Completely satisfied Wednesday, Razzball devoted!
As Viz mentioned on Sunday, we’re formally 1.5 weeks from the top of the common season!
Hopefully, you completed up your head-to-head playoffs on a robust observe, or you will have sufficient of a lead in your roto-points leagues you could benefit from the closing 3-4 video games with out feverishly refreshing your league app.
You probably have the luxurious of with the ability to calm down, get pleasure from it! Quite a lot of NHL groups are dealing with a troublesome highway forward for the following 9 days.
Why? Nicely, it’s time for the playoff push!
We’ve bought three groups tied for first place within the Atlantic division.
One level separates three groups on the high of the Pacific Division.
And our wild card spots might be crammed by any of a half dozen groups in both convention.
Fairly a number of groups had been jockeying for playoff place Tuesday night time, with Carolina including to its Japanese Convention lead, and the Avalanche trying to pad its yellow brick highway to a President’s trophy.
Jet Greaves – 34 saves on 37 pictures and the 4-3 SO win at DET. He was 1-5 in his final 6 begins heading into this recreation, so the win was a welcome change of tempo. These two groups are clawing away at one another for a wild-card spot, and it was a giant two factors for the Blue Jackets.
Zach Werenski – 1 G (22), 1 A (58), 6 SOG, 4 BLK. I don’t know if he ekes out Evan Bouchard for the Norris trophy, however both manner, he’s had a ridiculous season and must be a late first-round choose in your 2026-2027 drafts.
John Gibson – 32 saves on 35 pictures and the OTL. Grandpa Gibby managed to steal some extent on this one after giving up the tying purpose with 17 seconds left within the third interval (to Adam Fantilli). He has simply 2 wins in his final 8 GS.
Dylan Larkin – 1 G (31), 1 A (30), +1, 5 SOG, 4 H, 23:20 TOI.
Justin Faulk – 2 G (14), +2, 6 SOG, 1 BLK. I questioned if Faulk had been a giant increase to the Wings since they acquired him from the Blues, so I seemed up his numbers. He has 5 factors in his final 13 video games (for the reason that commerce). Ugh.
Jonas Johansson – 26 saves on 31 pictures and the 6-2 loss at OTT. No joke, I nearly forgot to jot down this man up. See what occurs once we don’t get a begin from Vasilevskiy?
Linus Ullmark – 28 saves on 30 pictures and the 6-2 win over TB. I’m wondering what Keith Tkachuk must say about this one. Perhaps we should always see how Linus Ullmark feels.
there’s the ullmark we all know & LOVE https://t.co/RwJk33LOkV
— vio #zub4norris (@02ZUB) April 8, 2026
All jokes apart, the Sens want this man greater than ever proper now. If he can stick with it and, extra importantly, keep sizzling within the playoffs, look out.
Jake Sanderson – 2 G (13), +2, 5 SOG, 1 H, 2 BLK, and 24:08 TOI. 51 factors in 65 video games isn’t precisely an under-the-radar season, however he simply may come at a reduction subsequent yr in case your opponents ignore the dozen video games he’ll have missed by the top of the yr.
Tim Stutzle – 1 G (34), 2 A (48), 4 PIM, 4 SOG, 1 BLK. He’s a sneaky stud with a close to point-per-game tempo. In the event you bought him at a reduction on draft day, congrats.
Daniil Tarasov – 29 saves on 32 pictures and the OTL at MTL. The Panthers are simply taking part in out the string, and the hardest a part of it needs to be not attending to see even one recreation from Aleksander Barkov. Oof.
Carter Verhaeghe – 1 G (25), 3 SOG, 1 H, 1 BLK. He’s one of many few Panthers forwards nonetheless placing within the time.
Jakub Dobes – 30 saves on 33 pictures and the OTW vs FLA. Don’t look now, however Dobes is driving a 6-game win streak and has allowed greater than 2 targets in simply three of his final ten video games. The 28-8-2-2 file is sort of nearly as good as Brandon Bussi’s (in Carolina).
Dan Vladar – 23 saves on 24 pictures and the 5-1 win at NJ. Three straight wins with only one GA in every begin? “Once I left you, I used to be however the learner. Now I’m the grasp.”
Trevor Zegras – 2 G (25), 1 A (40), +2, 2 SOG, BLK. It was a giant two factors for the Flyers, who cling on to the third spot within the Metropolitan division and are driving a 3-game win streak on the proper time with 4 video games to go.
