The Edmonton Oilers are going to the playoffs.

That much is clear. Both The Athletic and MoneyPuck peg their playoff chances at over 99% with about three weeks left in the regular season. But the Oilers aren't looking to just make the playoffs, they're looking to go on another long run. That starts now, with twelve crucial games left to determine their playoff seeding.

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They're in very familiar territory, sitting third in the Pacific Division, tied with the Los Angeles Kings with 87 points with one more game played. The Vegas Golden Knights are just barely in sight with 92 points, while Vancouver and Calgary are miles behind as they battle for the final wild card spot in the west.

Thus, the divisional playoff format rears its ugly head once again, as the Oilers and Kings are on a collision course in the first round for the fourth consecutive year.

The Oilers have come out on top in the past three matchups, and it's gotten easier every time. Having beat the Kings in seven games in 2022, six in 2023, and five in 2024, it doesn't take a genius to predict a four-game sweep in 2025. The Kings seem destined to run into the wall that is the Edmonton Oilers yet again.

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But we all know that's not how the NHL playoffs work. Eventually, it feels like Los Angeles will have to break through. And they could have one big advantage they haven't yet had over the Oilers: home ice.

Going back to the playoff odds, both The Athletic and MoneyPuck project Edmonton to finish third in the Pacific Division behind Los Angeles. The Oilers have already seen what happens without home-ice advantage: they lost game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals on the road last year. What happens when they don't have that advantage against the team that knows them better than anyone?

Ideally, the Oilers just storm their way to the Pacific Division title, Vegas be damned. MoneyPuck gives them a 5.7% chance of winning the division, with the Golden Knights as heavy favorites with a 77.4% chance. So, not likely.

That same site gives the Oilers a 25.2% chance at finishing second ahead of Los Angeles. They need that 25.2%. The Oilers are more vulnerable than they were last season--they can't be giving out advantages to their biggest rivals.

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There are some exciting developments down on the farm for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With more talent in the system than they've had in recent memory, the Penguins have several prospects of interest to keep an eye on. We will take a look at how some of the organization's top forward prospects are faring right now in our March prospects update.

Rutger McGroarty

As we detailed in our February forward prospects update, McGroarty - after a brief NHL stint at the beginning of the season and a slow start to his AHL season - has finally seen his process meet expectations for production.

And that has continued in the month of March.

In 11 March games, McGroarty has five goals and nine points, picking up right where he left off in February. He does only have one point in his last four games, but the team - and his line - continues to roll.

Overall, McGroarty has 14 goals and 39 points in 59 games on the season. His second half should serve the WBS Penguins well as they vye for their first Calder Cup in franchise history, and his all-around game - adding in the production - is pretty much NHL-ready at this point.

Avery Hayes

Hayes - part of that line with McGroarty and Vasily Ponomarev - has been one of WBS's best players this season. He has 19 goals and 37 points in 49 games, and his play earned him an entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins that he signed on Mar. 13. 

The undrafted forward has worked hard to find success in professional hockey, as his unconventional path required some extra steps and injuries led to some inconsistency in 2023-24. But, all of a sudden, the 22-year-old right winger has solidified a relatively consistent placement on a line with McGroarty and Ponomarev, arguably the two most NHL-ready prospects in the Penguins' system.

Given that the line has largely been together since the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo last summer, it's certainly working in Hayes's favor that he's developed chemistry with those two players in particular. 

He has four goals and seven points in the month of March.

Ville Koivunen

Like McGroarty, Koivunen has slowed down a bit in his most recent set of games, having just two points over the last 7. He has four goals and eight points in the month of March.

However, his 20 goals and 54 points in 61 games is tied for seventh overall in AHL scoring and is tied for first among rookies in scoring. He is also tied for third in goals among rookies.

Although he is still working on rounding out some of the details of his game, Koivunen's development this season has been nothing short of spectacular. He has adjusted well to the pro game so far, and he should see some significant NHL ice time in 2025-26.

He is also chasing WBS's franchise record for points as a rookie, which is currently held by Toby Peterson (2000-01) at 67 points. There are 11 games remaining, so it's a longshot - but never say never.

Tristan Broz

Broz was out for a good while due to mononucleosis to begin the calendar year, returning on Feb. 7 and picking up right where he left off prior to his absence.

