Daily Nuggets: Eichel Injury Update; Something’s Rotten in Dallas

Good morning, folks. The Vegas Golden Knights are off on Wednesday, traveling home after a shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Head coach Bruce Cassidy provided a status update on Jack Eichel, Alex Pietrangelo, and Nic Hague after the three didn’t play against the Avalanche. Despite losing in a shootout, the Golden Knights clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Elsewhere in the Daily Nuggets, the Montreal Canadiens signed 2024 fifth-overall pick Ivan Demidov to an entry-level contract. For the first time since 2018, Ottawa Senators fans have someone to cheer for come playoff time. The Vancouver Canucks completed a truly historic comeback; on the flip side, the Dallas Stars might be in some serious trouble.

Golden Knights News

On Tuesday, the Golden Knights fell to the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in a shootout. William Karlsson scored shorthanded, and Akira Schmid was excellent. My analysis here:

By securing a point against the Avalanche on Tuesday, the Golden Knights clinched home ice in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Just before Tuesday’s game, the Golden Knights announced that Jack Eichel, Alex Pietrangelo, and Nic Hague would not play. Eichel is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, and Pietrangelo and Hague were out with illness. 

Bruce Cassidy spoke to the media following the game.

“We’ll see where [Eichel] is at when we get back home… A couple guys [other than Hague and Pietrangelo] were sick, but they played because they had to. It’s going through the room a little bit.”

Playoff Clinches & Eliminations

On Tuesday, the Ottawa Senators clinched a playoff berth. The New Jersey Devils lost, delaying their playoff clinch. The Columbus Blue Jackets, Utah Hockey Club, and Vancouver Canucks staved off elimination with a win. The Buffalo Sabres were eliminated from playoff contention despite beating the Carolina Hurricanes. 

Teams that can be eliminated from playoff contention on Wednesday: Utah Hockey Club, Vancouver Canucks

Teams that can clinch a playoff berth on Wednesday: Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues

NHL News, Rumors, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: With their season on the line, the Vancouver Canucks dug deep and made history with an improbable comeback. Down three goals to the Dallas Stars in the last minute of regulation, the Canucks forced overtime and completed the comeback. The Stars, who have lost three in a row after allowing goals late, might be in some serious trouble heading into the playoffs.

The Athletic ($): The Gr8 chase is done; Alex Ovechkin is the greatest goalscorer in NHL history. But when all is said and done, where will he rank among the top players of all time?

Colorado Hockey Now: Interested in reading about Tuesday’s game from the opposing perspective? Aarif Deen has you covered.

Ottawa Hockey Now: The Senators didn’t win on Tuesday, but that’s neither here nor there. All that matters is that, for the first time since 2018, the Senators are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Detroit Hockey Now: Unlike the Ottawa Senators, the Red Wings won’t get over the hump this season. A regulation loss to the Montreal Canadiens puts them at less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs. 

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Some sad news hit the hockey world on Tuesday. Chaz Lucius, the Winnipeg Jets’ 2021 first-round pick, is retiring from the sport due to a genetic disorder.

Montreal Hockey Now: The Canadiens are signing top-prospect Ivan Demidov to an entry-level contract.

NHL History: On April 9th, 1980, Gordie Howe scored his final goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. His son, Mark, recorded the only assist.

For more Golden Knights news and up-to-date coverage, visit Vegas Hockey Now and like our Facebook page.

FOLLOW US ON 𝕏:

@VegasHockeyNow
@h_kirk6