After losing each of their first three games of their series against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Pittsburgh Penguins are making a change between the pipes for Game 4. Arturs Silovs will be the team's starting goalie for the matchup, replacing Stuart Skinner.
Seeing the Penguins switching goalies for Game 4 is understandable. They need a shakeup after how the first three games have gone, and they will be hoping Silovs can provide them with a much-needed boost.
This is a great opportunity for Silovs to try to show the Penguins that he can be trusted in big moments for them. The 25-year-old goalie has good upside and will be looking to make a major impact for the Penguins to try to save their season.
Silovs has NHL playoff experience, as he played in 10 postseason games for the Vancouver Canucks in 2024. During them, he had a 5-5 record, an .898 save percentage, and a 2.91 goals-against average. He notably helped the Canucks get past the Nashville Predators in the first round that year, which included him having a 28-save shutout in Game 6.
During this past year, Silovs helped lead the Abbotsford Canucks to their Calder Cup championship. In 24 games during their playoff run, he had a 16-7 record, a 2.01 goals-against average, a .931 save percentage, and five shutouts. Due to his dominance that postseason, he was named the AHL Playoff MVP.
Now, Silovs will be looking to shine after getting this opportunity for the Penguins. Let's see if he can seize his chance and help Pittsburgh avoid being swept.
After three seasons of developing in the American Hockey League with the Utica Comets, Topias Vilén finally received his first NHL call-up on April 10, 2026.
The 23-year-old made his NHL debut with the New Jersey Devils on April 12 against the Ottawa Senators. He played two NHL games, averaging 15 minutes of ice time.
“They have been really happy with his development over the last three years, but this year in particular,” Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe said at the time of the call up. “They felt he was the guy who earned the opportunity and someone they wanted to get a look at.”
When the organization announced it would be Vilén, who was drafted 129th overall in 2021, who received that final call-up instead of other prospects, including 2020 120th overall pick Ethan Edwards, some questioned the decision.
In an interview with The Hockey News, Comets general manager Dan MacKinnon provided clarity to that question.
“We want to be a process-driven organization,” he said. “This was the third year of his entry-level contract, and he has matured incredibly as both a hockey player and a person over those three years. I am not saying anything that our coaches wouldn't say. He was our best overall defenseman in all three zones in the second half of the year. He didn't have the start he wanted, like a lot of guys on that team, but Keefe watches our games, and he said, ‘I want to see this guy at the NHL level.’”
With the Comets, Vilén finished the 2025-26 season with 27 points (four goals, 23 assists) in 61 games. He had the second-most points on the blue line behind Calen Addison. When he was re-assigned to the Comets after his stint with the Devils, he collected three assists in Utica’s final two games of the season.
“I wanted to give Topias the boost coming to training camp next year on his second contract. To say, ‘Hey, you are not that far away from playing at the NHL level.’ You know, that motivation he will have in the offseason. That was all part of the process.”
As Vilén prepares for his second contract, Edwards will be training for his second full season playing professional hockey.
In 79 career AHL games, the former University of Michigan Wolverine has impressed MacKinnon, who believes the youngster has a ton of upside.
“Edwards is an elite skater and will be even a high-end skater at the NHL level,” MacKinnon shared. "He is sub-six feet tall, but he is so hockey strong. He never loses a battle. What he was learning this year was coming from college, where he could sort of impose himself on the game with the puck and understand sometimes less is more in terms of managing the puck and being efficient. His game evolved during the AHL season this year, and he became much more responsible and steady in terms of his puck management.”
Edwards will be the first to say there was a bit of a learning curve in the middle of the season for him. He appeared in 69 games for the Comets, collecting 23 points. His 10 goals led all defensemen.
“It was no slight against (Edwards), MacKinnon said of Vilén receiving the call-up. “He was a rookie playing his first year pro, and he still needs more time. That is all part of the process.”
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The 2027 Discover NHL Winter Classic will feature the Colorado Avalanche visiting the Utah Mammoth on December 31, 2026, with puck drop set for late afternoon and a prime-time broadcast window in the Eastern time zone.
A Proven Outdoor Team Meets a New(ish) Franchise
Cale Makar during the 2020 Stadium Series
The Avalanche come in with a level of outdoor experience that few teams in the league can really match.
Over the past decade, Colorado has become a regular presence in these showcase games, including a 5–3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings at Coors Field in the 2016 Stadium Series, a 3–1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at Falcon Stadium in 2020, and a 3–2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the Lake Tahoe outdoor game in 2021, which was played without fans during the pandemic.
Different settings, different conditions, and a mix of results have all added up to a team that feels comfortable on hockey’s biggest outdoor stages.
