NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 19, 2025
Sidney Crosby passes Wayne Gretzky for most points with a franchise, the Canadiens climb back into a wild-card spot, three Capitals reach personal milestones, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
GAME RECAPS
NHL.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby scored to reach his 1,670th regular-season point in a 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders. Kyle Palmieri had a goal and two assists as the Islanders scored four unanswered third-period goals. With 70 points, the Isles are three points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby took sole possession of fourth place on the all-time list for most points with a single franchise. Gordie Howe is the all-time leader, netting 1,809 with the Detroit Red Wings. Steve Yzerman is second, tallying 1,755 with the Wings. Mario Lemieux is third with 1,723 with the Penguins.
Crosby, 37, is under contract for two more seasons with the Penguins. He has 74 points in 68 games this season. If he remains close to that pace between now and the end of 2026-27, he could overtake Howe.
Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech returned to the lineup due to an illness, but blueliner Alexander Romanov missed the game with a similar illness.
The Montreal Canadiens regained the second wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference by defeating the Ottawa Senators 6-3. Christian Dvorak had a goal and three assists, Josh Anderson tallied twice, and Brendan Gallagher had a goal and two assists for the Canadiens (73 points) as they tallied five goals in the third period for their sixth straight win. Travis Hamonic had a goal and an assist for the Senators, who hold the first Eastern wild card with 77 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens briefly held that wild-card spot on Jan. 21, only to tumble by dropping eight of their next nine games (1-8-1). Since Feb. 22, the Habs have gone 8-1-2.
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson and forwards Tom Wilson and Aliaksei Protas reached notable personal single-season milestones in a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Thompson stopped 23 shots for his first NHL 30-win season, Wilson scored for his first 30-goal season, and Protas had two assists to set the single-season points record (61) for an NHL player born in Belarus. Dylan Larkin replied for the Red Wings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals regained first place in the overall standings with 98 points, holding a game in hand over the Winnipeg Jets. The Wings (70 points) continue to flounder, losing eight of their last 10 to sit three points behind the Canadiens.
Speaking of the Jets, they dropped a 6-2 decision to the Vancouver Canucks. Brock Boeser scored two goals and had an assist and Pius Suter tallied twice as the Canucks maintained their grip on the final Western Conference wild card with 75 points. Nikolaj Ehlers and Alex Iafallo scored for the Jets (98 points).
St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou scored twice in a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. Dylan Holloway collected three assists as the Blues picked up their third straight win, sitting behind the Canucks with 75 points. Brady Skjei scored for the Predators.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks hold that final wild-card spot with a game in hand over the Blues. Predators forward Michael McCarron was ejected after accruing 20 minutes in penalties, including a major penalty for a dangerous hit on Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich, a five-minute major for fighting Jake Neighbours, and a 10-minute game misconduct.
The Calgary Flames kept pace in the Western wild-card race by nipping the New York Rangers 2-1. Nazem Kadri had a goal and an assist, MacKenzie Weegar collected two assists, and Matt Coronato tallied the winner for the Flames, who sit two points back of the Canucks. Artemi Panarin scored for the Rangers, who sit one point behind the Canadiens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jonathan Huberdeau was held scoreless in this contract, but RG.Org’s Jim Biringer reports the 31-year-old winger has improved his overall game this season, earning praise from general manager Craig Conroy. With 50 points in 67 games, he’s on pace for his best season since joining the Flames in 2022.
The Rangers announced forward Arthur Kaliyev will miss the rest of the regular season and the playoffs with an upper-body injury.
Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman scored two goals and picked up an assist in a 7-1 drubbing of the Utah Hockey Club. Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Mattias Ekholm each had a goal and two assists as the Oilers sit second in the Pacific Division with 84 points. Sean Durzi scored for Utah (71 points), who sit four points behind the Canucks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hyman missed Sunday’s game with an undisclosed injury while Ekholm (undisclosed) had missed six games.
The Dallas Stars nipped the Anaheim Ducks 4-3. Mikael Granlund tallied twice, including the winner in overtime, while Thomas Harley had a goal and two assists for the Stars, who hold second place in the Central Division with 89 points. Leo Carlsson scored twice for the Ducks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars coach Peter DeBoer said sidelined forward Tyler Seguin continues skating regularly and should be ready to return around the end of the season. The news regarding top defenseman Miro Heiskanen (knee surgery) is less positive, as he could remain sidelined through at least the first round of the playoffs.
