Monthly Archives: March 2025
Inside The Numbers: Crosby Overtime Magic
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby scored the overtime winner against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday, his 24th career extra-period goal, which is second all-time behind Alex Ovechkin, who has 27.
Considering Crosby has scored a regular season goal against every team, we thought it was time to look at which teams the captain scored an overtime goal against.
- Anaheim (Oct. 31, 2024)
- Buffalo (Dec. 22, 2008, Oct. 16, 2024)
- Columbus (Mar. 7, 2023)
- Detroit (Jan. 17, 2020)
- Edmonton (Oct. 23, 2018)
- Florida (Nov. 23, 2009)
- Montreal (Jan. 10, 2015)
- Nashville (Apr. 10, 2022)
- New Jersey (Mar. 29, 2018)
- New York Islanders (Mar. 24, 2006, Dec. 3, 2013, Mar. 3, 2018)
- New York Rangers (Dec. 31, 2005, Mar. 27, 2016, Jan. 30, 2021)
- Ottawa (Mar. 30, 2025)
- Philadelphia (Nov. 16, 2005, Nov. 27, 2017, Jan. 31, 2020)
- Utah (Jan. 29, 2025)
- Washington (Apr. 7, 2016, Jan. 19, 2021)
- Winnipeg (Feb. 16, 2017)
Crosby has scored an overtime goal against 16 teams and is still waiting to find the back of the net versus Boston, Calgary, Carolina, Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minnesota, San Jose, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, and Vegas.
'When He Speaks, Everyone Listens': How Sidney Crosby's Mentorship Has Passed On To Multiple Generations Of TeammatesFollowing the team's regular practice on Dec. 16, Pittsburgh Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby took some extra time out of his day to do something pretty much everyone around him is accustomed to witnessing on a day-to-day basis.
He's never scored a game-winning goal against San Jose, St. Louis, and Vegas. Crosby ranks 12th overall all-time with 97 game-winners and first in Penguins history ahead of Evgeni Malkin (86), Jaromir Jagr (78), and Mario Lemieux (74).
Crosby scored one career overtime goal in the Stanley Cup playoffs on May 16, 2016, against the Tampa Bay Lightning at PPG Paints Arena, then CONSOL Energy Center.
Of course, there's no talking about Crosby and overtime magic without mentioning his Golden Goal from the 2010 Olympics, one of hockey's most memorable moments.
Before retiring, will Crosby catch Ovechkin for the NHL record regarding regular-season overtime goals?
After 44 seasons, Nick Nickson's retirement will mark end of an era for Kings
Don’t think of this as Nick Nickson’s final season behind the microphone for the Kings. Think of it as an encore.
Nickson planned to be golfing by now. He planned to be following his grandkids, Casey and Avery, to their games and attending the birthday parties and anniversaries he had to miss in more than five decades as a hockey broadcaster.
The Kings had other plans, summoning Nickson to a meeting in the summer of 2023 where he worried he might be fired before he could tell them he was ready to retire. Instead the Kings told Nickson, their longtime radio voice, they wanted him to simulcast the radio and TV calls. And they wanted a two-year commitment.
“Had it not been for the change, last year might have been my last,” he said.
The fact it wasn’t makes this season positively, absolutely the last one. (We think.) At 71, Nickson says he has too much he wants to do and not nearly enough time between games in which to do it, so his career will end when the Kings’ season does.
“I’m doing this on my own terms, which I’m grateful for,” he said during an hourlong lunch that was heavy on remembrances and void of regrets. “Some people around the league said ‘Nick why? You still sound so good.’ And yeah I appreciate that.
“But I want to be able to enjoy doing what I want while I’m still healthy. The timing is right.”
The Kings will honor Nickson when they play host to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, a tribute he believes will be heartfelt even though it’s April Fool’s Day.
“I thought of that when they mentioned April 1st, ” Nickson said. “But because so many people are preparing for it, I don’t think it’s going to be a joke. I think it will actually happen.”
