Josh Doan generated shots at a healthy rate against the Boston Bruins in the regular season, and his volume has remained strong in the playoffs.
While it hasn’t yet led to production, my Sabres vs. Bruins predictions see Doan finding the score sheet as the series shifts to Boston.
Let’s dive into my NHL picks for Thursday, April 23.
Sabres vs Bruins Game 3 prediction
Sabres vs Bruins best bet: Josh Doan Over 0.5 points (+140)
Josh Doan has recorded multiple shots on goal in each of the first two games, combining for 12 shot attempts. A lot of his volume comes near the paint, which is where you need to get against an elite netminder like Jeremy Swayman.
The Buffalo Sabres have generated 2.76 expected goals with Doan on the ice yet scored only once. He’s getting looks at 5-on-5, and he's skating on the top power play alongside top weapons like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin.
With that kind of usage, it’s only a matter of time before results follow his chance generation.
Sabres vs Bruins Game 3 same-game parlay
Lindy Ruff won’t be able to control matchups on the road, which means Doan and Josh Norris could be heading for less time against the likes of David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy, and more against the middle of the lineup.
That would help the cause in their quest for the first points of this series.
We’ll round out the parlay by backing Buffalo on the moneyline. It's been the better team in terms of chance share, and will have a great chance of coming out on top if Doan and Norris break through.
Sabres vs Bruins SGP
Josh Doan Over 0.5 points
Josh Norris Over 0.5 points
Sabres moneyline
Sabres vs Bruins Game 3 goal scorer pick
Josh Doan (+305)
Thompson is the only player on either team with more scoring chances than Doan in this series. He's getting quality looks, and his 13.2% career shooting percentage indicates he’s capable of finishing efficiently over time.
Josh Doan has averaged 2.5 shots on goal through six meetings with Boston this season. Find more NHL betting trends for Sabres vs. Bruins.
How to watch Sabres vs Bruins Game 3
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
TNT
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 Carolina Hurricanes take a 2-0 series lead into the Canadian Tire Centre to face the Ottawa Senators in Game 3 on Thursday, April 23.
My top Hurricanes vs. Senators predictions and NHL picks are calling for Ottawa to take down Game 3, thanks in large part to another standout showing from Linus Ullmark.
Hurricanes vs Senators Game 3 prediction
Hurricanes vs Senators best bet: Linus Ullmark Over 25.5 saves (-130)
Ottawa Senators No. 1 Linus Ullmark has a .917 SV% with 12.34 goals saved above expected across his past 11 starts.
The Carolina Hurricanes have peppered him with 29.24 shots per 60 minutes, and considering they finished the regular season ranked second in shots per game (31.5) and first in Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5 on the highway, I’m confident Ullmark will see the necessary rubber to clear this number.
It’s also important to highlight Carolina finished second in long-range shots, and it's also attempted 70.5 shots per 60 at 5-on-5 against the Sens to start the series.
Hurricanes vs Senators Game 3 same-game parlay
The Senators went 9-1-1 on home ice to close out the regular season and allowed the fourth-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 for the year, so with Ullmark also in top form, I expect the Sens to lead the way in keeping this total Under the number.
The final leg of this same-game parlay turns to Ottawa defenseman Thomas Chabot. He’s turned his 12 shot attempts into just two shots through the first two games of the series. Count on a better conversion rate tonight from the blueliner.
Hurricanes vs Senators SGP
Senators moneyline
Under 5.5
Thomas Chabot Over 1.5 shots
Hurricanes vs Senators Game 3 goal scorer pick
Tim Stutzle (+195)
I think there’s a bit of a disconnect between the underlying numbers for Sens star Tim Stutzle and how dangerous he’s actually been on the ice.
While he’s generated just 0.86 individual expected goals on six shots and four individual high-danger scoring chances during the series, he’s done everything but find the back of the net with multiple missed Grade-A chances in both games.
Stutzle finally capitalizes with a goal in Game 3.
The Ottawa Senators have won nine of their last 11 games at home (+6.20 Units / 31% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Senators.
How to watch Hurricanes vs Senators Game 3
Location
Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, ON
Date
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Puck drop
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
Sportsnet
Hurricanes vs Senators latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
After losing the first two games in Pittsburgh, the Penguins will head to Philadelphia for a pivotal game three. It's basically a must-win for the Penguins because if they fall down 3-0 in the series, it's virtually over. There's a reason why only four teams in NHL history have ever come back from that deficit.
The Penguins have scored only two goals in this series, largely because the Flyers are so good at defending the neutral zone and their own zone. They're shutting down the passing lanes and taking away a lot of the Penguins' shooting lanes. They've also done a great job of keeping the Penguins to the outside, preventing them from reaching the high-danger areas.
In light of all of that, the Penguins are tweaking their lines for Wednesday's game, looking for a spark offensively.
Here's what the projected lineup looks like:
Forwards
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Malkin-Novak-Mantha
Chinakhov-Kindel-Brazeau
Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari
Defensive pairs
Wotherspoon-Karlsson
Girard-Letang
Shea-Clifton
Stuart Skinner will start in goal after another great game on Monday.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and Penguins head coach Dan Muse hopes these changes will lead to more goals.
It's also time for the Penguins to play with a lead. They have yet to do that in this series, and it's costing them. If they can get a lead, it could force the Flyers to open up a little bit, which could play into the Penguins' hands.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh, TNT, truTV, and HBO Max. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'
The Ducks didn't shy away from the moment in their first playoff game in eight years, going toe-to-toe with the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1. They shrugged off a sluggish first period, erased a two-goal deficit in the second period and had a one-goal lead heading into the third period. However, they conceded two goals in the final frame, including the go-ahead goal with 1:54 remaining.
Troy Terry, who got the Ducks on the board just 19 seconds into the second period, noted during his postgame scrum how little mental mistakes can sway a series in favor of either team.
"(The loss is) hard to swallow," Terry said. "But I'm proud of our group, and I'm excited for the rest of this series. We proved it to ourselves."
Apr 20, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Matt Savoie (22) with center Connor McDavid (97) attempt to stop Anaheim Ducks right winger Troy Terry (19) in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Anaheim did not practice on Tuesday in between games aside from Game 1's scratches getting some light work in. Alex Killorn, John Carlson, Lukáš Dostál and head coach Joel Quenneville addressed the media as part of Anaheim's mandatory media availability for the day.
"I didn't love our start to the game," Killorn said. "I think we kind of maybe dipped our toes in a little bit. A lot of (our) guys haven't played in the playoffs. But what I did like is our resiliency after going down two goals to come back. And that second period was a really great period for us. I liked that. And then once we got the lead, we may have sat back just a little bit. A bunch of things we can learn from, but, overall, pretty good game."
"I think (we can be better in) taking care of the slot area," Dostál, who stopped 30 of 34 shots, said. "Every single team in the playoffs––doesn't matter if it's us, Edmonton or any other team; that's one dangerous area in hockey where you have to take care of it. I felt otherwise (that) we did a pretty good job on the defensive part, but I believe that's something we've just gotta focus on. Same with me, I've gotta make those saves there."
"I think we executed our game plan well on both sides of the ice," Carlson said. "I think we probably played one of our better games with the lead since I've been here as well. It didn't manufacture us anything, but I think (there's) things to build on, to work through and keep getting better (at)."
"I think that we wanted to find out about our guys in the playoffs," Quenneville said. "I thought we showed that we're competitive. I think there's some things we can learn from, and we've got to get better as we go along in the series, anyway. And I think that we look individually and collectively, that there are some positive things. Technically, we can be stronger in areas, but the effort was there. The pace was fine, and we expect to get better in order to win and be successful and that's our challenge. And I think that for a lot of the guys, getting their first exposure was a good sign in what their games (are) and what they bring and the upside to go along with that as well."
Apr 20, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) and Anaheim Ducks center Tim Washe (42) battle for the puck in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Ducks captain Radko Gudas will miss Game 2 with an undisclosed injury. He is day-to-day, per Quenneville. Drew Helleson will draw into the lineup, making his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut.
"Drew played some nice games for us down the stretch here," Quenneville said. "Drew's had some good moments for us. He gives us some quickness, some size and that spot with his partner (Tyson Hinds), they played together at some point over the last few years. Just want him to be consistent and be predictable."
"I'm excited to get out there and feel the emotions and the physicality," Helleson said. "(The coaching staff expects me to) just play my game. Defend well. Be hard to play against, make simple plays, just things I've been doing here lately. Hopefully, I can keep that going."
Former Ducks forward Adam Henrique will miss Game 2 after suffering an injury during Game 1. He played just 2:56 after exiting in the first period and did not return to the game. Josh Samanski will draw into the lineup in his place. Jason Dickinson is also a game-time decision, per Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. Curtis Lazar would draw in if Dickinson is unable to play.
While Game 1 may feel like a lost opportunity for Anaheim, they can find solace in the fact that they were able to erase a multi-goal deficit and, momentarily, hold a lead against a hardened Oilers team.
Apr 20, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) and center Mikael Granlund (64) celebrate a goal on the Edmonton Oilers in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs during the second period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Terry and Leo Carlsson shined in their playoff debuts, with both having multi-point performances. Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard were both kept off the scoresheet for the Oilers, but Jason Dickinson and Kasperi Kapanen provided depth scoring with two goals apiece. On the backend, Jake Walman picked up two assists. Anaheim will need their depth to provide the same kind of secondary scoring moving forward.
