NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 8:46 AM ET

Conference Finals Action

Vegas seized control of the Western Conference final with a 3-1 victory over Colorado on Friday, as Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev scored in a 2:07 span during the third period to break a 1-1 tie. The Avalanche, who had multiple opportunities to extend their 1-0 lead, now face a daunting 2-0 deficit heading home for Game. Colorado coach Jared Bednar criticized his team's missed chances despite strong goaltending from Pavel Francouz, while the Golden Knights' late surge showcased their playoff experience in closing out the contest.

Montreal dominated Carolina in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final, with the Canadiens' balanced scoring attack proving too much for the Hurricanes' typically stingy defense. Jaccob Slavin shouldered the blame for what he called an "uncharacteristic defensive disaster," acknowledging his mistakes directly led to Montreal goals. The Canadiens continued their road warrior success, improving to 7-1 away from home this postseason while getting contributions from throughout their lineup rather than relying solely on their stars.

International Competition

Canada remained unbeaten at the ice hockey world championship, improving to 5-0 with a 3-1 victory over Slovenia on Friday. The Canadians have outscored opponents 21-8 through five games and sit atop Group B with two preliminary round contests remaining. Team Canada's balanced attack featured goals from three different lines, continuing their strong tournament performance that has positioned them as gold medal favorites heading into the knockout stage.

Historic Collectibles Sale

An autographed 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie card sold for $540,000 including buyer's premium in Fanatics Collect's May Premier Auction, setting a record for hockey memorabilia. The sale established a new benchmark for high-grade vintage hockey cards, with the PSA 9-graded piece attracting multiple bidders before commanding the six-figure price tag. This represents the highest amount ever paid for an autographed hockey card at public auction.

Professional Women's Hockey

Steve O'Rourke was dismissed as coach of the PWHL's Seattle Torrent following the expansion team's last-place finish in its inaugural season. The Torrent compiled a 7-15-6 record and missed the playoffs entirely in a challenging debut campaign. Meanwhile, Meghan Duggan left her NHL front office role to become general manager of the PWHL's Hamilton team, joining Troy Ryan who departed Toronto to lead San Jose's new franchise.

Playoff MVP Race

With four teams remaining in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Conn Smythe Trophy race features several legitimate candidates including Colorado's Nathan Mac Kinnon, Vegas goaltender Adin Hill, and Montreal's Cole Caufield. Experts point to goaltending performances as potentially decisive factors, with the semifinal round beginning Wednesday as teams adjust their lineups for the penultimate round of postseason play.