The Pittsburgh Penguins will miss the playoffs for the third-straight year but not because of a lack of effort by Sidney Crosby. 

The 37-year-old Penguins captain remains among the league's elite centers, leading the club with 87 points in 77 games.

The Hockey News’ Kelsey Surmacz said the Penguins owe it to Crosby to try to right the ship after watching the Eastern Conference leaders, the Washington Capitals, accomplish that with Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals only had one top-10 draft pick in their retool, and they made big off-season trades to bring in Pierre-Luc Dubois, Jakob Chychrun and Logan Thompson.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has spent the past two seasons rebuilding the club, moving out veterans, such as Jake Guentzel and Marcus Pettersson, for draft picks and promising young players. However, Crosby's ongoing brilliance has Josh Yohe of The Athletic wondering if Dubas might accelerate the process to take advantage of his captain's efforts.

Crosby is under contract through 2026-27. Yohe believes it makes sense to spend for talent as long as their system keeps producing young players. He pointed out the Penguins have more than $23 million in cap space next season, suggesting that Dubas could clear more by shipping out some expensive contracts.

It's been rumored Dubas could try to move Erik Karlsson and Rickard Rakell during the off-season. Karlsson has two years left on his contract with the Penguins carrying $10 million of his $11.5 million average annual value, while Rakell has three more seasons left at a $5-million cap hit. Surmacz noted in mid-March that Rakell is Crosby’s new best winger after the Guentzel trade.

Dubas has made bold moves before. We can't dismiss the possibility that he might attempt to speed things up this summer.

NHL Rumor Roundup: The Latest On Jets' Ehlers And Blue JacketsA foot injury sidelined Nikolaj Ehlers from the Winnipeg Jets' last two games.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Isaac Howard is a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as this season's top U.S. college player. The Lightning hoped to get Howard signed to his entry-level contract, but the 21-year-old left wing decided to return to Michigan State for his senior year. 

The Lightning can continue negotiating with Howard, but he could become a UFA on Aug. 15, 2026. Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times suggests this could be posturing by Howard's representatives. If he plays a single game this season, it'll burn off one year of his entry-level contract, enabling him to get a more lucrative second contract a year sooner. 

Howard seems keen to join the Lightning right away, but they lack cap space to add him to their roster this season. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman claimedNCAA sources said the two sides currently weren't on the same page. 

Friedman and Encina suggested the possibility of the Lightning trading Howard's rights if they feel they won't get him signed before next summer. 

This situation is similar to Rutger McGroarty's contract standoff with the Winnipeg Jets. They wound up trading McGroarty to the Penguins. 

Howard and the Lightning could get this sorted out during the off-season. Nevertheless, this situation could be worth monitoring this summer.

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Every NHL player has a lot to prove in the playoffs, but a handful of experienced post-season players have even more at stake this time around.

Some players either missed the mark in past playoffs or have yet to win the Stanley Cup and are running out of opportunities.

In alphabetical order, here are five notable NHLers with something to prove in the playoffs.

Claude Giroux, C, Ottawa Senators

Giroux has always been a reliable regular-season producer of 50 points or more. He has 34 assists and 49 points in 78 games with the Senators this year. 

However, Giroux is 37 years old and hasn’t won the Stanley Cup yet. This is his first playoff appearance in nearly three years since he joined the Senators, and he will want to make this opportunity count with an improved post-season performance.

In Giroux’s most recent playoff appearance, he had three goals and eight points in 10 games with the Florida Panthers in 2021-22. Before that, in three post-seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Giroux had only two goals and 12 points in 28 games. 

Giroux may not have many more playoff games in store for him, and the Senators need him to step up and be a secondary scoring force behind Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle.

Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets

Hellebuyck is the clear favorite to win this year’s Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top netminder. His 44-12-3 record, .924 save percentage and  2.02 goals-against average prove it. 

His post-season stats are a different story altogether. He posted a 1-4 mark, a .870 SP and a 5.23 GAA for the Jets last spring. In 2022-23, he also went 1-4 and had a 3.44 GAA and .886 SP. He was better in the 2021 post-season, but those numbers are about as Jekyll-and-Hyde as it gets for an NHL goalie.

Needless to say, the 31-year-old Hellebuyck must be significantly better in the upcoming playoffs. The Jets have pressure on them overall, but for Hellebuyck in particular, nothing short of a long playoff run will be satisfactory. 

Hellebuyck has to demonstrate he can shake off his past demons, and that means being the backbone of a Winnipeg team that can’t afford to get rolled again in the first round.

Patrik Laine, RW, Montreal Canadiens

The 26-year-old Laine has 20 goals in 48 games for the Canadiens this season, the seventh time in his nine-year NHL career that he’s gotten to the 20-goal plateau. It’s not as if Laine has been terrible in the playoffs, either, as he has eight goals and 16 points in 24 games. 

That said, Laine has played only seven playoff games – all for the Jets – since 2017-18. In that span, he has three goals and four points. 

He needs to prove he can be a key component of a winning team. Although the Canadiens will be playing with house money when they almost certainly square off as a wild-card team in the Eastern Conference, it still will be a letdown if Laine doesn’t produce a solid amount of offense and push Montreal to at least scare its first-round opponent.

Jacob Markstrom, G, New Jersey Devils

The Devils needed a veteran starting goaltender this summer, and they got one when they acquired Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. 

The 35-year-old Swede didn’t have the greatest regular season, posting an .899 SP and a 2.53 GAA in 48 appearances. But now, with the Carolina Hurricanes as New Jersey’s first-round opponent, Markstrom will be asked to play significantly better.

Markstrom hasn’t been all that bad in his limited playoff action, putting up a 13-13 record, a .911 SP and a 2.90 GAA in 26 games. However, he’s only had two post-season runs to his credit, and this will be his first playoffs since 2022. 

Markstrom will benefit from playing behind a strong Devils lineup, but he must prove he’s worth the investment so that this team doesn’t have to wonder whether it needs another starting goalie this summer.

Mitch Marner, RW, Toronto Maple Leafs

No NHL star has higher stakes to deal with than pending UFA Marner. 

If he performs to expectations and the Maple Leafs go on a post-season tear, Marner’s asking price will hit the $13-million mark and above it. Even if Toronto once again gets flushed out early, there will be other teams fully prepared to pay Marner a king’s ransom on a lengthy contract.

Marner’s post-season numbers – including 39 assists and 50 points in 57 career playoff games – are nothing to sneer at. However, it’s all about the team concept for the 27-year-old, as Marner must do his part to power the Leafs to at least the Eastern Conference final to be considered successful this season.

If Toronto fails to get that far, people will blame Marner, fairly or otherwise. If he’s quiet when the team faces elimination, like he was in Game 7 last year, Game 6 against the Panthers two years ago and against the Canadiens in 2021, then there will be criticism.

The Buds will look different next fall if they don’t win at least two rounds. If that happens, Marner may be the biggest name departing for other pastures. It’s that straightforward of a predicament.

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Welcome to The Wraparound, where we discuss the NHL and hockey in rapid-fire segments.

How Much Pressure Do The Canucks Have To Build Around Quinn Hughes? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

0:00: How much of an edge would Gabriel Landeskog give the Colorado Avalanche if he returns for the playoffs?

3:31: What’s been the biggest reason the Ottawa Senators were able to finally clinch a playoff spot?

5:49: Should Jackson LaCombe be getting more praise for his performance with the Anaheim Ducks this season?

9:09: What to make of Isaac Howard’s decision to return to Michigan State next season

12:20: Could Ivan Demidov be an impactful addition for the Montreal Canadiens in their pursuit of the playoffs?

14:03: Will Matthew Knies be the Toronto Maple Leafs’ X-factor in the playoffs?

17:30: Is there pressure on Patrik Allvin to build a winning group around Quinn Hughes?

20:45: Which NHL player with the worst plus/minus rating has been the most surprising?

24:17: Breaking down notable Bill Masterton nominees

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

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iHeartRadio

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At this time last season, the Winnipeg Jets faced adversity on and off the ice. 

At the box office, Jets owner Mark Chipman told media that a drop in attendance to just under 9,500 season-ticket holders had to be addressed. On the ice, the Jets followed up a season in which they finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference by getting drummed out of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs in a five-game series loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

This year, though, the Jets look to be having much more success, both in attendance and competitively, setting the stage for a crucial playoffs.

They’ve built the NHL’s best record at 53-21-4, and they’ve averaged 14,322 fans in the 15,225-seat Canada Life Centre – a 94.1 percent seating capacity. Their last six home games are sellouts. In sum, things are going about as well for the Jets as can be hoped.

Winnipeg handed the red-hot St. Louis Blues their first loss in 13 games. Barring a collapse in their final four regular-season games, the Jets will enter the playoffs as the West’s best team and likely the Presidents' Trophy winners. 

But don’t take that to mean Winnipeg doesn’t have a ton to prove in the post-season.

