NHL Atlantic

It happened again.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, for the sixth straight season, have lost a first-round playoff series. That makes it 17 seasons without a playoff series victory, to say nothing of a Cup drought that has lingered since 1967.

Analyzing the series itself, it's hard to fault the Leafs. Toronto dominated in the regular season, finishing fourth overall in the NHL. The divisional playoff format and an unusually strong Atlantic Division meant they had an extremely difficult first-round matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who finished with 110 points and are, of course, two-time reigning Stanley Cup champions.

And the Leafs put up a hell of a fight. Both teams had their moments, and this was a tight matchup from start to finish. In fact, Toronto actually outscored Tampa Bay 24-23. Game 7 was a dead heat, with Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy standing on his head; he let up just one goal despite the Leafs generating 3.42 expected goals, per Evolving Hockey.

What if a couple of pucks bounced a few centimeters left or right? What if the referees made different calls in pivotal moments? What if Vasilevskiy was slightly more human on Saturday? It's just as easy to imagine the Leafs winning this coin flip of a series, and nobody would have questioned the Lightning's efforts in such a loss. This was a seven-game marathon that would have been a worthy Stanley Cup Final. The Leafs were dealt a miserable hand, played an incredible series and fell one goal short.

History doesn't repeat, but it rhymes. Many of these themes—bad luck, running into a hot goaltender, barely conceding a tight series that went seven games—have been repeated over and over again. Maybe that's nothing more than bad luck, but at this point it's hard to fault anyone who thinks there's something more to it.

What would that be, though? There are flaws in the Toronto roster. The team lacks a true cornerstone No. 1 defenseman. There's room for improvement in goal. Jack Campbell has been inconsistent and had an average series. At a minimum, the Leafs must add a goaltender who can push him for the starting spot. No team is perfect. Not Tampa Bay. Not the St. Louis Blues, who are advancing to Round 2 with three real NHL defensemen. Certainly not the Edmonton Oilers. In fact, if one were to rank NHL teams by their weakest links, Toronto would fair better than most.

It's easy to say that these results indicate that something is fundamentally broken in Toronto. It's a lot more difficult to actually cite the specific problems. Maybe you ax head coach Sheldon Keefe or even president Brendan Shanahan or general manager Kyle Dubas. Maybe it gives the fanbase a cathartic release and a sense that something is changing.

But what specifically have Leafs coaches and management done wrong the last few seasons? They've nailed all of their lottery picks and have returned incredible value on their late-round draft picks. They've done a great job developing prospects into quality players. Unlike most teams, the Leafs lack any obvious anchor contracts. They have star talent, both grown at home and recruited elsewhere, as well as depth down the fourth line and third defensive pairing.

The product has been nothing short of phenomenal in the regular season. The Leafs were elite this season both offensively and defensively. Their special teams, a weak point last season, came through this time around. Mitch Marner and William Nylander, scapegoats of the past, had career years. Keefe had this team looking dangerous.

So perhaps this team is less than the sum of its parts. Something about the locker room mix or on-ice combinations leads to some sort of mental block, some self-destructive behavior, once a playoff series is on the line.

Again, what is the actual problem and how can the Leafs act on it? It surely isn't a lack of veteran leadership. Three different players—John Tavares, Jason Spezza and Mark Giordano—were successful NHL captains prior to joining the Leafs. There are multiple players who have been through the wringer and have reputations as having great character. There are no indications of locker room toxicity. If you're going to take a sledgehammer to the roster's core, who specifically gets sacrificed? Marner? Nylander? Tavares? In what world could the Leafs possibly come out the other side improved?

There are many ways the Leafs could overhaul the makeup of the team: a new voice behind the bench; mainstays of these failures dealt with fresh blood coming into the locker room; a complete makeover of management. Could that lead to better results? Sure.

It's also a lot easier to imagine the many ways that could do more harm than good. The politician's fallacy, or making change for the sake of change, reeks of desperation and impulsivity rather than a coherent process. Previously, Phil Kessel was labeled as persona non grata in Toronto—a prima donna who lacked the mental makeup to succeed in big moments. He was exiled to Pittsburgh, where he promptly helped the previously underachieving Pittsburgh Penguins win two straight Stanley Cups.

But six straight first-round exits. Six! With sympathies to the Toronto faithful whose patience reserves are emptied, maybe the only option is to not panic and trust the process. This is an incredible team that just can't seem to catch a break. At some point, the dice are going to have to roll in their favor and they'll get rewarded. They just have to.

Right?

The Boston Bruins were eliminated from the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 3-2 Game 7 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round. Now questions about what's next for the franchise, particularly Patrice Bergeron, have arisen.

Bergeron will be an unrestricted free agent this summer after completing an eight-year, $55 million deal, and it's unclear if the 36-year-old, who will turn 37 on July 24, plans to hang up the skates.

Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters after Saturday's loss that he has not talked to Bergeron about his future with the team. However, he added that he hopes the captain decides to not retire.

"I hope not," Cassidy told reporters. "He means so much to the franchise."

Bergeron also discussed his future with reporters following Game 7, saying that it was too soon to make a decision on what lies ahead.

"It's too early right now," Bergeron said. "Not after... It's too fresh right now. It still stings obviously."

Bergeron said in September that he would wait until after the 2021-22 season to decide his future in the league and didn't rule out retirement. However, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney noted he had contract negotiations with the veteran center earlier this season.

Bergeron has been a staple in the Bruins' lineup since being selected in the second round of the 2003 draft. The Quebec native made his debut during the 2003-04 season and made his presence felt immediately, tallying 16 goals and 23 assists in 71 games.

His role with the team only continued to grow over the next several years, and he helped lead the Black and Gold to a Stanley Cup title in 2011 after tallying six goals and 14 assists in 23 playoff games that year.

Bergeron also won his first of four Selke Trophies as the NHL's best defensive forward that season after tallying 22 goals, 42 assists and finishing with a plus-36 plus/minus rating. He also won the Selke in 2014, 2015 and 2017.

He's had an unbelievable 18-year career, tallying 400 goals and 582 assists in 1,216 regular-season games, in addition to 47 goals and 76 assists in 167 playoff games.

If Bergeron does retire, the Bruins will be in desperate need of help down the middle.

Beyond Bergeron, the team currently lacks the talent of a first-line center and could look to the free-agent market if it comes down to it. Evgeni Malkin, Claude Giroux, Filip Forsberg and Vincent Trocheck are among the top centers expected to be available this summer. 

Frederik Andersen jumped on to the scene as a young goalie in the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Anaheim Ducks had lost trust in their No. 1 goalie, Jonas Hiller, and instead turned to their rookie netminder. 

Fast-forward to 2022, with Andersen now with the Carolina Hurricanes but injured to begin the playoffs, many wondered whether this would be the moment for another rising rookie, 22-year-old Pyotr Kochetkov. Instead, the net went to veteran goalie Antti Raanta, and he delivered in his first-ever playoff start, backstopping Carolina to a 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of their first-round series. 

The Carolina goaltending situation was one of the biggest storylines to come from the first night of the2022 NHL playoffs. The Toronto Maple Leafs' decisive win over the Tampa Bay Lightning was another. 

Here are five takeaways from the first night of postseason action. 

New Year, New Narratives

It's been nearly 20 years since the Maple Leafs have won a playoff round, but a 5-0 thrashing of the reigning Stanley Cup champs twice over has the Leafs faithful eager for more. If they advance past the first round, you will likely be able to point to the five-minute power play they killed off Monday as a catalyst. 

Early on, Kyle Clifford received a five-minute major and a game misconduct penalty for boarding Ross Colton, but Toronto actually generated more scoring chances than it surrendered during seven shorthanded minutes in the first period. David Kampf scored a shorthanded goal in the second period. The vaunted Tampa Bay power play went 0-for-5. 

Matthews and Marner faced significant criticism last year when the Maple Leafs were eliminated in seven games by the Montreal Canadiens. Two key team leaders and two major components to the lineup, Matthews scored only a single goal and assisted on five, while Marner scored none, which was the same amount he scored in the 2019-20 postseason. 

It's too early to see if the curse has been lifted, but there is such immense pressure on the Maple Leafs to get out of the first round, and yet Toronto thrived under it. 

Borderline Violence

Prior to the series starting, Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe gave us what could be the quote of the postseason:

"I expect it to be a very physical, borderline violent series in a lot of ways," he told reporters in Toronto. "And our guys will be ready for that."

A total of 122 penalty minutes were doled out in Game 1, so clearly the Leafs were, in fact, ready. A line brawl even broke out midway through the third period involving two longtime NHL tough guys in Corey Perry and Wayne Simmonds. 

The ESPN2 cameras cut away for a commercial during the post-whistle scrum, but there were skirmishes in other games as well. A suspension could also be coming from the department of player safety for Clifford's hit from behind on Colton. It would be unfortunate for Toronto, who relies on Clifford, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, to bring energy on the fourth line, but the Leafs proved they could win without him on Monday. 

This is the time of year when the levels of intensity and physicality go up a few notches. This is when you hear players say they need to "play between the whistles." The key is making sure the emotions don't boil over to the point that it becomes detrimental. 

Speaking of which… 

Un-Gentlemanly Conduct

The Minnesota Wild clinched home-ice advantage against their Central Division rivals St. Louis, but it didn't help much. David Perron scored a hat trick for the Blues in a 4-0 win, and Ville Husso became the first St. Louis goalie to record a shutout in his playoff debut, but all of that was overshadowed by a late penalty for a crosscheck by Jared Spurgeon. 

With 1:34 left in the game, Spurgeon was tied up with Pavel Buchnevich. Frustrated by his inability to connect on the puck with Buchnevich upending him, he crosschecked the back of the Blues forward's legs, slamming his stick down with considerable force. It didn't really matter that the Wild was left shorthanded for the rest of the game—it was lost well before the penalty—but it was a dangerous play that is going to get reviewed by the department of player safety and could land him a suspension. 

It was also uncharacteristic and unbecoming of a captain. Spurgeon was a Lady Byng finalist last season and is a perennial candidate for the sportsmanship award given to the most "gentlemanly" player combined with a high standard of playing ability.

A captain goes down with the ship. He doesn't put himself in a position to sit out games. 

The Blues are 13-1-1 in their last 15 games against the Wild. Ouch. 

Storm Surged

The Bruins have a relentless forecheck. Carolina did its best to stop it, but if you look at the underlying numbers, you'll see this was a pretty evenly matched game. Shot attempts at 5-on-5 were 56-48 in favor of Boston, scoring chances were 24-23 and high-danger chances were 11-11. But the power play woes resurfaced for the Bruins. Despite the fact that Boston generated chances on the first two power plays, the third didn't even yield a single shot attempt. 

There was also some consternation in the Bruins net. Linus Ullmark made the start for Boston and at one point gave up a goal off his mask. Do the Bruins go with rookie goalie Jeremy Swayman in Game 2? Ullmark started because Swayman struggled down the stretch, going 4-6-0 with an .877 save percentage in the final 10 games. 

It's possible he hit a wall and these last few days off have been beneficial for him. But there is no doubt a tandem that once looked strong is suddenly in doubt.

But the story today is Raanta. 

"For me, it was obviously the first start in the playoffs in the NHL," Raanta said in his postgame press conference. "I was just trying to focus on the things that have (allowed me) to be successful. It was working nicely. But it's only one game, one win, and now it's just regrouping and getting ready for Wednesday."

One-Man Rush

Connor McDavid did very Connor McDavid-like things against the Los Angeles Kings. You can call it an odd-man rush because technically one is an odd number, but it was a 1-on-5 with McDavid as the lone man in an orange and blue jersey in the offensive zone. 

With the Kings up 2-0 in the final minute of the first period, McDavid picked up the puck in the defensive zone and picked up some serious speed. He went 1-on-everyone and skated coast-to-coast, going down the boards and cutting through two defenders while another two failed to pick up his movement and another watched helplessly as he sniped one past Jonathan Quick from the edge of the right circle. 

It was an absurd goal scored by one of the most elite players in the world. He just completely walked the Kings' entire five-man unit. 

But when Leon Draisaitl scored around the 10-minute mark of the second period to tie the game at 3-3, it underscored the fact that McDavid and Draisaitl can put a team on their backs and win on their own. The Oilers don't have to be fantastic, but they don't completely roll over, this team will stay in games. 

However, staying in games isn't good enough for McDavid, who is desperate for a championship. And that desperation may be needed after the Kings grabbed a late goal to take a 1-0 series lead.

Phillip Danault scored after an incredible sequence that saw Mike Smith turn the puck over off the back of the boards, then dive back to the crease to make a save before Danualt tipped Sean Durzi's point shot into the net.

"I was just trying to make something happen," Smith told reporters in his postgame press conference. "Obviously, just trying to do too much there. In a tight game like that, you can't afford to make mistakes like that. It ended up costing us the game." 

Smith has lost his last 10 playoff games, including all six he has played for the Oilers. 

The Boston Bruins will meet the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons, and while the Black and Gold won each of the last two series, there's no guarantee they make it three straight in 2022. 

Carolina defeated Boston in all three regular-season meetings this year, outscoring the Bruins 16-1. That said, Bruce Cassidy's side has gone through a shakeup since the last time these two teams met in February. 

For one, the Bruins added veteran defenseman Hampus Lindholm, bolstering their blue line for a deep playoff run. Cassidy also shook up his top lines during the final stretch of the regular season, most notably breaking up the "Perfection Line" of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak.

Jake DeBrusk is now playing on Boston's top line alongside Marchand and Bergeron, while Pastrnak is playing on the second line with Taylor Hall and Erik Haula, who signed a two-year contract with the Bruins during the offseason. 

Breaking up the top line has been somewhat of a blessing for the Bruins, who have received much more depth scoring since making the switch. Depth scoring will be a key in Boston's first-round series against Carolina. So, let's take a look at that and some other keys to the Black and Gold winning the series. 

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Depth Scoring

Pastrnak led the Bruins in scoring this season, notching 40 goals in 72 games. Marchand tallied 32 goals in 70 games, and Bergeron finished with 25 in 73 games. That said, Boston also had six other players who reached double digits in scoring — DeBrusk, Hall, Haula, Charlie Coyle, Craig Smith and Charlie McAvoy. 

For comparison, the Bruins had just two players not named Marchand. Bergeron or Pastrnak to reach double digits in scoring during the 2020-21 season—Smith and Nick Ritchie. 

The increase in depth scoring has taken much of the scoring load off Boston's top line. However, the Bruins' depth scoring has been inconsistent in the past, and that's why it will be an important factor in their upcoming series against the Hurricanes. 

That said, it's important to note the Hurricanes will most likely be without starting goaltender Frederik Andersen for the first few games of the first round as he continues to recover from a leg injury, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. 

Andersen had been in the midst of his best season in the NHL before suffering the injury, posting a 2.17 goals-against average, .922 save percentage and four shutouts in 52 games. His loss will be a tough one for Carolina. 

Backup goaltender Antti Raanta is in line to get the start against Boston, with rookie Pyotr Kochetkov set to back him up. Raanta posted a 2.45 GAA, .912 save percentage and two shutouts in 28 games. Those numbers aren't bad by any means, but he's beatable. 

If Andersen misses the first few games of the series, Boston's depth scoring will need to put pressure on Raanta to make big saves. If they throw pucks on net, the Bruins will be better off. 

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Goaltending

The biggest difference for Boston this season has been not having Tuukka Rask in the crease. The veteran netminder announced his retirement in February after attempting a comeback from hip surgery, and the Bruins have relied on rookie Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark in goal.

Swayman had an impressive rookie season, posting a 2.41 GAA, .914 save percentage and three shutouts in 41 games. Ullmark, meanwhile, recorded a 2.45 GAA, .917 save percentage and one shutout in 41 games. 

