NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 19, 2026, 2:43 PM ET

World Championships

Power‑play clinches as Benjamin Nissner’s third‑period tally lifted Austria to a 3‑1 win over Latvia, extending the Central European nation’s unbeaten run at the ice‑hockey world championship. A day later, Crosby fuels comeback with four assists as Canada exploded for five goals in the final period to beat Denmark 5‑1, while Celebrini dominates with two goals and an assist in a 6‑0 shutout of Italy, pushing the Canadians to 2‑0 in group play. The trio of performances underscores North America’s offensive depth and keeps both Canada and the United States in strong contention for a medal.

Golden Knights sanctions

League upholds penalties after the NHL rejected Vegas’ appeal, leaving coach John Tortorella with a $100,000 fine and the franchise stripped of a second‑round draft pick. The media freeze‑out penalty highlights the league’s tightening enforcement of media access rules, a move that could deter other clubs from repeat evasions and affect future contract negotiations involving coach‑team relations.

Playoff outlook

East contenders preview as analysts narrow the field of potential Stanley Cup Finalists, emphasizing the Hurricanes’ balanced scoring and the Canadiens’ defensive resilience. Meanwhile, four teams remain after the second round, with the Avalanche, Golden Knights, Hurricanes and Canadiens all alive, setting up a West‑East showdown. Model predicts tight series between Colorado and Vegas, projecting a 2‑1 edge for the Avalanche in Game, while Round 2 standouts spotlight Mitch Marner’s 3‑point night for Toronto and Alex Tuch’s unexpected slump for Buffalo. The Canadiens capped the weekend with an overtime Game 7 win courtesy of Alex Newhook’s second playoff‑winning goal, eliminating the Sabres and cementing Montreal’s momentum heading into the conference finals.

Sabres franchise milestone

Players celebrate step after Buffalo’s 3‑2 overtime loss to Montreal, receiving a standing ovation for completing the most successful regular‑season turnaround in franchise history and signaling a new era of competitiveness despite the playoff exit.

Player movement and health

Hughes signals openness to a Wild extension as his contract nears July 1, while Gustavsson faces surgery on his hip, casting doubt on his availability for training camp and prompting Minnesota to explore backup options. In the draft arena, McKenna’s rise highlighted from a Yukon youth program to a projected No. 1 pick, underscoring the league’s expanding scouting reach into non‑traditional markets.

Growth and memorabilia

League adds San Jose as the twelfth franchise in the PWHL, marking the first California entry and reflecting rapid expansion of women’s professional hockey. In a nod to hockey heritage, a Brooks ring sells for $549,000 at Heritage Auctions, a reminder of the sport’s iconic moments and the enduring market for historic artifacts.