What - Game 6 (3-2)
When - 8 p.m., Sunday, June 14
Where - T-Mobile Arena; Las Vegas, NV
How to Watch - ABC, CBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports

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The Stanley Cup is in the building.

After a Game 5 win on Thursday, the Carolina Hurricanes are now just one win away from winning the Stanley Cup and they'll have two cracks at the Cup, starting tonight in Vegas.

The Hurricanes have been firing on all cylinders in the last few games, with all four lines going, the power play being red hot and Brandon Bussi solidifying the net.

Jordan Staal has also put the team on his back with a monstrous Final, and he's put himself right there in the Conn Smythe conversation.

But the series isn't done yet.

The Golden Knights still have a lot of talent (even though they'll be without center William Karlsson) and they're capable of pulling off another two wins, so the Canes are going to have to bring their best game of the season if they want to secure eternal glory.

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Streaks

• Jordan Staal (6g, 1a) has goals in five straight games.
• Sebastian Aho (1g, 4a) has points in four straight games.
• Nikolaj Ehlers (1g, 5a) and Shayne Gostisbehere (3a) 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

• Brandon Bussi: 2-1; 0.908 Sv%; 2.18 GAA
• Carter Hart: 14-7; 0.909 Sv%; 2.59 GAA

Leading Scorers

• Goals - Logan Stankoven (11) / Brett Howden (14)
• Points - Taylor Hall & Jackson Blake (18) / Mitch Marner (29)

Power Play

• Carolina - 18.1% (13/72)
• Vegas - 21.3% (13/61)

Penalty Kill

• Carolina - 91.2% (62/68)
• Vegas - 81.3% (52/64)

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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

Brandon Bussi
Frederik Andersen

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 - Tomas Hertl - Mitch Marner
Brandon Saad - 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: William Karlsson (undisclosed), Kaedan Korczak, Braeden Bowman, Jaycob Megna,  Ben Hutton, Reilly Smith

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Recent Articles

Jordan Staal's Case For The Conn Smythe

How One Small Swap Sparked Carolina's Top Line

Brandon Bussi Dazzles In Big Break

Carolina Hurricanes Power Play Heating Up At Perfect Time

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No player on the Hurricanes has been on the ice for more high-danger chances than Seth Jarvis in this series.

My Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights props and NHL picks expect that to lead to production in Game 6. Be sure to read our full Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights predictions for more.

Best Hurricanes vs Golden Knights props for Game 6

Game 6 Prop #1: Shea Theodore Over 1.5 shots (-115)

Shea Theodore has been the Vegas Golden Knights’ most consistent shot-generator against the Carolina Hurricanes.

He's recorded 2+ shots on goal in four of five games, and attempted 5+ shots in all of them. Nobody on the team has attempted more shots.

He's playing on the top pairing at 5-on-5 and quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit, giving him prime usage to get the job done.

With this being an elimination game, John Tortorella will be even more reliant on his top defenseman. I'd play to -130.

Game 6 Prop #2: Seth Jarvis Over 0.5 points (-140)

Seth Jarvis leads Carolina forwards in time on ice and sits third in expected goals. Carolina has fared very well during his minutes, creating more expected goals and high-danger chances with Jarvis on the ice than any other player.

It has translated to success on the scoreboard — Carolina has scored 10 times with Jarvis on the ice — but only three points for Jarvis. That’s a 30% involvement rate, which is not even half of what he managed over the course of the season.

Look for Jarvis to get back on the scoresheet in Game 6. I'd bet this to -150.

Game 6 Prop #3: Rasmus Andersson Over 1.5 blocks (-180)

Rasmus Andersson is bleeding shots like no other. He's allowed 138 shot attempts at 5-on-5, which is 18 more than the next closest player in the series.

He's played more than all but Theodore and is starting plenty of shifts in the defensive zone. Clearly, that’s making his life difficult.

Andersson blocked multiple shots in four straight games. Playing for their season, Tortorella will be tempted to shorten the bench and sink or swim with his Top-4 defensemen.

Look for Andersson to continue producing blocks and play this to -195.

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Blue Jackets Have Potential Free Agent Target In Predators ForwardThe Blue Jackets should consider signing this Predators forward if he hits the market.

When looking at this year's pending UFAs, one player who could make a lot of sense for the Blue Jackets to look to sign is Nashville Predators forward Erik Haula. 

Haula may not be the flashiest of players, but he would have the potential to be a solid pickup for the Blue Jackets on a short-term deal. The 35-year-old forward showed this season that he is still capable of providing decent secondary offensive production. Due to this, he could be a solid fit if signed by the Blue Jackets. 

Milan Lucic Retires, But The Dalton Prout Fight Lives OnLucic played in 1,172 career NHL games.

Former Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic has announced his retirement from professional hockey through the NHLPA's official X account.   

Anytime people who follow the Columbus Blue Jackets hear the name Milan Lucic, they immediately go back to a night in November of 2014, when defenseman Dalton Prout served up a bit of humble pie for the rugged Lucic.  

REPORT: Three Teams In Running For Dylan LarkinLarkin requested a trade out of Detroit last week.

NHL Insider Frank Seravalli has cited The Detroit Free Press' Helene St. James, and confirmed that Dylan Larkin has submitted a three team list for a trade out of Detroit. 

The three teams are the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, and, to no one's surprise, the Vegas Golden Knights. Shocker, right? 

2 Blue Jackets Ranked Among NHL's Best Pending UFAsThe Blue Jackets have two of the NHL's top pending UFAs as we inch closer to July 1.

