* David Pastrnak scored his second career overtime goal, both of which have come in games when facing elimination, to help the Bruins force a Game 6 back at TD Garden.
* Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard each put up multi-point performances and helped the Oilers avoid elimination against the Ducks. The Oilers captain was named a Ted Lindsay Award finalist just hours before the game.
* Kirill Kaprizov collected his second three-point game of the First Round, established a franchise record for career playoff goals and helped the Wild move within one win of reaching the Second Round for the first time in more than a decade.
* A three-game Wednesday features the Penguins looking to become the 11th team in NHL history to force a Game 7 after trailing in a series 3-0, while a 3-2 series lead is on the line in both Tampa and Vegas.
SHIPPING OFF TO BOSTON: PASTRNAK POTS OT WINNER AS BRUINS FORCE GAME 6. . .
The Bruins had their backs against the wall early in Game 5 after Rasmus Dahlin opened the scoring four minutes into the contest, but Boston battled back to tie the game thanks to Elias Lindholm (1-0—1) and David Pastrnak (1-0—1) then netted the winner in overtime to keep the Bruins alive in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Boston posted their 18th comeback win to stave off elimination – the third most in NHL history behind Toronto (22) and Montreal (19).
* The Bruins and Sabres became the seventh First Round series to feature at least one overtime game this postseason. The 2026 First Round is one of six opening rounds under the Wild Card format to witness the feat (8 in 2023 & 2017, 7 in 2025, 2021 & 2014).
* Pastrnak tallied his eighth career goal in games when facing elimination, which tied Milan Lucic, Cam Neely and Rick Middleton for the third most in franchise history behind Brad Marchand (10) and Peter McNab (9).
* Pastrnak also became the seventh player in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to score multiple overtime goals to stave off elimination after first achieving the feat in Game 7 of the 2024 First Round. The only others to do so over the past 30 years are Joe Pavelski (Game 4 of 2023 CF & Game 5 of 2008 CSF), Simon Gagne (Game 4 of 2010 CSF & Game 6 of 2004 CF) and Joe Sakic (Game 4 & 5 of 2004 CSF).
. . . WHILE OILERS SCORE EARLY AND OFTEN TO ALSO AVOID ELIMINATION
Connor McDavid (0-2—2), LeonDraisaitl (2-0—2) and EvanBouchard (0-3—3) have been pivotal in Edmonton’s back-to-back runs to the Stanley Cup Final, once again spearheading a quick-strike Oilers offense (three goals in the opening 10:13 of play) en route to a Game 5 win and forcing a Game 6 back in Anaheim on Thursday.
* McDavid factored on a Draisaitl goal for the 28th and 29th time in their Stanley Cup Playoff careers, which tied GlennAnderson (w/ MarkMessier) for the fifth most by one player in NHL history. In the process, the Oilers captain captured his 51st career multi-point postseason game to tie DougGilmour, BrettHull and Mario Lemiuex for 10th place on the League’s all-time list.
*McDavid and Draisaitlextended Edmonton’slead in the second period on the man-advantage and factored on the same power-play goal in the playoffs for the 38th time in their career – tied with Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier, as well as Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby for the most in Stanley Cup Playoffs history.
* Bouchard has collected multiple points in each of his past three games (one shy of the longest streak by a defenseman in franchise history) after failing to find the score sheet in Games 1 and 2. Tuesday was Bouchard’s third elimination game with three or more points (also Game 5 of 2024 SCF & Game 6 of 2024 R2) – the second most by a defenseman in Stanley Cup Playoffs history, behind Ray Bourque (4x).
* ICYMI: Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini and Nikita Kucherov were named the three finalists for the 2025-26 Ted Lindsay Award, which is presented annually “to the most outstanding player as voted by fellow members of the NHLPA.” Click here to read more.
KAPRIZOV SHINES ON RECORD-SETTING NIGHT, WILD INCH CLOSER TO SECOND ROUND
Kirill Kaprizov (1-2—3) notched his second three-point performance of the First Round and passed Zach Parise (16) for the most playoff goals in Wild history as Minnesota took a 3-2 series lead for the second time in franchise history (also 2015 R1). The Wild head home to Grand Casino Arena for Game 6 with a chance to advance to the Second Round for the first time since 2015.
* After claiming the club’s regular-season goals record March 3, Kaprizov became the 16th player to hold an active franchise’s all-time outright regular-season and playoff goals records – Filip Forsberg (NSH), Alex Ovechkin (WSH) and Mark Scheifele (WPG/ATL) are the only other active players to do so.
