NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 24, 2026
The Hurricanes defeat the Canadiens to tie the Eastern Conference Final, the latest on the Avalanche and Golden Knights, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: Nikolaj Ehlers scored twice, including the winner in overtime, as the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final, squaring the best-of-seven series at a game apiece.
Eric Robinson opened the scoring for the Hurricanes while Jalen Chatfield and Mark Jankowski each collected two assists.
Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers (NHL Images)
Josh Anderson scored both goals for the Canadiens. Linemate Phillip Danault had two assists, and Jakub Dobes stopped 23 shots.
The series moves to Montreal for the next two games, with Game 3 on Monday at 8 pm ET.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: After getting humbled in Game 1, the real Hurricanes showed up for Game 2. They were more positionally sound and did a terrific job disrupting Montreal’s puck-moving ability, especially through the neutral zone. Meanwhile, they generated plenty of sustained pressure in the Canadiens’ zone, keeping them hemmed in for long periods.
The Canadiens did a good job defensively for the most part, but they were frustrated offensively for much of this game. Anderson’s goals resulted from generating opportunities by driving to the net to create traffic and rebounds. The Habs must do more of that, rather than wait for the perfect scoring opportunities, because the Hurricanes are taking away their time and space to create those plays.
Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson was shaken up from a hit by Hurricanes winger Taylor Hall during overtime and limped to the bench. Head coach Martin St. Louis was not asked about Hutson’s condition, so perhaps he’s not that badly hurt. The Habs cannot afford to lose their top defenseman, who has also been their most reliable offensive player in this postseason.
DAILY FACEOFF: Colorado Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said it will be up to Cale Makar to determine whether he’ll return to the lineup for Game 3 of the Western Conference Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, who hold a 2-0 lead in the series.
The Avs’ superstar defenseman missed the first two games with an undisclosed injury suffered during their second-round series against the Minnesota Wild. Bednar said Makar is “doing all the work” attempting to get back into this series, but the final decision rests with the blueliner.
THE DENVER POST: Corey Masisak believes the Avalanche needs more production from its stars, with or without Makar. The usually high-scoring Avs managed only three goals in the first two games against the Golden Knights.
Avalanche stars Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas, and Brock Nelson combined for one assist in those two games. They have no points at even strength.
VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: The Golden Knights are 17-4-1 since John Tortorella took over as head coach on March 29.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights have done a fine job neutralizing the Avalanche’s offense. They’re getting solid goaltending from Carter Hart, they’re winning the puck battles, they’re blocking shots relentlessly, and they’re counter-attacking quickly.
If the Golden Knights win Game 3 on Sunday, the Avalanche will end up in a hole in this series that’s so deep they’re unable to climb out of it.
TSN: The Tampa Bay Lightning signed forward Scott Sabourin to a one-year, two-way contract.
Obvious spearing called a slash?? This is NHL refereeing at its lowest!
Agreed! It was a stupid move by Texier that could’ve been much more costly to the Habs. No reason to do that at all. He got off lightly.
I’ve gotta think we’ll at least see a fine coming down from the league. Then again, maybe not. Hard to say with this group.
Yeah. That was a blatant spear. Should have been at least a double minor
The Memorial Cup gets under way today in Kelowna, B.C., with the host Rockets of the WHL meeting the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the Q at 6:00 pm. The others participating include the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers and the Everett Silvertips of the WHL. Eac of three NHL teams – Anaheim, Nashville and Ottawa – have 3 prospects taking part, while Montreal, L.A., NYI, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver and Utah have 2 each.
The top 1st round picks competing include 6’ 1” 195lb left-shot C Tij Iginla (son of Jarome Iginla) of the Rockets, taken 6th overall by Utah in 2024, 6’ 177lb LW Carter Bear of Everett, taken 11th overall by Detroit in 2025, 6” 175lbs LD Cameron Reid of Kitchener, taken 21st overall in 2025 by Nashville, and 6’ 1” 190lbs RW Sam O’Reilly, also of Kitchener, who was originally drafted 32nd overall in 2024 by Edmonton, and later acquired by Tampa in a trade.
Where the Senators are concerned, Staios and his crew will be closely monitoring their three picks: 6’1” 190lb LW Luke Ellinas of Kitchener, taken in Rd 4 2024 (104th overall) and his teammate, 6.2” 200lb LD Matthew Andonovski, taken in Round 5 2023 (140th overall) – and who actually has 3 gp in the AHL – and the one that has really been opening eyes within the organization – 6’ 2” 195lbs G Lucas Beckman of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL who, so far in playoff hockey this season, has a sparkling 1.98gaa 0.918 save % over 20 gp after winning the team’s final 12 games of the regular season.
Uh, George. The Memorial Cup got underway on Friday. Kitchener beat Kelowna on Friday and Everett beat Chicoutimi last night.
LOL. Thanks Howard. I assure you I’m not losing my marbles in old age!
I had started putting that together last week and, while I did a bit of editing, forgot to update the opening part before copying and pasting into the thread posting it.. Sheesh.
I know it’s early George, but Beckham looking like a really solid goalie!
Interesting to see that the new NHL that stresses speed and pace saw Montreals 2 goals scored by power forward Josh Andersen.
Carolina has now played 4 OT games so far in these playoffs and have won all 4 by an identical 3-2 score and with a different hero in each one:
April 20 vs Ottawa at 13:53 of double OT with a goal by Jordan Martinook from Nicolaj Ehlers & K’Andre Miller – out-shooting Ottawa 49-39;
May 4 vs Philadelphia at18:54 with a goal by Taylor Hall from Jackson Blake & Sean Walker – out-shooting the Flyers 42-36;
May 9 vs Philadelphia at 5:31 with a goal by Jackson Blake from Taylor Hall and Jaccob Slavin – out-shooting the Flyers 40-17;
May 23 vs Montreal at 3:29 with a goal by Nicolaj Ehlers from Mark Jankowski and Jalen Chatfield – out-shooting the Habs 26-12.
That was the Carolina that I think everyone thought we’d see. Very little odd man chances, stifled neutral zone, and outstanding pp. The rust of that first game is gone for sure. Kudos for Montreal making a game of it.
Someone needs to absolutely destroy Taylor Hall. He took Sanderson out with a brutal head shot ( a 2 min minor) and that was a cheap hit trying to pinch Hutsons legs last night. If I were Montreal, I’d put in Struble next game and make him answer.
Will be interesting to see if Habs can break through that neutral zone trap. The forwards started looking like some of the Sens and Flyers players until Anderson tied it up. The Bell centre has a way of shaking things up, so should be a good Game 3
The inconsistency of the officials make the game hard to play and to assess.
Blatant calls were missed, ticky tack one were called, embellishment running wild might be influencing it.
If running the goalie and forcing scrums in the crease is your game don’t dive when you get pulled out.
The Texier call (non-call) seems like a Xhekaj in reverse, a reputation call in his favour, he’s never had a major penalty, not known for dirty play.
Unfortunately so many misses, Slafkovsky gets his stick slashed out of his hands (you could hear a yell of heay) led to a breakout and a goal.
The Habs are a strange team in the sense that they usually play better after a loss than a win, a clear sign of a group still maturing and not “there” yet.
I look forward to next game.