Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Sabres Score Seven Straight, Force Game 7 With 8–3 Rout of Canadiens
The Buffalo Sabres scored seven consecutive goals Saturday night to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 8–3 in Game 6 and tie the Eastern Conference Second Round series three games apiece. Rasmus Dahlin opened the scoring 32 seconds in, but Montreal answered with three straight goals to lead 3–1 after the first period. Buffalo then took over, erasing the deficit and not looking back. Dahlin finished with five points (one goal, four assists), Tage Thompson contributed a goal and three assists, and Jack Quinn scored twice on the power play. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 17 saves in relief of Alex Lyon. Game 7 is Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET in Buffalo.
Sources: NHL.com
Game 7 in Buffalo: Sabres and Canadiens Meet for Eastern Conference Final Berth
The Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens play a winner-take-all Game 7 on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET at KeyBank Center, with the victor advancing to the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Sabres carry momentum after Saturday’s 8–3 blowout, led by five-point performances from Rasmus Dahlin and strong goaltending from Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Montreal had led the series 3–2 heading into Game 6 and stumbles into the deciding contest. Buffalo is 4–1 on the road this postseason, while the Canadiens are 1–4 away from home. The winner faces Carolina, which has gone 8–0 through the first two rounds with sweeps of Ottawa and Philadelphia.
Sources: ESPN
Hurricanes Enter East Final at Historic 8–0 After Two-Round Sweep Streak
The Carolina Hurricanes enter the Eastern Conference Final having won all eight playoff games, the first team to accomplish that feat through two rounds since the current four-round, seven-game format was adopted in 1987. Carolina swept the Ottawa Senators in the first round and the Philadelphia Flyers in the second, highlighted by Jackson Blake’s overtime winner to clinch Game 4. The Hurricanes, who entered the playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s top seed with a record of 53–22–7, now await the winner of Monday’s Game 7 between the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens. The ECF begins either Tuesday, May 19 or Thursday, May 21, in Raleigh.
Sources: CBS Sports
Avalanche and Golden Knights Set for Western Conference Final Showdown Beginning May 20
Two Stanley Cup champions from this decade meet when the Colorado Avalanche host the Vegas Golden Knights beginning Wednesday, May 20, at Ball Arena in Denver. Colorado, the Presidents’ Trophy winners with 121 regular-season points, enter behind Nathan MacKinnon’s 13 playoff points (seven goals, six assists) and Cale Makar’s four goals from the blue line. Vegas counters with Mitch Marner, the NHL’s leading playoff scorer with 18 points in 12 games, supported by Jack Eichel’s 15 points and Pavel Dorofeyev’s league-leading nine goals. Colorado won the Cup in 2022; Vegas hoisted it in 2023. Game 1 is Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Sources: ESPN
Teravainen Exits IIHF World Championship With Undisclosed Injury, Finland Announces
Chicago Blackhawks winger Teuvo Teravainen will miss the remainder of the 2026 IIHF World Championship with an undisclosed injury, Team Finland announced Saturday. Teravainen contributed two assists in Finland’s opening win over Germany before leaving the tournament. The 31-year-old forward had already logged an extended 2025–26 campaign as Chicago’s lone representative at this past winter’s Olympics. Finland has not disclosed the nature of the injury or an expected return timeline. The development is a significant loss for the Finns, who entered the tournament in Fribourg, Switzerland with aspirations of advancing deep into the knockout rounds. The championship continues through May 31.
Sources: The Hockey News
Canada Blanks Italy 6–0 to Stay Perfect at 2026 IIHF World Championship
Canada overwhelmed Italy 6–0 in their second game of the 2026 IIHF World Championship on Saturday in Fribourg, Switzerland, staying perfect in Group B. The Canadians scored three goals in the opening period and added three more in the second to cruise to a dominant win. With Sidney Crosby leading the team, Canada has been one of the most formidable sides in the early going of the tournament, which runs through May 31. Italy, one of the lower-seeded nations in Group B, faces a steep climb to qualify for the quarterfinal round. Canada’s next preliminary game is scheduled for Monday, May 18.
Sources: FloHockey
Stanley Cup Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Second Round
Carolina Hurricanes def. Philadelphia Flyers 4–0
Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens — Series tied 3–3 (Game 7: May 18)
Conference Final
Carolina Hurricanes vs. BUF/MTL — Not started (begins May 19 or 21)
Western Conference
Second Round
Colorado Avalanche def. Minnesota Wild 4–1
Vegas Golden Knights def. Anaheim Ducks 4–2
Conference Final
Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights — Not started (Game 1: May 20)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency