NHL Review May 10, 2021

FLAMES STAY IN THE HUNT FOR STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk each tallied 1-2—3 to help the Flames (23-26-3, 49 points) halt Ottawa’s three-game winning streak and six-game point streak with a 6-1 win, keeping their playoff hopes alive in the process. In order to reach the postseason, Calgary needs to win each of its four remaining games (with at least one ROW) – all against Vancouver between Thursday and May 19 – and for Montreal to finish with regulation losses in each of its two remaining games.

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS PICTURE COULD COME INTO FOCUS TONIGHT

With 24 games remaining in the 2020-21 regular-season, Monday could create a clearer picture for the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Still to be determined are one playoff spot, one division crown, the Presidents’ Trophy winner, six of eight First Round matchups and nine playoff seeds.

WHAT’S AT STAKE TONIGHT?

The Montreal Canadiens (24-21-9, 57 points) can claim the 16th and final berth in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs when they open a two-game set against the Oilers (33-18-2, 68 points). Both of the First Round matchups in the Scotia North Division could materialize on Monday – a Canadiens clinch and a Jets win would lock in a Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Montreal and Edmonton vs. Winnipeg series in the First Round.

The League-leading Golden Knights (39-13-2, 80 points) would simultaneously secure their first Presidents’ Trophy and third division crown if they defeat the Avalanche (36-13-4, 76 points) in any fashion. Vegas can become the first franchise in the NHL’s modern era (since 1943-44) to finish atop the League standings within its first four seasons – the current benchmark in that time frame is five campaigns, set by the Oilers in 1983-84.

A Vegas victory would confirm opening-round meetings between the Golden Knights and fourth-place Blues (24-20-9, 57 points) as well as the Avalanche and third-ranked Wild (35-14-5, 75 points), with home ice advantage still to be determined in the latter matchup.

Florida (36-14-5, 77 points) and Tampa Bay (36-16-3, 75 points) will battle for home ice advantage in their head-to-head First Round series when they meet for a second straight game tonight. The Panthers would clinch the No. 2 seed for the first-ever playoff meeting between the intrastate rivals if they get at least one point.

Matchups in the MassMutual East Division First Round also can be confirmed tonight. The Bruins (32-15-7, 71 points) would clinch the No. 3 seed if they get at least one point against the fourth-ranked Islanders (32-17-6, 70 points) – that would lock in Pittsburgh vs. New York and Washington vs. Boston in the opening round.

Lightning’s Maroon Suspended One Game for Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Pat Maroon has been suspended for one game, without pay, for unsportsmanlike conduct during NHL Game No. 857 in Sunrise, Fla., on Saturday, May 8, 2021. The incident occurred at 13:58 of the third period. Maroon was assessed a minor penalty for roughing and a misconduct.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Maroon will forfeit $7,758.62. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Watch video for a full explanation of the decision.

Oilers’ Connor McDavid, Frontline Healthcare Hero Aleem Rajani Named NHL ‘First Stars’ of the Week Wild’s Kaprizov, Golden Knights’ Fleury Round Out ‘Three Stars’

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid and Alberta Health Services program manager Aleem Rajani have been named the NHL’s “First Stars” for the week ending May 9.

Throughout the 2020-21 season the NHL is celebrating the remarkable efforts of the off-ice stars who make it possible for us to play our games amid a pandemic by honoring frontline healthcare heroes from the regions represented by the League’s weekly and monthly “Stars.”

Rajani, an occupational therapist, works as a program manager with the Alberta Health Services (AHS) primary care and colorectal cancer screening program. He has been instrumental to the AHS Edmonton zone COVID-19 pandemic response over the past year, helping to set up the first coronavirus swabbing center as well as the largest assessment facility in the city, a pandemic response unit, and a rapid-flow vaccine center.

A leader for many aspects of the frontline response to COVID-19 in the Edmonton area, Rajani’s motto of “be excellent” has been an inspiration to the redeployed staff working in assessment and vaccination facilities across the city.

Rounding out the “Three Stars” of the week are Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov and Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. More on each NHL player’s performance can be found below:

FIRST STAR – CONNOR McDAVID, C, EDMONTON OILERS

McDavid led the NHL with 3-10—13 in four games (all against the Vancouver Canucks) to reach the 100-point milestone and power the Oilers (33-18-2, 68 points) to a berth in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He hit the 30-goal plateau for the fifth consecutive season on the strength of 2-2—4, his sixth four-point performance of 2020-21, in a 5-3 victory May 3. McDavid compiled five assists over his next two outings, picking up two helpers in a 4-1 triumph May 4 and assists on all three Edmonton goals in a 6-3 loss May 6. He again factored on all of the Oilers’ goals in a 4-3 win May 8, capping the week with 1-3—4 to reach the 100-point milestone for the fourth time in his career (32-68—100 in 53 GP). In doing so, McDavid became the ninth player in League history – and first since 1995-96 (Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr) – to hit the century mark in 53 or fewer games within a single season. The 24-year-old Richmond Hill, Ont., native and two-time Art Ross Trophy winner holds a 21-point lead in the 2020-21 scoring race, topping the NHL in points (100), assists (68), power-play points (35), power-play assists (26) and points per game (1.89) this season.

SECOND STAR – KIRILL KAPRIZOV, LW, MINNESOTA WILD

Kaprizov posted 4-4—8 in four contests to lift the Wild (35-14-5, 75 points) to a 3-0-1 week and within one point of second place in the Honda NHL West Division. He helped Minnesota split a pair of games against the Vegas Golden Knights, collecting 1-1—2 – including the tying goal with 1:32 remaining in regulation – in a 6-5 comeback victory May 3 and scoring both of the Wild’s goals in a 3-2 overtime loss May 5. Kaprizov added four more points over the next two games (both versus the Anaheim Ducks), potting 1-1—2 – highlighted by his second overtime goal of the season (also Jan. 14 at LAK) – in a 4-3 triumph May 7 and registering two assists in a 4-3 overtime win May 8. The 24-year-old Novokuznetsk, Russia, native has skated in 54 total contests this season, topping rookies in goals (27), points (51), power-play goals (8) and shots on goal (152) while ranking second in assists (24), power-play points (13), plus/minus (tied; +11) and shooting percentage (17.8%).

THIRD STAR – MARC-ANDRE FLEURY, G, VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS

Fleury (2-0-0, 1.48 GAA, .939 SV%) moved into sole possession of third place for all-time wins by a goaltender, stopping 46 of the 49 shots he faced across two starts to help the Vegas Golden Knights (39-13-2, 80 points) leapfrog the Carolina Hurricanes for first place in the overall League standings. Fleury surpassed Roberto Luongo for third place in all-time victories by a netminder with 26 saves in a 3-2 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild May 5. He then turned aside 20 of 21 shots in a 4-1 triumph over the St. Louis Blues May 8, stretching his winning streak to eight games dating to April 11 (1.61 GAA, .938 SV%, 1 SO). The 36-year-old Sorel, Que., native has appeared in 35 total contests this season, placing among the League leaders in wins (t-3rd; 25), shutouts (t-3rd; 5), goals-against average (7th; 2.04) and save percentage (7th; .927).