The Montreal Canadiens will look to make it three straight wins to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Buffalo Sabres with the two teams hitting the ice at the Bell Centre on Tuesday, May 12.
My top Sabres vs. Canadiens predictions and NHL picks are calling for a huge push from Buffalo to be answered by Montreal goaltender Jakub Dobes continuing to stand tall in Game 4.
Sabres vs Canadiens Game 4 prediction
Sabres vs Canadiens best bet: Jakub Dobes Over 25.5 saves (-110)
The Montreal Canadiens have received elite goaltending from Jakub Dobes with a .947 save percentage and 3.94 goals saved above expected the past two games, and he sports a .918 SV% with 0.591 GSAx per 60 minutes for the postseason.
Buffalo converted at a 49.2% rate during the regular season and 46.6% mark in Round 1. So with an added emphasis on funneling pucks to the net, in addition to a slight statistical correction in converting attempts into shots, Dobes is set to be busy again in Game 4.
Sabres vs Canadiens Game 4 same-game parlay
Canadiens rookie Ivan Demidov collected an assist in Games 1 and 3, and he’s been on the ice for five goals and 4.37 expected goals through three games. He’s a key puck distributor on the No. 1 power-play unit and has averaged 5:04 per night with the man advantage this postseason.
Additionally, while Demidov has been held to just three shots during Round 2, he’s registered 14 attempts (21.4%). I’m anticipating him converting attempts to shots at a higher rate in Game 4 after hitting the net 17 times on 43 attempts in Round 1 (39.5%) and at a 45.0% rate during the regular season.
Turning to the final leg of this same-game parlay, Lane Hutson has recorded two or more shots in six of 10 postseason games while quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit and pacing the Habs in offensive zone starts at 5-on-5.
The Montreal Canadiens have won 17 of their last 25 games (+8.45 Units / 27% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Sabres vs. Canadiens.
How to watch Sabres vs Canadiens Game 4
Location
Bell Centre, Montreal, QC
Date
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
CBC, ESPN
Sabres vs Canadiens latest injuries
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It's been a trying season for Senators goalie Linus Ullmark.
First, from a performance perspective, his season got off to a sluggish start, and that's putting it mildly. Then, shortly after Christmas, after feelings of panic set in during a game in Toronto, Ullmark sought help for his mental health from the NHL player assistance program.
While he was away from the team, he also had to shoot down some ugly social media rumours. But things got better after the Olympics, and Ullmark finished the season strongly.
Steve Warne talks with Drake Batherson about his hopes for a contract extension this summer.
Ironically, after the goaltending position took so much of the blame during the regular season, it was Ullmark who was Ottawa's best player in the playoffs.
After all he'd been through this year, Ullmark was thrilled he was able to be at his best at the most important time of the year.
"That was very nice," Ullmark said his final media availability. "You know, it was the first real time in this whole season where I felt like myself again, and I could do what I thoroughly enjoy to do. It didn't feel like a chore. It didn't feel exhausting. It felt motivational and inspirational.
"And truth be told, it felt weird as well because you've been battling so hard the whole season, trying to find a groove and trying to find a way of performing. And now you do it at the top of your game, and you're still losing. So it was a little bit of a surreal feeling."
Before heading into his offseason, Ullmark also recorded a special message to the fans who supported him through it all this season, the good and the bad. He published it on his Instagram on Monday morning. It featured a montage of big highlight reel saves and fans going wild.
However, the highlights were oddly paired with a rock song called The Enforcer by the Canadian band, Monster Truck. The song is a tribute to NHL enforcers, but more importantly, it was the Toronto Maple Leafs' goal song for two years.
That didn't take away from Ullmark's message to his supporters, though. In a season where he was hit with some nasty social media dialogue, he injected some positivity on Monday.
Dear Ottawa fans,
Thank you so much, merci beaucoup, for all of your support this season. It's been a blessing.
You know, you guys are what drives us to do our best every single day. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the whole wide world playing hockey.
Our fans cheering, screaming at home games in our barn, that's what matters.
We play for each other, but we also play for the city of Ottawa, and for everyone that aspires to be Ottawa Senators in the future.
I love all of you guys. I love the support and the fire and the passion that you guys bring to our rink every night.
I hope you keep doing that. I hope that we can do you guys right and win it all in the near future.
Thank you.
As much as he appreciates the fans' support, Ullmark would probably appreciate a little more goaltending support as well. By his own admission, GM Steve Staios said last month that he didn't feel like he did a good enough job providing backup support behind Ullmark.
It will be interesting to see if the Senators go out and acquire a name-brand goalie to provide that support for Ullmark, who, despite his big contract, seems to be at his best with a medium workload.
By Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features from The Hockey News at the links below:
Mackenzie Blackwood was in the starters net at practice on Monday, May 11, hours before game time. But Avalanche coach Jared Bednar wasn't ready to announce his starting goalie.
Blackwood replaced Scott Wedgewood in Game 3 after giving up Minnesota's third goal early in the second period. He stopped 12 of 13 shots in his first appearance in the 2026 playoffs.
"Like I said at the start of the playoffs, we're probably going to need both guys," Bednar said Monday. "That's how we ran all year. We have confidence in both guys. Mackenzie's ready to play. He wants the net."
The Avalanche lead the second-round series 2-1 after the Wild beat the Avalanche in Game 3.
Here is the NHL bracket as the playoffs continue Monday night:
NHL game tonight (Monday, May 11)
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Colorado at Minnesota odds
Betting lines by BetMGM as of 6 p.m. ET on Monday, May 11
Sean Higgins is one step closer to facing trial in the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.
A New Jersey judge denied a motion Monday that would have sent key evidence back to a grand jury, ruling that blood-alcohol evidence against Higgins can be presented to a jury at trial.
The case will continue as scheduled.
Higgins’ attorney had argued that his blood-alcohol level at the time of the August 2024 crash was improperly collected and actually below the legal limit. Defense lawyers said plasma rather than whole blood was tested, putting his actual blood alcohol level was 0.075. That would be below New Jersey’s legal limit of 0.08. Prosecutors put the figure at 0.87.
A trooper at the scene noted Higgins' breath smelled like alcohol, and the driver admitted to drinking five or six beers before the crash. He also failed a field sobriety test.
It is the latest in a string of pretrial defeats for the defense. New Jersey Superior Court Judge Michael Silvano has already denied motions to suppress evidence from Higgins’ vehicle, ruled his statements to police we lawfully obtained and rejected the arguments that the Gaudreau brothers' own drinking contributed to their deaths. An appellate judge also denied a motion to appeal the Miranda ruling in January.
Higgins, who was employed at a nonprofit drug and alcohol treatment center at the time of the crash, rejected a plea that would have resulted in a 35-year prison sentence. He faces up to 70 years if convicted on all counts, which include two counts each of reckless vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter, along with evidence tampering and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were riding their bikes in Oldmans Township, New Jersey on the evening of Aug. 29, 2024. It was the eve of their sister’s wedding when Higgins struck them while attempting to pass slower-moving vehicles. Both died at the scene.
The Minnesota Wild are looking to even their second-round NHL playoff series with the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4. The Avalanche won the first two games in Denver before Minnesota won Game 3 5-1. The Colorado Avalanche are favored by 1.5 goals with the over/under set at 6.5 goals.
How to watch Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild
Sunday night’s duel between the Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres wasn’t for the faint-hearted. There were big hits, elbows, punches, and stick whacks. It wasn’t pretty, unless of course you're into that kind of hockey, in which case, you probably loved it. Still, the deeper we got into the game and the more frequent the incidents became, which makes sense given how much of a one-sided affair it was becoming.
There was, however, one moment that prompted a collective horrified gasp from the filled to the rafters Bell Center, the moment when Beck Malenstyn collided at full speed with Jakub Dobes. By that time, the score was 3-1 Montreal, and the Sabres were seriously feeling the pressure. When Malenstyn battled with Zach Bolduc to reach the net, he saw an opportunity to get to Jakub Dobes, to shake him up and get him off his game. The jump right before the impact, as well, made it look like the Sabres forward might have been a WWE in a previous life, as if he was jumping off the third rope for a flying elbow.
Somehow, that play only led to a two-minute goalie interference call, and while the Canadiens took advantage of that opportunity to make it 4-1, that moment in the game, that hit on Dobes, will not be forgotten or forgiven. On Monday afternoon, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced that Malenstyn had been fined $3,515.63, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the play. That’s a slap on the wrist considering how disastrous that incident could have been for the Canadiens. Habs fans will remember all too well what kind of effect an injury to a team’s number one goaltender can have in the playoffs; some still have nightmares about the Carey Price-Chris Kreider incident.
Chris Kreider Bowls into Carey Price https://t.co/pfmivWN40p via @YouTube Remember this. They will try to do it again to Dobes.
Malenstyn wasn’t the only one to be fined on Monday afternoon. Arber Xhekaj also encountered “the wrath” of the Department of Player Safety for roughing Sam Carrick in the dying seconds of the game. At 19:56, there was a melee in the corner, and Alex Carrier was outnumbered by two Sabres. The gritty defenseman intervened and pulled Carrick off Carrier, then proceeded to give him one punch to the jaw, which sent him down to the ice. It will be interesting to see if a Sabres player will dare try to “keep Xhekaj accountable.” Just like Malenstyn, the rugged defenseman was fined $3,385.42.
