NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 26, 2026

by | Apr 26, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 26, 2026

The Hurricanes eliminate the Senators, the Penguins stave off elimination, the Wild tie their series with the Stars, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING SATURDAY’S ACTION

NHL.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after defeating the Ottawa Senators 4-2 to sweep their best-of-seven series. Logan Stankoven scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, Sebastian Aho tallied twice, and Frederik Andersen made 25 saves for the Hurricanes. Drake Batherson and Dylan Cozens replied for the Senators, who got a 26-save performance from goalie Linus Ullmark.

Carolina Hurricanes forward Logan Stankoven (NHL Images)

The Hurricanes await the winner of the Pittsburgh Penguins-Philadelphia Flyers series.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This game was another close-checking affair, but both clubs ramped up the physical play. The flashpoint was a devastating (but clean) hit by Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven on Hurricanes blueliner Alexander Nikitin, knocking the latter out of the game with a suspected concussion.

The Senators gave everything they had to avoid elimination. Ullmark silenced his critics with his outstanding play while the injury-depleted blueline did its best despite the absence of Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub. However, their offense struggled against Andersen’s solid goaltending and the Hurricanes’ suffocating defense. Team captain Brady Tkachuk was a physical presence in this game, but was held scoreless throughout this series.

Carolina’s second line of Stankoven, Tayler Hall, and Jackson Blake was a factor in this game and throughout this series. Stankoven was the star of this series with four goals, including three game-openers. The Hurricanes got the win without winger Nikolaj Ehlers, who missed this game with a lower-body injury.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist as his club avoided elimination with a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Kris Letang netted the game winner, Rickard Rakell also had a goal and an assist, and Arturs Silovs stopped 28 shots in his series debut for the Penguins. Denver Barkey and Travis Konecny replied for the Flyers, who hold a 3-1 lead in this best-of-seven series. Game 5 is in Pittsburgh on Monday at 7 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby finally broke through offensively after being held to an assist through the first three games. The Penguins still had their issues defensively, but were bailed out by Silovs, whose performance in this game should earn him the start in Game 5.

An overtime goal by Matt Boldy lifted the Minnesota Wild to a 3-2 win over the Dallas Stars, tying their first-round series at two games apiece. Brock Faber had a goal and an assist while Jesper Wallstedt kicked out 43 shots for the Wild. Jason Robertson and Miro Heiskanen scored, Matt Duchene and Mikko Rantanen collected two assists each, and Jake Oettinger stopped 40 shots for the Stars. This series returns to Dallas for Game 5 on Tuesday at 8 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild winger Mats Zuccarello missed his third straight game in this series with an upper-body injury. Stars defenseman Nils Lundkvist left this game in the second period after being struck in the face by the skate blade of Wild forward Michael McCarron. Following the game, Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said Lundkvist suffered a deep facial cut. He will be reexamined in Dallas.

HEADLINES

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont listed his top-three reasons why the Canadiens hold a 2-1 lead in their first-round series with the Tampa Bay Lightning. They include high-danger scoring chances and the Canadiens’ secondary scoring.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis isn’t concerned over the lack of scoring from first-line forwards Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. He pointed out that they’re always a big part of the club’s success, whether they’re on the scoresheet or not. “They’re going to be fine,” St. Louis said.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: The Oilers have struggled against the Anaheim Ducks in their first-round series, which the Ducks lead two games to one. Their top players have been invisible, they’ve given up 13 goals in their last two games, goaltender Connor Ingram has a save percentage of .849, and their penalty killing is the worst among the 16 playoff clubs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As the headline suggests, the Oilers must find a way to address these issues, or this will be a short series.

NHL.COM: The Buffalo Sabres are shaking up their power play ahead of Game 4 of their series with the Boston Bruins, which is Sunday at 2 pm ET. They’re hoping the addition of Noah Ostlund to their top unit will help them snap a 0-for-36 funk with the man advantage.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Bruins are making a change to their third line, replacing rookie James Hagens with winger Lukas Reichel. Hagens struggled with the Sabres’ physical play through the previous two games.

THE DENVER POST: Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson is considered unlikely to play in Game 4 on Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings. Manson suffered an upper-body injury in Game 3 of this series, in which the Avalanche holds a 3-0 lead.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Vegas Golden Knights need their top players to get going if they’re to overcome a 2-1 series deficit to the Utah Mammoth. Team captain Mark Stone has scored two power-play goals but none at even strength. Ivan Barbashev has two, but one was an empty-netter. Jack Eichel has one goal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mitch Marner has two assists, and Tomas Hertl has one. Puck-moving defensemen Shea Theodore and Rasmus Andersson have no points through three games.

Meanwhile, the Mammoth are getting production from their best players, including Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley, who each have two goals and an assist, while winger Lawson Crouse has two goals.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 25, 2026

by | Apr 25, 2026

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.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 24, 2026

by | Apr 24, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 24, 2026

The Avalanche and Hurricanes take commanding 3-0 leads in their respective series, the Sabres take a 2-1 series lead over the Bruins, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF THURSDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: The Colorado Avalanche are on the verge of sweeping their best-of-seven first-round series with the Los Angeles Kings following a 4-2 victory in Game 3. Artturi Lehkonen had two points, including the winning goal on a shorthanded effort for the Avalanche, giving them a commanding 3-0 series lead. Trevor Moore and Adrian Kempe replied for the Kings. Game 4 is Sunday in Los Angeles, starting at 4:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings’ hardworking defensive style has limited high-scoring Avalanche stars Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Necas to just one point each in three games. However, the Avs’ deep roster has been the difference in this series, putting them on the verge of sweeping the Kings.

Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson left this game with an upper-body injury. Kings winger Andrei Kuzmenko returned to the lineup for the first time since suffering a knee injury on Feb. 25. He was held scoreless in this contest.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Jackson Blake’s tie-breaking goal in the second period held up as the game winner to nip the Ottawa Senators 2-1, giving the Hurricanes a 3-0 lead in their first-round series. Logan Stankoven opened the scoring for the third straight game for the Hurricanes, while Frederik Andersen made 21 saves for the win. Drake Batherson scored, and Linus Ullmark stopped 25 shots for the Senators. Game 4 goes Saturday in Ottawa at 3 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators have done a fine job limiting the Hurricanes to three goals or fewer in each game, but they’ve managed only three goals in total of their own thus far, with Drake Batherson and Dylan Cozens being the goal scorers. Top center Tim Stutzle and team captain Brady Tkachuk have been held pointless. The Senators have yet to tally on the power play in this series.

Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson left this game in the second period following a hit to the head from Hurricanes winger Taylor Hall. He might be unavailable for Game 4, and if he’s in concussion protocol, he could be out for the remainder of the series if the Senators manage to push it to Game 7.

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)

Third-period goals by Alex Tuch and Noah Ostlund gave the Buffalo Sabres a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins, and a 2-1 lead in their first-round series. Bowen Byram had a goal and an assist, and Alex Lyon stopped 24 shots in his series debut for the Sabres. Tanner Jeannot replied for the Bruins. Game 4 is Sunday in Boston at 2 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lyon played a solid game for the Sabres, including shutting down Bruins winger Viktor Arvidsson’s penalty-shot attempt. Ostlund made an impact in his NHL playoff debut with two points. He drew into the lineup with Josh Norris listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.

HEADLINES

TSN: Edmonton Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch isn’t concerned about the availability or effectiveness of team captain Connor McDavid as their first-round series against the Anaheim Ducks continues. McDavid was held scoreless in the first two games and briefly left Game 2 with an ankle injury, though he insisted he was fine following the game.

THE ATHLETIC: Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar’s status for Game 4 against the Pittsburgh Penguins is in question. Vladar didn’t participate in practice on Thursday. Head coach Rick Tocchet explained the goalie’s absence was due to a maintenance day, saying he was “a little banged up.” The Flyers hold a 3-0 series lead over the Penguins and can close out the series at home in Game 4 on Saturday.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars center Roope Hintz (lower-body injury) resumed skating on Wednesday on his own back in Dallas. He won’t be joining the team for Game 4 of their first-round series against the Minnesota Wild and is “highly doubtful” for Game 5. The Stars hold a 2-1 lead in the series with Game 4 on Saturday at 5:30 pm ET.

TVA SPORTS: Montreal Canadiens forward Josh Anderson and defenseman Mike Matheson missed practice on Thursday. No reason was given for their absence but it’s believed they were each taking a maintenance day.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Speaking of the Canadiens, forward Kirby Dach shut down his Instagram account after some fans attacked him online for a couple of mistakes he made in Game 2 that led to the Tampa Bay Lightning winning that game in overtime.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s one thing to be critical of a player’s performance. It’s crossing the line to launch personal attacks against that player on his social media account. Those are the type of “keyboard commandos” who cowardly hide behind their anonymity to hurl insults at players that they’d never dare say to their faces.

THE ATHLETIC: Utah Mammoth forward Logan Cooley has played well thus far in his first-ever NHL playoff series. The 21-year-old has been Utah’s best player through the first two games of their first-round series with the Vegas Golden Knights, scoring the winning goal to give the Mammoth a 3-2 victory in Game 2.

DAILY FACEOFF: St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou underwent a minor surgical knee procedure. He is expected to be ready for training camp in September.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That knee injury could explain why Kyrou’s production was down this season. After three straight 30-plus goal seasons and reaching 70 points in three of the last four campaigns, the 27-year-old winger managed 18 goals and 46 points in 72 games.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 23, 2026

by | Apr 23, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 23, 2026

The Flyers take a commanding series lead over the Penguins, the Stars win in double overtime over the Wild, the Ducks tie their series with the Oilers, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

RECAPS OF WEDNESDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: The Philadelphia Flyers are on the verge of sweeping the Pittsburgh Penguins following their 5-2 victory in Game 3 of their best-of-seven first-round series. Trevor Zegras and Noah Cates each had a goal and an assist while Dan Vladar stopped 28 shots for the Flyers, who can wrap up this series in Game 4 on Saturday, starting at 8 pm ET. Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson scored for the Penguins.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers drew on the energy from their fans, who were enjoying the first playoff game in Philadelphia since 2018. The Flyers were in the 2020 playoffs, which were held in a COVID bubble in Toronto.

A second-period scrum involving all five skaters from both clubs resulted in Zegras scoring his first NHL playoff goal on the ensuing power play, tying the game 1-1. The Flyers took over the game after that, putting them in a position to eliminate their archrival on Saturday.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby collected an assist on Malkin’s game-opening goal to become the fifth-highest-scoring player in NHL playoff history with 202 points.

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston scored in double overtime to give his club a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild, and a 2-1 lead in their opening-round series. Stars forwards Jason Robertson and Matt Duchene each had a goal and two assists, and Jake Oettinger made 28 saves. Marcus Johansson, Joel Eriksson Ek, and Michael McCarron replied for the Wild. Game 4 will be in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Saturday at 5:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild forward Marcus Foligno claimed the Stars couldn’t hang with his club at 5-on-5. He has a point, as the Stars tallied three of their four goals (including Johnston’s game-winner) on the power play, but that’s also an indictment of the Wild’s penalty killing. Of the Stars’ nine goals in this series, six have come with the man advantage.

Wild forwards Mats Zuccarello and Yakov Trenin missed this game due to injuries. Zuccarello’s been sidelined by an upper-body injury after playing in Game 1, while Trenin left Game 2 with an upper-body injury.

The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-4 to knot their first-round series at one game apiece. Cutter Gauthier snapped a 4-4 tie and finished the game with two goals and an assist, Alex Killorn had a goal and two assists, and Ryan Poehling tallied twice for the Ducks. Leon Draisaitl had a goal and an assist for the Oilers, but teammate Connor McDavid was held off the scoreboard for the second straight game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid briefly left this game with an ankle injury. He downplayed it after the game, claiming it was fine. What isn’t fine is Edmonton’s power play, which has been held scoreless in six opportunities thus far. Oilers forward Jason Dickinson missed this game with an undisclosed injury.

Anaheim goaltender Lukas Dostal stopped 33 goals for his first NHL postseason victory. Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas missed this contest with an undisclosed injury.

This series moves to Anaheim for the next two games, with Game 3 on Friday at 10 pm ET.

HEADLINES

MLIVE.COM: Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman and head coach Todd McLellan will address the media today.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This will dispel speculation about whether both men might lose their jobs after the Red Wings extended their playoff drought to 10 years.

TSN: Hall of Famer Chris Pronger said he has not spoken with the Toronto Maple Leafs about the role of general manager.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kraken general manager Jason Botterill and team CEO Tod Leiweke said they’ll leave “no stone unturned” in their efforts to improve the franchise. Botterill said that head coach Lane Lambert will be retained.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That dispels conjecture about the futures of Botterill and Lambert after the Kraken missed the playoffs for the third straight season.

TSN: Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin underwent surgery on an ACL tear in his right knee on Tuesday. He will be sidelined between six to nine months.

ROTOWIRE: Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D’Astous travelled with the team to Montreal. D’Astous was sidelined with an undisclosed injury after he was hit by Canadiens winger Josh Anderson in Game 1.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven could return to the lineup for Game 3 of their first-round series with the Carolina Hurricanes. He’s been sidelined with a broken jaw since Apr. 2.

TSN: Former NHL forward Trevor Lewis announced his retirement.

