Carolina's Taylor Hall received a two-minute penalty for Thursday's hit, which sent Sanderson's helmet flying. Sanderson, who also blocked a shot with his hand, played two more shifts before heading down the tunnel during a power play.
Senators coach Travis Green told reporters that the hit to the head was what caused the defenseman to leave the game.
"I just don't understand how there's not a five-minute major called on the hit to the head," he said. "It's a blatant hit to the head, the kind of hits you don't want to see.
This is a brutal hit by Taylor Hall on Sanderson, which got two minutes for an illegal check to the head.
"It's ridiculous there wasn't a review. They called a review on (Senators captain) Brady (Tkachuk) on a penalty that I don't even know what the penalty was, and they totally miss a review on (Hall)."
Sanderson, who won a gold medal with Team USA at the Olympics, was the Senators' top-scoring defenseman with 54 points in the regular season. He has two assists in the playoffs and played 43 minutes in Ottawa's double-overtime loss in Game 2.
The Senators lost 2-1 on Thursday and trail the best-of-seven series 3-0. They will try to stave off elimination at home on Saturday, April 25.
For a second straight season, the Ottawa Senators have opened the Stanley Cup Playoffs with three straight losses. They fell 2–1 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night, and now trail their first-round best-of-seven series three games to none.
Jackson Blake scored late in the second period to give Carolina a slim 2–1 advantage, but it somehow felt insurmountable on this night—much like a 5–1 game.
Blake scored just 1:23 after Drake Batherson had tied the game at one on a slick feed from Nick Cousins. That goal sent the Canadian Tire Centre crowd into a frenzy and should have given the Senators momentum heading into the second intermission.
But Blake’s goal absolutely sucked the life out of the building.
K’Andre Miller was left wide open at the left point and walked right in. Logan Stankoven drove hard to the net, knocking over Thomas Chabot, which left Blake all the time he needed to corral a cross-ice pass from Miller and bury it into the open net.
Stankoven had the other Canes' goal and now has three in as many games.
Taylor Hall helped set up both of Carolina’s goals, but his most damaging blow to the Senators was his direct headshot on defenceman Jake Sanderson. Sanderson tried to stay in the game but eventually left and did not return. Hall dropped a shoulder into Sanderson, making primary contact with the side of his head and creating the kind of rotational force that can often leads to more severe concussion symptoms.
In all likelihood, had Sanderson stayed down the way Jordan Martinook did later in the game after a collision with Brady Tkachuk, it might have led to a review and a major penalty for Hall.
Senators head coach Travis Green said he’d be shocked if the league doesn’t take further action.
“I just don’t understand how there’s not a five-minute major called on the hit to the head,” Green said. “It’s a blatant hit to the head. It’s the kind of hit you don’t want to see. I think it’s ridiculous there wasn’t a review. They call a review on Brady on a penalty that… I don’t even know what the penalty was.”
In reality, even if Hall had been assessed a more severe penalty, the Senators’ power play likely wouldn’t have capitalized. In the second period, Ottawa had five power-play chances, including a 5-on-3 for 1:28, and came away with nothing.
While it’s tempting for Senators fans to rip the team apart right now, it should also be noted that the Hurricanes are playing a different level of hockey. The Senators entered these playoffs likely prepared for a team like the 2024–25 Toronto Maple Leafs, but the 2026 Carolina Hurricanes are a different animal, playing an elevated, frustrating style of postseason hockey that Ottawa just hasn’t been able to match, despite its best efforts.
The Senators will try to avoid a four-game sweep on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
Buffalo's switch to goalie Alex Lyon in net paid off as the Sabres beat the Boston Bruins 3-1 for a 2-1 lead in their first round series.
Coach Lindy Ruff gave Lyon the start after he finished up a Game 2 loss. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had been pulled in that game after giving four goals on 19 shots, including a long flip shot from center ice.
Alex Lyon made 24 saves, giving up only the game's opening goal to Boston's Tanner Jeannot. Buffalo denied Viktor Arvidsson's penalty shot at 9:50 of the second period before scoring the game-tying goal just 1:08 later.
Noah Ostlund, an injury replacement for Josh Norris, drove down the left wing and slipped a pass from beyond the goal line to Bowen Byram in the right circle, where he knocked home a low wrister over Jeremy Swayman's glove.
