Auston Matthews Scores 400th Career NHL Goal
Toronto Maple Leafs‘ captain Auston Matthews has scored his 400th career NHL goal. He is now just 20 goals behind Mats Sundin for the most goals scored by a Maple…
Monthly Archives: April 2025
Mitch Marner Reach 100 Points in Season for First Time in Career
Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner has finally done it. He has reached 100 points in a season for the first time in his career. After years of trying,…
Blues Top Prospect Jimmy Snuggerud Scores First NHL Goal
During the St. Louis Blues' April 15 contest against the Utah Hockey Club, top prospect Jimmy Snuggerud scored his first career NHL goal. It was a significant one, too, as it gave the Blues a 3-0 lead in the first period.
JIMMY SNUGGERUD!
— NHL (@NHL) April 16, 2025
That's his first NHL goal! 💥 pic.twitter.com/c5SvDSiI3y
Snuggerud certainly worked hard to score his first NHL goal, as the 2022 first-round pick jammed in front of the net before getting the puck past Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka.
Before this goal, Snuggerud already was making an impact in this contest against Vegas. Earlier on in the first period, the promising youngster was denied on a breakaway attempt, but Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich scored on the rebound. As a result, Snuggerud recorded an assist on this play.
Snuggerud is one of the Blues' most exciting young players, and he certainly showed off his offensive potential against Utah with this multi-point game.
Exciting Blues Goalie Prospect Continuing To ThriveSt. Louis Blues goalie prospect Colten Ellis is enjoying an excellent season down in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Springfield Thunderbirds. In 41 appearances, the 24-year-old netminder has a 22-13-3 record, a 2.62 goals-against average, and a .922 save percentage. However, what's more encouraging about Ellis' strong play is that he is only continuing to thrive as the campaign carries on. In his last appearance against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on April 12, he stopped 40 out of 43 shots, which equates to a .930 save percentage. Furthermore, he has had a .900 save percentage or better in six out of his last seven appearances. This includes a 36-save shutout against the Iowa Wild on March 28.
Blues Star Is Heating Up In A Big WaySt. Louis Blues forward Pavel Buchnevich is one of the team's most important players. When playing at his best, the 29-year-old is a big difference-maker because of his high offensive skill.
Former Blues Star Struggling With New TeamDuring this past off-season, former St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings. This was after he appeared in 76 games split between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers last season, posting 23 goals and 55 points in 76 games. He also won his second career Stanley Cup with Florida that spring. Kings Prospect Sets Franchise Record In Spitfires' Game Three Win
![Liam Greentree was named captain of the Spitfires at the start of the season. This is his first playoff appearance since his rookie year when Windsor was eliminated in round one [Natalie Shaver/OHL Images].](https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_hockey_news_articles_331/71786d10c6fb44bfb4c5073a37964a8a)
All of Windsor is flying high after the Spitfires pummeled the Kitchener Rangers 6-3 last night to take a 3-0 lead in round two of the OHL Playoffs. The victory is extra sweet for L.A. Kings prospect Liam Greentree, who set a franchise record by scoring five goals in the game.
He's the first player to score five goals in a playoff game since Connor McDavid, who completed the feat during the 2015 OHL Playoffs. Greentree also set a franchise record, surpassing Ernie Godden, who put up a four-goal effort back in 1981 for Windsor.
While the Spitfires' success comes from a team effort, it cannot be denied that Greentree is leading the charge,e showing all of the skill and tenacity that made him a first-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
He leads the playoffs with 14 goals in eight games, scoring at nearly a two-goal per game pace. The 6-foot-3 forward is tied for the playoff lead in points with linemate and Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Protas, both of whom have tallied 24 points in eight games.
Greentree scored two goals in the opening period to give Windsor a 2-0 lead heading into the second period.
His first goal in the second period couldn't have been timed better. It restored the Spitfires' two-goal lead, coming just a minute and a half after Ottawa Senators prospect Luke Ellinas scored Kitchener's first goal of the game.
Henry Mews' Commitment Shows Why The OHL Could Be In Trouble?Early yesterday evening, Calgary Flames prospect Henry Mews announced his commitment to the University of Michigan to play NCAA hockey next season. The unique decision shows how players are forging new paths in the wake of the NCAA's decision to make CHL players eligible for Division I hockey.
Early in the third, Greentree scored his fourth goal of the game on the power play, making the Windsor lead 5-2 before finishing the night with an empty net goal.
Protas, Greentree's partner in crime, also had a fantastic night scoring a goal and adding three helpers. The pair reminded the league that they are one of the deadliest duos in major juniors, scoring all six Windsor goals and accounting for 11 points.
The Windsor Spitfires have absolutely dominated the Kitchener Rangers in round two of the OHL Playoffs. Through three games they've scored 16 goals while Kitchener has only recorded five.
MVP Candidate Scores Hattrick In Game Two WinEarlier this afternoon, the Brantford Bulldogs defeated the Oshawa Generals 8-5 to take a two-game lead in the series. Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Lardis was the center of attention, scoring a hattrick in the win.
The win gives Windsor a 3-0 series lead and the opportunity to eliminate their opponent and move on to the Western Conference Final on Wednesday. At this point it it seems almost impossible that Kitchener will make a comback in the series.
Only four NHL teams have ever come back from that kind of a deficit, the most recent being the 2014 L.A. Kings, who defeated San Jose and went on to win the Stanley Cup.
While it seems like Windsor will soon book their tickets to the Western Conference Finals, junior hockey is entirely unpredictable. We will see what happens come Wednesday night when Kitchener will host Windsor for game four.
Utah’s Robert Bortuzzo Set to Play Potential Final Game in St. Louis
The last time Robert Bortuzzo stepped on the ice was in January in a game against the Calgary Flames. He only played 8:25 and was later placed on injured reserve…
Canucks Quinn Hughes Joins Elite Company With 350th Career Assist
On Monday, Quinn Hughes celebrated a special milestone. The Vancouver Canucks captain recorded his 350th career assist, becoming just the seventh player and first defenceman in franchise history to achieve the feat. Over his 432-game career, Hughes has developed into one of the best passers in the NHL and now finds himself in elite company alongside some of the best players ever to play in the NHL.
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With his assist on Monday, Hughes became the 21st player in NHL history to record at least 350 assists before turning 26. The list includes many Hall of Famers, including Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemiux, as well as current NHLers in Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Mitch Marner and Nathan MacKinnon. Hughes is currently tied with MacKinnon for 20th on the list and will have one final chance to move past the Colorado Avalanche superstar before his 26th birthday as Vancouver battles the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday.
As for defensemen, Hughes is the fifth defender to record 350 assists before turning 26. The other four are Bobby Orr (522), Paul Coffey (460), Phil Housley (380), and Ray Bourque (366). Hughes also ranks 11th in all-time points by a defenceman before turning 26, while his 409 points are the most by any defender currently playing in the NHL.
To wrap things up, the 2024-25 season was also the fourth time in Hughes' career he has recorded at least 60 assists. That ranks tied for sixth with Jaromír Jágr, Joe Sakic, Lemieux and Denis Savard for the most by any skater before their 26th birthday. As for the players with more, those would be Gretzky (7), McDavid (6), Bryan Trottier (6), Orr (5) and Coffey (5).
While Hughes still has a ways to go, he is on pace to become one of the highest point-producing defensemen in NHL history. His .95 points per game ranks sixth among defenders in NHL history who have played at least 200 games, while he leads all defensemen in points since the start of the 2018-19 season, during which he only played five games. Ultimatley, if Hughes can keep up this production, and be signed to a long-term contract, he could very well finish his career as the greatest player in Canucks history.
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The Oilers And Kings' Bad Blood Returns: That's Why The NHL Playoff Format Hasn't Changed
You can say what you want about the NHL’s current Stanley Cup playoff format, but it ignited the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings’ rivalry.
The ultimate goal of the current division-based playoff format is creating and improving rivalries between teams. In the Atlantic Division, the first-place Toronto Maple Leafs will likely battle their provincial rivals, the Ottawa Senators, and in the Central Division, the Dallas Stars will square off against the Colorado Avalanche. There’s plenty of history in both of those likely series, and emotions will be high right off the hop.
But what the Oilers and Kings have developed out of three straight years of first-round meetings is perhaps the best example of the format in action. They’re going at it once again in the first round of this post-season, and as we saw Monday night in the final regular-season game between the two clubs, there’s already no shortage of ill will between the Oilers and Kings.
Although Monday’s game featured an Oilers team with a handful of players sitting out – including star forwards Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman – there was no shortage of chippiness and flat-out hatred between Edmonton and Los Angeles.
Both sides spoke out during and after the game about the rivalry – including Kings center Phillip Danault, who talked about Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse cross-checking Kings center Quinton Byfield in the back of the head. Nurse was ejected from the game and may face supplemental discipline, but anger over the hit on Byfield clearly lingered with Danault.
“I think they just have their B squad in trying to hurt us,” Danault said on the Kings’ broadcast during the intermission.
For his part, Oilers right winger Corey Perry was incredulous after the game when told of Danault’s comments.
“What the f---?” Perry said to reporters. “Did he not look at what's happened over the last couple weeks? Like, what do you want us to do? We're not out there to hurt anybody.”
Edmonton left winger Connor Brown also discussed the bad blood between the two teams – and specifically, about Danault clashing with him during Monday’s game.
“I’m not really interested in getting into a media war with Danault,” Brown said. “He took a run at me. I took a run at him. I don’t really have anything to say.”
How Will Evander Kane Look Back In The Edmonton Oilers' Lineup?Evander Kane hasn’t played for the Edmonton Oilers in 10 months, but he’s getting close.
There’s every reason to believe tensions will be sky-high when the two teams go head-to-head in the next week. There’s a difference this time around in that the Kings have earned home-ice advantage, but otherwise, this is going to be a battle between teams that have developed a healthy hate for each other.
That’s the whole point of the NHL’s playoff format. This isn’t to say that a different format could also create and develop rivalries, but there’s no doubt the current format is working in that regard.
