On Thursday night, it looked like the Minnesota Wild was going to extend their series with the Colorado Avalanche to a sixth game when Nick Foligno's second of the game made it 3-0 in the first period. 

The Colorado Avalanche slowly but surely crawled back into the game, however, and Nathan MacKinnon tied it with 1:23 remaining in regulation. In overtime, Brett Kulak scored to send Colorado to the Western Conference Finals. 

The Chicago Blackhawks did Nick Foligno a favor when they traded him for "future considerations" on deadline day. He was able to join his brother for a playoff run, but it is over now. 

Foligno has been an incredible NHL player over the years. He had a handful of all-star type years, but has mostly been a great role-player and leader. The Chicago Blackhawks and a lot of their players will be impacted by his presence for a long time. 

When Foligno first left the Chicago Blackhawks, the coaching staff and players were honest about how much they were going to miss him. They also stressed that they were happy that he got to go be a part of a winning environment. 

"He's been awesome for the organization," Jeff Blashill said. "He's an outstanding human being. I'll miss him personally, and we'll miss him as a group."

Now, Foligno is a free agent who will make a decision about his NHL future over the summer. It's hard not to selfishly desire to see him play with his brother in the NHL for an entire season, but he deserves this chance to make his own decision.

The Avalanche is now the last team standing from the Central Division. They will face the winner of the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks, who have a 2-2 series tie heading into Thursday night's Game 5. 

Colorado ended Foligno's season, but it has been clear from the beginning of the season that they were the best team in the division and in the conversation for the best team in the league. Now, they will represent the Central in the final four as the favorite to win the Stanley Cup. 

Watch Both Nick Foligno goals:

finish out front 😤 pic.twitter.com/bqnHfYJTt5

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 14, 2026

STURMY WITH A NASTY PASS pic.twitter.com/es4YRch2gz

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 14, 2026

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Well, the stage was set for the Colorado Avalanche to seal the series in front of fans on home ice tonight against the Minnesota Wild. Doing so would mark the first time they’ve achieved that since 2008.

It seems the Wild had other plans as they scored 3o seconds into the game, cashed in on two more first-period tallies.

MacKenzie Blackwood got the start but didn’t make it to the second period, with Scott Wedgewood not allowing a goal once he did enter the game.

It was a tough start, but the Avalanche decided they didn’t want to write the same old story and flipped the script, roaring back in the second and third period and inevitably sealing the series and game in overtime on Brett Kulak’s game-winner!

COMEBACK COMPLETE. SERIES OVER. pic.twitter.com/85g4HJKnCI

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 14, 2026

The Game

When I say things couldn’t have started worse for the Avalanche, that’s not being dramatic.

There was a drastic contrast between Colorado’s focus and Minnesota’s, with the Wild seemingly coming to play and the Avalanche struggling to wake up.

36 seconds into the game, Brett Kulak and Brent Burns marked the same player, and Ross Colton got caught watching as Marcus Johansson was left alone in the high slot and beat Blackwood glove side.

Just like that, it was 1-0 Wild, but the disaster wasn’t done unfolding.

Next, it would be Nick Foligno who first tipped one in and on through Blackwood as Brett Kulak was unable to cover a breaking Foligno, and the puck trickled through Blackwood’s five-hole.

It would be Nick Foligno yet again, just about four minutes later, this time on a play where Nico Sturm broke in, cleared a shot that likely should have been iced by Blackwood.

Instead, a rebound popped right back to Sturm, who beat Ahcan to the loose puck, found Foligno, who tucked it in. We would end the first frame 3-0 Minnesota Wild.

The Avalanche would dominate possession and chances in the second frame, showing some life.

The puck was pinned in the corner, but finally squeaked clear of the scrum. Kulak retrieved and sent a cross-ice pass over to Burns, who put it on net. Parker would cash in via the re-direct, bringing the score to 3-1 Wild.

Keep pushing. pic.twitter.com/sTVBZWM5LA

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 14, 2026

The tide had shifted by the time the third period rolled around, but without another goal until well into the period, this one felt pretty much over.

That is, until Jack Drury scored on the re-direct with 3 and a half minutes left, re-igniting Ball Arena and Colorado’s chances at walking away victorious.

FIGHT pic.twitter.com/G4oodewojm

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 14, 2026

The Avalanche would get possession in the offensive end, pull Wedgewood, and go at it 6-on-5.

After a couple of attempts and some retrievals, Nathan MacKinnon was alone in his usual power play spot down near the goal line.