To the contrary – as a team and as individuals, the Jets must demonstrate they’re capable of doing big things because their past tells you that people are right to be skeptical of what they can do when it counts.

For instance, Jets left winger Nikolaj Ehlers is a pending UFA this summer, and he’s posted 24 goals and 63 points in 67 games this season – one point away from matching his career high in points. 

However, Ehlers only had a pair of assists in five playoff games last year. And in 37 career playoff games, he’s generated just four goals and 14 points. If the 29-year-old Denmark native wants a big payday starting next season, he must show he can step up when the games matter most.

Similarly, superstar goalie Connor Hellebuyck has been the NHL’s very best netminder this season, putting up a 44-12-3 record, a 2.02 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage – his best numbers in both those categories. But in five playoff games last spring, Hellebuyck posted a 5.23 GAA and an .870 SP. Hellebuyck must demonstrate he can succeed in the post-season or be stuck with the loser label for another year.

To be sure, the challenge for the Jets is clear – nothing less than a lengthy playoff run will be considered a success. If they can’t deliver on that front, Winnipeg fans may again be skeptical about the squad. It could be a vicious cycle for the Jets, and that’s why the stakes are so high for the franchise to build on this positive momentum.

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With just over a week to go in the 2024-25 NHL regular season, our 16 playoff competitors look about set.

This year’s crop includes many of the usual suspects with a few fresh faces added into the mix.

While we often hear a lot about learning to win in the post-season, sometimes things can come together on the first try, whether a player is young or already has NHL experiences.

As a rookie with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017, Jake Guentzel put up 13 goals on his way to a Cup. Then, two years ago, Jack Eichel's first playoff run with the Vegas Golden Knights came in his eighth season. He finished with a team-leading 26 points, and the Stanley Cup over his head.

Here’s a look at the key players who will be seeing playoff action for the first time this spring.

The Veterans

This group is 26 or older, with significant NHL resumes. And like Eichel, a lot of them are former Buffalo Sabres — refugees from the long playoff drought in Western New York.

At the top: 32-year-old Jeff Skinner. He missed the playoffs for eight-straight years with the Carolina Hurricanes before spending six seasons in Buffalo. 

Skinner’s adjustment to the Edmonton Oilers this season hasn’t been the smoothest. But he has started to hit his stride over the last month. With five goals in his last nine games, Skinner’s now at 16 for the year. And after playing his 1,000th regular-season game in Buffalo just over a year ago, the 2011 Calder Trophy winner should finally see playoff action this spring for the first time in his 15-year career.

Other former Sabres veterans who will be looking to make their playoff debuts this year include Victor Olofsson with Vegas (age 29, 367 GP) and Zemgus Girgensons with the Tampa Bay Lightning (age 31, 765 GP).

Over in Ottawa, Thomas Chabot will finally make his post-season debut at age 28. Drafted by the Senators in 2015, he played one regular-season game in 2016-17, the last time Ottawa made the playoffs, but was returned to junior for the year and won a QMJHL championship.

Drafted in 2017, Drake Batherson will also get his first crack at the post-season at age 26, with 386 NHL games played.

Over in Montreal, 28-year-old Sam Montembeault should be between the pipes when the playoffs return to the Bell Centre for the first time in four years. After witnessing the intensity in his home arena as Canada’s third goalie during the 4 Nations Face-Off, the native Quebecer is now poised to follow in the footsteps of Carey Price for the NHL’s most decorated franchise.

Johnathan Kovacevic is another late bloomer who’s set to make his first playoff appearance this spring. The 27-year-old is in just his third full NHL season and, despite a loud call-out by coach Sheldon Keefe a couple of weeks ago, the big right-shot defenseman is tied with Nico Hischier for the New Jersey Devils’ team lead in plus-minus, at plus-14.

Also, keep an eye on Andrei Kuzmenko in Los Angeles. In his third NHL season, the 29-year-old is rediscovering the form that helped him score 39 goals with Vancouver in 2022-23. He’s up to 11 points in 17 games since joining the Kings at the trade deadline.

The Tweeners

This group is made up of established players who are 25 or under, making the playoffs for the first time.

Brady Tkachuk is the top name here, and it’s hoped that his injury situation will be sorted out before playoff time. The Senators captain is already at 511 regular-season games at age 25, and his game is tailor-made for the post-season. 

Other key Senators from the young guard who will be making their playoff debuts include Tim Stutzle (age 23, 362 GP), Shane Pinto (age 24, 205 GP) and another former Sabre, Dylan Cozens (age 24, 357 GP).

NHL Power Rankings: Senators Rise, Stars Fall As Playoff Picture Gets ClearerWelcome back to The Hockey News' NHL power rankings, where we rank all 32 teams based on their weekly performance.

With the St. Louis Blues back in the playoff picture after a two-year absence, their lineup is also dotted with fresh faces who will be seeing their first playoff action. That list includes depth defensemen Tyler Tucker and Matthew Kessel as well as oft-injured forward Alexandre Texier, all 24, and 25-year-old goaltender Joel Hofer.

Also on the blue line, 24-year-old J.J. Moser will make his playoff debut with the Lightning this spring. He was acquired from Utah as part of the Mikhail Sergachev trade. 

The Young Guns

Teams with playoff aspirations don’t usually have many high draft picks. They also tend to let their top prospects marinate at lower levels for as long as possible. But this year’s playoff mix includes some talented high draft picks who could boost their reputations in a big way under hockey’s brightest spotlight.

The show starts in Montreal. Who doesn’t want to see what kind of magic 2022 No. 1 pick Juraj Slafkovsky and this year’s Calder front-runner Lane Hutson might be able to make at playoff time?

As well as their mid-career talent pool, the Senators’ biggest weapon might be defenseman Jake Sanderson. In just his third NHL season, the 22-year-old served notice that he’s already among the best from his nation when he was tagged to replace Quinn Hughes on Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off. 

St. Louis has gotten some good scoring support this year from a pair of first-rounders who will be seeing their first playoff action this year: 23-year-old Jake Neighbours and 22-year-old Zach Bolduc.

A couple of other top 10 picks to watch are the Kings’ Brandt Clarke, who has settled in as a regular on one of the NHL’s stingiest teams at 22, and 21-year-old Simon, who is currently being shuffled in and out of the Devils’ lineup.

Up front, 23-year-old Marco Rossi should make his NHL playoff debuts after a strong campaign that has him approaching 60 points with the Minnesota Wild. And 22-year-old rookie Mackie Samoskevich has filled a regular role and put up 30 points with the defending Cup champs in Florida.

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The Professional Hockey Writers’ Association revealed all the NHL players nominated for the 2025 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. 

The Masterton Trophy is awarded to the player “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey."

A PHWA local chapter for each of the 32 teams nominates one player to be put up for contention for the award. The top three players with the most votes will be finalists. The Masterton Trophy will be awarded during the Stanley Cup final, along with all the other awards being presented. 

Last season, Arizona Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram earned the Masterton Trophy. He nearly retired because of his off-ice battles with obsessive compulsive disorder and lingering depression. 

After entering the NHL/NHLPA Players Assistance Program in early 2021 and getting claimed off waivers by the Coyotes in October 2022, he played two solid seasons for Arizona. Last season, he recorded six shutouts, tied for the best in the NHL.

Here are the nominees for this season.

Anaheim Ducks: John Gibson

Boston Bruins: Joonas Korpisalo

Buffalo Sabres: Jason Zucker

Calgary Flames: Justin Kirkland

Carolina Hurricanes: Jordan Staal

Chicago Blackhawks: Patrick Maroon

Colorado Avalanche: Gabriel Landeskog

Columbus Blue Jackets: Sean Monahan

Dallas Stars: Jason Robertson

Detroit Red Wings: Patrick Kane

Edmonton Oilers: Calvin Pickard

Florida Panthers: Jesper Boqvist

Los Angeles Kings: Drew Doughty

Minnesota Wild: Marc-Andre Fleury

Montreal Canadiens: Josh Anderson

Nashville Predators: Nick Blankenburg

New Jersey Devils: Jesper Bratt

New York Islanders: Mike Reilly  

New York Rangers: Johnny Brodzinski

Ottawa Senators: David Perron

Philadelphia Flyers: Ivan Fedotov

Pittsburgh Penguins: Boko Imama

San Jose Sharks: Marc-Edouard Vlasic

Seattle Kraken: Jaden Schwartz

St. Louis Blues: Ryan Suter

Tampa Bay Lightning: Ryan McDonagh

Toronto Maple Leafs: John Tavares

Utah Hockey Club: Mikhail Sergachev

Vancouver Canucks: Dakota Joshua

Vegas Golden Knights: Tomas Hertl

Washington Capitals: Alex Ovechkin

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Longtime NHL GM and executive Ray Shero died at 62 years old. 

Shero was a senior advisor with the Minnesota Wild, which announced the news on Wednesday.