Due to this, in a recent article for The Athletic, Chris Johnston ranked the top 50 pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) in the NHL. Without much surprise, two notable Columbus Blue Jackets made the cut: Mason Marchment and Boone Jenner.  

On This Date: The Columbus Blue Jackets Trade For Damon SeversonSeverson is going into his 4th season with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Columbus Blue Jackets made a significant move in an attempt to bolster their blue line, acquiring defenseman Damon Severson from the New Jersey Devils. In exchange, the Devils received a third-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. 

A Look At Who The Cleveland Monsters Have Under Contract for 26-27The Cleveland Monsters finished with a record of 37-26-6-3 and won a playoff series.

DEFENSE

• Boston Buckberger - ELC signed through 2028. Played for the Univ. of Denver last season. 
• Charlie Elick - ELC signed through 2029. Played for the Tri-City Americans of the AHL last season. 
• Guillaume Richard - ELC signed through 2027 - Played in Cleveland last season. 
• Luca Marrelli - ELC signed through 2029 - Played in Cleveland last season. 
• Caleb MacDonald - ELC signed through 2027 - Played in Cleveland last season.

A Look At The Cleveland Monsters Free Agent Situation Going Into Free AgencyThe Cleveland Monsters finished with a record of 37-26-6-3 and won a playoff series.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS 

• Hunter McKown - Has arbitration rights. Not eligible for UFA until 2031 unless the team fails to qualify him an offer this Summer.
• Jack Williams - Not eligible for UFA until 2030 unless the team fails to qualify him an offer this Summer.
• Corson Ceulemans - Not eligible for UFA until 2031 unless the team fails to qualify him an offer this Summer.

Blue Jackets Have Free Agent Target In Kings Gritty CenterShould the Blue Jackets look to add Scott Laughton this summer?

One way that the Blue Jackets should be looking to improve their depth is through the free agent market. One pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) who could make a lot of sense for the Blue Jackets to pursue this summer if they hit the market is Los Angeles Kings center Scott Laughton.

A Look At The Cleveland Monsters AHL Contract SituationThe&nbsp;<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets">Columbus Blue Jackets</a>&nbsp;AHL affiliate Cleveland Monsters have a lot of work to do to get ready for the 26-27 season. CBJ GM Don Waddell and Monsters GM Chris Clark are going to earn their paycheck this Summer that's for sure.&nbsp; &nbsp;

OFFENSE - EXPIRING AHL CONTRACTS

• Riley Bezeau - Expiring. Will be UFA on July 1. 

• Justin Pearson - Expiring. Will be UFA on July 1.
• Tate Singleton - Expiring. Will be UFA on July 1.

Former Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach Back In The NHLFormer&nbsp;<a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets">Columbus Blue Jackets</a>&nbsp;head coach Pascal Vincent has found himself back in the NHL.&nbsp;

Former Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent has found himself back in the NHL. 

The Seattle Kraken have announced that they've added Vincent as an assistant coach for the upcoming season. 

Blue Jackets Should Boost Blueline By Signing Big Sabres DefenderThe Blue Jackets have a free agent target to consider in Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley.

When looking at this year's pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), Buffalo Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley is an interesting potential option for the Blue Jackets to consider.   

Is Sergei Ivanov Signing With Columbus Or Not?Sergei Ivanov was drafted in the 2022 NHL Draft as the 138th overall pick.

Back in March, ESPN's Rachel Kryshak reported that Don Waddell told her that "the organization believes Ivanov is ready, and he confirmed his intention to come to North America when his KHL contract expires after this season."

Blue Jackets Should Target Blackhawks Pending UFA ForwardIf Ilya Mikheyev tests free agency, the Blue Jackets should consider making a push for him.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported last month that the Blackhawks have made Mikheyev's signing rights available for trade. With Mikheyev being a solid top-nine forward who provides decent secondary scoring and strong defensive play, the Blue Jackets should consider pursuing him.   

Zach Werenski Won The Norris, But Four Voters Didn't Think He Was Worth A VoteColumbus Blue Jackets Defenseman Zach Werenski won the 2026 Norris Trophy by getting 1,589 total points and 113 first-place votes.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski never seems to get the respect he deserves. Even after he was awarded the 2026 Norris Trophy, there were some media and fans who refused to give him his flowers.   

Blue Jackets Re-Sign Gritty Forward Prospect For 2026-27 SeasonJames Malatesta is staying with the Blue Jackets.

The Blue Jackets have announced that they have signed forward James Malatesta to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season. 

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Next Up For Columbus: The NHL Draft is on June 26 and 27 in Buffalo, where the CBJ will own pick #14.    

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

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Let us know what you think below.

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The Stanley Cup will be in the building Sunday night, and for the first time in 20 years, the Carolina Hurricanes can be the team to skate away with it.

The final game is the toughest to win, and tonight’s battle will be no different. The Vegas Golden Knights will be desperate to force Game 7 and will leave everything they have on the ice.

Below are a few key storylines for tonight’s game.

For Game 5, Vegas head coach John Tortorella decided to stack his lines and lean heavily on his stars.

The Canes responded with their best game of the series, one that was truer to their style of play.

Mitch Marner, Jack Eichel, and Mark Stone loaded up the top line and spent nearly eight minutes of ice time together during five-on-five play. This was the most ice time among Vegas lines.

Those three had over 20 minutes of ice time during Game 5. In contrast, no Carolina forward had more than 20 minutes of ice time.

With Vegas having the matchup advantage on home ice, will this change Tortorella’s strategy?

The most important factor influencing the Golden Knights’ lineup is the loss of William Karlsson.

A heavy Sean Walker check in Game 5 knocked him out of the game with an upper-body injury, and Tortorella has ruled him out for Game 6, hinting he’s unlikely to return to this series.

Karlsson centered Marner and Brett Howden, one of Vegas’s most productive and relied-upon lines. This combination led all Golden Knights’ lines in five-on-five ice time during the first four games of the series.

Not to mention, Karlsson is a top two-way center and a critical penalty killer.

If Vegas were to make a goaltending switch, it should have been after Game 4. Tortorella announced yesterday that Carter Hart will, once again, start for Vegas. The goalie continued to make history on Thursday by adding to his infamous Stanley Cup Final streak, allowing at least four goals in five straight games.

Via the Associated Press during Tortorella’s media availability on Saturday:

Because I know him, Tortorella said Saturday. I know there’s a better game in him. I’ve seen it throughout the playoffs. Yeah, I think he’s a very good goalie. We’ve got to do a better job around him, too. You can look at the numbers, and you guys (media), that’s what you do. You spit out those numbers, but I’ve got to look at things differently and watch the play going on around him and what type of goals are being scored.

In the battle between Hart and Brandon Bussi, Carolina’s goalie is giving his team the advantage.

In Game 5, Hart had a 2.73 expected goals against while posting -1.27 goals saved above expectation. A major reason for that negative number was that three of the Canes’ goals were considered low danger shots.

Bussi, on the other hand, had a 4.029 expected goals against with a 2.03 goals saved above expectation. Both of Vegas’ goals were considered high danger, and finished the game with a 4.03-3.17 expected goals advantage over Carolina.

From these advanced statistics, there are two points to emphasize in the Hurricanes’ game plan.

First, continue to fire upon Hart. Shots are getting through, and there are still plenty of rebounds available. Carolina did a better job exploiting some of Vegas’ defensive miscues, and a moving Hart has led to some great scoring chances.

Second, the Canes need to further limit high danger opportunities. Although skewed to the third period of Game 5, the Golden Knights did create some quality chances. Expect Vegas to come out firing Sunday night. The Carolina defense must keep Vegas out of those high-danger areas and trust Bussi to take care of the rest. This will be the biggest advantage of the night if the goaltender trends continue.

Since an unsuccessful coach’s challenge late in Game 2 by the Golden Knights, the Hurricanes’ power play converted on half of their opportunities. Throughout the Final, Carolina has outscored Vegas 6-2 on the power play. With Karlsson out, the Knights’ kill is under even more pressure against a rolling Canes’ power play.

Vegas owned the middle frame for four games before Carolina finally answered in Game 5. Whoever controls the long-change period likely controls the night. The Canes do not have to “win” the second period, but they absolutely cannot fall behind while on the road. Positioning, clean exits from the zone, and ensuring no Golden Knight sneaks behind the defense are the keys for the team.

Another key tonight will be the opening 10 minutes. Although the first goal has not predicted the outcomes of the individual games in this series, tonight is different. If the Hurricanes score the first goal of the game, the opposing arena will go quiet, and the Knights will face another obstacle in an elimination game. Carolina must continue to play their game and certainly not sit back with an early lead.

Keep an eye on the announcement of the Carolina starter, although it is expected that Bussi will earn the start. Frederik Andersen skated yesterday and is with the team.

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Vegas Golden Knights

Forwards:

• Dorofeyev — Eichel — Stone
• Howden — Hertl — Marner
• Barbashev — Sissons — Saad
• Smith — Dowd — Kolesar

Defense:

• McNabb — Theodore
• Hanifin — Andersson
• Lauzon — Coghlan

Goalies: Hart (starter), Hill
Scratches: Schmid, R. Smith, Hutton, Megna, Bowman, Korczak
Injured: Karlsson (upper body), Rondbjerg (lower body)

Carolina Hurricanes

Forwards:

• Svechnikov — Aho — Martinook
• Hall — Stankoven — Blake
• Ehlers — Staal — Jarvis
• Carrier — Jankowski — Robinson

Defense:

• Slavin — Chatfield
• Miller — Walker
• Gostisbehere — Nikishin

Goalies: Bussi (projected starter), Andersen
Scratches: Kotkaniemi, Deslauriers, Reilly, Kochetkov

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Here’s how to check out the action:

• Time: 8:00 PM ET
• Location: T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas, NV
• TV: ABC; Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports
• Radio: 99.9 The Fan FM, Mike Maniscalco, play-by-play; Tripp Tracy, color analyst
• Line: ML: CAR -115; PL: CAR -1.5 +225

The Hockey News' Annual Draft Preview is now out there, packed with stories, rankings and predictions. 

In this year's issue, one of the interesting exercises the mothership came up with was a homegrown dream team for each franchise, including the Senators. In a nutshell, among players drafted by Ottawa, it's a list of the best 12 forwards, six defence, and two goalies.

THN writer Jared Clinton came up with this list, working only with active players who were drafted by the Sens, regardless of where they play now.

