NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 16, 2025
The Wild and Blues clinch playoff berths while the Blue Jackets keep their playoff hopes alive, a milestone game for Leafs forwards Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPS OF TUESDAY’S GAMES
NHL.COM: The Minnesota Wild clinched the first Western Conference wild-card berth (97 points) with a dramatic 3-2 overtime win over the Anaheim Ducks. Joel Eriksson Ek scored the tying goal with 22 seconds remaining in the third period to ensure the Wild the point they needed to clinch that playoff berth. They started goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury in overtime in what could be the swan song to his NHL career, and got the game-winner from Matt Boldy with 18 seconds remaining in the extra frame.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: In a classy move, Wild starter Filip Gustavsson requested Fleury take over between the pipes at the end of the third period. The future Hall-of-Famer made five saves in overtime and was mobbed by his teammates following Boldy’s goal. They will face the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round.
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues (96 points) clinched the final Western wild-card by downing the Utah Hockey Club 6-1. Jordan Kyrou scored two goals, Pavel Buchnevich had a goal and two assists, and rookie forward Jimmy Snuggerud tallied his first NHL goal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blues center Robert Thomas left the game early in the third period with a lower-body injury for precautionary reasons. Head coach Jim Montgomery believes he’ll be fine. The Blues will square off against the Winnipeg Jets in the first round.
The Calgary Flames (94 points) defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 5-4 but were eliminated from the playoff race. Morgan Frost scored the game-winner in a shootout while Nazem Kadri had a goal and an assist. Brandon Saad had a goal and two assists for the Golden Knights.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A tough finish for the Flames, but they exceeded expectations by staying in the playoff race for most of this season. It will give them something to build on going forward.
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves had a 26-save shutout to blank the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0. Adam Fantilli scored his 30th goal of the season and Sean Monahan collected two assists for the Blue Jackets (87 points), who sit two points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot with a game in hand.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montreal can clinch on Wednesday if they defeat the Carolina Hurricanes in any fashion or lose in overtime or the shootout. If the Canadiens lose that game in regulation time, the Blue Jackets can clinch if they get a regulation win in their final game on Thursday.
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews (NHL Images).
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews scored his 400th NHL regular-season goal and Mitch Marner collected his 100th point of the season in a 4-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Anthony Stolarz kicked out 35 shots for the shutout. The Leafs clinched the Atlantic Division title for the first time with 106 points and will face the Ottawa Senators in the first round.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews is the sixth-fastest player to reach the 400-goal plateau, doing so in 628 games played. He joins Wayne Gretzky (436 games played), Mike Bossy (506 GP), Mario Lemieux (508), Brett Hull (520), and Jari Kurri (608). He needs 21 goals to break Mats Sundin’s franchise record of 420 goals.
Marner joins Matthews, Darryl Sittler and Doug Gilmour as the fourth player in Leafs history to reach 100 points in a season.
Sabres defenseman Owen Power missed this game with a season-ending injury to his left knee that could require surgery in the offseason.
Speaking of the Senators (95 points), they dropped a 4-3 decision to the Chicago Blackhawks. Frank Nazar scored in overtime and Connor Bedard tallied twice for Chicago while Dylan Cozens had two assists for the Senators.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been a long time since “The Battle of Ontario” carried over into the playoffs. The last time the Leafs and Senators faced each other in the postseason was 21 years ago in the opening round of the 2004 playoffs.
The Leafs enter that series with defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jake McCabe questionable for Game 1. Sidelined Senators captain Brady Tkachuk is expected to return to action for that game.
The Tampa Bay Lightning secured second place in the Atlantic Division with 102 points by beating the Florida Panthers 5-1. Brayden Point had a goal and two assists while Nikita Kucherov collected two points for a league-leading 121 points. Brad Marchand replied for the Panthers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of rivalries, “The Battle of Florida” continues as the Lightning and Panthers face off in postseason play for the fourth time in five years.
Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome’s hat trick powered his team to a 3-1 victory over the New York Islanders. Adam Pelech returned to action in this game after leaving Sunday’s match against the New Jersey Devils following an illegal hit to the head by Devils forward Paul Cotter.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was likely the final home game for Islanders forward Matt Martin, who was saluted by the fans and the Capitals following this contest. Meanwhile, the Capitals will face the Canadiens or Blue Jackets in the first round.
