NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: June 12, 2026, 5:46 PM ET

Stanley Cup Final Drama

Jordan Staal scored a dramatic winner while lying on his stomach to complete a hat trick and lift the Hurricanes to a 5-3 victory over the Golden Knights, tying the Stanley Cup Final at 2-2. The pivotal Game 5 performance shifts momentum to Carolina heading into Sunday's Game, where Sports Line's model favors the Hurricanes to take the series lead in their championship pursuit.

End of Season Honors

Lightning star Nikita Kucherov captured his second Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, edging out Connor McDavid and Nathan Mac Kinnon in a stacked field of finalists. Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog earned dual recognition, winning both the Mark Messier Leadership Award and Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his comeback from injury and veteran leadership in Colorado.

Coaching Stability and Change

The Avalanche confirmed Jared Bednar's return for the 2026-27 season, keeping their championship-winning coach after reaching the conference finals. Meanwhile, the Kings hired Peter Laviolette specifically to address their offensive struggles, with GM Ken Holland targeting the veteran coach to revitalize Los Angeles' scoring attack.

Trade Rumors and Tandems

Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse provided a trade list to management, signaling his willingness to waive his no-movement clause for a select group of teams. The development reflects a broader shift across the league where goaltending tandems have become standard as teams increasingly split duties between two netminders rather than relying on traditional workhorse goalies.

Cross-Sport Championship Outlook

Beyond hockey, the USMNT opens World Cup group stage play while the Knicks and Hurricanes represent North American hope for major sports titles. The multi-sport championship chase adds context to Sunday's pivotal Game, where Vegas aims to avoid elimination on home ice.