NHL Daily: Ducks Have Best Chance at Bedard; Flyers’ Kids Impress; Hexy Fired

The Philadelphia Flyers finished their season on an upbeat note, the Anaheim Ducks finished with the NHL’s worst record and will have the best chance to draft Connor Bedard, and Carolina clinched the Metropolitan Division title.

It was a busy Thursday night. And news broke Friday that Ron Hextall, the former Flyers general manager, was fired from that position in Pittsburgh. The Penguins failed to make the playoffs for the first time in 17 years.

Anaheim dropped below Columbus, which appeared to have the bottom spot secured. But the Blue Jackets defeated Pittsburgh on Thursday, 3-2, on Johnny Gaudreau’s overtime goal. That gave them 59 points — one more than the Ducks, who “suffered” their 13th straight defeat.

In another highlight, former Flyers star Claude Giroux, at age 35, scored in Ottawa’s season finale to finish with a career-high 35 goals.

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Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Philly Hockey Now: Travis Konecny equaled a career high with four points, and many of the Flyers’ young players played big roles in a 5-4 overtime win in Chicago. Philadelphia Flyers.

Anaheim Ducks: Anaheim fans should be excited about the prospect of getting Bedard, who looks like a game-changing player. Ducks.

Ottawa Senators: The G-man, Claude Giroux, scored his career-best 35th goal to finish a sensational first season with Ottawa. Senators.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: General manager Ron Hextall, Brian Burke, president of hockey operations, and assistant GM Chris Pryor were fired on Friday. Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Goalie Tristan Jarry admitted he played through several injuries this season as the Penguins missed the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. Pittsburgh Penguins

Colorado Hockey Now: The Avs got bad news: Gabriel Landeskog won’t be playing in the playoffs, and his injury may linger into next season. Colorado Avs.

Florida Hockey Now: Former Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas, now with the Panthers, is not worried about facing the mighty Bruins in Round 1. “Anything can happen. Hey, man, we’re in the playoffs,” he said. “Let’s F-ing go.” Florida Panthers.

Carolina Hurricanes: The Canes clinched the Metro crown, finishing one point ahead of the upstart New Jersey Devils. Hurricanes.