Apr 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) /looks on against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Charles LeClaire/Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
PITTSBURGH — The sequence might as well have served as a metaphor of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season.
There Sidney Crosby was, his left knee throbbing after absorbing a blistering shot from the point by teammate Ryan Shea, limping off the ice and disappearing down the tunnel in the second period of Game 5 against Philadelphia.
A few minutes later, with the Penguins’ longtime captain still out of sight, the Flyers tied it. Suddenly, a contest Pittsburgh had controlled for significant stretches was gone. The young Flyers, many of them experiencing the cauldron of playoff hockey for the first time, were surging. A quick playoff exit for a team that spent six months defying expectations loomed.
And just like that, Crosby’s familiar No. 87 returned to the bench. And just like that, he was over the boards and on the ice. And just like that, he was finishing off a shift by flipping the puck to Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang at the top of the Flyers’ zone.
Crosby’s back was to the play when Letang’s somewhat innocent shot from the point sailed wide of the Philadelphia net. Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar kept his eyes forward, expecting a big rebound. It never came.
The puck instead glanced off the back of Vladar’s left leg, then his right and trickled across the goal line to provide the goal that turned out to be the game-winner as Pittsburgh fended off elimination and forced maybe more than a little doubt into the mind of the Flyers, whose once-comfortable 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series no longer feels quite so comfortable after Pittsburgh’s 3-2 victory.
Game 6 is in Philadelphia and the Penguins will head across the state not only with momentum, but also with their unquestioned leader starting to look like his old self after an uncommonly quiet start.
Save for his brief retreat to the trainer’s room, Crosby was everywhere. He assisted on Connor Dewar’s goal in the second period, got another primary assist on Letang’s second goal in as many games and nearly added a goal himself when his diving flick toward the Flyers’ open net in the final minutes clanged off the left post.
So much for looking every bit of 38. It was vintage Crosby.
“When things get hard and your back is against the wall, there is no doubt in my mind that he’s going to lead the charge in terms of elevating and finding a way to do everything possible to help us win this game,” first-year Penguins coach Dan Muse said.
Crosby has 21 points in 24 games in his career when facing elimination. His 100th career playoff victory looked an awful lot like the 99 that came before it, with Crosby doing a little bit of everything, including taking a wallop off his left knee, then returning a few minutes later as if nothing happened.
“I feel good,” he said. “I mean, that’s stuff that happens sometimes and you try to go to the front of the net and it’s just one of those ones that found its way. Sometimes they hit you, sometimes they go by.”
Crosby absorbed a direct hit, albeit from friendly fire, and bounced back immediately. It’s been that way all season for the Penguins, whose surprising season has been marked by righting themselves just when it looked like things were about to get sideways.
What they’re trying to pull off now would trump everything that came before it by a wide margin. The odds remain slim — only four teams have ever rallied after losing the first three games of a series — but they’re not as slim as they were when the puck dropped for Game 4.
Crosby will take it. So will his team.
“I think the last couple games we found our stride a bit,” he said. “We should feel good about that ... we’re playing good hockey and we’ve got to go in there and find a way to win again.”
Apr 26, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres fight along the boards during the third period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Bob DeChiara/Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
The Buffalo Sabres have shed the burden of a 14-year absence from the Stanley Cup playoffs that set a dubious NHL record and surged toward their next big thing.
Beat the Boston Bruins at home in Game 5 and the Sabres will skate in the second round for the first time since 2007.
“You can expect this to be the hardest game that we’re going to have to play short-term here, because they’re in the nothing-to-lose-and-everything-to-gain category,” said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, whose first stint with the team was a 15-year run that included the most recent postseason appearance and series victory — plus four trips to the conference finals and one Stanley Cup finals berth.
The Bruins, behind first-year coach Marco Sturm, are reeling from a 6-1 drubbing they took to fall behind 3-1.
“They know that if they don’t put whatever they can put into the game,” Ruff said, “they’re done.”
Across the Canadian border, and more than 2,000 miles away, another team that has far exceeded external expectations is on the verge of a clinch. The Anaheim Ducks must do so on the road against the Edmonton Oilers, but they’re a fearless young group that’s hungry to give the franchise its first series victory in nine years.
“We just believe in ourselves,” center Ryan Poehling said, reflecting on the overtime win in Game 4 for a 3-1 lead after facing a two-goal deficit. “We’ve done it all year, and I think it just teaches you throughout a season that you’re never out of it. The belief on the bench is something that you truly feel when you go out there for offensive play. It’s a great way to play hockey for us.”
In Dallas, there will be a Game 5, too, but no clinching celebration after Minnesota evened the series.
Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres
When/Where to Watch: Game 5, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT (TNT).
Series: Sabres lead 3-1.
The Bruins lost their cool during their Game 4 meltdown. Defenseman Nikita Zadorov received a $5,000 fine from the league for cross-checking Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. Goalie Jeremy Swayman shouted at his own bench as he skated off after being pulled from the game.
“We have an extremely high competitive group. We all have a standard that we all carry ourselves to, and it wasn’t met. So that was just emotion,” Swayman told reporters. “It’s moved on now, and we have a job to do going into Buffalo.”
The Sabres can’t wait to take the ice in front of a fired-up crowd.
“When I came in last season, there was lots of talk of, ‘This is a hockey city, not a football city,’ and that was pretty hard to believe as an outsider coming in. You can see the passion for the Bills and just everything around that,” Sabres left wing Beck Malenstyn said. “But then I think throughout this year, we’ve slowly grown to see just how supportive and passionate this fan base is.”
Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars
When/Where to Watch: Game 5, Tuesday, 8 p.m. EDT (ESPN2).
Series: Tied 2-2.
The snapshot of this rugged series between these well-built teams that comfortably finished second and third in the Western Conference during the regular season varies sharply by how many men are on the ice. The Wild have had the upper hand in even-strength play, with a 10-3 scoring advantage. The Stars power play has been dominant, with eight goals in 19 opportunities, and their penalty kill has been scored on only three times in 19 situations.
As the Stars prepared for yet another pivotal game, they expressed confidence in their 5-on-5 performance by virtue of a steady shot volume. They lead the league this postseason with 141 attempts on target, including 102 during even-strength play, which ranks fifth-most among playoff teams.
“We just have to take the next step and get some loose pucks, get some tips,” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said.
Only one Stars player has a plus-rating during even-strength situations in this series: defenseman Nils Lundqvist. Unfortunately, he won’t play in Game 5 after taking an inadvertent skate to the face from a collision in Game 4. Gulutzan said he hoped Lundqvist would return in the series.
“Sometimes the puck goes in. Sometimes it doesn’t. It’s hockey,” Stars captain Jamie Benn said.
The Wild power play has clearly missed right wing Mats Zuccarello, who hasn’t played since an upper-body injury suffered during Game 1, but his return to practice was an encouraging sign.
“We’ll see how he felt and what his response is from that,” coach John Hynes said. “But it is definitely a step in the right direction.”
Anaheim Ducks at Edmonton Oilers
When/Where to Watch: Game 5, Tuesday, 10 p.m. EDT (TNT).
Series: Ducks lead 3-1.
While both teams were on flights back to Canada, the hockey world was still rehashing the chaotic ending to Game 4 and the unusual way in which the officials reached what almost certainly was the correct ruling on Poehling’s squeaker of an overtime goal for Anaheim.
But that wild finish didn’t alter the overall trajectory of this series: The aggressive Ducks appear to be capable of erasing any trouble caused by their mediocre defensive play, while the Oilers look ever wearier while they attempt to mount their fifth consecutive long playoff run.
“We just believe in each other, and kind of no matter the score, we just continue to compete,” said Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe, the top scorer in the entire Stanley Cup playoffs with eight points. “It’s something that’s been huge for us all year, and it’s something nice to have in your back pocket right now.”
Edmonton is down to its last chance after blowing two leads in Game 4 despite a solid performance by new goalie Tristan Jarry. Anaheim has made the most multi-goal comebacks in the sport this season under coach Joel Quenneville, who passed Al Arbour for the second-most postseason coaching victories in NHL history in Game 4.
The Ducks have won three straight in this series, and they’ve scored 20 goals in four games as they attempt to secure their team’s first playoff series victory since 2017. But this tired Oilers core has been in big postseason jams before. They played their best defensive game of the series on Sunday, so there’s no outward panic as they attempt to bring the series back to Southern California for Game 6.
Matt Boldy has been a one-man shooting gallery, averaging 10 shot attempts per game through four meetings with the Dallas Stars.
My Wild vs. Stars predictions and NHL picks see Boldy piling up the shots once again in Game 5.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Wild vs Stars Game 5 prediction
Wild vs Stars best bet: Matt Boldy Over 3.5 shots on goal (+100)
Matt Boldy has been the most consistent shooter in this series, generating at least nine attempts in all four games.
Boldy has averaged an incredible 5.3 shots on 10 attempts and cleared his 3.5 total in each of the four contests.
He actually produced more on the road in Dallas, combining for 13 shots on goal over the first two games. That likely stems from the Dallas Stars putting more focus on Kirill Kaprizov’s line.
Boldy has recorded at least four shots in 10 consecutive meetings with the Stars. Expect another busy night in a pivotal swing game.
Wild vs Stars Game 5 same-game parlay
Wyatt Johnston has played more than any Stars forward through four games. He has made the most of his ice time, averaging 4.3 shots on goal while producing five points.
The Stars funnel him pucks in high-danger areas, and will have an easier time doing so while controlling matchups at home.
We’ll double dip on his line and back Mikko Rantanen to get a helper. He had the most productive playmaking season of his career and hasn’t slowed in the playoffs, recording four assists thus far.
Wild vs Stars SGP
Matt Boldy Over 3.5 shots on goal
Wyatt Johnston Over 2.5 shots on goal
Mikko Rantanen Over 0.5 assists
Wild vs Stars Game 5 goal scorer pick
Wyatt Johnston (+130)
Johnston has recorded 17 scoring chances in the series, trailing only Jason Robertson. He lives around the net, and the Stars have done a great job at getting him the puck in those high-danger spaces.
Johnston has found the back of the net in four of his last five home games following two days of rest.
Boldy has piled up 56 shots on target over his last 10 games against Dallas. Find more NHL betting trends for Wild vs. Stars.
How to watch Wild vs Stars Game 5
Location
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Date
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Puck drop
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN2, Sportsnet 360
Wild vs Stars latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Colorado Avalanche spent the regular season overwhelming opponents with speed and scoring, but their first-round sweep of the Los Angeles Kings served as a reminder of an old playoff truth: defense wins championships.
Colorado dismissed Los Angeles in four straight games, allowing just five total goals across the series while surrendering only two at five-on-five. For a team that already led the NHL defensively during the regular season at 2.40 goals allowed per game, the Avalanche elevated their structure, discipline, and commitment when the stakes rose.