The Homegrown Dream Team (Active)

FORWARDS

Brady Tkachuk
Mika Zibanejad
Tim Stutzle
Mark Stone
Drake Batherson
Shane Pinto
Ridly Greig
Jean-Gabriel Pageau
Mark Kastelic
Nick Foligno
Stefan Noesen
Cole Reinhardt

DEFENSEMEN

Jake Sanderson
Erik Karlsson
Thomas Chabot
Tyler Kleven
Cody Ceci
Jacob Bernard-Docker

GOALIES

Joey Daccord
Leevi Merilainen

So, as someone who has covered this team since day one, I set out to see if there were any selections I really disagreed with. There were not. I might argue that Curtis Lazar might bump out a Cole Reinhardt or maybe a Stefan Noesen, who never played a game for the Sens, but that would be a big-time splitting of hairs.

So, to complement Jared's list, I thought I'd create the all-time homegrown Senators dream team. Some of the active players stayed on this list, but many did not. They're ranked on what they did for the Sens, in their full careers, and in some cases, the potential they still have.

The Homegrown Dream Team (All-Time)

FORWARDS

Daniel Alfredsson
Alexei Yashin
Marian Hossa
Brady Tkachuk
Mika Zibanejad
Tim Stutzle
Mark Stone
Jason Spezza
Pavol Demitra
Drake Batherson
Mike Fisher
Shane Pinto

DEFENSEMEN

Jake Sanderson
Erik Karlsson
Chris Phillips
Thomas Chabot
Anton Volchenkov
Tyler Kleven

GOALIES

Ray Emery
Brian Elliott

At the moment, it's hard to imagine any player from the past five Senators' drafts ever cracking either of these lists. Players like Carter Yakemchuk, Logan Hensler, Stephen Halliday, and Leevi Merilainen are probably the best bets, but they all have a lot of work to do. The good news is they still have a lot of time.

And who knows? Maybe another challenger or two will emerge from Ottawa's 2026 NHL Draft in a couple of weeks.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This story was first published at The Hockey News' Ottawa Senators site. Check out more from THN.com/Ottawa at the links below.

Jason York Shares A Wild Mike Babcock Story From Their Anaheim Days
Senators Reveal Their First-Round Draft Approach 
Former Senators Forward Retires From Hockey At 34
Senators Top Amateur Scout Weighs In On Yakemchuk's First Pro Season
LA Kings Get Their Man, And The Ex-Senators Coaching Drought Continues
Why Brady Tkachuk Is Poised For A Monster Bounce-Back Season

While it’s likely that in an ideal world, the Montreal Canadiens would be able to trade their first-round pick to fix one of the team’s existing needs, there’s no guarantee that there will be a deal to be made before the draft. Kent Hughes has always been very active on the draft floor, but he won’t make a move unless he feels it’s the right move. He won’t be desperate to trade the 28th overall pick, and should he end up keeping it, there are a few interesting players likely to go around that draft position that the Habs could consider. This article will focus on one of them: Maddox Dagenais.

Dagenais is an 18-year-old left-shot centerman who was born in the Canadiens’ backyard in Montreal. He was selected first overall at the 2024 Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League draft by the Quebec Remparts. While he didn’t have an easy rookie season in Quebec, being limited to just 26 points in 43 games, he bounced back nicely for his draft year.

Canadiens Dominate the All-Rookie Team
Canadiens' Prospect Getting First Taste Of Montreal
What Should Canadiens Fans Expect At The Draft?

This season, he averaged a point per game, registering 62 points in as many games, including 30 goals. He was also assessed 128 penalty minutes, which is hardly surprising, since he is 6-foot-3 and weighs 196 pounds. He has a big frame, and he plays like it. Dagenais is a budding power forward and has good skills at the faceoff dot, winning 51.3% of his draws.

Despite his big frame, he has good speed and mobility, which makes him hard to contain for opponents. He also has a very good shot, making him a constant threat up front. While he can also be a playmaker, he’s better known for his goal scoring and ability to find the shooting lanes, something that the Canadiens lacked in their Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes.

His defensive game is inconsistent, but his speed allows him to stick to his man quite well. There’s room for improvement, but that’s always the case with young prospects. He projects as a middle-six player at the NHL level and could be the kind of player the Canadiens can use down the line.

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The Vegas Golden Knights will be without forward William Karlsson for Game 6 as the team tries to stave off elimination in the Stanley Cup Final.

Karlsson was injured in Game 5 on a check by Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker, left the game and didn't return. A trainer was looking at his arm before they headed to the dressing room.

Golden Knights coach John Tortorella confirmed Karlsson's absence but did not discuss whether he would be available for Game 7 or who would replace him in the lineup on Sunday, June 14 in Las Vegas.

Karlsson has two goals and two assists in the Stanley Cup Final, which the Hurricanes lead 3-2. He has nine points overall in the playoffs.

William Karlsson rentre au vestiaire après cette mise en échec reçue... pic.twitter.com/2RoHCW48lZ

— TVA Sports (@TVASports) June 12, 2026

William Karlsson injury update

The Golden Knights forward will miss Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final after being injured in Game 5.

Karlsson is a two-way center who kills penalties and gets some power play time. The Hurricanes scored two power-play goals after Karlsson left the game.

"It's obviously a big miss," Vegas forward Mitch Marner told reporters. "He's done a lot of great things for us since he's been back in the lineup, but we've done this all year. We've had a lot of injuries throughout the year, throughout the playoffs. Obviously, it's tough losing Will, but it's next man up mentality."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden Knights' William Karlsson out Stanley Cup Game 6 vs Hurricanes

Goaltender Carter Hart and the Vegas Golden Knights are back home in front of friendly fans for Game 6 as they try to stay alive down 3-2 in the Stanley Cup Final.

He was asked by a reporter during media availability on Saturday, June 13, about the "no means no" chants by Carolina Hurricanes fans during the three games in Raleigh, North Carolina, and called it "just noise."

