Dose: Benn's show for Art Ross

The NHL got what it wanted: Drama on the final day of the regular season.


There is no point in me wasting your time, so without further adieu let’s get right to the final regular-season Dose. (Thanks to all who have followed along all year.)

STARS 4, PREDATORS 1

— This game featured the type of theater the NHL could not have scripted. After John Tavares picked up two points in the night’s earlier game, Jamie Benn trailed the scoring race 86 to 83. He had it locked up, right? Wrong. All Benn did was go out and score three times and add an assist on Cody Eakin’s goal. Even more incredible — Tavares was 2:05 away from winning the Art Ross when Benn scored on the empty net then assisted with 8.5 seconds left. Tavares had the advantage if the two tied in points because he had more goals. Benn finishes his career-best year with 35 points and 87 points, and he earned the award with Tyler Seguin sitting because he missed a practice. He was scorching hot in the final few months.

— Filip Forsberg picked up his 26th goal, and 63rd point. He ends his rookie season one off the goal and point mark. To me, it’s a toss-up as to who wins the Calder trophy — either Aaron Ekblad, Johnny Gaudreau or Forsberg could take it. Regardless, it will be fun to watch Forsberg in the playoffs.

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BLUE JACKETS 5, ISLANDERS 4 (shootout)

— Can’t talk about Tavares’ night then leave it 'til the end of the Dose. Frankly, the Coliseum finale couldn’t have gone any worse. Tavares gets a goal and an assist to reach 38 goals and 86 points, and seemingly has the Art Ross locked up, then doesn’t. The Isles needed two points to earn home ice against the Capitals, and didn’t. (On the plus side, Tavares had points in six games in a row, 12 total.)

— We knew once the Blue Jackets got healthy, they’d be able to play spoiler, and that’s what they did here. Scott Hartnell (goal, assist) scored with 1:35 left. He was a very valuable fantasy player this season: 28 goals, 32 assists, 100 penalty minutes.

— Cam Atkinson’s goal gave him a nearly identical stat line to last season (22 goals to 21, 18 assists to and he had 212 shots to 216. With a healthy team, 50 points is within reach.

— Let’s just say the Islanders will need better from Jaroslav Halak (33 saves). Though he had an average season, Halak was a big improvement over the cast of characters between the pipes in recent seasons on the Island. The Islanders want more of the .923 SV% he’s posted in the playoffs.

SENATORS 3, FLYERS 1

— The Senators clinched a playoff spot with this victory, capping a 23-4-4 run.

— Mark Stone scored twice, so he finishes a sensational rookie season with 26 goals and 64 points, along with a plus-21 rating. There is no other way to put it: Stone has been scorching hot, tallying at least a point in nine consecutive games, with eight goals during that span. He is tied with Johnny Gaudreau for the rookie points lead. Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s goal was the game winner.

— Andrew Hammond stopped 34 shots. His out-of-nowhere first year in the NHL (24 games) ends with a 20-1-2 record, 1.79 goals-against average and .941 save percentage. Now the question is how he will fare in the playoffs.

— Steve Mason's (19 saves) last two games of the season isn’t indicative of how he performed this season. Mason improved upon last season to post a .928 SV%. The Flyers have other issues on their roster (notably on defense), but their goaltending is not one.

DUCKS 2, COYOTES 1

— The win clinched the top spot in the West for the Ducks, who have made the playoffs in three seasons under Bruce Boudreau. They will play the Jets, who will not be an easy team to eliminate.

— Ryan Getzlaf’s goal-assist night helped him reach 25 goals and 70 points. The 29-year-old’s numbers dipped from 31 and 87 this season, though it’s the fourth time with at least 25 goals and fifth with at least 70 points.

— John Gibson is dealing with an upper-body injury, meaning there (finally) might not be a goalie controversy on Boudreau’s team. Frederik Andersen made 23 saves, his fourth win in five contests. Andersen had a save percentage of .899 last postseason.

— Over the past few months, Mike Smith (36 saves) certainly showed he’s not as bad as the way his season started. He’s still one of the riskiest goalies in the league because the Coyotes are in rebuilding mode and the ice won’t be tilted in their favor too often.

RANGERS 4, CAPITALS 2

— We will fortunately be spared Rangers-Capitals, for at least the first round of the playoffs. In a game that meant absolutely nothing for New York, it took care of business to record a franchise record for wins (53) and points (113). The Capitals could’ve locked up home ice for the first round if they had won.

— The Rangers had three excellent scoring lines last season, but roster turnover created question marks this year. Kevin Hayes answered that — and then some — as this season went alone. He scored and assisted in this game. If there weren’t so many talented rookies, Hayes would be atop the list. Hayes ends his rookie regular season with 17 goals and 45 points.

— New York also got contributions from two more bottom-six players: Dominic Moore had a goal and an assist, while Jesper Fast picked up the empty-net goal. Derick Brassard scored a power play goal, finishing with a career-best 19 goals and 60 points, and proving he is a capable scoring-line center.

— Henrik Lundqvist made 22 saves. The King, in 46 games, was 30-13-3 and had a 2.25 GAA and .922 SV%. It’s the ninth year with at least 30 wins.

— Alex Ovechkin had another goal, and easily won the scoring race with 53 goals. He also has 81 points. He simply has been impossible to contain this year. The goal in the first round will be to limit his time and space. Easier said than done.

— Braden Holtby gave up three goals on 33 shots. He led the league with 73 games played. He has risen to one of the better goalies in the league, sporting a 2.22 GAA and .923 SV% this year. I’m curious to see how he does in the playoffs with such little rest this year.

PENGUINS 2, SABRES 0

— The Penguins clinched a playoff spot — the final wild card — as Brandon Sutter notched two goals, his 21st of the year. Despite that, he has only 33 points on the year, so he wasn’t exactly helping in fantasy leagues. It is his second year with 21 goals.

— Marc-Andre Fleury posted a shutout on 28 saves, his NHL-leading 10th shutout of the season. He had given up at least three goals in four consecutive games. His regular season was a success — 2.32 GAA, .920 SV% — but the postseason is where he has struggled, with a .905 SV%.

— Pittsburgh will go into the playoffs without Kris Letang. Christian Ehrhoff’s and Derrick Pouliot’s statuses are cloudy as well.

RED WINGS 2, HURRICANES 0

— Detroit already knew it was headed to the playoffs for the 24th consecutive season. All that was left was seeding. The win guaranteed them the third spot in the East, so they’ll face the Lightning in the first round.

— Quite a day for Landon Ferraro, who scored his first NHL goal on a wraparound in his seventh game. Unless Detroit is hit with the injury bug in the postseason, Ferraro’s best shot at playing will come next season.

— Mike Babcock says he knows who the starting goalie will be for Game 1. Has Petr Mrazek’s 35-save shutout given him the leg up? While he has been unbeatable at times, I still think Babcock starts off with Jimmy Howard. I wouldn’t expect the leash to be long, though.

— Clearly, if the Hurricanes expect to return to the playoffs next season, Cam Ward (27 saves) should not be their goalie. He has one year at a $6.3 million cap hit, so perhaps Carolina could find a taker? It seems like a tough task for the front office.

JETS 5, FLAMES 1

— Don’t think many pegged the Jets to reach the playoffs this year and I’m pretty confident that next to no one though Calgary would get in. Winnipeg is a sneaky pick to make noise in the playoffs. I’m not sold on Calgary.

— The Jets can thank Joni Ortio for this win, as he stopped only 17 of 22 shots. If he’s in the game during the playoffs, it’s because Jonas Hiller has been injured.

— The Jets got four third-period goals — from Michael Frolik, Lee Stempniak, Adam Lowry and Matt Halischuk. Stempniak has been a savvy addition, with six of his 15 goals and 10 of his 28 points in 18 games with the Jets. Drew Stafford, another great acquisition, scored in the first period. He had nine goals and 19 points in 26 games with Winnipeg.

— Expect Ondrej Pavelec to start in the playoffs, however Michael Hutchinson was very good in this one, making 24 saves. In fact, without him (21-10-5, 2.39 GAA, .914 SV%), the Jets are not in the playoffs.

— Michael Ferlund scored the lone goal for Calgary. The 22-year-old has not shown much offensive promise yet, though two of his five points (in 26 games) have come over the past three.

BLUES 4, WILD 2

— Jori Lehtera potted two goals, ending his first year as a North American hockey player with 14 goals and 44 points. Wouldn’t be surprising to see him reach 50 points next season.

— Vladimir Tarasenko had not played since March 30 because of an injury. All he did was get a goal and assist on one. He’s the X-factor in the playoffs for the Blues as a bonafide game-changing offensive talent. He had 37 goals and 73 points this year.

— Brian Elliott stopped 23 to end the year with a 2.26 GAA and .917 SV%. It has been a rocky two-plus months: .910 in February, .906 in March and .877 in April.

— Devan Dubnyk stared 39 of the Wild’s final 40 games. He was yanked in this one, though, as he made 11 saves on 14 shots. The third-round pick was certainly worth giving up — he had a 1.78 GAA and .936 SV% in Minnesota. It should warrant some awards love.

— Zach Parise and Marco Scandella lit the lamp for Minnesota. Parise (33 goals, 62 points) has scored at least 30 goals and 60 points in six seasons.

CANADIENS 4, MAPLE LEAFS 3 (shootout)

— The Canadiens clinched the Atlantic Division with help from three different goal scorers: David Desharnais, Tomas Plekanec and Jacob De La Rose. Plekanec proved to be a nifty selection for those who took him in drafts this season as he finished with 26 goals and 60 points, by far his best season in several years. He also had goals in four games in a row.

— Carey Price (19 saves): 44-16-6 record, 1.96 GAA, .933 SV%, nine shutouts. He is an easy choice for the Vezina and should get serious consideration for the Hart trophy, too. Montreal is unlikely to be successful in the postseason if he gives up three or more, which he’s done four times over the past five games.

— Two (Tyler Bozak, Phil Kessel) who might find themselves out of Toronto next year finished the year on a high note. Bozak and Kessel each registered a goal and an assist. Kessel had not scored since March 14, ending the year with 25 goals and 61 points. Even more ugly was his negative-34 rating.

— Jonathan Bernier made 30 saves. He’s another player who could be out of town this offseason. Bernier is a restricted free agent. I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility to see him return to at least league-average numbers next year.

LIGHTNING 3, BRUINS 2

— The Rangers might have finished with the Presidents’ Trophy, but the Lightning will be a very tough out in the playoffs. The X-factor will be Ben Bishop, who made 36 saves in this one. He has yet to play in the postseason.

— How soon until general manager Peter Chiarelli and/or coach Claude Julien are fired? Does it happen tomorrow? And how different could this team look next year? The Bruins were just not the same punishing team they had been in years past. Thus ends a streak of seven consecutive seasons in the playoffs.

— Brad Marchand (24) and Loui Eriksson (22) score the goals. Could Eriksson be on the move this season? He has $4.5 million remaining on a deal that carries a $4.25 million cap hit.

— Jonathan Marchessault tallied his first points (goal, assist) of his NHL career, in his fourth game. He played 11:20, had two shots on goal and a plus-two rating.

CANUCKS 6, OILERS 5 (overtime)

— Sure, the Canucks got goals from five different players. But the more important development in this game was the return of Ryan Miller, who allowed five goals on 28 shots, in his first game since injuring his knee Feb. 22. It’s clear that Eddie Lack gives them the best chance to win in the playoffs, which will begin against the Flames. But will they choose him over a guy they signed to a big deal this offseason?

— Alexander Edler scored the game-winning goal in overtime, while also adding two assists for his second game in a row with three points. Edler has 31 points, eight of which have come over the past four games.

— We have a Sven Baertschi appearance! He scored twice in his third game since his recall. Other goal scorers: Daniel Sedin, Kevin Bieksa and Jannik Hansen.

— Benoit Pouliot scored and assisted twice for the Oilers. During the continued disarray, Pouliot has been a bright spot, with 19 goals and 34 points in 58 games. His possession numbers are also very strong.

— Taylor Hall, Nail Yakupov and teddy Purcell got the other goals for Edmonton, while Ben Scrivens gave up six goals on 23 shots. One of Edmonton’s goals for this offseason will be to find a goalie. Scrivens had a .890 SV%.

KINGS 4, SHARKS 1

— If I told you at the start of the year that the Sharks and Kings would both miss the playoffs, would you believe it. San Jose had made the postseason in 10 consecutive years, Kings in five straight (with two Cups)

— Los Angels’ goal scorers: Tyler Toffoli, Marian Gaborik, Brayden McNabb and Andy Andreoff. Toffoli has the makings of a vital piece. He had 23 goals and 49 points, with 200 shots on goal, in his second season. Expect him to be even more valuable next season.

— Jonathan Quick made 20 saves. He ends the year with a 2.24 GAA and .918SV%. If he were as elite as most make him out to be, the Kings would be in the playoffs. Of course a few more wins after regulation — 2-15 this year — would’ve got them in, too.

— Brent Burns scored his 17th goal of the season to help him achieve 60 points for the first time in his career. He also had 245 shots on goal, so he’s been quite the asset in fantasy leagues. He should be pegged for at least 15 goals and 50 points next season.

AVALANCHE 3, BLACKHAWKS 2

— Jarome Iginla’s first three months: nine goals. Final three-plus months: 20 goals. The 37-year-old played in all 82 games this season, ending the year with 59 points.

— Semyon Varlamov (28 saves) ended the year with at least a .921 save percentage in three of his last five games. Varlamov has proven he has the ability to carry a team, but the Avs need to make drastic improvements for their long-term sustainability.

— Patrick Sharp and Brandon Saad got the goals for Chicago. Sharp’s numbers are not nice on the eyes -16 goals, 43 points in 68 games. However, he has still been a very effective player, with 230 shots. His shooting percentage was 7%, four percent lower than his career average. Buy.

PANTHERS 3, DEVILS 2

— Jaromir Jagr has shown no desire to retire just yet, and the 43-year-old still appears to have something left in the tank. He scored and assisted, to give him 17 goals and 47 points. I say play until you can’t, Jaromir.

— Jonathan Huberdeau ended the year with points in four of his last five games — 15 goals and 54 points, total. Next year’s drafts might be the last time you’ll be able to get him cheaply.

— Cory Schneider made 24 saves in yet another clunker. He allowed three goals in four games in a row. Still, Schneider deserves a ton of credit for what he did this year: 2.26 GAA, .925 SV%. If the Devils can somehow swing some moves for scoring help, watch out. He’s among the elite for me.