When it comes to their trajectory, the Vancouver Canucks are in an interesting situation. On one hand, their potential is bolstered by a crop of talented young players all in their early 20s. On the flip side, their supposed ‘veterans’ are, for the most part, still slightly under 30, though the younger ‘veterans’ all have a good chunk of NHL games under their belt.
Max Sasson is one of a couple players who don’t quite fit into either of the two categories. While the 25-year-old did play in 29 games with the Canucks last year, he spent the majority of his time with the Abbotsford Canucks and played a key role in the team’s Calder Cup run back in June. The 2025–26 season was his first full stint in the NHL, during which he put up 13 goals — tied for sixth-most on the team — and six assists in 66 games. Having said that, since the start of the 2024–25 season, Sasson has played in some of the most games of all current Canucks; 162 in both the NHL and AHL.
A full off-season to properly rest and train will go a long way for him personally, Sasson explained during Friday’s end-of-season media availability.
“Last summer, I got home on July 1, and I was back here like August 20-something. So using this full off-season to obviously, you hear the answers that train and which obviously, 100%, I’m going to use this to be more mobile. I think there’s areas of my game that I can clean up with my wall play, my puck touches. I also think I can transform myself with this long off-season into more of a, I say NHL third-line body, where you’re not getting pushed off the puck as easy.”
One distinct characteristic of Sasson’s game through his first two NHL seasons has been the speed he can exhibit while cutting into the O-zone. It’s something that, despite being so noticeable, the forward believes he can still work on for the coming season.
“I want to continue to work on my speed. I don’t think you can ever be fast enough.”
Sasson’s speed went on full-display towards the back-end of the season, when he was moved to wing after playing mostly at centre. This slight shift in position is something that the forward isn’t entirely opposed to as his career progresses — if anything, he’s intrigued by it.
“I played a little bit of it last year here, but for the majority of my three seasons, I’ve been a centre, but yeah, I think I have embraced it. And I think there are chances for me to use more of my speed, especially maybe not having to work as hard in the D-zone, and maybe using my energy to push the pace up-ice and getting more foot races. Do I see that as a path forward? Honestly, I feel comfortable with both. However, I think in the second half, the majority of games were at the wing, and I think I proved that I probably can be a pretty good winger in this league.”
Jan 19, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Max Sasson (63) skates against the New York Islanders in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
The mental side of the game is another part that Sasson is planning on working on during the off-season. Keeping focus on what’s going on internally is something that, he admitted, he has noticed more at the NHL level.
“I feel a lot of times that when guys are thinking a lot, and they have a lot going through their mind, you can see it on the ice. And when a guy’s playing free and playing with confidence, it’s very noticeable.”
Despite picking out a few things he’s hoping to work on this off-season, Sasson acknowledges that everyone on the team needs to put in the work in order for the team to keep themselves on the path to future success. Sure, Vancouver may be in the rebuilding stage of their process, but as Sasson said, that shouldn’t stop them from coming into training camp with a healthy level of compete.
“No player in here is thinking rebuild. We’re all going to train our butts off this summer and come into camp and try to compete for a playoff spot. But when you hear rebuild, I think you can think of some excitement and look around the league at some of the teams that have done it. And you know, you see Willy (Willander), you see Zeev, you see Öhgy (Öhgren), you see all these really young players. That should be exciting for fans to see, because the potential is endless with these guys. I think when, if [a rebuild]’s done right, you can be one of the best teams in the league.”
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Josh Manson wasted no time setting the tone, flipping the switch on his physical game early and delivering a crushing reverse hit on Scott Laughton that sent the longtime Flyer sprawling to the ice in a heap. It was the kind of jolt that instantly raised the temperature inside the building.
Momentum briefly tilted Colorado’s way midway through the period when Los Angeles forward Jared Wright was whistled for slashing Gabriel Landeskog at 10:54, handing the Avalanche their first power play of both the afternoon and the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Despite a few controlled entries and some perimeter movement, Colorado couldn’t crack through, and the Kings’ penalty kill held firm.
13 minutes in, the game remained locked in a tight, scoreless battle, with the Avalanche holding a slight 5–3 edge in shots. By the end of the opening frame, nothing had changed on the scoreboard—still 0–0—but Colorado carried a bit more of the play, outshooting Los Angeles 9–5 while establishing an early physical and technical edge.
Second Period
The second period opened with an unintentional bit of comedy. Kings defenseman Brian Dumoulin was still jawing at the officials after a whistle, clearly frustrated as he picked himself up off the ice. But when the replay hit the jumbotron, the crowd got the punchline—Dumoulin hadn’t been taken down by an Avalanche player at all. It was his own teammate who sent him tumbling, taking the edge off his argument in a hurry.
Colorado got another opportunity to seize momentum at 3:05 when Mathieu Joseph was called for interference on Jack Drury, handing the Avalanche their second power play. There was a little more bite this time—some net-front hacks, a couple of dangerous looks—but the finish still wasn’t there. The Avs slipped to 0-for-2, and you could feel a bit of frustration starting to creep in.
For Dumoulin, the period only got worse. Just over six minutes in, he went down awkwardly and stayed there, clearly in discomfort. After a pause, he needed help getting off the ice, favoring his lower body. It looked serious in the moment, though he would later return—an early scare in what had already been a rough stretch for him.
Then came the kind of sequence that leaves everyone shaking their heads.
In what felt like the latest installment of “What Exactly Is Goaltender Interference?”, Drury was tripped by Drew Doughty and sent crashing into Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg just as Logan O’Connor fired the puck into the net. The Avalanche celebrated what looked like a 1–0 lead—but the officials immediately waved it off. No goal. Interference.
Colorado challenged, hoping for a different outcome, but the ruling stood after review. Instead of a lead, the Avalanche found themselves shorthanded with a delay-of-game penalty. Confusion turned into frustration in a matter of seconds.
The chaos didn’t stop there. With 9:36 remaining, Artemi Panarin found himself staring at a wide-open net at the top of the crease, but in a split-second defensive play, Sam Malinski lifted his stick just enough to throw off the shot, sending it wide at the last possible moment.
