NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 25, 2026
The Golden Knights rally to push the Avalanche to the brink of elimination in the Western Conference Final, plus the latest on the Hurricanes and Canadiens in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
NHL.COM: The Vegas Golden Knights scored five unanswered goals to overcome a 3-0 deficit in a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The Avalanche took the early lead in the first period on goals by Gabriel Landeskog, Nazem Kadri, and Jack Drury. However, it was all Golden Knights for the rest of the game, with Mark Stone, William Karlsson, and Keegan Kolesar scoring to tie it at 3-3 in the second period. Tomas Hertl tallied the game winner, and Brett Howden netted the insurance goal in the third period.
Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone (NHL Images).
With the Golden Knights holding a commanding series lead, they can wrap up the series and sweep the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche on Tuesday in Las Vegas, starting at 9 pm ET.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche were dominant in the first period, displaying the form that made them the top team in the league this season and saw them make short work of the Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild through the first two rounds.
However, their confidence wavered when Stone tallied just 19 seconds into the second period, and collapsed when Karlsson cut the lead to 3-2 less than three minutes later. They seemed to have no answer for the Golden Knights’ aggressive physical style and strong special teams play during the remainder of the game.
Stone returned to the Golden Knights’ lineup after being injured in Game 3 of their second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks. Cale Makar rejoined the Avalanche after missing the first two games with an injury. Of the two, it was the Golden Knights’ captain who had a bigger impact on this game.
Worse for the Avalanche, superstar center Nathan MacKinnon injured his right knee while blocking a shot in the second period. He tried to play through it, but his mobility was hampered. Avs winger Valeri Nichushkin suffered an undisclosed injury early in the third period and didn’t return.
Following the game, Avalanche coach Jared Bednar admitted morale was low among his players right now. They face a daunting challenge attempting to overcome a 3-0 series deficit. Only four teams in NHL history have rallied back after trailing a best-of-seven series by three games.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau reports that the addition of Nikolaj Ehlers last summer has given the Carolina Hurricanes a welcome offensive boost during this postseason. With four goals and six points, he’s on pace to exceed his previous postseason highs of five goals and seven points.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes have also benefited from the production of their second line of Taylor Hall, Logan Stankoven, and Jackson Blake.
THE ATHLETIC: Cory Lavalette examines how speed, skill, and physicality enable the Hurricanes to overcome a lopsided loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in Game 2.
TVA SPORTS: Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis told reporters on Sunday that Lane Hutson was fine after a hit by Hurricanes winger Taylor Hall during overtime in Game 2 left him limping to the bench.
SPORTSNET: The Canadiens are hoping to rewrite their home ice history in this postseason as the Eastern Conference Final shifts to Montreal for Games 3 and 4. While the Canadiens have an impressive 7-3 record on the road in this postseason, they’re 2-4 at home.
As Lyle points out above, just 4 teams in the long history of the league have managed to overcome an 0-3 deficit in any playoff series.
And as I posted a couple of days ago, since the President’s Trophy came into being in 1986, 29 of the 40 winners have failed to reach the finals and only 8 have gone on to win the Cup the same year.
If Colorado ever managed to pull this one off and go on to win the Cup they would indeed become the team for the ages – in any sport.
Wonder what the odds would be on a bet like that?
current Draftkings odds: 14-1 for COL to win Cup.
(I thought it’d be way higher)
After Hertl scored to put Vegas in the lead, the Avalanche looked completely discombobulated and out of sorts. Vegas was probably helped by being in the pillow fight division. Less banged up than other teams.
Viva Las Vegas! I guess the “Pillow Fight Division” has grit after all!
Bednar is getting out-coached by Torts and the Avs look like a shell of their former selves.
I can’t see the Avs coming back from 3-0 in their series with Vegas whatever the Avs do Vegas seems to do better. I don’t how many teams come back and win the series down three to zip but it has to be very low number. George the stats man would know something about that. With the exception of the oilers and Ptts. The Mario years. Teams that finish first don’t appear to do to well in the quest for the cup I think sometimes it’s long wait both the Avs and Carolina had a long wait. Hope the bruins don’t over spend on Arvidsson or zacha. Zacha still has some years ahead of him but Arvidsson is 33.
John, Lyle points it out in his opening blurb and I repeat it in my post above – just 4 teams in the long history of the league have managed to overcome an 0-3 deficit in any playoff series. For the record, it was Toronto in 1942 , the NYI in 1975, the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 and rhe Los Angeles Kings in 2024.
So, it has been done. But I wouldn’t suggest betting the farm on it happening this time. If a team can get THAT rattled by 1 goal cutting into their 3-0 lead – after having played so well to build that lead – then there are some serious self-doubts circulating through their heads.
One glaring omission is how the Sv% of both teams flipped from what they were sporting during the season. Vegas for most of the regular season was carrying a 0.875 ish SV% while in the playoffs they have been sporting a 0.919 SV% while the Avs numbers have reversed as well and have the opposite of what the Knights have done.
Is that a Torts effect or what?
Great to see everyone wrong about Marner and see that with a bit of time and maturity, not relying on him to carry the team, to be skillful and tough, and playing on a team with many players who have been through all this many times vs going alone with a bunch of similar young inexperienced players in the spot light and annoyance of playing in Toronto from day one, really makes a difference, don’t it?
