Mayhem broke loose after the second period in Game 3 between the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens.

As the Canadiens and Capitals headed for the dressing rooms after the horn, subtle bumps and shoves between both teams escalated into a fight on an empty bench. 

Capitals right winger Tom Wilson found Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj in the large crowd before Josh Anderson pulled him away from the group. Wilson and Anderson eventually fell into the Capitals' bench and continued to throw punches at each other while a linesman tried to break them up. 

Washington coach Spencer Carbery needed to step over the bench to get out of the way.

Both players received two-minute minors for roughing and 10-minute misconducts. Xhekaj and Lars Eller also got two minutes for roughing.

It was only a matter of time before the Habs got their licks on Wilson. Before the game, during warmups, Xhekaj and Wilson were talking at the red line. This is Xhekaj’s first career playoff game. 

In between whistles, there have been plenty of scrums, shoves and bumps in efforts to throw each other off their games.

Montreal’s Cole Caufield scored a big goal with under nine seconds remaining in the period. Emotions were high for both teams and the fans at the Bell Centre in their first home playoff game in years.

No Matter How You Say 'Go Habs Go,' Canadiens Must 'Allez' Or Be 'Fini'Regardless of what the language commission in Quebec orders buses in Montreal to use on their signs, the Montreal Canadiens must be better at home than they were on the road if they want to extend their first-round series against the Washington Capitals.

Montreal led 3-2 going into the third period and is looking to earn its first win in these playoffs.

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If you told Toronto Maple Leafs fans their sixth- or seventh-best defenseman would be significantly responsible for two straight overtime goals in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, you would’ve been asked to immediately take a sobriety test. 

Lo and behold, Maple Leafs blueliner Simon Benoit – who had played exactly seven playoff games heading into this post-season, producing exactly zero playoff points in that span – was Thursday night’s hero. He scored the overtime-winner to put the Buds up 3-0 in their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators. 

Benoit also set up center Max Domi for the overtime-winner in Game 2, getting the primary assist.

Now – and at the risk of tooting our own horn here – you can’t say everyone didn’t see the potential for Benoit to have a coming-out party. Indeed, in THN.com’s playoff poll, your humble senior digital correspondent picked Benoit as the unlikely playoff hero. 

There was a legitimate reason why Benoit was our choice: as the regular season neared its end, Leafs coach Craig Berube was increasingly confident in Benoit.

Despite averaging only 16:33 of ice time in 78 games this season – slightly less than the 17:14 he averaged under former Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe in 2023-24 – Benoit averaged at least 19:44 in Toronto’s final five games of the regular season. In three of those five games, Berube gave Benoit at least 20:56 of ice time. 

You can’t chalk that up to the Maple Leafs playing in games where they had nothing at stake. Toronto fought for top spot in the Atlantic Division right down to its second-last game of the season, so Berube went with the players he trusted most – and that included Benoit.

Battle Of Ontario Has Turned Into The Battle Of The Big 4 — And So Far, The Senators' Stars Have Gone M.I.A.A bottom-six forward scored the overtime winner in Game 2 and a stay-at-home defenseman matched his season goal total with the OT winner in Game 3. But the reason why the Toronto Maple Leafs have a 3-0 lead in their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators has less to do with depth scoring and unlikely heroes — and more to do with which team’s stars have shone the brightest.

Despite Benoit’s unexpected success on offense against Ottawa, his excellent defensive play has earned him Berube’s trust. 

During the season, Benoit averaged 2:05 of shorthanded time per game  – the fourth-most on the team. While he was on the ice for slightly more chances against the Leafs during the PK, he was not far off the penalty-killing results of Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe. He also led the team in hits and was fourth in blocked shots. It’s not an accident that Benoit has become a key component of Toronto’s defense. He’s absolutely earned it.

Of course, the Leafs’ stingy defensive play is still a product of their top defensemen having sustained success defending their zone. Tanev, McCabe and Brandon Carlo are all doing their jobs in making life tough on Senators attackers. But with every shift he takes, in every game, Benoit is blossoming before our eyes. Given that he’s under contract for two more years at an average annual salary cap hit of $1.35 million, Benoit is turning into a bargain.

NHL Playoffs Are Here: Most To Prove, Cinderella Runs, Early Exits, Traditions And MoreThe NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs are full of storylines and tradition.

In 279 career regular-season NHL games, Benoit generated all of six goals. He may only produce at a similar rate through the rest of his career in hockey’s best league. But the playoffs are all about unlikely players stepping up and chipping in with much-needed offensive performances, and in Toronto’s strong playoff start, it’s Benoit who has emerged as a difference-maker.

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The NHL fined the Ottawa Senators $25,000 and center Nick Cousins $2,083.33 for unsportsmanlike conduct tied to an incident in warmups before Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The NHL investigated an incident that occurred during the warmup ahead of Game 3, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. In it, Senators players, including left winger Nick Cousins, shot pucks at Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz.

The Senators' fine goes to the NHL Foundation, while Cousins' fine, which was the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement, goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Earlier on Friday, Senators coach Travis Green and Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube weighed in on the investigation between the two teams.   

"It's an active investigation. I don't know if I should be commenting on that now," Green said, getting a few laughs from the media in attendance. He said he was kidding.

“I saw the video,” Green said. “Nick Cousins and Stolarz have played together, he’s probably trying to laugh at him or make a joke or get him off his game. It is what it is.”

Cousins and Stolarz were teammates when playing for the Florida Panthers and won the Stanley Cup together last season. They were also teammates in the early stages of their careers with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2016-17.

Berube had less to say on the incident.

“I don’t think it’s anything,” he said.

Berube even recalled warming up before a game for the Flyers in 1992 when his teammate, Keith Acton, fired pucks at the New York Rangers’ net throughout the warmup to wind them up. Whatever happened with the Sens and Leafs on Thursday, it didn’t end like the brouhaha between the Flyers and Rangers.

The investigation doesn’t seem to concern either side of the Battle of Ontario, and it’s seen as a joke or light-hearted teasing if anything.

If Cousins was looking to get Stolarz off his game, it didn’t really work, as the Leafs goaltender stopped 18 of 20 shots the Senators threw at him. It was Stolarz’s 11th straight win dating back to the end of the regular season. In that stretch, Stolarz has recorded a.944 save percentage, 1.53 goals-against average and three shutouts.

Game 4 of this series will take place on Saturday. Toronto has a 3-0 series lead over Ottawa.

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Here's today's NHL Nugget – this Weekend's Way Back When rewinds to 1972 when the New York Islanders franchise was born.

When it came to the name for the Long Island team, it was a no-brainer. But the Islanders' iconic logo keeps it all about hockey, home turf and Stanley Cup championships.

 Brian T. Dessart takes fans on a distinctive ride through the historic-laden NHL with the #NHLNugget. Check out NHLNugget.com to find where to follow NHL Nugget on social media.  And for past NHL Nuggets, click here.       

Having missed the playoffs for the first time in eight years, the Boston Bruins' off-season plans have been the subject of recent media speculation.

On Wednesday, Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs expressed confidence in president Cam Neely and GM Don Sweeney getting the club back into playoff contention next season. During the hour-long press conference, Sweeney indicated he will use “every mechanism possible” to improve the roster during this off-season.

Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic reported Sweeney emphasized bolstering the Bruins' depth on the wings, indicating they only have two legitimate top-six wingers (David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie) under control. Geekie is an RFA with arbitration rights. Sweeney said contract talks are underway with the 26-year-old left winger.

Shinzawa believes the Bruins also need another top-six center. However, he thinks Sweeney will stand pat this summer due to the high cost of addressing that need.

Nick Goss of NBC Sports Boston suggested Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets as the best potential free-agent targets for the Bruins. However, it's uncertain if they'll be available when the UFA market opens on July 1.

Goss felt Sweeney could attempt to bring in a winger or two through the trade market. He pointed out the Bruins have considerable draft capital to use as trade bait, with four first-round picks and five second-rounders over the next three drafts.

Meanwhile, Joe Haggerty of Boston Sports Journal wondered if the Bruins might make any surprising moves involving their veterans. He noted that Jeremy Swayman is their only high-priced veteran lacking no-trade protection for next season. 

Haggerty cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman musing whether Swayman could be a trade candidate, citing his struggles this season following his ugly contract extension negotiations last summer. However, Friedman believes the Bruins will remain patient with the 26-year-old goaltender, hoping he rebounds next season. 

Swayman's difficult season contributed to the Bruins' decline this season, but they won't part ways with him. They have no one within their system or in the trade and free-agent markets to replace him as their starter. Their odds of a bounce-back season are greater with Swayman manning their crease.

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Day 6 of the Stanley Cup playoffs was full of surprising moments, good and bad. 

The Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning are heading into dangerous territory as both teams are yet to earn a victory in their respective series. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues comfortably won their first game at home.

Here are the storylines from all four contests from Thursday.

Florida Panthers Defeat Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 (FLA Leads Series 2-0)

After a 6-2 loss in Game 1, the Lightning went through another discouraging defeat. This time, the Panthers shut them out 2-0 and snatched both games in Tampa Bay’s Amalie Arena.

While it’s not ideal to be down 2-0 in the series, the Bolts will play their next game on the road at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla.

Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all 19 shots the Lightning fired his way. Defenseman Nate Schmidt scored his third goal of the playoffs, which puts him tied for third in the NHL for goals with Pavel Buchnevich, Nathan MacKinnon and Adrian Kempe.

He had five goals in the regular season. Not even Schmidt can believe it, but he’ll take what he can get to help the team.

“I’m going to save my stick… make sure it doesn’t go anywhere,” Schmidt told reporters after the game.

Toronto Maple Leafs Defeat Ottawa Senators 3-2 OT (TOR Leads Series 3-0)

The Senators face elimination after the Maple Leafs defeated them in overtime for the second straight game. 

This contest had a similar feeling to Game 2, where Toronto also won 3-2 in overtime. Even defenseman Simon Benoit was involved in the game-winner, taking a slapshot that beat Sens netminder Linus Ullmark with the help of a screen.

Despite being down 3-0 in the series, Ottawa is not lacking in belief that they can make a comeback.

“We are not going to lay down and go away. We are going to be ready to play,” Sens coach Travis Green said after the game.

Added Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk: “It's been done before, and I have the belief that it can be done again."

The Leafs’ power play and star players stay hot, with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner recording two points each. Marner now has six points while Matthews has five in three games. 

Battle Of Ontario Has Turned Into The Battle Of The Big 4 — And So Far, The Senators' Stars Have Gone M.I.A.A bottom-six forward scored the overtime winner in Game 2 and a stay-at-home defenseman matched his season goal total with the OT winner in Game 3. But the reason why the Toronto Maple Leafs have a 3-0 lead in their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators has less to do with depth scoring and unlikely heroes — and more to do with which team’s stars have shone the brightest.

Minnesota Wild Defeat Vegas Golden Knights 5-2 (MIN Leads Series 2-1)

The Wild took the lead in the series against the Vegas Golden Knights in a complete performance. The Wild won 5-2 for the second straight outing, and as the underdogs, they’re giving the Knights a run for their money.

Kirill Kaprizov continues to lead the team to glory with a two-goal night. He’s now the NHL’s joint leader in points with Kempe, recording seven in three games. 

This contest wasn’t a walk in the park against the 2023 Stanley Cup champions. Vegas made a valid push in the later stages of the match, drawing three power plays in the final frame. 

However, Filip Gustavsson was Minnesota’s best penalty-killer, finishing the game with 30 saves and a .938 save percentage. 

After the game, the Wild players credited the spirited crowd, who helped them push to their series lead. 

“You can’t hear anything,” Gustavsson said.

St. Louis Blues Defeat Winnipeg Jets 7-2 (WPG Leads Series 2-1)

The Blues destroyed the Winnipeg Jets in Game 3. St. Louis had two standout players in this performance in terms of production in D-man Cam Fowler and left winger Pavel Buchnevich.

Fowler seized his opportunity ever since he was traded to the Blues from the Anaheim Ducks earlier during the regular season. In this game, he scored one goal and a career-high five points. 

Buchnevich scored the first hat trick of these playoffs, with one tally on the power play. 

Toward the end of the game, the Jets became physical and undisciplined. The Blues took advantage and capitalized on three power plays out of eight attempts.

Blues coach Jim Montgomery approved of the team’s performance.

“What I liked was our fierce, competitive attitude,” he told reporters. “Our start was incredible."

St. Louis has one more game at home on Sunday before heading back to Winnipeg to continue the series.

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Quinton Byfield has been a beast in the first two games of the Los Angeles Kings' first-round series against the Edmonton Oilers.

He has played large, made space for himself and been rewarded for his robust play with two crucial goals against Edmonton.

In doing so, he's rewarding the Kings for their patience in developing him into an NHL player that seems headed for stardom. It wasn't pretty at times, and it wasn't easy, but Byfield has figured it out with the help of the organization and is developing into the No. 1-caliber center the Kings envisioned when they took him second overall in 2020.

And it's a good reminder that a slow burn with a young NHL player can have some wonderful results.

Today's video column has more.

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Welcome to The Hockey News Playoff Frenzy Live, streaming nightly during the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs.

After the big game of the night, our experts go live to react to the match that was, break down the key moments and storylines, provide updates on the rest of the night's NHL slate and read your opinions.

On tonight's show, Emma Lingan and Michael Traikos react to the Toronto Maple Leafs taking a 3-0 series lead over the Ottawa Senators after another overtime-winner.

Playoff Frenzy - April 24, 2025 | The Hockey NewsWelcome to Playoff Frenzy Live by The Hockey News presented by STIX.com, where we give our live reactions and break down the latest news to all the biggest g...

They also touch on the Florida Panthers beating the Tampa Bay Lightning again and the other NHL action on Thursday night.

Check out the show right now and share your opinions in the live chat and in our comment section.  

The NHL’s 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs are less than a week old, but five teams are already in a 2-0 series deficit in their first-round matchup.

Which teams have a chance of coming back and winning their series? Let’s look at the five teams in a hole and examine whether they looked good enough to come back.

Edmonton Oilers

Can They Come Back? No

Why? The Oilers’ offense hasn’t been terrible, as they’ve posted seven goals in two games in the Battle of CalBerta (thanks to entertainment publicist extraordinaire Matt Labov for that colorful label). 

The problem for Edmonton is its porous defense, which has allowed 12 goals to the Kings – the most goals against of any team through two games. 

Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner has been as ineffective as Edmonton fans have feared, getting pulled in Game 2. But backup Calvin Pickard is no savior, and without injured top defenseman Mattias Ekholm, the Oilers just don’t have the horses to contain Los Angeles’ well-balanced offensive attack. 

Edmonton superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can only do so much, and while the dynamic duo has produced seven points in two games, it’s not going to be enough to fend off the Kings. Sorry, Oilers fans, but a first-round exit is probably happening here.

Skinner Or Pickard: Who Should The Oilers Start In Game 3?Do the Edmonton Oilers have the worst goaltending so far in the playoffs?

Montreal Canadiens

Can They Come Back? Yes

Why? The Canadiens weren’t overwhelmed by Washington through two games, losing 3-2 in overtime in Game 1, then falling 3-1 to the Capitals in Game 2. 

Montreal’s offense is problematic, but on the bright side, the Habs limited the Capitals to five goals in regulation time – and one goal was an empty-netter. One bounce in their favor, and the Canadiens could have evened up this series at one game apiece.

Montreal goalie Sam Montembeault was well above-average in two games, putting up a .921 SP and 2.49 GAA. But his counterpart, Logan Thompson, has been even better, with a 1.47 GAA and a .951 SP for the Caps. That said, if the Canadiens can poke holes in Thompson’s game, they could win Games 3 and 4 in Montreal and push this series to at least six games. From there, the Habs could pull off an upset and get to the second round.

New Jersey Devils

Can They Come Back? No

Why? The Devils were outplayed in Game 1, losing to the Hurricanes 4-1. Carolina built a 3-0 lead in Game 1 and was never threatened by New Jersey. In Game 2, the final score of 3-1 for Carolina might cause some to believe the game was more competitive for the Devils.

The big picture tells a different tale, as the Hurricanes kept the Devils off the scoresheet for the final 56 minutes in Game 2, and New Jersey’s offense was a complete non-factor after an early goal. 

The Hurricanes are too fast and deep for the Devils. Although Carolina’s regular-season road record of 16-21-4 suggests New Jersey could win a game at home, the Devils’ home record of 19-17-5 suggests they won’t thrive in their rink. Barring a miracle, the Devils are going home soon. 

No Panic: Ottawa Senators Lose Again, But They'll Be Better For It In The Short- And Long-TermThere are no moral victories in the Stanley Cup playoffs, so the reality is the Ottawa Senators find themselves down 2-0 in the Battle of Ontario and face an enormous task getting back into this first-round series.

Ottawa Senators

Can They Come Back? No

Why? At times in Games 1 and 2, the Maple Leafs stopped skating and were outplayed by the Senators, but they found a way to beat Ottawa and retain home-ice advantage. That has to be discouraging for the Senators, which swept the Leafs in their regular-season series.

Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz’s .934 SP and 1.95 GAA are far superior to Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark’s 4.39 GAA and .800 SP through two games. 

Toronto’s defense corps has also been extremely effective in a way that the Senators’ defense corps has not. So long as the Maple Leafs stay healthy, the Sens are going to be on their heels – and, soon enough, Toronto will be heading into the second round.

St. Louis Blues

Can They Come Back? Yes

Why? The Blues lost Game 1 by a 5-3 score, but that game was tied 3-3 until the 18:24 mark of the third period. St. Louis lost Game 2 by a 2-1 margin, but the game was tied 1-1 until the Jets got the game-winner at the 1:43 mark of the third frame. So, this series is closer than it first appears. 

Superstar Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck has a combined .897 SP after two games, hardly the stuff of legends – so the Blues have an opportunity to cut into the Jets’ series lead and extend the series to at least a fifth game.

Given Winnipeg’s underwhelming performances in previous post-seasons, there will be pressure on the Jets if St. Louis wins the next game or two. And if the Blues do figure out how to exploit Winnipeg’s weaknesses, there’s every chance St. Louis can defy the odds and upset the Jets.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

The Battle of Ontario continues, with the Ottawa Senators hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs for Game 3 on Thursday night.

The Leafs have a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. But with the teams now heading to Ottawa, which is hosting a playoff game for the first time in eight years, expect the home crowd to give the Senators the edge.

Then again, it's not like history has been on Ottawa's side in this one-sided battle.

So far, the story of the series has been the play of Toronto's Anthony Stolarz, who has outperformed Ottawa's Linus Ullmark in net. The Leafs' power play, which has potted five goals, has also been something that the Senators have been unable to have an answer for.

While Toronto's Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares have combined for four goals in two games, Auston Matthews is still searching for his first goal. Meanwhile, Max Pacioretty is expected to draw into the lineup for the first time in two months.

Ottawa is not expected to have any lineup changes.

Heart Over Hype: Playoff Hockey Finally Returns to Ottawa On Thursday Night The wait is over.

This story will be updated throughout the game. Make sure you refresh the page, so that you are receiving the up-to-date version of this story.

Also, be sure to check out our post-game Playoff Frenzy Live video, where Michael Traikos and Emma Lingan breakdown Game 3.

pic.twitter.com/ewRftsaomo

— Settle Down (@KBrown3366) April 24, 2025

First Period

End of the 1st period — No score, Ottawa outshooting Toronto 8-7.

1:18 — Uh-oh, the Leafs and their No. 1-ranked power play is going on the man-advantage after Tkachuk takes an elbowing penalty.

3:31 — Nylander with (yet another) breakaway. He elects to wind up and blast a slapper, but Ullmark with the huge save.

Nylander winds up on the breakaway

good first pass from Holmberg pic.twitter.com/LNjPPYYOTt

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 24, 2025

4:28 — Big save by Ullmark on Bobby McMann; The Sens goalie, who was heavily criticized for his play in Game 1, has been much better as the series has gone on. Probably needs to steal one if Ottawa hopes to have a chance.

6:47 — Max Domi continues his strong play in this series. Just drove to the net hard with the puck, paying the price in the process.

11:37 — Much more physical tonight than the previous two games. Just ask Nylander, who was tackled to the ice by Nylander (no call on the play).

'I Can't Say Enough About Matthew Knies and JT In Those Areas': Maple Leafs Explode For 3 Power-Play Goals To Down Senators In Game 1The Toronto Maple Leafs exploded for three power-play goals against the Ottawa Senators in a 6-2 victory in Game 1 of their first-round series in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

15:04 — Tkachuk draws a hooking penalty, so Ottawa goes on a 4-on-3 PP. Big opportunity for the Sens, who have yet to score a power play goal.

17:15 — First big test for Linus Ullmark, as Pontus Holmberg gets a clean look from the right side. Still no score.

19:08 — It didn't take long for the hatred to heat up, as Tkachuk and Tanev go at it.

20:00 — And here go, Game 3 under way!

No one does the anthem better than the legendary Lyndon Slewidge, who was part of the last Battle of Ontario.

Loud Go Sens Go chants and booing when Toronto came out. It’s early but they seem to have done a somewhat good job keeping Leafs fans to a minimum. pic.twitter.com/VszxtO6q1L

— David Alter (@dalter) April 24, 2025

Let the pre-game match-ups begin! Sportsnet analyst Derek Lalonde says that the Matthews line will get a "healthy dose of Shane Pinto."

The crowd inside Canadian Tire Centre sounds electric.