The first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is officially upon us.Unless your team is in the mix, it can be difficult to pick which game to watch. With this in mind, we ranked all eight first-round matchups in terms of entertainment factor to make your life a bit easier through this hectic period of hockey overload.8. Predators vs. StarsSeason series: 3-2 Predators

The New Jersey Devils won the NHL Draft lottery on Tuesday night to lock up the 2019 first overall selection.The Devils will make the first pick for the second time in three seasons after drafting Nico Hischier in the top spot in 2017. The pick also marks New Jersey's fourth top-10 selection this decade.Taylor Hall was part of many draft lottery parties during his time with the Edmonton Oilers, and he had some fun on social media after his team secured yet another top pick.

Team Canada will be without superstar Connor McDavid at this year's World Championship, according to TSN's Ryan Rishaug.McDavid suffered a leg injury during the Edmonton Oilers' final regular-season game of 2018-19 on Saturday while crashing into the goal post at full speed. Though the franchise talent had to be helped off the ice, Rishaug says the injury isn't believed to be too serious.X-rays on McDavid's knee came back negative, and the 22-year-old was scheduled to have an MRI on Sunday. The results won't be known for a couple of days.McDavid has represented Canada on the World Championship stage twice (2016 and 2018). This season, the two-time Art Ross Trophy winner recorded a career-high 116 points, joining Wayne Gretzky, Dale Hawerchuk, and Mario Lemieux as the only players in history to notch three consecutive 100-point campaigns at age 22 or younger.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the NHL playoffs set to begin Wednesday, we rank the top 25 players who are hoping to claim the Stanley Cup (2018-19 stats in tables):25. Sebastian Aho, Carolina HurricanesGregg Forwerck / National Hockey League / GettyGPGAPATOI8230538320:09Aho is one of the NHL's most unheralded young stars, but this postseason should put him firmly on the national radar. It'll be well-deserved for the leading scorer on one of the league's most entertaining teams.24. Marc-Andre Fleury, Vegas Golden KnightsGPWLOTLGAASV%61352152.51.913The three-time Stanley Cup champion is back and ready to rock. Fleury lost consecutive tuneup games after returning from injury on April 4, but more importantly, he looked healthy between the pipes. Since 2014, the 34-year old is tied for third in both postseason appearances and playoff wins.23. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh PenguinsGPGAPATOI6516405625:58The Penguins have never missed the playoffs with Letang on their roster. Since the start of the decade, the 31-year-old ranks second in postseason points by a defenseman and has three Stanley Cup championships to show for his work.22. Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg JetsGPGAPATOI8238468421:52Scheifele just wrapped up his second straight point-per-game season, and he'll need to carry that success into the playoffs for the Jets to capitalize on their Stanley Cup aspirations. The big center doesn't have a ton of postseason experience, but proved he's a big-time performer with 14 goals in 17 playoff games last spring.21. Mark Stone, Golden KnightsGPGAPATOI7733407319:53Stone is probably the least flashy player on this list, but his high hockey IQ and 200-foot game always make his presence felt on the ice. The winger's 122 takeaways led the league by a wide margin in 2018-19, and he ranked third in Relative Corsi For percentage, which measures how effective a player is at driving possession.20. David Pastrnak, Boston BruinsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyGPGAPATOI6638438118:45After returning from a thumb injury on March 19, Pastrnak racked up seven goals and 15 points in 10 games to end the campaign. And despite missing an extended period with the ailment, the 22-year-old marksman scored a career-high 38 goals overall. Last season, Pastrnak tallied 20 points in 12 playoff contests, which were highlighted by a six-point outing in Game 2 of the opening round against the Maple Leafs.19. Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple LeafsGPGAPATOI8226689419:49Marner's magic was on full display throughout his third NHL campaign. The 21-year-old became the first Maple Leaf in more than 20 years to hit the 90-point mark and led the team in scoring for a second straight season. He's been the Leafs' top playoff performer in the past, too, producing at a point-per-game-pace in 13 career contests, which included nine points in seven games against the Bruins last year.18. Blake Wheeler, JetsGPGAPATOI8220719120:43Wheeler is the ultimate captain and set a new Jets franchise record with 71 assists this season to go along with a team-leading 91 points. The 32-year-old didn't miss a beat last postseason, contributing 21 points in 17 contests en route to the Western Conference Final.17. John Tavares, Maple LeafsGPGAPATOI8247418819:05It's safe to say Tavares got comfortable during his first season playing at home, as the Mississauga, Ontario, native set a franchise record for goals by a centerman and by a first-year Maple Leaf. The 88 points also marked a career high, as the 28-year-old is playing the best hockey of his life heading into the playoffs.16. Brayden Point, Tampa Bay LightningGPGAPATOI7941519218:55An incredible playoff run last spring saw Point rack up 16 points in 17 games while turning heads with his elite two-way play. The 5-foot-10 center went on to produce a breakout campaign in 2018-19 - enjoying one of the biggest statistical improvements in the league - and will look to keep it going in the postseason.15. Erik Karlsson, San Jose SharksIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyGPGAPATOI533424524:29It's a shame that injuries sidelined Karlsson in the second half of the season, as he was rounding into top form after a slow start. Still, the defenseman racked up almost a point per game in his first campaign with the Sharks, including 27 points in his last 23 contests. We've seen Karlsson rise to the occasion as a playoff workhorse, and he'll need to play a key role for San Jose this time around.14. Andrei Vasilevskiy, LightningGPWLOTLGAASV%53391042.40.925Vasilevskiy was incredibly consistent while backstopping one of the greatest teams in NHL history this season, losing back-to-back starts just once and never in regulation. The 24-year old is also no stranger to pressure, with 29 postseason appearances under his belt, including two in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final as a 20-year-old.13. Brent Burns, SharksGPGAPATOI8216678325:06Burns notched a career-high 83 points this season, which led all NHL blue-liners. The 2016-17 Norris Trophy winner is seemingly getting better with age, as he became just the eighth defenseman in league history to record his first 80-point season at 34 or older. The strapping defenseman also brings a boatload of postseason experience to the table with 46 points in 74 career contests.12. Auston Matthews, Maple LeafsGPGAPATOI6837367318:33These playoffs will be a chance at redemption for Matthews, who found himself under the microscope last spring while recording only two points versus the Bruins. Now, he'll get another shot at Boston following his best regular season yet.11. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary FlamesGPGAPATOI8236639920:04Gaudreau hasn't gotten enough love this season despite being the offensive catalyst for the resurgent Flames. "Johnny Hockey" took a big step forward in 2018-19, setting career highs in goals, assists, and points while further establishing himself as one of the game's most dynamic, consistent, and creative players.10. Steven Stamkos, LightningScott Audette / National Hockey League / GettyGPGAPATOI8245539818:18It's not very often that a 45-goal scorer flies under the radar, but teammate Nikita Kucherov's dominant play allowed Stamkos to quietly assemble the best season of his career. The two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner hit the 40-goal mark for the first time in four campaigns and notched a career-high 98 points while captaining one of the greatest teams in league history.9. Evgeni Malkin, PenguinsGPGAPATOI6821517218:48Malkin battled through injury this season but returned to the Penguins' lineup for a few tuneup games down the stretch. During his distinguished postseason career, Geno's notched 165 points in 158 games while earning a Conn Smythe and three titles.8. Mark Giordano, FlamesGPGAPATOI7817577424:14Giordano produced a career year at age 35 and should warrant serious consideration for both the Norris Trophy and the Masterton. Calgary's captain excels in all situations while serving as the team's unquestioned leader.7. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado AvalancheGPGAPATOI8241589922:05While Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog missed extended time down the stretch, MacKinnon put the Avalanche on his back. The 23-year-old notched 15 points in the final 14 games, leading Colorado to a 9-3-2 record and into the playoffs. It's the first time the Avalanche have qualified in consecutive seasons since 2006.6. Brad Marchand, BruinsGPGAPATOI79366410019:37Marchand has rightfully earned his reputation as a pest, but his well-rounded game was on full display this season. The winger's 100 points easily set a career high, while he led the Bruins with nine game-winning goals, more than double anyone else on the roster.5. Victor Hedman, LightningMike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport / GettyGPGAPATOI7012425422:46Has there ever been a defenseman with Hedman's combination of size (6-foot-6) and effortless skating stride? The Swede also played fewer minutes in 2018-19 than in any of the last three seasons, so he should be ready to log close to 30 per night when necessary in the playoffs.4. Patrice Bergeron, BruinsGPGAPATOI6532477918:28Like his teammate Marchand, Bergeron produced a career year in 2018-19. Despite playing just 65 games, he managed a personal best of 79 points and continued the kind of excellent two-way play you'd expect from a four-time Selke Trophy winner. With 112 games of postseason experience and a Cup win under his belt, Bergeron is the type of player who can be relied upon on the biggest stage.3. Alex Ovechkin, Washington CapitalsGPGAPATOI8151388920:55Even at age 33, Ovechkin isn't slowing down. He surpassed the 50-goal mark yet again this season after leading all playoff scorers with 15 en route to winning the Stanley Cup last June. There's no reason the veteran can't get it done again.2. Nikita Kucherov, LightningGPGAPATOI82418712819:58What a season it was for Kucherov. The Lightning star blew away the rest of the league with 128 points - the most by a Russian in NHL history and the highest total by any player since Mario Lemieux had 161 in 1995-96. He may not have a Cup victory to his name, but Kucherov was a key piece of Tampa's run to the final in 2015 and has recorded 59 points over 62 career postseason games.1. Sidney Crosby, PenguinsGPGAPATOI79356510021:00Yes, Kucherov was the most dominant player this season, but Crosby is still the top dog as far as the playoffs are concerned. Sid ranks eighth all time in postseason points per game, and let's not forget those three championships or the back-to-back Conn Smythe Trophy wins.The Penguins captain is still playing at an elite level, so until that changes, he's the clear choice as the No. 1 player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's playoff season once again.Before you fill out your postseason bracket, we break down one key matchup across five first-round series that could make or break a team in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple LeafsTop-line takeover Kevin Sousa / National Hockey League / GettyIt's no secret - for the Leafs to trump the Bruins, they need to find an answer for the three-headed monster of David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand.The Leafs were tormented by the Bruins' top line in their seven-game series last postseason. Bergeron and Co. controlled possession, posting a Corsi rating of 64.90, and dominated Toronto in high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five, 49-26. An encouraging note for the Leafs is that the Corsi number dropped to 54.84 when matched with Auston Matthews and shot up to 75 when going against Tomas Plekanec - suggesting the trio dominated much of the play against a veteran player who is no longer in the league.Looking at the regular season, both Matthews and Bergeron were out of the lineup for two of the teams' meetings this season, so we'll have to see how the coaches choose to deploy their top talent with the pair back in the mix.Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York IslandersGoaltending vs. star power Mike Stobe / National Hockey League / GettyThe Islanders claiming home-ice advantage was key, but perhaps their biggest edge sits between the pipes. Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss combined to capture the William M. Jennings Trophy this season, and their dominant play must continue for the team to be successful against the Penguins' offensive arsenal.Though neither netminder has a ton of playoff experience, the job will likely be Lehner's to lose. Since returning from injury on March 19, the 27-year-old has posted a 5-2 record with a .942 save percentage.Barry Trotz's club allowed a league-low 191 goals on the campaign and posted a record of 38-2-2 when scoring at least three times in a game. Led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins boasted the fifth-best offense this year and rostered four players with 70-plus points.Pittsburgh mustered 13 goals in four games against the Islanders during the regular season, with Crosby and Malkin combining for eight points.Calgary Flames vs. Colorado AvalancheCan 'Johnny Hockey' outperform MacKinnon? Rob Marczynski / National Hockey League / GettyCalgary's Gaudreau and Colorado's MacKinnon each notched a career-high 99 points this season. Though they play different positions up front, the two will be a joy to watch compete as they best embody the speed and skill that will be on display in this series.The All-Stars have no problem facing the pressure of playoff hockey, either, as MacKinnon has tallied 16 points in 13 career contests, with Gaudreau posting 11 points in 15.Both men know how to deliver when it matters most, too. "Johnny Hockey" racked up 39 points and 17 goals in the third period or overtime this season, while MacKinnon contributed 37 points and 15 goals in those clutch moments. When the game is on the line, look for one of these two studs to follow through.Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue JacketsStingy penalty kill vs. Electric man advantage Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty Special teams will heavily influence this matchup between one of the greatest regular-season teams ever and a franchise looking for its first playoff series victory.The Lightning's power play was lethal this season, clicking at a league-leading rate of 28.2 percent. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, deploy the NHL's top penalty kill.The Lightning and Blue Jackets posted similar possession numbers with Corsi ratings of 51.59 and 50.21, respectively. The more even-strength hockey Columbus can play, the better its chances of pulling out the upset - in the regular season, the Lightning erupted for six power-play goals on 11 attempts in their three victories over the Jackets this year.St. Louis Blues vs. Winnipeg JetsBattle in the crease Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty This Central Division clash is about as even as any playoff series on the slate. The Jets won 47 regular-season games and sported a goal differential of plus-28, while the Blues won 45 contests and were plus-24. Both teams finished with 99 points, but what may ultimately separate the two in this series is the play in the crease.The Blues netminder was one of the best stories of the season. In 32 appearances, Binnington posted a .927 save percentage and an unbelievable 1.89 goals-against average en route to setting a franchise record for wins by a rookie goaltender with 24. The 25-year-old has yet to face the Jets this season, perhaps to the Blues' advantage.Hellebuyck was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy last season but will need to regain his form in a hurry after taking a step backward this year. The 25-year-old won 10 fewer games and saw his goals against average spike from 2.36 to 2.90.With two netminders trending in opposite directions, goaltending will be the deciding factor in this series.(Advanced stats courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to Puck Pursuit, a weekly NHL podcast hosted by John Matisz, theScore's National Hockey Writer.Subscribe to the show on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, Google Play, and Spotify.In this episode, Matt Larkin of The Hockey News joins John to preview the Eastern Conference playoff bracket. Topics include:

