NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 21, 2026, 8:53 PM ET

Injury Updates & Roster Moves Undergo surgery as Ducks forward Troy Terry faces hip reconstruction that could sideline him for the start of the 2026‑27 campaign, while Colorado’s star defenseman Cale Makar will miss Game 1 of the Western Conference finals after an upper‑body injury. The Avalanche’s depth was further tested when the loss of Makar produced a noticeable “trickle‑down effect” on team play, prompting coach Jared Bednar to shuffle defensive pairings ahead of the series opener see impact. In Washington, the Capitals moved quickly to lock up a key piece, re‑signing defenseman Timothy Liljegren to a two‑year, $6.5 million contract, bolstering a blue line that has struggled with consistency this season.

Western Conference Finals – Game 1 Recap Vegas opened the best‑of‑seven against Colorado with a 4‑2 victory, as Dylan Coghlan netted his first playoff goal and Carter Hart recorded 36 saves to secure the win strike first. The absence of Makar left the Avalanche vulnerable, and the Knights capitalized on defensive lapses to take a 1‑0 series lead. Analysts grading the contest highlighted the Knights’ aggressive forecheck and Hart’s poise under pressure, while noting that the Avalanche must find a new catalyst if they hope to rebound in Game 2 grade both teams.

Eastern Conference Finals Preview Carolina returns to the Stanley Cup stage after an 11‑day playoff layoff, the longest stretch without a game since 1919, which could affect rhythm but also provides extra rest for its “Caniacs” fan base that brings a college‑football atmosphere to the arena note layoff. Montreal, meanwhile, prepares for Game 1 with the benefit of continuous play and a favorable odds line from Sports Line’s model, which projects the Canadiens as slight favorites despite the Hurricanes’ dominant sweep of earlier rounds preview odds. The matchup pits a high‑octane, crowd‑fuelled Carolina squad against a disciplined, possession‑oriented Montreal team, setting up a tactical chess match for Thursday’s opener.

International Action – World Championships Canada edged Norway 6‑5 in overtime thanks to a three‑goal night from Mark Scheifele, including the winner just 29 seconds into extra time, reinforcing Canada’s status as a medal contender highlight OT winner. The United States clinched a 4‑3 shootout victory over Germany after Ryan Leonard converted the decisive penalty, extending the U.S. run in the tournament and keeping them in contention for a top‑four finish secure shootout. Earlier, Sidney Crosby sparked a late comeback, assisting on four of five fourth‑period goals as Canada demolished Denmark 5‑1, underscoring the depth of its offensive talent power surge.

Off‑Season Developments & Front‑Office Moves The New York Islanders announced that their AHL affiliate will compete as the Hamilton Hammers following the franchise’s relocation to Canada, a rebranding aimed at strengthening regional ties and development pipelines reveal affiliate. Buffalo rewarded veteran coach Lindy Ruff with a two‑year extension after steering the Sabres back to the playoffs, ending a league‑leading 14‑year postseason drought and signaling confidence in his rebuilding blueprint extend coach. Vancouver dismissed first‑year head coach Adam Foote and his staff after a 25‑49‑8 record, opting for a fresh direction as the Canucks seek to accelerate their turnaround fire coach. Minnesota’s starting goalie Filip Gustavsson will undergo offseason hip surgery, casting doubt on his availability for training camp and prompting the Wild to explore backup options schedule surgery. Finally, Quinn Hughes indicated he is “definitely open” to a contract extension with Minnesota, suggesting the Wild may retain one of the league’s premier offensive defensemen heading into free agency open to extension.