* The Devils hit the 100-point mark in franchise record-setting pace after clinching their first Stanley Cup Playoffs berth since 2018.

* Boston defeated Tampa Bay to secure the No.1 seed in its division for the seventh time in the past 20 years – tied for the second most among all teams over that span.

* Patrick Kane registered his 15th career 20-goal season and climbed two elite lists of U.S.-born players in the process.

* Sunday’s slate features five games, including a matchup between the NHL-leading Bruins and Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes.

via the YouTube page of Sportsnet,

Jeff Marek and Elliotte Friedman join Ron MacLean to share some fresh NHL intel, including possible rookie signings out of the NCAA and CHL and the latest on the Ottawa Senators sale.

from Larry Brooks of the NNew York Post,

My opinion on the matter that is engulfing the NHL is that the Panthers organization showed great courage in holding a night in support of the LGBTQ+ community in a state where such corporate endorsement is not always looked upon favorably by governing bodies with power to punish.

I believe captain Matthew Tkachuk’s unambiguous support of inclusivity is significantly more noteworthy than the decision of Eric and Marc Staal to defer from participating in Thursday’s pregame warmups in which all of their teammates wore Pride-themed jerseys.

“A night like tonight, for me, is really about including everybody,” Tkachuk said. “In my opinion, it’s by far the greatest game in the world, and everyone’s invited in my locker room and our locker room as an organization.”

And I believe that the unqualified endorsement of the NHL’s initiative by Connor McDavid certainly outweighs the significance of San Jose goaltender James Reimer’s decision to opt out of pregame warmups when the Sharks held their Pride Night a week ago.

continued

I am not sure how to recap this, but boy I sure would like to see a video without all the added graphics/cgi added in. But then, the NHL is not marketing to me.

No scoring in the first period, the Wings had 6 minutes of failed power play time.

The second period was almost a replay of the first except the Flyers scored with 36 seconds left. 1-0 Philly after 40 minutes.

The Flyers added an empty net goal in the third to win 3-0. Story of the game, 7 power play opportunities for Detroit, 8 shots but no goals.

Team Stats

Below, find two videos from Bally Sports Detroit.

Good day and welcome to all. I want to get all 19 of us set up for today’s game against the Flyers, and, I’m not going be around for a portion of this afternoon’s game. I guess I’m mailing it in today……

It’s the Wings vs the Flyers. The puck drops around 1:00 PM and will be broadcast on Bally Sports Detroit as well as WXYT-FM 97.1. Also available on NHLPP/ESPN+ and NBCSP.

It’s a Live Blog!

from Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe,

He said he knows there are still plenty of fans who like to see the fists fly. He also believes clubs with that certain toughness factor are tough to beat, especially come playoff time — even in a league that increasingly emphasizes speed and skill.

“So I don’t think it should ever leave,” said Marchand, 34, who grew up in Nova Scotia but played for three teams in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. “Again, I think it does hold guys accountable still, to a point where cheap shots are allowed or big enough hits and you can go after guys, and I think it does keep guys in check a little bit more.

“If you lose that ability, then it does open the doors to a whole other . . . you’re completely relying on player safety [in the NHL office] for each and every play, and then that’s going to get out of control.”

Some of what’s happening in the “Q,” mused Marchand, might simply be traceable to the province’s separatist yearnings.

“You know, they’re just a little bit different, those guys up there [in Quebec],” he said. “They’re on their own page. They want their own country. And maybe that’s all — they’re just trying to advocate for what they can.”

more and other topics too

from Mark Madden of the Pittsburgh Tribune,

Jarry hasn’t displayed much consistency when he’s been available this season. He played 13 games since returning from his latest injury, getting pulled four times. His goals-against average on the year is 2.98, which ranks 32nd in the NHL. His save percentage of .908 stands 21st. So, Jarry isn’t sparkling when he can play.

Does Jarry have good moments? Sure. Every goalie does.

But Jarry broke into the NHL in 2017, and he’s never truly established himself as a No. 1 goalie.

There have been too many injuries, too many failures, and he’s never won a playoff series. Heck, he’s only played in eight playoff games, going 2-6.

Jarry played in one full series, a 2021 first-round loss to the New York Islanders. Jarry did a lot to lose that series, not least an awful turnover in the second overtime of Game 5 that gifted the Islanders the game-winning goal and a three-games-to-two series lead.

