One area that the Philadelphia Flyers could look to boost this off-season is their goaltending. Samuel Ersson struggled this season with the Flyers, as he posted an .870 save percentage and a 3.12 goals-against average in 33 games. With this, it would be understandable if the Flyers looked to switch things up at the backup position.
If the Flyers do want to create some more competition for their backup spot, one goalie who could be worth taking a chance on is Boston Bruins netminder Michael DiPietro.
DiPietro has been blocked from the Bruins' roster due to Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo being ahead of him on their depth chart. While this is the case, DiPietro's dominance at the AHL level makes him an interesting potential option for the Flyers to consider.
DiPietro had an excellent 2025-26 season with the Providence Bruins, posting a 34-8-1 record, a .930 save percentage, a 1.91 goals-against average, and three shutouts. This was after he had a 26-8-5 record, a .927 save percentage, and a 2.05 goals-against average in 40 games with Providence during the 2024-25 season.
With his strong play, DiPietro has won the Bastien Award as the AHL's best goaltender for each of the last two seasons.
With how well DiPietro has played at the AHL level, he could be a goalie worth taking a gamble on if the Bruins make him available for trade. The potential for him to be a solid backup goalie at the NHL level is there, and he could take that next step in a bigger role in Philly.
The Senators may be long gone from the Stanley Cup playoffs, but a few familiar faces are still in the mix for Lord Stanley's extra-large mug.
At the halfway point, three former Senators remain alive in the postseason, each carrying a very different storyline into the second round.
The biggest name, of course, is former Ottawa captain Mark Stone.
Drake Batherson talked about his admiration for how captain Brady Tkachuk handled everything that came his way this season.
Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights
May 4, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) controls the puck in front of Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal (1) during the third period of game one of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Stone and the Vegas Golden Knights are facing a massive challenge against the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference final. Vegas may have captured the Pacific Division title, but it hardly came easy. For stretches of the regular season, the playoffs themselves were no sure thing.
They were so worried about it, they replaced head coach Bruce Cassidy in late March despite the fact Cassidy guided the franchise to its first Stanley Cup championship in 2023. The cuddly John Tortorella has since taken over behind the bench and steered the Knights to a 7-0-1 mark to close the season.
Colorado, meanwhile, looked like a wagon all season long. The Avalanche finished with a staggering 55-16-11 record, piling up 121 points, 26 more than Vegas managed in the regular season.
But the Knights drew first blood with a 4-2 win Wednesday night in Game 1, despite not having their captain available.
Stone remains sidelined with a lower-body injury and hasn’t played since Game 3 of the second round against Anaheim. Now 34, Stone remains one of the NHL’s top two-way forwards, posting 73 points in just 60 games this season and celebrating goals as hard as he ever did here.
And Sens fans, he'll be a UFA next summer.
Parker Kelly, Colorado Avalance
Apr 23, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Parker Kelly (17) warms up prior to game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Parker Kelly never crossed paths with Stone in Ottawa, but assuming Stone returns to action, they’ll see plenty of each other in this series.
Kelly enjoyed a breakout campaign with Colorado this season, putting up 21 goals and 35 points, totals he had never come remotely close to in the past. He finished sixth among Avalanche forwards in scoring and became an important depth player on the league’s best team.
Kelly spent the better part of seven seasons in the Ottawa organization after signing as an undrafted free agent. But in 2024, when Senators GM Steve Staios went on a shopping spree for veteran depth forwards with experience, Kelly was allowed to walk into free agency and eventually signed with Colorado.
Mike Reilly, Carolina Hurricanes
Mar 7, 2026; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Mike Reilly (6) against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
The final former Senator still alive in these playoffs is defenseman Mike Reilly of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Reilly was part of the early stages of Ottawa’s rebuild, playing 70 games for the Senators over two seasons around the turn of the decade.
The veteran didn't play in round one against his old team and has only appeared in two playoff games so far for Carolina. But if the ‘Canes win it all, Reilly’s 42 regular-season games this year would be just enough to get his name on the Cup.
Reilly has a chance to write a feel-good NHL story. A few years after leaving Ottawa, he had some medical challenges in November of 2024 when a heart issue was revealed during concussion protocol. Reilly rallied quickly, but something like that can certainly transform your mindset about hockey and life.
And winning a Stanley Cup a year and a half after undergoing a heart procedure would be next level.
So while the Senators lick their wounds, wondering how they’ll someday get to this stage or win a Cup, a few former members of their team are still very much in the hunt.
By Steve Warne The Hockey News
This story was originally published at The Hockey News Ottawa Senators site. Click on the latest headlines below to read the latest stories there:
The Columbus Blue Jackets could be losing Boone Jenner and Mason Marchment to free agency, which would create a hole at center with Jenner gone.
Yes, the CBJ have a couple of young guys in Cleveland that could step up and fill in for a few minutes every night, but Don Waddell has said that it's go time, so would he do that, or possibly bring in a veteran center to help stabilize the lineup?