However, he has been a bit slow production-wise in the month of March. Broz has just two goals and four points in 11 March games, one point in his last seven games, and five points in his last 15 games.

That being said, he has continued to develop his two-way game and his positional versatility. There has been a bit of a rotation as far as the team's centers and their placement in the lineup, as Broz has spent time as both first- and second-line center, and even some time on the wing. 

Most of the time, he centers a line with Koivunen and Valtteri Puustinen. Puustinen has five goals and 11 points in March.

Vasily Ponomarev

After nearly getting to the point-per-game mark about a month ago, Ponomarev has gone cold production-wise. He has no points in his last six games and just two goals and four points in his last 14.

However, don't mistake this for Ponomarev playing poorly. He is still driving a decent amount of offense and playing responsibly on both sides of the puck. Like McGroarty was earlier this season, he is a bit snakebitten right now, but he's also been a bit more passive in terms of his own opportunities. 

The production will come for Ponomarev as long as he keeps playing strong all-zones hockey. He has a commitment to details that is advanced beyond most of his peers in WBS, and getting that monkey off his back will hopefully help him get his confidence back, too.

Tanner Howe

Howe began the season with the WHL's Regina Pats - as their captain - and was traded midseason to the Calgary Hitmen. 

And wherever he's been this season, he hasn't missed a beat.

In a regular season that has included skating for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship at the turn of the New Year, Howe had 18 goals and 46 points in 47 games between both teams. He will also be doing his best to lead Calgary to a CHL championship in their upcoming playoff run. 

The 19-year-old power forward - a second-round pick (46th overall) by the Penguins in 2024 - is developing a solid two-way game and certainly doesn't shy away from physicality. In fact, he uses phsyicality to gain positioning on opponents, which makes him a menace on the forecheck.

If his development continues on its current path, he could, conceivably, become an effective middle-six winger at the NHL level. He will presumably be playing in WBS next season, as his junior eligibility will be up.

Melvin Fernstrom

Fernstrom, 19, was acquired by the Penguins from the Vancouver Canucks as part of the Marcus Pettersson trade on Jan. 31. The right winger from Balsta, Sweden was a third-round pick (93rd overall) by Vancouver in 2024, and he was advertised as a raw prospect with a high ceiling.

His first full season in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Orebro HK has been a bit of a mixed bag, as he has registered eight goals and 17 points in 48 games. But he's also playing against much more experienced players, and his showing for the J20 Nationell - against junior-level players - resulted in 11 goals and 18 points in 12 games.

Last season, Fernstrom's 31 goals led the J20 league. 

There is still some growth that has to happen for Fernstrom, but there is some promise there. And Penguins' management is pretty high on this guy. There is a good chance he plays in North American next season.

Mikhail Ilyin

Ilyin, 20, is currently playing for the Severstal Cherepovets of the KHL, and he is making progress in his third season with the team. He saw games in the KHL as an 18-year-old, and he has also been seeing top-line minutes since then.

The right winger has seven goals and 30 points in 64 games this year, and his contract with Severstal expires at the end of the season. A 2023 fifth-round pick (142nd overall) by the Penguins, there is a chance he could join the organization in North America next season.

Ilyin will have to develop his skating a bit more - as well as his level of production - if he is going to be a regular at the NHL level at some point. But his playmaking smarts, passing ability, and the details in his game fill a lot of the gaps that the other deficiencies in his game leave.

Ilyin is certainly a work in progress, but he is definitely making strides. If his game can translate to the North American game, he may be a pleasant fifth-round surprise for the Penguins. 

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Former Ottawa Senators defenceman Jakob Chychrun has signed an eight-year, $72 million contract extension with the Washington Capitals.

Capitals general manager Chris Patrick made the announcement today.

"Jakob is a proven, dynamic defenceman in the prime of his career who has established himself as one of the premier blueliners in the NHL," Patrick said in club statement. "His work ethic, skill set, and ability to excel in all situations at both ends of the ice make him a valuable asset to our team. He is a perfect fit with our culture and vision for the future, and we couldn't be more thrilled that he will continue to be part of our organization for the next eight years."

Chychrun, 26, has a career-high 43 points in 65 games with the Capitals this season. But simply put, it's the kind of deal that wouldn't have made a lick of sense in Ottawa - not unless the Senators chose to move out the likes of Jake Sanderson or Thomas Chabot, who both bring similar styles on the left side. All three move the puck well and excel at creating offence from the back end.

Sanderson and Chabot both make in the vicinity of $8 million while Chychrun's AAV will be $9 million, which drives home why Senators GM Steve Staios was pro-active in moving Chychrun last summer for Nick Jensen in the great re-balancing act of 2024. Chychrun is a fine defenceman with heavy local ties, but for a team like the Senators, it wasn't wise to give up a first-rounder and two seconds to bring in a superfluous asset.

In Washington, it's been a perfect fit, especially with their top defenceman, 35-year-old John Carlson, now starting to approach his sunset years.

"It’s been a great fit for me personally," Chychrun told the media back in January during the Caps' visit to Ottawa. "I think I’ve really enjoyed my time (in Washington), and when you’re winning hockey games, it’s always a lot of fun. So, you know, we’ve got a great group that’s been playing well with one another, and we’re just doing our best to get better each day now."

As a big fan of consuming raw meat, Chychrun's health regimen remains as "alternative" as ever, at least according to teammate Dylan Strome.

“He has a new thing every day,” Strome said on the NHL Unscripted Podcast. “I heard yesterday that he’s 'no light bulbs.' He’s doing candle-lit in his house now. That’s what his thing was yesterday. So, he was on to beeswax candles is what I heard is great for you. So, now we’re all bugging him about beeswax candles.

"Like, there's lights everywhere (you go). What are you talking about with no light bulbs?"

Sounds like the same old Chyc. It's good to see he's finally found a nice fit in a new (dimly lit) NHL home.

By Steve Warne
Site Editor at The Hockey News Ottawa

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ST. LOUIS – Two of the hottest teams as of late in the NHL do battle on Tuesday when the St. Louis Blues (37-28-7), winners of six in a row, host the Montreal Canadiens (33-27-9) at 7 p.m. (Matrix-MW, Victory+, ESPN 101.1-FM).

The Blues are on their best heater of the season, which includes a 13-2-2 run and want to keep their firm grip on the second wild card in the Western Conference; they lead the Vancouver Canucks by three points, Calgary Flames by four points and Utah Hockey Club by six points but now have the Minnesota Wild, holders of the first wild card, in their sights, trailing the Wild by just four points.

The Canadiens 8-1-4 their past 13 games, are 3-0-3 their past six games.

“A lot of similarities,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said of the Blues and Canadiens. “Two good goalies, [Nick] Suzuki has been unreal like [Robert] Thomas has been unreal, the first line is leading like you want your team to lead and they’re playing real good, committed offense and defense in all three zones.”

- - -

Blues forward Dylan Holloway, fresh off being named the NHL’s third star of the week for the week ending March 23, continues to gain favorable impressions from teammates and coaches.

“I don’t think there’s an area that he hasn’t grown,” Montgomery said of Holloway, who had seven points (one goal, six assists) in four games last week and is on a seven-game point streak (three goals, eight assists). “He’s always had that dogged determination to win puck battles and stay on pucks. I think his physicality has improved, I think his offensive creativity has improved, his shot-first mentality, and defensively, I had him out there in a pulled goalie situation because his defensive habits have augmented so much that the trust level has gone (up). We can use him in those situations that he just has the physical tools that will enable you to have success when you’re short in that situation.”

- - -

Blues defenseman Colton Parayko skated on Tuesday morning, his first time skating with the team since injuring his left knee in a 3-2 shootout win against the Los Angeles Kings on Nov. 5 and having a knee scope.

“I got to be honest, I saw him twice,” Montgomery said. “When I’m out there, I’m focused on the team. I know he’s a long ways away. It’s great to have him out there. It’s just the first step in the recovery process towards becoming a player for us.

“I was just happy with the pace and execution of our team.”

- - -

Defenseman Nick Leddy and center Oskar Sundqvist will return after each missed Sunday’s 4-1 win against the Nashville Predators with an undisclosed maintenance day.

Leddy will replace Matthew Kessel and Sundqvist will replace Dalibor Dvorsky, who made his NHL debut on Sunday.

“I spoke to him before we went out,” Montgomery said of Dvorsky, who played 10:49. “We were really happy with his first game in the league, shows his hockey sense, shows his poise with the puck. Game management was beyond his years as far as he didn’t complicate the game, he didn’t force anything, allowed us to play to our identity. Today is an opportunity to be part of a morning skate, be part of a practice tomorrow, watch the game tonight and grow and learn about why we’ve had success here recently.