Considering both goaltenders played well and split games during the regular season, it's possible both play in the first round. Cassidy has yet to name a starter for the playoffs. However, he told reporters he isn't afraid to play the hot hand. 

"Will we run with one guy? Absolutely, if he’s on," Cassidy said. "If a guy is not on, we’re not afraid to go to the other guy, because we’ve seen him play well."

That said, neither goaltender has played in the postseason during their careers. So, it'll be interesting to see how they handle the challenge of stopping players like Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo Teravainen. 

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Health

The Bruins, like any team, are significantly better when fully healthy. That said, staying healthy will be a key to Boston moving on to the second round. 

Later in the regular season, the Black and Gold went a period without Pastrnak or Lindholm available due to injury. Pastrnak missed eight games between April 5 and April 22nd, and the B's went 3-5 in that span. Lindholm was also absent for seven of those matchups.

Considering Pastrnak and Lindholm are two of Boston's best players, it will be important they stay healthy if the Bruins want to defeat the Hurricanes. In addition, it'll be important players like Marchand, Bergeron and McAvoy avoid injury.

Boston's depth beyond what it has on the roster is questionable, which only makes it more important that the team stays healthy. You won't want the Black and Gold picking up players from their AHL affiliate in Providence because not many of them are ready for NHL competition. 

The Detroit Red Wings announced Saturday they won't renew the contract of head coach Jeff Blashill, ending his tenure with the organization after seven years.

Blashill compiled a 204-261-72 record with just one playoff appearance, which came during his first season with the NHL team in 2015-16.

The 48-year-old Detroit native was the coaching version of a top prospect. He guided the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Wings' AHL affiliate, to a Calder Cup championship in 2013 and won the league's Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Award as its top coach the following year.

He was promoted to head coach of the Red Wings in 2015 following the departure of Mike Babcock, who accepted an offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs to become the highest-paid coach in league history after leading Detroit to 10 straight playoff appearances, highlighted by the 2008 Stanley Cup title.

Blashill enjoyed some initial success as the Wings posted a 41-30-11 record to reach the 2016 postseason. They were eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.

Since that point, Detroit hasn't posted a record above .500.

Blashill doesn't deserve the sole blame for that lack of success. The Wings went through a rebuilding process that left them well short of the talent necessary to seriously compete in the recently loaded Eastern Conference.

That said, they were expected to show some signs of serious progress this season and that didn't happen. Their points percentage (.451) was only modestly better than last year (.429), and their 32-40-10 record left them 26 points out of the postseason in the East.

After Detroit's season ended Friday, Blashill said he hadn't heard from general manager Steve Yzerman but he wanted to focus on the promising signs from the campaign, including the development of standout rookies Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider.

"We stayed in the playoff race longer than we have in the last couple of years, probably since we started the rebuild," Blashill told reporters. "We had as much hope as we've had. That's a positive."

He previously served as head coach of the USHL's Indiana Ice and Western Michigan University before joining the Red Wings organization.

All told, Detroit decided it was time to move in a new direction as it attempts to finally turn the corner in its rebuild next season.

Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur has died at the age of 70.

His family confirmed the news to Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette on Friday. He was diagnosed with lung cancer for the second time in 2020.

The Canadiens posted condolences on Twitter:

The entire Montreal Canadiens organization is mourning the loss of legendary Hall-of-Famer and Canadiens Ambassador Guy Lafleur, who passed away at the age of 70.

Rest in peace, Guy. 🕊️❤️https://t.co/vEqp39p0KL

— x - Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 22, 2022

Lafleur was inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988 after a career that included five Stanley Cup titles and winning the Hart Trophy twice as the NHL MVP.

The Hockey Hall of Fame is saddened to learn of the passing of Honoured Member Guy Lafleur.

We offer our condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/7jksIrfAWY

— Hockey Hall of Fame (@HockeyHallFame) April 22, 2022

NHL Network mourns the passing of 5x Stanley Cup Champion and Hockey Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur.@CanadiensMTL pic.twitter.com/Mr1cZJvblg

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) April 22, 2022

The Quebec native was selected by the Habs with the first overall pick in the 1971 NHL draft. He'd dominated the QMJHL with the Quebec Remparts, scoring 130 goals in 1970-71 to set a record that would stand until Mario Lemieux tallied 133 in 1983-84.

Lafleur emerged as one of hockey's most dynamic offensive talents and recorded over 100 points in six straight seasons beginning in 1974-75. He captured the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leader in points three consecutive years from 1975-76 through 1977-78.

Guy Lafleur..A skating Louis Vuitton commercial who stylishly flew on the ice and murdered pucks. Ferrari winger that attracted all eyes during his shifts..Was 1970’s Habs rocket fuel (5 Cups). In ‘78-‘79 he led team in scoring by 52 points. #1 NHL player in 2nd half of 1970’s. pic.twitter.com/RMQ5mz2Hlf

— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) April 22, 2022

The winger retired from the NHL in 1985 amid a contentious relationship with Canadiens management, but he returned in 1988. He played one season with the New York Rangers and two with the Quebec Nordiques to finish his career.

I wish I got to see Guy Lafleur play hockey. The videos of him going end to end with his hair flowing, skating faster and shooting harder than anyone else are amazing to watch. A true game breaker and a winner. Rest In Peace

— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) April 22, 2022

In 2019, Lafleur was undergoing heart surgery when doctors discovered a cancerous spot on his lung. He had another surgery two months later to remove a portion of his lung and his lymph nodes, but the cancer returned in October 2020.

He discussed the treatment with Joshua Clipperton of the Canadian Press in November.

"It's the chemotherapy that really hurts you badly," Lafleur said. "There's not a week that's the same. The last two weeks, I was feeling very, very bad and sleeping a lot. But the last three days I feel a lot better—a lot of ups and downs."

While going through treatment, he worked with Merck Canada to launch the "Be The MVP" campaign aimed at raising awareness for early detection of lung cancer.

"The Flower," who helped the Habs win Stanley Cup championships in 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1979, was named one of the 100 greatest players in NHL history as part of the league's centennial celebration in 2017.

The Boston Bruins clinched a spot in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs by way of a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.

Boston had the opportunity to clinch a berth Thursday but lost 3-2 to the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden. Regardless, the Black and Gold are back in the playoffs for the sixth straight season and are hoping to win their first title since 2011. 

Here's an updated look at the Eastern Conference standings:

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Metropolitan Division

1. Carolina Hurricanes*: 48-19-8, 104 points
2. New York Rangers*: 49-21-6, 104 points
3. Pittsburgh Penguins*: 43-23-11, 97 points

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Atlantic Division 

1. Florida Panthers*: 53-15-6, 112 points
2. Toronto Maple Leafs*: 48-20-6, 102 points
3. Tampa Bay Lightning*: 45-21-8, 98 points

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Wild Card

1. Boston Bruins*: 46-24-5, 97 points
2. Washington Capitals: 41-23-10, 92 points

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And here is a look at the Western Conference standings:

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Central Division

1. Colorado Avalanche*: 54-14-6, 114 points
2. Minnesota Wild: 46-21-6, 98 points
3. St. Louis Blues: 44-20-10, 98 points

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Pacific Division

1. Calgary Flames: 45-20-9, 99 points
2. Edmonton Oilers: 43-26-6, 92 points
3. Los Angeles Kings: 39-27-10, 88 points

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Wild Card

1. Nashville Predators: 42-27-5, 89 points
2. Dallas Stars: 42-27-5, 89 points

*Indicates playoff spot clinched

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The Bruins have spent most of the 2021-22 season floating between a top-three spot in the Atlantic Division and a spot in the wild card. They have been paced by Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak, the team's top line. 

Marchand and Bergeron, members of the 2011 Stanley Cup team, have developed significant chemistry over 13 seasons together. Pastrnak was added to the mix during the 2014-15 season and has been a perfect fit alongside the two veterans. 

The addition of Taylor Hall during the 2020-21 campaign has also been a welcome sight for Boston, which had lacked depth scoring over the last few seasons. Charlie Coyle, Erik Haula, Jake DeBrusk and Craig Smith have also supplied ample depth scoring this season, which has been a difference-maker for the Black and Gold. 

In terms of defense, the Bruins are led by Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, whom the team acquired from the Anaheim Ducks at the trade deadline. Brandon Carlo, Matt Grzelcyk, Mike Reilly, Derek Forbort and Connor Clifton round out a defensive unit that has been mostly solid. 

The Bruins also have a new goaltending tandem of rookie Jeremy Swayman and veteran Linus Ullmark. The position was in question entering the 2021-22 season because of Tuukka Rask's hip injury. The veteran attempted a return earlier this year but ultimately retired.

The Buffalo Sabres signed 2021 first overall NHL draft pick Owen Power to a three-year entry-level contract Friday, and the rookie defenseman is reportedly set to make his NHL debut Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News.

The deal comes after Power and the Michigan Wolverines were eliminated from the NCAA tournament with a loss to Denver in the Frozen Four on Thursday night.

https://twitter.com/BuffaloSabres/status/1512508113219473419

Maize & Blue 👉 Blue & Gold #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/tvP8x92lYB

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 8, 2022

It’s official.

Owen Power will wear ﹟2️⃣5️⃣! pic.twitter.com/uljetItlw9

— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 8, 2022

Power is one of just four first overall picks in Sabres history. Buffalo also drafted Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin first overall in 2018, and he has grown into a promising blueliner. 

Power spent the last two seasons at Michigan. During his 2021-22 sophomore season, he tallied three goals and 29 assists for 32 points in 33 games. It followed up a freshman season in which he notched three goals and 13 assists for 16 points in 26 games. 

The 19-year-old also represented Canada at the Winter Olympics, tallying one assist in five games.

Power is expected to be a regular in the Sabres lineup and could possibly slot in behind Dahlin and Mattias Samuelsson on the team's third defensive pairing. However, he could also see some time on the right side alongside Dahlin or Samuelsson if he excels. 

Power is one of several Michigan players who are expected to sign NHL deals in the coming weeks. Kent Johnson agreed to a three-year entry-level deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday, and Matty Beniers is expected to sign his entry-level contract with the Seattle Kraken. 

The Sabres have struggled to a 26-35-11 record this season and sit sixth place in the Atlantic Division. Buffalo will be hoping the addition of Power helps set it in the right direction. 

Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews established a new NHL record for the most goals by a U.S.-born player in a single season with 56 after finding the net twice in Thursday night's 4-3 overtime victory over the Dallas Stars.

Matthews, who also set a new Maple Leafs record with his 55th tally earlier in the contest, netted the OT winner for No. 56:

WHO ELSE?!?! pic.twitter.com/cmhtBnrEuW

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 8, 2022

"This was Auston's night,'' Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters. "It's much deserved and to finish it with an exclamation point."

Matthews passed Jimmy Carson and Kevin Stevens, who'd jointly held the record for nearly three decades, to set the new U.S. mark.

The 24-year-old California native, who spent most of his childhood in Arizona, has put together a dominant season that's moved him to the forefront of the Hart Trophy conversation as the NHL's regular-season MVP.

His 56 goals lead the league and are six more than his closest competition, Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers. He's added 41 assists to give him 97 points, which rank fifth.

Matthews' success is a major reason the Leafs are on the verge of securing a playoff berth courtesy of their 46-19-6 record. Their 98 points are tied for fourth in the NHL with the New York Rangers.

The center took a moment to recognize his record-setting night, but he mostly kept the focus on Toronto's ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.

"It means a lot," Matthews said. "The names that have come before us, just to be in the same breath as some as these guys, it's extremely humbling. It's a big honor. But obviously, we're working towards something bigger than this."

The 2016 No. 1 overall pick is only in the midst of his sixth NHL season, but he already ranks 41st on the all-time U.S.-born goal-scoring list at 255. Brett Hull is the record-holder at 741.

Matthews, who's been on a tear lately with 19 goals in his past 15 games, will look to keep that hot streak alive over the final 11 games of the regular season and into the playoffs.

Next up for the Leafs is a home game against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.