It’s been a tough road trip so far for the Florida Panthers.

For the second time in three games since leaving South Florida, the Panthers couldn’t pick up the two points, this time falling to the Montreal Canadiens 3-1.

The home team got off on the right foot, and they did it on the power play.

Veteran sniper Patrik Laine was given three shot attempts from the same spot inside the left circle, and the third one finally beat Sergei Bobrovsky at the 5:15 mark of the opening frame.

Cole Caufield scored his 33rd goal of the season late in the period to give the Habs a 2-0 lead after one.

Panthers rookie Mackie Samoskevich would get the Cats on the board early in the second, picking the puck up behind Montreal’s net before walking in front and beating Sam Montembeault under the glove.

That would be as close as Florida would get on this night.

Christian Dvorak took advantage of a Sam Bennett turnover to restore Montreal’s two-goal lead in the third period, and that would be it in terms of scoring.

Florida ended up outshooting the Canadiens 11-2 during the final frame, but Montembeault stood tall and earned his team a huge two points in the standings.

On to Long Island.

QUICK THOUGHTS

Samoskevich has four points over a modest three-game point streak.

In 11 games since the start of February, Samoskevich has racked up six goals and nine points.

Bennnett extended his point streak to five games, accumulating three goals and six points during the run.

Over his past nine games, Bennett has four goals and 10 points.

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

Panthers road trip continues against Montreal squad fighting for playoff spot

The Hockey Show: Trade Deadline fallout, playoff posturing with Emily Kaplan

Three takeaways: Panthers slow Leafs rush game, finding success without key players

Sergei Bobrovsky hits major milestone, moving into 10th on NHL all-time wins list

Bennett has big night as Panthers take down Toronto, retain top spot in Atlantic Division

The Nashville Predators (25-33-7, 57 points) wrap up their three-game road trip with a visit to the Los Angeles Kings (35-20-9, 79 points) Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.

Justus Annunen will get the start in goal for Nashville, while Darcy Kuemper will stop the picks for the Kings.

How the Predators Lined Up vs. Los Angeles

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

Skjei-Blankenburg
Englund-Del Gaizo
Oesterle-Barron

Annunen
Saros

Extra: Evangelista, Stastney
IR: Josi, Lauzon, Wilsby

Predators at Kings: Live Updates

First Period (NSH 0, LAK 0)

The Predators' defense held the Kings to just four shots on goal in the first period, the first of which didn't even come until nearly 12 minutes into the frame. Annunen and Kuemper combined for 11 saves in the first period as the game remained scoreless heading into the first intermission.

On Saturday afternoon, the New Jersey Devils saw their winning streak end at PPG Paints Arena.

New Jersey's third-period comeback fell short as the Pittsburgh Penguins handed them a 7-3 loss. Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom made 16 saves on 22 shots for a .727 save percentage.

Devils' forward Cody Glass opened the scoring against the team that traded him a little over a week ago. It was the 25-year-old's fourth point in as many games with New Jersey. 

After that, it was all Penguins as the Devils found themselves down 4-1, entering the third period as Connor Dewar, Danton Heinen, Rickard Rakell, and Philip Tomasino all scored. 

New Jersey was awarded back-to-back four-minute power plays early in the third period and cashed in. Timo Meier scored his 19th of the season, and one minute later, Nico Hischier celebrated his team-leading 28th goal.

With 13:20 remaining in the game, the Devils were down by a goal but ultimately could not outperform their many mistakes. 

"We just weren't good in the game," Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe said to NJD.TV. "We weren't good in execution with the puck. We made mistakes. We didn't play winning hockey here today."

"We stopped playing hockey for a bit," Hischier told NJD.TV. "We were not smart enough. We beat ourselves." 

The Devils will conclude their two-game road trip on Monday night when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets for their final matchup of 2024-25. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

The Mental Side of the Game: Devils Players & Mental Skills Coach Andy Swärd Take You Behind the Scenes

EXCLUSIVE: Q&A With MSG Networks Host & Analyst Rachel Herzog

Hischier's Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He's Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily Satisfied'

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Erik Karlsson scored a power-play goal and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New Jersey Devils 7-3 on Saturday.

Rickard Rakell scored his team-leading 31st goal. Connor Dewar scored twice, and Philip Tomasino, Kevin Hayes and Danton Heinen also scored.

With an assist, Sidney Crosby tied Wayne Gretzky for the fourth-most points with a single franchise. Crosby also recorded his 12th 50-assist season, equaling Adam Oates for 8th in NHL history. He has points in 10 straight home games.

Tristan Jarry made 24 saves for his fourth straight win since he was recalled from the American Hockey League earlier this month. Jarry has stopped 123 of his last 130 shots faced.

Nico Hischier and Timo Meier scored power-play goals for the Devils. Cody Glass also had a goal. Nathan Bastian’s short-handed goal was called back on a challenge because he was offside.

Jesper Bratt had his third straight three-point game with three assists, matching the longest streak in franchise history. He has 60 assists this season, which equals Scott Stevens’ franchise record. Bratt has two goals and nine points in his last three games.

Jacob Markstrom stopped 16 shots.

Takeaways

Devils: New Jersey was unable to win four straight for the first time this season. The Devils lost three consecutive games prior to their three-game win streak.

Penguins: Pittsburgh won four straight games for the first time since a four-game win streak from Nov. 27-Dec. 3. The Penguins have five wins and points in six of their last nine games.

Key moment

Karlsson’s power-play goal gave Pittsburgh needed insurance. Meier and Hischier scored power-play goals earlier in the period for New Jersey, which turned a 4-1 hole into a one-goal deficit.

Key stat

Pittsburgh snapped a six-game home losing streak against the Devils dating back to Oct. 20, 2021.

Up next

New Jersey visits Columbus on Monday and Pittsburgh hosts the Islanders on Tuesday.

The Calgary Flames (30-24-11) are in must-win territory on a nightly basis, but dropped their second consecutive contest on Friday, losing to the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 at the Saddledome.

Despite the loss, the Flames remain in the second wildcard spot but no longer have a game-in-hand over the Vancouver Canucks. Since Calgary doesn't play until Monday, they will spend the weekend scoreboard watching.

Too Little Too Late

In a crucial game, the Flames came out flat. Even though it was a quiet opening period for both teams, as they combined for nine shots, 7-2, the Avalanche struck first at 13:21.

Meanwhile, Calgary didn't do much in the second, giving up the game's second goal at 5:55. Only in the dying minutes did the Flames get any momentum. They ended the period with many shots, which comprised the bulk of their eight. Still, ten shots through 40 minutes isn't part of the recipe for success.

🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥

Rasmus Andersson's shot goes off Jonathan Huberdeau's shoulder and in. That crazy bounce makes this a one goal game!

🎥: Sportsnet | NHL#Flames#GoAvsGopic.twitter.com/h7xXB60EYN

— Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) March 15, 2025

Once Blake Coleman made it 2-1 at 3:08, a costly miscommunication behind the net allowed the Avalanche to restore their two-goal lead. Jonathan Huberdeau's power-play goal made things interesting in the final four minutes, but a turnover led to an empty net goal and Colorado walked away with two points. 

Flames Are Not Ready For Top Seeded Playoff Series

It's no secret that the Flames are the lowest scoring team in the NHL and their goals-per-game average also ranks at the bottom. Against the Avalanche on Friday, the Flames scored less than their 2.55 average, which would make easy pickings in a playoff series.

If the postseason started today, the Flames, as the second-seeded wildcard, would play the Vegas Golden Knights, the fourth-best team in the NHL.

NHL Highlights | Avalanche vs. Flames - March 14, 2025Ryan Lindgren opened the scoring for the Colorado Avalanche, while Parker Kelly found the back of the net twice as the Avalanche roll against the Calgary Fla...

They score 3.35 goals a game and give up 2.70. Both numbers intimidate the Flames and their fan base because the team struggles to score.

