The idle Devils clinched a berth into the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs and locked in a First Spherical matchup towards the Hurricanes after Tyson Foerster’s hat trick propelled the Flyers previous the Rangers.* Joel Eriksson Ek scored 4 objectives and Macklin Celebrini netted his first profession hat trick and five-point outing in a 15-goal thriller between the Wild and Sharks. The 2024-25 season grew to become the fifth previously 30 years to function a number of video games with dueling hat methods (additionally April 5) following 2023-24 (2x), 2006-07 (2x), 2000-01(2x) and 1995-96 (2x).
* Twenty-two-year-old Matthew Knies joined uncommon Maple Leafs firm within the NHL’s enlargement period with two hat methods in a single season and lifted Toronto previous Tampa Bay in time beyond regulation throughout a vital Atlantic Division conflict.
* Wednesday was the NHL’s first day to function 4 gamers rating a hat trick since Feb. 19, 2024. The final day with extra was April 1, 2023 (5).* Thursday options 10 of the common season’s last 64 video games, with the storyline-stacked slate highlighted by the return of NHL Coast to Coast on Prime Video Canada and the Capitals celebrating Alex Ovechkin in the course of the opener of a doubleheader on ESPN+.
DEVILS CLINCH, LOCK IN FIRST ROUND SERIES AGAINST HURRICANES
The idle Devils, who’ve held a top-three position in the Metropolitan Division for all but one day this season, grew to become the seventh Jap Convention workforce to clinch a playoff spot and did so by advantage of a Rangers loss to the Flyers. New Jersey’s berth additionally locked in a First Spherical sequence towards Carolina.
* The Hurricanes and Devils will contest their sixth postseason sequence and fourth in the course of the opening spherical (additionally 2009 CQF, 2002 CQF & 2001 CQF). The Hurricanes maintain a 4-1 report of their 5 earlier sequence towards the Devils, together with wins in every of the previous 4. New Jersey’s solely sequence win towards Carolina got here in the course of the 2001 Conference Quarterfinals en path to reaching the Stanley Cup Remaining.
* In three of the earlier 5 matchups, the workforce that superior, made it to the Stanley Cup Remaining (NJD in 2001, CAR in 2002 & 2006). The 2006 Hurricanes are the one occasion that produced a Stanley Cup champion.
ERIKSSON EK SCORES FOUR, CELEBRINI POTS FIVE POINTS IN 15-GOAL THRILLER
Joel Eriksson Ek (4-0—4) accounted for half of Minnesota’s eight tallies in his first recreation since Feb. 22 and Macklin Celebrini (3-2—5) netted his first NHL hat trick because the Sharks almost overcame a three-goal, third-period deficit, however Kirill Kaprizov (2-1—3) scored 1:01 into time beyond regulation as the 2 golf equipment mixed for 15 objectives and matched the highest single-game total this season (additionally LAK at OTT on Oct. 14). Minnesota (43-29-7, 93 factors) leapfrogged St. Louis (43-30-7, 93 factors) for the primary Wild Card spot within the West by advantage of fewer video games performed.
* Eriksson Ek grew to become the second participant in Wild historical past to score at least four goals in a game, following Marian Gaborik (5 on Dec. 20, 2007). He additionally notched his third profession hat trick and tied Matt Boldy in addition to Zach Parise for the third most in franchise history.
* Celebrini, who established and matched single-season franchise information for points and multi-goal games, grew to become the primary 18-year-old in Sharks historical past to attain a hat trick and simply the NHL’s third to take action previously eight years following Leo Carlsson (Nov. 10, 2023) and Cole Sillinger (March 13, 2022).
* Will Smith (1-3—4) scored the tying objective with simply 52 seconds remaining in regulation and joined Celebrini because the second Sharks rookie to notch 4 factors within the contest. The Sharks grew to become the primary workforce for the reason that 1988-89 Rangers to function two rookies with 4 factors in the identical recreation (Brian Leetch: 2-2—4 & Tony Granato: 4-0—4 on Oct. 30, 1988).