Should the CBJ decide to go the free agent route, they'll need to bring in a veteran with experience.
Today, the player we talk about is Latvian centerman Teddy Blueger.
Target: Teddy Blueger - Center - 31 Years Old - 8 Years of Experience
Teddy Blueger was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2nd round of the 2012 NHL Draft. After spending five years in Pittsburgh, he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on March 1, 2023, to help them with their Stanley Cup run. That summer, he signed with Vancouver, where he scored 23 goals in three seasons.
Stats - 9g-8a-17 points in 35 games
Blueger only played 35 games last season due to injury. After going down in October, he returned in January and played the rest of the season out. He totaled 17 points in 35 games while playing 16:31 of ice time.
Blueger has never scored double-digit goals in his career, and has a career-high of 28 points, which he's done twice. His 9 goals last season tied his career high.
Previous Contract
Blueger just finished a two-year deal that paid him $1,800,000 per season. After playing only 35 games in 25-26 due to injury, he returned in January and finished the season injury-free. His next contract should be relatively cheap.
The next contract for the former Stanley Cup Champion is projected to be around $2.7 million per season.
Realistic Chances Of A Signing: Luke-Warm
Signing the former Olympic Captain could be a real possibility. Bluegers has played with CBJ goalie Elvis Merzlikins in various international tournaments for Latvia, so it's possible he gets a good word put in from Elvis. He also played with new Jacket Conor Garland.
Should the CBJ lose Jenner, which is a real possibility, Waddell will want to fill that 4th line role with a veteran, and who better to fill it than a Cup champion? They don't need a superstar; they need someone to come in and fill a need, which is that 4th line center role. Columbus does not currently have a former Cup Champ on the roster.
Many fans are going to expect Waddell to fill Jenner's spot with some superstar via trade, but that's not the position Jenner was playing after Rick Bowness came to town. Jenner was bumped to the 4th line, and that is what needs to be addressed. Having two young wingers on the outside of a veteran center could be what they need.
Next Up For Columbus: The NHL Draft is on June 26 and 27 in Buffalo, where the CBJ will own pick #14.
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The Hockey News has opened its full archive to subscribers, giving fans access to 76 years of hockey history, feature stories, and unforgettable moments. In the latest issue, we rank the NHL’s top 100 players, with Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin coming in at No. 56th overall. Here is a free preview featuring players ranked 51 through 57.
Subscribe today to see where other standout Detroit Red Wings players, including Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond, and Moritz Seider, landed on the list, explore the complete top 100 rankings, and dive into the full THN Archives
Top 100 NHL Players: 51-57 - Apr. 17 2026 - Vol. 79 Issue 10
51 JAKE OETTINGER
POS: G | AGE: 27 | LY: 51
‘Otter’ has helped the Stars author three consecutive trips to the conference final, but his success has halted there – often in shocking fashion. In fact, entering the 2026 playoffs, Oettinger had an .881 save percentage across 18 conference-final outings. No goaltender with more than five games had fared worse.
52 JAKOB CHYCHRUN
POS: D | AGE: 28 | LY: 95
Should he have been on Canada’s Olympic team? You won’t find any dissenters in Washington. Big, athletic and talented, Chychrun led the Capitals in ice time while also providing a nice helping of offense. And on a team featuring Alex Ovechkin, it was Chychrun with the most game-winning goals this year.
53 WYATT JOHNSTON
POS: C | AGE: 22 | LY: 63
Buoyed by a career-best shooting percentage and league-leading 26 power-play goals, three-time 30-goal scorer Johnston hit the 40-goal plateau for the first time. That offensive outburst is just another tool in his arsenal. The most respected aspects of his game, though, are his two-way acumen and high hockey IQ.
54 JAKE SANDERSON
POS: D | AGE: 23 | LY: 88
Sanderson is easily the best Senators defenseman since Erik Karlsson. Sanderson resembles Karlsson in many respects, namely skating, puckhandling, hockey IQ and a penchant for being a one-man breakout. Even when Ottawa was struggling early in the season, Sanderson was one of the bright spots.
He’ll probably never score 57 goals again – as he did two seasons ago – but you can pretty much put Reinhart down for 30 a year in indelible marker. He can also be counted on to be a Selke-level player in the defensive zone. There are really no deficiencies in his game, and he’s one of the NHL’s most cerebral on-ice performers.
56 DYLAN LARKIN
POS: C | AGE: 29 | LY: 53
If there’s a modern-day player who was destined to play for the Red Wings, Larkin is the guy. His 200-foot game is almost without peer, and he’s developed a surprising sneaky-dirty facet to his overall game. Larkin is a possession beast, and when he doesn’t have the puck on his stick, he’s very good at getting it back.
57 KYLE CONNOR
POS: LW | AGE: 29 | LY: 38
Connor’s consistency is remarkable. He’s eclipsed 30 goals in each of his full seasons, barring the shortened 2020-21 campaign. He’s also an all-strengths asset in Winnipeg. Over the past five seasons, Connor ranks second in even-strength, first in power-play and sixth in shorthanded ice time among Jets forwards.
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PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 31: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in action during the game against the Detroit Red Wings at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 31, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
While most of the focus for the offseason is going to be on the Pittsburgh Penguins pending unrestricted free agents (like, say, Evgeni Malkin) and what they do with their available salary cap space, there’s another group of players that should get some attention. It is the eight players entering the final year of their current contracts and eligible for new contracts on July 1.
Let’s take a quick look at that group and try to determine if the Penguins should try to keep them, shop them or simply let them move on.
Sidney Crosby: Extend
I’m not sure there is much more analysis needed here.
He’s still playing at a high level. He should continue to do so for at least another couple of years. As long as he wants to keep playing it’s probably a safe assumption he is here. Whether that’s a longer-term deal, year-to-year, shorter-term deals … whatever. He is here. He will be here. That is what the Penguins probably want. It is what he probably wants. Easy call.
Erik Karlsson: Shop, but consider an extension
I wouldn’t trade Karlsson just for the sake of trading him because you think that’s what you need to do in a rebuild. But I also wouldn’t completely take him off the table. You’re not doing your job if you’re not at least listening, keeping an open mind and seeing what is out there.
Especially given the lack of defensemen on the free agent market and the fact you might be able to get a really solid return for him. His value has to be sky-high right now, or at least higher than it’s been, and there will no doubt be at least some interested teams.
But … Kyle Dubas has not totally ruled out the idea of an extension, and even though he is in his mid-30s it could make sense. Defensive depth is thin, Karlsson is still a top-pairing defender and he should still have a few high-level years remaining.
Listen to offers. See what’s out there. But keep an extension on the table.
Tommy Novak: Shop/Trade
Novak is by no means a bad player. He has a role on an NHL team, and it can be a very fluid role given his versatility to play up and down the lineup, on the wing, at center, and pretty much anywhere he is needed. But like I said in his year-in-review entry, he can also be a little frustrating. He’s good, but he also lulls you into wanting a little more given his talent. His playoff showings have also left something to be desired. Plus, when his next contract begins he will be 30 years old.
I am okay paying superstars into their 30s, because even if they decline and regress they are starting from a significantly higher point and can still remain productive.
But when you start talking about second-and third-tier players, that is where contracts into their 30s start to become problematic.
Shop him and see what’s out there.
Justin Brazeau: Shop/move on
Brazeau was part of the Penguins’ highly successful 2025 offseason and exceeded everybody’s expectations by scoring 17 goals with 34 total points. He’s big. He brings some physicality. He is extremely talented for his size and always seems to be a late-bloomer at every level.
But like Novak you are talking about a non-star player in his late 20s when his next contract kicks, and it will almost certainly be a contract that goes into his 30s. This is a situation where you found some lightning in a bottle, ride it out for as long as you can, and then try to find the next Justin Brazeau. If you slip out of the playoff race by the trade deadline he would be ideal trade fodder given his cheap salary.
Samuel Girard: Shop, but consider an extension
I am going to stay bullish on this, but I am not writing off Sam Girard.
I just think there’s more to his game than what we saw after the trade this past season, and I want to see what he does with a fresh start at the beginning of the season. There’s talent there. He’s been a good NHL player before. And as I said with Karlsson, the defensive depth in the organization isn’t great at the moment when it comes to short-term or medium-term options. Owen Pickering isn’t that guy. Harrison Brunicke might be that guy, but there is only one of him. You are going to need people here.
I am not extending him right now now.
I wouldn’t turn down reasonable trades for him.
But I’m keeping an open mind toward an extension, especially if he comes back strong next season. There were some rocky moments at the end of the season and in the playoffs, but there were also some really good moments.
Parker Wotherspoon: Move on
Wotherspoon was another offseason surprise that made a bigger-than-expected impact. He went from an expected depth piece to a top-pairing defenseman alongside Karlsson for pretty much the entire season, and it was one of the most effective defense pairings in the NHL. That’s great. But I wouldn’t push my luck on it, especially when Karlsson’s future in Pittsburgh is in some question given HIS contract situation.
The problem with Wotherspoon is that while he was very effective alongside Karlsson, his impact took a significant hit when he was away from Karlsson.
There was a pretty notable and significant Karlsson boost happening here. You got a great value for a couple of years. Be happy with that.
Caleb Jones: Move on
We only saw him for seven games before he was injured and then suspended. Over the past three years he has played 48 games in the NHL. He will be 30 when his next contract begins. Organizational depth at best. There are 25 Caleb Jones-type players available every offseason.
Jack St. Ivany: Move on, but consider keeping
I would be a little more open to keeping him as organizational depth than Jones just based on age alone. St. Ivany is still only 26 (well, 27 next season) and at least played a few more games in the NHL this season and was, at times, pretty solid. I wouldn’t want him playing a regular shift, but as a seventh defenseman or organizational depth he is fine.
