Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Monday, May 18, 2026
Dahlin Makes History with Five Points as Sabres Force Game 7 with 8-3 Rout
Rasmus Dahlin delivered one of the most remarkable individual performances in NHL playoff history Saturday as the Buffalo Sabres crushed the Montreal Canadiens 8-3 in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference Second Round series at Bell Centre. Dahlin, the Buffalo defenseman, recorded a goal and four assists for five points, becoming the first blueliner in NHL history to record five points in an elimination game. The Sabres trailed 3-1 after the first period before scoring seven straight goals to storm back. Tage Thompson added a goal and three assists while Jack Quinn scored two power-play goals to force a deciding Game 7 on Monday in Buffalo.
Sources: NHL.com
Tuch Calls Tonight's Game 7 a Childhood Dream as Sabres and Canadiens Clash for ECF Berth
Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch, who grew up a devoted Sabres fan in Syracuse, New York, described Monday's Game 7 against the Montreal Canadiens as a childhood dream becoming reality. Speaking to reporters Sunday, Tuch reflected on what it means to play a winner-take-all game for the team he idolized as a kid. The Sabres rallied from trailing 3-1 in the series with Saturday's dominant 8-3 win, sparked by Rasmus Dahlin's record-setting five-point performance. A Buffalo victory Monday would send the Sabres to the Eastern Conference Final. Game 7 tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET at KeyBank Center in Buffalo.
Sources: NHL.com
Hurricanes Make NHL History with First-Ever Back-to-Back Sweeps, Await Eastern Conference Final Opponent
The Carolina Hurricanes enter the Eastern Conference Final after making NHL history: they swept their first two playoff series, a feat no team had accomplished since the NHL adopted its four-round format in 1987. Carolina eliminated the Ottawa Senators in four games in the first round and dispatched the Philadelphia Flyers 4-0 in the second round, finishing with a perfect 8-0 record to reach the conference finals. The top seed in the Eastern Conference, the Hurricanes will host the ECF beginning Tuesday or Thursday in Raleigh against either the Buffalo Sabres or Montreal Canadiens, whose Game 7 is scheduled for Monday night in Buffalo.
Sources: CBS Sports
Two Stanley Cup Champions Collide as Avalanche and Golden Knights Set for Western Conference Final
The Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights will meet in the Western Conference Final beginning Wednesday, May 20 in Denver, after both teams advanced through the second round. Colorado, the Central Division champion, swept the Los Angeles Kings and defeated the Minnesota Wild in five games. Vegas, the Pacific Division titlist, eliminated Utah in six games and Anaheim in six. Both franchises have won the Stanley Cup this decade — Colorado in 2022, Vegas in 2023. Nathan MacKinnon leads Colorado averaging 1.44 points per game this postseason, while Mitch Marner, acquired from Toronto last summer, has scored five goals against Anaheim. Colorado enters as a substantial series favorite.
NHL Strips Vegas of Draft Pick and Fines Tortorella $100K After Media Blackout
The Vegas Golden Knights and head coach John Tortorella have been hit with major penalties by the NHL after violating the league's media regulations following Game 6 of their second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks on May 14. The league stripped Vegas of its 2026 second-round draft pick and fined Tortorella $100,000 after the team declined to open its locker room and made only three players available to reporters. Tortorella himself left the arena without speaking to media, skipping the customary postgame handshake. The NHL noted the penalties came after previous warnings issued to the club regarding compliance with its media policies. Vegas may appeal the decision.
Sources: NHL.com, Bleacher Report
Knies Trade Speculation Intensifies but Maple Leafs GM Chayka Holds Firm on Keeping Star Winger
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies has become the most-talked-about trade target in the NHL's non-playoff market, with multiple teams offering significant packages for the 23-year-old forward. At least one club has reportedly offered a larger return for Knies than it would for captain Auston Matthews. New general manager John Chayka has rebuffed all inquiries, describing Knies as a rare blend of size, skating, and skill. Knies himself reportedly wants to stay in Toronto. The Leafs, rebuilding under Chayka, also hold the first overall pick in June's draft at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, adding to the franchise's complex offseason calculus.
Sources: NHL Trade Rumors, Pro Football Network
Canada Opens IIHF World Championship with 5-3 Win over Sweden, Blanks Italy 6-0 on Day Two
Canada opened the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship on Thursday with a 5-3 victory over Sweden in Zurich, Switzerland, with Connor Brown scoring the deciding goal in the third period. Sidney Crosby led the Canadian squad as the tournament, held May 15-31 across Zurich and Fribourg, got underway with 16 nations competing in 64 total games. Canada followed up with a 6-0 shutout of Italy on Day 2, with Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard among the scorers. The United States enter as defending champions, having won the 2025 title in Stockholm and Olympic gold at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.
Sources: TSN, Oilers Nation
Stanley Cup Playoffs
Eastern Conference — Conference Final
Carolina Hurricanes vs TBD — awaiting Game 7 winner
Eastern Conference — Second Round
Carolina Hurricanes def. Philadelphia Flyers 4–0
Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens — Game 7 tonight
Eastern Conference — First Round
Carolina Hurricanes def. Ottawa Senators 4–0
Philadelphia Flyers def. Pittsburgh Penguins (advanced)
Montreal Canadiens def. Tampa Bay Lightning 4–3
Buffalo Sabres advanced from First Round
Western Conference — Conference Final
Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights — Game 1 May 20
Western Conference — Second Round
Colorado Avalanche def. Minnesota Wild 4–1
Vegas Golden Knights def. Anaheim Ducks 4–2
Western Conference — First Round
Colorado Avalanche def. Los Angeles Kings 4–0
Minnesota Wild def. Dallas Stars 4–2
Vegas Golden Knights def. Utah Mammoth 4–2
Anaheim Ducks def. Edmonton Oilers 4–2
Curated by JD · samwise.agency