NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 4, 2026
The Flyers and Blues move closer to wild-card berths, Sharks center Macklin Celebrini deserves Hart Trophy consideration, Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns will reach a notable career milestone, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPPING FRIDAY’S GAMES
NHL.COM: Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov had a goal and two assists as the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the New York Islanders 4-1. Alex Bump and Travis Sanheim each had a goal and an assist while Dan Vladar made 21 saves for the 38-26-12 Flyers, who are in a four-way tie for the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 88 points. Jean-Gabriel Pageau replied for the Islanders (42-30-5), who cling to third place in the Metropolitan Division with 89 points.
Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The playoff race in the East has gotten even more interesting. The Flyers join the Ottawa Senators (39-26-10), Detroit Red Wings (40-27-8), and the Columbus Blue Jackets (38-26-12). The Senators currently hold that wild card with 33 regulation wins and a game in hand.
The St. Louis Blues kept their playoff hopes alive with a 6-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Dylan Holloway tallied two power-play goals while Robert Thomas had a goal and two assists for the 32-31-12 Blues (76 points), who sit three points behind the San Jose Sharks for the final Western Conference wild-card spot. Ryan Poehling had a goal and an assist for the Ducks (41-30-5), who slipped to second place in the Pacific Division with 87 points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks are 0-3-1 in their last four. They have the same amount of points as the Edmonton Oilers, but the latter now holds first place with 30 regulation wins.
Speaking of the Ducks, they signed 2025 first-round pick Roger McQueen to an amateur tryout contract earlier this week.
HEADLINES
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens makes the case for San Jose Sharks Macklin Celebrini to receive consideration for the Hart Memorial Trophy as this season’s most valuable player to his team. The 19-year-old sophomore center has carried the rebuilding Sharks into playoff contention while establishing himself among the league’s elite players.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Celebrini is my choice for the Hart. The Sharks have a roster of up-and-coming talent, but he’s the main reason they’ve exceeded expectations this season. A glance at their stats is all you need to make the case. Without Celebrini, they’d be closer to the bottom of the standings than they would be to a wild-card berth.
NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns will play in his 1,000th consecutive regular-season game on Saturday against the Dallas Stars.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Phil Kessel holds the “Ironman” record for consecutive regular-season games with 1,064. Burns, 41, could overtake Kessel if he plays in 2026-27. Given his performance this season, it’s a good bet that he will.
TSN: Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk was fined $2,500 by the NHL’s department of player safety for unsportsmanlike conduct towards an opponent while on the bench during Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.
OTTAWA SUN: Speaking of the Senators, sidelined defenseman Jake Sanderson could return to action this weekend. Meanwhile, rookie blueliner Carter Yakemchuk was placed in concussion protocol after being elbowed in the head by Noah Gregor of the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
The Senators agreed to a 12-year contract extension with Bell Media for their English and French broadcast rights.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson is done for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery on Apr. 2.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins defenseman Caleb Jones underwent season-ending shoulder surgery this week.
TSN: Former NHL superstar Jaromir Jagr hasn’t officially retired, but he no longer sees himself continuing the grind of professional hockey. The 54-year-old future Hall of Famer’s final NHL season was in 2017-18 with the Calgary Flames. He’s since been playing for the Kladno Knights in Czechia.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jagr appeared in only six games for Kladno this season. After 38 years of pro hockey, he could finally hang up his skates. He may not have officially retired, but that announcement could come later this year.
HOCKEY 24/7: Michigan Wolverines forward T.J. Hughes, Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs winger Max Plante, and Denver Pioneers defenseman Eric Pohlkamp are the finalists for the 2026 Hobey Baker Award.
THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators and FanDuel Sports Network will officially part ways at the end of this season.
Playoff races so tight It is great for fans of the game. Like getting an extra round of playoff games. Sweet👍
It’s good and bad Anyone realize that la is tied for and right there for a playoff spot but ALSO the #10 over all draft pick at this point……something is def wrong in the league
Mike, that’s the beauty of these races. It makes things much more exciting for the fans. It’s way better than teams tanking for a higher draft pick.
Here’s where my problem lies….does anyone really think anyone but the central division is coming out of the west this yr? Oh there’s still a couple teams but Vegas is not going talk all you want But The east is wide open and deep And teams that miss in the east will still have more pts than anyone in the other two divisions in the west To me its seems off and make no mistake. I absolutely hate the tank, but I don’t think that really happens in hockey anyway.
Strap up, 15 games today in the league. 4 on national television. Playoffs could be rearranged my Sunday morning!Injuries continuing to play a big part in teams success or failures!
I’m thinking the flyers will join the bruins in the wild card berth. Until a playoff spot is secured. Id go with Ottawa but too many injuries. I’d like to see Swayman start in all games even the back to back games leave no stone unturned. Going to be very tough game today for the bs please get the first goal.
Bruins need to secure 2 pts from the next 2 games
Lyle, I’m glad to read Celebrini is your pick for the Hart. On Thursday the Hockey Night in Canada unanimously agreed the Hart was MacKinnon’s this year. MacKinnon has had a great year but the Avalanche are a well stacked team and may carry on almost as well if he was out of the lineup.
Where would Tampa be without Kucherov and his 1.8 points/game? Or San Jose without Celebrini. Edmonton without McDavid?
The award is for the player who is most valuable to his team and Tampa and Sam Jose wouldn’t be anywhere near where they are without Kucherov and Celebrini.
Gored, you’re right. It won’t be surprising to some to see any of those three winning. Most valuable to his team is by far Celebrini.
He doesn’t have the points like the others have but I think Nick Suzicki should also be considered for the Hart.
Hey there, Gored1970. Kucherov would be an excellent choice as well. He’s my second pick. Someone also mentioned Nick Suzuki of the Canadiens.
Nothing against McDavid, he’s up there as well, but I think Celebrini should get the nod this year.
I agree Lyle, and not just because I’m a Sharks fan. No one else has carried their team this year like he has. I’m so happy the Sharks are no longer dead in the water…pun intended…
The guy is a superstar at 19
Celebrini is worth the most to his team.
Some other players have a stacked top class linemates/ team.
He’s excelling on an over achieving team & every team in the league wants him on their team.
MVP