How rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf saved the Calgary Flames’ season
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Greg Wyshynski
NEW YORK — Dustin Wolf‘s hometown stinks and he knows it.
The Calgary Flames goaltender is a native of Gilroy, California, which proudly bills itself as the “Garlic Capital of the World.” Drive through its farmland, open the windows and the pungent odor of the garlic harvest envelops your olfactory system like malodorous blanket.
“That’s the smell of home,” Wolf told ESPN.
That a star rookie goalie would emerge from Northern California was unlikely. Before Wolf, there had been only four other California-born goalies in NHL history, including San Diego native Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks, a Vezina Trophy runner-up last season. Wolf’s 60 career appearances rank second on that exclusive list.
Also unlikely: That a goalie his height would break through in 2025. Wolf, 23, is listed at 6 feet tall during an era of towering netminders. Connor Hellebuyck, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner and Team USA’s starter at the 4 Nations Face-Off, is listed at 6-foot-4. So is Nashville’s Justus Annunen, second in wins among rookies this season.
Making those odds even longer: There also aren’t many goalies — or players for that matter — drafted as late as Wolf who go on to have relevant NHL careers.
He was the 214th player selected in the 2019 NHL draft. Only three players were taken lower than him to finish off the seventh round. To put that in perspective: Hockey Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist, heralded as the ultimate diamond in the rough, was taken 205th overall.
That draft was held in Vancouver, Canada. Wolf drove from Everett, Washington, where he was playing junior hockey with the Western Hockey League’s Silvertips. And then he waited. And waited. Through seven rounds of picks, he sat there in his suit.
“It was kind of at a point of, ‘OK, let’s try to figure out where I can get invited to an NHL camp.’ And next thing you know, you hear your name called,” he said. “I don’t think anyone expected for there to be people still waiting to be drafted in the arena. The stands were empty. They’re packing everything up. It’s actually kind of wild how quickly they pack everything up.”
Wolf defied those odds in making the NHL and has defied expectations in his first season as a starter. Wolf has backstopped the Flames to the Stanley Cup playoffs bubble as a rookie, with a 22-14-5 record, a .912 save percentage and a 2.62 goals-against average through 41 games. His 9.63 goals saved above expected places him near the top 10 for all netminders in 2024-25. He has accomplished this on a team that has ranked dead last in goals per game for most of the season.
“It’s obviously no secret that he’s a big reason why we’re fighting for a playoff spot right now. He’s got a lot of swagger and confidence,” Flames forward Blake Coleman said. “He’s the reason we’ve won a lot of games, maybe some we shouldn’t have.”
In the process, he’s solidified himself as a contender for the Calder Trophy, given to the NHL’s top rookie. In the latest NHL Awards Watch, Wolf was second to San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini among the voters surveyed.
“If we’re talking about who has truly been the best performing rookie over the balance of the season, it has to be Dustin Wolf,” one PHWA voter surveyed said. “What he’s done in Calgary is remarkable. He’s the only rookie in the discussion who’s been consistently at the top of his game all year.”
FOR MANY OBSERVERS, Wolf just burst onto the scene this season. But Calgary coach Ryan Huska said there has been a meticulous growth plan in place for the young goalie: four years in the WHL; parts of four seasons in the American Hockey League; and a 17-game taste of NHL life last season, when Wolf shared time with current Flames creasemate Dan Vladar and Jacob Markstrom, who was traded to the New Jersey Devils in the offseason to clear a path for Wolf.
“He’s grown up within our organization. Like it or not — and some players hate it — sometimes playing in the American League a little longer is a really good thing,” Huska said. “Coming back after the summer, it was fully our expectation that he would have another great season and take another step, which he’s done.”
After playing a significant number of games annually during his minor league career, Wolf said he had to adjust to last season’s role, shuttling back and forth from the AHL and not getting much action in the NHL until March and April.
“Coming into this year, I had a better idea that I was going to get an opportunity. But you still had to earn it,” he said.
From November through January, Wolf earned it: 16-6-2, with a .919 save percentage and a 2.37 goals-against average. The Flames, picked by many to miss the Stanley Cup playoff cut, were very much in contention in the Pacific Division.
