NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: May 22, 2026, 5:50 PM ET
NHL PLAYOFFS & WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WRAP
A record-setting sports auction and pivotal playoff injuries headlined three days of NHL action. An autographed 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie card sold for $540,000 espn.com, the highest price ever paid for a signed hockey card. On the ice, the Western Conference finals were immediately reshaped when Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was ruled out for Game, a 5-2 Golden Knights victory espn.com that saw Dylan Coghlan score his first playoff goal and Carter Hart stop 36 shots. Makar’s absence, described by Colorado as an upper-body injury, carried a significant trickle-down effect espn.com, as the Avalanche hardly resembled their first two-round dominance. He remained sidelined espn.com through practice, casting a cloud over their home-ice stronghold for Game. The Eastern Conference finals opened with a stunner as the Canadiens, playing on the road for the first time in 11 days due to Carolina’s sweep-induced layoff—the longest since 1919 espn.com—pounced for four first-period goals espn.com to stun the Hurricanes 5-3. Star defenseman Jaccob Slavin shouldered blame espn.com, calling it “an uncharacteristic defensive disaster.” The Canadiens’ aggressive start validated their reputation as road warriors espn.com, while the Hurricanes now face questions about potential rust.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP & PERSONNEL MOVES
At the IIHF World Championship, Canada ran its record to 5-0 espn.com with a 3-1 win over Slovenia, while Mark Scheifele shined with a hat trick espn.com in a dramatic 6-5 overtime victory against Norway. The United States prevailed in a shootout espn.com, defeating Germany 4-3. Off the ice, former U.S. Olympian Meghan Duggan departed the Devils espn.com to become general manager of the PWHL’s expansion franchise in Hamilton, Ontario, the same city that will host the Islanders’ new AHL affiliate espn.com, the Hamilton Hammers. In free agency, the Capitals re-signed defenseman Timothy Liljegren espn.com to a two-year, $6.5 million deal. The Sabres rewarded coach Lindy Ruff espn.com with a two-year extension after ending a 14-year playoff drought. Conversely, the Canucks fired first-year head coach Adam Foote espn.com following a 25-49-8 season. In the PWHL, Montreal sealed its first championship espn.com with a 4-0 shutout of Ottawa in Game, led by Abby Roque’s two goals. The league also announced expansion to San Jose espn.com, its 12th team.
INJURY & FRONT OFFICE UPDATES
The Ducks revealed Troy Terry needs hip surgery espn.com, creating uncertainty for his next season’s availability. In New Jersey, new GM Sunny Mehta completed his evaluation, confirming Sheldon Keefe’s return espn.com as head coach. The Golden Knights have yet to grant permission for interviews espn.com with potential head coach candidates, including Bruce Cassidy, as teams await the conclusion of their playoff run. These moves and injuries collectively set the stage for a pivotal offseason across the league.