NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 30, 2025
The Stars clinch a playoff berth, the Rangers regain the final Eastern wild-card spot, Oilers star Leon Draisaitl reaches the 50-goal plateau, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Dallas Stars joined the Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets among the teams that have clinched playoff berths with a 5-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken, officially eliminating the latter from postseason contention. Mikko Rantanen had a goal and two assists for the Stars, who have won five straight games and sit second in the Central Division with 100 points, four behind the league-leading Jets. Eeli Tolvanen tallied his 22nd goal of the season for the Kraken.
New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin and defenseman Adam Fox each scored twice in a 6-1 rout of the San Jose Sharks. The win moved the Rangers into the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot for the first time since March 17 with 77 points, two ahead of the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets. Sharks center Cam Lund scored his first NHL goal.
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (NHL Images).
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl returned from a four-game absence in dramatic fashion, scoring the tying and winning goals to nip the Calgary Flames 3-2 in overtime. Draisaitl also collected an assist and became the first player this season to reach the 50-goal plateau. Nazem Kadri had two assists for the Flames (80 points) as they sit seven points out of the final Western Conference wild-card spot. The Oilers are third in the Pacific Division with 89 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With a league-leading 51 goals, Draisaitl has reached the 50-goal single-season milestone four times. He joins Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin as the only active players with at least four 50-goal seasons.
The first period of this game was paused for nearly 10 minutes for an emergency medical situation in the stands. A person collapsed on the steps behind the Oilers bench and was taken to a hospital. No update was provided.
Before this game, the Flames announced that center Connor Zary was week-to-week with a lower-body injury believed to be his left knee. It’s not as serious as the injury to the same knee that sidelined him for two months earlier this season.
The red-hot St. Louis Blues picked up their ninth straight victory by beating the Colorado Avalanche 2-1. Pavel Buchnevich broke a 1-1 tie in the third period and Robert Thomas collected two assists as the Blues hold the second Western wild-card spot with 87 points, six ahead of the Vancouver Canucks. Nathan MacKinnon scored his 30th goal of the season for the Avalanche, who are third in the Central Division with 93 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacKinnon extended his home points streak to 24 games. He has 109 points this season with eight games remaining in the Avalanche’s regular-season schedule.
A hat trick by team captain Nico Hischier powered the New Jersey Devils to a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. Jesper Bratt set up two goals for the Devils, who sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 85 points. Marcus Foligno had a goal and an assist for the Wild, who hold the first Western wild card with 87 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild and Blues are tied in points but the former holds that wild-card berth with a game in hand. They also have 41 wins to the Blues’ 40.
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov had a goal and three assists for the second straight game as his club beat the New York Islanders 5-3. Brayden Point tallied twice for the Lightning (91), tying them with the second-place Florida Panthers in the Atlantic Division. Ryan Pulock, Marc Gatcomb and Tony DeAngelo replied for the Islanders (74 points), who are three points behind the Rangers for the final Eastern wild-card spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kucherov has the same point total as MacKinnon (109) but holds the lead in the race for the Art Ross Trophy with a game in hand. Draisaitl is third with 104 points but has a nine-goal lead in the race for the Maurice Richard Trophy.
The Toronto Maple Leafs got two third-period goals from John Tavares in a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings, snapping the latter’s 15-game home points streak. Leafs captain Auston Matthews scored a shorthanded goal and picked up an assist as the Leafs hold first place in the Atlantic Division with 92 points. Alex Laferriere scored for the Kings, who sit second in the Pacific Division with 89 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings and Oilers are tied in points but the former holds their place in the Pacific standings with a game in hand.
Third-period goals by Reilly Smith and Brett Howden lifted the Vegas Golden Knights over the Nashville Predators 3-1. Jack Eichel extended his points streak to six games with a goal and an assist as the Golden Knights have won six straight, sitting first in the Pacific Division with 98 points. Ryan O’Reilly scored for the Predators, who lost forward Colton Sissons in the first period after injuring his left leg. There was no immediate update on his condition following the game.
Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark kicked out 29 shots in a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Ridly Greig had a goal and an assist for the Senators, who hold the first Eastern wild-card berth with 83 points. Boone Jenner and Kirill Marchenko scored for the Blue Jackets, who sit two points out of the final Eastern wild card.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators hold a six-point cushion over the Rangers and are eight points up on the Blue Jackets and Canadiens. With 10 games remaining, they are tantalizingly close to clinching their first playoff berth in eight years.
The Detroit Red Wings kept their playoff hopes alive by downing the Boston Bruins 2-1. Cam Talbot stopped 20 shots while Marco Kasper and Lucas Raymond tallied for the Red Wings (74 points), who sit three points behind the Rangers in the wild-card race. Morgan Geekie replied for the Bruins as their losing skid reached eight games.