Alex Tuch scored the winning goal, sliding down to the top of the left circle to snap a shot high on Swayman in the third period.
Ostlund scored an empty-netter.
Hurricanes take 3-0 series lead vs. Senators
Logan Stankoven scored for the third consecutive game and the Carolina Hurricanes put the Ottawa Senators on the brink of elimination with a 2-1 win in Game 3.
Carolina leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 and Game 4 is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.
Jackson Blake also scored for the Hurricanes. Taylor Hall had two assists, and Frederik Andersen made 21 saves.
Drake Batherson scored his second goal of the series for the Senators, who have yet to have the lead at any point through three games. Linus Ullmark made 25 saves in the loss.
Carolina went 0-for-4 on the power play; Ottawa was 0-for-5 and is 0-for-12 for the series.
Stankoven opened the scoring, giving the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead at 5:13 of the first period. Hall got his own rebound after a shot on the rush, circled behind the net and then passed across to Stankoven, who scored on a wrist shot from the left circle.
Brady Tkachuk got in alone against Andersen early in the second period, but his backhand attempt was stopped.
The Senators had a 5-on-3 power play for 1:28 midway through the second period but did not convert.
Ottawa defenseman Jake Sanderson left the game at 10:07 of the second period with an apparent injury after taking a shot off his left hand. He had earlier taken a shot to the head from Hall.
Batherson tied it 1-1 at 16:06 when he received Nick Cousins' pass in the slot, went to his backhand and lifted it in over Andersen's pad.
Blake put the Hurricanes back on top 2-1 at 17:29. K'Andre Miller received a pass at the point, skated down to the top of the left circle and passed down across to Blake, who scored past the diving Ullmark from the far post.
OTTAWA, CANADA - APRIL 23: Logan Stankoven #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after a goal during the first period against the Ottawa Senators in Game Three of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 23, 2026 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Logan Stankoven-Jackson Blake-Taylor Hall line continued their dominance of the series, both Power Plays looked more like they were stuck in black out conditions, and the Carolina Hurricanes showed their playoff experience by entering a hostile road arena and silencing it by defeating the Ottawa Senators 2-1. Carolina now holds a 3-0 lead in the best of seven series.
As expected, the Ottawa crowd was loud, trying to lift the Senators in the first few minutes and establish a tone as their home team entered the series down 0-2. The Senators would go on to follow up on this tone and out hit the Hurricanes 17-9 in the period, but it was clear that the Hurricanes expected the rush and weathered it well. Then just a scant five minutes in, the center-of-the-sun hot Logan Stankoven opened the scoring for the third straight game.
The play showed why the Canes traded for Taylor Hall last season. A year plus later, he’s found his spot and two line mates who seem to just feed off him, and vice-versa. Hall entered the zone alone, and had the space to throw a shot on Linus Ullmark. Ullmark made the shot, but the rebound bounced back to Hall who sped by, went behind the net, and fed a beautiful pass to an open Stankoven who immediately fired to get it past the goalie for a 1-0 lead.
The period had a chance to really get away from Ottawa after that, as the Senators would three penalties—two in the offensive zone. The Canes power play, however, fizzled as it went 0-3 and really didn’t have that many great shots on Ullmark. Frederick Andersen—starting his third game in a row—was sharp and while the shots were nearly even at 10-8, the Canes entered the locker room with the one goal lead.
In the second, the Hurricanes evened out the penalty disparity and then some. Carolina would have to kill off four penalties in the first eleven minutes, including 1:28 of a five-on-three. It was an alarming break down of discipline with checks to the head, too many men, a trip, and a hook that were all so clear that the officials had no choice but to call them. Yet, the penalty kill rose up to knock off each one including the 5-on-3. By the end of the final segment of the fourth penalty the home fans were quiet.
It felt then that the next goal would be scored by the Canes, but much like the first period, the team that had all the Power Plays saw their only goal come at even strength. The puck entered at the blue line and Jalen Chatfield was able to get it across, but against the wall Jordan Martinook would bat the puck back in. Even though some of the Senators were in the zone, with Martinook being the one to push the puck in the play was onside and created a two-on-one with Nick Cousins and Drake Batherson. Cousins skated in and got the puck past a diving Jaccob Slavin over to Batherson, and Batherson beat Andersen to knot the score at one.
The Hurricanes wouldn’t be deterred and not even 90 seconds later Carolina retook the lead thanks not only to the Stankoven line but one of the sickest plays you’ll see from another summer acquisition, K’Andre Miller. On zone entry, Taylor Hall was able to draw multiple Senators over to him against the wall, Miller skated on the other side toward the goal and Hall was able to feed it to him. Miller played it like he was going to put a shot on Ullmark and at the last second threaded a pass over to an open Jackson Bake, who banged it in to give Carolina a 2-1 lead.
Carolina would end the period having to kill another penalty as Jordan Martinook committed another clear infraction, but they would also end the period outshooting Ottawa 10-7 despite giving up five penalties and 1:22 of a 5-on-3.
The Power Play struggles for both teams continued in third as the Senators weren’t able to convert on the end of their advantage, and then Carolina had perhaps their worst power play later in the period when Brady Tkachuk was called for a major penalty that was reduced to a minor on review. All it managed to accomplish was melting two minutes off the clock, but by that point in the third the Senators were completely worn down. What didn’t help was the injury to yet another key defenseman. Jake Sanderson took the Hall check to the head, and then later on took a puck off his hand. After that incident, he never returned.
For perhaps the first time all series, neither goalie let in a goal that they would look at and say they should have stopped. Stankoven’s and Jackson’s goals came off great passes from players that are known shooters and Ullmark had to take them seriously. Anderson’s lone goal he allowed was on a two on one rush that would have required a miraculous save. Both goalies kept their teams in it with Ullmark making 25 saves, and Andersen making 21.
The key for the Canes’ win could be spotted in the faceoff dot. After being dominated the first two games, Brind’Amour apparently worked the team hard over the last couple of days because for the first time they won the faceoff matchup 54.1% to 45.9%. They were led by Sebastian Aho going 63.6% while Jordan Staal went 53.1%.
After the extended break there won’t be much of a rest before the next game. Ottawa will look to avoid the sweep on Saturday at 3 PM. There’s no doubt it’ll still be Ullmark in net for the Senators but once again it appears Ottawa will have to shuffle their pairings. The question will be between Carolina’s pipes as Andersen still hasn’t done anything to deserve being pulled but the short turnaround may see Rod Brind’Amour get Brandon Bussi a game to give the Dane some extra time. We may not know for sure until Saturday.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 24: The Buffalo Sabres celebrate the third-period goal against the Boston Bruins in Game Three of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden on April 24, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** | NHLI via Getty Images
When the Bruins bounced back to win Game 2 and even this first round series, they did it by taking their opportunities on offense and limiting the self-inflicted wounds on defense.
In Game 3, they seemed to revert to some of the same bad habits that plagued them down the stretch in the regular season: inability to take care of the puck in their own zone and an inability to capitalize on the scoring chances that presented themselves.
Ultimately, those issues sank the B’s, as Buffalo took Game 3 by a 3-1 score and now leads the best-of-seven series two games to one.
The Bruins took a 1-0 lead early in the second period, only for Buffalo to respond seven minutes later.
Alex Tuch then scored four minutes into the third period to give the Sabres the lead, followed by an empty-netter from Noah Ostlund to seal the deal.
Tanner Jeannot scored the lone goal for the Bruins, while Jeremy Swayman made 25 saves in defeat.
The Bruins had plenty of chances to tie the game late, including two separate power plays in the last eight minutes of the third period.
Ultimately, they failed to cash in, due to some timely saves by Alex Lyon and some missed opportunities for the Bruins.
Jeannot started the scoring with a wrist shot through traffic, beating Lyon to make it 1-0 Bruins 3:26 into the second period.
That was it for scoring, with Ostlund’s empty-netter coming with 1:24 left in the third.
Bruins lose, 3-1.
Game notes
This was a very frustrating game to watch from a Bruins perspective, as they seemed to struggle to really get anything going on offense all night. Lyon deserves credit for making some stops here and there, but this wasn’t a game stolen by the opposing goalie. Instead, it was a game where the Bruins simply couldn’t generate any real offense, compounded by some equally frustrating play in their own zone.
The officials appeared to miss a clear elbow to the head by Tuch on Mason Lohrei a few seconds before Tuch’s go-ahead goal. It came on a “reverse hit,” and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a penalty called on a player with possession of the puck like that, but it was one of those “accidentally on purpose” plays that Tuch got away with.
Lohrei had himself a rough night in general, appearing to fight the puck pretty much every time he went back to retrieve it behind his own net. It’s probably a little harsh to single out Lohrei when none of the Bruins defensemen covered themselves in glory tonight, but his mistakes were notable.
The B’s were let down in a big way by their power play tonight, going 0-for-4 — and that included going 0-for-2 in the last eight minutes of the third period. Down a goal, playoff game on home ice…you need something from your power play, and it simply didn’t deliver for the Bruins.
Buffalo actually did the Bruins one better and went 0-for-5 on the power play, though one of those was an afterthought “power play” with nine seconds left in the game, so I’m not sure that counts.
While Lyon didn’t stand on his head for the Sabres, he deserves credit for coming up huge for Buffalo by stopping a Viktor Arvidsson penalty shot midway through the second period. Arvidsson was slashed by Rasmus Dahlin and awarded a penalty shot, but Lyon turned it aside. The Sabres tied the game 68 seconds later.
That Arvidsson miss was one of several missed opportunities on the night for the Bruins. A third period one-timer from Morgan Geekie, shot directly into Lyon in the middle of the net, comes to mind, as do a few other looks late in the game.
The Bruins were boosted by their second line and by David Pastrnak’s performance in Game 2, but those players were unable to make an impact in Game 2. I’m not sure if it’s part of the book on Lyon, but Pastrnak seemed determined to go five-hole at every opportunity. Elias Lindholm didn’t land a shot on net, and neither did Casey Mittelstadt. Geekie only had two. In fact, the Bruins were credited with 25 shots on net, and Zacha, Pastrnak, and Arvidsson recorded 14 of them.
Lindy Ruff deserves credit for pulling the right lever by inserting Noah Ostlund into the lineup, as the rookie assisted Tuch’s goal and scored the empty-netter. Not bad for your first-ever NHL playoff game.
While they brought some good energy in Games 1 and 2, Marco Sturm may have some thoughts about his third line heading into Game 4. Fraser Minten, Marat Khusnutdinov, and James Hagens combined for just a single shot on goal, and Hagens only got three shifts in the third period. This isn’t to suggest that the third line has been the Bruins’ biggest problem, just that it might be the easiest one for Sturm to shake up.
So…there you have it: missed opportunities + own-zone miscues is, generally speaking, not a great recipe for a good result.
Still, 2 games to 1. No real reason to panic.
These two teams will now enjoy two full days between games, with Game 4 slated for Sunday afternoon at TD Garden.
BOSTON (AP) — Bowen Byram scored a minute after Boston missed a penalty shot, and Alex Tuch broke a third-period tie to help Buffalo come from behind and beat the Bruins 3-1 on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series.
Alex Lyon stopped 24 shots in his first start of the postseason and the Sabres, who snapped an NHL-record 14-year playoff drought by winning the Atlantic Division, regained home-ice advantage in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 is Sunday in Boston, with the Bruins needing a win to assure themselves of another home game.
Jeremy Swayman made 25 saves, and Tanner Jeannot scored early in the second period for the Bruins as they opened the scoring for the third straight game.
Boston had a chance to go up 2-0 when Mattias Samuelsson’s stick broke right in front of the Buffalo net, for a turnover that gave Viktor Arvidsson an open lane on the net. Rasmus Dahlin took him down, leading to a penalty shot.
But Arvidsson shot wide.
About a minute later, Byram one-timed a shot past Swayman to tie it. Tuch made it 2-1 when he grabbed a loose puck and fired it past a screened goalie, and Noah Ostlund added an empty-netter with 84 seconds left.
HURRICANES 2, SENATORS 1
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Jackson Blake broke a tie late in the second period, Frederik Andersen made 21 saves and Carolina beat Ottawa to take a 3-0 lead in the first-round series.
The top team in the Eastern Conference in the regular season, the Hurricanes can wrap up the series Saturday in Ottawa.
Logan Stankoven also scored for Carolina, and Taylor Hall had two assists.
Drake Batherson scored for Ottawa, and Linus Ullmark stopped 25 shots.
With their 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators in Game 3, the Carolina Hurricanes now have a commanding 3-0 series lead. With this, the Hurricanes need just one more win to advance to the second round.