ICYMI: Marc-Andre Fleury’s three youngsters joined him on the ice prior for introductions and the national anthemforward of Wednesday’s contest. He concluded the competition along with his seventieth profession time beyond regulation win and handed Martin Brodeur for essentially the most in NHL historical past.
KNIES COMPLETES HAT TRICK IN OT AS MAPLE LEAFS PAD LEAD ATOP ATLANTIC
Mitch Marner (1-2—3) and Auston Matthews (0-3—3) every posted three-point video games, but it surely was 22-year-old Matthew Knies who accomplished his second hat trick of the season in time beyond regulation to elevate the Maple Leafs (48-26-4, 100 factors) to a fourth straight 100-point season and a three-point edge on the Lightning (45-26-7, 97 factors) atop the Atlantic Division.
* Knies grew to become the seventh player in Maple Leafs history to finish a hat trick with an time beyond regulation objective and first since Mats Sundin on Oct. 14, 2006. With each hat trick this season, AstraZeneca will donate $3,000 to the Hockey Fights Most cancers Fund of the V Basis as much as $300,000.
* Toronto’s 4 consecutive 100-point seasons are tied with Colorado for the NHL’s longest energetic run. Previous to the Avalanche, the final set of groups to put up not less than 4 consecutive 100-point seasons have been the Capitals (5 from 2014-15 – 2018-19) and Penguins (4 from 2015-16 – 2018-19).
McDAVID POTS THREE ASSISTS FOR THE OILERS IN RETURN TO THE LINEUP
Connor McDavid (0-3—3) assisted on three of 4 Oilers objectives, together with a major help on Connor Brown’s go-ahead tally with 21 seconds remaining in regulation as Edmonton (45-28-5, 95 factors) moved inside two factors of idle Los Angeles (44-24-9, 97 factors) for second place within the Pacific Division standings; the Kings personal a recreation in hand (LAK: 77 GP; EDM: 78 GP).
* Wednesday marked the 53rd time McDavid – who eclipsed 65 helpers in a single season for the fifth straight season (26-67—93 in 64 GP) – has collected three assists in a recreation, tying Doug Gilmour for 16th on the NHL’s all-time list.
QUICK CLICKS
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* Zeev Buium chasing 2nd straight national championship at Frozen Four
THE HUNT FOR LORD STANLEY BEGINS WHEN REGULAR SEASON ENDS IN ONE WEEK
The 64 video games remaining within the common season are set to find out 4 playoff spots (three within the West, one within the East), seven First Spherical matchups, the Presidents’ Trophy winner, the No. 1 seed in each conferences, the No. 1 seed in three divisions, residence ice within the First Spherical for 5 golf equipment, and winners of three NHL awards.
* 4 Playoff Spots Up for Grabs: The Canadiens (39-30-9, 87 factors) can clinch the ultimate berth within the Jap Convention, whereas the Oilers (45-28-5, 95 factors), Blues (43-30-7, 93 factors) and Wild (43-29-7, 93 factors) look to lock up the Western Convention’s final three spots. Minnesota (April 11 at CGY & April 12 at VAN) performs a pair of pivotal contests towards intraconference groups trying to preserve their postseason hopes alive, whereas Montreal carries a six-game successful streak into its last 4 outings.
* Seven First Spherical Matchups to Be Determined: Some matchups have been trending for some time, however just one has been locked in (CAR vs. NJD). The record of potential sequence consists of: the Battle of Ontario (TOR vs. OTT), Battle of Florida (TBL vs. FLA), a Tkachuk brothers showdown (FLA vs. OTT), a Presidents’ Trophy contender towards the reigning Stanley Cup champions (WSH vs. FLA), the League’s No. 1 workforce towards one of many League’s hottest groups (WPG vs. STL) and Mikko Rantanen towards his former membership (DAL vs. COL).
