Bobrovsky brilliant, Barkov injured as Panthers shutout Tampa to take 2-0 series lead

Apr 24, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) controls the puck against the Florida Panthers during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Florida Panthers may have just surprised much of the hockey world.

Starting their first round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on the road, the Panthers picked up a pair of big victories following Thursday’s 2-0 win in Game 2.

Similarly to Game 1 on Tuesday, it didn't take long for the Panthers to open the scoring.

Shortly after killing off an early Tampa Bay power play, Nate Schmidt hammered a one-timer from Sam Reinhart right off an offensive zone draw that gave the Cats a 1-0 lead.

That’s how the score would remain through the first two periods due to some strong goaltending on both ends.

Florida netminder Sergei Bobrovsky made 16 saves through 40 minutes, including stops on all three of Tampa’s high danger shots.

Midway through the third period, with Tampa Bay on the power play, Branden Hagel laid a high hit on Sasha Barkov that was called a five-minute major for interference.

Barkov skated off the ice on his own but went straight to the Panthers dressing room.

Led by Bobrovsky, who finished with 19 saves, the Panthers held strong on the defensive end and shut out the Bolts on their own ice.

Sam Bennett added an empty-net goal with 2.9 seconds left for good measure as the Cats took a 2-0 series lead heading back to Sunrise. 

On to Game 3.

QUICK THOUGHTS

Schmidt has already tied his career high for playoff goals in a single postseason with three.

Sasha Barkov is up to three assists in the series after getting a helper on Schmidt's goal.

Florida finished 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.

Sam Reinhart has three points in the series. He had the primary assist on Schmidt’s goal.

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Colts Heading To Eastern Conference Finals After Game Seven Win

Kashawn Aitcheson of the Barrie Colts [Terry Wilson/OHL Images].

The Barrie Colts beat the Kingston Frontenacs 6-4 in game seven to win the second-round series and remain undefeated on home ice during the postseason. 

From beginning to end, this series featured only wins from the home team. In a weird twist, the Frontenacs leave the playoffs with an undefeated record on home ice. 

As was the case in six out of the seven games in this series, Kingston scored the opening goal in game seven. Emil Pieniniemi, who ended the game with a pair of goals, worked down the wall before cutting toward the net and scoring on the backhand. 

From there, this became a game of runs, with each team taking turns to score strings of goals.

Just under two minutes later, 2025 NHL Draft-eligible defender Kashawn Aitcheson evened the score at one. Dallas Stars prospect Emil Hemming scored on the power play to give Barrie the lead midway through the first. 

Rangers' Head Coach Named OHL Coach Of The YearRangers' Head Coach Named OHL Coach Of The YearYesterday, the OHL announced that Kitchener Rangers' Head Coach Jussi Ahokas is the winner of the Matt Leyden Trophy, which is presented to the OHL Coach of the Year as voted by General Managers across the OHL.

Before the end of the period, Cal Uens and Pieniniemi responded with goals to give Kingston the 3-2 lead heading into the intermission. 

Barrie roared back in the second period, scoring a pair of goals to take a 4-3 lead thanks to Owen Van Steensel and Tristan Bertucci. Kashawn Aitcheson's power-play marker early in the third solidified the Barrie lead at 5-3. 

Generals Advance To Eastern Conference FinalsGenerals Advance To Eastern Conference FinalsThe Oshawa Generals defeated the Brantford Bulldogs 4-1 in game six to advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the second consecutive year.  

Though Kingston pushed back, their response came a bit too late. Kieran Dervin scored his first postseason goal to cut away at the Barrie goal, however, Colts Captain Beau Jelsma sealed the victory with an empty net goal with seconds remaining in the game. 

The Colts will move on to play the Oshawa Generals in the Eastern Conference Finals. Both teams' lineups include a high number of NHL prospects and 2025 NHL Draft-eligible players. 

In the minds of many, these were the two favourites to come out of the Eastern Conference based on their performances during the regular season. Now they will battle for a spot in the finals starting on Friday. Puck drop for game one is at 7:30 p.m. inside the Sadlon Arena 


NHL Playoffs: Can The Oilers, Senators, Canadiens, Blues And Devils Pull Off A Comeback?

Robert Thomas (Terrence Lee-Imagn Images)

The NHL’s 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are less than a week old, but five teams are already in a 2-0 series deficit in their first-round matchup.

Which teams have a chance of coming back and winning their series? Let’s look at the five teams in a hole and examine whether they looked good enough to come back.

Edmonton Oilers

Can They Come Back? No

Why? The Oilers’ offense hasn’t been terrible, as they’ve posted seven goals in two games in the Battle of CalBerta (thanks to entertainment publicist extraordinaire Matt Labov for that colorful label). 

The problem for Edmonton is its porous defense, which has allowed 12 goals to the Kings – the most goals against of any team through two games. 

Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner has been as ineffective as Edmonton fans have feared, getting pulled in Game 2. But backup Calvin Pickard is no savior, and without injured top defenseman Mattias Ekholm, the Oilers just don’t have the horses to contain Los Angeles’ well-balanced offensive attack. 

Edmonton superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can only do so much, and while the dynamic duo has produced seven points in two games, it’s not going to be enough to fend off the Kings. Sorry, Oilers fans, but a first-round exit is probably happening here.

Skinner Or Pickard: Who Should The Oilers Start In Game 3?Skinner Or Pickard: Who Should The Oilers Start In Game 3?Do the Edmonton Oilers have the worst goaltending so far in the playoffs?

Montreal Canadiens

Can They Come Back? Yes

Why? The Canadiens weren’t overwhelmed by Washington through two games, losing 3-2 in overtime in Game 1, then falling 3-1 to the Capitals in Game 2. 

Montreal’s offense is problematic, but on the bright side, the Habs limited the Capitals to five goals in regulation time – and one goal was an empty-netter. One bounce in their favor, and the Canadiens could have evened up this series at one game apiece.

Montreal goalie Sam Montembeault was well above-average in two games, putting up a .921 SP and 2.49 GAA. But his counterpart, Logan Thompson, has been even better, with a 1.47 GAA and a .951 SP for the Caps. That said, if the Canadiens can poke holes in Thompson’s game, they could win Games 3 and 4 in Montreal and push this series to at least six games. From there, the Habs could pull off an upset and get to the second round.

New Jersey Devils

Can They Come Back? No

Why? The Devils were outplayed in Game 1, losing to the Hurricanes 4-1. Carolina built a 3-0 lead in Game 1 and was never threatened by New Jersey. In Game 2, the final score of 3-1 for Carolina might cause some to believe the game was more competitive for the Devils.

The big picture tells a different tale, as the Hurricanes kept the Devils off the scoresheet for the final 56 minutes in Game 2, and New Jersey’s offense was a complete non-factor after an early goal. 

The Hurricanes are too fast and deep for the Devils. Although Carolina’s regular-season road record of 16-21-4 suggests New Jersey could win a game at home, the Devils’ home record of 19-17-5 suggests they won’t thrive in their rink. Barring a miracle, the Devils are going home soon. 

No Panic: Ottawa Senators Lose Again, But They'll Be Better For It In The Short- And Long-TermNo Panic: Ottawa Senators Lose Again, But They'll Be Better For It In The Short- And Long-TermThere are no moral victories in the Stanley Cup playoffs, so the reality is the Ottawa Senators find themselves down 2-0 in the Battle of Ontario and face an enormous task getting back into this first-round series.

Ottawa Senators

Can They Come Back? No

Why? At times in Games 1 and 2, the Maple Leafs stopped skating and were outplayed by the Senators, but they found a way to beat Ottawa and retain home-ice advantage. That has to be discouraging for the Senators, which swept the Leafs in their regular-season series.

Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz’s .934 SP and 1.95 GAA are far superior to Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark’s 4.39 GAA and .800 SP through two games. 

Toronto’s defense corps has also been extremely effective in a way that the Senators’ defense corps has not. So long as the Maple Leafs stay healthy, the Sens are going to be on their heels – and, soon enough, Toronto will be heading into the second round.

St. Louis Blues

Can They Come Back? Yes

Why? The Blues lost Game 1 by a 5-3 score, but that game was tied 3-3 until the 18:24 mark of the third period. St. Louis lost Game 2 by a 2-1 margin, but the game was tied 1-1 until the Jets got the game-winner at the 1:43 mark of the third frame. So, this series is closer than it first appears. 

Superstar Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck has a combined .897 SP after two games, hardly the stuff of legends – so the Blues have an opportunity to cut into the Jets’ series lead and extend the series to at least a fifth game.

Given Winnipeg’s underwhelming performances in previous post-seasons, there will be pressure on the Jets if St. Louis wins the next game or two. And if the Blues do figure out how to exploit Winnipeg’s weaknesses, there’s every chance St. Louis can defy the odds and upset the Jets.

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NHL Playoffs Live Blog: Ottawa Senators Face Off Against The Toronto Maple Leafs In Game 3

© Dan Hamilton

The Battle of Ontario continues, with the Ottawa Senators hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs for Game 3 on Thursday night.

The Leafs have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. But with the teams now heading to Ottawa, which is hosting a playoff game for the first time in eight years, expect the home crowd to give the Senators the edge.

Then again, it's not like history has been on Ottawa's side in this one-sided battle.

So far, the story of the series has been the play of Toronto's Anthony Stolarz, who has outperformed Ottawa's Linus Ullmark in net. The Leafs' power play, which has potted five goals, has also been something that the Senators have been unable to have an answer for.

While Toronto's Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares have combined for four goals in two games, Auston Matthews is still searching for his first goal. Meanwhile, Max Pacioretty is expected to draw into the lineup for the first time in two months.

Ottawa is not expected to have any lineup changes.

Heart Over Hype: Playoff Hockey Finally Returns to Ottawa On Thursday Night Heart Over Hype: Playoff Hockey Finally Returns to Ottawa On Thursday Night The wait is over.

This story will be updated throughout the game. Make sure you refresh the page, so that you are receiving the up-to-date version of this story.

Also, be sure to check out our post-game Playoff Frenzy Live video, where Michael Traikos and Emma Lingan breakdown Game 3.

Second Period

End of 2nd period — score is tied 1-1, shots are 18-14 for Ottawa

Stutzle is too talented a player to be diving all over the place. Really wish he'd just erase that element from his game.

7:20 — Minor scare for the Sens, as Tkachuk briefly goes off after getting squeezed out along the boards by Morgan Rielly. Tkachuk is back on the ice, but keep an eye on this, because the Sens captain missed time after injuring his groin at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

11:29 — TORONTO GOAL, 1-1: Once again, the Leafs power play connects. This time, it is Matthew Knies with his second goal of the playoffs to tie the game.

The parade to the penalty box continues. This time, it's the Leafs going on the power play. Ouch. When will Ottawa learn?

16:12 — Sens nearly make it 2-0, but Stolarz stops Cozens on a breakaway.

Seeing some chatter that Leafs fans believe Greig dove on the Nylander tripping penalty that setup the Giroux goal. That's laughable. Say what you want about Greig and his play in this series, but it was clearly a trip.

18:22 — OTTAWA GOAL, 1-0: Claude Giroux beats Stolarz with a screened shot on the power play. For the first time in this series, the Sens have the lead.

First Period

End of the 1st period — No score, Ottawa outshooting Toronto 8-7.

1:18 — Uh-oh, the Leafs and their No. 1-ranked power play is going on the man-advantage after Tkachuk takes an elbowing penalty.

3:31 — Nylander with (yet another) breakaway. He elects to wind up and blast a slapper, but Ullmark with the huge save.

4:28 — Big save by Ullmark on Bobby McMann; The Sens goalie, who was heavily criticized for his play in Game 1, has been much better as the series has gone on. Probably needs to steal one if Ottawa hopes to have a chance.

6:47 — Max Domi continues his strong play in this series. Just drove to the net hard with the puck, paying the price in the process.

11:37 — Much more physical tonight than the previous two games. Just ask Nylander, who was tackled to the ice by Nylander (no call on the play).

'I Can't Say Enough About Matthew Knies and JT In Those Areas': Maple Leafs Explode For 3 Power-Play Goals To Down Senators In Game 1'I Can't Say Enough About Matthew Knies and JT In Those Areas': Maple Leafs Explode For 3 Power-Play Goals To Down Senators In Game 1The Toronto Maple Leafs exploded for three power-play goals against the Ottawa Senators in a 6-2 victory in Game 1 of their first-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

15:04 — Tkachuk draws a hooking penalty, so Ottawa goes on a 4-on-3 PP. Big opportunity for the Sens, who have yet to score a power play goal.

17:15 — First big test for Linus Ullmark, as Pontus Holmberg gets a clean look from the right side. Still no score.

19:08 — It didn't take long for the hatred to heat up, as Tkachuk and Tanev go at it.

20:00 — And here go, Game 3 under way!

No one does the anthem better than the legendary Lyndon Slewidge, who was part of the last Battle of Ontario.

Let the pre-game match-ups begin! Sportsnet analyst Derek Lalonde says that the Matthews line will get a "healthy dose of Shane Pinto."

The crowd inside Canadian Tire Centre sounds electric.

The Hockey News Big Show: Bruce Boudreau Talks NHL Playoffs, Canucks' Hughes And Ovechkin

Bruce Boudreau (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)

We have a special guest for a special playoff edition of The Hockey News Big Show.

Longtime NHL coach Bruce Boudreau joins Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos to discuss what's going on in the Stanley Cup playoffs, what's happening with the non-playoff squads and some of Boudreau's stories, including his time with the Vancouver Canucks.

Bruce Boudreau Talks NHL Playoffs, Canucks' Hughes And Ovechkin by The Big ShowBruce Boudreau Talks NHL Playoffs, Canucks' Hughes And Ovechkin by The Big Showundefined

Here's what they discussed in this episode:

0:00: Which goaltender should start for the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 versus the Los Angeles Kings?

8:14: Has Matthew Knies’ play unlocked a new level of offense for the Toronto Maple Leafs on the power play?

14:58: Have the Washington Capitals proven to be a true Stanley Cup contender?

20:19: With their roster now fully healthy, do the Florida Panthers have the scariest offense in the East?

24:49: Are the Winnipeg Jets proving they don’t need Connor Hellebuyck to play at a top-tier level to be a Stanley Cup contender?

28:36: Breaking down Gabriel Landeskog’s return to the Colorado Avalanche's lineup.

33:50: After signing an extension with the New York Rangers, what should Chris Drury’s off-season plan be?

39:15: Who should take home the Jack Adams Award this year?

