Rangers' Offense, Power Play Called Out on Twitter in Game 4 Loss to Devils
Apr 25, 2023
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 24: (L-R) Patrick Kane #88, Artemi Panarin #10 and Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers confer prior to a second period faceoff against the New Jersey Devils in Game Four of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 24, 2023 in New York, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
After the New York Rangers opened their first-round series against the New Jersey Devils with back-to-back 5-1 wins, it looked like the team was peaking at the perfect time to make another deep postseason run.
Unfortunately, the Rangers offense went cold for the second straight game as they lost to the Devils 3-1 in Game 4 on Monday. It was the second straight game that New York has mustered just one goal, both anemic performances coming on their home ice at Madison Square Garden.
Vincent Trocheck scored the Rangers' lone goal on Monday night, finding the net early in the third period to tie the game. However, the Devils took the lead once again later in the frame and never looked back.
The Rangers failed to take advantage of their best scoring chances, as they went 0-of-3 on their power play opportunities. They are now 0-of-8 on the power play in their last two outings.
New York's continued offensive struggles were called out by fans on Twitter:
I don’t think anyone would’ve been surprised if the series was tied 2-2, but it’s certainly a surprise how we got here. Rangers offense and PP have disappeared and the Devils have all the momentum. Should be an interesting game Thursday
You knew this series wasn’t going to be blow out after blow out but boy is it disappointing how anemic the Rangers’ offense has been the last two games. #NYR
Kakko draws a power play, Lazar off for holding. Rangers starting to generate some zone time and the Chytil like gets into the NJ zone and makes something happen.
PP is on an 0-for-10 skid dating back to Game 2 after starting the series 4-for-7.
And here we go again. Rangers to the power play. They are 0-for-their-last-7 chances. Also another TV timeout, so the first unit will be fresh and the ice will be clean.
Best chance of that #NYR PP was Haula shooting wide on a SH breakaway. Rangers getting beat to pucks and fumbling things around. Far cry from the first two games.
The Rangers will have to regroup quickly if they hope to take back the momentum in this series. The Devils appear to have found a successful formula, so New York could look to make some adjustments to get its offense back on track.
The two teams will look to break a 2-2 series tie when they return to the ice for Game 5 on Thursday.
Dougie Hamilton's OT Game-Winner Amazes NHL Twitter in Devils' Victory vs. Rangers
Apr 23, 2023
New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton (7) clears the puck past New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider during the first period of Game 3 of the team's NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Saturday, April 22, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Teach them how to Dougie, Dougie Hamilton.
The Devils defenseman scored the game-winner at 11:36 of overtime to lift New Jersey to a 2-1 overtime victory over the New York Rangers in Game 3 of their first-round series at Madison Square Garden.
This was a must-win game for the Devils, who entered Saturday down 2-0 to the Rangers after losing Games 1 and 2 on their home ice at the Prudential Center.
The Rangers opened the scoring in Saturday's game on a second-period goal by Chris Kreider, who tallied his fifth goal of the postseason just 3:39 into the middle frame.
While Hughes and Jesper Bratt, who tallied two assists, had solid games offensively, it was Hamilton's game-winner that set NHL Twitter ablaze as the Devils got themselves back into this series:
Dougie, man. That was awesome.
I was standing by the exit to the ice when the #NJDevils were coming off… I cannot begin to tell you the elation, the excitement and the cheers from this team.
Hamilton signed a seven-year deal with the Devils ahead of the 2021-22 season worth $63 million, and that contract is looking more than worth it right now to New Jersey fans.
Game 4 between the Rangers and Devils is set for Monday at Madison Square Garden, and New Jersey will have the chance to tie the series 2-2 before it shifts back to the Prudential Center for Game 5 on Thursday.
Kane, Tarasenko Back in Playoff Form Have Rangers Looking Dangerous at the Right Time
Apr 21, 2023
NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 30: New York Rangers right wing Patrick Kane (88) and New York Rangers right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) chat before a face-off during the National Hockey League game between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils on March 30, 2023 at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
There's something to be said about what playoff experience means come playoff time.
