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The Hurricanes have their deal with coach Rod Brind'Amour, yet more free-agency challenges loom
Aaron Beard, Associated Press | Posted May 20 - 1:32 p.m. | Save Story
The Carolina Hurricanes locked up their most important free agent in coach Rod Brind'Amour less than week after exiting the NHL playoffs. The Hurricanes now face tough work ahead with numerous key free agents ,including forward Jake Guentzel. There's also defensemen Brett Pesce and Brady Skjei. The team announced a multi-year deal with Brind'Amour on Sunday. Brind'Amour has led Carolina to six straight playoff trips. This year's team reached the second round of the playoffs before losing to the Presidents' Trophy-winning New York Rangers. The Hurricanes also have restricted free agents in talented youngsters Seth Jarvis and Martin Necas.
Avalanche face hard decisions with Landeskog, Nichushkin in offseason after 2nd round loss to Dallas
Pat Graham, Associated Press | Posted May 20 - 11:36 a.m. | Save Story
The biggest factor in the direction of the Colorado Avalanche's offseason plans may just hinge on trust. It's the trust in whether captain Gabriel Landeskog can make a comeback after missing two full seasons with a knee injury. It's also the trust in whether Valeri Nichushkin can be counted on after leaving in the middle of a second straight postseason for off-the-ice issues. President Joe Sakic and general manager Chris MacFarland face some hard decisions after the Avalanche saw their season come to a halt with a double-overtime home loss to the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of the second round.
Lafrenière continuing his breakthrough season as a solid contributor for Rangers in NHL playoffs
Vin A. Cherwoo, Associated Press | Updated May 19 - 5:50 p.m. | Save Story
After a breakthrough regular season, Alexis Lafrenière has continued to be a solid contributor for the New York Rangers in their run to the Eastern Conference final. Selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft, the Quebec native came into the league with high expectations for a Rangers team looking to come out of a rebuilding process. Lafrenière made the team as a 19-year-old rookie, and has steadily increased his production each year since. Playing on a line with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck this season, Lafrenière put up career highs of 28 goals, 29 assists and 57 points. In the playoffs so far, Lafrenière has four goals and six assists.
Dallas Stars get some needed rest at home after starting to 'run on fumes' in NHL playoffs
Stephen Hawkins, Associated Press | Posted May 19 - 2:00 p.m. | Save Story
The Dallas Stars finally got to rest at home. Sunday was the first time in a month since the start of the NHL playoffs that they didn't have a game, practice or travel. Coach Pete DeBoer says his team was starting to run on fumes but can fill the tank quickly with what he calls a critical break. Dallas still doesn't know who it will play when hosting Game 1 of the Western Conference Final on Thursday night. Edmonton and Vancouver play Game 7 in the other second-round Western Conference series Monday night.
Aleksander Barkov, the Panthers' reluctant star, leads without having to say much
Tim Reynolds, Associated Press | Posted May 19 - 1:20 p.m. | Save Story
Aleksander Barkov had two game-winning goals in Florida's series against Boston. And he had a game-saving blocked shot in what became the series-clinching win for the Panthers. It was almost like he used that series to prove what is already clear, that he's the best defensive forward in the NHL. The Florida captain has led his team back to the NHL's final four. They'll play the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference final that starts Wednesday. Win that series, and the Panthers will be back in the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight year.
Canucks must 'want that big moment' vs. Oilers in Game 7, coach says
The Associated Press | Posted May 19 - 12:57 p.m. | Save Story
The Vancouver Canucks have preached resilience all season long. Now comes the ultimate test. After an ugly 5-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, the Canucks need to once again showcase their ability to bounce back as the two teams prepare for Game 7 on Monday night in the second-round playoff series. Vancouver hasn't lost back-to-back games since March 25 and 28, but the stakes haven't been higher this season. The winner on Monday will face the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference final.