41:01: Will Alex Ovechkin retire from hockey before the age of 50?

43:30: Who’s the best goal-scorer that Boudreau ever played with and against?

45:03: Which first-round series is most likely to have an upset?

47:34: Should Jim Rutherford have discussed Quinn Hughes’ contract talks publicly?

49:27: Updated Stanley Cup picks

Watch the full episode here.

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

EXCLUSIVE: Former Golden Knight Marc-Andre Fleury Soaking Up Final Moments In The NHL As Wild Aim For Cup

<i>Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) looks on during the third period of an NHL game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Xcel Energy Center on March 25, 2025. <b>Photo Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images</b></i>

LAS VEGAS -- "And now, the end is near. And so I'll face the final curtain. ... I've lived, a life that's full ... I've traveled each and every highway. And more, much more than this, I did it My Way."

The lyrics Paul Anka wrote for Frank Sinatra when he was set to retire from entertainment roughly 55 years ago couldn't fit any better for Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-André Fleury, who's certainly done things his way during a 21-year career that undoubtedly will usher him into the Hall of Fame one day.

The former Golden Knight will retire when Minnesota's playoff run comes to an end - either with a loss or by hoisting Lord's Stanley Cup in June - and he'll do so as one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history.

The 40-year-old won three Stanley Cup championships in 2009, 2016, and 2017, all with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also received the William M. Jennings Trophy and the Vezina Trophy in 2021, while playing for Vegas. And over the final three seasons of his career, with Chicago and Minnesota, he's continued to make his mark on all-time statistical leaderboards for goaltenders. He'll retire with 575 regular-season wins, the second-most in history.

It didn't come as a surprise that Minnesota's chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association nominated him for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which recognizes the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. It's the third time he's been nominated for the award.

"He just loves the game," Minnesota GM Bill Guerin said during Minnesota's April 16 episode of Beyond Our Ice. "That's allowed him to play as long as he has, his passion and love for the game."

Added Wild rinkside reporter Kevin Gorg: "This is a first-ballot lock Hall of Famer, this is one of the best at his position all-time." 

FAREWELL TOUR

As his emotional final season winds down, Fluery shared some thoughts with The Hockey News during Minnesota's stop in Vegas for Games 1 and 2 of the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs.

From video tributes, to quick postgame visits with friends and former teammates, to sold-out arenas filled with fans of opposing teams chanting his name, it's certainly not what he expected.

"Maybe a little more than I was asking for," he said, flashing his trademark grin. "Last year I got asked every day if I was retiring after the season, so that's why early in the season, I just said, 'Yeah, (this is) my last one', so people would stop asking me.

"But I didn't expect all the cheers and tributes and TVs on the jumbotrons and guys lining up for handshakes and stuff. Just a lot of emotions going through that stuff. So many good memories playing in this league. Yeah, it was definitely a special year."

While Fleury still has one more trip to Vegas, albeit backing up Minnesota starter Filip Gustavsson for Game 5, he admitted his farewell tour has had plenty of emotional stops. Most notably, his final start in Pittsburgh, a 5-3 win on Oct. 29, 2025, and the final trip to his hometown of Montreal, a 4-0 victory on Jan. 30.

"Obviously (in Vegas), being part of the first team to start (the franchise), and the love that people have shown me since day one, for me and my family," Fleury said. "And Pittsburgh, I was there for a long time, 14 years. And Montreal, it was very special, going back home.

"The way people react, the guys on the ice, also. It's a little crazy, a little surreal. I still get butterflies thinking about it."

As the final seconds ticked off the clock in Pittsburgh and Montreal, both arenas could do nothing but cheer for one of the most beloved players in league history, chanting his name as opposing players lined up to shake his hand one last time.

Fleury said he's had his collection of confidants to turn to this season whenever he's needed to bend an ear about his decision, or simply to get advice on what to expect during retirement. Whether it's been his sister or a cousin who plays goalie, or people around the league, he's had people he can count on.

"I feel like I always see guys that I played with, or coaching, scouting, or GMs or doing TV, doing radio," said Fleury, who finished his last-ever regular season 13-9-1 with a 2.97 goals-against average, .897 save percentage and one shutout. "So it's always good to pick their brains a bit on how things are after hockey, and how they do. It's good to catch up with guys, obviously, to learn a bit from their experience."

THE END IS NEAR

Fleury said while there are mornings he wakes up feeling younger than ever, which isn't shocking considering the regimen he keeps to maintain his physique, he's ready to enjoy life with his wife Veronique and their three children Estelle, Scarlett and James.

"I think she's worried for having me ever day at the house," Fleury said with a chuckle. "But I think I'm there. There's some mornings I feel good, still feel young and energetic. I think time catches up, age catches up.

"(Besides), after this season I can't come back. You know, I can't be saying all these goodbyes (and come back)."

Fleury, who still owns his house in Las Vegas, said he and Veronique have scrapped plans of returning to Southern Nevada for retirement and will stay in Minnesota.

"We've been in Minnesota for three years now, and the kids have moved schools, from Pittsburgh to Vegas to Chicago to Minnesota, and now they finally have a little bit of stability," he said. "So until I figure out what I want to do and where I'm going or whatever, I think it was the right thing, just to keep them in school, keep them with their friends."

Now, it's only a matter of time before ol' Flower walks through a tunnel and takes the ice one final time.

So, it seemed only fitting that the Wild meet the Knights in the postseason, as it means Fleury will experience the vibes he helped create from the first time the Golden Knights stepped foot on the ice.

It's one thing he said that will never get old: feeling the energy inside T-Mobile Arena.

"We know it's gonna be a battle to the end," he said. "It's always good to come back in the city, right? I've met a lot of great people around the team and outside the rink also, and good to see (media members). So that's a good part about it, coming back a little bit more and catching up with people.

"I had so many good times being here in this building. A little different, being on the opposing team, but still good memories to be in the building, being so loud. Seeing Golden Pipes (Carnell Johnson) sing (the National Anthem), and people cheering too. I think it's good to be back and have those memories back again.

"People have been so good to me, my family, and always be thankful for that."

Penguins Forward Prospect Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery, Will Miss 9 Months

Tanner Howe for Team Canada at the 2025 World Junior Championship. (Credit: Spencer Colby - The Canadian Press)

It has been a rough year injury-wise for several Pittsburgh Penguins' prospects.

And it appears that they have been dealt another blow - and a pretty big one.

Top forward prospect Tanner Howe - selected in the second round (46th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft - underwent successful reconsructive surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, it was announced Thursday by Penguins' POHO and GM Kyle Dubas.

Howe is expected to be in recovery from the surgery for nine months, which would keep him out until at least January of 2026. He was injured during a WHL playoff game for the Calgary Hitmen.

The 19-year-old forward from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan registered 18 goals and 46 points in 47 games between the Regina Pats and Hitmen, as he was traded to Calgary midseason. In six WHL playoff games, he tallied two goals and nine points.

Howe also played for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship and scored one goal in his five WJC games. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Penguins after being drafted last summer


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Limiting Turnovers and Production From Star Players The Key To Game 3 For Golden Knights

Vegas Golden Knights players scuffle with Minnesota Wild players during the third period of game two of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Game 2 was an uncharacteristically bad showing for the Vegas Golden Knights, losing 5-2 to the Minnesota Wild, and they'll be looking to turn things around as they head out onto the road for Game 3.

Through two games, Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, the two highest-paid players on the roster, have not recorded a point. Despite that, the series is tied and still up for the taking. 

"There's a desperation, there's a competitive level that needs to rise from all of us. We'll be ready to go tonight," said Eichel.

Kirill Kaprizov has been far and beyond the best played in the series, and now playing on home ice, he'll become increasingly dangerous as HC John Hynes will seek better matchups for the 27-year-old Russian winger. 

Kaprizov and the Wild took advantage of the multiple blunders from Shea Theodore, but he and HC Bruce Cassidy expect him to be better tonight. 

“He’s trying to do too much out there. It’s that simple,” said Cassidy. “He was light on the puck tonight. What do you want me to say? He’s a great player for us. It wasn’t his night, and it snowballed. There’s a player trying to make amends, and I respect that. I like that. It didn’t go that way, and someone has to pick him up by putting out a fire.”

Theodore isn't the only Golden Knight struggling with maintaining the puck. According to Mike Kelly of the NHL Network, the Golden Knights have allowed five turnover goals in two games. During the regular season, they allowed the fourth-fewest.  

If the histories of these two teams are any indication of what's to come, the Golden Knights should still feel good about the situation they are in. Although historically they haven't been a great road team, they have the experience within their roster and coaching staff to find a way to win.

Puck drop is at 6:00 PM Pacific Time at the Xcel Energy Center. 

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

Golden Knights Recall Seven Players From AHL Affiliate To Form Taxi SquadGolden Knights Recall Seven Players From AHL Affiliate To Form Taxi SquadThe Vegas Golden Knights have recalled seven players from the Henderson Silver Knights to form their playoff taxi squad. 

Heart Over Hype: Playoff Hockey Finally Returns to Ottawa On Thursday Night

The wait is over.

For Ottawa Senators fans, Thursday night at Canadian Tire Centre won't just be about Game 3 against the rival Maple Leafs, it’ll be all the pregame excitement of the Red Zone, the goosebumps when the lights go down, that explosive roar when the Senators storm the ice, and the sea of rally towels, waving wildly as Lyndon Slewidge (we're hoping) belts out the final notes of our national anthem.

Apr 17, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators fans share their views on the Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

It’s been an eight-year wait, full of frustration, irritation and rebuild attempts — but Thursday's excitement buries it all. For the first time since Game 6 of the 2017 NHL Eastern Conference Final, the Senators will host a Stanley Cup Playoff game.

Thanks to Max Domi’s overtime goal in Game 2 in Toronto on Tuesday, ending a game the Senators played so well in, the series looks much different than it could have. So the Leafs are in control at the moment, holding a 2–0 series lead, which leaves the Senators little room for error in a pivotal Game 3.

If you’ll recall that game in 2017, the Senators were under even more pressure that night—they had just lost Game 5 by a score of 7–0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins and needed to win to stay alive. Craig Anderson played out of his mind that night, making 45 saves to help the Senators defeat the Pens 2–1.

"You know, as far as tonight, you just try to stay in the moment as best you can and focus on the baby steps," Anderson told NHL.com. "One shot at a time, and the big picture takes care of itself when you worry about the details."

That remains a great philosophy for the 2025 Senators, who could also use an Anderson-like playoff performance out of Linus Ullmark.

The Senators also have to solve Anthony Stolarz at the other end. While they played a much better game in Game 2, more often than not, it takes more than two goals to win. That's all the Sens have managed in each of the first two games and there's currently a 12-way tie for the Sens playoff scoring lead at one point.

Stolarz is also 10–0 in his last 10 games, with a .947 save percentage and three shutouts.

What the Senators need most is to get off to a better start. Both losses so far have been accompanied by early 2–0 deficits. The Senators hold the NHL's best record when scoring first in games.

They’re also a substantially better team at home than they are on the road, even better than Toronto, the division winner. The Sens were one game below .500 on the road, but their home record of 27–11–3 was the third-best in the conference, behind only the Carolina Hurricanes and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Sens fans will need to be careful not to tear a rotator cuff. It's been a while since they waved the playoff rally towel. This year, the towels read "Heart over Hype," a perfect motto for a series against the Leafs, who receive the lion's share of the national media's attention, whether they're good or bad.

It will be interesting to see if the Senators' tactics to try and get more playoff tickets into the hands of Sens fans paid off or not. It should be a smaller Leaf fan contingent than we generally see flooding the building in the regular season, but how much smaller, if at all, remains to be seen.

Senators lines at game day skate (No Jensen or Greig again):

Tkachuk – Stützle – Giroux

Zetterlund – Cozens – Batherson

Highmore – Pinto – Amadio

Perron – Gaudette – Cousins

Defense:

Sanderson – Zub

Chabot – Hamonic

Kleven – Matinpalo

Goalies:

Ullmark (starter)

Forsberg

It will be interesting to see if Perron remains in a fourth line role in favour of the faster, younger Zetterlund.

Maple Leafs lines at game day skate:

Knies – Matthews – Marner

Holmberg – Tavares – Nylander

Järnkrok – Laughton – Lorentz

Pacioretty – Domi – McMann

Defense:

McCabe – Tanev

Rielly – Carlo

Benoit – Ekman-Larsson

Goalies:

Stolarz (starter)

Woll

The Senators defence has been prone to getting beaten up the middle so far in this series. That makes Max Pacioretty’s addition for Game 3 one to watch. Going back to his days with the Montreal Canadiens, Pacioretty always seemed to be good for one or two breakaways every game against the Senators. But he’s 36 now and hasn’t played since February 8th.

It's a huge game in the series. But it's just as big for the psyche of the city's long-suffering fan base. 

Line Combinations: Game 3 – Jets at Blues

Photo by James Carey Lauder/USA Today 

The Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues have swapped the Golden Boy for the Gateway Arch, as the Stanley Cup opening round matchup shifts from Manitoba to Missouri for Game 3 on Thursday night.

After seeing Games 1 and 2 feature puck drops within the early evening hours in the prime-time slot, Thursday's pivotal Game 3 will take place at 8:45 PM central time.

Serving as the Central Division Semifinal, the third game will either see the Jets pull ahead to a commanding 3-0 series lead, or St. Louis find its first win of the best-of-seven to cut Winnipeg's lead to just one game.

Having played two games in three days to open the matchup, it has now been three days since the teams last saw each other on ice. The same will be said between Games 3 and 4 as well as Games 4 and 5.

Winnipeg is not expected to make any line changes from its personnel from the past two meetings, while St. Louis may or may not shift away from the 11/7 forward/defence split it used in the second game. 

Connor Hellebuyck and Jordan Binnington will go back at it for the third-straight game.

Winnipeg Jets' expected line combinations for Game 3 at. St. Louis on Thursday, April 24:

Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo

Niederreiter-Namestnikov-Perfetti

Tanev-Lowry-Appleton

Gustafsson-Barron-Anderson Dolan

Morrissey-DeMelo

Samberg-Pionk

Stanley-Schenn

Hellebuyck

Injured: Vilardi, Ehlers

Healthy Scratches: Fleury, Miller, Toninato, Kupari, Heinola

St. Louis Blues' expected line combinations for Game 3 vs. Winnipeg on Thursday, April 24:

Buchnevich-Thomas-Snuggerud

Neighbours-Schenn-Kyrou

Texier-Sundqvist-Bolduc

Toropchenko-Faksa-Walker

Fowler-Parayko

Broberg-Faulk

Leddy-Tucker

Binnington

Former Avalanche Goalie Has Regrettable Performance

Calvin Pickard (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)

Goaltending can make or break a team.

There are times when it is everything and other times when it doesn’t seem to matter much.

For the Colorado Avalanche, they are on the receiving end of solid goaltending from Mackenzie Blackwood. Despite only winning one of the first three games in the series against the Dallas Stars, Blackwood is keeping the team in every single game.

Bookmark The Hockey News Colorado Avalanche team site so you never miss the latest newsgame day coverage, and information on the Avalanche players.

One team that isn’t having the same goaltending luck is the Edmonton Oilers. In fact – it’s been downright rotten.

Case in point, Wednesday night’s 6-2 loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings. Stuart Skinner is one of many Oilers who need to play better in Game 3, but his game was akin to Patrick Roy compared to what happened with Calvin Pickard.

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Pickard came in to relieve Skinner in the back-half of the third period. The former Avalanche goaltender only stopped two of the three shots that he faced. 

Sadly, it was the first one the Kings threw at him that made it past him.

In case you have forgotten, Pickard was a second-round draft pick of the Avalanche back in 2010. He was selected 49th overall. 

He played three seasons in the NHL for the Avalanche. None were better than the performance that he put up in 2016-17. Pickard played 50 games, posting a record of 15-31-2, to go along with a 2.98 goals against average (GAA), a .904 save percentage (SV%), and two shutouts.

This past season, he set a new career high in wins (22) while boasting a 2.71 GAA and a .900 SV%.

This will be a series for hockey fans everywhere to keep an eye on.

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New NHL 25 Roster Update, Ivan Demidov, Zeev Buium, Quinn Hutson Added

© David Kirouac-Imagn Images

A new roster update is officially live in NHL 25.

Multiple prospects and college free agents have been added including Montreal Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov, Minnesota Wild defenseman Zeev Buium, and Edmonton Oilers forward Quinn Hutson.

Demidov's first ever EA SPORTS NHL player comes in at 83 overall with elite high potential, a huge rating for a player who has appeared in four career NHL games.

Buium is rated 80 overall with elite medium potential.

Hutson is 75 overall with medium top nine potential. 

Each players stats and player profile are pictured below. All are available to use in every online and offline mode once players download the most recent rosters. 

EA SPORTS NHL 25EA SPORTS NHL 25EA SPORTS NHL 25EA SPORTS NHL 25EA SPORTS NHL 25EA SPORTS NHL 25

Check out new HUT ContentWeek 3 Team of the Season and brand new Playoff Fantasy Hockey cards.   

For more NHL 25 news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed. For gaming discussion check out our forum.

Oilers Goalie Recall Options Are Not Great

Olivier Rodrigue (Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)

EDMONTON – In the words of everyone’s favorite wise monkey, “it is time.”

Time for what, you ask? To talk about goalies, of course.

The Edmonton Oilers have many woes ailing them in their series against the Los Angeles Kings. One of them is their goaltenders' ability to make a timely save.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest newsgame-day coverage, and more

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The Argument For An Oilers Goalie Recall

To say that the Oilers have been getting subpar goaltending to begin the playoffs would be an understatement. But just how bad has it been?

According to NHL Edge data, Stuart Skinner has a .571 save percentage on high-danger shots – the league average is .784. Does this mean they need to have someone else in net?

Maybe.

The Oilers allowed four high-danger shot attempts in Game 2 and scored on two of them. In Game 1, the Kings had one high-danger shot attempt but didn’t score. Instead, they scored on two low-danger and four medium-danger opportunities.

Oilers Goalie Recall Options

If the Oilers want to bring along a third goalie to aid them in their quest to get through the first round of the 2025 playoffs, their options are limited.

Olivier Rodrigue

Olivier Rodrigue came up after Skinner was put on the shelf for a brief time. He was able to get some time in, for the most part, Calvin Pickard was relied on to be between the pipes. The likelihood that they would rely on Rodrigue in the playoffs, especially after not doing so in the regular season, is very low.

Colin Delia

Colin Delia didn’t get an emergency recall after Skinner was injured, which feels like a big enough reason why the Oilers wouldn’t consider bringing him up. Needless to say, his AHL numbers aren’t phenomenal, so it’s tough to rationalize that he would do any better than Pickard.

Connor Ungar

Because his entry level contract started earlier this season, Connor Ungar could be recalled by the Oilers. However, that road is also a dead-end. Ungar’s ECHL numbers are average, so it’s tough to make a case for him to be the guy getting the recall.

No other goalie can be recalled because of their contracts taking effect next year.

There will be no goalie coming in to save the Oilers. They’re just going to have to play better defense.

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Devils Call Up Several Players Ahead Of Game 3

Colton White (© James Guillory-Imagn Images)

The New Jersey Devils have announced that they have recalled Brian Halonen, Mike Hardman, Nathan Legare, Marc McLaughlin, Topias Vilen, Colton White, and Isaac Poulter from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Utica Comets.

Halonen, 26, played in 62 games this season with the Comets, where he had 27 goals, 40 points, and a plus-9 rating. He also played in two games this campaign with the Devils, posting zero points and a minus-1 rating.

Hardman, 26, had one assist in two regular-season games with the Devils this campaign. Down in the AHL with Utica, he had 18 goals, 35 points, and a plus-11 rating.

Legare, 24, played in his first three career NHL games this campaign with the Devils, where he was held off the scoresheet. In 69 games with Utica, he had 17 goals, 25 points, and 102 penalty minutes.

McLaughlin, 25, played in 50 AHL games this season split between the Providence Bruins and Comets, where he had five goals and 20 points. He also had two goals and an assist in 14 NHL games with the Bruins and Devils this year.

Vilen, 22, spent all of this season with the Comets, where he had one goal, 24 points, and a plus-2 rating in 58 contests. The Devils selected the 6-foot-1 defenseman with the 129th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

White, 27, appeared in 61 games this season with the Comets, where he had four goals, 17 assists, 21 points, and a plus-1 rating. This was after he had eight points in 53 games last season with the San Diego Gulls.

Poulter, 23, had a 16-13-6 record, a .898 save percentage, a 2.86 goals-against average, and one shutout in 36 games for the Comets this season.

Recent Devils News 

3 New Jersey Devils Who Must Shine In Game 3 3 New Jersey Devils Who Must Shine In Game 3 The New Jersey Devils are set to play a crucial Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 25. After losing each of their first two games of the series, the  Devils desperately need a win to keep their hopes alive. Going down 3-0 would be brutal for New Jersey. Devils Need To Give Jacob Markstrom More OffenseDevils Need To Give Jacob Markstrom More OffenseThe start of the New Jersey Devils' first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes has been the exact opposite of what the team had hoped for. The Devils have lost each of their first two games of the series and are now just two more losses away from being knocked out of the first round. New Jersey Devils Facing Must-Win Game 3New Jersey Devils Facing Must-Win Game 3After losing Game 1 to the Carolina Hurricanes by a 4-1 final score, the New Jersey Devils looked to bounce back on April 22 for Game 2. Unfortunately, they did not get the result they had hoped for, as they fell to the Hurricanes by a 3-1 final score. With this, the Devils are now heading back to New Jersey, being down 2-0 in the series. Former Devils Goalie Has Big Game For New TeamFormer Devils Goalie Has Big Game For New TeamEarlier this season, former New Jersey Devils goalie Mackenzie Blackwood was traded to the Colorado Avalanche by the San Jose Sharks. The move was understandable, as the Avalanche desperately needed help between the pipes, while the Sharks were willing to move Blackwood because of his then-pending unrestricted free agent status. 

Emotional Slafkovsky Spoke To The Press

Juraj Slafkovsky - Photo Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

If there’s one thing that has held about Juraj Slafkovsky since the start of his career, it’s that he’s always his harshest critic. On Wednesday night, it was still the case after the Montreal Canadiens dropped game two of their first-round series against the Washington Capitals 3-1.

It was a visibly emotional Slafkovsky who spoke to the media, providing a tough assessment not only of himself, but of the whole team:

Everyone here has to be better, starting with me and then everyone else. We’ve got to show a different kind of energy and a different kind of game on Friday at home.
- Juraj Slafkovsky on the need to be better

The Capitals play a tough physical game, but it’s not beyond what the 21-year-old power forward expected. After the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, the former first overall pick said he needed to play a more physical game to succeed in the NHL and would like to bring the kind of game Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk brings, and at times, he has done it. Still, he has yet to find that kind of game consistently, and he knows it:

I just got to play more physical myself, got to be better.
- Slafkovsky on the need to be more physical

In game two, the big Slovak landed three hits and sent seven shots to the net, although only five made it there. Still, he committed giveaways attributed to a lack of concentration or execution. The no-look back passes can fly in exhibition games or scrimmages, but they have no place in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and he’s learning it the hard way.

Asked if the fact that they knew they didn’t play their best the whole way through was something the Canadiens could build on, Slafkovsky indicated that it was often the case:

You know, there’s always something lacking. We always talk about, "Oh, today was this, tomorrow it’s something else." We have to have an almost perfect game to win.
-

Visibly, the youngster had had enough of the team’s and his own uneven effort. The Canadiens showed a knack for coming from behind in the third period this season, but only providing your best effort in the last frame will rarely be enough come playoff time. Coach Martin St-Louis will preach to the converted the next time he tells his players they must play better earlier.

The Canadiens slept in Washington last night and will fly back to Montreal this morning. There will be a media availability early, before the flight, but no practice is scheduled. This isn’t surprising as St-Louis appreciates the value of a rest day, but when the Canadiens hit the ice for morning skate on Friday, the bench boss will have some adjustments to make.


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