News and Notes from Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
News
- The Seattle Kraken announced that Ron Francis will step down as General Manager upon the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
- Francis, Seattle’s first ever GM, has been with the Kraken since July 2019.
- The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced that Calgary Flames Ryan Strome was fined $5,000 for cross-checking Dallas Stars F Jason Robertson.
- The fine the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement
Jersey Tracking and Mini Recaps
Seattle Torrent v. Ottawa Charge – 7p ET (PWHL)
- In Ottawa, the Charge took on the Torrent for the final time on the season and in the first Ottawa took the 1-0 lead when Fanuza Kadirova scored her ninth on the year but then Seattle tied the game when Jada Habisch scored her first career PWHL goal. In the second, Danielle Serdachny netted her fifth of the year as the Torrent took the 2-1 lead but then Ottawa tied the game when Katerina Mrazova scored a power play goal, her second goal of the season. In the third, Danielle Serdachny scored her second of the night to put Seattle back in the lead but then Ottawa tied the game once more when Gabbie Hughes netted her fifth of the year. Seattle then took the lead for good when Natalie Snodgrass scored a power play goal, her second goal of the season, and then Cayla Barnes scored and empty net goal, her second goal of the year, as the Torrent defeated the Charge 5-3.
Buffalo Sabres v. New York Rangers – 7p ET
- In Manhattan, the Rangers hosted the Sabres and in the first Buffalo took the 1-0 lead when Ryan McLeod netted his 13th and then Zach Benson scored his 11th to put the Sabres up 2-0. Then, the Rangers got on the board when Alexis Lafrenière scored a power play goal, his 23rd of the year. In the second, Alexis Lafrenière scored his second of the night to tie the game for the Blueshirts and then Adam Fox’s ninth of the year put New York in the lead with a power play goal. In the third, Alex Tuch scored his second of the night to tie the game for Buffalo and then Jason Zucker’s 24th on the year put the Sabres back in the lead. Then, Zach Benson scored his second of the year on the empty net as the Sabres defeated the Rangers 5-3.
Washington Capitals v. Toronto Maple Leafs – 730p ET
- In Toronto, the Maple Leafs hosted the Capitals and in the first Washington took the 1-0 lead with Dylan Strome’s 19th of the year. In the second, the Caps went up 2-0 when Ryan Leonard netted his 18th of the year and then Washington went up 3-0 with Martin Fehérváry’s fifth of the year. In the third, Cole Huston hit the empty net with his third of the year as the Capitals shutout the Maple Leafs 4-0.
Late Games
Edmonton Oilers v. San Jose Sharks – 10p ET
Today’s Games
- TOR v. NYI – 645p ET
- CLB v. BUF – 7p ET
- TB v. MON – 7p ET
- FLA v. OTT – 7p ET
- PHI v. DET – 7p ET
- PIT v. NJ – 7p ET
- WIN v. STL – 8p ET
- CAR v. CHI – 830p ET
- MIN v. DAL – 9p ET
- CAL v. COL – 9p ET
- NAS v. UTH – 9p ET
- SJ v. ANA – 10p ET
- VGK v. SEA – 10p ET
- VAN v. LA – 1030p ET
Noteworthy in Hockey
- The Sheet with Jeff Marek: Torts Undefeated, Detroit Keeps Slipping, and Ovi’s Future ft. Anton Thun – (Daily Faceoff)
- Alex Ovechkin defers decision on return to NHL next season – (The Athletic – $)
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