Utah, by contrast, is still in the early chapters of its NHL story—but moving quickly.
In a short time, the organization has gone from expansion arrival to fully establishing its footprint in the market, acquiring the hockey assets of the Arizona Coyotes, setting up a temporary practice facility, and pushing through early renovations at the Delta Center.
That progress has already carried into a full identity shift with the unveiling of the Utah Mammoth, the opening of a permanent practice facility, and continued upgrades to the arena, which has quickly developed into a loud, consistently sold-out home fueled by a growing fan base that feels more invested in the game.
Now all of that growth meets hockey’s biggest outdoor stage.
The game will be played at Rice-Eccles Stadium on the University of Utah campus, set against the backdrop of Salt Lake City and the surrounding mountains. It’s a setting that fits the occasion—large, open, and visually striking, with a natural atmosphere that makes outdoor hockey feel even bigger than the game itself.
Utah is expected to embrace the moment fully, turning the entire weekend into something that feels closer to a citywide winter celebration than a standalone event. With the game landing on New Year’s Eve, it naturally becomes the centerpiece of a longer stretch of festivities across Salt Lake City.
Instead of just a single night of hockey, the city will likely be buzzing for days—concerts, downtown events, and winter-themed activities building around the matchup. Ski resorts and mountain tourism will also play a part, giving visiting fans plenty of reasons to turn the trip into a full experience. And along the way, it’s the kind of stage where a few new fans of the sport might stick around long after the final horn.
The Winter Classic will also mark a league-wide milestone, as all 32 NHL franchises will have now taken part in an outdoor game. For Utah, it’s a first appearance on that stage—and another meaningful step in its rapid rise from expansion team to one of the most closely watched new markets in the NHL.
Former Vancouver Canucks goaltender Artūrs Šilovs will start in what is shaping up to be a sudden-death playoff elimination game for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins have dropped their first three games of their first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers and could be eliminated with a loss tonight.
Šilovs has an extensive recent history of performing excellently when his teams need them most, which could ultimately make the difference tonight. In 2023, Šilovs registered a 7–3–0 record and .921 SV% at the IIHF World Championship to win Latvia their first-ever Bronze medal at the tournament.
The former Canucks goaltender’s history of clutch performances only continues from there. The goaltender backstopped the Canucks to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs back in 2024, even pulling off his first career playoff shutout in Vancouver’s series-clinching win against the Nashville Predators.
In the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs, Šilovs recorded five shutouts and a 2.01 GAA to help the Abbotsford Canucks win their first AHL Championship in franchise history. The goaltender was named the AHL Playoff MVP for his performance in the post-season.
The Penguins have not showcased their best efforts since the post-season began. While they narrowly lost Game 1 by a score of 3–2, since then, each of their losses have been by three goals. Puck drop for Game 4 is scheduled for 5:00 pm PT.
Apr 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs (37) looks on against the Florida Panthers during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Alberti-Imagn Images
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They've been outplayed in the first three games of the series, being outscored 11-4 and have only one 5v5 goal. Their offense has been completely stifled, even though they finished the regular season with the third-most goals scored in the league.
The Flyers' neutral-zone trap has really frustrated them in this series, but the Penguins had the right idea to beat it in the first period of Game 3. They dumped the puck deep and went to work down low, with a shoot-first mentality. Their efforts were rewarded with their first lead of the series in the first period before they got away from it in the final two periods, eventually losing 5-2.
Head coach Dan Muse has looked out of his depth in this series and is set to make more lineup changes for Game 4. Ilya Solovyov is slated to come in for Connor Clifton while Arturs Silovs will start in goal over Stuart Skinner.
Muse is also reuniting Egor Chinakhov with Evgeni Malkin after the former was on the third line with Ben Kindel for Game 3. Elmer Soderblom is coming in for Justin Brazeau after the latter replaced the former on Wednesday.
Here's a look at the projected lines and pairs:
Forwards
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin
Soderblom-Kindel-Mantha
Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari
Defensive pairs
Wotherspoon-Karlsson
Girard-Letang
Shea-Solovyov
If the Penguins win this game, they'll return to Pittsburgh for Game 5 on Monday.
Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET on TBS, truTV, HBO Max, and SportsNet Pittsburgh.
The Flyers on Saturday night have the chance to sweep a playoff series for the first time since 1995, when they took out the Rangers in the second round.
They’ll try to eliminate the Penguins in Game 4 of their best-of-seven first-round matchup.
The Flyers know Pittsburgh won’t be easy to close out.
“We expect to get their best,” Cam York said Saturday after morning skate. “We’ve kind of had their number there the last three games, but they’re a veteran group that has been in the situation before.”