The Oilers have won the previous three playoff series between the teams, but many people – this writer included – believe the result could be different this year. The Kings have the league’s best home record at 31-5-4, while the Oilers’ road record is 22-16-2 – not subpar but not intimidating, either. So Edmonton could be considered the underdog in this series, especially because key Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm will be out of action for at least the first round.
There’s no question that the emotions between the two teams are already at a fever pitch, and it won’t take much for those emotions to boil over. It’s going to be high drama between the Oilers and Kings, and because of that – and regardless of who wins – the NHL will consider that a tremendous success.
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Sharks’ Logan Couture Concludes Playing Career
San Jose Sharks captain Logan Couture officially announced the end of his hockey career at a press conference this afternoon, confirming reports that broke yesterday upon the scheduling of the…
Konnor Smith Signs ELC With Anaheim, Will Report to Gulls
Konnor Smith becomes the latest Ducks draft pick to officially join the organization after signing his entry-level contract (ELC) on Tuesday. He will report to the AHL and play with the San Diego Gulls on an amateur tryout (ATO) for the rest of the 2024-25 season, with his ELC beginning at the start of the 2025-26 season.
At six-foot-six and 216 pounds, Smith is a big boy. Naturally, he uses his size and strength to his advantage and is a very physical player. Smith played parts of three seasons with the OHL's Peterborough Petes and had a crucial role in the Petes' playoff run as a shutdown defenseman en route to an OHL championship. In 2023-24, he was traded mid-season to the Owen Sound Attack and appeared in four playoff games that season before finishing the year with the Gulls on an ATO. He appeared in six games and scored in his AHL debut.
After being named captain of the Attack for the 2024-25 season, Smith played in just eight games before being traded to the Brampton Steelheads. He had 18 points in 32 games, setting a new career-high. Smith and the Steelheads faced off against fellow Ducks draft pick Beckett Sennecke and the Oshawa Generals in the first round of the OHL Playoffs. Sennecke missed part of the series due to injury, but the Generals still came out on top in six games.
Anaheim Ducks Prospect Spotlight: Six Prospects Advance in CHL PlayoffsThe NHL season is in its final days, but the CHL playoffs are heading to their second round. All eight Anaheim Ducks prospects playing in the CHL saw their teams make the playoffs and six of them saw their teams advance to the second round.
Smith could play a large role for the Gulls next season. Behind Stian Solberg and Tyson Hinds, there are currently few left-handed options. It's uncertain if Rodwin Dionicio will return from Biel in Switzerland and Dillion Heatherington's AHL contract is up at the end of this season. On the right side are Noah Warren and AHL veteran Roland McKeown, and recently-signed Ian Moore will likely spend most of next season in the AHL as well.
To elevate his game, Smith must continue to improve his discipline. He tends to toe the line between being physical and outright destructive at times. While physicality is his killing card, it will do him no good if he's spending more time in the penalty box than on the ice. Continuing to improve his puck skills and skating is also a necessity as the game continues to trend toward mobile, puck movers versus prototypical stay-at-home defensemen.
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Return Of Avalanche Star Could Be Best Story Of The Playoffs
The Colorado Avalanche are set to take on the Dallas Stars in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. But on Tuesday, the Avalanche made big news when they recalled veteran star Gabriel Landeskog -- and Landeskog's return to action after nearly three calendar years on the sidelines with a catastrophic knee injury could be the best story of the post-season.
Landeskog returned to on-ice action this week when he played two games with the American League's Colorado Eagles. Landeskog posted a goal and two points in his second game, a performance that had to infuse him with confidence that he could do great things after more than 1,000 days between NHL games. And certainly, Landeskog's teammates fully believe Landeskog still can contribute in hockey's top league.
"It was awesome," Avs superstar Nathan MacKinnon told NHL.com in regard to Landeskog's two AHL games. "I [didn't] know what to expect, obviously, but I thought every shift he looked better. I thought Game Two, he looked a lot better as well...He's Gabe Landeskog at the end of the day, and, obviously, there's going to be some rust. Three years is a crazy amount of time off, and he hasn't really been practicing that much either...But I think he looks great, and in game situations, you can still see those instincts are there. He's still got it, for sure."
Hockey fans always enjoy a great comeback story, and Landeskog's fight to overcome adversity is one of the NHL's best human interest stories in recent memory. The 32-year-old Swede has played 738 regular-season NHL games and 69 playoff games, but if and when he suits up for the Avs in the current post-season, he's going to give his teammates a huge inspirational boost.
Landeskog was a key factor in the Avalanche's most recent Cup victory, and now, he has a chance to help push them to another Cup win. We shouldn't expect him to be a difference-maker -- at least, not right away -- but it's hard not to root for someone who probably felt at some point like his on-ice career was at an end.
Gabriel Landeskog Set to Play in His First Professional Game Since 2022Loveland, Colo. - The Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Eagles (AHL) announced this morning that Gabriel Landeskog will dress for the Colorado Eagles in their match tonight against the Henderson Silver Knights. This will be his Eagles debut.
Landeskog will have scores of Avs fans cheering him on, and just getting back to the NHL is a massive achievement for him. We'll all be watching him and hoping for the best -- and if he does deliver a memorable performance, Landeskog will carve out a particularly special place in hockey history.