Ten seconds later, the Avalanche were right back on the power play after Quinton Byfield tripped Nathan MacKinnon. It felt like another chance to finally break through—but it evaporated almost instantly. Just 41 seconds in, Martin Nečas was whistled for holding, and the ice tilted back to even strength.
Finally, the breakthrough came—and this one left no doubt.
With 4:31 to go in the period, MacKinnon threaded a slick pass to Artturi Lehkonen, who drove into space and snapped a shot past the outstretched right leg of Forsberg. Clean. Clinical. No debate this time.
After all the chaos, controversy, and missed chances, Colorado had its lead—1–0, and one that actually stuck.
At the end of 40 minutes of play, the Avalanche held a 1-0 lead with a 22-17 advantage in shots on goal.
Third Period
This time, it counted for Logan O'Connor. After taking a pass from Jack Drury, the hard-charging Av skated hard down the right wing, skated past a defender, and ripped a top shelf wrister that beat Forsberg and gave Colorado a 2-0 lead.
Strategy and coaching decisions are a big factor when the playoffs roll around, and line-matching plays a crucial role in taking advantage of your opponent.
As massive underdogs against the Colorado Avalanche, the Los Angeles Kings and interim head coach D.J. Smith will need to take line-matching seriously and give it careful consideration.
Offensively, the Avalanche's top-three forward lines can really inflict damage. With Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas on the top line, Brock Nelson on line No. 2, and Nazem Kadri and Gabriel Landeskog listed on the third line, Los Angeles will need to spread out its defensive expertise.
So Smith should be asking himself, 'Who will be matching up with MacKinnon, Nelson and Kadri?' Luckily for the Kings, especially the centers on the team, they thrive in a shutdown assignment.
Colorado's top-three centers are met with Los Angeles' Anze Kopitar, Quinton Byfield, and newcomer Scott Laughton.
Laughton will likely get the assignment of looking after Kadri when the two third lines meet on the ice. Kadri and Laughton both share a nasty and physical edge to their individual games, which could create a fiery matchup.
More importantly, Laughton excels in the defensive side of the game, particularly in the faceoff dot and on the penalty kill. Among players who take faceoffs regularly, Laughton leads the team in faceoff percentage at 59.4 percent.
That just leaves two-time Selke Trophy winner Kopitar and Byfield to supervise MacKinnon and Nelson.
Based on overall defensive talent, Kopitar would have the edge on Byfield with the aforementioned awards and legacy that the Kings captain has imposed.
However, there's a little more to it when dealing with the Rocket Richard Trophy winner and Hart Trophy candidate, MacKinnon. And one of MacKinnon's biggest assets is speed, which would make Byfield a sensible matchup for the Avalanche superstar center.
Byfield has proven to be not only one of the best skaters on the Kings but in the entire NHL. According to NHL Edge, Byfield is in the 98th percentile in speed bursts over 20 mph and skating distance. He's also ranked in the 89th percentile for max skating speed, reaching 23.16 mph against the Chicago Blackhawks back in December.
Furthermore, next to Byfield are Trevor Moore and Alex Laferriere, who are both very strong skaters. That'll be key when MacKinnon is likely paired with Necas on the top line, also a speedster who reached 100 points for the first time in his career this past regular season.
Nathan MacKinnon (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)
That leaves an appropriate matchup of Kopitar's line going up against Nelson's line. Kopitar and Nelson are a bit slower and are aging, with Kopitar being 38 years old and Nelson being 34.
Aside from the idea of shutting down the opposition, putting Kopitar's line with Artemi Panarin and Adrian Kempe on his flanks could benefit the Kings offensively. Reports say that Nelson is joined by Valeri Nichushkin, who is a strong offensive player but not known for his two-way game, and Parker Kelly, who has spent most of the year on Colorado's bottom six.
In the end, the home team's coach will have the upper hand in terms of getting the matchup they like, but it's always fascinating to see specific assignments.
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The Kings are taking on the Avalanche for their first game of the 2025-26 NHL Playoffs. The Kings have made the playoffs in their past 5 seasons, and the previous 4 have featured them facing the Edmonton Oilers in the first round. But this season is different, as the Kings are taking on the President's Trophy winners. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 P.M Eastern time.
Here are the projected Avalanche lines for game 1:
Artturi Lehkonen - Nathan MacKinnon - Martin Necas
Parker Kelly - Brock Nelson - Valeri Nichushkin
Gabriel Landeskog - Nazem Kadri - Nicolas Roy
Joel Kiviranta - Jack Drury - Logan O’Connor
Brett Kulak - Cale Makar
Devon Toews - Sam Malinski
Josh Manson - Brent Burns
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood
Line Changes and Injuries
The Kings' interim coach said that Malott, Turoctte and Kuzmenko are all available for the first round, but only Malott is expected to play in game 1. For the Avalanche, Kadri, who missed 4 games due to a finger injury, and Manson, who missed 2 games with an undisclosed injury, are both expected to play today. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar also said that he would not reveal lineup decisions, including his starting goaltender.
Key Factors
The Kings have done the hard part by making the playoffs, and now they have to prove they deserve to be there. They face the best team in the NHL. The Kings will have to get all of their players at their best, especially the offensive duo of Panarin and Kempe.
While today is only game 1, it is still very important for the Kings to set the tone, and if they can steal a game on the road, that could be extremely impactful later in the series.
While the Avalanche have not released a true starting goaltender, it looks like the Kings will start Anton Forsberg in game 1, and this feels like the right call, as Forsberg has won 4 of his last 5 starts for the Kings.
Overall, the Kings can flip the series on its head with a win tonight. Game 1 between the Kings and the Avalanche starts at 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time, and the Kings are looking to go up 1-0 after today.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The time has arrived as the Buffalo Sabres get set to play in their first playoff games in 15 years. You can immediately feel the vibe as an outsider when you cross the border into the Queen City and see the 'GO SABRES' signs with makeshift Stanley Cups, as the fanbase gets ready to scratch a long-standing playoff itch.
For Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff, the priority is managing emotions for the many players on his roster who have no experience with playoff hockey. While he doesn’t want his players doing something reckless that will lead to penalty trouble, he wants them to feed off the local energy.
“I'm hoping that we are amped up because it will be electric,” Ruff said. “It will be a totally different feeling for sure. I'm looking forward to how our guys are going to react to it. We've talked about the energy we need to bring and how we need to play. I anticipate them being ready to do it”.