Former Chicago Blackhawks forward Taylor Hall has been one of the reasons behind the Hurricanes great start to the playoffs, as he is on fire right now for the Metropolitan Division club.
In three playoff games so far this spring with the Hurricanes, Hall has recorded one goal, four assists, and five points. This included him recording two assists in Game 3 for the Canes.
Hall also put together a very strong performance for the Hurricanes in Game 2, as he scored a goal and recorded an assist. With this, there is no question that the former Blackhawks forward is making a real impact for the Hurricanes early on this series.
Seeing Hall having a strong start to the playoffs is not necessarily surprising, as he showed this season with the Hurricanes that he can still be a solid offensive contributor at this point in his career. In 80 games this season with Carolina, the former Blackhawks forward had 18 goals, 30 assists, and 48 points.
In 56 games over two seasons with the Blackhawks, Hall had 11 goals, 17 assists, and 28 points.
The Philadelphia Flyers currently have a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. There are many reasons behind it, and veteran forward Sean Couturier is one of them.
Couturier has been turning back the clock for the Flyers so far this postseason, and the truth is in his stats. In three playoff games, the 2011 first-round pick has recorded three assists and a plus-2 rating. This included him recording two assists in Game 3 for the Flyers, with one of them being on defenseman Nick Seeler's game-winning goal in the second period.
With this, there is no question that Couturier has been playing some strong hockey for the Flyers early on this postseason. It is undoubtedly good news for the Flyers, as the 6-foot-4 forward is one of their most important players. If he continues to produce offensively and make an impact with his defensive play, the Flyers should stay in good shape from here.
In 42 career playoff games over his NHL career, Couturier has recorded 10 goals, 15 assists, 25 points, and a plus-3 rating. It will be interesting to see how he builds on them as this series continues.
Can Logan Stankoven even be stopped at this point?
For the third straight game, the Carolina Hurricanes centerman opened the scoring, giving his team yet another 1-0 lead in their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators.
The 23 year old has been red hot since the start of April and is currently riding an 11 game point streak between the end of the regular season and into the postseason, where he's scored 10 goals and collected 15 points.
Stankoven leads all skaters in the series in scoring and is also tied for the league lead in playoff goals as well.
In fact, Stankoven became the first player in franchise history to score the opening goal in three consecutive playoff games.
Logan Stankoven scored his third goal of the 2026 #StanleyCup Playoffs and matched Pat Verbeek (3 GP in 1991) for the longest postseason-opening goal streak in @Canes / Whalers history. #NHLStats
The only other player in franchise history to even have a three-game, postseason-opening goal streak was current Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek back in 1991 and the only other player in NHL history to have a longer run of opening goals was Michel Goulet, who scored five straight in 1985.
The line of Stankoven, Jackson Blake and Taylor Hall has been terrorizing Ottawa all playoffs long and it seems like the Senators just have no answer for them so far.
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Some would argue the Kings have been surprisingly good so far this series, but tonight they hope to walk away with something to show for their efforts.
The Avalanche won both games at home, but it took some doing, and the victories came on contributions from (mainly) the depth pieces of their lineup.
Is tonight the night the Avalanche stunts their star power, or will the LA Kings make good on an upset where the ocean meets the sand?
Colorado Avalanche: 2-0
The Opponent: Los Angeles Kings (0-2)
Time: 8:00 p.m. MT
Watch: Altitude, Altitude+, TNT
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
A lot has been made of the Avalanche “playing the Kings game” in games one and two, but it should come as no surprise that this Avalanche team is committed to stout support and defensive structure.
The Avalanche is perfectly fine with playing low-scoring, tight-checking games. Nathan MacKinnon said so much after the game one victory, stating, “We pride ourselves on our defensive ability. I know that might surprise some people.”
Nonetheless, it’s possible to stay committed defensively and achieve more goals.
I have three keys to a Colorado Avalanche victory:
Score first.
Martin Necas must ‘shoot-first.’
Stay out of the penalty box.
The sit-back-and-wait approach only works against the Avalanche when they don’t have a lead, especially in a game where LA should be more desperate than in games one and two.
Martin Necas’ pass to Gabe Landeskog on Colorado’s tying goal in game two was a thing of beauty, but I want him to log a minimum of 3 SOG in the first period.
He has turned down too many great looks, given his shooting ability.
