Which Team Should The Avalanche Want To Play In Round One Of The Playoffs — The Winnipeg Jets Or Dallas Stars?

Nathan MacKinnon (James Carey Lauder, USA TODAY Images)

Barring some drastic change in the remaining weeks of the NHL's 2024-25 regular season, the Colorado Avalanche are more or less locked into third place in the highly-competitive Central Division. However, the two teams currently above them in the Central -- the first-place Winnipeg Jets and second-place Dallas Stars -- aren't nearly as secure in where they are at the moment. 

Indeed, with the Jets having another eight games left to play, and with the Stars having another nine games left, there could be a switching of positions beween the two teams. Winnipeg presently has 106 standings points, while Dallas has 100 points with a game in hand on the Jets.

So, with that in mind, which of the Jets or Stars should the Avalanche hope to play in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs? For a few different reasons, we're going to argue that the Avs should be hoping Winnpeg slides to second place and Colorado gets the Jets in the opening round.

Why? Well, for one thing, the Stars are arguably the deepest team in the league after the addition of star winger Mikko Rantanen. And Winnipeg's recent playoff history has been far from ideal -- and not nearly as good as Dallas' recent playoff runs. To that end, last season, the Avalanche beat the Jets in the first round, before Colorado fell to the Stars in Round Two. So you can see why the Avs would probably prefer to take on Winnipeg in the opening round.

Now, the season series between Colorado and Dallas and Winnipeg would suggest the Stars should be the Avalanche's preferred first-round opponent. The Avs went 2-1-0 against Dallas this season, and they only went 1-2-1 against Winnipeg. In addition, the Jets have the best goaltender in the league in Connor Hellebuyck, and Winnipeg has been slightly more dominant than the Stars.

That said, Dallas also has an elite goalie in Jake Oettinger, and the Stars also have the best defeseman (other than Avs superstar Cale Makar and Canucks star Quinn Hughes) in Miro Heiskanen. This is to say it's going to be very difficult for Colorado no matter who they get in the first round, because in the second round, the Avalanche is almost assuredly going to take on either Dallas or Winnipeg.

Still, if we were an Avalanche fan and we had to choose either the Stars or Jets in Round One, we'd pick the Jets without hesitation. Winnipeg simply hasn't proven itself worthy of being a favorite in the post-season, and Dallas has continually proven itself to be a team that can win at least a round or two.

The Avs should want to avoid the Stars until the second round -- or even more ideally, they ought to hope that Dallas is eliminated in the first round -- and that means taking on the Jets in the first round. Time will tell if we're right in that regard, but one way or another, the Avalanche are going to get a tough test right off the hop. And the way they respond in Round One will set the table for their subsequent destiny.

Moore, Rinzel Make NHL Debut; Blackhawks Lose To Utah 5-2

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CHICAGO - The Chicago Blackhawks went into their Sunday afternoon game against the Utah Hockey Club with lots of hype. That is because they had Sam Rinzel and Oliver Moore make their NHL debut in front of the United Center crowd. 

These two signed entry-level contracts following their loss with the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the NCAA Tournament last week. Rinzel is a defenseman with high-end potential, and Moore is a speedy forward who can make an impact playing up and down the lineup. 

After taking their solo rookie lap during warmups, a real hockey game was to be played. With the season winding down, it is mostly about the development of their players rather than winning. Most of the lineup is 25 years of age or younger now. 

Utah got on the board first as a shot from Nick DeSimone found its way to the back of the net through traffic. This came at 8:21 of the second period to make it 1-0. This was a goal that finally broke the barrier after being scoreless for more than half the game. 

Over the next handful of minutes, the Blackhawks made it interesting. Joe Veleno scored a nice goal thanks to a great play made by Artyom Levshunov, Nick Foligno, and Oliver Moore. Moore didn't get an assist, but the breakout happened because of him. 

Just a few minutes later, Ryan Donato scored his 29th goal of the season to take a 2-1 lead. Donato gave a strong effort to follow up on two Connor Bedard rebounds. 

Before the second period was over, Utah scored two consecutive goals to take a 3-2 lead into the third. They would add two more in the final frame to go home with a 5-2 victory. 

Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel played a strong game. They looked like they fit in, but the team game wasn't good enough defensively. They had enough chances on offense to win, but their defensive structure as a whole didn't allow it. That's exactly how some games are going to go when the team is this young. 