Tyson Foerster – 2 G (13), +3, 4 SOG, BLK. Certain, the 13 targets look underwhelming, however when you think about he did it in simply 25 video games, there’s one thing to be mentioned for the manufacturing. He’s bought 8 targets in his final 10 video games.
Matvei Michkov – 2 A (28), +1. 45 factors in 77 video games is quite a bit lower than each Viz and I predicted within the preseason. I do know he’ll agree with me after I say that a few of that has to do with how little his coach trusted him, and, in consequence, the shortage of big-time minutes that he ought to have been getting each recreation. It’s not horrible, however it’s not the breakout we had been anticipating.
Jacob Markstrom – 14 saves on 18 pictures within the 5-1 loss vs PHI. His one win in his final 4 GP was a shutout at Montreal, however the different three? 4 GA pump-fests. I’m stunned his file is 23-19-1. That mainly ensures him an above .500 file for the yr.
Cody Glass – 1 G (18), SOG, BLK. 18 targets in 66 video games. He’s like a Tyson Foerester, however with extra of a splash of disappointment.
Jeremy Swayman – 18 saves on 23 pictures and the early bathe as he was lifted for Korpisalo on the 11:27 mark of the second interval.
Joonas Korpisalo – 16 saves on 17 pictures and the OTL at CAR. Korpisalo did his greatest to get the Bruins again into the sport, and he stole a much-needed level, however the protection in entrance of him was fairly poor all night time. They had been on their heels all through the OT, and seemed foolish on the tic-tac-toe end by Jaccob Slavin.
Morgan Geekie – 3 G (37), +1, 4 SOG, H. The 50-goal tempo dried up some time in the past, however it’s good to see Geeks mild the lamp a number of instances heading into the top of the season. That’s the excellent news. The dangerous? These had been his first targets in 18 video games. Woof.
David Pastrnak – 2 A (70), +1, 2 PIM, 1 SOG. He’s at 99 factors now, and 29 targets. It feels just like the a centesimal must be a purpose. I’m going to guess it occurs on Saturday vs TB.
Brandon Bussi – 16 saves on 21 pictures and the OTW. I joked with a buddy that the inappropriate pun machine is simply churning at full velocity when Bussi’s title pops up – every thing from Donald Trump to 2 Dwell Crew. However let’s not ignore crucial a part of all of this: Bussi is driving a 5-game win streak and has a file of 30-6-0-1.
Andrei Svechnikov – 1 G (30), 1 A (39), 5 SOG, 6 H. That’s a 6-game level streak for Svech, and 10 factors in his final 10 GP. In the event you’re pondering the Canes come out of the East, put this man on the high of your Playoff Pool draft listing.
Devin Cooley – 21 saves on 25 pictures and the 4-3 OTL at DAL. At the least the Flames bought some extent?! Ya, I bought nothing.
Zayne Parekh – 1 G (3), 3 SOG, 1 H, 2 BLK, and 18:50 TOI. A lot for my Marmo-call with this child within the preseason. He’ll be a superb one, however the Flames are bringing him together with bubble wrap and child gloves. It’s not nice for fantasy functions, however it’s doubtless the appropriate transfer for his improvement.
Jake Oettinger – 17 saves on 20 pictures and the OTW. Certain, he has simply 6 wins in his final 10 begins, however the quantity boosts the file. 51 GP, 32 W, 18 L, 2.66 GAA, .899 SV%.
Wyatt Johnston – 2 G (43), 5 SOG, 2 H, 1 BLK. If Matthew Schaefer is my favourite D-man to jot down up each Tuesday night time, Wyatt Johnston needs to be my favourite ahead. I’m unsure how anybody can argue that this man isn’t the breakout of the yr.
Jason Robertson – 1 G (41), 1 A (50), 6 SOG, 1 H, 1 BLK. As a result of we are able to’t write up Wyatt Johnston with out writing up Jason Robertson.
Scott Wedgewood – 18 saves on 19 pictures and the 3-1 win at STL. 28-6-1-5 AKA nearly nearly as good as Brandon Bussi. Huge eyes emoji!
Valeri Nichushkin – 2 G (17), +2, 6 SOG, 1 SHG, 1 H, 2 BLK. He was goal-less for 7 straight video games, and bought knocked out of Saturday’s recreation early with an higher physique harm. Scoring a pair is a pleasant method to present that he’s feeling good. Put him in your Western Convention playoff pool draft listing.