There’s immense excitement throughout the city. When the Sabres last went to the postseason, the KeyBank Center was known as the HSBC Arena. Back then, the facility stood among many vacant parking lots that have since been developed. LECOM Harborcenter, the team’s official practice facility, had not yet been built.
Current owner Terry Pegula had only recently purchased the team at that time, and much of the modern development around the Sabres’ home did not exist. This includes the Canalside area around the building, which is expected to be packed with fans watching the game from outside the arena. The demand for entry is historic; as of Sunday morning, the lowest-priced ticket for Game 1 was $450 USD—by far the most expensive "get-in" price of any opening home game in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
While Ruff was the coach the last time the club made the playoffs, the management structure around him has changed significantly. A mid-season change at general manager from Kevyn Adams to Jarmo Kekäläinen seemingly sparked the club’s fortune. The team transformed from a struggling 14-14-5 squad tied for last in the Eastern Conference into the winners of the Atlantic Division.
Simply getting to the "dance" is a milestone, but expectations remain high. The Sabres haven’t won a playoff round since 2007, and rolling over for their opponent, the Boston Bruins, won’t be accepted by a rabid fanbase eager for a return to glory.
The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs have officially begun. The Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, and Philadelphia Flyers have already won Game 1 of their respective series’ so far, with the Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning and Montréal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins, and Utah Mammoth and Vegas Golden Knights set to begin their series’ today. The Hockey News - Vancouver Canucks Site Editors have put together their predictions for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs: here are our picks.
Which Goaltender Will Have The Strongest Post-Season?
AK: Frederik Andersen
IC: Frederik Andersen
Which Former Canuck Will Have The Best Performance?
AK: Jalen Chatfield
IC: Vasily Podkolzin
Jan 3, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) gets the shot away past Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during the second period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
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Back before the season started, the Marvel movie star vowed he'd jump into Lake Erie come playoff time if the Sabres made it. Sure enough, the Sabres not only made the playoffs, they gained the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed with 109 points.
So on the eve of Buffalo's playoff opener, it was time for Russell to make good.
Braving 40-degree temperatures − along with colleagues from Lake Hour, the canned cocktail company he founded − Russell took a big chug and then took the plunge.
His father and fellow actor Kurt Russell (who has a hockey connection of his own after starring in the movie "Miracle") offered his congratulations.
"I like an underdog story always, first of all, number one," Russell told Buffalo TV station WIVB. "Number two, the Sabres right now this year have represented like what hockey is to me, which is like hard work, nose to the grindstone, don’t give up when everybody’s doubting you."
Hmmm. Sounds a lot like the plot to "Miracle." And we all know how that turned out at the 1980 Olympics in nearby (well, 300 miles or so ...) Lake Placid, New York.
Blue Jackets forward Charlie Coyle played a role in Columbus' clutch win over the Flyers, as he scored two goals in the contest. With this, there is no question that he helped the Blue Jackets pick up this much-needed victory.
For the second straight season, the Carolina Hurricanes have played a part in eliminating the Columbus Blue Jackets from the Stanley Cup Playoffs just one day before their last regular-season game.
Mathieu Olivier has been an outstanding fit on the Columbus Blue Jackets' roster since his arrival to the team during the 2022-23 season. It is exactly why he earned a six-year, $18 million contract extension with the Blue Jackets last March.
Boone Jenner (13) scored the only goal for the Blue Jackets in the season finale, as they were dumped by Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.
Jet Greaves stopped 19 of 21 Caps shots, including 7 while shorthanded in the loss. Greaves played a really good game, but the rest of his teammates seemed to pack it in for the season.
Kirill Marchenko - 27 - He finished the 2025-26 season leading the team in goals for the third-straight season (tied in 2024-25), while also ranking second in points as well as third in assists. He is only the second player in franchise history to score 20-plus goals in their first four seasons with the club (R.J. Umberger).
Adam Fantilli - 24 - Took a slight step down in goals as he had 31 last season.
Zach Werenski - 22 - Werenski led league defensemen in even strength goals. and had 4 power play goals.
Charlie Coyle - 20 - He scored 20 goals in a season for only the third time in his career (25 in 2023-24 with Boston & 21 in 2015-16 with Minnesota). He had 7 power play goals.
Mason Marchment - 19 - Scored 15 after being traded to Columbus. His 19 are the second highest of his career. He had 3 power play goals.
The Columbus Blue Jackets will re-sign head coach Rock Bowness to a new contract. The deal is for next season. With him coming back and having a shortened preseason with the team, can he take this team to the next level? Stay Tuned!
Following the 2026 NHL trade deadline, The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta reported that the Columbus Blue Jackets were among the teams that targeted forward Bobby McMann before he was traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Seattle Kraken.
One of the positives is the injury situation. For the most part, the team stayed relatively healthy throughout the season. The problem was the timing of the injuries. Damon Severson and Mathieu Olivier's late-season injuries seemed to slow the CBJ to a crawl.
The Blue Jackets finished with 218 man-games lost. In 2024-25, they had 309, 563 in 23-24, and 541 in 22-23.
There are 22 different players on the playoff teams this season. All teams except the Ottawa Senators, Anaheim Ducks, and Philadelphia Flyers have ex-Jackets on their rosters. Many others work in the various front offices, but we'll stick to players today.
Boone Jenner (12), Charlie Coyle (19,20-PPG), Kirill Marchenko (27-GWG), and Sean Monahan (13) powered the Blue Jackets' offense in a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.
Mason Marchment (19) and Adam Fantilli (24) scored the only goals in a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on Sunday night. Jet Greaves made 19 saves in the loss.
The Columbus Blue Jackets' Stanley Cup Playoff hopes are officially on life support. For the second year in a row, the CBJ will go down to the wire and will most likely be eliminated. It's not officially over, but it's close.
Next Up For Columbus: The NHL Draft Lottery on May 5, 2025, where the CBJ will most likely pick 14 or 15.
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That trio only spent 45 minutes together in the regular season, but the returns were undeniably good. Vegas controlled 67% of the shot attempts, 75% of the expected goals, and 78% of the scoring chances with them on the ice at 5-on-5.
