NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 23, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

NHL Playoff Upsets & Shifting Series Dynamics

Several first-round series saw dramatic shifts over the last 48 hours as teams battled back from early deficits. In the Eastern Conference, the Tampa Bay Lightning rallied from a late third-period deficit in Game, securing a crucial 3-2 overtime victory against the Canadiens to erase their home-ice deficit and knot the series. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins established control in their matchup, storming ahead with four goals in the first 41 minutes of their Game 2 contest, with Jeremy Swayman stopping 34 shots in the 4-2 win after surrendering a two-goal lead the prior night. In stark contrast, the Pittsburgh Penguins face mounting pressure after dropping the first two games, prompting captain Sidney Crosby to state that "the urgency is heightened" as they look to avoid a commanding 0-2 hole.

The Western Conference saw the Dallas Stars successfully tie their quarterfinal series at 1-1 against the Wild, learning from Game 1 miscues to post a 4-2 victory in Game. Despite that series leveling, Dallas remains without key center Roope Hintz, who stayed home in Texas while the team traveled to Minnesota for the next leg. Elsewhere in the West, the Carolina Hurricanes prevailed in a marathon Game, winning in the second overtime period after Jordan Martinook was denied on a penalty shot in the first extra session, ultimately beating Linus Ullmark to take a 2-0 series lead. The Oilers also secured a Game 1 victory, aided by Leon Draisaitl's return, who posted two points in a narrow 4-3 win over the Ducks, sealed late by a Kasperi Kapanen goal.

League Operations & Off-Ice Incidents

Off the ice, the Philadelphia Flyers continued their surprising first-round success, as 19-year-old forward Porter Martone scored in his second straight playoff game, becoming the youngest player in franchise history to achieve that feat while helping the team seize a 2-0 series lead. In administrative news, incoming New Jersey Devils General Manager Sunny Mehta emphasized adherence to process when discussing the path toward building a championship roster, declining to offer specifics on immediate roster moves. During one of the playoff contests, an unusual incident occurred when Los Angeles Kings interim coach D.J. Smith was struck by shattered glass after a pane broke behind the bench during Game 2 against Colorado, though no serious injury was reported.