Lewis spent 17 seasons in the NHL, 14 of those with the Los Angeles Kings, with whom he won two Stanley Cup championships. He also spent two seasons with the Calgary Flames and one season with the Winnipeg Jets. From 2006-07 to 2024-25, he had 104 goals and 133 assists for 237 points in 1,034 games, and 28 points in 106 playoff contests.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 22, 2026

by | Apr 22, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 22, 2026

The Avalanche take a 2-0 lead in their first-round series, the Lightning, Bruins, and Mammoth tie their respective series, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING TUESDAY’S PLAYOFF GAMES

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by Nicolas Roy lifted the Colorado Avalanche to a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, and a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven first-round series. Gabriel Landeskog scored the tying goal while Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves, including one on a penalty shot by Los Angeles center Quinton Byfield. Artemi Panarin opened the scoring for the Kings, who got a 34-save effort from goaltender Anton Forsberg.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The game was delayed following Wedgewood’s save on Byfield to replace a pane of glass behind the Kings’ bench that shattered from the force of excited Avalanche fans pounding on it.

This series shifts to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4, with Game 3 on Thursday at 10 pm ET. If those games are anything like the first two, we can expect them to be physical, close-checking, low-scoring affairs. The Kings must find a way to generate more offense without sacrificing their defensive play in Game 3, or they’ll be facing elimination this weekend.

The Tampa Bay Lightning overcame a 2-1 deficit to nip the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 on an overtime goal by JJ Moser, tying their first-round series at a game apiece. Brandon Hagel and Nikita Kucherov also scored for the Lightning, while Lane Hutson and Josh Anderson tallied for the Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The first half of this game was a greasy physical affair with numerous scrums, including a fight that saw Hagel drop Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky. Once the shenanigans were over, the game settled into a close-checking contest in which the Lightning’s experience made the difference, with Kucherov’s tying goal the result of a blueline turnover by Slafkovsky. The Canadiens were tentative in overtime, failing to generate a shot while the Lightning peppered Habs goalie Jakub Dobes with nine shots.

Speaking of the Lightning, they announced that team captain Victor Hedman is doubtful to play in this series, which moves to Montreal for Games 3 and 4. The third game will be on Friday at 7 pm ET.

Boston Bruins winger Viktor Arvidsson tallied twice as his club doubled up the Buffalo Sabres 4-2, tying their series at one game apiece. Jeremy Swayman made 34 saves while David Pastrnak collected two assists for the Bruins. Bowen Byram and Peyton Krebs replied for the Sabres. This series shifts to Boston for the next two games, with Game 3 on Thursday at 7 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres fell too far behind to stage another rally as they did in the first game. It was a disastrous outing for Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, giving up four goals on 19 shots, including a backhander from center ice by Bruins winger Morgan Geekie that bounced past him. Alex Lyon replaced Luukkonen after Arvidsson made it 4-0, and Sabres coach Lindy Ruff hinted that Lyon might get the start in Game 3.

Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (NHL Images).

The Utah Mammoth got their first playoff win since relocating from Arizona by defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2, squaring their first-round series at a game apiece. Logan Cooley snapped a 2-2 tie while Dylan Guenther had a goal and an assist for the Mammoth. Mark Stone and Ivan Barbshev scored for the Golden Knights. This series moves to Utah for Games 3 and 4, with Game 3 on Friday at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The speedy Mammoth out-played and out-shot the Golden Knights as this game went along. Led by young stars such as Cooley and Guenther, they’re proving to be a handful for the veteran-laden Golden Knights.

HEADLINES

DAILY FACEOFF: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league has no plans to change its regular-season points system.

The issue arose as the Los Angeles Kings made the playoffs despite tying for the second-fewest regulation wins this season, playing in a record 33 overtime games. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers clinched third place in the Metropolitan Division despite winning 10 fewer regulation games than the Washington Capitals, while the New York Islanders won 43 games but missed the playoffs with five overtime/shootout points.

Bettman also said that future league expansion fees could exceed $1 billion. He based it on the growth of league revenue and other factors. Atlanta and Houston have been rumored as potential destinations for future expansion franchises.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan said sidelined center Roope Hintz didn’t travel with the team to Minnesota for the next two games of their first-round series. A lower-body injury has sidelined Hintz since March 6.

Gulutzan was unfazed over comments by Minnesota forward Marcus Foligno that the Stars “couldn’t hang” with the Wild in even-strength situations. Two of the goals the Stars scored in their 4-2 victory over the Wild in Game 2 came on the power play.

SPORTSNET: Speaking of the Wild, winger Mats Zuccarello is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Edmonton Oilers forward Adam Henrique will miss Game 2 of their series with the Anaheim Ducks after suffering a lower-body injury in the first game.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae will miss Game 3 of his club’s series with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He’s day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

THE ATHLETIC: The Vancouver Canucks have requested permission to speak with former Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams about their vacant GM position.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: New Devils GM Sunny Mehta said everything is under evaluation from the coaching staff to new contracts for Nico Hischier and Simon Nemec. He also indicated that the Devils will be spending to the salary cap.