The Los Angeles Kings tied their single-season record for most wins (48) by holding off the Seattle Kraken 5-4. Samuel Helenius scored two goals for the Kings (105 points), who will meet the Edmonton Oilers in the opening round for the fourth straight year. Matty Beniers netted his 20th goal of the season for the Kraken.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken confirmed Ron Francis will return for his fifth season as general manager.
An overtime goal by Brian Dumoulin gave the New Jersey Devils a 5-4 win over the Boston Bruins. Timo Meier had a goal and two assists for the Devils (91 points), who will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round. Bruins winger David Pastrnak had a goal and an assist to finish the season with 106 points.
HEADLINES
NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture formally announced yesterday that he’s no longer physically able to continue his playing career.
The 36-year-old center’s final game was in February 2024. He was diagnosed in 2023 with Osteitis pubis, a deep groin injury that sidelined him for almost all of the last two seasons.
Couture hasn’t officially retired as his contract runs through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $8 million. He will remain on their books for the next two years and be placed on long-term injury reserve if they need salary-cap flexibility.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I noted yesterday, Couture will be remembered as one of the best players in Sharks history. He’s among their top-five players in games-played, goals, assists, and points. Couture didn’t rule out returning to the game in coaching or management. General manager Mike Grier said there’s a job for him anytime with the Sharks.
RG.ORG: Philadelphia Flyers captain Sean Couturier admitted it’s been a tough season for his rebuilding club. However, he believes they have a bright future with the young players in the lineup and their prospect system.
Couturier admitted he didn’t have much of a relationship with former head coach John Tortorella. “We didn’t see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, and it was hard,” he said. “I just tried to work with him and do what’s best for the team because that’s my job as the captain.”
THE DENVER POST: Gabriel Landeskog returned to the Avalanche following his recent conditioning stint with their AHL affiliate. He’s resumed practicing with the Avs and could be ready for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series with the Dallas Stars.
TSN: Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers is listed as week-to-week with a right-foot injury just days before their first-round series with the St. Louis Blues.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s no indication if Ehlers will return at some point during that series.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: The NHL department of player safety handed Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse a one-game suspension for cross-checking Los Angeles Kings center Quinton Byfield in the back of the head during Monday’s game between the two clubs.
Nurse will miss the Oilers’ final regular-season game on Wednesday against the Sharks and will be in the lineup for the first game of their opening-round series against the Kings.
NHL.COM: Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov, New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes, Ottawa Senators winger Brady Tkachuk and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner are among the 32 King Clancy Memorial Trophy nominees. The award recognizes leadership qualities and contributions to the community.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Click the link above for the complete list.
The Blues had me on the edge these last 3 games but got it done at home where they haven’t lost in 2 months. Hopefully Holloway returns at some point since his absence has solidified what a big part of the team he has become in his first year as a Blue.
Interesting note that in last night’s game Broberg led the team in ice time, over 20 minutes, and blocked shots. The offer sheet boys continue to pay big dividends. Also of note the Blues have now qualified for the playoffs for the 46th time in their 57 year history the most of any team post the 1967 expansion other than Boston.
Early thoughts on next year, Calgary, Columbus and Utah are going to be a handful.
Looking forward to must see series, Ottawa vs Toronto and the battle of Florida with a side helping of LA vs Edmonton especially after last weeks bad blood. Ready to enjoy the best time of the year in any sport, the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Ya, Snold most of those series will be battles along with Col vs Dal. That might be the best one. Depends if Heiskanen can get back and is healthy. Dallas best player IMO.
The LA Oil series would normally be must see TV, and I will watch, but the Oil are in trouble. They had 10 guys out and listed as injured last game, and almost all of them are real injuries, not simply resting guys.
Ekholm, IMO, likely won’t play in the playoffs let alone RD 1. He leads the D in ice time. After the big 2 C’s, he is their most important player and best shut down guy. Speaking of the big 2 C’s, they are both nursing injuries. They are expected to play, but not expected to be 100%.