In his 44 seasons with the Kings, Nickson says he has called more than 3,800 games while narrating the rise of hockey in a desert. He watched the Triple Crown line of Charlie Simmer, Marcel Dionne and Dave Taylor; welcomed Wayne Gretzky to L.A.; and saw Jim Fox, Daryl Evans and Jarret Stoll move from the ice into the broadcast booth.
Two other players, Luc Robitaille and Rob Blake, went from Nickson’s broadcasts into the Kings’ front office as president and general manager, respectively.
“For the culture of a franchise to have people that have been around a long time, it means a lot,” said Robitaille, now Nickson’s boss. “You have your core fans that follow the team and when they’ve been listening to Nick Nickson for all these years they’re part of the family. It’s hard to describe.
“Everybody grew up listening to them and then next thing you know, they get married and they have kids, and they’re still listening. I hear those stories over and over.”
That’s because Nickson described more than just hockey. He did the play-by-play of history, calling the Kings’ two Stanley Cup championships. His radio call of the final six seconds of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final is arguably the franchise’s most memorable moment.
“The long wait is over! After 45 years, the Kings can wear their crown!”
Nickson’s Hall of Fame career — he became the third Kings broadcaster, after Bob Miller and Jiggs McDonald, to be enshrined when he was voted in by his peers in 2015 — began with the minor league Rochester Americans a year after he graduated from Ithaca College, where he served as sports director for the school’s radio station. Two years later he began calling games for the New Haven Nighthawks, the New York Rangers’ AHL affiliate.
That’s where he got the break that changed his life. The Rangers, who had a player-development agreement with the Nighthawks, briefly ended the relationship in 1981 and the Kings, who were looking for an AHL partner, moved in. The Kings needed more than just a minor league affiliate, however.
Pete Weber had left his seat next to Miller, creating an opening in the broadcast booth. Kings coach Parker MacDonald knew Nickson from his time in New Haven, and though MacDonald wouldn’t last the season behind the bench, he was there long enough to push Nickson for the job.
Read more:Arellano: A Dodgers broadcasting legend reflects on life, superstar-laden team
“So we hired him,” Miller said.
With the move West, Nickson joined perhaps the most storied and iconic group of sports broadcasters ever assembled in one city. In addition to Miller, Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrín were calling Dodgers games, Chick Hearn was doing the Lakers, Tom Kelly was on USC football and Ralph Lawler soon moved north from San Diego with the Clippers.
All six are Hall of Famers. Yet Nickson, the youngest of the group at 27, fit in immediately.
“He was just great to be around,” Miller said. “Nick was always so well prepared. Great player identification. Kept up with the play, all the fundamentals.”
But the key to his success and that of the other Hall of Famers was stability, Nickson said. Scully and Jarrín both spent more than six decades with the Dodgers. Hearn and Lawler did 41 seasons with Lakers and Clippers, respectively. Nickson, meanwhile, is retiring after 44 seasons with the Kings, the same as Miller, who retired in 2017.
“It’s unusual that a broadcaster stays with one team for a number of years. The era of broadcasters sticking with one team for 40, 50 years is probably gone,” said Nickson, whose time with the Kings was measured in a series of short-term contracts that were always renewed. “You have that connection. It’s just a comfort level.”
“What we’ve had to offer and how we’re presented the game, I think it has educated [people] into being a more appreciative hockey fan,” he added. “That only is natural if you’re in that space for that long.”
As a result, giving up the job — and the game — after five decades won’t be easy. Just ask Miller, who was at a Kings game last weekend shortly after surgery for an aneurysm.
“You know, I still miss doing play-by-play,” he said. “There are certain games I’ll be watching on TV and my wife will say, ‘Do you miss that?’ I don’t miss preparation these days, with players changing teams and so many teams. But there are times I’d watch the game and say, ‘Yeah, I’d like to be doing the play-by-play.’”
Read more:Mikko Rantanen's hat trick leads Colorado past the Kings
As for Nickson, “well, he’s a golfer,” Miller said. “He’s got grandkids. So I don’t think he’ll have any problem getting used to it.”
Nickson has one confession he’d like to make before signing off the final time, though. That memorable call at the end of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs? He worked on that ahead of time.
