For the third time this season, a matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers went beyond regulation.

And for the second time, things didn't go their way.

On Sunday, the Penguins surrendered a two-goal lead and lost to the Panthers, 4-3, in a shootout for the second time this season. Pittsburgh couldn't muster a shootout goal, while Aleksander Barkov scored on the very first attempt for Florida to earn the win.

The Penguins are now 1-6 in the shootout this season in comparison to their 8-5 record in overtime. They have converted on just 28 percent of total shootout opportunities this season, which ranks 22nd in the league.

"I've tried it a million ways to try to get better at it, with just different teams that I've coached throughout the years," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "My experience has been [that] you've got guys that tend to be inclined, or you don't."

Even though the Penguins did ultimately surrender the two-goal lead, the game was back-and-forth for much of the evening. Sam Reinhart opened the scoring for Florida midway through the first period with his 34th of the season.

A few minutes later, Penguins forward Bryan Rust capitalized on a power play opportunity for his 24th goal of the season with a slick forehand-to-backhand move near the net front that fooled Florida defenseman Nate Schmidt.

Rust scored again five minutes later, when Sidney Crosby dished a beautiful elevated pass to him while breaking to the net. Rust was able to catch the puck with one hand on his stick to redirect it into the net and behind Sergei Bobrovsky to put the Penguins up, 2-1. Crosby's assist on the goal - his second of the game - put him just two points shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky's point-per-game seasons record, which he would clinch at 20. 

And continuing into the next frame, the Penguins kept their foot on the gas. Pittsburgh got another power play six and a half minutes into the second, when ex-Penguin Evan Rodrigues went to the box for hooking. Twenty seconds later, Evgeni Malkin blasted home a one-timer from the right circle for his 15th goal of the season, giving his team the 3-1 lead.

Reinhart added his second tally of the game on the power play not even three minutes later, however, and things started to slide a bit from there. Although the Penguins had their chances later in the game, the Panthers did take over for large stretches in the third period, and they finally broke through with just over five minutes remaining in regulation, as Anton Lundell scored to even the score at 3-3 and force overtime. 

And after an exciting overtime period with chances exchanged - and the Penguins controlling most of the possession, as has largely been the case in overtime for them this season - the shootout was forced, and Florida took it from there.

Despite the loss, Rust admires the Penguins' fighting spirit despite the circumstances surrounding the state of their season.

"I think it shows about the character and leadership of this room is that we're in here to keep fighting hard and still play really hard," Rust said. "It doesn't really matter where we are, we're in here to still prove something and still be a good hockey team."

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LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights lost red-hot Tomas Hertl to an upper-body injury during Sunday's 4-2 win over the Lightning, and while coach Bruce Cassidy said he was hoping for good news Monday morning, one early report said otherwise.

"It's the shoulder ... I didn't like what I was hearing on Sunday night, but I am hoping that is wrong," Elliotte Friedman said during the 32 Thoughts podcast. "Initially, the word wasn't great. I'm just hoping that's wrong.

"I don't know what to say here except that I heard they were a little bit concerned about it."

Understandably, too, considering Hertl has been on a heater of late.

While center Jack Eichel may have been named the NHL's second star this week, there's no doubt who's been the hottest Golden Knight the past few weeks.

Hertl suffered the injury when he was pushed from behind by Lightning defenseman Emil Lilleberg after a breakaway opportunity was stopped by Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. Hertl went to gather the rebound when Lilleberg grabbed Hertl's hips and shoved him.

Hertl slammed into the end boards shoulder first and did not return. Originally a five-minute major, the call was reduced to a two-minute boarding penalty.

"That is a dirty hit in that area when a player is in that position," Golden Knights broadcaster Shane Hnidy said during the broadcast. "That's gotta be a five-minute major). I'm all for physical play but there's gotta be awareness."

The Knights left for a three-game road trip on Monday, starting in Minnesota, so no update was provided. Vegas' trip begins Tuesday against the Wild, whom the Knights would face if the playoffs began now.

A message for Hertl's agent, Craig Oster, went unreturned.

A long-term loss could prove devastating for a Golden Knights offense that has come alive, ranking second with 3.92 goals-for per game during an 8-2-2 run since Feb. 27.

Hertl has been a big part of that, as he followed up Saturday's hat trick against the Red Wings with a goal against Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Hertl, whose 14 power-play goals are a franchise record, now has two hat tricks in his last eight games and leads the league with 19 goals since Jan. 17. His 28 points in the same span are tied with three others for 15th in the league.

"He’s playing some of his best hockey he’s probably played in his career, never mind with us," Cassidy said Sunday night.

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The Colorado Avalanche continued their hot streak Saturday night in Montreal, beating the upstart Canadiens 5-4 in the shootout. With the victory, the Avs have won 10 of their past 12 games, holding off the surging Minnesota Wild for third place in the hyper-competitive Central Division.