When Chayka was named GM of the Maple Leafs, many were surprised and shocked by the hire, for several different reasons.
With the surprise hire for the GM position, what if Toronto go a similar route when selecting the 42nd head coach in franchise history?
Here are three surprising head coach candidates for the Maple Leafs.
Todd Nelson
Maybe it wouldn't surprise some if the Maple Leafs considered hiring Todd Nelson as the team's next head coach. Nonetheless, he'd be a great candidate to be a head coach in the NHL, let alone for Toronto, and many may not have Nelson at the top of their lists.
Nelson is currently an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins, coming off his first season with the team. He previously spent three years as the head coach of the AHL's Hershey Bears, winning a pair of Calder Cups in that stint. Nelson has won a total of four Calder Cups in his coaching career.
Despite his excellence in the American League, Nelson has never had a true tenure as an NHL head coach. In 2014-15, Nelson led the Edmonton Oilers behind the bench as an interim head coach for the final 51 games of that regular season.
Even if the Maple Leafs don't snatch him up, Nelson should be getting an offer to be a head coach in the NHL eventually.
Dallas Eakins has been out of the league for a few years now, with his last season as an NHL head coach coming in 2022-23. Since then, he's been the head coach of the DEL's Mannheim in Germany.
In the NHL, Eakins coached the Oilers for two seasons and was actually replaced by Nelson in 2014-15. He also had a four-year stint with the Anaheim Ducks from 2019-20 to 2022-23. In between those gigs, he was the head coach of Anaheim's AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls.
It's worth noting that Eakins has ties to the Maple Leafs, serving as an assistant coach in 2006-07 and 2007-08, as well as the director of player development in 2008-09. Also, he was the bench boss of the Toronto Marlies from 2009-10 to 2012-13.
Like Eakins, it's been a few years since Bruce Boudreau has been a head coach in the NHL. His last stint ended in 2022-23 when he was fired by the Vancouver Canucks in the midst of his second campaign with the team.
Boudreau, a Toronto native, has had some successful campaigns as an NHL head coach.
In his first year as an NHL bench boss, he won the Jack Adams Trophy with the Washington Capitals. In 2009-10, he led Washington to a stellar 54-15-13 record, which turned out to be the best season in Capitals history.
He had some more great years with the Ducks, marking a 54-20-8 record in the 2013-14 season, which was also the best campaign in Anaheim's franchise history.
Boudreau certainly knows how to make a team successful in the regular season, winning eight divisional titles in his NHL coaching career.
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The Edmonton Oilers are in the market for a new head coach following the dismissal of Kris Knoblauch, and amid the pursuit of high-profile options like Bruce Cassidy, whispers have emerged about a name that once commanded respect across the NHL but now carries significant baggage: Former Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock.
On Oilers Now, host Bob Stauffer and former NHL GM Brian Lawton floated the idea, with Lawton suggesting that someone with Stan Bowman’s background might consider Babcock given his pedigree. Lawton, who knows Babcock personally, described him as a good human being who deserves a second chance in a business that can be unforgiving. Yet, the conversation quickly pivoted to the realities of Babcock’s recent past, particularly the short-lived and tumultuous stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Babcock's coaching journey is one of remarkable highs followed by a steep fall from grace. He began his NHL head coaching career with the Anaheim Ducks, leading them to the 2003 Stanley Cup Final. His true breakthrough came in Detroit, where he guided the Red Wings to the 2008 Stanley Cup and established himself as one of the league's elite tacticians. His international success with Team Canada, securing Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014, further cemented his status as a winner who could extract the best from star-studded rosters.
That reputation led the Toronto Maple Leafs to sign him to a massive eight-year, $50-million contract in 2015, positioning him as the franchise’s saviour during a rebuild. In Toronto, Babcock inherited a young core headlined by Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and others. His early tenure showed promise, with the team improving and making the playoffs in three straight seasons. However, underlying issues simmered.
The most infamous incident involved a then-19-year-old Marner during the 2016-17 season. Babcock tasked the rookie with ranking his teammates by work ethic. Marner, eager to please, complied and even placed himself at the bottom. What followed was a betrayal of trust: Babcock shared the list with veterans like Tyler Bozak and Nazem Kadri, who were ranked lower. Marner was reportedly brought to tears, and teammates were furious with the coach for pitting players against each other in such a public, humiliating way.
These incidents paint a picture of a coach whose old-school, demanding approach, once celebrated for driving success, now collides with today's NHL values around mental health, player autonomy, and respect. Babcock's 700-plus wins and championship pedigree remain undeniable, but trust has eroded.
For the Oilers, facing pressure to deliver with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the appeal of a proven winner is understandable, especially if other targets like Cassidy prove elusive due to contractual hurdles with Vegas. Bowman himself received a second chance after his own controversies, as Lawton noted. But hiring Babcock would invite intense scrutiny and potential locker-room friction in a market already under a microscope.
