NHL Rumor Mill – May 12, 2026

by | May 12, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – May 12, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we look at the latest on the Avalanche and Senators, plus an update on Matthew Knies’s status as a trade candidate.

THE DENVER POST: Corey Masisak recently looked at the offseason decisions facing the Colorado Avalanche with the salary cap for next season set at $104 million.

The good news is that most of their core players are under contract for next season. They have 17 active roster players signed through 2026-27. The bad news is they have less than $3 million in salary cap space, with four players eligible to become unrestricted free agents (including Brent Burns and Brent Kulak) and two players (including Jack Drury) becoming restricted free agents.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (NHL Images)

Masisak wondered what kind of megadeal Cale Makar will get to re-sign with the Avalanche. The 27-year-old superstar defenseman is a year away from UFA status. He can sign an extension as early as July 1, which would go into effect next July.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov set a new standard with his contract extension that will pay him $17 million annually starting on July 1. Makar or Minnesota’s Quinn Hughes could exceed that on their next contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The maximum individual salary for next season is $20.8 million. It wouldn’t be shocking if Makar (and Hughes) end up earning $20 million annually on their next contracts, either with their current clubs or elsewhere next summer as UFAs.

Masisak believes if the 42-year-old Burns wants to return, it’ll have to be on another one-year, $1 million contract. Kulak will have to accept a cap hit lower than his current $2.75 million to stay with the Avalanche after this season. Meanwhile, Drury has become a solid No. 4 center for the Avs. He has arbitration rights this summer, but he didn’t have great numbers this year. If the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup, Drury is the type of player who would be in demand in the trade market.

Ross Colton could become a trade candidate if the Avalanche needs to shed some salary to re-sign other players. He’s struggled offensively the past two seasons and began this postseason as a healthy scratch. Colton has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Colton is the most obvious trade candidate, but his 12-team no-trade list gives him some measure of control over where he could go.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch recently compiled a “to-do list” for Senators general manager Steve Staios.

Topping the list is the Senators’ need for a 30-goal right winger with speed on center Tim Stutzle’s line. According to Garrioch, league sources claim St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou is available, but the asking price could be a high-end player, a prospect, and a first-round draft pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kyrou also has a full no-trade clause and could be unwilling to waive it. If he is open to a trade, it might not be to the Senators.

Garrioch also mentioned that there’s talk that the Seattle Kraken might move winger Jared McCann, but his production has declined.

The Senators also hope to add a big defenseman who can play big minutes. They could attempt to address that issue from within with promising blueliner Carter Yakemchuk. He doesn’t see them winning a bidding war for Darren Raddysh if the Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman hits the open market on July 1.

Garrioch indicated the Senators kicked tires on Blues rearguard Colton Parayko, who refused to waive his no-movement clause to go to the Buffalo Sabres. With the Blues in rebuild mode, Garrioch wondered if he might be open to a trade this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Parayko has a full no-trade, not a full no-move clause. Regardless, he seemed determined to stay in St. Louis. The Blues are retooling more than rebuilding and could rebound next season. If he is willing to accept a trade, there’s no certainty he’ll join the Senators, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

The Senators reportedly pushed hard to acquire Rasmus Ristolainen from the Philadelphia Flyers, but couldn’t get it done before the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ristolainen’s solid play with the Flyers this season could ensure he stays with them for at least the final season of his current contract.

Garrioch believes the Senators must also find a reliable backup for starter Linus Ullmark. He suggested keeping an eye on pending UFA goalie Stuart Skinner, who isn’t expected to be back with the Pittsburgh Penguins next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Skinner will likely want to sign with a club where he’ll have the chance to be the starting goalie. He won’t get that opportunity in Ottawa with Ullmark already filling that role.

AN UPDATE ON MATTHEW KNIES

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox was asked about the possibility of the Toronto Maple Leafs trading Matthew Knies with John Chayka as their general manager.

Knies has been the subject of trade speculation since the March deadline, but he doesn’t seem like he wants out of Toronto. Meanwhile, Chayka doesn’t sound like he’s keen to move Knies, having had his eye on the power forward since his days with the Junior Coyotes.

