NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 20, 2026, 8:59 AM ET

Stanley Cup Conference Finals Preview

The NHL's final four teams are set for the conference finals beginning Wednesday, with the Colorado Avalanche facing the Vegas Golden Knights in a star-studded Western Conference matchup while the Carolina Hurricanes take on the Montreal Canadiens in the East. Vegas opened as slight favorites despite uncertainty surrounding Cale Makar's availability after the Norris Trophy winner missed practice on Tuesday with an undisclosed injury. The Golden Knights were stripped of their second-round draft pick and fined $100,000 for refusing to speak with media after eliminating the Dallas Stars, creating additional off-ice distractions as they prepare for Colorado. Meanwhile, the Canadiens advanced past Buffalo in dramatic Game 7 fashion, with Alex Newhook scoring his second series-clinching overtime goal of the playoffs in a 3-2 victory that sent the Sabres home proud despite falling just short of their first conference final since 2015.

Coaching Carousel Intensifies

Three franchises made significant coaching changes this week as the offseason evaluation period begins in earnest. The Edmonton Oilers shocked the hockey world by firing Kris Knoblauch despite back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025, ending a tenure that saw the club reach unprecedented heights before falling short in both championship series. In Vancouver, the rebuilding Canucks dismissed first-year head coach Adam Foote along with three assistants after posting a dismal 25-49-8 record, continuing a pattern of organizational upheaval that has defined the franchise's recent struggles. New Jersey provided stability by confirming Sheldon Keefe will return as Devils coach following general manager Sunny Mehta's comprehensive organizational assessment, providing continuity for a young core that showed promise late in the season.

International Competition Heats Up

The IIHF World Championship in Switzerland featured several compelling storylines as traditional powers asserted themselves against tournament newcomers. Canada delivered a statement performance against Denmark with Sidney Crosby recording four assists in a dominant third period that turned a close game into a 5-1 rout, while rookie Macklin Celebrini continued his strong tournament with two goals and an assist in Canada's 6-0 shutout of Italy. The defending champion United States rebounded from an opening loss to Switzerland by defeating Britain 5-1, though Hungary earned its first victory by blanking the same British squad 5-0 in a surprising result that highlighted the growing competitiveness of lower-tier nations. Austria and Norway also posted victories on Tuesday, keeping the middle tier of international hockey highly competitive through the early rounds.

Injury Updates and Free Agency Buzz

Several key players are dealing with significant injuries as the offseason approaches, potentially impacting both team planning and free agency markets. Buffalo winger Alex Tuch struggled mightily in the Sabres' second-round loss to Montreal, but his agent maintained that poor performance won't affect contract negotiations as the 30-year-old enters free agency this summer. Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson will undergo hip surgery, putting his readiness for training camp in jeopardy and potentially accelerating the team's search for goaltending help. The Wild also revealed that defenseman Jonas Brodin and center Joel Eriksson Ek missed their series against Colorado due to broken bones in their feet, explaining some of the team's depth issues during their playoff run. Quinn Hughes expressed openness to signing an extension with Minnesota when he becomes eligible on July 1, providing the franchise with a potential cornerstone to build around long-term.

PWHL Expansion and Draft Prospects

The Professional Women's Hockey League completed its expansion process by adding San Jose as its 12th franchise, marking the league's first entry into California and continuing its aggressive growth strategy that has doubled the league's size in just two years. The expansion gives the PWHL a coast-to-coast footprint and access to one of the sport's most important markets, though the timeline for San Jose's inaugural season remains unclear. Meanwhile, top prospect Gavin McKenna continues his journey from Whitehorse, Yukon to Penn State as the presumptive first overall pick in the upcoming NHL draft, with scouts praising his combination of size, skill, and hockey intelligence that has drawn comparisons to established NHL stars despite his relatively low-profile developmental path through junior hockey in Medicine Hat.