NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 28, 2026
The Penguins beat the Flyers to avoid elimination again, the Golden Knights tie their series with the Mammoth, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
RECAPPING MONDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION
NHL.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins staved off elimination again by nipping the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in Game 5 of their best-of-seven first-round series. A flukey second-period goal by Kris Letang gave the Penguins the win after the Flyers overcame a 2-0 deficit to tie the game on goals by Alex Bump and Travis Sanheim. Elmer Soderblom and Connor Dewar scored for the Penguins. The series returns to Philadelphia for Game 6 on Wednesday with the Flyers holding a 3-2 lead.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins remain on the verge of elimination, but two straight victories have put them back in this series. Kevin Kurz of The Athletic believes the pressure of playoff hockey may be getting to the younger Flyers players, who haven’t faced this level of postseason competition before, especially against a veteran-laden team with considerable playoff experience.
The Flyers can allay that concern with a win in Game 6, but if the Penguins take that game, all bets are off.
An overtime goal by Shea Theodore lifted the Vegas Golden Knights to a 5-4 victory over the Utah Mammoth, tying their series at two games apiece. The Golden Knights had a 3-0 lead, but the Mammoth rallied with four straight goals before Brett Howden made it 4-4 midway through the third period. Howden finished with two goals and an assist, while Jack Eichel had three assists. Mikhail Sergachev also had three assists, and Nick Schmaltz tallied a goal and an assist for the Mammoth. The series returns to Las Vegas for Game 5 on Wednesday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This game was a wild one with the Golden Knights seemingly in control through the first period and the early minutes of the second. The Mammoth stormed back and seemed on the verge of taking a 3-1 series lead until Howden’s tying goal set the stage for Theodore’s winner. The Golden Knights seemed to have won it midway through overtime on a goal by Pavel Dorofeyev, but it was overturned on review as Eichel was offside on the play.
HEADLINES
SPORTSNET: Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot revealed that he played their series against the Carolina Hurricanes despite his broken forearm not being fully healed. He suffered the injury on March 23 and underwent surgery soon afterward. He said his arm is still three weeks away from being fully healed. Chabot played with a cast on his arm to prevent further damage.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chabot’s early return to help his teammates is commendable and a testament to his toughness, but it made him largely ineffective in the series against the Hurricanes.
Senators forward Claude Giroux intends to take some time to assess the club’s early postseason exit and his future. Giroux, 38, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. If he does return for another season, he said it would be only with the Senators.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Giroux was an effective two-way player for the Senators during the regular season with 49 points in 82 games, but his production has steadily declined over the past four seasons. He played well defensively for the Senators against the Hurricanes, but was held scoreless in that series.
TSN: Senators captain Brady Tkachuk skipped the end-of-season media availability as his wife had given birth to their second child.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation about Tkachuk’s future with the Senators emerged soon after the Hurricanes eliminated them. I’ll have more about that in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
CBS SPORTS: Minnesota Wild winger Mats Zuccarello (upper body) practices with his teammates on Monday, but remains questionable for Game 5 against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Zuccarello missed the last three games of this series. The series is knotted at two games apiece.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars defenseman Nils Lundkvist has been ruled out for Game 5 of their series against the Minnesota Wild as he recovers from a facial injury suffered in Game 4.
BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: Sabres center Josh Norris could return to action for Game 5 of their first-round series with the Boston Bruins. Norris missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury. The Sabres lead the series 3-1 and could eliminate the Bruins with a win on Tuesday in Buffalo.
NHL.COM: Speaking of the Bruins, defenseman Nikita Zadorov was fined $5,000 by the league’s department of player safety for cross-checking Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin during Game 4 of their series on Sunday.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Sidelined Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson (upper body) skated on his own yesterday, working on puck-handling drills. He’s slated to be reevaluated on Tuesday. The Canadiens will head to Tampa Bay for Game 5 of their series with the Lightning, which takes place on Wednesday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dobson was the Canadiens best all-around defenseman this season. He was sixth among his teammates in regular-season points (47) while sitting second in the league in blocked shots with 188. If cleared to return to action, Dobson would provide a boost to their blueline against the Lightning.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: The only big question facing Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch is whether to start Connor Ingram or Tristan Jarry in goal for Game 5 of their series against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. Both goalies have had a difficult time in this series, with the Ducks holding a commanding 3-1 lead.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: With the Oilers on the brink of elimination, it’ll be interesting to see who Knoblauch goes with for Game 5.
TSN: Canada will have several notable players on their roster for the upcoming 2026 IIHF World Championship. They include San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele, New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal, and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly.
Penn State forward Gavin McKenna, who is projected to be this year’s top prospect in the NHL Draft, will also play for Canada. So will Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Islanders forwards Simon Holmstrom and Emil Heineman will play for Sweden in the World Championship.
TSN: The Washington Capitals have parted ways with assistant coach Kirk Muller.
Perceived logic can be confusing at times. Where Thomas Chabot is concerned “Chabot’s early return to help his teammates is commendable and a testament to his toughness, but it made him largely ineffective in the series against the Hurricanes.”
Noah Dobson has been out since April 11 – 17 days – with, ostensibly, a broken hand, but his return is seen as providing “a boost to their blueline against the Lightning.”
George, if Dobson has fully recovered from his injury, he will provide a boost to the Canadiens. If he isn’t fully recovered, he won’t, and would be about as effective as Chabot was against the Hurricanes. Had Chabot been fully healthy, it would’ve been a significant help to the Senators.
I trust that clarifies things for you.
Psychologically a boost?
George,
Dobson’s return is doubtful for now especially since the Habs defense has been playing well.
Xhekaj is opening a lot of eyes on RD 3rd pairing.
Yes there are a few videos of Dobson skating and handling the puck, none of him shooting though.
With a hand injury, I want to see him shooting the puck with intent before hearing that he’s ready.
As for Chabot (he’d be a good Captain) if the forwards played as well as he did, the Sens would still be playing hockey.
BTW, Dobson’s injury is a suspected broken thumb, not a broken hand. Nevertheless, it’s difficult to handle the puck with a broken hand, including shooting. If he can’t do either effectively, it’s best he sits this out until he’s fully recovered and return for the second round if the Habs get that far.
Maybe McDavid gives team Canada a “boost” in the upcoming 2026 IIHF World Championship after tonight!
I dont think it matters much who the Oilers start. They will likely win tonight at home but that is likely all. this team is worn out.
Even if they stage the unlikely comeback…what will be left for the next round? They are not going to get healthier and having varying degrees of injuries to all 4 of your top 4 centers and 3 of your top six forwards for a team that relies on that as their strength, hurting already in round 1, makes success this post season look bleak.