The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Edmonton Oilers in overtime by a 4-3 final score in Game 4. With this, the Ducks now have a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Oilers and three chances to knock out the back-to-back Western Conference champions.
The Ducks can thank a former Montreal Canadiens forward for them being in this position, as Ryan Poehling stepped up big time for Anaheim in Game 4.
At the 2:29 mark in overtime, Poehling scored the game-winning goal for Anaheim. While skating with the puck in the offensive zone, Poehling took a shot from the edge of the circle, and it just got by Oilers goalie Tristan Jarry for the goal.
With this clutch moment, Poehling now has three goals and a plus-2 rating in four playoff games so far this spring with the Ducks. The former Canadiens forward has certainly been having a strong postseason for Anaheim thus far, and he will now be looking to keep it going from here.
Poehling was selected by the Canadiens with the 25th overall pick of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. From there, he played his first three NHL seasons with the Habs, where he had 13 goals and 22 points in 85 games.
Another former member of the San Jose Sharks has seen their season come to a close in unceremonious fashion. Cody Ceci and the Los Angeles Kings were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday, as the Colorado Avalanche swept their first round matchup.
Ceci, who signed a four-year contract with the Kings over the summer, failed to record a point in the playoffs and was a -2.
Ceci was a member of the Sharks for just over half of a season, as he was traded to the Bay Area during the summer of 2024. The Sharks acquired him and a third-round pick for defenseman Ty Emberson. In 54 games for the Sharks, Ceci scored four goals and 15 points while being a -9.
The Sharks then flipped Ceci to the Dallas Stars, alongside Mikael Granlund, ahead of the 2025 Trade Deadline, with San Jose getting draft picks in return.
Ceci will be a part of the Kings' blueline for the foreseeable future, as a result, the Sharks will see him quite a bit over the next few years as both teams will battle for a spot in the playoffs, much like this season.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings shakes hands with Gabriel Landeskog #92 of the Colorado Avalanche (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Colorado Avalanche News
L.A. Kings fans chant “Thank you, Kopi” after the Avs sweep the Kings in LA in game four. [ESPN]
How the Avalanche have taken advantage of college free agency to make up for lost picks. [The Athletic]
ICYMI: Kings coach Smith showered with glass after Avs fan breaks pane behind bench in Game 2. [TSN]
Avalanche Defeats Kings 5-1 in Game Four to Complete Sweep, Advance to Round Two. [NHL]
Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood is on an NHL Playoffs run Colorado hasn’t seen since Patrick Roy. [Denver Post]
News Around the League
Sunday Overreactions: Should the NHL re-examine offside review? [Sportsnet]
Dallas Stars player narrowly avoids catastrophic injury in Game 4 loss at Minnesota. [Star-Telegram]
Senators stung by being swept in ‘really tight’ 1st-round series. [NHL]
Oilers give Tristan Jarry playoff start in Game 4 of series against Ducks. [Western Wheels]
Cole Caufield pens a look at the early years of his career with the Montreal Canadiens. [Players’ Tribune]
Apr 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) looks on during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
William Liang/William Liang-Imagn Images
LOS ANGELES — Anze Kopitar skated to center ice and slowly circled, his arm raised in gratitude, while he took in one last standing ovation. His Los Angeles Kings teammates pounded their sticks on the ice before escorting him to the bench and up the tunnel for the final time.
The Kings captain’s two-decade NHL career ended with the pain of a first-round playoff sweep by the Colorado Avalanche, yet he also basked in the love and well-wishes of every fan and teammate who came along for the last stretch of this remarkable journey.
“It was hard to keep it together, really,” Kopitar said. “Being here for 20 years, more than half of my lifetime, it’s extremely special. I really appreciate the fans.”
After arriving in Los Angeles as a raw Slovenian teenager, Kopitar played more games and scored more points than anybody in Kings history. He grew into a team captain and a family man with a wife and two children.
And he won two Stanley Cups, of course.
With a formidable legacy secured, Kopitar could smile through tears as he began the next chapter of his life in retirement.
“It’s very bittersweet, for sure,” Kopitar said afterward with his kids standing nearby. “There’s going to be some tears, yes, but that’s the way life goes, right? It’s a circle. It’s been one hell of a ride for 20 years. The good, the bad and the ugly. Not the way we wanted to go out, but it happened, and we’ve got to live with it.”
Kopitar’s 20th season with the Kings ended with their 5-1 loss to the powerhouse Avalanche, who have looked like the NHL’s best team for most of this season. Kopitar had experience in being on the best team during Los Angeles’ run to its only two championships and a Western Conference finals in a three-season stretch of glory from 2012-14.
The Kings never recaptured that excellence in his second decade, losing seven consecutive first-round playoff series, but he served as their captain for 10 years and cemented his status as a beloved sports figure in Southern California.
Even after the Avalanche won the first three games of this series, Kopitar was hopeful his career wasn’t quite over. When Colorado went up 4-1 in the third period of Game 4, he realized time was short.
“It hit me with about five, six minutes to go that this could be it,” Kopitar said. “For the last 20 years, I’ve never experienced that. There’s always a next game, there’s always a next year, and now it’s done. So it’s hard to comprehend.”
His fans in Los Angeles didn’t want to say goodbye: They repeatedly chanted his name in the third period and serenaded him with “Thank you Kopi!” He got standing ovations on his final two shifts before the final horn.
He then got hugs from Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog and superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar in a warm postgame handshake line.
“He’s a special guy on and off the ice with what he’s done and what he’s meant to this city,” said Avalanche defenseman Brent Burns, who spent many years playing against Kopitar with the rival San Jose Sharks.
Adrian Kempe and other Kings were in tears afterward when they contemplated life after Kopitar’s captaincy. Drew Doughty, Kopitar’s teammate since 2008, uncharacteristically was lost for words.
“I’m trying not to think about it right now, but man, he had an unbelievable career,” said Doughty, now the only player left in Los Angeles from its two championship teams. “He means so much to this organization. It’s going to be tough without him.”
The Kings made 11 playoff appearances with Kopitar, who played in a franchise-record 107 postseason games. Only Wayne Gretzky scored more points for Los Angeles in the playoffs than Kopitar.
He ended the regular season as the Kings’ career leader in games played (1,521), assists (864), points (1,316 after finally passing Marcel Dionne), overtime points (34) and game-winning goals (79). He scored his final goal on March 28, and he went scoreless in the four-game series against Colorado.
The farewell that began in September with his retirement announcement finally ended in late April. Kopitar has said he is moving his family back to Slovenia next year to allow his children to pursue their passions in hockey and figure skating.
“That’s what they deserve,” Kopitar said of his kids. “They’ve been 11 years (and) 9 years with a so-called part-time dad, and now they’ll get full time.”
As of Sunday, Los Angeles Kings captain Anze Kopitar has officially retired from the NHL following a 4-0 series loss to the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
In the aftermath of Sunday's 5-1 defeat, Drew Doughty, Trevor Moore and Adrian Kempe spoke to the media and were asked to reflect on Kopitar's 20-year career in Los Angeles.
Kempe, teammate of Kopitar's since being drafted by the Kings in 2014, had trouble sharing his thoughts because of how emotional he was, choking up and having tears in his eyes.
"He's been there my entire career," Kempe told reporters. "(I) want to thank him for everything he's done."
Later, he was asked about how different the team's leadership would be with Kopitar no longer a part of the group, and he could barely get through his answer.
"It's going to be different, obviously, leadership," he admitted. "Other guys, myself, have to step up."
Doughty, another longtime teammate of Kopitar's, also didn't say much in his media availability. But that didn't stop him from looking back on the career he's had.
"He had an unbelievable career," the Kings' defenseman told reporters. "Means so much to this organization, and yeah, it's going to be tough without him."
With Kopitar now retired, Doughty becomes the longest-active tenured player for Los Angeles, just completing his 18th campaign with the organization.
Left winger Trevor Moore was able to provide more of an assessment regarding what Kopitar meant to the franchise, but also to his teammates and the guys in the dressing room over the years.
"I think the culture that he brought, the no nonsense, be a pro when you come to the rink, play the game the right way," Moore said to the media. "If you cheat, it's unacceptable because Kopi never cheats.
"He's just a guy that everyone looks to. 'What do we wear in meetings?' All that kind of stuff… runs through Kopi."
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
The NHL playoffs continue to deliver, and I’ve got a trio of NHL player props for the pair of games on the ice this Monday, April 27.
My NHL picks begin with Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs in the early game, and wrap up with Utah Mammoth starter Karel Vejmelka in the nightcap.
