Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Stankoven Powers Hurricanes Past Flyers 3–0 in Round 2 Opener
Logan Stankoven scored twice and goaltender Frederik Andersen made 19 saves as the Carolina Hurricanes blanked the Philadelphia Flyers 3–0 Saturday in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference second-round series at PNC Arena. Stankoven opened the scoring at 1:31 of the first period, tipping Brent Reilly's one-timer to the net, and added his second goal at 16:16 of the second. The 22-year-old has now scored in each of his first five playoff games, becoming the youngest player in franchise history — and the fifth active NHL player — to record a five-game postseason goal-scoring streak from game one of a playoff run.
Sources: NBC Sports
Sweden Claims U18 World Championship Gold, Defeating Slovakia 4–1
Sweden claimed the gold medal at the 2026 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship on Saturday, defeating Slovakia 4–1 in the final at Gastonia, North Carolina. Wiggo Sorensson opened the scoring at 5:53 of the first period, and Elton Hermansson made it 2–0 late in the second. Adam Andersson and Ola Palme each added goals in the third, with Ivan Matta scoring a consolation goal for Slovakia. It is Sweden's third U18 world championship title. Slovakia appeared in their first-ever gold medal game and outskated many elite programs through the week but were unable to mount a comeback against Sweden's disciplined defence.
Sources: Daily Faceoff
McDavid Played Through Foot and Ankle Fractures During Oilers' Playoff Exit
Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed Saturday that captain Connor McDavid played the entirety of the team's first-round loss to the Anaheim Ducks while carrying a fracture in the foot and ankle area. Knoblauch also revealed that forward Jason Dickinson suffered a similar fracture. McDavid sustained the injury during a collision in Game 2 and was listed as a gametime decision for Games 5 and 6 but suited up in both. General manager Stan Bowman stated that neither player would require surgery. McDavid finished the six-game series with six points but posted a minus-8 rating as Edmonton was eliminated in the first round.
Sources: TSN
Young Ducks Take On Veteran Golden Knights as Western Round 2 Opens Monday
The Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights open their Western Conference second-round series Monday after contrasting first-round runs. Anaheim, returning to the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons, stunned the Edmonton Oilers in six games behind defenseman Jackson LaCombe's nine points and goaltender Lukas Dostal. Vegas eliminated the Utah Mammoth in six games with Mitch Marner — acquired from Toronto last July — posting seven points in six games, finally delivering a signature playoff performance. Anaheim swept their regular-season series against the Knights three games to none, all by 4–3 scores. Game 1 is Monday at T-Mobile Arena at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Sources: Daily Faceoff
Goncalves' OT Winner Sets Up Winner-Take-All Game 7 at Tampa Bay Tonight
The Tampa Bay Lightning host the Montreal Canadiens tonight at 6 p.m. ET in a winner-take-all Game 7 at Amalie Arena after Gage Goncalves scored 17:02 into overtime in Game 6 to even the first-round series at three games apiece. Goncalves's goal silenced a raucous Bell Centre crowd and kept Tampa's season alive after the Canadiens had led the series 3–2. Five of the six games in the series have been decided by a single goal. The winner advances to face the Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference second round. The Lightning hold a strong home-ice record in elimination and Game 7 situations at Amalie Arena.
Sources: TSN
MacKinnon vs. Hughes: Avalanche and Wild Open Western Round 2 Tonight in Denver
The Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild open their Western Conference second-round series tonight at Ball Arena at 9 p.m. ET, headlined by the postseason debut of superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes — acquired by Minnesota from Vancouver during the season — against Colorado's Cale Makar in what many observers consider the marquee defensive matchup of the 2026 playoffs. Nathan MacKinnon led Colorado in scoring through their four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Kings. Goaltender Jesper Wallstedt was outstanding for Minnesota during their six-game series win over Dallas. This will be the fourth postseason meeting between the two clubs and the first in the second round.
Sources: NHL.com
Round 2 Underway: Hurricanes, Avalanche Among Heavy Favorites According to Writers
With the Stanley Cup Playoffs' second round now underway, 13 of 15 NHL.com staff writers are picking the Carolina Hurricanes to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference, while 12 of 15 are backing the Colorado Avalanche over the Minnesota Wild in the West. Frederik Andersen's .955 save percentage and 1.10 goals-against average in the first round — both tops among playoff goaltenders — have cemented Carolina as the consensus favourite to advance. In the other Western series, the Vegas Golden Knights hold a slight edge over Anaheim in predictions despite the Ducks' regular-season sweep of Vegas. The Buffalo Sabres await the winner of tonight's Game 7.
Sources: NHL.com
Stanley Cup Playoffs — Second Round
Eastern Conference — Second Round
Hurricanes vs. Flyers — Hurricanes lead 1–0
Sabres vs. Lightning/Canadiens — G7 tonight; series starts May 6
Eastern — First Round Results
Hurricanes defeated Senators 4–0
Flyers defeated Penguins 4–2
Sabres defeated Bruins 4–2
Lightning vs. Canadiens — Game 7 tonight, 6 p.m. ET
Western Conference — Second Round
Avalanche vs. Wild — Game 1 tonight, 9 p.m. ET
Golden Knights vs. Ducks — Game 1 Monday, May 4
Western — First Round Results
Avalanche defeated Kings 4–0
Wild defeated Stars 4–2
Golden Knights defeated Mammoth 4–2
Ducks defeated Oilers 4–2
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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