Here are three key takeaways from Colorado's win over the Habs:

1. Nelson Continues Hot Streak, Posts One-Goal, Two-Point Game Against Canadiens

Avalanche center Brock Nelson took some time to find his stride since being acquired by Colorado at the NHL trade deadline -- but in his past two games, Nelson has posted three goals and four points, including a one-goal, two-point night against the Canadiens. And capping things off, Nelson had the shootout winner to improve the Avalanche's record this year to 43-25-3 this season.

With Saturday's totals, Nelson now has 23 goals and 49 points in 69 games this year. The 33-year-old still projects to be a pure rental player this season, but Avs management knew that when they acquired him from the New York Islanders. The price to land him was high, but the Avalanche and Nelson are proving to be a great fit. And as the Stanley Cup playoffs approach, Nelson will need to be a needle-mover to get his team where it aims to be.

2. Avs Blow Three-Goal Lead, Rebound To Earn Second Straight Win, Stay Ahead Of Minnesota In Tight Central Race

The Avalanche went up 4-1 at the 3:58 mark of the third period, but the desperate Canadiens potted three straight goals the rest of the way in regulation to send the game to extra time. However, Colorado did not give up Saturday, and they were rewarded for it with their second straight win and their fourth win in their past five games.

The win allowed the Avs to maintain a four-point lead over the Wild (although Minnesota has one game in hand on Colorado). The Avalanche now have only 11 regular-season games to play, and the way things are shaping up, the Avs will have to be just as dominant if they're to have any hope at challenging the Dallas Stars for home-ice advantage in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

3. Blackwood Struggles For Second Time In Past Four Games, But Still Finds Way To Win Three Of Past Five

Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood hasn't been at his best of late, posting a save percentage of .862 or worse in two of his past four games. But Blackwood figured out how to hang tough Saturday to post wins in three of his past five games.

Blackwood still is Colorado's No. 1 netminder, but like all NHL goalies, he's going to go through his tough stretches. The ability to battle through issues is going to be key for Blackwood and his Avs teammates, and in this final push in the regular-season, he's going to have to thrive to gve the Avalanche a chance at home-ice advantage.

The Chicago Blackhawks traded Taylor Hall what seems like half a season ago, but he has now appeared in 20 games for the Carolina Hurricanes. While the Blackhawks should have gotten more for him, a third-round pick was fine as the team was looking to move on from him anyways and go with younger players.

Hall is going to get his playoff run, and at a great time, he has stepped up and really found his stride with the Hurricanes, his seventh team in the NHL.

The veteran has six goals and 11 points since heading to Carolina, but after just one goal and two points in his first 12 games, he has turned back the clock with five goals and nine points in his last eight games including a hat trick in his previous game against the Anaheim Ducks.

Hall is on the Hurricanes' second line with Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jack Roslovic and it seems to be working. He is shooting more and hitting much more since joining his new team as not only do the Hurricanes control the puck more and get shots from everywhere, they forecheck hard and Hall has bought in.

The 33-year-old has fit in well in Carolina and some will be cheering for him to raise the Stanley Cup as the Blackhawks aren't in the race this season.

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Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel has been named the NHL's second star of the week.

The 28-year-old scored two goals and seven points in three games, helping the Golden Knights post a 3-0-0 record, beating the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

His seven points brought Eichel into sole possession of the most points by a Golden Knights player in a season, while also setting a new career high that will continue to rise. 

In the 2024-25 campaign, Eichel's scored 23 goals and 87 points and his recent offensive outburst has him back on pace to eclipse the 100-point mark.

Here's what the NHL's press release had to say about Eichel's stellar week:

"Eichel led the NHL with 2-5—7 in three appearances to also power the Golden Knights (42-20-8, 92 points) to a perfect week. He collected a pair of assists in a 5-1 victory against the Boston Bruins March 20. Eichel followed that with 1-3—4, his 11th career four-point performance and second of the season (also Oct. 9 vs. COL: 0-4—4), in a 6-3 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings March 22. He capped the week with his 39th career game-winning goal (and third of 2024-25) in a 4-2 decision versus the Tampa Bay Lightning March 23. The 28-year-old Eichel places fifth in the League with a career-high 23‑64—87 through 69 total contests this season. He also sits among the top 2024-25 performers in power-play assists (2nd; 29), assists (t-3rd; 64), power-play points (t-3rd; 33), even-strength assists (t-9th; 34), plus/minus (t-10th; +30) and even-strength points (t-12th; 52)." 

Filip Gustavsson (@mnwild), Jack Eichel (@GoldenKnights) and Dylan Holloway (@StLouisBlues) have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” presented by GEICO for the week ending March 23.#NHLStats: https://t.co/Vhmt4wQGpVpic.twitter.com/a4lOrHtNMu

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) March 24, 2025

Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson was named the first star of the week, posting a 3-0-0 record, including a shutout, a .976 SV% and 0.67 GAA. The Golden Knights will travel to Minnesota to take on the Wild on Tuesday. The NHL's third star of the week was St. Louis Blues' Dylan Holloway, recording one goal and seven points in four games. 