You want players who have been through the attrition that is Stanley Cup Playoffs. It was that specific thing that drove the New York Rangers' aim at the trade deadline, and it's one of the main reasons why they have a 2-0 series over the rival New Jersey Devils.
It wasn't something New York necessarily lacked. After all, the Rangers made the Eastern Conference Final last season and brought back the bulk of its core. But if you add more playoff experience and high-end skill to a team with Stanley Cup expectations, there's a good chance you'll have a recipe for success.
New York's two major trade-deadline acquisitions this season were Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane. When the Rangers brought them on board, though, there was some thought that these were desperate moves to add big-name players for the bright lights of Broadway. No team in the NHL loves marquee names quite like New York does, and those two players were the biggest names out there.
NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 30: New York Rangers right wing Patrick Kane (88) and New York Rangers right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) look on during the National Hockey League game between the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils on March 30, 2023 at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Those arguments had some merit, too. The Rangers weren't lacking for offense, and both Tarasenko and Kane were in the middle of the least productive seasons of their careers. Kane was struggling through a reported hip injury, while Tarasenko had already asked out of St. Louis previously and already had one eye on the exit door in a contract year.
Each has their particular set of skills—Tarasenko has the incredible shot and Kane can create plays out of nothing—but those skills weren't quite as sharp this season.
You wouldn't know it based on how they performed in Game 2. In fact, both have caught fire since the start of the postseason.
Tarasenko's second-period goal got the Rangers on the board and tied the game. It was a classic, wired wrist shot out of the blue through traffic that eluded Vitek Vanecek. It's the sort of shot we saw from Tarasenko throughout his career in St. Louis, and now he's doing it for the Blueshirts instead of the Blues.
It's why the Rangers were happy to spend a 2023 first- and fourth-round pick and gave up two players to get him. Players with elite skill, even those who might not be as good as they used to be, can still bring it.
Kane was the more controversial addition for the Rangers, but he made GM Chris Drury look like a genius in Game 2. The 34-year-old, three-time Stanley Cup champion piled up three points in the Rangers' 5-1 win. He set up both of Chris Kreider's second-period goals and scored on an incredible individual effort early in the third period in which he picked Jesper Bratt's pocket twice and slow-played a backhand past Vanecek.
Kane was only ever going to leave Chicago to play for the Rangers, but for the longest time, it didn't seem like it was going to happen. While waiting on Kane, the Rangers pivoted and landed Tarasenko. That Kane ultimately landed in Manhattan anyway was a supreme bonus.
What's more, bringing Kane and Tarasenko in has helped give their other star players a lift.
Opposing teams have to be aware of Kane and Tarasenko on the ice, which means players like Chris Kreider get some extra breathing room to exploit opposing defenses, especially on the power play. Kreider has four goals in the first two games of the playoffs, scoring twice in each of the 5-1 wins in Newark. Kreider's power-forward play is specially made to excel in the playoffs, and he's thriving around the Devils' net.
Chris Kreider's hand-eye coordination is OFF THE CHARTS! Another deflection goal 😨 https://t.co/RyZTBzT7Y5
Adam Fox is one of the NHL's best defensemen, and he's exceeded even his own lofty standards over the first two games against New Jersey. Fox had four assists in Game 1 and two more in Game 2, including both of Tarasenko's goals in the series.
The Devils have been wound tighter than a drum in this series, and now that it's headed across the river to Madison Square Garden for Games 3 and 4, the nerves they showed at home aren't likely to improve. It's this kind of scenario that made the Rangers eager to add veterans like Tarasenko and Kane. Their presence on the roster should serve to reduce the stress on the Rangers' young players like Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniére, and Filip Chytil. New York can go roll out four lines and have a scoring threat that most teams that can only dream of it.
Veterans who have won the Stanley Cup take all the heat because they've been there before. Their experience is invaluable in helping younger players learn and adapt to the rigors of the postseason.
It's only two games into the playoffs, but the Rangers have one of the NHL's best teams on the ropes, and much of the credit for that belongs to the superstars they acquired. There's still a long road ahead, but if Tarasenko and Kane can be counted for these kinds of performances throughout the playoffs, the rest of the Eastern Conference could be in big trouble.
Patrick Kane, Rangers Wow Twitter With Offense in Game 2 Win vs. Devils
Apr 21, 2023
NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 20: Patrick Kane #88 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal during the third period of Game Two of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on April 20, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images)
Once again, the New York Rangers dominated the New Jersey Devils on their home ice.
Chris Kreider scored twice and Patrick Kane registered three points as the Rangers poured on five unanswered goals to rout the host Devils, 5-1, on Thursday in Game 2 of the first round. New York now holds a 2-0 series lead.
If the Devils want to reach the second round for the first time since 2012, they will need to win four of the next five games—and three of those contests will be taking place in Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers are in an enviable position, and their fans know it.
Kreider screaming in excitement at the Rangers fans and banging into the glass made me feel something
Vladimir Tarasenko opened scoring for the Rangers six minutes into the second period to tie the game at 1-1.
New York picked up Tarasenko and Kane at the trade deadline to be difference-makers in the playoffs. Considering Tarasenko now has two goals in two Rangers playoff contests and Kane had three points in Game 2, that plan seems to be working.
They added Kane & Tarasenko to a team that went to the ECF last year
The ice tilted definitively in the Rangers' direction after Kreider tipped home a pair of passes from Kane on consecutive power plays in the second period. Kreider is now the first player in NHL history to score four power-play goals in his first two games during a playoff year.
The Devils have no answer for Chris Kreider. He is bullying them.
It looked like Kreider might start the third period with a hat trick after Kane stripped the puck from Devils defender Jesper Bratt and earned the pair a two-on-one rush, but Kane took the puck to the netfront himself and flipped it over New Jersey goaltender Vitek Vanecek to extend the Rangers' lead to three goals.
Minutes later, Kaapo Kakko blasted the fifth tally past Vanecek, marking the fourth Rangers goal on nine shots. The Rangers are now outscoring the Devils in the series by a 10-2 margin.
The Devils arrive in New York City for a rematch on Saturday. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. ET.
The Rangers will stick with this winning lineup as the Devils prepare to shake up some lines—and make a potentially difficult decision as to who should start in goal—as New Jersey attempts to gain control of this series in Game 3.
When a team misses the Stanley Cup Playoffs and they join us commoners watching them from our couches, it makes for a time of reflection. Some teams think…
Devils' Jack Hughes Talks NHL Playoffs, Breakout Year and More in B/R Interview
Apr 17, 2023
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 23: Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils skates in the first period of the game against the New Jersey Devils on December 23, 2022 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/NHLI via Getty Images)
From the bottom of the barrel in 2021-22 to top of the food chain in 2022-23, the New Jersey Devils have experienced a sensational turnaround in just one short year.
After finishing the 2021-22 season with a 27-46-9 record and 63 points, the Devils finished the 2022-23 campaign with a 52-22-8 record and 112 points, setting franchise records for both and securing their first playoff berth since 2018.
"You can be the young team all you want, but at some point you've got to make a jump and make a move. I think we've been talked about as a young team that can score, but at the same time we've had a bottom-five pick for the last bunch of years, so this is a really good year for a lot of our players to take a step," Devils star Jack Hughes told Bleacher Report.
" ... As a team, it's been huge for us to just get to the playoffs and surpass our expectations. We all wanted to be in the playoffs in our locker room and to be there gets us a shot. We're really excited."
Hughes, who put together a breakout season, attributes the team's newfound success to the "new pieces" and "new players" brought in to support the core.
"A lot of guys that we've brought in to help us and obviously our young guys that we've had and it's kind of been the core have stepped up and had a really good year, and it helps when you have goaltending. We felt we had a pretty good team last year, but we weren't very healthy," Hughes said.
To say the Devils were banged up last season would be an understatement.
Hughes, goaltenders Mackenzie Blackwood and Jonathan Bernier, defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler, forward Miles Wood and defenseman Dougie Hamilton all missed time with various ailments.
With the injuries to Blackwood and Bernier, the Devils had a revolving door in the crease, using the likes of Akira Schmid, Scott Wedgewood, Andrew Hammond, Jon Gillies and Nico Daws to fill the void.
With no stability in the blue paint, it's no surprise New Jersey was one of the worst teams in the NHL last year.
Entering the 2022-23 season, the Devils knew they had to make some considerable upgrades across the board.
They signed forward Ondrej Palat and defenseman Brendan Smith and acquired forward Erik Haula from the Boston Bruins, goaltender Vitek Vanecek from the Washington Capitals and defenseman John Marino from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
At the trade deadline, New Jersey made a splash by acquiring forward Timo Meier from the San Jose Sharks, and the franchise acquired forward Curtis Lazar from the Vancouver Canucks.
"This year we came out, and we didn't really know what to expect, and obviously we're in the playoffs and we're where we want to be," Hughes said. "We've given ourselves a pretty good chance, and we like where we're at."
A late arrival also materialized in New Jersey in the form of defenseman Luke Hughes, who was selected by the Devils fourth overall in the 2021 draft and just so happens to be Jack's younger brother.
After the Michigan Wolverines were eliminated from the Frozen Four on April 6 by Quinnipiac, Luke made his NHL debut in an April 11 win over the Buffalo Sabres, logging 11:15 of ice time.
"He's obviously a really special talent. He's a guy that can really move the puck out of the zone well, gets up and down the ice really well, can defend really well. He's long. He's rangy. I think everybody knows his offensive game speaks for itself, too. He's a really dynamic player," Hughes said of his brother.
" ... This is just really good learning for him, and I'm sure he'll get a game in and we'll see where he's at, but I think everyone knows he's going to be a really special player in a few years."
Luke went on to tally his first NHL point with an assist on Haula's goal in Thursday's 5-4 overtime win against the Washington Capitals. He also scored his first NHL goal with the game-winner, and Jack picked up the primary assist on the tally, making a special moment even more memorable.
The new pieces coupled with the success of the team's young players has made for a magical season, but Vanecek's performance between the pipes, in particular, should not be understated.
The 27-year-old, who is in just his third NHL season, has put together a career year, posting an 33-11-4 record, 2.45 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 52 games.
Hughes, meanwhile, broke Patrik Elias' single-season franchise points record of 96 set during the 2000-01 season by notching 43 goals and 56 assists for 99 points in 78 games. It's a significant improvement from the 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists) he tallied during the 2021-22 campaign.
With that type of improvement, it's reasonable to believe Hughes made some alterations to his game-day preparation and routine, but that hasn't been the case for the 2019 first overall pick.
"I can't say I've really changed anything. I'm just another year older. I have another year in the league. That's how your progression is supposed to go," Hughes said. "You're supposed to get better each and every year. It's been a good year for me and a really good year for the team, too."
The Devils are gearing up for their first Stanley Cup playoffs in five years and the first of Hughes' fledgling career.
"Leading into the playoffs, you'd like to say nothing will change because what works works, but who knows, this will be my first playoffs," Hughes said. "I guess this time next year I'll have a better understanding of where we're at."
With the postseason comes more opportunities for fans to get involved, and Hughes is partnering with Great Clips, the official hair salon of the NHL, for the Show Your Flow campaign, which calls on fans to "share photos and videos that put a spotlight on their unique and individual hockey hair styles."
From April 17 to May 7, fans can share a photo or video of their hockey hair on social media or on the Great Clips website for a chance to to be enshrined into the Great Clips virtual Hockey Hair Hall of Fame.
Six people will be inducted into the virtual Hockey Hair Hall of Fame, and those inductees will receive free haircuts for a year and signed memorabilia from Hughes, who is on the panel of judges. The inductee with the highest score will also receive a grand prize that includes a trip to the 2023 NHL Awards in Nashville, Tennessee.
"I know I'm partnering to be a judge. The fans, they post a picture or a photo or video on social media and then they tag Great Clips or they send it to GreatClips.com. I'm a judge and the top six people get an award. So, I'm looking forward to seeing who has some good flow out of the fans."
As for what Hughes is looking for: The longer the hair, the better.
"Whoever has the longest hair wins almost," Hughes joked. "I'm sure there will be some wild fans out there and some pretty good flow, though."
While the Devils themselves won't be involved in the contest, they'll incorporate the campaign in spirit, as the longstanding tradition of players not shaving or cutting their hair out of superstition continues until eliminated from the playoffs.
"At the end of the day, we all wear suits to the game, so it's not like we get the opportunity to wear what we want, but we got a lot of guys with long hair. Hopefully we go on a deep run too so guys won't cut it," Hughes said. "We got some guys with good style, good suits and then obviously, like I said, guys growing the flow for playoffs."
As the hair, or "lettuce" as they call it, grows longer, the expectations and pressure of the postseason will also heighten with each matchup, and Hughes has one specific activity that helps ease his mind on game days.
"For me it's napping, for sure," Hughes said with a smile. "On game days you're always pre-scouting or hockey, hockey, hockey and you just get to your hotel room and just shut it down for a few hours, so that's pretty good for me," Hughes said. "But we've got a pretty young, loose team, which is good. Obviously the stakes will ramp up once we get to the playoffs, but I think we're all really excited with where we're at."
While Hughes makes sure to get his rest in, head coach Lindy Ruff and the remainder of the team's staff have done a top-notch job preparing the squad for the intensity and grueling schedule that's on the horizon.
"This is a bunch of our first times in the playoffs, so I think we're just taking it in stride and we have a good team and we're confident in ourselves," Hughes said. "I think our coaches are gearing us up to be ready to have a really good first-round matchup, and we're excited."
The Devils, who have home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs, are slated to open the postseason against Mika Zibanejad and the New York Rangers on Tuesday at the Prudential Center.
The last time New Jersey recorded at least 111 points in a single season, it reached the Stanley Cup Final (2001). With Hughes leading the way, it's possible they get back there this year.
Brad Larsen Fired as Blue Jackets HC After Worst Record in NHL's Eastern Conference
Apr 15, 2023
COLUMBUS, OHIO - JANUARY 12: Head coach Brad Larsen of the Columbus Blue Jackets speaks with the media during a post-game press conference following a 6-2 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes at Nationwide Arena on January 12, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Saturday they fired head coach Brad Larsen.
Columbus had the worst record (25-48-9) in the Eastern Conference in 2022-23 after missing the playoffs in Larsen's first season at the helm.
General manager Jarmo Kekalainen said the season "has been extremely disappointing" when addressing the departures of Larsen and goaltending coach Manny Legace:
These decisions were difficult and not made lightly given our respect for both Brad and Manny as coaches and people. Brad has been part of our organization for more than a decade, and we are extremely thankful for his hard work and many contributions—both on and off the ice—during that time. We wish nothing but the best for Brad and his family in the future.
The Columbus Dispatch's Brian Hedger noted the Blue Jackets had 47 different players, including six goaltenders, suit up for them this year because of injuries across the roster. The combined absences amounted to a franchise-record 563 games lost.
There's no question Larsen was dealt a tough hand. Columbus wasn't exactly considered a Stanley Cup favorite coming into the season, either. Even with the offseason addition of Johnny Gaudreau, Bleacher Report's Lyle Fitzsimmons ranked the team 23rd in the league prior to opening night.
Still, Larsen's ouster is a sign of the organization's ambitions, and the coach deserves a share of blame for how things transpired on the ice.
Well before the injuries took their toll, the Blue Jackets dug themselves an early hole by winning just three of their first 12 games. Defense was a persistent problem, too, as they allowed the second-most shots (2,903) and the second-highest goals-against average (4.00).
The John Tortorella era ran its course by the end of 2020-21, and pivoting to a younger, more inexperienced replacement made plenty of sense. Larsen, 45, was already an assistant coach as well, so he had plenty of familiarity with the squad.
Kekalainen was effusive in his praise of Larsen when he was first hired and told reporters that none of the candidates the team interviewed surpassed the "Lars bar."
Making a change this soon doesn't exactly reflect well on the front office, but forging ahead with a coach you don't believe in largely to avoid bad optics is a self-defeating strategy.
Fans will obviously be eager to see how the search for Larsen's replacement evolves because whomever Columbus hires will indicate to some extent how far Kekalainen believes the Jackets are from contention.
Capitals 'Mutually Part Ways' With Head Coach Peter Laviolette After 3 Seasons
Apr 14, 2023
VANCOUVER, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Peter Laviolette of the Washington Capitals looks on from the bench during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena November 29, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Washington Capitals and head coach Peter Laviolette have mutually agreed to part ways after three seasons, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced Friday.
"We are grateful for Peter's leadership and dedication to our organization for the last three seasons," MacLellan said. "Peter is a first-class individual who has represented our club with integrity and guided our team through many difficult circumstances in his tenure as our head coach. We wish him all the best moving forward."
Laviolette's contract with the Capitals expires on June 30. The franchise will now embark on a search for the 20th head coach in franchise history.
The Capitals hired Laviolette ahead of the 2020-21 campaign to replace Todd Reirden, who coached the franchise from 2018 to 2020 after Barry Trotz resigned following the team's 2018 Stanley Cup championship.
In his three seasons with Laviolette at the helm, the Capitals went 115-78-27 and made the playoffs twice, losing in the first round in back-to-back seasons before missing the postseason this year.
The Capitals finished the 2022-23 season sixth in the Metropolitan Division with a 35-37-10 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2013-14 campaign. It was also the first time since 2006-07 that the team finished with a losing record.
Significant injuries to key players such as John Carlson, Nicklas Bäckström and Tom Wilson were partially to blame for Washington's disappointing season, and the lack of organizational depth to replace those players contributed to the team's downfall.
As long as Alexander Ovechkin is on the roster, the Capitals are not going to enter a rebuild or even consider doing so. That said, they'll need a head coach they feel can help get them back to the Stanley Cup Final in the near future.
As for Laviolette, he has extensive coaching experience, having coached the Nashville Predators, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders before joining the Capitals.
If he doesn't find a head coaching job immediately, he'll at least likely be among the candidates for any open positions this summer.
Penguins Fire GM Ron Hextall, More After Missing Playoffs for 1st Time Since 2006
Apr 14, 2023
MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JULY 07: Ron Hextall of the Pittsburgh Penguins attends the 2022 NHL Draft at the Bell Centre on July 07, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Penguins are clearing house after failing to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season for the first time since 2006.
The Penguins and Fenway Sports Group announced Friday that they have fired general manager Ron Hextall, assistant general manager Chris Pryor and president of hockey operations Brian Burke.
John Henry and Tom Werner of Fenway Sports Group said in a statement:
"We are grateful to Brian, Ron, and Chris for their contributions to the organization over the past two seasons, but we feel that the team will benefit from new hockey operations leadership. While this season has been disappointing, we believe in our core group of players, and the goal of contending for the Stanley Cup has not changed."
Hextall and Burke were hired by the Penguins in February 2021 following the resignation of former general manager Jim Rutherford. Pryor was also hired in 2021 as director of player personnel.
Additionally, the trio was hired under Pittsburgh's previous ownership, so it's no surprise Fenway Sports Group is looking for a change this early into ownership after purchasing the team midway through the 2021-22 season.
Head coach Mike Sullivan is under contract through 2026-27 after agreeing to a three-year extension last offseason. He is the winningest coach in franchise history.
Hextall and Burke's tenure was highlighted by salary-cap issues and various trades and signings that failed to meet expectations in a lineup highlighted by Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.
The Penguins were one of the most inconsistent teams in hockey during the 2022-23 campaign, posting a 40-31-11 record and a minus-two differential.
Some of those inconsistencies can be attributed to goaltender Tristan Jarry, who went 24-13-7 with a 2.90 goals-against average and .909 save percentage, but the franchise also didn't get much out of its bottom-six, either.