“It’s very tempting to keep him in, but I think as a coach, you’ve got to reward the guys that have gotten you here and those guys have battled hard and they’re all fresh and rested right now so we’re going to go with the horses that have gotten us here.”

- - -

Pavel Buchnevich (illness) remains out of the lineup, his third straight game missed tonight, but Montgomery said that the forward is getting better.

"Doing better, not a player yet," Montgomery said, who noted it's nothing related to the hit he took in a 4-1 win against the Predators on March 18. "It's something different."

- - -

Blues Projected Lineup:

Jake Neighbours-Robert Thomas-Zack Bolduc

Dylan Holloway-Brayden Schenn-Jordan Kyrou

Mathieu Joseph-Oskar Sundqvist-Alexandre Texier

Alexey Toropchenko-Radek Faksa-Nathan Walker

Cam Fowler-Nick Leddy

Philip Broberg-Justin Faulk

Ryan Suter-Tyler Tucker

Jordan Binnington will start in goal; Joel Hofer will be the backup.

The healthy scratches include Dalibor Dvorsky and Matthew Kessel. Colton Parayko (knee) and Pavel Buchnevich (illness) are out.

- - -

Canadiens Projected Lineup:

Cole Caufield-Nick Suzuki-Juraj Slafkovsky

Joshua Roy-Alex Newhook-Patrik Laine

Josh Anderson-Christian Dvorak-Brendan Gallagher

Emil Heineman-Jake Evans-Joel Armia

Mike Matheson-Alexandre Carrier

Jayden Struble-Lane Hutson

Arber Xhekaj-David Savard

Sam Montembeault will start in goal; Jakub Dobes will be the backup.

The healthy scratch includes Michael Pezzetta. Kaiden Guhle (quad) is out.

Seattle Kraken defenseman Ryker Evans will skate in his 100th career NHL game tonight against the Calgary Flames.

The Kraken selected Evans in the second round (35th overall) in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, following a three-goal and 25-point campaign in the WHL with the Regina Pats. He played in just 28 games that season due to injuries and quickly followed that season with 14 goals and 61 points in 63 games.

Evans would spend the following season with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where he further impressed the Kraken organization. In his rookie campaign, he scored six goals and 44 points in 71 games, but he took things to another level in the playoffs, recording five goals and 26 points in 26 games. 

The 2023-24 campaign saw Evans receive his first bit of NHL action, playing in 36 games. Now, in the 2024-25 season, the 23-year-old has established himself as a full-time NHL defenseman, averaging 19:24 of ice time.

In 63 games, Evans has scored five goals and 24 points. The Calgary, AB native took over the second power play duties while Vince Dunn was out with an injury and saw an uptick in his numbers. The production dropped off since Dunn returned, but his overall impact on the game never wavered.

His ability to defend the rush and efficiently move the puck has proved to be a valued asset, and he's continued to gain the trust of the coaching staff. Evans will be an RFA when the season concludes and is inline to get a pay raise. 

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General Manager Kelly McCrimmon was a guest on the VGK Insider Show and mentioned that Shea Theodore will accompany the Vegas Golden Knights on their upcoming road trip and will play at some point on the trip.

Theodore has been out since the first game of the 4 Nations Face-Off after suffering what appeared to be a wrist injury. The initial timetable given on his status was week-to-week and it appears he is inching closer to a return.

He's participated in multiple practices now, both without contact and with contact, signally the recovery process is going accordingly.

The Golden Knights recently welcomed back William Karlsson, who had also spent time on the long-term injury reserve. The pair of Original Misfits are essential to the Golden Knights' success, and allowing them time to revamp before the beginning of the playoffs could be vital.

Tomas Hertl exited Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning after he was hit awkwardly into the boards. The initial reports haven't been good, with McCrimmon stating that he will not make the trip with the team and is ruled out for the rest of the week. Hertl will undergo more tests to determine the severity of the injury. 

Losing Hertl at this time of the season is a major blow, but adding Theodore back into the line should, at the very least, help cushion it. Very few defensemen possess the offensive abilities Theodore has, scoring seven goals and 48 points in 55 games this season. 

The Golden Knights' road trip begins tonight against the Minnesota Wild, followed by encounters with the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday and the Nashville Predators on Saturday, any of which could be the return game for Theodore. 

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