WHAT A SHOT BY NATHAN MACKINNON 🚨 pic.twitter.com/WHFOmmxCB2

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 14, 2026

This time, instead of looking for the bumper, he picked the corner right by Wallstedt’s ear and in.

Rewrite it, Nate Dogg. #GoAvsGopic.twitter.com/tzfebHgqe9

— Adrian Hernandez (@AdoHernandez27) May 14, 2026

Ball Arena erupted, and we’d head to overtime in game five.

The Wild had a couple of grade-A looks that didn’t materialize, and it was clear that the Wild were gassed early in the extra frame.

Parker Kelly would send a beautiful stretch pass that found Martin Necas cruising into the zone. He wrapped around the net, looked in a dangerous shooting position, but instead passed to Brent Kulak, who had nothing but net in front of him.

BRETT KULAK ENDS THE SERIES 🚨 pic.twitter.com/RpBoVSqzbl

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 14, 2026

He absolutely buried it, and the crowd once again went, dare I say… Wild.

Takeaways

Cale Makar was noticeably hobbled throughout the game, clutching at his right arm and shying away from shots and contact. The Avalanche did well to close out this series tonight so that Makar and others can begin healing in anticipation of the conference final.

Let the story of Brett Kulak inside this game be a lesson to all of us. You might start with some absolute duds, but if you stick to it and do the right things afterward, the puck might find your stick for the game-winner in overtime.

Before the season started, most Avs fans had said cup or bust, but reaching the conference final and getting beyond the second round has been difficult. Another dragon slayed.

One last takeaway: the sort of win that lives on forever if the Avalanche can continue their successful pursuit of the Stanley Cup.

Upcoming

We await the winner of the Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights, who are set to play game six tomorrow at 7:30 MT, with Vegas leading the series 3-2.

Let us know what you thought of this contest in the comments!

After the Rangers unlikely victory tying the 1928 Cup Final with manager Lester Patrick in goal, they still needed a netminder.

The best-of-five series was tied at 1-1 and it was a tossup whether the Rangers could survive.

Patrick's ultimate goalie choice was as unlikely as Lester playing goal – and winning – to tie the series. I kid you not; the man he finally selected to save the New Yorkers happened to be one of Canada's all-time great FOOTBALL players.

The Grey Cup was Canada's version of what American's Super Bowl is now and Lester's choice, Joe Miller, was a two-time Grey Cup-winner. The only trouble here was that the Stanley Cup was played on ice not on the gridiron.

"That didn't bother me," said Patrick, "Miller was a great athlete and I had seen him play goal for the New York Americans. Hey, we had no choice; we had to gamble and we gambled on Joe Miller."

It wasn't that Miller was a complete unknown. In addition to starring at football, Joe had been a minor league hockey goalie for several years. But, then again, this wasn't the minors; these were the games that would decide the Stanley Cup.

Patrick: "Since my Rangers  shared Madison Square Garden ice with the Amerks, I had seen enough of Joe Miller. Even though his record wasn't impressive, I figured he just might come up big in the final games."

Other Rangers endorsed the move and Frank Boucher was one of them. "Joe was playing for a bad Americans team and that's why his numbers were not that good."

The NHL records revealed that Miller played 28 NHL games for the Americans and finished with a 8-16-4 record and a decent 2.68 goals against average. However, that was not the playoffs.

With the series knotted at one win apiece, Miller lost Game Three 2-0, but with The Cup within the Maroons' grasp, Joltin' Joe blanked Montreal, 2-0, and what had become a monumental playoff now was tied with the finale coming up at Montreal's Forum.

As it happened, on the night of  April 14, 1928, Joseph Anthony Miller of Morrisburg, Ontario – Ottawa football ace – would record his finest hour as a hockey goalkeeper.

All Times EDT

Thursday, May 14

MLB

Colorado at Pittsburgh, 12:35 p.m.

Washington at Cincinnati, 12:40 p.m.

Detroit at N.Y. Mets, 1:10 p.m.

Miami at Minnesota, 1:40 p.m.

San Diego at Milwaukee, 1:40 p.m.

Seattle at Houston, 2:10 p.m.

St. Louis at Athletics, 3:05 p.m.

Philadelphia at Boston, 6:45 p.m.

Chicago Cubs at Atlanta, 7:15 p.m.

Kansas City at Chicago White Sox, 7:40 p.m.

San Francisco at L.A. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m.

NHL - Playoffs

Eastern Conference Second Round - Game 5

Montreal at Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Western Conference Second Round - Game 6

Vegas at Anaheim, 9:30 p.m.

WNBA

Minnesota at Dallas, 8 p.m.

New York at Portland, 10 p.m.

PWHL - Playoffs

Finals - Game 1

Ottawa at Montreal, 7 p.m.

_____

Vegas Golden Knights veteran forward Tomas Hertl knows what's expected of him as part of a potent offense.

Which is why he's more than relieved to not only have snapped a 29-game drought, but also a 16-game playoff drought that dated back to last season.

Hertl, who hadn't scored a goal since March 4 in a 4-3 overtime win in Detroit, hadn't scored a playoff goal since April 26, 2025 in a 4-3 overtime win in Minnesota.

Now, he's scored in back-to-back games, in Games 3 and 4 of the Knights' current series with the Anaheim Ducks.

"Obviously, it wasn't easy for me, you know," Hertl said. "The expectation for me is to make something happen on the ice. It was nice for me to score the last game, and especially tonight.

"I was very happy about it, because it was a pretty hard two months for me, because everybody expected I would score goals and make something happen. I obviously try to do other things, but it's always nice to get a couple. Hopefully, moving forward, I can help with a couple more goals.”

Vegas coach John Tortorella praised Hertl's line, with wings Brandon Saad and Colton Sissons flanking him.

"I know they were on the ice for the tying goal, but I thought they gave us some big minutes, and we're gonna need it," Tortorella said. "As the series keeps on going, we're gonna need all four lines."

Hertl, who acknowledged being benched at times and seeing limited playing time was difficult to absorb, said he tried not to think about his scoring drought the past two months but found it difficult.

Recent conversations with a supportive Tortorella, though, have helped ease him back into a comfort zone.

"We definitely had some talks about it, and he tried to help me around," Hertl said. "But it's always just nice to score the first one. Every game, when I was going through it, I just tried not to think about a goal because, especially in the playoffs, all that matters is winning the games. It doesn't matter who scores.

"Hopefully this is behind me and this stretch never happens, honestly, again, because it was way too long."

PHOTO CAPTION

Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period of game five of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena.

Game 5 is about to begin live from Ball Arena as the Colorado Avalanche look to clinch a spot in the Western Conference Finals with a win over the Minnesota Wild.

Let's get ready for a great game!

First Period

Just 34 seconds into the game, Marcus Johansson gave the Wild an immediate jolt, one-timing a feed from Matt Boldy from the slot to put Minnesota ahead 1-0 before the Avalanche had even settled in.

From the opening shift, the Wild made it clear they had no intention of going quietly. Minnesota established an aggressive forecheck early, finishing checks, forcing turnovers and swarming Colorado’s defensemen whenever they touched the puck. The Avalanche struggled to handle the pressure through the opening minutes and looked rattled by the pace and physicality.

Yakov Trenin, arguably Minnesota’s most relentless checker, set the tone physically. Less than five minutes into the game, he leveled Parker Kelly with a heavy hit before following it up with a cross-check to Kelly’s lower back that went uncalled.

Near the midway point of the period, Brent Burns tied up Mats Zuccarello in front of the Colorado net before wrestling him down to the ice after the whistle. The two exchanged shoves and punches while Zuccarello was on his back, adding even more tension to an already heated opening frame.

At 11:03 of the first period, Nick Foligno doubled Minnesota’s lead after tapping home a pass from former Avalanche forward Nico Sturm. It was a puck that Mackenzie Blackwood appeared to track initially, but it slipped underneath him through the five-hole and slowly crossed the line to make it 2-0.

Colorado briefly caught a break later in the period when Michael McCarron appeared to extend the lead to 3-0 by knocking a loose puck into the net. After review, officials ruled he had batted the puck in with his hand, overturning the goal. Still, the sequence wasn’t without damage for Colorado, as Gabriel Landeskog was assessed a hooking penalty during the play. The Avalanche penalty kill managed to survive the ensuing Wild pressure and, at least temporarily, kept the game within reach.

Minnesota wasn’t done. With 4:04 remaining in the period, Foligno struck again for his second goal of the night after Sturm generated a pair of dangerous rebounds on consecutive shots. Blackwood survived the first chance, but the second rebound kicked directly into the slot, where Foligno batted it home to push the Wild lead to 3-0.

By the end of the opening 20 minutes, the Wild held a commanding 3-0 advantage while narrowly leading the shot count 13-11. But the score hardly reflected how lopsided the period felt. Colorado looked disorganized defensively, overwhelmed physically and shaky in net.