Both TDL acquisitions have been out. Frederic has played a total of 7 minutes in an Oiler jersey before back out of the lineup. Now Walman, who would take a bunch of Ekholm minutes and is a good player, is hurt.
Kane who hasn’t played all season, might be the healthiest of the group.
Can the oilers beat them, yes, of course, they have for 3 straight years. I wouldn’t bet on it. Unfortunate, they are a very good team, and you only get so many kicks at the can.
Ray Bark thanks for the reply, indeed I overlooked the Rantanan Bowl didn’t have my morning coffee before I posted although to be completely honest I wish there was a way they could both lose. Will Landeskog’s return send the Avs over the top or will Sequin’s return do the same for the Stars. Will be fun to watch.
There are likely several different ways fans see how the Habs should approach that Carolina game tonight, and just wondering how you see it, Lyle?
From this end, I think Montreal should come out strong, including the physical side of the game. Fore-check relentlessly and hit (legally) at every opportunity, and get an early lead. And if they do it that way … do NOT let up and try and play Katy-Bar-The-Door hockey the rest of the way. Because, if they lose in regulation, there is no way Columbus does not win at home against NYI in their finale.
I really doubt Carolina – already locked into their match-up with New Jersey – will be interested in matching hit-for-hit and overly-exerting themselves, risking injury in a game that means nothing from their perspective.
But play tentatively against them, with little physicality, and they’ll gladly play along and probably win with their deeper line-up.
I’m with you on that George. And I have faith that it’ll be a big win tonight.
Howard… from your mouth to God’s ears.
The Canadiens need a strong start, something they’ve had problems with throughout this season. They must also do better playing with a lead, which they didn’t after going up 2-0 against the Blackhawks.
Collectively, they can’t take their opponent for granted. The Hurricanes won’t be icing their full regular lineup as they’re sitting several players in preparation for the postseason. They’ll be facing several call-ups but those players will be playing for jobs next season and will be trying their best. If the Habs aren’t prepared for that, they’ll be in big trouble.
Stole my thunder Lyle.
Ya, what he said.
They got off to a stronger start against the Hawks but they let up after that. They have to play aggressively. Especially against a team that’ll be looking ahead to the post season. The call ups will certainly be trying to impress but it’s not so simple to face NHL competition after facing minor leaguers all season.
Habs cannot take their opponent for granted. They did not face a regular roster in Ottawa, Toronto, or at home against Chicago. They are crumbling under pressure and it is hard to witness. I like the strategy proposed and we will find out tonight if they are reading this website!
I said the other day Montreal looks scared maybe not the best way to put it. To me besides Hutson and Demidov the other night (did have a big turn over) the rest are playing not to lose. I agree more physical will be a good way to play tonight but also think open it up. Montreal has some real talent and if they play with a little less worry about making mistakes they will come away with 2 points.
I also understand this is not typical playoff hockey but would prefer to go out swinging instead of not trying to lose.
Go Habs Go
Whatever isn’t working for the Habs of late, keep doing it.
F the Habs.
Heh. Ray, too bad you never got to experience the almost magical atmosphere of the old Montreal Forum in the 1950s to 1970s …
Magical is one word choice George, and history would suggest it was. But I may choose a different one, but all about perspective I suppose.
I was alive and watched all of the 6 cups for the Habs in the 70’s, including their streak in the mid 70’s. Often at the expense of the Bruins on their way to the championship. Boston literally didn’t beat the Habs in the playoffs for 35 years.
I get the frustration of some fans when their team struggles in a rebuild for years, but try chewing on that for 35 YEARS.
I can’t keep my mouth shut now, and couldn’t then either, so maybe it’s a good thing.
Need a Canadian team to win this year so I can’t be forced to cheer for them down the road, because I agree that they are a team on the rise.
Go Sens! Go Jets! Go Oil! Maybe even go Leafs?
Ray, 35 years pales in comparison with the NYR’s 54-year lapse between cups and Toronto’s current 58 year wait. Heck, even Ottawa is approaching 33 years after re-entering the league in 1992-93!
I had to look up your Georgie Bar The Door, as I recall it being Kitty not Katie. Apparently either are acceptable.