No one knows what you got until it gone!
Don t see Colorado coming back especially with their top 2 players hurting! Vegas getting hot and healthy at the right time. They look to have the best forward group in the playoffs. Hertl as a third line center and his winning goal was highlight reel!
Vegas can match the Avs down the middle. Something their last two opponents could come close to doing.
Colorado has had it easy up till now. Rolling through the regular season, then rolling over lesser teams in the first two rounds of playoffs. Add in the long break before the Conference Finals and they’re actually being challenged. They might win a game or two yet, but aren’t up to the challenge. Vegas v Carolina for the Cup? Looking more and more likely.
Paul, I wouldn’t be too quick to count the Habs out just yet. They took home-ice advantage away in the series, and if Carolina doesn’t get it back tonight in Montreal, the collars will suddenly get a lot tighter. In the regular season, Montreal won all 3 between the two, outscoring the Hurricanes 15-8.
All true, George. But the playoffs are a different animal than the regular season. I thought Buffalo should have beaten Montreal, but they didn’t have what it takes. Also notice that I did use a question mark, leaving room for doubt. While I think Carolina will finally take the next step and challenge for the Cup, I have been wrong in the past (Oh, boy, have I!), I’ll need to see Montreal really turn around their play in the Bell Center to shake my belief.
Paul, while I agree the regular season and playoffs are two different animals, you also can’t totally ignore results and production over a grueling 82-games played either. And in that span Carolina finished just 7 points ahead of Montreal, which included the Habs trying to get Montembeault untracked early in the season, during which time he cost them at least 3 or 4 games leading to final seasonal stats of 25 appearances, a 3.43gaa and 0.872 save %. In November he was, in fact, pulled 3 times after giving up multiple goals on few shots. They have since gone to the tandem of Dobes and Fowler.
In goals scored, Montreal’s total of 283 is just 13 b/o Carolina’s 296 while in goals against their 256 allowed is only 16 more than Carolina’s. The top 10 points producers for Montreal – which includes 4 D by the way – chalked up 207 goals 361 assists 568 points in a total of 769gp – or 77 per player on average. For Carolina, their top 10 – which included just 2 D – accounted for 218 goals 337 assists 555 points in 755gp – or 76 per player.
So, it isn’t like Montreal is a distinct under-dog.
I think the Avalanche are cooked. I mean that was a bad way to lose. I will be glad to eat my words if they stage a miraculous comeback; however, I don’t see it. It’s like someone on here said: whatever the Avalanche do good Vegas does better. That’s the truth because the Avalanche are doing the worst job being mentally dialed in and that just serves to undo everything they accomplish. Examples of how they fritter their leads away in game 2 & 3 are things you can’t overcome. Game 2 only a 1 goal game in the 3rd and not converting on the PP or expanding the lead. Game 3 being accountable to kill off the rest of vegas PP to begin the 2nd and match vegas push back. Man, you can’t win doing s**t like that?
Colorado “has had it easy up until now” I don’t think so. That’s not an accurate statement I don’t believe. Ask Dallas how easy it was to play Minnesota and LA was no day @ the beach either despite the sweep. What games are you watching?
Zetterlund
Mattinpalo
and both of Ottawa’s 3rd round picks.
to Van.
For Petterson 50% retained and Columbus’ 2nd round pick.
Which Pettersson? If its the C, Vancouver wont retain(at least nowhere near that number). If its the D(junior) its an overpay, and if its Marcus Pettersson I doubt Vancouver bites on that since they gave up a first to get him and he is on a good contract.
They’re going to have to Kent. Or they’re not moving that player. And honestly that’s a pretty good deal for them.
If they eat 50% it’s a lot, but by the time it’s done they’ll be coming out of their rebuild.
Minnesota did worse when they bought those two massive deals out. They still made it work.
I’m just spit balling but i’d take chance on the expensive Petterson.
If that were ever to transpire, Dark G, one of the current top 3 centers – Stutzle, Cozens, Pinto – would probably need to be involved in a separate deal to shore up scoring somewhere on the wings.
I would like to say that getting William Karlsson back has been huge for Vegas. It has given Torts a 2nd line that is firing on all cylinders with Karlsson with Marner and Howden you have 200 foot play and speed that is a big problem for the Avs
GeorgeO,your Sens have one commodity that many teams need. A top 6 center. If you play your cards right you can make a good trade to shore up your club!
Counting on it happening Sr.
In fact, this is where Andlauer finds out if his buddy Steve Staios has what it takes to compete with the best GMs in the business!
Habs have won every game after a loss consistently, more often than after a win.
I fully expect a different game tonight as they showed in the previous series, Tampa tried the whole pressure, followed by trapping, followed by thuggery.
They got their wins but at the end of the day Habs prevailed.
Re a comment the other day about power forward Josh Anderson scoring not the speed guys, Anderson is one of the faster skaters and continues blow past defenders more often than through them which accounts for his numerous breakaways.
One question: Why does Anderson just coast during the season? And get away with it?
Johnny it’s incredibly insane to think you can play his style all season long…tell us, is it more important that he can and plays like this during the playoffs or regular season? Thought so