Category: Sports News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

---

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

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

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

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

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

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

Recent Hurricanes News 

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

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

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

Other Sabres Stories

Questions Yet To Be Answered If Adams Will Remain As Sabres GM

Is Peterka In Prime Position For Big Payday?

Sabres Ownership Ranked Worst In NHL By Survey In The Athletic

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Victor Olofsson (VGK) 10:37 TOI

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

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

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Lou Korac (@lkorac10) April 25, 2025

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

St. Louis goal!

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

Assisted by Robert Thomas.

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

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) April 25, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Big-Time Performances from Its Supporting Cast

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

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

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

— BarDown (@BarDown) April 24, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Home Ice, Real Loud: Crypto Is a Fortress

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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