All articles tagged with #hockey
Vegas staged an improbable comeback, erasing a 3-0 deficit to beat Colorado 5-3 at The Fortress and seize a commanding 3-0 lead in the Western Conference Final, with key contributions from Mark Stone's return, Karlsson and Kolesar sparking the turnaround, and a pivotal third-period goal by Hertl that put Vegas ahead before an empty-net closer from Howden.
Andrei Svechnikov scored 14:06 into overtime to give the Carolina Hurricanes a 3-2 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 3 of the 2026 Eastern Conference Final, lifting Carolina to a 2-1 series lead. The game featured first-period goals from Gostisbehere and Hall, a late-second-period equalizer by Hutson and Caufield, and a tight, low-shot total with Frederik Andersen stopping 11 of 13 shots. Carolina extended its streak of first-goal wins in this playoff run, and Svechnikov earned his first career playoff OT goal.
Ryan Leonard scored twice and added an assist as Team USA routed Hungary 7-3, including a power-play goal from Alex Ovechkin’s office. On a line with Novak and Plante, the trio combined for nine points. Leonard now has three goals in the tournament, tying for the USA lead, as the Americans sit fifth in Group A and must beat Austria to reach the quarterfinals; USA previously earned a shootout win over Germany.
Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon was injured blocking a shot in Game 3 and may not be at full strength as the Avalanche trail the Golden Knights 3-0 in the Western Final; even if he plays, Colorado faces a near-impossible comeback given the 0-49 all-time mark for teams down 0-3 in a best-of-7 series.
Tomáš Hertl scored the go-ahead goal at 8:21 of the third period as the Vegas Golden Knights erased a 3-0 deficit to beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-3, moving within one win of the Stanley Cup Final and taking a 3-0 series lead in the Western Conference Final; Stone, Karlsson, Kolesar and Howden contributed offensively, while Colorado got a goal from Drury and saw Makar return as MacKinnon played through a knee injury, with Carter Hart making 32 saves and Scott Wedgewood 18; a pregame tribute honored Kyle Busch.
Carolina Hurricanes finally landed a true top-line driver in Nikolaj Ehlers, who signed as a free agent and posted 26 goals in the regular season, then became indispensable in the playoffs as the Canes chase a deeper run, after a failed flirtation with Mikko Rantanen; his impact, alongside rising scorers like Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake, gives Carolina a renewed path to competing with the league’s top teams.
Colorado hosts Vegas in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final at Ball Arena after a 4-2 Game 1 defeat. Nichushkin and Landeskog scored for Colorado, with MacKinnon and Toews registering assists as Vegas built a 3-0 lead before the Avs mounted a late push. The rematch looms as Colorado seeks to even the series.
The PWHL appointed Troy Ryan as General Manager and Head Coach for PWHL San Jose, making him the league’s first to hold the dual role. A veteran coach with success including leading the Toronto Sceptres (2024 Coach of the Year) and long-time Canada national team duties (Olympic gold in 2022; three IIHF World Championship titles; silver at the 2026 Milan Olympics), Ryan will oversee staff and roster construction for San Jose’s inaugural 2026-27 season and lead the roster process for the 2026 PWHL Draft in Detroit as the league expands.
The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 6-2 on the road in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, jumping to a 4-1 lead with four first-period goals (Caufield tying early, followed by Danault, Texier and Demidov). Eric Robinson trimmed the gap to 4-2 for Carolina after Caufield’s shot hit the post, but Slafkovský tallied in the third to make it 5-2 and again late in the period to seal the 6-2 win. Jakub Dobes, in goal for Montreal, posted a .923 save percentage with 24 saves as Montreal looks to take a 2-0 series lead in Game 2.
The Montreal Canadiens scored four goals in the first 11 minutes to build a 4-1 lead, then Carolina’s Eric Robinson made it 4-2 early in the second, as Game 1 of the NHL Eastern Conference Final opened in Raleigh.
Anaheim Ducks released their offseason injury report, noting Troy Terry’s chronic hip impingement with upcoming surgery, Cutter Gauthier’s transverse process fracture cleared to play, Ryan Poehling cleared of concussion symptoms after a late-season hit, Pavel Mintyukov with an MCL sprain and slated for training camp, Radko Gudas’ ankle sprain, and Drew Helleson’s groin strain with readiness for training camp.
VGK travel to Ball Arena for Game 1 of the Western Conference Final vs. Colorado on May 20 at 5 p.m. PT (ESPN), with a 4 p.m. watch party at Lee’s Family Forum. Vegas reached this round by sweeping Anaheim in six, while Colorado won the Presidents’ Trophy and beat the Kings and Wild to advance. Key performers include Mitch Marner with 18 playoff points for Vegas, Pavel Dorofeyev with nine goals, Jack Eichel with 14 assists, and Brett Howden’s three short-handed goals (eight total). Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon leads their playoff scoring with 13 points. The Knights must start fast and stay disciplined to slow Colorado’s rush, in a series that marks Vegas’s second West Final appearance since 2018 and Colorado’s momentum toward another Cup run.
An opinion piece praises Montreal’s playoff run as blessed by the hockey gods, culminating in a dramatic Eastern Conference semifinal Game 7 against Buffalo, where Alex Newhook delivers the decisive performance that foils the Sabres' hopes.
Alex Newhook scored his second Game 7-winning goal of the postseason 11:22 into overtime to lift the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres and advance to the Eastern Conference finals against the Hurricanes. Newhook also snapped a 1-1 tie 11:07 into the third; Phillip Danault and Zachary Bolduc added goals for Montreal, while Rasmus Dahlin forced OT with a late third-period goal. Jakub Dobes stopped 37 shots for Montreal, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 22 saves for Buffalo. The Sabres, who had a breakout season and won the Atlantic Division, head into the offseason; Montreal continues its Cup pursuit as it faces a well-rested Carolina squad.
Buffalo unleashed seven consecutive goals to erase a 3-1 deficit and beat the Montreal Canadiens 8-3 in Game 6 at the Bell Centre, forcing a decisive Game 7 in Buffalo. Captain Nick Suzuki called the defeat shocking and Montreal’s season now hinges on a strong rebound to reach the Eastern Conference Final, while Buffalo dominated in goals, shots, blocks and faceoffs as the Canadiens’ home-ice form continues to be an issue.