Top-5: Eugenie Bouchard rings the bell for the Carolina Hurricanes

Last night was a moderately busy Friday in the National Hockey League, with only six games on the schedule.

There were, however, some big games in the Eastern playoff race.

Here are the highlights of the evening’s action in the NHL.

1. Eugenie Bouchard blows the whistle for the Carolina Hurricanes

About two weeks ago, Céline Dion surprised and shocked the whole of Quebec by announcing the Boston Bruins’ starting line-up in their dressing room.

Not a collaboration we had on our bingo card, let’s say.

A Quebec icon in the dressing room of the Montreal Canadiens’ nemesis was a bit of a heartbreaker.

Well, a similar situation of lesser magnitude occurred last night, when Eugenie Bouchard was in Raleigh to sound the siren for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Wind it up, @GenieBouchard #CauseChaos | @PPAtour pic.twitter.com/cgi7J7RfYr

– x – Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) April 6, 2024

You’d better believe she’s good luck for the Hurricanes, who won 4-2 against the Washington Capitals.

The Montrealer seemed to be wearing the Hurricanes logo very proudly.

This may be seen as odd by some, considering that she was once an international star representing Montreal when her tennis career was at its best.

But anyway, it doesn’t change much in the end, especially considering Genie’s career isn’t what it used to be, as she’s currently reinventing herself as a pickleball player.

2. Shane Wright scores twice in Kraken win

Ah, the famous Shane Wright that Habs fans wanted so badly in the 2022 draft and who has been forgotten by everyone since Juraj Slafkovsky’s success this season.

Wright was THE most popular choice among Tricolore fans at the time, and his non-selection sowed some popular anger.

However, no one is disappointed or angry about the selection today.

Meanwhile, Wright continues his development in Seattle, where he’s been on fire since his recall from the AHL.

After scoring a goal in his first game, he added two more last night and an assist in the Seattle Kraken’s 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

Shane Wright scores his second since being recalled from the AHL pic.twitter.com/RoCe9aMgLk

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 6, 2024

SHANE WRIGHT AGAIN

His second of the night and third since being called up! pic.twitter.com/NfGwSFfdfB

– NHL (@NHL) April 6, 2024

In short, Wright is doing well, as he looks perhaps ready to stay in the NHL for good.

Note that in defeat, Leo Carlsson scored a beautiful goal.

LOOK HOW LEO CARLSSON PICKS UP THIS PUCK pic.twitter.com/fQIbw91gQi

– NHL (@NHL) April 6, 2024

3. Coyotes surprise Golden Knights with late, big comeback

Up 4-1 midway through the third period against the mighty Coyotes, victory seemed in the bag for the Golden Knights.

However, the Coyotes came from behind to pull out a surprising 7-4 victory.

Sooo the @ArizonaCoyotes scored six goals in 9:06 tonight.

Truly a third period for the ages. pic.twitter.com/K9LdMVPvTI

– NHL (@NHL) April 6, 2024

Six goals in less than ten minutes is really impressive.

It’s a nice win for the Coyotes, which will certainly please Habs fans who want to see the Tricolore’s pick rise as high as possible in the lottery standings ahead of the draft.

4. Connor McDavid reaches the 30-goal plateau

After scoring 64 goals last season, McDavid is taking it easier this season in terms of goals.

In fact, to give you an idea, McDavid just hit the 30-goal plateau last night in the Edmonton Oilers’ 6-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche.

That makes eight consecutive seasons with at least 30 goals in an NHL season.

That’s two for Mr. McDavid pic.twitter.com/fiDlB3mdHZ

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 6, 2024

Note that in defeat, the Avalanche lost the services of Mikko Rantanen after a heavy check from Mattias Ekholm.

5. No one wants the last playoff spots in the East

The playoff race in the Eastern Conference is both thrilling, given the very tight spreads between each team, but it’s also pathetic because it really seems like no team wants the last playoff spots.

Once again yesterday, in important games, the teams fighting for a playoff spot all lost.

• The Capitals lost 4-2 to the Hurricanes.
• The Flyers lost 4-2 to the Buffalo Sabres.
• The Red Wings lost 4-3 in regulation time to the New York Rangers.

Here’s what it looks like in the standings, as without playing, the New York Islanders took third place in the Metropolitan Division.

We’ll continue to follow this race closely.

In a gust

– Here are yesterday’s results.

– Here are yesterday’s top scorers.

– Today’s NHL schedule: 11 games.