Heading into the NHL’s 4-Nations Face-off break on Feb. 8, the Ducks had battled back to claim a .500 record (24-24-6) and had won seven of eight games, capped off by back-to-back wins against the Dallas Stars and Los Angeles Kings. It was the first time they’d been at that mark since they were 10-10-3 on Dec. 1, 2024.

The Secret is Out: Lukas Dostal is Casually Incredible

Every traditional and underlying metric suggested the most substantial reason they’d remained within shouting distance of .500 to that point was the Vezina-caliber performance of their goaltending tandem, sophomore sensation Lukas Dostal and calculated veteran John Gibson. The team as a whole was putting in spirited efforts on a nightly basis and finding ways to win. The numbers and process were showing signs of improvement as well.

Lukas Dostal (24) has started 41 and appeared in 45 of the Ducks’ 70 games this season, increasing his usage rate from his rookie season, where he started 38 games and appeared in 44. He has a .907 SV% and has saved 16.11 goals above expected, stats made more impressive because he’s seen the most shots per 60 minutes (32.07) of any goaltender in the NHL (min 25 games) this season.

Dostal’s running mate in the Anaheim crease, John Gibson, has battled various injuries and ailments since suffering a ruptured appendix during Ducks’ training camp in September. Since play resumed following the break, Gibson’s only been able to start four games for the Ducks and has only been able to finish two, leaving the other two with injuries.

Gibson’s name had been prominent in trade discussions for as long as recent memory serves. Cited reasoning for a trade not finding its way over the finish line this season has been Gibson’s health and Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek’s high asking price. From a Ducks perspective, moving on from Gibson would have meant handing the crease completely over to Dostal, perhaps something they weren’t ready to do at this point in the young netminder’s career.

Report: Gibson's Health Primary Concern over Contract, Ability

If that was indeed the Ducks’ thought process on the matter, their concerns might be manifesting in the team’s last 16-game stretch since late February. Since Feb. 22, the Ducks have a 6-8-2 record and a 5-6-2 record in games decided when Dostal is in net. He has performed admirably and better than should have been asked during that time despite the dip in his numbers, which, prior to the break, had been dwelling in the stratosphere.

Since the NHL returned to play, Dostal has a .895 SV% and has saved -1.45 goals above expected. It is unfair to assign blame completely at his feet, the numbers are imperfect, and he’s given the Ducks a chance to win far more often than the play in front of him should dictate, but his play has shown a crack or two of late as he’s let a handful of shots uncharacteristically find their way through him that he would have found ways to stop earlier in the season.

Dostal has played a lot of hockey in the last calendar year. After appearing in over half of the Ducks games in 2023-24, he started eight of ten games for his native Czechia en route to an IIHF World Championship gold medal in May. In 2024-25, he’s now on pace to start in 48 NHL games and, during his time in net, see the most shots of any goaltender in the NHL.

Dostal’s machine-like work ethic and dedication to refining his craft have elevated him into the conversation among the NHL’s brightest young stars between the pipes. His economic movements and positioning in the crease are coupled perfectly with his ability to track pucks throughout the defensive zone and fight through traffic to make difficult perimeter shots look easy to stop. He’s taken his game management skills to another level this season, as he’s recognizing when to freeze pucks behind a tired defense in front of him or play pucks to retrievers in order to potentially capitalize on changing opponents.

Is Dostal ready to take the next step in his career progression and become the new bonafide starter in Anaheim in 2025-26 should a Gibson trade come to fruition as has been indicated it might in the 2025 offseason?

The answer is likely yes, given two conditions: 1. He isn’t tasked with starting 60-plus games, as the days of having a “set it and forget it” nightly starter in the modern-day NHL are dwindling. Those circumstances are reserved for the sport’s most elite veterans like Connor Hellebuyck, Igor Shesterkin, and Andrei Vasilevskiy. And 2. The team defense in front of him ensures he is no longer among the NHL leaders in shots and high-danger shots faced per 60 minutes.

The Ducks' Power Play Conundrum

Anaheim Ducks Prospect Spotlight: Pair of Defensemen Make AHL Debuts

ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Wild opened the season 18-4-4. They were on top of the league standings on Dec 6. Since then, the Wild have gone 22-23-1 and rank 23rd in the NHL in that span.

Kirill Kaprizov has missed the last 22 games and Joel Eriksson Ek has not played in the last 15 games. All of a sudden, the Wild can't seem to score and the best start in the team's history has now turned into a grinding season that has them hanging on to a playoff spot with other teams on their heels. 

The St. Louis Blues have won seven in a row and are now two points behind the Wild for the top wild card spot in the Western Conference.

The Calgary Flames won on Tuesday and are now six points behind the Wild for the top wild card and four behind the Blues. Calgary has only played 70 games. The Wild have played 72 games. 

“We’re battling. The reality is what it is. We’re not going to give in. We’re going to battle hard," Mats Zuccarello said after the 5-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. "I think in the same, it’s one game. But I just think it’s better to be honest in what I feel when you’re out there and hopefully we can get a good day of rest, get in late last night, good day of rest and then we gotta get back at it. We need points. It’s a crucial time. Everyone’s behind us winning. It is what it is.”

If the season ended today, the Wild would play the Golden Knights in round one of the playoffs. Tuesday's game was a possible preview of a first round matchup. 

“We know what we’re up against. We gotta raise to that level. Everything can happen in the playoffs, but first we gotta worry about getting there first of all," Zuccarello said. "But you play a solid game defensively but I think as of late, not scoring enough, maybe, I said it before, we gotta make plays. We gotta support each other. We gotta have guys come with speed. I don’t know. It’s hard. Today, you can mix and match, back-to-back, but we play against a team that it’s really hard to play against when they play like that and we don’t play like us.”

Minnesota is 2-8-3 in its last 13 games against Vegas and were swept in the season series. Vegas outscored Minnesota 12-4 in those three games. They have outscored them 49-28 in their last 13 games against the Wild. 

If the Blues, who are on fire right now, pass the Wild for the top wild card spot, Minnesota would drop to the second wild card. They would match up against the Winnipeg Jets in the first round. 

The Jets, who have been at the top of the Central Division all year, withstood the Wild's 18-4-4 start and have since taken hold of the division. Not only that, but they have won eight-straight games against Minnesota. 

The Wild are 0-7-1 in their last eight against Winnipeg and have been outscored 28-12 in that span. They are 3-9-1 in their last 13 games against the Jets and have been outscored 43-29 in that span. 

Their last win against the Jets came 749 days ago on March 8, 2023. 

Nonetheless, the Wild are battling it a bit. They came into Monday's back-to-back with three straight wins. But they have now lost two straight to the Dallas Stars and Golden Knights. 

Wild head coach John Hynes said before the game that he anticipates that Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek will start skating soon but with ten games left in the season, it isn't like those two will save the season.

'I Would Anticipate Them Hitting The Ice In Very Short Order': Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek To Begin Skating SoonST. PAUL - The Minnesota Wild (40-26-5) hosts the Vegas Golden Knights (42-20-8) tonight. Wild Head Coach John Hynes gave an update before the game about Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek. 

So, is there a concern level with this team without Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek.

"It's just gonna be a battle till the end, right? We expect it. We're missing some big guys, obviously, and a few millions under the cap," Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury said after the Wild's loss. "Guys are battling every night. They're trying their best to stay in it, to find ways to get points and that's why I love this group so much, the character they show every night. It will be a battle though that's for sure."

Speaking of battles, the Wild are set to continue their home stand on Thursday with a game against the best team in the league, the Washington Capitals.

They then play two against the New Jersey Devils, play two playoff hopefuls in the New York Rangers and New York Islanders and then host the Dallas Stars at home. They play a back-to-back with the Flames and the Vancouver Canucks to end the season. Two teams that are on the heels of the Wild in the standings. 

It is starting to get real.

A 18-4-4 start could soon turn into the last spot in the Western Conference playoffs or worse, out of the playoffs. 

The most frustrating part of this all is the it isn't for a lack of effort. The Wild are playing their butts off every night. In Dallas they blocked over 20 shots and played great offensively but just ran into a hot goaltender who shut them out. Vegas was the same. 

"I mean, we got to build off of what we’ve done. I don't think we're playing bad by any means. We're doing a lot of good things. And, like I said, we had enough chances, I think, to score a few more goals tonight and then I think the end of the game might look a little different," Marcus Johansson said after the loss to Vegas. "We did a lot of good things in Dallas, I think, too. The puck’s not going in. It's hard to play with that confidence, and it's hard to have that in the group. It's tough, but we got to keep fighting. It's this time of year, and there's belief in this group."

On Tuesday, the Wild entered the third period down 2-0. They then proceeded to have one of their best periods of the season. Flying around the offensive zone and creating chances. 

Johansson was able to get the Wild on the board early in the third but then a high-sticking penalty by Ryan Hartman put Vegas on the power play just over five minutes left. 

The second best power play in the league converted just 13 seconds into the man-advantage. Jack Eichel scored his second of three on the night to make it a 3-1 game. Tanner Pearson, who drew the Wild's only penalty, scored into the empty net two minutes later. 

Eichel picked up another with under three minutes left and pushed Vegas over Minnesota 5-1. 

One small mistake turned a 2-1 game with the Wild in it, to a 5-1 loss in a matter of a snap of the finger. 

Time will tell if the Wild can withstand this stretch of hockey with ten games left of the season or not. It just seems like a daunting task to try and win games 2-1 until you get some scoring help with Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek back. 

Again, time will tell. 

"We know what we can do. And like I said, there's definitely no quit. We're trying. We're working as hard as we can. And we’re trying to score different ways," Johansson said. "You can kind of tell. Guys are gripping the stick a little tighter. I mean, I have all year. It's not gone in, but like I said, it's not for lack of effort."

The Montreal Canadiens started their four-game road trip against the red-hot St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night, and the Habs seemed unable to execute early on. Martin St-Louis’ men needed over 12 minutes to get a shot on net finally, and it was a dump in on a penalty kill. By that time, the host had already tested Samuel Montembeault nine times.

Exclusive Interview With Jayden Struble On His Game, His Teammates And The Upcoming Lineup Change
Kaiden Guhle Will Travel With The Canadiens
Rafael Harvey-Pinard’s Injury Impacts Laval

Now Is Not The Time For Stage Fright

Over the last few games, the Canadiens have made it a habit of falling behind in the first period and being unable to execute, like actors who have forgotten their lines. Against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night, they were down 2-0 after 20 minutes, and against the New York Islanders, they gave up the first goal even though they tied the score before the end of the first. Last Thursday, they trailed 2-1 at the start of the third.

It’s all well and good to be able to pull out a comeback win now and then, but having to do it every game is far from ideal. Halfway through the first period, St. Louis led 13-1 in shots on goal and had three high-danger chances, while the Canadiens had none, which was understandable since their sole shot on goal was a dump-in on the penalty kill.

Part of learning to win for this young team is learning to start on time and not be intimidated by the importance of the game. Should Montreal qualify for the playoffs, every game will be do-or-die, and the Canadiens won’t be able to afford false starts.

Time For A Rest

Before this season, Montembeault had never played more than 41 games in a campaign. Earlier this year, when the team had lost confidence in Cayden Primeau, he played 10 games in a row. He admitted his pads felt heavier after a 5-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Tuesday night, Montembeault was playing his fifth game in a row. Over the last few games, he has not looked as sharp, and that’s perfectly normal. He has seen a lot of rubber this season, and this current situation is different from the one in December. It’s not a matter of just hanging on until a break. The Habs are in the middle of a race for the playoffs, and if/when they make it, it won’t be time to rest.

Robert Thomas mystifie Samuel Montembeault 😵‍💫 pic.twitter.com/rK5FNz9tml

— TVA Sports (@TVASports) March 26, 2025

With the team playing so poorly in front of its goaltender on Tuesday night, it would have made sense to pull Montembeault and give him a rest. The Canadiens have three games in four nights starting Thursday. Give the man a break, let Jakub Dobes see some action, and shake off the rust in readiness for the start he will get this week when the Habs have a back-to-back. By the time St. Louis finally put him in on Tuesday night, the damage had been done, and there wasn’t much time left for his regular to rest.

