Top-3 : A win for the Leafs that helps Lane Hutson and the Canadiens’ cause

Last night in the NHL, five games were on the schedule.

Two of these games, which have helped the Canadian, have already been summarized by my colleague Félix Forget.

Here are the results and highlights of the three remaining games:

Close games highlighted a five-game Monday as four contests were either decided by a one-goal margin or two goals following at least one empty-net tally.#NHLStats: https://t.co/y6JtAsmNWR pic.twitter.com/U3cvUrkfLJ

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) March 18, 2025

1. The Leafs crush the Flames and Dustin Wolf

This Leafs defeat of the Flames (6-2) means two things.

The first, a Flames loss is good for the Canadian, as they have their first-round pick. It would not be good if the Flames lost too much and finished in the top-10 of the draft, but so far, this scenario seems unlikely.

The second: Dustin Wolf was in the net and allowed five goals on 26 shots. A poor performance by one of the Calder Trophy candidates gives Lane Hutson more chances to win the Rookie of the Year award.

It wasn’t just the Jackets-Devils and Bruins-Sabres games that were important, after all…

In the Leafs’ 6-2 win, Auston Matthews came out of his slump and scored two goals.

TWO STRAIGHT GOALS ON THE POWER PLAY FOR MATTHEWS pic.twitter.com/Uc5YBvEohz

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) March 18, 2025

Toronto is two points behind the Panthers (with a game in hand) and the first place in the Atlantic. The same applies to Tampa Bay, which was also in action. I’ll come back to that.

The division title will be determined at the finish line.

2. A spectacular stop by Jon Merrill

A rare game with no importance for the CH was played last night.

The Wild hosted the Los Angeles Kings. A former CH player stood out. Jon Merrill – a great forgotten player – made a spectacular stop.

Alex Lafferiere was robbed.

Jon Merrill takes one away from Alex Laferriere pic.twitter.com/iVrTDYIcur

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 18, 2025

In a 3-1 Minnesota win, Mats Zuccarrello scored the winning goal.

His 100th with the team.

That’s goals in a Wild sweater for Zuccy!!! pic.twitter.com/6cGt3hYGYv

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 18, 2025

The only goal for the visitors was scored by Adrian Kempe.

Little extra Juice on that one pic.twitter.com/70iA7rAsNl

— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 18, 2025

3. 39th shutout for Andrei Vasilevskiy

In addition to the Leafs, Tampa Bay was also in action.

The Lightning beat the Flyers 2-0. Shutout with 21 saves for Andrei Vasilevskiy, his 39th career shutout.

That’s career @pepsi shutout No. 39 for Andrei Vasilevskiy tonight! pic.twitter.com/nTeFeOGjtV

— NHL (@NHL) March 18, 2025

Nikita Kucherov took care of the offense.

He had a goal and an assist, including the winning goal.

Nikita Kucherov makes no mistake on the breakaway! pic.twitter.com/naT54kmhgH

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 18, 2025

He was involved in Jake Guentzel’s goal in an empty net.

Final score: 2-0.

Jake Guentzel hits the empty netter, securing a victory for the Lightning!#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/uNh2Z5Yper

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) March 18, 2025

Philadelphia remains eight points away from the playoffs.