The Avalanche have a large share of the expected goals in this series, and that advantage is amplified in 5-on-5 situations.
LA has two goals in the series, both from Artemi Panarin and both on the power play.
Stay out of the box, and LA might stay off the scoresheet.
The Kings have satisfied key number one in both games this series, but haven’t secured number two.
If they had, we’d be having a much different conversation ahead of game three.
Both goalies have arguably been the best players on their sides, and if LA wants to win this game or a series, they will have to humanize Scott Wedgewood, who is on fire to start the playoffs.
The Philadelphia Flyers, for now, appear to have avoided an injury scare with goalie Dan Vladar as they look to finish off the Pittsburgh Penguins in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Vladar, 28, has been the Flyers' MVP so far, posting a perfect 3-0-0 record with a .946 save percentage, 1.33 GAA, and one shutout.
As of now, the Flyers and head coach Rick Tocchet don't appear to be too concerned about their starting goalie's injury and subsequent absence from practice, and he was going to be kept off the ice anyway.
"It's more of a maintenance day. He was probably going to be off anyways, but he's a little banged up," Tocchet said to reporters after Thursday's practice. "Feels better today. That's all the information I really have."
Vladar suffered the apparent injury when a Penguins player landed on him in the crease, pulling the blocker off his hand in the process.
After a brief hold-your-breath moment with trainer Tommy Alva, Vladar ultimately carried on and finished Game 3, though he wasn't made available to speak with the media after the game.
Fortunately, the Flyers won't play again until Saturday night, so the Czech netminder will be afforded one more day of rest and recovery before it's showtime again.
If Vladar cannot play, the Flyers will presumably turn to Sam Ersson, who would be backed up by No. 3 goalie Aleksei Kolosov.
It's often said that in a best-of-seven series, you're never really in trouble until you lose a game at home. But it can also be said that if you're down 0-2, it forces you to go 4-1 in the final five games.
That second statement sounds a lot like trouble.
But if there's a team this season that's shown the resilience needed to pull that off, it's the Ottawa Senators.
The series shifts to Ottawa for Game 3 on Thursday night, where the crowd will be loud, and their All Heart, AllIn rally towels will be waving.
The Senators announced at their game day skate that they've swapped out a pair of their depth defensemen for Game 3.
Tyler Kleven is well enough to play after taking an early-April puck to the face in a game against the Buffalo Sabres. After skating for almost a week now, he'll take Dennis Gilbert's spot while Ottawa native Cam Crotty plays in his first NHL playoff game, subbing in for Lassi Thomson.
Here's the Senators' projected lineup:
Brady Tkachuk -- Tim Stutzle -- Drake Batherson
Ridly Greig -- Dylan Cozens -- Claude Giroux
Warren Foegele -- Shane Pinto -- Mike Amadio
Nick Cousins -- Lars Eller -- Fabian Zetterlund
Jake Sanderson -- Nikolas Matinpalo
Thomas Chabot -- Jordan Spence
Tyler Kleven -- Cameron Crotty
Linus Ullmark
James Reimer
If Ottawa gets a lead, this alignment probably won't change much. If Carolina gets the lead and the Sens are suddenly staring at the possibility of being down 0-3 in the series, then everything is on the table, including a very short bench.
Because a loss will all but end their season. NHL teams that take a 3-0 series lead have a tidy 209-4 record.
As a sidebar, if you're going to the game, there's a decent chance that Sens veteran Claude Giroux or one of his kids put the towel on your seat.
All hands on deck!
The Giroux’s and their teammates came out and helped fill the stands with #Sens@FullscriptHQ rally towels for tonight’s game!
The Utah Mammoth stole home-ice advantage with a Game 2 win, and now they host the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center with a chance to take the series lead on Friday, April 24.
My top Golden Knights vs. Mammoth predictions and NHL picks call for Vegas to foil that plan with a high-scoring road win.
Golden Knights vs Mammoth Game 3 prediction
Golden Knights vs Mammoth best bet: Over 5.5 (-125)
Both the Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth have mounted dangerous pushes in this series, with 11 goals and 12.39 expected goals through the first two games.
There’s ample scoring punch on both teams, and I’m not confident in the goaltending.
Vegas No. 1 Carter Hart allowed three goals on 29 shots in Game 2, and I’m anticipating him hovering around a .900 SV% through the remainder of the series following an unsustainable stretch where he posted a .932 mark across seven games after returning from injury.
Similarly, Utah starter Karel Vejmelka has allowed three goals or more in six of his past eight starts with an .880 SV% dating back to the regular season.
Golden Knights vs Mammoth Game 3 same-game parlay
While there’s a lot to like about Utah evening the series in Game 2, a look at the tape reveals all three goals the Mammoth scored probably shouldn’t have ended up in the back of the net.
Of course, Vegas has also been the better team at 5-on-5 with a 55.5% Corsi For percentage (CF%) and 52.8% expected goals percentage (xG).
Additionally, while I’m not all in on Hart, this is a low saves total after he stopped 57 of 62 shots through the first two games, and the Mammoth ranked fourth in CF% at 5-on-5 on home ice during the regular season.
Golden Knights vs Mammoth SGP
Golden Knights moneyline
Over 5.5
Carter Hart Over 23.5 saves
Golden Knights vs Mammoth Game 3 goal scorer pick
Jack Eichel (+220)
Golden Knights star Jack Eichel has only found the back of the net three times across his past 11 games, dating back to the regular season, despite racking up an impressive 54 shots, 17 high-danger scoring chances, and 5.97 individual expected goals.
He’s pacing Vegas forwards in ice time during the series, and his 5.6% shooting percentage during the highlighted stretch is miles below the 11.7% mark he posted across his previous 265 regular-season games.
Golden Knights vs Mammoth odds for Game 3
Moneyline: Golden Knights -110 | Mammoth -110
Puck Line: Golden Knights -1.5 (+220) | Mammoth +1.5 (-285)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-125) | Under 5.5 (+105)
Golden Knights vs Mammoth trend
The Utah Mammoth have hit the Over in 10 of their last 14 games (+5.60 Units / 35% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Mammoth.
How to watch Golden Knights vs Mammoth Game 3
Location
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Date
Friday, April 24, 2026
Puck drop
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
TBS, Sportsnet 360
Golden Knights vs Mammoth latest injuries
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The Manitoba Moose are facing a must-win situation heading into Friday night as they prepare for Game 2 of their best-of-three American Hockey League playoff series against the Milwaukee Admirals.
Game 1 did not unfold the way Manitoba had hoped as the Admirals set the tone early, scoring twice in the opening period to seize control. One of those goals came from highly touted prospect Brady Martin, who recorded his first AHL playoff goal against Moose goaltender Thomas Milic. The moment added to Martin’s growing profile, coming just months after he was selected fifth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft by the Nashville Predators.
Milwaukee kept the pressure on in the second period, extending the lead to 3-0 and putting the Moose in a difficult position heading into the third. Manitoba showed some pushback late, managing to get on the board, but it was not enough to spark a comeback. The Admirals secured a 4-1 victory and a 1-0 lead in the series.
Now the Moose will need a much stronger effort to keep their playoff hopes alive. There is some reason for optimism as top Winnipeg Jets defense prospect Elias Salomonsson is expected to return to the lineup, providing a boost on the blue line.
Salomonsson split his season between the NHL and AHL, recording five points and a minus-six rating in 32 games with Winnipeg, along with nine points and a minus-two rating in 29 games with Manitoba.
Manitoba’s roster remains one of the most intriguing in the AHL, featuring several high-profile prospects including Colby Barlow, Brad Lambert, Brayden Yager, Thomas Milic and Salomonsson. For fans of the Jets, the Moose have become must-watch viewing, offering a look at the organization’s future core.
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BUFFALO, NEW YORK - APRIL 19: Elias Lindholm #28 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his goal with teammates Nikita Zadorov #91 and David Pastrnak #88 in the third period against the Buffalo Sabres in Game One of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at KeyBank Center on April 19, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Ben Ludeman/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Game 3 is upon us, folks!
TD Garden should be jumping tonight, with the Bruins coming home from Buffalo with a split and playing their first home playoff game in a couple of years.
The Bruins were an excellent team on home ice this season, so here’s to hoping that continues.
If the B’s can make things start to snowball for the Sabres, some doubt/desperation may creep in for the relatively inexperienced (in the playoffs, that is) team.
Of course, those things are likely just talking points from people like me, as the Sabres remain a good team, one that hasn’t really played its best 60 minutes yet.