Ultimately, on Friday, the Flames showed they are not in the same position as the Western Conference top teams like the Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets, or Golden Knights. Although they had moments where they controlled the pace of play, the outcome of this game was never in question.

Once Again, Wolf Can Only Do So Much

Dustin Wolf finished his night with 24 saves on 27 shots, good enough for a .889 SV%, the lowest total in a game...since a loss to the Avalanche on Feb. 6, when he registered a .882 SV%. 

Any contending team wants to ride their top goalie every night to climb the standings and clinch a playoff spot in the Flames' case. 

Dustin Wolf is built different pic.twitter.com/QpCfuGOJLz

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 15, 2025

However, Calgary hasn't done enough to support their young netminder, who just played his 40th game of the season for a career high. He may have played over 50 games in the AHL, but the NHL is a more competitive league and boasts some of the best players on the planet.

At this point, Wolf has worked his way into the Calder Trophy conversation, and many feel he should be a Hart Trophy candidate, but he's a one-person show with little to no help. 

With everything on the line on Friday, Wolf did everything he could to keep his team in the game, but with not much going on at the other end of the ice, it's been a difficult stretch for the youngster who remains one of the league's top netminders. 

Back on Feb. 9, the Pittsburgh Penguins took a chance on a young defenseman via a waiver claim.

And, so far, it seems to be paying off.

23-year-old Vladislav Kolyachonok took a while to get acclimated to the Penguins after he was claimed by Pittsburgh from the Utah Hockey Club. In fact - due to the 4 Nations Face-off break and the lack of practice time following the break - he didn't even make it into the lineup until Mar. 4 in a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

He made exactly three starts on the bottom pairing before impressing enough to earn top-pairing minutes with Kris Letang. And he hasn't disappointed in his two-plus games, as the Penguins are 2-0 so far in those contests.

Here's a look at the lines today against the Devils. pic.twitter.com/s3ZBpYYaOm

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 15, 2025

"I feel good playing with him," Kolyachonok said. "He's a great teammate. He helps me learn, and he's a great leader and a great person. I think we're getting on the same page. And it's good to get the results."

It's not as if Kolychonok - drafted in the second round (52nd overall) by the Florida Panthers in 2019 - has been productive up to this point, as he just registered his first point as a Penguin during Saturday's matchup against the New Jersey Devils. He is known as an offensive, puck-moving defenseman, and production will be expected at some point.

Pittsburgh goal!

Scored by Danton Heinen with 02:24 remaining in the 1st period.

Assisted by Philip Tomasino and Vladislav Kolyachonok.

Pittsburgh: 2
New Jersey: 1#NJDvsPIT#LetsGoPens#NJDevilspic.twitter.com/nXD78fKJqJ

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) March 15, 2025

But the early returns are pretty good on the blueliner from Minsk, Belarus. 

Even if it's a small sample size, Kolyachonok has the highest expected goals share of any Penguins' player in the last five games at 54.09. He also has the second-highest high-danger chances for share of 50, which trails only forward Emil Bemstrom at 58.33.

In other words, Kolyachonok is doing a fair amount to drive offense right now on the top pairing, and this is alongside a veteran who is known for his offensive instincts. And the crazy thing is that Letang has actually been playing more of a shutdown role on that pairing because of Kolyachonok's ability to aid the transition game, skate with the puck on his stick, and generate chances.

They're driving offense and creating scoring chances.

Kolyachonok has the highest 5v5 expected goals share of any Pens skater in the last six games at 54.09, and Tomasino is tied for second with Sidney Crosby in shots on goal at 15.

— Kelsey Surmacz (@kelsey_surmacz4) March 15, 2025

"I think he's competing hard," head coach Mike Sullivan said. "We're trying to get him to simplify his game and defend well. The one thing we really like about him is that he's a real good skater. He's strong on pucks, his gaps are really good, he can close on people laterally really well, and he's physical. He's not shy. He's willing to get into bodies."

He does need to work on his risk assessment and some of the defensive details in his game, especially when the puck is on his stick in the defensive zone. But all in all, it's been an impressive first few games from the young left-side defenseman. 