Giving Dobest a start over the last few games wouldn’t have been about sending a message to Montembeault, it would have been about resting your top option in the net and making sure he’s as sharp as can be for the 12 games left in the regular season, and, hopefully for at least a round of playoffs hockey.

Tailoring Your Style To Your Opponent

The Canadiens have been very good of late, placing pucks in deep and getting them back, a kind of dump-and-chase with real purpose. Josh Anderson, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Emil Heineman have been perfect examples of how much you can create that way.

St-Louis has praised his players for how well they’ve placed the puck to set the opponent up for punishing hits, but that’s not necessarily a good course of action against a goaltender like Jordan Binnington. The Blues’ netminder might not be one of the best goaltenders in the game in the classical sense of the expression, but his puck handling is brilliant.

He may not quite be as good as Martin Brodeur when handling the puck, but he is solid enough to be considered in the game plan. Putting the puck in his vicinity is like turning it over to a third defenseman.

Overall, just about everyone struggled all night for the Canadiens on Tuesday. Alexandre Carrier and Mike Matheson were minus-four, while Joel Armia and Jake Evans were minus-three. Those are not normal numbers. Montembeault gave five goals on 32 shots for a .844 save percentage, and Patrik Laine just couldn’t get his shot off properly, not even on the power play. In short, the Blues played an aggressive game and just wanted it more as evidenced by this 6-1 win. 

This is one to forget for the Habs, who will need to shake it off and move on to their next challenge, a duel with the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night. Thankfully, Montreal’s opponents in the playoffs race could not make any ground tonight, the Buffalo Sabres even beat the Ottawa Senators in regulation, while the Los Angeles Kings did the same to the New York Rangers, but the Canadiens would do well to start winning again if they want to remain in control of their fate.

---

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kevin Fiala scored twice, Darcy Kuemper stopped 22 shots, and the Los Angeles Kings beat the New York Rangers 3-1 on Tuesday night.

Phillip Danault also scored as the Kings extended their home point streak to 15 games (12-0-3). Los Angeles is the second team in the NHL to have a home streak of at least 15 games, joining Washington (11-0-5).

J. T. Miller scored for New York, and Igor Shesterkin finished with 30 saves. The Rangers have lost four of their last five games.

Miller put New York ahead 1-0 at 2:10 of the second period with a goal awarded after a review. It initially appeared a sprawled Kuemper kept the puck out with a sweeping right pad. However, it was called a goal by the situation room in Toronto after replays showed the puck crossed the line before the goalie’s right skate swept it away.

Fiala tied it on a power play with 9:06 left in the middle period on a deflection from the right doorstep.

Danault, playing in his 700th NHL game, put the Kings ahead on their second power-play goal of the night as he put in the rebound with 2:12 to go in the second.

Fiala added an empty-netter for his second of the night with 15.1 seconds remaining.

Takeaways

Rangers: New York has lost eight of 11 (3-6-8) to remain one point out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Kings: Los Angeles won for the ninth time in 10 games and moved two points ahead of Edmonton for second place in the Pacific Division.

Key moment

Kuemper made a point-black save on the Rangers’ Will Cuylle from the right doorstep with about 7:47 to go. He then slid across to pounce on the loose puck after Vincent Trocheck’s shot was blocked by Adrian Kempe seconds later, preserving the Kings’ 2-1 lead.

Key stat

The Kings, 28th on the power play at 15.7% coming in, converted on multiple chances in a game for the first time since Oct. 14 when they went 3 for 5 in an 8-7 overtime loss at Ottawa in their third game of the season.

Up next

Rangers visit Anaheim on Friday, and Kings play at Colorado on Thursday.

Calgary, AB - The Seattle Kraken concluded their road trip with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Nazem Kadri played a pivotal role in the Flames' victory, scoring both the game-winning goal and his second goal of the night. This win was crucial for Calgary, as it secured them two points, bringing their total to 79. The Flames are now just four points behind the St. Louis Blues, who sit in second place in the wild card standings with 83 points.

