PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 27: Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) looks on during the second period in Game Five of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 27, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Here are your Pens Points for this Wednesday morning…
As the debate to re-sign Evgeni Malkin continues to be the dominant news item (and figures to remain that way until a decision is made), two opposing views on Malkin’s future with the Penguins win out above everything else: one argument is that he’s still productive and deserves to return for a final season, while the other says the team should move on to prioritize a long-term rebuild. Which one will win out is anyone’s guess. [PensBurgh]
Forward Anthony Mantha said he felt “right at home” during his lone season with the Penguins after posting career-best numbers, including 33 goals and 64 points. His postseason performance left much to be desired, however. As he likely hits the open market, Mantha said he’d still welcome a return to Pittsburgh. [Trib Live]
News and notes from around the NHL…
The Toronto Maple Leafs won the NHL draft lottery on Tuesday night despite having the fifth-best odds, securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. After a disappointing 2025-26 season, the team is now in a position to draft a difference-making prospect as new general manager John Chayka helms the ship in rough waters. [Sportsnet]
Jim Rutherford said he will step down as the Vancouver Canucks’ president of hockey operations and move into an advisory role following next month’s draft. [TSN]
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman revealed in a statement on Tuesday that he stepped away from the team to focus on his mental health, explaining that his decision, while difficult, was necessary to take care of himself and return as a better player, teammate, and person. [Sportsnet]
New York Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer headlines the finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy, joined by Montreal’s Ivan Demidov and Anaheim’s Beckett Sennecke. [ESPN]
He will teach you the way. | NHLI via Getty Images
A day after a widely panned press conference to introduce their new GM and figurehead, the Toronto Maple Leafs were handed a gift by the hockey gods/conspiracy forces by winning the draft lottery to get the #1 pick this summer.
This was quite the cliffhanger, as had just one lower team won the first or second pick lottery, the Leafs would have fallen out of the top five, meaning their high first-round pick would transfer to the Bruins as part of a trade that was only top-five protected.
Making matters worse for the last-place Vancouver Canucks, the San Jose Sharks then won the 2nd-pick lottery, giving them three consecutive years with a pick in the top two, and four consecutive years with a pick in the top four. While the Sharks took a big step forward this season, the tanking residue is still paying dividends.
And, of course, Toronto and San Jose’s lottery wins mean the Rangers drop from 3rd overall to 5th. Pity, that.
Islanders News
In far less surprising news, the NHL announced the Calder finalists as shoe-in Matthew Schaefer (duh), preseason favorite Ivan Demidev and the Ducks’ Beckett Sennecke. This award is voted on by the writers. [NHL | Newsday]
In Islanders-initiated news, after a successful season at the helm of their AHL squad, Rocky Thompson has been brought up to Pete DeBoer’s NHL staff. Thompson was an assistant in the NHL previously with the Flyers, Oilers and Sharks (with current Isles assistant Bob Boughner), and he overlapped with DeBoer a bit when he was head coach of the Knights’ AHL affiliate in Chicago when DeBoer was in Vegas. [Isles]
No lottery luck this summer; the Islanders will select 13th overall, the slot where they selected Derek King and Dean Chynoweth back in the ’80s, which was {counts in head} damn…a long time ago. [Isles]
Here’s Matthew Schaefer and his roommates explaining how the draft lottery works:
Elsewhere
Tuesday night the Avalanche and Wild exchanged quick early goals again, but then Colorado settled in and maintained control on the way to a 5-2 (EN) win and 2-0 series lead. [NHL]
What a difference 24 hours made for the mood in Toronto. [Sportsnet]
Apparently Leafs GM John Chayka did Shane Doan dirty, and that bothers Coyotes followers who think of Doan as a swell guy. [Arizona Sports]
Jim Rutherford will steap away from the “day to day” with the Canucks after the draft and after they presumably name a GM, sunsetting his very odd tenure with that team. [NHL | Sportsnet]
Four first-round losses for the Lightning does not change their commitment to Jon Cooper. [Sportsnet]
Carolina Hurricanes (53-22-7, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (43-27-12, in the Metropolitan Division)
Philadelphia; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDT
LINE: Hurricanes -164, Flyers +138; over/under is 5.5
NHL PLAYOFFS SECOND ROUND: Hurricanes lead series 2-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Carolina Hurricanes visit the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round of the NHL Playoffs with a 2-0 lead in the series. The teams meet Monday for the seventh time this season. The Hurricanes won 3-2 in overtime in the last meeting.
