Rantanen ‘under evaluation for a while’ after Ekholm hit

Colorado Avalanche winger Mikko Rantanen will be "under evaluation for a while" after suffering an injury Friday against the Edmonton Oilers, head coach Jared Bednar told reporters postgame.

Rantanen was on the receiving end of a huge hit by Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm during the second period and didn't return. The collision visibly shook him up, and Colorado later ruled him out with an upper-body injury.

The referees didn't penalize Ekholm for the hit. Avalanche defenseman Jack Johnson received a two-minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct for challenging Ekholm afterward.

Rantanen, an indispensable cog for the Avs, has 40 goals and 62 assists in 77 games this season, reaching the 100-point mark for the second straight year. He also owns 87 points in 70 career postseason contests.

The Oilers won the game 6-2.

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Maple Leafs, Oilers, Lightning clinch playoff berths

The Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, and Tampa Bay Lightning clinched Stanley Cup Playoffs berths Friday.

Toronto did so after the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals lost. Tampa Bay secured its spot moments later following the Detroit Red Wings' defeat.

Edmonton clinched with a 6-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche.

The Maple Leafs make the postseason for the eighth straight year. It's their longest streak in 43 years.

The Lightning head back to the playoffs for the seventh campaign in a row. Tampa has made the Stanley Cup Final three times during this span, winning it twice.

The Oilers were 10 points out of a playoff spot at American Thanksgiving. Edmonton stormed back up the standings after hiring Kris Knoblauch as head coach on Nov. 12 to secure a playoff berth for the fifth straight season.

Toronto and Tampa Bay join the Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers, and Carolina Hurricanes as Eastern Conference teams to have clinched postseason berths.

Edmonton is the fifth Western Conference club to secure a playoff spot, joining the Dallas Stars, Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets, and Vancouver Canucks.

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Mailbag Friday: Hughes’ Norris, Backup Silovs, and Bronny James

Dan and Sat answer your questions about whether or not Quinn Hughes could lose the Norris, if Arturs Silovs could be the backup next season, and more in Mailbag Friday!

This podcast was produced by Josh Elliott-Wolfe.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Jannik Hansen on Pettersson, Joshua, and the Power Play

Dan and Sat are joined by former Canuck Jannik Hansen to talk about what's been going on with Elias Pettersson, Dakota Joshua's potential contract, and more.

This podcast was produced by Josh Elliott-Wolfe.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

The Open: Wait, the Canucks Are Good Against Good Teams?

Dan and Sat get into The Open as they discuss the Canucks' record against the NHL's elite, their upcoming schedule, and how things could shake out to end the season.

This podcast was produced by Josh Elliott-Wolfe.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

In The Booth: Awards Szn

On this week's episode of In The Booth, Brendan Batchelor and Randip Janda discuss the Canucks' performance over the last couple of games, make their choices for the team's year end awards, answer some listener questions and conduct another Rose Ceremony.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.