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Maple Leafs playoff ticket prices are insanely high

Puck Prose

The Toronto Maple Leafs have already punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the 7th consecutive year, and they’ll be looking to finally break through to the 2nd round for the first time since 2004. They’ll once again be taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning, who knocked them out last season in a grueling seven game series. 

And thanks to their better record than Tampa’s this season, Toronto has secured home ice advantage throughout the opening round. But for fans in Toronto who are hoping to see their team on the ice from inside Scotiabank Arena, you’d better be prepared to pay up big time.

How about between five and six thousand dollars? 


Of course, fans can pack themselves into Maple Leafs Square outside of the venue for the live viewing party. And it sounds as though that will have to be the option for most people who are watching. 

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Red Wings discuss 7-year postseason drought

Sports Illustrated

The good news for the Detroit Red Wings is that they’ve accumulated the most points in a season since 2015-16, ironically the last year that they qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The bad news is that drought has now officially carried over into a 7th straight year. 

Last night’s loss to the Buffalo Sabres combined with the New York Islanders picking up two points against the Tampa Bay Lightning officially sealed Detroit’s fate as being on the outside looking in on the postseason. Inconsistent play against non-playoff teams combined with two devastating player personnel losses just two games into the campaign did Detroit no favors. 

However, despite having to once again watch the annual tournament on television instead of participating in it, the Red Wings aim to keep a positive attitude on the good things they accomplished in the latest year of general manager Steve Yzerman’s rebuilding process.

Tomorrow afternoon, they’ll have a chance to play spoiler against the rival Pittsburgh Penguins, who are fighting tooth and nail to extend their own playoff streak to a 17th straight year.

“What is good is we know we’re getting these teams’ best,” coach Derek Lalonde said. “Of late we’ve been playing some teams that are fighting for their playoff lives and it’s made us join the fight or it’s not going to go well. For the most part we’ve done a pretty good job.”

“We’re playing a really good Pittsburgh team fighting for their playoff lives, the superstar power they have, the difference-makers they have,” Lalonde said. “I think there will be more at stake with the fact we beat them last week. I think we’ll get their best and it’ll force us to go to another level with our game.”

Detroit’s four victories in the past six games have given some in their fan base a bit of discouragement due to the fact that it hinders the chances of their getting higher odds at a top draft position. But don’t tell that to the team, who plans on continuing to try and close out the remainder of the season on a high note. 

“I think our identity is when we’re hard to play against, don’t give up easy offense, we defend first, we take care of the puck, we worry about keeping it out of our net more than putting it in the net and we’ve shown some flashes of that, so I think some positives going forward,” Lalonde said.

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Canucks hint at big changes coming to Rogers Arena

Sportsnet

The Vancouver Canucks have called Rogers Arena (originally called General Motors Place) since the 1995-96 NHL season. And despite several upgrades having been made in the venue’s near three decade existence, there are aspects that show its age. The original faded maroon seats especially clash with the blue and green uniform scheme, while the scoreboard (which was the biggest in the NHL upon introduction in 2007, replacing the original) is now growing obsolete by comparison to newer buildings and models. 

While there hasn’t been any talk regarding a new scoreboard for the venue, there have been discussions in regards to new seats. Earlier this season, Canucks president of business operations Michael Doyle hinted that replacements were on the way.

“I think one of the most popular questions on social media is [about] our seats, and I can tell you that we do have plans for the seats,” said Doyle. “I won’t tell you what colour, but yes, we do have plans for the seats soon.”

Former team COO Jeff Stipec stated over five years ago now that it was time for an upgrade with regards to the faded seats:

“We’re coming up to the life of those seats and I think when we do change them, they’ll be more aligned with the brand and the colours of the organization,” said Stipec. “I can’t see us bringing in the crimson red seats as a new buy. I think it would be in the blue and green just to match the team.”

Canucks fans, what color would you like to see the new seats at Rogers Arena be? 

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Carson Briere announces his next move

TMZ Sports

The son of NHL great and interim Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere found himself once again in hot water, and he’s now attempting to to set things back in order for himself.

Carson Briere was dismissed from the Mercyhurst University men’s hockey team, a Division 1 team in the NCAA, after surveillance video footage emerged of his having pushed an unoccupied wheelchair down the stairs of Sullivan’s Pub in Erie, Pennsylvania. He would be charged with second-degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. 

He would offer the following apology: 

“I am deeply sorry for my behavior on Saturday. There is no excuse for my actions, and I will do whatever I can to make up for this serious lack of judgment.”

And while he’s certainly now considered a pariah, he’s still attempting to salvage his playing career after having scored 23 goals and 36 assists in his time with Mercyhurst. According to a report released earlier today, he’s entered the NCAA Division I transfer portal. 


His dismissal from Mercyhurst is not the first time that Briere has been kicked off a team. The same thing happened in 2019 with his removal from Arizona State’s hockey club for what was described as a violation of team rules. 

“I wasn’t taking hockey seriously,” Briere told the Times-News in 2021 about his time in Arizona. “That was something that wasn’t going to work out, and I wanted to find somewhere I could play my style of hockey.”

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Oilers accomplish feat unseen in NHL for nearly 30 years

Twitter

The dynamic duo for the Edmonton Oilers of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid have both clipped the 100 point mark, meaning that the team has two of the most offensively gifted players in the National Hockey League today. And it’s typical to see the both of them command most of the attention in Edmonton. 

However, a third member of the team who has donned the Oilers colors for longer than both McDavid and DRaisaitl has gone about his business this season and eclipsed the 100 point mark for himself. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who was taken by Edmonton with the 1st overall selection in the 2011 NHL Draft, has scored 36 goals with 64 assists for a career high 100 points. 

In doing so, the Oilers now have themselves three 100 point players, the first time that an NHL team has has boasted that since the Pittsburgh Penguins did so in the 1995-96 season. Mario Lemieux (161), Jaromir Jagr (149) and Ron Francis (119) all led the way for Pittsburgh that season offensively, while Petr Nedved came within a point of 100 himself. 

What’s more, Nugent-Hopkins is now fourth all-time for the most seasons before reaching the century mark, as this is his 12th NHL season. 

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Rumor: DJ Smith sends a harsh message to Cam Talbot.

Marc DesRosiers/USA Today

The Ottawa Senators may have sent a harsh message to veteran goaltender Cam Talbot, and we likely won’t have to wait long to know for sure.

On Thursday night, the Senators suffered an ugly loss at the hands of the Florida Panthers, one in which they gave up 7 goals and only managed to score 2 of their own. Notably absent from that performance however was veteran goaltender Cam Talbot, who was made a healthy scratch by Senators head coach DJ Smith.

You could wave it off as a veteran being rested in a season that is, at least as far as the Senators are concerned, effectively already over, but Ottawa Senators insider Bruce Garrioch doesn’t appear to think so.

From Garrioch:

This decision to scratch Talbot in Florida marked the beginning of the end for him with the Senators. It was a relationship that carried so much hope, but it will end in disappointment as both sides prepare for the breakup.

There are a number of potential reasons why the relationship between the two sides may have deteriorated, not the least of which is contract demands. According to Garrioch, the Senators were prepared to offer Talbot a 1-year extension at a discount earlier in the season, with Talbot’s camp looking for a raise and multiple years on a new deal.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the Senators have to be looking back in the rearview mirror at the trade they made to acquire Talbot, a trade that sent goaltender Filip Gustavsson to the Minnesota Wild. Gustavsson has gone on to appear in 36 games for the Wild this season, recording a 2.03 goals against average and a .932 save percentage. Talbot, who was brought in to shore up the Senators’ goaltending situation, appeared in just 35 games this season due in large part to a barrage of injuries, and recorded a 2.89 goals against average and a .900 save percentage.

All this appears to be pointing towards an ugly divorce in Ottawa, with Garrioch indicating on Saturday morning that he doesn’t expect Talbot will play against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, in spite of poor performances from goaltenders Mads Sogaard and Leevi Merilainen in their last outings.

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Maple Leafs announce new roster move

Daily Faceoff

The Toronto Maple Leafs are once again headed for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and just like last season, they’ll be taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Of course, the Leafs will be looking for a happier ending this time around, as it was Tampa Bay who overcame a 3-2 series deficit to once again break the hearts of Leafs fans everywhere by dealing them a home Game 7 setback. 

Four games left remain for the Maple Leafs in the regular season schedule, including one against the Lighting early next week. Ahead of tomorrow’s matchup against the Original 6 rival Montreal Canadiens, the Leafs have announced a roster move. Gritty veteran forward Wayne Simmonds has been called up from the American Hockey League affiliate Toronto Marlies, while goaltender Joseph Woll has been sent down. 

Simmonds, who has yet to appear in a game with the Marlies this season, has skated in 17 games with the Leafs in 2022-23, registering two assists along with 40 PIM. 

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Adam Fantilli wins 2023 Hobey Baker Award

NHL.com

University of Michigan ice hockey freshman forward Adam Fantilli, who is projected to be a top pick in this year’s National Hockey League draft, just added to his own personal stock by being named the recipient of the 2023 Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey’s top student-athlete.

Fantilli earned the award over his fellow nominees in Minnesota Golden Gophers freshman forward Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes draft pick) and sophomore forward Matthew Knies (Toronto Maple Leafs) after scoring 30 goals and 35 assists in 36 games played for the Wolverines. 

This is just the latest accolade for Fantilli, who has already earned the Tim Taylor National Rookie of the Year, first team All-America honors, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player, College Hockey News Player of the Year, first team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Rookie Team and NCAA All-Regional Team.

“He’s a generational talent,” fellow freshman and linemate Gavin Brindley said. “I’ve played against him since I was 10 years old. We’ve had lots of battles growing up. Playing on the same team now, it’s pretty special, and now playing on the same line. He’s in my dorm watching hockey every night after practice. He’s grown so much as a person, too, I think since the beginning of the year, just maturing. His game, it’s obviously something special to watch. He’s a pro and with that frame of his and what he can do out there.”

While Connor Bedard is the consensus No. 1 overall selection later this year, whomever drafts second will certainly be getting themselves a good consolation prize in Fantilli! 

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Bruins announce critical health updates

NHL.com

With the Boston Bruins having already secured the President’s Trophy, they can certainly afford to not have a few important faces in the lineup as the regular season winds down to a close. 

Defenseman Charlie McAvoy departed last night’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs after sustaining a hit along the boards; he was held out of the rest of the contest due to precautionary reasons. The good news for him is that his ailment isn’t believed to be serious.

Meanwhile, veteran forward David Krejci isn’t expected to be able to suit up by the next time that his team hits the ice, according to head coach Jim Montgomery.

“Krejci is very doubtful, I would say,” Montgomery said. “McAvoy is to be determined, it’s just how he responds to treatment today to be honest. [Taylor] Hall is getting closer. He hasn’t checked all the boxes, but he’s close. He is a possibility for this weekend.”

They host the postseason-bound New Jersey Devils tomorrow night at home at TD Garden. 

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Boston Bruins can claim a piece of NHL history on Saturday.

Keystone

The Boston Bruins have a chance to share in a piece of National Hockey League history on Saturday when they will face off against the New Jersey Devils, and given the way that things have been trending for the Bruins this season they could even make that piece of NHL history their very own.

The Bruins are coming into Saturday’s game against the Devils with 61 wins in their back pocket already, but a win over the Devils on Saturday would tie the NHL record for most wins in a single season by any team in the league’s history. Only two other teams in the NHL’s history have managed to accomplish this feat before, with the Detroit Red Wings picking up 62 wins during the 1995-1996 regular season, and the Tampa Bay Lightning matching that accomplishment over 2 decades later during the 2018-2019 regular season.

Perhaps what will make the game on Saturday must see TV however is the fact that the Bruins have a very real chance of overtaking both of those historically great teams further down the line. Although the Bruins can tie to the record with a win on Saturday, they have 3 additional games remaining on the schedule with a matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday as well as a pair of matchups against the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens next week.

The Bruins will first have to overcome a playoff bound New Jersey Devils squad today to even tie the record, so I doubt very much that they are looking ahead at the possibility of potentially breaking the record just yet.