Defensive Identity Takes Center Stage
The Kings entered the postseason as a dangerous, detail-oriented opponent capable of grinding games into uncomfortable territory. Instead, Colorado met that challenge head-on and dictated the terms of the series.
The Avalanche outscored Los Angeles 13-5 overall, including a commanding 9-2 edge at five-on-five. Colorado also limited the Kings to just 25.3 shots per game while generating 30.8 of its own, a testament to puck possession and territorial control throughout the matchup.
Special teams were another decisive factor. Colorado killed off 13 of 16 Los Angeles power plays — an 81.2 percent success rate — and added a shorthanded goal of its own. Two of the three power-play goals allowed came with the Kings skating six-on-four, further emphasizing how difficult clean chances were to find against Colorado’s penalty killers.
For head coach Jared Bednar, the defensive dominance was simply the continuation of habits built over months.
“We stuck with our game plan and what we’ve been preaching all year on the defensive side of things,” Bednar told NHL.com after Game Four. “And it paid off for us.”
While Colorado finished the regular season as one of hockey’s most dangerous offensive clubs at 3.63 goals per game, this series illustrated a more complete identity. The Avalanche did not need track meets or scoring explosions to advance. They won with layers, patience, puck management, and relentless pressure.
"I think we have the ability to play different ways in order to win,” Bednar said. “But when you talk about championship teams, it's the defending that pushes you over the top. And I thought we were committed to that from the drop of the puck in Game One [until] the buzzer went in Game Four.”
Wedgewood Steadies the Net, Stars Deliver Up Front
Behind Colorado’s defensive shell stood Scott Wedgewood, who delivered one of the sharpest performances of the opening round. The veteran netminder posted a .950 save percentage and a 1.21 goals-against average, repeatedly extinguishing momentum whenever Los Angeles threatened to climb back into games.
After Game Three, Bednar praised the calm presence Wedgewood brought to the crease.
"I think he's been outstanding," Bednar said. "He's been great. Big saves when you need them. Relaxed. Looks confident.”
Wedgewood, meanwhile, described the moment with genuine appreciation after Colorado’s overtime win in Game Two.
"You play in under pressure moments,” Wedgewood said. “I think mentally, over my career, I've kind of been building my own scar tissue just trying to stay alive and stay in this league. So mentally, I feel like the playoffs are almost kind of what I've been putting the pressure on myself to get here. It's honestly felt like really fun hockey. Obviously, you know what's at stake."
Offensively, Colorado still received the production expected from a contender. Nathan MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen, and Gabriel Landeskog each recorded two goals and two assists in the series, while Cale Makar and Nicolas Roy added two goals apiece. Devon Toews, Nazem Kadri, and Martin Necas each chipped in two assists, underscoring the balance that makes Colorado so difficult to contain.
MacKinnon’s impact, however, extended well beyond the scoresheet. Bednar pointed to his work away from the puck against key Los Angeles threats such as Quinton Byfield and Anze Kopitar, another sign of the buy-in required to win in spring.
Colorado now awaits either the Minnesota Wild or Dallas Stars in the second round, two opponents capable of presenting entirely different challenges. But if the opening round proved anything, it is that the Avalanche are no longer relying solely on firepower.
They have rediscovered the harder edge of championship hockey — and that should concern the rest of the Western Conference.
The hockey world lost a beloved figure this week as it was announced Tuesday morning that John Garrett had passed away. The 74-year-old began his career as an analyst on Hockey Night in Canada in 1985 and spent 20 years doing colour commentary for the Vancouver Canucks. Before becoming an analyst, Garrett was a goaltender in the NHL, which included playing 56 games with Vancouver.
Multiple statements have been released honouring Garrett. In one released by the Canucks, Jim Rutherford wrote, "Cheech was a special person and an important part of Canucks history. He loved this team and took great pride in sharing the game with our fans. His personality, insight, and genuine care for the people around him made a lasting impression on our players, staff, and everyone who had the chance to work with him. This is a very difficult loss for all of us, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones"
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also released a statement and wrote, "The National Hockey League family is stunned and saddened by the sudden passing of John Garrett, whose astute analysis took fans – particularly in Western Canada – inside our game for the last four decades.
"Following a 13-season career as a goaltender in the WHA and the NHL, Garrett moved into the broadcast booth in 1986 and never left, contributing his encyclopedic knowledge and expert insight to national broadcasts on Sportsnet and local broadcasts for the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and, for two decades, the Vancouver Canucks.
"On a personal note, I always enjoyed catching up with John when our travels around the League intersected – as they did one last time on Friday night in Utah, when he broadcast the Mammoth’s first ever home playoff game. We send our deepest condolences to his family, his friends around the game and his many fans."
John Garrett (Photo Credit: @Canucks on "X")
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The Minnesota Wild (2-2) hit the ice on Monday for a practice before traveling for Game 5 against the Dallas Stars (2-2) in Dallas.
Both Mats Zuccarello and Yakov Trenin took the ice and skated with the team.
“I think it’s a good sign," Wild head coach John Hynes said on Zuccarello practicing. "We’ll see how he felt and what his response is from that. But it is definitely a step in the right direction.”
Trenin has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury.
“Trenny is the same," Hynes said. "It’s good that they both skated but they now have to see how they’re feeling. We’ll probably know more in the morning.”
Hynes said that the two will be questionable to play in Game 5. He also said they were in Game 3 and both missed. He also said Zuccarello would be in Game 4 and he did not play either.
“I’d put them at questionable right now.”
But it is a positive that they both skated.
If both play, the question is who comes out?
Bobby Brink and Nico Sturm did not play Game 1. They both started playing once Zuccarello and Trenin missed games.
The simple move is to take both of those out again if Zuccarello and Trenin return. With Zuccarello out, Brink has been on the top line and top power play.
On Monday, with Zuccarello on the top power play unit, Brink was on the second unit. This would suggest Brink would stay in since he was on the second power play unit.
We know Sturm will be out. So, who is the second? It is hard to imagine Nick Foligno is taken out, just for PK reasons, so it is safe to assume it will be the rookie Danila Yurov.
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The Chicago Blackhawks didn’t have a great season in terms of their record, but they did have the opportunity to see a lot of young forwards take big steps. Whether it was developing as offensive players or guys who emphasize their defensive play first, they saw mixed results across the board.
There was one veteran forward who put up an exceptional amount of goals, while another continued his reign as one of the league’s best depth forwards. The rest mostly struggled at times.
Every player gets a grade for how their season went, but they are graded on how they played against the expectations that are placed on them.
Connor Bedard: A
Connor Bedard dealt with a handful of injuries and minor inconsistencies throughout the season, especially in the second half, but it was a truly great individual year for him overall. Bedard had his first 30-goal, point-per-game season. He was also a noticeably speedier and more engaged defensive player, which helped his overall game. After two up-and-down seasons to begin his career, year three proved that he is becoming a legitimate NHL superstar.
Tyler Bertuzzi: A
Tyler Bertuzzi led the Chicago Blackhawks with 32 goals in 2025-26. He scored on the power play, at even strength, and was a physical presence who was hard to play against on every shift. Is Bertuzzi going to keep pumping out 30-goal seasons? Maybe not, but he is good for an honest effort every single night, which is great for a leader on a young team. Bertuzzi took on an “A” after the trade deadline, and he lived up to it. No matter what line he’s on, and he showed plenty of versatility, he makes it better.
Frank Nazar: B
Frank Nazar dealt with some inconsistent play offensively in the middle of the season, but he is a solid player who enhances the overall team speed. Nazar is one of those “all situation” players, as he plays a well-rounded game at even strength, makes plays on the power play, and kills penalties. In 2025-26, Nazar set career highs in goals (15), assists (26), and points (41). The former 13th overall pick is waiting for his big breakout, but the signs of stardom are there.
Ilya Mikheyev: A
Ilya Mikheyev is good for 15-20 goals a season, and that comes with almost zero power-play time. He is also one of the best penalty killers in the NHL, along with being an exceptional defensive forward. Mikheyev wasn’t traded at the deadline, despite being a pending unrestricted free agent, so there will be an emphasis on getting him signed before July 1st; they will be in danger of losing him for nothing. A veteran like him is great for a depth role on a young team for the next couple of years, as he was in 2025-26.
Teuvo Teravainen: D
Teuvo Teravainen was cold in the second half of the season. By the end of the year, he was playing a fair amount of minutes on the fourth line, which doesn’t necessarily fit a skilled player like him. In 2026-27, if he stays in Chicago, the Blackhawks will need more contributions from Teuvo.
Andre Burakovsky: D
Andre Burakovsky would get an A-grade for his first half and an F-grade for his second half. His final grade is a D as a result. The bad outweighed the good in the end, which is why it’s not a C-grade. Burakovsky only had a handful of points once the colander flipped to 2026, despite playing most games on the top line with Connor Bedard. Jeff Blashill was loyal to a fault until the final few weeks of the season, when he finally started to demote Burakovsky. In addition to a lack of offense, he turned the puck over with tremendous frequency. He is exceptional at gaining the offensive zone, but he often takes that skill and ruins it by giving the puck away to the opposition. Overall, it was a year to forget.
Ryan Donato: B
Ryan Donato’s goal total was cut in half this season from a year prior, but his ice time (and role on the team) decreased as well. Donato still scored 15, but he is more of a depth piece that’s used as a middle-six forward more than a top-six guy now. He still gets a B-grade for being a player who accepts and executes any role he is given well without complaining.
Ryan Greene: B
Ryan Greene was expected to need some time in the AHL to begin the year, but he earned an NHL job at training camp and never gave it back. He managed to have a double-digit goal total while being a “third guy” on a good line. He also showed he can play center and wing, which makes him valuable to the coaching staff. When he was at BU, he did all of the little things the right way, which is why he was the captain, and those intangibles have helped him in the NHL as well.
Oliver Moore: B
Oliver Moore had his season cut short with a few weeks remaining, but he was a solid player when he did play. He is an incredibly fast player, and he uses that ability to his advantage in all three zones. His offensive ceiling remains to be seen, but he has already proved to be a useful middle-six forward at a bare minimum.
Nick Lardis: A
No matter where Nick Lardis goes, he fills the net. Whether it's the OHL, AHL, or NHL, he finds a way to score an impressive total for that league. He had 10 goals in 41 NHL games this year, which is a 20-goal pace over a full season. For being a half-season rookie who was taken in the third round, that’s a great number. He will only become more prolific from here.
Jason Dickinson: C
Jason Dickinson was a 20-goal scorer when he played on Chicago’s top line during the dog days of the rebuild. Since then, he was thrust into a more defensive role, and he thrived. Injuries and inconsistencies kept him at a C-grade this year, but he was given a great opportunity when he was traded to Edmonton. Behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, he is a great third-line center.
Nick Foligno: C
Nick Foligno was a great captain to take on that role after the legendary Jonathan Toews. With that said, on the ice, he is better suited for a team chasing the Stanley Cup at this stage of the game. The Blackhawks traded him to the Minnesota Wild on deadline day so he could play with his brother, Marcus, and finally attempt to win it all.
Colton Dach: D
Colton Dach was traded to the Edmonton Oilers ahead of the trade deadline. In 53 games with Chicago, he had three goals and six assists for 9 points. With other young players on the way, his future with the team looked bleaker and bleaker, but now he has an opportunity with a veteran team like the Oilers.
Anton Frondell: A
Since becoming the third overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Anton Frondell has been incredible. He won a World Juniors gold medal with Sweden in January, was one of the best rookies in SHL history, and eventually entered the NHL as a Blackhawk. In his 12 games with Chicago, Frondell had three goals, six assists, and nine points, all while being a reliable player away from the puck. It won’t be long before he’s a high-end two-way player in the best league in the world.
Landon Slaggert: D
When Landon Slaggert showed up to training camp, he probably expected to play more than 53 games, but some of his young peers have passed him up on the depth chart. He only scored three goals and four assists for seven points in those 53 games, but he does bring value to the group because of his overall toughness.
Lukas Reichel: F
Lukas Reichel came into the season with a chance to finally stay in the NHL. Instead, he was traded away because the Blackhawks felt that they needed to let him move on. It just didn’t work out for the former first-round pick in Chicago.
Sam Lafferty: D
Sam Lafferty was unable to stick in the lineup with consistency, but he never complained about his role. He even played defense for one game and embraced the opportunity. The guys in the room loved Lafferty, too, so this wasn’t a totally failed season for him.
Andrew Mangiapane: C
Andrew Mangiapane was traded to the Blackhawks as a throw-in so the Edmonton Oilers could clear some cap space. In the few games he did play with the Blackhawks, he brought a physical presence to his line while having a couple of scoring chances. He isn’t a big-time goal scorer anymore, but he’s a solid bottom-six forward.
Sacha Boisvert: C
Sacha Boisvert didn’t play every game once he signed his entry-level deal, as the team wanted him to watch from up top a handful of times. In the games he did play, he had a couple of noticeable moments, including his first goal, some playmaking, and his first NHL fight. Boisvert has a baseline now that will allow him to compete for a job once training camp rolls around.
Dominic Toninato: C
Dominic Toninato only played in 8 games with the NHL club, but he was a solid veteran in the AHL for most of the year. He gets a C-grade for his willingness to do whatever was asked of him, regardless of what team he was on.
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PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 27: Bryan Rust #17 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates a goal by Kris Letang #58 (not pictured) against Dan Vladar #80 of the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Five of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Here are the areas we highlighted in the Game 4 win. Go through it again and check off how many that could also apply to Game 5:
-Sidney Crosby dug deep, embodying a ‘whatever it takes’ mentality on a two-point night
-Kris Letang scored a goal, and beyond that played well over 23 minutes
-Pittsburgh won the goaltending battle for the first time, thanks largely to Flyer goalie Dan Vladar coughing up a goal from behind the net but in no small part to Arturs Silovs playing his first game this playoff and performing very well
-The penalty kill was perfect, the power play was far from it but did score one goal
-Game sequencing mattered; the Penguins had a good start, scored first and never let the Flyers tie the game up again
Aside from the fact that Philadelphia did briefly tie the score at 2-2, almost everything else that was key in Game 4 showed back up again in Game 5. Sidney Crosby grabbed two more points. Kris Letang scored another goal (and this time played almost 25 minutes). Dan Vladar was the victim of another crazy play (this time more of a bad bounce than an outright mistake, but the Penguins aren’t parsing how it happens at this point) while Arturs Silovs was solid. The PK was perfect again, though the Flyers only had two chances on it thanks to better discipline.
In short, Game 5 looked a lot like Game 4, and because of it there is now a Game 6 scheduled.
There was even more to like on a deeper level for the Penguins. Natural Stat Trick had 5v5 high danger chances at 12-5 in favor of Pittsburgh.
Those 12 chances are the most the Pens have generated at 5v5 in a game this series. They only had 11 combined 5v5 high danger chances in Game 3+4. Pittsburgh was able to get back to their speed game more last night. Whether it’s been chipping and chasing the puck, as seen on the early goal by Elmer Soderblom or stacking up long, grinding shifts that eventually wears the Flyers down like the Connor Dewar goal, Pittsburgh is finding a lot more life in their offensive game.
As we touched on the recap, it’s not just been better from the blueline in, it’s become easier to get there. The Flyers had the neutral zone almost completely stifled in the early games of this series. As time has gone along, the Penguins have started to crack the code, often by starting the puck one way than once the forecheck shifts towards that side of the ice then making a pass to the back-side and taking advantage of the extra room exposed. That’s been giving them more speed through the zone, creating decisions on how to enter from that point.
The Penguins still have absolutely no margin of error and face another must win game tomorrow in Game 6. They’ve been able to show some fight and put a scare into the Flyers now with the way the last two games have gone, now we’ll see if they can do it one more time and bring the series back to Pittsburgh again. If a lot of the elements from Games 4 and 5 show up again in Game 6 then they just might have a chance.
Artūrs Šilovs has once again proven to be a playoff hero. The former Vancouver Canucks goaltender made 18 saves on Monday as he helped keep the Pittsburgh Penguins' season alive in Game 5. Šilovs made his debut in Game 4 and is now 2-0 in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
If the Penguins are going to pull off the reverse sweep, they will need Šilovs to continue standing on his head. The 25-year-old has stopped 46 of the 50 shots he has faced over the past two games, which is good enough for a .920 save percentage. Šilovs is now 7-5 in his post-season career with a save percentage of .901.
Šilovs continues to come up clutch when his team needs him the most. He helped the Canucks to Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs and led the Abbotsford Canucks to a Calder Cup championship last year. Ultimately, if Šilovs can pull off two more wins against the Philadelphia Flyers, he will go down in history as one of the few goaltenders in NHL history who have helped their team erase a 3-0 series deficit.
Apr 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs (37) looks on against the Florida Panthers during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Alberti-Imagn Images
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New York Islanders top forward prospect Victor Eklund will not be playing for Team Sweden at the 2026 World Championships, per industry sources.
The 19-year-old represented his country at the 2025 and 2026 World Junior Championships.
After the Islanders selected Eklund 16th overall at the 2025 NHL Draft, he's had a long, grinding season.
He attended the development camp a few days after the draft, then returned to Sweden to prepare for his first SHL season with Djurgården, which had earned promotion from Sweden's second-tier league.
After playing 43 regular-season games (six goals, 18 assists) and another eight playoff games (three assists), Eklund elected to come over to North America to join the Bridgeport Islanders during their playoff push.
He recorded nine points (two goals, seven assists) through his first seven AHL games, earning himself an NHL call-up for the Islanders' regular-season finale against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Despite a 4-1 loss, Eklund recorded his first career NHL point, a secondary assist on a Bo Horvat goal.
The next day, Eklund was sent back to Bridgeport, adding a goal over his final two AHL regular-season games before going pointless in their two-game playoff series against the Hershey Bears.
Given what Eklund showed, he'll have a strong chance to crack the Islanders' roster for the 2026-27 season.
Even after completing a first-round sweep, Cale Makar made sure to acknowledge that the Los Angeles Kings were far tougher than a four-game se would ever suggest.
The Colorado Avalanche became the first Western Conference team to punch its ticket past the opening round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, closing out Los Angeles with a commanding 5-1 victory at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday. The final score looked decisive. The series itself was anything but.
Colorado now earns valuable rest before facing either the Dallas Stars or Minnesota Wild in Round 2, but Makar’s postgame remarks reflected the grind required to survive a disciplined, stubborn opponent.
“It’s a good test for us. That’s a stingy defensive team over there that has a lot of offensive threats, and we found different ways to be able to shut them down,” Makar told reporters afterwards, per NHL.com's Dan Greenspan.
“They played us really well defensively, and it felt like these last couple games we did a better job at finding different ways to get to the net. For us, again, it’s a lot of internal stuff. We got to make sure that we’re working together as a team, and there’s no individual in here, that’s for sure.”
Closer Than A Sweep Suggests
Although Colorado won the series in four games, Los Angeles consistently forced the Avalanche to work for every inch of ice.
Games 1 and 2 were each decided by a single goal, while Game 3 remained within reach until Brock Nelson iced it with a late empty-netter. The Kings defended with structure, battled through traffic, and refused to allow Colorado the kind of easy rhythm elite teams often thrive on.
But the Avalanche never blinked.
Their depth surfaced at the right moments, their stars dictated stretches of play, and Scott Wedgewood delivered calm, reliable goaltending throughout the matchup. Colorado’s netminder surrendered just five total goals in the series, a number that ultimately became impossible for Los Angeles to overcome.
Kings Exit With Questions
For the Kings, the ending lands with disappointment.
Artemi Panarin provided offensive push after arriving from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline, but the absence of Kevin Fiala loomed heavily in a series where goals were scarce and margins razor-thin.
The loss also marked the final chapter of Anze Kopitar’s NHL career. Though he was unable to secure one last playoff victory, the future Hall of Famer leaves the game with two Stanley Cups and the admiration of a fan base that gave him a thunderous sendoff after Game 4.
Colorado moves on looking every bit like a championship threat. Los Angeles departs knowing it made the favorite earn every win.
For more than half of Monday night, the Utah Mammoth looked poised to seize complete control of their first-round series. After erasing a three-goal deficit in front of a roaring Delta Center crowd and surging ahead in the third period, Utah had all the momentum, all the emotion, and a chance to put the top-seeded Vegas Golden Knights on the brink.
Instead, they were left with silence.
Shea Theodore scored at 19:08 of overtime to lift Vegas to a dramatic 5-4 victory in Game 4, turning what felt like a defining Utah comeback into a crushing missed opportunity. Rather than carrying a 3-1 series lead to Las Vegas, the Mammoth now head back to Nevada with the Western Conference First Round tied 2-2.
Utah showed admirable resilience after a lifeless opening stretch, clawing back from a 3-0 hole and briefly wresting command of the game in the third period. But against a veteran opponent built for moments like these, the Mammoth could not deliver the final blow.
A Stunning Response
Vegas struck early and often.
Pavel Dorofeyev opened the scoring just 1:12 into the first period after finishing a loose puck near the crease. Brett Howden doubled the lead late in the opening frame with a short-handed goal after a costly Utah turnover, then Cole Smith redirected a Noah Hanifin point shot early in the second to make it 3-0.
At that point, Utah appeared rattled and in danger of being overwhelmed.
Then the game changed.
Nick Schmaltz ignited the rally at 8:04 of the second period by burying a rebound at the left post after sustained offensive-zone pressure. Just 29 seconds later, Ian Cole hammered a slap shot through traffic to cut the deficit to 3-2 and awaken the building.
The Mammoth carried that energy into the third.
Michael Carcone tied the game 3-3 at 1:45 with a sharp one-timer from the right circle, beating Carter Hart short side. Minutes later, Clayton Keller put Utah in front 4-3 when a dangerous feed toward the crease deflected off Theodore and slipped underneath Hart.
From dead in the water to leading on home ice, Utah had authored the kind of response that can reshape a series.
Vegas Answers Late
But the Golden Knights never unraveled.
Howden struck again at 10:25 of the third, redirecting another Hanifin shot from the point to even the score at 4-4 and drain some of the momentum from the arena.
In overtime, Utah survived one scare when Dorofeyev appeared to win it for Vegas, only for the goal to be overturned after an offside review.
The reprieve did not last.
With under a minute remaining in the extra session, Jack Eichel created chaos around the crease, recovered the puck below the goal line, and found Theodore in the high slot. With Karel Vejmelka scrambling and his stick out of position, Theodore blasted a one-timer into an open net to end it.
The Mammoth received 31 saves from Vejmelka, a goal and an assist from Schmaltz, and three assists from Mikhail Sergachev, but the final result overshadowed a spirited pushback that nearly became the signature win of their season.
Instead of celebration, Utah is left searching for a response.
Game 5 shifts to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday night with the series now reduced to a best-of-three.
Sunday morning, the Montreal Canadiens told the media that they would have an update on Noah Dobson within 48 hours. In other words, we should know more about Dobson’s status on Tuesday morning. Practice is scheduled for 10:30, so we should have some news then, or at the end of the on-ice session, when Martin St-Louis will speak to the media.
While the coach had given a day off to his players after their 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 of their series, there was one player who took to the ice on Monday morning: Dobson. It wasn’t the first time he had hit the ice since his injury. On Saturday, RDS’ Luc Gelinas reported that he was skating, which is an encouraging sign given that he skated twice in the last three days.
However, his skating session on Monday morning was limited to just 25 minutes under the watchful eye of Adam Nicholas, and while he did do some puck handling, he didn’t take any shots. Watching Marc-Olivier Cook’s footage on X, the right-shot rearguard doesn’t look like a player who’s on the verge of coming back to play. Besides, he has yet to take part in a single practice with the group.
Noah Dobson patine ce matin et il est aussi capable de manier la rondelle.
Il n’a pas l’air confortable à 100%, ce qui est normal. C’est très mollo, mettons.
It will be interesting to see if he does take to the ice with his teammates on Tuesday morning, but even if he does, his return shouldn’t be rushed. The Canadiens are tied 2-2 in their series with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the defense corps has done very well so far. Of course, his transition game could help the attack to get in gear, but looking at his puck handling, he doesn’t seem ready to launch long passes up ice.
All eyes will be on the CN Sports Complex in Brossard on Tuesday morning as fans will eagerly await a complete update on the defenseman’s status.
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 27: Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) skates with the puck against Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Cam York (8) during the second period in Game Five of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 27, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Facing another win or go home game, the Pittsburgh Penguins returned to the friendly confines of PPG Paints Arena on Monday night and delivered for the hometown crowd for the first time this series, squeezing out a 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers in Game 5 to stave off elimination once again and force a Game 6 back across the state in Philadelphia on Wednesday night.
After leading 2-0 in the second period, the Penguins did see that lead erased by the Flyers, but a good bounce off the glass from a shot by Kris Letang found its way behind Dan Vladar and turned into the game winning goal as the Penguins defense played lock down hockey in the final period to seal the victory. [Pensburgh]
Pens Points…
One area that Sidney Crosby struggled in during this series with the Flyers has been in the face-off dot, an area where he is typically among one of the best. In fairness to Sid, faceoff struggles have not just been limited to him as the entire team has battled issues in the series. [Trib Live]
Facing a 0-3 series hole and needing a victory in Game 4 to keep their season alive, the Penguins remained lighthearted at practice despite the task ahead of them. When Crosby caught an errant puck to the head at Friday’s practice the players let out a laugh, giving off a relaxed state before staying alive the next day. [The Athletic $$]
Very few players in franchise history have exemplified what it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin better than Bryan Rust. Over the course of his 12-year career, Rust has risen from a bottom-six grinder to a mainstay on the Penguins top line alongside Sidney Crosby. [PPG]
While the Penguins have been getting contributions from all over this series, one name is still missing from the score sheet. That name is Egor Chinakhov, who has been snake bitten now through five games, but the looks are there, he just needs to start converting those looks into goals. [Pensburgh]
NHL News and Notes…
Starting today and running through May 11th, minus weekends, the NHL will being announcing the finalists for the league’s annual awards. The Ted Lindsay Award will kick off the nominations later today, with all awards to follow and concluding with the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award. [NHL]
After being swept in the first round by the Carolina Hurricanes, the Ottawa Senators and captain Brady Tkachuk are facing speculation the two sides could be heading for a parting of ways this offseason, rumors that team general manager Steve Staios was quick to shoot down. [NHL]
John Tortorella, head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights, stood in a scrum on Monday morning before an optional skate. He fielded five different questions, but the message remained consistent throughout his various answers.
“We’re ready to play,” he said simply.
Tortorella was right. His Golden Knights were indeed ready to play. They scored just 72 seconds into the first period, survived a three-goal collapse, and scored in overtime to tie their series against the Utah Mammoth at two heading back to Vegas.
After sitting and stewing in their Game 3 loss for two days, the Golden Knights came out flying. They didn’t allow the Mammoth to record a shot on goal for nearly six minutes, and outshot them 8-3 in the first despite two Utah power plays. They generated eight high-danger scoring chances in the first period while holding the Mammoth to one.
The Golden Knights broke the ice just 1:12 into the first. Jack Eichel held onto the puck in the corner, drawing three Mammoth defenders out of position before finding Ivan Barbashev all alone at the left dot. Barbashev one-touched a pass to Pavel Dorofeyev, who finished off the back-door play.
Quick one. Pavel Dorofeyev has his first of the playoffs.
The Golden Knights doubled their lead while shorthanded at 18:38 in the first. Mitch Marner pressured JJ Peterka into a turnover and found Brett Howden all alone in the slot. Howden pulled to the forehand, pivoted, and elevated his shot over Karel Vejmelka’s pad.
This Mammoth power play is not good. Brett Howden takes advantage and scores a nifty one in tight.
The second period was all about momentum swings. To begin the period, the Golden Knights were hot again and outshot the Mammoth 7-2 through the first seven minutes.
The Golden Knights extended their lead 3:26 into the second. Noah Hanifin fired a shot from the point, and Cole Smith redirected it home.
Smith’s goal gave the Golden Knights life, but in hockey, momentum can change on a dime.
The Mammoth got on the board at 8:04 in the second. Lawson Crouse fired a shot from the top of the left circle, and Nick Schmaltz chipped the rebound over Carter Hart’s pad.
Insane goal by Nick Schmaltz. Hart made the initial save, and maybe the second, and Schmaltz batted it out of the air baseball style.
Just 29 seconds later, while Utah’s PA was still calling the goal, the Mammoth struck again. The Golden Knights were unable to clear the puck, and Ian Cole fired a slap shot from the point that found its way home.
And while I was writing the last tweet, Utah rides that momentum wave. Ian Cole with the blast from the point and it gets through.
Just 1:45 into the third period, the Golden Knights let the remainder of a once seemingly insurmountable lead slip away. Dylan Guenther found Michael Carcone all alone in the right circle, and the winger redeemed himself for an earlier miss.
Clayton Keller, Christ in a side car. Catches an errant pass, drops it, centers, for Mikhail Sergachev… and it trickles in. Keller’s goal. VGK have blown a three-goal lead.
The Mammoth continued to swarm and took their first lead of the night at 5:10 in the third. Clayton Keller gloved down an errant pass and threw a centering pass towards the net. The puck took a fortuitous bounce off Mitch Marner’s stick and into a sliding Shea Theodore before trickling into the back of the net.
Clayton Keller, Christ in a side car. Catches an errant pass, drops it, centers, for Mikhail Sergachev… and it trickles in. Keller’s goal. VGK have blown a three-goal lead.
From that point on, the Golden Knights played at the level required for what had just occurred. They outshot the Mammoth 7-5 and generated four high-danger chances.
“When you trail, you’re making plays you don’t make normally,” said Mammoth head coach André Tourigny postgame. “You’re pushing the pace, and you’re a little bit careless defensively. You’re taking more chances, you’re putting more numbers in the rush… It’s not just that [we’re] sitting back, it’s that they’re tougher to defend.”
The Golden Knights netted the equalizer at 10:25 in the third. Noah Hanifin fired a blast from the point, and Brett Howden redirected it home for his second of the night.
Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever truly dies. The Golden Knights have scored four goals on a goalie for the first time this postseason. Brett Howden with the tip.
The Golden Knights thought Pavel Dorofeyev ended the game 10 minutes into overtime, but after a lengthy review, officials determined that Jack Eichel was offside prior to the goal. He redeemed himself less than nine minutes later and recorded the assist on the overtime game-winning goal.
With less than a minute remaining in overtime, Ivan Barbashev found Eichel cutting to the net. Karel Vejmelka made the save, but lost his stick in the process. Brett Howden made a play to get the puck back to Eichel behind the net, and Eichel found Shea Theodore all alone on the slot for the game-winner.
1. The Golden Knights absolutely needed to win the special teams battle tonight. They debuted two new power play units, but went 0-fer on four opportunities, including one that came just 2:28 into overtime. However, they were also a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill, gave the Mammoth power play very little to work with, and scored a shorthanded goal.
2. Jack Eichel answered the call for the Golden Knights today. Tomáš Hertl, on the other hand, rode the bench for a telling amount of time in such a pivotal game. Hertl took just 18 shifts and played less than 12 minutes in a game that nearly went to double overtime.
Pavel Dorofeyev, too, saw very little ice time in the third period. He did, however, return for the start of overtime and scored a goal that was ultimately disallowed.
3. During the regular season, the Golden Knights struggled with starts, riding out momentum swings, and finding a way to stop the bleeding. Tonight, they came out on top in all three areas.
First, they scored just 72 seconds into the first to jump out to an early lead against the Mammoth, and added another at the end of the period. When the Mammoth scored four unanswered to take the lead, the Golden Knights managed to rally and turn what would have been a crushing loss into a victory.
