NHL Rumor Mill – May 14, 2026

by | May 14, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – May 14, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: what’s next for the Wild, more speculation about Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies, and potential cost-cutting trade candidates for the Stars.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE WILD?

ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark looks at what’s ahead for the Minnesota Wild following their second-round elimination by the Colorado Avalanche.

Wild general manager Bill Guerin has eight players slated to become unrestricted free agents this summer. They include Vladimir Tarasenko, Mats Zuccarello, Nick Foligno, Marcus Johansson, Michael McCarron, Zach Bogosian, and Jeff Petry.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild have just over $13.5 million in projected salary-cap space for 2026-27, with 17 active roster players under contract.

Zuccarello should be back for sure, given his value to the Wild. Johansson and Tarasenko might also return on affordable short-term deals if they remain interested in playing for a contender. McCarron’s physical style could also earn him a new contract.

Clark believes the Wild must consider adding top-six help. He noted that they will have limited cap space for next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was rumored that Guerin was in the market for a first or second-line center before the March trade deadline. The Wild were linked to Vincent Trocheck, but there’s no certainty the 33-year-old New York Rangers center would agree to be traded to Minnesota when his preference is to remain in the Eastern Conference.

Guerin must balance his need to add a center for his top-two forward lines with signing some of those pending UFAs to affordable contracts.

THE LATEST MATTHEW KNIES SPECULATION

TSN: During an appearance on “Overdrive” with Jeff O’Neill and Jamie McLennan, Chris Johnston discussed the potential trade strategies this summer for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Among them was what type of return Matthew Knies might fetch in the trade market.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthews Knies (NHL Images).

Knies surfaced in the rumor mill before the March trade deadline as former Leafs general manager Brad Treliving was reportedly listening to offers for the 24-year-old power forward.

Johnston wondered if new Maple Leafs GM John Chayka would reopen those Knies discussions. He believes a key part of that deal would be what the Leafs would get back for a defenseman if they’re going to take a forward with the first-overall pick in this year’s draft.

Asked why Knies’ name came up in the trade market before the March deadline, Johnston said his lack of no-trade protection was the biggest factor. Trying to move someone like William Nylander would be difficult because his no-movement clause limits where he might prefer to go.

Johnston said he spoke with someone who works for an NHL team who claimed they would be willing to give up more for Knies than for Leafs superstar Auston Matthews. That’s because Matthews has only two years left on his deal, while they would have five years of Knies in his prime. Johnston claimed one team offered six pieces for Knies before the trade deadline, but it wasn’t good enough for Treliving.

There’s a new front office in Toronto now, and they might not be as willing to move Knies. However, Johnston isn’t ruling it out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those six pieces were probably mostly draft picks and prospects, whereas Treliving was seeking a return that would provide more immediate help for his struggling roster.

Recent reports suggest Chayka thinks highly of Knies and doesn’t seem keen to move him. We’ll see if that’s the case as the offseason unfolds.

WHICH MEMBERS OF THE DALLAS STARS COULD BECOME COST-CUTTING CANDIDATES?

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos listed four players the Stars could trade to create enough cap space to sign winger Jason Robertson to a new contract.

Robertson, 26, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who is also a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. He’s completing a four-year contract with an average annual value of $7.75 million. Robertson could seek a deal comparable to the eight-year, $96 million contract ($12 million AAV) signed by teammate Mikko Rantanen last year.

Assimakopoulos listed forwards Radek Faksa ($2 million annually through 2027-28), Sam Steel (one year at $2.1 million), and defensemen Ilya Lyubushkin (one year, $3.25 million) and Tyler Myers (one year, $1.5 million) as potential trade candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars have a projected $11 million in cap space for next season with 19 active roster players signed. How much Robertson gets will determine which (or how many) of those four will be moved.

Myers seems the most likely, as he wasn’t a good fit after being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks before the trade deadline. However, his struggles with the Stars could also hurt his trade value.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 29, 2026

by | Apr 29, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 29, 2026

The Bruins and Oilers avoid elimination in their first-round series, the Wild push the Stars to the brink of elimination, the finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award are announced, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF TUESDAY’S PLAYOFF GAMES

NHL.COM: An overtime goal by David Pastrnak gave the Boston Bruins a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 5 of their best-of-seven first-round series. Elias Lindholm scored the tying goal, and Jeremy Swayman made 24 saves for the Bruins, who avoided elimination to force Game 6 in Boston on Friday. Rasmus Dahlin scored while Alex Lyon stopped 27 shots for the Sabres, who hold a 3-2 lead in the series.

Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins rebounded well from their lifeless effort in Game 4 on Sunday, with Pastrnak coming up clutch in overtime with a beautiful breakaway goal. Both goaltenders were outstanding for their respective clubs in this contest.

Bruins winger Viktor Arvidsson missed this game with an upper-body injury suffered during Game 4. Meanwhile, Sabres center Noah Ostlund left this game in the first period with a lower-body injury. The Sabres also played without center Josh Norris, who missed his third straight game with an undisclosed injury.

Edmonton Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl tallied twice as the Oilers staved off elimination by defeating the Anaheim Ducks 4-1. Evan Bouchard had three assists, Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each had two helpers, Zach Hyman scored, and Connor Ingram kicked out 29 shots in his return between the pipes for the Oilers. Alex Killorn replied for the Ducks, who pulled starting goalie Lukas Dostal after he gave up three goals on nine shots in the first period. The series returns to Anaheim for Game 6 on Thursday with the Ducks holding a 3-2 lead.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With their backs to the wall, the Oilers played their best game of this series, with all of their best players stepping up. There was some concern among Oilers followers before the game when McDavid (ankle injury)was considered questionable for Game 5, but he seemed none the worse for wear in this contest.

The Minnesota Wild are one game away from advancing to the second round after doubling up the Dallas Stars 4-2 to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round series. Kirill Kaprizov had a goal and two assists, Matt Boldy had a goal and an assist, and Jesper Wallstedt made 20 saves for the Wild. Jason Robertson had a goal and an assist for the Stars. The series returns to Minnesota for Game 6 on Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mats Zuccarello also scored for the Wild in his first game since being injured in Game 1 of this series. Stars forward Arttu Hyry left this game with a lower-body injury and is considered unlikely for Game 6.

The Stars’ struggles to score at even strength in this series continued in this game, with Robertson’s goal the only one they tallied at five-on-five. They also haven’t been getting much production from their depth players.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov, and Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid are the finalists for the Ted Lindsay Award, which honors the most outstanding player as voted by fellow members of the NHL Players Association.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid or Kucherov will likely win this one, but Celebrini should get this honor. He went from being a promising rookie last season to a full-fledged superstar in his sophomore campaign, whose efforts kept the rebuilding Sharks in the playoff chase until the final week of the regular season.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman skated with his teammates in practice on Wednesday. However, there remains no timetable for his return to action. He’s been out of the lineup for personal reasons since March 25.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Canadiens need their first line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky to break through on five-on-five if they hope to win their first-round series with the Lightning.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Suzuki and Caufield are tied with Lane Hutson for the team lead in points with four each, while Slafkovsky has three points. However, all of that production came on the power play.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs has played a major role in keeping his club alive in their first-round series with the Philadelphia Flyers. Down 3-0 in the series, the Pens turned to Silovs, who posted up wins in Games 4 and 5.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Silovs proved himself as a postseason performer two years ago with the Vancouver Canucks. He was also playoff MVP for the Canucks’ AHL affiliate, backstopping the Abbotsford Canucks to the 2025 Calder Cup.

THE ATHLETIC: Speaking of the Flyers, there’s speculation over whether Oliver Bonk will make his NHL postseason debut, and if struggling sophomore winger Matvei Michkov will return to the lineup.

TSN: Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour is hopeful that sidelined winger Nikolaj Ehlers (lower-body injury) and defenseman Alexander Nikishin (concussion) will be healthy for the second round.

DAILY FACEOFF: Utah Mammoth head coach Andre Tourigny confirmed he benched winger JJ Peterka midway through the third period and overtime in Game 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights. Peterka has struggled to make an impact in this series.

SPORTSNET: Former NHL goaltender and Sportsnet hockey analyst John Garrett passed away on Monday at the age of 74.

Garrett began his professional career in the WHA in 1973-74. His NHL career began with the Hartford Whalers in 1979-80, spending six seasons with the Whalers, Quebec Nordiques, and Vancouver Canucks.

After retiring in 1986, Garrett moved into the broadcasting booth, working as a color commentator with Hockey Night in Canada until 1998, when he moved to Sportsnet. From 2002-03 to 2022-23, he exclusively covered the Vancouver Canucks. At the time of his death, Garrett was working for Sportsnet on a part-time basis, covering the Utah Mammoth-Vegas Golden Knights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My sincere condolences to Garrett’s family, friends, former teammates, and everyone who had the good fortune to work with him in the broadcast booth.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – April 28, 2026

by | Apr 28, 2026

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.










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 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.