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ST. LOUIS -- The NHL has announced its three stars of the week for the week ending March 23, and St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway has been named the third star, behind Minnesota Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson and Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel.

Holloway had seven points (one goal, six assists) in four games, helping the Blues (37-28-7) go 4-0-0 over the past week to vault the team four points clear of the Calgary Flames for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference; the Blues are currently on a six-game winning streak. 

Holloway had three assists in a 4-1 win against the Nashville Predators last Tuesday, then on Thursday, he had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 overtime win against the Vancouver Canucks and capped the weekend with an assist in back-to-back wins over the Chicago Blackhawks(4-1) Saturday and Predators (4-1) on Sunday to extend his point streak to seven games (three goals, eight assists). It is tied for the longest active streak in the NHL. 

Overall, Holloway led the league with six assists for the week while his seven points shared the lead and his plus-5 rating shared third.   

Holloway is third on the Blues with 58 points (23 goals, 35 assists).

Seattle Kraken assistant coach Bob Woods coached in his 1000th game on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers. 

A 10th-round pick in the 1988 NHL draft, Woods would never receive the opportunity to play in the NHL but was an effective player in the minor leagues, skating in 751 games in the AHL, ECHL and IHL. 

Woods began the transition into coaching while still playing as an active player, serving as a player-assistant coach for four years. Following his retirement, Woods was hired to be the head coach of Mississippi Sea Wolves in the ECHL and did so for an additional four seasons.

Woods would move to an assistant coach role for the Hershey Bears in the AHL before becoming the head coach for about a season and a half. The Washington Capitals decided it was time to give Woods his first sniff of the NHL life in 2009, promoting him to be an assistant coach of their NHL squad. 

Outside of the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons when Woods left the NHL to be the GM/HC of the Saskatoon Blades in the WHL, Woods has served as an assistant coach since his debut with the Capitals.

He's spent time with the Capitals, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild and now the Kraken. 

The Kraken fell short in Woods' 1000th game, losing 5-4 to the Oilers on the road. Woods is in charge of the penalty kill and the defensive aspects for the Kraken, and while injuries and trades have hampered the Kraken, the team has struggled to be consistent in that aspect.

They rank 23rd in goals allowed per game and 22nd in penalty kill percentage, both marks that could also be better if goaltending faired similarly to the previous season. 

Despite that, Woods has a tremendous history of turning young defensemen into all-star calibre players, and he's attempting to do so now with Ryker Evans. HC Dan Bylsma is a fan of Woods' reputation and believes he can do the same with the Kraken.

“Bob has done a great job with lots of different types of defensemen in different places,” said Bylsma. “There’s John Carlson with Washington; a young Cam Fowler in Anaheim; 21-year-old Rasmus Ristolainen in Buffalo; and Gary Suter, Jared Spurgeon and Matt Dumba in Minnesota. At every stop, now here, he’s always been able to establish relationships with all those players and every defenseman he coaches to get them playing their best not only for the team but playing their best hockey.”

When you read some of the names Woods has worked with, you'll realize just how long he's been in the NHL and it's a testament to his ability to adapt to the always-changing and evolving game. 

“The game has changed,” said Woods. “Plus, you've got analytics. You have so many more tools now [to evaluate players]. It's become a big part of the game. I think the players are basically still the same, maybe changed a little bit. If you're honest and ask what they think, I find being able to communicate is a big thing then and now. Is it hard to make decisions [about players and playing time]? Absolutely, but I've always believed, if you know it's the right decision, it's not a tough decision ... As coaches, we're always learning. Whenever you think you don't need to learn anymore, you're going to be in trouble. If you don’t you stay up with things, you will be left out.”

As it stands, the Kraken have the sixth-best odds of landing the first overall pick, which could very well be Matthew Schaefer. The Kraken are yet to draft a defenseman in the first round, and if they elect to do so, having Woods with the organization to help develop him could be very beneficial. 

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The former Minnesota Wild forward Pat Maroon announced on Saturday before the Chicago Blackhawks' game against the St. Louis Blues that he will be retiring after this season. 

Maroon, 36, announced on Saturday he would retire after this season and after the game, the Blues named him the first star of the game. Maroon got to hear the roar of the St. Louis crowd for one final time. He won a Stanley Cup with St. Louis in 2019. 

The 6-foot-3 forward played one season in Minnesota during 2023-24. He recorded four goals, 16 points, and 71 hits in 49 games for the Wild and was eventually traded to the Boston Bruins at the 2024 NHL trade deadline. 

He signed a one-year contract with the Blackhawks after the 2023-24 season and has five goals, 18 points, and 96 hits in 61 games.