After an opening frame that could only be described as disastrous, it became increasingly clear that Scott Wedgewood deserved serious consideration for the second period — unless the Avalanche were intent on taking the far more difficult route toward a Western Conference Final berth by trying to clinch the series on the road instead.

Second Period

Colorado didn't have many high danger chances in the opening frame, but Logan O'Connor had a prime opportunity to get the Avs on the board in the early stages of the second. However, his one-timer just missed a wide-open net as his shot sailed by the left post.

Parker Kelly scored his second of the playoffs with nine minutes left in the second when he redirected a point wrister from Brent Burns to put the Avalanche on the board.

With less than five minutes left in the frame, Ross Colton detonated two vicious hits on Quinn Hughes that dropped the Wild defenseman to the ice and to the roar of the crowd inside Ball Arena.

The Avalanche went on their first power play with 3:08 left in the period after Damila Yurov high-sticked Cale Makar in the face. The need for Colorado to convert on this man advantage appeared critical. Unfortunately for Colorado, the power play appeared completely out of sync.

The Avs went back into the room trailing 3-1 entering the third period. Shots were in favor of Colorado 21-16.

Third Period

Scott Wedgewood made a critical save in the early stages of the third period after Vladimir Tarasenko was knocked down at center-ice by Nic Roy, but still managed to get back in the play, scoop up a loose puck, and fire a shot on net from the left circle. However, when the Avs needed a save, Wedgewood was there to keep his team in contention. 

The Golden Knights head to Anaheim with a 3-2 series lead over the Ducks, and a chance to wrap up their conference semifinal on Thursday, but will do so without one of their top defenders.

Defenseman Brayden McNabb has been suspended for one game for interference against Ducks forward Ryan Poehling during Tuesday's Game 5, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday.

The incident occurred at 8:55 of the first period, when McNabb was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for interference.

The Knights played the rest of the game without McNabb. After allowing the Ducks to tie the game at 2-all in the third period, Vegas won 3-2 in overtime.

"It’s just no sense talking about it ... I just don’t get it, coach John Tortorella said after the game. "High marks for the whole team tonight. I’m proud of the team tonight. Getting down, losing Nabber, one of our top D, losing him - I think he played three minutes - and still finding a way to get things done, to get a win, I’m really proud of the hockey club."

---

It can be quite difficult to find your game, especially after being a healthy scratch for 13 consecutive games. But Olen Zellweger looked like he hadn’t missed a beat when he made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut in Game 4 of the Ducks’ series against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Zellweger registered a primary assist in Game 4 on defensive partner Ian Moore’s game-winning goal and provided the equalizer late in the third period of Game 5, which helped send the game to overtime. You wouldn’t be able to tell he hadn’t played in a game in more than a month.

“Just practicing hard,” Zellweger said when asked about how he was able to stay in game shape despite not playing in a game for so long. “We’ve got extra time, extra workout sort of thing. You kind of know what it takes to stay in game shape, so I think all the guys who aren't playing are doing a pretty good job of that.”

Assistant coach Tim Army works with healthy scratches after morning skates, putting them through rigorous conditioning skates once the skaters in that gameday’s lineup have left the ice. He also frequently works with players after practices on improving their skills, whether it’s faceoffs, puck recoveries or board battles.

“He’s been awesome. He does a great job,” Zellweger said. “We do a lot of game-like things. A lot of things that keep us in game shape, too, with skating and tempo over speed sort of stuff. 
So it was awesome. He's always in a great mood. He's awesome to work with.”

Zellweger said there were a lot of things that went well in the Ducks’ 4-3 win in Game 4, which helped them even the series heading back to Vegas for Game 5. He pointed to the different perspective that he had while watching games from the press box and how he would envision himself in those game situations, to better prepare himself for if he were to end up being down there at any point.

“Overall, I felt fine. 
I think my timing felt pretty good. Just trying to communicate and get to my spots. When I'm watching from above, I'm trying to see the situations I'd be in, so I didn't feel like it was that crazy. It was a lot of time (being out), but just wanted to go out there and play direct, simple and help the team where I could.”

Between Games 3 and 4, head coach Joel Quenneville said that he wanted to incorporate the defensemen offensively as much as they can, and see the team skating at a higher level and doing things quicker. The insertion of Zellweger surely did that.

“I think when there's those opportunities, especially with the skill we have, it can be dangerous for the other team,” Zellweger said. “Jumping in where I can, still having the discipline with our structure. But I think it's harder to defend when we're active, especially at the right times.”

“I loved the shot,” Quenneville said of Zellweger’s Game 5 goal. “He was active, he was skating. He had some possession time, too, as well off the rush or endzone. He was a factor, and good to see him respond in the last couple of games after watching as much as he did. 
It was a great response.”

“Zelly made a great play there and was able to get himself open and make a great shot,” Cutter Gauthier, who set up Zellweger’s goal, said. “He’s been extremely disciplined with how he carries himself on and off the ice this whole season. When he heard his name called these last handful of games, he was ready to go. Kudos to him for having a great mindset these last few months, it pays off with the big goal.”

Zellweger received more ice time down the stretch in Game 5, which led to him being on the ice for that game-tying goal. He played nearly 17 minutes, with almost all of it coming at even strength.

“Commend him,” Quenneville said. “That’s a great attribute to show, his competitiveness. Stayed with it. Professional for a young kid, knowing that you lose your lifetime dream of not playing in a playoff game. And then he bided his time, he worked his tail off, getting himself not just conditionally ready for it, but mentally. That was the thing that we were all appreciative of, how he approached it mentally and prepared himself to be a part of it and contribute in a meaningful way, and he did more than we were expecting.”

Anaheim is facing elimination for the first time this postseason, entering Game 6 down 2-3 after falling in overtime to the Golden Knights in Game 5. Confidence has been unwavering in the Ducks locker room, with a sense that they can push the Golden Knights to the brink.

“Yeah, a ton of confidence. I know this group is going to bounce back,” Zellweger said. “I think we have all playoffs long. We're going to take a few lessons from this one, and then ready to go.”

“Everyone knows it's an elimination game in the room, but it's not something that's really talked about or said if everyone knows it,” Gauthier said. “Everyone’s gonna give just a little bit extra to try to get the win and force a game seven, so I’ve got confidence in the group that we'll get that job done.”

---

Related articles:

Takeaways from the Ducks' 3-2 Overtime Loss to the Golden Knights, Vegas Leads Series 3-2

Ducks GM Pat Verbeek Finalist for General Manager of the Year

Takeaways from the Ducks 4-3 Win over the Golden Knights, Series Tied 2-2

NEW YORK (AP) — Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb has been suspended for Game 6 of the team's second-round playoff series at Anaheim on Thursday night for his late hit that injured Ducks center Ryan Poehling.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced the suspension Wednesday, hours after holding a disciplinary hearing with him about the hit.

McNabb was given a 5-minute major penalty for interference and ejected 9 minutes into Game 5 on Tuesday night. While the hit was shoulder to shoulder, it came long after the puck was gone.

The back of Poehling's head hit the glass, and he was wobbly when he tried to stand back up. Teammates helped him off the ice, and the team ruled him out for the rest of the game because of an upper-body injury.

Vegas won in overtime to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Coach Joel Quenneville said Poehling is out. The Ducks have several options to replace him, whether it's another forward or a defenseman.

This is the first suspension for McNabb more than a decade into his career in the league.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

The Vegas Golden Knights will be without defenseman Brayden McNabb in their potential clinching game after he was suspended for one game for "his late forceful check" that injured the Anaheim Ducks' Ryan Poehling.

McNabb missed most of Game 5 for the first period hit, which left Poehling woozy. McNabb received a five-minute major for interference and game misconduct. Poehling left the game with assistance and didn't return.

The NHL Player Safety department said Poehling was no longer eligible to be checked at the time he was.

"With the puck having long been cleared away from Poehling and with sufficient time to elect to avoid or minimize contact, McNabb instead finishes the hit with considerable force," the NHL Player Safety department said in its suspension video.

Brayden McNabb has been assessed a 5-minute major and a game misconduct for this hit on Ryan Poehling 😬

Poehling needed assistance getting off the ice and has gone to the locker room 🤕 pic.twitter.com/hhHsqZlpzB

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) May 13, 2026

The Golden Knights lead the second round series 3-2 and can clinch a trip to the Western Conference final with a Game 6 win on Thursday night in Anaheim.

McNabb will be eligible to return in Game 7, if there is one, or in Game 1 of the conference finals if Vegas wins Thursday. The defenseman has averaged 20 minutes a game in the playoffs, with one goal, two assists, 22 blocked shots and 23 hits.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden Knights' Brayden McNabb suspended one game for interference

The Minnesota Wild are trying to avoid elimination against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 5 of their second-round NHL playoff series. The Avalanche will advance with one more victory. The Avalanche are favored by 1.5 goals. The over/under is set at 6.5.