Former Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov has been suspended for the entire 2019-20 regular season and playoffs for unacceptable off-ice conduct, commissioner Gary Bettman announced Tuesday.Voynov applied for reinstatement to the NHL in November. He was arrested in 2014, and a police report said he punched, kicked, and choked his wife. He was convicted on a misdemeanor domestic abuse charge and sentenced to 90 days before having his contract terminated by the Kings."I have determined that Player Slava Voynov engaged in acts of domestic violence directed at his wife," Bettman said. "Today's ruling, while tailored to the specific facts of this case and the individuals involved, is necessary and consistent with the NHL's strongly-held policy that it cannot and will not tolerate this and similar types of conduct, particularly as directed at a spouse, domestic partner, or family member."Voynov's eligibility to play in the NHL will be restored no later than July 1, 2020, assuming good behavior.The 29-year-old has spent the last three seasons in his native Russia, suiting up for SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL. Voynov played 190 games with the Kings from 2012-14.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will have blue-liner Victor Hedman in the lineup for Game 1 versus the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night, head coach Jon Cooper confirmed to The Athletic's Joe Smith.Hedman missed Tampa Bay's final four games of the regular season due to an upper-body injury suffered March 30, but said he's feeling good with the playoffs approaching.

The Western Conference was as wild as ever this year. It doesn't seem too far-fetched to believe all eight teams have a legitimate chance of advancing to the second round. With that said, let's dive into our predictions, X-factors, and breakdowns for each Western series.View the Eastern Conference preview here.Calgary Flames vs. Colorado AvalancheIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrediction: Flames in sixAvalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer was red-hot down the stretch, going 9-2-2 with a .956 save percentage and three shutouts in his final 14 contests. He may be able to steal a game or two against the Flames, but stifling the league's second-ranked offense over a seven-game series will be a tall task.Calgary's depth - both up front and on the blue line - should prevail in this series. Colorado's top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and Mikko Rantanen may go off in a couple of games, but its lack of secondary scoring should ultimately lead to a first-round exit.X-factor for Flames: Mikael BacklundWith home-ice advantage, the Flames' top line of Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, and Elias Lindholm will have its way with whichever soft matchup it encounters. If Calgary's checking line, centered by Backlund, can keep one of hockey's best trios in check - or better yet, force the Avs to break it up - this series could be over early.X-factor for Avalanche: Mikko RantanenThough nothing is set in stone, the Avalanche expect Rantanen to be ready for Game 1 after he missed the last eight games of the regular season with an upper-body injury. If he misses time in this series or is ineffective due to his ailment, Colorado doesn't stand much of a chance. But if he's playing like his normal self, don't be shocked to see the Avs push this series to the limit on the shoulders of their top line.San Jose Sharks vs. Vegas Golden KnightsBrandon Magnus / National Hockey League / GettyPrediction: Golden Knights in sevenThe Sharks and Golden Knights meet in a rematch of last year's second-round clash, which Vegas won in six games. As most series between two evenly matched clubs go, the team with the better goaltending should prevail. That could prove especially true in a series featuring two of the league's top teams in terms of generating scoring chances, and it means the Golden Knights have a sizable edge.Martin Jones is coming off the worst regular season of his career by far. He does boast an impressive playoff resume, but returning to that form isn't as simple as flipping a switch.Marc-Andre Fleury, meanwhile, is well rested after missing nearly a month with a lower-body injury. He showed some rust in his two-game tune-up to cap the regular season, but it's hard not to trust Flower after a solid campaign.X-factor for Sharks: Erik KarlssonIf San Jose gets the 2017 playoff version of Karlsson, it's difficult to imagine the Sharks losing this series. But the superstar Swede is coming off a groin injury that cost him 17 games before he returned for the season finale. He's excelled on one good ankle before, but can he thrive if his groin fails? Time will tell.X-factor for Golden Knights: Mark StoneThe other former Ottawa Senator in this series projects to play a huge role. Stone tallied eight points in his first 10 games in new threads but managed just three in the eight contests that followed. Everyone knows Stone is a defensive stalwart, but he needs to produce offensively if the Knights are to advance.Nashville Predators vs. Dallas StarsGlenn James / National Hockey League / GettyPrediction: Predators in fiveThe Predators and Stars meet in the only playoff series to feature two teams that ranked in the bottom half of the league in offense. In what projects to be a low-scoring matchup, the advantage goes to the battle-tested Predators, who have far more playoff experience.Playoff hockey requires depth scoring and the Stars rely almost exclusively on their top line for goals. Putting all the scoring weight on the shoulders of Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov doesn't bode well against a Predators squad that can neutralize opposing offenses with one of the best top-four defense corps in the league. Jamie Benn has struggled this year, but the postseason is a great time to rediscover one's form.X-factor for Predators: Filip ForsbergNashville's Achilles' heel is its lack of true game-changers up front, but Forsberg certainly fits the bill. Coming off one of his worst seasons since entering the league, he'll need to elevate his game in the playoffs - as he's done in the past.X-factor for Stars: Ben BishopIf the Stars are going to win this series, Bishop is going to have to steal it. He certainly seems capable of doing so after posing a .934 save percentage and a 1.98 goals-against average during the regular season.Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis BluesJoe Puetz / National Hockey League / GettyPrediction: Blues in sevenThe Blues' 2018-19 campaign was a tale of two calendar years. From October through December they were 15-18-4 and sat dead-last in the league on Jan. 2. They went 30-10-5 from that point onward in one of the most spectacular second-half turnarounds in recent memory.The Jets, meanwhile, stumbled their way to the finish line, compiling a 13-14-3 record over their final 30 games. Injuries certainly played a part, but they were plagued by inconsistent play throughout the lineup.Winnipeg may be the more talented squad on paper and is certainly capable of turning it on at any moment, but it's difficult to go against a team that comes in riding an unbelievable second half.X-factor for Jets: Josh MorrisseyMorrissey hasn't played since Feb. 24 due to an upper-body injury and his status for Game 1 is still up in the air. Even if he plays, it could take him some time to return to game shape. He's one of the most underrated blue-liners in the league and one of the Winnipeg's most valuable players. The Jets went 36-19-4 with him in the lineup, but just 11-10-1 without.X-factor for Blues: Colton ParaykoParayko didn't make the significant strides many expected of him this season, but the playoffs seem like the perfect setting for his coming-out party. If the Blues are going to go deep, the 6-foot-6 defenseman will have to be a horse on the back end.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This year's first-round matchups in the Eastern Conference feature the strongest team in years, a pair of familiar foes meeting for a second straight spring, and a couple of resurgent clubs returning to the postseason after years of missing out.Let's dive into each opening-round series in the East.View the Western Conference preview here.Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue JacketsPrediction: Lightning in fourThe Lightning put together a dominant regular season, and anything less than a Stanley Cup championship will be a disappointment for the NHL's top team.Tampa Bay shouldn't have much difficulty with its first-round playoff opponent, as the club is simply too deep and too explosive for Columbus to handle. The Blue Jackets will likely struggle to contain Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point and Co. in a best-of-seven series.Adding Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel gave Columbus a little more scoring punch, but the Blue Jackets' attack still pales in comparison to the juggernaut they're matched up against in round one.Barring a stunning flip of the script, this one should be over quickly.X-factor for Lightning: Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper is hopeful that Victor Hedman will play in Game 1. The reigning Norris Trophy winner's health, or lack thereof, could determine his effectiveness early in the series.The Lightning have proven they can get by without him. But if a nagging injury affects Hedman's availability or his play for an extended period, that could give the Blue Jackets a better chance to steal a game or two.X-factor for Blue Jackets: Sergei Bobrovsky appears to have regained his form, but he'll need to be excellent in every game for the Blue Jackets to pull off a massive upset.Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple LeafsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrediction: Bruins in sevenThis highly anticipated rematch should once again provide plenty of intrigue.While John Tavares may be leading the Maple Leafs this time around, the team is still weak defensively, and Frederik Andersen was shaky down the stretch in goal until his final two games.Boston prevailed over Toronto in seven games last year, and the Bruins returned essentially the same roster in 2018-19. So while the Leafs could overwhelm the Bruins with their upgraded arsenal of offensive weapons, they may be hard-pressed to keep up at both ends of the rink once again.Much was made about Auston Matthews' poor production in the 2018 series, but he should contribute more this year with Tavares' presence creating an added headache for two-way wizard Patrice Bergeron.Toronto is deeper than last year, as Jake Muzzin provides depth on the back end and Andreas Johnsson does the same up front. But the Bruins still boast one of the best lines in the NHL, and they're among the league's top teams at minimizing goals against.X-factor for Bruins: As usual, Bergeron should excel offensively between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak on the Bruins' top line. But his ability to contain the Leafs' collection of dynamic forwards will significantly impact the outcome of the series.X-factor for Maple Leafs: The Leafs need Andersen to be at his best, and while his late-season issues don't provide much optimism, the playoffs give him an opportunity to wipe the slate clean.Washington Capitals vs. Carolina HurricanesIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPrediction: Capitals in fiveThe defending Stanley Cup champions meet the so-called "jerks" as the Capitals begin their title defense against the team that took the league by storm.Washington is the clear favorite here, and for good reason. The Capitals hardly missed a beat during the regular season en route to their fourth straight division crown, and they won all four meetings with Carolina in 2018-19.The Hurricanes ended the NHL's longest active playoff drought when they qualified this spring, but Carolina simply can't match the depth of their first-round opponents.Carolina deserves credit for exceeding expectations and embracing fun during a magical regular season, but it'll be tough for the Hurricanes to keep up with the Capitals.X-factor for Capitals: Alex Ovechkin was exceptional throughout the postseason last year, and he's showing no signs of decline at age 33. The superstar forward can still break a game open in the blink of an eye, and while the Capitals have a deep, versatile roster around him, he's the catalyst.X-factor for Hurricanes: Petr Mrazek emerged as the Hurricanes' No. 1 netminder toward season's end, winning 11 of his final 13 starts with a .944 save percentage. He doesn't have much playoff experience, but the veteran has posted a .927 save percentage in 11 career postseason appearances.New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh PenguinsBruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyPrediction: Penguins in sevenBarry Trotz's system transformed the Islanders during his first season behind the bench in New York, creating a defensively rock-solid club that sailed past expectations following Tavares' offseason departure.The Islanders also have offensive talents at their disposal, but they ranked in the bottom third in goals per game and will need Mathew Barzal, Anders Lee, Brock Nelson, and Josh Bailey to produce in this series.But will the well-balanced Islanders be deep enough to vanquish the experienced, playoff-tested Penguins?Pittsburgh can never be counted out with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, and Kris Letang leading the charge. Netminder Matt Murray is also looking like his old self again after a difficult 2017-18 campaign.The Penguins' back-to-back championship core is still largely intact, and Trotz's mastery might not be enough to lift a less experienced Islanders squad past Pittsburgh in New York's first playoff series since 2016.X-factor for Islanders: Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss earned the William M. Jennings Trophy for their stellar play after splitting time in the crease. But Lehner has logged only two postseason appearances (no starts), with 49 minutes of playoff experience to his name. Greiss doesn't have much postseason experience himself, but the two will need to keep excelling in the playoffs for the Islanders to win.X-factor for Penguins: Pittsburgh's defense will need to step up, as the team ranked 14th in goals allowed while surrendering the sixth-most shots per game in the regular season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to Puck Pursuit, a weekly NHL podcast hosted by John Matisz, theScore's National Hockey Writer.Subscribe to the show on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, Google Play, and Spotify.In this episode, ESPN's Emily Kaplan and Bowen Byram of the WHL's Vancouver Giants join John to discuss a variety of topics, including:

Welcome to the 14th and final edition of theScore's 2018-19 regular season NHL Power Rankings. Below, we assess how each team wrapped up their recent campaigns.1. Tampa Bay Lightning (62-16-4)What a run for the Lightning, who matched an NHL record with 62 wins. They're the runaway favorites to win the Stanley Cup for good reason, but the health of blue-line stalwart Victor Hedman is imperative for the club's title aspirations.Previously: 1st2. Calgary Flames (50-25-7) ▲The Flames improved 23 points in the standings this season and earned home ice throughout the Western Conference playoffs. It's unclear who will start Game 1 in goal for Calgary but the good news is both Mike Smith and David Rittich were capable of winning games down the stretch.Previously: 3rd3. Boston Bruins (49-24-9) ▲From Jan. 1 onward, the Bruins went 28-10-5 while ranking sixth in goals for (148) and seventh in goals against (109). They face a daunting Atlantic Division draw again this spring, but Boston is a legitimate Cup threat.Previously: 5th4. Washington Capitals (48-26-8)The title defense is officially on for the Capitals, who pulled away from the pack in the Metropolitan and earned their fourth consecutive division title.Previously: 4th5. Nashville Predators (47-29-6) ▲John Russell / National Hockey League / GettyThe Central Division crown was ripe for the taking throughout March and April, and the seasoned Predators won seven of their last 10 games to capture it. Now, Nashville has home ice and gets an easier opponent in Round 1 to get its playoff run started.Previously: 13th6. New York Islanders (48-27-7) ▲The Islanders shattered expectations to finish fifth in the entire league, and it will be fascinating to see if head coach Barry Trotz can get his troops to make some noise in the playoffs - perhaps enough to set up a second-round match up with his former Capitals squad.Previously: 11th7. St. Louis Blues (45-28-9) ▲St. Louis was tied for 29th place at Christmas. It ended up missing the division title by a single point. Watch out for the Blues.Previously: 16th8. Toronto Maple Leafs (46-28-8) ▼An inconsistent Frederik Andersen and a swath of injuries led to some shaky play from the Maple Leafs to close out the regular season. Still, the 2018-19 campaign was about playoff progress from the get-go, and Toronto earned its chance at redemption versus the Bruins.Previously:6th9. Pittsburgh Penguins (44-26-12)Not to say seeding doesn't matter, but for a team as experienced as the Penguins, full health is more important than first-round opponents. It goes without saying that Pittsburgh getting Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang back into the lineup prior to the playoffs makes this club as dangerous as any.Previously: 9th10. Carolina Hurricanes (46-29-7) ▼Gregg Forwerck / National Hockey League / GettyThe Hurricanes' playoff push enthralled the hockey world, and it's safe to say the hype train will go off the rails if Carolina puts a scare into, or beats the Capitals. Let's see what this bunch of jerks can do.Previously: 8th11. San Jose Sharks (46-27-9) ▼The Sharks stumbled into the playoffs with a 3-8-1 record in their last 12 games to claim their lowest spot on our power rankings since Dec. 10. The team's biggest question mark all season has been between the pipes with Martin Jones. The netminder is coming off his worst season but does boast a stellar playoff resume.Previously: 2nd12. Winnipeg Jets (47-30-5) ▼The Jets also dragged their way into the postseason, but injuries were certainly a contributing factor - specifically on the blue line. Dustin Byfuglien, who skated in just 42 contests this season, returned for a five-game tuneup before the playoffs. Meanwhile, Josh Morrissey hasn't played since Feb. 24 and his status for Game 1 is uncertain.Previously: 10th13. Columbus Blue Jackets (47-31-4) ▲The Blue Jackets won seven of their final eight games to punch their postseason ticket. Sergei Bobrovsky was spectacular down the stretch, going 10-3 with a .946 save percentage and four shutouts. He'll need to be just as sharp in the playoffs for Columbus to upset Tampa Bay.Previously: 15th14. Vegas Golden Knights (43-32-7) ▼The Golden Knights mustered together just one win in their last eight games to cap the worst season in franchise history. Marc-Andre Fleury was absent for most of those contests, though. He returned for the last two games after missing nearly a month, but is that enough to get ready for a playoff run?Previously: 7th15. Dallas Stars (43-32-7) ▼Glenn James / National Hockey League / GettyThe Stars squeaked into the playoffs despite owning the third-worst offense in the entire league. Simply put, Ben Bishop's brilliance will have to continue for Dallas to stand a chance.Previously: 14th16. Colorado Avalanche (38-30-14) ▲In addition to a well-earned playoff berth, Colorado could net the first overall pick courtesy of the Senators' incompetence. The Avs' top-end talent makes them a dangerous team to face, but a lack of scoring depth could lead to an early exit.Previously: 23rd17. Montreal Canadiens (44-30-8) ▲The Canadiens were simply in the wrong conference. They finished with more points than the Stars, Golden Knights, and Avalanche, but won't be heading to the postseason. Nonetheless, this season should be viewed as a positive, as many projected them as a lottery team in October.Previously: 18th18. Arizona Coyotes (39-35-8) ▼If the league handed out a team award for perseverance, the Coyotes would be this year's winners. Arizona suffered an unimaginable amount of injuries but remained in the thick of the playoff hunt until the final few games. However, it's clear this team needs an injection of offense if it wants to take the next step.Previously: 12th19. Florida Panthers (36-32-14)The Panthers could be in for a busy offseason. They've already hired Joel Quenneville as their next head coach and have been linked to pending free agents Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky. With plenty of high-end talent already on the roster, a couple of key additions could finally get Florida over the hump.Previously: 19th20. Minnesota Wild (37-36-9)Bruce Kluckhohn / National Hockey League / GettyPaul Fenton's first year as Wild general manager didn't go as planned. Their six-year postseason streak was snapped, and the midseason Nino Niederreiter-for-Victor Rask trade looks horrendous. More moves are surely on the way in Minny.Previously: 20th21. Chicago Blackhawks (36-34-12)The Blackhawks will obviously be disappointed to have missed the playoffs, but they should take some solace in how well they played down the stretch to vault back into the hunt. Despite some lingering issues, Chicago should enter next season with a positive outlook.Previously: 21st22. Vancouver Canucks (35-36-11) ▲Speaking of an encouraging outlook, the Canucks certainly have one despite how their season concluded. Vancouver gave prized defensive prospect Quinn Hughes a handful of games before wrapping things up, and the club has reason for optimism going forward with Hughes, Elias Pettersson, and Brock Boeser anchoring a promising core.Previously: 25th23. Detroit Red Wings (32-40-10) ▲Winning seven out of 10 is a nice way to end the regular season, but the Red Wings' roster still has plenty of holes heading into 2019-20.Previously: 31st24. Philadelphia Flyers (37-37-8) ▼Despite Carter Hart's emergence, this season was unquestionably a failure for the Flyers, who learned they'll need more than the talented, young goaltender and two good lines to become a truly competitive club again.Previously: 17th25. Edmonton Oilers (35-38-9) ▼Mike Stobe / National Hockey League / GettyConnor McDavid's frustration boiled over a bit down the stretch, and then he got hurt in the Oilers' regular-season finale. Needless to say, he and the rest of the club would clearly like to put this campaign behind them.Previously: 22nd26. Anaheim Ducks (35-37-10)The lesson for the Anaheim this season is that John Gibson needs a lot more help. The Ducks have to improve the NHL's worst offense and get better at limiting shots and scoring chances. They're unlikely to do that if they continue to be one of the league's oldest teams.Previously: 26th27. New York Rangers (32-36-14)Alexandar Georgiev has proven capable of being the heir apparent to Henrik Lundqvist whenever King Henrik decides to call it a career, but it's going to be a while before the Rangers are real contenders again.Previously: 27th28. Buffalo Sabres (33-39-10) ▼A second-half nosedive doomed Phil Housley, as the now-former Sabres head coach got the ax Sunday. Buffalo clearly has plenty of room to grow, but expectations will always be high with Jack Eichel and Rasmus Dahlin in the fold. Jeff Skinner still needs a new contract, too.Previously: 24th29. New Jersey Devils (31-41-10) ▼Getting Taylor Hall signed long term will be priority No. 1 for the Devils this summer. New Jersey will also have a shot at a very high pick in the upcoming draft, so general manager Ray Shero has an important offseason ahead.Previously: 28th30. Los Angeles Kings (31-42-9) ▼The Kings will have the second-best odds at winning the first overall pick, but not even Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko can fix Los Angeles' problems on their own.Previously: 29th31. Ottawa Senators (29-47-6) ▼A nightmare of a season on and off the ice is finally, mercifully over for the Senators, but hey, at least they have the lottery to look forward to. Oh, wait ...Previously: 30thCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers got their man.The club announced the hiring of three-time Stanley Cup champion Joel Quenneville as head coach Monday morning.Quenneville's resume is second to none among active coaches - he trails only Scotty Bowman on the NHL's all-time wins list - and he'll be paid accordingly. He'll earn $5.25 million per season with bonuses that could hit $7 million over five years, a source told The Athletic's George Richards. That would potentially make Quenneville the league's highest-paid coach, as Toronto Maple Leafs boss Mike Babcock currently leads the way at around $6.25 million per season.Meanwhile, Quenneville already has a working relationship with Panthers general manager Dale Tallon, who hired him to coach the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2008-09 season.While leading the team that Tallon built, Quenneville went on an unparalleled run of success in the Windy City, making the playoffs in nine straight years and winning the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013, and 2015.Tallon stated less than two weeks ago that Florida would "be aggressive this summer." Along with landing a future Hall of Fame coach, the Panthers have been linked to pending free agents Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin. The latter played under Quenneville for two seasons in Chicago.Each time Quenneville has been hired to coach a new team, he's made the playoffs in his first season. The Panthers have made just two postseason appearances in the last 18 years.In Florida, Quenneville replaces Bob Boughner, who was relieved of his duties Sunday after a two-year stint behind the bench.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

From Connor McDavid to Jack Eichel?Todd McLellan is reportedly a leading candidate to succeed Phil Housley as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.The Los Angeles Kings have reportedly also been negotiating with McLellan and appear to remain in the mix, McKenzie added.Coincidentally, McLellan already planned to be in Buffalo this week for the Frozen Four to watch his son Tyson, who plays for the University of Denver.McLellan previously served as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers and the San Jose Sharks. He owns a career record of 434-282-90.The Sabres fired Housley on Sunday after two seasons.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ken Hitchcock's fate as interim head coach of the Edmonton Oilers will be determined by the club's new general manager, CEO Bob Nicholson said Monday.Regardless of the impending GM's decision, Hitchcock will stay with the organization in some capacity moving forward, Nicholson added.The sole focus of the Oilers front office is on the GM hiring process, Nicholson stated. Edmonton is not currently looking to hire a president of hockey operations.Hitchcock was hired with the interim tag back in November and compiled a 26-28-8 record behind the bench. The 67-year-old is third on the NHL's all-time wins list.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ryan Kesler may be forced to hang his skates up.The Anaheim Ducks forward could be facing career-ending surgery on his ailing hip."We have to find some options for me. Not just for hockey, but for my life," Kesler told NHL.com's Dan Arritt on Sunday. "Simple things, like putting on socks in the morning, are tough."Kesler underwent hip surgery on June 17, 2017, and has since played in just 104 out of a possible 164 games. The 34-year-old's performance has declined accordingly, as he's coming off two of his worst seasons since entering the league. He tallied just eight points in 60 contests this year.Kesler said the only surgery available to him is a hip replacement."It would probably be career-ending," Kesler said, who still has three years left on his contract with a $6.875-million cap hit.Kesler plans to meet with hip specialists over the next few weeks before sitting down with his agent, Ducks general manager Bob Murray, and the doctors to discuss his future in the sport."Let's talk to the doctors," Murray said. "Get all the information in front of us, and we'll sit down when we have all the information."Kesler was one of the preeminent two-way centers in the league during his prime. He won the Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward in 2010-11 during his 41-goal, 73-point season with the Vancouver Canucks. He was a Selke finalist four other times, and in total has 573 career points in 1,001 games.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Connor McDavid breathed a big sigh of relief when X-rays revealed he did not break his leg after crashing into the post on Saturday night against the Calgary Flames.But in the moment, the Edmonton Oilers superstar feared the worst."I was just worried to stand up. I thought my leg was just going to give away," McDavid told reporters Sunday. "If I'm being completely honest, I thought my leg was in two pieces."McDavid was upended by Mark Giordano after burning the Flames defenseman wide. He was skating over 25 mph prior to the trip.