Best NHL player prop bets today
Player
Silovs Over 22.5 saves
-110
Schmaltz Under 0.5 points
+120
Vejmelka Over 24.5 saves
-130
img alt="Get a first bet encore up to $800 with the BET99 promo code COVERSNHL" width="100%" loading="lazy" src="https://img.covers.com/promo-articles/bet99nhlcreative2526.jpeg"Get a first bet encore up to $800 with BET99 bonus code COVERSNHL. (not available in Ontario)
Our best NHL player props for Monday, April 27
Take a look at our best bets and expert analysis below.
Prop #1: Arturs Silovs Over 22.5 saves
-110 at BET99
Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs turned away 28 of 30 shots with 1.68 goals saved above expected to extend the series in Game 4, and he’s no stranger to postseason success.
The 25-year-old Latvian played 10 playoff games for the Vancouver Canucks in 2024, and he was the Calder Cup Playoffs MVP after a championship run with the AHL Abbotsford Canucks last spring.
The Philadelphia Flyers have also recorded 27.7 shots per game across the past three, so Silovs stands to see enough rubber to go Over the number again tonight.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ESPN, Sportsnet
Prop #2: Nick Schmaltz Under 0.5 points
+120 at BET99
Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz plays go-to minutes. It’s just that those minutes are coming against the best players jumping the boards for the Vegas Golden Knights, and Schmaltz is overmatched.
He’s only been on the ice for 0.83 expected goals and a 31.0 xGF% while combining with wingers Lawson Crouse and Clayton Keller for a 34.9 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5.
I'm backing Schmaltz to go pointless for the third time in four games in this series.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ESPN, Sportsnet
Prop #3: Karel Vejmelka Over 24.5 saves
-130 at BET99
It’s been a solid series for Mammoth starter Karel Vejmelka. He’s posted a .916 SV% with 2.75 GSAx, and despite Utah posting just a 42.6 CF% and 44.4 xGF% at 5-on-5 through the first three games, the Mammoth hold the 2-1 series lead.
With the Golden Knights driving the play, behind in the series and averaging 28.0 shots per game, look for the ice to continue tilting in their direction in Game 4.
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.
Apr 25, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates back to the bench after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Eric Hartline/Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
At one point, Sidney Crosby could have seen more of himself on an interstate billboard than on a playoff highlight reel for the Penguins.
Ask anyone who has followed his career, the two-time NHL MVP doesn’t stay down for long.
Crosby responded like a captain should with his Pittsburgh Penguins in a 0-3 series hole to the in-state rival Philadelphia Flyers, notching his first goal, an assist and a screen that set up longtime teammate Kris Letang’s crucial goal in a 4-2 series-extending win.
“With every game of the series, it’s more difficult,” Crosby said. “But we’ve got some life and we’ve got to take advantage of the opportunity of going back home now.”
The 38-year-old Crosby, now in his 21st NHL season, long had tormented the Flyers. He has more points against them than any other player has scored against Philadelphia, along with thrice raising the Stanley Cup since the Flyers won their two titles in 1974 and 1975.
He still has to absorb the boos and profane chants directed at him from the moment he hits the ice for warmups to his final shift. The sports travel group Phans of Philly even paid for a billboard of Crosby lying face down on the ice along with the definition of embellishment after he was penalized for it in Game 3. And he managed one assist through the first three games.
But he made a heads-up play when he kicked the puck to Letang and also set a savvy screen on defenseman Travis Sanheim, allowing Letang to have a clean look when beating Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar for a 3-1 third-period lead.
“It’s all those little details sometimes,” Letang said. “It’s not the crazy play or the passes. Finding a guy back post sometimes, it’s little details, like, picking the guy giving me a lot of time to pick my shot was an amazing play. So it just shows you how much IQ he has on the ice and, you know, what to do at every moment in every situation.”
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins
When/Where to Watch: Game 5, Monday, 7 p.m. EDT (ESPN)
Series: Flyers lead 3-1
The Flyers missed their chance to advance to play the Carolina Hurricanes, who never trailed at any point in the series in their four-game sweep of Ottawa. The Hurricanes will take the breather — while the NHL will gladly take at least one extra game in the first round’s signature rivalry series.
The Flyers still are in control with a significant lead. Coach Rick Tocchet preached in the moments after Game 3 that clinchers are often the toughest to win. The Flyers proved their coach right once.
“I don’t know if it’s complacent, we didn’t do the little small things,” Tocchet said.