* The Presidents’ Trophy Race: 4 groups can clinch first place within the NHL together with the Jets (53-21-4, 110 factors) and Capitals (49-19-9, 107 factors), with both Winnipeg or Washington occupying the highest spot by way of 135 of 170 gamedays this season (WPG: 99; WSH: 36) together with each since Jan. 14. The Jets can pocket their first Presidents’ Trophy in franchise historical past, whereas the Capitals can clinch the membership’s fourth to tie the Bruins and Rangers for the second most since the award was first presented in 1985-86 (DET: 6). Final yr, New York grew to become the fourth workforce to clinch first place in an 82-game season throughout its last contest of the marketing campaign following the 2011-12 Canucks, 2008-09 Sharks and 1997-98 Stars.
* High Spot in Every Convention: The Jets (135 of 170) and Capitals (108 of 170) have occupied first place of their convention for almost all of gamedays this season and might clinch the No. 1 seed for the first and fifth time in franchise historical past, respectively. Winnipeg and Washington mixed for only one playoff win final yr however loved noteworthy turnarounds and look to log prolonged playoff runs starting with a First Spherical matchup towards groups occupying Wild Card 2 spots.
* Three Division Titles on the Desk: Washington is the one workforce to have secured a division title (its sixth since 2014-15). Within the Western Convention, Vegas tops the Pacific Division because it goals to safe its fourth in eight NHL seasons and Winnipeg leads the Central Division because it inches nearer to its first No. 1 end in a division since relocation (ATL topped the Southeast in 2006-07) – holding the highest spot by way of 148 gamedays thus far in 2024-25. The Atlantic Division stays broad open as Toronto vies for its third division title previously 25 years, Tampa Bay seeks its fifth division title and Florida tries to remain within the hunt to turn out to be the primary repeat winners of the Atlantic for the reason that Lightning(2017-18 to 2018-19).
* Scoring Trophy Races Might Go All the way down to Remaining Day of Season: The Artwork Ross and Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy races can each come right down to the wire. Nikita Kucherov (34-82—116 in 74 GP) has trailed Nathan MacKinnon (32-84—116 in 79 GP) in factors for almost all of 2024-25 however may turn out to be the fourth participant within the final 30 years to overhaul the lead in factors in the course of the last day of the common season when the Lightning play on April 17 (additionally Jamie Benn in 2014-15, Peter Forsberg in 2002-03 & Jaromir Jagr in 1994-95). That day can even see William Nylander (44-38—82 in 78 GP) and Tage Thompson (44-27—71 in 71 GP) in motion as they proceed to chase Leon Draisaitl (52-54—106 in 71 GP), who has led the League in objectives since Dec. 5 (outright or tied) however missed seven of Edmonton’s previous 10 video games, for his or her first Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy.
* William M. Jennings Trophy Might Be a Repeat: The Jets have the fewest objectives towards within the NHL, and solely Connor Hellebuyck is in competition to assert the award in the event that they end that manner (min. 25 GP). He can turn out to be the primary goaltender to be the lone Jennings Trophy winner in consecutive seasons (Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy and BrianHayward all gained in consecutive campaigns whereas sharing it with a teammate or with a netminder from one other workforce). Hellebuyck may turn out to be the fifth goaltender on report to tempo the NHL in wins, shutouts, save proportion and goals-against common on the finish of a season – he at present leads all 4 classes, and is assured to complete with essentially the most wins.
CAPITALS TO CELEBRATE MASTERTON NOMINEE OVECHKIN COMPLETING THE GR8 CHASE
Washington will rejoice Alex Ovechkin just lately scoring his 895th profession objective and passing Wayne Gretzky (894) for the most in NHL history throughout a pre-game ceremony earlier than clashing with Carolina at Capital One Area. Ovechkin, who achieved the feat as soon as believed to be unreachable after lacking 16 video games as a result of a fractured left fibula, was named the Capitals’ Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominee Wednesday.
* Ovechkin owns a five-game objective streak and wishes 5 tallies over Washington’s last 5 video games to turn out to be the primary participant in League historical past with 900 in his profession. Ovechkin and Monumental Sports activities & Leisure will proceed to donate to pediatric most cancers analysis for every objective he scores, with THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer marketing campaign having already raised over $120,000.
