NHL Recap April 18, 2024 – THE BRACKET IS SET, 2024 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS START SATURDAY

Viktor Arvidsson (2-1—3) pulled the Kings even with 1:21 remaining in regulation and Adrian Kempe (1-1—2) tied the NHL record (39th) for fastest goal from the start of an overtime period scoring just .06 seconds into the extra frame as the Kings clinched third place in the Pacific Division and locked in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket, with the final two First Round matchups pitting Los Angeles against Edmonton and Vegas versus Dallas.

• The Kings and Oilers will meet in the First Round for a third straight season, following 2023 (4-2 EDM W) and 2022 (4-3 EDM W). They will be the 13th set of teams in NHL history to square off in the opening round of the playoffs in three or more consecutive seasons and first since Edmonton and Dallas did so from 1999 to 2001 (DAL: 3-0; EDM: 0-3).
• The Golden Knights and Stars will also contest a rematch from last year after Vegas vanquished Dallas in the 2023 Western Conference Final. The Stars can become the first team to get eliminated by the eventual Cup champions and then oust that club during the following playoffs since the 2018 Capitals, who defeated the Penguins in the Second Round after falling to them the previous year.
• Fans worldwide can share their predictions for the playoffs and face off against friends, family, colleagues, hockey experts and fellow hockey fans in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge presented by Betway, available in six languages. The eligible entrant that finishes atop the leaderboard will win the chance to attend a 2024-25 NHL event.

MacKINNON, BEDARD CONCLUDE MEMORABLE SEASONS

• Nathan MacKinnon potted two assists to conclude the 2023-24 season with 51-89—140 (82 GP) and establish an Avalanche/Nordiques record for the most points in a single season, eclipsing franchise icon Peter Stastny (46-93—139 in 1981-82) who held the distinction for 42 years. MacKinnon also joined Nikita Kucherov (44-100—144 in 81 GP) as the second player to record 140 points in 2023-24, marking the seventh season in NHL history to feature multiple players reach the mark and first since 1995-96 (Mario Lemieux & Jaromir Jagr).
• Connor Bedard helped the Blackhawks rally from a multi-goal third-period deficit in their finale and capped the season with a team-leading 22-39—61 (68 GP). Bedard joined a rare list of No. 1 picks to lead a team in scoring during the campaign following their NHL Draft and had the 11th highest single-season point total in League history by a player age 18 or younger.

KUCHEROV, MATTHEWS AND HELLEBUYCK WIN 2023-24 REGULAR SEASON TROPHIES
The 2023-24 regular season concluded with Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov capturing his second career Art Ross Trophy as the League’s scoring champion, Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews winning his third career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s goal-scoring leader and Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck earning his first career William M. Jennings Trophy as the netminder who plays at least 25 games for the team allowing the fewest goals. Click here to read more about the winners.

BOARD APPROVES ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW FRANCHISE IN UTAH

The NHL’s Board of Governors approved the establishment of a franchise beginning with the 2024-25 season in Utah, that will be owned and controlled by Smith Entertainment Group, which is led by Ryan and Ashley Smith. In addition, the Board approved a plan that renders the Arizona Coyotes franchise inactive, with a right to reactivate if owner Alex Meruelo has fully constructed a new, state-of-the-art facility appropriate for an NHL team within five years.

• Effective at closing, the approved transactions will result in the Coyotes’ franchise transferring the totality of its existing hockey assets – including its full Reserve List, roster of Players and draft picks and its Hockey Operations Department – to the Utah franchise.
• The news comes one day after the Coyotes contested their final home game at Mullett Arena, earning a 5-2 victory over Connor McDavid and the Oilers. Franchise icon Shane Doan was in the building, the team paid tribute to long-time season ticket holders at puck drop and saluted the crowd at the conclusion of the game. Lawson Crouse, who has spent his entire eight-season career in Arizona, netted the eventual game winner. Crouse and leading-scorer Clayton Keller (8 seasons) were the longest-serving Coyotes on the team.

MAPLE LEAFS SIGN CADE WEBBER TO TWO-YEAR, ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenceman Cade Webber to a two-year, entry-level contract. The average annual value of the contract is $875,000.

Webber, 23, recorded six assists in 38 games during the 2023-24 season with Boston University. Webber helped the Terriers reach the 2024 Men’s Frozen Four semifinals. The Meadville, PA native has posted 16 points (one goal, 15 assists) in 123 career NCAA games with Boston University. Webber was named Hockey East’s Best Defensive Defenceman for 2023-24.

Webber was originally acquired by the Maple Leafs in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes on March 7th, 2024. The 6’7, 210-pound defenceman was selected by Carolina in the fourth round (99th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft.