The Detroit Red Wings suffered one of their most difficult losses of the season on Sunday afternoon against the Minnesota Wild. And it was a costly penalty by a future Hall of Famer that ultimately opened the door for Minnesota’s late, game-winning power-play goal.
Forward Patrick Kane, who had just knotted the score at 4-4 minutes earlier to erase what had been a 4-1 Detroit deficit, inexplicably tripped former Michigan Wolverines defenseman Quinn Hughes in the neutral zone, well outside of the play.
Wild star forward Kirill Kaprizov completed his sixth-career hat trick on the ensuing power-play, netting the winner with just 1:51 left in regulation.
While Kane did not speak after the game, he addressed the incident following Tuesday morning's practice at Little Caesars Arena.
"I mean, obviously, a lapse in judgment for sure. Looking back at the play, I've watched it obviously numerous times," he said. "Just going for a change, probably trying to get in front of Quinn a little bit and give a little bit of interference, and the stick got caught up in between his legs."
"Obviously, didn't mean to do that or take a penalty at that time of the game, but nonetheless, I take responsibility for what happened there," he continued. "It just sucks that time and moment, you're down 4-1, and coach challenges you, you come back to make it 4-4, and give it away on one stupid play."
Head coach Todd McLellan was asked his thoughts on the penalty and if there were any conversations with Kane about what had transpired.
"You figure he knows how he should be feeling, but if we're (coaching staff) doing our jobs, we still meet with him, and I've met with him, we've dealt with it, we're moving on," he said. "We can't turn the clock back now and change it. And I know he's owned it. That's two nights ago now; we've got to move forward."
As a longtime NHL veteran with multiple Stanley Cup rings, Kane understands all too well the weight of a mistake like that, especially with so much at stake in the playoff race.
"You feel like you let your teammates down after all we'd been through in that game, to come back and maybe get a point or two," Kane said. "It's disappointing to end up with nothing, obviously."
Kane and the Red Wings have no choice but to regroup for Tuesday evening's matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are tied with them in the standings at 88 points apiece.
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One of the most chaotic seasons in past memory is nearing a grand finale.
The Nashville Predators were the worst team in the NHL for the first two months of the season. Now, they are in a razor-thin race for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
Following Monday's shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings, 3-2, the Predators are a point outside of the final Wild Card spot with 82 points and five games left. San Jose is a point back and Winnipeg is two points back.
In a race that has been heavily scrutinized for the quality of teams, the winner will more than likely face the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It's truly make or break for the Predators in these final two weeks of play. Here are a few reasons for and against the Predators' post-season berth.
Should: Keep The Story Going
Apr 2, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) celebrates with Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) after winning the penalty shootout against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Griffin Hooper-Imagn Images
This could end up being one of the most amazing stories in NHL history.
A team that was dead in the water in October and November, a superstar that looked like he was nearing retirement and a general manager heading out the door, a hard rebuild looked inevitable for Nashville.
However, a 10-4-0 record in December gave this team new life, propelled by Steven Stamkos getting his mojo back. The future Hall of Famer had four points through the first month of the season, with trade rumors beginning to swirl.
Now, he is pushing 40 goals and chasing down the Predators franchise record in power-play goals.
This Disney movie needs a happy ending, as the Predators look to be the second team to complete the "worst to first" storyline, alongside the 2019 St. Louis Blues, who won the Stanley Cup after being ranked the worst team in the NHL that season.
Shouldn't: Avoiding Sweep
Dec 14, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Ross Colton (20) celebrates his goal with right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) as Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) looks on in the second period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
While playoff experience is great, how much are the Nashville Predators going to gain by getting swept by the Avalanche?
While the Predators have played the Avalanche well this season, holding a 2-2-0 record against the best team in the league, Colorado is going to be shifting into a completely different gear.
The Avalanche has a complete squad. Nathan Mackinnon and Martin Necas are charging the offense, Cale Makar on the backend, and Scott Wedgewood standing tall in the net. This is going to be a hard team to break.
The odds are also against the Predators, as the (likely) Presidents' Trophy winner has lost in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs just six times in the last 20 years.
The last time to pull off that upset was the 2023 Florida Panthers, who took out the top-seeded Boston Bruins in seven games in their run to the Stanley Cup Final.
It's a tall task and with how inconsistent the Predators have been, especially in this final stretch of the season, if they do get it, it'll be a short postseason stint.
Should: The Future Is Now
Mar 17, 2026; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Nashville Predators right wing Matthew Wood (71) celebrates a goal on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) in the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
The Predators' youth has been critical in keeping this team afloat, and there is no better test for them than facing the league's best team in the postseason.
