Latest news with #WesternConferenceWildCard
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Drop Second Straight At Home While Kings Draw Closer In Pacific Division
LAS VEGAS -- Needing to distance themselves from the pack, the Golden Knights missed another opportunity when they lost to the Western Conference-leading Winnipeg Jets, 4-0, on Thursday. Facing Winnipeg's backup goaltender, Eric Comrie, the Knights stumbled through a sluggish start and couldn't catch up once the Jets got their offense started. Comrie made 26 saves in recording his second shutout of the season. Vegas started Adin Hill, who made 16 saves before being pulled in the third period for Akira Schmid. Here are three takeaways from the game: WESTERN WOES: Vegas has split its 32 games since Jan. 14, with a majority of its wins coming against Eastern Conference foes. The Knights, who turned in a 10-2-2 mark in March, are 16-11-5 during that stretch, including 10-4-3 against teams from the East. That leaves a disappointing 6-7-2 against Western Conference foes in the same span. "I'm concerned," coach Bruce Cassidy said. "This isn't a one-off. We should be prepared to play. We didn't." The Golden Knights have seven games remaining - all against Western Conference teams. ENEMY TERRITORY: With three road games on deck, the Golden Knights bring their fledgling offense north of the border for a date with a dangerous and hungry Calgary Flames team that is still looking for a playoff berth. The Flames (84) are five points back of the Minnesota Wild, who have 89 points and are in second place in the Wild Card race. Calgary will be playing its second game of a two-game homestand after Thursday's 4-1 win over Anaheim. The Flames have won two of their last three in Calgary. The Knights have won their last two meetings with the Flames, but the home team is on a 5-1 run with this series. NOW WHAT, AGAIN: To revisit the same thought after Tuesday's loss to Edmonton, the Golden Knights have clinched a playoff berth, but are not out of the wild-card woods just yet. Vegas (98) is now only three points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings (93) and five in front of the Edmonton Oilers (91). Sitting in first and second of the Western Conference Wild Card standings are the St. Louis Blues and Wild, both from the Central Division. The Knights aren't in jeopardy of slipping out of the Pacific Division's top three, but could fall into second- or third-place with a late-season collapse. By doing so, they would face either the Kings or Oilers in the first round, rather than the Blues or Wild. The Knights have seven games remaining, including five on the road. They'll need to shake off their back-to-back losses at home and get back to winning if they want to wrap up their fifth Pacific Division title.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Clinch Seventh Playoff Berth In Eight Years, Despite 3-2 Loss To Edmonton
LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights returned home from a successful road trip only to have their six-game win streak brought to an abrupt halt with a 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Despite the loss, though, Vegas is in the playoffs for the seventh time in its eight seasons in the NHL, as it qualified when the Utah Hockey Club defeated the Calgary Flames 3-1 to clinch for the Knights before the Oilers game was decided. "Three years in a row, that's the objective here, I think," said Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy, whose led the Knights to the postseason in all three years he's been in Vegas. "This team is, to me, a playoff team that should be in the playoffs. We're going to be happy we're in, but that's not our ultimate goal, nor should it be. Especially a night like tonight, we'd rather have done it with a win." Pavel Dorofeyev had a goal and an assist, while center Nicolas Roy also scored for the Knights, who suffered their first loss since March 16. Goaltender Adin Hill made 17 saves. Here are three takeaways from the game: 700 FOR STONE: Captain Mark Stone appeared in his 700th game Tuesday night, in what was also his 334th regular-season game as a member of the Golden Knights. Stone, who was acquired from the Ottawa Senators in February 2019, has played in 409 games overall and ranks second on the team with 246 assists in both the regular season and the playoffs since arriving. His 140 goals and 386 points rank No. 1 overall among current members of the team. SECOND PERIOD BLUES: The Golden Knights have dominated their competition in the first and third periods, outscoring teams by a combined score of 175-118. Their 73 goals in the first period rank fifth in the NHL, while they've allowed only 57 in the opening stanza. The margin is even greater in the third, with a 102-61 edge. Their 102 goals rank first in the league. After being outscored by the Oilers in the second period, 3-0, the Knights have just a 74-72 edge in the middle set. They rank 14th with their 74 goals. If the playoffs started Wednesday, the Knights would face a tough challenge in the St. Louis Blues, who are outscoring teams 75-57 in the second period. NOW WHAT: Though the Golden Knights have clinched a playoff berth, they're not out of the wild-card woods just yet. Vegas (98) is five points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings (93) and seven in front of the Edmonton Oilers (91). Sitting in first and second of the Western Conference Wild Card standings are the Blues and Minnesota Wild, both from the Central Division. The Knights aren't in jeopardy of slipping out of the Pacific Division's top three, but could fall into second- or third-place with a late-season collapse. By doing so, they would face either the Kings or Oilers in the first round, rather than the Blues or Wild. The Knights have eight games remaining, including five on the road. They'll need to shake off Tuesday's loss and get back to winning if they want to wrap up their fifth Pacific Division title.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Oilers' Evander Kane: 3 Potential Trade Destinations