Entering Thursday night’s game against New Jersey, their playoff hopes were still flickering: Stathletes gave them a 16% chance of making the postseason, odds that had been impacted by a torrid St. Louis Blues run to the final wild-card spot. Wolf does what he can for the Flames on the ice, and then is at the mercy of rival teams as he watches the out-of-town scoreboard.
“Yeah, you’re kind of hoping for some results. But it’s fun. You want to be in these scenarios where you’re fighting for your life. Granted, you probably want to be more solidified in the spot,” he said. “I think if we slip in, I have no doubt that it’ll make it tough on whoever we play.”
Every game matters in the standings, but some games matter beyond that. The Flames visited Toronto on Monday for a game televised nationally across Canada. It ended up being Wolf’s most humbling outing of the season: He gave up five goals on 26 shots and was pulled for the first time this season.
In Wolf’s defense, the Leafs tallied two power-play goals from Auston Matthews and another from William Nylander. He saw plenty of high-quality shots. But Wolf wasn’t accepting excuses after the game. He especially wanted Matthews’ second goal back. “I was all over it, and I just didn’t get down fast enough,” he said. “That’s one that I’m going to have all day long and just didn’t have it.”
He felt bad for needing Vladar to come on in relief. He also felt bad for, in his estimation, letting his team down. But his teammates weren’t going to let him stew in those emotions. Defenseman Rasmus Andersson, a nine-year veteran, sought out Wolf after the game, telling him that it wasn’t the last time this was going to happen as an NHL goalie, but that one game of disappointment doesn’t outweigh a season of keeping Calgary in the playoff hunt.
Which, Wolf admits, was nice to hear in that moment.
It wasn’t the first time Wolf has been pulled in his career. In fact, it’s how his career started, against a team from Toronto no less.
Wolf made his professional debut on Feb. 21, 2021, for the AHL Stockton Heat against the Toronto Marlies. That outing lasted just over 28 minutes, as Wolf gave up five goals on 11 shots before being lifted for Garret Sparks.
“I don’t know if I would call it a wake-up call, but just kind of like, ‘Welcome to the league.’ You’re thrown to the s— and the worst thing that could happen happens. You can’t go any lower than that, so all you can go from here is up,” he said. “So that’s the best part: You’re learning from it.”
Calgary traveled to New York after the loss to the Leafs. Plans were for Wolf to hang back at the team hotel in Manhattan on Tuesday morning, but he needed to get back on the ice. So he walked a few blocks to Madison Square Garden, where the Flames would face the Rangers that night, to work with his skills coach for an about an hour. Later, Wolf would analyze video from the Leafs game, parsing what went wrong.
“Sometimes you need to go back to stuff that’s helped you get this far,” Wolf said. “It doesn’t have to be anything crazy. Just get your feet back under you and feel good.”
Wolf said he never thinks about his AHL debut. That loss to the Leafs will eventually be memory-holed too, after it serves its purpose as a harsh education for a young player — one he believes he’ll be better for experiencing.
“I’m still figuring out this league and I’m going to be figuring it out for a long time,” Wolf said. “So it was just one of those steppingstones.”
He returned to the ice on Thursday night looking to rebound against New Jersey. Wolf surrendered three goals in the first two periods — one deflecting off his own defenseman and into the net — but he was there when it counted. That was especially true in the third period, when Wolf kept the score 3-2 by stopping a shorthanded breakaway by Devils center Dawson Mercer:
Dustin Wolf makes an incredible breakaway save!
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL#Flames pic.twitter.com/QKQszA1GDM
— Robert Munnich (@RingOfFireCGY) March 21, 2025
Soon after, the Flames would score twice in a minute to take the lead en route a critical comeback road win, 5-3.
“Sometimes you just need one save here or there,” Wolf said afterwards. “We have to find a way. We’re in do-or-die range right now.”
MORGAN FROST HAS TO remember sometimes that his starting goalie is a rookie.
“I don’t think that happens too often for that position,” the Calgary forward said.
Frost arrived via trade from the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 30. Back in the Eastern Conference, he had heard about Wolf’s Calder-worthy campaign for the Flames. Seeing it for himself was revelatory.