The Flyers overcame youth and inconsistencies to reach the playoffs courtesy of a 14-4-1 run, becoming the NHL’s first team to make it after being 10 points out of contention with 22 or fewer games remaining. Then they surprised the NHL — and probably themselves — by winning twice in Pittsburgh and then Game 3 at home in their first postseason appearance since 2020.
“If somebody told you before the series it was going to be 3-1 after four games, you guys wouldn’t believe us,” Vladar said. “So we are good. Nothing’s changing for us. Still being positive in here. They are a really good team. It’s not easy to win four in a row against a team like that.”
Vegas Golden Knights at Utah Mammoth
When/Where to Watch: Game 4, Monday, 9:30 pm EDT (ESPN)
Series: Mammoth lead 2-1
Utah won its first-ever home playoff game by maximizing limited scoring chances.
Vegas only allowed 12 shots on goal, a franchise low for any playoff game. The Golden Knights even held the Mammoth to a single shot in the third period. It didn’t matter. Utah ripped off four unanswered goals over the first 30 minutes — converting half of their first eight shots on goal — while cruising to a 4-2 victory for the 2-1 lead in the first-round series. Lawson Crouse led the way, scoring twice over a six-minute span early in the second period.
“I think we stuck with it,” Utah forward Clayton Keller said. “They’re a great team, and they make you work for everything.”
Vegas allowed far fewer chances to score than it did during its Game 2 loss at home. The Golden Knights are feeling confident that’s a trend they can carry into Game 4 and perhaps steal a road win in Salt Lake City.
“We defend the proper way, then our offense will come, and I have full trust in the guys that way,” Vegas coach John Tortorella said.
It looks like the NHL is going to be adding insult to injury for the Ottawa Senators.
Just a day after they were eliminated in a four-game sweep by the Carolina Hurricanes, the league announced that Senators forward Ridly Greig would be having a hearing related to a sucker punch he threw at Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker.
During a second period scrum, Walker was already engaged with Senators forward Warren Foegele when Greig decided to throw an uppercut on Walker.
There was no penalty called on the play, but there was significant outcry around the league from the media, fans and former players regarding the dirty cheap shot.
According to Ottawa Citizen's Bruce Garrioch, the hearing will be over the phone, meaning Greig can be suspended for only a maximum of five games to begin next season.
Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle didn’t have the kind of season he wanted to have. He was limited to just 39 games in the regular season as he was once again bothered by injuries. He had to undergo adductor muscle surgery, which caused him to miss 39 games, and he was rested for a few games at the tail end of the season.
When he played his sixth game of the season on January 12, he struggled to find his rhythm, which wasn’t surprising as he had some serious catching up to do, but he eventually got there. Since the start of the playoffs, he’s been used on the Habs’ second pairing alongside Lane Hutson, and he’s played the right way, generally.
In the first four games of the Canadiens’ series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Guhle was on the ice for over 21 minutes; in one game, he played over 26 minutes, and in the first three meetings, he landed 10 hits. Ahead of the series, he had said that he looked forward to “being a prick” against Tampa, and he’s certainly done that, punishing the Bolts’ forwards at every turn, but it was particularly true on Sunday night.
In the Habs’ 3-2 regulation loss, the gritty defenseman landed 11 hits, one more than he made in the first three games combined, and he managed to stay away from the penalty box, which was no small feat. On top of being very efficient on the penalty kill. He was even the architect of the Canadiens’ first goal of the game, spotting Zachary Bolduc gathering speed in acres of space and sending him a picture-perfect pass.
While he was understandably disappointed with the loss, the blueliner remained philosophical after it, telling the media several times, “that’s playoff hockey for you” and that there were “off calls, probably for both sides”. When asked what the lesson was about this loss, he replied:
I don’t know, just hopefully next time, the puck doesn’t go off a guy’s face in the net.
-
Asked how frustrating it was that Nikita Kucherov was right back in the game after staying down for several minutes and needing the trainer’s assistance after Jake Evans cross-checked him in the back, he replied: “Yeah, it’s frustrating.”
The Canadiens must now forget about that frustration, turn over a new leaf and head to Tampa like it’s a brand new series, just a shorter one that has become a best-two-out-of-three affair.
Mike and Dan recap some news around the Islanders and their AHL affiliate, question the team’s bizarre partnering with JELL-O and reveal some important announcements.
While fans like us are still mad about the Islanders being home during the NHL playoffs, there was some news coming out of the team’s prospect pool. The Bridgeport Islanders ended their 25-year-run in the city with a short and unsuccessful stay in the playoffs that mirrored how the big club ended their season. Once again, there are things to celebrate, but also things to be sad and disappointed about. Many have fond memories of the longtime minor league outpost that will become more intense as the move to Hamilton inches closer to finality. But there is excitement about a fresh start in a lush new home, and it will be a fascinating experiment to watch the… whatever they’ll be called.
Later, we do something people have been asking about for a while and give the Islanders themselves the Master Leaf Theatre treatment. What seems like an innocuous corporate cameo appearance is, for us, a concerning look at the team’s real priorities. It’s fair to wonder what truly matters here, as this flashy new toy isn’t exactly filling us with the childish sense of fun it’s supposed to and feels more like a peek into a dystopian future.
Sprinkled throughout the show are three big announcements about a sweepstakes, a poll for our Weirdest Islander of the Year and our schedule for the rest of the offseason. So stick with us through the whole thing.
The UBS Arena JELL-OMeter was a weird thing at a weird time. The Islanders are trying very hard to shove some very un-Islanders ideas into people’s faces.
Subscribe to our Patreon! Members get ad-free episodes of all our shows, bonus podcasts, written posts, discounts and much more. Or follow us for free to get announcements and our weekly release calendar. Try a free 7-Day trial of our Country Club tier to sample what we offer.
The Pinot Project has a Rosé, a Pinot Grigio and a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Pinot Noir, all under $15 a bottle. Available at local wine stores and UBS Arena.
Visit Lighthousehockey.com for the most up-to-date Islanders news and discussion.
Islanders Anxiety podcasts are part of the Fans First Sports Network (@FansFirstSN).
Theme song: “Morning Haze” by Family Dinner. Hear more of their music on Spotify.
Please subscribe, download, rate, review or spread the word about Islanders Anxiety, Weird Islanders: The Podcast! and all of our podcasts any way you can. All of it helps to raise the show’s profile and maybe could get us another fancy sponsor to sell out to in the near future. Leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Most everyone is of the impression that the puck crossed the line in overtime as the Edmonton Oilers now find themselves down 3-1 in their first-round series with the Anaheim Ducks. Logic suggests it was in. But, that's not really the point, is it?
Logic alone is not supposed to be enough to determine such a critical call in a potential series-changing decision. You need proof. The officials didn't have it.
First, with no conclusive video evidence showing the full puck in the white space behind the goal line, there is no footage proving that a part of the puck wasn't touching the goal line.
Second, no referee was in a position to call the goal good while the play was happening. Yet, somehow, after not calling a goal, the officials got together and ruled the puck had crossed. They essentially overruled their indecision. That choice meant the war room had to find enough evidence to overturn the call on the ice. They couldn't. As such, the goal stood.
It was a situation where, as the rules are supposed to work, they ended up working against the Oilers.
"Worst call I’ve ever seen. In the history of the NHL, this is it," said Spittin' Chiclets Ryan Whitney. After some time to reflect, Whitney posted another video saying, "I’ve had time to cool off. It was probably in. But calling it a goal on the ice will never make sense to me."
Why Did The Officials Call It In?
Fans can argue it was in. They're probably not wrong. Still, there has to be definitive proof, which didn't exist, and no official, if tied to a lie detector, can honestly claim they saw the puck cross. That's where the Oilers should take issue.
"The issue I have with this is I don't understand how you can say that puck is completely crossing the goal line. There's no official behind the net there," said the Hockey Central Panel after the game.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman noted on the broadcast that the NHL war room didn't have any additional footage that the network or fans hadn't seen. The goal was called good because there wasn't enough evidence to suggest the officials call on the ice was wrong. That's a rule everyone knows exists. Fair enough. What the Oilers should be upset about is how the officials, who had no way of actually seeing the puck over the goal line, decided that it crossed.
Friedman posted, "Apropos of nothing: no idea how they could call it a goal on the ice...no official was behind the net."
Jonny Lazerus posted what many are thinking: "It’s easy to guess that it completely crossed the goal line, but there’s definitely no way you can tell for sure based on Jarry’s skate."
There are going to be some crazyyyyy conversations about this tomorrow across hockey media.
