Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Dorofeyev’s OT Winner Lifts Golden Knights to 3–2 Series Lead Over Ducks
Pavel Dorofeyev scored twice, including the overtime winner at 4:10, as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3–2 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Second Round on Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena. Dorofeyev collected a bounce off goalie Lukas Dostal’s pad after Jack Eichel kept the puck alive, lifting Vegas to a 3–2 series lead. Tomas Hertl put the Golden Knights ahead 2–1 early in the third before Olen Zellweger’s goal with 3:05 left tied it and sent the game to overtime. Beckett Sennecke opened the scoring on an Anaheim power play in the first period. Vegas can advance with a Game 6 win Thursday in Anaheim.
Sources: ESPN
Benson’s Birthday Power-Play Goal Ties Eastern Second Round at Two Games Apiece
Zach Benson celebrated his 21st birthday with the go-ahead power-play goal at 4:41 of the third period as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3–2 at Bell Centre on Tuesday, tying their Eastern Conference Second Round series 2–2. Benson took a pass from Josh Doan in the slot, kicked the puck to his stick, and tucked a backhander past Jakub Dobes. Tage Thompson added a goal and an assist for the Sabres, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 28 saves in his first start since April 21, when he was replaced mid-game during the first round. Alex Newhook and Cole Caufield scored for Montreal. Game 5 is Thursday night in Buffalo.
Sources: TSN
Carolina Returns to Practice 8–0, Awaiting Eastern Conference Final Opponent
The Carolina Hurricanes returned to practice Tuesday, three days after sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers to advance to the Eastern Conference Final for the second consecutive season. Carolina is 8–0 in the 2026 playoffs, the first team to win its opening two rounds since the current format was established in 1987, and just the fifth team in NHL history to open a postseason with eight straight wins. Goaltender Frederik Andersen has allowed no more than two goals in any of his eight starts, posting a 1.12 goals-against average and .950 save percentage. The Hurricanes will host the winner of the Buffalo–Montreal series in the Eastern Conference Final.
Sources: NHL.com
Colorado Avalanche Host Elimination Game 5 Tonight vs. Minnesota Wild, Lead Series 3–1
The Colorado Avalanche host the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 of their Western Conference Second Round series Wednesday at Ball Arena, with Colorado leading three games to one and looking to advance to the Western Conference Final. Nathan MacKinnon, who had three points in Game 2 alone, has been the primary offensive engine for the Avalanche, who have outscored Minnesota 20–15 across the four games. The Wild won Game 3 convincingly by a 5–1 score to stay alive, but Colorado responded with a 5–2 victory in Game 4. The series winner will face either the Vegas Golden Knights or Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference Final.
Sources: NHL.com
Toronto Maple Leafs Win 2026 Draft Lottery, Will Select First Among McKenna and Stenberg
The Toronto Maple Leafs won the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft Lottery on Tuesday, earning the right to select first overall at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on June 26. Toronto will have the choice of Gavin McKenna, ranked first among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, or Ivar Stenberg, the top-rated international skater from Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League. San Jose won the No. 2 pick, Vancouver secured third. The lottery gives Toronto its highest draft selection since selecting Auston Matthews first overall in 2016. McKenna and Stenberg are the consensus top two prospects, though scouts remain divided on which player should go first.
Sources: ESPN
Crosby Joins Team Canada for 2026 IIHF World Championship as Barzal Withdraws With Injury
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will represent Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Championship in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland, beginning May 15, after Hockey Canada announced Tuesday that Mathew Barzal has withdrawn from the roster with an undisclosed injury. Crosby, 38, is heading to his fourth career appearance at the tournament and second in consecutive years. Hockey Canada also added forwards Porter Martone of Philadelphia and Dawson Mercer of New Jersey to the roster alongside Crosby’s addition. Canada opens play May 15 against Sweden, in an early preview of international competition ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Sources: TSN
Lehkonen, Malinski Day-to-Day as Avalanche Prepare for Elimination Game Tonight
Artturi Lehkonen and defenseman Sam Malinski both missed the Colorado Avalanche’s 5–2 Game 4 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Monday with upper-body injuries and remained day-to-day ahead of Wednesday’s Game 5 at Ball Arena. Lehkonen, who plays on the Avalanche’s top line alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas, had appeared in every playoff game before his absence in Game 4, recording three goals and three assists in seven contests. Lehkonen sustained the injury in Saturday’s 5–1 Game 3 loss. Colorado hoped a rest day between games would aid both players’ recoveries. The Avalanche lead the series 3–1 and can eliminate Minnesota with a win tonight.
Sources: CBS Sports
Stanley Cup Playoffs — Second Round
Eastern Conference
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers — Hurricanes win 4–0
Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens — Series tied 2–2
Western Conference
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild — Avalanche lead 3–1
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Anaheim Ducks — Golden Knights lead 3–2
Curated by JD · samwise.agency