The Avalanche are the first club to reach 100 points and clinch a playoff spot this season, the Hurricanes regain sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPPING FRIDAY’S GAMES
NHL.COM: The Colorado Avalanche are the first team to reach the 100-point plateau and to clinch a playoff berth after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1. Martin Necas had a goal and two assists, and Nathan MacKinnon collected three assists for the 45-13-10 Avalanche. Wyatt Kaiser replied for the 26-31-12 Blackhawks.
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With 114 points, MacKinnon is tied with Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov for second place in the scoring race. Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid leads the pack with 115 points. Blackhawks defenseman Louis Crevier and forward Andrew Mangiapane missed this game with unspecified injuries.
An overtime goal by Alexander Nikishin lifted the Carolina Hurricanes to a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, giving them sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference with 94 points. Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis each collected two points for the Hurricanes (44-19-6). John Tavares and William Nylander each scored their 24th goals of the season for the 29-28-13 Maple Leafs.
The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Utah Mammoth 4-1. Alex Killorn had a goal and two assists, Ryan Poehling scored and picked up an assist, and Lukas Dostal stopped 29 shots for the 38-27-4 Ducks, who hold first place in the Pacific Division with 80 points. Dylan Guenther scored his 34th goal of the season for the Mammoth (36-28-6), who hold the first Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 78 points.
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson made 30 saves in a 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. Ryan Leonard and Aliaksei Protas scored for the Capitals (35-27-8). Jack Allen turned aside 26 shots, and Jesper Bratt scored for the 35-32-2 Devils.
The Calgary Flames downed the Florida Panthers 4-1. Victor Olofsson scored his first goal with the Flames since being acquired at the trade deadline, and Blake Coleman picked up two assists for the 28-34-7 Flames. A.J. Greer scored for the Panthers (34-32-3) before receiving a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for interference after hitting Flames forward Connor Zary from behind in the third period. Zary left the game with an upper-body injury.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was no postgame update on Zary’s condition. Greer could face supplemental discipline for his actions.
Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola left the game after injuring his left leg. Panthers forwards Anton Lundell and Mackie Samoskevich miss this game with undisclosed injuries. They are considered day-to-day.
Flames forward Ryan Strome didn’t pick up any points in this game, but he’s had a positive effect on the lineup since his acquisition from the Anaheim Ducks before the March 6 trade deadline. The 32-year-old center saw limited playing time with the Ducks, putting up nine points in 33 games. He has five points in eight games with the Flames.
IN OTHER NEWS…
DAILY FACEOFF: San Jose Sharks forward Tyler Toffoli is expected to miss some time with a lower-body injury.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers forward Trent Frederic has been sidelined with an unspecified injury. There is no timeline for his return.
CBS SPORTS: Los Angeles Kings forward Joel Armia has been activated from injured reserve.
TSN: The Vancouver Canucks signed defenseman Victor Mancini to a two-year, $1 million contract extension.