* It was a return to Stanley Cup Playoffs hockey for the NHL record book as the Sabres recorded the second-latest, multi-goal comeback win in regulation during the postseason spurred by Tage Thompson, who scored two of his club’s four goals in the final eight minutes.
* Juraj Slafkovský joined rare franchise and NHL company by scoring three power-play goals during the Canadiens’ series-opening victory including one in overtime to complete the hat trick.
* Day 2 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs saw Buffalo, Montreal and Vegas record a comeback win to take a series lead, marking the first time since 2021 (4) at least three teams overcame a deficit to take a 1-0 lead in the First Round.
* Monday features Connor McDavid and the Oilers hosting Leo Carlsson and the Ducks in Anaheim’s first playoff contest since 2018 as well as the Penguins, Senators and Stars looking to bounce back in Game 2.
SABRES STUN BRUINS WITH MULTI-GOAL COMEBACK IN FINAL EIGHT MINUTES
A stunning final eight minutes in Buffalo saw the Sabres overcome a multi-goal, third period deficit after Tage Thompson (2-1—3), Mattias Samuelsson (1-0—1) and Alex Tuch (1-1—2) combined for four goals in the span of 6:46, sending the fans inside KeyBank Center and outside at the Sabrehood Blockparty into a frenzy as the club took a 1-0 series lead. Buffalo won its first postseason game in nearly 15 years to the day (last April 22, 2011), its second-ever multi-goal, third-period comeback win in the playoffs (also Game 4 of 1993 DSF) and recorded the second-latest multi-goal come-from-behind regulation victory in NHL history.
* Thompson, who has led the Sabres in goals in each of the past five seasons, became just the second player in franchise history to record three points in their playoff debut, following Pierre Turgeon (2-1—3 in Game 1 of 1988 DSF). Only two players in NHL history have posted more in their first-ever postseason contest: Dominik Kubalik (2-3—5 in Game 1 of 2020 SCQ) and Daryl Evans (2-2—4 in Game 1 of 1982 DSF). Thompson also tied the Sabres record for most points in a playoff period.
* The Sabres became the eighth team in NHL history to record a two-goal, third-period comeback win in the final 10 minutes of a game and win in regulation. The last team to do so was the Hurricanes (April 22, 2024).
SLAFKOVSKÝ COMPLETES HAT TRICK WITH OVERTIME GOAL AS CANADIENS TAKE GAme 1
Juraj Slafkovský scored his third power-play goal of the contest at 1:22 of overtime to complete his first career postseason hat trick and propel Montreal to a 1-0 lead in its First Round series.
* Slafkovský became the third player in franchise playoff history with a hat trick that included an overtime goal, following Eric Desjardins (Game 2 of 1993 SCF) and Gerry Plamondon (Game 2 of 1949 SF). Slafkovský was the first on any team to achieve the feat during the postseason since Joel Kiviranta (Game 7 of 2020 R2).
* Slafkovský (22 years, 20 days) became the third-youngest player in franchise playoff history with a hat trick behind Bernie Geoffrion (21 years, 40 days in Game 2 of 1952 SF) and Howie Morenz (21 years, 183 days in Game 1 of 1924 SCF). Slafkovský was the youngest with one during the postseason NHL-wide since Andrei Svechnikov (20 years, 130 days in Game 2 of 2020 SCQ).
* Slafkovskýbecame the Canadiens’ first player on record (since 1934 when goals by type were officially tracked) with three power-play goals in a playoff game. He was the League’s 12th different skater to achieve the feat and first since Jonathan Toews (Game 4 of 2010 CSF). 
STONE GRABS GOLDEN KNIGHTS RECORD EN ROUTE TO 1-0 SERIES LEAD
Trailing 2-1 to start the third period, Mark Stone (1-0—1) pulled the Golden Knights even – setting a franchise record in the process – and Nic Dowd (1-0—1) netted the game winner as Vegas rallied to defeat Utah and take a 1-0 series lead. The Golden Knights earned their 63rd playoff win – tied with the Lightning for the most among all teams since they entered the League in 2017-18.