Jeff Carter notched 13 goals and 16 assists in 79 games, and the likes of Danton Heinen (22 points in 65 games), Ryan Poehling (14 points in 53 games) and Josh Archibald (12 points in 62 games) all greatly underperformed.
The Penguins had held the longest active playoff streak in North American professional sports, which included three Stanley Cup titles, four Stanley Cup Final appearances and five Eastern Conference Final appearances.
With that playoff streak officially a thing of the past, the Penguins will now embark on a difficult offseason that will be highlighted by questions about how they can get back to the postseason in 2023-24.
NHL Playoff Picture 2023: Updated Standings, Matchups After Penguins Eliminated
Apr 13, 2023
ELMONT, NEW YORK - APRIL 12: (L-R) Noah Dobson #8, Brock Nelson #29 and Pierre Engvall #18 of the New York Islanders celebrate Nelson's second period goal against the Montreal Canadiens at the UBS Arena on April 12, 2023 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The New York Islanders are going fishing for the Stanley Cup.
The Isles are back in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2021, clinching a playoff berth with a 4-2 win over the Montréal Canadiens on Wednesday night at UBS Arena.
New York will be one of the Eastern Conference's wild-card teams alongside the Florida Panthers.
YOUR NEW YORK ISLANDERS ARE HEADED TO THE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/gLIbIdEvtK
New York's win also eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins from playoff contention. The last time the Pens missed the postseason was 2006, and they had held the longest playoff streak in the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB.
It also marks the first time since 2006 that the playoffs will not include superstars Sidney Crosby of the Penguins or Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals.
While some of the matchups have yet to be determined, here's a look at the current Stanley Cup playoffs field following the Isles' victory.
2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket
Atlantic Division
Boston Bruins: 64-12-5, 133 points
Toronto Maple Leafs: 49-21-11, 109 points
Tampa Bay Lightning: 45-30-6, 96 points
The Bruins have locked up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and home-ice advantage throughout the entirety of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Maple Leafs and Lightning are locked into a first-round matchup.
Metropolitan Division
Carolina Hurricanes: 51-21-9, 111 points
New Jersey Devils: 51-22-8, 110 points
New York Rangers: 47-21-13, 107 points
The Rangers are locked into the No. 3 seed in the Metropolitan Division and will be on the road in the first round to face the No. 2 seed, which will be either the Hurricanes or Devils.
Eastern Conference Wild Card
New York Islanders: 42-31-9, 93 points
Florida Panthers: 42-31-8, 92 points
The Panthers can lock in the No. 1 wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with a win over the Hurricanes on Thursday.
Central Division
Dallas Stars: 46-21-14, 106 points
Colorado Avalanche: 49-24-7, 105 points
Minnesota Wild: 46-25-10, 102 points
None of these positions have been locked up. The Wild and Stars each have one regular-season game remaining, while the Avalanche have two games remaining.
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights: 50-22-9, 109 points
Edmonton Oilers: 49-23-9, 107 points
Los Angeles Kings: 46-25-10, 102 points
The Kings are locked into the No. 3 seed in the Pacific Division and will be on the road in the first round of the playoffs to face the No. 2 seed, either the Golden Knights or Oilers. Vegas will clinch the division with a win over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.
Western Conference Wild Card
Seattle Kraken: 46-27-8, 100 points
Winnipeg Jets: 46-32-3, 95 points
Both of these teams are locked into their current positions.
Projected Matchups After April 12
Eastern Conference
A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC2 Florida Panthers
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 New York Islanders
M2 New Jersey Devils vs. M3 New York Rangers
Western Conference
C1 Dallas Stars vs. WC1 Seattle Kraken
C2 Colorado Avalanche vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC2 Winnipeg Jets
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
The 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs are slated to begin on April 17.
The Bruins are currently the betting favorite to win the Stanley Cup at +350 (bet $100 to win $350), per DraftKings Sportsbook. The Avalanche have the next-best odds at +650.
Gambling problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visiting ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), visiting OPGR.org (OR), or calling/texting TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.