Rick Tocchet’s club will have an urgency, too. The Flyers know if they can win the series early, the better their chances could be in the second round.
“We want to win just as bad as they do,” York said. “Rest is obviously important in the playoffs. If we win this one tonight, we get a good chunk of time off before the next series starts. It’s definitely something that we’re pushing for.
“We’re not going to change what we’ve done or be overaggressive because we really want to win this game. We’ve got to stick to the game plan and take it one shift at a time.”
Owen Tippett expects the crowd to be fired up at Xfinity Mobile Arena despite the not-so-nice weather in Philadelphia.
“Given that it’s a weekend, later start,” Tippett said. “Not the best day, but it’s always sunny in Philly. It should be a fun game and we’re all looking forward to it.”
Puck drop is scheduled for around 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET with Flyers Pregame Live.
Rick Tocchet addresses the Flyers after skate. Flyers have a chance to sweep a playoff series for first time since 1995, when they took out the Rangers in the second round. pic.twitter.com/n1E2GZAjVw
Dan Vladar at skate preparing ahead of Game 4. Flyers have chance to sweep Penguins. Coverage at 7:30 p.m. ET on @NBCSPhilly. pic.twitter.com/f0jeujmjYj
The Pittsburgh Penguins play Game 4 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night. This is a must-win game for the Penguins, as a loss to the Flyers would officially end their season.
If the Penguins hope to avoid being swept, they will need these three players to bounce back in a massive Game 4 for the Metropolitan Division club.
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby has had a slow start to the playoffs, posting zero goals, one assist, and a minus-3 rating in three games. Overall, the 38-year-old center has to break the ice offensively for the Penguins this postseason. However, with Crosby still being one of the NHL's best players and a clutch playoff performer, it would not be shocking in the slightest if he has a big Game 4.
Anthony Mantha
After a great regular season that saw him set new career highs with 33 goals, 31 assists, and 64 points in 81 games, Anthony Mantha has gone cold during the playoffs. He has zero points and a minus-4 rating in three playoff games so far. With Mantha being one of Pittsburgh's top wingers, they need him to regain his scoring touch in Game 4.
Egor Chinakhov
Egor Chinakhov is another key Penguins forward will be looking to break the ice against the Flyers. He has zero points and a minus-3 rating in three games, but Game 4 offers him the opportunity to bounce back. When noting that he had 18 goals and 36 points in 43 games with the Penguins after being acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets, he certainly can be a difference-maker when on his game.
UPDATE: Added a goal scorer pick + who will win section.
Rasmus Dahlin is an elite playmaker for the Buffalo Sabres, leading the team in assists with 55.
My Sabres vs. Bruins predictions expect to see the defenseman set up another goal in Game 4 against Boston.
Let’s dive into my NHL picks for Sunday, April 26.
Sabres vs Bruins Game 4 prediction
Who will win Sabres vs Bruins Game 4?
Buffalo: The Buffalo Sabres lead 2-1 despite Jeremy Swayman posting save percentages of .919, .943, and .931. He has given the Boston Bruins elite netminding, and they still trail. If his numbers dip at all, the Sabres will almost certainly head home up 3-1.
Sabres vs Bruins best bet: Rasmus Dahlin Over 0.5 assists (-115)
The Buffalo Sabres have generated 106 shot attempts, 57 scoring chances, and 6.45 expected goals with Rasmus Dahlin on the ice in this series. That has translated to only three goals.
Dahlin’s on-ice shooting percentage sits at 5.56% – lowest among 13 Sabres with 40+ minutes played – compared to 13.01% in the regular season.
While it’s not abnormal for Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman to shave goals off the expected total, this kind of gap is not sustainable.
Given how many opportunities the Sabres are generating, and how involved Dahlin is in facilitating them, I like his chances of assisting in Game 4.
Sabres vs Bruins Game 4 same-game parlay
Jack Quinn is playing a key role for the Sabres, logging more than 37 minutes of ice over the last two games and getting run on PP1.
Fun fact: Quinn has averaged – yes, averaged – 4.1 shots on 7.3 attempts spanning the past 10 games in which he logged 16+ minutes and at least two on the power play. He piled up eight shots on 19 attempts over the last two games.
And who can forget Josh Doan? He recorded multiple shots on goal in all three games this series and six of seven against Boston this season.
Sabres vs Bruins SGP
Ramsus Dahlin Over 0.5 assists
Jack Quinn Over 2.5 shots
Josh Doan Over 1.5 shots
Sabres vs Bruins Game 4 goal scorer pick
Jack Quinn (+215)
Quinn found the back of the net in 32% of his games this season when generating at least six shot attempts, a number he has cleared in back-to-back games. He has an excellent shot and possesses the finishing ability needed to beat someone like Swayman.
Rasmus Dahlin has six assists over his last six away games. Find more NHL betting trends for Sabres vs. Bruins.
How to watch Sabres vs Bruins Game 4
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Puck drop
2:00 p.m. ET
TV
TNT, truTV
Sabres vs Bruins 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.
The Buffalo Sabres picked up an impressive 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Thursday. With it, they now have a 2-1 series lead over the Bruins.
Now, the Sabres are heading into Game 4 with momentum on their side, and they must take advantage of it. If they defeat the Bruins in Game 4, they would have a 3-1 series lead heading back to Buffalo for Game 5. This would be massive for the Sabres, as they would have three chances to knock out the Bruins from there.
However, if the Sabres drop Game 4, the Bruins would tie the series up at 2-2. This would certainly be a tough blow for the Sabres.
If the Sabres are going to win Game 4, they are going to need their top stars to show up in a big way for them. The Bruins are going to come out hungry, and this is especially so when noting that this is a must-win game for the on home ice.
It will now be interesting to see if the Sabres can defeat the Bruins in Game 4. If they do, they would have a real stranglehold on the series.
OTTAWA, CANADA - APRIL 23: Jackson Blake #53 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a goal against Linus Ullmark #35 of the Ottawa Senators during the second period in Game Three of the First Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canadian Tire Centre on April 23, 2026 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Just like one week ago, the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators open Saturday’s slate of Stanley Cup Playoff action with a 3:00 PM EST puck drop.
In the week since, the Hurricanes have earned three consecutive tight wins over the Senators, taking a 3-0 series lead and giving themselves the opportunity to advance to the second round with another win in Kanata today.
The Game 3 victory came as a result of goals off of nice passing plays from Logan Stankoven and Jackson Blake while Frederik Andersen largely shut the door against on Ottawa team that, frankly, looked nowhere near as dangerous offensively as they did in their two defeats in Raleigh.
When speaking with the media on Friday, Sens head coach Travis Green confirmed that his team would be without both of its top pairing defensemen today. Artem Zub will remain out after injuring himself in Game 1 when he hit Seth Jarvis, and Jake Sanderson is out with a concussion after he was on the receiving end of a hit from Taylor Hall that garnered a two-minute minor penalty for illegal contact to the head, but no supplemental discipline from the league.
That will mean an even heavier load for Ottawa’s stellar second pairing of Thomas Chabot and Jordan Spence, while we could see promising young defenseman Carter Yakemchuk make his playoff debut for Ottawa today.
On the Carolina side of things, it’s tough to see any lineup changes aside from possibly a switch in goal. It’s been less than 48 hours since Andersen’s last start, and with a 3-0 lead, it could be the time to get Brandon Bussi a look
Andersen has been so good, though, and a win would mean so much for rest, that it would make complete sense for him to get the nod once again.
Brind’Amour told The Athletic’s Cory Lavalette Friday that the team has not yet decided who will be in net for Saturday’s game.
If Carolina is going to close out this series today, it would be great for it to occur in a fashion that features contributions from the top line of Andrei Svechnikov, Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, who have combined for just one point as the second line of Hall, Stankoven and Blake has carried the offense. Stankoven has scored the first goal in each of the three games to this point.
Here’s how to check out the action…
Time: 3:00 PM
TV: TBS and TruTV have the national broadcast. For FanDuel Sports Net in the Carolinas, Mike Maniscalco will handle play-by-play alongside Tripp Tracy doing color. Hanna Yates and Shane Willis will provide off-ice reports.
Streaming:HBO Max out-of-market, FanDuel Sports Network App for fans in the Carolinas. A very important note—the NHL Power Play feature isn’t available on ESPN during the playoffs, so the only way to hear Mike and Tripp on the TV will be through the FanDuel app.
Radio: The pregame on 99.9 The Fan starts at 6:30PM and runs for 60 minutes in the playoffs. At 7:30PM the Hurricanes Radio Network (consisting of 99.9, 730 The Game in Charlotte, ESPN New Bern 107.5/1490, and ESPN Greenville 107.5/1570) picks up the FDSN feed. You can also stream the call on the Hurricanes app.
The Utah Mammoth delivered the biggest win of their young postseason history Friday night, using a four-goal surge and a sharp performance from Karel Vejmelka to beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round series at Delta Center.
With the victory, Utah claimed the first home playoff win in franchise history and moved ahead 2-1 in the best-of-seven matchup.