The Habs should be ok tonight considering Brind’amour didn’t get the memo from ownership to “try and eliminate the Habs”. He has 5 coming from the AHL including his son. So….ya….a third of the Hurricanes are sitting.
so much for that Columbus.
The Craig Berube scouting report after Toronto played them on Sunday. Carolina is a team that likes to come out hard. We weathered that storm and then we got our skating legs going
Wouldn’t Colorado – Dallas be right up there as well for opening round viewing?
Toronto – Ottawa, I feel younger already.
As disappointed as I am with the way the Habs are limping into the playoff I hope they shake off whatever is holding them back.
I’m of a minority opinion but I think the Habs need Xhekaj in the lineup. He has a very good first pass, net front presence that was a glowing deficiency the last few games.
He puts a few pounds and inches on the players who know he has their back at all times.
As it is the season has been a resounding success considering nobody predicted the team would be where it is now.
This upcoming off season is interesting as many teams have cap space and very real needs. Hab fans will see just how solid Hughes and Gorton will be.
I agree, HF30. Xhekaj is more mobile than Savard, who I respect as a veteran presence but his lack of speed is manifestly apparent. But I think that veteran presence means he stays in the line up one more game to help with pre game jitters. He has a rep of settling the young D down.
And Heineman over Kapanen, either of whom will give the Habs’ 4th line more ice time than with Pezz in the lineup.
Howard, I am trying mighty hard to channel your belief …
Since this was somehow missing from the headlines; The Bruins need Philly to get a point tomorrow night against Buffalo to solidify their position at 4th from the bottom.
Go Flyers is something I never thought I would say.
Ray, say the Flyers lose in regulation time tomorrow and end up with the same record as Boston – 33 39 10. Since Philadelphia has already outscored them overall (234 – 222), what will be the tiebreaker for position?
Here ya go for the tiebreaker rules.
https://www.nhl.com/info/standings-info/tie-breaking-procedure
R Win is first, if still tied, then ROW, and on down the line. So Flyers need to get a point.
I think they take Schaefer if they win the lottery Obe, or at least I would. If they are in the 4 hole and they have a choice between Martone and a C like Frondell or Hagens, I think they go C.
The player they take this year likely won’t be impactful for 3-4 years regardless of position. Their roster could look much different by then and Hampus will be in his mid-late 30’s.
They might take the C, and Misa looks really good, I’m just saying what I would do.
Thanks Ray … was just too lazy to look it up – lol.
Yeah, Philadelphia (21 Reg wins) can’t match Boston’s (26) so they need to garner at least 1 point against Buffalo tomorrow in order for the Bruins to stay in the # 4 slot.
But it could also be moot depending upon how the lottery unfolds.
Ya George, I usually didn’t look it up either, I did last night.
Follow the bouncing balls. The impact of that luck, can have huge implications for a franchise. Detroit seems like a team that usually moves back or at best stayed put.
I haven’t ever watched it, I might this year.
Where Ottawa is concerned, right now they’re sitting 14th overall and, with a win over Carolina tomorrow (at home), they could catch both St. Louis (13th) and Minnesota (12th), which means they’d be picking somewhere in the 19 to 21 range.
In a recent interview, owner Andlauer, in discussing what Staios might do with regards to when they decide to relinquish their 1st round pick as a penalty for the Dadinov trade screw-up by Dorion (it must be either this year or next), hinted they’d likely keep this year’s pick since they figure they will probably do even better next year.
That, however, is taking a huge chance that they won’t falter next year and not finish nearly as high as they could this season (due to a variety of reasons). So, since next year’s crop looks to be deeper than that of the 2025 picks, I’d forfeit this year’s pick.
Ray, are you focusing on someone every wants at #4 in the draft, or just trying to find a positive in a negative?
You probably know this but unless there is a Celebrini up for grabs teams tend to focus on positional needs. That’s why the Habs were shocked to find themselves with Demidov.
Ya LJ, teams sometimes do. B’s need some of everything in their pipeline, that should free them up.
I would take a C over a W, if the players are very close on their ranking. C’s often end up on the wing if they are blocked, almost never goes the other way.
George I think it is ROW and Boston would finish higher than Philly. Bruins probably have their eye on a certain player so it may not matter. If won lottery I wouldn’t think they would take the defensemen need help up front.