Marner is very pass-happy, and both Stone and Eichel scored more goals, making it natural for Marner to focus on creating for others rather than himself.
Mammoth vs Golden Knights Game 1 same-game parlay
Jack Eichel regained his scoring touch at the end of the season, scoring in two of his final three games to help the Golden Knights claim top spot in the Pacific Division.
Skating with two heady playmakers in Marner and Stone, he should have plenty of opportunities to put his dangerous shot to use.
We’ll round out the parlay backing Vegas on the moneyline. They are 7-0-1 under Tortorella with exceptional underlying metrics to boot. They have a stronger profile, more high-end talent, and home ice. If the goaltending is close to average, they should win.
Mammoth vs Golden Knights SGP
Mitch Marner Over 0.5 points
Jack Eichel anytime goal
Golden Knights moneyline
Mammoth vs Golden Knights Game 1 goal scorer pick
Dylan Guenther (+180)
Dylan Guenther enters the playoffs in fine form, having scored six goals over his last nine games. He is a clinical finisher who doesn’t need a bevy of chances to find the net. That’s especially true in this matchup. The Golden Knights ranked 27th in team save percentage, and goaltending has the potential to be their Achilles heel.
Mammoth vs Golden Knights odds for Game 1
Moneyline: Mammoth +130 | Golden Knights -150
Puck Line: Mammoth +1.5 (-200) | Golden Knights -1.5 (+165)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-135) | Under 5.5 (+115)
Mammoth vs Golden Knights trend
Mitch Marner recorded at least one assist in 56% of his home games this season. Find more NHL betting trends for Mammoth vs. Golden Knights.
How to watch Mammoth vs Golden Knights Game 1
Location
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Date
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Puck drop
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Mammoth vs Golden Knights 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.
After what seemed like a never-ending wait, the puck will drop on game 1 of the Montreal Canadiens’ first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. This is only the fifth series between the two sides, and Martin St-Louis’ men have a 1-3 record against their host in playoff series (2004, 2014, 2015, 2021). The Canadiens’ sole series win over the Bolts came in 2014, when Montreal swept Tampa, which was without its number one goaltender at the time, Ben Bishop.
Of course, everyone remembers the last series between the two sides, the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, which the Bolts won 4-1, outscoring the Habs 17-8. They certainly weren’t without their number one goaltender then, as Andrei Vasilevskiy won the Conn Smythe Trophy that year. In their four-series matchup, the Bolts have outscored the Canadiens 58-42, but this will be the first playoff series for this new iteration of the Canadiens, built first and foremost around the offensive talent of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov and Lane Hutson.
The teams have split the honors of their 4-game season series, with Tampa winning the first two games in December and Montreal winning the last two in March and April. Tampa outscored the Canadiens 12-11 in the season series (the sixth goal in their 6-5 win doesn’t count as it was a shootout win). Interestingly, the Bolts have scored four goals in each period while the Canadiens have scored seven of their 11 goals in the third frame.
Overall, Tampa has a 16-23 record in Game 1 for a .410-win percentage, but their home record in the first game of a series stands at 8-13 for a .381-win percentage. Meanwhile, the Canadiens have a 75-50 record in Game 1 for a .600-win percentage, but when Game 1 is on the road, it’s a lot more complicated for the Habs, who have a 13-32 record for a lowly .289 win percentage.
The young Canadiens obviously do not have much experience in the playoffs, Brendan Gallagher is the most experienced player at Martin St-Louis’ disposal with 76 postseason games to his name, in which he gathered 33 points. 15 of those games were played against Tampa, during which he picked up nine points. Phillip Danault has played in 62 playoff games, scoring 28 points in the process, which includes only five games against the Bolts in which he could only muster one point. Josh Anderson wraps up the Canadiens’ top-three in playoff experience with 48 games across which he picked up 15 points. Only 9 of those games were against Tampa, but he still scored 4 points against them.
As for Suzuki, he has 37 games of playoff experience in which he gathered 25 points. He’s obviously only faced Tampa five times in the postseason, and had three points in those five duels. As for Caufield, he has played in 25 playoff games, picking up 16 points, including seven goals. However, none of his seven goals came against the Lightning; in five duels, he could only muster three assists.
Meanwhile, the Bolts have a wealth of experience. Corey Perry has 237 playoff games to his name, the fourth-highest total in NHL history. He’s also picked up 141 points in the postseason. This will, however, be his first time playing against the Canadiens in the playoffs. Ryan McDonagh has played 196 playoff games and picked up 68 points in the process. Unlike Perry, he has plenty of postseason experience against Montreal. He has faced the Canadiens 17 times, picking up 15 points in the process. Victor Hedman, who’s currently not playing but should still be around the team according to Cooper, has played 170 playoff games and picked up 120 points in the process. 15 of those games were against Montreal, and he gathered eight points.
As for Nikita Kucherov, he has appeared in 152 playoff games, putting up 171 points; he’s the Bolts’ highest postseason scorer. In 13 playoff games against the Habs, he’s put up 13 points. Montreal will also need to keep a close eye on Jake Guentzel, who has 73 points in 74 playoff games and three points in four postseason duels with the Habs.
In net, Vasilevskiy is hands-down the most experienced masked man in the series with 120 playoff appearances, including 67 wins with a 2.45 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. Six of those games were against Montreal, and his stats are even better against the Habs; he’s got a 1.95 GAA and a .934 SV.
Meanwhile, Jakub Dobes has only played parts of three postseason games, winning one. He has a 2.91 GAA and a .881 SV. None of those games were against the Bolts, since he only faced the Washington Capitals in the playoffs. As for Jacob Fowler, this will be his first NHL playoff series, but last season in the AHL, he played eight postseason games, went 3-3, posted a 2.48 GAA, and a .902 SV%.
Clearly, the Canadiens are the underdogs in this meeting, but they are still much more prepared to face this challenge than they were last year against Washington. The game is set for 5:45 PM, and you can catch it on The Spot, HBO MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS, and CBC. Jake Brenk and Francois St-Laurent are set to officiate, while Shandor Alphonso and Julien Fournier will be the linemen.
