Daily Nuggets: Golden Knights Gone Streakin’; Goalie Interference

Good morning everyone. The Vegas Golden Knights, who just played twice in 22 hours, have two days off before their next game. And they deserve it– they swept their three-game road trip, extending their win streak to six games for the second time this season. The Golden Knights comfortably control the Pacific Division and can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Edmonton Oilers on April 1st.

Elsewhere in the Daily Nuggets, Elliotte Friedman shed some light on the recent goaltender interference controversies. It’s the most wonderful time of the year– on Saturday, one team clinched a playoff berth, and another was eliminated from contention. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are right around the corner, folks. We’ve almost made it to the greatest sporting event, bar none.

Golden Knights News

The Golden Knights closed out a successful three-game road trip with a 3-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. Ilya Samsonov was a late scratch; Adin Hill started his second game in 22 hours and stopped 23 of 24 shots he faced. Reilly Smith scored his first goal since the Golden Knights reacquired him at the trade deadline, and Jack Eichel recorded two points. He’s at 93 points on the season now.

With their win on Saturday, the Golden Knights have all but clinched their fourth Pacific Division title in eight years. The Edmonton Oilers won on Saturday but are nine points behind the Golden Knights in the standings with no games in hand. The Los Angeles Kings lost and are nine points behind the Golden Knights in the standings with one game in hand.

The Athletic ($): Before the start of the season, Athletic staff made one bold prediction for every NHL team. It’s a mixed bag, but Jesse Granger nailed his Golden Knights prediction about Pavel Dorofeyev.

Playoff Clinches and Eliminations

The Seattle Kraken staved off elimination with a win on Thursday; on Saturday, they were not so lucky. While the Kraken were idle, the St. Louis Blues beat the Colorado Avalanche to eliminate them from playoff contention.

With a win over the Seattle Kraken on Saturday night, the Dallas Stars officially clinched a playoff berth.

Teams that can be eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday: None

Teams that can clinch a playoff berth on Sunday: Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: There’s been a lot of controversy recently regarding goaltender interference. On his Saturday Headlines segment of Hockey Night in Canada, Elliotte Friedman broke down the difference between a good and bad goal.

Sportsnet: Last offseason, St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong offer-sheeted Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg from the Edmonton Oilers. The Blues added two talented young players to their roster for the low, low price of a second-round and a third-round draft pick. Could we see an emergence of offer sheets because of it?

Chicago Hockey Now: Their collegiate careers are over. Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel prepare to make their NHL debuts with the Blackhawks.

Philly Hockey Now: How are the Flyers in the post-John Tortorella era? Well… They’re 2-0 and scored 13 goals across those two games. Hear what the locker room has to say about what’s different now.

NHL History: On March 30th, 1957, Maurice Richard became the first player with 100 points in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.