How to watch Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche

• Date: Wednesday, May 13

• Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT

• Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO

• TV Channels: TNT, truT, HBO, CBC

• Live Stream:ESPN+ | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Odds

• Spread: Colorado Avalanche -1.5

• Moneyline: Colorado Avalanche -207 (64.6%) / Minnesota Wild +171 (35.4%)

• Over/Under: 6.5

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Kevin Korchinski is one of the team's most promising prospects. There is a reason why the Blackhawks selected the skilled blueliner with the seventh-overall pick of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. 

Korchinski is still looking to cement himself as a full-time NHL defenseman at this point in his career. The 21-year-old has played in 105 career NHL games over three seasons, but 76 of them came during the 2023-24 campaign when he was a rookie. With this, he has seen limited NHL action in recent years, but that certainly should change next season.

Korchinski had another solid year in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs, as he recorded two goals, 24 assists, and 26 points in 53 games. With this and the Blackhawks' blueline being less crowded, Korchinski has a good shot of being a regular on their NHL roster throughout next season.

When noting that Korchinski is still very young and has a ton of potential, it is hard to bet against him breaking out next season for Chicago. If he can hit that next level and cement himself as an impactful NHL defenseman, it would be huge for a Blackhawks club that is looking to take a step forward next season. 

After emerging as the Los Angeles Kings' top candidate on the coaching vacancy radar a few days ago, the Vegas Golden Knights have not yet allowed Los Angeles to speak with Bruce Cassidy. 

Report: Bruce Cassidy Emerges As Candidate For Kings Head Coaching JobAs the Kings move into their next phase of head coaching candidates, Bruce Cassidy appears to be a strong contender for the head coaching position.

According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Kings have not yet been given permission to speak with Bruce Cassidy in their coaching search, similar to reports yesterday about the Edmonton Oilers, who are also bidding to hire a former Stanley Cup champion. 

Per Elliotte, the Kings have also not been given permission yet to speak with Bruce Cassidy in their coaching search, similar to reports yesterday about Edmonton. https://t.co/IcYhZyPOfc

— Zach Dooley (@DooleyLAK) May 13, 2026

It's another fight between the Oilers and the Kings, this time it's off the ice, with both teams fighting for the same coach who is on their radar and happens to be a former Stanley Cup winner as a coach and a Jack Adams winner and finalist. 

Cassidy will likely interview with both teams as soon as Vegas grants them a chance to meet with the former Jack Adams Award winner. It's gonna come down to which team Cassidy thinks is the best fit for him long-term and which team he can build for the future and win with for many years. 

“As of last night, I was told that the Oilers and Kings, neither one has permission to talk to him yet,” Friedman on Bruce Cassidy. https://t.co/BqcgP41czm

— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) May 13, 2026

There could be another team that no one is talking about that will be interested in Cassidy, and maybe the Golden Knights will allow that team to interview Cassidy because they don't want one of their two divisional rivals to land their former head coach in the same division as them. 

It remains to be seen which direction the Kings will eventually take in their head-coaching search. With free agency approaching, the Kings will be under pressure to improve this roster once their coaching search is complete, following Anze Kopitar's farewell. 

With the Kings still very interested in Cassidy despite Vegas blocking the interview, will they move in a different direction with the coaching search, or will they wait until Vegas greenlights an interview? 

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The Pittsburgh Penguins should be looking to add more young talent to their roster this off-season. One player who would make a lot of sense for the Penguins to consider targeting because of this is Florida Panthers forward Mackie Samoskevich. 

Samoskevich is entering the off-season as a pending restricted free agent and is due for a nice raise from his $775,000 salary this year. With the Panthers having limited cap space, the Penguins should kick tires on the 2021 first-round pick's availability. 

If the Penguins acquired Samoskevich, he would give them another promising forward with good upside. The 23-year-old is coming off a solid season with the Panthers, as he scored 12 goals and set new career highs with 20 assists and 32 points in 77 games. This is after he had 15 goals and 31 points in 72 games with the Panthers during the 2024-25 season. 

With numbers like these, Samoskevich has already shown that he can provide solid secondary offensive production at the NHL level. However, with Samoskevich being so young, he certainly has the potential to hit a new level. He could do just that in a more significant role on a team focused on the future like the Penguins.

It will be interesting to see if the Penguins end up making a push for Samoskevich, but the fit looks good on paper.