Late in the season, Matthew Wood and Zach L'Heureux have proven just how valuable they are, centering top lines and finding ways to convert on the scoreboard. Fedor Svechkov has also had a nice return since the Olympic break.
Luke Evangelista has earned the name "The Dishin' Magician" this season, culminating in 41 assists and leading the team for the majority of the year.
On the backend, Ryan Ufko has filled a void left by Nick Blankenburg, and Adam Wilsby has given Nashville some solid minutes this season.
This is a great opportunity for the Predators' future to showcase what's ahead and work with veteran players to give this team a chance to make some noise.
In addition, have the team in a good place next season with a youthful group that has success in the postseason.
Shouldn't: The Future Is Later
Jun 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; A general view inside the venue prior to the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
They narrowly missed the playoffs. There's no loss in that at all. It gives the Predators more material to build for tomorrow.
Similar to the Detroit Red Wings, the Predators miss out today, but could win the Division tomorrow. Rebuilds take time, and the playoffs aren't what this group needs right now.
Have the new general manager come in, make some picks and moves, and gear up this team to be not just a playoff contender next season, but a Stanley Cup contender.
An early start to the postseason allows the Predators to focus on bringing in new front office leadership sooner, discussing contracts and figuring out who to pick in the draft. By the time October comes around, this team will be flowing and ready to go.
It'll also give Nashville time to figure out whether Andrew Brunette is still the guy to lead this team. With options like Bruce Cassidy and Patrick Roy now on the market, the Predators could swap out for a more experienced head coach.
Missing out on the postseason will allow the Predators to focus more on the rebuild, or rather, a retooling after making a run at the Wild Card.
A reward today is great, but it could be so much better tomorrow.
Should: Aged In Adversity
Jun 12, 2019; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Blues center Ryan O'Reilly (90) kisses the Stanley Cup after defeating the Boston Bruins in game seven of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
The Nashville team has had its back against the wall all season.
Trade rumors have swirled about every star player on the team. Four depth players were traded off at the deadline for little to nothing. Brunette's stint as head coach has come under fire multiple times. The Predators struggle to start games or can't hold a lead.
And yet, this team is still in the running for the playoffs.
Nashville may be the most battle-tested team in the NHL and has found ways to stay afloat through it all. Even if the Predators don't make the playoffs, there's something to be said about a team that was able to climb out of the basement of the league like Nashville has.
In addition, many Predators players have been in the playoffs as underdogs before.
Ryan O'Reilly was on that Blues team that went from "worst to first."
Jonathan Marchessault played on a Vegas Golden Knights team that went all the way to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final in its first year of existence.
Even Brunette capped off one of the biggest upsets in NHL history as a player. He scored a Game 7 series-winning overtime goal in the 2003 Western Conference Quarterfinals, as the No. 6-seeded Minnesota Wild eliminated the No. 3 Colorado Avalanche.
The Wild went down 3-1 to a team that featured Patrick Roy, Rob Blake, Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic. Minnesota made a run to the Western Conference Final that season, which remains its best postseason run in franchise history.
Jake Sanderson is enjoying the best offensive season of his career, producing at a 63-point pace over 82 games.
He had a two-point night the last time these teams played, and my Lightning vs. Senators predictions and NHL picks expect another quality performance on Tuesday, April 7.
Lightning vs Senators prediction
Lightning vs Senators best bet: Jake Sanderson Over 0.5 points (-130)
Jake Sanderson has hit the scoresheet in 11 of his last 14 home dates, recording 15 points in total.
He’s in a great spot to produce against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are in the latter half of a road back-to-back and expected to start Jonas Johansson in goal.
Johansson owns a .886 SV% on the season and has conceded 11.4 goals more than expected over his last 10 starts, worst in the NHL.
Sanderson also has a great track record against the Bolts, picking up a point in eight of the last 10 meetings.
Lightning vs Senators same-game parlay
Tim Stutzle recorded three shots on goal in both meetings with the Lightning this season while combining for a healthy 11 shot attempts. He has registered 2+ shots in six of his last seven, and will continue to be heavily relied upon as the Ottawa Senators push for a playoff spot.
The Senators are tied for third in wins over the last 25 games. They are in good form and have a clear rest advantage.
Tampa Bay is playing its third game in four nights against a Senators team that hasn’t traveled in April.
