Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Hurricanes Sweep Senators to Advance to Second Round
The Carolina Hurricanes swept the Ottawa Senators from the playoffs with a 4-2 Game 4 victory at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday. Logan Stankoven scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, finishing the series with a goal in each game. Hall added a goal and an assist for Carolina, the Metropolitan Division’s top seed. Ottawa pushed hard in the final minutes but could not overcome the deficit. With the sweep, the Hurricanes extended their streak of earning at least one playoff series win to eight consecutive years, joining the Canadiens and Flyers as the only franchises to accomplish the feat. Carolina now waits to learn their second-round opponent.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Sabres Carry 2–1 Series Lead into Game 4 Against Bruins
The Buffalo Sabres carry a 2–1 series lead into Game 4 against the Boston Bruins on Sunday, one of the playoffs’ most compelling early surprises. Buffalo stunned Boston in Game 1, rallying for three goals in the final period to win 4–3. The Bruins evened the series in Game 2, but the Sabres responded with a 3–1 victory in Game 3. The series, expected by many to favour Boston, now has the Bruins facing a potential 3–1 deficit on home ice at TD Garden. Josh Norris is day-to-day for Buffalo, while Noah Ostlund returned from injury in Game 3. Game 4 begins at 2 p.m. ET Sunday.
Sources: Bleacher Report
Boldy Deflects Wild Past Stars in Overtime, Series Tied 2–2
The Minnesota Wild defeated the Dallas Stars 3–2 in overtime on Saturday to even their Western Conference first-round series at two games apiece. Matt Boldy redirected a Jared Spurgeon shot past goaltender Jake Oettinger with 29 seconds left in overtime to complete Minnesota’s late comeback. The Wild had trailed entering the third period before rallying to force extra time. Dallas had taken a 2–1 series lead by winning Game 3 in double overtime on a Johnston power-play goal, but was unable to extend its advantage. Game 5 is now set for Dallas, with the series knotted heading into what could be a pivotal stretch for both clubs.
Sources: Star Tribune
Penguins Keep Season Alive with Game 4 Win, Flyers Still Lead 3–1
The Pittsburgh Penguins staved off elimination on Saturday with a 4–2 Game 4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, trimming their first-round series deficit to 3–1. Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell each recorded a goal and an assist to power Pittsburgh. Kris Letang and Connor Dewar also found the net for the Penguins, who delivered a dominant road performance in Philadelphia. Denver Barkey scored his first playoff goal and Travis Konecny also scored for the Flyers. The Penguins face elimination again in Game 5, scheduled for Monday at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. A Flyers victory would advance Philadelphia to the second round.
Sources: NHL.com
Mammoth Win Historic First Home Playoff Game, Take 2–1 Lead Over Knights
The Utah Mammoth secured the first home Stanley Cup Playoff win in franchise history on Friday, beating the Vegas Golden Knights 4–2 at Delta Center to take a 2–1 first-round series lead. Lawson Crouse scored twice in a 5:42 span in the second period, becoming the 12th player in NHL history with multiple goals in a franchise’s first home playoff game. Clayton Keller added two assists for his first multi-point playoff performance, and MacKenzie Weegar netted the opening goal. Head coach André Tourigny said the crowd noise made it difficult to communicate line changes, underscoring how much energy the second-year franchise brought to its home debut in the postseason.
Sources: Deseret News
Ehlers Misses Hurricanes’ Series-Clinching Game with Lower-Body Injury
Nikolaj Ehlers did not suit up for Carolina in Game 4 of the Hurricanes’ first-round series against Ottawa on Saturday due to a lower-body injury. The Hurricanes confirmed Ehlers would be out of the lineup but provided no timetable for his return. Carolina won 4–2 without him to complete a series sweep. Ehlers’ absence clouds the Hurricanes’ outlook heading into the second round. With games set to begin within days, Carolina’s medical staff will assess whether he can return. His speed and skill on the wing are central to the team’s offensive identity, making his recovery status among the most closely watched injury stories as the playoffs continue.
Sources: NHL.com
McDavid Scores but Oilers’ Leaky Defence Leaves Team Trailing in Duck Series
Connor McDavid scored but the Edmonton Oilers trail 2–1 in their series after a 7–4 loss at Honda Center on Friday. Anaheim scored four times in the third period, with Beckett Sennecke and Leo Carlsson finding the net 42 seconds apart to break the game open. Mikael Granlund had a goal and three assists, and Lukas Dostal stopped 20 shots for Anaheim in the Ducks’ first home playoff game in nine years. Edmonton has conceded 14 goals through three games, with defensive lapses repeatedly benefitting the opportunistic young Ducks. Game 4 is Sunday at Honda Center, where Edmonton must regroup to avoid a commanding 3–1 series deficit.
Sources: TSN
Stanley Cup Playoffs — First Round
Eastern Conference
Carolina Hurricanes vs Ottawa Senators — Hurricanes win 4–0
Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning — Canadiens lead 2–1
Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins — Sabres lead 2–1 (Game 4 today)
Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins — Flyers lead 3–1
Western Conference
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings — Avalanche lead 3–0 (Game 4 today)
Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild — Series tied 2–2
Utah Mammoth vs Vegas Golden Knights — Mammoth lead 2–1
Anaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers — Ducks lead 2–1 (Game 4 today)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency