NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 18, 2026
Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov has a five-point game, Oilers center Leon Draisaitl is out for the rest of the regular season, Canadiens winger Cole Caufield tallied his 40th goal of the season, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPS OF TUESDAY’S GAMES
NHL.COM: Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov scored a hat trick and collected two assists in a 6-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken. Brandon Hagel had a goal and two assists for the Lightning (41-21-4), who sit second in the Atlantic Division with 86 points. Bobby McMann and Jared McCann replied for the 31-27-9 Kraken, who hold the final Western Conference wild-card berth with 71 points.
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kucherov overtook Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon for second place in the scoring race with 111 points, sitting four points behind Edmonton Oilers captain Nathan MacKinnon.
The Edmonton Oilers defeated the San Jose Sharks 5-3. Max Jones scored the tie-breaker, and Zach Hyman netted the insurance goal for the 34-26-9 Oilers, who sit second in the Pacific Division with 77 points. Kiefer Sherwood and Dmitry Orlov each had a goal and an assist for the Sharks (32-28-6), who sit one point behind the Kraken.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Oilers announced that center Leon Draisaitl will miss the remainder of the regular season with a lower-body injury. Draisaitl sits second among Oilers scorers with 97 points and fourth among NHL scorers, so his absence will be a significant test for the Oilers as they attempt to nail down a playoff berth in the Western Conference.
An overtime goal by Cole Caufield lifted the Montreal Canadiens over the Boston Bruins 3-2. Caufield and Nick Suzuki each finished with a goal and an assist, while Jakub Dobes stopped 26 shots for the Canadiens (37-20-10) as they continue to hold third place in the Atlantic Division with 84 points. Pavel Zacha scored both goals for the 37-23-8 Bruins, who hold the first Eastern Conference wild-card spot with 82 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the first time that Caufield has reached the 40-goal plateau, making him the first Canadien to do so since Vincent Damphousse in 1993-94. Caufield also holds second place among NHL goal scorers this season, five goals behind Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon.
Before this game, the Canadiens announced that winger Kirby Dach would be sidelined for two to four weeks with an upper-body injury.
The Columbus Blue Jackets pushed their points streak to 10 games with a 5-1 upset of the Carolina Hurricanes. Charlie Coyle had a goal and three assists while Jet Greaves turned aside 27 shots for the red-hot Blue Jackets, who improved to 35-21-11 and sit one point behind the Bruins and the idle Detroit Red Wings in the Eastern Conference wild-card race. Andrei Svechnikov scored for the Hurricanes (42-19-6) as they cling to first place in the East.
Speaking of red-hot teams, the Buffalo Sabres blanked the Vegas Golden Knights 2-0 to pick up their 10th win in their last 11 games. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 28 saves for his first shutout of the season while Josh Doan and Josh Norris were the goal scorers as the Sabres (42-20-6) remain in second place in the Eastern Conference with 90 points. Adin Hill stopped 23 of 24 shots for the 31-23-14 Golden Knights, who hold third place in the Pacific Division with 76 points.
The Minnesota Wild blew a 3-1 lead before downing the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 on an overtime goal by Mats Zuccarello. Marcus Johansson had a goal and two assists, and Brock Faber picked up three assists for the 39-18-12 Wild, who are in third place in the Central Division with 90 points. Frank Nazar and Louis Crevier each had a goal and an assist while Connor Bedard collected two assists for the 25-30-12 Blackhawks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek missed this game with a lower-body injury and is expected to remain sidelined for at least two more games.
New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal had three assists while Calum Ritchie had a goal and an assist in a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brayden Schenn scored his first goal since being acquired by the Islanders (39-24-5) at the trade deadline. The Isles sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 83 points. Steven Lorentz replied for the 29-28-12 Maple Leafs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Islanders announced the signing of defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson to a three-year entry-level contract. Aitcheson, 19, was chosen 17th overall by the Islanders in last year’s draft. He has 70 points in 54 games with the OHL’s Barrie Colts. The New York Post reports he’ll likely only play for the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport once his junior season ends.
The Nashville Predators got a 36-save performance from goalie Juuse Saros to nip the Winnipeg Jets 4-3 on a shootout goal by Ryan O’Reilly. Filip Forsberg had a goal and an assist for the 30-28-9 Predators (69 points), who sit two points behind the Kraken for the final Western wild-card spot. Kyle Connor had three assists for the Jets (28-28-11), who are four points back of the Kraken.
Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson tallied twice to snap a 20-game goalless drought in a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers. Marco Rossi and Brock Boeser each had three points for the 21-38-8 Canucks. Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett replied for the 33-31-3 Panthers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson also reached the 200-goal milestone in this game.
HEADLINES
TORONTO STAR: Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews’ season-ending knee injury has NHL stars such as Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers and Matthews’ teammate John Tavares pushing for change in the NHL’s department of player safety.
Matthews was injured following a knee-on-knee hit from Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. A repeat offender, Gudas received a five-game suspension from the league, which Matthews’ agent called “laughable and preposterous”.
Department head George Parros defended his staff on Tuesday. He stood by the five-game suspension, expressing confidence in the hard work his staff puts in to reach their decisions.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That doesn’t excuse the fact that the DOPS got it wrong, very wrong, by handing Gudas what amounted to a slap on the wrist for ending Matthews’ season with a blatant cheapshot.
The on-ice officials made the right call by handing Gudas a major penalty and a game misconduct. However, Parros and his group made the latest in a long series of confusing decisions that have amounted to growing frustration and calls for change around the league. Whether anything will come of it remains to be seen.
ESPN.COM: New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes wants the Hockey Hall of Fame to give him back the puck from his gold-medal-winning overtime goal for Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“I’m trying to get it. Like, that’s bulls**t that the Hockey Hall of Fame has it, in my opinion. Why would they have that puck?” Hughes said, adding that he wants to give the puck to his father.
The Hockey Hall of Fame has begun displaying Hughes’ “golden goal” puck and that of Megan Keller, whose overtime goal won gold for Team USA’s Women’s hockey team. “I don’t see why Megan Keller or I shouldn’t have those pucks,” Hughes said.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not a good look for Hughes. Those pucks represent two great moments in hockey history and are on display for all hockey fans to enjoy.
Keller hasn’t made a similar comment, leading one to assume that she has no issue with her golden goal being displayed in the Hall.
Sidney Crosby’s “golden goal” from the 2010 Winter Olympics has been on display in the HHoF for years. Crosby has never asked for it to be returned to him.
TSN: Ottawa Senators defenseman Nick Jensen will undergo season-ending knee surgery.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins forward Blake Lizotte will miss the last four weeks of the Penguins’ season with an upper-body injury.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers signed prospect center Cole Knuble to an entry-level contract. The 21-year-old is the son of former NHL forward Mike Knuble.
Well, of COURSE Parros has to defend his decision, being backed into a corner like he has by negative reactions from all corners. What else can he do in the circumstances? Admit he was wrong? While that would be refreshing, he’d just be further greasing the skids for his own quick removal … which I think has to be inevitable anyway.
Their criteria needs to be updated
Leafs! Thanks for rocking the Toronto St Pats jerseys. As they do once a season.
I respectfully disagree with the puck issue. Players routinely keep milestone pucks. I think it should be jacks to do with as he pleases. Let his dad show it off for a handful of years until hopefully donating it to the hall. That puck will mean more to that one man than it will mean collectively to every visitor who shuffles by it in the hall going “oh that’s nice”.
Especially since 99% of those shuffling by will be Canadian visitors, given that the Hall is located in Toronto, and probably “oh, that’s nice” will be the last thought that flashes through their minds! 🙂
It is not the Canadian hockey hall of fame. The puck has historical significance and should be in the HOF. Hughes is a whiny little boy. Legally speaking, since the pucks are supplied by the host Olympic country, don’t they own it? Hughes should just shut his mouth and be proud of scoring the goal.