Lightning vs Senators SGP
Jake Sanderson Over 0.5 points
Tim Stutzle Over 1.5 shots on goal
Senators moneyline
Lightning vs Senators odds
Moneyline: Tampa Bay +110 | Ottawa -130
Puck line: Tampa Bay +1.5 (-215) | Ottawa -1.5 (+175)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-105) | Under 6.5 (-115)
Lightning vs Senators trend
Jake Sanderson has totaled nine points over his past five home dates against Tampa Bay. Find more NHL betting trends for Lightning vs. Senators.
How to watch Lightning vs Senators
Location
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON
Date
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
The Spot, RDS2
Lightning vs Senators latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The 2025-26 season has been a tough one for Montreal Canadiens goalie Samuel Montembeault. Due to his struggles, the 29-year-old has lost the Canadiens' No. 1 goalie job, and questions about his long-term future have come up because of it.
In 25 appearances this season with the Canadiens, Montembeault has a 10-8-4 record, a 3.43 goals-against average, and an .872 save percentage. This is after he had a 31-24-7 record, a 2.82 goals-against average, and a .902 save percentage this past season with Montreal.
Montembeault was also assigned to the Laval Rocket on an AHL conditioning loan back in December, where he had a 0-2-0 record and a .904 save percentage in two appearances.
While this season has not gone to plan for Montembeault, his past success will make him an interesting bounce-back candidate to watch next season.
However, Montembeault has now landed some praise. The Canadiens' netminder was given the No. 1 spot on The Athletic's goalie mask power rankings, and it is hard to disagree with their take. Montembeault's snake mask is an incredible look.
Joey Daccord (Seattle Kraken), John Gibson (Detroit Red Wings), Scott Wedgewood (Colorado Avalanche), and Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars) were ranked behind Montembeault in The Athletic's goalie mask rankings. While they all have great masks, there is no question that Montembeault's mask is the coolest.
SAN DIEGO, CA — Nineteen regulation wins. That's the number that tells the story of the Los Angeles Kings' 2025-26 season better than anything else.
According to Sportsnet Stats, the Kings are clinging to a playoff spot despite recording just 19 regulation wins this year, the fewest for a playoff-bound team since the 1987-88 Toronto Maple Leafs, nearly four decades ago. That's not a flattering comparison. That Leafs team missed the playoffs the very next season.
Kings are currently in a playoff spot with 19 regulation wins.
The last team to make the playoffs in an 80+ game season with 20 regulation wins of fewer was the 1987-88 Maple Leafs
For a franchise riding the final year of Anze Kopitar's legendary career, this season has been a far cry from the send-off anyone had in mind.
The Kings have scored just 211 goals this season while allowing 236, carrying a minus-25 goal differential that doesn't belong to a playoff team by any conventional measure. They have survived not because of dominance, but because the Pacific Division has been anything but. Connor McDavid himself called it a "pillow fight," as Pacific teams have repeatedly gone winless on the same nights, with Eastern Conference also-rans outperforming some of the West's supposed contenders.ESPN
And yet, here they are, still in. But still very much in danger.
With 83 points through 77 games and just five remaining, Los Angeles has no margin for error. And here's the cruelest twist of all: even if the Kings were to win out, they are not guaranteed a playoff spot. The San Jose Sharks are right on their heels and carry a massive edge in regulation wins, 25 to Los Angeles' 19. Under NHL tiebreaker rules, if two teams finish level on points, regulation wins are the very first tiebreaker applied. In other words, if the Kings and Sharks end the year tied, San Jose wins that battle by six regulation wins. Six.
Fortunately for the Kings, the road to getting in is layered with pillows, so to speak.
On paper, two games against Vancouver and one against Calgary represent winnable matchups to close things out, though the Flames game comes on the road, where Los Angeles has struggled in the Saddledome. Those contests are manageable. But the schedule also includes a Saturday date against the Edmonton Oilers, the team that has knocked the Kings out of the playoffs in each of the last four seasons. Los Angeles was eliminated by Edmonton in six games last season, five in 2024, six in 2023, and seven in 2022. Now, of all times, Los Angeles needs a win against that same team just to stay alive in the regular season. The Oilers are almost certainly not going to play the Kings in the playoffs for a fifth consecutive year, but an opportunity is materializing to massively dent their playoff aspirations.
And if they do survive, if the Kings navigate this gauntlet, hold off San Jose, and scrape into the postseason, what awaits them? In all likelihood, a date with the Colorado Avalanche, who became the first team to clinch a playoff spot this season and made history by recording only two regulation losses through their first 40 games. Colorado currently sits at 50-16-10, leading the league in goals scored with 287 while allowing just 196. They are not a flawed giant waiting to be slain. They are the class of the NHL.
For those who prescribe nostalgia, stop right here. This is not 2012. That Kings team, an eighth seed, was an underperforming juggernaut that caught fire at exactly the right moment, opening all four series 3-0 on their way to the franchise's first Stanley Cup. There was latent talent waiting to be unleashed. This version of the Kings is not hiding anything. What you see is what you get: a minus-25 goal differential team with 19 regulation wins, with a poorly constructed backend, a starter who hasn’t been the same since injury, running out of time, running out of runway, and potentially running headlong into the best team in hockey.
And I do respect a last hurrah for Kopitar.
But don’t make the mistake of not concluding that this is an extremely poor construct of a roster.
This is Kopitar's final season, and the aftermath will be met with boundless curiosity from those inside and outside the organization. The hope was that Los Angeles would honor his farewell with a genuine run. Instead, the Kings find themselves in a position where winning every remaining game might still not be enough, and even if it is, the reward might be the hardest possible path forward.
The 1987-88 Maple Leafs are their only peers in this dubious historical footnote. Sometimes that's all a team can hang onto, the fact that they're still here. For now, at least, the Kings are still here.
Golden Knights vs Canucks best bet: Jake DeBrusk Over 2.5 shots on goal (+145)
Vancouver Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk has 19 goals and 19 assists while averaging 2.64 SOG per game in 2025-26. The 29-year-old is on a heater right now, cashing the Over in shots on goal in six of his last seven.
During that span, DeBrusk has also notched six points. The opportunities he’s creating are often turning into goals or assists.
DeBrusk has only three SOG against the Vegas Golden Knights this season across two meetings, but the visitors just allowed 32 shots on target to the Oilers.
DeBrusk is also a top-line guy, and he’s playing heavier minutes this month, giving him more chances to take aim.
Golden Knights vs Canucks same-game parlay
DeBrusk has a goal in three straight games and has at least one point in six of seven.
Brock Boeser has 44 points this season, which is third on the team behind Filip Hronek and Elias Pettersson. He’s a high-usage player and has hit the Over in points in five of his last seven appearances.
During that span, Boeser has collected eight points. He already has five in April, and he found the back of the net against Vegas at the end of March.
Golden Knights vs Canucks SGP
Jake DeBrusk Over 2.5 shots on goal
Jake DeBrusk Over 0.5 points
Brock Boeser Over 0.5 points
Golden Knights vs Canucks odds
Moneyline: Golden Knights -245 | Canucks +200
Puck Line: Golden Knights -1.5 (-105) | Canucks +1.5 (-115)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-110) | Under 6.5 (-110)
Golden Knights vs Canucks trend
The Vancouver Canucks have hit the Game Total Over in 13 of their last 20 games (+6.35 Units / 29% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Canucks.
How to watch Golden Knights vs Canucks
Location
Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
Date
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Puck drop
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
SCRIPPS, SNP
Golden Knights vs Canucks latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Panthers vs Canadiens best bet: Cole Caufield anytime goal (-105)
Cole Caufield is in a great spot to score his 50th goal. He’s rested, playing at home, and finds himself in a very favorable matchup.
The Florida Panthers have struggled defensively all season, and things have only gotten worse as they’ve shut key players down and pulled the plug on the year.
Only the Chicago Blackhawks have allowed more high-danger chances over the past 10 games, which is a recipe for disaster given the Panthers slot 30th in save percentage.
Caufield has found the back of the net in 55% of his games against Bottom-10 defenses.
Panthers vs Canadiens same-game parlay
Juraj Slafkovsky skates on Cole Caufield’s opposite wing at 5-on-5 and is also a mainstay on the top power play unit, making him a threat to produce each night.
Slafkovsky hasn’t gone more than two straight games without a point since November – and that’s the mark he’s sitting on now.
Lane Hutson has picked up an assist in 75% of his games against Bottom-10 defenses. He is one of the best playmaking defensemen in the sport, and he should be able to pick apart this vulnerable Panthers team with his precision passing.
Panthers vs Canadiens SGP
Cole Caufield anytime goal
Juraj Slafkovsky Over 0.5 points
Lane Hutson Over 0.5 assists
Panthers vs Canadiens odds
Moneyline: Florida +175 | Montreal -210
Puck line: Florida +1.5 (-130) | Montreal -1.5 (+110)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-110) | Under 6.5 (-110)
Panthers vs Canadiens trend
Cole Caufield has scored in four of his past seven games against Florida. Find more NHL betting trends for Panthers vs. Canadiens.
How to watch Panthers vs Canadiens
Location
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Date
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
SCRIPPS, RDS
Panthers vs Canadiens latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
A woman gave birth on the seventh floor of Rogers Place as the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Las Vegas Knights in Alberta, Canada on Saturday.
A woman gave birth on the seventh floor of Rogers Place as the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Las Vegas Knights in Alberta, Canada on Saturday.
Oilers play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels announced the baby’s birth on the Sportsnet broadcast before the start of the third period.
“Breaking news: We have word that someone has gone into labor here tonight,” Michaels said. “There’s a baby being born on the seventh floor at Rogers Place as we speak.
“So someone’s going to have a great story to tell.
“It would be nice to have the mother join us on ‘After Hours’ to describe what’s happened but that could be asking a bit much,” Michaels joked.
A baby is currently being born at Rogers Place… in the middle of the Oilers game pic.twitter.com/02Tcg1GN2d
A woman gave birth on the seventh floor of Rogers Place as the Emonton Oilers hosted the Las Vegas Knights in Alberta, Canada on Saturday, April 4, 2026, Sportsnet reported. X/Sportsnet
No further details, including the mother’s identity, were shared publicly.
This isn’t the first instance of a baby being born in the middle of a professional sports game.
A woman gave birth to a baby boy during the third inning of a Padres-Giants game at Petco Park in 2015.
Trent Frederic #10 of the Edmonton Oilers battles for the puck against Jack Eichel #9 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the third period of the game at Rogers Place on April 4, 2026, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. NHLI via Getty Images
The Oilers lost to the Knights, 5-1, ending Edmonton’s five-game win streak.
The Oilers are fighting for the top spot in the Pacific Division, tied with the Anaheim Ducks with 87 points. The Knights are in third.
All three of the teams have five games remaining in the NHL’s regular season, which concludes on April 16.
The Calgary Flames visit the Dallas Stars this evening at the American Airlines Center, with puck drop scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT.
Morgan Frost is a huge offensive catalyst right now for Calgary, and my Flames vs. Stars predictions and NHL picks are eyeing him to keep it up.
Flames vs Stars prediction
Flames vs Stars best bet: Morgan Frost Over 0.5 points (+120)
Morgan Frost is having a respectable campaign for the Calgary Flames, scoring 21 goals and tallying 20 assists. The 26-year-old has cashed the Over in three of his last four games, notching six points during that span. He also scored twice against the Ducks on Saturday.
He also found the back of the net last Thursday against the Golden Knights, logging a point in back-to-back road games.
Frost has 20 points in 38 outings, and he's scored one goal in two games against the Stars this season. He also leads the Flames in power-play points with 15.
Flames vs Stars same-game parlay
Matt Coronato is averaging 2.45 shots on goal per game this season. While he’s only hit the Over twice in his last seven, I’m focusing on Coronato’s track record against Dallas.
Across two matchups, he has seven shots on target. He’s also averaging 2.44 SOG on the road, and has nine points in his last 10 games.
Matvei Gridin hasn’t played a ton of NHL minutes this season, but he’s put up some decent numbers. Gridin is creating lots of chances lately, cashing the Over in SOG in two games in a row. He had three on target in Saturday’s win, scoring once and tallying an assist.
Gridin also put four pucks on net in Thursday’s loss to Vegas. He had two SOG in one meeting with Dallas this season.
Flames vs Stars SGP
Morgan Frost Over 0.5 points
Matt Coronato Over 2.5 shots
Matvei Gridin Over 1.5 shots
Flames vs Stars odds
Moneyline: Flames +210 | Stars -260
Puck Line: Flames +1.5 (-130) | Stars -1.5 (+110)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 | Under 5.5
Flames vs Stars trend
The Flames have covered the puck line in nine of their last 12 games for +6.55 units and a 34% ROI. Find more NHL betting trends for Flames vs. Stars.
How to watch Flames vs Stars
Location
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Date
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Puck drop
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
SNW, Victory+
Flames vs Stars latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The last road trip of the season for the Florida Panthers has shifted north of the border.
Florida’s final three road games will come in Canada, starting on Tuesday night when they battle the Montreal Canadiens.
While Montreal is fighting for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, Florida is hovering toward the bottom of the league standings.
Entering play Tuesday, the Panthers were the sixth-to-last in the NHL, only two points ahead of the Seattle Kraken and New York Rangers.
Finishing in the bottom 10 will be good for the Panthers, because if they end up with a top-10 pick at this summer’s NHL Draft, they get to keep it.
Florida initially sent their 2026 first round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Trade Deadline deal that brought Seth Jones to the Panthers, but it turns out that the pick was top-10 protected.
At the time, it seemed silly to think that something would happen to the Stanley Cup contending Panthers to the point where they would somehow earn such a high draft pick, but a dozen or so injuries later, here we are.