As of now, Babcock insists he's content in retirement. The Oilers' search continues, likely prioritizing candidates who can unify rather than divide. In a league evolving rapidly, Babcock's history serves as a cautionary tale: success on the ice doesn't always translate when the human element falters. Edmonton must weigh pedigree against past patterns carefully if his name resurfaces.
As is customary, the GM and coach of all the teams that made the final four had a scheduled media availability before the start of their third-round series. On Wednesday, Eric Tulsky and Rod Brind’Amour from the Carolina Hurricanes spoke to the media early in the afternoon, while Kent Hughes and Trevor Letowski from the Montreal Canadiens met the press later in the day.
When Tulsky was asked about how the Canadiens operated their rebuild, he said:
Yeah, I mean, he’s done a great job. The team has come a long way; they’ve got a really strong young core, and they’re well set up to obviously have a great run this year and set up to keep getting better from there. Very impressed with what they’ve done, what they’ve put together. It’s going to be a tough round for us.
That’s a fair assessment, especially when considering that most pundits considered the Canadiens’ window of contention hadn’t opened yet, and here they are in the Eastern Conference Final, just four wins away from playing for the Stanley Cup.
As for being well set up for the future, I believe their goaltending duo says a lot about how well Hughes and his team have planned. They may not have drafted Jakub Dobes, but they did recognize he was a better option than Cayden Primeau, and they now have him competing with Jacob Fowler, who was the heir apparent. Up front, they still have exciting prospects coming through the ranks in Alexander Zharovsky and Michael Hage, and they also have good blueliners waiting for their opportunity.
As for Brind’Amour, he was asked what had made the Canadiens’ power play so successful against the Buffalo Sabres, and he explained:
Well, I don’t know if that’s just in the playoffs, but they’ve been dynamic. They have dynamic players. All five of those guys in their own right are elite at what they do [Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Ivan Demidov, and Lane Hutson]. You put them together in those roles, and I think they feed off each other really well.”
-
You just watch, they’re in synch. I think a power play is about skill, and they have it. So that’s a definite concern.
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While the Canadiens have had a good success rate on the power play in these playoffs at 25%, they’ll have their work cut out for them against Carolina. The Canes have the second-best penalty kill with a 95% success rate over the eight games they played. However, things have not gone as smoothly on the power play for Brind’Amour’s men; with the man-advantage, they’ve only scored on 13.5% of their opportunities.
It will be interesting to see just how big a role special teams play in the third round. Will penalties be called consistently? It seems like the referees struggled with that in the first two rounds, and it would be great if the quality of the on-ice product weren’t affected by them.
PITTSBURGH - MAY 21: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins scores a hat trick in the third period as Dennis Seidenberg #4 and Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes are unable to stop the shot during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 21, 2009 at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
Seventeen years ago today, Evgeni Malkin put on a show with one of the most remarkable goals of his career in the Eastern Conference Final.
In 2009, the Penguins stormed back to the Stanley Cup Final by blowing past the Carolina Hurricanes in the Conference Final, thanks in part to Evgeni Malkin’s spectacular play with six goals in the four games of the series.
The most special of those six goals came during the Penguins’ 7-4 win in Game 2 of the series.
The Penguins had trailed 3-2 in the game before jumping back out to a 5-3 lead, but Carolina wouldn’t go quietly, drawing back within a goal to make it 5-4 early in the third period.
That’s when Evgeni Malkin made headlines with a special goal, his third of the game.
“Oh my word!” Joe Beninati said on the call. “Evgeni Malkin….spectacular for the hat trick!”
Malkin’s hat-trick goal gave the Penguins a bigger lead, one that they never gave up for the rest of the game, going on to win Games 3 and 4 on the road, and punching their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final.
DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche didn’t lose Game 1 of the Western Conference Final because they were outplayed—they lost it because they failed to execute in the moments that decided it.
Yes, a few calls didn’t go their way. One sequence in particular stood out—where Rasmus Andersson put on what, from the Avalanche bench, probably looked like an early audition for an Academy Award. The whistle came, the penalty followed, and Vegas capitalized shortly after. It wasn’t the only turning point in the game, but it didn’t help settle things down either. Still, that can’t be the first explanation when a game slips away at home.
Gabe Landeskog post-game remarks following Game 1 loss.
Because this one came down to execution.
“I think tonight was a matter of them capitalizing on some of their chances,” captain Gabe Landeskog said. “First one's an odd-man rush, second one's a power play, third one's a 2-on-1 right out of the box. Odd-man rushes, we got to clean that up.”
Landeskog Emphasizes Details And Rush Defense
Landeskog also pointed to how Vegas managed to take away one of Colorado’s core strengths—pace through transition.
“They did a good job,” he explained to The Hockey News. “They didn't give us a whole lot off the rush, which I feel like we haven't gotten a whole lot off the rush the whole playoffs. It's not really that time of year to expect any of that, but thought we still did a decent enough job creating scoring chances, creating some screens, and rebounds around (Carter) Hart, but definitely areas that we can be better at, and they're a good hockey team.”
