NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 23, 2025
Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl and Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins lead their clubs to victory with hat tricks, six teams in wild-card races pick up wins, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Tomas Hertl tallied his second hat trick in a seven-game span to lead the Vegas Golden Knights to a 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Jack Eichel had a goal and three assists and Mark Stone had a goal and two assists as the Golden Knights sit atop the Pacific Division with 90 points. Patrick Kane had a goal and two assists for the Red Wings (70 points), leaving them five points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth.
Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings have lost eight of their last 10 games. Barring a significant turnaround over their final 13 games, they’ll extend their postseason drought to nine seasons.
A hat trick by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins enabled the injury-depleted Edmonton Oilers to hold off the Seattle Kraken 5-4. Darnell Nurse and Mattias Ekholm each collected two points as the Oilers sit three points behind the Golden Knights in second place in the Pacific Division. Kaapo Kakko scored twice for the Kraken.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers won with superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl sidelined by injuries. Both players could return in a week, with Draisaitl reportedly closer to returning to action. Meanwhile, Kakko has rejuvenated his career since being traded to the Kraken in December. With 39 points, he’s one away from tying his career-high 40-point season in 2022-23 with the New York Rangers.
The Minnesota Wild got a 20-save performance from goaltender Filip Gustavsson for his third straight win as they downed the Buffalo Sabres 4-1. Mats Zuccarello had a goal and an assist and Matt Boldy collected two assists as the Wild hold the first Western Conference wild-card spot with 85 points. JJ Peterka scored for the Sabres.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin picked up an assist after missing nine games with a lower-body injury.
St. Louis Blues forwards Alexey Toropchenko and Nathan Walker each had a goal and an assist in a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blues extended their win streak to a season-high five games and hold the final Western wild-card spot with 79 points. Ilya Mikheyev replied for the Blackhawks, who’ve lost seven in a row.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blackhawks forward Patrick Maroon played his final game against his former club after announcing he’ll retire at the end of this season. The St. Louis native received a standing ovation by Blues fans and was named the game’s first star. He helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019.
Maroon has spent 14 seasons in the NHL with the Blackhawks, Blues, Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild and Boston Bruins, collecting 320 points and 1,076 PIMs in 840 regular-season games and 53 points in 163 playoff contests, winning three Stanley Cups, including two with the Lightning.
The Calgary Flames are two points behind the Blues following a 4-3 overtime win over the New York Islanders. Nazem Kadri tallied the game-winner, Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal and two assists, Matt Coronato scored twice and Rasmus Andersson collected three assists for Calgary as they’ve won three straight games. Noah Dobson and Maxim Tsyplakov each picked up two assists for the Islanders (73 points), who are two points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar missed this game with a lower-body injury while forward Joel Farabee was sidelined by illness. Weegar is expected to return for Tuesday’s game against the Kraken.
New York Rangers forward Jonny Brodzinski tallied two goals and J.T. Miller scored an empty-netter against his former club to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 5-3. Igor Shesterkin kicked out 36 shots for the Rangers (74 points), who are one point out of the final Eastern wild card. Canucks forwards Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander left this game with injuries as their club slipped three points behind the Blues.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks dominated the Rangers in this game but couldn’t put them away. It’s a costly defeat at a time when the Blues and Flames are surging. The loss overshadowed Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood breaking the league’s single-season record for hits with 384.
The Colorado Avalanche blew a 4-1 lead before defeating the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 on a shootout goal by Brock Nelson, who had a goal and an assist in regulation play. Juraj Slafkovsky scored twice for the Canadiens, who cling to the final Eastern wild-card berth with 75 points. The Avalanche sit third in the Central Division with 89 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite the loss, the Canadiens earned a valuable point to retain that wild card. They have points in 12 of their last 13 contests (8-1-4).
