Vegas Goes Up Two Games on Avalanche

Jack Eichel (Boston University) scored the tying goal and then assisted on the eventual game-winner, both in a two-minute span midway through the third period, as the Vegas Golden Knights topped the host Colorado Avalanche, 3-1, on Friday night in Game Two of the 2026 NHL Western Conference final in Denver. Vegas now leads the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoff series, two games to none.

Ross Colton (Vermont) scored the game-opening goal for Colorado, which had fallen, 4-2, in Game One on Wednesday. Colton's goal stood up from the first period on until Eichel knotted matters in the final frame, before Vegas went ahead and then added an empty-net tally for insurance with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. The top-seeded Avalanche, who were missing all-star defenseman Cale Makar (UMass) for the second straight game, outshot Vegas, 30-25, and won 34 of 58 faceoffs on the night.

Game Three is Sunday night in Las Vegas.

ADDENDUM: The Golden Knights rebounded from a 3-0 deficit after the first 20 minutes of Game Three to lock up a 5-3 victory and move within one game of their third Stanley Cup Final in their nine-year existence.

Sabres Force Game Seven with Canadiens

Tage Thompson (UConn) assisted on three goals, and also scored one into an empty net as the visiting Buffalo Sabres staved off elimination last night with an 8-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game Six of their 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff second-round series, which is now tied at three games apiece.

Jason Zucker (Denver) had a goal and assist for the Sabres, who scored seven consecutive unanswered goals over the final 46 minutes of play after falling behind, 3-1, in the first period. Buffalo's Zach Metsa (Quinnipiac) also tallied his first career playoff goal in his first NHL postseason appearance. Alex Lyon (Yale) made one save on four shots for the Sabres in goal, before being replaced by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Jakub Dobes (Ohio State) stopped 27 of 33 shots for the Canadiens before giving way late in regulation to Jacob Fowler (Boston College), who made his own Stanley Cup Playoff debut in relief. The deciding Game Seven of this Eastern Conference semifinal is Monday night in Buffalo, with the winner to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the conference final.

Canadiens Take 3-2 Series Lead over Sabres

Lane Hutson (Boston University) set up two goals, and Cole Caufield scored for the third straight game, as the Montreal Canadiens moved within one win of the Eastern Conference final with a 6-3 victory over the host Buffalo Sabres last night. Montreal, which trailed, 3-2, after 20 minutes of play, now leads the best-of-seven 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff series, three games to two.

Josh Doan (Arizona State) scored Buffalo's second goal, assisted by Owen Power (Michigan), as the Sabres outshot Montreal, 36-26, on the evening. Alex Newhook (Boston College) drew an assist on the game-winning goal for the Canadiens, giving him six points so far in five games. Jakub Dobes (Ohio State) made 33 saves in net for Montreal, which can wrap matters up Saturday night at home in Game Six. The series winner will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference final.

In the Western Conference last night, the visiting Vegas Golden Knights routed the Anaheim Ducks, 5-1, to wrap up that quarterfinal series in five games. The Golden Knights will now face the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference final.

Avalanche Eliminates Wild in Five Games

Jack Drury (Harvard) pulled his team within a goal late in the third period, and the Colorado Avalanche went on to top the Minnesota Wild, 4-3, in overtime on Thursday in their Western Conference quarterfinal. The Avalanche, who overcame a 3-0 deficit after one period of play, won the best-of-seven 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff series in five games.

Devon Toews (Quinnipiac) assisted on Drury's goal, and finished the series with a goal and four assists over five games. Nico Sturm (Clarkson) set up two goals for the Wild, which was seeking its first NHL conference final berth since 2003. Colorado, which outshot Minnesota on the night, 34-20, advanced to its first Western Conference final since it won the Stanley Cup in 2022. 

Sabres Tie Up Series with Canadiens

Tage Thompson (UConn) tied the game on a fluke goal in the second period, and then assisted on the game-winner early in the third stanza, to lift the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-2 victory over the host Montreal Canadiens last night in Game Four of their NHL Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. The second-round 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff matchup is now tied at two games apiece, with Game Five set for Thursday night in Buffalo.

Josh Doan (Arizona State) finished with two assists for the Sabres, who went 2-for-4 on the power play, including Thompson's blueline goal that banked off the left wing boards and into the Canadiens net. Alex Newhook (Boston College) scored his fifth goal in the last three games for Montreal, which also got a power-play goal from Cole Caufield (Wisconsin) and 19 saves in net from Jakub Dobes (Ohio State).

Canadiens Take Lead over Sabres, Ducks Tie Vegas

Cutter Gauthier (Boston College) tallied three assists as the Anaheim Ducks tied their Stanley Cup Playoff series with a 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night. The best-of-seven Western Conference matchup is now tied at two games apiece, with Game Five set for Tuesday night in Las Vegas. Alex Killorn (Harvard) notched a goal and an assist for the Ducks, while Jack Eichel (Boston University) set up two goals for the Golden Knights.

In the Eastern Conference, the host Montreal Canadiens took a two game to one lead with a 6-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres in Game Three of their series on Sunday. Alex Newhook (Boston College) notched his second two-goal game of the series for the Canadiens, who also got two points apiece from Cole Caufield (Wisconsin) and Lane Hutson (Boston University), plus 26 saves in net from Jakub Dobes (Ohio State). Tage Thompson (UConn) scored a goal and added an assist for the Sabres, who got 32 stops from Alex Lyon (Yale). Game Four is Tuesday in Montreal.

 

Canadiens Knot Series with Sabres

Alex Newhook (Boston College) scored two goals, and Mike Matheson (Boston College) notched the game-winner as the visiting Montreal Canadiens evened their 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff second-round series with the Buffalo Sabres last night. The best-of-seven NHL Eastern Conference matchup is now tied up at one game apiece, with Game Three set for Montreal on Sunday night.

Lane Hutson (Boston University) assisted on Newhook's first goal, while Jakub Dobes (Ohio State) finished with 29 saves in net for the Canadiens. Josh Doan (Arizona State) assisted on Buffalo's lone goal late in the second period, long after Montreal had built a 3-0 lead. Alex Tuch (Boston College) of the Sabres led all skaters with seven shots on goal. Both teams went 0-for-5 on the power play.

 

U-M, MSU Help Winnipeg to Win in Game Five

Kyle Conner (Michigan) scored one goal and set up two others, and Mason Appleton (Michigan State) had three assists as the Winnipeg Jets won Game Five of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series, 5-3, over visiting St. Louis last night. The Jets now lead the best-of-seven series, three games to two.

Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell) finished with 16 stops in earning the win for Winnipeg, after being pulled in the previous two games in St. Louis. Jimmy Snuggerud (Minnesota) scored the second goal yesterday for the Blues, who will try to stave off elimination tomorrow night at home in Game Six.

Two other series ended last night, both wrapping up in five games. Washington upended Montreal, 4-1, despite 24 saves by Jakub Dobes (Ohio State), while defending NHL champion Florida ousted Tampa Bay, 6-3. Carolina had previously advanced to the second round after besting New Jersey in five games, while the remaining four Stanley Cup Playoff series could all end tonight.

NCAA Alumni Boost Habs to Playoff Win

The Montreal Canadiens clawed their way back into their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series tonight, thanks to contributions from several former NCAA skaters.

Cole Caufield (Wisconsin) and Alex Newhook (Boston College) each tallied a goal and an assist, and rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes (Ohio State) stopped seven of eight shots in 20 minutes of relief to pick up the win in Montreal's 6-3 victory tonight over the visiting Washington Capitals. The Canadiens now trail the best-of-seven NHL postseason series, two games to one. 

