NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 24, 2026
The Senators move closer to a wild-card berth, Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad reaches a career milestone, the three stars of the week are announced, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Ottawa Senators moved closer to an Eastern Conference wild-card berth with a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers in the only NHL game on Monday. Shane Pinto and Warren Foegele scored for the 37-24-9 Senators (83 points), moving within two points of the New York Islanders for the final wild card. Conor Sheary replied for the Rangers (28-34-9), who honored forward Mika Zibanejad for playing in his 1,000th career NHL regular-season game.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators have been on a tear of late, going 14-3-2 in their last 19 games. They’ll have to maintain that pace and hope for one or two of the clubs ahead of them to falter down the stretch to clinch a playoff berth. This win proved costly as defensemen Thomas Chabot and Lassi Thomson left the game injured.
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg, and Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield are the league’s three stars for the week ending March 22.
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the focus in the scoring race has been on Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, but the 32-year-old Kucherov has overtaken both and could win the Art Ross Trophy for the third straight season and the fourth time in his career.
Kucherov is also emerging as a strong candidate to win the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league MVP. He won the award in 2018-19 and has been the main reason why the aging Lightning remain a force in the Eastern Conference.
The Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken will face off in two games in Helsinki, Finland, as part of the 2026 NHL Global Series. Those games will be held in Veikkaus Arena on Nov. 12 and Nov. 14, 2026.
THE SEATTLE TIMES: Speaking of the Kraken, defenseman Adam Larsson will play in his 1,000th career NHL regular-season game when he and his teammates face off against the Panthers in Florida on Tuesday.
TSN: Kraken forward Ryan Winterton has taken a leave of absence from the team to attend to a family matter.
Meanwhile, the Kraken ownership group has taken full possession of its home arena, Climate Pledge Arena.
THE PROVINCE: On Sunday, the Vancouver Canucks became the first team to be officially eliminated from this season’s playoff race. They sit last overall with a record of 21-40-8 (50 points) with 13 games remaining in their schedule.
TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz is out of the hospital and feeling better after being accidentally struck in the throat by a shot from teammate William Nylander during warm-ups on Saturday. He was hospitalized for precautionary reasons on Saturday night and released the following day. The Maple Leafs recall goalie Dennis Hildeby on an emergency basis on Monday, but Stolarz could return to action as early as Tuesday when the Leafs face the Boston Bruins.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola won’t require surgery on his injured left knee. However, his season appears to be over as he’ll be sidelined for four to six weeks undergoing rehab.
DAILY FACEOFF/SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks forward Ryan Reaves is listed as week-to-week with an injured finger. Meanwhile, sidelined goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, defenseman Vincent Desharnais, and forwards Tyler Toffoli and Igor Chernyshov have resumed practice and could return to the lineup this week.
THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators signed forward Fedor Svechkov to a two-year, $2.5 million contract extension.
THE ATHLETIC: The Detroit Red Wings have sent young defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka to their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids. He’d been a healthy scratch for the past seven games, coinciding with the Red Wings’ acquisition of defenseman Justin Faulk from the St. Louis Blues at the trade deadline.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins signed top prospect Jame Hagens to an amateur tryout agreement.
OK … there’s the “injury bug” and yeah, I know … I know …. ALL teams get them and it can’t be used as “an excuse.” But excuse me while I violate that hoary old axiom.
Top LD Jake Sanderson – long-term; 2nd Top LD Thomas Chabot (thanks to a vicious cross-check from that prime A-hole J.T. Miller who had already served a double-minor for a another vicious high stick on Zub) – long-term; veteran RD Nick Jensen – long-term; LD Dennis Gilbert – out indefinitely; RD call-up Lassi Thompson – probably long-term – awaiting word.
That’s a Helluva one-position hit to have to endure when playing for your playoff lives. So, yeah, if they falter now and miss out … sorry, but THAT’S a legitimate excuse.
Looks like Carter Yakemchuk will be one call-up, perhaps along with Cameron Crotty while Kleven, Spence, Zub and Matinpalo get the bulk of the work. Whatever else happens, that situation is going to require the Fs to either be especially D-minded … or increase the pace of their fore-checking to keep the opposition bottled up as much as possible from here to the end.
Clearly, the Rangers weren’t interested in “playing hockey” – managing just 9 shots on goal for the entire effing game while Ottawa peppered Shesterkin with 33!
The loss solidified their position as one of the worst 4 teams in the league in terms of a home record, exceeded in that department only by the Vancouver Canucks. All other 28 teams have home records somewhere above .500. If I was a season-ticket subscriber in NY (Rangers fans, that is), Vancouver, L.A. or Chicago I’d be seeking a refund – particularly in NY and Vancouver – just pathetic:
Vancouver 8-23-5 – 25 of 72 pts – .292
NY Rangers 9-18-7 – 25 of 68 pts – .368
Los Angeles 10-16-8 – 28 of 68 pts – .412
Chicago 13-16-7 – 33 of 72 pts – .458
George. Drury has taken a team from ECF to 2nd pick in draft pretty quick. At time of trade for JT I was skeptical. With Chytil injury history I felt like it was a steal. His age, contract, and the debacle with him and Pettersson was cause for concern. Breaking up the leadership group and making him captain was a bold move. Was not impressed with his plays last night. Seems to be covering up his bad play with aggressive (dirty) play. Surprised your captain didn’t go after him like he would someone that wasn’t his buddy from team USA.
Slick62, given the position they’re (Ottawa) in, and the absolute need for wins down the final stretch, I think they are under strict instructions – from both the coach and GM – to stay away from retaliatory crap – for now, and stick to a disciplined game.
But I’m sure the memories will linger.
Spence and Kleven have played much better of late due to increased ice time, their confidence is up. Its going to be a tough stretch with a lean defence. Maybe its time for Ullmark to steal a game or 2 down the stretch?
I see where they have indeed called up Carter Yakemchuk to replace the loss of RD Thompson. But on the left side the call-up is 21 y/o Jorian Donovan, son of one-time Ottawa Senator Sean Donovan, now an assistant coach with the Kemptville 73’s of the Central Canada Junior A league.
It seems the pairings tonight in Detroit will be:
Kleven – Zub
Spemce – Matinpalo
Donovan – Yakemchuk
There is no “7th D” on the roster – at least not for tonight. Look for those top 4 to get the vast bulk of the minutes tonight, with the 3rd pairing getting very selective shifts – something not easy to manage on the road, unfortunately.
Green earns his pay tonight!
I’ll tell you one thing George I would not like to meet Ottawa in the playoffs if like the bruins they can make it. Brady is the one guy other than Connor I would pay a kings ransom to get on my team.
John Apple, one thing that can work to the advantage (proven over the years a number of times) of teams that make it in after a stretch run where they HAD to win the bulk of their remaining games, is that they have been – in effect – playing “playoff hockey” while some of the teams that had solidified their playoff assurance over that same stretch had gone into “coast mode.”
But they’re not there yet, and being down 6 D – 3 of them regulars – sure isn’t going to make it any easier.
If the Sens miss out after losing all of those D, including their top 2 guys, it won’t be an excuse, it will be the reason.
Serious dick punch after playing that well for so long. If they make it it will be quite the achievement. The concern also has to go to their health if they do actually get in. If Chabot is out long term, that sounds like a break after getting whacked.
Agree Fergy22, time for tending to steal a couple.
Notice you failed to mention the cheap shot Zub gave Miller in the 3rd when he swung his stick and hit him in the groin.
Yup, and Zub got 2 minutes for the slash. And the Blue Skirts failed to score on that power play, too.
That was “payback” for the high-stick double-minor to Miller against Zub in the 1st period. Too bad Chabot won’t get a chance to re-arrange his facial features anytime this season.
Too bad Zub didn’t give him a taste of what Landeskog just experienced. If you think the Rangers can return to being among the top teams in the East with that self-centered loose-cannon on their roster, it;s time to take a closer look.
The high stick wasn’t below the belt. You comment about Miller taking cheap shots, but that was definitely the cheapest of all. Hopefully your Sens don’t make the dance, and all their late season heroics are for nothing.
So, deliberately breaking an opponent;s wrist isn’t classified as a “top cheat shot” in your parlance. Interesting.
When the Senators screw up in similar fashion – and despite being a fan of the team – I have called them out in here … as well as when they “go through the motions” without any perceived effort.
So, while I am definitely NOT a “my team right or wrong” category of “fan” – you clearly are. At least we have that cleared up.
I’m not a Sens fan. And the hit that I think George O. was primarily concerned with was the one on Chabot. Even Slick 62 isn’t defending JT, not sure why you are.
Not defending JT at all, in fact I was against them trading for him in the first place and definitely didn’t want him to be wearing the ‘C’. My point was George O was quick to point out the cheap shots JT was giving while completely ignoring the deliberate stick to the groin from Zub. I don’t care if he was just retaliating, he should have dropped the gloves and settled it face to face. That should have been more than a 2-minute slashing penalty. And I don’t consider Slick or anyone else to be my voice as a Rangers fan. I am entitled to my own opinion just like everyone else on here.
I looked at the standings in the west today and my oh my i hope the teams all hold where the are. What a set of intriguing 1st rd match ups.
Avs vs Preds. Top team that has seen a few dents in their armor of late vs a veteran team that no one gave a thought to who are heating up.
Dallas vs Minny. Nuff said.
Edm vs Vegas – summer cup contenders that have been anything but all season long. Seems fair that two teams that had similar struggles try to find their ‘game’ while playing head to head.
Ana vs Utah. This will be fun. Two young teams loaded with some of the games brightest young stars facing each other.
Still alot of time for teams below to run amok of the pairing above but I hope it sticks
Glad to see Hagens sign. Give him a chance to shine in AHL. If he does an easy call up to bruins
Here is top 5 teams in 26. Don’t see any of them not making the dance
Buffalo Sabres: .766 PTS% (23-6-3)
Columbus Blue Jackets: .726 PTS% (20-6-5)
Carolina Hurricanes: .726 PTS% (21-7-3)
Boston Bruins: .724 PTS% (18-5-6)
Tampa Bay Lightning: .700 PTS% (20-8-2)
But everything is so tight. Only the nhl gods actually know. Great for all fans of the game
Too bad for CBJ that Cayden Lindstrom and Jackson Smith have decided that they will stay in the NCAA for another year. Lindstrom has struggled, and needs another year, but the younger Smith has excelled at Penn State. CBJ fans will have to wait.
Heh … I’m sure there’ll be several changes in potential match-ups both East and West, 1Oilerfan, once the remaining 11 to 13 games are in the books.
I see that the standings at NHL.com show the first “clinched” teams – Colorado and Dallas – along with the first “eliminated” – Vancouver.
In the East, no one has yet clinched anything.
Be interesting to see if Colorado and Dallas drift into “coast mode” from here to the end of their schedules.
George O I dont think either team will coast…coasting could mean a match up with the Wild and a loss of home ice that may be key in round 2. They still have too much to play for imo.
Mrbruin4, what are we looking at re your list of those 5 teams and the records – pts % shown?
They don’t seem to match anything in the current standings – either home or away records
Buff H – 22-9-3 .691 A- 22-11-4 .649
Columbus H – 20-8-7 .671 A – 17-14-4 .543
Carolina H 25-9-2 .722 A – 20-10-4 .647
Boston H 26-9-1 .736 A – 13-14-7 .485
Tampa H 20-12-0 .625 A 23-9-5 .689
That was since Jan 1. I just copied and pasted from AI Google
As of March 24, 2026,
Ahh … thanks. Pretty impressive.
Day watch,games today affecting playoff race! TML/ Boston. OTT/ Detroit CBJ/ Philly. Take your pick!
Interesting
Phillip Roos – get him back here now.
He’d have to clear waivers. Unfortunately.
That doesn’t fix the Sens issue tonight but he was with Bellville last year.
They should give it a shot anyway. Nothing ventured … nothing gained.
I’d to see Hagens in a bruins jersey this evening if possible. I have a feeling though he might be playing a few games in Providence.
It is confirmed he is in providence. Will play 1st pro game in Springfield tomorrow
The way I understand it is he signed a “amateur tryout contract” with Providence.
He has not signed an ELC with the Boston Bruin organization.