Ottawa Senators forwards Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson scored second-period goals within 33 seconds of each other to hold off the New Jersey Devils 3-2. Linus Ullmark stopped 25 shots for the win as the Senators hold a four-point lead over the Canadiens in the first Eastern wild-card spot. Luke Hughes collected assists on both goals for the Devils, who are third in the Metropolitan Division with 80 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators’ Thomas Chabot became the fourth defenseman in franchise history to reach the 500-game milestone, joining Chris Phillips, Wade Redden and Erik Karlsson.
Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley opened the scoring and ended the game with a two-goal performance in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. The Stars hold second place in the Central Division with 92 points. Travis Konecny and Ryan Poehling replied for the Flyers, who’ve lost four straight.
The Los Angeles Kings crushed the Carolina Hurricanes 7-2, winning for the seventh time in their last eight games. Anze Kopitar, Kevin Fiala, Quinton Byfield, Andrei Kuzmenko and Tanner Jeannot each had a goal and an assist and Drew Doughty collected two assists as the Kings sit third in the Pacific Division with 85 points. Dmitry Orlov and Mark Jankowski scored for the Hurricanes as they hold second place in the Metro Division with 88 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hurricanes winger Seth Jarvis left the game in the third period with an apparent head injury when he crashed into the end boards after being hauled down by Kings winger Warren Foegele. Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour expressed optimism in his postgame press conference that Jarvis avoided serious injury.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin collected two assists in a 6-3 victory over the Florida Panthers, giving them their ninth win in their last 10 contests. Tom Wilson and Connor McMichael each had a goal and an assist as the Capitals opened a two-point lead over the Winnipeg Jets for first place in the overall standings with 102 points. Sam Bennett had a goal and an assist for the Panthers, who remain in first place in the Atlantic Division with 87 points.
The Utah Hockey Club kept their playoff hopes alive by upsetting the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-4. Logan Cooley and Alex Kerfoot led the way with two goals each for Utah (75 points), who sit four points behind the Blues in the Western wild-card race. Brayden Point netted two goals and Jake Guentzel had a goal and two assists for the Lightning, who sit third in the Atlantic Division with 85 points.
Five unanswered goals powered the Nashville Predators to a 5-2 upset of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Filip Forsberg scored twice and picked up an assist as the Predators snapped a four-game losing skid. John Tavares scored his 30th of the season for the Leafs, who sit second in the Atlantic Division with 87 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs and Panthers have identical 42-25-3 records, but the latter holds the tiebreaker with 35 regulation wins compared to the Leafs’ 34.
The San Jose Sharks beat the Boston Bruins 3-1. Lucas Carlsson’s tiebreaker was his first goal with the Sharks and his first since 2021-22 with the Panthers. Carlsson and teammate William Eklund each finished with a goal and an assist. Casey Mittelstadt replied for the slumping Bruins, who’ve lost their fifth straight game.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins played without forward Mark Kastelic, who returned to Boston for further evaluation of an upper-body injury and will miss the remainder of their five-game road trip.
No positional change in top 3 in Atlantic as all 3 lost in regulation; but even more stagnating in Atlantic was the fact that 7 of 8 Atlantic teams lost last night (only Sens won).
Habs did get a point; going past 60 mins.
8787 You will be happy to hear that Mike Sullivan might be returning back home to coach the Bruins!Unfortunately for you Grezlyk,Acciari ,Hayes and Shea won t be coming with him!
So what is Boston trading to get Sullivan?
Chrisms you can have Sweeney and Neeley,2 for 1!
Package deal Sr
Sully, Acciari ,Hayes
Keep Shea as depth/8th D
Under no circumstances re-up Grzylcyck (he can choose any place other than here or Boston_who won’t want him back])
So we package:
Sully, Acciari ,Hayes ,
add :
-the over-hyped underperforming McGroarty
-Two 3ds (‘26… Blues + Jets)
For: Geekie, + NHL ready prospect
Sign one of Gallant. Quenville, Boudreau as HC
8787 After emptying the bucket,Geekie is one of the few players that will stay in Boston!
You’re likely right
I’d definitely like to see him in our Black and Gold instead of the Bruins’
Avalanche came to smack down another rising young eastern team in Montreal like they did in Ottawa.
