NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 20, 2026, 2:49 AM ET

Coaching moves and league discipline The New Jersey Devils announced that head coach Sheldon Keefe will resume his duties after new general manager Sunny Mehta completed a comprehensive organizational review, signaling stability for a club that missed the playoffs last season Keefe returns. In contrast, the Vancouver Canucks dismissed first‑year head coach Adam Foote and his three assistants following a 25‑49‑8 campaign, underscoring the franchise’s urgency to reverse a two‑year slide Foote fired. Meanwhile, the NHL upheld its penalties against the Vegas Golden Knights, refusing to lift the $100,000 fine levied on coach John Tortorella and confirming the loss of a second‑round draft pick after the team refused media access post‑series win, a decision that reinforces the league’s media‑access policy sanctions upheld and highlights the broader impact of the media freeze on the organization’s future assets media freeze costs.

Western Conference finals preview Colorado defenseman Cale Makar sat out the team’s final practice ahead of Game 1 against the Golden Knights, a precaution that has sparked speculation about his health but does not appear to affect the Avalanche’s defensive core as they prepare for the Western Conference showdown Makar sits out. The matchup pits the top‑seeded Avalanche against the defending champions Vegas in a series that will determine the Western representative in the Stanley Cup Final, with both clubs having navigated a grueling postseason to reach this stage Final Four overview. Betting models from Sports Line favor the Knights marginally, projecting a 52% chance for Vegas to take Game, while the Avalanche’s depth and recent playoff experience keep the series outlook tightly contested Knights odds. Analysts also note that the Western final will likely hinge on special‑teams performance, as both teams rank in the top five for power‑play efficiency this season Western finals preview.

Eastern outlook and player contracts Quinn Hughes indicated he is “definitely open” to signing an extension with the Minnesota Wild when eligible on July 1, a stance that could keep the dynamic defenseman in Minnesota beyond his pending restricted‑free‑agent year and provides the Wild with a cornerstone for their rebuilding timeline Hughes open. On the international stage, Canada delivered a dominant 5‑1 victory over Denmark at the World Championship, with Sidney Crosby recording four assists in the final period, a performance that reaffirms his elite playmaking as the tournament heads into its knockout phase Crosby assists. to the Eastern Conference final, the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens are set to clash Thursday, with analysts highlighting the Hurricanes’ balanced scoring and the Canadiens’ resilient goaltending as key factors that could decide the series and shape the next Stanley Cup Final matchup Hurricanes‑Canadiens preview.