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15 articles summarized · Last updated: LATEST

Last updated: May 21, 2026, 8:52 AM ET

Playoff Action: Western Conference Finals and Conn Smythe Race

The Western Conference finals tipped off with the Golden Knights striking first and routing the Avalanche 4-2 in Game 1 on Wednesday, marking just the opening salvos in a series that has already lost its top candidate for Conn Smythe Trophy honors. Cale Makar sat out Game 1 with an upper-body injury, and his absence trickled through the Avalanche lineup as the team that had steamrolled the first two rounds looked decidedly different without its star defenseman. Dylan Coghlan scored his first playoff goal to ignite Vegas, while Carter Hart stopped 36 shots to keep Colorado within striking distance. The Golden Knights, who opened the series with a commanding win, will look to build on that momentum with Game 2 after grading their own contributions and Denver's shortcomings heading into the next matchup. Four teams remain alive in the postseason, but the Conn Smythe race has narrowed considerably with top-seeded Colorado missing a key piece heading into the conference finals.

Eastern Side Effects and Playoff Logistics

Across the bracket, the Carolina Hurricanes face their own unusual challenge after sweeping through the first two rounds, as their 11-day layoff between series ranks as the longest playoff break since 1919. That extended rest comes ahead of their Game 1 clash with the Montreal Canadiens, raising questions about rust and momentum heading into what figures to be a tightly contested Eastern Conference matchup. Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals re-signed defenseman Timothy Liljegren to a two-year, $6.5 million deal on Wednesday, securing a reliable top-pair option as they aim to build depth behind a core that returned to relevance this season.

International and Development Action

On the international front, the United States edged Germany 4-3 in a shootout at the ice hockey world championship on Wednesday, with Ryan Leonard burying the decisive penalty to secure the victory. The Americans continue to flex their depth in a tournament that features several NHL-caliber rosters. Stateside, Abby Roque scored twice as the Montreal Victoire captured their first PWHL championship with a 4-0 shutout of the Ottawa Charge in Game 4 of the Walter Cup Finals, cementing women's professional hockey's first title winner and marking a historic moment for the league.

Coaching and Management Moves

Off the ice, front offices continued reshaping their rosters. The Buffalo Sabres extended coach Lindy Ruff through two more seasons after he ended a 14-year postseason drought by guiding the franchise back to the playoffs. The 66-year-old coach, who took over a rebuilding project, earned the organization's faith after delivering measurable results in his first campaign. The move signals Buffalo's intent to sustain its upward trajectory rather than pivot toward a rebuild.