Rookie winger Matvei Michkov scored two goals as the Philadelphia Flyers rolled to a 7-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, picking up their second straight win since Brad Shaw became interim head coach on Thursday. Ryan Poehling had two goals and an assist for the Flyers. Jack Quinn scored two goals and an assist for the Sabres.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin was a late scratch due to an illness, leaving him one game shy of reaching the 500-game plateau.
LJ, yesterday in an exchange of posts on the subject of the Habs chances at a playoff spot, you indicated that you could see Columbus grabbing the 2nd WC back of Ottawa. Looking at the past 10 records by each of the 5 teams still legitimately in the running, I indicated that, since none had been faring any better than Montreal, the race is still wide open. Obviously, the spot will go to the team posting the best record over their final 10 – unless 2 or 3 run up identical records, which is quite possible.
As of this morning the Rangers hold that spot with 77 points, but they are already 2 games into their final 10 with a 1 – 0 – 1 record, while Detroit – currently the 5th best in that group with 74 points – is 1 game into their final 10 with a 1 – 0 – 0 record following their win over Boston last night. The others all have exactly 10 to go, so 2 games each in hand on NYR and 1 on Detroit.
Since remaining opponents for each could well be the deciding factor – and that includes Ottawa – here’s those details for each:
Ottawa – home to Buff, TB, Fla, Clb, Mtl, Phil, Car, Chic – away at Pitt & Clb
Rangers – home to Minn, Tampa, Phil, TB – away at NJ, NYI, Car, Fla
Canadiens – home to Fla, Bos, Phil, Det, Chic, Car – away at Fla, Nash, Ott, Tor
Blue Jackets – home to Nash, Col, Ott, Buff, Wash, NYI – away at Tor, Ott, Wash, Phil
Islanders – home to TB, Minn, Wash, NYR, Wash – away at Car, Nash, Phil, NJ, Clb
Red Wings – home to Car, Fla, Dal – away at StL, Mtl, Fla, TB, NJ, Tor
In terms of head-to-head clashes with each other over the remaining games
Ottawa has three – Mtl once and Clb twice.
Rangers just the one – NYI
Montreal has two – Det and Ott
Columbus has three – NYI and Ott twice
Islanders have two – NYR and Clb
Detroit has one – Mtl
GeorgeO,the last playoff spot in the East could not only go down to the last period,but even OT. Imagine being eliminated by a shootout?
And the implications of that nagging the poor goalie all summer.
George, yeah, I know. I get into these wild swings from optimism to pessimism, up or down on the team or a player.
A week ago I was musing it didn’t matter if the Habs missed the playoffs given that they accomplished being “in the mix,” that they were playing meaningful games, and that they were learning about their character.
But it just pees me off that with any sort of run at all they could separate themselves from what clearly are a group of mediocrity. We all want association with meritocracy.
Stay tuned for the next mood swing …
Oh ye of little faith, LJ – lol. Well, today they went into Florida and knocked them off 4-2 with Hutson posting 2 assists – and right back into the 2nd WC slot at 77 pts (same as NYR but the Habs have a game in hand).
So. they start their final 10 1 – 0 – 0. Still hope to see both Ottawa and Montreal in the playoffs.
3 assists for Hutson
Back at the start of the season I posted that the East could see the tightest race from the WC spots down than we’ve seen in years. As of this morning, after roughly 72 games each, not one team in the East has been officially eliminated, while Washington is the only team to have clinched a playoff spot.
Out West, Seattle, Nashville, Chicago and San Jose have all been eliminated – 3 of therm for the past several weeks – while Winnipeg and Dallas have clinched.
George O,consider Boston eliminated. They are now tanking for the best draft pick possible.
Oh, there can be little doubt they are out – so, too, are Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Buffalo, along with Anaheim & Utah out West, with Vancouver and Calgary clinging to fading hope by their teeth.
My point was, none have yet been officially eliminated based upon the points they have accumulated after roughly 72 games each, which is an indication that the gap between them and those probably in the WC spots, is the narrowest it’s been in the East, for sure, for many seasons.
The Rangers with slightly more effort in any number of games would be secure in a playoff spot. The team makeup is questionable if not for an all World Goalie….
ds, the theory espoused by Larry Brooks on the root cause of the Rangers sluggish season (.520 pts % pace to date compared to .695 for last season) is as good an explanation as any, I guess (see Lyle’s blurb in the Rumors thread).