Jake Evans (Notre Dame), Lane Hutson (Boston University) and Mike Matheson (Boston College) also recorded assists, as the Habs won their first postseason contest since the 2020 Stanley Cup Final against Tampa Bay. Game Four against Washington is slated for Sunday at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

ADDENDUM: New Jersey also rebounded in its series against visiting Carolina, winning 3-2 in overtime on Friday to close within two games to one as defenseman Brian Dumoulin (Boston College) recorded 36-plus minutes of ice time for the victors. Edmonton did likewise in Game Three of its series Friday with visiting Los Angeles, winning by a 7-4 count as Zach Hyman (Michigan) notched two assists to help make it a two to one series. 

Boeser Vaults Canucks to Late Win in Game Four

The Vancouver Canucks were missing Casey DeSmith (New Hampshire) in goal, due to an injury he suffered while earning his first career Stanley Cup Playoff victory in Game Three of their first-round series against the Nashville Predators.

That's OK. They still had Brock Boeser (North Dakota) up front.

Boeser scored all three goals for the Canucks in regulation, including two extra-attacker goals in the final three minutes of the third period on Sunday afternoon in Tennessee to force a three-all tie. Elias Lindholm then connected just over a minute into the overtime session for a 4-3 victory, and a three games to one lead in the best-of-seven NHL Western Conference quarterfinal series. Game Five is Tuesday night in Vancouver.

The Canucks are just the second team in NHL history to have three different goalies win each of their first three games in the playoffs. Thatcher Demko (Boston College) won Game One against Nashville with 23 saves before being sidelined by injury, and DeSmith followed up in Game Three with a 29-save effort before Arturs Silovs earned the victory yesterday on 27 stops.

Mark Jankowski (Providence) and Gustav Nyquist (Maine) each scored a goal Sunday for the Predators, who will be seeking to avoid early elimination when the series resumes tomorrow night at Rogers Arena.

Panthers Take 3-0 NHL Playoff Series Lead

Brandon Montour (Massachusetts) scored one goal and set up another, and Kyle Okposo (Minnesota) registered an assist in his first Stanley Cup Playoff appearance in eight years, as the Florida Panthers defeated the rival Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-3, in Game Three of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series tonight. 

Florida, the NHL's defending Eastern Conference champion, now leads the best-of-seven series, three games to none. Tyler Motte (Michigan) scored one of the Lightning's three goals, which put them up by a 2-1 count at the time.

Florida will attempt to sweep the series in Game Four on Saturday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, as the Panthers also look to win a playoff series against the Lightning for the first time ever. Tampa Bay, which claimed three straight Eastern Conference titles between 2020 and 2022 while also winning two Stanley Cups in that span, is seeking to avoid a second straight opening-round playoff ouster.

Former NCAA Skaters Star in NHL Playoffs

Dakota Joshua (Ohio State) scored his first two NHL postseason goals and added an assist, while Thatcher Demko (Boston College) made 20 saves in net to lift the Vancouver Canucks to a 4-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Sunday night to start the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Vancouver takes a one game to none lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series, following the Canucks' first home playoff game at Rogers Arena since 2015.

In Manhattan, the top-ranked New York Rangers jumped out to a three-goal lead en route to a 4-1 triumph over the visiting Washington Capitals in the opener of their best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series at Madison Square Garden. Jimmy Vesey (Harvard) tallied one goal and set up another for the Rangers, while Chris Kreider (Boston College) also scored for the Blueshirts.

In Manitoba, the Winnipeg Jets outlasted the Colorado Avalanche, 7-6, at Canada Life Centre to claim the first game in their best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series. Kyle Connor (Michigan) scored twice for Winnipeg and also had an assist, while Connor Hellebuyck (UMass Lowell) made 40 saves for the Jets. Cale Makar (Massachusetts) scored one goal and set up two others for the Avalanche.

Eichel, Vegas Take Two Game Lead in NHL Semifinals

 

Jack Eichel (Boston University) made his first point of the Western Conference semifinals a major one. 

His behind-the-back pass to Jonathan Marchessault for the tying goal with 2:22 remaining in regulation set the stage for Chandler Stephenson's goal just over a minute into overtime that gave Vegas a two games-to-none lead over the visiting Dallas Stars on Sunday in their best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoff series. Game Three is slated for Tuesday evening in Texas.

