Posted on by Guest Writer
Colorado Avalanche. Photo Tim Jarrold - In Play! magazine
File photo: Tim Jarrold - In Play! magazine
15
Apr

NHL NEWS APRIL 15, 2023 – AVALANCHE CLINCH CENTRAL IN FINAL TWO MINUTES OF 2022-23 REGULAR SEASON

A goal from Nathan MacKinnon (3-1—4) with 1:42 remaining in regulation of the final game of the 2022-23 allowed the reigning champion Avalanche to clinch the Central Division title and extend their franchise-record road winning streak to 11 games. MacKinnon secured his fourth career regular-season hat trick and 16th career four-point game. MacKinnon improved his season totals to 42-69—111 (71 GP), an average of 1.56 points-per-game (the highest in Colorado history) and the fourth-most points by a Colorado player since relocation in 1995-96.

  • Colorado clinched its division for the 14th instance in franchise history and for the third straight year – the club achieved the feat after only sitting in the No. 1 seed in the Central for 10 days this season, which is tied for the fourth-fewest days at No. 1 by a division winner behind the 2002-03 Avalanche (2 days), 2005-06 Devils (7 days) and 1969-70 Blackhawks (8 days).
  • The Avalanche became the second reigning Stanley Cup champion in the past decade to clinch a division title, joining the Capitals in 2018-19. Colorado sat 14 points behind the top-seeded Jets on Jan. 15 and rallied to tie for the 10th-largest point differential faced by a division winner in NHL history.

COMPLETE YOUR BRACKET… THE FIRST ROUND IS NEARLY HERE

Sixteen teams are set to begin their quest for the Stanley Cup on Monday after the last two First Round matchups were decided during the final two minutes of the regular season.

  • While the players battle it out on the ice, fans can join the action too with the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge presented by GEICO.

Notes for all eight First Round matchups are available here, including the two confirmed Friday:

  • Avalanche vs. Kraken: Colorado is Seattle’s first-ever postseason opponent as the two clubs have secured a 2023 First Round matchup. The clubs own identical all-time regular-season records against one another (3-2-1). This will be the 287th unique playoff series in NHL history.
  • Stars vs. Wild: The two clubs will meet in the playoffs for the second time after facing off in the 2016 First Round, a series the Stars won in six contests. Three of six game-winning goals were scored by players who can compete in the 2023 First Round: Radek Faksa, Jamie Benn and Alex Goligoski, who clinched the series for Dallas in 2016 but will be across the ice with Minnesota this year.

THE FIRST ROUND SCHEDULE IS HERE

The NHL announced the schedule for the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which will be broadcast nationally in Canada on Sportsnet and TVAS and by ESPN and TNT in the United States.

  • The battle between a No. 1-ranked team and the previous Presidents’ Trophy winner will help begin ESPN’s coverage of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Panthers visit the Bruins for Game 1, before the Art Ross and Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy-winner, Connor McDavid, and the Oilers open their rematch against the Kings.
  • TNT, who will carry the Stanley Cup Final for the first time, will open their coverage of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday with the “Hudson River Rivalry” between the Rangers and Devils.

MCDAVID CLAIMS ART ROSS, “ROCKET” RICHARD

After an incredible season that saw Connor McDavid consistently take over headlines across the sporting world and produce the most points by an NHL player in 27 years, the Oilers captain officially captured both the Art Ross Trophy as the League’s scoring champion and the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s goal-scoring leader after the conclusion of the 2022-23 regular season.

  • McDavid (64-89—153 in 82 GP) registered 25 more points than the next-closest player (teammate Leon Draisaitl: 52-76—128 in 80 GP) – and the most by any NHL player since 1995-96 (Mario Lemieux: 69-92—161 in 70 GP) – to win his third straight Art Ross Trophy and fifth overall. He became the sixth player in League history to claim the Art Ross Trophy at least five times, joining Wayne Gretzky (10x), Gordie Howe (6x), Lemieux (6x), Phil Esposito (5x) and Jaromir Jagr (5x), and just the second to reach that number in his first eight seasons, after Gretzky (7x).
  • McDavid’s 64 goals are the most by any player since 2007-08 (Alex Ovechkin: 65 G in 82 GP), lifting him to his first career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy. McDavid became the first player in Oilers history to capture the award, which first was presented in 1998-99, and the third Edmonton player to top the League in goals, after Gretzky (5x, most recently in 1986-87) and Jari Kurri (1985-86).
  • McDavid became the fifth player in NHL history to outright lead the NHL in goals, assists and points during a season and the first to do so since Gretzky in 1986-87 (62-121—183 in 79 GP).