Apr 18, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; The NHL 2026 Stanley Cup playoff logo as seen before the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Philadelphia Flyers in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The regular season may be over, but the real season is about to begin.
The Colorado Avalanche begin their pursuit of the franchise’s fourth Stanley Cup championship today, as they face the Los Angeles Kings in first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Colorado Avalanche (55-16-11)
The Opponent: Los Angeles Kings (35-27-20)
Time: 1:00 P.M. MDT/3:00 P.M. EDT
Watch: ALT, ALT + (Avalanche Broadcast Area), FDSNSC (Kings Broadcast Area), HBO Max, TNT, truTV (US National Broadcast), SNP, SNW, SNO, SN+, TVAS2, TVAS+ (Canadian National Broadcast)
Listen: Altitude Sports Radio KKSE-FM 92.5 FM
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche wrapped up the most successful regular season in franchise history with a 2-0 win over the floundering Seattle Kraken on Thursday night at Ball Arena. Defenseman Nick Blankenburg scored in the first period (which was overturned on a successful offside challenge by Seattle head coach Lane Lambert), but broke through (again) late in the second period to give the Avs the lead. Parker Kelly would cap off the scoring with his twenty-first goal of the season to secure the victory. The win saw them finish with a 121 point campaign, a new franchise record. Scott Wedgewood earned his fourth shutout of the season (and twelfth of his career), stopping all twenty-two shots he faced.
The Avs, who enter the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the undisputed leader across the Central Division, Western Conference, and League standings with their fourth Presidents Trophy under their belts, face a Los Angeles Kings team that clinched the second wild card position in the Western Conference late in the regular season. During regular season play, the Avs swept the season series, outscoring the Kings 13-5. Both teams met twice previously in postseason play, with both series going a full seven games. The Avs defeated the Kings in Game Seven to advance to the Western Conference Final in 2001, and earned another Game Seven victory in the first round back in 2002. Despite being heavily favored in this year’s matchup against the Kings, the Avs would do well not to take them lightly: the Avs lost their first round series to Seattle (and former goaltender Philipp Grubauer) back in 2023, which ended their Stanley Cup defense. While it’s a coincidence that another former Avs goalie will be on the opposing side in Darcy Kuemper, the notion of having another playoff run come to an early end is an outcome that no one wants to see, especially for this loaded roster.
Head Coach Jared Bednar yesterday addressed prior playoff disappointments and expectations for his roster. “There has to be a mentality there that we’re willing to go and earn what we want, right? We’re not deserved of anything yet. It’s all going to be about the way we play, and being willing to earn that, and if we think a team is going to hand us something, then that’s the wrong mentality, so we talked about that type of mindset. I think all of our guys understand that we’ve been through some heartache here in the first few rounds of playoffs, and I think it’s still fresh in our minds about what our focus is. It’s not on anything but L.A., Game One, and then we’ll shift to Game Two. Like, we have to have a narrow focus going into this thing […] We’re not looking past L.A.; this is a very good hockey team that’s played very well down the stretch, and we have to go and beat them, and that’s our focus, and it starts tomorrow afternoon with the puck drop.”
MacKinnon, who also spoke with the media after practice yesterday, echoed similar sentiments. “All our focus is on Game One in the first round. I mean, we need to play desperate, desperate hockey, you know? All we’re focused on is the Kings, and after that, if we’re lucky to make it that far, we’ll focus on the next series, but, you know, all our attention and focus is on L.A.”
Bednar also indicated yesterday that he won’t comment on any lineup changes, or who his starting goalies will be, throughout the playoffs. During the practice session, Parker Kelly spent time playing wing on the second line with Brock Nelson and Valeri Nichushkin, and Gabe Landeskog, who made his memorable return to the Avs lineup last postseason, was on the wing with Nazem Kadri and Nicolas Roy. While these lineup tweaks may not be what takes the ice this afternoon, it certainly would provide a different look to the top and bottom six units. Placing Kelly in the top six would be quite a show of trust from Bednar in the newly-minted twenty-plus goal-scorer to see what he can do with more talented linemates, while putting Landeskog with Kadri and Roy would turn that third line forecheck into a nightmare for the Kings.
As far as the goaltending goes, should Bednar with his pre-existing rotation, the nod should go to Blackwood for Game One, as he could always turn to Wedgewood in the event that Blackwood struggles in the series opener. However, it’s difficult to look past the appeal of starting Wedgewood, who just completed his first thirty win campaign—a career best—this season.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas Parker Kelly – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin Gabe Landeskog – Nazem Kadri – Nicolas Roy Ross Colton – Jack Drury – Logan O’Connor
Defense: Cale Makar – Devon Toews Josh Manson – Brent Burns Brett Kulak – Sam Malinksi
Between the Pipes: Scott Wedgewood Mackenzie Blackwood
Los Angeles Kings
After three consecutive seasons of first round postseason exits at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles gets a break from being terrorized by the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl…only to find the likes of MacKinnon and Martin Nečas, both of whom scored a combined 227 points during the regular season, perennial Norris Trophy favorite Cale Makar, and the William Jennings trophy-winning duo in Blackwood and Wedgewood waiting for them.
Some break.
Although they had been in the mix for a more promising seeding in Pacific Division standings, General Manager Ken Holland made several moves to try to bolster his team’s position. Philip Danault, Warren Foegele, and Corey Perry were shipped out, while Artemi Panarin and Scott Laughton were added. While Los Angeles managed to clinch their playoff berth on April 14 in a 5-3 victory over Seattle, they wouldn’t learn of their actual playoff position until the final night of the regular season three nights later. The Anaheim Ducks wrapped up the third seed in the Pacific Division in their 5-4 defeat of the Nashville Predators, which locked the Kings into the second wild card spot in the Western Conference.
According to Kings insiders Jared Shafran and Zach Dooley, due to the multiple playoff scenarios that could have unfolded for Los Angeles, they opted returned home after wrapping up their regular season finale in Calgary. Dooley said that the Kings spent time in L.A. on Friday to give the roster some rest in familiar surroundings before practicing on Saturday, then flying out to Denver afterward. Shafran said that the Kings wouldn’t hold a morning skate prior to Game One due to its early start time.