"We need everybody," Quenneville said. "We're gonna need everybody going forward every game, every shift. We're calling on everybody to get better from the first game. There are some positives we've taken out of that game, but we're gonna need more. Can't be satisfied with that."
"I think our PK did a tremendous job," Mason McTavish said. "That's one of the best power plays ever; they did a great job. Also, shutting down McDavid, that's not easy to do. I thought we did a good job limiting his touches and space. He's a great player. Obviously, he's going to get some chances, but I thought we did a good job eliminating that."
"There should be a lot of credit to Anaheim," Knoblauch said. "They did a great job making it hard for us to get into the zone. Usually, Connor's making those plays. The other night, they were able to get their sticks on pucks. More often than not, he's making those. Tonight, we'll have to see if we have to make some big adjustments."
Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville speaks to the media after their morning skate at Rogers Place.
Ducks Projected Lines
Chris Kreider - Leo Carlsson - Troy Terry Alex Killorn - Mikael Granlund - Beckett Sennecke Mason McTavish - Ryan Poehling - Cutter Gauthier Jeff Viel - Tim Washe - Ian Moore
Jackson LaCombe - Jacob Trouba Pavel Mintyukov - John Carlson Tyson Hinds - Drew Helleson
Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)
Oilers Projected Lines
Matt Savoie - Connor McDavid - Zach Hyman Vasily Podkolzin - Leon Draisaitl - Kasperi Kapanen Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Jason Dickinson - Jack Roslovic Colton Dach - Josh Samanski - Trent Frederic
The Detroit Red Wings are entering a critical offseason after missing the playoffs for a tenth straight year, a finish that has left fans searching for answers about how the organization can finally take a step toward contention next season.
Much of the discussion has centered on captain Dylan Larkin, who played through injuries this season and still produced 67 points in 74 games. The performance has sparked mixed reactions among fans.
Some argue Larkin should be producing more consistently in his role as captain, especially given his history as a point-per-game player in previous seasons. Others point to his two-way impact, leadership, and skating ability as traits that are increasingly rare in today’s NHL, making him an invaluable part of the roster even when not at his offensive peak.
The debate has even stretched into more extreme territory online, with some calling for a change in leadership or even suggesting trade scenarios, despite Larkin being a Michigan native and long-time face of the franchise.
However, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently pushed back strongly on those rumors. Speaking on Sportsnet’s Oilers Now, Friedman dismissed the idea that Detroit would consider moving its captain.
“I’ve had people wonder, would they ever move Dylan Larkin, I think that’s crazy,” Friedman said.
During his end-of-season availability, Larkin called the year “not great” and admitted it was especially frustrating given another missed playoff berth for the Red Wings. He took accountability as captain, noting he needed to do a better job driving play and establishing momentum, particularly at home as they suffered many debilitating losses at Little Caesars Arena to end off the season.
Despite the disappointment, he reaffirmed his commitment to the franchise, stressing his goal of helping lead Detroit back to the playoffs and eventually competing for a Stanley Cup has not waivered.
Larkin just completed his 11th NHL season, sitting at 276 goals and 367 assists for 643 points across 808 games. He continues to climb the franchise’s all-time ranks and remains under contract through 2031, reinforcing the expectation that he will remain a cornerstone of the Red Wings moving forward.
Despite that stability, the narrative around his tenure has grown complicated. Detroit has not reached the playoffs since Larkin’s rookie season, a statistic that continues to follow both player and team as expectations rise.
If Larkin were ever to leave, it would likely be on his own terms, driven by a desire to compete for a Stanley Cup and play in meaningful postseason games more consistently.
Adding to his recent resume, Larkin also represented Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he helped capture a gold medal in what stands as the biggest international achievement of his career to date. That experience is expected to further fuel his desire to compete in high-pressure, playoff-style environments at the NHL level.
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Convenience has been the theme so far in the Pittsburgh Penguins' first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers when it comes to the selection of the third goaltender for games. They recalled Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) goaltender Taylor Gauthier for the first two games of the series in Pittsburgh, since Wheeling is less than two hours from Pittsburgh.
And it appears they continued to roll with that same theme ahead of Game 3 in Philadelphia.
On Wednesday, the Penguins recalled young netminder Sergei Murashov from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins of the AHL, likely to serve as the team's emergency goaltender for Games 3 and 4. WBS is a little more than three hours from Philadelphia, as opposed to Wheeling being more than seven hours.
WBS has already clinched a first-round bye in the Calder Cup Playoffs, and their seeding is locked in.
Murashov, 21, has played in five NHL games this season, going 1-1-2 with an .897 save percentage and a 2.56 goals-against average. At the AHL level, he is 24-9-3 with a .919 save percentage and a 2.20 goals-against average.
