Jets’ Vilardi Set to Return From Injury For Game 5
Winnipeg Jets’ forward Gabriel Vilardi will make his 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff debut in Game 5, as per head coach Scott Arniel. The 25 year old, who missed the final…
Monthly Archives: April 2025
Tucker Ruled Out For Game 5; Suter Back In For Blues
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- The good news regarding St. Louis Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker is that his season is not done, according to coach Jim Montgomery.
Tucker, who departed Sunday’s 5-1 win in Game 4 against the Winnipeg Jets with a lower-body injury to his right leg when he awkwardly fell backwards and needed help off the ice favoring his right leg with 4:17 left in the third period, did not practice on Tuesday and has been ruled out for Game 5.
The best-of-7 Western Conference First Round series is tied 2-2 with Game 5 slated for Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. (FDSNMW, ESPN, CBC, TVAS, SN, ESPN 101.1-FM).
"He’s day-to-day. He won’t be an option in Game 5," Blues coach Jim Montgomery said of Tucker, who scored the game-winning goal in Game 4.
St. Louis goal!
— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) April 27, 2025
Scored by Tyler Tucker with 09:14 remaining in the 2nd period.
Assisted by Nick Leddy and Alexandre Texier.
St. Louis: 2
Winnipeg: 1#WPGvsSTL#stlblues#GoJetsGopic.twitter.com/YW85khNkaL
It means veteran Ryan Suter, who played all 82 regular-season games and Games 1 and 2 of the series before being a healthy scratch for Games 3 and 4, will return to the lineup and be paired with Nick Leddy.
"He is going back in. I’ve got to give him credit," Montgomery said of Suter. "I’ve got to say it was hard to do when you respect the player so much and what he’s done in the League for years and how much he’s helped us this year. You make a decision and you live with it. But that day I told him, that practice, he was unbelievable. He’s a pro, and I know he’s going to be good for us. It was just a gut feel, and putting him back in, we’re getting our No. 1 penalty-killing defenseman back in.”
The Blues went with Tucker starting in Game 2 when they implemented 11 forwards and seven defensemen before going back to the traditional 12 forwards and six defensemen and made Suter expendable as an extra at the time.
Tucker brought an element needed in a heavy, bruising series. And what does Suter specifically need to bring forward?
“Just to continue to win battles and move pucks north,” Montgomery said. “The strength of his game, which is his brains and his brawn.
“The poise and calmness when games get frantic, he’s an unbelievable voice back there."
* Forwards Brayden Schenn and Robert Thomas did not practice in what Montgomery called maintenance days. But each will play in Game 5.
At practice Tuesday, Nikita Alexandrov and Mathieu Joseph skated in their places.
Hughes, Makar & Werenski Named 2025 Norris Trophy Finalists
The NHL announced its finalists for the James Norris Trophy, an annual tradition since 1953, awarded to the league’s best defenseman. The trophy honors the player “who demonstrates the greatest…
Three NHL Teams That Should Be Front-Runners For Mike Sullivan
The Pittsburgh Penguins did what many expected Monday morning, parting ways with coach Mike Sullivan after more than nine years on the job.
Sullivan won two Stanley Cups in his first two years on the job in Pittsburgh, and he guided them to the playoffs in each of his first seven years. However, Sullivan failed to guide the Penguins to the post-season in each of the past three years, and they finished seventh in the Metropolitan Division – his lowest finish with Pittsburgh.
Sullivan’s championship pedigree will lead to multiple NHL teams seeking to bring him aboard as their bench boss. While there are currently seven teams seeking to name a permanent coach, there are three front-runners to land Sullivan’s services.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins fired Jim Montgomery early last season, replacing him with interim coach Joe Sacco. But the fact Boston hasn’t removed the ‘interim’ tag from Sacco so far tells you all you need to know about the likelihood of Sacco getting the permanent job in Beantown.
Sullivan makes sense for the Bruins on several fronts. For one thing, Boston is looking at a retool, not a rebuild, so Sullivan could take the B's job knowing Bruins management will be making roster moves to push the team back into the post-season right away.
Sullivan also cut his teeth as an NHL coach in Boston, coaching the Bruins from 2003 to 2006. Sullivan’s familiarity with the Bruins organization gives Boston an advantage as teams try to bring him on board. Sullivan is also a Massachusetts native who appreciates what it means to coach an Original Six franchise.
For all those reasons, Boston has to be seen as a front-runner for Sullivan. The Bruins don’t want to miss the playoffs for a second straight season, and while there would be big-time pressure on Sullivan if he took the job in Boston, he would welcome that pressure and is capable of handling the accompanying challenge.
NHL Rumor Roundup: What's Next For The Penguins Following Mike Sullivan's Departure?The Pittsburgh Penguins made headlines on Monday by announcing they and coach Mike Sullivan agreed to part ways.
New York Rangers
The Rangers gave GM Chris Drury a vote of confidence late last week, signing him to a multi-year contract extension. But the Blueshirts need a new coach after firing veteran Peter Laviolette nearly two weeks ago, and Sullivan could be the ideal replacement for Laviolette.
Like the Bruins, the Rangers missed the playoffs, but the Rangers also intend to be a playoff team in 2025-26, and Sullivan would probably see Manhattan as an attractive option.
Sullivan also knows what it's like to coach the Rangers, as he was an assistant coach for them from 2009 to 2013. Getting a kick at the can as a head coach would make the Rangers an intriguing opportunity for Sullivan, and money wouldn’t be an object for the franchise.
The Rangers have an elite goalie in Igor Shesterkin, and every coach knows how crucial it is for a team to have a star in net if they intend on going on a deep playoff run. That will be a distinct possibility in New York City next season, and Sullivan could get right back into the playoff mix with the Rangers.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers don’t have an organic connection to Sullivan, but given Philadelphia’s arch-rivalry with the Penguins, Sullivan knows the passion Flyers fans have for their team. And Philadelphia is a young team many believe is on the rise, so Sullivan could see them as an attractive destination.
Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere dismissed veteran bench boss John Tortorella late in the regular season, but he shouldn’t be afraid to hire a well-versed replacement in Sullivan, who was part of Tortorella’s staff with the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks.
The biggest stumbling block for Sullivan may be the Flyers still rebuilding and lacking a clearly reliable starting netminder, but Briere may be able to sell the job on Sullivan by sharing the plan forward.
To get ahead of the Rangers and Bruins, the Flyers will have to be creative and forceful. But stranger things have happened than Philadelphia hiring Sullivan. A motivated and well-supported Flyers team may be extremely appealing for Sullivan.
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Avalanche Defenseman Cale Makar Named Norris Trophy Finalist
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar has been named a finalist for the Norris Trophy, along with Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets.…
NHL Draft Lottery Coming Soon: Where Islanders Stand
The 2025 NHL Draft Lottery will be held Monday, May 5.
The New York Islanders own the 10th-best odds to land the No. 1 pick at 3.5%.
They have a 3.7% chance of moving into the No. 2 slot, 73.3% to remain at No. 10, and a 19.1% chance to fall out of the top 10, per Tankathon.
Why Mathieu Darche Should Be A Top Candidate For Islanders General Manager PositionWhen the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the New York Islanders in 2020 and 2021, Julien Brisbois was Tampa's general manager.
The San Jose Sharks enter with the highest odds to pick first overall at 25.5%, and the Chicago Blackhawks follow at 13.5%.
Michael Misa, Matthew Schaefer, and James Hagens are leading contenders to go first overall.
The 2025 NHL Draft will be held in Los Angeles on June 27 and 28.
Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
Maple Leafs vs. Senators Game Day Preview: Game 5
It’s Game Day! The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators continue their first-round series tonight with Game 5 of the Battle of Ontario. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST. The Maple Leafs…
Count On Tavares, Tkachuk Scoring in High-Flying Maple Leafs Game 5 Win Over Senators
Toronto Maple Leafs return home with chance to close out series versus Ottawa Senators in Game 5 on Tuesday
Tuesday night is the ultimate opportunity for NHL fans, with a loaded slate of thrilling matchups for the Stanley Cup playoffs. The game that sticks out is the Battle of Ontario between the Maple Leafs and Senators with Toronto looking to advance to the second round with a win.
The Buds look to close out the series and improve on a 1-11 record in closeout games during the Auston Matthews era. Ottawa looks to stave off elimination and keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive.
For bettors, this matchup provides a chance to capitalize on some of our recent strong trends, like our 29-12 record on our last 41 picks, including perfect record during Game 1 and 4 of the series.
All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.
More NHL: Battle of Ontario Betting Guide: Best Bets, Strategies and Futures for Maple Leafs versus Senators
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa Senators Best Bets:
- Leafs ML (-162)
- Over 5.5 goals (-114)
- Leafs Score First (-145)
- John Tavares Over 0.5 points (-174)
- Brady Tkachuk Over 0.5 points (-132)
- Tim Stutzle Under 0.5 points (+126)
Offence has been red hot lately with Toronto's big four of Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and Auston Matthews recording points in every game of the series except for Game 3 in Tavares' case.
Ottawa has simply not had an answer for Toronto's playmakers with nine goals allowed through the first two games that were played in Toronto.
More NHL: Stars' Hintz, Oilers' Nugent-Hopkins Headline Playoff Players Due for Bounce Back Performances
For Game 5, the Maple Leafs return home with a second-round bid on their mind. If they can manage to continue their success at home and keep doing what is making them successful, then they should find a favourable result on Tuesday.
Game 4 of the series will likely appear as an outlier as offence was finally generated from Ottawa winger Tim Stutzle, who scored his first goal of the series and marked his first real point of the series after recording a second assist on a Senators goal back in Game 2.
I expect the Maple Leafs to put the clamps on the German winger once again and play a solid defensive game after getting out to an early lead.
The Buds have scored six first period goals this series and should get another one here as Senators netminder Linus Ullmark has struggled to stop the bleeding with 15 goals allowed through four games.
The member of Toronto's big four with the best value is Tavares, who has continued his hot streak into the postseason with three goals. He has been playing alongside Nylander, who has also been hot and should set up for another offensive night for the line.
Senators' captain Brady Tkachuk has felt the pressure of the playoffs and has responded well with points in three straight games and is surprisingly still listed at a decent value to get on the board.
Ottawa won't go down quietly and Tkachuk will certainly be a factor for the Senators in this one. Due to Stutzle's struggles in the series, he's been pulled off Tkachuk's line and it hasn't slowed the Arizona native down.
More NHL: Bolts, Golden Knights Present Last Call For Massive Betting Values
Oilers’ Coach Kris Knoblauch Is the King of In-Game Adjustments
The Edmonton Oilers tied their Round 1 Stanley Cup Playoff series vs. the Los Angeles Kings after a stunning 4-3 overtime victory on Sunday night (April 27). Evan Bouchard tied…
Speculation: When to Expect an Anaheim Ducks Coaching Hire
The Anaheim Ducks announced on April 19 that Greg Cronin would not return as head coach of the organization for the 2025-26 season.
Report: Anaheim Ducks Interview Joel Quenneville for Head Coaching Vacancy (Updated)
The Ducks are one of four teams (New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Seattle Kraken) in the NHL with a vacancy behind their bench. Three other teams are currently employing interim coaches (Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers), while two more face uncertainty (New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks).
With as few as four and as many as nine NHL head coaching job openings, the landscape will likely require more time for clarity before hiring announcements begin.
Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek met with media members following the team’s announcement that they were going to go in a different direction with their head coach. During his availability, he stated the search was going to be similar to how he handled the process his first time around, in which he notably had a long list of candidates on his radar before Cronin was ultimately hired.
“Timeline, we’re going to start the search and start to make a list immediately,” Verbeek said on April 19. “I really don’t have a timeline on it. I’m going to look to hire the best candidate for this team and what it needs moving forward.”
A look at coaches currently holding head coaching positions around the league and when they were hired will indicate when to expect a coaching announcement from the Ducks.
Coaches are either let go at some point during the NHL season or shortly after the conclusion of the season. Since the Ducks elected for the latter, a look at previous offseason hires is necessary.
2022
Ten NHL head coaching hires were made in the 2022 offseason. The New York Islanders, Vegas Golden Knights, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Winnipeg Jets, and San Jose Sharks all made changes behind their bench after the 2021-22 season.
Nine of the ten were announced between June 14 and July 3. The ninth was made on July 22 (David Quinn to San Jose) because the Sharks were in the midst of a change at the general manager position.
Due to the previous COVID-shortened seasons, the 2021-22 regular season ended on May 1. The majority of the hires came between six and eight weeks following the conclusion of the regular season.
2023
Six head coaching hires were made following the 2022-23 season. The Washington Capitals, Nashville Predators, Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, and Columbus Blue Jackets all made hires before the 2023-24 season.
The earliest hires were made on May 30, and the latest one was made on July 1. Five of the six occurred in the two weeks between May 30 and June 13. The 2022-23 season ended in mid-April, as is typical for the NHL season, placing the majority of hires in the same six to eight-week period following the conclusion of the regular season.
2024
The Summer of 2024 saw seven teams make changes behind their benches. The Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks, and Columbus Blue Jackets all made changes.
Compared to the two previous offseasons, 2024 was an anomaly on both sides of the hiring timeline. The Sabres got the party started just four days following the end of the season, when they hired Lindy Ruff on April 22. The next four hirings came between May 7 and May 24, while the last two came on June 13 and July 22.
Today
If patterns are to be drawn in regards to when and how teams come to decisions on their next head coach, a general target window of six to eight weeks following the end of the season can be established.
However, because there are so many openings and more potential candidates to come on the horizon, teams may be more inclined to take their time. There is typically a waiting period as teams interview candidates, followed by a first domino and several rapid announcements.
The only substantial news that has been reported within the coaching landscape this offseason is that the Ducks have interviewed Joel Quenneville and that David Carle has removed himself from contention in the Blackhawks’ search.
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported on Tuesday’s “Morning Cuppa Hockey” show that the Ducks are the only team confirmed to be in the process of conducting interviews.
“I think Anaheim’s trying,” Saravalli said. “They’re the first team that I know that has actually completed interviews and has more scheduled. They’re grinding away to try and make that happen.”
The Penguins parted with Mike Sullivan on Monday, effectively adding him to the market. Rick Tocchet (Vancouver) and Patrick Roy’s (Islanders) respective positions seem uncertain, so they could become potential candidates soon as well.
Pat Verbeek said he was going to cast a wide net and wasn’t going to eliminate anyone from his search. He does seem to have a head start on the opposition with Seravalli’s report. If he doesn’t intend to interview Tocchet or Roy, the Ducks might be the first of those dominoes to fall, set the market on the coaching landscape, and make the first move, hiring their future head coach of the franchise.
Odds suggest the Ducks will hire their coach near the end of May, but if there were an outlier to make an earlier announcement, it would likely be Anaheim.
Carlsson, Lundeström to Represent Sweden at 2025 Betano Hockey Games, World Championship