Leo Carlsson has been a model of consistency for the Anaheim Ducks, only going two or more straight games without a point on two occasions since early January.
After a quiet showing in Game 4, my Ducks vs. Golden Knights predictions expect the young star to get back on the score sheet Tuesday night.
Let’s take a closer look at my NHL picks for May 12.
Ducks vs Golden Knights Game 5 prediction
Ducks vs Golden Knights best bet: Leo Carlsson Over 0.5 points (-170)
The Anaheim Ducks have created plenty of opportunities with Leo Carlsson on the ice, generating 94 shot attempts, 50 scoring chances, and 4.45 expected goals. That has translated to two goals.
Carlsson is a career 14.7% shooter — and plays with great players at 5-on-5 and on the power play — so there’s no reason to expect these looks to continue being wasted.
That’s especially true facing Carter Hart, who posted an .891 SV% and allowed 4.2 more goals than expected during the regular season.
Look for Carlsson, who has been held pointless in consecutive games just twice over the last four months, to get back on the scoresheet.
Ducks vs Golden Knights Game 5 same-game parlay
Troy Terry flies under the radar because of all Anaheim’s terrific young players, but he quietly sits tied for the team lead in points during the playoffs. He leads their forwards in assists, but also trails only Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier in shots.
He’s a dual threat weapon, and one strongly correlated to Carlsson.
Shea Theodore has blocked multiple shots in eight of 10 playoff games during this run, and has averaged 2.9 along the way. The Ducks play at a fast pace and generate a lot of volume, which helps increase his floor and ceiling.
Ducks vs Golden Knights SGP
Leo Carlsson Over 0.5 points
Troy Terry Over 0.5 points
Shea Theodore Over 1.5 blocked shots
Ducks vs Golden Knights odds for Game 5
Moneyline: Ducks +130 | Golden Knights -150
Puck Line: Ducks +1.5 | Golden Knights -1.5
Over/Under: Over 6.5 | Under 6.5
Ducks vs Golden Knights trend
Leo Carlsson has six points over his last six games against Vegas. Find more NHL betting trends for Ducks vs. Golden Knights.
How to watch Ducks vs Golden Knights Game 5
Location
T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, NV
Date
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Puck drop
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN, SN360
Ducks vs Golden Knights latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Winnipeg Jets - Feb. 27 2026 - Vol. 79 Issue 8 - Jared Clinton
C+ | RANK: 19TH
THE JETS’ SUCCESS in Winnipeg has been built on a draft-and-development foundation. For instance, of the 25 players on the team’s 2018 Western Conference-finalist roster, a dozen came up through the organization. But while homegrown roster players still number in the double digits, consistent playoff appearances have masked the fact that Winnipeg is in a development drought. Only one Jets draft choice from the past eight years – Cole Perfetti, 10th overall in 2020 – has played a regular role in the NHL lineup. Entering 2026, no Jets pick since Perfetti has played more than 13 NHL games in Winnipeg.
5-YEAR TREND
1 SASCHA BOUMEDIENNE
D, 19, 6-2, 183
Boston University (HE)
30–2–8–10–12
2025 draft, 28th overall
OVERALL54
Boumedienne thrived while playing major WJC minutes for Sweden. And he found pay dirt when it mattered, notching the gold medal-winning goal. His maturity is what catches the eye. He makes smart reads and gets pucks through to the net, and director of player development Jimmy Roy said Boumedienne’s puck retrievals are “elite already.” He’s just a minor contributor on the scoresheet at BU, but his performance for Sweden provided evidence there’s potential for more.
FW25 | new NHL | 2028-29
2 BRAYDEN YAGER
C, 21, 6-0, 170
Manitoba (AHL)
43–6–11–17–8
Trade (Pit), Aug. 22, 2024
OVERALL57
A wicked shot makes Yager lethal in the offensive zone, and he also has the ability to wheel with the puck. Now, the challenge is learning to capitalize on fewer opportunities and do the dirty work that separates talented junior players from those who make the NHL. Essential to Yager’s development is learning to have patience with the puck, create separation and win battles. “He’s getting the puck to the middle and getting shots off quicker,” said Roy. “He’s learning the pro game.”
FW25 | No. 1 NHL | 2026-27
3 BRAD LAMBERT
C, 22, 6-2, 180
Manitoba (AHL)
29–6–7–13–18
2022 draft, 30th overall
OVERALL93
A precipitous drop in Lambert’s AHL production last season didn’t worry the Jets, and he began the season pencilled in for middle-six NHL duty. Often, though, Lambert was the odd man out, and he wound up back in the AHL – and his output is again stagnating. There are attributes to love – skating, puckhandling and playmaking ability chief among them – but Lambert’s hurdle is discovering ways to become effective and impact games when he’s not finding his way onto the scoresheet.