It’s easy to guess that it completely crossed the goal line, but there’s definitely no way you can tell for sure based on Jarry’s skate. pic.twitter.com/tNPDXI6DUZ
"You never want to be on that side of it, and it's tough to lose that way. Tough to have the indecision of that, but I guess that's the way it goes. I wish it could've went the other way," said Tristan Jarry after the loss.
Jarry played extremely well, given he was called upon to start the game after weeks of sitting on the sidelines.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch said, "They call it a goal. You know, it's very close and often, and I've seen it before, where I've seen the past with thought goals have gone in and they haven't been able to prove them, so I thought that's what the call was going to be, but obviously they thought it was and just thought otherwise." He added that he was never given an explanation about how the officials were able to determine on the ice that the puck crossed.
Oilers Put Themselves in This Position
At the end of the day, the call doesn't make sense. However, there are bigger problems for the Oilers, stemming from the fact their play throughout this series has put them in a tough spot. Now on the brink of elimination, when all is said and done, if the Oilers don't advance, it won't be because of a strange call in overtime of Game 4.
Edmonton has been outplayed by Anaheim. The Oilers have had multiple leads in this series and have not been able to hold them. Up 2-0 again in Game 4, Edmonton let the Ducks tie it. The Oilers took a 3-2 lead, then the Ducks tied it again. It's been a common theme, as has the team's poor play on defense and refusal to keep the game simple.
Tristan Jarry confused by OT goal call. Credit: Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images
Now, the Oilers have to claw back. They've dug a hole and to get out, they'll need better play from their stars, most of whom are hurt or dealing with something.
Connor McDavid doesn't look right. Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman are still clearly impacted by lingering issues. Jason Dickinson was back in, but he's not whole. These aren't excuses. What they are is the reality of Edmonton's situation.
A team that was a heavy favorite coming into this series took the Ducks lightly. The Oilers forgot what style of game led them to a solid record over the last 10 games of the season and they've let a young team playing with house money run their show. As a result, they're backed into a corner and calls like the one is overtime on Sunday night could mean the end of their season.
After a cinematic gold medal victory by the United States at this year's Winter Olympics, some of the players from the historic American team have returned to their respective clubs with a newfound appreciation for what it means to win big games.
Among them is Connor Hellebuyck, whose standout performance backstopped the United States to Olympic gold. Now back with the Winnipeg Jets, the veteran goaltender has made it clear that individual accolades and regular season consistency are no longer enough.
With limited year-over-year progress from Winnipeg, Hellebuyck has made it quite clear that his sights are firmly set on capturing a Stanley Cup.
A similar mindset may be taking hold in Ottawa with Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, a fellow member of the gold medal-winning squad, who is coming off a disappointing playoff exit after the team was swept by the Carolina Hurricanes. The early elimination has only intensified questions about the Senators’ trajectory and whether their core can take the next step.
Tkachuk, 26, still has two years remaining on his contract with an $8.2 million cap hit. Given his age and leadership role, it remains plausible that he stays committed to Ottawa’s long-term plan. However, the lack of tangible improvement could eventually force a reevaluation, especially for a player who has now experienced championship success on the international stage.
Speculation around Tkachuk’s future has already begun to surface. NHL insider David Pagnotta said during an appearance on Leafs Morning Take that Ottawa is expected to at least listen to inquiries this offseason, noting there is “an understanding that they’re gonna at least explore the conversation this summer with other teams.”
If the Senators do entertain offers, one potential suitor could be the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit has been searching for a physical, high-impact forward who can complement its young core, and Tkachuk fits that mold. Known for his blend of grit and offensive production, typically ranging between 60 and 80 points per season, he could provide an immediate boost to the Red Wings’ lineup.
Tkachuk’s contract situation could also appeal to Detroit with his two season window giving the Red Wings to build a competitive roster around him and potentially persuade him to commit long term.
It's unlikely the Senators move off of their captain but if Detroit General Manager Steve Yzerman is looking to make a splash deal this off-season, they could shock everyone and make a move for a player like Tkachuk.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
The Winnipeg Jets scored 229 goals during the regular season, finishing 26th in the NHL, and a closer look at how those goals were generated shows a team with defined strengths but also clear offensive gaps.
At even strength, Winnipeg produced 163 of its 229 goals, with 155 coming at five on five, a mark that ranked 22nd league wide. Special teams did little to elevate that output with the Jets scoring 42 power play goals, tying for 24th in the NHL alongside the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Forward Gabe Vilardi led the team with 13 goals on the man advantage, tying him with several players, including Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, for 12th most in the league.
