NHL Hockey 3d Briefing
×Last updated: May 19, 2026, 2:50 AM ET
Stanley Cup Playoff Drama
The Montreal Canadiens avoided elimination with a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres in Game, as Alex Newhook scored his second Game 7 winner espn.com of the postseason. The win sets up a second-round clash with the Carolina Hurricanes, who are still awaiting their next opponent espn.com after the first round concluded. Meanwhile, the NHL stripped the Vegas Golden Knights of their second-round pick espn.com and fined coach John Tortorella $100,000 for the organization's media boycott following their series-clinching win, a penalty that could impact their draft capital amid a critical offseason.
World Championship Highlights
At the men's world championship, Canada continued its dominant run. Sidney Crosby assisted on four goals espn.com during a five-goal third period to fuel a 5-1 rout of Denmark, while Macklin Celebrini tallied twice espn.com in a 6-0 shutout of Italy. The defending champion United States bounced back from its lone loss espn.com with a 5-1 victory over tournament newcomer Britain, maintaining its position as a gold-medal favorite.
Minnesota Wild Offseason Outlook
The Wild face a pivotal summer after a second-round exit. Star defenseman Quinn Hughes expressed openness to a contract extension espn.com on July 1, though his future remains a focal point. The team must also address goaltending, as Filip Gustavsson will undergo hip surgery espn.com this offseason, casting doubt on his availability for training camp. The Wild's veteran core was further hampered by injuries, with Jonas Brodin and Joel Eriksson Ek both playing through broken bones espn.com in their feet during the loss to Colorado.
Coaching Carousel & League Moves
The Oilers fired coach Kris Knoblauch espn.com just weeks after leading the team to its second consecutive Stanley Cup Final, a stunning decision given his recent contract extension. In the PWHL, expansion continues with San Jose landing a franchise espn.com as the league's fourth market and former NHL goalie Manon Rheaume hired as GM for the Detroit team espn.com, marking another milestone for women's professional hockey.
Historical Auction & Draft Prospects
A piece of hockey history sold at auction, as the ring presented to Herb Brooks espn.com for the "Miracle on Ice" team fetched $549,000. the consensus top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft is Gavin McKenna, whose journey from the Yukon to Penn State has scouts projecting him as a future franchise cornerstone.