The Stars would've locked up the final spot had they defeated the Knights in regulation. Dallas is now four points ahead of Vegas with just two games remaining, but the Golden Knights hold the tiebreaker. The Stars can clinch Wednesday if they pick up a point against the Arizona Coyotes or if Vegas loses to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Predators have now made the postseason in eight consecutive campaigns. They'll either play the Colorado Avalanche or Calgary Flames in the opening round.
Additionally, the Vancouver Canucks were officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Darnell Nurse's injury doesn't appear to be serious, but it will keep him out short term.
The Edmonton Oilers' top defenseman left Friday's game against the Colorado Avalanche with a lower-body ailment and is not with the club on its two-game road trip beginning Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
"I think it's just (rest and relaxation)," Friedman said on the broadcast. "It doesn't sound like they are so concerned at all. He will be ready for the playoffs, if not sooner."
Nurse has nine goals and 26 assists in 71 games this season. The 27-year-old leads all Oilers skaters with 25:03 of average ice time.
"Matthews is having a great year, so I think I'd probably give it to him," Huberdeau told reporters ahead of Saturday's meeting between the Panthers and Maple Leafs.
Huberdeau added: "He's special. I had to chance to play (in the) All-Star Game with him. ... You give him the puck and he's going to score every time. Not a lot of guys can get close to 60 goals."
Matthews leads the league with 58 goals and ranks fifth with 102 points despite missing eight of his team's games this season. He was out for the last three games with an undisclosed injury, but he'll return Saturday where he'll have a chance to become the first player since Steven Stamkos in 2011-12 to reach the 60-goal mark.
"Hopefully, he doesn't get it tonight," Huberdeau laughed.
Huberdeau is no slouch himself. He sits first in the NHL with 83 assists and second with 113 points. However, Matthews is considered by many to be the front-runner for the Hart - not only for his goal-scoring ability, but also for his dominant two-way play.
Lehner attempted to play through a major knee injury he suffered March 8, Kaplan added.
The 30-year-old missed five games in February with an upper-body injury. He then started four more games before going back on injured reserve with a lower-body ailment. The Swede missed 12 more contests before returning to the crease April 3.
Lehner finishes his season with a 2.83 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage in 44 games. His save percentage was the worst he's posted in a single season since his 2014-15 campaign with the Ottawa Senators, although it's considered league average this season.
The Golden Knights will now be counting on 24-year-old Logan Thompson to get them into the playoffs. The rookie goaltender has recorded a 2.56 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage in 15 games this season.
Veteran Laurent Brossoit, who was signed this past offseason to be Lehner's backup after Vegas traded away Marc-Andre Fleury, hasn't played since March 15 due to an undisclosed injury.
"These past 19 years ... have been a privilege and one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable periods of my life," Wilson said. "I have been incredibly fortunate to work for and with some of the most talented and passionate people in the game of hockey."
The 64-year-old has been on medical leave since November. Assistant general manager Joe Will will continue to serve as interim GM until a new hire is in place.
"While I have made great progress over the last several months, I feel it is in the best interest of the organization and myself to step down from my current duties and focus on my health and full recovery," Wilson said. "I look forward to continuing my career in the NHL in the future."
Since Wilson took over as GM in 2003, the Sharks have earned 14 playoff berths, five division titles, and one Stanley Cup Final appearance. Only the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins won more regular-season games than the Sharks during Wilson's run, and only the Bruins, Pens, and Tampa Bay Lightning won more postseason contests.
Wilson made several savvy moves during his tenure, including one of the most lopsided trades in NHL history. In November 2005, he acquired Joe Thornton from the Bruins in exchange for Marco Sturm, Brad Stuart, and Wayne Primeau. Thornton went on to win the Hart Trophy that season and holds the franchise record for most assists.