“It’s been fun to watch some of these games, especially where we’re lacking some goal scoring and you’ve kind of got to grind it out and win 1-0. You feel good when he’s back there for those,” Frost said.
Wolf is 4-11-2 in games where the offensively challenged Flames scored two or fewer goals this season.
“Granted, I’d like us to maybe score a couple more [goals],” he said. “But we have a lot of skill in this room, and if you put it all together, we work really well.”
The Flames have been a surprise to everyone but the Flames.
“Coming into the year, everyone had us written off as probably a bottom-five team, and I think anybody in this room could tell you that we didn’t believe that,” Wolf said.
His role in elevating the Flames has put Wolf into Rookie of the Year contention. Goalies are frequently part of the Calder Trophy conversation — Stuart Skinner (Edmonton), Alex Nedeljkovic (Carolina) and Jordan Binnington (St. Louis) were all finalists in recent years. Winning the Calder is another matter. The last rookie goalie to win NHL Rookie of Year was Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2008-09. Over the past 40 years, five goalies have won the Calder: Mason, Andrew Raycroft of the Bruins (2003-04), Evgeni Nabokov of the Sharks (2000-01), Martin Brodeur of the Devils (1993-94) and Ed Belfour of the Blackhawks (1990-91).
It’s the same story for league MVP: The NHL hasn’t had a goalie win the Hart Trophy since Montreal’s Carey Price in 2014-15. After Dominik Hasek won the award in back-to-back seasons from 1996 to 1998, only one goalie captured the Hart besides Price: Montreal’s Jose Theodore in 2001-02.
Do goalies get enough awards love outside of their own trophy, the Vezina?
“Goaltending is the toughest job in sports in my mind. And do I think we should be appreciated more? Probably,” Wolf said. “It is the best position though. You wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. When things are going great, you’re on top of the world, and when things are not so hot, you’re kind of at the bottom of the stomping block.”
Wolf appreciates the support surrounding his Calder candidacy — “It’s cool to have your name out like that,” he said — but his focus is squarely on earning the chance to play games beyond the regular season.
“We’re in the fight for our lives and getting into the playoffs,” he said. “I don’t want to focus on anything outside of that and I have no control over what people want to think. All I can do is try to stop as many pucks as I can.”
The awards attention is an interesting shift in perspective for Wolf, the height-challenged goalie from Gilroy and the player drafted three slots away from being “Mr. Irrelevant.”
“I’ve been underrated my whole career, a large majority of it due to how tall I stand,” he said. “And I think that’s a blessing in disguise, because then you can just go about your business.”
After the 14 games of Showdown Saturday, a slightly smaller batch of teams is back at it Sunday.
One of those seven matchups features two recent Stanley Cup winners — the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Vegas Golden Knights (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+) — so what better time to stack up the top Cup contenders?
Per Stathletes, the Golden Knights lead Western Conference teams at 12.4%. Close behind are the Colorado Avalanche (12.3%), who next play Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The Winnipeg Jets (5.8%, hosting the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday) and Edmonton Oilers (5.4%, off until Wednesday) round out the top quartet.
Despite “winning” the trade deadline by acquiring Mikko Rantanen, the Stars are seventh among West teams at 3.1%, trailing the Los Angeles Kings (3.9%) and St. Louis Blues (3.5%).
The Lightning are second among Eastern teams (12.6%), behind the Carolina Hurricanes (15.3%), who continue their Western road trip against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+). Next up among Eastern contenders are the Washington Capitals (9.5%), who square off against the Jets on Tuesday. The Toronto Maple Leafs (5.5%, believe it or not), and the Florida Panthers (5.0%) round out the top five.
There is a lot of runway left until April 17, the final day of the regular season, and we’ll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we’ll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s schedule
Yesterday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Sunday’s games
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
Philadelphia Flyers at Chicago Blackhawks, 3 p.m. (NHLN)
Buffalo Sabres at Winnipeg Jets, 3 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Florida Panthers, 6 p.m.
Nashville Predators at St. Louis Blues, 6 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Vegas Golden Knights, 8 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at Anaheim Ducks, 8 p.m.
Boston Bruins at Los Angeles Kings, 9 p.m.
Saturday’s scoreboard
New York Rangers 5, Vancouver Canucks 3
Dallas Stars 3 Philadelphia Flyers 2 (OT)
Minnesota Wild 4, Buffalo Sabres 1
St. Louis Blues 4, Chicago Blackhawks 1
Calgary Flames 4, New York Islanders 3 (OT)
Los Angeles Kings 7, Carolina Hurricanes 2
Washington Capitals 6, Florida Panthers 3
Utah Hockey Club 6, Tampa Bay Lightning 4
Colorado Avalanche 5, Montreal Canadiens 4 (SO)
Ottawa Senators 3, New Jersey Devils 2
Nashville Predators 5, Toronto Maple Leafs 2
Vegas Golden Knights 6, Detroit Red Wings 3
Edmonton Oilers 5, Seattle Kraken 4
San Jose Sharks 3, Boston Bruins 1
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Next game: vs. PIT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Next game: vs. PHI (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 13
Points pace: 101.0
Next game: @ VGK (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 93.9
Next game: @ BUF (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 96.2%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 89.1
Next game: @ STL (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 45.7%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 83.2
Next game: @ UTA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 6%
Tragic number: 22
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 79.7
Next game: @ LA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 1.4%
Tragic number: 17
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 72.4
Next game: @ WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 14
Metro Division
Points: 102
Regulation wins: 40
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 119.5
Next game: @ WPG (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 104.6
Next game: @ ANA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 92.4
Next game: vs. VAN (Monday)
Playoff chances: 95.8%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 85.5
Next game: @ LA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 18.9%
Tragic number: 22
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 86.8
Next game: vs. CBJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: 26%
Tragic number: 25
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 84.4
Next game: @ NYI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 9.8%
Tragic number: 23
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 78.5
Next game: @ FLA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 16
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 75.1
Next game: @ CHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 13
Central Division
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 117.1
Next game: vs. BUF (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 109.3
Next game: vs. MIN (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 89
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 11
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: vs. DET (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 99.6
Next game: @ DAL (Monday)
Playoff chances: 93.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 11
Points pace: 91.2
Next game: vs. NSH (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 56.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 87.9
Next game: s. DET (Monday)
Playoff chances: 12.2%
Tragic number: 21
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 71.3
Next game: @ STL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 8
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 57.4
Next game: vs. PHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 107.0
Next game: vs. TB (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Next game: vs. DAL (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 14
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: vs. BOS (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 91.5
Next game: vs. SEA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 16.8%
Tragic number: 25
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 89.0
Next game: @ NJ (Monday)
Playoff chances: 21.4%
Tragic number: 22
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 80.8
Next game: vs. CAR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 16
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 75.1
Next game: @ CGY (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 9
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 55.1
Next game: vs. TOR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Note: An “x” means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An “e” means that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.
Points: 47
Regulation wins: 14
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 17
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 31
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
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Dan Wetzel
Troy Taylor’s record in his first two years as the Stanford football coach includes six victories and two internal disciplinary investigations.
Oh, and 18 losses.
His future would be tenuous even if he hadn’t, per two separate Stanford investigations uncovered by ESPN, been accused of bullying and belittling female athletic staffers, seeking to have an NCAA compliance officer removed after she warned him of rules violations and repeatedly making “inappropriate” comments to another woman about her appearance.
Complaints about Taylor were enough for Stanford to twice hire outside investigative firms, both of which independently painted a picture of behavior ranging from “concerning” to “inappropriate,” according to documents obtained by ESPN’s Xuan Thai.
That included numerous clashes with the school’s compliance office and the attempted reassignment of duties for one staffer who raised concerns about NCAA violations pertaining to player eligibility and illegal practices. One of the law firms, experienced in these types of investigations, concluded it had never seen “this palpable level of animosity and disdain” to a compliance office.
After the first investigation, Taylor signed a “warning letter” in February 2024 acknowledging he could be fired if he didn’t behave better.
By summer he was under investigation again.
It’s somewhat of a mystery exactly why he remained on the job — this is Stanford, after all, or at least is supposed to be. The NCAA violations were fairly minor, but that’s all the more reason not to fight them. The attitude displayed to compliance is a red flag of its own. Again, Stanford.
Furthermore, multiple sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity told ESPN’s Thai that Taylor’s behavior extended beyond staffers and compliance officers to people within the coaching staff. One source said Taylor “has lost the locker room.”
Yet, Taylor is preparing for Year 3 on the Farm, one more — and presumably last — chance to win some games and reform his leadership style.
“I willingly complied with the investigations, accepted the recommendations that came out of them, and used them as a learning opportunity to grow in leadership and how I interact with others,” Taylor, 56, said in the statement to ESPN on Wednesday. “I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively and collegially with my colleagues so that we can achieve success for our football program together.”
Here’s hoping he’s successful in that endeavor, if only for everyone else’s sake. The task of leading Stanford as it transitions (and repeatedly travels) to the Atlantic Coast Conference is challenging enough without this behavior.
Taylor is dealing with another development, though, a new one that could be in play for a lot of schools in the future.
He isn’t the face of the program.
The team’s general manager, former Stanford and NFL great Andrew Luck, is.
Once upon a time, the head coach was the undeniable, and often indomitable, man in charge. Mostly, they still are.
It’s not just the Clemson Tigers, it’s Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers. Or Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs. Or so on and so on.
The coach runs everything and hires everyone. He sets the direction, makes the decisions and speaks for the entire operation. Win enough and a coach can quickly become more powerful than the supposed bosses — athletic directors — and even university presidents.
The firing of a coach causes a program to reset entirely. There’s a reason it’s called a “program” and not just a team. It’s why schools are often hesitant to make the move.
What now, though?
The role of general manager is a new one in college sports, a response to the changing ways rosters are constructed in this era of the transfer portal, revenue sharing and NIL payments. While athletic directors rarely have much stature with fans, prominent alums or big names lured from the pro ranks into a GM role could.
Luck certainly qualifies. He was a two-time Heisman runner-up for the Cardinal before becoming the No. 1 pick of the 2012 NFL draft and a four-time Pro Bowler in Indianapolis. He not only harks the program back to Stanford’s glory days under Jim Harbaugh and, later, David Shaw, but he has a reputation for intelligence, integrity and football acumen.
Understandably, Stanford leapt at the chance to bring him home last November. It hasn’t won more than four games since 2018. Luck is tasked with “overseeing the Cardinal Football program, including working with Coach Taylor on recruiting and roster management, and with athletics and university leadership on fundraising, alumni relations, sponsorships, student-athlete support, and stadium experience.”
Perhaps on some org chart somewhere, Luck isn’t the boss of all bosses. In reality, this is his program and Taylor will serve at his will.
A source with direct knowledge told ESPN’s Thai that Luck met with the team in Taylor’s presence on Thursday, and that Luck doubled down on standing by his coach.
Whatever Luck thinks of Taylor is unknown to fans and the public. He was on the committee that hired Taylor after a successful stint at FCS Sacramento State. He was just this week praising Taylor for his coaching skill during a Stanford pro day. However, he declined a chance to comment to ESPN on Taylor’s disciplinary file.
Did he know about it? What about the NCAA violations? What about any possible issues with the treatment of players? How much will all of this weigh on his evaluation of Taylor, who even if he was up for sainthood needs to start winning?
The questions go on. The answers, thus far, are nowhere to be found.
Right now, all of Stanford’s trust is in Luck, and for good reason. He has earned that. He has earned the chance to run this program through uncertain, even potentially dire, times in the ever-shifting landscape of college athletics.
It’s his program now, and that means Troy Taylor is his coach; everything reflecting back on not just the school but on the all-time great in charge via a new-age job.
There’s something for just about everyone on Saturday in the NHL, with 14 games being played throughout the day. The first puck drops at 1 p.m. ET, and the last opening faceoff is at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Here’s what is at stake in each contest:
Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers
1 p.m., NHL Network
The Canucks dropped out of the second wild-card spot in the West with their loss Thursday to the Blues, but can jump right back over them (at least temporarily) with a win here. As for the Rangers, they are hoping to avoid being just the fourth team to miss the playoffs a season after winning the Presidents’ Trophy (joining the 2014-15 Bruins, 2007-08 Sabres and 1993-94 Rangers).
Philadelphia Flyers at Dallas Stars
2 p.m., ESPN+
The playoff possibility train left the station long ago for the Flyers, but they’ll look to maintain a strong position in the draft lottery standings. The Stars open the day 10 points and three regulation wins behind the Jets for first place in the Central Division, with two games in hand. Winning games like this one is an important step in mounting a challenge for that division title.
Buffalo Sabres at Minnesota Wild
2 p.m., ESPN+
It’s another spring outside the postseason for the Sabres, but maybe the never-ending rebuild will end next season? The Wild seem to be stuck in the first wild-card position in the West, four points behind the Avalanche for third in the Central, but six points ahead of the Blues. Can they still make a move?
Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues
3 p.m., ESPN+
As noted in this space on Thursday, the Blues have a very favorable strength of schedule down the stretch. That obviously includes this game, as Connor Bedard & Co. remain one of the NHL’s weakest clubs — though could be closer to contention than some think. Officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Blackhawks are just jockeying for lottery position now.
Calgary Flames at New York Islanders
4 p.m., ESPN+
Can the Flames make it a clean sweep of all three NYC metro teams? They remain on the periphery of the Western wild-card race (thanks in large part to rookie goalie Dustin Wolf), and a win here helps that quest. As for the Isles, they’ve quietly crept back into the Eastern wild-card race, separated by just two points from the Canadiens, who currently hold the final spot.
Carolina Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings
4 p.m., ESPN+
It would take a monumental collapse for either of these teams to miss the playoffs. But each has faced its share of trouble getting back to the Stanley Cup Final in recent seasons. Nevertheless, wouldn’t this be a fun matchup in that series?
Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals
5 p.m., ESPN+
If the Panthers keep their streak of Stanley Cup Final appearances going this spring — and maybe win it again? — the dynasty debate will begin. They remain atop the Atlantic Division, and could be on a collision course with the likely Metro champ Capitals in the conference finals, with this game serving as a preview. And while Alex Ovechkin keeps chasing down Wayne Gretzky’s goal-scoring record, Washington is actually one of the more complete teams in the field, officially clinching a playoff berth Thursday.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Utah Hockey Club
5 p.m., ESPN+
New season, same game plan: Tampa Bay made wise additions at the trade deadline — this time, it was Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand — as they appear quite likely to continue their streak of playoff appearances. The UHC didn’t exist before this season, so wherever they finish this spring will start a new streak. They enter this game four points behind the Blues for the second Western wild card.
Colorado Avalanche at Montreal Canadiens
7 p.m., ESPN+
In recent seasons, it’s been expected that the Avs will make the postseason field. Despite some rough going early on this season, that outcome appears likely again for Nathan MacKinnon & Co. On the other hand, not many predicted that the Canadiens would be in possession of a wild-card spot this late in the season. Every point counts from here on out!
Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils
7 p.m., ESPN+
The last time the Senators made the playoffs they made it all the way to the conference finals. Were they to play a series against Saturday’s opponent, that’s the round in which it would happen. The Devils have been a bit wobbly of late — largely due to injuries to key players such as Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler — but have been gutting out enough victories to remain in the Metro’s No. 3 position. They hold an eight-point lead on the Islanders and Rangers ahead of this game.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Nashville Predators
7 p.m., ESPN+
If they had the power, the Predators would likely have pushed the reset button on this season quite a while ago. But while they continue to calculate their draft lottery odds, the Leafs are pushing to earn the No. 1 seed in the Atlantic Division bracket. They enter this game tied in points with the Panthers, but one regulation win behind.
Detroit Red Wings at Vegas Golden Knights
8 p.m., ABC/ESPN+
For a while there it looked like Dylan Larkin would parlay his strong play for the U.S. in the 4 Nations Face-Off into dragging his team into the postseason. The Red Wings have fallen off the pace a bit, but remain four points back of the Canadiens as play begins Saturday. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights are looking to increase their lead in the Pacific Division over the Oilers; currently, they hold an 88-85 points lead, and a 37-29 edge in regulation wins (with a game in hand).
Seattle Kraken at Edmonton Oilers
10 p.m., ESPN+
Speaking of the Oilers, they have largely avoided the Stanley Cup runner-up hangover this season. Do they want another first-round matchup with the Kings — who they have beaten three straight years? Or will they catch the Knights and (likely) take on the Wild? As for Seattle, management can use this game as another measuring stick for who will (and won’t) be back next season as they continue to build a consistent contender.
Boston Bruins at San Jose Sharks
10:30 p.m., ESPN+
There was a time where this game would have a major impact on the postseason races. Sadly for these clubs, those days are past. The Sharks were eliminated earlier this week, and the Bruins are hanging on to slim playoff hopes; they’ll need to catch fire and have five teams ahead of them hit the skids.
There is a lot of runway left until April 17, the final day of the regular season, and we’ll help you track it all with the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we’ll provide details on all the playoff races, along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today’s schedule
Yesterday’s scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Ottawa Senators
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Montreal Canadiens
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 St. Louis Blues
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Saturday’s games
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers, 1 p.m. (NHLN)
Philadelphia Flyers at Dallas Stars, 2 p.m.
Buffalo Sabres at Minnesota Wild, 2 p.m.
Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues, 3 p.m.
Calgary Flames at New York Islanders, 4 p.m.
Carolina Hurricanes at Los Angeles Kings, 4 p.m.
Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals, 5 p.m.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Utah Hockey Club, 5 p.m.
Colorado Avalanche at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m.
Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Nashville Predators, 7 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings at Vegas Golden Knights, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN+)
Seattle Kraken at Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m.
Boston Bruins at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m.
Friday’s scoreboard
Pittsburgh Penguins 6, Columbus Blue Jackets 3
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 103.4
Next game: @ WSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 103.4
Next game: @ NSH (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 14
Points pace: 102.5
Next game: @ UTA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 14
Points pace: 92.9
Next game: @ NJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 95.4%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 74
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 14
Points pace: 89.2
Next game: vs. COL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 43.3%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 84.4
Next game: @ VGK (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 5.7%
Tragic number: 25
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 80.8
Next game: @ SJ (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 1.3%
Tragic number: 20
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 15
Points pace: 73.4
Next game: @ MIN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 17
Metro Division
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 118.8
Next game: vs. FLA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 14
Points pace: 106.1
Next game: @ LA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 80
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 12
Points pace: 93.7
Next game: vs. OTT (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 95.3%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 86.8
Next game: vs. CGY (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 24.8%
Tragic number: 27
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 30
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 84.3
Next game: vs. VAN (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 18.2%
Tragic number: 23
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 84.4
Next game: @ NYI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 15.9%
Tragic number: 24
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 11
Points pace: 78.5
Next game: @ FLA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 17
Points: 64
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 75.0
Next game: @ DAL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 15
Central Division
Points: 100
Regulation wins: 38
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 12
Points pace: 117.1
Next game: vs. BUF (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 14
Points pace: 108.5
Next game: vs. PHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 87
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 12
Points pace: 101.9
Next game: @ MTL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 13
Points pace: 98.6
Next game: vs. BUF (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 93.8%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 77
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 12
Points pace: 90.2
Next game: vs. CHI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 56.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 86.8
Next game: vs. TB (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 12.5%
Tragic number: 23
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 69.9
Next game: vs. TOR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 10
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 58.2
Next game: @ STL (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Pacific Division
Points: 88
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 14
Points pace: 106.1
Next game: vs. DET (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 85
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 13
Points pace: 101.0
Next game: vs. SEA (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 15
Points pace: 101.6
Next game: vs. CAR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 90.3
Next game: @ NYR (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 21.3%
Tragic number: N/A
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 14
Points pace: 90.4
Next game: @ NYI (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 16.8%
Tragic number: 27
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 80.8
Next game: vs. CAR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 18
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 12
Points pace: 76.1
Next game: @ EDM (Saturday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 13
Points: 45
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 13
Points pace: 53.5
Next game: vs. BOS (Saturday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E
Note: An “x” means that the team has clinched a playoff berth. An “e” means that the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process are here. Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL’s Erie Otters, is No. 1 on the draft board.
Points: 45
Regulation wins: 13
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 60
Regulation wins: 21
Points: 64
Regulation wins: 17
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 20
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Points: 71
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 30
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 25
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 23
Points: 75
Regulation wins: 26
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 25
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