NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 23, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

NHL Playoff Series Tighten & Early Shocks

The Eastern Conference opening rounds saw immediate pressure applied to established contenders, with the Philadelphia Flyers taking a commanding 2-0 lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins after securing their second victory. Following the latest loss, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby admitted that the urgency is heightened for Pittsburgh as they head home facing elimination, a sentiment underscored by the Flyers' 19-year-old Porter Martone, who recorded a goal in each of his first two playoff contests—a franchise first for a teenager. In contrast, the Tampa Bay Lightning managed to erase a late deficit at home in Game, prevailing in overtime 3-2 against the Canadiens to knot that series at 1-1, avoiding a disastrous 0-2 start on their own ice. Elsewhere in the East, the Boston Bruins rebounded from a Game 1 collapse by storming ahead early, netting four goals in the first 41 minutes while netminder Jeremy Swayman turned away 34 shots in a decisive 4-2 win to level their own series.

Western Conference Battles & Injury Concerns

Series parity was the theme in the West as the Dallas Stars answered a Game 1 defeat by tying their series 1-1 against the Minnesota Wild in a 4-2 victory, correcting the miscues that hampered their playoff launch. However, Dallas faces uncertainty as injured top-line center Roope Hintz remained in Texas while the team traveled to face the Wild, indicating his absence is extending further into the quarterfinal matchup. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers celebrated the return of star center Leon Draisaitl, who had been sidelined since March 15 with a lower-body issue; Draisaitl contributed two points in Game 1 as Edmonton edged the Anaheim Ducks 4-3, thanks to a late go-ahead goal from Kasperi Kapanen. Furthermore, the Game 2 matchup between the Kings and the Avalanche was marked by an unusual incident when Kings interim coach D.J. Smith was briefly showered by shattered glass after a pane broke behind the bench during play.

Off-Season Moves & Future Outlooks

While the postseason dominates the current focus, front-office planning continues, exemplified by the New Jersey Devils’ new General Manager, Sunny Mehta, who vowed to adhere to process when addressing the mandate to build a championship roster, declining to divulge immediate structural changes. On the subject of veteran decisions, Washington Capitals management confirmed they are prepared for either outcome regarding captain Alex Ovechkin, stating they will accommodate whatever path the 40-year-old chooses regarding returning for a 22nd season. In other series news, the Carolina Hurricanes advanced their matchup after Jordan Martinook scored in the second overtime, converting after a previous penalty shot attempt was thwarted and a potential game-winner was overturned earlier in the extra sessions.