The Los Angeles Kings have asked the Edmonton Oilers for permission to discuss their vacant head-coaching position with Todd McLellan, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports.The Oilers fired McLellan and replaced him with Ken Hitchcock in November. LeBrun reported at the time that McLellan is still under contract for the rest of this season and 2019-20 at $3 million per campaign.The Kings aren't bringing back interim bench boss Willie Desjardins for next season. He took over after Los Angeles dismissed John Stevens a couple of weeks before Edmonton's move last fall.McLellan spent parts of four seasons behind the Oilers' bench after seven with the San Jose Sharks, arguably the Kings' biggest rival.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Sabres fired head coach Phil Housley on Sunday, the team announced.Sabres general manager Jason Botterill took some responsibility following the move, telling reporters, including The Buffalo News' Mike Harrington, that it was his decision to dismiss Housley."We didn't put the proper roster out there," he added.Botterill also pointed to "lapses defensively in our structure," a notable remark considering Housley is a legendary former blue-liner who's known as a defensive specialist.Housley was hired following the 2016-17 season after a successful four-year stint as an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators. He was unable to turn the Sabres around, though, failing to make the playoffs both seasons in Buffalo and compiling a record of 58-84-22.After a successful month of November, which included a 10-game winning streak, the Sabres sat atop the NHL standings. However, from that point, Buffalo went 16-33-8 and failed to win in regulation during March.The Sabres' next head coach will be the club's fifth bench boss since Lindy Ruff's 15-year run came to an end midway through the 2012-13 campaign.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Kings interim head coach Willie Desjardins won't be back behind the bench next year, the team announced Sunday."Today we thanked Willie Desjardins for his effort and dedication while serving as our interim head coach," general manager Rob Blake said in a statement. "We wish Willie and his family nothing but the best going forward. The process for hiring our next head coach is underway and we look forward to conducting a thorough search for the right person to lead our team."Desjardins took over for John Stevens just 14 games into the season and couldn't right the ship, compiling a 27-34-8 record. The Kings finished with both the second-worst offense and overall record in the NHL.The former head coach was also publicly criticized by Ilya Kovalchuk after making the high-paid forward a healthy scratch.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers are moving quickly in their quest to replace Bob Boughner behind the bench and have reportedly received permission from the Chicago Blackhawks to speak to Joel Quenneville about the vacancy, a source told ESN's Greg Wyshynski.The Panthers have offered Quenneville a multi-year deal worth more than $6 million per season with bonuses, Wyshynski added. Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock is the league's highest-paid coach at around $6.25 million annually.The Panthers fired Boughner on Sunday after two seasons without making the playoffs, while Quenneville was let go in November after 11 seasons with the Blackhawks. He has one season remaining on his contract with Chicago at $6 million.Quenneville has a long relationship with Panthers general manager Dale Tallon, winning the Stanley Cup together with the Blackhawks in 2010. Tallon joined the Panthers' front office that same year, while Quenneville went on to win two more championships in Chicago.In a statement, Tallon said the Panthers want a "transformative, experienced head coach with Stanley Cup pedigree," to right the ship in Florida.Quenneville is by far the most experienced coach available on the open market with 22 years behind an NHL bench. He also ranks second all-time with 890 wins.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers fired Bob Boughner on Sunday after two seasons as the club's head coach, the team announced."We made a tough decision today and have relieved Bob Boughner of his duties as head coach," president of hockey operations and general manager Dale Tallon said in a statement. "We didn't meet expectations this season and share responsibility for that fact. After careful evaluation, we have determined that this is a necessary first step for our young team and we will seek to identify a transformative, experienced head coach with Stanley Cup pedigree to lead our team going forward. We're grateful to Bob, Paul, and their families for their hard work and their dedication to the Panthers organization and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors."The Panthers registered 86 points this season and missed the playoffs for the third straight year. They did receive strong performances, however, from Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, who each eclipsed 90 points.Florida's struggles came between the pipes, as it ranked 28th in the league with 273 goals against.In March, Tallon said the club plans to be aggressive in free agency, which can be made possible with the over $17 million in projected cap space it has next season, according to Cap Friendly.The next Panthers head coach will be the franchise's sixth since 2013. Anaheim, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Ottawa, Philadelphia, and St. Louis also have vacancies behind the bench.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The schedule for the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs was announced Sunday. Below are the dates and start times of all eight matchups, which get started Wednesday, April 10.Eastern ConferenceAtlantic DivisionTampa Bay Lightning (A1) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (WC2)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Wednesday April 107:00 p.m.LightningFOX / SN360 / TVA Sports2Friday April 127:00 p.m.LightningFOX / SN360 / TVA Sports3Sunday April 147:00 p.m.Blue JacketsFOX / SN360 / TVA Sports4Tuesday April 167:00 p.m.Blue JacketsFOX / SN360 / TVA Sports5*Friday April 19TBDLightningTBD6*Sunday April 21TBDBlue JacketsTBD7*Tuesday April 23TBDLightningTBDBoston Bruins (A2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (A3)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Thursday April 117:00 p.m.BruinsNBCSN / SN / CBC / TVA Sports2Saturday April 138:00 p.m.BruinsNBC / CBC / TVA Sports3Monday April 157:00 p.m.Maple LeafsCBC / TVA Sports / NBCSN4Wednesday April 177:00 p.m.Maple LeafsCBC / TVA Sports / NBCSN5*Friday April 19TBDBruinsTBD6*Sunday April 21TBDMaple LeafsTBD7*Tuesday April 23TBDBruinsTBDMetropolitan DivisionWashington Capitals (M1) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (WC1)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Thursday April 117:30 p.m.CapitalsUSA / SN360 / TVA Sports2Saturday April 133:00 p.m.CapitalsNBC / SN / TVA Sports3Monday April 157:00 p.m.HurricanesCNBC / SN / TVA Sports4Thursday April 187:00 p.m.HurricanesSN360 / TVA Sports5*Saturday April 20TBDCapitalsTBD6*Monday April 22TBDHurricanesTBD7*Wednesday April 24TBDCapitalsTBDNew York Islanders (M2) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (M3)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Wednesday April 107:30 p.m.IslandersNBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports2Friday April 127:30 p.m.IslandersNBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports3Sunday April 1412:00 p.m.PenguinsNBCSN / SN / CBC/ TVA Sports4Tuesday April 167:30 p.m.PenguinsNBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports5*Thursday April 18TBDIslandersTBD6*Saturday April 20TBDPenguinsTBD7*Monday April 22TBDIslandersTBDWestern ConferencePacific DivisionCalgary Flames (P1) vs. Colorado Avalanche (WC2)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Thursday April 1110:00 p.m.FlamesSN / CBC / TVA Sports / NBCSN2Saturday April 1310:30 p.m.FlamesSN / CBC / TVA Sports / NBCSN3Monday April 1510:00 p.m.AvalancheCNBC / CBC / TVA Sports4Wednesday April 1710:00 p.m.AvalancheNBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports5*Friday April 19TBDFlamesTBD6*Sunday April 21TBDAvalancheTBD7*Tuesday April 23TBDFlamesTBDSan Jose Sharks (P2) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (P3)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Wednesday April 1010:30 p.m.SharksNBCSN / SN / TVA Sports2Friday April 1210:30 p.m.SharksNBCSN / SN360 / TVA Sports3Sunday April 1410:00 p.m.Golden KnightsNBCSN / SN / TVA Sports4Tuesday April 1610:30 p.m.Golden KnightsNBCSN / SN360 / TVA Sports5*Thursday April 18TBDSharksTBD6*Sunday April 21TBDGolden KnightsTBD7*Tuesday April 23TBDSharksTBDCentral DivisionNashville Predators (C1) vs. Dallas Stars (WC1)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Wednesday April 109:30 p.m.PredatorsUSA / SN1 / TVA Sports2Saturday April 136:00 p.m.PredatorsCNBC / SN / TVA Sports3Monday April 159:30 p.m.StarsNBCSN / SN / TVA Sports4Wednesday April 178:00 p.m.StarsUSA / SN / TVA Sports5*Saturday April 20TBDPredatorsTBD6*Monday April 22TBDStarsTBD7*Wednesday April 24TBDPredatorsTBDWinnipeg Jets (C2) vs. St. Louis Blues (C3)GameDateTime (ET)HomeTV1Wednesday April 108:00 p.m.JetsSN / TVA Sports / NHL Network2Friday April 129:30 p.m.JetsSN / TVA Sports / CNBC3Sunday April 147:30 p.m.BluesCNBC / SN / CBC / TVA Sports4Tuesday April 169:30 p.m.BluesCNBS / SN / TVA Sports5*Thursday April 18TBDJetsTBD6*Saturday April 20TBDBluesTBD7*Monday April 22TBDJetsTBD*If necessary

Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid was helped off the ice after crashing leg first into a post against the Calgary Flames on Saturday night.