Jarry made two All-Star thingies, but who cares? Small potatoes.

Does Jarry help you win? The answer is no, not enough.

The decision to let Jarry go is made easier when you consider he reportedly wants a six-year contract worth $6 million per. Perhaps those demands come down given recent circumstances, but Jarry shouldn’t be retained at any price unless it’s so meager that the Penguins have money to sign a co-No. 1 goalie.

more

from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,

Did money play a role in the decision made by the Detroit Red Wings to deal veteran defenseman Filip Hronek to the Vancouver Canucks? Someone with impeccable hockey credentials is of the opinion that it did.

Speaking on the Donnie And Dhali podcast on Vancouver’s CHEK, Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman, who guided the Red Wings to three Stanley Cups, felt that perhaps Detroit GM Steve Yzerman was looking ahead to a near future that will see him paying big bucks to both Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson.

“I guess Detroit, they were looking to the future,” Bowman reasoned. “Maybe they can’t afford to pay him what he’s gonna end up getting. They’ve got some young defensemen. They’ve got Moritz Seider, who’s there now, and they got a really good young guy, Simon Edvinsson.”

Hronek will be paid $5.5 million next season. He’ll be an RFA in 2024. That’s when 2021-22 Calder Trophy winner Seider will be up for his second contract. Two years later, it’ll be Edvinsson’s turn to get paid.

continue for prospect talk...

Some interesting answers, like Mitch Marner saying he would pay to watch himself play.

The last few weeks I've been laying low and dealing with health issues again. In and out and in again of emergency rooms and hospitals is not what I planned for but I am dealing with this as best as I can. Yes I am growing very tired of this but refuse to give in to this disease.

I've been experiencing stomach issues and now have been diagnosed with diabetic macular edema (DME). Basically fluid builds up behind the retina causing blurred vision. I am meeting with an eye specialist on April 10th and will know the course of action then.

I'm tired, drained and just want to feel better. Please keep me in your thoughts.

* Kent Johnson brought the crowd to its feet at Nationwide Arena when he scored the sixth ‘Michigan’ goal in NHL history on the 27th anniversary of when Mike Legg first introduced it to the world while playing for the University of Michigan – also Johnson’s alma mater.

* Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby are set for their 65th regular-season matchup when the Capitals visit the Penguins during a primetime bout at 8. p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+.

* A loaded 15-game Saturday will also feature the Bruins looking to secure the Atlantic Division title, while the Devils take another crack at clinching a spot in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

On the 27th anniversary of the original Michigan goal by Mike Legg.

NEW YORK (March 24, 2023) – The National Hockey League today issued the following statement regarding Arizona Coyotes’ minority owner Andrew Barroway:

“The National Hockey League is aware of the arrest of Arizona Coyotes’ minority owner Andrew Barroway. Pending further information, he has been suspended indefinitely.”

via the Aspen Daily News,

from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

Alex Nedeljkovic cut his hair and shaved his mustache, looking much different sitting in front of his stall in the Detroit Red Wings dressing room after practice Friday.

He hopes he will look different on the ice, too, Saturday in Philadelphia (1 p.m., Bally Sports Detroit) when he makes his first start for the Red Wings in 3½ months.

Different at least from how he started the season in Detroit, but similar to how he played in Grand Rapids, where he gained some rhythm and confidence.

“I’ve felt really good, especially these last 2½-3 weeks,” Nedeljkovic said. “I felt like I’ve kind of gotten back to myself, gotten back to what’s worked for me in the past and what’s made me successful.”

Nedeljkovic is back because Ville Husso is out with a lower-body injury. He will make his first NHL start since Dec. 8 because Magnus Hellberg was not sharp Thursday, when Nedeljkovic replaced him midway through the second period of a 4-3 loss to St. Louis.

“It’s unfortunate that Huss is dealing with something. You never want to see anybody get hurt,” Nedeljkovic said. “But that’s the job. I’m just thankful for another opportunity.”

continued

Below watch Ned after today's practice along with coach Lalonde.