Colorado had chances. Plenty of them. At times, it felt like every scoring opportunity could’ve been bottled and turned into a full meal for the entire building. The looks were there, the lanes opened up, the puck even cooperated for stretches. It just didn’t finish.
The opening period reflected exactly what this matchup promised—tight structure, disciplined spacing, and two elite teams refusing to give ground. Colorado handled that environment well early, trading structure for structure and refusing to be pulled out of shape.
Second Period Slippage Tilts Momentum
The second period, however, shifted the tone.
Puck management began to unravel. Possession became harder to sustain. Breakouts that normally exit cleanly stalled in neutral ice. Passes that usually connect with rhythm arrived just off timing, just off angle—enough to break momentum entirely. At moments, Colorado appeared to press for something decisive rather than allowing the play to develop organically.
Late in the period, with the Avalanche trailing 2–0, Brock Nelson stepped into a prime one-timer look that could have rewritten the game’s trajectory on contact alone. The lane was open, the goaltender compromised, the net essentially exposed—but the shot sailed high and wide.
Moments later, Ross Colton drove a puck through the crease with no finishing touch at the back post. Chances like that don’t linger in playoff series—they vanish.
Golden Knights Punish Every Missed Opportunity
And Vegas made them pay without hesitation.
Brett Howden arrived at the front of the net with purpose and finished through traffic to extend the lead to 3–0—a goal that perfectly encapsulated the night. Simple. Direct. Uncompromising. A depth player operating with conviction while Colorado searched for structure in its own crease.
He’s been more than just a depth piece this postseason. With nine goals and two assists in the playoffs, Howden has become one of those unexpected secondary drivers who tilt games without needing top-line minutes. And once again, he found space precisely where the Avalanche failed to eliminate it. Whether it was body positioning, stick engagement, or urgency, Colorado was a half-step late in clearing danger areas.
Nathan MacKinnon offered no cushioning in his assessment of the performance.
“We just weren't sharp,” he said plainly. “Execution was poor from everybody. Just got to be sharper than that. We had chances.”
Vegas Clogs The Middle Lanes
To their credit, Vegas has built its identity on exactly that kind of detail. Under head coach John Tortorella, the Golden Knights have evolved into a team that compresses the ice, collapses the middle lanes, and forces opponents to live on the perimeter. It’s not designed for aesthetic approval—it’s designed for suffocation.
It’s the kind of system that doesn’t care about style points. It’s about surviving the night, winning ugly, and not caring about what others think about your victory. A win's aa win.
The structure is deliberate: slow entries, shrink time and space, and punish mistakes in transition. Colorado’s speed never fully materialized because the neutral zone rarely opened cleanly, and when it did, passing lanes were already under siege.
It isn’t a style built for highlight reels, but it doesn’t need to be. It only needs results. And they got it in Game 1.
There were still moments where the Avalanche threatened to tilt the ice back in their favor, but the margins were unforgiving. Even late-game disorder—when a potential icing wasn’t handled cleanly under a minute remaining—turned into another Vegas opportunity and ultimately an empty-net finish. Small details, decisive outcomes.
Landeskog did at least provide a late spark on the power play, converting with 2:21 remaining. And structurally, there is some positive data: Colorado’s power play has operated at roughly 26% this postseason according to StatMuse. But isolated success won’t be enough at this stage.
What must carry over is the urgency of the third period—except it cannot wait until the third period to arrive.
Because that is what Game 1 ultimately revealed: not a team lacking chances, but one that gave away too many of them through its own decisions—at times trying to do too much instead of simplifying the game, and at others not doing enough to finish the looks it created.
The series is far from settled, but the message from opening night was clear. At this level, control doesn’t vanish in sweeping waves—it slips away one detail at a time.
Vegas Golden Knights (39-26-17, in the Pacific Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (55-16-11, in the Central Division)
Denver; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT
LINE: Avalanche -188, Golden Knights +156; over/under is 6
STANLEY CUP SEMIFINALS: Golden Knights lead series 1-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Vegas Golden Knights visit the Colorado Avalanche in the third round of the NHL Playoffs with a 1-0 lead in the series. The teams meet Wednesday for the fifth time this season. The Golden Knights won 4-2 in the last matchup.
Colorado is 55-16-11 overall and 31-10-6 at home. The Avalanche are first in NHL play with 298 total goals (averaging 3.6 per game).
Vegas has a 24-16-8 record in road games and a 39-26-17 record overall. The Golden Knights have a +22 scoring differential, with 264 total goals scored and 242 given up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Cale Makar has 20 goals and 59 assists for the Avalanche. Nathan MacKinnon has seven goals and seven assists over the last 10 games.
Pavel Dorofeyev has 37 goals and 27 assists for the Golden Knights. Brett Howden has nine goals and two assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Avalanche: 8-2-0, averaging 3.9 goals, 6.1 assists, 3.8 penalties and 7.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.5 goals per game.
Golden Knights: 8-2-0, averaging four goals, 6.4 assists, 3.8 penalties and 9.1 penalty minutes while giving up 2.3 goals per game.