He figures to be the third goaltender behind Stuart Skinner - who has earned his third-straight start - and Arturs Silovs, who was the backup in the Penguins' first two games, both of which they dropped to go down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series. Game 3 is Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. ET, while Game 4 is scheduled for Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Niagara Falls breadmaker has been roasted after making a special bath of Buffalo "sabre" bread that bore an uncanny resemblance to a penis.
This bread got a rise out of onlookers.
An upstate bakery is getting roasted over the X-rated shape of a special batch of Buffalo Sabres-themed bread that it released in honor of the ongoing Stanley Cup playoffs.
Di Camillo Bakery in Niagara Falls was paying tribute to hometown — or at least hometown-adjacent — hockey team, who are currently tied 1-1 with the Boston Bruins, 7 News WKBW reported.
After initially mulling over making hockey sticks or pucks, the company settled on depicting the team’s logo with a sword-shaped baguette featuring a sesame seed pommel.
Unfortunately, the wholesome local story took a turn into the gutter after many people noticed that the breadstick bore an uncanny resemblance to a penis.
Many social media users clocked the bread’s phallic shape. Facebook/Di Camillo Bakery
“We wanted to do something hockey related,” breadmaker president Matthew Di Camillo innocently said of the playoffs “good luck charm,” confessing that he hoped to make a “lot of them.”
But the creation instead got burned online.
“How did the guy making this keep a straight face?” wondered one critic on Facebook, while another quipped, “I bet it’s made with dill dough.”
“This is our good luck charm for the Sabres playoffs,” said bakery guru Matthew Di Camillo. WKBW
“That’s the bread she says is ‘Just Friends,'” joked a third about the well-endowed wheat sword.
Another prankster wrote, “Use Viagra instead of yeast to get that kinda rise.”
Di Camillo’s magnum opus also got burned on Reddit, with one commenter flatly declaring, “Yeah that’s a penis.”
Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson celebrates his goal during the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Boston Bruins on April 19 in Buffalo. AP
“That thing’s got a Doaner,” said another, making a play on the name of Buffalo Sabres player Josh Doan.
Through two games against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver, Anton Forsberg has been nothing short of exceptional under the crease, saving 30 of 32 shots in Game 1 and 34 of 36 shots in Game 2.
Facing one of the NHL's most dangerous offenses, the Los Angeles Kings goaltender has delivered under pressure in his first-ever playoff series, keeping his team within striking distance in both contests.
Forsberg was once again a difference-maker in Game 2, turning aside 34 of 36 shots in a tightly contested overtime loss. Time and time again, he came up with timely saves, whether it was shutting down odd-man rushes, controlling rebounds in traffic, or holding strong during extended pressure from Colorado’s top lines and power plays.
Jeremy Swayman Carter Hart Scott Wedgewood Anton Forsberg
In the last two games, Los Angeles has held the No. 1 offense in hockey to four goals and zero power-play goals, yet the Kings still find themselves heading back to Los Angeles down 2-0 in the series.
This raises a familiar question: how much longer can elite goaltending by Forbserg carry a team without offensive support? We know how great Forsberg has been this season as a starter, finishing the last seven games of the season 6-0-1 and helping the Kings make the playoffs.
Flashback to the 2023 playoff series, where the Los Angeles Kings lost to the Edmonton Oilers in six games, but were very competitive, led by former Kings goaltender at the time, Joonas Korpisalo.
Just like Forbserg, Korpisalo was a solid goaltender who exploded in that series, winning two games with elite play in net, but after Edmonton tied the series 2-2, he fell off in the final two games, resulting in a 4-2 series loss.
For the 33-year-old goaltender, it's only a matter of time to see if he's good enough to maintain this for a full seven-game series, or will consecutive losses like this on the road hurt his play?
After the game, Forsberg talked about the disappointment in going down 0-2 after two strong efforts.
"It’s tough, the way it ended, both games," said Forsberg. "We’re right in there, playing well, we’re fighting, we’re fighting hard. Just got to stick with it and turn this around."
Los Angeles has committed to a physical, defense-first identity in this series, with players like Mikey Anderson and Drew Doughty stepping up in key moments.
The Kings have blocked shots, delivered hits, and disrupted Colorado’s rhythm as good as it gets. Holding the league’s top offense to just two goals in Game 2, and one in regulation, is not easy to do.
Despite forcing turnovers and generating high-danger looks, Los Angeles has struggled to convert offensively. Missed breakaways, failed power plays, and an inability to finish around the net have defined the first two games of the series.
The Kings have had opportunities to shift momentum, especially in Game 2, but couldn’t hold onto their lead for long after scoring their first goal in the final frame.
Now, as the series shifts back to Crypto.com Arena, the focus quickly turns to Game 3.
