Another season of record attendance saw more fans sporting new jerseys of their favorite players and Connor Bedard’s No. 98 concluded the 2025-26 regular season at the top of that list. pic.twitter.com\/kgxlOM7y46<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) April 17, 2026<\/a>The Rockford IceHogs\u2019 two-game series against the Texas Stars to wrap up the season did not get off to a great start. The Stars rolled to a 6-1 victory, with captain Brett Seney scoring the IceHogs\u2019 goal. Drew Commesso gave up five goals on 25 shots before being replaced by Olivier Rodrigue in the third period. These two will finish up the regular season later tonight. Roman Kantserov was the hero on Friday as his overtime goal sent Metallurg Magnitogorsk to the KHL semifinals. The series-clinching goal was his first point in the five-game series against Torpedo. He has three goals and five points in 10 playoff games. Metallurg will take on AK Bars in the semifinals. <\/p>\n OT-winner \ud83d\udea8 Roman Kantserov sends Metallurg to the semifinals!#GagarinCup<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ELsCo1sp8A<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 KHL (@khl_eng) April 17, 2026<\/a>On this date in 2009, Jonathan Toews scored his first two Stanley Cup Playoff goals as the Blackhawks beat the Calgary Flames in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. One year later, the Blackhawks picked up their first of 16 postseason wins by beating the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Goaltender Antti Niemi made 23 saves for his first career postseason victory and shutout. Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call, April 18: Stephen Johns. NHL ChirpsThe Vancouver Canucks fired general manager<\/a> Patrik Alvin on Friday after three and a half seasons with the team. Team president Jim Rutherford said the new general manager will get to decide whether to retain head coach Adam Foote or bring in his own guy. The Winnipeg Jets held their end-of-the-season media day yesterday, and it was quite the barnburner. First, Toews revealed that he had not yet decided whether to play next season, but if he did come back, he wants to play for the Jets. The better question is, do they want him back?<\/p>\n “If I decide to play next year, I\u2019d love to be a part of this group.”<\/p>\n Jonathan Toews isn\u2019t sure if he\u2019ll return for another season. pic.twitter.com\/TCPVOampq8<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 17, 2026<\/a>However, it was goaltender Connor Hellebuyck who provided the fireworks. When asked if this season\u2019s failures would make him rethink his future, his long pause was deafening. He also questioned if management could bring in the pieces needed, since Winnipeg is not an attractive destination for free agents. \u00a0<\/p>\n Here’s the video of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck being asked if this #NHLJets<\/a> season will cause him to re-evaluate his future, pausing for ~7 seconds, and then getting into his full answer: pic.twitter.com\/Zjr1sLbmnn<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Connor Hrabchak (@ConnorHrabchak1) April 17, 2026<\/a>Patrick Kane will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. He told reporters yesterday that he believes there is mutual interest<\/a> between him and the Detroit Red Wings in returning next season. Kane, who became the highest-scoring American-born player, had 16 goals and 57 points in 67 games this season. You didn\u2019t ask for them, but you\u2019re going to get my first round predictions anyway:
Series-winner \ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n
Avalanche over Kings in 5
Stars over Wild in 6
Golden Knights over Mammoth in 6
Oilers over Ducks in 6
Sabres over Bruins in 6
Lightning over Canadiens in 7
Hurricanes over Senators in 5
Penguins over Flyers in 7NHL Birthday Roll Call, April 18: Al Sims, Valeri Kamensky, Vladimir Tsyplakov, Francois Leroux, Oleg Petrov, Dan LaCouture, Scott Hartnell, Mika Zibanejad, and Dominik Shine. ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/assets.minutemediacdn.com\/platform\/google_discover_icon.svg\"){kind=icon}
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