Colorado Avalanche's Valeri Nichushkin, left, is congratulated after scoring against the St. Louis Blues during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)

St. Louis Blues' Alexey Toropchenko (13), right, pressures Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon (29) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)

Montreal Canadiens' Cole Caufield (13) skates by the number 50 prior to an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils, in Montreal, Sunday, April 5, 2026. Caufield is one goal away from scoring his 50th for the regular season. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) celebrates victory following the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Monday, April 6, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper talks with linesman Jonny Murray (95) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Luke Schenn (5) clears the puck in front of Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, April 6, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff addresses the media following an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 6: Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff addresses the media following an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at KeyBank Center on April 6, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won, 4-2. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images)