Philadelphia has gone 43-27-12 overall with a 16-12-6 record against the Metropolitan Division. The Flyers have a 38-7-4 record when scoring three or more goals.
Carolina is 53-22-7 overall with a 22-4-2 record against the Metropolitan Division. The Hurricanes have a 26-9-2 record in games they score at least one power-play goal.
TOP PERFORMERS: Trevor Zegras has 26 goals and 41 assists for the Flyers. Porter Martone has three goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
Seth Jarvis has 32 goals and 34 assists for the Hurricanes. Logan Stankoven has scored eight goals with four assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Flyers: 6-3-1, averaging 2.4 goals, 3.9 assists, 5.9 penalties and 15.8 penalty minutes while giving up two goals per game.
Hurricanes: 9-0-1, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.9 assists, 5.8 penalties and 13.8 penalty minutes while giving up 1.3 goals per game.
INJURIES: Flyers: Owen Tippett: day to day (undisclosed), Noah Cates: day to day (lower body), Rodrigo Abols: out (ankle), Nikita Grebenkin: out (upper body).
Hurricanes: None listed.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
May 5, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) awaits the puck during the third period against the Minnesota Wild in game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
DENVER — Nathan MacKinnon scored a goal and assisted on two more as the Colorado Avalanche rolled through Minnesota's newest netminder, Filip Gustavsson, on their way to a 5-2 win over the Wild on Tuesday night, grabbing a 2-0 lead in the second-round playoff series.
The Avalanche have now won six straight postseason games, which ties the 2021 squad for the franchise's longest win streak to begin the playoffs.
This game featured a little more defense than the 9-6 eruption in Game 1. The 14 goals for the Avalanche are the most in the first two games of a playoff series since the Calgary Flames had 15 against the Los Angeles Kings in 1988.
Martin Necas, Gabriel Landeskog and Nicolas Roy all scored their first goals of the series. Valeri Nichushkin added an empty-netter in the closing seconds. Twelve different Avalanche players have scored in the series, an NHL record for the first two games of a series.
“It’s great. I mean, right now, that’s what you need,” defenseman Cale Makar said. “You need everybody contributing and we’re finding ways to do that. There’s a lot of jelling minds right now.”
Scott Wedgewood made 29 saves on a night where he drew contact — he was knocked into the net on one occasion — and took a puck off the mask, leading to some quick repairs. It was a bounceback performance after giving up six goals in Game 1.
“He’s been unbelievable for us,” Roy said. "You can feel the confidence he’s got and it bleeds through the lineup.”
The Wild went with Gustavsson in net after Jesper Wallstedt gave up eight goals in the 9-6 loss. Gustavsson got off to a rocky start by giving up goals on the opening two shots of the first period and the first shot of the second. He settled down and finished with 18 saves.
“Just fine. Nothing special," Gustavsson said of how he felt Tuesday. “Not bad, not good.”
The series shifts to Minnesota for Game 3 on Saturday.
The Avalanche are 18-2 in best-of-seven playoff series when winning the first two games since moving to Denver in 1995-96.
Kirill Kaprizov and Marcus Johansson had goals for the Wild. Tempers flared in the third, with Parker Kelly getting into a scuffle with Matt Boldy and hitting the linesman with his glove. No penalties were called.
Colorado weathered a late rush by the Wild after they pulled Gustavsson for an extra skater late in the game. Boldy took a big hit from MacKinnon along the boards.
The game boiled down to special teams. The Avalanche were 2 of 5 on the power play while the Wild finished 0 of 2.
“It’s not good enough,” said Boldy, whose team is missing two big pieces with forward Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin sidelined by lower-body injuries. "We know that. It’s on us. We’ve got to make adjustments and be way better.”
Necas gave the Avalanche a 1-0 lead in the first period but just six seconds later Kaprizov tied it. The six-second gap between the goals was tied for the fifth-fastest two goals by both teams in postseason history, according to NHL Stats.
Landeskog later added a power-play score on a pass from MacKinnon, who notched two assists in the first period for his 21st career multipoint playoff period. He passed Hall of Famer Joe Sakic for the most in franchise history.
“Just excited to play playoff hockey,” said MacKinnon, whose team has scored five or more goals in three straight postseason games for the fifth time in franchise history. “Obviously, the best time of year.”
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) reacts to a goal by New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) during the first period when the New York Islanders played the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY.
During a live broadcast of the NHL draft lottery Tuesday night, the 18-year-old defenseman was announced as a finalist for the 2026 Calder Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to the player “selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the NHL.”
Schaefer was announced alongside Montreal’s Ivan Demidov and Anaheim’s Beckett Sennecke.
Matthew Schaefer (48) reacts to a goal by Anders Lee (not pitured) during the first period of the Islanders’ 4-3 loss to the Blackhawks on March 24, 2026 at UBS Arena. Robert Sabo for NY Post
The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers Association members at the conclusion of the regular season.
Schaefer has long been considered the front-runner for the award after making an immediate impact on the Islanders in more ways than one.
After the Islanders selected Schaefer with the top pick in last year’s draft, the Ontario native endeared himself to the fanbase and the entire NHL both on the ice and off. His stardom has pulled a much-needed spotlight onto the hockey club on Long Island.
Posting 59 points (23 goals, 36 assists) over 82 games, Schaefer tied Brian Leetch’s record for the most goals by a rookie defenseman in a single season.
After a strong first season behind the bench of the Isles’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, Rocky Thompson earned a place with the varsity club as an assistant coach, the team announced Tuesday.
The Sweetest Place on Earth turned sour on Tuesday night when minor league hockey fans began throwing debris onto the ice after they didn’t believe a game-winning goal had been actually scored in a rivalry playoff matchup.
Hershey Bears fans “refused to leave” Giant Center in Hershey, Pa., after Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins winger Rutger McGroarty scored the deciding goal 5:03 into overtime to give his side a 4-3 win and a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-five Atlantic Division semifinal.
Hershey Bears fans were made after the loss. Jlass21/X
Some Bears fans didn’t believe the puck had gone in the net and became irate after the officials left the ice without reviewing the goal. They then began chucking trash onto the ice.
Video posted to social media showed beer cans being flung onto the playing surface after both teams left the ice, with AHL reporter Tony Androckitis describing it as a “wild scene.”
Hershey Bears fans were mad after the loss. Jlass21/X
“Totally unacceptable throwing things on the ice. I saw a group of Bears fans hit with objects sitting in the 1st row. Terrible behavior,” former TV sports anchor Andrew Kalista wrote on X.
But the replay showed that the puck did go in, despite the confusion from fans.
An overhead shot of the goal clearly showed the puck hitting the back bar of the net and deflecting out.
Ball Arena welcomed Avalanche fans (and some Wild fans) for game two of the second round series between the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild, and those supporting the home club would head to the lot happy once again.
The Avalanche scored first and last tonight, and despite Matt Boldy, Quinn Hughes, and Marcus Johansson’s best effort, Colorado’s star power and physicality won the night.
Nathan MacKinnon had three assists and a goal, Gabe Landeskog scored on the power play, and the Avalanche were the aggressors in the checking department.
Scott Wedgewood made some clutch saves on the kill and looked good in his 6th consecutive playoff start and victory.
On the other hand, Filip Gustavsson gave up two goals on his first two shots and didn’t appear all that comfortable for the Wild.