The Jets added 24 goals in other situations, including 13 empty netters, five with the extra attacker, five while shorthanded at four on five, and one via a penalty shot.
A deeper dive into Winnipeg’s scoring methods highlights a mixed offensive identity. The team was fairly effective with wrist shots, scoring 103 goals in that category, ranking 15th in the NHL. That total placed them ahead of playoff contenders such as the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes and the Montreal Canadiens. Star forward Kyle Connor led the way with 19 wrist shot goals.
In contrast, Winnipeg struggled to generate offense from snap shots as they finished with just 41 goals, the third lowest total in the league. Connor again led the team with nine, but the gap compared to top teams was significant. Montreal led the NHL with 133 snap shot goals, more than three times Winnipeg’s output.
Despite becoming less common across the league, the slap shot proved to be a strength. Winnipeg recorded 30 goals off slap shots, tying for the fifth-highest total in the NHL alongside the Presidents’ Trophy winning Colorado Avalanche. Defenseman Josh Morrissey led the Jets with seven goals coming off clappers.
Backhand scoring was also a bright spot for the Jets, as they totaled 26 backhand goals, ranking ninth in the league and again matching Colorado’s production. Surprisingly, depth forward Morgan Barron led the team with five backhand goals.
Elsewhere, Winnipeg’s production was closer to league average with tip in goals at 21 on the season, tying for 16th-most. However, deflections were an area of concern as Winnipeg managed just four deflection goals, tying for 25th in the NHL, well behind the league leaders, the New York Rangers and Nashville Predators, who each had 13.
The Jets also registered a rare wraparound goal this season, with Cole Koepke among a small group of players league wide to score in that fashion. Winnipeg did not score on a poke check, a batted puck, or a through the legs attempt.
As the organization looks ahead, improving offensive variety will be a key objective. Increasing production from snap shots and generating more opportunities around the crease could help the Jets become a more balanced scoring team and strengthen their chances of returning to the playoffs.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
For the fifth consecutive season, the Los Angeles Kings have been eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the first round. While their past four matchups have all been against the Edmonton Oilers, this time around, it was the Colorado Avalanche who dealt the final blow to Los Angeles, eliminating former Vancouver Canucks forward Andrei Kuzmenko.
The Kings kept things tight towards the start of the series, playing their heavy-forecheck style well and keeping Game 1 and 2’s scores separated by only one goal. In Game 3, Colorado managed to break through Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg by putting four past him compared to Los Angeles’ two goals. Colorado got off to an early lead, doubling-up by the end of the second period and then scoring three in the third to put the game out of reach for Los Angeles.
Kuzmenko missed the final couple of months of the regular season due to a knee injury, but made his 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff debut on April 23. In his previous post-season with the Kings, Kuzmenko scored three goals and three assists in six games for Los Angeles.
While not a player, another former Canuck has seen his 2025–26 playoff campaign end with Los Angeles’ elimination. Once an Assistant Coach for the Canucks on two separate occasions — from 2010 to 2013 and 2017 to 2021 — Kings Assistant Coach Newell Brown has also lost in the first-round for his second-consecutive season. Brown has been with Los Angeles since the 2024–25 season but has also previously worked in the same role for the Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Chicago Blackhawks.
Having eliminated the Kings, Colorado will now advance to the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where they will face the winner of the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild’s series. Regardless of which team wins, the Avalanche will face yet another former Canuck, with Tyler Myers and Casey DeSmith on the Stars and Quinn Hughes on the Wild.
Apr 23, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) is defended by Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brian Dumoulin (2) and left wing Andrei Kuzmenko (96) during the third period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Did it cross the line? We may never know — but what is certain is that the Oilers season is now on the brink.
The Ducks’ Ryan Poehling scored 2:29 into overtime after his sharp-angle shot hit an Edmonton skate in front and reluctantly trickled under goalie Tristan Jarry for a 4-3 Anaheim victory.
The refs officials made no call on the ice before huddling and ruling it a goal. An extensive video review revealed no reason to overturn the judgment on the ice that the puck had barely crossed the goal line underneath Jarry’s skate.
The puck was partially blocked out on the overhead angle by the goaltender’s skate, making it impossible to tell if it had fully crossed the line.
