NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: June 5, 2026, 5:50 PM ET

Stanley Cup Final

Seth Jarvis scored in overtime on a power play Thursday, capping a wild 4-3 Carolina victory over Vegas that evened the series after the clubs split their opening pair at PNC Arena. The Hurricanes had erased a third-period deficit in regulation only to surrender a late tying goal, producing an instant classic that ranks among the most dramatic chapters of the postseason and shifts the Final to Las Vegas for Game.

Vegas remained undaunted Friday despite the stunning loss, though the club formally objected to a disallowed goal and a failed coach's challenge that opened the door for Carolina's third-period rally. Defenseman Brayden McNabb went to hospital after an 87 mph puck struck him around the visor, while Carolina's staff backed Andersen publicly despite the goaltender's save numbers dipping over his past six outings.

Awards Season

Montreal's Nick Suzuki captured the Selke as the league's premier two-way forward in a landslide vote, while teammate Cole Caufield took home the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship during the same honors ceremony. Minnesota winger Marcus Foligno received the Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and humanitarian contributions, joining his brother Nick as winners of the award. Tampa Bay's Jon Cooper finally won the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year after 14 seasons and two championships with the Lightning, underscoring a season in which John Tortorella pressed right buttons after being hired with just eight games left, squeezing maximum value from a desperate late push.

Offseason & Expansion

With summer approaching, ESPN charted summer priorities for Canada's seven franchises, projecting free-agency spending plans and 2026-27 timelines for rebuilding and contending clubs north of the border. At the junior level, the USHL expands westward with plans to plant Tier 1 Junior clubs in California, Nevada and Arizona, extending elite junior hockey's footprint into the Sun Belt. On the women's side, Hilary Knight, Alina Muller and Kendall Coyne Schofield were left unprotected by their PWHL clubs, making the star forwards available to four incoming expansion franchises.

Personnel & Markets

Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka dismissed chatter that captain Auston Matthews wants out of Toronto, insisting the superstar remains committed to the club despite persistent trade speculation. In wagering markets, Carolina fueled parlay action by entering Game 2 on a streak without consecutive home losses since early January, while Draft Kings offered bonus bets of $200 for new users wagering on the Stanley Cup Final and MLB action Thursday.