NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 25, 2026, 8:47 PM ET

Eastern Conference Finals: Montreal-Carolina Series

The Eastern Conference finals between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes tied 1-1 heading to Montreal, with Game 3 serving as a critical pivot point in the series. The Canadiens have mastered the art of "bouncing forward" with contributions up and down the lineup, posting a dominant performance in Game 1 that has fans dreaming of a Stanley Cup run. Montreal is seven wins from the championship, and the city in May 2026 is proving a monthlong revival of Habs fans' hopes and dreams. Star defenseman Jaccob Slavin shouldered the responsibility for the Hurricanes' uncharacteristic defensive disaster in their Game 1 loss, acknowledging his role in Montreal's victory.

Eastern Conference Finals: Expert Analysis

With the series shifting to Montreal, experts have weighed in on the penultimate round clash, while Sports Line's proven model reveals its picks for the 2026 NHL Eastern Conference finals. The Canadiens struggled on home ice during this postseason, creating uncertainty about their ability to capitalize on home advantage in this pivotal Game 3 matchup. Montreal's ability to bounce forward from adversity has been a key factor in their playoff success, with contributions coming from throughout the roster rather than relying on star power alone. The Hurricanes will look to regroup after Slavin's admission of responsibility, while the Canadiens aim to continue their surprising run through the postseason.

Western Conference Finals: Avalanche-Golden Knights

The Colorado Avalanche lament missed opportunities after losing 3-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, despite having chances to extend their 1-0 lead. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar confirmed concerns about potentially being without Hart Trophy finalist Nathan Mac Kinnon, just when the team had welcomed back reigning Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar. The Avalanche's inability to capitalize on scoring chances proved costly in Game, as the Golden Knights took a 2-0 series lead. Colorado will need to adjust their approach in Game, with the series shifting to Las Vegas for the next two contests.

International Hockey: World Championship

At the ice hockey world championship, Canada kept rolling with a 3-1 victory over Slovenia, improving to a perfect 5-0 record in the tournament. Captain Macklin Celebrini scored while Sidney Crosby added his seventh assist of the tournament, with Canada sparkling in the final period with a four-goal outburst against Slovakia on Sunday. The defending United States team stayed alive with a 7-3 victory over Hungary, but suffered a setback when Latvia stunned them 4-2, with Sandis Vilmanis scoring two empty-net goals. The American team now faces elimination pressure after their third loss at the championship.

Memorial Cup Tournament

At the Memorial Cup in Kelowna, the WHL-champion Everett Silvertips defeated Chicoutimi 5-3 in their opening game of the tournament. Right wing Jesse Heslop scored a goal to help the Silvertips secure the victory. Later, Chicoutimi bounced back with a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory over the host Kelowna Rockets, as Liam Lefebvre scored his second goal of the game at 5:28 of overtime to give the Sagueneens the win. The Memorial Cup continues with several teams vying for the prestigious junior hockey championship title.

NHL News and Developments

Maple Leafs forward Max Domi is out indefinitely after complications arose during an offseason surgery, creating a significant gap in Toronto's forward depth. In the memorabilia world, an autographed Gretzky rookie card sold for a record $540,000 including buyer's premium in Fanatics Collect's May Premier Auction, setting a new benchmark for autographed hockey cards. Meanwhile, Steve O'Rourke departed as coach of the Seattle Torrent after the expansion team finished last in the Professional Women's Hockey League standings in its inaugural season. With four teams remaining in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Conn Smythe Watch has identified several legitimate candidates for playoff MVP as the postseason enters its final stretch.