Forsberg has given the Kings a foundation. His play has been more than good enough to win, and if he continues at this level, Los Angeles will have a chance every night.
But can Forsberg continue this play at home, where the Kings have been terrible compared to playing on the road? If LA is hoping to tie this series 2-2 after four games, they'll need their Swedish goaltender to play at this level the rest of the way compared to his normal usage.
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Colorado goaltender Scott Wedgewood saves a shot by Kings center Samuel Helenius during overtime of Game 2 in their first round playoff series Tuesday in Denver. (Jack Dempsey / Associated Press)
He’ll make good on that pledge Thursday when his Kings and the Colorado Avalanche face off in Game 3 of their first-round series at Crypto.com Arena. But it could prove to be a short encore because after losing the first two games of the best-of-seven Stanley Cup playoff in Denver, the Kings need a win Thursday or in Game 4 on Sunday to extend both their season and Kopitar’s Hall of Fame career.
The Kings’ — and Kopitar’s — last six playoff appearances have all ended after just one round. And they’re halfway to another first-round loss this year, though they probably deserve better after giving the league’s best team everything it could handle, only to lose twice by a goal, including a 2-1 overtime loss in Game 2 on Tuesday.
“To a man we're playing hard,” interim Kings coach D.J. Smith said. “We hoped to split here, but regardless we're gonna have to win at home. We’ve got to find a way to win a game.
“Clearly good isn't enough.”
Kopitar announced his retirement before the start of this season, the 20th in his Hall of Fame career. And while many of his teammates talked of their desire to see their captain hoist the Stanley Cup one more time, just making the playoffs appeared beyond the Kings’ reach until the final two weeks of the regular season.
Colorado, meanwhile, led the league in everything, winning the most games, collecting the most points, scoring the most goals and allowing the fewest. The Kings? Not so much. They gave up 22 more goals than they scored, worst among playoff teams, and needed points in 11 of their last 13 games just to squeak into the postseason as the final wild-card team.
Colorado left wing Joel Kiviranta skates under pressure from Kings center Scott Laughton and goaltender Anton Forsberg during Game 2 of their first-round NHL playoff series Tuesday in Denver. (Jack Dempsey / Associated Press)
Yet two games into this series, it’s been hard to tell the teams apart on the ice. The Kings have outhustled, outhit and outskated the Avalanche for long stretches. But those moral victories have been their only wins.
Asked if he can take solace for the way the team has played, goalie Anton Forsberg, who was outstanding in his first two career playoff games, stared straight ahead.
“No,” he said. “We wanted to go to home [with] a win.”
“We would have liked to steal one,” he said. “But you can't look back. You have to look forward. Confidence-wise, we hung in there with them for two games and we've been competitive. I think we could have won either night.”
They won neither night, however, which leaves little margin for error in the next two games.
If the Kings lacked wins in Denver, they didn’t lack chances. On Tuesday they had a man advantage for nearly a quarter of the first 25 minutes and had five power plays and a penalty shot on the night.
When Quinton Byfield’s second-period penalty shot was stuffed by Colorado goalie Scott Wedgewood, a group of Avalanche fans celebrated by pounding on the protective plexiglass behind the Kings’ bench with such force it shattered, raining shards down on the team’s coaches
"Whoever the guy [was] just kept pushing and pushing and pushing," Smith said. "I looked back because it hit me a bunch of times, then it broke."
Fans broke the glass pane behind the Kings' bench after Scott Wedgewood's save. pic.twitter.com/5ajTi5ffwy
The Kings couldn’t score on the power play either until Artemi Panarin finally found the back of the net with less than seven minutes left in regulation, giving the team its first lead of the series.
“We had every opportunity,” Smith said. “You’ve got to be able to close it out.”
They couldn’t. So when Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog evened the score 3 ½ minutes later, the teams headed to a fourth period.
The overtime was the 34th in 84 games for the Kings this season, an NHL record by some distance. But it ended in the team’s 21st overtime loss when Nicolas Roy banged home a rebound 7:44 into the extra period.
“We had some good looks. I thought we really had the momentum in overtime,” Smith said. “Maybe a bad bounce or a turnover, whatever, it ends up in your net. But to a man this team is playing hard and we’ve got to find a way to win.
“I expect that we'll be better at home.”
If they aren’t, the Kings face another long summer and Kopitar’s retirement will start earlier than he had hoped.
The Detroit Red Wings will hold their end-of-season media availability on Thursday, with team president Steve Yzerman and head coach Todd McLellan expected to address a season that ended in disappointment for the organization.
Confirming that @DetroitRedWings GM Steve Yzerman and head coach Todd McLellan will address the media tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET. #LGRW#RedWings
The availability comes after the Red Wings missed the playoffs for a tenth straight season, despite spending much of the year in strong position to end that drought. For large stretches, the team looked like a legitimate postseason contender as Detroit surged out of the gate and held the third-best record in the NHL at 32-16-5 through 53 games.
However, the season unraveled in the final stretch as they would go 9-13-4 over their last 26 games, a slide that steadily erased their standing in the playoff picture and ultimately ended their postseason hopes.
The collapse also placed Detroit in an unusual spot in NHL history. The club became the first team to record at least 69 points through its first 53 games and still miss the playoffs, a mark not seen since the 1969–70 Montreal Canadiens.
The Red Wings face a number of significant roster decisions, including pending unrestricted free agents Patrick Kane, David Perron, James van Riemsdyk, Travis Hamonic, Erik Gustafsson, and Cam Talbot. Restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson also looms as a key negotiation, with expectations of a substantial new contract.
With so many storylines converging, Thursday’s availability is expected to be one of the most closely watched end-of-season press conferences in recent franchise history as Detroit looks to regroup after another missed opportunity.
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Apr 21, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nicolas Roy (10) celebrates his game winning goal with defenseman Josh Manson (42) and center Martin Necas (88) and center Nathan MacKinnon (29) in overtime against the Los Angeles Kings in game two of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Isaiah J. Downing/Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
DENVER — Nicolas Roy scored on a rebound 7:44 into overtime and Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves, including a penalty shot, as the Colorado Avalanche beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Roy put the winner through the legs of defenseman Brandt Clarke and into the net to set off a wild celebration.
“Just trying to chip in as much as I can, to help these guys out,” said Roy, who was acquired in a deal with Toronto on March 5. “Getting that goal was big.”
The game was halted roughly for 17 minutes in the second period when a pane of glass shattered behind the Kings bench, sending pieces raining on interim coach D.J. Smith. The incident occurred right after Quinton Byfield was stopped on a penalty shot by Wedgewood and fans began to celebrate by pounding on the glass. It gave way as Smith covered his head and then brushed the glass off his suit.
The Kings had the game plan to steal a road win — clog up the middle of the ice and disrupt the flow of the fast-flying Avalanche. They lost both games by a 2-1 score, but kept the highest-scoring team this season largely in check.
“Played two good games,” Smith said. “We had every opportunity, got a lead with whatever to go. You have to be able to close it out.”
Colorado is 17-2 in playoff series when taking a 2-0 lead since relocating to Denver before the 1995-96 season. Los Angeles is 3-12 in postseason series when facing an 0-2 hole, according to NHL Stats.
The Kings took the lead on Artemi Panarin’s power-play goal with 6:56 remaining. Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog tied it up with 3:35 left when he got loose in front of the net.
It set the stage for Roy, who scored his second career OT winner in the playoffs. He also had one while with Vegas in 2021.
“He’s been awesome,” Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon said. “He’s a great player, a really smart player.”
Game 3 is in Los Angeles.
This was a showdown between Wedgewood and Anton Forsberg, who both turned in sensational saves. Forsberg stopped 34 shots.
It was a physical game, too, that featured 52 hits, 52 blocks, 11 penalties, plenty of skirmishes and lots of hard feelings.
“Playoffs are going to be hard. It’s a really good team over there,” MacKinnon said. “They’re playing hard. We’re playing hard. It’s low scoring, but it’s fun hockey.”
Colorado thought it had a goal after a shot from Sam Malinski seconds into the third. The horn went off and the fans erupted, but it was quickly ruled that the puck stuck into the side of the net and never went in.
Forsberg and his defensive teammates did their part. Mikey Anderson broke up a 3-on-1 with a slide across the ice in the second when Martin Necas elected to pass, and Drew Doughty made a similar sliding play later in the period.
“We believe in our way of playing and we’re right there with one of the best teams in the league,” Forsberg said. “You just have to stick with it and find a way.”
Game 2 of the first-round matchup between the Los Angeles Kings and the Colorado Avalanche will be remembered for a long time, and not for the reasons you may think.
Though the game finished as a low-scoring affair, and the second straight game of the series to finish 2-1 in Colorado's favor, this was an entertaining contest that had plenty of drama, and not necessarily all on the ice.
But not long into the game, neither team were able to get a rhythm because of stoppages, specifically all the minor penalties that transpired.
In the first period alone, the referees issued seven minor penalties, three to Los Angeles and four to Colorado.
With that, the two teams introduced themselves to the series in a physical way. In Game 1, the hatred and physicality that come in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs were basically non-existent, but that changed in Game 2.
Avs defenseman Josh Manson levelled Kings center Scott Laughton early in the game. Some time after the hit, Laughton talked to ESPN's rinkside reporter and former teammate with the Philadelphia Flyers, Erik Johnson. Laughton recapped the physical battle between him and Manson and said, "No bicycles on the highway," noting he needs to keep his head up.