Lawson Crouse scored twice in the second period, helping turn a tense, physical contest into a statement night for the home side. MacKenzie Weegar added a goal and an assist, Dylan Guenther connected on the power play, and Clayton Keller contributed two assists as Utah’s top players repeatedly found openings against a veteran Vegas club.
The atmosphere inside Delta Center carried playoff urgency from puck drop, but Utah settled first.
Weegar opened the scoring late in the first period when he stepped into a loose puck high in the zone and drove a shot through Carter Hart after it glanced off the goaltender’s mask. Minutes later, Guenther doubled the lead on the power play, wiring a one-timer under the crossbar from the left circle.
That sequence shifted the game.
Crouse Breaks It Open
Vegas pressed early in the second, but Utah responded with speed and directness through the neutral zone. Crouse made it 3-0 by redirecting a centering pass on the rush, then struck again less than six minutes later with a clean wrist shot from the slot that beat Hart to the blocker side.
By then, the Golden Knights were chasing both the scoreboard and the pace.
Hart finished with eight saves as Utah capitalized on its best looks and forced Vegas into uncomfortable stretches defending off the rush.
Jack Eichel finally got Vegas on the board later in the second, cleaning up a rebound at the top of the crease to cut the deficit to 4-1. Nic Dowd added another in the third period, but the push came too late to erase Utah’s control over the first 40 minutes.
Vejmelka Holds Firm
While Utah’s finishing supplied the headlines, Vejmelka’s steadiness anchored the result. He turned aside 30 shots and weathered Vegas pressure in the opening period and again during a late third-period push.
The Golden Knights generated more volume than the final score suggested, but too many chances came after Utah had already established command.
Now the pressure shifts to Vegas, the Pacific Division’s top seed, which suddenly trails in a series many expected it to dictate.
Game 4 is set for Monday in Utah, where the Mammoth now have both momentum and belief.
Dan Vladar smiled as he fist-bumped staff members and left the ice after morning skate.
The Flyers’ most valuable player will be in net Saturday for Game 4 against the Penguins at Xfinity Mobile Arena (8 p.m. ET/NBCSP). With a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven first-round playoff series, the Flyers have a chance to close out Pittsburgh and avoid going back to PPG Paints Arena.
“To see him get in those kind of uncomfortable spots the last couple of games, you never want to see that for anybody, let alone him when he’s in the zone like that,” Owen Tippett said Saturday. “It’s a huge boost to see him out there, but none of us in this room doubted him.”
Dan Vladar at skate preparing ahead of Game 4. Flyers have chance to sweep Penguins. Coverage at 7:30 p.m. ET on @NBCSPhilly. pic.twitter.com/f0jeujmjYj
The Chicago Blackhawks' biggest objective this offseason when it comes to adding to their roster should be to bring in a top-six winger. While this is the case, they also should not be against improving their bottom six after trading away veterans like Jason Dickinson and Nick Foligno at the trade deadline.
When looking at this year's pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs), one player who stands out as a solid potential target for the Blackhawks is Pittsburgh Penguins forward Connor Dewar.
If the Blackhawks signed Dewar, he would have the potential to give their bottom six a nice boost. His stats from this regular season show this, as he set career highs with 14 goals, 16 assists, 30 points, and 144 hits in 78 games for the Penguins. This was all while in a bottom-six role for the Penguins.
With numbers like these, Dewar would give the Blackhawks a solid bottom-six forward who can provide solid secondary scoring and plenty of grit. He is also capable of playing both center and the wing, so he would give the Blackhawks another forward with good versatility. He is also an impactful penalty-killer due to his solid defensive play.
With this, if the Blackhawks want to add a proven NHL-caliber forward to their bottom six this summer, Dewar stands out as a good potential option. This is especially so when noting that he is currently 26 years old, so he is entering his prime years.
The Anaheim Ducks beat the Edmonton Oilers by a 7-4 final score in Game 3 of their first round matchup. With it, the Ducks now have a 2-1 series lead over Edmonton and are in a good spot heading into Game 4.
A former Pittsburgh Penguins forward certainly played a role in the Ducks' Game 3 win, as Mikael Granlund dominated. Granlund scored a goal and recorded three assists in the Ducks' victory over the Oilers. With this, he put together a four-point night in a playoff game, which is certainly impressive.
With this big performance, Granlund now has one goal, four assists, and five points in three playoff games so far this postseason for the Ducks. This is after the former Penguins forward recorded 19 goals, 22 assists, and 41 points in 58 games for the Ducks during the regular season.
Granlund played in 21 games for the Penguins during the 2022-23 season, where he had one goal, five points, and a plus-1 rating. He was traded to the San Jose Sharks during the 2023 NHL offseason in the deal that brought star defenseman Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh.
