* All four First Round matchups in the Eastern Conference are now locked in following the Tuesday slate: Buffalo (A1) vs. Boston (WC1), Tampa Bay (A2) vs. Montreal (A3), Carolina (M1) vs. Ottawa (WC2) and Pittsburgh (M2) vs. Philadelphia (M3).

* The Mammoth have five 100-point players through their first two NHL seasons. Those five skaters all found the score sheet against the Jets and helped the club secure Wild Card 1 in the West, with a First Round matchup against the Golden Knights or Oilers waiting in the wings.

* The penultimate day of the regular season features a pair of national broadcasts when the Stars and Sabres meet on TNT, while the Maple Leafs and Senators battle on Sportsnet. The six-game slate will be capped with Vegas hosting Seattle and hoping to clinch the first seed in the Pacific Division.

FINAL TWO FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS IN THE EAST LOCKED IN

The Eastern Conference’s final two First Round matchups were set in stone Tuesday night: the Bruins’ victory against the Devils secured a meeting between Boston (WC1) and Buffalo (A1), which also locked in an opening round series between Carolina (M1) – the top seed in the Conference – and Ottawa (WC2).

* David Pastrnak (0-1—1) factored one of his team’s four goals to reach the 100-point mark for the fourth consecutive season – tied with Nikita Kucherov (4 dating to 2022-23), Nathan MacKinnon (4 dating to 2022-23) and Leon Draisaitl (4 from 2021-22 to 2024-25) for the second-longest streak among active players behind Connor McDavid (6 dating to 2020-21). He also tied Kucherov and Draisaitl for the third-longest such run by a player born outside North America, behind only Peter Stastny (6) and Jari Kurri (5).

 
* The Sabres and Bruins will play their ninth head-to-head playoff series and first since Boston’s six-game win in the 2010 Conference Quarterfinals – the Bruins have a 6-2 record through the eight previous meetings, including victories versus then-Sabres forward Lindy Ruff during the 1988 Division Semifinals, 1983 Division Finals and 1982 Division Semifinals. Buffalo’s wins were in the 1999 Conference Semifinals and 1993 Division Semifinals, the latter of which was capped by Rick Jeanneret’s legendary “May Day! May Day! May Day!” call when Brad May had his overtime clincher to complete the sweep.

* For more #NHLStats about matchups ahead of the First Round, click here and use the drop-down menu to peruse each team.

* Brandon Bussi recorded his 31st career win and helped Carolina (53-22-7, 113 points) finish second in the League standings – tied for its best finish in franchise history (also 2022-23). Only six goaltenders in League history had more wins than Bussi in their first NHL season: Bill Durnan (38 in 1943-44), Ron Hextall (37 in 1986-87), Roman Cechmanek (35 in 2000-01), Steve Mason (33 in 2008-09), Frank Brimsek (33 in 1938-39) and Mike Liut (32 in 1979-80).  

* The Hurricanes and Senators will play their first head-to-head playoff series. Carolina has an all-time record of 8-7 in its first series against a franchise, while Ottawa is 7-5.

TOP PRODUCERS HELP MAMMOTH LOCK IN WILD CARD 1 IN WEST

Nick Schmaltz (2-0—2) Logan Cooley (1-1—2), Clayton Keller (0-1—1), Dylan Guenther (0-1—1) and Mikhail Sergachev (0-1—1) are the only five players with 100 or more total points for the Mammoth in the past two seasons and they each found the score sheet as Utah secured the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. The Mammoth will either play the Golden Knights or Oilers in the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

* The Mammoth enter their first-ever postseason among rare company as one of only three franchises in NHL history to feature five players with 100-plus points through their first two seasons, alongside the Nordiques (6) and Whalers (5).

* Keller collected a secondary helper on a must-see passing play in the third period to reach the 60-assist mark for the second time in as many seasons. He became the 12th American player in NHL history to record consecutive 60-assist campaigns, and the sixth active.
 

FLYERS YOUTH SPARKS VICTORY ON HOME ICE

Philadelphia’s youth led the way against Montreal, with Matvei Michkov (1-2—3), Porter Martone (1-1—2) and Oliver Bonk (1-1—2) each registering multi-point performances to lift the Flyers to victory in their final game of the regular season. In the process, their regulation win helped the Lightning secure the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Division and home-ice advantage versus the Canadiens.

* Michkov recorded his eighth career three-point game and tied Bill Barber and Mel Bridgman for the fourth most by a Flyers player at age 21 or younger. Michkov (20-31—51) became the eighth Flyers player to start their NHL career with consecutive 20-goal seasons and the first since Simon Gagne (3 from 1999-00 – 2001-02).

* Martone recorded two points and tied Sean Couturier (6 GP in 2011-12), Mike Ricci (6 GP in 1990-91) and Peter Zezel (6 GP in 1984-85) for the second-longest point streak by a Flyers teenager, behind Eric Lindros (7 GP in 1992-93).

* Bonkbecame the first defenseman to score in his NHL debut with the Flyers and just the third with multiple points, following Gord Murphy (0-2—2 in 1988-89) and Behn Wilson (0-2—2 in 1978-79). Bonk is the son of Radek Bonk, who recorded 194-303—497 in 969 NHL games and was in attendance at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

PLAYERS HIT NOTABLE FEATS IN LIVE UPDATES AS SEASON WINDS DOWN

The latest edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates saw players accomplish notable feats in their final few games of the 2025-26 regular season.
 

* Martin Necas collected an assist on Nathan MacKinnon’s NHL-leading 53rd goal of the season to reach the 100-point mark for the first time in his career (38-62—100) and help the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche match a franchise record for road wins in a single campaign (29). Necas (Nove Mesto na Morave, CZE) joined his fellow countrymen David Pastrnak (29-71—100) as the second Czech-born player to reach the 100-point milestone in 2025-26 – the first campaign in NHL history to feature multiple 100-point Czech players.  

* Jakob Chychrun netted another game winner with his 26th goal of 2025-26 and matched Sergei Gonchar (26 in 2001-02) for the third most in a season by a Capitals defenseman, behind only Kevin Hatcher (34 in 1992-93) and Mike Green (31 in 2008-09).

QUICK CLICKS

* Capitals will ‘support’ Alex Ovechkin as he weighs future
* Alex Ovechkin visits Blue Jackets morning skate before finale
* NHL EDGE stats behind Jonathan Quick‘s elite goaltending career
* Final ABC Hockey Saturday of regular season delivers strong viewership

VEGAS VIES FOR DIVISION TITLE ON PENULTIMATE DAY OF 2025-26 REGULAR SEASON

The second-last day of the 2025-26 regular season opens with the Atlantic Division’s No. 1-seeded Sabres (50-23-8, 108 points) battling the Central Division’s No. 2-seeded Stars (49-20-12, 110 points) in a game nationally broadcast in the U.S. on TNT. Wednesday closes with the Pacific Division-leading Golden Knights (38-26-17, 93 points) looking to secure the Pacific Division title when they host the Kraken (34-35-11, 79 points) at T-Mobile Arena. Vegas aims to capture its fifth division title, which would break a tie with Washington, Colorado and Carolina (all w/ 4) for the most since the franchise entered the League in 2017-18.

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled forwards Mitchell Chaffee and Jakob Pelletier from the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, Vice President and General Manager Julien BriseBois announced today. In addition, forward Conor Geekie has beenreassigned to AHL Syracuse. 

Chaffee, 28, has skated in 54 games with the Crunch this season, logging 24 goals and 57 points with seven power-play goals. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound forward ranks third forgoals and fourth for points among all Syracuse skaters, while his 33 assists are good for fifth. Chaffee has appeared in 177 career AHL games between the Crunch and Iowa Wild, recording 66 goals and 146 points with a plus-40 rating and 23 power-play goals. 

A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Chaffee has played in 10 games with Tampa Bay this season, registering 24 hits while averaging 9:11 of time on ice. He has skated in 108career NHL games between the Lightning and Minnesota Wild, recording 16 goals and 25 points with four power-play goals. Chaffee was originally undrafted and was signed by Tampa Bay as a free agent on July 1, 2023. 

Pelletier, 25, has played in 63 games with Syracuse this season, recording 28 goals and 77 points to lead the AHL for scoring while ranking third for assists (50) and tied foreighth for goals. The 5-foot-10, 172-pound forward has also netted five shorthanded goals this season, tied for the most among all AHL skaters. Pelletier has skated in 202 career AHL games between the Crunch, Calgary Wranglers and Stockton Heat, logging 79goals and 207 points with 13 game-winning tallies. 