“The Minnesota Wild is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Ray Shero,” the team wrote. “Our hearts go out to his family and friends and the countless people he impacted in the hockey community throughout his successful career. Ray was the best. He will be greatly missed by all of us.”

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also offered his condolences to the Shero family and shared what he remembered about him and his presence.

“Ray Shero’s smile and personality lit up every room he walked into and brightened the day of everyone he met,” Bettman said.

“Whenever we ran into each other at a rink when he was scouting, it was clear he loved what he was doing, and I always marvelled at his infectious enthusiasm. The (NHL) family mourns his passing and sends our deepest condolences to the Shero family and Ray’s many friends.”

Vice president and director of NHL Central Scouting, Dan Marr, also remembered Shero’s love for scouting. 

“He loved being in the rinks with scouts at games and tournaments and was very forward-thinking in approaching new concepts concerning the NHL draft combine and NHL draft,” Marr said.

Shero was in his fourth season as a senior advisor to GM Bill Guerin and the Wild organization. Before that, he was GM of the New Jersey Devils for five seasons and the Pittsburgh Penguins for eight seasons. Before that, he started off as an assistant GM for the Ottawa Senators from 1993 and 1998 and the Nashville Predators from 1998 to 2006.

Just two seasons after Shero got his first GM gig with the Penguins in 2006-07, he won the Stanley Cup in 2008-09. Later in his Pittsburgh tenure, he was named GM of the year for the 2012-13 season.

"Ray was instrumental in ushering in a new era of Penguins hockey, highlighted by the 2009 Stanley Cup championship," the Penguins said in a statement. "We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, his sons, Chris and Kyle, and all those fortunate enough to call him a friend."

After his time with the Penguins organization, he was brought on board as assistant GM for Team USA at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. He was also part of the management crew for the U.S. in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

USA Hockey said Shero was a significant contributor to the organization and its men's national team program.

"Ray, thank you for everything," USA Hockey said.

In 2015-16, he began a new chapter with the Devils and would stay on board for the next five seasons. He drafted players such as Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, two centers who lead New Jersey today.

“Ray was a highly respected executive, enthusiastic mentor, and most importantly, tremendous friend to many during his time in New Jersey,” Devils GM Tim Fitzgerald said in a statement. “Ray came from a family that dedicated themselves to the game, and he continued to pass that commitment on.”

Welcome back to The Hockey News' NHL power rankings, where we rank all 32 teams based on their weekly performance.

As the NHL regular season enters its final week, only two playoff spots in the East and three in the West remain up for grabs. 

Assuming the New Jersey Devils lock up the final spot in the Metropolitan Division – the fourth-place New York Rangers are 10 points behind – that leaves the Montreal Canadiens as the team most likely to claim the last spot. Making the same assumption for the Edmonton Oilers in the Pacific, as they hold a six-point lead over the fourth-place Calgary Flames with five games to go, the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues will likely take the last two spots. 

There’s been a lot more clarity in the playoff picture over the past week in what has been an extremely tight race for much of the regular season. Perhaps the greatest chase, however, was Alex Ovechkin’s quest to become the NHL’s all-time goals leader, which he accomplished Sunday against the New York Islanders. He is no longer ‘Alexander the Great’ but now ‘Alexander the Greatest.’

The order of teams in the NHL power rankings are firming up as the season winds down, but there’s still a lot of movement within the top 16. Teams are jostling for playoff positioning, and some teams are running hotter than others.

The Ottawa Senators, for example, won three of four games over the past week and dutifully climb up the rankings, while losing streaks for the Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes see them dip even though they’re still top-tier contenders.

1. Winnipeg Jets (53-21-4, +83. Previous: 1)

With just four more games remaining, including two bound for the lottery (Ducks, Blackhawks) and another missing their top players (Oilers), the Jets will likely claim their first-ever Presidents’ Trophy. It’s a fitting end to a brilliant regular season where the Jets maintained their top spot for nearly the entire campaign.

2. Washington Capitals (49-19-9, +66. Previous: 3)

Alex Ovechkin’s record-setting campaign overshadowed a poor stretch of play where the Caps have lost five of their last seven games. It’s worth noting during this stretch, Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren are a combined 2-4-1 with an .820 SP. They won’t go deep in the playoffs with that kind of goaltending.

There's Still A Lot For Capitals' Alex Ovechkin To ChaseThe Gr8 Chase is complete after Alexander Ovechkin scored his NHL record-setting 895th career goal. But he’s got more to chase.

3. Colorado Avalanche (48-27-4, +45. Previous: 5)

The Avalanche actually finish their regular season on Sunday, giving them all four days off next week. On one hand, it’ll provide them with additional rest. On the other, they’ll have almost no say on who they play in the first round and will likely start on the road.

