There are just a few more days worth of games before the playoffs are set, and that’s our focus once again in Thursday’s NHL Rundown. Teams are looking to get into the postseason and players like Marc-Andre Fleury are trying to get ready for the postseason grind. Check out the top stories on the ice below.
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury likely will play at least one more regular-season game for the Golden Knights to prepare for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
He hasn't played since March 15 because of an undisclosed injury. https://t.co/wpYWvTdg6d
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) April 3, 2019
There’s always one hot goaltender that leads his team to a deep postseason run, and that was Marc-Andre Fleury last year. He was phenomenal throughout the Western Conference Playoffs, posting at least a .935 save percentage in every series prior to the Stanley Cup. He has missed the last three weeks due to an undisclosed injury, but appears ready to go for the playoffs.
#Caps Host Habs – The Caps look to nail down the Metro Division title against a desperate Montreal team in opener of two-game homestand: https://t.co/OLajSyu6ku
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) April 4, 2019
Washington can lock up the Metropolitan Division title on Thursday night against Montreal and ensure themselves a nice first round match-up. The Capitals are currently three points up on the Islanders.
The NHL and the NHLPA have agreed to a one-year extension of the current divisional alignment and playoff format. The matter will continue to be discussed between the two sides moving forward. So earliest change would be for 2020-21 if/when there is change.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 3, 2019
Speaking of the playoffs, the NHL and NHLPA have agreed to keep the current playoff format for at least one more year. Not everyone is a fan of the current format though.
Canada gets off to a great start at the Women's World Hockey Championship with a 6-0 win over Switzerland.
Emily Clark was named the Player of the Game for @HC_Women pic.twitter.com/6mX8dv2A7I
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 4, 2019
If you’re looking for a little appetizer before indulging on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Women’s World Hockey Championship kicked off today and will run for the next 10 days. Canada and the United States are the two favorites to win the title, and the Canadians are already off to a great start.
Which coaches are toast? Which coaches survive? After asking around, here is the latest NHL Coaches Hot Seat ranking. https://t.co/BDgoBhg6gl
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) April 4, 2019
There will be a reckoning in front offices around the league once the season is officially over. This article takes a look at what coaches have a lot to fear, and which coaches are as safe as safe can be.
Top Stories
- NHL playoffs: Marc-Andre Fleury likely to play before Vegas-Sharks | NBC Sports
- NHL Playoff Picture after Wednesday | NBC Sports
- NHL, NHLPA reportedly agree to extend current Stanley Cup playoff format through 2019-2020 season | CBS Sports
- A capsule look at the women’s world hockey championship field | National Post
- NHL coaching hot seat tiers | ESPN
