Patric Hornqvist scored in the first and third periods to help the Florida Panthers start and finish strong in a 7-2 victory over the the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night.
In Toronto, a surplus of amateur hockey teams has led to a thriving marketplace for that most sought-after of necessities: someone willing to play goalie.
David Pastrnak had a hat trick to extend his point streak to 12 games and Jake DeBrusk added two goals, including the go-ahead score in the third period, to help the Boston Bruins hold off the Winnipeg Jets 5-4 on Thursday night.
Anthony Beauvillier scored his first NHL hat trick and had an assist to help the New York Islanders to a 7-5 win against the New York Rangers at Barclays Center on Thursday.
Claude Giroux scored 1:59 into overtime and the Philadelphia Flyers scored three straight goals in the rain to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 on a soggy Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field.
In the span of a three-game road trip, the Vancouver Canucks went from being National Hockey League playoff hopefuls to a thoroughly-beaten team as near to last place as a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
After 96 days atop the North Division, a clinched playoff spot was never in doubt for these Maple Leafs. The time to scrutinize will come in mid-May. For now, it's okay to simply enjoy the history Toronto's "living legends" are scripting during this ride.
John Tavares will make his highly anticipated return to Long Island on Thursday as the Toronto Maple Leafs visit the New York Islanders in a clash pegged as a virtual pick'em.