NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 31, 2026, 8:46 PM ET

Stanley Cup Preview Analysts projected the Hurricanes as favorites after they shed the conference‑final pressure and earned a 2‑0 series lead over the Golden Knights. The same outlook appears in the NHL futures odds, which list Carolina with a 2.1‑to‑1 chance against Vegas, reflecting the Canes’ depth scoring and defensive stability. In contrast, Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy voiced frustration over blocked interviews, suggesting front‑office restrictions could limit his leverage in any mid‑season adjustments as the club seeks to protect its 2024‑25 title run.

World Championships Recap Finland captured the gold medal when rookie Konsta Helenius scored in overtime, delivering a 1‑0 win over Switzerland and securing the nation’s first world title since 2019. The bronze‑medal game produced a shocker as Norway upset Canada in OT, prevailing 3‑2 to claim its inaugural podium finish. Earlier, Finland’s senior squad, led by captain Aleksander Barkov, defeated Canada 4‑2 in the quarterfinals, highlighting the Nordic country’s dominance and leaving the defending Olympic champion without a medal for the first time in a decade.

Legacy and Loss Former forward Dennis Hull, a two‑time All‑Star who helped Canada win the 1972 Summit Series, passed away at 81; his career totals of 274 goals and 254 assists underscore a versatile style that bridged the league’s physical era and modern speed. In a separate tribute, Claude Lemieux’s family announced that his brain will be donated for CTE research, joining a growing list of former players contributing to studies aimed at understanding long‑term concussion effects and improving safety protocols across professional hockey.