* Stonescored his 37th playoff goal with the Golden Knights and surpassed Jonathan Marchessault (36) for the most in franchise history. Stone’s goal was a timely one: it marked the fourth time that he factored on a tying goal in the third period of a playoff game with Vegas, which is tiedwith William Karlsson for the second most behind Marchessault(5).
MacKINNON, WEDGEWOOD HELP AVALANCHE EARN 1-0 SERIES LEAD
Nathan MacKinnon (0-1—1) continued his offensive production from the regular season in Game 1, while Scott Wedgewood stopped 24 of 25 shots faced in his first career playoff start to help the Avalanche take a 1-0 series lead against the Kings.
* MacKinnon boosted his career Game 1 totals to 13-19—32 and passed Peter Forsberg (31) for the second most in franchise history, trailing only Joe Sakic (42). Those two aforementioned Avalanche legends are the only two players ahead of MacKinnon on the franchise’s all-time playoff goals, assists and points lists.
* Wedgewood (33 years, 248 days) became the 10th goaltender in Avalanche/Nordiques history to record a win in his first career playoff start with the club and is the eldest among that group, besting Darcy Kuemper (31 years, 363 days in Game 1 of 2022 R1).
COOLEY SCORES MAMMOTH’S FIRST PLAYOFF GOAL IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
Logan Cooley scored Utah’s first Stanley Cup Playoffs goal after factoring on the franchise’s first-ever regular-season goal scored by Dylan Guenther on Oct. 8, 2024 – this was one of a number of notes that can be found in Sunday’s #NHLStats: Live Updates.
QUICK CLICKS
* Color of Hockey: Brett Peterson gearing up U.S. as general manager for 2026 Worlds
* Leon Draisaitl could return to Oilers for Game 1 of West 1st Round against Ducks
* Sidney Crosby‘s history against Flyers could spark Penguins in Game 2
* Stars enter Game 2 of Western 1st Round familiar with handling early adversity
* Frederik Andersen rewards Hurricanes to start Eastern 1st Round, looks to ‘do it again’ in Game 2
Monday has Oilers dueling Ducks in Anaheim’s first playoff game since 2018
Monday’s schedule features Connor McDavid and the Oilers hosting Leo Carlsson and the Ducks in Anaheim’s first postseason contest since Game 4 of the 2018 First Round as well as the Penguins, Senators and Stars looking to even their series.
* The Ducks will officially snap their seven-season playoff drought when the puck drops against the Oilers, who begin their quest for a third straight Stanley Cup Final appearance and first championship since 1990. Anaheim’s last series victory was versus Edmonton in the 2017 Second Round, which followed McDavid’s first career Art Ross Trophy and brought an end to his first playoff run.
* McDavid won five more regular-season scoring titles since then and looks to add a championship to his trophy case which features 15 individual NHL Awards. Carlsson and fellow young stars Cutter Gauthier and Beckett Sennecke are set to make their postseason debut after contributing to several late-game rallies by the Ducks, whose last series against the Oilers featured the latest three-goal comeback win in Stanley Cup Playoffs history.
* Sidney Crosby has 76 career points in games immediately following a playoff loss by his team and can tie Nicklas Lidstrom (77) for the sixth-highest total in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky (111), Doug Gilmour (93), Mark Messier (83), Ray Bourque (79) and Nikita Kucherov (78). Bourque’s total includes two assists in Game 5 of the 1988 Stanley Cup Final after Game 4 was suspended due to power failure following the Bruins’ loss in Game 3.
* Crosby and Claude Giroux have 39 points apiece in games where their club faced a series deficit, while Brady Tkachuk tallied a team-leading four goals and seven points in five of those contests last year. Wyatt Johnston and the Stars dropped their postseason-opening game against the Avalanche in the 2025 First Round but bounced back with consecutive overtime wins before earning a seven-game victory capped by Johnston’s franchise record-tying third series clincher.