The Avs have Minnesota in a must-win situation now after snagging a 5-2 victory.
Let’s take a deeper look at the action of game number two!
The Game
I hardly get a bold prediction right on the Mile High Hockey Lab, but today I actually earned a ding as Martin Necas was indeed the first goalscorer of the evening. I mentioned on the program that I felt he’d been plenty creative and was due for a goal rather than a setup.
Nathan MacKinnon broke in and found Martin Necas on a drop pass, who broke toward the net and sent a backhand shot through traffic that beat Filip Gustavsson.
In the intermission report, Mark Messier said, “You need a save there,” when recapping the tally that would give the Avalanche a 1-0 lead.
That lead would last all of six seconds as a broken play leading to Devon Toews and Cale Makar both covering the same Wild player.
Martin Necas was left to pick up Kirill Kaprisov, but didn’t really stand a chance in that regard.
Kaprisov would break in all alone and beat Scott Wedgewood with ease. We were tied at one.
The Colorado Avalanche power play dominated the conversation throughout the regular season (not in a good way). Still, it was on point tonight, starting with the third goal of the first period logged by Gabe Landeskog.
The tape-to-tape passes from Kadri to Makar to Necas connected with Nathan MacKinnon, who one-touched a pass from the net side to Landeskog in the bumper position. Landy left no doubt with the finish. 2-1 Avalanche, and that’s how the first period would end.
The Avalanche got an early second-period goal from deadline addition Nicolas Roy on a feed from Ross Colton to give the boys in burgundy a 3-1 lead.
Good to see Rosco get on the board for the first time this playoffs, and Nic Roy now has 4 points in the six playoff games this postseason.
Colorado hasn’t lost a game all season where they’ve held the lead heading into the third, and would add another notch to that log on the back of another power play goal, this time from Nathan MacKinnon.
Nate did well to find himself some open ice and got a fortunate bounce as his one-timer went off Yakov Trenin’s shin and in. The Avalanche would extend their lead to 4-1.
We saw a little pushback from the Minnesota Wild, who got a third-period goal from Marcus Johansson. I thought Johansson was among the Wild’s best players, and so I wasn’t surprised that he finally broke through, bringing the score to 4-2.
In the end, a not-so-smart cross-check from Karpisov would tranquilize the Wild’s comeback effort, and inevitably, Val Nichushkin would loft a puck the length of the ice and into the empty net.
The Avalanche win 5-2 in a professional, workman-like effort and improve to 6-0 in the playoffs, taking a 2-0 series lead heading to Minnesota for game three.
Takeaways
The Wild have to be disappointed in a couple of things tonight, but I’ll start with the penalties they took. Ryan Hartman’s trip in the second and Kaprisov’s cross-check to Makar’s face were killers tonight.
Hartman’s didn’t end up in a goal and neither did Kaprisov’s, oddly enough, but they did kill some much-needed momentum on completely avoidable infractions.
The Avalanche pulled the uno-reverse card and outhit the Minnesota Wild with more than a few memorable and crunching hits.
Brock Nelson caught Ryan Hartman reaching, Nathan MacKinnon bowled right over Quinn Hughes, and pasted Matt Boldy to the boards. I expect a response from the Wild in this regard in game three, so it will be important for Colorado to make the most of those three days’ rest.
Minnesota went with Filip Gustavsson tonight as a surprise replacement for Jesper Wallstedt, and it seemed to backfire a bit.
A couple of Colorado’s goals, you’d like your goalie to make a save, but Gustavsson hasn’t had a start since March and was making a habit of giving up four or more back then, so I’m confused as to what sort of jolt John Hines was expecting from that move.
It’s so shockingly odd that it leads me to speculate that something was wrong with Wallstedt. It could be as simple as he just needed a night off. Speculation aside, I’d bet the Wild go with Wallstedt for the rest of the series.
Colorado’s top guns were flying around tonight, and when that’s the case, they are a tough team to beat. It felt like the Lehkonen — MacKinnon — Necas line could score on any shift, and Gabe Landeskog still seems to find another level this time of year.
Gabe Landeskog on elevating his game this time of year yet again:
“It’s playoff hockey it’s what you play for. It’s about leaving it out there really.”#GoAvsGo
Colorado did recommit defensively, and outside of that lapse that led to Kaprisov’s goal, they were back to shutting things down. What you just read may be true, but make no mistake: Scott Wedgewood did his thing yet again.
For most of the third period, it looked like the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins were going to lose Game 3 of their series against the Hershey Bears.
They were down 3-2 going into the third and were trailing for most of the period until Avery Hayes scored the tying goal with just under three minutes left in the final frame. He let the puck rip from just above the right circle and was mobbed by his teammates along the boards.
Goaltender Sergei Murashov had just been pulled for the extra attacker when Hayes tied the game up.
GOAL. Avery Hayes ties Game 3 with 2:53 left in regulation.
Hershey goaltender Clay Stevenson had been making some big saves in that final frame before Hayes finally broke through.
Before the game got to that point, WBS started fast with goals from defenseman Phil Kemp and forward Mikhail Ilyin in the first period. Ilyin scored his first AHL goal in the first period, making it a 2-0 game.
After that, Hershey rallied to tie the game at the end of the first period before taking a 3-2 lead 37 seconds into the second period. WBS goaltender Sergei Murashov made some timely saves after allowing the third goal, keeping his team within striking distance so that Hayes could eventually tie the game.
Overtime was needed to decide the game, and the game-winner was scored by Rutger McGroarty. McGroarty's deflection went in and out of the net so fast that Hershey players were stunned that the game was over.
Even Hershey fans were confused because they felt the puck didn't go in, but the AHL confirmed it crossed the goal line via an overhead view.
May 4, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CANADA; Toronto Maple Leafs new senior executive advisor Mats Sundin (l) and general manager John Chayka pose for picture after an introductory news conference at Real Sports Bar and Grill. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
SECAUCUS, N.J. — The Toronto Maple Leafs won the lottery for the first pick in the NHL draft on Tuesday night, a significant victory that could change the trajectory of the storied franchise at a critical time.
The Maple Leafs got some lottery luck a little more than 48 hours after hiring John Chayka as general manager and bringing back franchise legend Mats Sundin to serve as a hockey operations adviser. Chayka and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president and CEO Keith Pelley got some harsh questions at the introductory news conference, but it was all smiles at Toronto's facility after getting the No. 1 pick.
“I’m extremely happy for the Toronto Maple Leafs fanbase, of course," Sundin said. "Certainly this is really going to help when you’re looking into the future and try to help this team and what we’re looking for the future for the Toronto Maple Leafs, so it’s great to get the first pick.”
Penn State’s Gavin McKenna and Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg are rated as the top North American and European prospects by NHL Central Scouting. McKenna has been considered the prospective top choice for quite some time.
“I’ve kept track of him for a number of years now, and the skill level, the creativity, obviously the puck ability and then his shot and release is all pretty special,” Chayka said. “A good package, and it’ll be good to get with the scouts and talk through it all, but I know there’s a lot of passion for a lot of players, including Gavin.”
The most immediate question for the Leafs under new management is the future of captain and best player Auston Matthews after they missed the playoffs for the first time in his career. It's the first time they've won the lottery since taking Matthews with the No. 1 pick in 2016, and the draft is back in Buffalo where they made that selection.
Toronto had the fifth-highest odds of winning it at 8.5%. Vancouver had the highest at 18.5%, has never had the first pick and dropped to third. Chayka called moving up a fortuitous bounce.
“Long road ahead, of course: Lots of work to do still, but when you get a first overall pick, it’s a monumental type of opportunity,” Chayka said. “You don’t know what’s going to occur in these types of situations, but you do know you need some luck and it happened. I don’t think it changes the vision or the strategy, but certainly when these things happen it can change course and timelines, etc. But it’s not something that we’re going to change how we think about things.”
