NHL 26 Simulation Delivers Shocking Avalanche vs Kings First-Round Projection

The simulation puck has officially dropped—and if this version of reality holds any weight, the Colorado Avalanche aren’t just winning their first-round series… they’re steamrolling it.

The full 2-hour and 45-minute stream can be watched in its entirety here.

Game 1 — Avalanche 3, Kings 2

The opening frame had a little bit of everything—tempo, tension, and an early missed opportunity. Colorado’s first power play came eight minutes in after Cody Ceci cross-checked Nazem Kadri, but the Avs couldn’t cash in.

Still, they struck first.

With under five minutes to play in the period, Nic Roy buried a rebound off a Gabriel Landeskog chance that slipped through Darcy Kuemper. Depth scoring, right on cue.

Colorado carried a 1–0 lead into intermission, narrowly edging Los Angeles 9–8 in shots.

The Kings pushed back in the second. Anze Kopitar—playing what could be his final postseason—redirected a Drew Doughty point shot past Scott Wedgewood to even things up. The period tilted toward Los Angeles, who outshot Colorado 9–4, but the score stayed locked at one.

Then came the chaos.

Just 1:49 into the third, a Colorado turnover sparked a 2-on-1, and Artemi Panarin found Adrian Kempe for a clean finish to give Los Angeles its first lead.

It didn’t last.

Off an offensive-zone draw, Brock Nelson did the dirty work, and Landeskog did the rest—dangling from forehand to backhand and beating Kuemper to tie it. A captain’s answer.

Moments later, Nathan MacKinnon hit another gear, slicing through defenders before setting up Artturi Lehkonen on the doorstep… only for the puck to clang off iron like it owed him money. Full Arnold Schwarzenegger, terminator-level post.

Late-game pressure broke the Kings. With under a minute to go, Nelson retrieved a loose puck behind the net and fed Landeskog in the slot. This time, no mistake—glove side, game over.

Landeskog finished with three points (2G, 1A), Nelson added two, and Roy chipped in with the opener. Wedgewood stopped 21.

Game 2 — Avalanche 3, Kings 2

Colorado controlled the pace early but found themselves trailing after Taylor Ward cleaned up a power play scramble midway through the first.

The response came quickly—and bizarrely.

Kuemper mishandled a routine puck in his crease, chaos followed, and Nelson capitalized with a slick backhand to tie it.

The second period belonged to Colorado. After Brian Dumoulin took a penalty, Martin Necas hammered home a power play goal to make it 2–1. The Avs dominated possession, outshooting the Kings 25–11 through two.

Kuemper, to his credit, kept Los Angeles alive with several massive saves, including a rocket from Cale Makar.

Kopitar tied it again early in the third on a power play one-timer, because of course he did.

But once again, Colorado had the final word.

Ross Colton forced a turnover, Nic Roy picked it up, and Colton spun and fired past Kuemper in one motion. Clinical. Decisive.

Blackwood stopped 18, and the Avalanche took a 2–0 series lead.

Game 3 — Avalanche 2, Kings 1 (OT)

Los Angeles struck first, capitalizing on a 2-on-1 as Kempe set up Brandt Clarke to beat Wedgewood.

From there, it became a goaltending duel.

Colorado dominated stretches of the second, but Kuemper refused to break—until Sam Malinski burst in on a breakaway and slipped a backhand home late in the period to tie it.

The third period? Pure chaos disguised as control. Both goalies traded highlight-reel saves.

Then overtime delivered the madness.

Scott Laughton nearly ended it for L.A., but Wedgewood pulled off a save that defied both physics and basic human expectation.

Moments later, the Kings went on the power play—but it backfired spectacularly.

Cale Makar won a race to the puck, fed Logan O’Connor in the slot, and O’Connor buried the shorthanded winner.

Ballgame. Series stranglehold.

Wedgewood was unreal, stopping 38.

Game 4 — Avalanche 1, Kings 0

This one was tight. Suffocating, even.

Both teams traded chances, but nothing got through—until the final seconds.

With just 21 ticks left, Nelson forced a turnover at center ice and sent Landeskog flying down the wing. One shot. One finish.

That was it.

Four games. Four wins. Series over.

Let’s Be Real

Nathan MacKinnon going an entire series without a goal? Not happening in any known universe. The simulation clearly has a personal vendetta.

But if there’s one takeaway here, it’s this: Colorado’s depth, structure, and late-game execution completely overwhelmed Los Angeles.

Now, reality steps in.

Game 1 hits Sunday at Ball Arena.

And unlike the simulation… this one counts.

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'I Think It's Going To Be Something Special': Penguins' Playoff 'First-Timers' Look Forward To Game 1

It's no secret that the Pittsburgh Penguins have a wealth of playoff experience on their roster.

Five of them - Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Bryan Rust, and Sam Girard - have Stanley Cup rings. A few more have gotten a taste of the Stanley Cup Final, only to have fallen just short. Many have limited playoff experience but playoff experience nonetheless.

But there are a handful of players - six of them, to be exact - on the Penguins' active roster who have never been graced with the opportunity to experience the greatest postseason in all of sports. Ben Kindel, Egor Chinakhov, Elmer Soderblom, Ryan Shea, Jack St. Ivany, and Ilya Solovyov will finally, in some capacity, have that opportunity when the Penguins face the Philadelphia Flyers in round one of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which begins Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET

And a player's first time in the NHL playoffs is something that they can only experience once.

"It's, obviously, been a whirlwind of a season, but this has always been the goal since making the team," Kindel said. "Really, really excited to have this opportunity to go into the playoffs with this group of guys and see what we can do."

Kindel, a rookie, made the team out of training camp and was given the chance to stick around through the entirety of the regular season. And some of the other players in a similar situation didn't join the squad until midway through.

Chinakhov is one of those guys, as he was dealt from the Columbus Blue Jackets to Pittsburgh on Dec. 29. He has played in five NHL seasons up to this point, and all have ended in futility.

To come to the Penguins' organization mid-season and be thrust into the Stanley Cup Playoffs has been a whirlwind for him, but he's happy to finally have gotten here.

"I'm excited to play in the playoffs," Chinakhov said. "I played in the KHL [playoffs], and I know it feels different than the regular season. Yeah, just need to prepare and be ready for Game 1."

'This Is What You Play For': Penguins Thrilled To Be Back In Playoff Picture, Confident About Identity'This Is What You Play For': Penguins Thrilled To Be Back In Playoff Picture, Confident About IdentityThe Pittsburgh Penguins are back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in four years - and their longest-tenured veterans are itching for a chance to bring home another championship for the organization.

The same can be said for Soderblom, who joined the team at the NHL Trade Deadline from the Detroit Red Wings on Mar. 7.