Carolina Hurricanes re-sign coach Rod Brind'Amour and staff to multiyear deals
Aaron Beard And Stephen Whyno, Associated Press | Posted May 19 - 12:09 p.m. | Save Story
The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed coach Rod Brind'Amour and his staff to multiyear contracts. The team has reached the playoffs and won at least a round in all six seasons since Brind'Amour took over. Brind'Amour's uncertain status had been a talking point around the NHL in recent months, given his stature as one of the best coaches in hockey. Carolina reached the second round this year before losing to the New York Rangers in six games. Brind'Amour has become synonymous with the organization he also captained to the Stanley Cup in 2006.
Dallas Stars into their 2nd West final in a row after knocking out last two Cup champions
Stephen Hawkins, Associated Press | Updated May 18 - 11:34 p.m. | Save Story
The Dallas Stars finally get a little bit of a breather after avoiding another Game 7 on the way to their second Western Conference final in a row. The top-seeded Stars knocked out the last two Stanley Cup champions while playing 13 games in 26 nights. The last one stretched past midnight into early Saturday, when Matt Duchene's game-winning goal in double overtime ended Game 6 at 2022 champion Colorado. Dallas began these playoffs with a seven-game series over Vegas, which last year beat the Stars in the West final and then won the Stanley Cup. Dallas will host Game 1 next Thursday against Edmonton or Vancouver.
Oilers beat Canucks 5-1 to force deciding Game 7 in second-round series
The Associated Press | Updated May 18 - 10:30 p.m. | Save Story
Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each had a goal and two assists, Connor McDavid added three assists and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-1 on Saturday night to avoid elimination and force a deciding Game 7 in their second-round playoff series. Dylan Holloway, Zach Hyman and Evander Kane also scored for the Oilers, and Stuart Skinner stopped 14 shots. Nils Hoglander scored for Vancouver, which is trying to make it to the Western Conference final for the first time since 2011. Arturs Silovs finished with 22 saves. Game 7 is Monday night in Vancouver, with the winner advancing to face the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference final.
Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov wins Selke Trophy as NHL's best defensive forward
The Associated Press | Posted May 18 - 6:45 p.m. | Save Story
Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov has won the Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward. Barkov is a two-time Selke winner after also finishing first in voting for the award in 2021. The 28-year-old center from Finland was a big part of the Panthers allowing the fewest goals a game this season and won 57.3% of his faceoffs. He received 156 of 194 first-place votes. In the playoffs, Barkov has led Florida to a second consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference final.
Pittsburgh Penguins' Mike Sullivan named U.S. men's hockey coach for 2026 Milan Olympics
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press | Posted May 18 - 8:40 a.m. | Save Story
Mike Sullivan has been selected U.S. coach for the 2026 Milan Olympics. USA Hockey announced the long-expected decision Saturday while also saying the Pittsburgh Penguins coach will be behind the bench for the NHL's Four Nations Face-Off tournament next year. Sullivan won the Stanley Cup in 2016 and '17 and is considered among the best American coaches in the sport. Milan marks the return of NHL players to the Olympics after missing the past two. The U.S. lost to eventual champion Canada in the semifinals of the 2014 Sochi Olympics, then to Finland in the bronze-medal game.
Panthers reach Eastern Conference final for second straight year, eliminating Bruins in 6 games
Jimmy Golen, Associated Press | Posted May 18 - 7:54 a.m. | Save Story
The Florida Panthers will play the New York Rangers for a spot in the Stanley Cup Final. Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final is on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. Florida beat Boston 2-1 on Friday night to win their second-round series in six games. Gustav Forsling scored the tiebreaking goal on a rebound with 1:33 left. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 22 shots for the Panthers. Anton Lundell scored for the Panthers and set up the game winner. Jeremy Swayman stopped 26 shots for the Bruins. Pavel Zacha scored for Boston.
Duchene scores winner in 2nd OT, Stars advance to Western Conference final with 2-1 win over Avs
Pat Graham, Associated Press | Updated May 18 - 1:51 a.m. | Save Story
Matt Duchene scored at 11:42 of the second overtime after being involved in a play that led to a goal disallowed for goaltender interference in the first OT and the Dallas Stars advanced to the Western Conference final with a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6. Duchene, a former draft pick of the Avalanche, secured a loose puck in front of the net and sent it over a sprawled out Alexandar Georgiev. Duchene took off down the ice and slid on his knees in celebration. Dallas advances to face either Edmonton or Vancouver. It's the second straight trip to the conference final for the Stars, who lost last season to eventual Stanley Cup champion Vegas. Jake Oettinger was stellar all night in making 29 saves.
Panthers beat Bruins with late game-winner, advance to Eastern Conference final
Jimmy Golen, Associated Press | Updated May 17 - 10:32 p.m. | Save Story
Gustav Forsling scored the tiebreaking goal on a rebound with 1:33 left to lead the Florida Panthers to a 2-1 victory and eliminate the Boston Bruins from their second-round playoff series in six games. Bobrovsky stopped 22 shots for the Panthers. They advance to the Eastern Conference finals, where they will face the New York Rangers. Game 1 is on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. Anton Lundell scored for the Panthers and also set up the game-winner. The Panthers also knocked the Bruins out of the playoffs after their record-setting regular-season last year. Jeremy Swayman stopped 26 shots for the Bruins. Pavel Zacha scored Boston's only goal.
Boston captain Brad Marchand returns for must-win Game 6 against Panthers
The Associated Press | Posted May 17 - 4:45 p.m. | Save Story
Bruins captain Brad Marchand was dressed and back in the lineup for Boston in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Florida Panthers. Marchand missed two games with an undisclosed injury after getting hit in the head by Panthers forward Sam Bennett. The team's longest-tenured player and No. 2 scorer this season returned to practice on Friday morning and was deemed a game-time decision. Marchand had 29 goals and 38 assists in the regular season and 10 points in the first 10 games of the playoffs. The Panthers led the best-of-seven series 3-2.
Oilers thinking 'one game at a time' ahead of must-win Game 6 against Canucks
The Associated Press | Posted May 17 - 4:38 p.m. | Save Story
The Edmonton Oilers have been here before, heading back home with their season on the line. They're hoping for a different result this time around. Last year, the Oilers fell behind Vegas 3-2 before returning to Edmonton for Game 6. The Golden Knights wrapped up the series with a 5-2 victory in that game and went on to win the Stanley Cup. The Oilers are in a must-win situation again after a 3-2 loss to Vancouver in Game 6 of their second-round Stanley playoff series. The Canucks hold a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven matchup and can advance to the Western Conference final with a win in Saturday's Game 6 in Edmonton.
Toronto Maple Leafs hire Craig Berube as coach, hoping veteran can turn around longtime playoff woes
The Associated Press | Updated May 17 - 3:42 p.m. | Save Story
The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired Craig Berube as coach. Berube replaces Sheldon Keefe who was fired after another early playoff exit. Berube brings championship experience to the NHL's most intense market after coaching the St. Louis Blues to the Stanley Cup in 2019. The Leafs have the longest Cup drought in the league having not won it since 1967 when there were just six teams. This is Berube's third stint as an NHL head coach. He's also the third coach who will lead the Maple Leafs' core group of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares.
Stars center Roope Hintz out for Game 6 with upper-body injury; Avs without center Yakov Trenin
The Associated Press | Posted May 17 - 12:40 p.m. | Save Story
The Dallas Stars will be without center Roope Hintz for a second straight game because of an upper-body injury. Hintz will miss Game 6 of their second-round series with the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night. The Stars can advance to the Western Conference Final for the second year in a row with a win. Hintz left Monday's 5-1 victory at Colorado after blocking a shot in the first period. Earlier in the game, he went down hard when he was cross-checked by Nathan MacKinnon. Colorado will be without center Yakov Trenin because of an upper-body injury.
Kreider pushes Rangers to the NHL's Eastern Conference Final for the 2nd time in 3 postseasons
Aaron Beard, Associated Press | Posted May 17 - 4:00 a.m. | Save Story
The New York Rangers are in the Eastern Conference Final for the second time in three seasons after a big performance from Chris Kreider. The 33-year-old forward who has spent his entire 12-year career with the Rangers had a third-period hat trick for the Rangers to rally past Carolina and close out that second-round playoff series in six games. Kreider leads the team with seven postseason goals and has 10 points. He has scored at least one point in seven of 10 playoff games. Kreider played in the Stanley Cup Final with the Rangers in 2014.