In fact, all 6 teams battling for that 2nd WC spot, as they headed into the first of their past 10 games, have since played below their seasonal % pace at that stage – so what’s their excuse?:
Mtl – .532 seasonal pace – .450 past 10
Clb – .548 seasonal pace – .350 past 10
NYR – .531 seasonal pace – .450 past 10
NYI – .524 seasonal pace – .450 past 10
Det – .524 seasonal pace – .400 past 10
Bos – .500 seasonal pace – .250 past 10
The reasons Ottawa has been able to open a bit of a gap is because, while their seasonal pace up to the start of their past was a reasonably healthy .557, they’ve upped that to .700 over their past 10.
Last Eastern WC spot (Rangers) and next two runners up (Habs, Jackets) have current winning percentages that extrapolate to 85 points for full season
Islanders extrapolate to 84 wins; Wings 83
This year lowest (in a while) winning percentage to get in
Of course nothing like first expansion year where all new teams were put in the “West”
Division; none had a break even winning percentage
Last game of season for those vying for last Eastern WC spot
Habs v Canes (4/6): Canes likely locked in 2nd then; perhaps resting stars?
Wings vs Leafs (4/7): Will Leafs be locked into a spot and resting stars; or going full tilt to try for 1st in Atl
Rangers vs Lighting (4/7): Will Lightning be locked into a spot and resting stars; or going full tilt to try for 1st in Atl
Jackets vs Isles (4/7)…. This might (longshot but could be) be for the last WC spot AND could come down to a shootout
….. OR one of those teams goes on a 6-0 or 7-0 run and makes final game (for all others above vying for WC sot;) meaningless
Will be interesting scoreboard watching for next couple of weeks
We’ll do our best to lose out and maximize our lottery odds
Hoping for Rangers to compete down stretch that gets them just missing playoffs and finishing no lower than 19th (14th overall pick) in the League
Pens picking top 5 and 14th will be great
8787, you may see their pick situation as “great” but – aside from acquiring such picks through trade – bottom line is, they are in that position because they are – for the most part – a bad aggregation.
I say “for the most part” because if, like Washington last season, 75% of their roster was still solid, they would be in the mix for a playoff spot rather than barely ahead of dead last in the East.
With their aging skating stars, weak goaltending, and a farm system ranked no better than 22nd, picking top 5 and 14 barely counts for little in trying to avoid a long time in the wilderness. For your own peace of mind as a devoted fan, temper your hopes. Just ask fans of Buffalo, Detroit, Ottawa, San Jose, Chicago as examples.
Having said that, they still have players that can burn you if you get too cocky – Crosby, Rakell, Rust, Malkin, Karlsson – and they are 5-4-1 over their past 10 which is better than any of the teams currently in the dogfight for that 2nd WC spot – so it would definitely not surprise me to see them knock off the Senators tonight in Pittsburgh.
Heh. Who knows?, maybe Karlsson shines enough in this one to get Staios to thinking about bringing him back home in the off-season (with a healthy % retained, of course)
Hi George
See my other response post
Re Karllsson
After July 1st when his signing bonus is paid; Pens retaining s further 50% would have final team get him at a cash AAV of just $2.5 M per (split $1.74 M in 25/6; and $3.26 M in 26/7) and only a Cap hit of $5 M
That gets a return of a young (early 20’s ) CURRENT NHLer AND an NHL prospect that IS expected to play in 25/26
What is your Young (early 20s NHLer ) and NHL prospect offer?
Oh, you know I never get into specific XXX for YYY. I confine myself – when seriously discussing trade targets – to positional needs and hope the GM can work out the necessary returns without crippling the depth. I may toss out a name of a current roster player who’s situation is diminished by better roster alternatives (e.g. Anton Forsberg to make way for Leevi Merilainen), but I don’t target specific assets from other teams.
Those sorts of fantasy-league proposals – while perhaps fun to bandy about in here – almost never come to fruition.
Where Karlsson is concerned, that was purely tongue-in-cheek based solely upon his history here, while Kreider is more in the realm of wishful-thinking.
That’s why the GMs get the big bucks and could care less about social media thoughts from us armchair GMs. If they even know we exist.