The 2018-19 NHL regular season came to a close Saturday, making official the league leaders in a number of notable statistical categories.Here's a look at the top five in goals, points, save percentage, and more.GoalsRankPlayerTeamGoals1Alex OvechkinCapitals512Leon DraisaitlOilers503John TavaresMaple Leafs474Steven StamkosLightning455Patrick KaneBlackhawks44AssistsRankPlayerTeamAssists1Nikita KucherovLightning872Connor McDavidOilers753Blake WheelerJets704Mitch MarnerMaple Leafs68T5Patrick KaneBlackhawks66T5Brent BurnsSharks66PointsRankPlayerTeamPoints1Nikita KucherovLightning1282Connor McDavidOilers1163Patrick KaneBlackhawks1104Leon DraisaitlOilers105T5Brad MarchandBruins100T5Sidney CrosbyPenguins100Plus/MinusRankPlayerTeam+/-1Mark GiordanoFlames392Ryan McDonaghLightning383Brett PesceHurricanes354Mikael BacklundFlames345Brian DumoulinPenguins31WinsRankPlayerTeamWins1Andrei VasilevskiyLightning392Sergei BobrovskyBlue Jackets37T3Frederik AndersenMaple Leafs36T3Martin JonesSharks365Carey PriceCanadiens35Goals Against AverageRankPlayerTeamGAA1Jordan BinningtonBlues1.892Ben BishopStars1.983Robin LehnerIslanders2.134Thomas GreissIslanders2.285Jack CampbellKings2.30Save PercentageRankPlayerTeamSV%1Ben BishopStars.9342Robin LehnerIslanders.9303Jack CampbellKings.928T4Jordan BinningtonBlues.927T4Thomas GreissIslanders.927ShutoutsRankPlayerTeamSO1Sergei BobrovskyBlue Jackets92Marc-Andre FleuryGolden Knights83Ben BishopStars7T4Andrei VasilevskiyLightning6T4Robin LehnerIslanders6Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get your popcorn ready, because it's officially playoff time.While some NHL postseason matchups have been known for a while, many were decided on the final night of the regular season. Here's a look at all eight:Eastern ConferenceClaus Andersen / Getty Images Sport / GettyAtlantic DivisionHomeAwayTampa Bay Lightning (A1)Columbus Blue Jackets (WC2)Drawing the Presidents' Trophy winners in Round 1 was probably not what Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen envisioned when he went all-in prior to the trade deadline. The Lightning emphatically swept the season series 3-0, outscoring Columbus 17-3.HomeAwayBoston Bruins (A2)Toronto Maple Leafs (A3)The Maple Leafs and Bruins will meet in Round 1 for a second straight year after Boston's seven-game series victory in 2018. The Bruins were much stronger down the stretch and won the season series 3-1, which could give them a leg up.Metropolitan DivisionHomeAwayWashington Capitals (M1)Carolina Hurricanes (WC1)The Hurricanes don't qualify for the playoffs often, but they usually make the most of it. Carolina reached the conference finals in its last postseason appearance in 2009, and the team earned trips to the Stanley Cup Final in each of its two playoff berths prior (2006 and 2002). The Canes will be in tough against the defending champs, as the Capitals swept the season series 4-0.HomeAwayNew York Islanders (M2)Pittsburgh Penguins (M3)The Islanders will be hosting a playoff series for the first time since 1988, but it'll be no easy task against a Penguins squad that's getting healthier. Defensive mastermind Barry Trotz slowed down Pittsburgh's offense during Washington's second-round victory a year ago, but can he do that in two straight series?Western ConferenceScott Rovak / National Hockey League / GettyCentral DivisionHomeAwayNashville Predators (C1)Dallas Stars (WC1)Take the under in this series. The Predators-Stars matchup is the only one in which both teams ranked in the bottom half of the league in scoring. The two squads made the postseason through stingy defense and stellar goaltending.HomeAwayWinnipeg Jets (C2)St. Louis Blues (C3)The Jets lugged their way into the postseason, and they could have their hands full against the Blues, a club that was dead last in the NHL on Jan. 2 before a miraculous second half of the season. The Jets took the season series 3-1, but these teams haven't met since Dec. 7.Pacific DivisionHomeAwayCalgary Flames (P1)Colorado Avalanche (WC2)There aren't many question marks tied to the Flames, but the one that does exist is a doozy: Which goalie will lead the way in the playoffs? Mike Smith and David Rittich posted both hot and cold streaks during the season, but neither took the job and ran with it. The same can't be said for the Avs, as Philipp Grubauer's .956 save percentage over his final 14 regular-season contests has him entrenched as the club's No. 1 netminder despite playing fewer games than Semyon Varlamov.HomeAwaySan Jose Sharks (P2)Vegas Golden Knights (P3)The Golden Knights sunk the Sharks 4-2 in the second round in 2018, but thanks to the fall of the Ottawa Senators, both teams have added significant reinforcements. Mark Stone and Erik Karlsson are game-changers, and whoever has a greater impact on this series could determine the winner.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Nashville Predators clinched first place in the Central Division for the second straight season Saturday after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks.The Preds will now face the Stars in Round 1 following Dallas' victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.Scoring could be tough in the Stars-Predators series. Both teams rank in the bottom half of the league offensively and are also two of the stingiest defensive clubs.Nashville's win guarantees a first-round matchup between the Winnipeg Jets and St. Louis Blues, though the location of Game 1 is yet to be determined.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nikita Kucherov can now lay claim to the most productive campaign by a player from his homeland.The Tampa Bay Lightning superstar recorded an empty-net helper to notch his 128th point of the season in Saturday's victory over the Boston Bruins, eclipsing Alexander Mogilny's previous record for most in a single campaign by a player of Russian origin. Kucherov tied the record earlier in the game with his 41st goal of the year.Mogilny piled up 127 points with the Buffalo Sabres in 1992-93.Kucherov ranks 21st all time on the career points list among Russian skaters with 462 in 447 games. Alex Ovechkin became the all-time leader on that list in February.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mikko Rantanen won't play in his club's regular-season finale, but his head coach is optimistic that the star forward will be back for the postseason.Colorado Avalanche bench boss Jared Bednar told reporters Saturday he's "hopeful" Rantanen will feature for the team in the playoffs, according to The Athletic's Ryan Clark.The 22-year-old winger will miss his eighth straight game when the Avalanche wrap up their regular-season schedule Saturday against the San Jose Sharks. He's been out since March 21 with what the club classified as an upper-body injury.Rantanen had been enjoying an even better campaign than his 2017-18 breakout, as he racked up 31 goals and 87 points in 74 contests before suffering the injury. He produced 29 goals and 84 points in 81 games last season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Erik Karlsson will return to the San Jose Sharks lineup Saturday night versus the Colorado Avalanche for one final tune up before the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, head coach Peter DeBoer confirmed.Karlsson hasn't played since Feb. 26 due to a groin injury suffered just five games after returning from a month-long absence with a similar ailment. The 28-year-old missed 17 games this time around, and stated he'd "100 percent" be ready for the playoffs in early March.In 52 appearances in his first season on the West Coast, Karlsson has notched 45 points. His return comes at a welcome time for the Sharks, who have stumbled down the stretch with a 2-7-1 record in their last 10 games.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

