The Los Angeles Kings didn’t just hire another head coach—they doubled down on a philosophy that has repeatedly failed to deliver lasting success.

A Familiar Gamble

Peter Laviolette was hired as the franchise’s next head coach on Monday, replacing interim coach D.J. Smith after Jim Hiller was dismissed in March.

On paper, it’s an impressive résumé. Laviolette enters Los Angeles as a Stanley Cup champion with 846 career victories, ranking seventh in NHL history, and more than two decades of NHL coaching experience.

But résumés don’t win future playoff series.

Since Darryl Sutter departed the organization in 2017, the Kings have now cycled through five different head coaches. Laviolette becomes the seventh man to occupy the position during that stretch, a revolving door that raises an obvious question: Is this another solution, or simply another reset?

More than anything, this hire feels less like a calculated move and more like a franchise hoping history suddenly changes.

Success And Inconsistency

To Laviolette’s credit, there is legitimate hardware on his résumé.

He guided the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup in 2006, delivering the organization’s first championship. Yet the celebration didn’t translate into sustained success. Carolina missed the playoffs in each of the following three seasons, ultimately leading to his dismissal.

A similar pattern followed in Philadelphia.

After replacing John Stevens during the 2009-10 season, Laviolette immediately sparked the Flyers, leading them all the way to the Stanley Cup Final before losing in six games to the Chicago Blackhawks. The momentum gradually faded as Philadelphia suffered additional early playoff exits before eventually missing the postseason entirely, resulting in another coaching change.

His tenure in Nashville was arguably his most stable. The Predators reached the playoffs in five consecutive seasons and advanced to the Stanley Cup Final in 2017, only to lose in six games against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Less than three seasons later, Laviolette was fired midway through the 2019-20 campaign.

The trend continued in Washington. The Capitals exited in the first round in consecutive years before missing the playoffs altogether in 2022-23.

Then came New York.

In his first season with the Rangers, Laviolette guided the club to the Eastern Conference Final before losing to the Florida Panthers. One year later, the Rangers missed the playoffs entirely, ending his tenure after just two seasons.

The common thread isn’t that Laviolette never wins.

It’s that the success almost always arrives quickly before disappearing just as fast.

Was D.J. Smith That Bad?

That’s what makes this decision so puzzling.

What exactly was wrong with D.J. Smith?

The Kings may have been swept by the Colorado Avalanche, but the series was far more competitive than the final result suggests. Los Angeles battled in every game, and Anton Forsberg delivered everything he had between the pipes.

Smith also brought an identity that seemed to resonate throughout the locker room.

His message was straightforward: show up every day, compete relentlessly, and embrace the physical side of hockey.

Even away from games, Smith practiced what he preached. Behind the scenes, he could regularly be seen jumping on the stationary bike and completing workouts alongside his players. It wasn’t just a symbolic gesture—he led by example.

Players respect coaches who demand accountability while holding themselves to the same standard, and Smith embodied that philosophy.

For a franchise searching for consistency, that seemed like a foundation worth building upon rather than abandoning.

Chasing The Past Instead Of Building The Future

Nobody should question Laviolette’s accomplishments.

He’s a Stanley Cup champion. He’s reached three Stanley Cup Finals. He’s compiled one of the most successful regular-season coaching records in modern NHL history.

But in 2026, this feels like a significant gamble.

Los Angeles isn’t hiring the version of Peter Laviolette that lifted the Stanley Cup in 2006 or took Nashville to the Final in 2017. They’re betting that a coach whose recent stops have ended with declining results can suddenly reverse a trend that has followed him for nearly two decades.

And what is the ultimate objective?

Is it simply making it out of the first round every once in a while?

For a franchise that has spent years searching for stability behind the bench, this feels like another roll of the dice rather than a long-term vision.

Laviolette absolutely has the experience to prove critics wrong, and if he succeeds, the Kings will look brilliant.

But recent history suggests something else.

Lately, when the Kings gamble, they lose.

And betting on Peter Laviolette in 2026 might be their biggest wager yet.

The Colorado Avalanche offseason has been a roller coaster of emotions, and free agency hasn't even started yet. Chris MacFarland is leaving for the Nashville Predators on a reported massive offer, which forces Joe Sakic to take the mantle of General Manager back and adds even more pressure on this front office to make changes to a team many thought could/was better than the 2022 Stanley Cup team.

One contract that will need to be tackled this summer is that of forward Jack Drury, who is a restricted free agent. With the team having just under $3 million in cap space, he is a key depth piece to keep, given his on-ice work, and he's only 26 years old. The question is: what does he want, and what are the Avalanche willing to pay? Well, one major factor just got resolved that could play into their negotiations over how much Drury could be paid.

Minnesota Wild Already Making Moves

Earlier today, the Minnesota Wild announced they have re-signed pending unrestricted free agent Michael McCarron to a six-year, $20 million extension, with a $3.33 million cap hit. The contract includes a no-movement clause for the first three seasons, then a modified 15-team no-movement clause for the final three seasons.

Wild Bring Back Physical Center Michael McCarron On A Six Year DealThe 6-foot-6 veteran solidifies Minnesota’s bottom-six with a long-term commitment. His massive frame and reliable faceoff skills reinforce the heavy, physical identity Bill Guerin demands for playoff contention.

McCarron started the season with the Predators and, in 59 games, scored five goals and seven assists for 12 points before being traded to the Wild for a 2028 second-round pick. In 20 games with the Wild, he scored three goals and two assists for five points, following that up with two goals and two assists for four points in 11 playoff games.

While his point production might not stand out, it needed to be evaluated given the Wild's lack of center depth. This is a signing that if the Wild can secure another bona fide top-six center, McCarron as a bottom-six center is tremendous value, considering his lineup with Yakov Trenin and Vladimir Tarasenko was great for them in the playoffs.

The Avalanche Could Use The Wild As Leverage

If you're Sakic and start talks with Drury, this is the exact number range you want to sign Drury for, and it comes with greater benefits than the McCarron signing. While the size differential is noticeable, and how that was a major topic when the Avalanche lost to the Golden Knights, and how the team needed to get “tougher, bigger, grittier”. Drury plays like he's 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds.

The Avalanche Need More Bullies If They Want Another Stanley CupThe Colorado Avalanche have no shortage of elite talent, but after another disappointing playoff exit, it has become painfully clear they need more players who score, hit, agitate, and make every shift miserable for the opposition.

He's not afraid to throw the body or get infront of the puck to block a shot, and is a great addition to the penalty kill. He's also great at the faceoff; he finished the regular season with a 58.1% win rate, which is the third-highest on the team. He's a pivotal guy you want on the penalty kill or for a defensive zone draw. Better than Nicolas Roy, Nazem Kadri, or Ross Colton. In the playoffs, he remained excellent, going 76-48 for a 61.3% win rate.

The biggest factor in getting an extension, and in the Avalanche being more open-minded about a longer-term contract, is his age. McCarron is currently 31 and will turn 32 on March 7, 2027. While yes, the Wild are in win-now mode, and the cap hit of $3.33 million over the next six years isn't awful with the cap going up, it's the no-movement clause that could be a factor if the Wild need to make drastic changes.

Drury is 26 years old and turns 27 on February 3, 2027, so even if the Avalanche match with the same contract and similar numbers, it helps lock in Drury, who can get better with time. When his contract is over, it opens up more possibilities for signing him when he's 32, by which time the team will ultimately be completely different, with a completely different cap situation.

Sakic and the Avalanche have some moves to make this summer. No doubt we will see some names start popping up around the NHL Entry Draft as the Avalanche look to free up some cap space. However, keeping Drury with the team for the long term should be a priority for the team if/when they open up some cap space this summer.

Why The Avalanche Can’t Afford To Let Brent Burns WalkBrent Burns may be 41 years old, but the leadership, work ethic and culture he brings to the Colorado Avalanche make a compelling case for one more season.

Former Montreal Canadiens forward Michael McCarron has landed a nice payday from the Minnesota Wild.

The Wild have announced that they have re-signed McCarron to a six-year, $20 million contract. 

This is certainly a significant raise for McCarron. The former Canadiens forward just finished his two-year, $1.8 million contract, where he had a $900,000 AAV. Now, he has a $3.33 million AAV with his new deal from the Wild and will do so for a long time.

Clearly, Wild general manager Bill Guerin was very happy with what McCarron provided after they acquired him from the Nashville Predators ahead of the deadline. In 20 regular-season games with Minnesota following the trade, he had three goals, five points, and 40 hits. He also had two goals and four points in 11 playoff games for the Wild this spring. 

McCarron was selected by the Canadiens with the 25th overall pick of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. In 69 games with the Habs over three seasons, he posted two goals, six assists, eight points, 110 penalty minutes, and 185 hits. 

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The Stanley Cup Final continues tonight with Game 4, and I've found solid value in the goal-scorer market. 

My Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights anytime goal-scorer predictions will highlight Brett Howden, Jackson Blake, and Mitch Marner. 

Read more in my NHL picks for Tuesday, June 9. 

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights goal scorer predictions for Game 4

Goal scorer pick: Jackson Blake (+315)

Jackson Blake has been a breakout star for the Carolina Hurricanes in these playoffs, scoring five times. Blake leads the team with 6.33 individual expected goals and in individual great-danger chances with 28. Even though he's yet to find the back of the net in the Final, the opportunities are there. 

Carolina is also scoring 4.67 expected goals per 60 minutes when Blake is on the ice, indicating his importance to its offense. Additionally, Carolina is generating more than 17 high-danger chances per 60 minutes with him in action.

Given the volume of quality chances he's generating, Blake is an appealing candidate to find the back of the net.

I'll play this pick up to +250. 

Goal scorer pick: Brett Howden (+275)

Brett Howden has been doing it all for the Vegas Golden Knights this postseason, already scoring 13 goals. Three of them have come in the Stanley Cup Final. Howden has also generated 38 individual Fenwick attempts, ranking among the Top 5 players on the team.

His line was incredibly active in Game 3, accounting for four of Vegas' five goals in the overtime victory. More importantly, Howden's 21 individual high-danger chances lead the Golden Knights this postseason, highlighting how often he's finding dangerous scoring areas.

The veteran has also recorded eight shots on goal through the first three games of the Final. With his confidence high and opportunities continuing to come, Howden remains an attractive goal-scorer option.

I'll play this pick up to +225.

Goal scorer pick: Mitch Marner (+185)

Mitch Marner was the star of the show on Saturday evening, scoring a hat trick in the second period for the Golden Knights. The veteran has been a key piece for Vegas throughout the postseason, and the underlying metrics support his recent success.

Marner ranks second on the team with 4.1 individual expected goals and has generated 54 individual Fenwick attempts during the playoffs. He also erupted for 10 shots on goal in Game 4 and is averaging 4.66 shots per game in the series.

With the opportunities continuing to come at a high rate, Marner remains a solid candidate to find the back of the net again.

I'll play this pick up to +150.

Hurricanes vs Golden Knights anytime goal parlay

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The San Jose Sharks will enter the 2026 NHL Draft with two first round draft picks, 2nd and 20th overall. We're going to start by taking a look at players likely available with the second overall selection.

The Sharks desperately need to fill their cupboards on the blue line, and they have a number of options to do so if that's the route they choose to go. Chase Reid is at the top of many experts' lists and he could fill a major need in San Jose. 

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Prospect Info

Name: Chase Reid 

2025-26 Team: Soo Greyhounds - Ontario Hockey League

Date of Birth: Dec. 30, 2007

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 194 lbs

Position: Defense (Right-Handed)

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Statistics:

Games Played - 45

Goals - 18

Assists - 30

Points - 48

Shots - 177

Shooting Percentage - 10.2% 

Plus/Minus - +27 

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Rankings:

NHL Central Scouting (North America): 2nd

The Hockey News - Tony Ferrari: 8th

The Hockey News - Ryan Kennedy: 4th

Elite Prospects: 2nd

Sportsnet - Sam Cosentino: 4th

Sportsnet - Jason Bukala: 6th

Smaht Scouting: 6th

Dobber Prospects: 5th

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What Experts Are Saying:

"Reid has some of the widest swings in his game. He can be the kind of defender who seems to be around the puck all game long, generating chances off the rush or in the zone. In other games, he occasionally looks like the game is just getting away from him, and he's trying to do a little too much. He should work some of that inconsistency out of his game as he matures. " - Tony Ferrari

"He’s an outstanding skater who averaged over 26 minutes per game of ice time with the Hounds and contributed 18 goals and 30 assists in 48 regular-season games. He provides a transitional element and a heavy/accurate shot from distance. Reid is active and hard to defend in the offensive zone, but agile and quick enough to retreat and defend on time when pucks are turned over." - Jason Bukala

"Reid possesses a great combination of size and skill across all 200-feet of the ice surface. He is an intelligent and mobile two-way, right-shot defenseman who knows when to act and where to be. He has a heavy shot which he likes to showcase from the point, especially on the man advantage. Inside the offensive zone, he knows when to pinch up and support the offense. He showcases a high-end level of vision with an ability to find open teammates in good scoring areas. These traits, combined with his mobility, help him as a puck transporter, sometimes opting to take the puck up the ice himself and carrying it across both bluelines" - Dobber Prospects

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Reid is far from a perfect player at this stage in his career, but he shows signs of a future top-pairing defenseman at the NHL level. If he's able to become a more consistent player and work on some of the mistakes he occasionally makes, he could be a key part of the Sharks' blue line for many years to come if he's the player that Mike Grier opts to select. 

After firing Kris Knoblauch following the 2025-26 season, the Edmonton Oilers were hoping that the reason they had to let him go -- leaking that they were trying to interview Bruce Cassidy -- would be made available by the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas had blocked Edmonton (and all other teams) from even speaking to him. As the messy situation unfolded, it was becoming clear that Cassidy was their top choice.

Fast forward a couple of weeks, and suddenly Mike Babcock is "their guy." 

Say what?

Without confirmation that Cassidy would ever be permitted to interview, the Oilers have shifted their coaching search focus to an ex-NHL coach who hasn't won a playoff series since 2013 or coached a playoff game since November 2019. Oh, and that same guy, who also hasn't won a Stanley Cup since 2008, has a history of bullying players, treating human beings like garbage, and abusing his power for all the wrong reasons. 

Sure, Babcock has an incredible resume that would put him in the conversation for the most decorated NHL coach ever. And yes, he might push this current group of Edmonton Oilers beyond their comfort zone, hold them accountable, and the team might win. This may also be one of the biggest blunders in recent coaching memory, all because the Oilers didn't want to wait a week to say if Vegas was going to change their minds.

Something Happened Here...

The NHL reaffirmed that Vegas is within its rights to deny Cassidy permission to interview with divisional rivals like Edmonton. It's certainly possible that the Oilers' first choice is completely off the table, at least for now. But did the Oilers know that? Was there another conversation with Golden Knights management and ownership that essentially guaranteed that the interview was never coming?

Maybe, but it seems far-fetched to imagine the same manager, Kelly McCrimmon, who said they wanted to focus on the playoffs, would suddenly take the time to speak with the Oilers during the Stanley Cup Final. 

All the while, the Los Kings swooped in and hired Peter Laviolette, another possible option for Edmonton. 

Somewhere along the way, a coach that no other team is even giving the time of day to entered the picture. Babcock was a rumor, a theory, a wild idea that no one really took seriously. It was a suggestion that garnered similar responses from analysts, fans, and media -- 'They better not do that.'

Then came Darren Dreger's report that the Oilers were consulting with the NHLPA to determine whether there were any objections that would need to be resolved before potentially hiring Babcock.

It was later revealed that the Oilers' leadership group had recently spoken directly with Babcock to discuss this possibility. They were on board. 

Dreger added that if an investigation is warranted, the NHL would manage it, and that there was even a suggestion that D.J. Smith would likely join Babcock's staff if he's hired.

Clearly, this was much further down the road than anyone could have imagined.

Players Are On Board As Babcock To Oilers Is Real, Just Waiting for ApprovalDaryl Katz and Edmonton’s leadership group have reportedly approved a stunning pursuit of Mike Babcock, signaling a high-stakes coaching gamble as the team awaits league clearance.

How Desperate Are the Oilers That This Became Real?

There is no doubt that the inexplicable and illogical urgency is driven by the fact that the coaching pool got uncomfortably small. Pair that with Connor McDavid's timeline and his incredible urgency to win and you get to where things sit today.

The Oilers are waiting for the NHL to approve a move that just a few days ago, everyone thought was a bad joke.

McDavid signed a two-year extension, meaning next season is a critical one before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The first chance Edmonton had to make good on the gift he gave them ended in a first-round loss to Anaheim.

“I think it’s ownership driven… It’s a really desperate time there and there’s no room for error," said Elliotte Friedman. He added that Daryl Katz is pushing for this, which explains his willingness to pay a coach for three years after letting him go. It explains why the Oilers are willing to ignore the optics of this and do what they feel they need to. "It's a desperate time there. There's no room for error," he added. There is a feeling that the players "got away with too much."

Oilers Will Have to Lie in the Bed They're Making

The fact that Edmonton is no longer willing to wait for Cassidy, or go another route, means they're banking that his wildly unpopular choice is the right one. It's not; this is a decision they're going to have to live with and face the consequences of. 

The fallout from this could be gigantic. Players may avoid the Oilers in free agency or via trade. Some current members of the roster might want out. If the Oilers don't win, it will look bad. If an incident happens that proves Babcock hasn't learned anything in his time away, it will look worse. 

Ownership and the top players on the team don't seem to care. They believe this is the right choice, opinions be damned. 

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Lin has ‘Brandon Montour profile,' but will he be there for Flyers at No. 21? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

For the first time in a while, the Flyers are coming off a playoff run.

That, of course, makes life a little different for the club’s amateur scouting staff leading up to the 2026 NHL draft. Barring a trade, the Flyers will pick at 21st overall. It’s their lowest first-round spot since 2020.

But that was when the Flyers drafted a foundation piece, grabbing Tyson Foerster at 23rd overall.

So the Flyers know the draft is still critical to what they want to do, even when they’re lower in the order.

“We’ve said it for a long time, we wanted to build a team that was going to be here for a long time; not just to go for it for a year or two,” general manager Danny Briere said last month. “That’s still the same approach on my end.”

The Flyers have only five picks in this draft, which will be held June 26-27. The first round is Friday at 7 p.m. ET, while Rounds 2-7 are Saturday starting at 11 a.m. ET.

“I’ll tell you how I feel about drafts and I’ll be totally blunt with you,” TSN director of scouting Craig Button said last Tuesday in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I think it’s f—ing bulls–t when I hear about, ‘Oh, this draft isn’t as good.’ Here are the numbers. Approximately 45 players from any draft will play 350 games or more in the NHL. It might be 47 one year, 42 another year. That’s the number — you get 45 players that’ll play 350 games or more with varying degrees of success.

“And I know this about the draft. The teams that get good players from the draft say it was a good draft. The teams that don’t get good players from the draft say it wasn’t a good draft. So when people start telling me about a draft ahead of time, I call bulls–t.”

Last summer, the Flyers made nine selections, with six coming over the first two rounds. Porter Martone was their headliner at sixth overall. Now the Flyers will try to hit on a pick in the 20s.

“What you’re trying to do is find a player that you feel has the potential to be an NHL player,” Button said. “That might be a third-line center, that might be a second-line scoring winger. Hey, listen, maybe you get David Pastrnak, who’s a superstar (drafted 25th overall in 2014).

“But the focus has to be on, ‘OK, what type of player do we like, what type of player do we think the guy can be?’ And then get after it and understand what the development path is, and then try to help that player be the best he can be. Put a stake in the ground and celebrate who you’re drafting.”

Before the draft arrives, we’re breaking down first-round targets for the Flyers.

Next up:

Ryan Lin

Position: Defenseman
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 180
Shoots: Right
Team: Vancouver

Scouting report

While his frame doesn’t come across as imposing, Lin is a plus defender with strong offensive skills.

The Denver-bound prospect consistently has the puck, often making the right play up the ice or in the offensive zone. And when he doesn’t have the puck, he can hold his own in coverage.

“He has got the brain, he understands the way that defensemen play the game, transition and everything,” Button, a former NHL GM and scout, said. “I was a little bit harder on Ryan. When I say harder, in terms of watching him. What I realized, I think he’s a much better defender than he gets credit for. … That’s why you watch players over a period of time in different scenarios.”

Lin put up over a point per game this season in the WHL, recording 14 goals and 43 assists through 53 games. He had a minus-19 rating, but that came on a Vancouver team that sported a minus-86 goal differential.

At the 2026 IIHF U-18 World Junior Championship that ended last month, Lin had six points (one goal, five assists) and a plus-7 rating in five games for Team Canada.

Lin is No. 17 overall on Button’s May 20 draft list and the seventh-best defenseman.

“In Vancouver in the Western Hockey League, he was asked to drive offense,” Button said. “When you’re asked to do that, you better do that. And he did it well, he did it really well. So the team isn’t as good and certainly he has got to do his part offensively; well, now you’re not asked to play defense as much. But I’ve seen him in other scenarios where he has been a really good, solid two-way defenseman.”

Button believes Lin has “a little bit of the Brandon Montour profile.” Montour owns a 73-point season and a Stanley Cup ring. The 32-year-old has played in 665 career NHL games.

Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis has Lin ranked at No. 12, while EliteProspects.com has him at No. 15. NHL Central Scouting has Lin at No. 16 among North American skaters.

Fit with Flyers

If Lin is still there at No. 21, he would be a fine pick for the Flyers.

The club will draft the best player available, but it couldn’t hurt to replenish on the back end. The Flyers have taken just four defensemen over the last two drafts. They haven’t taken one in the first round since 2023, when they selected Oliver Bonk with their second pick.

Lin has the ingredients to be a top-four defenseman. His upside as a power play quarterback should also appeal to the Flyers. They’ve had an NHL-worst power play over the last five seasons combined at 14.1 percent. Lin would give them a good option to run the point in the future.

More targets

• Could Lawrence’s early jump to college have him fall to Flyers in draft?

• Will Flyers eye 6-foot-4 forward with ‘goal-scoring hands’ at No. 21?

• Palmieri ‘type of player’ may be available for Flyers at No. 21 in draft

• Russian center with pro build has interesting case for Flyers at No. 21

It’s no secret that the St. Louis Blues were engaged in trade discussions involving Robert Thomas, and a new report from Kevin Kurz reveals what the Blues were seeking in a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers. 

Kurz, a reporter for The Athletic covering the Flyers, reported that the Blues were asking for Porter Martone, Jack Nesbitt, and a first-round pick in exchange for Thomas.

The Blues set a high price tag for Thomas, but even this reported offer was too much for the Flyers to part ways with. 

Martone was the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NHL draft and posted incredible numbers at Michigan State. The 19-year-old notched 25 goals and 50 points in 35 games in the NCAA before signing with the Flyers for the last nine games of the season. 

In those nine games, Martone recorded four goals and six assists for 10 points. He then scored two goals and five points in 10 playoff games as the Flyers lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round. Martone already looks stellar and projects to be one of the best power forwards in the NHL, and he was likely the reason why the Flyers wouldn’t agree to this trade. 

Turning our attention to Nesbitt, he was also a first-round pick in the 2025 draft, selected 12th overall. The 6-foot-4 center posted 25 goals and 58 points in 55 OHL games, guiding the Windsor Spitfires to the playoffs. He projects as a two-way center with the ability to score around the net. 

Report: Blues Put Robert Thomas NHL Trade Rumors To RestAccording to Andy Strickland, the St. Louis Blues have taken Robert Thomas off the trade market, putting all the rumors to rest.

While losing Thomas would have been a major blow, adding Martone, who is considered by some to be the best drafted NHL prospect and one of the favorites to win the Calder Trophy next season, alongside a strong 19-year-old center in Nesbitt, as well as a first-round pick, would have been immense value for the Blues. 

We now know that the Blues won’t be revisiting a trade like this, as Andy Strickland reported that the Blues won’t be trading Thomas, and he expects the 26-year-old to start the season with the Blues. This is also the second trade offer revealed this off-season involving Thomas. 

As for the Flyers, Martone was still playing in college at the trade deadline, but after his hot start to his NHL career, they likely wouldn’t even consider revisiting this deal. 

Although this deal would have benefited both sides, as the Flyers receive an established No. 1 center while the Blues get younger, the deal not coming to fruition benefits both sides as well. 

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What - Game 4 (1-2)
When - 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 9
Where - T-Mobile Arena; Las Vegas, NV
How to Watch - ABC, CBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports

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The Carolina Hurricanes will look to even up the series again tonight in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Hurricanes lost a heartbreaker in Game 3, falling in double overtime off of an unfortuante bounce after erasing a four-goal deficit.

Goals haven't been hard for the team to come by, but the issue has been defense and if they want to even this thing back up, they need to do a much better job limiting the high-danger chances they're giving up.

There's also the question tonight of who will be starting in goal?

Frederik Andersen was pulled in Game 3 and Brandon Bussi took the net, helping the team in their crazy comeback.

Rod Brind'Amour wouldn't reveal his hand at practice on Monday, so we'll just have to wait and see who will be in net.

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Streaks

• Jordan Staal (3g) has goals in three straight games.
• Sebastian Aho (3a), Eric Robinson (2a), Seth Jarvis (1g, 1a), Logan Stankoven (1g, 1a) and Andrei Svechnikov (1g, 1a) have points in back-to-back games.

Game Notes

• Carolina and Vegas have never met in the postseason before.
• This is both team's third trip to the Stanley Cup Final in franchise history (CAR - 2002, 2006, 2026; VGK - 2018, 2023, 2026).
• William Carrier played for the Golden Knights from 2017-2024, winning the Cup with them in 2023.
• Noah Hanifin (2015-2018) and Dylan Coghlan (2022-2024) both played for Carolina.
• The Hurricanes went 0-2 against the Golden Knights in the regular season, with both games taking place in October.
• All-time, the Canes have a 9-7 record against Vegas.

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Key Matchups

Projected Starting Goalies

• Frederik Andersen: 13-3; 0.910 Sv%; 1.89 GAA
• Carter Hart: 14-5; 0.915 Sv%; 2.44 GAA

Leading Scorers

• Goals - Logan Stankoven (10) / Brett Howden (13)
• Points - Taylor Hall (17) / Mitch Marner (28)

Power Play

• Carolina - 15.6% (10/64)
• Vegas - 21.8% (12/55)

Penalty Kill

• Carolina - 91.9% (57/62)
• Vegas - 83.9% (47/56)

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Hurricanes Projected Lineup

Andrei Svechnikov - Sebastian Aho - Jordan Martinook
Taylor Hall - Logan Stankoven - Jackson Blake
Nikolaj Ehlers - Jordan Staal - Seth Jarvis
William Carrier - Mark Jankowski - Eric Robinson

Jaccob Slavin - Jalen Chatfield
K'Andre Miller - Sean Walker
Shayne Gostisbehere - Alexander Nikishin

Frederik Andersen
Brandon Bussi

Injuries and Scratches: Mike Reilly, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Nicolas Deslauriers, Pyotr Kochetkov

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Golden Knights Projected Lineup

Ivan Barbashev - Jack Eichel - Pavel Dorofeyev
Brett Howden - William Karlsson - Mitch Marner
Tomas Hertl - Colton Sissons - Mark Stone
Cole Smith - Nic Dowd - Keegan Kolesar

Brayden McNabb - Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin - Rasmus Andersson
Dylan Coghlan - Jeremy Lauzon

Carter Hart
Adin Hill

Injuries and Scratches: Kaedan Korczak, Braeden Bowman, Jaycob Megna, Brandon Saad,  Ben Hutton, Reilly Smith

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are entering the summer with several pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs). Now, three of them have been ranked among the NHL's best pending UFAs.

The Athletic's Chris Johnston recently ranked the NHL's top 50 pending UFAs for this summer. Anthony Mantha, Stuart Skinner, and Ryan Shea all made the cut. 

Mantha was given the No. 8 spot, and it is pretty easy to understand why. While he had a disappointing post-season for the Penguins, he thrived during the regular-season. In 81 games this campaign with Pittsburgh, he recorded 33 goals and 64 points. After a season like this, he will generate a lot of interest if he tests free agency. 

Skinner landed the No. 20 spot on Johnston's list. When noting that he is one of the top pending UFA goalies who can test free agency this summer and has a ton of playoff experience, he should have a good amount of suitors. In 50 games this season split between the Edmonton Oilers and Penguins, he had a 23-17-9 record, an .888 save percentage, and a 2.92 goals-against average.

As for Shea, he was given the No. 23 spot on Johnston's rankings. The 29-year-old just had a breakout year for Pittsburgh, setting new career highs with six goals, 29 assists, 35 points, and a plus-30 rating. Now, he is due for a new contract, and he should land himself a very nice raise. That remains the case whether he re-signs with the Penguins or signs elsewhere.