In goal, Joey Daccord defended the net for Seattle, while Dustin Wolf did the same for Calgary. Both teams celebrated milestones, with Seattle’s Ryker Evans and Calgary’s Matt Coronato each playing in their 100th NHL game.

The game began with a goal from Adam Klapka, who scored his second of the season to give the Flames a 1-0 lead. The Kraken answered in the second period, with Jaden Schwartz scoring his 21st goal of the season on a power play, followed by Tye Kartye’s fifth goal, which gave Seattle a 2-1 lead. 

Calgary responded with two goals of their own. First, Kadri capitalized on a power play to score his 27th of the season, tying the game at 2-2. Then, Rasmus Andersson fired a snap shot past Daccord, assisted by Matt Coronato, putting the Flames ahead 3-2.

With less than two minutes on the clock Jordan Eberle tied things up 3-3 with a wicked wrist shot past Wolf, forcing the overtime.

The Kraken return home to host the final contest of the season with the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday at 7PM PST.

Related

Kraken @ Flames Preview: Two Rookies Set To Hit Milestones As Calgary Faces Playoff PushCalgary, AB - The Seattle Kraken close out their road trip Tuesday night and face the Flames at Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome, aiming to finish the regular season series on a high note. Seattle has claimed two of the first three matchups this season, with a 3-2 win in Calgary on Feb. 8 and a 2-1 overtime victory in Seattle on Oct. 19. Calgary took a 3-2 win at Climate Pledge Arena on Feb. 4. Historically, Seattle is 5-8-1 against the Flames but boasts a strong 4-2-0 record on the road. The Kraken have also won four straight at the Saddledome, dating back to Nov. 1, 2022.

Stay updated with the most interesting Kraken stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News or Join the discussion with others in your hockey community on the Seattle Kraken Forum.

Well, that one was a doozy for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In fact, it was one of their worst losses of the season.

On Tuesday, the Penguins were outclassed by the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 6-1 rout, pretty much being outplayed after the first few minutes of the game. Pittsburgh registered four of the first five shots on goal, and after that, the Lightning completely took over the game. 

Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry was pulled after allowing four goals on the first six shots. Anthony Cirelli opened the scoring a little more than 12 minutes into the opening frame, picking up a rebound off a Ryan McDonagh shot in the low slot area and sneaking it past Jarry. McDonagh got a goal of his own just over a minute later, as he threw the puck at the net from a sharp angle on the left wall that hit Penguins forward Rickard Rakell's skate and went in.

But the Lightning just kept coming. Cirelli potted his second goal of the game - and 26th of the season - less than two minutes later, and Brayden Point put one home 48 seconds after that to chase Jarry from the game and put the Bolts up, 4-0.

All four goals happened in a span of less than four minutes, and it pretty much set the tone for the rest of the game, in which the Lightning outshot the Penguins, 27-15.

"We just didn't play well enough," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "Most of the first, I didn't think it was all that bad, but it just seemed like every chance went in the net. It was one of those nights."

Nikita Kucherov added insult to injury within the last five minutes of the second period, as he capitalized on a Lightning power play resulting from a Ryan Graves interference penalty that sent him crashing into Alex Nedeljkovic, who had relieved Jarry in the first. And before the middle frame was over - with less than a minute remaining - Brandon Hagel put home his 33rd goal of the season to give Tampa Bay the 6-0 lead.

Pittsburgh did add a late tally during a mini-push near the end of the third period, as Bryan Rust tipped a Matt Grzelcyk shot from the point to get the Penguins on the board. And Sidney Crosby did register the secondary assist, putting him just one point shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky's point-per-game seasons record.

But all of it was too little, too late, and the Penguins know they can't let games get away from them early on. The good news is that they will get right back at it against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, and they have a chance to wipe this one from memory pretty quickly.

"We just gotta reset," Rakell said. "Look at the next game, learn from our mistakes today, and just restart. It's a new game for us, a new chance for us to respond."

---

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!     

William Nylander means business. 

Despite reaching the 40-goal mark for the third consecutive season during the Maple Leafs’ dominant 7-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night and becoming the second Swedish player in NHL history to record three consecutive 40-goal seasons, the star winger made it clear that his priorities are elsewhere.