INJURIES: Avalanche: Cale Makar: day to day (undisclosed).
Golden Knights: Jeremy Lauzon: out (upper-body), Mark Stone: day to day (lower-body).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Buffalo Sabres entered the offseason Wednesday carrying something the organization had not experienced in 15 years: legitimate momentum.
After guiding Buffalo back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011, Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen addressed the media for more than 30 minutes following end-of-season meetings with players and head coach Lindy Ruff. The tone throughout the afternoon was reflective, optimistic, and at times emotional as Kekalainen looked back on a season that reshaped expectations around the franchise.
Buffalo’s turnaround was fueled less by star power and more by the identity the group gradually developed over the course of the year. The Sabres became more connected defensively, more disciplined structurally, and far more difficult to play against as the season progressed — a shift that ultimately carried them into postseason hockey.
“I’m just real proud of the whole group and what we went through, and how much we learned," said Kekalainen on Wednesday in Downtown Buffalo. "Obviously we’re not where we want to be right now, and the disappointment will take a little while [to get over], but we did the exit meetings with Lindy [Ruff] together, and I just can’t emphasize enough to them how excited I am about the future of this group and the potential we have.”
A Foundation Buffalo Finally Believes In
Kekalainen repeatedly pointed toward the roster’s long-term makeup as one of the organization’s biggest strengths. From the depth at center to the mobility on the back end, Buffalo’s general manager made it clear he believes the Sabres are building a sustainable contender rather than simply enjoying a breakthrough season.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a group of young men that have so many potential center icemen in the group," the Sabres general manager said. "I’ve always believed in building from the back end, and I would put our defensemen against anyone in this league. The goaltending was solid all year, and it’s just the beginning.”
Just as notable was the way Kekalainen spoke about the city itself.
Buffalo’s playoff atmosphere became one of the defining storylines of the spring, with KeyBank Center re-emerging as one of the loudest and most energized buildings in hockey. For a franchise that spent years trapped in rebuilding cycles and frustration, the emotional reconnection between the team and its fanbase clearly left an impression on the organization’s front office.
“It was so great to see how this city came together. I get chills even thinking about it," Kekalainen noted. "The atmosphere in the building, the electricity around the whole city.”
Major Decisions Await This Summer
Despite the optimism surrounding the franchise, Buffalo now enters an offseason filled with important roster decisions — beginning with the future of veteran winger Alex Tuch.
The 30-year-old is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and while Kekalainen praised Tuch’s value to the team, his comments suggested negotiations will need to strike a balance between rewarding leadership and maintaining long-term roster flexibility.
“He’s been an important part of our success," Kekalainen acknowledged. "He’s always getting some of the most ice-time of any of the forwards, killing penalties, playing power play, he’s a consistent goal scorer. He’s a valuable part of our team. But just like I’ve told him and I tell everybody in the same situation, we make our decisions based on how can we make our team better. We have to come to an agreement that this is the type of contract where we can still make our team better, and hopefully we can do that.”
Kekalainen sounded considerably more aggressive when discussing defenseman Bo Byram, who becomes extension eligible July 1 with one year remaining on his current deal.
Buffalo views Byram as a major piece of its long-term core alongside Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson — a defensive group Kekalainen clearly sees as the heartbeat of the roster moving forward.
“It’s very important, and I said that to Bo Byram today. I’d like to lock him up for a long time," Kekalainen said. "I think the top-four of our defense is our drive, our engine, and their mobility and ability to move the puck, ability to support offense and also play good defensively; there’s a lot of untapped potential there too. I think Bo’s still a young [defenseman], and he can get better.”
The organization also faces looming decisions in goal.
With new league requirements expected to mandate an emergency backup goalie presence at games next season, carrying three goaltenders on the NHL roster could become increasingly common around the league. Buffalo may find itself in exactly that situation, especially considering waiving Colten Ellis would likely expose him to a claim from the St. Louis Blues.
That reality leaves the development path of Devon Levi under continued scrutiny as the 24-year-old continues navigating the difficult transition from top prospect to full-time NHL starter.
“He’s a talented goalie, and he’s played some great hockey at the American League level," Kekalainen said of the 24-year-old netminder. "He’s played some games in the NHL, and I think almost every goalie in the league has gone through the process of when they need to develop and play games, they need to play in the minors. It’s the most demanding position, and you don’t get better by sitting on the bench. So he’s just getting through that process now, and next year he’ll need waivers, and we’ll see how he keeps developing.”
Now, the real work begins.
Buffalo’s long playoff drought is over, but expectations inside the organization have shifted quickly. The Sabres are no longer trying to prove they belong in the conversation — they are now tasked with proving this season was only the beginning.
The Golden Knights have never been such heavy underdogs entering a playoff series before, and that says less about them than it does about just how good this Avalanche team is. But, underdogs or not, they kicked off the Western Conference Final with a road win against the best team in the league.
Game 2 of the Western Conference Final is scheduled for 5 p.m. PST on Friday.