Habs were on their back foot the first period facing the same style of play, shooting, scoring off the rush but doing it so much better.
it was clear which was the superior team.
There was an odd turning point in the game, face off in Avalanche zone, Nelson and Suzuki. Nelson cheating on the faceoff all night (like experienced vets all do) .Suzuki upright, waiting for Nelson to back up, yet the linesman dropped the puck and Avs were off, Suzuki just standing there not moving for a few seconds.
It was the time to roll over and admit being outclassed or dig in and prove otherwise.
Doing into the third down 4-1, they dug in and outplayed the Avs and scored 3 unanswered goals to tie it up.
Bottom line the Habs are meeting the challenge and not folding under the pressure.
Habfan30,there is an old saying in coaching,if you ain’t cheating.you ain t trying! Your third D pair had a tough night hey.
Gutsy come back after it looked like they were fully cooked after going down 4-1. Tough week coming up with 4 games on the road. They need at least 4 pts this week to keep in the race. These next 4 games will likely determine if they will be in or out. Goaltenders have to steal a win this week.
Sr,
3rd pairing was -2 on the night, then again Avs top line were all -2 for the night….point being?
Not sure which part of (like experienced vets all do) that you missed but you have tendency to ignore the point being made and use it as a springboard to a deflection.
To clarify, Habs could have folded under the pressure but didn’t, earning full marks for being in the playoff mix, a year earlier than expected by most fans.
Habfan30, I honestly want to see the Habs make the playoffs! Like some young teams do,they arrive earlier than expected! Big supporter of the Hutson kid that I saw a lot while he was at BU. Just enjoy the rivalry of Boston/ Montreal similar to Boston/New York in MLB and Boston LA in the NBA!
Boston/Montreal rivalry doesn’t really exist anymore, it has been replaced by Montreal/Ottawa.
Boston isn’t relevant and the team has no identity, slow and weary, there’s nobody to dislike on the team.
Ottawa on the other hand is at a similar stage, young, growing into contention. Players that dislike each other and fans grudgingly would like on each others team.
Mind you, Hughes has a plethora of picks and prospects to interest Sweeney for Zacha
Habfan30,it is best that you create that rivalry with Ottawa!With expansion right around the corner and little chance that a Canadian city will be included,you need all the friendly neighbors you can get! Hold on to your players and prospects because you like all Canadian teams are on most players No Trade List!
You sure of that Sr., I noticed that Rantanen the biggest fish in the pond at the trade deadline, had no problems going to either Edmonton or Toronto and even resigning with them. I also noticed Boston wasn`t one of his preferred teams. Think maybe you`re just a little jealous of Montreal
And I reiterate what I said the other day, Sr, when you posted that Bennett likely has ALL Canada-based teams on his no-trade list.
If that is indeed the case – and there are other so-called “true-blue” Canadians with similar no trade provisions in their contracts – I’d let each of them know NOT to expect any invites from Team Canada for any international meets – the Olympics included, Let them become Americans if they wish.
Elbows up boys
habfan30, is there any chance Kaiden Guhle can return to the line-up should the Habs get into the playoffs?
Guhle has started skating with the ream in a non-contact jersey, so he might be back if the Habs are still in the playoff hunt.
A bit surprising how seamlessly he was replaced in the lineup.
True … a testament to following a coach’s system if ever there was one … and having him back as a depth option certainly won’t hurt.
Guhle’s projected return is March 30.
And yes, HF30, it is a surprise that they have survived as well as they have without him. Struble and Wifi both played very well last night. As you said, Carrier has been a very pleasant addition.
Yogi,But Rantanen ended up in Dallas. Not even close to as you said Edmonton or Toronto!
Mmm yeaahh Sr – but in exchange for rs C Logan Stankonen who was a 2nd Rd pick in 2021, conditional 1st Rd picks in 2026 and 2028, and 3rd Rd picks in 2026 and 2027 -following which they signed him to 8 years at $12 mil per – all things neither Edmonton nor Toronto were perhaps not willing to do – or even capable of doing given their own internal major contract renewals coming up.