"It's going to be fun," Soderblom said. "I think it's going to be something special, and it's going to be exciting to play, for sure. I think we can just learn a lot from the players who have been through it, you know, and won the Cup. So, I think it's a good opportunity to just get better." 

The "new guy, new team" situation doesn't apply to everyone in this position, though. Shea and St. Ivany have been with the organization for a few years now, and they have seen the Penguins at the lowest point they've been since Crosby's rookie season.

Shea joined the Penguins in 2023-24 after getting drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks and spending a few years in the Dallas Stars' organization. He's been to the playoffs before, but nothing quite like the NHL playoffs. 

Pittsburgh Penguins-Philadelphia Flyers Series Preview: Series History, X-Factors, Series PredictionPittsburgh Penguins-Philadelphia Flyers Series Preview: Series History, X-Factors, Series PredictionThe Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are set to meet again in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Here's a full preview of the series.

“I mean, it’s pretty cool. I’ve played a lot of meaningful hockey in my life, whether it’s playoffs in the AHL or college hockey, but this is obviously the pinnacle," Shea said. "This is what you want to get to.

"I feel like the first two years, we were so close, but always the outside looking in. And this year, we had to learn how to play when we were in a position to make the playoffs, and we did pretty well coming down the stretch with that. But, I’m just super excited. It’s great for the guys."

Of course, there's not really any other way to truly prepare for the NHL playoffs aside from simply getting thrust into it. Crosby knows that feeling all too well, as he remembers his first taste of the playoffs. 

But, regardless, he and the other veterans in the room are ready to help those with little to no NHL postseason experience - even if they can only do so much.

"I think you've got to prepare as best you can, but until you've actually experienced it, there's only so much you can do to try to prepare," Crosby said. "But, we'll definitely do that. You can do your best to try to help them out and make sure that [they] prepare, but just getting thrown into it is just sometimes the best. And I think anyone who has played in the playoffs, you remember that first game, that's for sure. You'll remember that first shift, first period... those always tend to stick out."

And Shea - like Soderblom - said that the experience of guys like Crosby and the other veterans in the room will certainly help him and others, especially in terms of regulating emotions.

"I pick up the little things that guys talk about, whether it’s body language, picking up teammates, all that stuff," Shea said. "For me, I’m pretty hard on myself. So, having those guys through this experience and having a guy of that caliber coming up to you and being like, ‘Hey, go get it next shift’ or something like that… that goes a long way. We’re all in this fight together. I think we’ve done a great job this year being a team and keeping the vibes at a high, and I think we need that no matter what, whether we go down 2-0, up 2-0, whatever the case may be.

"We need to control our emotions, and that’s where those guys come in. And, for me, I know I’m going to be overly excited to start the game, but I think, at the end of the day, it’s just another hockey game. My nerves and my excitement will just pull back, and then, you’re pretty much just going about your business.”

Top-5 Moves That Shaped Penguins' Successful 2025-26 SeasonTop-5 Moves That Shaped Penguins' Successful 2025-26 SeasonThere are many moves that NHL GM of the Year frontrunner Kyle Dubas made this season to contribute to the Penguins' success - but there are five that were crucial to their first Stanley Cup Playoff berth in four years.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!    

New York Islanders Lead NHL in Salary Cap Overages Heading Into Offseason

The New York Islanders have salary-cap overages that impact their cap space heading into the summer.

Per PuckPedia, the Islanders' bonus overage carryover is $3.5 million. 

Here's how they get to that number:

"The New York Islanders super rookie Matthew Schaefer earned the maximum bonuses possible for an Entry Level player - $3,500,000.  He hit 4 “A” bonuses for Goals, Assists, Points per game, and Time on Ice, earning $1 million, and by finishing in the top 10 among NHL Defensemen in goals, he earned his $2.5 million “B” bonus.  Since the Islanders used LTIR and finished over the cap, this entire $3.5 million bonus is an overage.  This large overage isn’t quite as high as the overages incurred by Boston ($4.5 million in 23-24) and Edmonton ($3.55 million in 24-25) in recent years."

Schaefer earned every dollar of his bonus. It's not a problem, just something the Islanders need to get used to. 

To sum things up, this means that the Islanders' cap hit next season is reduced by $3.5 million. 

Tankathon: Nashville Predators Have 3.5% Chance To Land No. 1 Pick In NHL Draft

So you're telling me there's a chance? 

With the Nashville Predators missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs by three points, all eyes are on the NHL Draft Lottery, which will be held on May 5. 

According to Tankathon.com, which runs mock drafts and tracks draft odds across all five major sporting leagues, the Predators have a 3.5% chance to land the No. 1 overall pick with the 10th-best odds. 

Their highest odds are to land the 10th overall pick at 73.3%. 

The Vancouver Canucks have the highest odds of getting the No. 1 pick at 25%. They finished dead-last in the NHL standings with a 25-49-8 record and 58 points. 

It's a slim chance for the Predators to get the top pick, but it has happened before. The New York Islanders had the 10th-best odds to land the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft at 3.5%.

They'd end up winning the lottery and drafting defensman Matthew Schaefer. This season, Schaefer has recorded 59 points in 82 games and is the leading candidate to win the Calder Memorial Trophy. 

This didn't favor the Predators last season, who had an 11.5% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick and the highest odds of landing the No. 3 overall pick, yet fell to the No. 5 overall pick.

Nashville ended up selecting center Brady Martin from the Soo Greyhounds with the pick. It was selected three times in the first round of the 2025 Draft. 

The New York Rangers notably had a 9.5% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft and won the lottery, selecting forward Alexis Lafrenière. 

This year's draft is all about Penn State forward Gavin McKenna, who lit the WHL on fire last season with 129 points (41 goals and 88 assists) in 56 games at 16/17 years old. 

He made the move to the NCAA this season, recording 51 points (15 goals and 36 assists) in 35 games. While having a fall-off from the 2024-25 season, McKenna is still the top prospect in this draft class. 

In the midst of a general manager search, the Predators will have 12 picks in this upcoming draft. 

Nashville Predators 2026 NHL Draft picks by round 

Jun 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announces Brady Martin is selected as the fifth overall pick to the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Jun 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announces Brady Martin is selected as the fifth overall pick to the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

First round: One pick

Second round: Two picks (Acquired a pick from Minnesota Wild, trading C Michael McCarron) 

Third round: Two picks (Acquired a pick from Seattle Kraken, trading F Michael Bunting to Dallas Stars for the pick, which was originally Seattle's.) 

Fourth round: Two picks (Acquired a pick from Pittsburgh Penguins, trading D Luke Schenn and C Thomas Novak for Bunting and a 2026 4th round pick) 

Fifth round: Three picks (Acquired two picks from the Edmonton Oilers, trading a 2025 fifth-round pick and from the Carolina Hurricanes, trading C Mark Jankowski.) 