The puck is behind Oilers goalie Tristan Jarry and ruled a goal by officials. Getty Images
Poehling celebrated immediately, even though he wasn’t totally sure the game was over.
“I thought I saw some white (between the puck and the goal line) when I was behind the net,” Poehling said. “Then everyone was celebrating. Did it go in? I’m like, ‘I think so?’ But yeah, I thought so right away.”
Not all would agree with the Poehiling.
Longtime NHL player Ryan Whitney fumed in a video on X about the controversy.
“Bulls—t. This is bulls—t,” Whitney, who hosts the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast on Barstool. “This is a scam, you do not see the puck across the line… I don’t know how it was called a goal on the ice. Nobody can see anything and the replay doesn’t show the puck go over the line all the way.
“I feel like I’m taking crazy pills… This is a disgrace to the National Hockey League. This is the worst call I’ve ever seen in an NHL playoff game.”
Oiler coach Kris Knoblauch felt similarly, even if it didn’t quite use as strong as language as Whitney.
The Ducks react after Ryan Poehling scored what was eventually ruled the game-winning goal. AP
“I can’t see it going in,” Knoblauch said. “I can’t see the line. … The (initial) goal call on the ice was probably about 60 to 90 seconds after (the shot), maybe even more. They huddled when they got to center ice, and then they made the (initial) call that it was a good goal. I don’t know. Wasn’t very definitive.”
The Ducks now lead the first-round series 3-1 with Game 5 back in Edmonton on Tuesday night.
Jeffrey Viel tied it with 6:29 left in regulation for the Ducks, who rallied from an early two-goal deficit and another third-period hole with their third consecutive victory over the back-to-back Western Conference champion Oilers.
The Ducks completed their NHL-best 10th multi-goal comeback of the season when Poehling’s sharp-angled shot hit an Edmonton skate in front and reluctantly trickled under goalie Tristan Jarry, who had played well in his first playoff start for his new team.
Tristan Jarry’s skate blocks the overhead view. TSN/X
Cutter Gauthier and Mikael Granlund scored power-play goals in the second period for the Ducks, who have scored 20 goals in four games to begin their team’s first Stanley Cup playoff series in eight years. Lukas Dostal stopped 24 shots and made a pair of spectacular saves on Connor McDavid in the final minutes.
“We’re just playing so connected right now, and we’re doing a good job of doing the right things,” said Anaheim defenseman Jackson LaCombe, who leads the NHL in postseason scoring with eight points after recording two assists in Game 4. “We’re all just feeling great, and I think we’re all competing to the best of our ability, and it’s just paying off right now.”
Evan Bouchard scored a tiebreaking goal early in the third period and Jarry made 34 saves for the Oilers. Kasperi Kapanen and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored first-period goals.
"The issue I have with this is I don't understand how you can say that puck is completely crossing the goal line. There's no official behind the net there."
Edmonton nearly won it late in regulation, but Dostal made a sprawling pad save to deny McDavid on a late breakaway — and Dostal added another big stuff of McDavid in the final minute. The Oilers’ superstar center, who is suspected to be dealing with an injury, had two assists in Game 4.
Jarry struggled for Edmonton right after arriving in a midseason trade with Pittsburgh, losing his job to Connor Ingram. But with the Oilers struggling mightily to stop the fast, exciting Ducks, Knoblauch made the switch for Game 4 and got a solid effort from Jarry, who hadn’t played since April 8.
The Oilers also improved their defensive structure after a shambolic Game 3 – and yet the energetic, hungry Ducks still pumped in four more goals despite never leading.
The Ducks celebrate the Game 4 win. Getty Images
Kapanen silenced the raucous sellout crowd at Honda Center 38 seconds after the opening faceoff with his fourth goal in four games. Nugent-Hopkins then scored just Edmonton’s second power-play goal of the series.
The Ducks began yet another comeback with a vicious wrist shot from Gauthier, their 22-year-old top scorer. Anaheim’s once-awful power play has scored in eight consecutive games.
Granlund and Leo Carlsson then teamed up for a fluid give-and-go to tie it.
Bouchard ripped a wrist shot for a tiebreaking goal just 4 seconds into an Oilers power play, but the Ducks’ fourth line tied it again, with Viel punching home a rebound of John Carlson’s shot for his second career playoff goal.
Silovs Over 22.5 saves
Schmaltz Under 0.5 points
