Hey everyone, hope you are doing well. Tonight, we are back again for another great Episode 27 of Season 7 of Two Guys & Hockey Talk. Here are some of the top stories from around the league:
- McDavid hits a massive milestone – Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oiler is having another great night, as he just scored his 400th and 401st career goals as the Oilers beat the Utah Mammoth in a 5-2 win. He’s still in his prime, which is wild considering how fast he’s racking up numbers and continues to be a threat on the ice, as the Oilers try to push for a playoff spot with only a handful of games left. At the same time, he’s managing minor health issues carefully with playoffs approaching and given that they have his teammate Leon Draisaitl being out.
- Avalanche are first to clinch playoffs – The Colorado Avalanche became the first team to lock up a playoff spot, as they’ve been dominant all season and are near the top in goals scored. They are considered early cup favorite vibes but once the playoffs start the record resets. The Dallas Stars have also clinched, while the Vancouver Canucks has officially been eliminated. The other teams are still battling it out, especially in the East, with multiple teams bunched up.
- Paul Maurice Milestone – Paul Maurice recently reached a remarkable milestone by coaching his 2,000th NHL game, putting him in an extremely exclusive group of all-time coaching veterans. Known for his longevity, adaptability, and steady leadership style, Maurice has guided multiple franchises including the Carolina Hurricanes, Winnipeg Jets, and Florida Panthers. What makes the milestone especially impressive is not just the number itself, but the consistency required to stay relevant across decades of evolving systems, player styles, and front-office expectations. Maurice is widely respected around the league for his communication skills and hockey IQ, and hitting 2,000 games solidifies his legacy as one of the most enduring and influential bench bosses in NHL history. Congratulations Maurice.
- Jack Hughes and the Historical Puck – Jack Hughes recently stirred up some off-ice buzz after expressing frustration over not being able to keep the puck from his Olympic gold-medal moment, calling the situation bs, in a candid reaction. The puck, which holds obvious personal and sentimental value, was instead claimed by the Hockey Hall of Fame, which maintains that such historic artifacts belong in its collection for public display and preservation. The situation highlights a recurring tension in sports between individual achievement and the broader historical record, while players often want keepsakes from defining moments, institutions like the Hall prioritize sharing those pieces with fans as part of hockey’s legacy.
- AHL Player of the week – Raphaël Lavoie of the Henderson Silver Knights has been named AHL Player of the Week after putting up 8 points in 4 games. He’s been on a tear since the All-Star break and is a key reason his team is climbing the standings. This is the kind of late-season surge that can carry into playoffs as the post season is starting to shape up. The Calder Cup playoff is also tightening fast with only a few weeks left in the season, as teams like the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have already clinched a playoff spot and are pushing for seeding and a potential first-round face off.
- Cole Eiserman signs Entry Level Contract – Cole Eiserman is beginning his transition to the pro ranks after signing with the New York Islanders, and he’s expected to get his first taste of professional hockey on an AHL tryout. One of the most highly regarded goal-scoring prospects in his class, Eiserman brings a lethal shot and offensive instincts that made him a standout at the junior and international levels. Eiserman, 19, has played for Jay Pandolfo’s Boston University Terriers for the past two seasons. In his freshmen campaign, Eiserman tallied 25 goals and 11 assists in 39 games at BU as an 18-year-old. The 25 red lights were the first among all freshmen scorers and just five shy of rival BC’s Ryan Leonard who led the NCAA with an even 30. His AHL stint will give him a chance to adjust to the speed, structure, and physicality of the pro game before pushing for an NHL role.
- A.J. Greer Suspended 3 games – A.J. Greer was handed a three-game suspension by the NHL after a dangerous hit on Connor Zary of the Calgary Flames. The incident occurred late in the third period when Greer shoved Zary from behind into the boards, a play ruled as boarding, one of the league’s more serious infractions. The hit resulted in a major penalty and game misconduct on the ice, and the NHL’s Department of Player Safety determined supplemental discipline was necessary, docking Greer pay during the suspension as well. The decision has sparked debate around the league, with some analysts and fans arguing that three games was too lenient given the dangerous nature of the play and the risk of injury on hits from behind. For the Florida Panthers, the suspension is also a blow to their depth as they push through the final stretch of the season, while it adds to the broader conversation about consistency in NHL player discipline heading into the playoffs.
- Caleb Desnoyers signs ELC – Caleb Desnoyers has is quickly emerging as one of the most intriguing young prospects in hockey after being selected 4th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft by the Utah Mammoth. A 6’2″ center from Quebec, Desnoyers is known for his high hockey IQ, playmaking ability, and responsible two-way game, with scouts often describing him as a “complete” center who can impact all areas of the ice. Before turning pro, he dominated in the QMJHL with the Moncton Wildcats, putting up 84 points in 56 games and following it with a strong playoff run that helped lead his team to a championship. His combination of production and winning pedigree made him one of the safest top picks in his class, even if he’s not the flashiest player offensively and we look forward to seeing him in the NHL.
- KHL Playoff picture locked in – The Gagarin Cup playoff field is now fully set, with all 16 teams clinching spots. HC Spartak Moscow was among the last to secure a berth, while teams are still battling hard for seeding and home-ice advantage. Right now Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod is fighting to stay in a top-four spot, while CSKA Moscow and Dynamo Moscow are close behind. Therefore, every game down the stretch has playoff implications.
- PWHL Signing – Montréal Victoire made a notable late-season move by signing Nadia Mattivi, the captain of Italy’s national team, in an effort to reinforce their blue line heading into the playoff push. Mattivi brings international experience, strong defensive awareness, and leadership qualities that can help stabilize the team, especially important with key players like Marie-Philip Poulin dealing with injury. Known for her physical play and ability to log tough minutes, Mattivi adds both depth and reliability on defense, giving Montréal another steady option in high-pressure situations as they look to maintain their position as one of the league’s top contenders.
Thoughts? Questions? Suggestions? Then remember to tune in each week to get all the latest news in the world of hockey as we start up Season 7 of the Podcast each Wednesday night at 7pm MST, where we dive into some of these great topics, interview many in the game and so much more. For more hockey news, different takes or if you want to chat about anything hockey give me a follow @hockey_two & @revinev on X and give us a follow on YouTube, and check out our website for articles that we share regularly at https://twoguysandhockeytalk.com/. If you wish to reach out to us, feel free to email us at twoguyshockeytalk@gmail.com
- Pawel ‘The Cat’
