With Thursday featuring 14 games in total and Friday showing none, I'll split coverage of Thursday's games over both today's and tomorrow's Ramblings. The focus of today's Ramblings will be on the early games (those with 7 pm ET/4 pm PT starts), so consider today's article to be mainly about Eastern Conference teams, if you will. I'll run through the later games involving the (mostly) Western Conference side of things tomorrow. If that sounds good to you, read on.

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Alex Lyon has been this season's example of why the head-to-head fantasy playoffs are subject to the whims of luck and opportunity. The truth is, these types of unexpected results happen every week in fantasy hockey, and any head-to-head matchup doesn't play out exactly the way we think it should. Even with the injuries in net in Florida, I didn't view Lyon as a must-add at all when he was recently recalled. I instead thought about the goalie who posted a 3.72 GAA and .892 SV% in a six-game callup in January.

Regardless, Lyon was a world beater again on Thursday, stopping 56 of 58 shots in a chippy 7-2 Panthers win over Ottawa. As an injury replacement, Lyon has reeled off five consecutive wins and quality starts, posting a 1.40 GAA and .961 SV% over that span while vaulting the Panthers into a wild-card spot.

Lyon is just 17% rostered in Yahoo and 16% rostered in Fantrax, which might have more to do with the lack of teams still playing for something in a fantasy hockey league. I missed out on my opportunity when I needed a goalie recently (although I'm also generally happy with my Philipp Grubauer pickup), but you can probably still ride the hot hand. I don't think this run is sustainable for the 30-year-old who has spent most of his pro career in the AHL. But as a UFA following the season, Lyon could be playing his way into some sort of NHL job next season.  

With Cam Talbot struggling recently, Leevi Merilainen was given his second consecutive start. However, Merilainen was given the hook for Mads Sogaard after allowing three goals on 12 shots, so at least Talbot wasn't a part of this forgettable game for the Senators. Talbot had posted really bad starts in each of his two previous starts, allowing a combined eight goals on just 33 shots. I just dropped Talbot in one league because of his recent struggles and knowing that the Sens were about to be eliminated from the playoffs (which they were on Thursday) and could decide to go with the youngsters the rest of the way. Fun fact: The Sens have used seven goalies this season.

With four points on Thursday, Brandon Montour has reached 71 points. Yes, you read that right. Only three defensemen have more points this season. Montour's previous career high was 37 points, which was set last season. As soon as Montour was given first-unit power-play time in Florida with Aaron Ekblad injured, his production skyrocketed. Once Ekblad returned, Montour never lost the spot and even shares it with Ekblad now. Montour is a top-5 defenseman in power-play points, as his 33 PPP is nearly triple his previous career high from back in his Anaheim days. He also has hidden added value in leagues that count penalty minutes, as his 101 PIM is tied for the league lead among defensemen. Montour also has 10 points in his last five games.

Speaking of penalty minutes, a total of 166 PIM were handed out in this game – the highest total in a single game since 2006! Several players, including both Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk, made it into double digits. Both got into fights at the same time, but not with each other. Mother's orders, I guess.

After the Senators make too much contact with Alex Lyon *again*, BOTH Tkachuk brothers get into fights as the gloves are off in Florida!!!!!!@FlaPanthers | #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/MkDuQibJx5

— Bally Sports Florida: Panthers (@BallyPanthers) April 7, 2023

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Charlie McAvoy left Thursday's game with an upper-body injury after colliding with Patrice Bergeron, although it is not believed to be serious. Since the Bruins have now clinched everything they possibly can, I still wonder whether McAvoy is rested for their next game on Saturday, if not for another game or two before the end of the regular season. Because of a heavy slate of games, finding an alternate option on Saturday shouldn't be a problem. Just be aware that Saturday has several earlier games with the Bruins playing later at 8 pm ET on US network television, so be sure to time things appropriately. Winning a head-to-head playoff matchup can involve more than just a "set and forget" to your lineup – you may need to make roster adjustments throughout the day with the staggered start times.

From the Leafs' side, Ryan O'Reilly was activated for Thursday's game. He had been out of the lineup for the past month with a broken finger. Not to worry for Toronto, who really acquired O'Reilly to get over the first-round Tampa Bay hump, which they now officially have home-ice advantage for.

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Tage Thompson reached 45 goals and Dylan Cozens reached 30 goals (now 31) on Thursday. It seems unlikely that you had either player budgeted for those amounts, but the Sabres continue to roll offensively as one of the league's highest-scoring teams. Thompson has actually slowed to just under a point per game over the second half. Even though he seemed inevitable to cool down as some point, his incredible first half (68 PTS in 48 GP) put him in a position to at least flirt with 100 points. With five games remaining and eight points needed, Thompson will need a big final push to get there. Cozens has broken out in just his third NHL season, making the jump from 38 points last season all the way to 66 points (and counting) this season.

Devon Levi picked up his second win in three starts, but it was also a really bad start in a 7-6 shootout with the Wings. The Sabres still have some life in the playoff race, so it will be interesting to see who they turn to in their Saturday showdown with Carolina. Remember that the Sabres have four goalies in the fold, with Craig Anderson appearing to be back to health after participating in the morning skate. Spin the wheel, I guess. Since Buffalo has five games remaining (the most of any team, along with Colorado), Levi should receive one or two more starts before the season ends.

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Thursday had its share of high-scoring games, with the Devils demolishing the Blue Jackets with eight goals. Jack Hughes has three games left to post five points to reach the century mark. Would you put it past him right now? Hughes has nine points in his last five games, including two goals and two assists on Thursday.

Timo Meier scored goals number 39 and 40 of his season. Meier had just a single point in his first five games with the Devils, but since then has 12 points (including eight goals) in 13 games and seven points in his last five games.

Following his hat trick on Thursday, Dawson Mercer didn't figure in any of the eight goals, which seems like a missed opportunity. Although he has been scoring goals, Mercer has not picked up an assist in his last 11 games.

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Thursday's 6-1 loss to the Islanders was disappointing in more ways than one for the Lightning. Banger extraordinaire Tanner Jeannot was forced to leave the game with what might be a serious injury. The Bolts paid a king's ransom to pull Jeannot out of Nashville, so this would be a big loss if he is unavailable to start the playoffs. Look for another source for hits and penalty minutes if Jeannot has been providing you with those, although you probably weren't relying on him for scoring (1 PT in last 15 GP).

Concern is a torn MCL and/or ankle sprain for Jeannot

Time off depends on grade but wouldn't surprise me if this is at least a grade 2 injury and 4+ weeks out

Rarely can have an associated fracture like Brassard https://t.co/g5mvyJm4ol

— Dr. Harjas Grewal (@Harjas_Grewal) April 7, 2023

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The Joel Armia hat trick probably didn't help you or anyone, as he hadn't recorded a point since mid-February (long break between games due to injury).

Mike Matheson's three assists probably helped someone, as did his plus-4, five shots, and four blocks. Although he has missed nearly half of the season due to injury, Matheson's 0.73 PTS/GP has outpaced the likes of Tyson Barrie, Morgan Rielly, Victor Hedman, and Kris Letang (among others). He might not be the PP1 blueliner long term, but with Montreal's otherwise young defense he may hang onto the job next season. He isn't super reliant on power-play numbers for his scoring anyway, as just nine of his 33 points have come with the man advantage. With a career high of 33 points, Matheson has shown a side to his game that we've never seen before.

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Joel Eriksson Ek and Oskar Sundqvist both left Thursday's game early for the Wild. Eriksson Ek's departure after blocking a shot with his leg is particularly worrisome for fantasy teams, as he entered the game with five points over his last four games and also contributes in a variety of different fantasy categories.

On the bright side for Minnesota, Gustav Nyquist is expected to make his Wild debut on Saturday. You know what? I had completely forgotten that Nyquist had been traded to the Wild. Kirill Kaprizov is also expected to return before the end of the season. On the other hand, other Wild regulars could be rested during their remaining games to avoid a potential similar fate to Eriksson Ek, now that the Wild have clinched a playoff spot.

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Talk to you tomorrow. In the meantime, follow me on Twitter @Ian_Gooding for more fantasy hockey.