1. A Good Old-Fashioned Story of Perseverance
Dylan Coghlan played just three games with the Golden Knights during the regular season, spending the rest of the year with AHL Henderson. But he’s drawn into the last five postseason contests, and the undrafted free agent out of Duncan, British Columbia, is making a name for himself.
“When you say Dylan Coghlan to me, I think of no fear. I don't think he’s afraid to make a play,” said head coach John Tortorella following the 4-2 win. “I just think he plays. He’s been unflappable… I don’t think he gets caught up in anything. He just tries to be the best he can be. And I just think he has an inner confidence about himself.”
He opened the scoring tonight with a sneaky shot that beat Scott Wedgewood five-hole. It was the first postseason goal of his career, and his first goal since December 17th, 2021.
“It was pretty crazy,” Coghlan said postgame. “I didn’t know it went in until I turned and looked at Shea, and he was smiling at me. Just kind of blacked out for a second.”
2. Defense Wins Championships
Carter Hart made no shortage of impressive stops in the Golden Knights’ 4-2 win, but it’s possible that the best saves were the ones he didn’t have to make. Most of the Avalanche’s best looks ended up going off-net, whether by the nature of a strong defensive play or an unforced error. It was usually the former.
The Golden Knights were excellent at limiting the Avalanche off the rush and keeping them to the outside during the first two periods. If they want to win this series, that will have to continue.
3. The Looming Threat
The Golden Knights winning Game 1 was no small feat, whether the Avalanche were at full strength or not. However, it’s important to remember that they beat the Avalanche… without Cale Makar, the best defenseman in the world, in the lineup. If and when Makar returns, the Avalanche become infinitely more dangerous.
“It’s a very hard team we're playing against,” said Mitch Marner following the 4-2 win. “We know that, and we know they’re gonna come with even more next game, and we gotta be ready for that.”
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 20: Jack Eichel #9 of the Vegas Golden Knights reacts after assisting on a goal during the third period against the Colorado Avalanche in Game One of the Western Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena on May 20, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche opened the Western Conference Final without superstar defenseman Cale Makar on Wednesday night, and the difference was noticeable in a 4-2 Game 1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at Ball Arena.
Colorado pushed late with third-period goals from Valeri Nichushkin and captain Gabriel Landeskog, but Vegas controlled much of the game and capitalized on their opportunities to take an early series lead.
First Period
The opening 20 minutes were scoreless, though both teams generated quality chances.
Vegas entered the night having scored in the first period in each of its previous four playoff games, but Scott Wedgewood helped keep the Golden Knights off the board early. The Avalanche goaltender made several key saves in the first period, including a strong stop on a dangerous Vegas rush that energized the Ball Arena crowd.
Colorado had moments offensively, but the Avalanche struggled to consistently break through Vegas’ structure without Makar in the lineup. The Golden Knights controlled stretches of possession and kept Colorado from establishing much sustained pressure.
Second Period
Vegas broke through midway through the second period when depth defenseman Dylan Coghlan converted on a rush chance and scored his first goal of the postseason to give the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead.
A few minutes later, Pavel Dorofeyev added to the advantage on a power-play goal after a slick setup from Mitch Marner, extending the lead to 2-0. It was his 10th score of the postseason giving the young sniper the NHL lead in goals.
Although Colorado held an edge in shots through two periods, Vegas looked sharper in transition and created the more dangerous scoring opportunities. The Avalanche continued searching for offense but struggled to generate consistent traffic around the net and looked slow for most of the night up to this point.
Third Period
The Golden Knights pushed the lead to 3-0 midway through the third period on Brett Howden’s ninth goal of the playoffs, putting Colorado in its largest deficit of the postseason. He evaded coverage and batted a rebound out of the air before getting his stick on the puck for a legal goal.
The Avalanche responded later in the period when Val Nichushkin scored on a between-the-legs finish to cut the lead to 3-1 and bring some life back into the arena.
Now the momentum was really on Colorado’s side and they looked dangerous with the puck for the first time in the contest. With the goaltender pulled late in regulation after receiving a power play and executing the 6-on-4 attack, Gabe Landeskog added another goal with 2:20 remaining to trim the deficit to one and give Colorado a chance in the closing minutes.
With Wedgewood on the bench again Vegas answered shortly after when Nic Dowd beat out an icing and scored into the empty net to seal the 4-2 Vegas win.
Takeaways
Missing such an important piece as Cale Makar was a factor in the loss and every day that goes by will ramp up the hope that he can return to play soon. The rest of the team was a bit scrambled and slow in their coverage and can correct some mistakes in their own right.
Jack Ahcan was inserted into the lineup again and played double the three minutes he received in Game 5 against Minnesota. He still was on the ice for a goal against in this game, though. The ailing defense core is thin on options and the Avalanche need to come up with some other solutions.
Upcoming
The rematch in Game 2 is scheduled for Friday night at Ball Arena with puck drop set for 6 p.m. local time.
