Antipin suffered concussion, broken nose, dental injuries on Hartnell hit

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Victor Antipin has a concussion, a broken nose, facial lacerations, and dental injuries after being boarded by Scott Hartnell on Saturday night, the team announced Sunday.

With the season set to wrap in a week, it's safe to say Antipin won't play again during the 2017-18 campaign.

Antipin was stretchered off Saturday night and taken to the hospital, but he will travel with Buffalo out of Nashville, the Sabres added.

Hartnell was given a five-minute major for boarding on the play, and the Predators forward may still hear from the Department of Player Safety.

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Coyotes’ Keller named Rookie of the Month for March

Clayton Keller is getting a little more recognition.

The Arizona Coyotes freshman has been named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for March after he posted six goals and 13 assists across 17 contests.

Keller's excellent month also included a 10-game point streak, which marked the third-longest such streak by a rookie in franchise history, outpaced by only Teemu Selanne and Keith Tkachuk.

In 63 games this season, Keller has notched 23 goals and 40 assists, and is behind only New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal for the top spot in rookie scoring.

Arizona selected Keller with the seventh pick in the 2016 draft.

It's the second such accolade for the forward this season, who was also October's Rookie of the Month after he netted 15 points in 13 appearances.

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Devils’ Johansson activated from IR after missing 31 games

The waiting is finally over.

New Jersey Devils forward Marcus Johansson appears ready to return to the lineup, and has been activated from injured reserve after missing 31 games with a concussion.

Johansson suffered the injury in late January when he was on the receiving end of an elbow from Brad Marchand. The Boston Bruins winger was suspended five games as a result of the incident, a punishment that Johansson felt did not fit the crime.

On Sunday, Johansson traveled to Montreal with the Devils for their contest against the Canadiens.

In 29 games this season, Johansson recorded five goals and nine assists.

The Devils acquired Johansson from the Washington Capitals last offseason.

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Chara to return vs. Flyers following 9-game injury absence

Talk about a big addition.

Boston Bruins captain and star defenseman Zdeno Chara will return to the lineup Sunday against the Philadelphia Flyers after missing the previous nine games due to a lower-body injury.

In 68 appearances this season, Chara has tallied seven goals and 16 assists, and he leads all Boston blue-liners with 23 minutes of ice time per game. The hulking defender has not suited up since March 13.

Chara's return comes at the perfect time for the Bruins, as the club lost defenseman Brandon Carlo on Saturday to an apparent leg injury.

Boston sits first in the Eastern Conference with 109 points.

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Blue Jackets’ Cole fined $5K for dangerous trip

Ian Cole will need to pay the piper.

The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman has been assessed a $5,000 fine - the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement - as a result of a dangerous trip on Vancouver Canucks forward Brandon Sutter.

The play occurred in Saturday's contest between the Blue Jackets and Canucks. Cole received a two-minute minor for the infraction.

Cole has faced the Department of Player Safety once previously, when he was suspended for three games in 2012 following an illegal check to the head.

The Blue Jackets acquired Cole from the Ottawa Senators at this year's trade deadline.

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Blue Jackets’ Cole fined $5K for dangerous trip

Ian Cole will need to pay the piper.

The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman has been assessed a $5,000 fine - the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement - as a result of a dangerous trip on Vancouver Canucks forward Brandon Sutter.

The play occurred in Saturday's contest between the Blue Jackets and Canucks. Cole received a two-minute minor for the infraction.

Cole has faced the Department of Player Safety once previously, when he was suspended for three games in 2012 following an illegal check to the head.

The Blue Jackets acquired Cole from the Ottawa Senators at this year's trade deadline.

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Playoff percentages: Devils inching closer to postseason berth

Through the remainder of the regular season, we'll take a look at how the night's action impacts the playoff races, highlighting which teams' postseason odds went up or down significantly.

Eastern Conference

A win by the New Jersey Devils over the New York Islanders - combined with the Florida Panthers' loss to the Boston Bruins - has made for a clearer playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.

The Panthers have won just two of their past six, and it's not about to get any easier, as three of their final five opponents are postseason contenders. One advantage, however, is that four of the contests will come on home ice.

Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes were eliminated from the playoff race Saturday with a loss to the New York Rangers. The Hurricanes have not qualified for the postseason since 2009.

Team Result Playoff Chances Change
Devils 4-3 W vs. NYI 90.8% +15.1%
Flyers Off 97.3% +1.3%
Blue Jackets 5-4 L (OT) vs. VAN 99.3% +0.5%
Panthers 5-1 L vs. BOS 12.6% -17.1%

Western Conference

The sidelines were the place to be Saturday, as all of the Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, and Los Angeles Kings had the night off but still saw their respective playoff chances take a decent upswing.

At the other end of the spectrum, a shellacking from the 29th-place Arizona Coyotes will make for an interesting next few days for the St. Louis Blues. The Blues hold the second wild-card spot in the West, ahead of the Avalanche, but only by means of a tiebreaker. The two sides close out the season against each other on April 7.

Team Result Playoff Chances Change
Avalanche Off 58.8% +8.6%
Ducks Off 83.6% +4.1%
Kings Off 92.5% +3.2%
Sharks 3-2 L vs. VGK 99.9% 0%
Wild 4-1 L vs. DAL 98.5% -0.5%
Blues 6-0 L vs. ARI 66.6% -15.3%

To see percentages for the entire NHL, visit Sports Club Stats.

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