NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 18, 2026, 8:51 AM ET

Eastern Conference Finalist Decided

The Sabres and Canadiens will meet in Game 7 after Buffalo forced a decisive contest with a 4-2 victory, setting up a clash with the Hurricanes. Montreal's upset bid remains alive despite losing the first two games at home, while Buffalo's resurgence was fueled by a power-play goal from Jeff Skinner and 36 saves from Linus Ullmark. The winner will face a Carolina team that has waited patiently since eliminating the Rangers, with the series shifting to the Eastern Conference finals on Tuesday. In the other conference, the Avalanche and Golden Knights will square off in the Western Conference final starting Saturday, a rematch of last year's second round that sees Vegas seeking revenge after Colorado's comeback victory. The Knights' path to the West final was overshadowed by an NHL crackdown, as the league stripped Vegas of its 2026 second-round pick and fined coach John Tortorella $100,000 for the team's media boycott following their series-clinching win over the Blues.

Stanley Cup Final Rematch Set in West

The Avalanche and Golden Knights will resume their rivalry in the Western Conference final, a showdown between two of the NHL's most explosive offenses. Colorado, led by Nathan Mac Kinnon's league-leading playoff scoring, advanced by knocking off the reigning champion Florida Panthers in five games. Vegas, meanwhile, reached the conference final for the second time in three years behind Jack Eichel's dominant two-way play and a resilient penalty kill that ranked fourth in the postseason. The series will feature a fascinating subplot between former teammates Jonathan Marchessault and Shea Theodore, now on opposite sides after both were key contributors for Vegas's 2023-24 championship run. Sports Line projects a tight series, with the Avalanche's depth and home-ice advantage giving them a slight edge in what should be a high-paced, high-stakes battle.

Coaching Carousel Spins in Edmonton

The Oilers have parted ways with head coach Kris Knoblauch just weeks after he led the team to its second consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearance. Despite signing a multi-year extension in January that had not yet kicked in, Knoblauch was dismissed following a season where Edmonton won 50 games but was criticized for its inconsistent defensive structure and power-play struggles. The move comes as a surprise to many, as Knoblauch compiled a 77-29-6 record over two regular seasons and navigated the team through the tragic passing of Colby Cave in 2020. General manager Ken Holland cited the need for a "new voice" as the Oilers search for their first championship since 1990 begins, with assistant coach Brad Shaw named interim coach for the upcoming draft.

World Championship Hosts Bounce Back

The defending champion United States men's team bounced back from its opening loss with a convincing 5-1 victory over tournament newcomer Great Britain. The win was fueled by a two-goal performance from Patrick Kane, who now has four points in two games, and 30 saves from Casey DeSmith. The U.S. (1-1) will look to build momentum against a tough Slovakian squad next. In the late game, Canada improved to 2-0 at the worlds with a dominant 6-0 shutout of Italy, paced by Macklin Celebrini's two goals and an assist. The No. 1 overall pick from the 2024 draft showcased his two-way prowess, winning 12 of 15 faceoffs and playing a team-high 21:34. Both North American teams are now tied with Sweden atop Group B heading into the weekend's pivotal matchups.

Injury Updates & Contract Talks

Wild star defenseman Quinn Hughes indicated he is "definitely open" to a contract extension in Minnesota. The 24-year-old, eligible to sign an eight-year deal starting July 1, has one year remaining on his current contract after leading all NHL defensemen with 74 points this season. His potential extension would be the latest mega-deal for an elite defenseman, following recent signings by Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes's brother, Luke. Meanwhile, the Wild revealed that the injuries which sidelined veterans Jonas Brodin and Joel Eriksson Ek in the second round were fractures in their feet. Both players are expected to be ready for training camp, but their absence was felt in a six-game series loss to Colorado, where the Wild's depth was exposed without their top defensive pair and second-line center.