Shane Wright scored twice as the Seattle Kraken netted six unanswered goals in a 6-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Adam Larsson had a goal and two assists for the Kraken. Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi scored for the Blackhawks.
IN OTHER NEWS…
SPORTSNET: The NHL announced the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators will play a pair of games in Stockholm, Sweden next season as part of its annual Global Series on Nov. 14 and 16 at Avicii Arena.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports each of the men’s hockey teams participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics will name its first six roster players in June. It’s the first time the NHL will participate in the Winter Games since 2014. The rest of the rosters will be announced in December.
THE ATHLETIC: New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald made an impassioned plea for cut-resistant equipment during Tuesday’s meeting of NHL general managers in Florida. He cited his son Casey’s close call last December when a skate blade slashed his neck during an AHL game. Casey is the captain of the Hartford Wolfpack. The wound required 25 stitches to close.
DAILY FACEOFF: US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the possibility of an America-Russia hockey series involving players from the NHL and the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). The NHL released a statement indicating they were made aware of the conversation between Trump and Putin, however, they were not a party to them and thus considered it inappropriate to comment.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Such a tournament would require the NHL’s blessing and that of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), which has banned Russia’s participation in international tournaments due to its war with Ukraine.
Well, it came close to my posted wish yesterday that Montreal wins in OT/SO so they get a chance to go past NYR into the 2nd WC and Ottawa goes to 78 pts. Until, that is, Suzuki got the go-ahead goal with just over 4 minutes left, followed by 2 empty-netters. That was a good game to watch and the Habs were full value for the win. With Ottawa having won 6 in a row and with 17 left, I wasn’t under any illusions that they were about to finish 23 – 0, so the loss didn’t come as a deep disappointment. Nothing I’d like better to see than both get in and give whoever each faces in Round 1 fits. As things now stand that would be Florida for Montreal and Washington for Ottawa.
Quite a game George. Gutsy win for the Habs. Nick Suzuki showed once again that he is one of the best leaders in the game.
One question. How is it that none of the Senators took the opportunity to retrieve Ullmark’s stick before the Dvorak goal? The puck had been twice cleared from the zone.
Good question, Howard, surprised no one posed that question post-game.
I was asking while it was happening. They should of passed the puck tonullmarknfor a face off. They had opportunity. At the very least they should of been aware enough not to allow a break away on your stickless tender.
But Montreal played well. There speed and cuts through the middle ice was affective and they clearly wanted the win more. Sometimes desperation has its benefits.
We are setting this playoffs up for a Ottawa Montreal final..? Haha
Who is putting that down as their bracket. You can do it hahaha be brave
Howard,dare I say that Suzuki reminds me of the hometown boy you let get away! Yep, Patrice Bergeron!
You’re a good sport, George.
It wasn’t a 6 – 3 game but it was a good game. My quick thoughts:
The Sens clearly knew Hutson drives much of the Habs rushes, and were hitting him whenever they could. That was good for Hutson as it gave him a taste of what playoff hockey would be like. And the kid passed the test.
Brady is clearly labouring with his injury. I know these last games are important for the Sens, but why not sit him out for a few so he can heal? He was almost invisible and – 2.
I will eventually shut up about this, but the game also showed the Habs’ need for a 2C.
LJ, Tkachuk is a throw-back to the old days and it likely would take a Court Order to get him to sit out now 🙂
Kind of like Doug Harvey who would only sit out at the point of a gun!
https://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/article534258.html
How in the world do you come up with these things?
A brilliant and innovative D, Harvey had a sad segment to his life, mental illness and alcoholism. Was nice to see he recovered in his last couple of years.
GeorgeO, would be OK if your Sens and Montreal make it to the dance! Please keep NYR from getting in! Starting to evaluate prospects for the upcoming draft since my Bruins will hopefully have a top 10 pick and get a good player! Seems like a long time ago that Boston broke the single season point record only to be knocked out in the first round of the playoffs! Beware Washington and Winnepeg!
My son’s an Isles fan so I’d like to see the Isles and Habs make it. Isles have seemingly found a new gear as well. But it’s unlikely they both make it. I’m with you that I’d like to see the Rangers fall short.
My Rangers fan friend was pretty upset this morning. Calgary had played in Toronto the night before and lost badly while the Rangers had the night off. And the Rangers manage only 13 shots on goal. He tells me that the Rangers are unpleasant to watch and Laviolette sounds like he knows he’s done.
Congrats to Crosby
Well earned
Don’t forget, he’d already be the all time leader for points with a single team were it not for Steckell
How many Pubs here had a Steckell picture taped to a dart board?
As at right now Habs (holding down last Eastern WC spot) are on pace for 89 points
If 89 gets in; here is what needs to happen from now until end of season to get in (in brackets are current winning percentage)
Sens (575);400
Habs (545); 545
Rangers (522);654
Islanders(522);633
Jackets (522);633
Wings (515); 679
Bruins (500); 769
If cut-off is 90:
Sens (575); 433
Habs (545); 567
Rangers (522); 692
Islanders(522); 667
Jackets (522); 667
Wings (515); 714
Bruins (500); 808
Fairly safe bet Sens get in!
87, you can probably take the B’s off that list and save yourself some time.
Who the F is Steckell and why is it his fault?
RB,
Steckell is the guy Crosby ran into that set off his concussion issues.
Accidental hit that demonized him in Pittsburgh.
Ray, your angst over the Bs is noticeable, and understandable.
Question (not a dig): As you know the Bs prospect pool is amongst the worst; do you see a scenario where the Bs conclude they’d be wasting Pastrnak by keeping him and move him for a bundle to kick start their rebuild?
Lj
No way bruins move Pasta. IMHO If you look at entire east. They are all fairly close to wc. I do not think bruins will have another season like this next year
Lj the Bruins will get a big bump with Mcavoy and Lindholm healthy! See them getting a good pick in the draft,hopefully the top ten! Sweeney will trade draft picks for established players and I hope they look at offer sheets for RFA s!Swayman should rebound with a good training camp,I hope!
MrB: Optimist!
True, they are not far off in points as a season total. But since trading Marchant and Carlo they are 3-6-1. Not sure what you think of Carlo but the Bs are -50 in goal differential, 3rd worst in th league. That can be fixed by either better O or D. Where do you see that improvement coming from?
Sr: Fair point about McAvoy. Lindholm doesn’t bring offence. The Bs have two first rounders in 2026 but otherwise they don’t have the picks to go on a shopping spree. That’s why I wonder if they’d consider the nuclear option and trade Pasta.
Habsfan30
No one will ever convince me that this was avoidable or an accidental contact situation. He squared his shoulders looking straight ahead.
That hit ended up costing overall, Crosby to miss about 120 games or so; starting when he was 22, in his prime and was on pace that year for 132 points
Conservatively he lost out on 170 -175 points; which would have him in 4th all time over-all by the end of this season; 2nd overall by end of next season.
We here are never going to be Steckel fans.
Ray
True that Bruins are all but out; just showing as they are still not technically eliminated.
That Steckell hit in Crosby was clearly intentional. You can watch him lean into it to catch Crosby with his shoulder right in the noggin. Steckell was rightfully demonized by any and every self respecting Pens fans.
Lj could you imagine an off season where Pasternak,Marner and Panarin get traded?I think the Bruins need a couple of forwards to fall into that Geekie,Middlestadt category and they will rebound!
LJ, while I would obviously prefer getting excited for Bruin playoff hockey, angst was replaced by pragmatism a couple months ago. Well before TDL. I liked what Sweeney did, what’s next is the big unknown.
Regarding Pasta, I don’t think Sweeney or ownership are there yet. Down to the studs is not how they roll. IMO they would need to see it get worse first.
I would understand and be fine if they did, as I have posted multiple times on here; my fear is that they are turning into the Islanders. Good enough to chase a WC spot, not close to winning a cup. For years.
I hope they don’t chase UFA’s and overpay old guys. That is for teams that are a key piece away, and how did that work last year with Lindholm.
