Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

NHL Short Notes

03/30/2023 at 5:19am EDT

* The “Comeback Cats” lived up to their nickname once again as Brandon Montour assisted on the tying tally with a minute remaining in regulation and scored the overtime winner to stun the Maple Leafs.

* The Central Division-leading Wild edged the third-place Avalanche to extend their road point streak to 11 games, which is one contest shy of the longest runs in the NHL this season.

* The Bruins and Golden Knights will have another opportunity to clinch the Presidents’ Trophy and a playoff berth, respectively, during Thursday’s 11-game slate, which also features the Hurricanes-Red Wings and Ducks-Kraken on ESPN+ and Hulu.

“COMEBACK CATS” RALLY PAST MAPLE LEAFS TO KEEP PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE
Brandon Montour assisted on the tying goal by Sam Reinhart (1-1—2) in the final minute of regulation and scored the overtime winner as the Panthers (37-31-7, 81 points) stunned the Maple Leafs to move within one point of the idle Penguins (36-28-10, 82 points), who occupy the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

* Montour (14-49—63 in 73 GP) reached 63 points on the season and established a new franchise record for most in a campaign by a Florida defenseman. Montour’s career-high 14 goals in 2022-23 include five game winners, which moved him past Aaron Ekblad (4 in 2017-18, 2015-16 & 2014-15) for the highest single-season total among Panthers blueliners.


WILD WITHSTAND AVALANCHE TO BUILD CENTRAL DIVISION LEAD
Frederick Gaudreau became the first player in franchise history to score multiple shorthanded goals in a game and Filip Gustavsson got 42 saves as Minnesota (44-22-9, 97 points) defeated Colorado to open a three-point lead atop the Central Division standings. The Wild extended their road point streak to 11 contests (8-0-3 dating to Feb. 23), which marks the third longest in franchise history following a 14- and 12-game run in 2016-17 (12-0-2) and 2014-15 (12-0-0), respectively.

* Gustavsson has generated a .933 save percentage this season, which marks the second highest in the NHL behind Bruins goaltender Linus Ullmark (.937 SV%). The franchise record for highest single-season save percentage is held by Devan Dubnyk (.936 SV% in 2014-15).


SOROKIN SECURING SHOOTOUT WIN TO STRETCH STREAK FEATURED IN LIVE UPDATES
Wednesday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates featured more notes from the three-game slate, including Ilya Sorokin (25 saves) stymying the Capitals in the shootout as the Islanders (39-28-9, 87 points) strengthened their grip on the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Sorokin improved to 8-1-1 in 10 appearances this month (2.29 GAA, .919 SV%), including a 5-0-1 mark in his last six dating to March 15 (2.14 GAA, .921 SV%).


QUICK CLICKS

* United by Hockey Mobile Museum arrives in Winnipeg on Friday
* Canada's Sports Hall of Fame spotlights five trailblazing Order of Sport recipients
* Devils, Rangers have Hudson River rivalry thriving

* Filip Chytil agrees to 4-year, $17.75 million contract with Rangers

* Ryan Nugent-Hopkins having career season for Oilers, dreaming of playoff run

CONFERENCE LEADERS CAN CLINCH PRESIDENTS’ TROPHY, PLAYOFF BERTH THURSDAY
The League-leading Bruins (57-12-5, 119 points) can lock up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and the Presidents’ Trophy in their 75th game, while the Golden Knights (46-22-6, 98 points) could become the first Western Conference club to clinch a berth in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs as 22 teams take to the ice Thursday. Specific clinching scenarios for both clubs will be posted at @PR_NHL before the puck drops.


DOUBLEHEADER ON ESPN+, HULU FEATURES HURRICANES-RED WINGS, DUCKS-KRAKEN
Thursday’s 11-game slate also features a doubleheader on ESPN+ and Hulu, with the Hurricanes (47-17-9, 103 points) visiting the Red Wings (32-32-9, 73 points) at Little Caesars Arena followed by the Kraken (40-25-8, 88 points) hosting the Ducks (23-41-10, 56 points) at Climate Pledge Arena.

* The work that goaltender John Gibson and his wife, Alexa, are doing for the Anaheim community is highlighted ahead of the Ducks’ game. John and Alexa started an initiative called Gibson’s Goals that focuses on adaptive and inclusive hockey programs and making the sport accessible to everyone. He has developed lasting relationships with the San Diego Ducks Sled Hockey Team and has worked with players from a local blind hockey league.


Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.

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About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

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