Not long after that, Kings blueliner Mikey Anderson hammered Avs star Martin Necas with arguably an even harder body check. Necas didn't return to action for some time, but eventually was cleared to get back on the ice.
Despite all those power-play opportunities and an increase in post-whistle scrums, the game remained goalless after the first period.
Then the second period came around, and even more chaos ensued, right out of the gates.
About three minutes into the middle frame, the Avalanche went on the power play from a Jeff Malott boarding penalty. On that kill for the Kings, Quinton Byfield stole a fumbled puck by Cale Makar and a long breakaway. In the nick of time, Makar impeded Byfield in the hands, forcing officials to call a penalty shot.
In the excitement of the moment, Avs fans banged on the glass in recognition of Wedgewood's massive stop. From all the banging on the glass behind the Kings' bench, the glass shattered in Los Angeles' dugout and the shards fell on top of coach D.J. Smith.
Because of this, the coaches and players needed to clear the bench to protect themselves and their equipment. With that came a lengthy break that lasted around 20 minutes, almost intermission-like, less than four minutes into the period.
Eventually, all the broken glass was cleaned behind the bench and in the stands, and a replacement panel was installed.
The Kings and Avalanche needed to find a way to keep themselves warm after being still for some time. That could be the reason why the game remained without a goal for the rest of the second period, though it wasn't a lack of chances and drama.
The theater continued early in the third period in Game 2, when the Avalanche thought they had finally broken the deadlock.
About 10 seconds into the third, Colorado won an offensive-zone draw back to defenseman Sam Malinski. Malinski fired a shot toward the Kings' netminder, Anton Forsberg, and the goal horn went off just seconds after the fact.
As the Avs celebrated what they thought was a crucial lead in tightly contested Game 2, it turned out the puck never actually went into the net. Instead, the puck landed on top of the netting just beside Forsberg's right post.
From a first-period parade to the penalty box, massive hits, a shorthanded penalty shot, broken glass and a fake goal, this game is still knotted at 0-0.
Quinton Byfield (Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)
Just after the midway mark of the third period, however, Colorado's Parker Kelly was called for high-sticking on Artemi Panarin. This was the fifth power play of the game for the Kings, and they've been unthreatening with the man advantage since.
Nonetheless, Panarin scored the first goal of the game - for real - giving the Kings their first lead of the series. Panarin's been the only player to score for Los Angeles in these playoffs, with the only other goal scored by the Kings from Panarin, also on the power play, in Game 1.
The hope of stealing a game at Ball Arena was short-lived as Gabriel Landeskog tied the game just over three minutes later.
With how this affair transpired, of course, it would require overtime.
Game 2 ended with the fans in Denver on their feet, celebrating Nicolas Roy's first goal of the series as the overtime-winner 7:44 into the extra frame. That caps off the craziest post-season game so far in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.
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Only a day after reports connected the Vancouver Canucks to former Buffalo Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams, another interesting name has emerged in the team’s search for a new GM. According to a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Vancouver has requested to interview former NHLer Shane Doan, who is currently the Toronto Maple Leafs Special Advisor to the GM.
Doan, an NHL veteran of over 1,500 games, spent all but one season of his career with the former Arizona Coyotes. He served as the Coyotes’ captain for 13 seasons and wrapped his career up after the 2016–17 season.
A part-owner of the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL, a team that he played three seasons for before making the jump to the NHL, Doan’s shift to management began in 2018–19. He served as a consultant for Team Canada and later an Assistant General Manager the season after. As well as expanding his roles with Team Canada in 2021–22 to include serving as General Manager for the 2022 Winter Olympics, Doan also took on the role of Director of Hockey Administration with the Coyotes. He has been the Maple Leafs’ Special Advisor to the GM since the 2023–24 season.
Interestingly enough, this is not the only bit of news that has come out about Doan as of late. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun also reported earlier that Doan has joined the NHL’s Hockey Operations department.
Vancouver announced that they had fired former General Manager Patrik Allvin on Friday morning. Since then, some of the names that have circulated in reports for their next GM role include Adams and Abbotsford Canucks GM and Canucks Assistant GM Ryan Johnson. Reports have also noted that Vancouver hopes to have their GM in place by the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, which occurs on May 5.
Shane Doan waves to fans as they clap after his jersey was raised during the jersey retirement ceremony at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz. on February 24, 2019. B1 9288. Credit: Patrick Breen/The Republic.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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The NHL playoffs are heading into the fifth day and every series is about to switch venues, except for Anaheim-Edmonton, which began later than the others.
The conference-leading Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes hold 2-0 leads after the games were closely contested. The Buffalo Sabres-Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning-Montreal Canadiens, Dallas Stars-Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights-Utah Mammoth series are tied 1-1.