Sixth round: One pick (Acquired a pick from Utah Mammoth for 2025 sixth-round pick)

Seventh round: One pick 

5 Most Important Tasks For Blackhawks Front Office This Off-Season

The Chicago Blackhawks finished the season 29-39-14, which was good for 72 points. Their 31st-place finish makes it four years in a row that they finished in the bottom three, and they will pick in the top four for the same number of years.  

Kyle Davidson received a contract extension, which will give him security ahead of the rebuild's next step. Now, it's all about taking the opportunity to use their incredible farm system to put together a winner. 

This could end up being the most important summer of the entire project. There are many young players in the organization, and not all of them can be on the NHL roster full-time going forward. Trades and signings must be a part of it. 

There is no limit to how many moves a team can make during the off-season, but some are more important than others. These five decisions stick out as the top priorities: 

Make a wise decision with their lottery pick

The Chicago Blackhawks are going to pick in the top four. If they're picking fourth, that means that multiple teams below them won lotteries, which is unlikely. Regardless of where they land, however, they have to make a smart decision. 

Most believe that Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg will be the first two forwards taken, while Chase Reid and Keaton Verhoeff will be the first two defensemen off the board. Regardless of who the Blackhawks take, they must get them on the best possible development path.

Extend Connor Bedard to a multi-year deal

Connor Bedard is the franchise centerpiece. The Blackhawks were handed a gift when they won the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery, and he has rewarded them by putting in the work to develop into an elite player. There is still even more room for growth, which is what's most impressive about him.

Bedard is a restricted free agent and is in need of a contract extension. He was wise to wait through this year to get it done, because he's proven that he's worth an eight-figure number for a very long time. He will get that. 

Although this is a no-brainer, there is always a worry about how long it takes to get done. The Blackhawks must learn from cases like Jeremy Swayman or Luke Hughes, as missing training camp can hinder seasons. The earlier this deal gets done, the better it will be for the team and the player. 

Add a high-end top-six forward with NHL experience

The Blackhawks have a lot of great young forwards. A lot of them have the skills necessary to play in the top six. They also have Tyler Bertuzzi, who scored 32 goals, which led the team. This was a career year for Bertuzzi, so they need to add another good top-six forward to the group. 

There are going to be some snipers available via a trade (and possibly free agency), and there are some who have had their name out there, but it remains to be seen if they'll actually be moved. 

If the Blackhawks want a chance at winning more next season, a high-end talent to play with Bedard is a must. This will also push other guys down the lineup, which can be beneficial to other centers like Anton Frondell or Frank Nazar. 

Add a veteran to the defense

The Blackhawks were without Matt Grzelcyk for the last month of the season, which made 24-year-old Alex Vlasic their elder statesman on the blue line. 

It might be wise to add another veteran to play with this youth-filled group. Artyom Levshunov, Wyatt Kaiser, and Sam Rinzel could all use another mentor in the room to help them when things get tough. 

The Blackhawks may also draft a young defenseman, depending on where things fall, which would make a veteran useful as well. There isn't going to be a world-beater available, but a steady second-pair guy would go a long way. 

Be smart with Ilya Mikheyev's pending free agency

The Blackhawks traded Nick Foligno, Connor Murphy, and Jason Dickinson at the deadline. All three of those pending UFAs are going to the playoffs, but it left a leadership hole on the team. 

It also left Ily Mikheyev behind as a pending UFA. The Blackhawks tried to get him extended before the deadline, but to no avail. Over the summer, it would be in their best interest to revisit those conversations. 

If Mikheyev is willing to sign a two-year deal at a good number, the Blackhawks should not hesitate. Even an overpriced one-year deal would be better than nothing. Mikheyev is one of the best penalty-killing forwards in the NHL, and he does everything you'd expect a bottom-six forward to do on a nightly basis. 

Mikheyev, who is a wizard defensively, is also good for 15-20 goals a season with absolutely no power play time. A guy like that is hard to let go of, especially when he's one of your only players with significant NHL experience. 

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Built the Red Wings Way: Sebastian Cossa’s Patience Paying Off As NHL Jump Beckons

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Mind Over Chatter - Feb. 27 2026 - Vol. 73 Issue 3 - Jared Clinton

THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH talking a bit of trash. In fact, there was a time when Sebastian Cossa thrived on it.

In August 2021, now-Utah Mammoth winger and then-Cossa’s Edmonton Oil Kings teammate Dylan Guenther was asked about the netminder’s smack-talking proclivities. Guenther told reporters Cossa had “no mercy.”

But when Cossa is pressed about that penchant for verbal sparring, he only laughs before offering that that was then and this is now.

At the ripe old age of 23, Cossa insists he’s a changed man. “Some guys would chirp me, and I’d chirp them back,” he said. “That fuels me a little more and would make me a little more dialled at that point. But over the last two years, I’ve realized I don’t really need that as much. Let the players take care of that and then just worry about myself at this point.”

Credit where it’s due: it’s commendable Cossa has become comfortable enough in his own skin – and, as importantly, with his own game – that he has been able to stash the chirping in his back pocket. Truth be told, coming to the realization he no longer really needs that element to his game puts Cossa clear of many a beer-leaguer who somehow feels the need to heckle opponents at an 11 p.m. ice time. Perhaps that’s the maturity to which Cossa is referring when he mentions he’s been called “an old soul.”

For Cossa, though, growing up quickly has always been a part of his story. His life and his on-ice career have been on the fast track since the time he was 13.

While his hockey card lists Hamilton, Ont., as his hometown, Cossa makes clear he hails from Fort McMurray, Alta. And while oil and the money that flows along with it are plentiful in ‘Fort Mac,’ elite-level hockey teams are not. The options for a talented young player to take the step to AAA hockey were limited. So when he was only 13, he had to decide whether to stay close to home or pack his things to pursue his dreams.

Ultimately, Cossa chose to hit the road. Leaving his family behind, he billeted in Fort Saskatchewan, a stone’s throw from Edmonton, in order to play high-level hockey. By 14, he was a second-round choice of Edmonton in the WHL’s bantam draft. By 16, he was the Oil Kings’ starting keeper. And just one year later, he was drafted 15th overall by the Detroit Red Wings. Since then, no goaltender has been selected higher.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest newsgame-day coverage, and player features

From there, Cossa has only continued on his upward trajectory. His first full professional season was spent with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, followed by a full campaign with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, which led to Cossa getting his first, albeit brief, taste of the NHL in 2024-25. “Life’s moved a little bit quicker for me,” he said. “But I couldn’t have asked for anything else. It definitely has helped me mature.”

Given his steady and persistent rise, it might stand to reason that patience isn’t Cossa’s strong suit. After all, his career has thus far been defined by what’s next, not what’s present. So when his pathway to regular NHL duty was blocked after the franchise swung a deal in the summer for veteran keeper John Gibson, it was natural to wonder how he would react.

But he showed maturity with his understanding of his place in the Red Wings’ pecking order. “You do want to be there at the NHL level, but sometimes, you need to look in the mirror and see what you can continue to improve and also understand the situation as well,” he said, later adding that it would be hard to argue he should be in the NHL with how well Gibson and backup Cam Talbot have been playing.

Many of the things Cossa has worked on improving this season have been the mental, not physical, aspects of the game. Standing 6-foot-7, Cossa casts a shadow over the blue paint, and size has always been one of his most evident attributes. He’s also far more athletic for a goalie of his stature than one might expect. Knowing how to properly use those raw tools, though, is what separates top keepers from the pack. “For me, it’s a lot of positional stuff – depth-related, when to take ice and when to maybe take a little bit less,” he said. “Something for me is my hands, for sure. When my hands are on and dialled, there’s not a lot of spots to get beat for me.”

The way Cossa says that, too – that when he’s on, he’ll back himself to stop just about anything – has an air of self-assuredness that some would say borders on cockiness. But that matter-of-factness is self-belief that Cossa feels he builds through his work ethic. “We’ve got a really good system here with me and my goalie coach (Roope Koistinen) putting in a lot of work but being smart with it,” Cossa said. “I’m going into games feeling confident because I’ve put in the work during the week, and, at that point, it’s just going out there and playing.”

As with his grasp of his place on the depth chart, Cossa is not so confident as to believe he is infallible. He offers a frank and honest assessment of his play, particularly his past two seasons in the AHL. The first, he said, was defined by a meek start and a strong finish. His sophomore year, however, he views as the opposite: dominant early, with an ill-timed drop-off come the playoffs. That’s led him to view the current campaign as an opportunity to prove he has the requisite consistency to make the NHL leap.

If that is his challenge to himself, the early returns have been favorable. When the AHL broke for its All-Star Game – at which Cossa represented the Central Division – he was tied for the league lead with 20 wins (in 26 games) and second in goals-against average (1.99) and save percentage (.928) among goaltenders to have played at least 900 minutes. On their merits alone, those are impressive numbers. But when taking into consideration the AHL-leading Griffins have a sizable target on their backs, meaning Cossa gets the opposition’s best on a nightly basis, his performance stands out even further.

Even still, Cossa won’t be caught lamenting that he hasn’t found his way back up to Detroit this season. He’s keen on taking advantage of the opportunity he has and not trying to waste his time or energy focusing on the opportunity he wants.

His journey may have started early, but Cossa understands this is a long haul. “I love Grand Rapids, the city, and I love the group we have here,” he said. “I’m having a lot of fun, which makes it easier going to the rink every day. If you weren’t very happy here or putting a lot of thought into that, the answer would be different. But for me, right now, I’m trying to stay where my feet are.”

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Get tickets for Penguins-Flyers rivalry matchup in first-round NHL playoffs

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Pittsburgh Penguins icon Sidney Crosby (L) and Travis Konecny are meeting in the first round of the 2026 NHL Playoffs.

The battle for Pennsylvania bragging rights is officially on.

For the eighth time in the franchises’ storied histories, the Pittsburgh Penguins are going head-to-head with the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL Playoffs.

After wrapping the 2025-26 campaign with a 41-25-16 record and a second place finish in the Metropolitan Division, Sidney Crosby’s old guard club have home ice advantage over Travis Konecny’s youthful 43-27-12 squad in this first-round showdown.

Games 1 and 2 — along with Games 5 and 7 if necessary — at PPG Paints Arena are set for:

Game OneSaturday, April 18
8 p.m.

Game TwoMonday, April 20
7 p.m.

Game FiveMonday, April 27
TBD

Game SevenSaturday, May 2
TBD

If you’d like to witness these cutthroat clashes live, tickets are available for all four potential tilts in the Steel City as of today.

At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on seats for any one first round contest in Pittsburgh was $224 including fees on StubHub.

Prices start at $243 including fees for games in Philly.

And while that’s certainly pricey, it’s hard to put a dollar amount on catching these longtime foes — who split the four-game regular season series 2-2 — duking it out on the ice in the postseason, especially considering both have undergone recent playoff droughts.

Pittsburgh’s last trip to the postseason was in 2022; Philadelphia hasn’t advanced since 2020.

“Couldn’t have drawn it up any better. Battle of Pennsylvania, and it’s going to be a good one,” Flyers winger Owen Tippett said. “We’re excited.”

He’s not wrong; the majority of prognosticators are having trouble picking a winner for this neck-and-neck series. However, USA Today gives the Pens the edge, predicting they’ll win in six.

As for us, all we know for certain is that this “Legends vs. Kids” series should be a doozy.

Don’t miss this one live.

For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers 2026 First-Round NHL Playoff Series below.

Buffalo Sabres playoff home game tickets

A complete calendar including all announced Sabres home game dates and the best prices on tickets can be found here:

Buffalo Sabres home game datesTicket prices
start at
Game One
Saturday, April 18
$402(including fees)
Game Two
Monday, April 20
$224(including fees)
Game Five
Monday, April 27
$229(including fees)
Game Seven
Saturday, May 2
$358(including fees)

Philadelphia Flyers playoff home game tickets

All Flyers playoff home game dates and the cheapest tickets available can be found below.

Philadelphia Flyers home game datesStubHub prices
start at
Game Three
Wednesday, April 22
$255(including fees)
Game Four
Saturday, April 25
$266(including fees)
Game Six
Wednesday, April 29
$243(including fees)

How to watch the Penguins and Flyers on TV

Fans hoping to catch high-stakes showdowns on the tube can watch all first-round playoff games on ABC, ESPN and TNT.

Just make sure to review your local listings before tuning in.

If you don’t have cable, your best bet may be DIRECTV.

2026 NHL playoff schedule

Want to keep tabs on how the postseason is shaking out?

Check out the NHL’s 2026 Playoff Bracket here.

Huge concerts at the PPG Paints Arena in 2026

Not sure what to do once the final buzzer sounds on the 2025-26 NHL season?

The PPG Paints Arena has you covered.

The pristine and polished arena has booked a number of exciting acts to entertain audiences all summer (and fall) long.

Here are just five of our favorites you won’t want to miss live.

• Earth Wind and Fire with Lionel Richie (June 30)

• Zac Brown Band (Aug. 13)

• Zach Top (Aug. 20)

• Sombr (Nov. 12)

• Andrea Bocelli (Dec. 21)

Want to see who else is Steel City-bound? Check out this list of all the upcoming events at the PPG Paints Arena to find the show for you.


Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post

This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.


Playoff Notes: Bruins Looking To Be Physical Against Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres have to wait until Sunday night to play their first postseason game in 15 years, and although the Sabres won the Atlantic Division and will be at home in front of an excited crowd at KeyBank Center, they will face a significant challenge in their division rival, the Boston Bruins. The Beantowners finished nine points behind the Sabres in the first Eastern Conference wildcard spot with 100 points, but have more playoff experience than Buffalo with the likes of David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, nd Jeremy Swayman. 

The Sabres lost three of four matchups against Boston this season (3-1 in Boston on October 11, 4-3 in overtime at TD Garden on October 30, and 4-3 in overtime at KeyBank Center on March 25). Buffalo’s only win, 4-1, came at home on December 27. Bruins head coach Marco Sturm gave away a bit of his club’s gameplan on Friday before they embarked for Western New York, stating that they plan to be the big bad Bruins.

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“We know how we have to play. We're excited. We are bigger, stronger, we are more physical.” Sturm said. “We just have to be smart. But, we're going to go after them. Whoever comes in first place, second….I don’t really care. We are going to play our game.”

The Bruins apparently are going to try to take a page out of the Tampa Bay Lightning playbook, who on their infamous visit in March, targeted Sabres team captain Rasmus Dahlin and defenseman Bowen Byram, but Buffalo effectively pushed back and won a wild 8-7 contest. Boston has a group of tough players, including former Sabre first-rounder Nikita Zadorov (152 penalty minutes),  center Mark Kastelic (140 penalty minutes), and rugged winger Tann Jeannot, and is likely calculating that they can take some liberties against Buffalo because of its ineffective power-play (21st in the NHL at 19.5%). 

Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff gave his club the day off after practicing on Thursday, and indicated that he does not expect to have center Sam Carrick for the series, but that rookie Noah Ostlund may play at some point. Goalie Alex Lyon may practice with the club on Saturday, after rookie Colten Ellis missed Thursday’s workout.    

The NHL released the series schedule, with Game 1 on Sunday at 7:30 pm. Game 2 will be on Tuesday at 7:30 pm. The series shifts to TD Garden for Games 3 and 4, on Thursday at 7 pm and Sunday afternoon at 2 pm. If necessary, Game 5 will be on Tuesday, April 28 in Buffalo, Friday, May 1 at TD Garden, and Game 7 on Sunday, May 3rd. Games 5, 6, and 7 start times are to be determined. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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NHL Playoffs Expert Picks: Daily Best Bets and Predictions

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The quest for Lord Stanley's Cup has begun!

Sixteen teams will compete for what's often said to be the hardest trophy to win in professional sports, but only one can be crowned NHL champion in June.

Our hockey experts will deliver their NHL Playoffs best bets and NHL picks every day from now until the Stanley Cup is presented.

NHL Playoffs best bets for April 18 & 19

GameBest betOdds
Senators OTT vs. Hurricanes CARCozens 1+ points+115
Wild MIN vs. Stars DALWild moneyline+105
Flyers PHI vs. Pens PITUnder 6.5-130
Los Angeles logo LAK vs. COL logo COLAvalanche -1.5+105
Montreal logo MTL vs. Tampa Bay logo TBSlafkovsky o0.5 points-145

Odds courtesy of Kalshi.


Saturday, April 18

Senators vs Hurricanes Game 1

3:00 p.m. ET, ESPN.

Best bet: Dylan Cozens 1+ points (+115 at Kalshi)

Dylan Cozens finished the regular season third in scoring for the Ottawa Senators, registering a point in five of his last six games.

He notched a multi-point performance in a 6-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on April 5, and had four points in two games against them this season.

Perhaps more importantly, the Yukon native strung together a four-game point streak to help secure a second consecutive postseason berth for the Sens.

Furthermore, his 28 shots in the month of April are nine more than his closest teammates, a testament to his level of confidence right now.

Anytime goalscorer pick: Andrei Svechnikov (+195 at Kalshi)

Andrei Svechnikov has scored in six of his last seven games, hitting his stride at the perfect time.

The 2018 second-overall pick led the 'Canes with eight playoff goals last season, and has scored in three straight games against Atlantic Division opponents. He scored against the Senators on April 5.

Four of his last six goals have come via the power play, which matches up well against the Sens' abysmal 29th-ranked penalty kill.


Wild vs Stars Game 1

5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

Best bet: Wild moneyline (+105 at Kalshi)

The Dallas Stars limped into the postseason with a 7-5-2 record, and just three of those wins came against postseason teams. More concerning, Dallas ranked 20th in expected goals percentage at five-on-five.

For comparison, the Minnesota Wild ranked fourth in xGF% at 5-on-5 during the same stretch.

As noted, Dallas will be without key center Roope Hintz, and No. 1 defenseman Miro Heiskanen (lower body) is likely to play at less than 100% after missing the final three games of the regular season and being deemed questionable for the series opener.

Stars No. 1 Jake Oettinger is also coming off his worst NHL season with a .899 save percentage and just 23.14 goals saved above expected across 54 starts.

Anytime goalscorer pick: Joel Eriksson Ek (+325 at Kalshi) 

Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek has only scored twice with a 4.6 shooting percentage across his past 17 games despite piling up an impressive 7.96 expected goals and 29 high-danger scoring chances.

There’s statistical correction coming in the goals column for Eriksson Ek considering he’s been dangerous and also posted an 11.3 SH% across 387 games since the beginning of the 2020 campaign.


Flyers vs Penguins Game 1

8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN.

Best bet: Under 6.5 (-130 at Kalshi)

The Philadelphia Flyers were dominant defensively at five-on-five down the stretch with the fewest goals against and second-fewest expected goals against per 60 minutes during their NHL best 15-5-1 run after the March 6 trade deadline. 

Excellent defense will be critical against the Pittsburgh Penguins because the Pens paced the league in goals per 60 minutes and team shooting percentage at 5-on-5 during the same result.

I’m anticipating the solid Philly defense to help kick-start statistical correction to the shooting efficiency from Pittsburgh and pave the way to this total going Under the number in Game 1.

Anytime goalscorer pick: Travis Konecny (+270 at Kalshi)

Flyers winger Travis Konecny only scored twice across his final 13 games of the regular season despite recording 3.67 individual expected goals and 14 high-danger scoring chances while averaging 18:20 of ice time and jumping the boards with the No. 1 power-play unit. His 7.4 shooting percentage during the skid was also way below his 17.7% mark through the first 64 games of the season.


Sunday, April 19

Kings vs Avalanche Game 1

3:00 p.m. ET, TNT.

