Good morning, folks. The Vegas Golden Knights are once again Pacific Division champions. They beat the Nashville Predators in regulation in their final home game of the regular season, giving them their fourth division title in eight seasons. The Golden Knights are now locked into a round-one playoff matchup with WC1—whoever that may be.
Elsewhere in the Daily Nuggets, a three-time Stanley Cup champion skated in his final game on Saturday. Alec Martinez, who won the Stanley Cup in 2023 with the Golden Knights, announced his impending retirement in a pregame interview. Three first-round playoff matchups are set in stone, including the Los Angeles Kings against the Edmonton Oilers— something new and exciting! Gabriel Landeskog scored his first professional goal in nearly three years.
Golden Knights News
On Saturday night, the Golden Knights played their final home game of the regular season. Noah Hanifin was the hero on Fan Appreciation Night; the Golden Knights beat the Nashville Predators 5-3 in dramatic fashion.
Because the Golden Knights won in regulation, they wrapped up the race for the Pacific Division title. It’s their fourth division title in just eight years. That’s nothing to scoff at.
This is a very, very good Golden Knights team. They’re one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference and are more than capable of winning the Stanley Cup. But for that to happen, they need one BIG thing.
Let’s do a little Q&A. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are less than one week away; beyond that, there’s the NHL Entry Draft and Free Agency. If you have questions, comments, or concerns about the Golden Knights’ season, playoffs, etc, please submit them to the Vegas Hockey Now Mailbag.
Franchise History: On April 13th, 2018, the Golden Knights defeated the Los Angeles Kings to win their first playoff overtime game. Erik Haula scored at 15:23 of the second overtime period to give the Golden Knights a 2-0 lead in the series.
The Athletic ($): A few days ago, the Athletic staff released a list of each team’s MVP; now, it’s time to discuss every team’s most disappointing player. Let’s just say this– the Blues’ loss is the Golden Knights’ gain.
Golden Knights Prospects News
Welcome to the pros, Trevor Connelly. During the Henderson Silver Knights’ shootout loss to the Colorado Eagles, the star Golden Knights prospect again found the scoresheet. Connelly scored his first AHL goal and recorded an assist, putting him at three points through his first three games.
Playoff Clinches & Eliminations
Seven teams entered Saturday’s slate of games with something on the line. The Montreal Canadiens would have clinched the playoffs with a win but lost in overtime. That point ended the seasons of the Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders, and New York Rangers. The Columbus Blue Jackets won in regulation, extending their hopes another day. The Minnesota Wild won but did so in overtime; they’ll have to wait until Sunday for another opportunity to clinch a playoff berth.
The Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets won on Saturday to secure their respective division titles.
Teams that can be eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday: Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets
Teams that can clinch a playoff berth on Sunday: Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues
Official Playoff Matchups
Winnipeg Jets vs WC2
Vegas Golden Knights vs WC1
Los Angeles Kings vs Edmonton Oilers
Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche
Carolina Hurricanes vs New Jersey Devils
NHL News, Rumors, & National Hockey Now
Sportsnet: Bad news for the Edmonton Oilers. They’re preparing for the chance that Mattias Ekholm– arguably their best defenseman– will miss the remainder of the season.
Sportsnet: Sometimes, there’s nothing funnier than a skater forced to play out of position. Other times, it works. Saturday’s game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens was the latter; star winger Mitch Marner played successfully as a defenseman.
Chicago Hockey Now: A Golden Knights legend is hanging up his skates. During a pregame interview, Alec Martinez announced to Darren Pang that he would play his final game on Sunday. The Winnipeg Jets stayed on the ice to shake hands with Martinez and Pat Maroon after the game— the ultimate classy move.
Colorado Hockey Now: In the second game of his conditioning stint with the Colorado Eagles, Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog scored his first professional goal since June 20th, 2022.
Detroit Hockey Now: Red Wings legend Sergei Fedorov expressed his thoughts after his old team officially missed the playoffs for the ninth straight season. Spoiler– he seemed pretty unimpressed.
San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks won big on Saturday. Well, they won big in the way that matters most to them, anyway.
NHL History: On April 13th, 2002, Chris Chelios and Brian Leetch both recorded their 700th career assist.