My guess is we give it another go next year, just get in or be just out, rinse repeat the following year. It’s kind of where they are, some really good pieces in McAvoy and Pasta, but need more on the high end side. The kind of guys you draft early in RD 1.
Had to prop up my 6 yr old grand son who my son and I have 100% on board with the B’s. Had the chat with him after TDL, he was bummed, but he’s in for the long haul!
Lj
With a healthy Lindholm and McAvoy. And a regular season from Swayman will easily add 10-20 pts. Toss in ufa signings. Significant improvement. Would be my guess. I doubt Sweeney will sit on hands with 29 mil to play with. I’m not even ruling out 63 return. With his new buddy Bennett
Pretty sure Steckell put Crosby out with a serious concussion in an outdoor game. Could have been called a late hit imo.
It’s amazing how things have gone for Crosby when, early in his career, it looked like he might have to retire after multiple concussions.
Met Dave Steckel recently. Super nice guy. Hit on Crosby was accidental. Anyone watching the video with half a brain can see that. Crosby missed the puck with his skate, turns to look back at the puck while drifting across the ice, the Caps get control and go on a break up ice and Steckel tries to dip around Crosby and clips him with his shoulder. Watch the view from behind, and that is clear as day. That’s the problem today, people can’t accept the truth even when it’s clear as day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpcJ4MPpwZM
Interesting how players can rise and fall for usually unknown reasons.
Both Gallagher and Anderson were getting run out of town last year yet both have come around and have become integral this year along with Dvorak.
These are the veterans that show the kids what it means to be pros and chip in to give the team its identity.
I don’t know how far the Habs will go this year but they sure are fun to watch.
Completely agree HabFan. Gallagher and Anderson have provided great leadership to the team and an example in professionalism to the young players. As well as solid two way play and depth scoring. In other words, solid third liners.
The problem is that their combined cap hit of $12m. Is about 4m. More than what their contributions should go for.
Exactly, Howard. Anderson, Gallagher and Dvorak are playing extremely well in bottom 6 positions but they are paid for top 6 minutes.
Dvorak was supposed to be the much desired 2C. He’s a great 4C, which says it all.
My lack of skating ability and 40mph shot (that’s 64kmh for my Canadian friends) is probably what cost me a lot of points, also. #freesteckel
The one aspect of the Habs’ game that has improved the most as the season has worn on – at least from my perspective – is the way the D has become more cohesive with each shift, including with the goaltenders – which, to me anyway, is half the battle.
Whether St.Louis is behind that or Stéphane Robidas, the teaching and experience is paying off.
And big part of their defensive improvement is getting St Louis’ system down in the defensive zone, specifically when to overload the puck and when to shift to man to man.
The Habs D improved dramatically with the trade that brought Alex Carriere over from Nashville and he’s playing a solid 20 min per game.
It gave the Habs 2 real RD and only 1 d-man playing out of position instead of 2.
As well as they are playing the Habs still need another regular RD.
LJ,check your stats on the Bruins plus/ minus for the record!They are -35,the penguins are -50!And they are not the third lowest +,- in the league!
Sr: Yes, I stand corrected.
Thanks.
For the record, the teams currently reflecting a minus differential are: San Jose -77; Chicago -59; Pittsburgh -50; Nashville -46; Philadelphia -42; Boston -35; Anaheim -33; Calgary -24; Buffalo -23; Detroit 20; Montreal -16; NYI -15; Utah -14; Seattle -14; Vancouver -14; Minnesota -8; Columbus -5; NYR -1.
Two “on the bubble” are Ottawa +5 and St. Louis +3.
3 minus teams currently hold down playoff spots: Montreal, Minnesota and Vancouver.
Last season Washington at -37 was the only such team to make the playoffs, whereas 3 Eastern teams on the plus side did not – Detroit +4, Pittsburgh +4 and Buffalo +2.
Not 1 team out West sporting a minus goal differential – ranging from -11 (St. Louis) to -150 (San Jose) came close to a playoff spot except St. Louis who missed by 6 pts (92) back of Vegas (98), whereas in the East, Detroit tied with Washington but lost on a crappy tiebreaker formula while Pittsburgh missed by 3 and Philadelphia by 4.