Ansar Khan tweet,

practice prior to playing in Philly tomorrow at 1 on ⁦@BallySportsDET⁩
Seven D, including Edvinsson and Lindstrom, skating. Zadina not skating among the forwards, Erne is. Hellberg and Nedeljkovic in the nets. Husso still out.

from Eric Francis of Sportsnet

Passed by the Nashville Predators, ghosted by the Winnipeg Jets and humbled by the Golden Knights.

Three clubs got the best of the Calgary Flames on Thursday, leaving only one group of lads who have themselves to blame.

In a season full of gut punches, this one may very well be the blow the Calgary Flames aren’t capable of getting up from.

Sure feels that way right now.

Their heads were bowed as they left the ice, their eyes fixed straight ahead as they tried their best to explain a devastating, 3-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

The players suggested the most troubling part of the loss was coming out flat – devoid of desperation to open a game of this magnitude.

continued

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

"I loved our start but really disappointed how we handled the goals against," coach Derek Lalonde said. "It's a reality of where we're at, and instead of feeling sorry for ourselves for the next four or five minutes after the goals scored, go play the game right.

"I hated the way we handled it and how we just lost momentum and energy every time a goal went in. That game was there for the taking and we let it get away from us."...

Simon Edvinsson scored his first NHL goal, and Jake Walman and Alex Chiasson scored the Wings' (31-31-9) goals.

"We were off to a good start and the bench felt energized, but it's a tough league to let go," Chiasson said. "You give an inch there and the next thing you know, they grab momentum and we found ourselves chasing the game a little bit.

"It's a good lesson for our group. We came back in the third (period) and found a way to get back in there but we have to find a way to play 60 minutes. The league is too good to let down and let other teams come back in these types of games."

more

Below we have Edvinsson, Chiasson and Lalonde discussing the game.

* The Hurricanes are officially headed back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs by virtue of the Panthers’ regulation loss Thursday.

* The League-leading Bruins defeated the Canadiens to reach 55 wins and 115 points with 11 games remaining this season.

* The Devils can join the Bruins and Hurricanes as the third team to clinch a berth in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs when they square off with the Sabres on Friday.

The Wings came out strong, scoring two goals in the first 1 1/2 minutes of the game. The Blues added a goal to make it 2-1 after 20 minutes of play.

In period two, the Blues scored three times, the Wings did not score. 4-2 Blues after the second period.

Detroit scored with just over two minutes to go to make it 4-3 (Detroit goalie pulled) but could not get the equalizer. Blues win 4-3.

Team Stats

Below watch a few BSD videos and the Detroit goals.

from George Richards of Florida Hockey Now.

Florida Panthers veterans Eric and Marc Staal did not come out for warmups with their team on Thursday night in protest of the team’s Pride Night.

The two brothers cited religious differences in making their decision....

In a joint statement, the Staal brothers said they “carry no judgement” on “how people live their lives.”

From the statement: “After many thoughts, prayers and discussions we have chosen not to wear a pride jersey tonight.

“We carry no judgement on how people choose to live their lives, and believe that all people should be welcome in all aspects of the game of hockey.

“Having said that, we feel that by us wearing a pride jersey it goes against our Christian beliefs.

“We hope you can respect this statement, we will not be speaking any further on this matter and would like to continue to focus on the game and helping the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup.

more

Hello and welcome to all. The Wings face off against the Blues tonight so I’m expecting a boring kinda game. The win the other night helped to slightly boost the morale of Wings fans, which is way better than what the alternative outcome would have done. Also, it’s getting nicer outside so watching is as always, optional. The countdown begins shortly to end the season as there are eleven games remaining after tonight’s tilt.

Hellberg gets the start tonight as Husso is dealing with a “lower body” something or other. Nedeljkovic is up from GR for backup duties.

It’s the Blues vs the Wings. The puck will drop sometime around 7:00 PM and will be broadcast on Bally Sports Detroit and the Red Wings Radio Network (97.1 The Ticket in Detroit). Also available on NHLPP/ESPN+ and BSMW.

It’s a Live Blog!

The world watched as Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout to push Japan to the World Baseball Classic title, but it was also a grim reminder to hockey fans who have been starved from best-on-best play since 2016. Does the NHL have any plans to bring back the World Cup, or Olympic participation? What have been the hurdles to make it possible? TSN Hockey Insiders Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun discuss this and more.

Watch at TSN