That wasn`t the point Sr. you`re claiming players don`t want to go to the Canadian teams which is a lie. Ratanten had no control over which of the 4 teams Carlolina traded him to. Rantanen just provided which 4 teams he would go to. Again Edmonton and Toronto yes, Boston NO. You should give a listen to a few of Carlo`s interviews since his trade. You might find a few of his comments interesting
Those teams East and West still realistically in the battle for the 2 WC spots in the East and just the one out West, are running out of potential points left in their schedules. Assuming each team plays out their schedule at or close to the same % pace established over roughly 70 games each, here’s how they’d finish
Ottawa – 26 pts available – .572 – 94 pts
Montreal – 26 pts available – .543 – 89 pts
NY Islanders – 26 pts available – .529 – 87 pts
NY Rangers – 22 pts available – .521 – 86 pts
Columbus – 26 pts available – .514 – 84 pts
Over the past month and a bit we were looking at 90 pts as the “probable” cut-off and if that were to still hold true, here’s how each team would need to finish out, in terms of % points, to get there (showing current pts – current % pace – and the pace they’d need to finish at to get to 90):
Ottawa – 79 – .572 – .423
Montreal – 75 – .543 – .577
NY Islanders – 73 – .524 – 654
NY Rangers – 74 – .521 – .727
Columbus – 71 – .514 – .731
So, needless to say, 90 pts is very likely no longer the cut-off for the last WC spot.
Out West where there is just the 1 WC spot left to grab, 92 pts remains the likely cut-off. Finishing at their current pace here’s how they’d finish:
Calgary – 26 pts available – .558 – 92 pts
St. Louis – 22 pts available – .556 – 91 pts
Vancouver – 24 pts available – .543 – 89 pts
Utah – 24 pts available – .536 – 88 pts
Yeah, it’s a horse race George. But the stats you quote aren’t necessarily indicative.
The Habs at .543 include an unsustainable winning streak since the 4Nations break, and the Wings and the Blue Jackets are unlikely to continue with long losing streaks.
I hate to say that as it might bring a curse down on the Habs and while no one expected them to make the playoffs hopes are high …
LJ, the Habs .543 points % pace isn’t based solely on their record since the 4 Nations break, but rather on their performance over the 69 games played to date this season. That’s a pretty solid sampling and, barring some unforeseen disaster, should be pretty close to their final %.
For example, let’s go to the worst extreme and say they lose all 26 potential points they have left and finish with their current 75 – on the season that would give them a .457 pts % – a difference of .046 compared to their current pace.
That’s not gonna happen, of course, so let’s say they compiled 10 of the 26 potential points left and finish with 85 – or a .385 points % pace over their final 13 games. On the season that would give them a .518 points % – a difference of .025 compared to their current .543. And with the way they have played this season, THAT is highly unlikely as well.
Even a .500 pace the rest of the way would give them 88 points, and again, their approach to every game projects to be better than that.
If you will recall, just over a month and a half ago when they went into a mini-funk and dropped a bit down in the race, some among their close fans were ready to concede that that was it, and when I posted not to count them out, I did so on the basis of applying the math (although I didn’t post those details at that time). Some suggested I was being “too kind” or some such and that they should just look at it as a good run and as a building block for the future. But I stuck by what I calculated.
I get it. Just my inside voice talking. A month ago I was resigned to another lottery pick; now it’s trying to manage the changed expectations. For as with you, I’m sure, getting close only to see one’s team lose out at the end would bite.
We in Montreal didn’t know what to expect this year after the surprise Laine trade.
How would he react, which Laine did we get, I was saying that worst case we got a 2nd round pick for a guy we didn’t need (Jordan Harris).
The he got injured pre-season, out for months and Habs were a hope and a prayer when the season started.
Laine has 17G in 39 games so he’ll finish with 20+ goals, making the powerplay dangerous.
We were hoping to be in the mix, wanting an improvement over last year, mission accomplished.
This team is fun to watch again with higher expectations next year.