I had never heard of this being an option, but supposedly McAvoy did in 16/17, who then did sign his ELC and actually played for the B’s in the playoffs. I believe that was the year the B’s lost a bunch of D-men at the end of the season. Sorta like what OTT is going through now. I believe they may have lost to OTT that year to boot.
Some folks are claiming that he could go back to BC and play in the NCAA next year if it doesn’t work out. Others are saying not likely. I sure as heck don’t know.
The B’s might be trying to not waste a year of his ELC if he isn’t ready. If so, and they don’t think he’s ready to contribute to a playoff push, then a smart move. If it is actually allowed.
My guess is he signs his ELC eventually, and if he does well, gets a shot with the big club at some point, especially if injuries happen to an offensive player.
Rychel is blocking out Hagens from playing right away. Top 9 forward only,not figured to play a 4th line role! Mcavoy started his career,a short stay in Providence!
Rychel is blocking out Hagens from playing right away. Top 9 forward only,not figured to play a 4th line role! Mcavoy started his career,a short stay in Providence!
If Hagens dies well in AHL. He will get call up. No sense burning year of entry contract if he cannot make a difference Which is very difficult to do
@Mrbruin4: If Hagens dies well in AHL, all Boston will mourn and give him a stick tap at his funeral!😉
Warren Foegele is a guy I was hoping the Habs would go for at trade deadline and I even gave a few trade proposals.
The Sens got him for peanuts and it’s paying off big time.
Yeah, that was a good move by Staios. Too bad he can’t play D – lol.
Remember Foegele well when he was in Edmonton. When he’s playing well he’s a big, fast, dogged, physical player. Who can also chip in some timely goals.
The problem some fans had with him was he would disappear for stretches and not seem fully engaged.
He sure is on his game now, and a fresh start has done wonders for him. Seems like a guy built for the playoffs the way he plays.
I’m surprised there hasn’t been more reaction to McDavid throwing his team and coach under the bus after the Tampa game last week. He went out of his way to heap praise on the Bolts style of play and discipline and mentioned their coach and goalie in particular. Was it a hint of where he might go in 2 years?
As far as Kucherov is concerned for me he’s the best player in the league. Since November 22 in 47 games he has 31 goals 69 assists for 100 points and is plus 48. Those are Gretzky numbers. He takes average players and makes them good, takes good players and makes them great through his skill and leadership. Look how long Stamkos struggled without him and this year Kucherov has done it again without Hedman who has only played 33 games. I’d take him over McDavid because of the cups and I’d take either of them over MacKinnon.
While the east is without question the better conference other than Tampa no eastern team has much of a chance against the big 3 in the central nor does any other western team. The biggest shame is they have to play each other before the conference championship thanks to the little dictator’s refusal to change the playoffs format.
Well Snold, he didn’t directly throw his coach under the bus, but ya, he knew what he was doing.
Lyle’s cousin, Mark Spector, knows the Oilers better than any other reporter around these parts, you can read what he thought about on the link.
He knows more than I do as he is in that room almost every day.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/what-mcdavids-praise-of-cooper-means-for-knoblauch-oilers/
Ray Bark thanks for the link very interesting article. I also failed to mention how completely uncomfortable and caught off guard Knoblauch was post game when asked about McDavid’s comments. It took him a long time to come back with a response. Who knows maybe this will spur the Oilers ti regain last years form.
Hopefully Snold.
It’s one of 2 things in Edmonton:
1 – they haven’t had to play well as they aren’t getting pushed in the standings, so they haven’t. It’s possible, they’ve been to the finals twice, and gone through long stretches where they just don’t play the right way. Meaning structure and checking. IMO this is what McDavid is addressing and wants the coaching staff to put the hammer down.
2 – Or they’re just not that good this year.
Starting to lean to #2, as they should have woken up by now. McDavid’s right you don’t just flip a switch come playoff time.
LOL. Just checked the ESPN game site to catch the scores and in there they give little snippets of the ongoing action – including such gems as “PHI – Christian Dvorak shot blocked by Christian Dvorak” – so, what are we to infer – that he shot himself in the foot? Another frequently used one is “Goalie stopped.” Uhh – WHAT goalie? There are, after all, two in the game!