Top-3 : A win for the Leafs that helps Lane Hutson and the Canadiens’ cause
Last night in the NHL, five games were on the schedule.
Here are the results and highlights of the three remaining games:
Close games highlighted a five-game Monday as four contests were either decided by a one-goal margin or two goals following at least one empty-net tally.#NHLStats: https://t.co/y6JtAsmNWR pic.twitter.com/U3cvUrkfLJ
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) March 18, 2025
1. The Leafs crush the Flames and Dustin Wolf
This Leafs defeat of the Flames (6-2) means two things.
The first, a Flames loss is good for the Canadian, as they have their first-round pick. It would not be good if the Flames lost too much and finished in the top-10 of the draft, but so far, this scenario seems unlikely.
The second: Dustin Wolf was in the net and allowed five goals on 26 shots. A poor performance by one of the Calder Trophy candidates gives Lane Hutson more chances to win the Rookie of the Year award.
It wasn’t just the Jackets-Devils and Bruins-Sabres games that were important, after all…
In the Leafs’ 6-2 win, Auston Matthews came out of his slump and scored two goals.
TWO STRAIGHT GOALS ON THE POWER PLAY FOR MATTHEWS
pic.twitter.com/Uc5YBvEohz
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) March 18, 2025
Toronto is two points behind the Panthers (with a game in hand) and the first place in the Atlantic. The same applies to Tampa Bay, which was also in action. I’ll come back to that.
The division title will be determined at the finish line.
2. A spectacular stop by Jon Merrill
A rare game with no importance for the CH was played last night.
The Wild hosted the Los Angeles Kings. A former CH player stood out. Jon Merrill – a great forgotten player – made a spectacular stop.
Alex Lafferiere was robbed.
Jon Merrill takes one away from Alex Laferriere
pic.twitter.com/iVrTDYIcur
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 18, 2025
In a 3-1 Minnesota win, Mats Zuccarrello scored the winning goal.
His 100th with the team.
That’s
goals in a Wild sweater for Zuccy!!! pic.twitter.com/6cGt3hYGYv
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 18, 2025
The only goal for the visitors was scored by Adrian Kempe.
Little extra Juice on that one
pic.twitter.com/70iA7rAsNl
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 18, 2025
3. 39th shutout for Andrei Vasilevskiy
In addition to the Leafs, Tampa Bay was also in action.
The Lightning beat the Flyers 2-0. Shutout with 21 saves for Andrei Vasilevskiy, his 39th career shutout.
That’s career @pepsi shutout No. 39 for Andrei Vasilevskiy tonight!
pic.twitter.com/nTeFeOGjtV
— NHL (@NHL) March 18, 2025
Nikita Kucherov took care of the offense.
He had a goal and an assist, including the winning goal.
Nikita Kucherov makes no mistake on the breakaway!
pic.twitter.com/naT54kmhgH
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 18, 2025
He was involved in Jake Guentzel’s goal in an empty net.
Final score: 2-0.
Jake Guentzel hits the empty netter, securing a victory for the Lightning!#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/uNh2Z5Yper
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) March 18, 2025
Philadelphia remains eight points away from the playoffs.
Overtime
– A fight between men.
Heavyweight fights are alive and well
pic.twitter.com/2hx1qmd3a0
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 17, 2025
– What beautiful uniforms!
Max Domi opens the scoring on St. Pats night
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— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 17, 2025
– Matthews, William Nylander, and Owen Power lead the charge.
– Nine games on the schedule tonight.
