Alex Ovechkin was the most prominent player among non-injured players not in the lineup on Saturday.  I haven't discussed load management at all in my recent Ramblings because I haven't noticed it come up significantly until now. At this point, a player like Ovechkin resting adds fuel to the argument that fantasy hockey leagues should wrap up before the final game of the season. In recent years, I have become more in agreement with this theory. Of the two leagues where I am commissioner, one has already shut down for the season and the other will today (Sunday) after a two-week final scoring period.

Before you start looking for players to knock down the rankings next season because they are potential load management targets, keep in mind the following: How many people picked the Washington Capitals to win their conference? Okay, how about the Winnipeg Jets? The preseason is far too early to know who could be resting for Games 81 and 82. Just like you can't plan for the injuries that will cause unexpected player absences.

Already having wrapped up the conference and with Logan Thompson nursing an upper-body ailment, the Capitals started Hunter Shepard on Saturday. If you were looking for a potential stream with Shepard, that plan backfired as he allowed seven goals on 26 shots to Columbus. Yes, that's comfortably within the requirements for a really bad start, according to Frozen Tools.  

The Blue Jackets were led in points by James van Riemsdyk, who finished with a goal and two assists. If you think that helped almost no one, then you're right. JVR is rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues and 10% of Fantrax leagues. The 35-year-old van Riemsdyk is on a one-year contract with the Jackets, so it's unclear whether he has an NHL future beyond the Jackets' remaining games.

Adam Fantilli scored a pair of goals, reaching 50 points in his second NHL season. It goes without saying that the 20-year-old Fantilli is a major part of the Blue Jackets' future. Fantilli is also two goals shy of reaching 30 goals.

Jet Greaves earned the 22-save shutout for the Blue Jackets. Greaves has been hot with three wins and four quality starts over his last four games. With decent numbers in both the NHL (8 GP, 2.37 GAA, .921 SV%) and the AHL (40 GP, 2.62 GAA, .920 SV%), Greaves is making some noise to earn a full-time NHL role next season. Elvis Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov are currently blocking the way, though.

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When thinking about Flyers thriving with John Tortorella gone, the first name that comes to mind is probably Matvei Michkov. But what about Tyson Foerster? With two goals on Saturday, Foerster now has eight goals in his last six games. In his previous game on Wednesday, Foerster picked up his first career hat trick. Over those six games, Foerster has also been on the top power play and averaging over 19 minutes per game, over two minutes more than his season average. Foerster has also quietly scored 20 goals in back-to-back seasons. Having just turned 23 years old in January, Foerster could be a sleeper to remember for next season. 

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In the Hurricanes' 7-3 win over the Rangers, Seth Jarvis led the way with a goal and two assists. Jarvis now has five points over his last two games. His current total of 32 goals and 34 assists is nearly identical to last season's total, except in nine fewer games. With three more games left, Jarvis will have a chance to surpass last season's totals as long as the Canes don't rest him before their first-round matchup with New Jersey.  

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Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferriere led the Kings with a goal and two assists each in their 5-4 win over Colorado. For more on Laferriere, see this week's The Journey.

Byfield seemed to be due for a strong second half after an underwhelming first half (20 PTS in 41 GP), and he has delivered on that (33 PTS in 38 GP). Byfield has been around for a few years, so it's easy to forget that he is only 22 years old and needs more time to reach his upside as a bigger player (6-5, 225 lbs). A more secure role on the top power play would help, but he logs enough minutes in important situations to be fantasy relevant to some degree.

Andrei Kuzmenko registered two assists, giving him 12 points over his last seven games. The valleys are low for Kuzmenko, as evidenced by his numerous healthy scratches and inability to stick in one location. However, the peaks are high and can really boost a team's offense, which is definitely the case for the Kings right now. Kuzmenko seemed KHL-bound or tryout-bound at times this season, but perhaps he has earned something more substantial with this recent run. At least he has pumped some energy into the Kings. A signing team – even the Kings – would be wise to keep it short-term, though.

Kevin Fiala scored a pair of goals for Los Angeles, giving him multiple goals in back-to-back games and six goals over his past five games.

In the loss to LA, Brock Nelson led Colorado with two goals. Since being traded to the Avalanche, Nelson has 13 points in 18 games. Having more spread-out scoring depth with players like Nelson, Martin Necas, Charlie Coyle, and potentially Gabriel Landeskog could benefit the Avs during the playoffs.

Landeskog, by the way, played in his second AHL game on Saturday. Playing his second game in as many nights, Landeskog scored a goal and added an assist for the Colorado Eagles. As I mentioned yesterday, this is a great story, but exercise caution because Landeskog hasn't played in nearly three years. Registering two points in his second game back is a great sign, though.

GABRIEL LANDESKOG GOAL ALERT 🚨

His tally in @TheAHL is his first goal in 1,027 days!

