The Jets clinched the No. 1 seed in their conference for the first time in franchise history as well as the No.1 seed in their division for the second time after rallying back from a multi-goal deficit to defeat the Blackhawks.
* The Golden Knights earned a comeback win to secure their fourth division title in their first eight seasons – a feat only one other team has achieved in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68).
* Sunday’s slate features an NHL on TNT doubleheader and finale on ESPN as well as the Jets looking to lock up the Presidents’ Trophy.
JETS STAGE COMEBACK TO CLINCH CONFERENCE, DIVISION TITLES
The Blackhawks jumped out to a 2-0 and 4-3 lead, but Josh Morrissey (2-0—2) and Kyle Connor (1-1—2) helped the Jets rally to earn a shootout victory and clinch the No.1 seed in both the Western Conference and Central Division. Winnipeg earned its 23rd comeback win of 2024-25 and established a franchise mark for the most in a single season, eclipsing its previous best of 22 set in 2018-19 and matched in 2021-22.
* Morrissey became the second defenseman in Jets/Thrashers history to record 80 career goals while Connor recorded his 156th career multi-point game and surpassed Ilya Kovalchuk (155 GP) for the third most in franchise history.
* Connor Hellebuyck made 28 saves to earn his 46th win of 2024-25 and tied Evgeni Nabokov (2007-08) for the fifth most in a season in NHL history behind Braden Holtby (48 in 2015-16), Martin Brodeur (48 in 2006-07), Bernie Parent (47 in 1973-74) and Roberto Luongo (47 in 2006-07).
GOLDEN KNIGHTS CLINCH PACIFIC DIVISION TITLE SATURDAY
After the Golden Knights erased a 1-0 deficit and took a 3-1 lead, former Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault (1-0—1) led the Predators’ rally, but Noah Hanifin netted the winning goal with less than two minutes remaining in regulation to help the Golden Knights clinch the No. 1 seed in the Pacific Division. Vegas recorded its 23rd comeback victory of the season, which is tied with Winnipeg and Colorado for the second most in the League behind Washington (25).
PAIR OF WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF MATCHUPS LOCKED IN
A pair of Western Conference First Round matchups were confirmed during Saturday’s 11-game slate. For more #NHLStats on matchups and clinches ahead of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, click here.
* The Stars and Avalanche are officially locked in for their seventh all-time postseason meeting and second in as many years by virtue of the Jets earning a point against the Blackhawks, with Mikko Rantanen set to go head-to-head with his former club. Colorado’s seven postseason meetings with Dallas are its most against a single opponent. The only team the Stars have competed in as many against since relocating to Texas is the Oilers (7x).
* Quinton Byfield (1-2—3) helped the Kings (46-24-9, 101 points) record their seventh 100-point season in franchise history before Vegas’ regulation victory versus Nashville, which confirmed that Los Angeles will face Edmonton in the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs (home ice TBD). The Kings and Oilers will become the second teams in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68) to contest an opening-round series in four straight years (also 2024 R1, 2023 R1 & 2022 R1), following the Bruins and Canadiens from 1984 to 1987.
MAPLE LEAFS LOCK IN HOME ICE, TEAMS CONTINUE PLAYOFF HUNT IN LIVE UPDATES
Yesterday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates featured more notes from the final Saturday of the regular season. Some highlights include:
* Mitch Marner logged the lone tally to climb the Maple Leafs’ all-time list for overtime goals and game winners as Toronto (49-26-4, 102 points) clinched a top-two finish in the Atlantic Division and home-ice advantage during the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Marner needs two points over the Maple Leafs’ final three games to become the fourth player in club history with a triple-digit total during a season.
* After the Canucks took a 2-0 lead, Brock Faber (1-1—2) and Marcus Foligno (1-0—1) scored in the third period to set the stage for Mats Zuccarello’s overtime winner as the Wild (44-30-7, 95 points) took a one-point lead over the Blues (43-30-8, 94 points) – who fell to the Kraken in the shootout Saturday – for the first Wild Card spot in the West and a five-point cushion over the idle Flames (38-27-14, 90 points). Zuccarello recorded his 13th career overtime point and tied Mikko Koivu for the second most in Wild history behind Kirill Kaprizov (17).
* Adam Fantilli forged two of his team’s seven unanswered goals as Columbus (37-33-9, 83 points) blanked Washington and climbed within five points of Montreal (39-31-10, 88 points), which occupies the Eastern Conference’s final Wild Card spot. Jet Greaves generated 22 saves to record his first career shutout.
QUICK CLICKS
* ‘Harvey’s Mountain Classic’ airs Sunday night
* Patrick Maroon arrives with son, receives standing ovation before final NHL game
* Alec Martinez of Blackhawks announces retirement, plays final NHL game
* Aaron Ekblad ready to help Panthers in Cup repeat bid following suspension
* Gabriel Landeskog logs first professional hockey goal since 2022 Stanley Cup Final
TNT, ESPN, SPORTSNET ALL AIRING GAMES ON FINAL SUNDAY OF REGULAR SEASON
A busy nine-game slate on Sunday includes a bevy of national broadcast options starting with a doubleheader on TNT, truTV and Max that opens with the Islanders visiting the Devils and closes with a star-studded head-to-head matchup pitting David Pastrnak and the Bruins against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins. The final Sunday of the 2024-25 regular season also includes multiple games on Sportsnet programming including the Flames hosting the Sharks with Calgary looking to stay alive in the hunt for a Western Conference Wild Card spot. It closes with the Avalanche visiting the Ducks on ESPN and SN360.