Sorry George
I certainly wasn’t trying to convey top 5 and 14th would make a difference next year; not at all
The 5th OA likely to start in 26/27; 14th (if at all) 27/28 (post Crosby)
Now IF they do snag the lottery; Scaeffer WILL play; WILL have an impact
Also if they got 2nd lottery drop (Misa very likely to play in 25/6) ; strong impact
Pens as at now; as you’ve pointed out; as is; zero chance of playoffs next year
However; smart moves by Dubas (can he do smart moves [plural]????) this summer and Pens certainly make playoffs
In his control and moves that are positive towards making playoffs next season:
1)Re-up their 5 RFAs
2)Absolutely NOT re-upping Nieto and Grzlcyck
3)Making an Offer sheet or 2 (cite Blues)
4)Bring up the likes of Pickering, Murashev, Brunicke, Howe, Katchuck, Koivenen, Poulin, Brunicke,
5)Sign no UFAs 29 or older sometime this year; no small UFAs
Dubas at least half in control
Trades:
6)Karllsson (50%) for young NHLer AND NHL ready prospect
7)Rust (50%) for young NHLer AND NHL ready prospect
8)Rackel for young NHLer AND NHL ready prospect
9)Using mid round picks and/or midling prospects to sweeten deals and punt Hayes, Accairi, Nedjelkovic
If Dubas does 1,2,4,5, 9 and at least does at least 1 of 6,7,8 then Pens make playoffs for sure in ‘26
Will be interesting to see if it stays this close. Teams may need to start to pull there goalie in a tie game just to have a chance at a regulation win. Early yet but maybe some teams need to look at the odds early before it is to late.
Can see a coach like Roy thinking outside the box who else will?
Habs are playing with house money as the season is a success no matter what happens here on in.
Progression is what counts in a rebuild and that has been achieved.
Holes are no longer being filled by AHL level players, young guys are pushing their way in.
The prospect pool and plethora of draft picks put the Habs in position to make the moves that Hughes would like.
The core is solid enough that it took only a couple of small koves to turn the team, Laine and Carrier, neither of which were expected to turn the needle actually did.
It goes to show how close teams can be in falling in or out with the parity in the league.
For the most part, sure.
But it is possible that the Habs take a step back next year, at least early in the season. Of course much depends on whether they are able to land the unicorn of a quality 2C, and at what price.
But in addition to Hudson, Heineman, Roy and – possibly – Dobes as 2nd year players they may have up to 4 rookies: Demidov for sure; Kappanen, Beck, Reinbacher and Mailliou as possibles. They will surely be younger as a whole next year.
There will be an inevitable learning curve for as much as Dvorak failed to be the missing 2C his experience will not be filled in immediately by the rookies.
Is there a reliable back up goalie?
Will the fragile Dach play a whole season, and will he take40 games to find his grove again?
LJ,
I can see Roy and Mailloux used as trade capital along with draft picks.
Beck and Kapanen will both be fighting for a spot on the roster, slight edge to Kapanen as he shoots R. Those guys will be fighting for 2-3 centre spots.
Demidov? he projects well but I haven’t seen him play other than hilight reels and everybody’s a star in those.
Goaltending, I have always liked Montembault as a good steady guy with the right temperment and he keeps improving his game.
Dobes shows the exact same demeanor and ability, pre-season, Laval and in the NHL.
More importantly the D while still young, had this year to get it together and grow into a unit.
No reason to worry about a backslide next year, aside from life being fickle sometimes.
Reinbacher is still a question mark, he’s played 20 games in 2 years in Laval.
Ok. But if you have a look at your 4:28pm post you only see Beck and Kapanen with a future with the Habs, or so it seems.
It’s usually me that is the pessimist.
But we can agree about the fickleness of life ..
LJ.
I’m not discounting Demidov making it, just saying I haven’t seen him, he hasn’t played here yet o it’s a wait and see…..however all 3 of Beck, Demidov and Kapanen might push their way through.
I’m pretty sure we both agree with where this team is at but are displaying differing degrees in not wanting to count our chickens before they hatch.
Nice win over Fla today, nice to hear Ole Ole Ole as the final minute counted down considering they were playing in Fla not the Bell Centre.
I guess there are still SOME Canadians visiting/staying in the U.S. 🙂
It will be interesting to see what eastern conference teams do this off-season since there is so much parity in the Atlantic Conference.Of the 8 teams I Don t think you can count any of them out.I see coaching changes in Boston and Buffalo but I think the other 6 teams will stay intact.
They keep saying that hockey`s a young mans game now, yet Ovie Sid Tavares Kadri Marchand and a few others keep rolling along. Nobody thought Ovie would catch Gretzky, Kadri signing for 7 per was bad and the last 4 years of Tavares`s contract would be a disaster, even though it still was a bit of an overpay by Dubas. I also noticed that Laferriere`s blindside headshot didn`t even get a mention anywhere. I`m guessing headshots are OK now or LA`s use of a professional UFC fighter, Malott, who promptly went out and challenged Carlo to a fight. I`m sure Parros would`ve had something to say if it was the other way around. Liking Carlo more and more each game
Yogi,I have watched Carlo his whole career. He s a great teammate who is well liked by his group. The thing that drives you crazy is that at his size,people always want more.Doesn t fight much and shouldn’t t after viewing last nights bout.You just have to be careful about your expectations of him,or he will let you down.Defensive game solid,offensive game mostly extinct.