The Leafs get to keep the pick this year but lose their first-rounder in 2027 and '28 to Philadelphia and Boston. There is some uncertainty as to which order for the Flyers and Bruins, and deputy commissioner Bill Daly called it a complicated situation that would need to be worked out.
The San Jose Sharks won the lottery for the second pick. With yet another top-five pick, GM Mike Grier and his staff can augment a young group already led by Macklin Celebrini and including Will Smith and Michael Misa.
“There’s lots of options there,” Grier said. “There’s centers, there’s ‘D,’ there’s wingers, so to have the opportunity to add another very talented player to our young core is very exciting.”
Chicago has the No. 4 pick and the New York Rangers No. 5.
“We're going to get a great player,” Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson said. “It's all about accumulating talent.”
This was the second live draft conducted at the NHL Network studio, after the draw in previous years was conducted in a conference room and those inside were sequestered until the results aired on television. Commissioner Gary Bettman credited president of content and events Steve Mayer for the change.
“He goes, ‘This is an exciting moment,’ when we would do it in the room before Bill would do the reveal,” Bettman said. "He said, ‘Let’s do it live.’ And I gave him 10 reasons that we should be concerned, including, what if the machine breaks. And he said, ‘No, no we’re going to be fine.’ He’s the one who figured out how to make it an interesting and compelling show.”
After the first three numbers were drawn, the Canucks had a 27.3% chance of winning and the Rangers 18.2%, while the Leafs were among six teams with 9.1%. When the No. 12 ball popped out, completing the 7-2-11-12 sequence, Toronto won, changing the entire mood around the Original Six organization that has not hoisted the Stanley Cup since 1967.
“Just really excited for the organization, for the fan base," Chayka said. "I think it's a meaningful step and just elated.”
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Jim Rutherford is stepping down as the Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations following next month’s NHL draft.
“I’m going to get away from the day-to-day operations,” he said Tuesday at an unrelated news conference. “I’m going to stay with the team as an adviser and alternate governor. But as far as the day-to-day operations, we’re going to put together a really good staff here going forward.”
The 77-year-old, three-time Stanley Cup winner said Tuesday that he’s been thinking about his future a lot recently.
“This is something I’ve thought about anyways for a couple of years,” Rutherford said. “But it’s time for me to do that. I feel bad that I have to do it at such a young age, but decided to do it anyways.”
The news comes after the Canucks finished the season last in the standings with a 25-49-8 record.
Rutherford said the search for a new GM has involved more than 15 candidates, and the list has now been narrowed down to five. A final decision is expected by next week, he said.
How Vancouver’s front office is structured following the new hire remains to be seen, Rutherford added.
“I’ll help with the transition and the new person, new people, new positions, things like that,” he said. “But I’ll still be part of the organization. When someone wants to bounce something off of me, I’ll be happy to do it.”
Rutherford and Allvin orchestrated an era that saw the Canucks go from playoff outsiders to Pacific Division winners and back again.
Rutherford was initially hired as Vancouver’s president of hockey operations and interim general manager on Dec. 9, 2021, four days after then-general manager Jim Benning was fired.
A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builders’ category, he previously served as GM for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2014 to 2021, and led the team to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and ’17.
He was also Carolina’s general manager for 20 years, and helped the Hurricanes win the Cup in 2006.
After finishing at the bottom of the standings, the Canucks had the best odds at claiming the top pick in next month’s draft, but the balls did not fall their way in Tuesday’s lottery.
Instead, the Toronto Maple Leafs will get the first overall selection. Vancouver will pick third.
“Despite the fact that the Canucks aren’t going to pick No. 1, that doesn’t mean we need to be all upset over this,” Rutherford said. “This is a real strong draft. We really don’t know how the draft is going to fall. … But whatever way it falls, we feel very strong that we’re going to get a really good player. Who that player is, we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Leo Carlsson has been a huge shooting threat in the playoffs, leading a talented Anaheim lineup in shots on goal and scoring chances.