Eichel is now tied for sixth among NHL skaters with six goals and nine assists for 15 points in 13 NHL playoff games so far this spring, the first postseason games of his professional career. Ryan Suter (Wisconsin) assisted on both of Dallas' goals on Sunday, and currently has five assists/points in 15 postseason games to date this year, along with 6-33—39 points in 110 career NHL playoff outings dating back to 2007.

Pavelski's Four-Goal Game Falls Short for Stars

Joe Pavelski (Wisconsin) scored four goals for the Dallas Stars in their Western Conference semifinal opener on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, the Seattle Kraken scored five.

Pavelski connected twice in the first period, and then brought Dallas back from a two-goal deficit with two more scores in the third—but it was visiting Seattle who connected in overtime for the 5-4 victory. The Kraken lead the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoff series, one game to none, with Game Two set for Thursday night in Texas.

Pavelski, 38, who was playing in his first game since suffering a concussion early in the previous series against Minnesota, became the oldest player to record a four-goal game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He now has 68 goals and 62 assists for 130 points in 170 career NHL playoff contests with San Jose and Dallas since turning pro in 2006-07. 

The Plover, Wis. native played two seasons at Wisconsin, recording 39-62—101 points in 84 career games while also leading the Badgers to the 2006 NCAA title. He later helped San Jose to the 2016 Stanley Cup Final, and Dallas to the 2020 Stanley Cup Final.

Makar Boosts Avs Over Oilers in Opener

Cal Makar (UMass) scored a goal and set up three others as the Colorado Avalanche won the Western Conference Final opener, 8-6, over the visiting Edmonton Oilers last night. Colorado leads the best-of-seven series, one game to none, with Game Two slated for Thursday night in Denver.

Makar boosted the Avalanche to a 3-2 lead late in the first period, scoring on a play that was subsequently examined for a potential offside infraction, but which held up as a legitimate goal after video review. Colorado would eventually take a 7-3 lead before the Oilers came storming back in the last half of the contest, getting within one goal before the Avalanche scored into an empty Edmonton net.

Makar, 23, was selected fourth overall by the Avs in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He has registered 48 goals and 132 assists for 180 points in 178 career NHL regular-season appearances, all with Colorado, and also has 11 goals and 47 points in 46 Stanley Cup Playoff outings to date.

Makar, from Calgary, played two seasons at UMass, recording 21-49—70 points in 75 games over two seasons. He also led the Minutemen to their first-ever NCAA championship game in 2019, just before he turned pro, and just after he won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the NCAA's top player. The following season, he won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie.

Michigan's Compher Helps Avs Oust Blues

J.T. Compher (Michigan) scored two goals, and the Colorado Avalanche added another with less than six seconds remaining in regulation to edge the host St. Louis Blues, 3-2, in a Stanley Cup Playoff contest. Colorado wins the best-of-seven second-round series, four games to two.

Compher pulled the Avalanche into 1-1 and 2-2 ties with his pair of goals. The first came just over five minutes into the second period, while his second came midway through the third stanza on a power play and was assisted by Devon Toews (Quinnipiac). Erik Johnson (Minnesota) then assisted on Darren Helm's winning goal with time winding down to send Colorado to its first conference final in exactly 20 years.

Compher, 27, from Northbrook, Ill., has 71 goals and 71 assists for 142 points in 341 NHL regular-season games, all with Colorado, to go with 10-13—23 points in 53 career Stanley Cup Playoff outings with the Avalanche. He played three seasons at Michigan (2014-2016), where he recorded 39-79—118 points in 107 appearances. He also helped the Wolverines to a Big Ten playoff title and NCAA tournament berth in his final campaign, when he led them with 47 assists.

Colorado will now face Edmonton, a five-game series winner over Calgary, in the Western Conference final.

Bruins Force Game Seven in Stanley Cup Final

There will be a Game Seven in the 2019 Stanley Cup Final.