Evander Kane (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images) EDMONTON -- The best day of the year is almost here. Trade Deadline day is almost upon the hockey world and the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers are in a unique position that separates them from every other team. On March 1st, Evander Kane had to submit a 16-team approved trade list to the Oilers. On Elliotte Friedman's Saturday Headlines, he reported that the Oilers were gauging the market to see if there was a fit anywhere. Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. With that being said, what teams have the cap space and the desire to add a player like Kane to their roster? What teams or organizations are desirable locations for Kane to put on his 16-team list? Here are three potential options that might interest the Oilers' power forward. The Boston Bruins and Kane seem like a matchmaker's dream. Kane plays the bruising brand of hockey that has become synonymous with the Bruins. Kane would step into the role that Milan Lucic vacated after he left the Bruins following a leave of absence tied to a domestic altercation. Kane would immediately slide into the Bruins' top-six forward group. Despite a 3-5-2 record in their last 10 games, the Bruins are only two points behind the final Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins have $5.793 million in deadline cap space, allowing them to absorb Kane's contract without the Oilers needing to retain any salary. Now, would Kane have the Bruins on his allowed trade list? Given the organization's history and reputation around the league, it's safe to say that they could easily be on his list. Oilers Trade Targets: Could Karel Vejmelka Be The Answer In Net? On Thursday, we examined Jordan Binnington as a possible fix to the Edmonton Oilers' goaltending woes. 3 Edmonton Oilers Who Might Get Traded Oilers' Evander Kane Has To Make Important Decision Oilers Need To Ride The Hot Hand Edmonton Oilers 2025 Trade Deadline Tracker Oilers Game Schedule For March 2025 EDMONTON -- It's trade deadline month. The Utah Hockey Club might only be in their first season in the NHL, but they are within striking distance of the second Western Conference Wild Card spot. They are two points behind the last Wild Card position, currently occupied by the Vancouver Canucks. The rest of the league had better look out because Utah could be a big buyer regarding the trade deadline. They currently have $28.522 million in deadline cap space. Not only could they take on Kane's contract, but they could also add multiple pieces without batting an eye. The most significant question mark in this potential scenario is whether Kane considers the Utah Hockey Club a good enough team to put on his list. Given the excitement surrounding the organization, it's easy to think that Utah could have squeaked in. The final potential landing spot for a Kane deal is a scary one. However, it shouldn't be overlooked. The Florida Panthers put Matthew Tkachuk on LTIR on Sunday. This now gives the Panthers $8.7 million in cap space to acquire more players before Friday's deadline. Trade details, per sources:To #TimeToHunt:D Seth Jones2026 4th Round PickTo #Blackhawks:2026 1st Round PickG Spencer Knight#Blackhawks retain $2.5 million on Jones for next 5 seasons. Pick slides to 2027 if Florida doesn't have 2026. — Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 2, 2025 On Saturday, they made a big splash by acquiring right-handed veteran defender Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks. Because of that, they naturally would look to add a forward who could provide a scoring touch with a side of snarl. Despite the rivalry between the Panthers and Oilers, it's easy to see why Kane would put the Panthers on his allowed trade list. They are fresh from a Stanley Cup and have as good of a chance as the Oilers to go all the way. Also, Florida doesn't have taxes so that he could keep more of his money. Given these teams' playoff positions, current cap space, and desirable locations, Kane could easily have included them on his allowed trade list. Oilers fans must wait until Friday to see if these destinations come to fruition. *Vote in the poll to let us know what you think. Add us to your Google News favorites, and never miss a story.
Express Tribune
29-01-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Ducks vs Kraken 6-4: Ducks ride 3-goal second period to sink Kraken
The Anaheim Ducks used a dominant second period to secure a 6-4 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night at Climate Pledge Arena, earning their third straight win and moving within seven points of a Western Conference Wild Card spot. Ducks take control in second period Six different Anaheim players found the net, with Mason McTavish leading the way by scoring the equalizer early in the second and assisting on Robby Fabbri's go-ahead goal minutes later. Jackson LaCombe capped off the three-goal surge, giving the Ducks a 5-3 lead they would not relinquish. Seattle responded in the third period when Shane Wright scored on a power play to cut the deficit to one, but Frank Vatrano sealed the game with an empty-net goal in the final minutes. Offensive contributions Troy Terry, Cutter Gauthier, McTavish, Fabbri, LaCombe, and Vatrano all scored for Anaheim. Ryan Strome recorded two assists, helping the Ducks reach five goals for a third consecutive game for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Goaltender Lukas Dostal made 27 saves to earn his 13th win of the season. Seattle's Eeli Tolvanen, Mitchell Stephens, Jaden Schwartz, and Wright scored in the loss. Philipp Grubauer stopped 17 shots as the Kraken dropped to 22-27-3, falling behind Anaheim in the Pacific Division standings. Key moments McTavish's Impact: Named the NHL's Second Star of the Week, McTavish continued his strong play with a goal and an assist, marking his third straight multi-point game. Early Offense: The teams combined for five goals in the opening period, with Anaheim responding twice after falling behind 2-1. LaCombe's Emergence: The young defenseman now leads all Ducks blueliners in goals, assists, and points this season. Anaheim concludes its road trip Thursday against the Calgary Flames.