Should Florida end up retaining their pick, it will be interesting to see what Panthers General Manager Bill Zito decides to do with the selection.
One option would be to flip the pick ahead of the draft and pick up a player or players who can help the team immediately, while another would be to select a player high enough that he could bolster Florida’s prospect pipeline and potentially be a star for the team in a few years, when the Cats could be looking to retool.
Meanwhile, Montreal is just two points back of both the Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning, who each have 102 points and sit atop the Atlantic Division.
The Canadiens and the Lightning each have five games remaining on their respective schedules while Buffalo has four.
Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Tuesday’s tussle in Montreal:
Photo caption: Jan 8, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Samuel Montembeault (35) makes a save against Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer (10) during the second period at Bell Centre. (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)
Nearly a month later, Wheeler turned his attention to the Detroit Red Wings, slotting them fourth overall in his rankings. Detroit’s system is deep and loaded with high-end talent, including first-round selections and emerging prospects who project as future NHL impact players. Wheeler also broke down the Red Wings’ pipeline into tiers, offering insight into each player’s development and potential.
The first tier features the organization’s most recognizable and highly anticipated prospects. Leading the way is goaltender Sebastian Cossa, followed by Trey Augustine and defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka. Carter Bear, Nate Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, and Emmitt Finnie round out the top group. These are the names many Detroit fans are already watching closely, with expectations that several could become key contributors at the NHL level.
The second tier includes players who are steadily building excitement within the fan base. Max Plante headlines the group as one of Detroit’s recent draft steals while Eddie Genborg has already made the jump to North America, skating with the Grand Rapids Griffins at just 18 years old. He is joined by teammate Amadeus Lombardi, who at 22 continues to show offensive upside through his early professional seasons.
Wheeler’s Top Ten Red Wings Prospects:
Sebastian Cossa
Trey Augustine
Axel Sandin-Pellikka
Carter Bear
Nate Danielson
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård
Emmitt Finnie
Max Plante
Eddie Genborg
Amadeus Lombardi
The third and final tier highlights a mix of under-the-radar risers and longer-term projects. Anton Johansson recently arrived in North America and is finishing the season with the Griffins. Defenseman Shai Buium has shown flashes of offensive ability, while goaltender Michal Pradel turned heads at the World Juniors with Slovakia after beginning the tournament as a backup.
Rudy Guimond has posted dominant numbers in the QMJHL with the Moncton Wildcats, though Wheeler notes the strength of the team in front of him as a factor. Jesse Kiiskinen, still developing in Finland, rounds out the tier as a player with intriguing upside.
Among the honorable mentions are Larry Keenan, Brent Solomon, Dylan James, Ondrej Becher, Michal Svrcek, and Noah Dower-Nilsson, who recently signed his entry-level contract with Detroit and could emerge as a contributor in the coming years.
Wheeler’s analysis is one of the most comprehensive looks at the Red Wings’ prospect system currently available and reinforces the belief that Detroit’s rebuild continues to trend in the right direction.
With the top two prospect pipelines yet to be revealed, some debate has emerged around the Calgary Flames, who were ranked just ahead of Detroit. While Calgary boasts high-end talent such as Zayne Parekh and Cole Reschny, some observers believe the overall depth still favors the Red Wings.
The final two rankings are set to be released Wednesday, bringing Wheeler’s extensive series to a close.
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ELMONT, NY - MARCH 30: New York Islanders Left Wing Anders Lee (27) scores a goal on Pittsburgh Penguins Goalie Arturs Silovs (37) during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders on March 30, 2026, at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Stuart Skinner was sitting on the bench, serving as the back for Saturday’s game against the Panthers when a puck left the playing area and struck him in the face. It caused damage near his left eye to the point where he couldn’t play as scheduled on Sunday after swelling set in, as seen in the team’s post-game video from the lockerroom after Sunday’s win.
Skinner’s unexpected malady meant trouble for the Penguins in the short term – they physically couldn’t get their top AHL goalie Sergei Murashov to Pittsburgh to join the team in time for the Sunday afternoon game, following Wilkes-Barre playing at Lehigh Valley on Saturday night themselves. For a short-term patch the Pens played Arturs Silovs a second-straight day and had ECHL goalie Taylor Gauthier serve as the backup, since it was easier to make the quick 60-mile jaunt from Wheeling to Pittsburgh.
The longer-term ramifications of that random, errant puck on Saturday could have bigger impacts. The Pens are off until Thursday, giving Skinner time to heal up. Silovs can always take the net on Thursday and if Skinner is good to go for the following game on Saturday against Washington, the incident could fade away as a minor footnote.
