On Alex Ovechkin …
David Pagnotta: Ovechkin has led the league in goal scoring for seven seasons now, tieing Bobby Hull for the most seasons leading. Phil Esposito lead the league in goals for six seasons, all were in a row. Wayne Gretzky, Maurice Richard, Gordie Howe and Charlie Conacher lead the league five times.
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan: Coyotes GM John Chayka said that any of their injured players would be ready by training camp. The team cleans out their lockers on Monday, so may find out some details then.
Dave Vest: Defenseman Kevin Connauton missed last night’s game with an upper-body injury. Forward Christian Dvorak missed last night’s game with a lower-body injury.
On the Boston Bruins …
Matt Kalman: Forward Rick Nash confirmed that he had a concussion. He skated again yesterday. They will see how he is this morning before deciding on if he plays tonight or not.
On the Carolina Hurricanes …
Chip Alexander: Brock McGinn missed last night’s game. Coach Bill Peters didn’t know if it was a concussion.
On the New York Islanders …
Arthur Staple: The Islanders have signed David Quenneville to a three-year entry-level deal.
On the New York Rangers …
Dan Rosen: The Rangers have fired head coach Alain Vigneault.
Dan Rosen: “The Rangers were 226-147-37 in 410 games across five seasons with Alain Vigneault. He is third in wins and fourth in games coached in franchise history. They were 31-30 in the playoffs. He is third in playoff wins and playoff games coached in franchise history.”
Dan Rosen: It’s not known if associate coach Scott Arniel or assistants Lindy Ruff and Darryl Williams will be back with the Rangers. Would expect that goaltending coach Benoit Allaire will be back if he wants as he’s been Henrik Lundqvist‘s coach since 2005.
Sam Carchidi: Forward Jesper Fast missed yesterday’s game with an injury.
On the St. Louis Blues …
Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: In a game that determined the Blues playoff fate, they lost Vladimir Tarasenko after only four shifts in the first. Coach Mike Yeo said he suffered a significant upper-body injury on a Gabriel Landeskog hit. He had his arm in a sling after the game.
Goaltender Jake Allen finished the final period and a half with a pulled hamstring.
On the Washington Capitals …
Isabelle Khurshudyan: Coach Barry Trotz said that they expect Jay Beagle to be ready for the start of the playoffs.
Eastern Conference Playoff Race (Games Ending 4/7) pic.twitter.com/B8Fg2DAv6y
— Damian Echevarrieta (@Ech28) April 8, 2018