NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 22, 2026, 2:53 AM ET

Conference Finals Kick Off

The NHL playoffs moved into the penultimate round with two decisive Game 1 results. The Vegas Golden Knights opened the Western Conference finals with a 4-2 win over the Avalanche, getting their offense rolling when Dylan Coghlan scored his first playoff goal and Carter Hart turned aside 36 saves to hold Colorado at bay. Coghlan's game-winner put Vegas on the board early, and the Knights never looked back. The Avalanche's absence of Cale Makar—sidelined by an upper-body injury—was glaring, as the top-seeded team that swept the first two rounds failed to replicate that form against Vegas. Across the league, expert picks favored the favorites in both conference finals matchups, though analysts noted the Golden Knights' depth and the Hurricanes' experience as the most significant variables. Among the Conn Smythe Trophy contenders, Carter Hart and Vegas's offensive contributors are drawing early attention, with four teams still alive and several legitimate candidates emerging as the field narrows.

Canadiens Stun Hurricanes in East Final Opener

Montreal delivered a dominant Game 1 performance, pouncing on the Hurricanes for four first-period goals and handing Carolina its first playoff loss after the team returned from the longest postseason break in more than a century. The Canadiens came out with urgent pace, while the Hurricanes appeared sluggish and outpaced. Star defenseman Jaccob Slavin shouldered the blame publicly, saying he handed the game to Montreal through uncharacteristic defensive breakdowns. The Hurricanes' rowdy fanbase—the so-called Caniacs, known for their tailgating and pig-loving superstitions bringing a college football vibe to the NHL—was silenced in Game, and Carolina will need to answer quickly. Road warrior Canadiens earn top grades from ESPN's beat writers, who praised Montreal's aggressive forecheck and disciplined transition game. Meanwhile, Sports Line's model identified the Canadiens as dangerous underdogs in the series, and pick sheets for Thursday's Game 1 leaned toward Montreal given Carolina's rust from the extended break.

Behind the Scenes: Contracts, Injuries, and International Hockey

Off the ice, roster moves continued. The Buffalo Sabres extended coach Lindy Ruff to a two-year deal after he led the franchise back to the playoffs, ending a league-worst 14-year postseason drought. In Washington, the Capitals re-signed defenseman Timothy Liljegren to a two-year, $6.5 million contract, keeping a key contributor in the lineup. The Anaheim Ducks, however, lost forward Troy Terry to hip surgery that could jeopardize his availability at the start of next season, a blow for a team still building around its core. On the international stage, Mark Scheifele scored three goals for Canada at the world championship, including the game winner 29 seconds into overtime in a 6-5 victory over Norway, while the United States survived a shootout with Germany, with Ryan Leonard converting the decisive penalty in a 4-3 win. Back in the women's game, Montreal Victoire captured the PWHL's first title with a 4-0 shutout over Ottawa in Game 4 of the Walter Cup Finals, led by Abby Roque's two goals.

League Business and What's Ahead

The New York Islanders revealed their new AHL affiliate will be the Hamilton Hammers, after relocating the club to the Canadian city. For the four remaining NHL playoff teams, goalie confidence ratings and X factors are being closely examined ahead of the semifinal round, with Carter Hart and Carolina's netminding drawing particular scrutiny. The betting market has also focused on the series, with multiple promos offering bonus bets on the Canadiens-Hurricanes and Golden Knights-Avalanche matchups, though those sit outside the on-ice action. The next 48 hours will tell whether the Hurricanes can recover from their Game 1 shock and whether the Avalanche can compensate for Makar's absence as both conference finals settle into their rhythm.