NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Stanley Cup Playoffs Drama & Series Shifts

The Western Conference saw the Vegas Golden Knights move to the brink of the Conference Finals after Pavel Dorofeyev netted his second goal of the night, sealing a 3-2 overtime victory against the Ducks in Game, giving Vegas a commanding 3-2 series lead. In contrast, the Eastern Conference featured a dramatic leveling of the scales as the Buffalo Sabres forced a 2-2 tie against the Canadiens, propelled by Zach Benson's power-play goal on his 21st birthday, which provided the decisive 3-2 margin. The Sabres' Game 4 success was partially attributed to an unusual bounce, as Tage Thompson capitalized on a freak bank shot that proved pivotal in their earlier win, leading to Buffalo's decision to return Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to the crease for the crucial contest.

Physicality dominated the schedule, specifically in the Colorado-Minnesota series, where Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson was fined the maximum allowable $5,000 by the league for striking Wild center Michael McCarron with the blunt end of his stick. This incident occurred after Manson returned from a five-game absence and drew a double minor penalty for the blow, though the Avs ultimately managed to snap back to form by defeating the Wild in Game 4 to secure a 3-1 series advantage. Adding to the physical toll, Colorado star Nathan Mac Kinnon was left bloodied after taking a puck to the face off the stick of teammate Devon Toews during Monday's win. Further disciplinary action saw Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb ejected from his Game 5 matchup after delivering a hard check into the boards on Ducks center Ryan Poehling, who required assistance leaving the ice.

Player Transactions & International Commitments

In administrative news, the Columbus Blue Jackets secured center Charlie Coyle on a long-term deal, locking him in with a six-year contract worth $36 million, ensuring stability down the middle for the franchise. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes bolstered their forward depth by signing Mark Jankowski, 31, to a two-year extension carrying an average annual value of $1.85 million, as the team remains undefeated this postseason with 2018 Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall providing critical offensive output. On the international front, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby confirmed his participation in the upcoming men's world hockey championships, marking his fourth appearance in the tournament for Team Canada.

Offseason Outlooks & League Recognition

Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas expressed his desire to retain veteran center Evgeni Malkin, stating he would "love" to have the longtime star return for a 21st season with the organization. to the amateur talent pool, anticipation surrounds Gavin McKenna, whose journey from Whitehorse, Yukon, positions him as the expected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, raising questions about what makes him special. Furthermore, the league recognized community contributions, announcing the three U.S. and three Canadian finalists for the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award, with voting now open until May. In women's hockey, the PWHL's draft pool of 235 players is headlined by five members of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team, including defender Caroline Harvey.

Off-Ice Legal Matters

In legal proceedings related to a tragic event, the defense team for the driver accused in the deaths of former NHL players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau lost an appeal after arguing for the dismissal of charges based on a discrepancy in the reported blood alcohol level.