Agree 100 Ed.
Whatever Jack, just another me me me move. Have a little respect for people, institutions of the game other than yourself.
The puck wasn’t his in the first place. But I’m guessing he owns his sticks, give your dad that instead if your that concerned about him having memorabilia from the big goal. Or sign a picture? Or maybe you even have 2 jerseys from the event? If Team USA has them, whine to them.
I think he got a spanky medal after that game. If he really loves his dad so much that he needs to publicly complain about the puck and wants to show his appreciation, give him that.
Or better yet just shut up, you look like a spoiled child.
IF each team plays out what remains of their schedule at or close to the same % pace established over 65-66 odd games played so far, below is how it should finish up East and West. To illustrate how fast things can change, a short 3 weeks back it looked like 97 points would be the cut-off in the East (in fact, I intimated as much yesterday referring to Ottawa’s chances) and 91 in the West. Now it appears like it will take 99 in the cramped-up East and down to 87/88 in the West. Of course, there will be teams that elevate their game and % pace and others that will fall off due to any number of reasons, not the least of which will be key injuries, so it could still wind up as earlier indicated. It also appears that tie-breakers are probably going to enter the picture. So clearly there will be little room for error or inconsistency in key areas.
(showing potential points left – current points – current % pace – projected points)
1. Car 30 90 .672 110 1. Col 32 97 .735 121
2. Buf 28 90 .672 109 2. Dal 30 94 .701 115
3. Tpa 32 86 .652 107 3. Min 26 90 .652 107
4. Mtl 30 84 .627 103 4. Ana 30 77 .575 94
5. Pitt 30 83 .619 102 5. Veg 28 76 .559 92
6. Isl 28 83 .610 100 6. Utah 28 76 .554 92
7. Clb 30 81 .604 99 7. Edm 26 77 .558 92
8. Bos 28 82 .603 99 8. SJ 32 70 .530 87
9. Det 28 82 .603 99 9. Sea 30 71 .530 87
10. Ott 32 77 .583 96 10. L.A. 30 71 .530 87
11. Pha 32 74 .561 92 11. Nas 30 69 .515 85
12. Was 28 74 .544 89 12. Wpg 30 67 .500 82
13. NJ 30 70 .522 86 13. St.L 30 64 .462 78
14. Fla 30 69 .515 85 14. Chic 30 62 .463 76
15. Tor 26 70 .507 83 15. Cgy 30 59 .440 72
16. Ran 30 64 .478 78 16. Van 30 50 .373 61
OK – so looking at how it COULD finish IF teams wind up at, or close to, their current % pace, which teams currently projected to land outside the playoffs do any of you think could raise their % pace substantially enough to finish in a playoff spot … and which of those projected to end up among the playoff teams do think could tail off enough to have them miss? And why?
I predict the pens could drop from 5 and even below eight because of the complete inability to win a shootout. If they had won even 2 or 3 more shootouts so far they would be much more comfortable. I’m not joking when I say they should pull the goalie halfway through overtime. The last two shootout loses they had extended pp time in overtime. They should have made it a 5 on 3 in both cases.
The Oilers have proven the past couple of seasons to be able to win when only one of Leon or Mcdavid is in the line up.
For all the pros of having 2 of the best forwards in the world the one thing that coaching allows to happen is a reduction in roles and ice time to most everyone else.
This will simply allow the rest of the line up to play a larger role and force the coach to trust those players as he should.
And it is also a nice time to see Frederic playing some of his best hockey as an Oiler.
It is not to say it won’t be challenging but I am confident they pass the test and still claim the pacific when the dust settles (so long as everything else on the team remains equal)
The saddest part for me is to likely see Leon not complete another 100 pt season.