4. Vegas Golden Knights (47-22-9, +51. Previous: 7)

Tough stretch for the Knights with three losses in their last five games, including one in a shootout, but they’ll likely claim their fourth division title and secure home-ice advantage through the first two rounds. 

5. Los Angeles Kings (44-24-9, +36. Previous: 9)

Andrei Kuzmenko has unlocked the Kings' offense, which ranks eighth with 3.41 goals per game since he joined the team on March 8. Before that, the Kings ranked 23rd with 2.80 goals per game. If they want to beat the Oilers in their first-round matchup, they’ll have to be able to score a lot.

6. Dallas Stars (50-22-6, +65. Previous: 2)

The Stars have lost three straight and blew a 5-2 lead against the Canucks with one minute remaining in what may have been their worst stretch of play this season. If they can beat the Jets on Thursday on home ice, they have an easy three-game stretch the rest of the way that may put them in contention for the Presidents’ Trophy. 

7. Toronto Maple Leafs (47-26-4, +27. Previous: 8)

The Maple Leafs have lost just twice in regulation over the past three weeks but face some tough matchups ahead – Lightning, Habs, Canes – in order to secure home-ice advantage. The COVID-19 season’s North Division notwithstanding, the Leafs have not won a division banner since 1999-2000.

Toronto Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Plays The Long Game While Blue Jays Lock Up Guerrero Jr. The Toronto Maple Leafs have their own star player to re-sign, but the Toronto Blue Jays took care of business with theirs.

8. Carolina Hurricanes (46-27-4, +37. Previous: 4)

The Hurricanes stumble with three-straight losses with a minus-9 goal differential against non-playoff teams. The good news is they will likely face the Devils in the first round, who have essentially played .500 since March 1. 

9. Tampa Bay Lightning (45-26-6, +74. Previous: 10)

It’s vital for the Lightning to win the division, or at least come second. Among the top Atlantic teams, the Lightning have the worst road record (18-18-4), and Andrei Vasilevskiy has been far better at home (25-6-2, .936 SP, 1.85 GAA) than he has on the road (12-14-1, .904 SP, 2.51 GAA) this season. 

10. Edmonton Oilers (44-28-5, +19. Previous: 6)

The Oilers’ situation feels dire, but it will be a 180-degree turn once Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl return to the lineup. Calvin Pickard is doing an admirable job, but he has only two career playoff starts to his resume, and both were from last year.

11. Florida Panthers (45-29-4, +31. Previous: 13)

The Panthers made a statement with a 3-1 win Tuesday against the Leafs to end their five-game losing streak. We must take the Panthers’ losing streak with a grain of salt – three of their losses were by just one goal, and the defending champs are already prioritizing a playoff run over regular-season wins.

12. St. Louis Blues (43-29-7, +18. Previous: 11)

All good things must come to an end, but at least the Blues set a franchise and season record with 12-straight wins. It’s an incredible run for the Blues, which were two points out of a playoff spot and sat fourth in the wild-card race prior to their winning streak. They will likely become the seventh team to clinch in the West in the coming days.

13. Ottawa Senators (42-30-6, -1. Previous: 16)

Talk about catching fire at the right time. The Sens lost 5-2 on Tuesday but clinched the ‘x’ next to their name anyway thanks to a Red Wings loss. They wouldn’t have been in that position if not for a 3-0-0 run with only one goal allowed against the Lightning, Panthers and Jackets. 

14. Montreal Canadiens (39-30-9, -17. Previous: 12)

Not sure what more Lane Hutson has to do to clinch the Calder with 20 points in his past 19 games. The Canadiens have won six in a row, leaving them eight points clear of the next four teams and return to the postseason. 

15. New Jersey Devils (41-30-7, +25. Previous: 14)

Perhaps no team enters the post-season with less momentum than the Devils, which have lost six of their past 11 with some really poor performances sprinkled in. They lost 7-2 to the Bruins on Tuesday in a game filled with errors and carelessness atypical of a good team.

16. Minnesota Wild (42-29-7, -12. Previous: 15)

The complexion of this team will surely change once Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek return. They’ve lost six of their past eight but at least managed to earn points in half those games, and they’ll likely make the playoffs thanks to a massive 23-11-4 cushion in the first three months of the season. 