FW25 | No. 2 NHL | 2026-27
4 ELIAS SALOMONSSON
D, 21, 6-2, 189
Manitoba (AHL)
29–1–9–10–10
2022 draft, 55th overall
Salomonsson can motor and change directions on a dime. But spending last season in the AHL paid dividends, as the Swedish product – neither big nor stout – learned to handle the physicality inherent to the smaller-ice North American game. He also exhibits the beauty of simplicity. “He keeps the game simple, keeps the puck going forward and doesn’t overcomplicate it,” Roy said. “He’s learning a bit on the speed of the game and strength of the players at the NHL level, but I see why people are excited about him.”
FW25 | No. 5 NHL | 2027-28
5 NIKITA CHIBRIKOV
LW, 23, 5-11, 193
Manitoba (AHL)
28–2–4–6–10
2021 draft, 50th overall
Chibrikov looked set to take a step forward as a bottom-six NHL buzz saw, but a stumble out of the gates will inevitably lead to concerns. It is important to keep in mind, however, that Chibrikov missed the majority of the back half of 2024-25 with an injury. The long rehabilitation and recovery process surely contributed to the slow start. He’s come into his own in the AHL as the season continued, and the Jets believe in his abilities – as evidenced by the fact they inked Chibrikov to a two-year extension.
FW25 | No. 3 NHL | 2026-27
6 COLBY BARLOW
RW, 21, 6-1, 194
Manitoba (AHL)
40–3–5–8–14
2023 draft, 18th overall
Pure shooter with a lethal release. Working hard to improve explosiveness.
7 ALFONS FREIJ
D, 20, 6-1, 198
Timra (SHL)
33–1–2–3–6
2024 draft, 37th overall
Smooth skater got stronger on his feet. Learning to move the puck quicker.
8 KEVIN HE
LW, 19, 6-0, 182
Flint (OHL)
48–33–30–63–18
2024 draft, 109th overall
Workmanlike attitude aids skill. Will benefit from high-stakes environment in Flint.
9 ZACH NEHRING
RW, 20, 6-5, 201
Western Michigan (NCHC)
28–5–12–17–8
2023 draft, 82nd overall
Understands how to optimize massive frame to win battles and create offense.
10 KIERON WALTON
LW, 19, 6-6, 227
Peterborough (OHL)
48–34–37–71–18
2024 draft, 187th overall
Power-forward size with playmaker’s toolbox. Got taste of AHL last season.
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Detroit Red Wings - Feb. 27 2026 - Vol. 79 Issue 8 - Bob Duff
B+ | RANK: 7TH
DURING HIS SEVEN years as Detroit GM, Steve Yzerman has preached patience. Now, there is clear evidence that patience is paying dividends. With the Wings challenging for top spot in the Atlantic, much of Yzerman’s draft pool is showing the way. Moritz Seider (sixth overall in 2019) looks like Norris Trophy material. He skates on the top defense pairing with fellow first-rounder Simon Edvinsson (sixth in ’21). Left winger Lucas Raymond (fourth in ’20) leads the team in scoring. Rookies Axel Sandin-Pellikka (17th in ’23) and Emmitt Finnie (201st in ’23) have fit in seamlessly.
5-YEAR TREND
1 NATE DANIELSON
C, 21, 6-2, 197
Grand Rapids (AHL)
17–3–11–14–4
2023 draft, 9th overall
OVERALL 13
In a 28-game NHL taste, Danielson displayed that his 200-foot player description was applicable. But he also looked overmatched at times against some NHL centers. The Wings believe he has more offensive upside. “We’ve given him a good run here where he’s had some good nights,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “We want him to continue the offensive trajectory we think is in him. And we couldn’t put him in spots right now on our team where he could really push for that.”
FW25 | No. 2 NHL | 2026-27
2 MICHAEL BRANDSEGG-NYGARD
RW, 20, 6-1, 210
Grand Rapids (AHL)
42–8–18–26–24
2024 draft, 15th overall
OVERALL 33
The big winger earned an NHL spot out of camp, and he showed qualities that will make him valuable. He averaged a team-leading 14.99 hits per 60 during his nine-game stint. At the same time, his offensive output was just one assist. Not wanting his confidence to waver, the Wings sent ‘MBN’ to the AHL to help his offensive game evolve. “He was doing a good job in a lot of areas,” McLellan said. “He was good in the tight game, tight quarters, and very physical. His shot is really good.”
FW25 | No. 4 NHL | 2026-27
3 TREY AUGUSTINE
G, 21, 6-1, 194
Michigan State (Big Ten)
20–6–0, 1.96, .932
2023 draft, 41st overall
OVERALL 37
Augustine’s a two-time WJC champion and a 2026 nominee for the Richter and Hobey Baker Awards. At 19, he played in the World Championship. He plays a controlled game with calmness and wisdom beyond his years. While there are concerns about his size, the Wings love his competitiveness. “He’s got a great demeanor,” assistant director of player development Dan Cleary said. “He’s got a calm, cool demeanor, but he’s competitive. That fire burns inside him.”
FW25 | No. 3 NHL | 2028-29
4 CARTER BEAR
LW, 19, 6-0, 177
Everett (WHL)
40–27–29–56–40
2025 draft, 13th overall
OVERALL 41
The Wings rolled the dice a bit on Bear, who entered the NHL draft coming off a season-ending Achilles injury. He’s at 100 percent now. After returning to Everett following the WJC, he scored five goals in six games. He has a knack for getting his shot off and does exemplary work with the puck in tight quarters. “He’s an outstanding player but still a bit of a boy,” McLellan said. Once he grows into his body and adapts to the pace of the NHL, the Wings envision him in a power-forward-style role.
FW25 | new NHL | 2028-29
5 SEBASTIAN COSSA
G, 23, 6-7, 220
Grand Rapids (AHL)
21–4–2, 1.92, .930
2021 draft, 15th overall
OVERALL 87
Cossa is the epitome of the patient ‘Yzerplan’ paying off. The Wings are allowing him to overripen in the AHL, where he’s been one of the league’s best for the past two seasons. This year, he’s the No. 1 on a team that’s threatening to break AHL points records. The consistency is now there. “I’ve learned some things the past year by myself, experience-wise, talking to mental coaches and just trying to find ways to bounce back when you do go in those slumps,” Cossa said.
Relentlessly competitive with offensive touch. Plays like a bulldozer on skates.
7 DMITRI BUCHELNIKOV
LW, 22, 5-10, 170
CSKA Moscow (KHL)
32–11–10–21–6
2022 draft, 52nd overall
A gifted combination of finisher and playmaker. Had shoulder surgery in November.
8 MAX PLANTE
C, 20, 5-11, 180
Minnesota-Duluth (NCHC)
30–20–21–41–17
2024 draft, 47th overall
Elite playmaker with exceptional passing touch. Son of former NHLer Derek Plante.
9 ANTON JOHANSSON
D, 21, 6-4, 196
Leksand (SHL)
35–2–9–11–39
2022 draft, 105th overall
Passionate, driven, competitive defender with a physical edge to his game.
10 WILLIAM WALLINDER
D, 23, 6-5, 210
Grand Rapids (AHL)
46–1–13–14–19
2020 draft, 32nd overall
Mobile, puck-moving D-man lacks physical element. Projects as third-pair option.
21-AND-UNDER NHLERS | MARCO KASPER, C, 21; AXEL SANDIN-PELLIKKA, D, 20; EMMITT FINNIE, C, 20
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The Philadelphia Flyers may be picking later in the NHL draft than we've become accustomed to over the last few years, but that doesn't mean they can't still select an impact player.
Of course, the Flyers' draft strategy has come under fire in recent years, mostly due to high-profile choices like selecting Oliver Bonk, Jett Luchanko, and Jack Nesbitt with first-round picks over the last three drafts.
The common argument with those players is that the Flyers drafted for need and specific traits, rather than the best or most talented player available to them.
Size is one of the most frequent traits we see this Flyers regime draft for; Nesbitt, Jack Berglund, Spencer Gill, Carter Amico, Porter Martone, Austin Moline, and Shane Vansaghi are all good examples.
So, now that the Flyers will be picking 21st this year, the pool of talent in the draft is considerably less voluminous than it would be in, say, the top 10.
They have no dynamic centers or defensemen coming up through the prospect pipeline, so they have to nail this pick.
Unfortunately, an early NHL mock draft from Corey Pronman of The Athletic goes in the opposite direction.
At 21, Pronman has the Flyers going with Casey Mutryn, whose profile won't move the needle for Philadelphia. Here's why:
"Philadelphia loves hard-nosed, competitive players, making Mutryn a very natural fit for their organizational identity," Pronman says of Mutryn.
"He’s a hardworking, physical 6-foot-3 winger who plays at an NHL tempo and has some offensive touch, too. He complements the skill the Flyers have in their forward group."
So, yes, another winger is not going to cut it for the Flyers, and Mutryn is certainly not the most talented one available at this point in Pronman's mock.
Adam Novotny and Nikita Klepov are well ahead in that aspect, and defensemen like Ryan Lin, Juho Piiparinen, and Xavier Villeneuve would all be superior choices on the back end.
Centers like Ilia Morozov and Brooks Rogowski would make more sense, too.
The Flyers have already done plenty well drafting for size up front. Martone is already an NHL contributor, and Berglund, Nesbitt, and Vansaghi will be soon, too.
They also still have 23-year-old Nikita Grebenkin, so four of these five forwards are bottom-six contributors at the NHL level, with Martone the obvious exclusion.
Nick Seeler isn't getting any younger and Emil Andrae looks to be on his way out, so the Flyers need to reinforce the left side of their defense at some point.
They also aren't getting much offense from two of their smaller defenders in Cam York and Jamie Drysdale, so that's another problem that needs solving at some point.
David Jiricek and Oliver Bonk could be solutions, but that's an added responsibility on top of simply developing into reliable NHL defensemen.
If the Flyers were wise, they would leave Pronman's thinking in the past and grab the most dynamic talent available to them in 2026.
If Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson didn’t make any friends in the second-round series that’s pitting Buffalo against the Montreal Canadiens, the same can be said about Zachary Bolduc. The 23-year-old winger struggled to find a role with the Habs during the regular season, but since the start of the playoffs, he has been very noticeable, and he’s shown that he enjoys poking the bear.
In Friday night’s game, Bolduc was on hand to come to goaltender Jakub Dobes’ rescue after Beck Malenstyn ran into him. The Trois-Rivieres native wasted no time in jumping on the Sabres forward, who was hanging on the net’s crossbar. He sent him down on the ice and threw a few punches, making it clear that such shenanigans would not be tolerated.
Beck Malenstyn with what seems like an attempt to injure Jakub Dobes, runs him at full speed.
It seemed like Bolduc was involved in every scrum on Sunday night. He got himself a roughing double-minor after an altercation with both Connor Timmins and Malenstyn in Alex Lyon’s crease. He’s quickly becoming for the Sabres what Zach Benson has become for the Habs, public enemy number one.
Late in the third, as he was tangled up with Logan Stanley and a lineman, Josh Norris took advantage and dishes him out a right-hand jab. Stanley and Bolduc bot got a minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct, while Norris escaped punishment.
On top of getting under the Sabres’ skin, Bolduc has also been getting on the scoreboard. On Sunday night, he completed the play so well orchestrated by Alexandre Carrier and Joe Veleno to score what would turn out to be the game-winning goal. Despite only spending 10:43 on the ice, he found a way to make an impact on the proceedings and has shown his teammates that he’s ready to go to battle for them.
That’s quite a change from the Bolduc who played in QMJHL a few years ago and who was known for shying away from physical battles. Watching him play these days, it’s obvious that he has understood what he needs to know to keep his seat at the table. Speaking to the media after the game on Sunday night, he was asked how he ended up being a part of all the battles, and he explained:
I don’t know, it’s just the way the game presents itself. I think it’s something that I can and want to bring to the Canadiens. Of course, there are times when you're toeing the line without crossing it. I take a lot of pride in that. No one thing explains why I’m always there for those moments.
-
Later on, he added:
As you said, I might have struggled a bit to find my identity in the regular season, but the playoffs are another season, and that’s how I approached it. I want to bring my strengths as much as possible, and if I’m a thorn in their sides, it’s for the best.
-
In 10 games so far this postseason, Bolduc has two goals and four assists for 10 points, 18 penalty minutes, and a plus-six rating, showing just how well he plays on both sides of the puck. Chances are, we’ll see Bolduc mix things up even more before this second-round series comes to a close.
The Montreal Canadiens picked up a 6-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 3. With this, the Canadiens now have a 2-1 series lead over the Sabres.
Alex Newhook was certainly a significant reason for the Canadiens' Game 3 victory over the Sabres. This is because the Habs forward scored two goals in the matchup.
With this strong performance, Newhook now has five goals and six points in 10 playoff games so far this spring. Yet, more notably, he has four goals over his last two games alone. With this, the 25-year-old forward is playing some excellent hockey at the perfect time for Montreal.
Newhook's strong start to the post-season comes after he had a solid 2025-26 regular-season. While Newhook was limited to only 42 games this season, he had 13 goals and 25 points. This is after he had 26 points for the Canadiens last season, but in 82 games.
With all of this, it is clear that Newhook is continuing to hit a new level with the Canadiens. It has been a successful campaign for the 2019 first-round pick, and it will be intriguing to see how he builds on it as the playoffs continue from here.
The Buffalo Sabres are facing their first true crisis since the middle of December, when they turned their season around and became one of the biggest surprises of the NHL season. After a one-sided 5-1 loss in Game 2 on Friday, the Eastern Conference Semi-Final with the Montreal Canadiens shifted to the Bell Centre. The Sabres entered the contest undefeated on the road, winning all three games in their series win over the Boston Bruins, but that perfect record may have had more to do with the quality of their opposition.
The Canadiens responded after allowing a Tage Thompson goal 53 seconds into the game, tying the game before the end of the first and scoring three times in the middle frame in a 6-2 victory over the Sabres on Sunday night. Similar to the loss in Game 2, Buffalo’s worst performers were their core players, as Thompson, Alex Tuch, and Rasmus Dahlin were all -2 on the night, while the Habs got a pair of tallies from their power play and significant contributions from depth forwards Alex Newhook, Zach Bolduc, and Kirby Dach.
“Montreal’s a good team, they made us pay for our mistakes.” Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said after the game. “I said before this started, they beat a hell of a team. They are a hell of a team. Don’t take them for granted. If we don’t realize it now, we’re never going to realize it.”
Apparent from nearly the outset was the Sabres inability to limit scoring chances. Goalie Alex Lyon was peppered with 29 shots over the first two periods, and in spite of playing well, could not make up for some lax Buffalo defensive play, such as Thompson and Tuch lagging behind and allowing Bolduc to close in on the goal that increased the Montreal lead to 3-1.
The Sabres were also unable to maintain a level of composure, which is something they displayed against the Bruins and in Game 1. After a scrum late in the first period in which Habs forward Zach Bolduc fell on top of Sabres goalie Alex Lyon, Sabres forward Beck Malenstyn’s response left little room for doubt, as he plowed into Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes at nearly full speed. Malenstyn’s minor led to Juraj Slafkvoský’s goal to make it 4-1.
“You have to be smart. We took five O-zone penalties. Our discipline for that wasn't good enough. You let them operate five-on-four." Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said after the game. "We ended up with a broken stick penalty killing, goal-against. And you give them that much time, they're going to get opportunities.”
The Sabres did not hold a scheduled practice on Tuesday, and possibly could make some lineup tweaks for Game 4. Veteran center Sam Carrick was cold-cocked by Montreal's Arber Xhekaj at the end of Game 3, while defenseman Logan Stanley could be replaced after an ill-advised pass on Bolduc's goal.
Cale Makar has already cemented himself as one of the most productive playoff blueliners in NHL history, recording 90 points across just 86 postseason games.
After a frustrating showing in Game 3, tonight’s Avalanche vs. Wild predictions set up as a prime bounce-back spot for Colorado’s star defenseman to make an impact offensively.
Avalanche: The Colorado Avalanche tend to respond very quickly following losses. While they definitely weren’t good enough in Game 3, they still managed to generate 4.39 expected goals and a whole batch of chances. That they’ve done that every single game bodes well for their outlook in Game 4 and the series.
Avalanche vs Wild best bet: Cale Makar Over 0.5 assists (-155)
Cale Makar is always lauded for his ability to control the game from the back end and have his hand in everything — and it’s true.
The superstar Colorado Avalanche defenseman has picked up a point in at least 57% of the on-ice goals in four consecutive seasons, and never below 52%.
So far in these playoffs? We’re talking 35%. The Avalanche are piling up the goals, chances, and shots with Makar out there, and he’s driving a lot of it. He just isn’t getting many points.
Given how many touches he gets every single night, and the kind of minutes he plays, that is bound to change.
Avalanche vs Wild Game 4 same-game parlay
Martin Necas has recorded three shots on goal in each game this series, and his attempt volume has progressively increased each game. Necas has Makar behind him a lot at 5-on-5, and the latter facilitates a lot on the power play, making the two highly correlated.
Going the other way, it’s hard not to get excited about Mats Zuccarello. He has averaged 2.7 shots on 5.0 attempts in this series and recorded multiple shots in 11 of the past 13 games against the Avalanche. They pay a ton of respect to Kirill Kaprizov, which opens things up for Zuccarello.
Avalanche vs Wild SGP
Cale Makar Over 0.5 assists
Martin Necas anytime goal
Mats Zuccarello Over 1.5 shots on goal
Avalanche vs Wild Game 4 goal scorer pick
Nazem Kadri (+295)
Nazem Kadri has recorded 15 shots on goal through three games, tying him for first among all players in the series. He is getting a lot of looks around the net, and his presence on the top power-play unit makes him a very strong value at this price.
The Colorado Avalanche have hit the Moneyline in 19 of their last 25 away games (+10.45 Units / 27% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Avalanche vs. Wild.
How to watch Avalanche vs Wild Game 4
Location
Grand Casino Arena, St. Paul, MN
Date
Monday, May 11, 2026
Puck drop
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN, Sportsnet
Avalanche vs Wild latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 09: Logan Stankoven #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with Taylor Hall #71 and Sean Walker #26 after scoring a goal on Dan Vladar #80 of the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period in Game Four of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 09, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Carolina Hurricanes are either the best team in hockey, or the biggest frauds in the Stanley Cup Playoffs — it all depends on who you ask. The Canes made history on Saturday night in Philadelphia with their eighth straight playoff win, and their second sweep in a row. It made them the first team in NHL history to sweep their first two series since the 1987 best-of-seven format began, the first team to start 8-0 in the playoffs since 1985, and only the fifth team in NHL history to start the playoffs 8-0.