"I thought we created enough, I thought we gave up too much." Interim head coach Anders Sorensen said of the team following the loss. There was high praise for the new guys, but the entire team didn't do a good enough job in their own end. 

Chicago now has a couple of days with no games ahead of them to regroup for the final eight of the season. They will be back in action on Wednesday night when the Colorado Avalanche pay a visit to the United Center for the final time this season. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

On The Education Of Flyers' Budding Star Matvei Michkov

(JAN 27, 2025 -- VOL. 78, ISSUE 07)

The Philadelphia Flyers have struggled for many years of late, but one of their top draft picks -- Russian winger Matvei Michkov -- is giving Flyers fans legitimate hope that their future will be much better very soon. And in this feature story from THN's 2025 Rookie Issue, writer Ken Campbell profiled Michkov as he found his footing in his first NHL season:

THE EDUCATION OF MATVEI MICHKOV

By Ken Campbell

Yeah, sure, some guys sashay into the NHL as teenagers and immediately start skating around like they own the place. Gretzky, Ovechkin, Crosby, Lemieux, Hawerchuk, Orr, Murphy, Barrasso. Freaks, every last one of them.

For the vast majority of them, though, it’s a constant battle to continually prove they belong in The Best League in the World™. They learn pretty quickly why former-NHLer-turned-broadcaster Ray Ferraro thinks they should simply change the name of the sport to “hard.” Joe Thornton had seven points in his rookie season, eh? Jacques Martin once referred to a 19-year-old Jason Spezza as “a boy playing a man’s game.” One time during Brendan Shanahan’s rookie season, he lined up for a faceoff and the opposing winger asked the 18-year-old how things were going. “Not too good,” Shanahan replied. “I’m tied with Ron Hextall in goals.”

For a lot of guys, it looks a little like this: you follow up a streak of eight points in five games with two in your next 10. But you keep grinding. You look a little tentative, almost as though you’re afraid to make a mistake. You disappear sometimes, which at least means you’re not going to be the star of the next day’s video session. But you’re really trying to be a responsible player, even if it means sacrificing offense. You get the puck on your stick in the fun zone and make some neat moves that don’t result in anything.

Then, in overtime, the puck gets rimmed along the boards and your eyes get really big – because you lead your team in overtime goals and you’re tied for the NHL record for OT-winners by a teenager. You grab the puck, rush up the ice and try a spin-and-backhand, but it’s easily stopped, and the puck gets kicked up to Auston Matthews. Seriously, it had to be him, eh? You head back to the bench and arrive just in time to see Matthews feather a pass to Morgan Rielly for the game-winner. Well, at least you didn’t eat a minus.

For Matvei Michkov, the prized rookie the Philadelphia Flyers got long before they thought they would, it’s another battle scar, another lesson in a season that has seen some wonderful highs and gut-punch lows. “It’s hard to go with ups and downs,” Michkov said through an interpreter who travels with the team specifically for him. “It would be easier if they were all ups.”

Of course it would, but that’s rarely how the hockey gods write the script. Had Michkov stayed in Russia and played in the KHL for SKA St. Petersburg for the next two seasons like everyone thought he would, perhaps he could’ve been the second coming of Kirill Kaprizov. But right now, he’s a just-turned-20-year-old playing for one of the most demanding coaches in the history of the game in one of the most unforgiving hockey markets.

And even though Michkov survived John Tortorella’s infamous rope test in training camp, that doesn’t mean the coach is going to give Michkov any more of it just because he’s a superstar in waiting. In fact, the opposite is probably true. Tortorella is likely more ardent about making Michkov a complete player because he’s so special.

It’s not enough for Tortorella to see Michkov perform magic in the offensive zone and look entirely lost inside his own blueline. It’s both a blessing and a bit of a curse that they’re getting him so early in his career, but it does give them time to teach him everything it takes to be an NHL star. The learning curve is steep, but it’s also going to be accelerated this way. Whenever Tortorella talks about the process with Michkov, he has nothing but good things to say about his receptiveness, character and compete level.

“I couldn’t be happier as far as where we’re at,” said Tortorella, who might surprise some people by being happy about anything. “I’m thrilled at where we’re at there. The biggest compliment you can give a player is when you call him ‘a hockey player.’ He’s a hockey player. He loves playing. The only maintenance we have with him is the language barrier.”

