Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Kaprizov's Three-Point Night Lifts Wild Past Stars, Series Now 3–2
Kirill Kaprizov recorded a goal and two assists Tuesday night as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Dallas Stars 4–2 in Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Mats Zuccarello opened the scoring in his return from injury, and Matt Boldy delivered the go-ahead goal for the second consecutive game. Michael McCarron also scored before Kaprizov added an empty-net goal at 18:00 to seal the result. Jesper Wallstedt stopped 20 shots. The Wild lead the best-of-seven series 3–2 and are one win away from their first playoff series victory in 11 years. Game 6 is Thursday in Minnesota at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Sources: BVM Sports
Draisaitl Scores Twice as Oilers Avoid Elimination; McDavid Battles Through Ankle Injury
Leon Draisaitl scored twice and the Edmonton Oilers avoided elimination with a 4–1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round at Rogers Place on Tuesday. Vasily Podkolzin opened the scoring just 2:22 into the first period, triggering a three-goal burst by Edmonton in a 7:51 span that left the Ducks trailing 3–0 after one. Draisaitl added his second goal in the third. Evan Bouchard collected three assists while Connor McDavid, playing through an ankle injury suffered in Game 2, contributed two assists. Connor Ingram made 29 saves. The Ducks still lead the best-of-seven series 3–2. Game 6 is Thursday at Honda Center.
Sources: NHL.com
Pastrnak's Overtime Goal Keeps Bruins Alive, Sends Series Back to Boston
David Pastrnak scored 9:14 into overtime Tuesday to give the Boston Bruins a 2–1 win over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round at KeyBank Center, keeping Boston's season alive. Elias Lindholm had tied the game for the Bruins in the second period, answering Rasmus Dahlin's power-play goal for Buffalo. Pastrnak's winner came after Hampus Lindholm broke up a Sabres play at the Boston blue line and spotted him in the neutral zone. Pastrnak outraced Mattias Samuelsson before putting a forehand-backhand move past goaltender Alex Lyon. Jeremy Swayman made 24 saves. Buffalo leads the series 3–2. Game 6 is at TD Garden on Friday.
Sources: Boston.com
Theodore's OT Winner Levels Series as Golden Knights Escape Delta Center in Thriller
Shea Theodore scored 7:48 into overtime Tuesday to give the Vegas Golden Knights a dramatic 5–4 win over the Utah Mammoth in Game 4 at Delta Center, evening the Western Conference First Round series at two wins apiece. Vegas jumped to a 3–0 lead before Utah stormed back with four consecutive goals, including two in a 30-second span. Brett Howden had two goals and an assist for Vegas, while Jack Eichel contributed three assists. Theodore's winner came seconds after the Golden Knights had a first overtime goal waved off for offside. The series is now tied 2–2. Game 5 is Wednesday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Sources: Deseret News
McDavid, Celebrini and Kucherov Named Ted Lindsay Award Finalists
The National Hockey League Players' Association announced Tuesday that the three finalists for the 2025–26 Ted Lindsay Award are Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks, and Nikita Kucherov of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The award recognizes the most outstanding player of the regular season, as voted by fellow NHLPA members. Celebrini, 19, put together a remarkable debut season with 45 goals and 70 assists for 115 points in 82 games, setting a Sharks franchise record. McDavid and Kucherov each had strong campaigns by their own elite standards. The winner will be announced at the NHL Awards ceremony in June.
Sources: Russian Machine Never Breaks
Tkachuk Trade Talk Swirls After Senators Swept; GM Pushes Back on Rumours
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk became the focus of offseason trade speculation Tuesday following the team's second consecutive first-round exit, a four-game sweep at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes. Multiple NHL insiders reported there is a realistic chance the Senators explore moving their captain this summer. Potential landing spots discussed include the Florida Panthers, where brother Matthew plays, along with the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers. Senators general manager Steve Staios pushed back firmly at breakup day Monday, describing the rumours as nonsense. Tkachuk holds a no-movement clause, carries two seasons remaining on his $8.2-million-per-year deal, and has not requested a trade.
Sources: NHL Rumors
Flyers on the Brink: What's at Stake in Tonight's Game 6 Elimination Showdown
The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins meet Wednesday night in a do-or-die Game 6 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, with Philadelphia one win from advancing to the second round. The Flyers built a dominant 3–0 series lead before the Penguins won back-to-back games to force this decider, with Kris Letang's redirect deciding Game 5 on Sunday. Pittsburgh has leaned on veterans Letang and Connor Dewar down the stretch, while Flyers forward Matvei Michkov has been dynamic through five games. A Flyers win sends them to face Carolina; a Penguins win extends a dramatic comeback. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Sources: Last Word On Hockey
Stanley Cup Playoffs — First Round
Eastern Conference
Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins — Sabres lead 3–2
Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning — Series tied 2–2
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators — Hurricanes win 4–0
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins — Flyers lead 3–2
Western Conference
Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings — Avalanche win 4–0
Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars — Wild lead 3–2
Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers — Ducks lead 3–2
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth — Series tied 2–2
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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