What a week of epic NHL comebacks. The Vancouver Canucks had a 3-0 lead, but the Colorado Avalanche scored four straight, including the overtime winner. The Seattle Kraken had a 4-2 lead in the third in a game they really needed to win for their playoff hopes, but the Vegas Golden Knights scored the next three goals, including the overtime winner. Jack Eichel scored the overtime goal and assisted on the game-tying goal. The Dallas Stars had a 3-0 lead and a 3-1 lead in the third period, but the Panthers scored four in a row to win. Three were power-play goals, two from Aleksander Barkov, who also had an assist, from mostly dumb penalties. As someone who wants to avoid seeing the Stars vs. Avalanche and Bruins vs. Maple Leafs in the first round, these games were depressing results and difficult to watch. I do want the match-ups but in the second round. The New York Rangers had a 2-0 lead, but the Tampa Bay Lightning scored six of the next seven goals to win. Brayden Point dominated the game with three goals and three assists.
Things I like
- We finally have some drama in the wildcard spots. The Detroit Red Wings and Vegas Golden Knights losing streaks enable other teams to have life. Realistically, it’s still the same seven teams battling in the East. The Philadelphia Flyers are starting to slump, too, but I think they’ll barely hold on. The New York Islanders are mostly likely to overtake the Red Wings, but based on goal differential alone, the Red Wings should retain the spot. I wouldn’t count out the Washington Capitals since they have games in hand, but it’s unlikely they’ll do much, especially since they have the second-highest remaining schedule. The Red Wings and Flyers are tied for easiest of the bunched-up teams.
Out West, the Kraken are, sadly, basically eliminated. The Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues all have a shot, but based on point differential alone, it’s unlikely they will make it. The Golden Knights also have an easier schedule than the others.
- I love it when bad teams get hot at the end and have a chance to play spoiler. The Chicago Blackhawks are not hot by any stretch, but they managed to have back-to-back seven-goal games, although they didn’t play playoff teams. Connor Bedard had eight points in them. The Buffalo Sabres managed to play themselves back into the playoff conversation with a little winning streak. They would have vastly bolstered their chances had they beaten the Red Wings. However, they have the sixth easiest remaining schedule, and they almost have a positive goal differential. If you think winning these games hurts their chances of winning the top pick, it doesn’t. The Blackhawks know that from experience.
Fights of the Week
Special thanks to hockeyfights.com for making this section a little easier to do.
None, they were all bad.
Goal of the Week
Morgan Frost - Philadelphia Flyers
Frost has a nice between the legs top shelf goal.
https://www.nhl.com/video/phi-bos-frost-scores-goal-against-boston-bruins-6349100971112
Goat of the Week
Andre Burakovsky - Seattle Kraken
About a quarter of the non-goalie goats this year have been no-look or drop passes, which aren’t the greatest passes to make in a tie game near your blueline. But they keep doing them. Burakovsky is the latest victim, and Connor McMichael takes it the other way for the game-winning goal.
https://www.nhl.com/video/wsh-sea-mcmichael-scores-goal-against-joey-daccord-6348955571112
Stat Line of the Week
3/16/24 Colorado 3 vs. Edmonton2
| Skater | TOI | G | A | +/- | SOG | Blk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S.Walker | 18:44 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
In a game that felt like a playoff game, little-known undrafted Sean Walker activated from the point twice to score two crucial goals that helped the Colorado Avalanche defeat the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers also wanted to acquire him at the deadline, but the Avalanche got him, and if this game is any indication, he’ll be quite a weapon for them on the third unit. He’s already achieved career highs in goals and points this season. NHL leading scorer Nathan MacKinnon had an assist on the overtime goal to continue his 15-game point streak.
Numbers, Numbers
1000 – Games played by Jordan Eberle
900 – Career points for Corey Perry
200 – Career goals scored by Jake Eichel
14 – Teams that scored six or more goals this week
1 – Team, the Boston Bruins, in the top ten in GAA, GFA, power play, and penalty kill
4 – Goals scored by the Toronto Maple Leafs on breakaways against the Carolina Hurricanes
2 – Goals scored by the Carolina Hurricanes with the goalie pulled, one on a power play. In the final two minutes, to force overtime. They won in the shootout.
Rankings
The rankings are based on how the teams are currently playing.
Top 5
- Nashville
- Colorado
- Florida
- Edmonton
- Carolina
Bottom 5
- San Jose
- Anaheim
- Chicago
- Pittsburgh
- New Jersey