Nathan MacKinnon scored into an empty net for his career-high 52nd goal of the season — adding two assists — as the Colorado Avalanche clinched the NHL’s Presidents’ Trophy with a 3–1 victory over the Calgary Flames on April 9. The Presidents’ Trophy gives Colorado the top seed heading into the playoffs, which begin April 18. MacKinnon’s historic offensive season has him firmly in Hart Trophy conversation; the Avalanche finished as the league’s most dominant club, buoyed by a deep supporting cast led by Cale Makar and Mikko Rantanen.

The Buffalo Sabres ended the longest active playoff drought in North American professional sports — 14 years — with a 5–0 rout of the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 9. Rookie goaltender Colten Ellis was magnificent, stopping all 37 shots he faced for his first career NHL shutout. Josh Doan added two third-period goals to seal the historic night in Buffalo. The Sabres last appeared in the playoffs in 2011; fans erupted as the final buzzer sounded, capping a remarkable franchise-rebuilding season under head coach Lindy Ruff.

Cole Caufield scored his 50th goal of the season as the Montreal Canadiens edged the Tampa Bay Lightning 2–1 on April 9, becoming only the seventh Canadiens player in franchise history to reach the milestone. The previous Montreal player to score 50 was Stéphane Richer in the 1989–90 season — a gap of 36 years. Caufield, 24, has emerged as one of the league’s most dynamic snipers, and his breakout has Montreal’s fanbase buzzing about a return to playoff contention in the tight Atlantic Division race.

Alex DeBrincat hammered home a power-play goal for his 40th of the season as the Detroit Red Wings routed the Philadelphia Flyers 6–3 on April 9. It is the first time a Red Wing has reached 40 goals since Marian Hossa accomplished the feat in 2008–09 — a drought of 17 years. DeBrincat’s prolific campaign has provided a bright spark in what has been a rebuilding era for the storied franchise. Detroit’s offence was on full display against Philadelphia, with six different skaters recording at least a point in the blowout.

Matthew Schaefer tied the all-time NHL record for goals scored by a rookie defenseman, reaching the historic mark in New York Islanders head coach Peter DeBoer’s first game behind the bench. The Islanders defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5–3 on April 9 in a game that doubled as a milestone night in franchise history. Schaefer, a highly touted prospect who has lived up to the billing this season, has redefined expectations for offensive production from a blue-line rookie in the modern NHL. His record-tying goal drew a standing ovation at UBS Arena.

The Anaheim Ducks kept their playoff dreams alive with a commanding 6–1 demolition of the San Jose Sharks on April 9 — their largest winning margin of the season. The result came at a critical juncture in the Western Conference wild-card race, where multiple clubs are separated by just a few points heading into the final days of the regular season. Anaheim will need help from other results as the season wraps April 16, but the dominant performance will provide confidence as they push for a playoff berth for the first time in several seasons.

Jason Robertson scored the go-ahead goal at 10:35 of the third period as the Dallas Stars rallied past the Minnesota Wild 5–4 on April 9, keeping Dallas in the Western Conference playoff picture. The Stars trailed heading into the final frame before a furious comeback fuelled by Robertson — one of the league’s most dangerous forwards — sealed two crucial points. Dallas remains in the mix for a playoff spot with the regular season concluding April 16. The Wild, still jostling for Central Division seeding, will look to regroup for their final regular-season games.