NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 25, 2026
The Canadiens, Mammoth, and Ducks take 2-1 leads in their respective series, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPS OF FRIDAY’S GAMES
NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Lane Hutson lifted the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, and a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven first-round series. Kirby Dach and Alexandre Texier each had a goal and an assist for the Canadiens, who outshot the Tampa Bay 29-17. Brandon Hagel tallied his fourth goal in this series, and Brayden Point netted his first for the Lightning. Game 4 is on Sunday in Montreal at 7 pm ET.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (NHL Images).
SPECTORS’ NOTE: The Canadiens were the better team in this game, while Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper considered it his team’s worst. It would’ve been a more lopsided score for the Habs if not for the solid play of Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Bolts struggled to contain the Habs’ speed. Canadiens forwards Ivan Demidov, Cole Caufield, and Josh Anderson had breakaways but failed to capitalize.
This game was redemption for Dach, Texier, and linemate Zach Bolduc, who faced criticism for their performances in the first two games. This trio was the Canadiens’ best line in this contest. Both teams dialled back on the scrums that dominated the first half of Game 2, though there were a couple of moments in this one.
The Utah Mammoth picked up their first playoff home victory as they doubled up the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2. Lawson Crouse tallied twice, MacKenzie Weegar got his first of the series, and Dylan Guenther had his second goal as the Mammoth took a 2-1 series lead. Jack Eichel and Nic Dowd replied for the Golden Knights. Game 4 is Monday in Utah.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka stopped 30 shots in this one. Speaking of the Mammoth, they will host the Colorado Avalanche in the 2027 Discover NHL Winter Classic on Dec. 31, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
A four-goal third period gave the Anaheim Ducks a 7-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Mikael Granlund had a goal and three assists while Jackson LaCombe and Leo Carlsson each had a goal and an assist for the Ducks, who go up 2-1 in this series. Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard each collected their first two points of this series for the Oilers. Game 4 goes Sunday in Anaheim at 9:30 pm ET.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anaheim dominated Edmonton in the first period, outshooting them 20-7. If not for Oilers goalie Connor Ingram, the Ducks’ lead would’ve been more than 2-1 in that period. The Oilers rallied to make it 3-2, but they couldn’t handle the Ducks’ speed, who tied the game 3-3 in the second period and ran away with it in the third.
McDavid got on the scoreboard at last, but he hasn’t been the dominant player we expected to see in this series. He downplayed an ankle injury suffered in Game 2, but one has to wonder if it affected him in this contest. The Oilers’ overall defensive game has been dreadful over the last two games. If it doesn’t improve, their hopes of a third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final will be dashed.
HEADLINES
OTTAWA CITIZEN: Senators head coach Travis Green confirmed that defenseman Jake Sanderson suffered a concussion in Game 3 of their first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Sanderson was hit in the head by a check from Hurricanes winger Taylor Hall and will not play in Game 4 on Saturday. Hall did not receive supplemental discipline for the incident.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Senator owner Michael Andlauer wasn’t pleased, blasting the on-ice officials for only assessing Hall with a minor penalty. Sanderson’s absence couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Senators, who are down 3-0 in the best-of-seven series and face elimination in Game 4.
THE ATHLETIC: Speaking of the Hurricanes, Julian McKenzie breaks down why their second line of Hall, Logan Stankoven, and Jackson Blake has dominated the Senators in this series.
NESN: Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak believes his club’s power play must improve against the Buffalo Sabres. The Bruins failed to score with five man-advantage opportunities during Game 3 of their first-round series.
NHL.COM: Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar will be a game-time decision for Game 4 against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. He appeared to suffer an injury to his right arm during Game 3 on Wednesday. Vladar didn’t practice on Thursday, and the Flyers had an off-day on Friday. The Flyers lead the series 3-0.
Minnesota Wild winger Mats Zuccarello will be a game-time decision for Game 4 against the Dallas Stars. Zuccarello missed the last two games with an upper-body injury. Wild forward Yakov Trenin (upper body) will not play in Game 4, which goes on Saturday in Minnesota.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson was still being evaluated on Friday for an upper-body injury suffered during Game 3 against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday. The Avalanche lead the series 3-0 with Game 4 on Saturday in Los Angeles.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets announced that assistant coaches Mike Haviland and Scott Ford, and video coach Aron Augustitus, will not be returning with the club next season.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: The New York Islanders relieved assistant coach Benoit Desrosiers of his duties.
Ironically, it’s looking more and more like the Habs will be Canada’s only hope of bringing the Cup back home this year to end a 32-year drought. Ottawa likely bows out this afternoon, and if Edmonton doesn’t win game 4 in Anaheim we can probably kiss them goodbye as well.
I think you’re right George but I’m curious why you think it’s ironic?
See below’s response to Mrbruin4, Chrisms.
Beyond that, from 1984 to 1990, the Cup resided in Canada 6 straight years, with Edmonton winning 4, & Montreal and Calgary 1 each.
George
I am just a pure hockey fan couldn’t care less if a cdn team ever wins another cup. 42% of the league is cdn. May the best team win
Since I’m having an issue understanding American math please explain. There are 32 teams in the league. 7 are Canadian and 25 are American. How is that 42%? Don’t need or want an answer as I think it speaks for itself.
That’s probably the % of Canada-born players throughout the league.
George is correct % of players not team location
Yeah, I feel pretty much the same way, Mrbruin4 … I only mentioned it … and as “ironic” … since it was the Habs that last won it way back in 1993. When I was still a relatively young going-on 56. LOL.
Yes George I remember those days as-well. Not as mature as you but hope to be some day 👍. I remember Roy pretty much stealing the cup for the have with that special run ps hated him for it lol. But forgave him when he went to Avs and won
George O,wouldn t count Edmonton out yet,although Anaheim bringing in Carlson ,Gudas,Trouba and Kreider give them a veteran presence. Your Sens are definitely the tough luck of the year winner. To many injuries to absorb, and the next man up quote doesn t carry in tough playoff series.
St. Rooting for Trouba and Kreider. Troubas contract became a problem in NY, but Drury didn’t handle that situation very well. In flip side, Kreider earned his contract every season while climbing up teams record books. IMO, he should’ve been captain and finished his career in NY.
Sr, while I can possibly see an up-tick in the Oilers offense (they’ve been outscored 16-12 in the series so far), what part of their defensive structure do you see getting stronger. So far, over 3 games played, while Edmonton has fired 95 shots at the Ducks goaltending, Anaheim has more than kept pace with 93. So far, Dostal has been better than the Jarry-Ingram tandem.
After watching a couple of the other series other than the bruins I’m getting the feeling Mcdavid is hurting and Leon’s not up to par either. I think la’s gonna take Edmonton in 6.
Montreal has the series against Tampa habs look fresher and faster. Bruins have to win tomorrow or it’s going to be a short series. Jeremy’s going to have to have the game of his life. I would put Hagens on the first or second line I think you see a big difference. lohrei needs to sit.
Re “Sanderson was hit in the head by a check from Hurricanes winger Taylor Hall and will not play in Game 4 on Saturday. Hall did not receive supplemental discipline for the incident.”
Well, of course Hall won’t be suspended or face other supplemental discipline. With the track record of the biggest joke in the NHL’s structure, I’m not surprised. But why do I get the nagging feeling that, had it been the other way around and Carolina’s top D knocked out of action by a Senator, we’d have seen a suspension.
Never saw the hit. But wouldn’t be surprised if by anything nhl disciplinary people pick. It seams would be sane if they just draw out of a hat
Violence sells tickets, so why curb it???
Then why have a department of player safety? Just let it become an on-ice version of Wrestlemania. That sells tickets as well. Same with MLB … allow the pitchers to fire at the batters without consequence!
John
Pretty right on with the comments this morning my man 👍
There are many clips of the illegal headshot, this is a short one:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/BiX4Sb8nBZI
How this is just a 2 min minor is absurd and no disciplinary hearing even worse.
Talking about next man up, the Habs are doing it without the team’s major summer acquisition, Noah Dobson.
To be honest his absence isn’t even being noticed which is odd considering how important RD is.
Xhekaj has stepped in at 3rd pairing RD, Carrier is back at 2nd pairing RD and everything is smooth.
We tend to judge players overall ability as opposed to fitting them in the right spot to make them most effective.
I’ve been impressed with the way the Habs D have handled the likes of Kucherov, Point and Guentzel and, last night, limiting TB to just 17 shots on Dobes.
And Xhekaj certainly doesn’t look out of place defensively out there on that 3rd pairing, even chipping in with an assist on Dach’s tying goal (hope that shuts up the “key commandos” for a while).
When Ottawa bows out, I’ll be pulling for the Habs 100%.
No mention (maybe too soon to post) regarding the HALO convention in Denver hosted by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment who is like MLSE that owns the sports teams in Colorado.
What makes this conference interesting is that it’s about how each league, NBA, MLS, and NHL team’s managers use analytics to build and maintain their teams and how differently each league uses or are allowed to use the data.