Hart was one of five players on the 2018 Canadian national junior team who faced trial in 2025 on a sexual assault charge and were found not guilty by a judge in London, Ontario. Justice Maria Carroccia said she didn't find the accuser's testimony in the 2018 case credible and the prosecution didn't prove its case.

"It's just noise," Hart said of the chants. "Both atmospheres, both buildings have been really loud and a lot of fun to play in. Yeah, just noise."

The NHL eventually cleared players to return to the league and Hart signed with Vegas in October.

Hart will make his 22nd start of the playoffs in Game 6. After a stellar first three rounds, he has allowed four goals in every game of the championship series.

"I haven't been at my best in this series," he said. "I'll be better next game and ready to go."

He added: "They've gotten some lucky bounces and there's a few plays where I've got to make more saves but at the end of the day, I prepare the same way just like every other game and I'll be ready to go."

Hart skipped Saturday's optional practice and did some work with goalie coach Sean Burke on a different rink.

He says he feels good after playing every minute of the playoffs.

"As as goaltender, you want to play every game and you want to be ready to go," he said. "I've got a routine that I do and I follow it."

Coach John Tortorella, who knows Hart from their days in Philadelphia, has backed the goalie. When he was asked after the Game 5 loss whether he considered switching to Adin Hill, he said that "could be the stupidest question I've heard."

Tortorella said he has confidence in Hart.

"I know him," he said. "I know there's a better game in him. I've seen it throughout the playoffs. I think he's a very good goalie. We've got to do a better job around him, too."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden Knights' Carter Hart says Hurricanes fans' chants 'just noise'

Every summer, Oilers fans dream big.

Understandably so.

When Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are sitting in the middle of their prime years, it's only natural to wonder whether the answer lies in another blockbuster. Morgan Riely's name gets tossed around. We've all heard Jason Robertson's grumblings. Every unhappy star around the league eventually finds themselves wearing orange and blue on social media.

Reality tends to be less glamorous.

Winning teams aren't always built by buying high.

Quite often, they're built by identifying good players before everyone else remembers how good they are.

Florida didn't acquire Sam Reinhart after his 57-goal season.

Vegas didn't trade for Jack Eichel after he became a Conn Smythe candidate.

Insider Believes Babcock Likely To Be Cleared To Coach By NHLAs investigators look into Mike Babcock's past, one NHL insider suggests the veteran bench boss may soon return to the bench, potentially clearing a path to join the Edmonton Oilers.

Colorado landed Devon Toews before the rest of the league realized just how valuable he was.

The best swings aren't always the biggest ones.

Sometimes they're the smartest.

Which raises an interesting question for Stan Bowman.

Instead of chasing stars whose value has never been higher, what if Edmonton spent this summer looking for players who come with talent, upside and a few question marks attached?

Every Moment Ranked In An Already Embarrassing Summer For the OilersFrom botched coaching searches to leaked negotiations and trade drama, Edmonton’s chaotic offseason is spiraling. We rank the front-office blunders defining a franchise's most humiliating summer yet.

Players whose current teams might be wondering if they're worth the trouble.

Players whose best hockey may still be ahead of them.

Take Owen Tippett.

Philadelphia's rebuild hasn't exactly gone according to plan, and while Tippett remains one of the fastest and most dangerous shooters in the league, consistency has never quite followed. There are stretches where he looks like a future 40-goal scorer, followed by stretches where he disappears for weeks.

That sounds frustrating.

Darnell Nurse Requests Trade, Submits A List of 3-5 Teams To OilersAfter years as a blue-line fixture, the veteran defenseman is ready to move on. Following a fractured relationship with management, Darnell Nurse aims to control his exit via a targeted shortlist.

It also sounds like the kind of player Connor McDavid has made a career out of elevating.

JJ Peterka falls into a similar category.

Buffalo's inability to turn talent into Cups has become one of the NHL's greatest jokes, and while Peterka's offensive gifts are obvious, there have been whispers for years that a change might benefit both the player and the organization.

Would Buffalo really move him?

Maybe not.

If Mike Babcock Falls Through, Where Do The Oilers Go From Here?Should the latest investigation into Mike Babcock ultimately prevent him from becoming the next head coach of the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers">Edmonton Oilers</a>, the organization could find itself in a remarkably awkward position, one that would leave people searching for answers while trying to explain how a process that began with such urgency became so messy.

But if the Sabres eventually decide that the fit isn't perfect, Edmonton should be among the first teams calling.

Then there's Mason McTavish.

Admittedly, this one requires a little imagination.

Anaheim would have to do something strange. The Ducks would need to convince themselves that their young centre isn't a long-term fit, something that seems unlikely today.

But life is full of surprises.

UFA Watch: Blue Jackets Veteran To Be Target For The Oilers?Boone Jenner’s veteran leadership and faceoff prowess could provide the depth Edmonton craves, but his injury history and contract demands present a calculated risk for the Oilers.

Nobody thought Matthew Tkachuk would leave Calgary.

Nobody expected Jack Eichel to become available.

And if Anaheim ever gets weird, Stan Bowman should be listening, because power forwards who score, hit and play with an edge aren't exactly growing on trees.

Dawson Mercer might be the most realistic name on the list.

New Jersey has money committed everywhere and several difficult decisions looming. Mercer's numbers haven't exploded, but his versatility and work ethic would fit beautifully on a contender.

Oilers Leadership Group Met With More Than Just Mike BabcockConnor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl personally vetted multiple coaching candidates, reportedly favoring Mike Babcock’s hard-nosed approach over another coach that was on Edmonton's short list.