The Kings were so dominant that spring, Nickson was confident they would win before the final series with the New Jersey Devils even started.
“That’s when I came up with what I eventually said,” he remembered.
But the genius wasn’t in the words, it was in the timing, with Nickson pronouncing the word “crown” as the final horn sounded.
He’s had nearly two seasons now to think about how he’ll end the final broadcast of his 44-year career, one that draws closer with every passing game.
“Maybe,” he finally offered, “I should that say ‘After 44 years the long wait is over.’”
Give that man his crown.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Could Bruins get top-five draft pick? Here's what needs to happen
Could Bruins get top-five draft pick? Here's what needs to happen originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
It’s been almost 20 years since the Boston Bruins’ own first-round draft pick landed in the top five, but that streak might end this season as the Original Six franchise continues to tumble in the NHL standings amid a seven-game losing streak.
The B’s are in free fall right now. They just wrapped up a four-game Western Conference road trip plus an away game against the Detroit Red Wings and went 0-5-0.
With nothing left to play for over the final eight games of the regular season, the Bruins should play as many young players/prospects as possible and embrace tanking. Getting a high draft pick is the only remaining objective in what has been a disastrous 2024-25 season for Boston.
The Bruins entered Monday tied with the Buffalo Sabres — yes, the same Sabres that haven’t made the playoffs since 2011 — for the sixth-worst record in the league based on points percentage (.466). Based on actual points, the B’s are tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for the sixth-worst record (69 points).
Securing a top-five pick is a very real possibility for the Bruins. They haven’t done that since 2006 when they selected forward Phil Kessel at No. 5 overall.
Before we get into what needs to happen for the Bruins to have a top-five selection, here’s a look at their current NHL Draft Lottery odds, per Tankathon.
- No. 1 pick: 6.5 percent chance
- No. 2 pick: 6.7 percent
- No. 3 pick: 0.2 percent
- No. 7 pick: 44.4 percent
- No. 8 pick: 36.5 percent
- No. 9 pick: 5.6 percent
So, right now, the most likely spot for the Bruins to land in the lottery is the No. 7 pick, although they could jump as high as No. 1 and as low as No. 9.
What needs to happen for the Bruins to land a top-five pick? Well, they need to continue losing and get some help from a few other teams winning. More specifically, the B’s need the Seattle Kraken, Philadelphia Flyers and Sabres to win as many games as possible.
The Kraken and Sabres both have a very tough remaining schedule, which isn’t good for Boston. The Flyers have the second-easiest remaining schedule and have won back-to-back games since firing head coach John Tortorella last Thursday.
Here’s the remaining strength of schedule for teams No. 4 through No. 10 in the current draft order, per Tankathon. The higher the rank, the tougher the schedule.
- No. 4, Kraken: No. 4
- No. 5, Flyers: No. 31
- No. 6, Sabres: No. 3
- No. 7, Bruins: No. 22
- No. 8, Penguins: No. 24
- No. 9, Ducks: No. 5
- No. 10, Islanders: No. 8
As we’ve noted before, the top 10 of the upcoming draft is pretty strong, and there are several high-end center prospects, which is good for the Bruins due to their severe lack of strength at that position.
Michael Misa (Saginaw), James Hagens (Boston College), Anton Frondell (Sweden) and Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton) are among the centers worthy of a top-10 pick. Misa would be the ideal pick for the B’s. He has 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) in 65 games in the OHL this season, but he’ll probably be gone by the No. 2 or No. 3 pick. Frondell is an excellent option, too, but might not make it past pick No. 5.
The difference between the No. 4 or No. 5 pick and the No. 7 or No. 8 pick is a large one, whether the Bruins want to keep the pick or potentially look to package it for an impact player who can help right away.
The goal for the Bruins over the next two weeks should be losing as many games as possible and bolstering their odds of winning the draft lottery next month. Nobody likes to lose, but this path is what’s best for the short- and long-term health of the organization.
