NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 22, 2026, 8:52 PM ET

Western Conference Finals: Knights Open Series With 4-2 Win

The Vegas Golden Knights opened the West Final with a 4-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, riding a first-period goal from Dylan Coghlan and 36 saves from Carter Hart to seize the early edge. Colorado's star defenseman Cale Makar was ruled out of Friday's Game 2 with an upper-body injury, and his absence left the Avalanche looking "nothing like the top-seeded team" that swept through the first two rounds. Coach Jared Bednar cited a trickle-down effect from losing Makar's two-way impact. Vegas now leads the series 1-0 heading into a pivotal Game 2 at Ball Arena, where the Avalanche will need to bounce back without their most dominant blueliner. Hockey analysts graded both teams' performances in Game 1, noting that Vegas's forecheck pressure forced Colorado into mistakes it rarely makes. The injury situation looms large in pick-em analysis as Sports Line experts weigh how much Makar's absence shifts the series trajectory.

Eastern Conference: Canadiens Dominate Early, Hand Canes First Loss

In the East, the Montreal Canadiens pounced on the Carolina Hurricanes for four first-period goals on Thursday, handing Carolina its first playoff loss since 2019. The Hurricanes had returned from the longest postseason break in over a century and came out flat, a start that drew harsh self-criticism from defenseman Jaccob Slavin, who said he handed the Canadiens the game with uncharacteristic defensive lapses. Montreal, meanwhile, continues to thrive on the road and earned dominant grades across the board for a performance that set the tone for the series. ESPN's playoff preview had picked the Canadiens to challenge, and after the first game, the Habs look like legitimate threats in what is shaping up as a tightly contested semifinal round.

World Championship: Canada Stays Undefeated

Overseas, Canada improved to 5-0 at the IIHF World Championship with a 3-1 win over Slovenia, while Mark Scheifele scored three goals including the game winner 29 seconds into overtime against Norway in a 6-5 thriller. Scheifele's hat trick was his third of the tournament and cemented his status as Canada's offensive engine heading into the medal round. The team now sits atop Group A with a perfect record and looks poised to carry that momentum into the knockout stage.

League News: PWHL, Trades, and Memorabilia

The Professional Women's Hockey League saw two major personnel moves as Meghan Duggan left the NHL to become general manager of Hamilton's expansion team, while Steve O'Rourke was dismissed as coach of the Seattle Torrent after the expansion club finished last in its inaugural season. In the NHL proper, the Buffalo Sabres extended coach Lindy Ruff for two more seasons after he ended a 14-year playoff drought, and the Anaheim Ducks announced that forward Troy Terry will need hip surgery that could sideline him to start next season. On the collectibles front, an autographed 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie card sold for a record $540,000 at Fanatics Collect's May Premier Auction, the highest price ever paid for a signed hockey card.

Four teams remain alive, and Conn Smythe candidates are already emerging with several legit players in the running. Friday's slate features Game 2 of the West Final and a key Game 3 in the NBA playoffs, with betting markets offering props on both the Avalanche-Golden Knights and Spurs-Thunder matchups.