The Boston Bruins staved off elimination on Sunday night, and also put the St. Louis Blues' backs to the wall, with a 5-1 win in Game Six at Enterprise Center in Missouri. Boston scored four goals in the third period to break open a game that had been 1-0 since a Bruins' 5-on-3 power-play goal in the first period, with Torey Krug (Michigan State) drawing an assist on that play.

Karson Kuhlman (Minnesota-Duluth), playing in his first game for Boston since April 30, wristed home a puck from the right side to make it 3-0 in the third period as the Bruins knotted the series at three games apiece after dropping the last two contests. Kuhlman was the MVP of the 2018 NCAA Tournament when UMD won its first of two consecutive national championships. Sean Kuraly (Miami) helped set up Boston's fourth goal, after the Blues had pulled within 3-1.

Game Seven will be Wednesday night at TD Garden in Boston (8 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC), to close out both the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs and the 2018-19 NHL season as a whole.

Bruins Go Up Two Games on Canes

Matt Grzelcyk (Boston University) scored two goals, and Charlie Coyle (Boston University) and Torey Krug (Michigan State) tallied three assists apiece as the Boston Bruins pasted the visiting Carolina Hurricanes, 6-2, on Sunday afternoon in Game Two of the 2019 Eastern Conference Final. Boston now leads the best-of-seven series, two games to none.

The Bruins scored twice in each period, and held a 6-0 lead before Carolina scored two third-period goals. Connor Clifton (Quinnipiac) notched what turned out to be the game-winning goal in the second period, the first goal of both his NHL and Stanley Cup Playoff career, while Danton Heinen (Denver) collected a goal and an assist for Boston.

Game Three will be played on Tuesday night (8 p.m., NBCSN, CBC) in Raleigh, N.C.

ADDENDUM: Boston won the series in four games, by scores of 5-2, 6-2, 2-1 and 4-0.

Miller Tops All American NHL Goaltenders in Wins

Ryan Miller (Michigan State) became the all-time winningest American-born goaltender in NHL history earlier this week. The East Lansing, Mich. native recorded his 375th career win on Feb. 17 in making 23 saves as the Anaheim Ducks downed defending Stanley Cup champion Washington, 5-2, in California.

Miller, 38, who turned pro in 2002, was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 1999 NHL Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. In 749 career NHL regular-season appearances through Feb. 20, he has fashioned a 376-270-81 record along with a 2.60 goals-against average and 44 shutouts with Buffalo, St. Louis, Vancouver and Anaheim. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2009-10 as the league's top goaltender, and has played in 57 Stanley Cup Playoff contests. He has also represented the U.S. at two World Championships and two Olympic Winter Games, and backstopped the Americans to the Olympic silver medal in 2010.

In three seasons with his hometown MSU, Miller notched a 73-19-12 record over 106 games, with a 1.54 GAA and an NCAA record 26 shutouts. As a sophomore in 2000-01, he went 31-5-4, led the Spartans to the NCAA Frozen Four, and won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey's top player.   

Oshie, Capitals Force Game Seven Versus Lightning

T.J. Oshie (North Dakota) scored two goals, including the game-winner, on Monday night to keep the Washington Capitals season alive.

Two days after the Caps were pushed to the brink of Stanley Cup Playoff elimination, Washington responded with a 3-0 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final. The deciding seventh game will be played Wednesday night in Florida, where the Caps have already won two of three games in this series.

Oshie opened the scoring on Monday with a power-play goal late in the second period, the Caps' only power play of the game. After Washington made it 2-0 midway through the third stanza, with Jay Beagle (Alaska Anchorage) drawing an assist, Oshie closed out matters with an empty-net goal with 50 seconds remaining in regulation. Washington outshot Tampa Bay on the evening, 34-24.

Wednesday's winner will face the Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights in the 2018 Stanley Cup Final. The expansion Golden Knights advanced to the NHL championship with a 2-1 win at Winnipeg on Sunday that wrapped up that series in five games.