Mehta spent three seasons as an assistant general manager with the Florida Panthers before taking over as Devils GM last week.

TSN: Former NHL superstar Ilya Kovalchuk was named president of KHL club Shanghai Dragons.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 21, 2026

by | Apr 21, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 21, 2026

Hurricanes and Flyers take 2-0 series leads, the Stars tie their series with the Wild, the Oilers take Game 1 of their series with the Ducks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF MONDAY’S PLAYOFF ACTION

NHL.COM: Carolina Hurricanes forward Jordan Martinook scored in double overtime for a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators in Game 2 of their best-of-seven first-round series. Logan Stankoven and Sebastian Aho gave the Hurricanes a 2-0 lead, but the Senators rallied on second-period goals by Drake Batherson and Dylan Cozens. Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen made 37 saves, while Senators netminder Linus Ullmark stopped 43 shots.

The Hurricanes hold a 2-0 series lead heading to Ottawa for Games 3 and 4, with Game 3 on Thursday at 7:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes thought they’d won the game in the first overtime period on a goal by Mark Jankowski, but it was overturned on review as Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal was ruled offside. Martinook also had a chance to end it on a penalty shot but was denied by Ullmark.

This was an energetic, closely contested contest, with the Senators putting up a better effort than in Game 1. Both goaltenders were fantastic, but Ullmark was the standout with several huge saves.

Senators defenseman Artem Zub missed this game with an undisclosed injury. His status for Game 3 is uncertain.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Porter Martone (NHL Images)

The Philadelphia Flyers blanked the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 to take a 2-0 lead in their opening-round series. Dan Vladar turned in a 27-save shutout, Garnet Hathaway had a goal and an assist, and Porter Martone became the first teenager in NHL history to score the winning goal in each of his first two playoff games. Stuart Skinner stopped 20 of 22 shots for the Penguins. The series moves to Philadelphia for the next two games, with Game 3 on Wednesday at 7 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers did a tremendous job shutting down the Penguins’ offense, especially with their penalty killing, with Hathaway scoring shorthanded. Martone seems to be thriving in the heat of NHL postseason action, and his teammates are gaining confidence as this series progresses.

The Penguins are a team in trouble heading to Philadelphia after being outplayed by the Flyers in the first two games. Older stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson looked their ages in this game. This series could be over quickly if the Penguins can’t find a way to turn the tide.

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston tallied twice, and Jason Robertson scored what proved to be the winning goal in a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild to knot their first-round series at a game apiece. Jake Oettinger kicked out 28 shots while Matt Duchene had a goal and an assist for the Stars. Brock Faber scored his first two NHL playoff goals, and Quinn Hughes collected two assists for the Wild. The series moves to Minnesota with Game 3 on Wednesday at 9:30 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A much better effort from the Stars in this contest compared to their rather lifeless performance in Game 1. This series could go the full seven games to determine a winner.

Wild winger Mats Zuccarello missed this game with an upper-body injury. Wild forward Yakov Trenin left this game in the first period with an upper-body injury following a crushing shoulder-to-shoulder hit by Stars forward Colin Blackwell.

The Edmonton Oilers overcame a 3-2 deficit to nip the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in Game 1 of their first-round series. Jason Dickinson and Kasperi Kapanen each tallied twice for the Oilers, who had a 2-0 lead after the first period. The Ducks rallied in the second period with Troy Terry netting two goals and Leo Carlsson also scoring. Game 2 is Wednesday at 10 pm ET.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leon Draisaitl collected two assists as he returned to the Oilers lineup after missing 14 games with a knee injury. Connor Ingram made 25 saves for his first NHL playoff win. Oilers captain Connor McDavid was held scoreless in this contest.

IN OTHER NEWS…

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and head coach Scott Arniel shouldered the blame for their club’s failure to reach the playoffs this season after winning the Presidents’ Trophy last year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cheveldayoff offered up little regarding his offseason plans. I’ll have the media reaction to that in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin could miss the start of next season with a knee injury.

NHL.COM: Utah Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi was fined $5,000 for head-butting Vegas Golden Knights blueliner Rasmus Andersson in Game 1 of the Mammoth-Golden Knights series.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Things got heated during the game, with Golden Knights forward Nic Dowd threatening to hunt down Mammoth center Logan Cooley.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former NHL goaltender Cory Schneider is now the goalie coach for the New York Islanders’ AHL affiliate.