"There's areas of his game, obviously, where we think he can improve and get better," Sullivan said. "Just his decisions on when he joins the rush, his decisions on when he activates off the offensive blue line... he's trying to simplify the game. We're encouraging him to simplify the game with respect to his puck possession game.

"He's a young player, and we're excited about, potentially, where his game might go."

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!      

In an exclusive interview with RG.org former Montreal Canadiens player of Patrick Roy trade fame Andrei Kovalenko had some advice for the Habs' top prospect. While the Russian right winger only took part in 51 games with la Sainte-Flanelle, it was long enough for him to learn a few things about Montreal. 

Canadiens: Caufield Can Score Anywhere
The Canadiens Should Trade for Marco Rossi in the Offseason
Younger Xhekaj Makes Rocket History
Canadiens: Taming The Panthers

Like most of his countrymen, Kovalenko is keeping an eye on Ivan Demidov's career, and he had a few words of advice for the 19-year-old SKA St. Petersburg top scorer, based on his own experience in town. For him, it's imperative that any Canadiens player embraces both the history and traditions of the NHL's most storied franchise.  He also added that Habs' fans love it when you praise their team:

In Montreal, they love it when you praise the Canadiens. When I used to say I learned hockey in the best club in the world—CSKA—people looked at me strangely. You can’t do that there. For them, Montreal is hockey’s holy land. You have to truly appreciate and be proud of playing for that team.

The former NHLer also adds that Demidov's decision to start learning French even before coming to town bodes very well and is a true testament to his dedication for self-improvement, but also for his respect of the Montreal culture. 

A Quebec Nordiques eight-round pick in 1990, Kovalenko spent three years playing in Quebec City before the team was moved to Colorado and became the Avalanche. With the team on the brink of success, former agent turned GM Pierre Lacroix, pulled the trigger on a blockbuster of a trade to land the final pieces that would allow his team to capture its first Stanley Cup. Unfortunately for Kovalenko he was one of the three players sent to the Canadiens, alongside Jocelyn Thibault and Martin Rucinsky, for Patrick Roy and Mike Keane. 

The trade, which went down in Canadiens' history as one of the worst deal ever made, was immediately loathed by fans, hardly winning conditions to start a new chapter of your career. 

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

The Buffalo Sabres picked up an impressive 4-3 shootout win over the Vegas Golden Knights on March 15. The Sabres made the Golden Knights surrender 2-0 and 3-2 leads before winning this matchup, so it was a hard-fought victory for the Atlantic Division club. 

Sabres forward Ryan McLeod put together a strong performance in the team's victory. The 25-year-old scored for the Sabres just seven seconds after they allowed a goal to Golden Knights forward Pavel Dorofeyev during the first period. With this, the Sabres cut the Golden Knights' lead to 2-1. 

McLeod's goal was also a good one, too. After receiving a feed from defenseman Jacob Bryson, McLeod skated it into the offensive zone and beat Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill with a perfectly placed wrist shot.

McLeod's clutch goal was not the only notable thing he provided the Sabres with in their win. He also won an impressive 16 out of 20 faceoffs and accomplished a rare stat because of it. 

According to Buffalo Sabres PR, McLeod became just the seventh player in franchise history to take at least 20 faceoffs in a game and win 80% of them or more. When noting that the Sabres are in their 54th season and so few players have also done this, there's no question that this is an impressive achievement for McLeod. 

This strong performance is only the latest way that McLeod has benefitted the Sabres this season. The Mississauga, Ontario native has been such a solid addition to Buffalo's roster this season, posting new career-highs with 15 goals, 21 assists, and 36 points in 62 games. 

Recent Sabres News 

Sabres Call Up Promising Forward Prospect

Sabres Superstar Tage Thompson Is Heating Up Big Time

Former Sabre Dylan Cozens Has Big Moment With New Team

Sabres & Rangers Talking JJ Peterka Trade: Report

Former Sabre Dylan Cozens Impresses In Senators Debut