NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 15, 2026
The remaining Eastern Conference opening-round series are set, the Mammoth clinch the first Western Conference wild card, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines
RECAPPING TUESDAY’S GAMES
NHL.COM: David Pastrnak collected an assist for his 100th point of the season as the Boston Bruins blanked the New Jersey Devils 4-0 to clinch the first Eastern Conference wild-card berth. Jeremy Swayman turned in a 21-save shutout while Mark Kastelic scored twice for the 45-27-10 Bruins, who finished the season with 100 points and will face the Buffalo Sabres in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nico Daws made 22 saves for the Devils.
Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the fourth consecutive season that Pastrnak has reached the 100-point plateau. Bruins center Pavel Zacha left the game to attend to a family matter.
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Brandon Bussi stopped 28 shots in a 2-1 win over the New York Islanders. Nikolaj Ehlers and Mark Jankowski scored for the Hurricanes (53-22-7), who finish the season in first place in the Eastern Conference (113 points) and will face the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the upcoming playoffs. Bo Horvat replied for the Islanders.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The idle Senators clinched the final Eastern wild card with 97 points. They play their final game of the regular season on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Senators captain Brady Tkachuk will miss that game with an undisclosed injury, but he’ll be ready for Game 1 against the Hurricanes this weekend.
For the first time in NHL history, the Devils, Islanders, and New York Rangers have missed the playoffs in the same year.
The Utah Mammoth (43-32-6) clinched the first Western Conference wild-card spot with 92 points after defeating the Winnipeg Jets 5-3. Nick Schmaltz scored twice, Logan Cooley had a goal and an assist, and Clayton Keller picked up an assist to extend his points streak to a franchise-record nine games. Mark Scheifele and Gabriel Vilardi each had two points for the Jets.
Philadelphia Flyers rookie Oliver Bonk had a goal and an assist in his NHL debut as his club doubled up the Montreal Canadiens 4-2. Matvei Michkov had a goal and two assists for the Flyers, who will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round of the playoffs. The Canadiens finished third in the Atlantic Division and will start their first-round playoff series in Tampa Bay against the Lightning on Sunday.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon scored his league-leading 53rd goal of the season in a 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames. Martin Necas collected an assist to reach 100 points for the first time in his career, and Cale Makar collected three assists for the first-overall Avalanche. Blake Coleman scored for the Flames.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacKinnon will win the Maurice Richard Trophy as this season’s leading goal scorer for the first time. Makar was returning from an upper-body injury that had sidelined him for seven games.
Minnesota Wild rookie Hunter Haight scored his first NHL goal, and Jesper Wallstedt kicked out 35 shots to beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-2. Mason McTavish scored both goals for the 42-33-6 Ducks, who sit third in the Pacific Division with 90 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild will face the Dallas Stars in the opening round. The Ducks are still waiting to find out who their first-round opponent will be.
An overtime goal by Jake DeBrusk gave the Vancouver Canucks a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings. DeBrusk finished the game with two goals for the Canucks. Quinton Byfield had a goal and an assist for the Kings (35-26-20), who hold the final Western wild card with 90 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings and Ducks each still have a game remaining. If the Kings win or collect an overtime point and the Ducks lose in regulation, the Kings will finish third in the Pacific Division while the Ducks will drop into that final wild-card spot.
The Pittsburgh Penguins finished their season with a 7-5 loss to the St. Louis Blues. Jimmy Snuggerud had two goals and two assists, and Dylan Holloway had two goals and an assist for the Blues. Rookie Avery Hayes tallied twice for the Penguins, who finished second in the Metropolitan Division and will meet the Flyers in the first round of the playoffs.
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin collected an assist in what might be his final NHL game in a 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Anthony Beauvillier and Jakob Chychrun scored for the Capitals. Boone Jenner tallied for the Blue Jackets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin is still undecided about his future, but he said he hopes this game was not his last in the NHL. He’s an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and he could retire from the NHL and return to Russia to finish his playing career.
