NHL Hockey 8 Hours

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Stanley Cup Playoff Updates & Discipline

The Vegas Golden Knights are on the brink of advancing to the Western Conference Final after Pavel Dorofeyev netted his second goal of the night in overtime, securing a 3-2 victory over the Ducks in Game 5 to take a commanding 3-2 series lead. That matchup saw controversy earlier when Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb was ejected for a hard check into the boards that forced Ducks center Ryan Poehling from the ice in the first period. Separately, the Avalanche were fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, after Josh Manson connected with Wild center Michael McCarron using the blunt end of his stick, the league announced Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Sabres forced a decisive Game 5, evening their series at 2-2 in Montreal after Zach Benson broke a tie on a third-period power play during his 21st birthday, resulting in a 3-2 win.

Player Personnel & Contract News

In personnel movement off the ice, the Columbus Blue Jackets secured center Charlie Coyle by signing him to a six-year contract extension valued at $36 million, ensuring stability down the middle for the franchise. Looking toward international duty, Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby is slated to join Team Canada for the upcoming men's world hockey championships, marking his fourth appearance in the prestigious tournament. On the management side, Pittsburgh GM Kyle Dubas stated he would "love" to retain veteran center Evgeni Malkin for what would be his 21st season with the organization. Additionally, Carolina Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall, the 2018 Hart Trophy recipient, remains a critical contributor for the Hurricanes, who have yet to taste defeat this postseason.

Off-Ice Legal & Prospect Development

Legal proceedings continued regarding the tragic deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, as a judge upheld the charges against the accused driver after defense counsel argued for dismissal based on a reported discrepancy in blood alcohol level reporting. In scouting circles, the ascent of prospect Gavin McKenna, whose journey has taken him from Whitehorse, Yukon, through Medicine Hat to Penn State, positions him as the expected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. Furthermore, the Professional Women's Hockey League's inaugural draft class is set to feature a contingent of five U.S. Olympic gold medalists, including defender Caroline Harvey, from the 235-player pool.