Here are the winners and losers of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs so far:
WINNERS
Porter Martone, Philadelphia Flyers
The 19-year-old is first NHL teenager to get game-winning goals in his first two playoff games. His first goal was spectacular and he showed good instincts on the second. He was playing for Michigan State in late March and his arrival has been as helpful as a trade deadline acquisition.
Frederik Andersen, Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes had used both Andersen and Brandon Bussi down the stretch. But they went with the veteran Andersen over Bussi, who had given up a few bad goals late in the season. Andersen has rewarded the decision. He got a shutout in the opener and stopped 37 of 39 shots in a double-overtime win in Game 2.
Scott Wedgewood, Colorado Avalanche
Just like the Hurricanes, the Avalanche had a choice to make in net between Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood. Wedgewood filled in well at the start of the season when Blackwood was hurt. He also played better down the stretch. Wedgewood is second in the playoffs behind Andersen with a 0.94 goals-against average.
Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning
Hagel missed much of the first round last season because of a one-game suspension then a series-ending injury on a hit that earned Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad a two-game suspension. But Hagel has been a factor against the Montreal Canadiens. He scored twice in the opener and had a Gordie Howe hat trick (goal, assist, fight) in Game 2. He's averaging more than 24 minutes a game.
LOSERS
Pittsburgh Penguins power play
The Penguins had the seventh-ranked power play in the regular season, but the Flyers have shut it down, going 7-for-7 on the kill and allowing only three shots on goal. They also scored a short-handed goal in Game 2. The Penguins have trouble setting up and on one power play, they were called for offsides multiple times. The Flyers' power play was last in the league in the regular season – and scoreless in this series – and the Penguins need to connect on the power play if they are going to get back in the series.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buffalo Sabres
He allowed a goal from center ice when Morgan Geekie was merely chipping the puck into the offensive zone. Luukkonen didn't last the game, being pulled after giving up four goals on 19 shots. He has a 4.19 goals against average. The Bruins have taken leads in both games. The Sabres were able to rally in Game 1 but couldn't in Game 2.
MORGAN GEEKIE JUST SCORED A GOAL FROM CENTER ICE 😱
To his credit, Luukkonen owned up to his mistake after the game. "Just a bad bounce on the goal, the second one there," he told reporters. "Of course, it's my fault, like there's no way around it, and you just got to do better with those."
Tomas Hertl, Vegas Golden Knights
He has gone 22 games since he last scored a goal on March 4. He had 24 goals in 62 games before that drought began. The Golden Knights could use more scoring as they head to Utah with the series tied.
Minnesota Wild injuries
The Wild couldn't build on their Game 1 blowout victory because Mats Zuccarello was a late scratch before Game 2 and Yakov Trenin left Monday's game after a massive hit from Dallas' Colin Blackwell. The series is tied 1-1 as the series shifts to Minnesota. Both players sat out Game 3.
It’s been exactly a week since the Florida Panthers played their final game of the 2025-26 season.
Florida capped off their frustrating, injury-filled campaign with an 8-1 trouncing of the Detroit Red Wings last Wednesday night at Amerant Bank Arena.
The Panthers actually won each of their final three games despite knowing that their 2026 first-round pick, one the Cats initially traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2025 Trade Deadline deal for Seth Jones, was top-10 protected. That means if Florida finished in a position that laded them a selection in the first 10 of this year’s NHL Draft, the Panthers would keep their pick.
Well, you can thank the hockey gods or just simple good karma, but despite the wins, Florida ended up finishing eighth-worst, guaranteeing them a pick in the top-10 regardless of what happens at next month’s NHL Draft Lottery.
Getting back to the point of this post, the Panthers season is over and their home arena no longer needs to house and maintain an NHL-quality sheet of ice.
With that being the case, earlier this week the arena’s excellent ice and maintenance crew undertook the process of removing the ice.
You can check out a video of the process below:
Generally, that process begins with turning off the building’s floor cooling system before spraying hot water on top of the ice so it can start to break down and lose its strength and durability.
Crew members than take large hammer-mallet-like tools and walk across the surface, cracking the ice by slamming the tool into the ground over and over.
Once the ice is all broken up into smaller chunks, it’s removed from the floor into drainage pits while the logos and advertisements are peeled away and disposed of.
After that, crews make sure the arena’s floor surface is properly cleaned, and then the remaining boards are removed.
That’s it, no more ice rink until September.
Amerant Bank Arena will host several events in the coming weeks and months, including concerts for Bruce Springsteen and Ariana Grande, Professional Bull Riding and Monster Jam.
As for the Panthers, they’ll get an extended summer break for the first time in several years.
Expect them to be back in the playoff mix at this time next year, though.