Chayka told Fox that he considers Knies to be a “really unique player”, adding that it would be hard-pressed to do better than Knies if you’re trying to improve the team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The change in Leafs management makes it less likely that Knies will be available in this summer’s trade market. One can’t rule out the possibility that they get an irresistible offer, but it appears that Chayka sees him as a key part of the Leafs’ lineup.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 12, 2026

by | May 12, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 12, 2026

The Avalanche take a commanding series lead over the Wild, Shane Doan parts ways with the Maple Leafs, the Sedins to move up in the Canucks’ front office, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The Colorado Avalanche have taken a 3-1 lead in their second-round series with the Minnesota Wild following a 5-2 victory in Game 4 on Tuesday. Parker Kelly broke a 2-2 tie, goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood made 19 saves in his first start in this postseason, and Nazem Kadri scored to extend his points streak to five games.

Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Danila Yurov and Nico Sturm scored while Jesper Wallstedt stopped 29 of 32 shots for the Wild.

The Avalanche can wrap up this series in Game 5 on Wednesday in Colorado.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was an ugly moment during the first period when Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson butt-ended Wild forward Michael McCarron in the left side of his face as the two scuffled on the ice. Manson received a double-minor, resulting in Yurov’s game-opening goal.

McCarron was still furious about the incident during his between-period interview with ESPN’s P.K. Subban, calling Manson a dirty player. After the game, Manson claimed he wasn’t trying to butt-end McCarron but was attempting to punch him.

Manson had returned to action after missing several games with an upper-body injury. He and forward Joel Kiviranta’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Avalanche, as forward Artturi Lehkonen and Sam Malinski missed this game with upper-body injuries.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Shane Doan and the Toronto Maple Leafs have mutually agreed to part company. Doan joined the Maple Leafs in 2023 as a special advisor to the general manager. With John Chayka taking over that role, Doan’s contract will not be renewed.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Doan and Chayka have an unpleasant history from their days when the former was captain of the Arizona Coyotes and the latter was the club’s GM. In 2017, Chayka told Doan that the Coyotes no longer required his services, giving the club’s long-time star no proper send-off or ceremony to honor his tenure.

Doan has been connected to the Vancouver Canucks as they reshape their front office. He could also land with the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators.

THE PROVINCE: Speaking of the Canucks, franchise icons Daniel and Henrik Sedin have reportedly accepted larger roles within the club’s hockey operations department. They’ve spent the past five seasons with the Canucks in a player development role.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It remains to be seen what the Sedins’ new roles will be, but it won’t be as general managers. The Canucks are reportedly narrowing down their list of prospective candidates for that job.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard may have suffered a concussion during Game 1 of the first-round series with the Anaheim Ducks. Bouchard finished that game and played in the remainder of that series, which the Ducks won in six games.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: New York Islanders rookie star Matthew Schaefer is teaming up with Northwell Health to create a child support center in honor of his mother, Jennifer, who passed away from breast cancer in 2024.

TSN: Buffalo Sabres forward Beck Malenstyn and Montreal Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj were fined by the league for their actions in Game 3 of their second-round playoff series on Sunday.

Malenstyn was fined over $3,500 for goaltender interference when he deliberately ran Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes. Xhekaj was fined over $3,300 for roughing Sabres forward Sam Carrick when he sucker-punched the latter in the dying seconds of the game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ll see if those fines serve as a warning to both teams to dial back the chippy play and after-the-whistle antics that were prevalent in Game 3.

BUFFALO HOCKEY NOW: Despite two ugly losses in Games 2 and 3, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff remains confident in his group as they attempt to reset for Game 4 in Montreal on Tuesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens dominated the Sabres in those two contests. Another lopsided loss in Game 4 could be demoralizing for the Sabres while giving the Habs a commanding lead in the series.

TVA SPORTS: The Canadiens have recalled forwards Owen Beck and Florian Xhekaj and defensemen David Reinbacher and Adam Engstrom after their AHL affiliate in Laval was eliminated from the Calder Cup playoffs. The foursome will skate with the Canadiens in practice and will be available as reserve players.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Golden Knights’ head coach John Tortorella hopes Tomas Hertl’s late goal in Game 4 of their series against the Anaheim Ducks helps the veteran forward regain his scoring touch. It was his first goal since March 4.

TSN: The Carolina Hurricanes signed forward Mark Jankowski to a two-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $1.85 million.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils general manager Sunny Mehta hired Braden Birch as his new assistant general manager. Birch is the former Florida Panthers director of hockey operations and salary cap management.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 11, 2026

by | May 11, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – May 11, 2026

What is the top offseason priority for the Bruins and Flyers, and how can they address it? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BRUINS COULD HAVE DIFFICULTY FINDING A FIRST-LINE CENTER

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jack Studley recently reported that Bruins team president Cam Neely believes his club needs more talent and more speed to compete with the top teams in the league.

Neely believes the Bruins need a first-line center. Studley noted that promising forwards Fraser Minten and James Hagens are candidates to fill that role at some point in their careers. The Bruins felt they had one two years ago when they signed Elias Lindholm to a seven-year, $54.25 million contract, but his offensive output is not what is expected of a first-line center.

The Bruins are projected to have over $16.3 million in cap space for 2026-27. They also have another future first-round draft pick to work with if they choose to explore trade partners.

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa believes the Bruins have limited options to find a No. 1 center in the offseason.

Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei (NHL Images).

The Bruins have the cap room to add one, and they have tradeable assets such as three 2028 first-round draft picks, forward Matthew Poitras, and defenseman Mason Lohrei.

However, the few centers potentially available, such as Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks and Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues, could be outside the Bruins’ price range.

The pickings are slim in the free agent market. Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins is 39, spent as much time this season on right wing as he did at center, and isn’t a good match. Former Bruin Charlie Coyle of the Columbus Blue Jackets could also be available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins might be forced to return with Pavel Zacha centering the first line and Lindholm the second. They could also see how Poitras, Minten, and Hagens develop next season, but it’s doubtful either of them will be ready to fill that role.

THE FLYERS COULD TRADE A WINGER FOR A CENTER THIS SUMMER

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sam Carchidi believes the Philadelphia Flyers must find a high-end center and a defenseman to anchor their power play during the offseason.

The free-agent market is thin on center, prompting Carchidi to speculate that general manager Daniel Briere could turn to the trade market by peddling a winger.

Carchidi noted the Flyers have over $38 million in projected salary-cap space for next season. However, that will be reduced by new contracts for Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale, Emil Andrae, and perhaps Samuel Ersson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As with the Bruins, the asking price for Pettersson and Thomas (if they’re available) could be too high for the Flyers. The same goes for Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, who has recently surfaced in trade rumors amid speculation over his future.

Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers might be a more affordable option. He has three seasons remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $5.625 million. However, he’s best suited in a second-line role.

Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken has also popped up in rumors. He seemed poised for a breakout performance after a promising 44-point performance last season, but he struggled under head coach Lane Lambert this season. The 22-year-old was projected to become a first-line, two-way center during his draft year. He hasn’t established himself in that role yet, but he might benefit from a change of scenery.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 11, 2026

by | May 11, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 11, 2026

The Canadiens take a 2-1 series lead over the Sabres, the Ducks tie their series with the Golden Knights, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

RECAPS OF SUNDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: The Montreal Canadiens took a 2-1 lead over the Buffalo Sabres in their second-round series with a convincing 6-2 victory in Game 3. Alex Newhook tallied two goals for the second straight game, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky ended their goal-scoring droughts with assists from Lane Hutson, and Jakub Dobes stopped 26 shots for the Canadiens.

Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Newhook (NHL Images)

Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin replied for the Sabres. Game 4 is Tuesday in Montreal at 7 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Since the third period of Game 1, Montreal has dominated Buffalo. While they’ve outscored the Sabres 11-3 during that stretch, it’s been their defensive game that has made the difference.

The Canadiens have taken to heart the lessons they learned against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round. They aren’t giving the Sabres time and space to operate, they’re forcing turnovers, and they’re moving the puck well in all three zones. They’re also getting superb goaltending from Dobes, who has been their MVP of this postseason thus far.

The Sabres are a very good team, and they have the skill to reverse their fortunes. A win in Game 4 on Tuesday could change the complexion of this series heading back to Buffalo for Game 5. However, a loss in their next game, especially one as lopsided as the last two games, would be demoralizing.

The Anaheim Ducks nipped the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 to square their second-round series at two games apiece. Cutter Gauthier collected three assists, Beckett Sennecke and Alex Killorn tallied power-play goals, and Ian Moore’s first NHL playoff goal was the game-winner for the Ducks.

Mitch Marner also had three assists, Jack Eichel had two, and Brett Howden scored his seventh goal of the postseason for the Golden Knights.

Game 5 will be in Las Vegas on Tuesday at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks finally broke through on the power play after being stymied through the first three games. They also outshot and outhit the Golden Knights in this contest. Those three assists by Gauthier were his first points of this series and couldn’t have come at a better time for his club.

The Golden Knights played this game without team captain Mark Stone. The two-way winger was sidelined by an undisclosed injury suffered during Game 3 on Friday. There was no word as to whether he’ll return to action for Game 5.

IN OTHER NEWS…

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Lineup changes could be coming for the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 of their second-round series with the Minnesota Wild on Monday night.

The Avalanche hold a 2-1 lead in the series, but they haven’t received much production from second-line forwards Valeri Nichushkin and Brock Nelson. They each have one empty-net goal in the past seven games.

Sidelined defenseman Josh Manson and forward Joel Kiviranta might be ready to return to the lineup.

NHL.COM’s Bill Meltzer reports hearing that Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett was dealing with a sports hernia during their series against the Carolina Hurricanes. Defenseman Cam York played through a rib fracture, and center Christian Dvorak had a separated shoulder.

SPORTSNET: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini was named captain of Team Canada in the upcoming IIHF World Championship. Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares and Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly will serve as alternate captains.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s quite an honor for the 20-year-old Celebrini. He established himself as an elite player in just two NHL seasons.

DAILY FACEOFF: Detroit Red Wings defenseman Justin Faulk was named captain of Team USA in the IIHF World Championship. Seattle Kraken blueliner Ryan Lindgren and Mathieu Olivier of the Columbus Blue Jackets are the alternates.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 10, 2026

by | May 10, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 10, 2026

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup, we look at what’s next for the Flyers, plus the latest on the Oilers and Maple Leafs.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE FLYERS?

ESPN.COM: Kristen Shilton looked at what the offseason could hold for the Philadelphia Flyers, who exceeded expectations by making the playoffs and advancing to the second round before being swept by the Carolina Hurricanes.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).

Shilton believes the rebuilding Flyers are in a good spot now. Among general manager Daniel Briere’s priorities will be signing forward Trevor Zegras, a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, who is coming off a career-best 26 goals and 67 points in 81 games. The fit between the player and the team is so strong that Shilton expects they’ll get a deal done.

Defenseman Jamie Drysdale and backup goaltender Samuel Ersson are also RFA-eligible with arbitration rights this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zegras, 25, was earning $5.75 million annually on his three-year contract. He could get a long-term deal worth over $8 million annually.

The 24-year-old Drysdale matched his career high for points (32) and is in line for a significant raise after earning an average annual value of $2.3 million. As for Ersson, he might end up as trade bait if Briere decides to add a more experienced backup for starter Dan Vladar.

Shilton observed that the Flyers have salary cap space to spare, which will allow Briere to determine the club’s direction. He’ll also need to figure out how to improve their woeful power play via a coaching or personnel change.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers weren’t expected to make the playoffs this season. However, the additions of Zegras, Vladar, and Christian Dvorak last summer, and those of promising youngsters Porter Martone, Alex Bump, and Denver Barkey during the season played key roles in their improvement.

With $38.5 million in projected cap space for 2026-27 and 17 active roster players under contract, Briere has sufficient room to re-sign Zegras and Drysdale, and to sign or replace Ersson, and still have enough for a significant addition or two. They need experienced depth at center, especially on the first line, and on their blueline.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James recently noted the uncertainty over Auston Matthews’ future with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He wondered if the Flyers could afford the steep cost of acquiring the superstar center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Matthews becomes available, there’s no certainty he’ll want to go to the Flyers even if they’re ahead of schedule with their rebuild. He has a full no-movement clause, meaning his list of preferred trade destinations will be a small one.

If Matthews were willing to join the Flyers, the Leafs would probably want a promising center with first-line potential, or a young defenseman with first-pairing capability; two things that the Flyers themselves currently lack. They could also want Martone or Matvei Michkov (probably Martone) as part of the deal.

Speaking of the Maple Leafs…

THE LATEST MAPLE LEAFS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel recently examined the priorities facing new Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka.

Topping the list is selling Auston Matthews on his vision for the Maple Leafs’ future. If successful, the Leafs will continue to retool their roster. If not, and Matthews decides to move on, they’ll go into a rebuild that will likely be centered around potential first-overall draft pick Gavin McKenna.

Siegel noted that Matthews isn’t expected to decide until he sees what the Maple Leafs do during the offseason. It might not be until sometime in July when they learn whether he’s on board with their plans.

Landing a second-line center could also be on Chayka’s “to-do” list. There’s not much available in this summer’s UFA market, with Charlie Coyle of the Columbus Blue Jackets the best short-term option.

Chayka could turn to the trade market to address that issue. Siegel noted there are several theoretical possibilities with a degree of risk, including Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks and Mike Zibanejad of the New York Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both players carry full no-movement clauses and have not indicated that they want to move on. Vincent Trocheck of the Rangers is reportedly available, but he has a 12-team no-trade list and could prefer a destination closer to the Eastern seaboard.

Siegel also mused over making another attempt to bring back Ryan O’Reilly, but he wants to stay in Nashville, and the Predators are treating him as though he has a no-trade clause.

Julian Gaudio of The Hockey News included Coyle and his Blue Jackets teammate Boone Jenner as possibilities to address the Leafs’ need for depth at center. He also suggested trade options such as Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken, Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks, and Barrett Hayton of the Utah Mammoth. Of those three, Wright might be the most attainable because of his struggles this season under Kraken coach Lane Lambert.

Siegel also speculated that the Leafs could attempt to trade some defensemen, such as Morgan Rielly, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Brandon Carlo. That would require pursuing replacements, perhaps by using winger Matthew Knies as a trade chip.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chayka faces a daunting challenge trying to retool the Maple Leafs into a legitimate playoff contender in a way that would meet with Matthews’ approval. He’ll likely attempt to make a significant move or two, but it might not be enough.

UPDATE ON THE OILERS

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson wondered if Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse would waive his no-trade clause this summer.

If Nurse is willing to accept a trade, Matheson suggested shipping him to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Morgan Rielly. He pointed out that both players are signed through 2029-30, with Nurse carrying a $9.25 million AAV while Rielly’s is $7.5 million. Matheson also noted that Nurse is from Hamilton, and he and Leafs forward Max Domi grew up together.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Swapping two struggling defensemen in their early thirties doesn’t seem like it would improve either club. The Oilers would come out ahead only because Rielly’s cap hit is less expensive.

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell looked at some possible UFA targets for the Oilers this summer.

Topping the list is Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres. However, it’s unlikely that he’s going anywhere. If he becomes available, the Oilers would have to move out a big contract to free up the cap space to sign him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mitchell also included pending Oilers UFAs such as Connor Murphy, Kasperi Kapanen, and Jason Dickinson on his list. It’s more likely those three will be re-signed.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 10, 2026

by | May 10, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – May 10, 2026

The Hurricanes sweep their second straight series, the Wild bounce back against the Avalanche, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF SATURDAY’S PLAYOFF GAMES

NHL.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes swept their second straight series by defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in Game 4 of their best-of-seven second-round series.

Jackson Blake tallied two goals (including the winner in overtime) and an assist, Logan Stankoven netted his seventh of this postseason, and Taylor Hall collected three assists for the Hurricanes, who await the winner of the Buffalo Sabres-Montreal Canadiens series in the Eastern Conference Final. Tyson Foerster and Alex Bump scored, and goaltender Dan Vladar stopped 37 shots for the Flyers.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Jackson Blake (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Philadelphia put up a good fight in this series, but this rebuilding club was no match against Carolina’s deep, experienced roster. The Flyers shook up their lineup for Game 4 by replacing forward Matvei Michkov and defensemen Emil Andrae with forward Jett Luchanko and blueliner Oliver Bonk, but it didn’t prevent the inevitable.

The Hurricanes are the fifth team in league history to begin their postseason with eight straight wins, and the first to do so since the full best-of-seven format was introduced in 1987. Once again, it was the second line of Hall, Stankoven, and Blake doing the damage. Hall and Blake lead the Canes with 12 and 11 points respectively, while Stankoven is their leading goal scorer.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and two assists to lead his club to a 5-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 of their second-round series, handing the latter its first loss of this postseason.

Brock Faber also had a goal and two assists, Quinn Hughes had a goal and an assist, and Jesper Wallstedt returned to the net with a 35-save performance. Nathan MacKinnon had the lone goal for the Avalanche, who pulled netminder Scott Wedgewood after he gave up three goals on 12 shots. Game 4 of this series is Monday in Minnesota at 8 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaprizov opened the scoring on a 4-on-4 situation, which became a 4-on-3 soon afterward when Devon Toews took a hooking penalty, opening the door for Hughes’ goal. Wallstedt had a solid bounce-back effort after giving up eight goals in Game 1.

Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek missed his third straight game with a lower-body injury, but he could return to the lineup for Game 4 on Monday.

HEADLINES

SPORTSNET: Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella ripped into critics of winger Mitch Marner after he tallied his first NHL postseason hat trick in his club’s 6-2 win in Game 3 of their second-round series with the Anaheim Ducks.

“You guys don’t see the stuff he does,” Tortorella told reporters on Saturday. “People here, people in Toronto, all the people that talk about the guy, they don’t see any of the things that he brings to a game, even if he doesn’t score a goal. I’ve known that coaching against him.” He went on to call the narrative that Marner struggles in the playoffs “a bunch of bulls**t.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Toronto Maple Leafs fans will disagree, but there’s no question that Marner has been productive for the Golden Knights in this postseason thus far. He faced plenty of pressure during his tenure with the Maple Leafs, including what he put on himself. Marner seems more relaxed since moving to Vegas.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Tortorella provided no update on the status of Golden Knight captain Mark Stone, who was injured during Game 3. It’s uncertain if he’ll be in the lineup for Game 4.

DAILY FACEOFF: Buffalo Sabres center Sam Carrick is available for Game 3 against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday. He’d missed the last 15 games with an injured arm.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Former Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban has completed his landmark $10 million pledge he made to Montreal’s Children’s Hospital a decade ago. It was the largest philanthropic commitment by a professional athlete in Canada and helped about 100,000 children.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Now an NHL analyst with ESPN, Subban admitted that there had been some difficulties along the way in meeting that pledge. However, he said there was no doubt in his mind, because he was going to follow through on his commitment. Subban emphasized that all the money his foundation raised went directly to Montreal’s Children’s Hospital.

NEW YORK POST: Long-time Rangers goaltending coach Benoit Allaire has announced his retirement. He filled that role from 2004 to 2024 before scaling back his duties over the past two years. Allaire played a significant role in the development of Rangers goaltenders Henrik Lundqvist and Igor Shesterkin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before joining the Rangers, Allaire was a goalie coach with the Montreal Canadiens and Phoenix Coyotes. During that period, he helped develop such notable netminders as Jocelyn Thibault, Tomas Vokoun, Jose Theodore, Nikolai Khabibulin, Brian Boucher, and Brent Johnson.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Blackhawks top prospect Roman Kantserov is expected to sign his NHL entry-level contract after his KHL contract was terminated, enabling him to come to North America.

RATINGS.ORG: Marco D’Amico profiled Quebec Remparts forward Maddox Dagenais, whose physical offensive play could put him into the mix as a first-round pick for clubs seeking a power forward. Dagenais is the son of former NHL forward Pierre Dagenais.