Yet nobody can settle on whether this team is really a Stanley Cup favorite yet.
A lot of factors go into the acrimony when discussing Carolina. There’s long-standing bitterness over southern hockey being a thing, especially following back-to-back years of the Florida Panthers hoisting the cup. There’s the fact that the team plays hockey in a manner that runs counter to everything we know about success in the modern NHL. Also, there’s simply a reality that the Canes have had a pretty easy path through the postseason thus far, facing two teams that were bad strategic mismatches for them.
What that doesn’t mean, however, is that either the Ottawa Senators or Philadelphia Flyers are “bad teams.” Finishing with 99 and 98 points on the season, respectively, the Sens and Flyers were better than the entire Western Conference Pacific Division, better than the Utah Mammoth who the Golden Knights beat in the first round, and just one win worse than the Bruins, who the Sabres bested in the opening round. Yet, it’s become cool to hate on the Hurricanes’ opponents thus far as a means to discredit Carolina as being a legitimate team — foisting them with criticism no other team in the field is left with.
It’s absolutely fair to say that both Ottawa and Philadelphia were thrown into a mismatch blender. Both teams thrived during the regular season when playing on clean ice, with open passing lanes and room to set up plays. This is what the Hurricanes excel at stopping, running brutal forechecks with gutsy defensive rotations that flip the formation to send defensemen up ice to hassle opposing defenseman on the puck, allowing the forwards to stay home.
One of the hallmarks of Carolina hockey is to forget the model of play that wins in the NHL, and instead change the game into Hurricanes hockey. They thrive in limiting the effectiveness of star players, making the game be about depth rather than top-line strength, then take over when their third and fourth lines are stronger than their opponents. There’s no coincidence that hockey fans were wondering why Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle disappeared in the Sens series, or why Trevor Zegras and Travis Konecny couldn’t make inroads in round two. This was the Canes’ doing, and it worked.
“Their D… they have the best sticks I’ve ever seen. It was crazy. Some of the plays you’d just be like ‘I can get this through,’ like Slav [Jaccob Slavin] has probably the best stick in the league. I had two Grade-A’s [scoring chances] and they hit his stick and up in the netting. I was like ‘how on earth is that not in the back of the net?’”
The length of the Carolina blueliners is causing massive problems for any team trying to play pretty, puck rotation hockey. Throughout the Flyers series we saw the Philly attack get decimated due to deflections from Slavin, K’Andre Miller, and Alexander Nikishin — with their pairings in Jalen Chatfield, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Sean Walker serving more as the more traditional net battlers. This layered defense has been impenetrable in the playoffs and has been offset with the Canes showing more fight and edge that they have previously.
So why is there so much doubt that this can carry over to the cup? There are three fair statements to make:
The Hurricanes haven’t faced an elite, 90+ point player yet in the playoffs
They’ve been so good defensively that it seems impossible to keep it up
Carolina’s best players really haven’t turned up yet
Forgive the pun, but you can see the storm brewing for Carolina that this incredible run could go south quickly (another pun, sorry). Getting the better of Stützle or Konecny is one thing, but when that caliber of player changes to Nathan McKinnon, Martin Nečas, Nick Suzuki, or Kirill Kaprizov — can this same approach still work? Is there a break point to this defensive dominance where Carolina can be overwhelmed by star players, and if that happens can the Canes recover?
That is the real worry right now, and it’s fair to question what is happening with the Carolina top line. The heroes of the playoffs thus far for the Canes has been the Hall/Stankoven/Blake line two, which has been phenomenal — but there has been pronounced quietness from Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho, and Seth Jarvis on the top line, outside of a few glimmers of magic. We know that historically the NHL playoffs have been won through star power, even by teams like the Panthers who were bruising, but still leaned on Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Brad Marchand to drag them through.
If the Canes can’t get that top-line performance firing then there’s a chance they can’t assert their will on the game, which has a domino effect on the rest of the lines, thereby putting more pressure on the defense to bail the team out.
The biggest questions about the Hurricanes won’t get answered for some time, with Saturday being the earliest their next series can begin. Whether the Sabres or Canadiens come out of the Atlantic, either team will be the best opposition Carolina has faced, with more star power and deeper lines. If the Canes are able to keep up this dominance in the Eastern Conference Finals then we can really talk about their chances to beat the Avs or Wild in the West.
So are the Canes really cup favorites or pretenders? They’re both, and neither, and bizarrely somewhere in the middle. Carolina is a unique Rod Brind’Amour team that approaches hockey in a way no one else does, which means we can’t use the typical yardsticks to measure their potential. It’s all a big guessing game, but that’s what make these playoffs so much fun.
