Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Thursday, May 14, 2026
MacKinnon Sparks Comeback as Avalanche Rally from 3-0 Deficit, Eliminate Wild in OT
Brett Kulak scored 3:52 into overtime to complete a stunning comeback, lifting the Colorado Avalanche to a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 on Wednesday and winning their Western Conference Second Round series 4-1. Minnesota led 3-0 after the first period, with Nick Foligno scoring twice and Marcus Johansson opening the scoring just 34 seconds in. Nathan MacKinnon ignited the rally, tying the game 3-3 at 18:37 of the third period with a wrist shot from the left circle. Martin Necas then fed Kulak for the overtime winner. Colorado advances to the Western Conference Final and awaits the winner of the Golden Knights-Ducks series.
Sources: NHL.com
McNabb Suspended for Game 6, Poehling Out as VGK Face Dual Absences Against Ducks
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb will miss Game 6 Thursday in Anaheim after the NHL Department of Player Safety suspended him one game for an interference infraction in Game 5. McNabb hit Ducks center Ryan Poehling nine minutes into the first period, well after the puck had left. Poehling suffered an upper-body injury and will miss Game 6 with no return timeline. McNabb has not been previously suspended in his 14-year NHL career. With both McNabb and captain Mark Stone (lower body) also sidelined for Game 6, Vegas recalled forward Braeden Bowman from the Henderson Silver Knights to bolster their blue line and forward depth.
Sources: NHL.com
Birthday Boy Benson Scores Game-Winner as Sabres Even Canadiens Series at 2-2
Zach Benson scored the go-ahead power-play goal in the third period on his 21st birthday, becoming the first Buffalo Sabres player to score a game-winning playoff goal on his birthday, as Buffalo defeated Montreal 3-2 in Game 4 on Tuesday to even their Eastern Conference Second Round series at 2-2. Tage Thompson contributed a goal and an assist, and Josh Doan added two assists. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 28 saves in his first playoff start since April 21. Alex Newhook scored his fifth playoff goal in three games for Montreal, and Cole Caufield also tallied. Jakub Dobes stopped 19 shots for the Canadiens. Game 5 is Thursday in Buffalo.
Sources: NHL.com
Dorofeyev’s Second Goal Lifts Golden Knights to OT Win, Takes 3-2 Series Lead Over Ducks
Pavel Dorofeyev scored his second goal at 4:10 of overtime, lifting the Vegas Golden Knights past the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in Game 5 on Tuesday to take a 3-2 series lead. Beckett Sennecke’s power-play goal gave Anaheim an early lead, but Dorofeyev equalized on the power play. Tomas Hertl put Vegas ahead 2-1 in the third period before Olen Zellweger, recording his first career playoff goal, tied it 2-2 with 3:05 remaining. Jack Eichel assisted on Dorofeyev’s overtime winner. Vegas can advance to the Western Conference Final with a win in Game 6 Thursday night at Honda Center in Anaheim.
Sources: The Sporting Tribune
Sidney Crosby Joins Team Canada for IIHF World Championship as Barzal Withdraws
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is joining Team Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, which begins Friday, May 15, in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland. Competing in his fourth World Championship, Crosby will serve as a key offensive presence for Canada as it pursues the gold medal. His addition was confirmed by Hockey Canada on Wednesday. New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal has withdrawn from the Canadian roster with an undisclosed injury, leaving a gap in the lineup. The tournament runs through May 31, with Canada opening against Sweden on Friday. Additional NHL players from eliminated playoff teams will continue joining national rosters throughout the group stage.
Sources: TSN
Age Is Just a Number: Hurricanes and Avalanche Lead the Way at 8-0 and 9-1
The Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche are defying age to dominate the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Carolina, with an average age of 29.92, went a perfect 8-0 in two rounds, sweeping both Ottawa and Philadelphia. Colorado, the oldest team in the league at a 30.70 average, is now 9-1 after eliminating Minnesota in overtime Wednesday. Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal, 37, continues to set the example, while Frederik Andersen leads the playoffs with a .925 save percentage on high-danger shots. Nathan MacKinnon, 30, delivered the series-turning tying goal in Game 5. Both clubs are widely regarded as the top Stanley Cup Final contenders ahead of the conference semifinal rounds.
Sources: NHL.com
Michkov Takes Accountability as Flyers Hold Exit Interviews After Playoff Sweep
Philadelphia Flyers coach Rick Tocchet addressed the media on Wednesday, two days after the team was swept from the playoffs by Carolina. He praised Matvei Michkov’s growth while noting the 20-year-old forward struggled in eight playoff games, recording just one assist. Michkov held himself accountable in his own exit session, saying he was unhappy with his performance and that the team expected more from him. Tocchet said the organization plans to give Michkov space to develop and highlighted strides made throughout the regular season. Restricted free agent Samuel Ersson stated he hopes to remain in Philadelphia when contract negotiations begin this summer.
Sources: The Philadelphia Inquirer
Stanley Cup Playoffs — Second Round
Eastern Conference
Carolina Hurricanes vs Philadelphia Flyers — Hurricanes win 4–0
Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres — Series tied 2–2 (Game 5 tonight)
Western Conference
Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild — Avalanche win 4–1
Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks — Golden Knights lead 3–2 (Game 6 tonight)
Conference Finals — To Be Determined
Eastern: Carolina Hurricanes vs winner of Canadiens/Sabres
Western: Colorado Avalanche vs winner of Golden Knights/Ducks
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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