This is it folks. We’re officially into the last month of the regular season. The NHL playoffs are slated to start on Saturday, April 18th, so it’s officially go time for the league. For the first time in quite awhile, nothing is really set yet in either conference. Despite most teams only having 15-17 games to go, no one has been officially eliminated yet, nor has anyone clinched (Colorado is the closest with a magic number of 5). There is still plenty to be determined, and the Tampa Bay Lightning are right in the mix of things.
If the NHL decided to just cut the season off right now, the Bolts would be the second seed in the Atlantic and draw the Montreal Canadiens in the first round. The other match-up would feature the Buffalo Sabres and the Boston Bruins. Over in the Metro, Carolina would take on Detroit (who crosses over) and Pittsburgh would host the Islanders. Fun!
The Western Conference is just as much fun. Colorado would take on Seattle, Dallas and Minnesota would do battle in the first round (which is the most likely match-up to actually happen). Anaheim (!) is in the top spot in the Pacific and gets Utah as a reward while Edmonton and Vegas would clash in the first round.
Columbus and Ottawa are the two teams currently outside looking in for the Eastern Conference while the West has Los Angeles, San Jose, Nashville, and a resurgent Winnipeg still with reasonable shots at making a comeback.
The Lightning have 16 games left to clinch their ninth-straight playoff berth. Because things are so bunched up the Bolts magic number still sits at 25, but everyone in the east is still at 20 or more.
So buckle up everyone, it’s going to be a fun ride.
Other Hockey News
Brad Marchand might need surgery [Miami Herald]
Say what you will about Yanni Gourde’s long-term deal, but at least his cap hit is only $2.33 million. Brad Marchand has five more seasons at $5.25 million. While he was effective when on the ice this season, keeping him healthy for the rest of this deal isn’t going to be easy, and it looks like this season might be done.
The Lightning have become a tougher team, is that what the NHL wants? [Tampa Bay Times]
John Romano writes about the duality (“It’s a Jungian thing, sir.”)that the NHL wrestles with. They want to project an image of tough ruggedness, but that promotion of brute physicality can also lead to Radko Gudas taking out Auston Matthews or the Florida Panthers being…well…the Florida Panthers.
Conor Geekie embracing AHL opportunity [The Hockey News]
Sometimes, it takes a step back to move two steps forward. Conor Geekie didn’t plan on spending the majority of the season in Syracuse, but he’s come to terms with it, and is enjoying the ice time the Syracuse Crunch can offer him.
Five underrated breakout players in the 2025-26 NHL season [Daily FaceOff]
J.J. Moser makes the list in lieu of his defensive partner, Darren Raddysh. A defender who defends things. What a concept.
Gavin McKenna, James Hagens among Hobey Baker Finalists [Hobey Baker]
There are no Lightning prospects on this year’s shortlist, although Jayson Shaugabay’s teammate Max Plante was named as a finalist.
Sam O’Reilly earns respect of coaches in OHL [CHL]
The Lightning prospect earned the top spot in three categories: Smartest Player, Best on Face-Offs, and Best Defensive Forward. Marco Mignosa (Ranked 3rd in Smartest Player, 3rd in Best Stickhandler, 2nd in Best Shootout Shooter, and 3rd Best Penalty Killer) and Grant Spada (Best Shot Blocker and 3rd Most Improved Player) also placed in multiple categories while Ethan Czata was the 3rd Hardest Worker.
A win, Kucherov’s hat trick, and a look ahead [Backchecking the Bolts]
Another episode in the books as today’s trivia question involves short-handed goals.
