2. That said, he has a lot more to give the team. 

He has only scored one goal on eight shots in three games. That shooting volume is fine, but fine shouldn’t be enough for Nichuskin, who is playing nearly 22 minutes a night.

Martin Necas

Martin Necas was a great addition to the Avalanche for the regular season. Now that it’s the playoffs, it’s time for him to prove if he is a big-game player or not.

In three games, he has one assist, and four shots in 22:43 of ice time per game. For someone who plays with Nathan MacKinnon as much as he does, Necas has to dig deep down and find more offense to give.

Brock Nelson 

Things aren’t rosy for Brock Nelson in the playoffs right now. He hasn’t had great success with faceoffs (44.2 percent) and isn’t producing offensively (zero points) despite playing in the Avalanche’s top-six forward group.

It’s probably no accident that both Nichushkin and Nelson are struggling (considering they are linemates). It may be up to Jared Bednar to mix up the top-six so that the players who aren’t having success on the scoresheet can get the boost that they need to begin producing.

Things aren’t dire yet, however, if the Avalanche can’t turn things around on home ice on Saturday, the players may be practicing their golf swings earlier than expected.

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Day 6 of the Stanley Cup playoffs was full of surprising moments, good and bad. 

The Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning are heading into dangerous territory as both teams are yet to earn a victory in their respective series. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues comfortably won their first game at home.

Here are the storylines from all four contests from Thursday.

Florida Panthers Defeat Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 (FLA Leads Series 2-0)

After a 6-2 loss in Game 1, the Lightning went through another discouraging defeat. This time, the Panthers shut them out 2-0 and snatched both games in Tampa Bay’s Amalie Arena.

While it’s not ideal to be down 2-0 in the series, the Bolts will play their next game on the road at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla.

Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all 19 shots the Lightning fired his way. Defenseman Nate Schmidt scored his third goal of the playoffs, which puts him tied for third in the NHL for goals with Pavel Buchnevich, Nathan MacKinnon and Adrian Kempe.

He had five goals in the regular season. Not even Schmidt can believe it, but he’ll take what he can get to help the team.

“I’m going to save my stick… make sure it doesn’t go anywhere,” Schmidt told reporters after the game.

Toronto Maple Leafs Defeat Ottawa Senators 3-2 OT (TOR Leads Series 3-0)

The Senators face elimination after the Maple Leafs defeated them in overtime for the second straight game. 

This contest had a similar feeling to Game 2, where Toronto also won 3-2 in overtime. Even defenseman Simon Benoit was involved in the game-winner, taking a slapshot that beat Sens netminder Linus Ullmark with the help of a screen.

Despite being down 3-0 in the series, Ottawa is not lacking in belief that they can make a comeback.

“We are not going to lay down and go away. We are going to be ready to play,” Sens coach Travis Green said after the game.

Added Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk: “It's been done before, and I have the belief that it can be done again."

The Leafs’ power play and star players stay hot, with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner recording two points each. Marner now has six points while Matthews has five in three games. 

Battle Of Ontario Has Turned Into The Battle Of The Big 4 — And So Far, The Senators' Stars Have Gone M.I.A.A bottom-six forward scored the overtime winner in Game 2 and a stay-at-home defenseman matched his season goal total with the OT winner in Game 3. But the reason why the Toronto Maple Leafs have a 3-0 lead in their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators has less to do with depth scoring and unlikely heroes — and more to do with which team’s stars have shone the brightest.

Minnesota Wild Defeat Vegas Golden Knights 5-2 (MIN Leads Series 2-1)

The Wild took the lead in the series against the Vegas Golden Knights in a complete performance. The Wild won 5-2 for the second straight outing, and as the underdogs, they’re giving the Knights a run for their money.

Kirill Kaprizov continues to lead the team to glory with a two-goal night. He’s now the NHL’s joint leader in points with Kempe, recording seven in three games. 

This contest wasn’t a walk in the park against the 2023 Stanley Cup champions. Vegas made a valid push in the later stages of the match, drawing three power plays in the final frame. 

However, Filip Gustavsson was Minnesota’s best penalty-killer, finishing the game with 30 saves and a .938 save percentage. 

After the game, the Wild players credited the spirited crowd, who helped them push to their series lead. 

“You can’t hear anything,” Gustavsson said.

St. Louis Blues Defeat Winnipeg Jets 7-2 (WPG Leads Series 2-1)

The Blues destroyed the Winnipeg Jets in Game 3. St. Louis had two standout players in this performance in terms of production in D-man Cam Fowler and left winger Pavel Buchnevich.

Fowler seized his opportunity ever since he was traded to the Blues from the Anaheim Ducks earlier during the regular season. In this game, he scored one goal and a career-high five points. 

Buchnevich scored the first hat trick of these playoffs, with one tally on the power play. 

Toward the end of the game, the Jets became physical and undisciplined. The Blues took advantage and capitalized on three power plays out of eight attempts.

Blues coach Jim Montgomery approved of the team’s performance.

“What I liked was our fierce, competitive attitude,” he told reporters. “Our start was incredible."

St. Louis has one more game at home on Sunday before heading back to Winnipeg to continue the series.

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