Meanwhile, Blue Jackets interim coach Rick Bowness ripped into his players after this game, citing the club’s lack of a winning culture.
“All you’ve got to do is look at the stat sheet,” Bowness said. “Three hits. Twenty-three giveaways. Like, I don’t know if I’m back (next season), but if I’m back, I’m changing this culture. These guys, they don’t care. Losing is not important to them. It doesn’t bother them. Like, how can you go out and play like that?”
The Blue Jackets hired Bowness as interim coach in mid-January. Their players responded well at first, surging from the bottom of the Eastern Conference into second place in the Metropolitan Division by March 25. However, the Jackets went 2-8-1 in their last 11 games, missing the playoffs for the sixth straight year.
IN OTHER NEWS…
DAILY FACEOFF: Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz will not be in the opening two games of his club’s first-round series against the Wild. He’s been sidelined with a lower-body injury since March 6.
THE SCORE: Former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving and Pittsburgh Penguins executive Jason Spezza will lead Canada’s management group at the 2026 IIHF World Championships.
THE ATHLETIC: The Tampa Bay Lightning is considered the NHL’s best-run franchise, and the Vancouver Canucks are considered the worst-run among a poll of NHL player agents.
The Minnesota Wild is ranked as the easiest franchise to deal with, while the Anaheim Ducks are considered to be the most difficult.
With Anaheim and Buffalo ending their long playoff droughts this season, the current longest now belong to Detroit – 10; San Jose, Chicago & Columbus – 6 each; Calgary – 4; Seattle – 3; Vancouver, NY Rangers, NY Islanders & Nashville 2 each.
Detroit…..10 years.
It reminds me of a Kenny Holland guote that sent something like this: “I am not interested in a 10-year rebuild.” He chose to “retool”. But that unsuccessful retool had to turn into a rebuild. My thinking is that a “retool” if not started on time ends up into a longer rebuild.
As Toronto is about to discover along with Winnipeg IF both decide a “retool” over the summer can turn things around quickly..
I like the matchups I think there will be some upsets Boston has a very good chance of beating Buff. Like the way Hagens has been playing. I think there can be upsets Mon & Tampa, and Ottawa and the canes. Looking forward to the weekend. In the playoffs all it takes is a good goalie and strong team play.
Good goaltending for sure John, and if you query AI on the significance of offense, you get this overview:
“Historically, winning the Stanley Cup requires scoring roughly 70–80 goals over 16 wins in four rounds, equating to an average of 2.5 to 3.0+ goals per game (GF/GP) for the champion, depending on the series lengths. Recent trends show modern champions often operate within a playoff environment averaging around 6.0 total combined goals per game.
Key Historical Insights on Playoff Scoring:
• Target Goal Total: Champion teams often score 70-80+ goals across four rounds.
• Average Goals per Game: While the total game environment (both teams combined) has recently hovered around 6.0+ goals, top contenders generally need a high scoring rate, often winning with over 3 goals for themselves per game.
• Modern Era (Post-2010): Power-play goals account for a significant portion of scoring, averaging slightly higher than the regular season (around 23%).
• Comparison to High-Scoring Eras: In the 1980s, scoring peaked significantly higher, with playoff averages exceeding 7.9 goals per game in 1981, far higher than the modern era.
• Efficiency: A key marker of success is a high number of goals scored over 16 wins.”
Ken, unfortunately what we’re apt to get tonight is, basically, Belleville vs the Marlies for a good portion of both rosters.
Many among the Leafs dressed tonight will be looking for possible contracts while for any of the main Senators roster dressed it will be a case of “just don’t get injured.”
Consequently, it’ll likely be a high-scoring affair similar to that Penguins-Blues tilt last night with, where Ottawa is concerned, Ullmark and Reimer splitting the action.
Last goal wins.
George you should write a book, contrary to what you said in another post a couple of weeks ago a lot of people love stats. Think about it. Make it user friendly.
JA, Boston should be a very dangerous opponent,especially when playing with the dealers money! Buffalo will soon realize that playing in the playoffs is a different animal than the regular season.
Hagens is a perfect example of building your hockey franchise through the draft and on top of that , a Boston college kid ..
I still can’t get my head around how many draft picks – Dubas and Treliving have squandered during their tenure with the team .
It makes me dizzy thinking about ?!?!
It seems to be the norm over the years with Toronto .
Do you remember the name Scott Niedermeyer.. traded for Tom Kurvers , just 1 example from the past ..
I am just dead against trading high draft picks and getting very little in return, especially the draft being my favourite time of year !
Sam Pollock was a master genius trading players on their way out for a 1st round pick
Guy Lafleur for 1
I don’t even know what the odds are with the Leafs moving up or moving down in this years upcoming draft , hopefully they remain in the 28 slot
George -we need your suppory with Ottawa winning tonight and Good luck against Carolina !
Ken, the combined effort by Dubas and Treliving to reduce the Leafs’ cupboard of prospects to essentially bare shelves is indeed a dizzying series of moves, as compiled by AI through a search:
“During their tenures as General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kyle Dubas and Brad Treliving significantly depleted the team’s draft capital to bolster the roster for playoff runs.
Kyle Dubas (2018–2023)
During his five-year tenure, Dubas was known for trading away high-value picks to acquire immediate help or to shed salary cap burdens.
• Total Picks Dealt: Dubas traded away 20 draft picks.
• First-Rounders: He famously traded away five first-round picks (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, and a 2025 conditional pick).
• Notable Trades:
◦ Jake Muzzin (2019): Sent a 2019 1st-round pick to Los Angeles.
◦ Patrick Marleau Cap Dump (2019): Traded a 2020 1st-round pick to Carolina to offload Marleau’s contract.
◦ Nick Foligno (2021): Sent a 2021 1st-round pick and two 4th-rounders to Columbus/San Jose.
◦ 2023 Trade Deadline: Dealt a 2023 1st, 2023 3rd, 2024 2nd, and 2025 1st (top-10 protected) in a flurry of moves for players like Ryan O’Reilly and Jake McCabe.
Brad Treliving (2023–2026)
In roughly three years as GM, Treliving continued the trend of “all-in” moves, particularly during a tumultuous final season.
• Total Picks Dealt: Treliving traded away 16 draft picks.
• High-Value Picks: He dealt away two first-round picks (2026 and 2027).
• Notable Trades:
◦ Brandon Carlo & Scott Laughton (2025): At the 2025 deadline, Treliving traded a 2026 1st-round pick and a 2025 4th for Carlo and a 2027 1st-round pick for Laughton
◦ Depth Defence (2024): Acquired Ilya Lyubushkin and Joel Edmundson for a collection of 3rd, 5th, and 6th-round selections.
◦ Chris Tanev (2024): Sent a 2026 7th-round pick and prospect Max Ellis to Dallas just to acquire Tanev’s negotiating rights.
◦
Together, the two GMs traded away 36 draft picks during their respective times at the helm of the Maple Leafs.”
The two combined took Cliff Fletcher’s “draft schmaft” philosophy to a whole different level in that, unlike Fletcher, who did deal away 22 picks during his tenure with the Leafs (1991-97) but got back 21 in return, Dubas and Treleving got back virtually nothing in that regard.
Totally AWESOME George
I might forward these stats
Stay Tuned!
As for goaltending, the system produces this:
“Historically, winning the Stanley Cup requires either an elite, Conn Smythe-level performance (.930+ save percentage) or, surprisingly often, a “hot” average goalie backed by a dominant team. While elite performance is ideal, 50% of recent Cup winners used average to below-average goaltending, proving that stellar team defense can compensate for mediocre netminding.
Key Historical Trends for Cup-Winning Goalies:
• The “Hot” Trend: Many winners (e.g., Tim Thomas 2011, Jonathan Quick 2012) put up legendary, single-year performances, often exceeding .940 save percentages and stealing games.
• Surprising Mediocrity: Over the last two decades, half of the winners had C-grade to F-grade goaltending performances, including Chicago (Crawford/Niemi) and Pittsburgh (Fleury/Murray).
• The “No-Last-Place” Rule: No team has won the Cup after finishing last in regular-season save percentage (since 1959–60), indicating the goalie still needs to be competent.
• Workhorse Mentality: Teams rarely rotate goaltenders; winners almost always ride their primary starter unless forced to change due to injury or poor performance.
• Performance Under Pressure: Elite goalies often shine in high-stakes games (e.g., Patrick Roy).”
“difficult to deal with”.
I’ll need some context. Is that on the ice? Or in trade or free agent signing and negotiations?
I’m surprised by Bowness’ comments. I get it. Every game matters. It could have been some Columbus’ fan’s first ever NHL game. And even though they’d already been eliminated he was expecting a better effort….but was he really?
Yes, he expected a better effort. This team took off after his hire, but when it got tougher, they couldn’t handle it. Found a new way not to get in the playoffs by going 0-5-1 in their last 6 home games. I hope Bowness is back . It maybe hard for the players to face the truth but Bones is right.
Dark G – if nothing else the team should have regrouped and centered on Werenski’s bid for the Norris if they needed any motivation for playing games post elimination.
In such a tight race the last 10 games or so may or may not knocked werenski down a spot or two. Hard to give him the Norris after that splendid collapse is it not? Or at the very least if opened the door a bit wider for one of the other candidates.
They had more to play for….
It’s not surprising that the main roster of the Blue Jackets have, for some time now, been regarded as having a “country club” or “soft” reputation, characterized by perceived complacency and a lack of accountability during periods of mediocrity which has earned the organization severe criticism for fostering a culture where losing was not punished severely enough. Patrik Laine’s open and blunt assessment of the organization, while being shrugged off by some as the attitude of a malcontent, was also considered bang on by some of the more notable AND credible commentators and observers.
Some of their coaches over recent seasons, such as Tortorella, have tried mightily – but ultimately futilely – to change that reputation through various means and approaches, but in the end they continue to be a team comfortable with being somewhere in “the middle ground” – i.e., not good enough to compete for the top prize but at the same time never bad enough to warrant a full re-build.
Perhaps Bowness, in his brutally frank assessment, is signalling to management that, if they are interested in bringing him back, he’s not necessarily opposed to their commencing an attitude-changing re-build.
I agree with disappointment and blue jackets; they really squandered their chances! Ottawa , Philadelphia and Buffalo deserve kudos. Detroit hard to understand . Bowness knows a thing or two about hockey. So, doesn’t lindy ruff . I underestimated Boston and Pittsburgh. ….
The Avalanche are going to be tough to handle but they need to fix that PP? It’s pathetic at times. Just squander so many chances, give the puck away, miss the net and don’t get it to the net, etc. Dallas has so much depth . Vegas and Oilers are problematic especially with mcdavid and dreisital . Ingraham pretty good in net the other night ! Kings and Mammoth? Wild could be a sleeper. Should be some great hockey to look forward to
Ken, regarding our earlier posts about what to expect from the Senators and Leafs tonight, I see where he Senators will be resting Stutzle, Tkachuk, possibly Eller among the Fs along with Sanderson and Chabot on the D, replacing them with Halliday, Hodgson, MacDermid (ostensibly in case Domi tries to get feisty), Crotty and Gilbert.
And Reimer will definitely start in goal.
As a Sens fan, I hope the Sens can upset Carolina. They both play hard checking games, with Carolina being faster, and Sens being bigger more direct. I like the Sens chances, but obviously Carolina are the favorites.
I see Flyers beating Pens. Flyers have looked really organized and have checked hard and could cause Pens trouble.
Tampa and Habs are a coin flip. I might give the edge to Tampa having home ice and Vas.
No Idea about Buffalo and Bruins. Probably Buffalo as they have a solid back end, but Swayman could be the difference.
Should be a great Eastern Conference.