Going into the postseason as the second wild card against the League’s top seed is daunting enough, but to go into Denver with so little practice time prior to the start of the series against Colorado, who made Ball Arena a house of horrors for opposing teams throughout the regular season, is certainly an unenviable choice. Dooley also noted that injured forwards Andrei Kuzmenko, Jeff Malott, and Alex Turcotte, who have missed stretches of time due to injury, participated in yesterday’s practice. All three are now options to return to the lineup for Game One, but no firm decisions had been made regarding their status.
Kevin Fiala won’t be an option for interim head coach (and one-time Colorado defenseman) D.J. Smith, who missed the rest of the season after sustaining a leg injury during the Olympic break. Having Kuzmenko, Malott, and Turcotte as possible additions for his lineup would give him more options to go against Colorado’s deep forward ranks. Adrian Kempe, Quinton Byfield, and Alex Laferriere, all of whom led Los Angeles in goals and points, respectively, will have their work cut out for them as they go against a formidable Colorado defense. However, Smith will have one of the League’s best wingers at his disposal in Panerin. Over the course of twenty-six games played with Los Angeles, Panarin averaged over a point per game during his short tenure with the Kings (9G/18A/27PTS). He and Kempe, along with captain Anže Kopitar, will likely be Colorado’s top defensive assignment of Makar and Devon Toews, which could afford Smith the opportunity to deploy Byfield and Laferriere against more favorable matchups.
In goal, Anton Forsberg, who won six of his past seven starts, could get the nod again as things get underway in Denver. However, in eight career games against Colorado, Forsberg has recorded only one win (1-7-0), and has never faced Colorado in postseason action. Kuemper, who backstopped Colorado to the Stanley Cup in 2022, would seem to be a more logical option, given his familarity with their playing style. He also has a playoff series win against Colorado, which was earned as a member of the Minnesota Wild during the 2013-2014 postseason, marking his first ever playoff series victory.
This series against Colorado will mark Smith’s first ever appearance as a head coach in the playoffs, who was tagged as interim head coach after Jim Hiller was dismissed in March. During his time as the bench boss of the Ottawa Senators, none of his teams qualified for the playoffs. Despite this lack of playoff credentials as a head coach, Smith did make playoff appearances as an assistant as part of Mike Babcok’s coaching staff with the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, three consecutive first round exits concluded those playoff appearances during his time in Toronto.
Kopitar, who annouced that this season would be his final NHL season, will make his last appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a Kings sweater. If he has his say, he’ll have more than four more games of postseason play to put a feather in his Hall of Fame crown…unless Colorado has a different send-off in mind.
Projected Lineup
Forwards: Artemi Panarin – Anže Kopitar – Adrian Kempe Trevor Moore – Quinton Byfield – Alex Laferriere Joel Armia – Scott Laughton – Jared Wright Mathieu Joseph – Samuel Helenius – Jeff Malott
Defense: Mikey Anderson – Drew Doughty Joel Edmundson – Brandt Clarke Brian Dumoulin – Cody Ceci
The noise begins before the puck drops, but it doesn’t crest until the first collision.
A hard, clean finish along the wall that sends a surge through the building. It’s a signal. This is how the game will be played.
And within the first five minutes of Game 1, the Philadelphia Flyers made something unmistakably clear: They weren’t here to be passengers, or bow to the Pittsburgh Penguins' history of postseason success.
They came to the Steel City to win. And win they did.
A 3–2 victory in the opener of a bitter rivalry series is easy to reduce to execution, to moments, to who finished and who didn’t. But this game lived in the layers underneath—how pressure was absorbed, and how a team with far less playoff mileage refused to let the environment dictate its decisions.
1. They Shrunk the Ice Deliberately and Repeatedly
Playoff hockey doesn’t just feel tighter—it is tighter. Time compresses. Passing lanes narrow. The difference between a clean exit and a turnover is often half a stride.
The Flyers played an active role in creating that compression. From the opening shifts, their neutral-zone structure was compact without being passive, and their forwards tracked with purpose, angling puck carriers into narrower lanes rather than chasing them outright. Defensemen held their gaps a fraction longer than they might in January, stepping up not to force a turnover every time, but to ensure that Pittsburgh’s entries came without speed or support. Goaltender Dan Vladar gave another performance that showed exactly why he was named the Flyers' MVP this season.
Defenseman Jamie Drysdale, who netted his first career playoff goal to open the scoring for the Flyers, pointed to the emotional driver.
“I think we just came in with real high intensity in that first period," he said postgame. "[Sean Couturier] led the way there, and everyone just kind of built off that. I think we’ve got confidence in this room.”
But tactically, it was about denying Pittsburgh the ability to build plays. The Flyers weren't chasing this game. They anticipated where it would go, and arrived there first.
2. The Game Was Played Inside the Dots By Design
There’s a tendency in playoff openers for teams to test the perimeter, to probe for openings without committing to the interior.
Philadelphia bypassed that phase.
Their offense was all about shot location. They funneled pucks and bodies toward the middle of the ice, even when it meant absorbing contact or delaying a release. That commitment showed up most clearly on Porter Martone’s goal.
At 19 years, 174 days—now the youngest Flyer to score in a playoff debut, surpassing Simon Gagne—Martone didn’t drift into space. He occupied it early, then adjusted as the play developed. By the time the puck arrived, he was finishing.
That sequence is easy to misread as instinct, but really, it’s processing. And it speaks to something broader about the Flyers’ approach: they weren’t trying to outpace Pittsburgh at the edges of the ice. They were trying to win the most contested areas, repeatedly, until those areas became advantageous.
3. Their Composure Was Structural Instead Of Emotional
There is a visible kind of composure—calm faces, controlled body language—and then there is the kind that shows up only in decision-making. The Flyers’ version lived in their edges and exits.
When the Penguins pressed, the Flyers resisted the urge to try to solve those moments with a single play. They used the glass. They chipped into space with purpose. They accepted neutral resets instead of forcing controlled exits that weren’t there.
However, Drysdale didn’t shy away from the emotional reality of such a monumental game for the Flyers, saying, “There’s definitely nerves, to be honest, but you’ve got to channel them the right way. It’s what we’ve been working for. You obviously would much rather be here than at home watching. It’s fun, it’s a good position to be in, so you’ve got to take advantage of it when you can."