A native of Quebec City, Quebec, Pelletier has played in four contests with Tampa Bay this season, firing three shots on goal while averaging 8:53 of time on ice. He has appearedin 90 career NHL games between the Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers and Calgary Flames, registering 11 goals and 29 points with three game-winners. Pelletier was originally drafted by Calgary in the first round, 26^th overall, of the 2019 NHL Draftand was signed by Tampa Bay as a free agent on July 2, 2025. 

Geekie, 21, has skated in 56 games with Syracuse this season, recording 17 goals and 59 points with a plus-13 rating and seven power-play goals. He ranks second among all Crunchskaters for assists (42) and points while his 17 goals are good for fourth. The 6-foot-4, 212-pound forward has played in 80 career AHL games, all with Syracuse, logging 28 goals and 79 points with 15 power-play tallies. 

A native of Strathclair, Manitoba, Geekie has appeared in 14 games with the Lightning this season, registering one goal and three points while averaging 9:54 of time on ice.He has skated in 66 career NHL games, all with the Bolts, recording nine goals and 17 points with three game-winning tallies. Geekie was originally drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the first round, 11^th overall, of the 2022 NHL Draft and was acquiredby Tampa Bay via trade on June 29, 2024. 

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed defenseman Ben Dexheimer to a one-year entry-level contract beginning in the 2026-27 season, and forward Rieger Lorenz to a two-year entry-level contract beginning in the 2026-27 season. Dexheimer and Lorenz will both join the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL) on an amateur tryout (ATO) for the remainder of this season.

Dexheimer, 23 (6/21/02), collected 28 points (7-21=28), 10 penalty minutes (PIM), 80 shots on goal and 56 blocked shots in 39 games during his senior season at the University of Wisconsin, serving as team captain. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound native of Edina, Minn., led Wisconsin with 21:21 in time on ice (TOI), ranked second in assists and blocked shots, fourth in points, sixth in shots on goal and T-7th in goals, and helped lead the Badgers to the 2026 NCAA Frozen Four. He was also named to the All-Big Ten First Team.

In four seasons at Wisconsin (2022-26), Dexheimer collected 84 points (13-71=84), 40 PIM, 269 shots on goal and 192 blocked shots over a span of 149 games. He led all team defensemen in points (1-16=17) and assists during his junior season in 2024-25 and led team defensemen in points (5-23=28), goals and assists during his sophomore season in 2023-24.

Prior to his collegiate career, Dexheimer skated in 60 games in one season with the Madison Capitols (2021-22) of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and recorded 47 points (8-39=47). He led the Capitols in assists and ranked third in points.

Lorenz, 22 (3/30/04), collected 35 points (17-18=35), 38 penalty minutes (PIM), 103 shots on goal, a plus-25 rating, two power-play goals (PPG) and three game-winning goals (GWG) in 43 games and served as an alternate captain during his senior season at the University of Denver in 2025-26. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound native of Calgary, Alberta, ranked second on the team in points, goals and plus/minus rating to help guide the Pioneers to a 2026 NCAA Championship. He scored a goal in the Pioneers 2-1 victory over the University of Wisconsin in the NCAA Championship Game and was named to the 2026 Frozen Four All-Tournament Team.

In four seasons (2022-26) at the University of Denver, Lorenz tallied 94 points (41-53=94), 311 shots on goal, 86 PIM, five PPG and four GWG. During his tenure the Pioneers advanced to the Frozen Four in three consecutive seasons (2024-26) and won two NCAA National Championships (2024, 2026). Lorenz was named to the 2024 Frozen Four All-Tournament Team and assisted on both of the Pioneers’ goals in the 2024 NCAA Championship victory over Boston College at Grand Casino Arena.

Prior to his collegiate career, Lorenz played parts of two seasons (2020-22) with the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). In 60 games during the 2021-22 season, he led the AJHL with five shorthanded goals and ranked fourth (first among rookies) with 38 goals and fifth (second among rookies) with 85 points (38-47=85).

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled goaltender Brandon Halverson from the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, Vice President and General Manager Julien BriseBois announced today.

