NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

NHL Playoffs: Western Conference Showdowns & Discipline

The Colorado Avalanche are poised to close out their Western Conference semifinal against the Minnesota Wild Wednesday night, hosting Game 5 with strong momentum after winning Game 4 on Monday. Colorado's defensive intensity has sharply increased in the series, as they have doubled their per-game hit rate from the regular season, a physical adjustment that has drawn scrutiny. Specifically, Avs defenseman Josh Manson was fined $5,000—the CBA maximum—for a stick infraction against Wild center Michael McCarron, who subsequently labeled Manson a 'dirty player' following the incident in Game. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights hold a precarious 3-2 series lead over the Ducks, secured when Pavel Dorofeyev scored his second goal in overtime to clinch the victory.

NHL Playoffs: Eastern Conference Battles & Personnel Moves

The Buffalo Sabres successfully forced a deciding Game 5 in their Eastern Conference matchup, fueled by an unlikely play where Tage Thompson converted a freak bank shot off the boards to even the score in Game, which Zach Benson later broke open with a power-play goal on his 21st birthday to secure the 3-2 win over Montreal on Tuesday night. Sabres coach stated the team would return to goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the critical Game 4 outing. On the coaching carousel, the Toronto Maple Leafs made a significant offseason move, announcing the firing of head coach Craig Berube after just two seasons, signaling a major organizational reset in search of a deeper playoff run.

Team Canada & Player Contracts

Pittsburgh Penguins icon Sidney Crosby is set to participate in the upcoming men's world hockey championships, marking his fourth appearance in the tournament as he joins Team Canada’s roster. On the personnel front, the Columbus Blue Jackets secured center Charlie Coyle with a long-term commitment, signing him to a six-year contract extension valued at $36 million, equating to an average annual value of $6 million. In Carolina, the Hurricanes extended forward Mark Jankowski on a two-year deal worth an average of $1.85 million annually, solidifying depth for the team that remains undefeated this postseason, benefiting from the MVP-caliber play of 2010 No. 1 overall pick Taylor Hall. Furthermore, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas expressed his desire to have veteran center Evgeni Malkin return next season for what would be his 21st year in Pittsburgh.

Off-Ice Developments & League Expansion

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced plans for substantial expansion, confirming new franchises in Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, with the goal of reaching a full dozen teams in the near future. The league’s upcoming draft class is particularly strong, headlined by five members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning team, including top prospect defender Caroline Harvey. Separately, the NHL congratulated the finalists for the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award, with winners—three from the U.S. and three from Canada—set to be announced in June following a public voting period closing May 24. In scouting circles, the narrative surrounding Gavin McKenna, tracking his path from Whitehorse, Yukon, to Penn State, establishes him as the likely No. 1 overall selection in the upcoming NHL Draft. Finally, attorneys for the accused driver in the fatal crash involving the Gaudreau family lost a motion to dismiss charges after arguing over discrepancies in blood alcohol level reporting.