Joel Hofer – 34 saves on 37 pictures and the 3-1 loss to COL. It was a home-and-home sequence with the Avs, and Hofer did his greatest to attempt to steal each. Props to him for dealing with 60 complete pictures and solely permitting 5 targets (complete).
Joey Daccord – 24 saves on 28 pictures and the 5-2 loss at MIN. The Kraken are going to must run the desk the remainder of the best way to have any shot on the playoffs. Insert Lloyd Christmas “So that you’re saying there’s an opportunity” meme right here. When your solely purpose scorers are defensive defensemen (Adam Larsson and Brandon Montour)? It’s not a superb guess.
Jesper Wallstedt – 25 saves on 27 pictures and the 5-2 win vs SEA. This one went to the youthful half of the enormous two-headed Swedish monster within the Wild’s crease. When considered one of your goalies has 28 wins, and the opposite has 17… effectively, that’s 90 factors with out together with any OT losses. Fairly, fairly good.
Joel Eriksson Ek – 1 G (19), 2 A (32), +3, 2 PIM, 3 SOG, H, 2 BLK, 13:09 TOI. Speak about benefiting from restricted time. You’ll must look a bit additional down the listing to seek out him, so don’t overlook his title when the playoff draft rolls round.
Tristan Jarry – 17 saves on 21 pictures (2nd intermission). Taking issues to the dressing room with a 4-4 tie after two intervals is about as “Edmonton Jarry” because it will get. I don’t understand how Oilers followers aren’t all on coronary heart medicine. Somebody get these guys a goalie that may be considerably dependable.
Connor McDavid – 1 G (44), 1 A (84), -1, 3 SOG (2nd intermission). They are saying this man is fairly good, eh?
Karel Vejmelka – 15 saves on 19 pictures (2nd intermission). Ya, ya, ya. 4-4 after two, however that’s not crucial Utah information.
The Zamboni recreation won’t ever be the identical after The Zammoth debut tonight 🔥🦣 pic.twitter.com/ovvnD94oYs
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) April 7, 2026
The MamBoni is the good factor for the reason that Flyers debuted Gritty. (And, sure, I do know they’re calling it the Zammoth, however come on. I like my nickname higher.)
Nick Schmaltz – 2 G (30), +1, 4 SOG via 2 intervals. You recognize who would have a hat trick by now? Yep. MamBoni.
Justus Annunen – 26 saves on 26 pictures via two intervals (2nd intermission). I don’t need to jinx something by saying the “S. O.” phrase, so let’s simply say Nashville has been taking part in effectively, and a staff that after seemed like they’d tear all of it down is only one level out of a wild-card spot.
Ryan O’Reilly – 2 A (47), +1, SOG, H. 6 factors in his final 4 video games. Somebody desires to play within the postseason!
Lukas Dostal – 16 saves on 19 pictures (2nd intermission). He allowed 13 targets in three begins earlier than this one, and it’s trying prefer it’s a lot of the identical. They’re nonetheless tied with Edmonton atop the Pacific, however I don’t know if I’m loading up on the Geese in my playoff swimming pools.
Carter Hart – 7 saves on 8 pictures within the first intermission. Each groups seemed good via 20 minutes, and there isn’t a lot to report. However I wished to share this clip as a result of, oh boy, if that is what’s occurring in Vegas, it’s straightforward to see why they threw Torts into the combination.
No points within the VGK locker room. None #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/MxAViec8LF
— Tony Cordasco (@TonyDasco) April 5, 2026
Nikita Tolopilo – 21 saves on 22 pictures IN THE FIRST PERIOD. Holy smokes, guys. This child has given up 19 targets in his final 4 begins, and also you let him face 22 pictures in 20 minutes? In the event you ever questioned if there was such a factor as a Russian/Italian/Greek hockey goalie…surprise no extra. Oh, and he’s from Belarus. And he’s 6’6”. And you’ll’t say you already knew that until you’re a relative or one of many 8% on Fantrax that rostered him.
That’s all for this week! I’ll be again subsequent Wednesday for the ultimate one of many season, however that one is perhaps loaded with extra Spherical 1 matchups than a Tuesday night time recap! You probably have any questions or feedback, go away them under, and I’ll get again to you ASAP.
Completely satisfied Wednesday, and I’ll see you subsequent week!
Observe me @marmosdad on Twitter/X and Bluesky @marmosdad.bsky.social