Best bet: Avalanche -1.5 (+105 at Kalshi)

The Colorado Avalanche ran over the Los Angeles Kings in the regular season, winning all three meetings by multiple goals while beating them 13-5 in aggregate.

That was par for the course for Los Angeles when facing high-end teams, especially defensively.

Los Angeles lost seven of its last 10 games against Top-10 defensive teams, averaging 1.8 goals and 24.9 shots per game. Generating offense was a massive challenge.

It won’t get any easier for them against the Avalanche, who went 15-3-1 with a net goal differential of +1.79 per game following 2+ days of rest.

Anytime goalscorer pick: Nathan MacKinnon (-125 at Kalshi)

Nathan MacKinnon led the NHL in goals, shot attempts, and shots on target during the regular season. He was especially productive when well-rested.

He has scored 10 goals over his last nine games while working on two days of rest, and five goals spanning four games after having 3+ days of rest.

MacKinnon also found the net in 64% of Colorado’s home wins, and I expect the Avalanche to win decisively.

Check out Todd Cordell's full Kings vs. Avalanche predictions!


Canadiens vs Lightning Game 1

5:45 p.m. ET, TNT.

Best bet: Juraj Slafkovsky Over 0.5 points (-145 at Kalshi)

Juraj Slafkovsky had an excellent campaign altogether but was especially effective down the stretch, producing 28 points over 25 games following the Olympics.

It wasn’t as if Slafkovsky had a couple of ceiling performances to exaggerate his numbers. He was remarkably consistent, hitting the scoresheet at least once in 18 games — good for a 74% clip.

Slafkovsky faced the Tampa Bay Lightning twice during that stretch and produced multiple points in both meetings. That is nothing new for Slafkovsky, who has points in five of his last six against the Bolts.

Look for Slafkovsky to make an impact in Game 1.

Anytime goalscorer pick: Nikita Kucherov (+130 at Kalshi)

Nikita Kucherov hasn’t scored in back-to-back playoff series, but a steady dose of Aleksander Barkov and Gustav Forsling certainly had a lot to do with it.

The Canadiens don’t have true shutdown personnel — particularly on the backend — of that level, and head coach Jon Cooper also controls the matchups. That should result in less time against Selke candidate Nick Suzuki, which would help Kucherov’s cause.

Look for Kucherov to put his recent postseason struggles behind him.

Check out Todd Cordell's full Canadiens vs. Lightning predictions!


Popular NHL betting markets

The NHL is a betting buffet — the key is picking the right market for your edge.

Futures: Not only can you bet on the team you think will win it all in the Stanley Cup odds, but you can also wager on Conn Smythe odds. The latter trophy is awarded to the player judged to be the best performer in the postseason, not just in the Stanley Cup Final

Game lines: The spread, moneyline, and total are the bread-and-butter once the playoffs begin. As the postseason rolls on and teams become more risk-averse, lines will get tighter and totals will drop, so bettors can take advantage of swings throughout series one way or the other.

PropsNHL player props will still be going strong all the way until a potential Game 7 of the Cup Final. The most popular markets include anytime goalscorer, player points, assists, shots on goal, and goalie saves.

Same-game parlays: SGPs can be fun, but value varies. Compare the parlay payout to betting legs individually, and prioritize lines you’d play on their own.

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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs by the numbers

The NHL playoffs begin Saturday with three series, followed by four more getting underway Sunday and the last opening on Monday night.

The only certainty is that there won't be a three-peat, since the back-to-back champion Florida Panthers did not make the 16-team field. Here's a by the numbers look at the chase for the Stanley Cup:

2 — Consecutive trips to the final by Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, who lost to Florida each time but are back for another try. The last team to reach the final three years in a row and not win was St. Louis from 1968-70.

4 — Current playoff teams seeking their first Stanley Cup championship: Buffalo, Minnesota, Ottawa and Utah. The Sabres in their 55th season without a title have the second-longest wait of anyone in the league, just behind Toronto's drought that dates to 1967.

6 — Teams in the field that did not make it last year: Anaheim, Boston, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Utah. That is one shy of the largest turnover in history (2021). The Penguins were 6-1 long shots to make it after a three-year absence, while the Flyers got in for the first time since 2020.

7 — Coaches who got their team into the playoffs in their first season in charge. Anaheim's Joel Quenneville, Boston's Marco Sturm, Dallas' Glen Gulutzan, Pittsburgh's Dan Muse, Philadelphia's Rick Tocchet were hired last offseason. Los Angeles' D.J. Smith took over March 1 and Vegas' John Tortorella on March 29.

10 — Players who have skated in 1,000 or more regular-season games and never hoisted the Stanley Cup, led by Colorado's Brent Burns (1,579). The others are Ottawa's Claude Giroux (1,345), Minnesota's Nick Foligno (1,287), Dallas' Jamie Benn (1,252) and Matt Duchene (1,195), Pittsburgh's Erik Karlsson (1,159), Dallas' Tyler Myers (1,139), Edmonton's Adam Henrique (1,058) and Minnesota's Marcus Johansson (1,058 GP) and Jeff Petry (1,048).

13 — Years since the Presidents' Trophy winner for the best regular season also won the Stanley Cup. Colorado is looking to become the first since Chicago in 2013 and 16th ever.

14 — Seasons since the Sabres last made the playoffs, the longest drought in NHL history. Detroit now has that distinction (10 seasons).

15 — U.S. players who won gold at the Olympics who now have a chance for a double championship year: Colorado's Brock Nelson, Dallas' Jake Oettinger, Boston's Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman, Tampa Bay's Jake Guentzel, Minnesota's Matt Boldy, Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber, Ottawa's Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson, Buffalo's Tage Thompson, Carolina's Jaccob Slavin, Tampa Bay's Jake Guentzel, Vegas' Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin, and Anaheim's Jackson LaCombe.

21 — Series victories by the Sabres in their franchise history. Lindy Ruff was coach for 10 of them.

87 — Times Montreal has qualified, the most of any team. Boston is in for a 78th time, ranking second.

201 — Career playoff points for Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, who needs one point to pass former teammate Jaromir Jagr for sole possession of the fifth most in NHL history.

820 — Regular-season games played by Philadelphia's Rasmus Ristolainen, the most of any active player without making the playoffs. Former teammate Rasmus Dahlin of Buffalo (568 games) is also in tor the first time as the only defenseman to make his postseason debut after recording 400 points.

___

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“Come Back Stronger”: Alex DeBrincat Challenges Red Wings To Respond Next Season

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While 16 teams are preparing for battle in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Detroit Red Wings were once again left cleaning out their lockers at Little Caesars Arena after another disappointing finish.

Despite being tied for first overall in the Eastern Conference in late January, the Red Wings stumbled to a 9-15-5 record during the final 29-game stretch of their centennial campaign, seeing their playoff cushion disappear and ultimately be eliminated from postseason competition last Saturday. 