My Ducks vs. Golden Knights predictionsexpect his shooting prowess to be on full display again in Game 2.
Let’s take a closer look at my NHL picks for Wednesday, May 6.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Ducks vs Golden Knights Game 2 prediction
Who will win Ducks vs Golden Knights Game 2?
Anaheim: The Ducks did a lot of good things in the series opener, generating more shots, chances, and expected goals than the Golden Knights. Carter Hart performed very well — which is not the norm — and the Ducks also missed the net on some Grade A opportunities. Look for them to capitalize and take Game 2.
Ducks vs Golden Knights best bet: Leo Carlsson Over 2.5 shots (-155)
Leo Carlsson has taken his shooting to a whole different level in the playoffs. The star center has averaged 4.6 shots on goal and 6.4 attempts through seven games, clearing 2.5 shots in six of them.
The Vegas Golden Knights had a difficult time slowing him down in Game 1, allowing seven attempts, five chances, and four shots on goal.
They were clearly outplayed during Carlsson’s 5-on-5 minutes, losing the shot attempt battle 19-7 and getting out-chanced by eight.
Look for Carlsson and the Anaheim Ducks' top line to cause Vegas problems in Game 2.
Ducks vs Golden Knights Game 2 same-game parlay
Carlsson is averaging more than a point per game in the playoffs and ranks second to Nathan MacKinnon in scoring chance contributions. It’s tough to keep him off the scoresheet once, let alone multiple times in a row.
Troy Terry is Carlsson’s partner in crime and facilitates a lot of chances for him at 5-on-5 and on the power play. Terry also had five points over three games against Vegas during the regular season, with four coming by way of assist.
Ducks vs Golden Knights SGP
Leo Carlsson Over 2.5 shots
Leo Carlsson Over 0.5 points
Troy Terry Over 0.5 assists
Ducks vs Golden Knights Game 2 goal scorer pick
Leo Carlsson (+190)
No player on either team recorded more shots, scoring chances, or high-danger looks than Leo Carlsson.
His speed was noticeable, and he generated some awesome opportunities around the net — he just didn’t finish.
Ducks vs Golden Knights odds for Game 2
Moneyline: Ducks +135 | Golden Knights -155
Puck Line: Ducks +1.5 (-180) | Golden Knights -1.5 (+155)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+115) | Under 6.5 (-135)
Ducks vs Golden Knights trend
The Anaheim Ducks have hit the game total Over in 11 of their last 20 games (+4.00 Units / 16% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Ducks vs. Golden Knights.
How to watch Ducks vs Golden Knights Game 2
Location
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Date
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Puck drop
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
TNT, SN
Ducks 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.
Chayka now had a gift fall into his lap a day later as the team tries to get back to the playoffs quickly after the end of its nine-year run.
The Maple Leafs won the draft lottery and the right to pick No. 1 overall for the first time since selecting Auston Matthews in 2016.
The San Jose Sharks won the second drawing and will choose second.
Here are the winners and losers of Tuesday's NHL draft lottery:
WINNERS
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs can choose between Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg in June. Both have the talent to make a quick impact on the franchise and help with the scoring. And adding someone of that caliber to the team could help sway Auston Matthews' decision when he's eligible for a contract extension on July 1, 2027.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks showed massive improvement in 2024 No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini's second season. They finished four points out of a playoff spot and now will add Stenberg or McKenna to a young team that already has Celebrini, Will Smith and Michael Misa.
Draft lottery show presentation
Last year's show was dull and reminded people why it's done offstage. But there were different touches this year. Having New York Islanders No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer and Matt Martin's kids explain how the lottery works was cute. They also didn't show each ball being loaded into the chute, as they did last year. They cut to commercial and showed it as an inset. Overall, the production values were better.
