Daily Nuggets: Foley Among Best Owners; New Landeskog Update

Good morning to all. I hope you’ve been enjoying your short break from Vegas Golden Knights hockey. Personally, I got nearly five hours of sleep last night. That might sound unhealthy to you— if you’re reading this, avert your eyes, Mom— but I usually average about three and a half hours, so I’m feeling positively refreshed.

The Golden Knights’ lead in the Pacific Division is slipping. However, they received some help from around the league on Monday. The Minnesota Wild stuck out their leg and tripped the Los Angeles Kings, ending their impressive win streak. The Kings’ loss gives the Golden Knights some breathing room in the Pacific Division. The Athletic released a ranking of owners in the NHL, and Bill Foley received top marks.

Elsewhere in the Daily Nuggets, the second team was eliminated from playoff contention. Two unlikely teams are getting hot, further complicating the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Colorado Avalanche might get even more fearsome come playoff time— their captain, Gabe Landeskog, practiced with the team for the first time this season.

Golden Knights News

The Golden Knights haven’t looked so hot as of late. They’ve won just one of their last five games, and their play has been uncharacteristically sloppy. Their position in the Western Conference Power Rankings suffered accordingly.

Finally, the Golden Knights get some help from other teams. The Minnesota Wild edged out the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, ending the Kings’ five-game winning streak. The Kings now have just one game in hand and are five points behind the Golden Knights.

The Athletic ($): The Athletic staff ranked every team owner. Jeff Vinik of the Tampa Bay Lightning was deemed the best; Terry Pegula of the Buffalo Sabres was at the bottom with an F. The Golden Knights’ own Bill Foley finished third with an A.

Golden Knights history: On March 18th, 2018, the first plastic flamingo was thrown on the ice.

NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now

Colorado Hockey Now: It’s been nearly three years since Avalanche captain Gabe Landeskog played an NHL game. He’s not back yet, but on Monday, he practiced with the team for the first time this season.

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers got a massive haul when they traded Scott Laughton to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Prospect Nikita Grebenkin wasn’t supposed to be the highlight of the return– that would be the 2025 first-round pick– but he could be anyway.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Golden Knights’ four-game road trip through the Eastern Conference began with a 3-2 overtime loss to the Penguins. That loss began a road trip marked by poor play and regret for the Golden Knights. For the Penguins, that was the beginning of a hot streak that has somehow put them back in the playoff race.

New York Islanders Hockey Now: The Penguins aren’t the only Metropolitan Division team making an unlikely late-season playoff push. Even after trading away their best goalscorer at the deadline, the Islanders are within striking distance of a playoff spot.

San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks were the first team eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday. Their present is bleak, but their future is very, very bright. Sheng Peng compiled a list of ten prospects that will take them from the bottom of the standings to the promised land.

Another one bites the dust! And another one down, and another one down. The Minnesota Wild’s win on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings officially eliminated the Chicago Blackhawks from playoff contention.

NHL History: On March 18th, 1944, the Montreal Canadiens became the first team to finish an entire season without losing on home ice.