17. Utah Hockey Club (36-30-12, -10. Previous: 18)

Utah just keeps hanging around, and Karel Vejmelka has arguably been the most impressive goalie down the stretch. Sure, there have been some bad starts, but who doesn’t after 21 (!) consecutive starts. After a tough stretch, Vejmelka has won four of his past five with five goals allowed in those wins. He’s making a very strong case to be their undisputed No. 1 next season. 

18. Calgary Flames (37-27-13, -22. Previous: 19)

The Flames’ playoff hopes stay alive because they’ve managed to earn points in five of their past six games, but it’s looking out of reach despite a valiant effort. Fun stat: Dustin Wolf will be just the eighth rookie in the cap era to start at least 50 games.

19. Columbus Blue Jackets (35-33-9, -14. Previous: 17)

A six-game winless streak through mid-March and losing four of their past six ultimately dropped the Jackets out of playoff contention. Nevertheless, the Jackets should be the proudest of the non-playoff teams considering how competitive they’ve been after the tragic loss of one of their best players. 

20. Vancouver Canucks (36-29-13, -17. Previous: 20)

It’s actually quite commendable for the Canucks to stay in the playoff race for this long despite significant roster changes and injuries to key players. There was just too little room for error, however, which wastes another brilliant season from Quinn Hughes, who is – gulp – two years away from unrestricted free agency.

21. Buffalo Sabres (35-36-6, -12. Previous: 23)

Trust the Sabres to win games and keep avoiding elimination when it no longer matters. They’ve won eight of their last nine – where was this in December?! – and again offers some hope heading into next season. This is a vastly talented young group that still hasn’t quite figured it out.

22. Anaheim Ducks (34-35-8, -34. Previous: 21)

It was a tough stretch, but it was good to see the Ducks win games in which they had a legitimate chance to upset (Rangers, Oilers). With Lukas Dostal starting most of the games down the stretch, you have to wonder if the Ducks will finally close the John Gibson chapter this summer.

23. Detroit Red Wings (36-34-7, -23. Previous: 24)

The Wings shored up their goaltending acquiring Petr Mrazek, but it was again veteran Cam Talbot who has kept them in the race going 3-2-1 in their last six, including impressive wins against the Panthers and Canes. Alas, it just won’t be enough as we once again question the validity of the Yzerplan. Two months ago, we were sure the Wings would be in the post-season.

24. New York Rangers (36-34-7, -5. Previous: 22)

There have been only three instances where a team has won the Presidents’ Trophy only to miss the playoffs the following season, and one of them was the 1992-93 Rangers. The good news is the Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy and the Cup in the following season. That’s the silver lining in a disastrous season.

NHL Rumor Roundup: The Future Of Rangers' Kreider And Flyers' Summer PlansOn April 15, 2024, the New York Rangers clinched the 2023-24 Presidents' Trophy with a 4-0 shutout of the Ottawa Senators. They entered this season considered among the Stanley Cup favorites. 

25. Pittsburgh Penguins (32-35-12, -52. Previous: 26)

Tristan Jarry is really good or really bad with no in-between. The good news is that he’s shown he’s capable of winning games at this level again, but the Penguins face such an uncertain future ahead. There’s no clear path to put them back in the playoffs. 

26. Seattle Kraken (34-39-6, -17. Previous: 27)

Another season where the Kraken simply stay afloat. Like it or not, the Kraken’s success (or lack thereof) will be compared to the Knights’, and they’re falling way behind. The fan base feels like they’re getting antsy, and we shall see if GM Ron Francis opens the wallet to make significant improvements for a second-straight summer.

27. Philadelphia Flyers (31-37-9, -47. Previous: 28)

Maybe the layoff was just too long. After a three-game winning streak, the Flyers had a four-day break and lost their following game to the Canadiens. They’re scoring, and the goaltending doesn’t look too bad, but it’ll be interesting to see what direction they take in the off-season, whether it’s continuing to add futures or making win-now moves.

28. Nashville Predators (28-42-8, -59. Previous: 29)

Are the Predators a bounce-back candidate next season, or did they fast-track themselves on the age curve? They’ve won just two games in regulation since March 14 (3-10-1), the third-worst points percentage in the NHL and still cannot score on a consistent basis.

29. New York Islanders (34-32-11, -22. Previous: 25)

Not only did they get picked on by Ovechkin for his record-setting 895th – and so many big goals before that – they’ve lost five of their last seven. Their big free agent signing who was supposed to provide much-needed offense, Anthony Duclair, ended up taking a personal leave after Patrick Roy ripped him in public. 