The Canucks never have chosen No. 1 overall and they won't again. Not only that, the NHL's worst team in 2025-26 dropped to third place. They'll get a very good prospect but not as good as McKenna or Stenberg.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blachawks, the league's second-worst team, could have had Stenberg or McKenna to play alongside Connor Bedard and Anton Frondell. But they drop to the fourth pick.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins acquired the Maple Leafs' 2026 No. 1 pick in the Brandon Carlo trade. The pick was top-five protected, so Boston won't get it in what is considered a deep 2026 draft. Instead, the first-round pick transfers to a future year and is unprotected.
The lottery is over, and the Kraken will have the 7th overall pick in the 226 NHL Entry Draft. There was only a 7.5% chance of the number one pick falling to Seattle, but the hope was there, nonetheless.
Pick one will go to the Toronto Mile Leafs and pick two to the San Jose Sharks. After those first two picks, the other teams fall in line in their reverse standings order. Finishing the season dead last in the standings means the Vancouver Canucks will slot in for the 3rd pick, then Chicago, the New York Rangers, Calgary, and final the Kraken.
The first 16 picks are as follows:
Toronto Maple Leafs
San Jose Sharks
Vancouver Canucks
Chicago Blackhawks
New York Rangers
Calgary Flames
Seattle Kraken
Winnipeg Jets
Florida Panthers
Nashville Predators
St. Louis Blues
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
Columbus Blue Jackets
St. Louis Blues (via Detroit Red Wings0
Washington Capitals
The Remaining sixteen teams will be ranked based on their performance in the playoffs.
Roles are changing within the Vancouver Canucks organization. With Vancouver on the hunt for a new General Manager, and the search seeming to near its end, President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford announced that he will be taking a step back from the organization's "day-to-day" activities once the 2026 NHL Draft concludes.
"I'm going to get away from the day-to-day operations. I'm going to stay with the team as an advisor and an alternate governor," he said in a media availability after the Canucks lost the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. "As far as the day-to-day operations, we're going to put together a really good staff here going forward. This is something I've thought about anyways for a couple of years, but it's time for me to do that."
This doesn't mean that Rutherford will be stepping away from the organization full-time. In his advisor and alternate governor role, the 77-year-old noted that he will still help advise the main front-office staff.
"I'll help with the transition and with with the new person and new people in different positions and things like that, and but I'll still be part of the organization, and when somebody wants to bounce something off me, I'm happy to do it."
Whether the Canucks opt to hire a new President of Hockey Operations or not is still up in the air. The structure of Vancouver's new management group, according to Rutherford, will be clearer once a new General Manager has been selected.
"We're still working on that with the people that we have an idea that would be good at it, how, exactly, how that structure is, we'll be able to announce that when the when the GM is announced."
Rutherford has been the Canucks' President of Hockey Operations since the 2021-22 season.
May 28, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford addresses reporters during media day before the start of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final at PPG PAINTS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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The Winnipeg Jets have fallen to the eighth overall selection at the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft thanks to the results of Tuesday night's NHL Draft Lottery.
The stars didn't quite align for the Jets on Tuesday - or more accurately, the ping pong balls didn't exactly bounce the right way.
Photo by James Carey Lauder
In a process dictated by lawyers, mathematicians, NHL executives, general managers, and both the NHL commissioner and deputy commissioner, Tuesday's pre-draft festivities provided an outcome only a true storyteller could write.
With the Jets finishing the 2025-26 season with the seventh-best odds to land the No. 1 overall selection in this June's draft, it was the rival Toronto Maple Leafs who moved up from the fifth-best odds to land the rights to select the presumed No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna first overall in less than two months' time.
Following the Leafs' jump up the order from fifth, the San Jose Sharks ended up earning the right to select second overall - coming all the way from outside the Top-5, meaning those below pick No. 2 all moved down in the order - including Winnipeg.
The Jets will now have the luxury of selecting eighth overall - the highest ranked selection since the team took Patrik Laine at the No. 2 spot back in 2016. Both Nikolaj Ehlers and Jacob Trouba were selected at No. 9 overall, while current Jets forward Cole Perfetti was selected 10th overall.
The 2026 NHL Draft will go from Buffalo on June 26th and 27th.