TORONTO - When Kaleb Dahlgren was 2 years old, his dad dressed him in the Calgary Flames' alternate jersey of the day - a black sweater with red trim and a flaming horse on the front - strapped a pair of roller blades to his feet, and suggested the two of them imitate playing an NHL game.Showdowns between Mark Dahlgren and his son quickly became a nightly production in the cement-floored basement of the family's home in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Kaleb, often impersonating young Flames star Jarome Iginla, skated through a smoke machine as he entered the improvised arena. They warmed up to Mark's favorite AC/DC and Metallica hits and paused to sing "O Canada" together. At the end of three periods, they picked the city where they'd play tomorrow."He was into it like you wouldn't believe," Mark says. "Hook, line, and sinker."Kaleb Dahlgren, age 2. Courtesy of Mark DahlgrenWhen Kaleb was 3, too young to attend school, Mark and his wife, Anita, dropped him off at a babysitter's house. He typically passed the time there by grabbing a mini stick and shooting on a small net. But on this day his sitter was puzzled: All Kaleb cared to do was sit still on the couch."Are you OK? What are you doing?" she asked him."I'm on the airplane going to San Jose," Kaleb replied. "That's where I play tonight."At age 5, Kaleb declared at the dinner table that hockey was his passion. His parents didn't even know he understood the definition of the word. At 9, Mark and Anita took him on a group tour of the rink at the University of North Dakota - an event he dominated by asking, his father jokes, somewhere in the vicinity of 5,000 questions. The whole ride home, he kept telling them that one day he'd play at the university level.Soon Mark and Anita signed Kaleb up with a personal trainer. He beseeched his parents to enroll him in every hockey camp the family heard about. As Kaleb got older, he swore off alcohol and refrained from getting a girlfriend until after high school, viewing the prospect as a potential distraction. He wrote down objectives on pieces of paper - record a certain number of assists in a year; earn a captain's letter at the start of a season - and taped them to the wall by his bedroom door.Kaleb, age 6. Courtesy of Mark DahlgrenKaleb played other sports but discovered they weren't for him. Baseball was too slow. Basketball's defensive rules seemed needlessly restrictive. "You've got to be able to take a hit," he'd think after smacking an opponent on the hand.On the ice, Kaleb bloomed into a tenacious winger with a tendency to outmuscle bigger guys for loose pucks in the corner. He loved to hit, despite never growing taller than 5-foot-9, and came to believe that the camaraderie of a hockey locker room - a brotherhood forged by sacrificing one's body to better the team - was singular.At every rung of minor hockey, he competed with a smile on his face. He wore an assistant captain's "A" during his last two seasons of Junior A, including, in 2017-18, for the Humboldt Broncos."He's devoted his life to hockey," Mark says.Last year, on a sunny spring afternoon in rural Saskatchewan, Kaleb Dahlgren was badly hurt when a bus and a truck crashed at the intersection of two highways. Now he wonders if he'll ever get to play again.Kaleb Dahlgren, age 21. Ethan Miller / Getty Images––––––––––One year removed from April 6, 2018, the 13 young men who survived the Humboldt Broncos bus crash are dispersed across Canada, rehabbing their injuries, grappling with the mental toll of the tragedy, honoring the memories of the 16 friends and mentors who died, and trying to move forward with the rest of their lives. It is a weight only they can begin to understand.Each survivor's situation varies. Some of them suffered brain injuries in the crash. Their bodies were scarred, lacerated, fractured, or paralyzed. Some of them suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, or post-traumatic stress. Some lost the ability to speak. Recovery isn't a uniform process, and for each of them, it's still ongoing.Living in Humboldt, on university campuses, or in their respective hometowns across the Canadian Prairies, they have responded with courage and toughness, extraordinary strength and enduring grace. In public appearances, they express the hope that people will draw inspiration from their stories. In a private group chat, they talk nearly every week, bantering and offering words of support at opportune times.Two things bound the Broncos on the afternoon they boarded the bus: hockey and each other. Those forces have become two of their guiding lights.Ryan Straschnitzki, who was paralyzed from the chest down in the crash, describes the joy he has always found in his chosen sport like this: "Time doesn't exist. You're just out there having fun with the people you love playing with."The 2017-18 Humboldt Broncos. Amanda Brochu / Handout via ReutersAs many of his old Broncos teammates followed one path or another back to hockey - resuming their junior careers, joining university teams as rookies, taking up sledge hockey or assistant coaching roles, beginning to skate again with assistance - Kaleb Dahlgren represented a unique case. Most of his injuries have healed: the skull fracture, the broken vertebrae in his neck and back. He is a commerce student at York University in Toronto, preparing to write his last exams as a first-year undergrad.As a member of York's men's hockey team, the Lions, Dahlgren is a single tantalizing step from achieving the childhood dream he crafted on a North Dakota interstate. But the gap between the 21-year-old and the fulfillment of that dream is evident in his stat line from the 2018-19 season: zero points in zero games played.Through two-hour rehab sessions five times weekly at York's sport injury clinic, Dahlgren's back and neck have mended, as has an ankle ligament he tore last fall. But the brain injury he suffered in the crash is a different story. Dahlgren hasn't been cleared for contact since he was rushed to hospital in Nipawin, Saskatchewan, the destination the Broncos' bus never reached last April 6.Calgary Flames forward Spencer Foo pays tribute to the Broncos. Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesThe prohibition means that even though he has been skating since last May, his future on the ice remains an open question. Getting medical approval to play requires him to ace a series of neurological tests, and so far he hasn't come close.Back at his parents' home in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a handwritten note Kaleb left affixed to his bedroom wall reads, "Take Action For Your Passion." The past year has forced him to adjust to a difficult truth: There's little he can do for his ailing brain besides sleep 10 hours a night and wait to see what happens."(Playing again) would mean so much to me," he says. "The only issue is that I can't control it. I can't control my brain."His Humboldt teammates who transitioned to university all played more than 20 games as rookies: Nick Shumlanski at the University of Prince Edward Island; Bryce Fiske and Matthieu Gomercic at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. But Dahlgren was limited to wearing a yellow no-contact jersey at York practices. He attended home games in a suit but stayed behind during overnight road trips. He watched his team win nine of its first 12 games before injuries mounted and the Lions slumped to a losing record.Kaleb Dahlgren (left) and Ryan Straschnitzki. Bruce Bennett / Getty ImagesIn the stands, Dahlgren got to see the sport unfold from a new perspective. The university game is faster and less physical than Saskatchewan's rugged Junior A circuit, suggesting to him that he'd do well to increase his foot speed - and retain his inclination to play the body in order to stand out.He hopes he'll get the chance to apply his forethought in competition by the start of next season. Lots of shut-eye might help cinch this timeline; so might his work with leading neurologists, or the fact he's tried cranial and chiropractic therapy. Alternatively, his ambition and effort may amount to something less than enough."You have to accept it for what it is, and just be thankful for what you have," Dahlgren says. That includes the opportunity to practice and work out during the season, and to aspire to a greater role on game day."I use that as my motivation," he says, "as well as the 16 people that can't even be here."––––––––––A couple of months ago, Tyler Smith got 16 black birds tattooed onto the left side of his chest, above his heart and directly beneath a scar that runs along his collarbone. "Home is where the heart is," reads an inscription below the flock.Smith is from Leduc, Alberta, but Humboldt is a city he will always hold dear. When Smith joined the Broncos in 2017-18 for his second season of Junior A hockey, he says he was welcomed into a locker room replete with talented players and better people. Togetherness with his teammates had drawn him to the sport from childhood, and now he was playing for a head coach, Darcy Haugan, who emphasized the importance of family when he spoke to his team.The Broncos at the 2018 NHL Awards. Ethan Miller / Getty ImagesTo Smith, those Broncos became a family in their own right. Everything they did together was easy, comfortable, special. Never a big scorer, Smith saw his role as a purveyor of humor, positivity - the properties that lighten a collective mood."As cliche as it sounds, the whole 'It's all about the boys' thing, it really is for me," he says.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are officially heading back to the postseason after defeating the New York Rangers 3-2 in a shootout.Friday's result also officially eliminates the Montreal Canadiens from playoff contention for the third time in four years.General manager Jarmo Kekalainen went all-in at the trade deadline to bolster his team's odds at advancing deeper into the playoffs. The Blue Jackets remain the only NHL club without a postseason series victory.Columbus has now reached the playoffs in three consecutive seasons after making it just twice over its first 15 campaigns.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A former governor and financial contributor to the Canadian Women's Hockey League made a pitch to save it.Graeme Roustan, the venture capitalist and former chairman of Bauer Hockey, sent a letter to the league's board on Friday, offering to assume control."I would like to immediately move forward with replacing all of you as directors/members and bring in my own team of directors/members with the intent of carrying on the CWHL next season and beyond," he wrote, according to TSN.Roustan requested a response by Friday at noon ET but claimed he didn't get one from CWHL chair Laurel Walzak or vice chair Art Mannarn as of that time.The league ceased operations Sunday after 12 years.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Quinn Hughes is officially Slovakia-bound.The Vancouver Canucks' top defensive prospect will represent the United States at the upcoming World Championship, the club confirmed Friday.Hughes notched a pair of assists in the Canucks' loss to the Nashville Predators on Thursday night and has three points in his first four NHL games.He joined the Canucks last month after posting 33 points in 32 contests during his sophomore and final season at the University of Michigan.Hughes also played for the U.S. at the worlds last year. Vancouver then selected the 19-year-old seventh overall at the NHL draft last June.His brother Jack, the presumptive No. 1 pick in the next draft, is reportedly likely to take part in the upcoming World Championship as well.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The last time the Carolina Hurricanes made the playoffs, their head coach, Rod Brind'Amour, was the team's captain.Carolina clinched its first postseason berth since 2008-09 after defeating the New Jersey Devils combined with the Montreal Canadiens' loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday.The Hurricanes' nine-year playoff drought was the longest active streak in the league. Ironically, Thursday is exactly 10 years to the day since they clinched their last playoff spot, according to The Athletic's Sara Civian.The road to the postseason was never a guarantee for Carolina. The Hurricanes sported a lackluster 16-17-5 record at the end of 2018 but have gone 29-12-2 in the new year.Carolina's first-round opponent is yet to be determined. The Canes could still finish as high as third in the Metro Division and as low as the second wild-card spot.The Buffalo Sabres now hold the NHL's longest active drought, having not reached the playoffs since the 2010-11 season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Michael Hutchinson will serve as the Toronto Maple Leafs' backup netminder for at least the next 10 days while Garret Sparks works with the club's goalie coaches, head coach Mike Babcock said Friday, as relayed by The Athletic's James Mirtle.Sparks, who was chosen as Toronto's backup ahead of Curtis McElhinney at the start of the year, has struggled mightily of late. The 25-year-old lost four of his last five outings and owns a .902 save percentage across 20 appearances this season.

The Colorado Avalanche locked down the last remaining playoff position in the Western Conference on Thursday by earning a point against the Winnipeg Jets, eliminating the Arizona Coyotes.Colorado owns the last-place Ottawa Senators' first-round pick, giving the club the rare distinction of competing in the postseason while boasting the highest odds at landing the No. 1 pick at the NHL draft.The Avalanche will make consecutive postseason appearances for the first time since 2004-2006 and will look for their first series victory since 2008.Colorado can still move into the first wild-card spot if it wins its final contest and the Dallas Stars lose each of their two remaining games in regulation.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nikita Kucherov continues to add to his case for the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player.With his 40th goal and 126th point of the season Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Tampa Bay Lightning superstar set a new benchmark for points in a season in the salary-cap era.PlayerPointsSeasonNikita Kucherov1262018-19Joe Thornton1252005-06Jaromir Jagr1232005-06Sidney Crosby1202006-07Connor McDavid1162018-19Dating back even further, Kucherov's 126 points are the most in a season since Jagr's 127 in 1998-99.Kucherov's 40th tally helped make some team history as well, as the Lightning became the first club since the 1995-96 Pittsburgh Penguins to have three 40-goal scorers, according to FOX Sports Florida.'19 LightningG'96 PenguinsGSteven Stamkos44Mario Lemieux69Brayden Point41Jaromir Jagr62Nikita Kucherov40Petr Nedved45The Lightning still have one game remaining in their historic season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals are Metropolitan Division champions for the fourth consecutive year after defeating the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.Washington has put itself in an excellent position to make a run at back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. The Caps have guaranteed themselves home-ice advantage through the first two rounds and will open the playoffs against the first wild-card seed in the Eastern Conference.The Capitals have now racked up a dozen division titles, including nine over the last 12 seasons.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins officially clinched a playoff berth for a league-best 13th consecutive season with a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.Pittsburgh turned things around following a sluggish start to its season, posting a record of 29-14-5 since Dec. 19.Sidney Crosby will have another opportunity to continue his ascent up the all-time playoff scoring charts. The two-time Conn Smythe Trophy winner sits tied for 10th with 185 postseason points and is just six points back of moving into the top seven.The Penguins have won five of their last six opening-round series and captured back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes has committed to playing for Team USA at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, TSN's Darren Dreger reported on Thursday's edition of "Insider Trading".Additionally, USA Hockey is considering bringing aboard Quinn's younger brother, Jack, as well. While no official decision has been made yet, Dreger reports it's "likely" that he'll be a part of Team USA for the tournament.Quinn is coming off an impressive campaign at the University of Michigan, as he tallied 33 points in 32 contests. The smooth-skating defenseman turned pro last week and has suited up in four games for the Canucks. This will mark his second straight year representing USA at the worlds after tallying two assists in 10 contests in 2018.Jack is the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. The shifty, highly skilled center has 48 points in 24 games with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program this season.The worlds will be held from May 10-26 in Bratislava, Slovakia. The United States will be looking to build off a bronze-medal performance in 2018.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

TORONTO - Barely 19 years old and only 80 games into his NHL career, Andrei Svechnikov is crafting a scene for a Hollywood movie script, whether he realizes it or not.Roaming the ice past midnight, the rink emptied out after Carolina Hurricanes home games, Svechnikov will shoot pucks until it hurts. The next morning, the Russian rookie will arrive for a team function like everybody else, sometimes with cuts and calluses on his hands - marks from pushing himself to the limit.Michael Martin / Getty ImagesIt's a late-night routine that legendary workhorse Jaromir Jagr would be proud of, and it's no stunt. He's already developed a reputation for being a tireless worker in the gym and on the ice, including last season while playing for the OHL's Barrie Colts."I'm young, you know, I have to work," Svechnikov smiled Tuesday, downplaying the late-night sessions in an interview prior to the Hurricanes' 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs.Linemate Jordan Martinook nods at a suggestion that Svechnikov's postgame regimen belongs in an inspirational sports flick. "They might have to do one on him and have Drago play Svech," Martinook said with a laugh, referencing Rocky Balboa's Russian nemesis in "Rocky IV."Despite that cinematic appeal, little fanfare has accompanied Svechnikov's strong rookie season. The Calder Trophy conversation is dominated by Elias Pettersson and filled out by the likes of Rasmus Dahlin, Jordan Binnington, Brady Tkachuk, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and Miro Heiskanen. Svechnikov, despite being the No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft, probably won't crack the top five in voting.Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesEven in Raleigh, Svechnikov's progress has been overshadowed by the Storm Surge phenomenon, the "Bunch of Jerks" rally cry, an 82-point season from No. 1 center Sebastian Aho, owner-driven headlines, trade rumors, and a late-season playoff push. With a regulation or overtime win against the Devils on Thursday and a Canadiens loss, the Canes will secure a playoff spot for the first time in a decade. (They'll also clinch with a shootout win if Montreal loses to the Capitals in regulation.)"I love it," Svechnikov said of the stretch drive. "Everything from the games to having fun in the locker room. We've already been playing for three weeks like it's playoffs. I've never played in the playoffs but it feels that way. We have to win every game."Svechnikov's basic stat line - 20 goals, 17 assists, plus-2 rating, 58 penalty minutes, 189 shots in 14:40 per night - may not jump off the page. His raw skills and physical package are tantalizing, though. Get used to seeing some variation of this power move for the next two decades:

As Glen Sather steps down from his role as New York Rangers president, there's one thing he wishes he could have accomplished."I certainly would have been happier about it if we'd won the Stanley Cup," the longtime executive told Larry Brooks of The New York Post on Thursday. "We had the opportunity to do it, but those three overtime losses in the (2014) final in L.A. … that’s the biggest regret."But then also the reality that we were starting to get older - not me personally, but the team - and we could see that we would need to make changes to get better. That's always painful."Sather informed the team Thursday that he'll be stepping back into a senior advisory role, and the club made it official later in the day.The 75-year-old will now work closely with Madison Square Garden chairman James Dolan on the search for a replacement that will begin immediately. Sather said he hopes to have a successor in place by July 1, but that it "would be great" if the team could hire someone before the draft on June 21."I can recommend the guy, but it's Jim's choice in the end," he added.Jeff Gorton will stay on as general manager.Sather joined the club in 2000 after winning the Cup five times as team president and GM of the Edmonton Oilers from 1984-90. He was also the head coach for four of those titles.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Darcy Kuemper has avoided a major injury scare.The Arizona Coyotes goaltender is expected to start Thursday night against the Vegas Golden Knights, his club confirmed pregame.The netminder was forced to leave Tuesday's contest against the Los Angeles Kings early in the third period after taking a stick through his mask.

Glen Sather will be retiring from his longtime role as the president of the New York Rangers by season's end, Sportsnet's John Shannon reports.Sather will still reportedly be an advisor to the executive chairman and CEO of the Madison Square Garden Company, James Dolan, but will not be involved in the day-to-day operation of the team.The news was first reported by TSN's Bob McKenzie, who added that the decision is entirely up to Sather.Sather joined the Rangers organization in 2000 as the club's president and general manager. The 75-year-old also assumed head coaching duties during parts of the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons.Following the 2014-15 season, he stepped down from his GM role and was replaced by the team's current GM, Jeff Gorton.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals will be without defenseman Michal Kempny in their quest to repeat as Stanley Cup champions, as the 28-year-old will be sidelined four-to-six months after undergoing surgery on a torn hamstring, the team announced.Kempny was taken hard into the boards March 20 versus the Tampa Bay Lightning and hasn't played since.After being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks prior to the 2018 deadline, Kempny emerged as an important presence on the blue line during the Capitals' march to their first championship in franchise history.He parlayed his strong first impression into a four-year, $10-million contract the following offseason and had recorded a career-high 24 points in 71 games before being sidelined.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jake Gardiner is aiming to suit up against the Tampa Bay Lightning following a lengthy injury absence."That's the plan right now, unless something changes, but yeah, I'm playing (Thursday night). Feeling pretty good," the Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman told reporters after the morning skate.Gardiner is officially a game-time decision, and his status for the contest will be determined based on how he feels when he returns to the rink, Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock told reporters, including TSN's Mark Masters.The 28-year-old blue-liner last played on Feb. 25 and has missed the last 18 games due to a back injury.The Leafs have gone 8-7-3 in Gardiner's absence. He has collected 29 points and ranks second on the club in average ice time through 60 contests.After Thursday's game, Toronto will conclude its regular-season schedule in Montreal on Saturday against the Canadiens.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Evgeni Malkin believes he'll be able to return from injury before the postseason gets underway."I feel I'm ready to play," the Pittsburgh Penguins superstar told reporters Wednesday. "I want (a) couple more games before playoffs. I need confidence back, I need (the) feel in (a) game, feeling (the) puck. I hope (Thursday) I wake up and I feel great and I'm ready to play."Malkin practiced with his teammates Wednesday, and head coach Mike Sullivan called him a game-time decision for Thursday's game against the Detroit Red Wings, which will be Pittsburgh's penultimate regular-season contest.He has missed the last eight games with what the club classified as an upper-body ailment, and was labeled week-to-week on March 17.Malkin has notched 50 assists and 71 points in 66 games this season.The Penguins close out their regular-season schedule Saturday night against the New York Rangers.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On the eve of his 40th birthday Thursday, Florida Panthers netminder Roberto Luongo is still undecided on whether he'll continue to man an NHL crease beyond the current campaign."I don't really want to make any decisions over the course of a season," Luongo said, according to The Associated Press. "Obviously, there's a lot of emotions involved with that and you want to make sure that you make the right decision for all parties involved. I still love to play the game, and we'll see where it goes."Luongo still has three years remaining on his contract, and his team-leading 2,286 minutes between the pipes this season may indicate that the veteran has some gas left in the tank.Known for his humorous social media presence, the five-time All-Star took to Twitter on Monday to poke some fun at the press for suggesting that recent injury concerns could lead to his retirement.

Marc-Andre Fleury is hoping to make at least one appearance in goal for the Vegas Golden Knights before the regular season comes to an end."We'll see what (coach Gerard Gallant) wants," Fleury said Wednesday, according to NHL.com's Nicholas J. Cotsonika. "But at least the last one. Hopefully maybe tomorrow too."The 34-year-old netminder has missed the team's last nine contests with an undisclosed injury. The Golden Knights play against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday before closing out the season against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.Fleury was sensational between the pipes for Vegas before his injury, winning his previous six starts and conceding just five goals in the process. Though he's relieved by the timing of his recovery, Fleury admits there's no way to simulate the pace and intensity of a real NHL game."I find you can do a lot in practice, a lot in the gym, but it's never like a game," Fleury said. "So I think it would be good to get out there and get into traffic, try to find pucks, and get used to the speed of the game a bit again. So, it'll be good."The three-time Stanley Cup champion was an essential part of the Golden Knights' magical run to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season last year. Fleury posted a record of 12-3 with a .947 save percentage and four shutouts through the first three rounds of the 2018 playoffs.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.