News and Notes from Thursday, April 2nd, 2026
News
- None
Jersey Tracking and Mini Recaps
Buffalo Sabres v. Ottawa Senators – 7p ET
- In Ottawa, the Sabres can clinch a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs with a win over the Senators and after a scoreless first period Buffalo took the 1-0 lead when Mattias Samuelsson netted his 13th of the year but then Dylan Cozens netted his 26th as the Senators tied the game. In the third, Lars Eller scored his fifth of the year to put the Sens up 2-1 and then Ridly Greig hit the empty net with his 12th of the year to put Ottawa up 3-1. Then, Shane Pinto also scored an empty netter, his 20th goal on the year, as the Senators defeated the Sabres 4-1.
Pittsburgh Penguins v. Tampa Bay Lightning – 7p ET
- In Tampa Bay, the Lightning look to head back to the postseason with a win over the Penguins and some help. In the first, Tampa Bay took the 1-0 lead when Anthony Cirelli netted his 21st of the season but then Rickard Rakell got his 21st of the year to tie the game for Pittsburgh. Then, Egor Chinakov scored his 19th on the year as the Penguins took the 2-1 lead. In the second, Anthony Cirelli scored a shorthanded goal, his second goal of the night, to tie the contest for the Lightning and then Brayden Point netted his 18th of the year as Tampa Bay took the 3-2 lead. Zemgus Girgensons then went on to net his ninth of the year as Tampa took the 4-2 lead. In the third, Nikita Kucherov then went on to net his 41st of the year as Tampa took the three goal lead and then Anthony Cirelli completed the hat trick with an empty net goal as the Bolts took the 6-2 lead. Then, Egor Chinakov scored his second of the night with a power play goal with two seconds left in the game but the Lightning grounded the Penguins for the 6-3 win.
Boston Bruins v. Florida Panthers – 7p ET
- In South Florida, the Panthers hosted the Bruins and in the first Mackie Samoskevich netted his ninth to put Florida up 1-0 and then Sam Bennett scored his 26th of the year to put the Panthers up 2-0. Boston then got on the board with his 17th of the year. With a scoreless second and third period, the Panthers got the 2-1 win over the Bruins.
Montréal Canadiens v. New York Rangers – 7p ET
- In Manhattan, the Rangers hosted the Canadiens in an Original Six battle and after a scoreless first, Montréal took the 1-0 lead when Alex Newhook scored his 12th of the eyar and then Cole Caufield scored his 48th on the year as the Canadiens took the 2-0 lead. In the third, Adam Fox scored his seventh to put New York on the board and then Will Cuylle netted his 17th to tie the contest 2-2. Then, Cole Caufield scored his second of the night as the Canadiens got the 3-2 win over the Rangers.
Detroit Red Wings v. Philadelphia Flyers – 7p ET
- In Philadelphia, the Flyers hosted the Red Wings and in the first Detroit took the 1-0 lead when Alex DeBrincat scored his 38th on the year with a power play goal. In the second, Philadephia got on the board when Tyson Foerster scored his 11th of the year to tie the game but then Detroit took the lead back when Lucas Raymond 25th of the year. In the third, Detroit took the two goal lead when Patrick Kane scored his 14th of the year but then Philadelphia cut the lead to a goal when Travis Konecny scored his 27th of the year. Alex DeBrincat then went on to score his second of the night as the Red Wings got the 4-2 win over the Flyers.
Columbus Blue Jackets v. Carolina Hurricanes – 7p ET
- In Raleigh, the Hurricanes can clinch a berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs with a victory as they hosted the Blue Jackets. In the first, Logan Stankoven scored a pair of goals to put Carolina up 2-0 and then Alexander Nikishin scored a shorthanded goal, his 11th goal on the season, as the Canes took the 3-0 lead. In the second, Columbus got on the baord when Denton Mateychuk scored his 13th on the year but then Jordan Martinook scored his 12th of the year as Carolina re-took the three goal lead. In the third, Andrei Svechnikov netted his 28th on the Carolina power play as the Hurricanes swiftly defeated the Blue Jackets 5-1 and clinched a berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Washington Capitals v. New Jersey Devils – 730p ET
- In New Jersey, the Devils welcomed the Capitals back to the Garden State and in the first New Jersey took the 1-0 lead when Cody Glass scored his 16th of the year and then Dawson Mercer netted his 16th to put the Devils up 2-0. Washington then got on the board when Cole Hutson netted his second and then Pierre-Luc Dubois scored his fifth on the power play as Washington tied the game. Then, New Jersey re-took the lead when Dougie Hamilton scored his 12th of the year. In the second, Jack Hughes struck with his 23rd of the year to put the Devils up 4-2. In the third, Jack Hughes scored his second of the night as New Jersey went up 5-2 but then Tom Wilson scored his 28th as the Caps got within two. Jesper Bratt then scored a power play goal, his 20th goal on the year, as New Jersey took the 6-3 lead and then Dawson Mercer scored his second of the night with an empty netter as the Devils dominated the Capitals 7-3.
Winnipeg Jets v. Dallas Stars – 8p ET
- In Dallas, the Stars welcomed the Jets and in the first Dallas took the 1-0 lead when Matt Duchene netted his 16th with a power play goal and then Arttu Hyry got his second of the year to put the Stars up 2-0. In the second, Adam Erne scored his sixth for Dallas. Following the scoreless third, the Stars got the 3-0 shutout victory over the Jets.
Vancouver Canucks v. Minnesota Wild – 8p ET
- In Minnesota, the Wild hosted the Canucks and looked to clinch a postseason berth by recording at least a point in the contest. In the first, Minnesota took the 1-0 lead when Matt Boldy scored his 39th of the year but then Tom Willander netted his fifth as Vancouver tied the game. Then, Jake DeBrusk scored a power play goal, his 18th goal of the year, as the Canucks took the 2-1 lead. In the second, Matt Boldy scored his second of the night as Minnesota tied the game and then Kirill Kaprizov netted his 40th of the year as the Wild re-took the lead. In the third, Ryan Hartman scored a pair of goals with the second being an empty net goal as the Wild downed the Canucks for the 5-2 win to clinch a spot in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Late Games
Chicago Blackhawks v. Edmonton Oilers – 9p ET
Calgary Flames v. Vegas Golden Knights – 10p ET
Toronto Maple Leafs v. San Jose Sharks – 10p ET
Utah Mammoth v. Seattle Kraken – 10p ET
Nashville Predators v. Los Angeles Kings – 1030p ET
Today’s Games
- PHI v. NYI – 7p ET
- MON v. OTT – 7p ET (PWHL)
- STL v. ANA – 10p ET
Noteworthy in Hockey
- The Sheet with Jeff Marek: NHL Vibe Check feat. Shayna Goldman – (Daily Faceoff)
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