There’s another path available as well, as seen from this morning’s transaction to officially call up Murashov from the AHL. The Penguins were off yesterday after playing a ridiculous 20 games in 36 days, they’ll return to practice today, presumably with a new goalie out there.
Goaltender Sergei Murashov has been recalled from the @WBSPenguins (AHL).
The timing of Skinner’s fluke injury a few games before the playoffs looms large to potentially open the door for Murashov. At a bottom line level, the Penguins could use a goalie upgrade. Whether or not the 22-year old Murashov represents a boost in level of play is another topic, though it’s captivating to see it play out now.
The Penguins’ goalies recently:
Silovs posted a -10.26 GSAA over just eight games from March 5th to April 4th. He managed a 5-3-0 record, mainly because the explosive Pittsburgh offense was able to outscore the problems in net. Silovs had a 3.92 GAA and .842 save% in that eight game where Silovs surrendered up 4+ goals six out of the eight times. To his credit, Silovs was better when the Penguins needed him to play a back-to-back, managing 29 stops on 31 shots in Sunday’s game.
Skinner hasn’t been much better, posting a 4-4-5 record since January 31st with a .870 save% and 3.54 GAA. It’s been tough minutes and games, as reflected by a -0.16 GSAA in this stretch, but he’s not stopping a lot more than the average expected and the team has only won four out of his last 13 starts.
The Pittsburgh offense has done a lot to paper over deficiencies in net, the Pens’ 3.96 goals/game since January 21st ranks first in the league. Their 3.58 goals/against is down at 26th. A team can’t count on winning 5-4 type of hockey games in the playoffs and in addition to defensive details that need to be cleaned up, it’s not a stretch (or exactly a new idea) that a change between the pipes could lead to an improvement for the club. Neither Silovs nor Skinner has risen to the occasion lately and Murashov is clearly a talented netminder who has proven his mettle at the AHL level to the tune of a 23-8-3 record, 2.13 GAA and .922 save% this season that ranks second in the entire league.
The Pens have had their share of surprise late-season goaltenders emerge for the playoffs, and it’s fitting this is the 10th year anniversary of Matt Murray working his way up from AHL goalie to NHL playoff stalwart, as well as the 25th anniversary of minor league journeyman Johan Hedberg coming out of no where to lead the Pens on a deep playoff run. Are the stars aligning to see Murashov get a chance to add a chapter to that story?
We may find out as soon as Thursday, dependent on Skinner’s eye situation and whether or not the Pens even play Murashov against the Devils or decide to let Silovs keep on playing in hopes of an upturn in performance. Suddenly, and in a most unexpected way, the Pens might have an opportunity to make a change in net that could drastically change their look for the playoffs if they want to give Murashov a shot in net.
It’s an 11-game slate tonight across the National Hockey League, with lots of stars in action. My NHL player props will focus on Cole Caufield, Nikita Kucherov, and Taylor Hall.
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Our best NHL player props for Tuesday, April 7
Take a look at our best bets and expert analysis below.
Prop #1: Cole Caufield anytime goal
+115 at BET99
Cole Caufield is sitting just one goal shy of 50 on the season, and he’s already set a career-high. The Montreal Canadiens star has found the back of the net in four of his last six contests, and he scored twice last Thursday against the Rangers.
The Habs take on the Panthers tonight, who are already out of playoff contention and have decided to sit a lot of their main guys for the remainder of the campaign.
Caufield has already scored once against them across two meetings this season, and he’s netted four times in his last four home outings.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: SCRIPPS, RDS
Prop #2: Nikita Kucherov anytime goal
+115 at BET99
Nikita Kucherov ranks third in the NHL in goals, scoring 43 times in 2025-26. He’s an electric player for the Lightning, one of the top Stanley Cup contenders.
The Russian has scored in three straight games against the Sabres, Bruins, and Penguins, and none of those teams are a pushover.
Kucherov has done a lot of his damage on the road, scoring 28 times in just 36 contests. The Bolts visit the Senators this evening, and he’s already netted twice against them this season in one matchup. The Sens are also 19th in goals allowed, giving up 3.08 per contest.
Tampa’s best player will keep it rolling here.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: The Spot, RDS2
Prop #3: Taylor Hall Over 0.5 assists
+105 at BET99
Taylor Hall has carved out a nice role for himself as an experienced veteran on the Hurricanes. He’s scored 16 goals and tallied 28 assists this season for a total of 44 points in 77 contests.
Hall has cashed the Over in points in three straight, most recently scoring on Sunday against Ottawa.
The 34-year-old is up against one of his former teams in the Bruins tonight, and he’s already collected two points in two meetings with them.
Hall is much more productive at home, notching 29 points in 40 games. That’s compared to only 15 points in 37 contests on the road.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The 2024-25 season did not treat Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen kindly. The 27-year-old goaltender finished this past campaign with a 24-24-5 record, an .887 save percentage, and a 3.20 goals-against average.
With how last season went for Luukkonen, some had questions about his future with the Sabres. While this was the case, there is no question that he has silenced his critics with his play this season.
Luukkonen has been one of the Sabres' big reasons for their major turnaround this season. In 33 games this season with Buffalo, he has a 20-9-3 record, a .911 save percentage, and a 2.55 goals-against average. With this, he has not only had a bounce-back season with the Sabres but has been among the NHL's top goaltenders.
Luukkonen is only continuing to impress as the season rolls on, too. In his most recent start against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, he stopped 23 out of 25 shots in Buffalo's big 4-2 win.
Overall, it is hard not to be happy with Luukkonen's play this season. He has been taking his game to a new level for the Sabres, and it will be fascinating to see how he finishes off the campaign from here.
For one last time this season, the Montreal Canadiens will take on the defending champions, the Florida Panthers, on Tuesday night at the Bell Centre. This will be the third meeting between the two sides, and the Habs will be going for the season sweep after winning the first two matchups. In fact, Montreal has now won seven consecutive games against the Florida outfit, with the visitors only having won three of the last 10 tilts.
While the hosts have a fantastic 8-2-0 record in their last 10 games, the visitors have a 4-6-0 record over the same span and have lost their last two games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, being outscored 14-6 in the process. It should be noted that Florida is playing without many of its regulars right now: captain Aleksander Barkov, who has missed the entire season; Brad Marchand; Evan Rodrigues; Sam Reinhart; Anton Lundell; Aaron Ekblad; and Jonah Gadjovich. Most of whom are likely to be out for the rest of the season.
Both teams had a day off yesterday and have yet to confirm who will be tending the net, but I would expect Jakub Dobes to be back in the net after Jacob Fowler lost 3-0 to the New Jersey Devils in his last outing. The Czech netminder has won his only game against the Cats, shutting them out 4-0 in his NHL debut back in December 2024. As for Fowler, he has never faced them since Samuel Montembeault was on duty for both games against his former team this season.
Meanwhile, Sergei Bobrovsky has a 16-10-1 record against the Canadiens with a 2.57 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage, while backup Daniil Tarasov is 0-1-1 with a 2.72 GAA and a .897 SV. The backup was in net for the Cats’ last game, so the smart money is on Bobrovsky being back between the pipes, eager to bounce back after being yanked in a 9-4 loss against Pittsburgh.
Up front, fans and media alike are still on the “Cole Caufield 50-goal watch”, and the sniper has put up 14 points in 16 duels against the Cats, including eight goals, but only one of those was scored against Bobrovsky. Brendan Gallagher remains the Canadiens’ most productive player against Florida with 24 points in 42 games, but captain Nick Suzuki is fast catching up with 23 points in just 21 games. That bodes well for Suzuki, who currently has 95 points and just needs one to tie Pierre Turgeon as the Canadiens’ captain who has put up the most points in a single season with 96 in 1995-96. With five games to go, chances are Suzuki would also like to reach the century mark, and a depleted Panthers side might just be exactly what the doctor ordered. Finally, Josh Anderson is tied with Caufield as the Habs’ third most productive player against the visitors, but he needed 25 games to register his 14 points.
As for the visitors, uber pest Matthew Tkachuk is their most productive player against Montreal with 28 points in just 26 games, followed by Sam Bennett, who has 24 points in 30 games and Seth Jones, who has 15 points in 28 tilts. Reinhart, Ekblad and Marchand would all have been up there, but as mentioned earlier, they are all out of commission.
Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM, and you can catch the game on RDS, TSN2, and SCRIPPS. Eric Furlatt and Justin Kea are set to officiate, while Trent Knorr and Jeremy Faucher will be the linemen. The Canadiens are currently third in the Atlantic Division, two points behind the Buffalo Sabres and the Tampa Bay Lightning, who now both have 102 points thanks to the Sabres’ 4-2 win over the Bolts on Monday night. As for the Carolina Hurricanes, they lead the Eastern Conference with 104 points, and are still mathematically catchable.
Crisis of Confidence? Red Wings Don't Think So Despite their postseason hopes being on the brink, the Detroit Red Wings don't believe that they're ready to be written off. 
Caufield anytime goal
Kucherov anytime goal
Hall Over 0.5 assists