(🎥: @ColoradoEagles) pic.twitter.com/3ynFdFqmUd

— NHL (@NHL) April 13, 2025

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Add Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart to the list of players resting on Saturday. With Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk also injured, the Panthers have brought in Jesse Puljujarvi, who scored this goal:

Jesse Puljujarvi with the ONE-HANDED deflection for the goal 😱😵 pic.twitter.com/SUcbXXktXQ

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) April 12, 2025

In his three games with Florida after being recalled from the AHL, Puljujarvi has racked up 23 hits, including nine on Saturday. In addition, he has taken 11 shots, including four on Saturday. At age 26 following stints with several organizations, maybe Pool Party can find something in Florida. This development might be something to watch in the playoffs, although getting into the lineup every game isn't guaranteed. The hard-hitting style fits the Panthers' playoff style over the past few seasons, so he might be able to squeak into the bottom 6 once everyone returns.  

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To follow up on the Oilers' injury situation on Friday, Mattias Ekholm is expected to be out of the lineup for quite some time. According to Ryan Rishaug of TSN, Ekholm could be out for the remainder of the season as a worst-case scenario, although further tests need to be done. Ekholm is an important defender, so this will be a major challenge for the Oilers as they enter the playoffs.

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Nikolaj Ehlers collided with an official, needing assistance off the ice before leaving Saturday's game. After the game, coach Scott Arniel didn't seem overly concerned about the injury, saying he re-aggravated the injury that he just returned from. Don't be surprised if Ehlers, who is without a point in his last four games, is out of the lineup for the Jets' two remaining regular-season games before the playoffs.

In the Jets' 5-4 shootout win over Chicago, Josh Morrissey scored a pair of goals, giving him five points over his last three games. Morrissey has also averaged four shots per game over those three games. He has also reached 60 points for the third consecutive season.

During an interview with Darren Pang on Saturday, Alec Martinez stated that Saturday would be his last NHL game. Martinez joins fellow Blackhawk Patrick Maroon in retiring after Saturday's game. Both Martinez and Maroon leave winning three Stanley Cups with multiple teams. Congratulations to both veterans on tremendous careers.

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In a game where Montreal could clinch the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, Mitch Marner scored the game's only goal in overtime. Anthony Stolarz earned a 15-save shutout, while Jakub Dobes was much busier at the other end in stopping 34 of 35 shots.

Leafs clinch home ice advantage in Round 1 thanks to the first 1-0 Overtime game in the history of the Canadiens / Maple Leafs rivalry
(Regular season or Playoffs) pic.twitter.com/zUW0XuHFRO

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 13, 2025

Interesting stat. You'd think this would have happened by now, although teams didn't play overtime in regular-season games until 1983. The Leafs were in the Campbell Conference with the western teams at that time and for a while longer (remember that?), so they didn't face the Habs that often during that time.

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Logan Cooley scored a goal and added two assists in Utah's 5-3 win over Dallas. Cooley now has six points over his last three games. In his sophomore season, Cooley is second in scoring for the Hockey Club with 62 points in 73 games. Impressive for a player who is still only 20 years old, so he has a bright future ahead.

The Stars are now confirmed to face Colorado in the first round. That's stacked for a first-round series. Can we bring back 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, etc.?

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The Canucks have shut down Elias Pettersson for what's left of the season. Is Pettersson a potential buy low for next season? Dobber thinks so.

According to Elliotte Friedman, 2024 first-round pick Zeev Buium could sign with Minnesota shortly and play in the Wild's final regular-season game on Tuesday against Anaheim.  

In an almost must-win for the Wild, some huge icetime totals in a game that went to overtime:

Brock Faber 33:28 (second-highest icetime game total of the season)

Jonas Brodin 32:09

Matt Boldy 27:15

Kirill Kaprizov 26:09

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With an assist on Saturday, Robert Thomas has extended his point streak to 11 games. Over that streak, he has piled up 23 points. Going back 10 games, no player is hotter than Thomas (2.09 PTS/GP). Since the 4 Nations, no player has more points than Thomas (38 PTS in 25 GP). Most of those points are assists (30), but Thomas is also carrying a 20.5 SH% over that span. He had an ADP of 114.5 in this season's Yahoo drafts, but he needs to be drafted much higher than that next season. Thomas is just one point shy of reaching at least 80 points for the second consecutive season.

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Update on the Western Conference playoff picture. Calgary is still in it, but they've got an uphill battle.

Minnesota comes back from 2-0 down to beat Vancouver in overtime

Seattle beats St. Louis in 7-round shootout

95 pts MIN (1 game to play)
94 STL (1 game to play)
90 CAL (3 games to play)

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 13, 2025

The Golden Knights' win over Nashville clinches them the Pacific Division championship. That means Edmonton and Los Angeles will face each other in the first round for the fourth consecutive season. Can the Kings finally get over the hump and knock off the Oilers?

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Congratulations to Western Michigan in winning its first NCAA Frozen Four tournament!

WESTERN MICHIGAN WINS THE FROZEN FOUR CHAMPIONSHIP 🏆#MFrozenFour pic.twitter.com/JReZZF40yP

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) April 13, 2025

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