“This was a loud building, for sure," he continued. "[Penguins fans] were definitely behind their team. But in saying that, I think we held composure, we stayed calm, and we stayed consistent with our game, and I think, ultimately, that’s what led us through.”
Jamie Drysdale on the atmosphere of this game: [Pens fans]were definitely behind their team. But in saying that, I think we held composure. We stayed calm, and we stayed consistent with our game, and I think, ultimately, that's what that led us through.”#Flyers
Rivalry playoff games often tilt toward excess. And while this game saw plenty of bodies on both sides giving out bruisers, the Flyers largely avoided the trap of showmanship physicality.
They were physical in proximity. If a play was there to be finished, they finished it. If it required an extra stride or compromised positioning, they let it go.
Head coach Rick Tocchet framed it like this: “When you play a team like [the Penguins], you can’t run around. If you’re six, seven feet away, to finish your check is not the smartest move, but if you’re three feet away, you’ve gotta finish your check. [The Penguins] had some good hits. They were physical too. The teams that can do it over and over again in the playoffs are usually the successful ones.”
Travis Sanheim scored his first of the playoffs, while Trevor Zegras recorded his first postseason point. Even Rasmus Ristolainen—appearing in his first playoff game after 820 regular-season contests—contributed.
And Denver Barkey, who also put up his first NHL playoff point, continued a season that has accelerated beyond expectation.
“It’s been a whirlwind; I think that’s the best word to use," he said. "It’s a lot to take in just to jump to pro as it is right? Credit to a lot of people that have helped me along the way as well as hard work and just loving the game."
Every player operated within the same set of decisions, the same understanding of space and risk. That’s what made the performance feel cohesive rather than opportunistic.
Zegras worded it best by describing it simply as the result you get "when you have 23 guys all on the same page."
Zegras on the stifling defensive effort: "That's what you get when you have 23 guys all on the same page."
Playoff series aren't decided by the opening result, but they do evolve based on what that result reveals.
This game showed that the Flyers can play in an extremely hostile environment—one where fans are shouting "F—— you, Philly!," where decisions are accelerated, and mistakes are magnified—and not only survive it with a win, but shape it.
They didn't test out sneakers on the day of the marathon, and that's precisely why they won. They have figured out a playing system that has the capability to carry them past any opponent you put in front of them. After so many years of moving puzzle pieces and omnipresent uncertainty, that changes the equation.
Because now, the series is not about question of whether Philadelphia can produce in a playoff environment. Now, it’s about whether they can continue to impose their version of it.
And after one night, in one of the most demanding settings the sport offers, they’ve given a very clear answer.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 18: Connor Clifton #75 of the Pittsburgh Penguins tussles with Matvei Michkov #39 of the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period of Game One of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 18, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Penguins played a disjointed opening game against the Flyers and ended up falling 3-2 to their instate rivals to kick off their 2026 playoff series.
Where’d it all go wrong (aside from just about everything in the first 20-55 minutes?) Let’s take a look.
They weren’t alone in it, but the Sam Girard – Kris Letang pair had an absolutely brutal night
Sam Girard and Kris Letang had a tough night at the office last night. Letang was on the ice for all three goals the Flyers scored in Game 1, he also had to take a penalty after letting an opponent take the puck away from him. Girard wasn’t able to help and struggled just as much.
Per Moneypuck, Girard’s xGF% was 6.31%, to Letang’s 7.63. The Penguins aren’t going for anywhere but an early exit if their second pair defense is in the single digits of expected goal percentage. Girard and Letang were hardly alone at having bad nights: the vaunted fourth line had an XGF% in the 14-19% range, Karlsson didn’t score well on Game Score or xGF% either, Tommy Novak and Ben Kindel had difficult times getting their heads above water too, and on and on), yet they stand out as a glaring area to watch try and rebound in Game 2. One thing about Letang is he is not a very subtle player, it’s not going to be a secret to tell if he can pull the nose up or continues to struggle with the speed and pressure that Philadelphia is going to press upon him.
Failing to take advantage of a quick start
The beginnings of games should be toward Pittsburgh’s advantage, as we detailed here. They were one of the best first period teams this season, the Flyers were not. The Pens got handed a power play 1:53 into the game, the hot crowd was ready to explode and start the party. It did not work out that way and the tone for the rest of the game was set. The Pens couldn’t fight the momentum and Philadelphia poured it on them early to the tune of a 9-5 edge in shots for the first period.
Playing at home in the playoffs for the first time in four years, against a team with 10 players making their playoff debuts should have been a positive for the Penguins. It did not play out that way at all.
The line configurations didn’t work
The xGF% and shots for/against for the main lines went like this:
(The Flyers scored their eventual game-winner in the midst of a change while a ‘regular’ line wasn’t on the ice together in the course of play)
All those lines didn’t work. Chinakhov with Crosby still seems more like a new experiment than a fully-functioning combination in top form. Similarly, Rakell with Novak and Malkin is still in the finding their way stage. The third line might be the most disappointing at all on the stats (which is surprising since Soderblom had an impactful and positive game), but Kindel got buried and looked the way many hoped and expected that the Flyer young players would get pushed in the deep end. The decision to not play Justin Brazeau in the future will have to get reassessed. Even the fourth line that has been such a positive factor all year long was fighting and losing an uphill battle.
In short, it was a night nothing worked out well. The Flyers did their jobs, the Penguins looked lost and confused to where a lot of the people playing together weren’t connected enough. One game is one chapter of a series, now the Pens can take the chance to look at what they might need to change and try again the next time in Game 2 tomorrow.
When the Minnesota Wild (1-0) needed someone to take over, Kirill Kaprizov did what he’s been doing his entire playoff career.
He produced. And he produced at a level this franchise hasn’t seen before.
Kaprizov, 28, finished with a goal and two assists, marking his third career three-point game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the most in Wild history.
His goal didn’t just add to the stat sheet either.
It stood as the game-winner over the Dallas Stars (0-1). This happened to be Kaprizov's third game-winning goal of his playoff career, tying Nino Niederreiter for the most in franchise history.
That goal also gave him 16 for his playoff career, tying Zach Parise for the most in Wild history. It’s a mark that’s been around for a while and Kaprizov has reached it in just 26 games.
