NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 21, 2026, 5:51 PM ET

Playoff Conference Finals

The Montreal Canadiens advanced to the Eastern Conference finals with a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres in Game, as Alex Newhook delivered his second Game 7-winning goal of the postseason. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes prepared for their series opener against Montreal after an 11-day layoff—the longest gap between games since 1919—which raises questions about whether the team's sweeping their first two series will leave them rusty or ready. In the Western Conference, the Vegas Golden Knights took Game 1 by a 4-2 margin over the Colorado Avalanche, with Dylan Coghlan scoring his first playoff goal and Carter Hart making 36 saves on home ice where the Avalanche had been unbeaten in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Star Players and Injuries

Colorado's chances suffered a significant blow when star defenseman Cale Makar was ruled out for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals with an upper-body injury, creating what the team described as a "trickle-down effect" throughout their lineup. The Avalanche hardly resembled the top-seeded team that dominated the first two rounds without Makar's presence. On the international stage, Mark Scheifele scored three goals including the overtime winner as Canada defeated Norway 6-5 at the ice hockey world championship, while Ryan Leonard netted the decisive shootout goal in the United States' 4-3 victory over Germany. Canada also routed Denmark behind Sidney Crosby's four assists in a 5-1 win, and Macklin Celebrini shined with two goals in a 6-0 blanking of Italy.

PWHL Championship and Expansion

The Montreal Victoire captured the first Professional Women's Hockey League title with a 4-0 shutout victory over the Ottawa Charge in Game 4 of the Walter Cup Finals, led by Abby Roque's two-goal performance. The championship concluded a historic inaugural season for the league, which announced expansion to San Jose as part of adding four new franchises to bring the total to 12 teams. The California entry marks the PWHL's first foray into the West Coast market.

Coaching Changes and Extensions

The Buffalo Sabres rewarded coach Lindy Ruff with a two-year contract extension after leading the team back to the playoffs and ending a 14-year postseason drought, the longest active streak in the NHL. Conversely, the Vancouver Canucks fired first-year coach Adam Foote along with three assistants after posting a 25-49-8 record during a rebuilding season. The New Jersey Devils confirmed Sheldon Keefe will return as coach following general manager Sunny Mehta's full organizational assessment, providing stability after a disappointing campaign.

Front Office Moves and Player Transactions

The Washington Capitals re-signed defenseman Timothy Liljegren to a two-year, $6.5 million contract, securing depth on the blue line for the upcoming season. Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes stated he is "definitely open" to signing an extension when eligible on July 1, potentially keeping the star defenseman in Minnesota long-term. Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson will undergo offseason hip surgery, putting his readiness for training camp in question. Buffalo forward Alex Tuch remains optimistic about his contract prospects despite struggling in the Sabres' second-round loss to Montreal, according to his agent.

International Competition

Team USA improved to 2-0 at the world championships with their shootout victory over Germany, while Canada continued their strong start with wins over Norway and Italy. Austria and Norway both recorded victories at the tournament in Switzerland, with Hungary shutting out Britain 5-0 for its first win of the competition. The international break provides NHL players not in the playoffs an opportunity to maintain competitive rhythm ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Prospects and Awards

Gavin McKenna's path to becoming the expected No. 1 overall pick has taken him from Whitehorse, Yukon, through Medicine Hat and Penn State, with scouts praising his unique combination of size, skill, and hockey IQ. The race for the Conn Smythe Trophy features several legitimate candidates among the four remaining playoff teams, with goaltenders and top-line forwards all making compelling cases for playoff MVP honors.

Miscellaneous League News

The New York Islanders revealed their AHL affiliate will be known as the Hamilton Hammers after relocating the team to Hamilton, Ontario. A ring awarded to Herb Brooks, coach of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" Olympic team, sold at auction for $549,000, reflecting continued interest in historic hockey memorabilia. The Vegas Golden Knights were penalized by the NHL with the loss of a second-round draft pick and a $100,000 fine to coach John Tortorella for refusing to speak to media after their series win, part of ongoing tension between the organization and league media policies.