Key playoff happenings
- The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Colorado Avalanche, collecting the point (and one more) needed to clinch a playoff berth in their inaugural season. They also regained their six-point lead over the Sharks for the Pacific Division crown.
- The Sharks were once buffer fodder, so just about locking down at least one round of home-ice advantage as the Pacific’s second seed isn’t a bad consolation prize. San Jose managed to grind out a shootout win against Chicago, giving the Sharks eight consecutive wins.
The @SanJoseSharks won at least eight consecutive games for the sixth time in franchise history and first since 2010-11 (8-0-0). #NHLStats #SJSvsCHI pic.twitter.com/okMmnSGm0o
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 27, 2018
- The Florida Panthers made no mistake about it against the Islanders, beating them 3-0 on Monday. Florida now has 85 points, one behind the Devils (86) for the final wild card spot. The Panthers have a game in hand on the Devils, too, so this was a big win.
- Los Angeles provided the latest enormous blow to Calgary’s playoff hopes. In doing so, the Kings climbed back into the West’s wild-card rankings. They also kept pressure on the idle Anaheim Ducks for third in the Pacific. Los Angeles is now the first wild card holder.
- By falling to Vegas in regulation, Colorado now sits behind the Kings as the second wild-card team. The Blues fall outside the playoff ranks as the ninth-ranked team in the West.
- While the Capitals look like strong favorites to win the Metro after their win, the Lightning were upset by the Sabres. The idle Bruins only trail the Lightning for the Atlantic lead by two points, and Boston holds two games in hand over Tampa Bay.
Players of the Night
William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault led the charge for the Golden Knights. Each player collected one goal and two assists. With an empty-netter, Karlsson hit the 40-goal mark, while Marchessault generated his 25th of 2017-18. It’s fitting that those two forwards were instrumental in this clinching victory.
[The 2018 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs begin April 11 on the networks of NBC]
First goals
Lias Andersson couldn’t trigger a Rangers rally, but he did score a goal in his NHL debut:
Per @EliasSports, Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil are the first pair of teenagers who have recorded a point in the same game with the Rangers since Dec. 18, 1974 (Ron Greschner and Dave Maloney). #NYR
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) March 27, 2018
Warren Foegele collected his first goal and his first career assist as the Hurricanes cruised against the Senators. Here’s the tally, which includes some fun locker room footage as well:
Finally, Trevor Murphy scored his first NHL goal as the Coyotes upset the Lightning:
🚨 First NHL goal alert 🚨 Trevor Murphy pic.twitter.com/V3KqApaNB7
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) March 27, 2018
Factoids
There are likely dozens of ways to contextualize the Golden Knights’ latest incredible achievement. Here’s one.
The following focuses on the @GoldenKnights’ achievement as it relates to NHL history, dating back to 1917-18.
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 27, 2018
Playing under different rules and circumstances, 11 other franchises reached the playoffs in their first NHL season. #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/vMPTRCJkVs
Here is another:
The following information focuses on the @GoldenKnights’ achievement, compiled with help from @EliasSports.
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 27, 2018
It includes franchises to join the NHL after 1967-68 and is based on the following timeframes for the other leagues: since 1961 for MLB and NFL; and since 1961-62 for NBA. pic.twitter.com/X6i93BrTmO
Scores
Sabres 3, Maple Leafs 2
Panthers 3, Islanders 0
Hurricanes 4, Senators 1
Capitals 4, Rangers 2
Canadiens 4, Red Wings 2
Coyotes 4, Lightning 1
Sharks 4, Blackhawks 3 (SO)
Golden Knights 4, Avalanche 1
Kings 3, Flames 0
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.