Some of Wilson's other notable moves include drafting future captain Joe Pavelski in the seventh round in 2003 (his first draft as GM) and trading Charlie Coyle, Devin Setoguchi, and a first-round pick to the Minnesota Wild in 2011 for future Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns and a second-rounder.
"If there's one name you could think that's built this franchise from the bottom up, it's Doug Wilson," Sharks head coach Bob Boughner told NBC's Sheng Peng.
Sharks owner Hasso Plattner stated he'll immediately lead "an extensive, external search" for a new GM alongside Will and team president Jonathan Becher. No timeline has been set.
The Sharks missed the playoffs just once in Wilson's first 15 seasons but currently sit seventh in the Pacific Division and are on track to miss out for a third straight year. Veteran defenseman Erik Karlsson said the team should feel "uneasy" in light of Wilson's decision.
"If they bring in someone new, we all know what that means," Karlsson said, according to The Mercury News' Curtis Pashelka. "We're in a position right now where we haven't done very well for an extended period of time. ... Things are going to change, things are going to have to change."
Welcome to the sixth edition of theScore's Norris Trophy Power Rankings.
These rankings focus on analytics and the all-around ability of defensemen rather than just points or reputation.
xGF% = the share of expected goals a team produces while a player is on the ice at five-on-five
5. Adam Fox, Rangers
Jared Silber / National Hockey League / Getty
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
68
10
57
24:04
49.9
Previous rank: 5th
Fox is not going to win the Norris for a second straight season, but he's still enjoying another stellar campaign. His sub-50 xGF% may seem like a red flag, but that's partially due to his surroundings, as the New York Rangers are routinely outplayed at five-on-five. His xGF% is the best among New York blue-liners and third among the team's skaters. Fox is going to need a miracle final month to get into the top three, though.
4. Charlie McAvoy, Bruins
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
67
8
42
24:37
61.5
Previous rank: N/A
The acquisition of Hampus Lindholm from the Anaheim Ducks has worked wonders for McAvoy, who's registered 10 assists in seven games since the Swede joined. When the pair are on the ice together at five-on-five, the Boston Bruins have outscored opponents 8-3 with a 64.8 xGF%.
For the naysayers who believe these superb underlying numbers are due to sharing the ice with Patrice Bergeron, the Lindholm-McAvoy pairing has outscored opponents 5-2 with a 64.9 xGF% without Bergeron.
McAvoy previously had a revolving door of partners, including Matt Grzelcyk, Mike Reilly, and Derek Forbort. Now, with an established, rock-solid partner in his prime, it's clear McAvoy has unlocked another level to his game.
3. Victor Hedman, Lightning
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
70
19
48
25:20
56.3
Previous rank: 2nd
Hedman's fall on this list is through no fault of his own. He's still having an impeccable season - arguably his best - and has even registered eightgoals and eight assists in 18 games since the last edition of these rankings.
The 31-year-old future Hall of Famer is still arguably the best defenseman on the planet - especially come playoff time - but he's only third-best as far as results this season go.
2. Roman Josi, Predators
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
67
19
65
25:17
52.0
Previous rank: 4th
Josi is on an utterly ridiculous run. The 2020 Norris winner tallied 29 points in 15 games since the last edition of these rankings and is on pace for 100 points - which is flat-out unheard of in today's game. The only defensemen in NHL history to reach triple digits in points are Bobby Orr (six times), Paul Coffey (five times), Denis Potvin, Al MacInnis, and Brian Leetch. Leetch, in 1991-92, was the last to accomplish the feat.
Now, given the historical company he's in, how could Josi not be No. 1 on this list? Well, it wasn't an easy choice, but the man ahead of him is also enjoying a historically great season while posting better all-around two-way metrics.
Remember, this trophy is awarded to the defenseman "who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position." Josi is by no means a defensive liability, but having a crazy amount of points doesn't make him the all-around best defenseman.
Now, if the Norris took the definition of the Hart Trophy as "the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team," this would be a different story, since the Nashville Predators would probably be a lottery team without Josi. While Josi should absolutely be receiving some Hart Trophy love, there's still one player who has a slight edge when it comes to the Norris.
