On Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Kings have signed Jared Woolley to a three-year entry-level contract. This recent move points to the Kings slowly building a strong foundation consisting of a young core as the next cornerstone of Kings' history. Woolley is secured through the 2027-28 season. 

The 19-year old Canadian was drafted by the Kings in the sixth round and 164th overall of the 2024 NHL Draft. Woolley has been outstanding in his second season with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, tallying 28 points in 68 games of the 2024-25 season. 

What the Kings consistently need more of on the team is a two-way defenseman who can contribute effectively in both the offensive and defensive zones. Woolley may be the solution to the team’s search for answers. The 6-foot-5 Ontario native possesses a physicality and size that could make him a valuable asset to the blueline. His plus-49 rating is a testament to his strong hockey knowledge and speaks volumes about his style of play. Additionally, the defenseman recorded 75 penalty minutes in his recent season with the Knights, indicating Woolley’s commitment and willingness to engage in an aggressive manner, ultimately helping his team. 

📝📝📝

We’ve signed D Jared Woolley to a three-year entry level contract!

📲 https://t.co/e4oPs1Fc1Z#GoKingsGo | @Enterprisepic.twitter.com/HBOYBmr6b2

— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 26, 2025

Woolley found postseason success as he contributed to the Knights in the 2024 OHL Playoffs. As he registered a goal and 2 assists in 16 games, he proved to be a reliable contributor through his strategic defensive play. His size combined with his agility allows the Canadian to move swiftly and defend against the opposing forwards. His disciplined approach consistently limited scoring opportunities for opposing teams and proved himself invaluable to the London Knights organization. 

As a prospect of the Los Angeles Kings, there’s a potential for him to further grow within the organization and become a crucial part of their defensive core. His skills can be significantly enhanced by receiving time to spend within the NHL and learn from the experienced veterans from the likes of captain Anže Kopitar to Phillip Danault and more. With a strong performance in the OHL and championship won with the Knights in 2024, he has demonstrated his ability to build a solid foundation in the professional league and established himself as a sought-after prospect. Building on Woolley’s previous successes, he possesses excellent mobility, strength, and size, all of which align with the Kings’ current roster and long-term goal of creating a tough, resilient team capable of contending for the Stanley Cup.

The Nashville Predators (27-36-8, 62 points) host the St. Louis Blues (38-28-7, 83 points) for the fourth and final matchup between the Central Division rivals this season Thursday at Bridgestone Arena.

The Blues lead the season series, 3-0, with each of their last two wins over Nashville coming within the last 10 days. The Blues currently hold a 3-point lead over the Vancouver Canucks for the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, while loss to St. Louis in any fashion on Thursday will officially eliminate the Predators from playoff contention.

Juuse Saros will get the start in net for the Predators, while Joel Hofer will tend the twine for the Blues. 

How the Predators Lined Up vs. St. Louis

Forsberg-O'Reilly-Evangelista
Bunting-Stamkos-Marchessault
Smith-Svechkov-Bellows
L'Heureux-McCarron-Sissons

Skjei-Blankenburg
Del Gaizo-Barron
Englund-Stastney

Saros
Annunen

Extra: Vrana, Oesterle
IR: Lauzon, Josi, Wilsby

Predators vs. Blues: Live Updates

First Period (NSH 2, STL 0)

Fedor Svechkov got the scoring started for Nashville with a pinpoint wrist shot from the slot that went bar down at the 2:48 mark of the first period. Michael Bunting made the play behind the net and fed to Svechkov for the score to give Nashville a 1-0 lead. Andreas Englund also recorded a secondary assist on the play for his first point as a member of the Predators.

The shelf is HIGH!

Svech puts in the lead 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/POCsmG8yuu

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 28, 2025

The Predators doubled their lead on the power play just over halfway through the frame with a shot from the high slot by Brady Skjei. A Ryan Suter slashing penalty gave Nashville the man advantage, and Skjei received a drop pass from Luke Evangelista to score with just 14 seconds remaining on the penalty to make it 2-0 at the 10:16 mark

*I Like It, I Love It slowly intensifies* pic.twitter.com/ufMLFvUZN5

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 28, 2025

Evangelista's primary assist on the play gives him six points in his last six games. He has three goals and three assists in that span.

Second Period (NSH 2, STL 0)

Tempers flared when Englund laid a heavy hit on Jake Neighbours in front of the Predators' bench and Tyler Tucker came to his teammate's defense. Englund and Tucker were each assessed five-minute fighting majors at 5:29 of the second period. 

The Blues began to pick up some momentum midway through the frame, ultimately capitalizing on a lengthy stretch in the offensive zone with their first goal of the game. Dylan Holloway ripped a shot past Saros at the 10:35 mark of the second period to cut the Predators' lead to 2-1. 

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby scored a first-period goal against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, March 27, securing his 14th 80-point season.

Besides surpassing Wayne Gretzky for the NHL record of 20 seasons averaging a point-per-game, Crosby also joins The Great One in an exclusive club featuring three other Hockey Hall of Famers.

Since turning 30 in 2017, Crosby has compiled six seasons of 80 points or more, which ties Gretzky, Marcel Dionne, Phil Esposito, and Jean Ratelle for most 80-point seasons by a player age 30 or older.

BREAKING: Sidney Crosby Breaks Wayne Gretzky's Point-Per-Game Seasons RecordAfter 20 years in the making,

After the 2023-24 season, Crosby had five seasons on his resume, tying him with fellow Hall of Famers: Martin St. Louis, Joe Sakic, Adam Oates, Mark Messier, Ray Bourque, and Johnny Bucyk.

If the Penguins' captain can score 80 points in his last two seasons, he'd overtake the record and set the bar at eight seasons. 

However, when looking at the list of active players over 30 with at least two 80-point campaigns, Crosby would be wise to pay attention to the careers of Artemi Panarin (33) and Nikita Kucherov (31), as these two superstars have the skills to eventually find themselves at or near the top of this exclusive list.

Pittsburgh Penguins Schedule: Remaining Games & Statistical NotesThe Pittsburgh Penguins are winding down their 2024-25 season and on pace to miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive season, a first in Sidney Crosby's 20-year career. However, there is plenty to play for in the final weeks of the regular season. 

Bill Wippert via Getty Images

Sidney Crosby's first-period goal on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres secured the 20th point-per-game season for the Pittsburgh Penguins captain, breaking a tie with Wayne Gretzky.

The goal also clinched Crosby's 14th 80-point season since entering the NHL during the 2005-06 season, putting him three behind Gretzky for that record.

Among all active NHL players, Crosby is ninth in points with 1,676 and his goal was the 26th of the season and the 618th of his career.

The 37-year-old Crosby is one of 11 players in league history to play with one franchise for at least 20 seasons and his 1,676 points are the fourth-most ever with one team in NHL history.

“I’m running out of words to try to describe Sid’s legacy that he’s built here,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said via NHL.com this week. “What I will say with respect to just his consistency of play, I think it directly correlates with his passion to the game, his drive to be the best and then his willingness to put the work in to do so. I think that combination of those three things is unique.

“I haven’t been around too many guys that have those three characteristics associated with their respective games. When you add his elite talent and just his capability with his work ethic and his willingness to put the time in to hone his craft, so to speak, I think that’s what’s allowed him to sustain the level of play that he’s been able to do for virtually two decades now.”

Following Crosby and Gretzky for most point-per-game NHL seasons is Gordie Howe (17) and a number of players with 15, including Crosby's teammate Evgeni Malkin and Penguins great Mario Lemieux

This story will be updated.

After 20 years in the making, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has made NHL history.

On Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres, Crosby registered a first-period goal to clinch his 20th consecutive NHL season at a point-per-game pace, which officially breaks the previous NHL record set by Wayne Gretzky at 19.

Sidney Crosby: rewriting records, redefining excellence. pic.twitter.com/WSPxvRE2Nl

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 27, 2025

THE GOAL THAT GOT SIDNEY CROSBY HIS RECORD BREAKING 20th POINT PER-GAME SEASON 🚨 pic.twitter.com/lBVeFFbxHp

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 27, 2025

Crosby also accomplished the record by doing so in the first 20 seasons of his career, meaning he has not registered a season under point-per-game - something that has never been done in NHL history.

He is also riding a nine-game point streak (seven goals, 14 points) - which is the longest active streak in the NHL - and he leads the NHL in five-on-five points this season with 59.

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If the New York Rangers don’t make the playoffs, Chris Drury will have to make some difficult decisions including what to do with Peter Laviolette. 

Laviolette is entering the final year of his contract next season, but there are rumblings about whether he’ll even make it to that point. 

One year removed from winning the Presidents’ Trophy, the Rangers are on the brink of not even cracking the postseason.  

NHL insider Frank Seravalli  is under the impression that this lackluster season from the Blueshirts will cost Laviolette his job. 

“I'll be very surprised if Peter Laviolette is the coach of the Rangers on May 1st,” Seravalli said.

It’s hard to place all of the blame on Laviolette's shoulders given how much change the Rangers went through this season, but oftentimes it’s the coaches who get the short end of the stick.

The Rangers were a team with not only high expectations, but Stanley Cup aspirations, so New York missing the playoffs could very well lead to some major changes. 

Whether that is the coach getting fired, who knows. However, you should expect a lot of turnover though.

After a tough 3-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night, the Ottawa Senators have now lost three of their last four games. So, as they try to straighten things out on Thursday night against the Detroit Red Wings, head coach Travis Green has thrown his line combinations back into the lettuce spinner.

According to the team, Claude Giroux will play on the left wing with Tim Stützle and Fabian Zetterlund in Detroit, while Brady Tkachuk will be on the left side with Shane Pinto and Ridley Greig.

The one change on defence is one that many Senators fans on social media have been clamoring for – moving veteran Travis Hamonic to the press box. Nicolas Matinpalo slides into the number six position alongside Tyler Kleven. With Nick Jensen healthy for a second straight game, the top four D remain intact, which has been crucial to the team's success this season.

Anton Forsberg gave Linus Ullmark a night off in Tuesday’s game, so Ullmark will get the start in goal in Detroit on Thursday night.

The Senators lead the season series with a 2-1 record, thanks to a pair of 2-1 victories. In their last meeting, just over two weeks ago, Ullmark played out of his mind in a game the Red Wings probably deserved to win. Ullmark made a season-high 48 saves, including 27 in the second period.

The big Swede hopes to not be quite so busy on Thursday night.

Like the Senators, the Detroit Red Wings have lost three of their last four games. However, the Wings are running out of time. With 11 games left in their season, they’re just three points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern wild card spot.

Complicating things is the fact that Montreal is one of four teams ahead of them. So, Detroit will not only need to get hot down the stretch but also hope that the teams ahead of them falter. Detroit is 3-7-0 in their last 10, so they aren’t exactly showing signs of a late charge.

The Wings have no shortage of former Senators content in their lineup. Vladimir Tarasenko is expected to move up onto the top line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond on Thursday. Alex DeBrincat skates on the second line and top power play unit with Patrick Kane, a deadly duo since their Chicago days. Cam Talbot is back after missing one game and will back up starter Alex Lyon. Austin Watson and Tyler Motte have both been drawing positive reviews lately as fourth-line teammates.

The faceoff is at 7:00 PM at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena.