NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 19, 2026, 11:46 PM ET

Coaching carousel and front‑office moves The New Jersey Devils announced that head coach Sheldon Keefe will resume duties after general manager Sunny Mehta completed a full organizational review, a move aimed at stabilizing a club that missed the playoffs last season. In Vancouver, the rebuilding Canucks dismissed first‑year head coach Adam Foote and his three assistants, citing a 25‑49‑8 record that left the team 15 points out of a postseason spot. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights remain locked in a media‑access dispute, with multiple teams still awaiting permission to interview new head coach Bruce Cassidy, underscoring the franchise’s ongoing personnel uncertainty.

Golden Knights sanction fallout An NHL hearing upheld the league’s penalties after the Knights’ refusal to field media after their series‑clinching win, stripping the club of a second‑round draft pick and levying a $100,000 fine against coach John Tortorella. The league’s earlier denial of the Knights’ appeal confirms that the disciplinary action will affect Vegas’ asset pool heading into the next draft, a significant blow for a team that had counted on the pick for depth‑forward development.

Final‑four playoff picture The Western Conference final now pits the Colorado Avalanche against the Vegas Golden Knights, with betting models favoring the Avalanche by a narrow margin as they head into Game 1 of the series. In the East, the Carolina Hurricanes will meet the Montreal Canadiens in the conference final, a matchup highlighted by the Hurricanes’ balanced scoring and the Canadiens’ goaltending depth, according to preseason projections. A daily playoff roundup confirmed that these four teams—Avalanche, Golden Knights, Hurricanes and Canadiens—remain the only clubs alive for the Stanley Cup, setting up a potential East‑vs‑West showdown in June.

Game 7 drama and player outlooks Montreal advanced to the Eastern final after Alex Newhook delivered his second overtime, Game 7 winner, a 3‑2 triumph over Buffalo that capped a hard‑fought series. The Sabres, despite the loss, received a standing ovation for what management described as a “giant step” in franchise development, reflecting the progress made in a season that saw them clinch a playoff berth for the first time in a decade. Forward Alex Tuch, whose production stalled in the second‑round loss, will test free‑agency waters this summer, with his agent emphasizing that the recent slump will not dictate his next contract.

Avalanche defensive caution Colorado’s star defenseman Cale Makar missed Tuesday’s practice on the eve of the Western final, a precaution that raises questions about his health ahead of a potentially grueling series against Vegas. While the team has not disclosed an injury, Makar’s absence from the ice‑time drill could influence the Avalanche’s defensive pairings and power‑play structure as the conference championship approaches.

International stage highlights At the IIHF World Championship, Canada erupted for five goals in the third period to beat Denmark 5‑1, with captain Sidney Crosby providing four assists, reinforcing his status as a playmaker on the global stage. In the same tournament, Austria and Norway each secured victories, while newcomer Hungary posted a 5‑0 shutout of Britain, marking its first win of the event and signaling a competitive shift in the top division. Meanwhile, prospect Gavin McKenna continued to attract top‑draft attention, his journey from Whitehorse to Penn State positioning him as a likely first‑overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft.

Off‑season roster and league expansion Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes signaled his willingness to remain in Minnesota beyond July 1, keeping a key puck‑moving blueliner in the franchise’s long‑term plans. However, starting goalie Filip Gustavsson will undergo hip surgery this summer, casting doubt on his availability for training camp and prompting the Wild to explore backup options. Across the league, the Professional Women’s Hockey League completed its latest expansion by adding a San Jose franchise, bringing the total to 12 teams and broadening the sport’s footprint on the West Coast. Analysts also outlined potential free‑agency targets for the Wild and other clubs, emphasizing the need for cap‑friendly depth as the 2026‑27 season approaches.