Halverson, 30, has appeared in 42 games with Syracuse this season, recording a 24-11-6 record with a .906 save percentage, 2.39 goals-against average and six shutouts. The TraverseCity, Michigan, native leads the AHL for shutouts while ranking fifth for wins and sixth for GAA. He has played in 151 career AHL contests between the Crunch, Tucson Roadrunners and Hartford Wolf Pack, logging a 71-54-21 record with a .903 SV%, 2.66 GAA and12 shutouts. 

On Tuesday, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound netminder was named the Crunch’s winner of the IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to theSyracuse community during the 2025-26 campaign. This season, Halverson created Halvy’s Saves for Recovery to raise funds and awareness for alcohol and drug recovery. For every save he makes this season, Halverson is donating $1 to Helio Health to support programsfor alcohol and drug recovery.

Halverson was originally drafted by the New York Rangers in the second round, 59^th overall, of the 2014 NHL Draft and was signed by Tampa Bay as a free agent on February3, 2025.

Faceoff is scheduled for 10:00 PM EDT / 7:00 PM PDT
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
TV/Streaming: ESPN+ (national), KSKN 22 / The Spot (Kraken regional), Vegas Golden Knights Broadcast (local)

This Pacific Division matchup serves as a late-regular-season contest with Vegas firmly in playoff position (1st in the division) and Seattle mathematically eliminated. The Golden Knights are jockeying for optimal seeding, while the Kraken are playing spoiler and evaluating young talent in the final games of 2025-26.

Injury Report

Seattle Kraken (significant forward and goaltending concerns):

Jared McCann (LW): OUT for remainder of season (lower body)

Shane Wright (C): Day-to-Day (upper/lower body) — game-time decision

Philipp Grubauer (G): Day-to-Day (lower body)

Joey Daccord (G): Day-to-Day (lower body)

Matt Murray (G): OUT (personal/family)

Seattle will lean on backups in net and call-ups/depth forwards, further limiting their already-struggling offense.

Vegas Golden Knights (key long-term absences):

William Karlsson (C): OUT / IR (lower body) — not expected back for regular season

Alex Pietrangelo (D): OUT (hip) — long-term IR

Vegas remains otherwise healthy and deep, with goaltending (likely Adin Hill or backup) and the veteran core intact.

Recent Team Forms

Seattle Kraken: Eliminated from contention and playing out the string. They have shown occasional flashes but sit with a sub-.500 record overall and poor road play. Recent results include a 4-1 win vs. Calgary but general inconsistency late in the year.

Vegas Golden Knights: Strong form as Pacific leaders, including a three-game home winning streak entering this contest. They have been excellent defensively and opportunistic offensively, posting one of the better goal differentials in the division. Vegas is motivated to lock in seeding with home-ice advantage in sight.

Series History

Seattle leads the 2025-26 season series 3-0:

Oct 11, 2025: SEA 2-1 VGK

Jan 31, 2026: SEA 3-2 VGK

Apr 9, 2026: SEA 4-3 SO VGK (at Seattle)

Vegas is looking to avoid the season-series sweep at home. All-time, the Golden Knights hold the edge, but Seattle has owned this matchup this year.

Key

Player Matchups to Watch

Golden Knights’ Top Line (Jack Eichel – Mark Stone – others) vs. Kraken’s Depleted Defense: Eichel and Stone provide elite speed and finishing; Seattle’s back end (already thin) will be tested without full goaltending stability.

Kraken’s Young Core (Shane Wright if active – others) vs. Vegas’ Structure: Wright remains a dynamic threat if he plays; Vegas’ disciplined system under their coaching staff should limit Seattle’s transition chances.

Goaltending: Vegas benefits from a more stable net situation. Seattle’s day-to-day goalies (Grubauer/Daccord) create uncertainty, favoring the hosts in a potential low-event game.

Betting Trends

Vegas is a heavy home favorite (~ -285 across books); Seattle +230 underdogs.

Total set around 6 goals.

Golden Knights are strong as home favorites and in divisional play; Kraken have struggled as road underdogs.

OVER has been hit in several recent Kraken games, but Vegas home contests have trended tighter.

Season-series history favors Seattle, but Vegas’ home dominance and motivation flip the script here.

Game Odds

Seattle Kraken                                  6.5

Vegas Golden Knights                    – 285

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, April 14, 2026