Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Monday, May 4, 2026
Canadiens Edge Lightning 2-1 in Game 7 on Newhook's Third-Period Goal
The Montreal Canadiens advanced to the second round on May 3, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in Game 7 at Amalie Arena. Nick Suzuki opened the scoring before Alex Newhook netted the winner at 11:07 of the third period. Goaltender Jakub Dobes was outstanding, stopping 28 of 29 shots in just his second full playoff start. The Canadiens achieved the victory despite generating only nine shots on goal — among the fewest ever by a Game 7 winner. Montreal faces the Atlantic Division-leading Buffalo Sabres in the second round, with Game 1 scheduled for May 6 at KeyBank Center.
Sources: TSN
Avalanche Outlast Wild 9-6 in One of the Highest-Scoring Playoff Games in NHL History
The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Minnesota Wild 9-6 in Game 1 on May 3, producing one of the highest-scoring games in NHL playoff history. The 15 combined goals are tied for third-most ever in a single postseason game, with 14 different players finding the scoresheet. Colorado built a 3-0 lead before Minnesota rallied to lead 5-4, then the Avalanche scored five of the final six goals to secure the win. Defenseman Cale Makar left the game early after a hit from Marcus Foligno, but returned to score twice in the third period. Scott Wedgewood made 30 saves for Colorado. Game 2 is Tuesday in Denver.
Sources: CBS Sports
Andersen Shuts Out Flyers as Hurricanes Take Game 1 of Round 2, 3-0
The Carolina Hurricanes took Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Second Round series with a 3-0 shutout win over the Philadelphia Flyers on May 2 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh. Logan Stankoven scored twice and Jackson Blake also netted one as the Hurricanes struck early and never surrendered the lead. Frederik Andersen stopped all 18 shots he faced for his second playoff shutout of the 2026 postseason, passing Cam Ward for the most career victories by a goaltender in Hurricanes franchise history with 24. Carolina's penalty kill held Philadelphia scoreless on four power-play opportunities. The Hurricanes are in a commanding early position in this series.
Sources: NHL.com
Stankoven Scores Twice to Extend Franchise-Record Playoff Goal Streak to Five Games
Forward Logan Stankoven has scored in each of Carolina's five playoff games, setting a franchise record for the Hurricanes and becoming the first NHL player his age or younger to score in five consecutive playoff games to start a postseason. Stankoven now has six goals in five postseason games, a career high. The young forward scored on a first-period redirect just 1:31 into Game 1 against Philadelphia before adding a second goal before the period closed. Stankoven scored in all four games of Carolina's first-round sweep of Ottawa before extending the run in the second round. His postseason is already the most productive individual playoff start in Hurricanes franchise history.
Sources: Yardbarker
Sabres Lose Carrick and Ostlund for Round 2 with Injury Designations
Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff confirmed on Sunday that forwards Sam Carrick and Noah Ostlund will both miss the team's entire second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens. Carrick has been sidelined since sustaining an upper-body injury on March 31, during a fight in a regular-season game against the New York Islanders. Ostlund suffered a lower-body injury in Game 5 against Boston after Bruins forward Casey Mittelstadt fell awkwardly on the Swedish forward's leg in the first period. The Sabres, the Atlantic Division's top seed, open their second-round series at KeyBank Center on Wednesday, May 6, facing Montreal without two important contributors to their regular-season success.
Sources: CBS Sports
Ducks End Nine-Year Postseason Series Drought with 5-2 Victory Over Oilers in Game 6
The Anaheim Ducks recorded their first postseason series victory since 2017 on April 30, defeating the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 in Game 6 at Honda Center to take the Western Conference First Round series 4-2. Leo Carlsson, Troy Terry and Chris Kreider each posted a goal and two assists to pace the attack. Ryan Poehling scored the opening goal, Cutter Gauthier added another, and goaltender Lukas Dostal stopped 25 shots. Anaheim advances to face the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round, with Game 1 set for Monday at T-Mobile Arena. Edmonton's exit represents the franchise's earliest playoff departure since being swept by the Winnipeg Jets in 2021.
Sources: TSN
McDavid and Draisaitl Both Played Injured as Oilers Fall Short in First Round
The Edmonton Oilers' first-round exit to the Anaheim Ducks can be traced in large part to the health of their two franchise cornerstones. Leon Draisaitl missed the final 14 regular-season games with a lower-body injury sustained in March, then returned for the playoffs but was clearly limited. Connor McDavid suffered an ankle injury in Game 2 and played through it with diminished effectiveness for the rest of the series. Both players acknowledged in post-elimination remarks that Edmonton took a step backward this season. The Oilers, Stanley Cup finalists each of the past two years, fell in the first round for the second time in three postseasons.
Sources: NHL.com
Second Round Set: Eight Teams Begin Quest for Conference Finals Berths
The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs enter the second round with all eight remaining teams confirmed following Sunday's Game 7 results. In the Eastern Conference, the Buffalo Sabres host the Montreal Canadiens beginning May 6, while the Carolina Hurricanes opened a 1-0 series lead over the Philadelphia Flyers. In the Western Conference, the Colorado Avalanche hold a 1-0 advantage over the Minnesota Wild following their historic 9-6 opener, and the Vegas Golden Knights host the Anaheim Ducks in Game 1 this evening at T-Mobile Arena. Each series features the division's top seed with home-ice advantage, with all four series following a 2-2-1-1-1 format through the end of May.
Sources: CBS Sports
Stanley Cup Playoffs — Second Round
Eastern Conference
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers — Hurricanes lead 1–0
Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens — Series begins May 6
Western Conference
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild — Avalanche lead 1–0
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Anaheim Ducks — Game 1 tonight
Curated by JD · samwise.agency