Fantasy Hockey Category Waiver Wire: Value adds for the semifinals
Jason Mowry via Getty Images
Fantasy hockey managers looking to tinker with their rosters will benefit from zeroing in on specific categories. Whether you are looking for long-term fits or short-term options, there should be a plethora of potential pickups to help your fantasy squad. With most leagues entering the championship phase of the fantasy season, maximizing schedules and matchups has become all the more important.
Let's get into this week's suggestions for your consideration.
Jonathan Drouin, LW/RW, Avalanche (29% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/PP
Drouin's four-game point streak ended in Saturday's 2-1 loss to St. Louis, but he has compiled two goals, seven assists and 10 shots in his last seven outings. He has added four blocks and four hits during that span, though his steady point production in a talented top six and a prime spot on a potent power play have been his greatest fantasy assets in 2024-25. He has collected 26 helpers and 37 points through 41 appearances this campaign, which would've put him on track for about a 74-point season had he stayed healthier in the first part of the year. He should be rostered in more leagues, especially during a four-game week for Colorado.
Taylor Hall, LW, Hurricanes (28% rostered) for Goals/Points/Shots/PP
Hall had one goal and one assist in his first 12 outings with Carolina after being acquired from Chicago. However, he has heated up in March, generating seven goals and 12 points in his last 11 appearances while adding four blocks and nine hits. Hall has five goals and one assist during a four-game point spree. His role increased when Andrei Svechnikov was out due to an injury, but he has maintained his momentum since Svechnikov's return to the lineup. The 33-year-old Hall is still operating on Carolina's top power-play combination, which has helped him secure four tallies and one helper, and he has become a solid contributor on the second line. The Hurricanes play three times this week, including off-day contests on Wednesday and Friday.
Boone Jenner, C/LW, Blue Jackets (26% rostered) for Goals/Points/Shots/Hits/Faceoffs
Jenner has accounted for five goals and 15 points through 16 appearances this season. Aside from a three-game slump in mid-March, he has been remarkably consistent on the scoresheet. He has earned five goals on 18 shots and one assist during his four-game point spree. Jenner has also won 100 of his 185 faceoffs while collecting 31 hits and 44 shots on the net. He has provided valuable depth scoring for Columbus and occupies a place on the top power-play combination. He has plenty of value going into a four-game week for the Blue Jackets.
Pius Suter, C/LW, Canucks (21% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/Hits
Suter has been active on the scoresheet since late January, registering 11 goals and 23 points over a 28-game stretch. His scoring pace has quickened in March, with seven goals and 15 points in 15 appearances. Suter has provided one power-play helper, a shorthanded assist, 12 blocks and 15 hits during that span. His fantasy value has increased due to the absence of Elias Pettersson and Filip Chytil, who are both out indefinitely. If Petterson and Chytil remain on the shelf during a three-game week for Vancouver, Suter possesses considerable upside as the team's first-line center.
Mackie Samoskevich, RW, Panthers (17% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/Hits/PP
Samoskevich concluded March with four goals, 32 shots, nine points, 12 blocks and 39 hits in 13 appearances. He should hold his spot in the top six down the final stretch due to the absence of Matthew Tkachuk. Samoskevich had two markers and six points with the man advantage during that span and has maintained his spot on the top power-play unit despite Brad Marchand's presence in the lineup. It's unclear how long that will last, but it gives Samoskevich's fantasy outlook a significant boost going into a four-game week for Florida.
William Karlsson, C, Golden Knights (17% rostered) for Assists/Points/Shots/Blocks/Faceoffs
Karlsson has contributed six assists, including three on the power play, in six outings after missing 20 games because of a lower-body injury. His goal and point production are down significantly from his 30-goal, 60-point performance across 70 appearances in 2023-24, but that was an unsustainable pace. Still, it does show he can find another gear down the stretch and snap out of his 20-game goalless drought. After all, his 6.9 shooting percentage is well below his 12.6 career average. If Tomas Hertl remains unavailable, the power-play points should remain plentiful for Karlsson on the top unit. The 33-year-old Karlsson is having his best campaign in the faceoff circle, winning 58.2 percent of his 540 puck drops. He has some under-the-radar value heading into a four-game week for Vegas.
Calvin Pickard, G, Oilers (16% rostered) for Starts/Saves/Wins
Pickard has been solid when called upon this season, posting a record of 18-8-1 with a 2.71 goals-against average and an .899 save percentage through 30 appearances. In his last six outings, he has posted a 3-1-1 record with a 2.47 GAA and a .916 save percentage. With Stuart Skinner unavailable for at least the start of Edmonton's road trip, Pickard could be between the pipes for all three games this week versus Vegas, San Jose and Los Angeles. He already has a victory over the Sharks this season, but the Golden Knights and Kings are challenging opponents. Still, Pickard is a solid option for fantasy managers seeking a starter.
Morgan Geekie, C/LW/RW, Bruins (14% rostered) for Goals/Points/Shots/Hits
Geekie has accumulated five goals, seven points, 11 shots and eight hits in his last six outings. Despite a disappointing season for Boston as a whole, he has reached career highs in goals (27), points (42), shots (133) and average ice time (16:47). After spending some time apart, Geekie is back alongside David Pastrnak on the top line, and the former has plenty of fantasy appeal if he keeps that spot in the lineup during a four-game week for the Bruins.
[It's not too late — join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2025 MLB season]
Yegor Sharangovich, C/LW/RW, Flames (11% rostered) for Goals/Points/Shots
Sharangovich scored a goal against Edmonton on Saturday after being a healthy scratch in Calgary's previous contest. He had only one goal and one assist in 14 games before sitting in the press box, but the 26-year-old forward isn't a stranger to hot and cold stretches. He had five goals and 11 points in 14 outings previously. Due to the absence of Connor Zary, Sharangovich stands a good chance of heating up again while playing on Calgary's top line, and his triple forward eligibility makes him a versatile lineup option. The Flames play four times this week.
Vitek Vanecek, G, Panthers (6% rostered) for Starts/Saves/Wins
Vanecek lost to the Islanders and Capitals after posting a 21-save shutout victory against Buffalo in his Florida debut. He was decent versus New York, but a rough showing versus Washington upped his GAA to 3.04 and dropped his save percentage to .897. Still, Vanecek is an intriguing option because Florida has two back-to-back situations this week. He could play against Montreal on Tuesday and Detroit on Sunday.
Sharks Lose 8-1 At The Hands Of Kings
The Los Angeles Kings defeated the San Jose Sharks 8-1 on Sunday night.
San Jose is coming off a 6-1 loss at the hands of the New York Rangers on Saturday.
Adrian Kempe and Warren Foegele scored two goals for the Kings, while Phillip Danault, Trevor Moore, Trevor Lewis, and Andrei Kuzmenko scored the other goals for LA. David Rittich made 22 saves.
Cam Lund scored his second NHL goal and second goal in as many nights. Marc-Edouard Vlasic returned from an upper-body injury. Georgi Romanov made 28 saves.
Sharks Draft Debate: Michael Misa Or Matthew SchaeferNHL Draft season is around the corner and the San Jose Sharks could have a much harder decision in 2025 if they pick first again.Danault gave the Kings the 1-0 lead at 5:35 of the first period with a one-timer off a pass from Quinton Byfield.
What a pass Quinton pic.twitter.com/E7104LFJ9a
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 31, 2025
As the power-play wound down, Kempe netted his 30th goal of the season at 15:`13. Anze Kopitar fed a pass to the top of the crease that Kempe one-timed through Romanov's five-hole.
THAT'S 30 FOR JUICE 🧃 pic.twitter.com/vH8WX55GA1
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 31, 2025
Lund scored his second NHL goal just 19 second after the Sharks killed his penalty at 4:52 of the second period to make it a 2-1 game.
Cam Lund beats his man to the net and brings the Sharks back within 1!#TheFutureIsTealpic.twitter.com/mptTkh7PAn
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) March 31, 2025
Moore pushed the lead back to two goals, 3-1. Moore found soft ice behind the Sharks' defense and beat Romanov through the five-hole.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVE TREV pic.twitter.com/D8UzcfkcGT
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 31, 2025
Foegele added another power-play goal to make it 4-1 at 13:21.
Warren Foegele
— JD Young (@MyFryHole) March 31, 2025
4-1 #GoKingsGopic.twitter.com/u079SSghMm
Foegele deflects home his second of the game to make it 5-1.
MCFLURRIES FROM FOEGY! pic.twitter.com/hF4tl5LHKH
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 31, 2025
Kempe scored his second goal of the night and 34 seconds after Foegele scored his second.
ABSOLUTELY ELECTRIC pic.twitter.com/ET1wzJG1gk
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 31, 2025
Kuzmenko made it 7-1 before Lewis scored 36 seconds later to make it 8-1.
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Follow Max on Twitter: @Real_Max_Miller
‘All These Points Matter’: Maple Leafs Separate Themselves In Atlantic Division Race With Win Over Ducks, Successful California Road Trip
The Toronto Maple Leafs capped off a successful California road trip with a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night. The club secured five of a possible six points, going 2-0-1 in three games and creating some breathing room at the top of the Atlantic Division.
With the win, the Leafs now hold a three-point lead over both the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, sitting at 94 points with just eight regular-season games remaining.
The three-game swing happened all in four nights, and although it started shaky, it ended as a success. On Thursday, the club scratched and clawed their way to earn a single point against the San Jose Sharks, scoring twice in the final 44 seconds to force overtime. Despite falling 6-5 in a shootout, they salvaged a crucial point in a game they didn’t deserve.
'We're Starting To Find A Groove': Maple Leafs' Power Play Success A Positive Entering Final Stretch Of Regular SeasonToronto scored four of their five goals against San Jose on Thursday with an extra man on the ice.
Two days later, the first of a back-to-back, Toronto earned a 3-1 win against the Los Angeles Kings, thanks to a three-goal third period. The Kings, the NHL’s best home team this season, entered the game riding a seven-game win streak on home ice and had collected points in 15 straight contests. The Leafs found a seam in the third period after being shut out in the opening 40 minutes, securing two more points and catapulting to the top of the division.
On Sunday, the trip concluded in Anaheim, where Steven Lorentz delivered the game-winning goal at 11:35 of the third period to lift the Leafs past the Ducks. Toronto weathered a strong push from Anaheim, getting outshot 31-23 and spending long stretches of the game in their own zone, including a first period where they were heavily outplayed.
'In The Playoffs, That's Going To Be Huge': Steven Lorentz Scores Fourth Game-Winning Goal Of Season In Maple Leafs' Win Over Ducks Lorentz had two goals in the playoffs last spring with Florida, one of which was a game-winner.
Regardless, they cashed in on important points when it mattered.
“It's great. It's not an easy road trip,” said star forward Mitch Marner. “But anyway, three games and four nights to get used to a three-hour time change. The San Jose game wasn't easy. We made some big mistakes that they counted on. I thought we battled back to get a point, which is great. And these last two, both teams are very good, very hard to play against. So we knew these are important points. We wanted to get them. Just happy with us digging in and battling for them.”
Toronto’s schedule doesn’t get any easier. The Leafs return home to host the Panthers on Wednesday night, though Florida will be playing the second half of a back-to-back after facing the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday.
From there, the Leafs face a tough seven-day stretch with matchups against the Columbus Blue Jackets before facing both the Panthers and the Lightning on a back-to-back in Florida on April 8 and 9. With only Eastern Conference opponents remaining on the schedule, every game carries weight.
“Yeah, it's no secret what's going on in the standings right now. All these points matter,” said Lorentz. “We've got three big games coming up against the two teams that are in the mix with us. So those are definitely important games, and important points on the line.”
“At the same time, we just have to take it a game at a time. We can't be thinking of just those three games. We've got eight or nine other ones that we've got to play into. So I think it's just one step at a time, and that's what we've got to focus on. It's just bringing our best every night. Eight games would be great to play our best hockey every single night, but mistakes are going to happen as long as we address those, and we keep going in the right direction, then we're happy.”
Toronto has won six of their last eight games, trending in the right direction towards the postseason. With the ability to win in different ways, whether grinding out low-scoring games or mounting comebacks late, the Leafs have begun to get in a “playoff mindset,” says goaltender Joseph Woll.
“I think every game throughout the season matters, but these points are very important, and I'm just trying to get myself in a playoff mindset before it starts. I think that's the mood around the room,” said Woll. “I think that's the kind of game we're trying to play as a team. So I think we've done a good job of that.”
“Just the importance of everything, of every moment, right? In the playoffs, the margin for error is even smaller. So I think it's that much more important to be dialed in for a full 60, right? Like goals happen quick, mistakes happen quick. So I think, you know, from my standpoint, at least, it's dialing in the focus to make sure you're there and you're giving your best and you're fully present for all 60 minutes-plus,” he added.
‘Fortunately, It Worked Out In My Favor’: Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Reflects On Lengthy Review, Controversial Short-Handed Goal Against KingsThe Toronto Maple Leafs got back in the win column in Los Angeles on Saturday, defeating the Kings 3-1. With the win, they moved from third to first in the Atlantic Division with 92 points.
The remaining eight games see seven opponents in or fighting for a playoff spot. For now, they’ve put themselves in an excellent position, controlling their own destiny. However, they cannot afford to take their foot off the gas.
Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
Maple Leafs Finish Road Trip With 3-2 Win Over Ducks
The Toronto Maple Leafs capped off their California road trip in Anaheim as they faced the Ducks, who were looking to extend their home win streak to three games. The…
LIVE Game Thread: Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks
Game 73: The Los Angeles Kings (40-23-9) host the San Jose Sharks (20-43-9) to close out the season series with their Northern California rival.
The LA Kings will look to get back to their winning wins at Crypto.com Arena after losing to Toronto on March 29th. Grinder Jeff Mallot will make his third straight start in place of injured Tanner Jeannot. Currently in 2nd place in the Pacific Division, the Kings will be looking to go two points clear of the idle Edmonton Oilers. The Kings and Oilers appear to be headed to a fourth straight 1st round playoff confrontation. The only question remains seems to be which squad with have home ice in this series.
San Jose has the worst record in the NHL but have had success against their Southern California rivals, winning two out the first three games in the season series. 18-year-old Macklin Celebrini has 11 points (3 G, 8 A) in the month of March and 53 points in his rookie campaign after being selected 1st overall by San Jose in the 2024 NHL Draft. Georgi Romanov will make his second career NHL start in goal tonight for the Sharks. Former King Tyler Toffoli checks in with a team leading 27 goals on the year for San Jose.
Season Series:
Oct. 24--LA 3, SJ 2
Oct. 29--SJ 4, LA 2
Nov. 25--SJ 7, LA 2
Last Ten:
LA Kings: 7-3-0
San Jose Sharks: 4-6-0
Leading Scorers:
LA Kings-- Adrian Kempe, 29 goals, 58 points
SJ Sharks--William Eklund, 17 goals, 54 points
Probable Staring Goalies:
LA Kings--David Rittich, 14-13-2, 2.77 GAA, .888 SV%
SJ Sharks--Georgi Romanov, 0-1-0, 3.66 GAA, .874 SV%
Starters against the Sharks 👇@SimonLawGroup | #GoKingsGopic.twitter.com/vxTvIojbcS
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 31, 2025
1st Period:
Brandt Clarke with a shot from the point that is easily saved by Romanov.
Good right-pad save from Rittich to keep the game scoreless.
Kuzmenko forces Romanov to make a nice on his wrister from in tight.
Trevor Moore is taken down and LA will go on the power play early in the first.
5th worst power play in the NHL comes out to try to take the lead in this one.
Fiala with a lot of dangles but can't find the net.
LA turnover creates a shorthanded opportunity for the Sharks.
GOAL: Phil Danault scores just as the penalty expires for his 8th of the season. LAK 1-SJS 0. Assists to Quinton Byfield (26) and Trevor Moore (19)
PHILLIP!
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 31, 2025
1-0 LAK pic.twitter.com/4YgRFHSPuF
BIG stop by Rittich on a walk-in attempt by Carl Grundstrom.
Quinton Byfield comes right back the other way but Romanov denies him.
San Jose to go on the power play. LA's Drew Doughty goes off 2 minutes for slashing.
Now other LA King penalty. Phil Danault goes off two minutes for high-sticking. San Jose with now have a long 5 on 3 power play and an excellent chance to tie the game.
Celebrini steps into one and draws iron.
HUGE kill by LA as San Jose squanders their 5 on 3 power play.
PENALTY PALOOZA continues. SJ penalty to Noah Gregor, two minutes for hooking.
BIG slapper from Doughty stopped by Romanov.
Sustained o-zone time by LA on this power play but still unable to convert.
GOAL: Adrian Kemp from the slot on a nice pass from Kopitar. "Juice" makes it 2-0 on his team leading 30th goal of the season.
THAT'S 30 FOR JUICE 🧃 pic.twitter.com/vH8WX55GA1
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 31, 2025
How Flyers' Coaching Change Bounce Affects Draft Lottery Chances
The Philadelphia Flyers are a perfect 2-0-0 in the Brad Shaw era following John Tortorella's dismissal, which is great for the players, but bad for their 2025 NHL Draft lottery chances.
At the time of this writing, the Flyers are 27th in the NHL in points percentage at .460, putting them narrowly behind the likes of Seattle and Nashville and just ahead of Buffalo, Boston, and Pittsburgh.
The .001 difference between Seattle (.459) and Philadelphia (.460) actually represents a 0.7% increase in odds to land the No. 1 overall pick. MoneyPuck, the wildly popular public analytics site, gives the Flyers a 8.4% chance of landing the top draft selection this summer, while the Kraken, who are marginally worse, have a 7.7% chance of doing this.
With and without Tortorella, the Flyers have insisted they are not in the business of throwing games away to improve their draft positioning. Matvei Michkov, who was a top draft pick himself, is driving the bus away from the bottom.
The 20-year-old Russian phenom has four goals and an assist in two games since Tortorella's abrupt firing, and the Flyers have scored 13 goals across this span overall.
Indeed, the Flyers were buoyed by Buffalo's shocking 8-5 win over Washington on Sunday afternoon, but they may want to be careful with their results with so few games remaining.
Philadelphia is in pole position to land a top-5 pick, and potentially a No. 1 pick, for the first time since 2022, when they drafted Cutter Gauthier with the fifth pick.
Who could the Flyers draft inside the top-5?
Assuming the Flyers stay put in the lottery and the standings and pick fifth in the 2025 draft, Tankathon predicts they draft Swedish center Anton Frondell, missing out on top forwards Porter Martone, James Hagens, and Michael Misa.
In this instance, the Flyers pass on forwards Caleb Desnoyers, Roger McQueen, Jake O'Brien, and Victor Eklund, among others.
Frondell, 17, is a versatile two-way center who thinks the game at a high level and has some serious skill, but struggles to impose himself in games consistently.
The 6-foot center is capable of playing wing if needed, though the Flyers will assuredly require his services in the middle of the ice.
Frondell has bounced back from a slow start to post 11 goals, 14 assists, and 25 points for Djurgårdens IF in HockeyAllsvenskan this season, but his draft projections currently peg him as high as second and as low as 18th on the given draft boards.
So, while Frondell could stylistically be a strong fit with Michkov due to his shot, hockey IQ, and willingness to play a power game, it is evident that the Swede is no sure thing to be a stud in the eyes of many draftniks.
Can the Flyers take a risk like that with such an important draft selection? Maybe, but they already did it once with Jett Luchanko in the 2024 draft.
MoneyPuck currently projects the Flyers to finish with 75.5 points; they have 69 points with seven games left on their schedule.
Anton Frondell vs Victor Eklund - Who's The Best Prospect?Re-uploaded due to a sound problem.David St-Louis breaks down two games of Victor Eklund, Anton Frondell, and Jakob Ihs-Woznkiak and looks at their strengths...Remaining games for the Flyers include a matchup with big draft implications with Nashville, Montreal, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Ottawa, Columbus, then Buffalo again.
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