“That’s pretty cool, but my focus is on the playoffs right now. That’s obviously fun to accomplish that, playing with great players, but what matters is the playoffs,” said Nylander. 

His sentiment speaks to the 28-year-old’s mindset. Since entering the NHL in the 2015-16 season, he’s won just one playoff series and has been vocal about his desire to change that. Last postseason, the Leafs suffered another first-round exit, and Nylander was forced to miss time due to migraines.

He knows that his success only means so much if it doesn’t translate to the playoffs. 

On Tuesday, that was on full display at Scotiabank Arena as the forward registered a season-high four points (2G, 2A) while tying his career-high in goals (40). His linemates, John Tavares and Bobby McMann, also had standout performances – Tavares posted two goals and two assists, while McMann added a goal and an assist. 

WILLIAM NYLANDER 🚨🚨

40TH OF THE SEASON 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tYNrVSUo2q

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 26, 2025

The trio combined for 10 points on the night, but Nylander’s eyes are on the bigger picture.

“Just trying to do what I’m paid to do. That’s it,” said Nylander post-game.

With the victory, the Leafs reclaimed first place in the Atlantic Division, improving to 43-25-3 on the season with 89 points. Again, Nylander downplayed the possibility of winning the division, noting that the goal is to be successful in the post-season. 

“I think that would be fun, but playoffs – that’s what the goal is, to be successful there. If we win on the way to having a good playoffs, that’s a nice little plus,” said Nylander.

The Swede’s third straight 40-goal season places him in elite company. He became just the fourth player in Maple Leafs history to record three consecutive 40-goal seasons, joining Auston Matthews (5), Lanny McDonald (3), and Rick Vaive (3). 

William Nylander (2-2—4) scored twice and became the fourth @MapleLeafs player with three consecutive 40-goal seasons, joining Auston Matthews (5), Lanny McDonald (3) and Rick Vaive (3).#NHLStats: https://t.co/M9jvXtdScPpic.twitter.com/wTLjkWPhOm

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) March 26, 2025

“He’s a lot of fun to play with,” said Tavares. “Such a unique talent, and the way he’s elevated his game the last number of years and just becoming a perennial all-star. One of the top wingers in the game. Such a game breaker, one of the ultimate game-breakers in our league and certainly we’re thrilled to have him, and he’s having a great year. 40 is difficult to get, so he’s done a lot of good things, special player.”

“I think his work ethic is pretty exceptional. His desire to be the best player on the ice and make an impact is extremely high, he’s very driven that way. We’re certainly seeing it. Thrilled with the way he’s been playing for us all year,” he added. 

Tavares and Nylander have developed a strong on-ice connection, with both players enjoying standout seasons. Tavares has been particularly hot of late, tallying five goals, three assists, and eight points over his last three games. Despite their contrasting personalities, has Nylander's laid-back approach – and perhaps even his goal-scoring touch – rubbed off on Tavares?

“Maybe a little bit. It’s just fun to laugh at him and chuckle and things like that,” said Tavares. “You appreciate someone with his drive and skillset, and that’s why I’ve always said he is built to play in Toronto and be a Maple Leaf. His ability to deal with all the attention and all the questions all the time, not taking things too seriously in the right way.”

Nylander had his fingerprints all over this game, helping the Leafs earn their 11th win of their last 12 meetings against the Flyers. Their second-period dominance – an area they’ve succeeded in for much of the season – was on display again Tuesday, as they registered four goals in the middle frame as the forward collected a goal and an assist to break the game open. 

His knack for taking over games has only grown as he continues to evolve into a dynamic, all-around superstar on the wing, his teammates say.

“He’s awesome. I love watching Will play; he’s one of one, for sure,” said Max Domi. “The way he plays the game, and I mean that as a really huge compliment. He makes everyone around him better, hangs onto the puck, and he can just make guys look silly out there.”

“Just his ability to generate when you think there is nothing there. I think he sees the ice so well,” added linemate McMann. “He’s always working on his footwork and his puck handling. He always knows where the puck is on his stick. He can make heads-up plays all over the ice and generates a lot of offense.”

‘There’s A Little Bitter Taste In Our Mouth’: Maple Leafs Look To Redeem Themselves Against Flyers After Disappointing End To Road TripThe Toronto Maple Leafs returned to practice on Monday at Ford Performance Centre, looking to reset after a frustrating end to their road trip. Their 5-2 collapse against the 30th-placed Nashville Predators – a team that had lost four straight entering the game – left a sour taste, and forward Mitch Marner made that clear following the on-ice session. 

It was a commanding victory for the Leafs, one that was much-needed following a disappointing finish in Nashville on Saturday. The club now heads out for a California road trip, with their stars and squad carrying plenty of momentum.

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.

McMann has 20 goals and 13 assists for 33 points in 63 games with the Maple Leafs this season.

Bobby McMann hit another career milestone on Tuesday in the Maple Leafs' 7-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

The 28-year-old scored in the second period off a great feed from William Nylander behind Philadelphia's net. The goal, which put the Maple Leafs up 3-1, was McMann's 20th goal of the season.

It's the first time he's hit the 20-goal mark in the NHL.

BOBBY MCMANN 🚨

20TH OF THE SEASON! pic.twitter.com/o8u3efRVuD

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 26, 2025

"It's great. If you told me at the start I'd get that, I'd be happy," he said following the game." But just happy we won more than anything and feeling good about our team game."

McMann's story is few and far between. An undrafted forward who signs an AHL deal, starts his career in the ECHL, and works his way up to eventually getting an NHL contract and opportunity with the Maple Leafs.

There wasn't much known about McMann when he showed up in Toronto in 2021, but it's clear he's used every chance to grow his game.

"There's many different ways to get [to the NHL] and continue to believe in yourself and trust yourself. Sometimes you just need the right opportunity, the right break, and like I said, continue to believe in yourself, enjoy the game, and appreciate the journey," John Tavares said on Tuesday night.

"Everyone's different, but thrilled for Bobby and what he's become for us as a player and his impact, not just on the scoresheet, which is obviously phenomenal and a great accomplishment by him, but certainly how he can be counted on in so many different areas and make an impact for us.

"His journey is a great one for a lot of young kids to learn from."

McMann's career started to take off during the 2021-22 season, where he broke the Marlies' rookie goal record with 24 goals in 61 games. He filled the back of the net in the AHL again the following season with 21 goals in 30 games before getting a shot in the NHL.

The Wainwright, Alberta, native lauded former Marlies head coach Greg Moore as someone who helped him unlock his potential at the next level.

"I think my decision-making, as far as when to carry the puck and when to dump and try and go get the puck back. I think that's a skill that's sometimes overlooked and I think there's guys that I've watched previously trying to break into the league that do that really well," McMann said.

"That was something I worked on with the Marlies a little bit. Understanding how you can be effective and how I can carve a role for myself in the NHL. I think that was something that was really big for me. And then, it's watching video and then try to get the reps every game and every practice."

this second line just understands the assignment

well-executed play off the faceoff pic.twitter.com/Smu54XqOu1

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) March 26, 2025

That process has helped McMann. And now, he's on the Maple Leafs' second line, producing alongside players like Tavares and Nylander. Even Max Domi, who, at moments, has played alongside McMann, offered praise for the 20-goal scorer on Tuesday.

"He's a really good skater. He can score. He knows where to go, goes to the dirty areas, and has got that knack [for goal scoring]. He's playing great hockey right now."

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has rotated McMann between Toronto's second and third lines this season. There was also a point in the year when the forward played alongside Auston Matthews on the team's top line.

When asked about McMann following their win against the Flyers, Berube mentioned how he "quietly goes about his business" while being a consistent player for the Maple Leafs.

"I think you get pretty consistent play out of him in terms of what he needs to do to be successful. He does a lot of things right every game and they go unnoticed a lot of times," Berube said.

"But his skating, he really does a great job of pushing D back all the time with his speed and he's very consistent at it. He skates extremely well and he's a big, strong guy and he's on top of pucks all the time."

McMann has never played a postseason game in the NHL, though it's trending like he will in a couple of weeks. He's been able to produce consistently in the regular season, and the next step will be doing so in the playoffs, when Toronto will need it most.

---

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.