Deemed the most hated team in the NHL, the Vegas Golden Knights have become a league-wide punching bag for a long list of reasons. But beyond the villain narrative, they were simply my team.
From 2003 to 2014 the only hockey Sin City had was the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL, and fifteen years ago that was my first taste of the sport. Then on June 22, 2016, hockey was back. Las Vegas became home to the NHL’s 31st franchise, and the city’s first major professional sports team. For me and many others at that time it gave us a hometown team that we could not only root for, but grow up with.
The Golden Knights didn’t just reshape the NHL, they reshaped the city itself. Youth hockey in Southern Nevada has skyrocketed, surging roughly 268% to over 400% since 2017. Statewide USA Hockey registrations have jumped from 500 players to nearly 3,000 today.
The largest spike is at the 8U level, where girls' hockey alone has grown by 681%. With ice time maxed out, rinks overbooked, and not enough sheets to meet demand, local groups have stepped up. The Jake Kielb Hockey Foundation launched a $15 million campaign to build the Las Vegas Community Sports Complex, complete with two NHL-sized rinks and an indoor turf field.
The results speak for themselves. The Vegas Junior Golden Knights became a national powerhouse earning multiple USA Hockey titles – including the 2026 Girls Tier II 16U 1A championship, their second in three years, along with national titles in 2019 and 2023 across several age groups.
UNLV Hockey, which has been steadily growing since 2005, captured its first‑ever ACHA Division I National Championship in 2025 with a decisive 7–3 win over Adrian College. In less than a decade, Las Vegas has transformed from a non‑traditional market into a legitimate hockey pipeline.
And as someone who most definitely can’t bodycheck or shoot a puck whatsoever, I stand with the team that encouraged me to pursue journalism.
I stand by the early morning practices I woke up for.
I stand with celebrating my 13th birthday at a game.
I stand with the moment Marc-Andre Fleury stopped his car mid-drive to sign my stick.
I stand with Deryk Engelland signing the back of my jersey.
I stand with the person I was a year ago who walked into a development camp not as a fan, but as a journalist. I stand by the fact that at 19 years old I got to write a piece about the Mitch Marner trade. I stand by the experience that I got to be in the same room as journalists I grew up reading and watching, people who I’m lucky enough to have in my corner as I still work my way up in this world.
And to be absolutely clear: standing with the Knights does not mean standing with every player who has ever worn the jersey, nor every decision the organization has made. My loyalty isn’t about excusing anyone’s behavior.
This is about the team that made me love hockey in the first place, and the next chapter we get to watch unfold. From welcoming PWHL Las Vegas to watching the Golden Knights skate into their third Stanley Cup Final.
If you told Nikolaj Ehlers 10 years ago that he'd be one win away from making it to his first Stanley Cup Final, the then 20-year-old sophomore Winnipeg Jets forward likely wouldn't believe that it took that long.
What he also wouldn't believe is that he'd be doing so with the Carolina Hurricanes.
A long-time member of the Jets, Ehlers was drafted and developed through Kevin Cheveldayoff and Mark Chipman's system.
He put up 25 or more goals and 50 or more points in five of his 10 seasons in Manitoba and quickly became a fan favourite in and around Winnipeg.
He loved the team, the city and its fans.
Photo by James Guillory/USA Today
Ehlers, who moved around a fair bit as a child and teenager, has actually called Winnipeg home longer than any other city he's lived in over the course of his 30 years.
'Fly,' as he's called by teammates who marvel at his breathtaking speed and acceleration, quickly developed a friendship with fellow Scandinavian, Patrik Laine. The two seemed inseparable during their early years with the Jets.
The only place they were separated was on the ice.
For reasons unknown to the average fan, head coaches in Winnipeg have always liked Ehlers, but have never rewarded him quite the way he'd have hoped. None of Claude Noel, Paul Maurice, Dave Lowry, Rick Bowness or Scott Arniel gave Ehlers the opportunity for top-line minutes or considerable time on the first power play unit.
And that ultimately led to his departure last summer.
Nikolaj Ehlers: "I Really Did Love Living and Playing in Winnipeg."
As his long-term contract neared its conclusion, Ehlers' frustration with his usage and on-ice deployment continued to grow. It boiled over to the point of opting to use his unrestricted free agent right to sign with the Carolina Hurricanes - to the tune of six years and $51 million.
Ehlers, who often mentions the importance of his family when making decisions, said he received input from his father, Heinz - a longtime coach in his native Denmark - when talking about his playing future.
Opting for a change of scenery, Ehlers chose Raleigh, North Carolina as his new stomping grounds. That decision has already given him more points, power play minutes and more Stanley Cup Playoff wins than any singular season in Winnipeg garnered over his first 10 years in the league.
So, to say he made the 'right' decision.
Last week, after seeing his Canes fall to Montreal in the Eastern Conference Final series opener, Ehlers scored two goals - including the overtime winner - in Carolina's Game 2 victory. The Hurricanes have since gone on to pick up two more victories in the series, moving to within one win of the Stanley Cup Final.
He did so with his father in attendance at the game.
For Ehlers, making it to the Final will provide another difficult speed bump: the Vegas Golden Knights.
The full welcome back tribute video for #Canes’ forward Nikolaj Ehlers.
A team that stood in Winnipeg's way more than once in the postseason - most notably in 2018, winning the Western Conference Championship in Manitoba, en route to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in just their first year of existence.
Sure, there are a number of Manitobans on the Golden Knights, but they've all been there before. This time, it's Ehlers' time to shine. With one more victory over the suddenly powerless Canadiens, he will have that chance to skate as one of the final two teams remaining in the playoffs.
Oh, and he'll be doing it alongside Winnipeg's top current hockey player, Seth Jarvis, who is also coincidentally signed through the 2030-31 season in Carolina.
No, he's no longer with Winnipeg, but according to most in the Manitoba prairies, he will always be an easy choice to cheer for - even while dressed in Carolina's unfamiliar red and black.
Each of the last three Eastern Conference Finals matchups has finished with five or fewer total goals.
With Montreal on the brink of elimination tonight, my Canadiens vs. Hurricanes predictions point to yet another tight, low-scoring contest.
Let's get right into my NHL picks for Friday, May 29.
UPDATE: Added prediction for who will win & +325 SGP pick.
Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 5 prediction tonight
Who will win Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 5?
Hurricanes: The Canadiens look like a team that is completely out of gas. They have no answers for Carolina's relentless forechecking and pressure, and Montreal continues to spend most of each game on its heels.
The Hurricanes have won the expected goal battle 19.24-8.40, yet are only up 12-10 on the scoreboard. Carolina will end this series on home ice.
Canadiens vs Hurricanes best bet: Under 5.5 (-110)
The Carolina Hurricanes have limited shot attempts, expected goals, and goals more effectively than every team in the playoffs. They are giving up next to nothing on a nightly basis, which helps explain why 10 of their 12 games have gone Under the total.
The Hurricanes have been particularly smothering against the Montreal Canadiens, who are completely gassed after consecutive seven-game series vs. division rivals.
Generating offense will be a problem for Montreal, while Jakub Dobes, the playoff leader in Goals Saved Above Expected, has proven reliable at limiting the opponent.
Expect a 3-2 type of game in Carolina. Playable to -125.
Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 5 same-game parlay
Nick Suzuki Over 1.5 shots
Lane Hutson Over 0.5 assists
Lane Hutson Over 1.5 blocked shots
Nick Suzuki is leading the Canadiens with 10 shots on goal this series. He has multiple shots in six of seven games against Carolina dating back to the regular season, and Montreal's captain will be relied upon heavily to lead the way in this elimination game.
Lane Hutson has started more shifts in the offensive zone than anybody on the roster. Martin St. Louis is giving him prime usage to put his high-end playmaking to use.
Sticking with Hutson, he has blocked 18 shots over the last six games. That includes eight over two appearances in Carolina. He played 24+ minutes in both elimination games thus far, and that kind of workload would afford plenty of block opportunities against the shot-happy Hurricanes.
Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 5 goal scorer pick
Nick Suzuki (+260)
Suzuki leads the Canadiens in shots on goal this series and is the only forward on the team averaging more than a shot per game against the Hurricanes yet to find the back of the net.
He is almost 10 minutes clear of the closest Canadiens forward to him in ice time this round. He'll get every opportunity to make something happen offensively, and I see value in backing him to +230.
Canadiens vs Hurricanes odds for Game 5 tonight
Moneyline: Montreal +185 | Carolina -225
Puck Line: Montreal +1.5 (-135) | Carolina -1.5 (+115)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-110) | Under 5.5 (-110)
Canadiens vs Hurricanes trend
Carolina has hit the game total Under in 13 of the last 15 games (+11.30 units, 67% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Hurricanes.
How to watch Canadiens vs Hurricanes Game 5
Location
Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
Date
Friday, May 29, 2026
Puck drop
8 p.m. ET
TV
TNT, CBC
Canadiens vs Hurricanes 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.
It appears the NHL may not have the most exciting offseason when it comes to free agency this summer. With very few superstar players expected to hit the open market, teams with lots of cap space like the Detroit Red Wings could find themselves limited in terms of impactful additions.
One name that has remained on Detroit’s radar for some time is Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson. With Dallas facing a difficult salary cap situation, many Red Wings fans have begun speculating that the organization could attempt to pry Robertson away through an offer sheet.
However, another emerging star on a team facing an even worse cap crunch may be becoming an even more realistic target in Vegas Golden Knights winger Pavel Dorofeyev.
The 25-year-old Russian forward has quickly become one of the breakout names of this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs and would fit perfectly into Detroit’s growing core as another major scoring threat.
Dorofeyev has developed into one of the league’s more dangerous goal scorers over the past two seasons, recording 72 goals during that span. That total ties him for the 15th-most goals in the NHL alongside some of the league’s top offensive talents, including Boston Bruins forwards David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie.
Detroit has continued searching for additional offense to support their stars in Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Alex DeBrincat, and Dorofeyev could provide exactly that. His ability to consistently finish scoring chances would give the Red Wings another dangerous top-six option capable of producing 35 or more goals per season.
Dorofeyev’s value has only continued to rise during Vegas’ current playoff run, scoring 10 goals and adding four assists for 14 points through 16 playoff games. His scoring touch and ability to perform in high-pressure situations are likely making him one of the more attractive restricted free agent targets around the league.
The Golden Knights already entered the offseason facing one of the NHL’s most difficult salary cap situations, and Dorofeyev’s postseason breakout may only complicate matters further. Detroit could potentially present Dorofeyev with a long-term, high-paying offer sheet that Vegas may struggle to match financially.
Draft pick compensation may not be a major obstacle for the Red Wings either. An offer sheet in the range of $7,020,114 to $9,360,153 would cost Detroit a first, second, and third-round pick as compensation. While the Red Wings currently do not possess all of their own required selections, teams have previously completed trades to reacquire their own draft picks specifically for offer sheet purposes.
Detroit’s 2026 first-round pick is currently owned by the St. Louis Blues following the Justin Faulk trade, while their second-round pick next year belongs to the Anaheim Ducks as part of the John Gibson trade.
Still, if general manager Steve Yzerman believes a player like Dorofeyev or Robertson can significantly accelerate the Red Wings’ rebuild into playoff contention, reacquiring those picks could become a realistic possibility this summer.
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PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 24: Ville Koivunen #41 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in action during the game against the Colorado Avalanche at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 24, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Vitals
Player: Ville Koivunen Born: June 13, 2003 (22 years old) Height: 6’0 Weight: 184 pounds Hometown: Oulu, Finland Shoots: Left Drafted: 2021 second-round, No. 51 overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes 2025-26 Regular Season Statistics: 39 games played, 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 total points, -10 Contract Status: Koivunen is a restricted free agent this summer
Story of the Season
After a promising debut in the NHL at the end of the 2024-25 season, Koivunen earned a spot on the opening night roster and was initially playing a top-six role. But things never really clicked for him at the NHL level, he eventually found himself back in the American Hockey League, and spent the 2025-26 season bouncing between the two levels. While he put up impressive numbers in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the second year in a row (he has been a point-per-game player with 97 points in 97 regular season games), it has not yet consistently translated to the NHL. The Penguins tried to go younger this season. A lot of the players they put into positions at the NHL level did not fully take advantage of it. At least not yet.
With just four points in his first 25 games, Koivunen never found any sort of consistency with his production and did not yet develop the scoring touch or playmaking that the Penguins were hoping for.
Even when he came back up at the end of the regular season the offense he was displaying in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton never carried over with zero goals and just two assists over his final 12 games of the season in March and April.
Regular season 5v5 advanced stats
Data via Natural Stat Trick. Ranking is out of 18 forwards on the team who qualified by playing a minimum of 150 minutes.
Everything about this chart is positively hilarious, at least in some sort of bizarre, twisted way. He is either first or last in nearly every category.
All of the possession and scoring chance metrics? First. All of the actual goals scored and goals created metrics? Last. An enormous disconnect and basically makes him a newer version of Dominik Simon.
On one hand, it is positive that he pushes play and helps generate opportunities. That is important. There is value in that. It is also immensely frustrating that it does not turn into anything tangible on the scoreboard. That is going to have to start changing if he is going to be a regular in the top-six, or even in the top-nine. It is going to have to start changing rapidly.
The big question is simply can he translate the AHL production into NHL production, and can he turn the territorial edge the Penguins get with him on the ice into something that becomes actuals goals?
There were countless times during the season where Koivunen would seem to be in a prime scoring position with a chance to score, only to have his shot get blocked or deflected away from the net. Is his decision-making and shot just a split second too slow for the NHL? There is a fine line between success and failure at the highest level, and openings that exist in the minor leagues are not going to be there as long in the NHL. Any small hesitation is going to take away the opportunity you have in front of you.
Ideal 2026-27
He does not need to be a star, but he needs to show something.
He needs to produce something.
An ideal season for Koivunen would be sticking in the NHL for the entire season, and showing that he can at least contribute in the middle-six forward group and give them (and him) something to build on.
Give them 15 goals. Give them 30-35 points. Take a step forward. Become an NHL player.
Bottom line
Koivunen has nothing left to prove at the AHL level, and we are getting close to make-or-break time with the Penguins. That might seem like a harsh thing to say about a 23-year-old, especially when development is different for every player, but if you are going to a top-six or top-line player you probably need to start showing something by this age. You do not need to be at your peak or your absolute best. But you need to do something.
At this point he is starting to go from prospect to suspect.
He is almost certain to get re-signed as a restricted free agent, but it is going to be a short-term “prove it” deal. It is going to be all on him to actually start proving it.
Final Grade: D+
It was a very disappointing season for Koivunen, at least as it relates to his NHL play.
There were positives, especially with the ability to help drive possession. But the Penguins expected to see, and wanted to see, more offense from him. The talent is there. The creativity is there. He just needs to bring it all together.
The Islanders bolstered their prospect pool with the two first-round picks acquired -- they drafted Victor Eklund at No. 16 and Kashawn Aitcheson at No. 17 with forward Emil Heineman's first season on Long Island a career-best.
The Canadiens got an offensive defenseman to serve as a 1B behind stud Lane Hutson.
While the Islanders didn't make the playoffs, Dobson and the Canadiens did.
But, unfortunately for the former 70-point blueliner, he and the Canadiens find themselves in a rather similar position against the Carolina Hurricanes that that the Islanders saw themselves in back in 2023 and 2024: on the brink of elimination.
While the Islanders were sent packing after six and five games respectively, the Canadiens are currently down 3-1 after they fell 4-0 in Game 4.
When Carolina is rolling, not only do they rack up the shot total but they stifle their opponents. They outshot Dobson and Co. 43-18 on Wednesday night.
Dobson, who sustained a finger injury late in the regular season before returning for Game 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, has not recorded a point during this Eastern Conference Finals series, sitting with a +/- of -5 and six shots on goal.
He did score in Game 3 but the play was challenged and ultimately deemed offside.
Dobson, who recorded 47 points (12 goals, 35 assists) in his first season of an eight-year deal worth $9.5 million annually, has one point through his 12 playoff games.
Game 5 comes your way on Friday night at 8 PM ET on TNT, Tru TV and HBO Max.
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 09: Kris Letang #58, Sidney Crosby #87 and Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins look on prior to the game against the New York Islanders at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 9, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
It’s now t-minus one month until the start of the NHL Draft on June 26th, usually the first big movement period for NHL teams as they start to restock their rosters and shuffle pieces around. The Penguins were very active last year at the draft, making a few trades among only their draft picks and another move that sent Conor Timmins to Buffalo for Connor Clifton and a high second round pick.
Heading into that offseason event, why not set the stage early for a projected grouping of which Penguin players are likely to be back next seasons and which ones better be watching for a phone call from the GM or their agent about heading out of town.
Tier 1: The Big 3 No brainers
Sidney Crosby – nothing further needed.
Evgeni Malkin – re-signing with the Pens means Malkin will be back for a 21st season
Kris Letang – this might make some scratch their heads, but just look at the playoffs. In Games 4-6, Letang averaged 26:15 of ice time when the season was on the line. The Penguins might need to find the right role for the 39-year old, but he’s still a major part of it on and off the ice. Until some drastic news breaks, he’s gotta be set in stone for the roster.
Tier 2: A class to himself This guy doesn’t fit anywhere else..
Erik Karlsson – Karlsson, 36 on Sunday, is coming up on the final year of his contract. He’s been very choosy in the past about how he handles his no movement clause and there’s been no indications that the Penguins have even considered talking to him about an exit strategy. But, you never know what could happen over the long summer. The clock is ticking on Karlsson’s career and time remaining as an elite defenseman, he doesn’t have a Stanley Cup and while Pittsburgh was (and may be yet again) a decent/good team, they’re hardly serious championship contenders. Karlsson just finished eighth in points among defenders this season, there would be external interest if he was available. Does he want to make himself available? That’s the big question, the answer is unknown, and perhaps unlikely to get resolution during this off-season.
Tier 3: Young, valuable players This group of players are either off limits or close to it, because the Pens know them well enough to know what they have
Ben Kindel – The current crown jewel for the Pens’ future after a dazzling age-18 season. Surely he’ll be asked for in possible trades by other teams and just as surely that will be a quick and complete pass from the Pens.
Egor Chinakhov(RFA) – Looks like he has star potential, probably worth keeping around to see if that can happen in Pittsburgh.
Arturs Silovs(RFA) – Showed he can be a capable 1A/1B type for next season. Maybe the Pens seek an upgrade or more veteran partner for Sergei Murashov next year, but they’re probably just fine with keeping Silovs around for another season.
Elmer Soderblom – It’s a bit of a stretch to fit in this category, but Soderblom gave the Pens a lot to feel excited about in the future.
Tier 4: Veteran core Could these players be available? Sure. But they’re likely to be key supporting players next season that the Pens value. However, if Pittsburgh really wants to shift into a new direction, it’s not like they wouldn’t at least listen to trade offers.
Bryan Rust – His name is bound to be in some level of the rumor mill but there’s no reason to expect or think the Penguins are in a hurry at this point to trade a heart-and-soul player who scores nearly a point per game and is a leadership figure.
Rickard Rakell – Rakell would be an interesting case study for just how aggressively the Penguins want to get younger this offseason. He’s got to have decent value in a trade, but he’s also got immense value for the lineup considering his stint at center and bouncing around all over the top-six last year while retaining effectiveness and production.
Blake Lizotte and Connor Dewar – Seems natural to lump these two together since both recently signed extensions of matching salaries. Makes a quick trade look very unlikely. You never truly know but odds have to be heavily slanted to them staying in Pittsburgh for a bit.
Parker Wotherspoon – Wotherspoon is a player the Penguins need to find one or two more of as effective, low-maintenance top-4 options, not send the one they have out the door this offseason.
Tier 5: Who would want them? Likely to be safe because it’s not like anyone outside the league is seeking them
Ryan Graves – Graves does have three years left on his contract, which could make a trade more palatable trade situation since other teams might have similar term left on a player that isn’t working out for them. A buyout won’t work based on how Graves’s is structured, so who knows. Might be at least another year of NHL/AHL limbo for him.
Caleb Jones – 2025-26 featured a major ankle injury, a major shoulder injury and a positive test for a banned substance. Can’t imagine anyone in the league is calling up to acquire this guy.
Filip Hallander – blood clots shutting down his season in November makes him an unlikely target for other teams.
Ilya Solovyov – Nothing against Solovyov, but this is the only category he somewhat fits into. Almost every team has a 6/7/8th unestablished defender in their organization.
Tier 6: Keep your Friedman/Seravalli social media alerts ready.. Players who fit the mold of recent Kyle Dubas flipping
Tommy Novak – Novak isn’t exactly young (29), did pretty well last season with 42 points and is an affordable player whose contract is up after 2026-27. He can help a team but isn’t a bedrock, foundational player. This is the exact profile that Dubas has tended to move on from. It might not be this summer since Novak would be valuable to the Pens if he returns in the fall, but in trying to predict the unpredictable known as what Dubas trades, Novak checks an awful lot of boxes as a trade chip.
Sam Girard – Girard had a strong reputation and an uneven finish to the season with the Pens. He’s a mobile defenseman who can move the puck, and that is always in demand. The Pens have plenty of ability to retain salary on the one-year remaining on his deal if that would help a suitor. Pittsburgh might want to see more from Girard and hope he’s better for them when he gets more acclimated, but he’s also the type of veteran that tends to go in-and-out of the organization these days.
Justin Brazeau – The Pens bought low on Brazeau last summer, do they now try to sell high? He’s a huge forward on a cheap deal that showed some scoring touch with the 17 goals last season. Pittsburgh practically has a young clone of Brazeau in Elmer Soderblom, will that make Brazeau redundant to the point of moving on from?
Tier 6: Free Agent decisions, even though many are obvious Pittsburgh has given out extensions to UFA players (Malkin, Dewar, Solovyov). But not any of these guys. Read into that at your own risk for how much or little of a priority they may be..
Noel Acciari – Wish he was a little younger, probably has aged out for a team that will be looking to get young players (Rutger McGroarty, Avery Hayes, Tristan Broz) into the NHL next season.
Anthony Mantha – Don’t expect this to be much of a decision, based on the Dubas press conference. Mantha will be cashing in on his big 2025-26 with a new team and likely huge contract. He earned it.
Kevin Hayes – Great guy, hopefully he is able to do what he wants if that means continuing to play somewhere else next season. If not, hopefully he remains active in the media space somewhere.
Stuart Skinner – Another player almost certainly out the door this summer. Here’s to wishing he goes somewhere that can use him like a 1B and he can get a little support and stability.
Connor Clifton – Physical and a good soldier, will probably have his journey take him somewhere new next season.
Ryan Shea – Of all the remaining unrestricted free agents, this is the one that you probably have to wonder the most about having a real shot to come back. Then again, Shea is the highest-scoring UFA left handed defenseman this summer (and sixth highest-scoring defenseman overall). He’s in-line for a good, if not really good, type of pay day – very much earned through years of grinding and finally breaking through. This is a real decision for the Pens, do they want to pay a market rate for a strong performer? If not, they’ll need a plan to replace him.
The embarrassment of being swept out of the Western Conference Final may not be the most damaging thing the Colorado Avalanche carry into the offseason.
For weeks, the focus has been on Colorado's inability to keep pace with the Vegas Golden Knights. Now, attention is shifting to something potentially more concerning: whether franchise cornerstone Cale Makar will be healthy when next season begins.
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the injury that sidelined Makar for the first two games of the series against Vegas is serious enough that questions are already being asked about his availability for training camp and opening night.
“I’ve heard his injury is pretty significant,” Friedman said on his podcast. “And I know some people have been wondering, will he be ready for the start of next year? I guess we’ll find all that out, but I just don’t think that that’s the reason here. I think it’s more of an excuse than anything else.”
Friedman made it clear he doesn't believe Makar's injury was the deciding factor in the series. The Golden Knights were simply the better team.
Still, that doesn't make the injury any less concerning.
The Moment Everything Changed
The play itself hardly looked catastrophic.
Midway through the third period of Colorado's Game 5 matchup against the Minnesota Wild in the previous round, Makar tangled with Mats Zuccarello along the boards. Almost immediately, he grabbed at his right arm and headed down the tunnel.
The reaction raised eyebrows because Makar had already been visibly uncomfortable throughout the game, repeatedly reaching for the same area and speaking with trainers on the bench.
Although he returned later that night and continued playing through the postseason, it became increasingly obvious that he wasn't operating at full strength. Reports have since indicated the arm issue was compounded by a lingering hip injury, leaving one of hockey's most dominant players battling through multiple ailments during the most important stretch of the season.
The statistical drop-off reflected it.
After producing 79 points during the regular season, Makar finished the playoffs with just five points in 11 games. It matched the lowest postseason point total of his career, including seasons that ended in first-round exits.
More Questions Than Answers
The Avalanche entered the playoffs believing they had another legitimate shot at a Stanley Cup.
Instead, they were swept in four games, watched their stars struggle to generate offense, and exited with more uncertainty than momentum.
Now, the organization faces an offseason filled with difficult conversations.
Head coach Jared Bednar is entering the final year of his contract. The roster has clear areas that need improvement. And hanging over everything is the health of the player many consider the best defenseman in the world.
If Makar's recovery extends deeper into the summer than expected, it won't just affect his preparation. It could alter how Colorado approaches training camp, roster planning, and expectations for the start of the 2026-27 season.
For a franchise already searching for answers after a humiliating finish, the possibility of beginning next year without a fully healthy Makar would only make an uncomfortable offseason even more complicated.
Bednar said the organization expects to provide more detailed injury updates in the coming days following Colorado's Game 4 elimination.
Montreal Canadiens (48-24-10, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (53-22-7, in the Metropolitan Division)
Raleigh, North Carolina; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT
LINE: Hurricanes -228, Canadiens +187; over/under is 5.5
STANLEY CUP SEMIFINALS: Hurricanes lead series 3-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Carolina Hurricanes host the Montreal Canadiens in the third round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-1 lead in the series. The teams meet Wednesday for the eighth time this season. The Hurricanes won the previous meeting 4-0.
Carolina has a 34-11-2 record at home and a 53-22-7 record overall. The Hurricanes are 56-6-6 when scoring three or more goals.
Montreal is 31-10-10 in road games and 48-24-10 overall. The Canadiens rank fifth in the league serving 10.4 penalty minutes per game.
TOP PERFORMERS: Andrei Svechnikov has 31 goals and 39 assists for the Hurricanes. Logan Stankoven has six goals over the past 10 games.
Nicholas Suzuki has 29 goals and 72 assists for the Canadiens. Alexander Newhook has scored six goals with two assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hurricanes: 9-1-0, averaging 3.1 goals, 5.9 assists, 5.9 penalties and 15 penalty minutes while giving up 1.7 goals per game.
Canadiens: 5-3-2, averaging 3.5 goals, six assists, 5.8 penalties and 20 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.
INJURIES: Hurricanes: None listed.
Canadiens: Patrik Laine: out (abdomen).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
One week ago, the Colorado Avalanche looked like a team that was inevitable. Today, they're cleaning out their lockers after one of the most stunning collapses in franchise history.
For months, the Avalanche looked destined to lift the Stanley Cup. They won the Presidents' Trophy. They overwhelmed opponents with speed and skill. They entered the Western Conference Final as heavy favorites.
Four games later, they were swept. Not beaten. Swept.
The easy explanation is to point at Vegas and say the Golden Knights got hot at the right time. The better explanation is that Colorado spent an entire season flirting with problems that eventually became impossible to ignore.
And no, this has nothing to do with some mythical Presidents' Trophy curse.
The Presidents' Trophy isn't cursed. It's a trophy. You make your own destiny. And the Avalanche made theirs.
Throughout the season, there were warning signs hiding beneath the wins. If you've watched our interviews all year long, you've heard the same phrases repeated over and over: poor puck management, defensive-zone turnovers, sloppy play, unforced mistakes.
The difference was that those mistakes usually came with a safety net. Scott Wedgewood would make a ridiculous save. Mackenzie Blackwood would erase a defensive breakdown. Nathan MacKinnon would score a goal and suddenly nobody cared about the turnover that happened three shifts earlier.
Winning has a way of covering up flaws. Until it doesn't.
Against Vegas, it was like pneumonia and sepsis hit at the exact same time. The offense stopped scoring. The goaltending advantage disappeared. The power play went silent. The injuries mounted. Every issue that had been masked by elite talent and timely saves suddenly stood naked under a spotlight.
Everything that could go wrong went wrong.
Nathan MacKinnon didn't score a goal in the series. Think about that for a second. The most dominant even-strength player in hockey went four games without scoring. That's never happened before, and the Avalanche had no answer.
When The Punches Started Landing
Watching Colorado during the final three games of this series reminded me of Oscar De La Hoya's fight against Manny Pacquiao in 2008.
On paper, it looked like a massive showdown between two stars.
What people forget is what De La Hoya had to go through just to get there. He hadn't fought at that weight class in years and spent his training camp draining his body to make weight. By fight night, he looked depleted, dehydrated, and physically empty. When the fight started, Pacquiao immediately took over, and De La Hoya had no ability to change the momentum.
At one point, the late Emmanuel Steward — one of the greatest trainers in boxing history and a former coach of De La Hoya himself — watched the fight unfold and delivered a brutally honest assessment:
"He doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know what to do at all."
Watching Colorado against Vegas, it was hard not to think about that quote.
The Golden Knights kept punching. The Avalanche kept absorbing. And no adjustment ever came.
Vegas clogged the middle of the ice and dared Colorado to beat them from the perimeter. Colorado kept trying anyway.
Vegas erased a third-period lead in Game 2. Colorado looked stunned. Vegas stormed back in Game 3. Colorado looked stunned again.
For a team that entered the third period with a lead and won 41 consecutive regular-season games, plus four playoff games, the inability to respond was shocking.
"I think we let Games 2 and 3 slip away from us," Logan O’Connor said. "Super uncharacteristic from our group to give up the leads like that, especially in consecutive games."
The scary part wasn't just that Colorado lost those games. It was how they reacted afterward. The confidence disappeared. The swagger disappeared. By Game 4, they looked like a team waiting for something bad to happen.
Then it did.
The Offense Never Showed Up
A lot of attention will naturally fall on Nathan MacKinnon, because that’s what happens when superstars go quiet on the biggest stage.
But he wasn't alone.
Martin Necas, Brock Nelson and Valeri Nichushkin combined for 88 regular-season goals. In this series, they combined for four. Only two came against goaltenders.
Necas was supposed to be the connector, the secondary engine who punished teams for overloading on MacKinnon. Instead, Vegas forced him to the perimeter and took away his ability to attack the middle of the ice.
Nelson generated chances but couldn't finish them. At times, he looked like a player pressing for offense that never arrived. In 20 playoff games with Colorado, he has just two goals, both empty-netters.
Nichushkin’s story was more physical than statistical. His offense had already faded late in the regular season, and it never returned in the playoffs. A lower-body injury eventually ended his series after Game 4.
Now the Avalanche face difficult questions about his future, with four years remaining on his contract and a modified no-trade clause attached.
But regardless of the individual cases, the result is the same: Colorado’s depth scoring vanished.
And when MacKinnon stopped scoring, there was nothing left to catch the slack.
The Details That Decided Everything
There’s a temptation to frame this as a collapse defined by one issue.
It wasn’t.
It was everything at once.
The power play struggled for most of the season and carried that problem straight into the postseason. Puck management issues that showed up in November were still there in May. Defensive-zone breakdowns never fully disappeared.
The Avalanche often survived those flaws because they had enough elite talent to erase the consequences.
Vegas removed that safety net.
The Golden Knights defended with structure and patience. They clogged the middle of the ice, forced Colorado to the outside, and waited for mistakes.
And Colorado kept giving them.
You can point to injuries. You can point to goaltending swings. You can point to luck.
All of it matters.
But great teams are eventually defined by what they repeatedly are, not what they occasionally become.
For months, Colorado’s flaws were survivable.
Against Vegas, they were decisive.
Even the goaltending story fits that pattern. Scott Wedgewood earned his role with a strong season, but Carter Hart consistently outplayed Colorado’s netminders throughout the series. When Mackenzie Blackwood finally delivered Colorado’s best performance in Game 4, it came too late, with too little support in front of him.
By then, the series had already slipped away.
Meanwhile, Vegas only got stronger. Health returned. Execution tightened. Confidence grew.
That’s how a sweep happens in a series that was supposed to be competitive.
Not because of fate.
Not because of a curse.
But because one team adapted — and the other didn’t.
And once the punches started landing, Colorado never found a way to answer them.
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins got their Eastern Conference Final series against the Toronto Marlies started on Wednesday night, but it didn't go very well.
WBS got out to a 1-0 lead in the first period before losing 4-2 and is now down 1-0 in the best-of-seven series. This is the first best-of-seven series for WBS after playing two best-of-five series in the Atlantic Division Semifinals and the Atlantic Division Final.
Alexander Alexeyev opened the scoring in the first period before the Marlies took a 2-1 lead in the second period. Rutger McGroarty tied the game in the third period, and it looked like the game was about to go to overtime, but Michael Pezzetta had other ideas, scoring the game-winning goal with 1:36 left in regulation.
The Marlies later added an empty-net goal after WBS tried to tie the game in the final minute.
Here are three takeaways from this game:
1. Special teams need to be better
Both the power play and the penalty kill were simply not good enough for WBS in this one. The Penguins had multiple opportunities to cash in on the power play, but couldn't make any of them count. To make matters worse, they gave up a goal to the Marlies power play in the second period, giving them a 2-1 lead.
Special teams are a big part of short playoff series and can swing momentum in an instant. That will be a huge key heading into Game 2 on Friday.
2. Rutger McGroarty played very well
I thought this was one of McGroarty's best games of the playoffs. I've really liked the chemistry he's had with Avery Hayes, but in this game, it was all McGroarty. The goal he scored to tie the game in the third period was awesome.
Tristan Broz stole the puck and fed it to McGroarty, who went forehand, backhand, but was denied. However, he got the loose puck and banked it in.
He was everywhere in this game and had some other good chances that didn't go in. If he can continue to have a solid AHL playoff run, it will only help his chances of cracking the NHL roster next season.
3. More net-front traffic
WBS may have outshot Toronto 36-16, but I felt that the team didn't get enough traffic in front of Toronto goaltender Artur Akhtyamov. The team understood the assignment on Alexeyev's goal with traffic in front of him, but didn't do a good enough job with that for the rest of the game.
Akhtyamov has been really good for Toronto in these playoffs, and WBS needs to do a better job of taking his eyes away when he's in the crease.
Game 2 of this series is set for Friday at 7:05 p.m. ET. If WBS wins, the series would be tied at one heading back to Toronto for three games.
Now they're waiting to find out whether they will face the Carolina Hurricanes or the Montreal Canadiens in the championship round. The Hurricanes took a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals with a 4-0 win on Wednesday, May 27.
But when will the Stanley Cup Final begin?
Generally, the NHL will move up the Final if the conference finals wrap up in five games. Here are opening dates that make sense if that happens or if the Canadiens extend the series.
If Eastern Conference finals end in five games
June 2 would be the ideal starting date.
That's already set aside for Game 7 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Game 5 would be May 29 in North Carolina, so there's plenty of time for the Golden Knights to fly to Raleigh and for the NHL to hold media days.
If Eastern Conference finals end in six or seven games
How about June 4?
ABC is showing both the Stanley Cup Final and the NBA Finals, so there aren't a lot of open dates. June 4 would fall between Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals.
And nothing is going on at the Lenovo Center (Hurricanes) and Bell Centre (Canadiens) that day. The Stanley Cup Final will begin at the home of the East champion, regardless of who wins.
If there is a Game 7, it might be a tight turnaround for the Golden Knights to fly to the winning team's city and take part in media days, but it can be done.
The series isn't over yet by any means, but the way they Carolina Hurricanes handled the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final certainly makes it seem like it already may be.
The Hurricanes stomped the Canadiens in a 4-0 beatdown at Centre Bell on Wednesday in one of their more complete games of the postseason.
From the drop of the puck to the end, Carolina was far and away the better team.
They piled on the chances, outshooting the Canadiens 43-18 overall, and that was bookended by a hot start and a dominant finish.
The Hurricanes didn't allow a shot on goal through the first eight minutes of the game and then in the final period, they outshot the Habs 19-3.
Despite the Canadiens needing their best possible push in that third period, they didn't manage to put any rubber on Frederik Andersen until the final three minutes of the game, a testament to the Canes' defensive clinic.
The game looked much like the last two, where the Hurricanes held Montreal to 12 and 13 shots respectively, but the difference tonight is that they finally found a little more finish.
Carolina blew the game open midway through the first period, putting three past Jakub Dobes in less than three minutes.
Sebastian Aho got the party started with the team's first power play goal of the series, rifling home a Nikolaj Ehlers feed.
Just over a minute later, the Canes' third line got the cycle going and after a long o-zone shift, K'Andre Miller activated down from the blueline and fed a perfect pass to Jordan Staal in front.
And then a minute and a half later, Jackson Blake and Logan Stankoven were sprung on a 2-on-1 thanks to a monster Shayne Gostisbehere block and the former fed the latter for his team leading eighth goal of the playoffs.
From there, the Hurricanes just put the pressure on the Canadiens and even though the Habs had a few pushes, Andersen was there, stopping all 18 shots he faced for his third shutout of the postseason (Andrei Svechnikov scored an empty netter at the end too).
Again, the series isn't over by any means, but it's hard to see the Canadiens finding a way from here.
Outside of Carolina's disastrous Game 1 start, where they gave up four goals in the opening 14 minutes following 11 straight days off, there really hasn't been any portion of games where you can say Montreal was better.
Yes, they've gotten strong goaltending and they've certainly been opportunistic with their chances, but that's not a sustainable method.
Carolina has been better in every matchup, their defense has been dominant on both ends of the ice, they're more physical, they're quicker to pucks, they're more decisive.
I mean, the Hurricanes had as many shots on Wednesday as the Canadiens have had combined over the last three games, even despite playing at home and being able to dictate their matchups in the last two.
The Hurricanes are a machine and the Habs so far just don't have an answer.
That's been the story of the playoffs so far, as Carolina handled the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers in back-to-back sweeps and now they sit just one win away from the Stanley Cup Final.
It's been a long road to get to this point, but the job is certainly not done.
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MONTREAL — Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal and Logan Stankoven scored in a 2:47 span late in the first period and the Carolina Hurricanes moved within a victory of the Stanley Cup Final, beating the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 on Wednesday night.
Frederik Andersen made 18 saves for his third shutout in 12 postseason games this year to help the Hurricanes take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Final.
Game 5 is Friday night in North Carolina, with the series winner facing the Vegas Golden Knights.
Carolina’s Jordan Staal (11) scores on goalie Jakub Dobes during the Canadiens’ 4-0 Game 4 win over the Canadiens on May 27, 2026 in Montreal. The Canadian Press via AP
“We have better,” Stankoven said. “It’s great to come out like a team like this and perform like that, but I think at this time of the year you can’t bring your ‘B’ game. You have to bring your ‘A’ game every night.”
Nikolaj Ehlers and Shayne Gostisbehere each had two assists for the Hurricanes. They are the seventh NHL team to win six or more road games to start a postseason.
“Definitely excited,” Gostisbehere said. “Have to take care of business.”
Anderson and the Hurricanes are 11-1 in the first three rounds. They put it away early in Game 4 after winning the previous two games in overtime.
The Hurricanes scored first for the fourth straight game when Aho beat Jakub Dobes with a one-timer from the right circle on a power play with 5:02 left in the first.
Sebastian Aho (right) celebrates his goal with Carolina teammates Andrei Svechnikov (37), Nikolaj Ehlers (27) and Shayne Gostisbehere (4) during the first period of the Hurricanes’ Game 4 win over the Canadiens. The Canadian Press via AP
Staal followed with 3:53 to go, tipping in K’Andre Miller’s centering pass. Stankoven then finished off a two-on-one with Jason Blake with 2:14 remaining in the period.
“The game’s going to humble you,” Montreal coach Martin St. Louis said. “Whenever you get humbled, you stand tall.”
Andrei Svechnikov had an empty-net goal in the third.
Frederik Andersen, who had 17 saves, stops a Cole Caufield shot during the Hurricanes’ Game 4 win over the Canadiens. The Canadian Press via AP
Carolina had a 19-3 shots-on-goal advantage in the third period for a 43-18 overall edge.
“It seemed like the only guy that showed up was Doby,” Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson said. “Wasn’t good enough. Didn’t answer the bell.”
May 27, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) shoots on Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the second period in game four of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
MONTREAL (AP) — Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal and Logan Stankoven scored in a 2:47 span late in the first period and the Carolina Hurricanes moved within a victory of the Stanley Cup Final, beating the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 on Wednesday night.
Frederik Andersen made 18 saves for his third shutout in 12 postseason games this year to help the Hurricanes take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Final. Game 5 is Friday night in North Carolina, with the series winner facing the Vegas Golden Knights.
Anderson and the Hurricanes are 11-1 in the first three rounds. They put it away early in Game 4 after winning the previous two games in overtime.
The Hurricanes scored first for the fourth straight game when Aho beat Jakub Dobes with a one-timer from the right circle on a power play with 5:02 left in the first.
Staal followed with 3:53 to go, tipping in K’Andre Miller’s centering pass. Stankoven then finished off a two-on-one with Jason Blake with 2:14 remaining in the period.
Andrei Svechnikov had an empty-net goal in the third.
Carolina had a 19-3 shots-on-goal advantage in the third period for a 43-18 overall edge.
