Game recaps, injury updates, more Masterton Trophy nominees and more.
Game Recaps.
Alexander Ovechkin celebrates his 50th goal of the season.
THE WASHINGTON POST: Alexander Ovechkin reached the 50-goal mark for the sixth time in his NHL career and tied the club record for most goals (472) as the Washington Capitals downed the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2. Only five other players in NHL history have reached the 50-goal mark six times in their career.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The record for most 50-goal NHL seasons is nine, held by Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy.
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Milan Lucic’s late goal lifted the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 victory over the Florida Panthers. The win widened the Bruins lead over the Panthers to six points whilst maintaining their three-point lead over the Ottawa Senators for the final wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference. The Panthers are still mathematically in the chase, but this loss may have crushed their season.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-2 in overtime, but the Bruins victory over the Panthers officially eliminates the Jackets from the playoff race.
Notable Headlines.
THE TAMPA TRIBUNE: Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He joins fellow Bolts blueliners Jason Garrison, Braydon Coburn and Andrej Sustr on the sidelines.
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS: Sharks defenseman Mirco Mueller (hand injury) is done for the season.
THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC: The Arizona Coyotes have nominated captain Shane Doan for the Masterton Trophy.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: Defenseman Mike Weber is the Buffalo Sabres’ nominee for the Masterton Trophy.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Dallas Stars have nominated Patrick Eaves for the Masterton Trophy.
STLTODAY.COM: Ken Hitchcock would like to return as the Blues head coach next season, but that could depend upon the club’s playoff performance.
NBC SPORTS: The NHL is bringing back draft compensation this summer for hiring away head coaches, general managers or presidents of hockey operations under contract. It’s a third-round pick for an off-season hire, a second rounder for an in-season hire.
SPORTSNET: An arrest warrant has been issued in Sweden for former NHL player Andre Deveaux, who was recently involved in a vicious slashing incident in a second-tier Swedish league game.