NHL parity should make for exciting Stanley Cup Playoffs, TNT analysts say | NHL.com
Olczyk, Carter, Bissonnette see ‘competitive balance’ across 16 teams
It’s going to be a wild ride.
Erik Karlsson calls Penguins ‘a huge disappointment’ after missing playoffs
Superstar defenceman Erik Karlsson was quite blunt when asked about the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season after they were eliminated from playoff contention.
Brutal for Karlsson, who’s spent a long time playing brilliantly for bad teams, but the world’s smallest violin for the Penguins as an organization.
Unusual empty-net goal sends Caps to playoffs
T.J. Oshie scored into an empty net in the rare situation of a team pulling its goaltender in a tie game, and the Washington Capitals are in the playoffs after beating the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Speaking of which, I’m very disappointed that the Flyers didn’t actually, knowingly decide to take Detroit (and Pittsburgh) down with them. It would have been so funny.
Lightning’s Kucherov 5th player with 100 assists
Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov became the fifth player to have a 100-assist season as the Lightning beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-4 on Wednesday night.
There’s been some incredible offense in the league this season.
Mailbag: Norris Trophy ballot; Stamkos’ future with Lightning after season | NHL.com
NHL.com’s Dan Rosen answers weekly questions
I can’t believe it’s already been eight years since the last #StamkosWatch.
Wild extend goalie Fleury for age-40 season
Marc-Andre Fleury, a 20-year veteran who is second on the NHL’s all-time wins list for goaltenders, signed a one-year, $2.5 million extension with the Wild.
Good for him.
Trophy Tracker: Hellebuyck of Jets choice to win Vezina as top goalie | NHL.com
Bobrovsky, Demko also among favorites in poll of NHL.com panel
I can’t imagine anyone other than Hellebuyck getting it this year.
Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won’t be joining the NHL’s 70-goal club this season.
Nice.
Canadiens extend coach St. Louis 2 more years
Despite missing the playoffs again, the Canadiens exercised the two-year option on coach Martin St. Louis on Wednesday, keeping him through the 2026-27 season.
I mean, sure?
Coyotes determined to go out with a bang in front of angry, heartbroken fans
The troubled tenure of the Arizona Coyotes comes to what will be an emotional conclusion Wednesday. Mark Spector asks around ahead of the game to see what fans and players alike think about it all.
What an ugly, badly-handled way to go out.