NHL ANNOUNCES ODDS FOR 2023 DRAFT LOTTERY PARTICIPANTS

The NHL has announced the odds for clubs participating in the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery, set for Monday, May 8, at NHL Network’s Secaucus, N.J., studio. The event will be broadcast live beginning at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

Robertson, Burns and Brossoit Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns and Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Laurent Brossoit have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending April 14, 2023.

FIRST STAR – JASON ROBERTSON, LW, DALLAS STARS

Robertson posted 1-5—6 in three contests to help Dallas (47-21-14, 108 points) close the regular season on a six-game winning streak (dating to April 3) en route to clinching the No. 2 seed in the Central Division. He opened the week with a pair of three-point performances, registering 1-2—3 in a 6-1 victory against the Detroit Red Wings April 10 followed by a trio of assists in a 5-2 triumph over the St. Louis Blues April 12. Robertson then was held off the scoresheet in a 1-0 win versus the Blues April 13. The 23-year-old Arcadia, Calif., native finished the regular season with 46-63—109 in 82 appearances, ranking among the top players in power-play points (5th; 41), points (6th; 109), goals (7th; 46), plus/minus (7th; +37), power-play assists (t-8th; 28), shots on goal (9th; 313) and assists (t-10th; 63). His 109 points were the most by a U.S.-born player in a single season at age 23 or younger, ahead of the 107 set by Jimmy Carson in 1987-88 (55-52—107 in 80 GP w/ LAK) and tied by Jeremy Roenick in 1992-93 (50-57—107 in 84 GP w/ CHI), as well as the second-most by a player of any age in Stars/North Stars history, behind only Bobby Smith in 1981-82 (43-71—114 in 80 GP w/ MNS).

SECOND STAR – BRENT BURNS, D, CAROLINA HURRICANES

Burns scored in all three of his games, leading the NHL with four total goals (4-0—4) to propel the Hurricanes (52-21-9, 113 points) to a 2-1-0 week and their third straight division title. He found the back of the net once in both a 3-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators April 10 and a 4-1 victory against the Detroit Red Wings April 11. Burns then added two goals, including the tiebreaking tally early in the third period, in a 6‑4 division-clinching win over the Florida Panthers April 13. The 38-year-old Burns, who was acquired in a July trade, produced one of the most prolific offensive seasons (18-43—61 in 82 GP) by a defenseman of his age, tying for the most goals (w/ Ray Bourque at age 39 in 1999-00 w/ COL), recording the third-most points and matching the fifth-most assists by a blueliner at age 38 or older. He also placed among the top 2022-23 defensemen of any age in goals (t-3rd; 18), points (12th; 61), assists (t-13th; 43), power-play assists (14th; 19) and power-play points (14th; 23).

THIRD STAR – LAURENT BROSSOIT, G, VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Brossoit yielded one goal in each of his two starts, going 2-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and .962 save percentage to backstop the Golden Knights (51-22-9, 111 points) – who closed the regular season on an eight-game point streak (5-0-3 dating to March 30) – to their third division title in their first six NHL seasons as well as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. He secured both wins against the Seattle Kraken, denying 20 shots in a 4-1 triumph April 11 and then making 30 saves – highlighted by stopping all 18 attempts he faced over the final two periods – in a 3-1 division-clinching victory April 13. The 30-year-old Brossoit played in 11 total contests this season, compiling a 7-0-3 record with a 2.17 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. That included a five-game winning streak, dating to April 1, to finish the regular season (1.59 GAA, .946 SV%).

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Guest Writer