Most productive player
Although Detroit didn't make it to the next stage, they are a very talented team that should soon make a significant impact in the Stanley Cup fight.
One of their star men is Moritz Seider, who managed to score one goal and assist five others in three games. He also added four positive points.
The German also surpassed the 40-point mark (8+38) in his fourth year in the competition and, by the way, has never missed a game in his career.
Goaltender of the week
Rookie Jet Greaves kept Columbus' playoff hopes alive at the end of the season, not letting in a goal from Philadelphia during a 3-0 win to keep his second career clean sheet and second in three games. He then only let in a single goal from the Islanders as the Blue Jackets celebrated a dominant 6-1 victory.
He stopped a total of 66 shots during the two games, and while they narrowly missed the playoffs, he'll be in the first team next season if he continues to show similar form.
Highlight of the week
A flying start to his overseas career was enjoyed by Russian forward Ivan Demidov of Montreal. The top-five pick in the last draft jumped on the ice against Chicago and all it took was 14 minutes for the 19-year-old to have a goal and an assist.
"It was crazy. I feel like the fans love me here and it's awesome," Demidov told NHL.com after the game. Although the Canadiens then managed to lose the game after a shootout, it was clear that the Russian wasn't wrong. Fans really fell in love with him immediately. "It's unreal to watch the people in the rink go absolutely crazy every time he touches the puck," former defenseman Chris Pronger wrote on social network X.
And the financial side of things speaks clearly too. Never have Montreal made so much money during a game just by selling jerseys as they are right now. The club made a total of $250,000.
In other news, Demidov is only the second player to wear the number 93. The first was the legendary Doug Gilmour more than 20 years ago. He is also only the third teenager to score in his Canadiens debut.
Stat of the week
Brandon Hagel is one of the league's most unassuming stars. With 90 points, the Tampa Bay forward just missed out on the NHL's top ten, but another statistic was even more intriguing. The 26-year-old Canadian didn't score any of his 35 power play goals, a new league record. His teammate Jake Guentzel, who scored 41 goals, scored 17 on the power play.
Social media highlight
With 15 goals, Jiri Kulich was eighth among all rookies in 2024/25, but the Buffalo youngster still needs to adjust his sights a bit, as one of the referees in the game against Philadelphia found out.
Photo of the week
Before the start of a key part of the season, clubs were letting some of their mainstays rest, which was a chance for many of the youngsters and farmhands. One of them was Skyler Brind'Amour, a player drafted back in 2017 who made his Carolina debut right alongside his famous father Rod on the bench. And in his second career game against Ottawa, he also registered his first goal in the competition.
He became only the third player in history - and the first since 1938 - to score on his NHL debut with his father as the coach.
Ladislav Smid's take
"Montreal are discovering a new starlet. Ivan Demidov had an outstanding season in the KHL in the colours of St. Petersburg and Montreal have given him a big role this season. There is a lot of speculation in the media in Canada as to whether he can be a difference maker, but of course, no one knows yet. However, he looked very decent in the opening game against Chicago; he is confident and comfortable with the puck.
"His potential is huge, if he could be even close to Artemi Panarin or Kirill Kaprizov, that's great news for the club. Braný is like one of the most promising youngsters, there are just never enough players like him. But again, I wouldn't overdo it, it's always about how the player fits and what kind of space he gets, but that shouldn't be a problem here. We'll see how much he helps Montreal."
