NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Stanley Cup Playoff Battles Intensify

The Western Conference semifinals saw the Colorado Avalanche snap out of a midseries slump, defeating the Minnesota Wild in Game 4 on Monday to seize a commanding 3-1 series lead, a contest where Avs star Nathan Mac Kinnon skated off bloodied after being struck by a teammate’s errant puck. Colorado’s aggressive approach, which has seen them double their regular-season hits rate, is causing concern among rivals, though defenseman Josh Manson was subsequently fined the maximum allowable $5,000 for a stick infraction against the Wild’s Michael McCarron on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights stand on the brink of the Western Conference Finals after Pavel Dorofeyev scored his second goal in overtime to secure a 3-2 series lead against the Ducks, a game marred by an early major penalty when Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb was tossed for a hard check on Ryan Poehling that sent him off the ice.

In the Eastern Conference, the Buffalo Sabres forced a pivotal Game 5 by evening their series against Montreal at 2-2 on Tuesday night, with Zach Benson’s power-play goal on his 21st birthday proving the difference in a 3-2 victory while the team returned Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to the net as starter for Game 4. That contest featured a bizarre turning point where a Tage Thompson shot banked freakishly off the boards for a pivotal score, a necessary triumph as Montreal had previously been favored to advance to the next round. Elsewhere in the East, the Carolina Hurricanes completed an 8-0 start to their postseason run, sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers when Jackson Blake scored his second goal in overtime to win Game, 3-2, keeping Coach Rod Brind'Amour’s squad undefeated as they await the Sabres-Canadiens winner.

League Transactions & Player News

Offseason maneuvering has begun for some teams, with the Columbus Blue Jackets securing center Charlie Coyle by inked to a six-year deal worth $36 million, ensuring stability down the middle. The Hurricanes also secured depth by re-signing forward Mark Jankowski to a two-year extension averaging $1.85 million annually per season. On the departure front, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas stated Tuesday he would "love" to retain longtime center Evgeni Malkin for a 21st season with the organization, while the future of Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews remains opaque despite Toronto having secured the top pick in the upcoming draft according to sources. Furthermore, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Roman Kantserov has had his KHL contract terminated, clearing his path to join the NHL roster next season.

International Play & Award Finalists

As the NHL season winds down, attention shifts momentarily to international competition, with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby confirming his participation in the upcoming men's world hockey championships, marking his fourth appearance in the tournament for Team Canada. In league accolades, the Hart Trophy finalists for the season’s MVP have been announced, pitting Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov against Colorado’s Nathan Mac Kinnon for the award. Meanwhile, the league recognized community service efforts, announcing the finalists for the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, with voting now open until May 24 for the winners.

Prospect Analysis & PWHL Draft

The focus on future talent remains sharp, particularly regarding expected top draft selection Gavin McKenna, whose journey from Whitehorse, Yukon, to Penn State is chronicled as he nears the NHL. Mock drafts are already projecting selections now that the top 16 picks are set following the lottery. In women’s hockey, the upcoming Professional Women’s Hockey League draft pool, comprising 235 players, is set to be headed by five members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning team, including defender Caroline Harvey leading the talent influx.

Off-Ice Legal Matters

Tragically, legal proceedings related to the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau continued this week, as attorneys for the accused driver failed in their attempt to have charges dismissed following a dispute over the reporting of the driver's blood alcohol level readings in court.