When asked to respond to that kind of praise from a coach who traditionally throws plaudits around like they’re manhole covers, Michkov answered by saying, “the coach knows best.” It seems to be his standard response early in his career to everything from being benched for a period or a healthy scratch to being praised for his elevated level of gumption. Michkov may be “a hockey player” by Tortorella’s parlance, but that doesn’t mean he’s a complete hockey player. When it comes to that part of his development, well, let’s just say there have been some moments.

“We are so cognizant of what we have in him as far as the ability that he has,” Tortorella said. “But he is going to learn what it is to be a pro. He is going to learn that. And he’s going to learn that there’s another side of the puck.”

In reality, Tortorella is doing with Michkov what a hundred other coaches have done with a hundred other offensive stars in the past. It’s not much different than when Tortorella crossed swords with Vincent Lecavalier in Tampa Bay, and we all saw how that turned out. There seems to be this perception that Tortorella is on a mission to “break” Michkov down, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Tortorella is clear in saying he and the other Flyers coaches give Michkov free rein to do whatever he wants when he has the puck in the offensive zone, because that’s where he is going to make his mark.

And the hockey world has seen in spurts how special Michkov can be around the net. And this isn’t meant to cast aspersions on his teammates, but if his fellow Flyers were able to convert more of the sublime and mind-boggling set-ups he gives them, Michkov would probably be running away with the NHL rookie scoring lead. “It would be so wrong for us not to spend the time that we’re spending with him on that part of the game,” Tortorella said. “We would not be doing our job. And the idiots out there who are saying, ‘He doesn’t understand it,’ they can kiss my ass. We are so happy that we’ve got him right now, and we’re not going to waste a moment as far as trying to help him.”

So, we’ll put the coach down as undecided. It was not lost on Tortorella’s boss, Flyers GM Danny Briere, that Michkov responded to being scratched for two games in November by scoring a goal and an assist, along with the winning tally in the shootout, in his first game back, en route to collecting five points in three games. One thing Briere has noticed about Michkov is that the big moments don’t seem to affect him, as evidenced by his three OT-winners and shootout-winner through the first half of the season.

Briere, who took four years to establish himself as an NHL regular after scoring more than 400 points in three years of junior hockey, knows a little something about trying to change minds. “With Matvei, he takes it, and he wants to prove that the coach was wrong,” Briere said. “And that’s why you see him come back and he sticks it to him, he shows him he made a mistake by benching him or sitting him, and that’s the part that I love about Matvei. He doesn’t accept it, and he wants to show you that you’re wrong. It’s pretty cool.”

With the way Michkov sees the game, there will likely come a day when he’ll be playing chess and everyone else will be playing checkers, but that day is not now. On a Saturday afternoon after a practice at a suburban Toronto rink, Michkov emerged from the Flyers’ dressing room looking a little worn down by a pointless drought. He got a little testy over a question about his linemates and later apologized through his interpreter. He talked about how, away from the rink, he’s essentially a homebody, preferring to be close to his mother, Maria, and brother, Prohor, who live with him.

Less than three months before Michkov went seventh overall in the 2023 draft, his father, Andrei, left the apartment they shared in Sochi to go to a convenience store. Two days later, he was found dead in a pond. It’s easy to forget that Michkov is barely 20 and is still dealing with that. “He likes to put away the phone and do the home things,” the interpreter said. “It’s not often he has time to be with the family, because there is a lot of time on the road. But he’d like to spend the time at home with the family, in the quiet.” If Michkov wants, he’ll get his quiet. He deserves it. But on the ice, the noise is just beginning.

Are The Florida Panthers In Danger Of A Playoff Upset?

Florida Panthers' bench (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

The Florida Panthers have earned their reputation as one of the NHL’s best teams, getting to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in each of the past three seasons, making it to the Cup final in each of the past two seasons, and of course, winning their first Cup in franchise history last season. And for much of this year, the Panthers have been at or near the top of the Atlantic Division. Obviously, there’s a whole lot to like about this Florida team.

That said, there are some worrisome aspects of the Panthers this year. On Sunday, we saw one of them, as they lost to the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 to fall to third place in the Atlantic. Florida is now 0-3-0 against the Habs this year – and this is a Montreal team that the Panthers could wind up facing in the first round of the playoffs this year if Florida wins the Atlantic and the Canadiens remain in a wild-card spot.

In addition, scratch the surface a bit, and you’ll find other data that suggests the Panthers might be ripe for an early-round upset. For one thing, Florida has got five standings points via shootout wins this season. If you acknowledge that shootout wins can easily be shootout losses half the time, the Panthers’ current point total could be at or near 88 points, which is very close to the fourth-place Ottawa Senators.

To be sure, we’re not here to tell you the Panthers are a lock to be sent packing in the first or second round. They’ve made some great additions via trade this season, and they were a deep and skilled group before those trades were made. But with only a couple weeks left in the regular season, there’s an increasing sense that Florida has squandered its chance to win the Atlantic. And that may be what sinks their season well in advance of the Eastern final.

Indeed, the Panthers have got another game against the desperate Canadiens Tuesday, and they’ll also take on Ottawa (who they’re 1-1-0 against this season), the Detroit Red Wings twice (who they’re 0-1-0 aganst), the Buffalo Sabres (who they’re 2-1-0 against) and the Lightning (who they’re 2-1-0).

This is to say that it’s entirely possible the Panthers do not win the division and slide down as low as third place in the Atlantic. And given that Florida’s road record of 20-15-1 is worse than their home mark of 24-11-2, losing out on home-ice advantage could be the factor that ends their season well before they when they hope.

Can the Panthers win the Cup for the second straight season? Stranger things have happened. But this regular season has been far from perfect for Florida, and the way things shake out in the next two weeks could set the table for them being eliminated before they can get out of the second round. And if they do get sent packing prematurely, nobody should say it’s a full-on shocker.

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With Playoff Chances Crashing, Canucks End Road Trip With A 3–1 Loss To Winnipeg

Mar 30, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) skates around Winnipeg Jets left wing Brandon Tanev (73) in the second period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

The stakes were high today as the Vancouver Canucks took on the Winnipeg Jets to round out their six-game road trip. With the St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames adding to their respective point totals on Saturday night, Vancouver entered today’s game needing to do the same to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, with Pius Suter scoring the lone goal for the Canucks, Vancouver ultimately fell 3–1. Thatcher Demko stopped 24 of 27 shots, but was unable to best Connor Hellebuyck’s .958 SV% on the night. 

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The penalty kill was tested quickly, with Aatu Räty taking a slashing penalty four minutes into the game. Only a minute later, Teddy Blueger was called for high-sticking, leaving Winnipeg with a two-man advantage for a minute. However, Vancouver managed to stand in the way of all the chances Winnipeg generated, killing both penalties and stopping the NHL’s second-best power play from scoring. Vancouver killed all of the three penalties they took today, bringing them up to 82.8% — good for third in the NHL. 

Demko was the Canucks’ best player early on yet again, making a massive blocker save during Vancouver’s first penalty kill of the game to keep the score 0–0. He faced nine Jets shots throughout the opening frame and remained sharp throughout the game, stopping a surprise deflection in the opening minute of the third period.  

Suter has been scorching as of late, tallying seven points in the past three games coming into today’s match. He ripped a fiery shot off the crossbar early into the first period and scored the game’s opening goal. Even with a lengthy offside review, Suter’s goal was deemed onside by a hair’s worth of distance. He finished the game with the highest TOI of all forwards, 21:04, as well as eight faceoff wins out of 20 taken. With the absence of Filip Chytil and Elias Pettersson, Suter has stepped up exceedingly when the team has needed him to. 

"He's taking a leadership role. He's one of the guys that has really stepped up for me, play him in all situations," Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet said postgame of Suter's play as of late. 

Speaking of goal reviews, there were two in today’s game. Suter’s goal review came as a result of a near-offside play. In the third period, a close stop by Demko looked like it could have crossed the Canucks’ goal line, but after a quick review, there was no clear angle that provided evidence of a Jets goal. 

Hits were a talking point in tonight’s game, as 12 players put up two or more hits. Kiefer Sherwood led the team with 10 hits, while Dakota Joshua and Derek Forbort had six. Drew O’Connor and Filip Hronek both had five, and Brock Boeser, Conor Garland, Elias Pettersson (D), and Filip Hronek all put up three. Vancouver finished the game with 50 hits in total. 

While the game may not have ended the way they’d wished it to, Vancouver certainly tried to get the results they wanted. Demko was sent to the bench with 4:40 left in the game, leaving the six Canucks on the ice to try and score two more goals to tie the game up. Despite preventing Winnipeg from grabbing an empty net goal, Vancouver took a too-many-men penalty with 1:20 left in the game to negate their chance at a comeback. 

Tocchet noted that he was "really proud of the guys" in today's effort, but that they were "just on the wrong side." He noted how they've "just got to worry about the next game." 

With the playoff window getting slimmer and slimmer with each game, it may only be a matter of time before the Canucks' postseason chances become dashed.  

Stats and Facts

  • Canucks playoff odds are now 15.5%, according to MoneyPuck.com 
  • Vancouver has not allowed a first-period goal in six straight games 
  • Pius Suter extends his point streak to eight points in four games 
  • Canucks surpass 50 hits in one game for the second time this season 

Scoring Summary:

1st Period: 

18:55 - VAN: Pius Suter (22) from Tyler Myers and Jake DeBrusk 

2nd Period: 

9:26 - WPG: Kyle Connor (38) from Mark Scheifele and Colin Miller 

3rd Period: 

6:24 - WPG: Mason Appleton (10) from Adam Lowry and Nikolaj Ehlers 

12:11 - WPG: Cole Perfetti (16) from Vladislav Namestnikov and Kyle Connor 

Up Next: 

With today concluding the Canucks’ six-game roadtrip, Vancouver sets their sights on a three-game homestand running throughout next week. They take on the Seattle Kraken at Rogers Arena on Wednesday, with puck drop expected at 7:30 pm PT. 

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.

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WBS Penguins Lose 5-2, Split Weekend Series With Checkers

Image courtesy of the @WBSPenguins X account.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' quest for 40 wins will have to wait another day, as the Charlotte Checkers avenged a 5-3 loss on Saturday by returning the favor in Sunday's rematch with a 5-2 victory.

In a completely different performance from their victory on Saturday, the Penguins were outshot in every period and failed to score on four power-play opportunities, leading to Sergei Murashov's first AHL defeat. 

The rookie goalie was a perfect 11-0-0 entering the afternoon and finished the day with 32 saves on 35 shots as the Checkers scored two empty net goals at 18:01 and 18:52 of the third. 

WBS Penguins Can Snap Organization Playoff Winless StreakWBS Penguins Can Snap Organization Playoff Winless StreakThe Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins punched their ticket to the Calder Cup playoffs on Wednesday with a thrilling 3-2 overtime win over the Hartford Wolf Pack. 

Earlier, in the first, Charlotte jumped out 2-0 with goals from Matt Kiersted and former Penguins player Jesse Puljujarvi scoring the other. 

Atley Calvert's sixth of the year cut the deficit to 2-1 in the middle period before Valtteri Puustinen scored at 1:38 of the third to tie things up at 2-2. 

However, John Leonard scored a power-play goal at 3:47 before scoring the first empty goal for his second of the day, earning first-star honors. 

Kaapo Kahkonen picked up the win for the home team, turning away 24 shots and surrendering only two goals to improve to 5-2-0 since joining the Checkers. 

Pittsburgh Penguins Schedule: Remaining Games & Statistical NotesPittsburgh Penguins Schedule: Remaining Games & Statistical NotesThe Pittsburgh Penguins are winding down their 2024-25 season and on pace to miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive season, a first in Sidney Crosby's 20-year career. However, there is plenty to play for in the final weeks of the regular season. 

The Penguins (37-19-7-1) return to action on April 4 when they travel to Cleveland to face the Monsters for a Friday and Saturday set.

Penguins V. Senators Preview: Koivunen Makes NHL Debut

Mar 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Ville Koivunen (41) takes the ice for his rookie lap before making his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators at PPG Paints Arena. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

The kids are officially here, and they will play a large role in Sunday's lineup for the Pittsburgh Penguins

Forwards Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen - recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) on Friday - will both figure into the starting lineup when the Penguins take on the Ottawa Senators Sunday in Pittsburgh. And not only will they crack the lineup sheet, they will also occupy the two left wing slots in the top-six.

It will be McGroarty's fourth NHL game - he made the team out of training camp and was optioned back to WBS after three games - as well as his 21st birthday.

As for Koivunen? The 21-year-old Finnish winger - acquired in the Jake Guentzel trade last spring - will make his NHL debut, which is something he's been anticipating for quite some time.

"I've got to play with my strengths and make an impact right away on this team," Koivunen said.

Koivunen will play on Rickard Rakell's left wing on the second line, while McGroarty will flank Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust on the top line. The decision to slot both wingers in the top-six was evident at Saturday's practice, and head coach Mike Sullivan wanted to put them in positions to succeed.

'Sid and the Kids': McGroarty, Koivunen Skate With Crosby, Top-Six In Practice'Sid and the Kids': McGroarty, Koivunen Skate With Crosby, Top-Six In PracticeSid the Kid may have broken a major Wayne Gretzky record in the Pittsburgh Penguins' 7-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.

“When you have players of this caliber, you're trying to set them up for success," Sullivan said. "And we're also trying to put them in roles where they have an opportunity to play to their strengths. Both of these guys have high hockey-IQs, they're both real competitive guys, they both have an offensive dimension to their game... they're different in how they play, but we think that with the combinations we had out there today, potentially, they could be complementary on the lines that they're on."

Goaltender Tristan Jarry will get the start for the Penguins. Here is the rest of the starting lineup:

Ottawa currently occupies the first wild card spot in the East and is 7-3-0 in its last 10, including two straight wins. Center Tim Stutzle is pacing the club with 21 goals and 71 points in 72 games.


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Can Penguins Avoid Embarrassing Feat Against Senators?

Tristan Jarry - Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins return home for a Sunday evening contest against the Ottawa Senators. The last time they played at home, the Penguins defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets before a disastrous three-game road trip. 

In the first game, they took the reigning Stanley Cup champions, Florida Panthers, to a shootout, only to lose 4-3. Then, in Tampa Bay, the Penguins were blown out 6-1, followed by a 7-3 loss against the Buffalo Sabres. 

After those two performances, Pittsburgh has given up at least six goals in back-to-back contests for the fourth time this decade: 2021 (two), 2022, and 2025. 

BREAKING: Sidney Crosby Breaks Wayne Gretzky's Point-Per-Game Seasons RecordBREAKING: Sidney Crosby Breaks Wayne Gretzky's Point-Per-Game Seasons RecordAfter 20 years in the making, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has made NHL history.

The Penguins have given up six or more goals in back-to-back contests 71 times in franchise history.

Meanwhile, the Penguins' most recent performance against the Senators, a 5-0 loss on Jan. 11, suggests they may extend the streak for one more game. 

If the Senators manage to net six goals on Sunday, it will be the 17th time the Penguins surrendered that many in three games, with the most recent one occurring between Nov. 7 and No. 12, 2003.

Considering Pittsburgh's next contest is against the hottest team in the NHL, the St. Louis Blues, winners of their last nine straight, this goals-against streak could fall into the top four worst stretches in team history. 

Pittsburgh Penguins Schedule: Remaining Games & Statistical NotesPittsburgh Penguins Schedule: Remaining Games & Statistical NotesThe Pittsburgh Penguins are winding down their 2024-25 season and on pace to miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive season, a first in Sidney Crosby's 20-year career. However, there is plenty to play for in the final weeks of the regular season. 

The Penguins' record for consecutive games giving up six or more goals is five, which occurred between Feb. 2 and Feb. 10, 1983. Next is four games, achieved twice during the 1983-84 seasons, first between Nov. 16 and Dec. 3 and again on Jan. 22 and Jan. 28.  

Through 72 games, the Senators have scored six goals in a game four times, with a season-high eight in two games in October.

Meanwhile, St. Louis has scored seven goals three times and tallied six on four occasions. Moreover, there's no rest for the weary, as the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh's opponent next Saturday, are the fourth-highest-scoring team in the NHL and already put up a seven spot on the Penguins earlier this season. 

Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov skates in 800th NHL game

Mar 30, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) moves the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Florida Panthers Captain Sasha Barkov hit a major milestone on Sunday.

When Barkov took the ice for Florida’s home game against the Montreal Canadiens, it was his 800th game in the National Hockey League.

Barkov has spent his entire NHL career with the Panthers after Florida selected him second overall at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

He played his first game in a Panthers sweater as a fresh-faced 18-year-old a few months later, scoring his first NHL goal against the Dallas Stars on Opening Night.

Now, 800 games later, Barkov has been through just about everything with the Panthers.

He’s been an All-Star, represented the team in his native Finland, become the leader on countless franchise records – Barkov is the franchise leader in games played, goals, assists, points, shots and power play goals – and, oh yeah, led the team to their first ever Stanley Cup Championship.

He’s also the first Panthers player to ever reach the 800-game mark with the team.

The 29-year-old is far from done rewriting Florida’s record books, though.

Barkov is in the fifth season of an eight-year deal that pays him $10 million annually, but knowing both Barkov and Panthers General Manager Bill Zito, it’s highly likely that the Cats’ captain ends up finishing his career in South Florida.

With Barkov as captain and Zito as GM, Florida has qualified for the postseason a franchise record five straight seasons.

They’ve reached the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past two years and, as was previously mentioned, Barkov hoisted the historic trophy last June.

Eventually, Barkov’s number will be hanging in the rafters at Amerant Bank Arena and, quite possibly, the Finnish star will find his face among those in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Congrats to Barky on reaching 800 games played!

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Bennett scores twice, Marchand picks up OT assist as Panthers defeat Utah 2-1

Florida fails to foil desperate Canadiens squad, fall 4-2 to Montreal

Mar 30, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) moves the puck in front of Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault (35) during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

The Florida Panthers ran into a very hungry Montreal Canadiens squad on Sunday afternoon in Sunrise.

Desperate to maintain their spot as the final Wild Card team in the Eastern Conference, Montreal played a tough, desperate game and took down the Panthers 4-2 at Amerant Bank Arena.

The win put an end to Florida’s home winning streak at seven games.

Patrik Laine put the Habs on the scoreboard first, cashing in on a power play goal with Tobias Bjornfot in the penalty box for high-sticking.

Laine was down near the goal line and one-timed a pass from rookie Lane Hutson past Sergei Bobrovsky at the 12:03 mark of the opening period.

Just 73 seconds later, Sasha Barkov picked up a loose puck behind Montreal net and quickly fed Sam Reinhart in front.

Reino’s backhand shot eluded the glove of Sam Montembeault and quickly tied the game at one.

Another Montreal power play goal, this one by Juraj Slafkovsky, put the Habs back in front just past the game’s midway point.

Seth Jones tied the game with 3:35 left in the second period when he one-timed a quick feed from Barkov through Montembeault’s pads.

A goal just 2:02 into the third period by Nick Suzuki would prove to be the game-winner as Montreal did a great job limiting Florida’s opportunities the rest of the day.

Brandon Gallagher added an empty-net goal for good measure, his 18th tally the season.

These same two teams will face off again on Tuesday from Montreal.

QUICK THOUGHTS

Jones now has two goals and an assist over his past give games.

Barkov is now riding a modest three-game point streak, with four assists during the run.

He’s also got two goals and seven points over his past six games.

Carter Verhaeghe picked up an assist on Reinhart’s goal, his first point in six games and only his third during 13 games in March.

Reinhart has now scored four goals over his past six games.

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Buffalo Sabres Announce Exciting Rasmus Dahlin News

Rasmus Dahlin (© Nick Wosika-Imagn Images)

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that star defenseman Rasmus Dahlin will return to the lineup for their March 30 contest against the Washington Capitals. This will also be the 500th game of Dahlin's NHL career.

Dahlin, 24, was forced to miss the Sabres' March 29 contest against the Philadelphia Flyers due to an illness. However, the star defenseman is now feeling good enough to return, which is excellent news for the Sabres. 

Dahlin has had a strong season with the Sabres, posting 13 goals, 44 assists, 57 points, 86 hits, and a plus-3 rating. He has also stayed hot down the stretch, recording five points in his last four appearances.

It will now be interesting to see how the Sabres respond to getting their top defenseman back against the Eastern Conference-leading Capitals from here. 

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Game Day: Ottawa Senators Call Up Angus Crookshank Ahead of Sunday's Game In Pittsburgh

The Ottawa Senators begin the final 10 games of the regular season on Sunday afternoon, taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena (5 pm TSN5, RDS). Now eight points above the playoff cut line, the Senators are now in outstanding shape to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in eight years. 

Ottawa Senators winger Angus Crookshank (James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images)

The last time they played a postseason game was in that very arena on May 25, 2017 – a double-overtime loss in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. 

A lot has changed and neither team has had much success since that season. While Ottawa's playoff drought is well-documented, the Penguins have only won one playoff series since (2018 vs PHI), and are tracking to miss the playoffs for a third straight year.

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The Senators currently hold the Conference’s top wild card spot. They’re now eight points above the playoff cut line after a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night. This cushion gives the Sens some breathing room and the option of resting certain players who are dealing with nagging injuries. 

To that end, the Senators called up winger Angus Crookshank from Belleville on Sunday morning. This move suggests that team captain Brady Tkachuk or another banged-up forward will sit out rather than try to play two games in less than 24 hours.

As you'd expect, the club didn't skate on Sunday morning, so Travis Green's lineup changes, if any, will be announced closer to game time.

Ottawa’s final 10 games will be all about maintenance. The Sens aren’t likely to catch anyone in the top three of the Atlantic Division, nor are they likely to be reeled in by anyone in their rearview mirror. Their goal now is to maintain that wild card and, ideally, give certain players the maintenance days they need to be as healthy as possible for the playoffs.

Meanwhile, with just one point separating the top three teams in the Atlantic, the eventual winner of the divisional race – probably Ottawa’s first-round opponent – will likely be the team that floors it right to the end.

Anton Forsberg will likely start after Ullmark had a busy night on Saturday in a 3-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Opponent:

The Penguins are eight points behind the Rangers for the final wild card spot in the East, but with six teams to climb over, the task is nearly impossible. Pittsburgh's season is all but officially over, and their best players aren’t getting any younger.

So the Pens will begin to take a look at some of the kids in the AHL. They’ve called up two forwards from the AHL who will go right on to the club’s top two lines against Ottawa on Sunday.

Former Winnipeg Jets’ first-rounder Rutger McGroarty has played just three NHL games so far, and for his 21st birthday on Sunday, he’ll play on Sidney Crosby’s left side. McGroarty has 39 points in 60 games for the Baby Pens after being traded by the Jets in a contract dispute last summer. The dispute wasn’t complicated. The former University of Michigan star didn’t want to sign with Winnipeg.

Pittsburgh has also called up Ville Koivunen who’s sixth in AHL scoring with 55 points in 62 games. He’ll play alongside Rickard Rakell.

As for their superstar vets, Crosby, now 37, is still rolling with 80 points and counting. Incredibly, this is now his 20th point-per-game season, surpassing Wayne Gretzky for the most in NHL history. That said, it’s weird to see him among the worst 20 players in the league in plus/minus (-22), even if you don’t put much stock in the stat. 

38-year-old Evgeni Malkin has just 15 goals and 46 points in 62 games, well off his career pace of 1.1 points per game. Malkin has missed the past week with an upper body injury and is listed as day to day. 

Tristan Jarry gets the start for Pittsburgh (fixes earlier version that indicated Nedeljkovic would start).

Senators projected lines

Claude Giroux -- Tim Stutzle -- Fabian Zetterlund
David Perron -- Dylan Cozens -- Drake Batherson
Brady Tkachuk -- Shane Pinto -- Ridly Greig
Matthew Highmore -- Adam Gaudette -- Michael Amadio

Jake Sanderson -- Artem Zub
Thomas Chabot -- Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven -- Nikolas Matinpalo

Anton Forsberg
Linus Ullmark

Scratched: Dennis Gilbert, Travis Hamonic
Injured: Nick Cousins (knee)

Penguins projected lineup

Rutger McGroarty -- Sidney Crosby -- Bryan Rust
Ville Koivunen -- Rickard Rakell -- Connor Dewar
Philip Tomasino -- Kevin Hayes -- Noel Acciari
Danton Heinen -- Blake Lizotte -- Emil Bemstrom

Matt Grzelcyk -- Kris Letang
Conor Timmins -- Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves -- Vladislav Kolyachonok

Alex Nedeljkovic
Tristan Jarry

After Sunday’s game, the Senators will play eight of their final nine games at home.

Buffalo Sabres Recall Defenseman From Rochester

Jack Rathbone (© Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images)sab

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that defenseman Jack Rathbone has been recalled from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans. 

Rathbone joined the Sabres this past off-season on a one-year, two-way contract. Since then, the 25-year-old left-shot defenseman has appeared in 56 games with the Amerks, where he has five goals, 20 points, and a plus-6 rating. He has yet to make his Sabres regular-season debut, but that has the potential to change following this call-up.

Rathbone last played at the NHL level with the Vancouver Canucks during the 2022-23 season, where he had one goal and one assist in 11 games. In 28 career NHL games over three seasons, the Massachusetts native has posted two goals, three assists, five points, 21 hits, and a minus-5 rating. 

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