Everybody wants the finished product.

Very few teams want to pay the price that comes with one.

The Oilers know that reality better than most.

They don't possess endless cap space. Their prospect pool has been thinned out. A shocking first-round exit to Anaheim has increased the pressure, but it hasn't magically created the assets required to win every bidding war.

Which means creativity matters.

Patience matters.

Timing matters.

This Could Get Ugly: NHL Moving Forward With Mike Babcock InvestigationNew allegations from Mike Babcock’s past threaten to derail his return. The NHLPA is demanding a full investigation into hidden claims before the NHL allows Edmonton to proceed with his hiring.

And perhaps the smartest thing Stan Bowman can do this summer is resist the temptation to chase names that everyone else wants.

After all, some of the biggest trades in hockey history looked underwhelming at the time.

Jack Eichel came with injury concerns.

Sam Reinhart had never scored 40 goals.

Sam Bennett was viewed as a disappointment.

Can Mike Babcock Finally Get Out Of His Own Way?For most of the last two decades, Mike Babcock's résumé has spoken louder than almost anyone else's.

Nobody knew Gustav Forsling would become Gustav Forsling.

Zach Hyman might very well be the steal of the century.

The common thread?

Each player arrived with questions attached.

And that's where Edmonton should be looking.

The Oilers don't necessarily need another superstar. They just need to find the league's next one before everyone else does.

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The Montreal Canadiens are going to be a team to watch this off-season. After making it to the Eastern Conference Final this year, the Canadiens should be looking to add to their roster.

The Canadiens have a few roster needs heading into the off-season. One of them is a top-four right-shot defenseman. 

The trade market has an interesting potential option to consider in Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring. 

Kesseling has been the subject of trade rumors since the end of the season. This is because the big right-shot defenseman has become the odd man out on the Sabres' blueline. This was made clear when the Sabres only played him in one playoff game this spring. 

Kesselring was also never able to get things together this season with the Sabres, too. He only played in 34 regular-season games this year for the Sabres, where he had just two assists. While it was a tough year, he is a prime bounce-back candidate, and a defenseman who the Canadiens should consider taking a flier on.

Kesselring has shown in the past that he can be an impactful top-four defenseman when playing at his best. Just back in 2024-25 with Utah, the 6-foot-5 blueliner set career highs with seven goals, 22 assists, and 29 points in 82 games. He also had five goals and 21 points in 65 games for the Arizona Coyotes during the 203-24 season. With this, it is certainly fair to wonder if he could bounce back if given a fresh start on a team like the Canadiens.

Kesselring's age also adds to his appeal, as he is entering his prime years at 26 years old. With this, he could be a good fit on a Canadiens club that is on the rise if he bounced back. 

It will be interesting to see if the Canadiens make a push for Kesselring this summer. He could be a good player for them to take a chance on if he is made available by the Sabres. 

Rod Brind’Amour isn’t the type to take credit, but it’s time that he gets some. 

A lot can be said for why the Carolina Hurricanes currently hold a 3-2 series lead over the Vegas Golden Knights, and are now just one game from winning the franchise’s second ever Stanley Cup — the first in 20 years. But there might not be a bigger reason than the one behind the benches, where Brind’Amour has seemingly coached the best series of his career and gave the Canes a big advantage. 

The Hurricanes’ 4-2 win on Thursday night over the Knights wasn’t just the result of the power play finding its rhythm, Carolina’s stars finally joining the party or having the right man in net — it was a display of coaching ingenuity on one side against a fleet of desperate coaching decisions on the other. 

Heading into the locker room after the second period of Game 3, the Hurricanes found themselves down 4-0 after a four-goal period onslaught from the Knights, which included Mitch Marner scoring the fastest hat-trick in Stanley Cup Final history. 

Up until that point, the Canes had probably been outplayed for six of the eight periods in the series. The easy thing would’ve been to roll over. Instead, whatever Brind’Amour said during the intermission must have worked. His adjustments certainly did. Brind’Amour pulled Frederik Andersen — who had been arguably the best goaltender in the playoffs — in exchange for Brandon Bussi, who had never played in a playoff game. He switched the lines that the Canes had run for most of the season and all the playoffs, choosing to adapt on the fly.

As a result, Carolina stormed back to tie the game. After a crazy bounce in double overtime gave the Knights the win, there was little panic from the Canes after such an emotional defeat. 

Leading up to Game 4, all the talk was about who the Canes would start in net. While it seemed as if Bussi should be the answer, there were questions surrounding whether giving a goaltender his first start in a pivotal, must-win game of the Stanley Cup Finals was the right move. Some even questioned Brind’Amour’s stubbornness and whether he would even be open to starting Bussi. But Brind’Amour didn’t flinch. He went all in and gave Bussi the nod in goal. 

And for the first time all series, it felt as if Carolina finally controlled the majority of the game. Bussi went on to make 18 saves, including ones that Andersen hadn’t consistently made during the series. On top of the successful goalie change, the newly minted line of Ehlers-Staal-Jarvis ended up scoring the game winning goal. 

In Game 5, the adjustments were even more apparent. Bussi once again played well while the different line combinations worked. Jordan Martinook, who was moved up to play with Andrei Svechnikov and Sebastian Aho — who have both struggled recently — played a pivotal role in Aho’s first even strength, non-empty net goal since the second game of the playoffs. 

Maybe more eye opening has been the difference in coaching between Brind’Amour and John ​​Tortorella. With Carter Hart struggling this entire series in net for the Knights, Tortorella has refused to take him out, unlike how the Canes pulled Andersen. 

When Carolina opted to switch their lines, Tortorella chose to do the same. And unlike when Brind’Amour did it, the move has backfired on Vegas. Switching up Marner’s line that had been elite all postseason, as well as messing up the Jack Eichel and Pavel Dorofeyev connection, has failed. 

No one’s talked about it, but the biggest advantage that the Carolina Hurricanes have had during the Stanley Cup has been coaching. Brind’Amour has simply outcoached Tortorella.  

From a numbers standpoint, the Canes have also slightly adjusted their style of hockey. It’s been less about throwing every puck on net and more about generating high quality chances — something that is crucial when facing a goaltender like Hart, who was on the top of his game entering the finals.

In the first three playoff series, Carolina averaged 33.7 shots and 3.2 goals per game. This series, the shots are down almost six to 28 per game, but the goals have increased to 4.2. 

Of the 21 total playoff series coached under Brind’Amour, this is the fourth lowest in terms of shots per game. Yet, it’s the second highest scoring series in goals per game.

It’s clear that the Canes had to adjust how they faced this Vegas team, which they did courtesy of Brind’Amour.  Those adjustments have worked and have been a major reason as to why the Canes are leading the series.

If coaches were eligible for the Conn Smythe, Brind’Amour would have an argument. 

For all the critics that have spouted for years that Brind’Amour’s man-to-man defensive system paired with an overly aggressive forecheck can’t win it all, close your eyes. For all those that have believed, hold on. It’s happening. 

As the Edmonton Oilers kick the tires on hiring Mike Babcock as their next head coach, their interest has not only touched off an NHL investigation, but it's also sparked a series of player anecdotes, both old and new, about Babcock's poor behaviour over the years.

Former Senators defenseman Jason York shared a doozy this week.

In 2002, York had established himself as an NHL regular. He had played the previous five years as a full-timer in Ottawa, and after his trade to Anaheim, he played another full season under Bryan Murray and was the Mighty Ducks' second-leading scorer among defensemen.

The following season, when Murray became the Ducks' GM, Mike Babcock was given his first NHL head coaching job. He had been coaching Anaheim's minor-league team in Cincinnati, and before he'd coached even a single game, his mind games began.

Running his first NHL training camp, Babcock suddenly separated York and teammates Denny Lambert and German Titov from the rest of the Ducks' team and made them skate on their own with no coach or goalie through most of training camp. 

"He put us all in the room with the minor league guys," York recalled this week on the Coming in Hot podcast. "As soon as I saw that, I went right into Babcock's office. And this is what I don't like. He lied to my face.

"He said, 'Yorky, don't worry about it. The guys respect you. I need to get their attention. So I'm just doing this to make sure that everybody knows there's going to be change. You're one of my guys, you're going to be in the top four. Don't worry about it.'

"So that's what I don't like, instead of saying, 'Hey, you're not part of the plans, we're going to be getting rid of you. We're probably going to send you down because you're not a fit here.' Fine, then you get ahead of it, right? But this went on for two weeks."

York didn't end up in the top four in Anaheim that season. He started the year in the American Hockey League before being traded to Nashville, while Titov and Lambert never played again in the NHL.

York felt like it unnecessarily devalued his stock as a player, which was proven by what Anaheim got for him in a trade with the Predators. York still remembers the call from his agent, Pat Morris, who had just gotten off the phone with Nashville assistant GM Ray Shero.

 "Pat was like, 'Nashville's calling, and they're wondering what's wrong with you? Like, what happened? Did you do something? Did you get caught for curfew? Are you bad in the room? Are you a bad seed?

"And Pat's like, 'No.' So Nashville ended up getting me (in a trade) for a dollar bill. I was like the bet from the movie Trading Places."

York says that, years later, he confronted Babcock, who blamed everything on Bryan Murray.

"Then I sat down with Bryan about it, and Bryan said it was all Babs' idea to do it. And I believe Bryan over him. But I'm not bitter about it anymore. What are you going to do? For me, it's just this. You can do whatever you want, to some extent, especially back then as a coach.

"But just be honest. Don't lie."

York played as a full-timer the next two seasons in Nashville before the lockout hit. 

His negative experience with Babcock is one of several making the rounds as the Edmonton Oilers try to bring him in as their new head coach. The 63-year-old's behaviour didn't fly back in the day, but for some reason, the Oilers see him as their answer seven years after he coached his last game.

What's probably not being talked about enough is Babcock's lack of recent playoff success, which is the biggest part of the puzzle the Oilers are looking to solve.

Babcock's recent playoff record:

2012 DET - 1-4
2013 DET - 7-7
2014 DET - 1-4
2015 DET - 3-4
2016 TOR - Out
2017 TOR - 2-4
2018 TOR - 3-4
2019 TOR - 3-4
2020-2026 - Didn't coach

Unless Babcock has managed to undergo some kind of extreme makeover, it sure doesn't seem like the juice is worth the squeeze. 

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News 

This story was first published at The Hockey News' Ottawa Senators site. Check out more from THN.com/Ottawa at the links below.

Senators Reveal Their First-Round Draft Approach 
Former Senators Forward Retires From Hockey At 34
Senators Top Amateur Scout Weighs In On Carter Yakemchuk's First Pro Season
LA Kings Get Their Man, And The Ex-Senators Coaching Drought Continues
Why Brady Tkachuk Is Poised For A Monster Bounce-Back Season

The postmortem on the Colorado Avalanche’s playoff sweep quickly turned to injuries — but that storyline may not be holding up as strongly as first believed, especially around Cale Makar.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said the Norris Trophy-winning defenseman’s status for the start of next season could be uncertain.

“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.”

After Makar was seen attending a Colorado Eagles playoff game without a sling or any visible signs of a serious injury, speculation naturally followed about whether the severity of the reported issue had been overstated.

There is no definitive way to confirm that either way, but Joe Sakic offered some clarity Thursday at Family Sports, pushing back on any concern about lingering health issues heading into next season. He said the organization expects a fully healthy group when training camp opens.

“Everybody is going to be at training camp and 100%,” Sakic said. “Nobody going to miss any time.”

That doesn’t mean the Avalanche weren’t dealing with real injuries during the series against Vegas. Artturi Lehkonen, Sam Malinski, Brent Burns, Nathan MacKinnon and Makar were all managing something in some capacity, which, at this point in the season, is more standard reality than exception around the league.

Makar, meanwhile, finished the postseason with five points in 11 games after a 79-point regular season — a playoff total that matched the lowest production of his career in any postseason run, including years in which Colorado exited in the opening round.

It’s the part of hockey that rarely gets romanticized — the stretch where everyone is playing through something, and excuses only carry so much weight after the final whistle. Much like a fighter stepping into a world title bout after a punishing camp, there’s rarely such a thing as perfect health in late spring. And once the result is decided, explanations tend to land hollow.

The reality is the Avalanche were beaten — cleanly — by a Vegas team that neutralized their speed, clogged their lanes, and punished mistakes with ruthless efficiency, which is exactly how the Golden Knights are built to operate.

As Sakic noted Thursday, it was four games, and a rough four games at that. But it doesn’t erase what came before. Colorado still finished the regular season with a Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s top team, a distinction that matters even if it doesn’t soften playoff disappointment. The last club to win both the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup in the same season remains the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks.

And in today’s playoff structure — where elite teams often collide early and the path to June feels more like survival than progression — it increasingly becomes a last-man-standing tournament. Right now, that’s exactly where the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes find themselves, preparing for Game 6 on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena.

For Colorado, though, it's time to reset, recharge, and let the sting fade just enough to start the process all over again. 

The Buffalo Sabres have some decisions to make when it comes to their roster this off-season. With the Sabres having limited cap space and multiple players with expired contracts, there is a good chance that they will be moving on from some players.

One Sabres pending restricted free agent (RFA) who very well could not be back next season is defenseman Michael Kesselring. The 26-year-old defenseman was notably scratched for all but one game for the Sabres during the playoffs. He was also limited to only 34 regular-season games this season due to injury trouble, where he had zero points, two assists, and 50 penalty minutes.

With the Sabres having more important players to re-sign, it would not be surprising if they listened to trade offers for Kesselring this off-season. He has already been the subject of trade rumors this summer because of it. 

While Kesselring had a tough season for the Sabres in 2025-26, he has the potential to generate a lot of interest this off-season. NHL clubs are always on the hunt for big right-shot defenseman, and the 6-foot-5 Kesselring certainly fits that description.

Kesselring's past success also adds to his appeal. During the 2024-25 season with Utah, he posted career highs with seven goals, 22 assists, and 29 points in 82 games. This was after he had five goals and 21 points in 65 games for the Arizona Coyotes during the 2023-24 campaign.

When noting that Kesselring has shown in the past that he can work as a second-pairing defenseman and is only 26 years old, the Sabres should not have a hard time finding a trading partner for him. It will be interesting to see if Kesselring gets moved this off-season from here. 

No matter what happens tomorrow night InVegas, the major league hockey season will close for sure after the seventh game – of course, IF NEEDED.

The Maven cannot speak for Rangers fans but I sure can guess what will going through their heads as they watch the Canes and Knights slug it out – one hoping for The Cup; the other yearning for a Game Seven.

Questions that just might come to mind:

1. K'ANDRE MILLER: This guy has turned into one of the best NHL defensemen and key to the Canes' Cup aspirations. How come K.A.M. was not that good in a Blue Shirt?

2.  BRETT HOWDEN: All I remember is that this guy, who's been one of the playoffs leading scorers, couldn't tell a red light from a chartreuse bulb in New York. 

3. ROD BRIND'AMOUR: You tell me; are the Canes this close to the silverware because of the perpetually broken nose coach? Brindy has the knack. Period! 

4. JOHN TORTORELLA: I guarantee that not even Brind'Amour could have saved the skating slagheap left by Bruce Cassidy. Torts not only re-seeded the Vegas landfill but energized it to a point where two wins will bring another Cup to Sin City. (Torts could revive the Blueshirt Blunderers but that won't happen. Chris Drury treats Mike Sullivan as if he's his favorite nephew, once-removed. (And he should be removed!)

5. HURRICANES: The one time New England (WHA) Whalers have a savvy owner Tom Dundon and a g.m. Eric Tulsky, who knows, and a coach who has been around the block so often he can tell from across the street, the difference between a Champ from a Chump.

6. GOLDEN KNIGHTS: They don't fool around. If something looks wrong; or a coach loses his team – a la Bruce Cassidy – POOF! he's gone and the next guy will fix it. Which Torts has done.

One of these two admirable teams – Golden Knights or Hurricanes – will be crowned champs. For my dough, both deserve super kudos for a series well-played.

Rangers fans can only wish; who knows maybe wishing will make it so.