30. Boston Bruins (32-38-9, -49. Previous: 32)

The Bruins' 10-game winless streak ended, and they’ve won two of their past three, but it does not hide the fact that this team has a ton of flaws. The bad part is they’re very much locked into this core – Elias Lindholm, Nikita Zadorov and Jeremy Swayman are finishing up the first seasons of their long-term contracts. 

31. Chicago Blackhawks (22-46-10, -74. Previous: 31)

A 3-1 win against the Pens was just their second regulation win since March 8. More worrisome, however, is Bedard’s stagnant development in his sophomore season. Without a better roster, it’s hard to see the Hawks being competitive next season.

32. San Jose Sharks (20-47-10, -95. Previous: 30)

Last place and zero wins in their last six games? No problem. The Sharks’ bright future is easy to see, and getting the best chance to draft defenseman Matthew Schaefer in the upcoming draft will give them a much-needed bona fide prospect on their blue line.

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On April 15, 2024, the New York Rangers clinched the 2023-24 Presidents' Trophy with a 4-0 shutout of the Ottawa Senators. They entered this season considered among the Stanley Cup favorites. 

However, the Rangers endured a tumultuous 2024-25 campaign and find themselves eight points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. The Hockey News’ Adam Proteau believes Rangers GM Chris Drury should be held accountable for the roster that led to this drop in the standings.

Drury was very busy in this season's trade market, attempting to remake his roster. He could have more changes in store during the off-season, even if his club manages to rally and push the Canadiens out of that wild-card berth. 

Chris Kreider was frequently mentioned as a trade candidate this season. Larry Brooks of the New York Post believes the 33-year-old left winger is playing his final games with the Rangers. 

This was a difficult season for Kreider. Plagued by a nagging lower-back issue, his production dropped to 20 goals and five assists. His name was on Drury's memo of trade candidates leaked to the media last November. 

With a projected cap space of $9.6 million for next season, Drury must shed some salary if he intends to be active in this summer's trade and free-agent markets. Kreider has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million. 

Kreider's struggles hurt his value in this season's trade market. However, Brooks believes his previous production could make interested GMs willing to pay fair market value in the off-season. 

That could be wishful thinking. Interested clubs could attempt to squeeze Drury to retain some salary or accept a lesser return if he wants to clear the entirety of Kreider's contract from his books.

The New York Rangers Are Out Of AnswersCoach Peter Laviolette and the New York Rangers haven’t figured it out.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers' firing of coach John Tortorella two weeks ago generated ongoing speculation about his potential replacement. 

They could stick with interim bench boss Brad Shaw, given the club's 3-1-0 record since he took over on March 27. The Hockey News’ Siobhan Nolan reports Shaw hasn't had any formal conversations yet with GM Daniel Briere, but he'd like to have the opportunity to remain in the job full-time. 

Some observers are musing about outside options. Philly Hockey Now's William James listed David Carle of the University of Denver and current Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet among his potential candidates. 

Meanwhile, Briere is planning his off-season moves to bolster his roster. On April 4, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported the Flyers GM is open to using some of his draft capital as trade bait to acquire young NHL-ready talent. 

LeBrun pointed out the Flyers have three first-round picks and four second-rounders in this year's draft. Briere indicated he's open to moving one of those first-round picks. 

In addition to their pick, the Flyers have the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche's first-rounders, which will be lower in the draft order. They're the ones more likely to be moved, though Briere could part with the Flyers' first-round pick for a substantial offer.

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The Colorado Avalanche are one step closer to having captain Gabriel Landeskog return to the lineup.

The Avalanche announced on Wednesday they loaned Landeskog to the AHL's Colorado Eagles for a conditioning assignment.

Landeskog, 32, hasn't played since the team won the Stanley Cup on June 26, 2022. He's been recovering from a right knee injury that included having cartilage transplant surgery in May 2023. The Avalanche have him on long-term injured reserve in the meantime, and he'll remain there during the conditioning loan.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, a player on LTIR can be loaned on a conditioning assignment for a period up to the longer of six days and three games, solely for the purpose of determining whether they are fit to play. If the team believes it needs more time to assess the player's fitness to play, it can request the NHL an extension of the loan for two more games.

While Landeskog has practised with the Avalanche occasionally, the AHL assignment allows him to get into some game action. He hasn't played in the AHL before, going straight from OHL Kitchener in 2010-11 to the NHL in 2011-12.

Landeskog had 30 goals and 59 points in 51 games in 2021-22, as well as 11 goals and 22 points in 20 playoff games.

The Colorado chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association nominated Landeskog for the Masterton Trophy on Wednesday. The award goes annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to ice hockey.

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