1. Cale Makar, Avalanche
Michael Martin / National Hockey League / Getty
GP
G
A
ATOI
xGF%
66
24
51
25:39
57.1
Previous rank: 1st
Makar is no slouch offensively and is on pace for 28 goals and 89 points. If he can get hot down the stretch and reach 30 goals, he'd be the third defenseman to do so in the past 30 years, joining Kevin Hatcher (1992-93) and Mike Green (2008-09).
But where Makar separates himself from Josi is in the underlying metrics. Makar leads all NHL defensemen in goals above replacement and expected goals above replacement. He's also superior to Josi in virtually every defensive metric, as well as takeaway/giveaway ratio and penalty differential. Plus, he's done this while playing against stiffer competition than Josi.
Josi is certainly more valuable to the Predators than Makar is to the Presidents' Trophy-contending Colorado Avalanche, but as far as the best all-around defenseman this season goes, that title currently belongs to Makar.
Boeser's arm appeared to bend abnormally during Sunday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights when he collided with teammate Elias Pettersson, who was trying to lay a hit on Ben Hutton.
Boeser left the ice immediately but returned later in the game.
The 25-year-old recorded 19 goals and 19 assists in 64 games this season. He's set to be a restricted free agent at season's end with a qualifying offer of $7.5 million.
Byram hasn't played since Jan. 10, missing 37 games in that span. He took an extended leave of absence for personal reasons. The 20-year-old has already missed significant time in his career with concussions.
“Cross your fingers and hope for the best” … Jared Bednar on D Bo Byram’s third return this season from concussion issues #Avspic.twitter.com/4Wtg2Wq49P
"I know there's a lot of people thinking I shouldn't play or whatever, but to be quite honest, I feel lost not playing hockey," Byram said. "I'd rather be playing again and be at risk than be in the stands watching every game."
Byram was excellent early in the season, recording five goals and six assists in 18 games while averaging 19:34 of ice time per contest.
He was selected fourth overall by the Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Draft.
The longtime Anaheim Ducks captain will retire at the end of the 2021-22 campaign, he announced Tuesday.
"It's been an honor to play in the NHL and spend my entire professional career with one organization," Getzlaf said. "None of this would have been possible without my family, who offered unwavering love and support each step of the way. Thank you to our owners, Henry and Susan Samueli, for leading an organization committed to success on the ice, but more importantly, to making a positive impact in our community and to those in need.
"A special thanks to the general managers, coaches, support staff, teammates, and of course, our fans. Playing for the Ducks and living in Orange County is a dream for an athlete, and much of that is because of you. Thank you all."
Getzlaf is Anaheim's franchise leader in games played (1,150), assists (731), and points (1,013). He's spent his entire 17-year NHL career with the Ducks - 12 of them as captain.
The 36-year-old is one of the most decorated players of his era. In addition to winning a Stanley Cup in 2007, he's been highly successful on the international stage. Representing Canada, he's won two Olympic gold medals, a world junior gold medal, a U18 gold medal, and a World Cup.
He never took home any major individual hardware, but he was named a Hart Trophy runner-up and a second-team All-Star in 2013-14 when he recorded 31 goals and 87 points - four shy of his career high of 91 in 2008-09. Since entering the league as a rookie in 2005-06, Getzlaf ranks seventh in points and fifth in assists among all NHL skaters.
Getzlaf also showed up when it mattered most, recording 120 points in 125 career postseason contests. He led the Ducks with 17 points in 21 games during Anaheim's Cup run in 2007, and his career points-per-game rate in the playoffs (0.96) is better than his regular-season mark of 0.88.
The Regina, Saskatchewan, native has produced at an adequate rate during his final season. He's only scored three goals, but his 28 helpers are tied for second on the team behind rookie phenom Trevor Zegras.