That’s where things start to look different.
Kaprizov now has 16 goals in 26 career playoff games. Only five players in NHL history have scored at a higher rate in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (minimum 10 games).
For a team that’s spent years trying to find consistent offense when it matters most, Kaprizov isn’t just contributing, he’s driving everything.
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The 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway, and for the first time in eight years, the Anaheim Ducks are one of the final 16 teams. They qualified with 92 points in the standings, good enough for third place in the Pacific Division, dubbed the “pillow fight division” by a member of the Ducks’ first-round opponents.
The Ducks’ first-round opponent for their first playoff series since 2018 will be the back-to-back Western Conference Champion Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers finished second in the Pacific, earning themselves home ice advantage in the opening round.
With the Ducks representing a team with a young core and on the rise, and the Oilers representing a perennial Cup favorite whose tolerance for losing has completely evaporated, storylines are plentiful entering Monday’s game one matchup. Let’s get into some on the Ducks’ side of the red line:
Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Joel Quenneville Returns to the Postseason
The Ducks hired Quenneville on May 8, 2025, nearly four years since he’d last been behind an NHL bench as the head coach of the Florida Panthers. After due diligence, Ducks’ general manager Pat Verbeek made the decision to hire Quenneville ahead of the 2025-26 season, with a mandate from himself and ownership to make the playoffs as soon as the upcoming season.
The Ducks succeeded in their seemingly lofty goal, and Quenneville will return to coach an NHL playoff game for the first time since the 2020-21 season. In his 26 seasons as a head coach in the NHL, Quenneville’s teams have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs 22 times and won three Stanley Cups.
In the past, Quenneville has pulled the right strings at the right times to optimize his roster’s impact in each playoff series. He’s identified matchups to exploit, implemented game plans, and made proper adjustments through a grueling seven-game series.
The NHL landscape, skill level, and on-ice product/style have changed considerably since Quennville was winning Stanley Cups in the early-to-mid 2010’s with the Chicago Blackhawks and even since he last coached a playoff game. Will he be able to replicate what he accomplished in the past with an up-and-coming Ducks roster, as he had so many times in the past?
Backing into the Playoffs
On March 26, the Ducks seemingly had the Pacific Division all but wrapped up. With 86 points through 72 games, they had a five-point lead on the second-place Oilers, were primed to capture their first division title since 2017, and were destined for a first-round series against the Utah Mammoth.
Since that date, through the final ten games of the regular season, the Ducks went 2-6-2, were outscored 41-30, lost home ice advantage, and have to now play a significantly tougher opponent. They continued to face difficulties with poor starts, untimely poor puck or position decisions, and defending the tight areas of the defensive zone, areas that had plagued them for the majority of the first 72 games of the season as well. A difference down the stretch was also that their goaltending, which had kept them in games to that point, fell to mere human levels and was unable to continue bailing them out.
When the games mattered the most, in the regular season, they couldn’t meet the moment, perhaps leaving most analysts discouraged in their chances going into this series. On the encouraging end of the spectrum, though their special teams cratered, their last ten games was one of their best (or their best) stretches of the season at 5v5, as they accounted for 56.3% of the expected goals. Will they extract the positive while discarding the negative aspects of the last ten games when the pressure elevates even further?
Griffin Hooper-Imagn Images
Playoff Terry
Ahead of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, Troy Terry sat fifth among active NHL players in games played without a playoff appearance (488), behind Mario Ferraro (490), Tage Thompson (529), Rasmus Dahlin (586), and Rasmus Ristolainen (820).
That streak is now over for Terry (along with three of the four players ahead of him). The monkey is off his back, and he’ll have the privilege of playing hockey in the playoffs. He had been the franchise’s most consistent player through the entirety of the rebuild, having now played for five different head coaches, and is the only roster player remaining from when the Ducks last made the playoffs in 2018.
Can Terry take his game to another level and shepherd the Ducks’ current and upcoming crop of young players toward realizing their full potential in their present and future playoff runs?
Feet Wet or Make Noise
Had anyone said on Oct. 9, 2025, that, in six months, the Anaheim Ducks were going to finish with 92 points, qualify for the playoffs, and end their eight-year postseason drought, anyone who follows the team and the team themselves would have been more than satisfied with that outcome for the 2025-26 season.
There’s a sense around various national media outlets that the Ducks don’t stand much of a chance in this series and should simply be happy to have made “the dance” and gain some valuable experience, getting their feet wet in these high-intensity games.
Those aspects are true. However, for the younger players, their inexperience could make them most dangerous, riding emotion while not fully grasping the pressure of playoff hockey, and for the aging veterans, they do understand the gravity of their situation and how it could represent the last or one of the last “kicks at the can.”
Can the Ducks capitalize on their blend of youthful naivete and veteran familiarity enough to upset a contender with two of the best centers in the world, both in their primes?
Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
An Allegory for the Passage of Time
Time is a flat circle. Teams’ trajectories rise and fall like a roller coaster, and much like in fashion, things in the NHL tend to come full circle. The Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks last met in the playoffs in the second round of the 2017 playoffs. That series will be remembered, from the Ducks’ perspective, for the “Comeback on Katella” in game five and the series that put an end to their four-game losing streak in game sevens.
That series now represents the last series win for the Ducks, as their contending window would violently shut after the 2016-17 season. From Edmonton’s perspective, that series represented the very first playoff loss for a 20-year-old Connor McDavid, 21-year-old Leon Draisaitl, 21-year-old Darnell Nurse, and 23-year-old Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, as they were coming off their first taste of playoff success in the series preceding, which advanced them to the second round.
Now, nine years later, McDavid is 29, Draisaitl is 30, Nurse is 30, and Nugent-Hopkins is 32. The Ducks, who have a completely different roster without any leftovers from that series, are the team with the young core on the rise. Led by Beckett Sennecke (20), Leo Carlsson (21), Cutter Gauthier (22), and Jackson LaCombe (25), this series will hopefully represent a similar sustainable window of contention.
Can this Ducks roster do what those Oilers couldn’t, and take down a Goliath, or, like on many occasions, will history repeat itself?
Game one of this series will commence on Monday, April 20, at 7 PM PST, in Edmonton.