It marks the 10th consecutive season of no postseason hockey in Detroit, not only the longest drought in team history, but now officially the longest active drought in the NHL. 

Forward Alex DeBrincat, who scored 41 goals, the most by any Red Wings forward since Marian Hossa in 2008-09, explained that the club needed to channel the disappointment they're currently feeling and use it as fuel for next season. 

“Over the summer, we need to bottle up what this feels like and come back stronger,” DeBrincat said. “I think, I feel like we’ve said that the past couple of years, but overall, I think we played good hockey for, you know, 3/4 of the season and put ourselves in a great spot, had confidence. We were coming to the rink ready to play and confident we could beat any team in the League for a long time there." 

Not long after the resumption of the schedule following the Olympic break, the Red Wings suffered a 4-3 OT loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on March 4, a game in which they led 3-1 in the third period.

What followed was a series of costly losses, perhaps the most damaging of which was a stunning 4-3 regulation setback against the Florida Panthers. Detroit led 3-2 with 90 seconds left, only to see the Panthers knot the score and then score the go-ahead goal with just 14 seconds left. 

While they eventually rebounded with two straight wins over the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens at home, they dropped four of their next five, all against opponents they were jockeying for playoff position against. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest newsgame-day coverage, and player features

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“And that kind of slipped," DeBrincat said of Detroit's lead in the standings. "I don’t know exactly when it slipped or what happened, but then you see the mental side of the game come in, and we feel defeated, and you can see it. We need to find a way to work hard every game to the end of the season."

Following the aforementioned 5–3 loss to the Devils last Saturday that sealed Detroit’s playoff fate, the Red Wings earned a point with a third-period comeback against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday. However, they then sleepwalked through an 8–1 loss in their regular-season finale against the Panthers—their largest margin of defeat all season and the most goals the club has surrendered since November 2022. 

"I think our last game was probably one of the most embarrassing games I’ve played in myself," DeBrincat said of their lopsided loss. "Everyone, it seems like, we weren’t working hard, and I know it didn’t mean anything, but you could kind of see that creep into our game during that last bit. Very frustrating.”

Red Wings Lock in Depth Forward with One-Year Contract Extension Red Wings Lock in Depth Forward with One-Year Contract Extension The Detroit Red Wings have announced a one-year contract extension for depth forward John Leonard, who appeared in multiple contests this season in what was his first campaign with the organization.

DeBrincat is set to enter the final season of a four-year deal he signed shortly after being acquired from the Ottawa Senators during the 2023 offseason, but the Farmington Hills, Michigan, native reiterated that he feels comfortable playing in his hometown. 

“I love it here. I think we’re still a little far away from even having those conversations, but yeah, this is my home,” said DeBrincat. “I’ve loved every bit of playing here, but I think at the end of the day, it’s a business, so we’ll see what they want to do. But yeah, I love it here.

“I think this is a team I want to be a part of for a long time, and I think everyone knows that. I want to be a big part of changing the culture, and obviously, we’ve done a little bit of that, but there’s still work to do.”

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Buffalo Sabres return to NHL playoffs for first time since 2011. Get tickets

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Buffalo Sabres star Tage Thompson (L) and Pittsburgh Penguins icon David Pastrnak are meeting in the first round of the NHL Playoffs.

The drought is officially over.

After a 15-year absence from the NHL playoffs, the Buffalo Sabres are returning to the postseason in a big way.

With a sparkling 50-23-9 record and first-place Atlantic finish, Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have home-ice advantage against Jeremy Swayman and David Pastrnak’s Boston Bruins in the best-of-seven first round.

Their four hypothetical home games are scheduled to take place:

Game OneSunday, April 19
7:30 p.m.

Game TwoTuesday, April 21
7:30 p.m.

Game FiveTuesday, April 28
TBD

Game SevenSunday, May 3
TBD

If you’d like to be there to root yourself hoarse for the Blue and Gold live, tickets are available for all high-stakes showdowns.

At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on seats for any of the four games in Buffalo was $360 including fees on StubHub.

Prices for games at Boston’s TD Garden start at $176 including fees.

In the off-chance you’ve been living under a rock, Buffalo’s season took a turn in mid-December when they were made fun of on “Heated Rivalry” the club let general manager Kevyn Adams go and promoted Jarmo Kekalainen.

Once the move had been made, everything started clicking for Lindy Ruff’s gritty squad.

“It’s extremely satisfying,” Ruff said after clinching the Atlantic. “[These] last four months [have] been so much fun…you hope you get the team in the right place and become consistent, but these guys have exceeded my expectations.”

Over the course of the regular season, Buffalo and Boston met twice and split the season series. The Sabres won their most recent contest 5-1 on March 5 behind goals from Ryan McLeod, Alex Tuch, Josh Norris, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson.

Although we can’t predict what happens next, we do know the best way to experience this series is live because…who knows when the Sabres will be back in the playoffs?

Don’t miss this one.

For more information, our team has everything you need to know and more about the Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins 2026 first-round NHL Playoff Series below.

Buffalo Sabres playoff home game tickets

A complete calendar including all announced Sabres home game dates and the best prices on tickets can be found here:

Buffalo Sabres home game datesTicket prices
start at
Game One
Sunday, April 19
$501(including fees)
Game Two
Tuesday, April 21
$365(including fees)
Game Five
Tuesday, April 28
$360(including fees)
Game Seven
Sunday, May 3
$437(including fees)

Boston Bruins playoff home game tickets

All Bruins playoff home game dates and the cheapest tickets available can be found below.

Boston Bruins home game datesStubHub prices
start at
Game Three
Thursday, April 23
$176(including fees)
Game Four
Sunday, April 26
$198(including fees)
Game Six
Friday, May 1
$204(including fees)

How to watch the Sabres and Bruins on TV

Fans hoping to catch Ruf’s rowdy roster on the tube can watch all first-round playoff games on ABC, ESPN and TNT.

Just make sure to review your local listings before tuning in.

If you don’t have cable, your best bet may be DIRECTV.

2026 NHL playoff schedule

Want to keep tabs on how the postseason is shaking out?

Check out the NHL’s 2026 Playoff Bracket here.

Huge concerts at the KeyBank Center in 2026

Not sure what to do once the final buzzer sounds on the 2025-26 NHL season?

The KeyBank Center has you covered.

The vintage and unhinged arena has booked a number of exciting acts to entertain audiences all summer (and fall) long.

Here are just five of our favorites you won’t want to miss live.

• Bryan Adams (Aug. 14)

• Zac Brown Band (Nov. 5)

• Zayn (Nov. 7)

• Sombr (Nov. 14)

• Andrea Bocelli (Dec. 11)

Want to see who else is Buffalo-bound? Check out this list of all the upcoming events at the KeyBank Center (which includes the NHL Draft) to find the show for you.


Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post

This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.


NHL 26 Predicts A Woeful Stanley Cup Playoff Result For The Los Angeles Kings

With the entire Stanley Cup playoffs bracket set, everyone is making their picks and predictions as to how the post-season will play out. EA Sports' NHL 26 completed their own version of a prediction with its yearly playoff simulation.

The end result was not a pretty one for the Los Angeles Kings, and fans will hope for anything other than what NHL 26 thinks will happen.

Confirmed on Thursday night, the Kings are facing the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche have been a juggernaut all season long and even took home the Presidents' Trophy as the league's best regular-season team.

Colorado's performance this season was certainly not lost in this NHL 26 simulation.

In the first round of the playoffs, the video game predicted the Kings to get swept by the Avalanche in a 4-0 series defeat.

It may not be completely unrealistic for Colorado to sweep Los Angeles, considering the Avs finished the season with 31 more points than the Kings and are 19 positions apart in the NHL standings.

Although for the Kings not to pick up a single win in the post-season seems harsh, even if they are one of the least impressive teams to make the playoffs in some time.

How Do The Los Angeles Kings Match Up Against The Colorado Avalanche?How Do The Los Angeles Kings Match Up Against The Colorado Avalanche?The Los Angeles Kings clinched a playoff berth, but are currently in line to face the NHL's best team, the Colorado Avalanche. How can the Kings match up against the Presidents' Trophy winners?

However, it's worth mentioning that Colorado has had a couple of first-round series in the last five campaigns where they swept their opponent as the top seed of their division.

It happened in the 2022 playoffs when the Avs swept the Nashville Predators, and in the 2021 playoffs when the St. Louis Blues were the victim of Colorado's dominance.

Whether it's looking back at history, the course of this past regular season, or the simulation of NHL 26, it's clear that the Kings are the biggest underdog in this year's playoff campaign.


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2026 NHL draft lottery odds, explained: Who has the best shot at No. 1?

The quest for the 2026 Stanley Cup begins Saturday, Aug. 18 with 16 teams taking part in eight first-round series.

For the other half of the NHL, teams will look forward to seeing where they will draft in June. The annual draft lottery is scheduled to be held after the first round of the playoffs and will determine the order of the non-playoff teams in the first round.

The last-place Vancouver Canucks will have the best odds at 18.5% to win outright and 25.5% if a team in the 12 to 16 range wins and moves up the maximum 10 spots.

But last year, the New York Islanders won the lottery despite 3.5% odds and took Matthew Schaefer No. 1 overall. The Utah Mammoth won the second drawing and jumped to the fourth overall pick.

This year's draft is deep with Penn State's Gavin McKenna and Sweden's Ivan Stenberg leading the way.

Here are the odds for the draft lottery, per Tankathon, based on their final finish in the 2025-26 standings:

NHL draft lottery odds

Teams in the 12 to the 16 range can't win the No. 1 overall pick. They would move up 10 spots.

  • 1. Vancouver Canucks: 18.5% (25.5% overall)
  • 2. Chicago Blackhawks: 13:5%
  • 3. New York Rangers: 11.5%
  • 4. Calgary Flames: 9.5%
  • 5. Toronto Maple Leafs: 8.5% (pick traded to Boston but is top 5 protected)
  • 6. Seattle Kraken: 7.5%
  • 7. Winnipeg Jets: 6.5%
  • 8. Florida Panthers: 6.0% (pick traded to Chicago but is top 10 protected)
  • 9. San Jose Sharks: 5.0%
  • 10. Nashville Predators: 3.5%
  • 11. St. Louis Blues: 3.0%
  • 12. New Jersey Devis: 2.5%
  • 13. New York Islanders: 2.0%
  • 14. Columbus Blue Jackets: 1.5%
  • 15. Detroit Red Wings: 1.0% (pick traded to St. Louis)
  • 16. Washington Capitals: 0.5%

Top North American skaters

  • LW Gavin McKenna, Penn State
  • D Reid Chase, Sault Ste. Marie
  • D Carson Carels, Prince George
  • D Keaton Verhoeff, North Dakota
  • D Daxon Rudolph, Prince Albert

Top international skaters

  • LW Ivan Stenberg, Sweden
  • D Alberts Smits, Latvia
  • C Oliver Suvanto, Finland
  • C Viggo Bjorck, Sweden
  • RW Elton Hermansson, Sweden

How does the draft lottery work?

There are two drawings, first for a chance at the top pick and then for a chance at the second pick. Winning teams can move up only 10 spots. The last-place team can draft no lower than third overall. Beginning with the 2022 lottery, a team cannot win more than twice in a five-year period. There are 14 ping-pong balls in the machine and each team is assigned a series of four numbers. The lower a team is in the standings, the more series of numbers it gets. 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NHL draft lottery odds what teams have the best chance

Blues Assistant Coaches Claude Julien, Mike Weber Will Not Return

The St. Louis Blues have started the process of reshaping their coaching staff.

On Friday, they announced that assistants Claude Julien and Mike Weber will not be brought back. 

“I would like to thank Claude and Mike for their contributions during their time with the organization,” Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said in a statement.  “With their contracts set to expire this summer, we wanted to give them the opportunity to move on to the next chapter of their coaching careers while we work to building a coaching staff that is best suited to lead our team moving forward.”

Julien, 65, joined the Blues as an assistant coach in the summer of 2024. The Blind River, Ontario, native helped guide the Blues to an 81-63-20 regular-season record during his tenure, along with a postseason appearance in 2025.  Julien has more than 20 years of coaching experience, including NHL head coaching stints with the Montreal Canadiens from 2002-06 and 2016-21, New Jersey Devils in 2006-07 and Boston Bruins from 2008-17, winning the Stanley Cup in 2011.

Weber, 38, joined the Blues as an assistant coach in the summer of 2023. During his tenure, the Blues posted a 124-96-26 regular-season record and made a postseason appearance in 2025.  The Pittsburgh native previously served as an assistant coach with the American Hockey League's Rochester Americans from 2020-23 and the Ontario Hockey League's Windsor Spitfires from 2018-20.

When Blues coach Jim Montgomery was brought in to replace Drew Bannister in November of 2024, he kept the assistants in place until now and will have the opportunity to bring in someone that he's had previous experience with, perhaps, or someone new that he hasn't worked with before but has some sort of experience with.

The Blues (37-33-12) concluded their season on Thursday with a 5-3 win against the Utah Mammoth, their fourth straight win, and fell four points short of reaching the Stanley Cup playoffs.

There will be more on these moves on Saturday when Armstrong, Montgomery and players address things at locker room cleanout for the and the start of the off-season.

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