* Kaprizov (2-7—9 in 5 GP), who leads all skaters in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs in scoring, matched his personal best for points in a single series (also 9 in 2025 R1). Only three Wild skaters have posted more points in a series: Marian Gaborik (11 in 2003 CSF), Zach Parise (10 in 2014 R1) and Wes Walz (10 in 2003 CSF).
ROBERTSON’S GOAL STREAK HIGHLIGHTED IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES Jason Robertson pushed his goal streak to five games and passed Steve Payne (4 GP in 1981) for the longest postseason-opening run in Stars/North Stars history, while also tying Payne (5 GP in 1981) and Milan Marcetta (5 GP in 1968) for the longest goal streak at any point in a playoff year by a Stars/North Stars skater. Find more notes on Tuesday’s slate in #NHLStats: Live Updates.
NHL ERASES $1.25 MILLION OF DEBT FOR U.S. VETERANS The NHL today announced it is erasing $1.25 million of debt for U.S. veterans in partnership with ForgiveCo, which will help 1,025 veterans and their families. Stars forward Jason Robertson hosted Specialist Cesar Gonzalez – who is one of the recipients of this debt relief initiative – at Game 5 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as part of his ‘JR Heroes’ military appreciation initiative. Of the $1.25 million of debt being erased, $250,000 is directly supporting veterans in Dallas, Texas.
WEDNESDAY HAS PENGUINS LOOKING TO FORCE GAME 7, PAIR OF PIVOTAL GAMES 5s
Today’s schedule features Pittsburgh aiming to force the first Game 7 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as well as critical contests in Tampa and Las Vegas with a 3-2 series lead up for grabs. Wednesday marks the 37-year anniversary of the only Game 7 between the Penguins and Flyers as Pittsburgh hopes to force a second one for Saturday.
* Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang have spearheaded the Penguins’ rally as they look to join rare company by forcing a Game 7 after facing a 3-0 series deficit, with Crosby collecting consecutive multi-point performances and Letang logging back-to-back winning goals. Philadelphia has been on either side of a 3-0 comeback attempt that required a Game 7 and earned a series win in each instance.
* Brandon Hagel can surpass Steven Stamkos (4 GP in 2024) and Vincent Lecavalier (4 GP in 2007) for the longest postseason-opening goal streak in franchise history, while Nick Suzuki seeks his first marker but has tallied three times in Game 5s including both of his playoff winners (2021 & 2020 R1). Tampa Bay and Montreal have been tied or separated by one goal for 98% of the series (250:42 of 256:19).
* Shea Theodore and the Golden Knights shift back to T-Mobile Arena, where Logan Cooley collected a goal in each of the series’ first two contests. Theodore played the role of overtime hero in Game 4 and accounts for one of seven winners by defensemen this postseason, which are five back of the most during a single playoff round in NHL history (12 in 1994 CQF & 1992 DSF).
Toronto drafts OL Henning second; Edmonton selects LB Djabome third
TORONTO – With the first overall selection in the 2026 Canadian Football League (CFL) Canadian Draft, the Ottawa REDBLACKS have selected Winnipeg native Giordano Vaccaro, an offensive lineman from Purdue University.
Exclusive coverage of Rounds 3-8 can be seen on TSN+.
Hamilton | OL | Jonathan Denis | Louisiana Tech | Homestead, Fla.
Calgary | LB | Eric Rascoe | Angelo State | San Antonio, Texas
BC | WR | Nathan DeMontagnac | North Dakota | Mississauga, Ont.
Montreal | Rohan Jones | TE | Arkansas | Montreal
Saskatchewan | DB | Malcolm Bell | Michigan State | Montreal
BY THE NUMBERS
Position breakdown
Three offensive linemen
Two linebackers
One defensive lineman
One wide receiver
One tight end
One defensive back
NEED TO KNOW
Vaccaro is the fourth offensive lineman to go first overall in the past 11 Drafts. The most recent was in 2023, when Dontae Bull was also selected by Ottawa.
Henning is the highest prospect to be selected out of Queen’s since Shomari Williams was drafted 1st overall by Saskatchewan in 2010.
Djabome is the second-ever prospect drafted out of Rutgers, joining DB Jason Nugent (2006).
Gatkuoth is the fifth-ever prospect to be drafted from Wake Forest and he is the first since Toronto took Mark Moroz in 2004
In CFL Canadian Draft history, only two players from Louisiana Tech have been selected, with both coming in the first round – Jonathan Denis this year and Samuel Emilus in 2022.
Rascoe is the first linebacker taken by Calgary in the first round in 2021 – Amen Ogbongbemiga
DeMontagnac becomes the first wide receiver to be drafted by BC in the first round since Danny Vandervoort in 2017.
Jones is the first-ever prospect selected out of the University of Arkansas
Bell is the second-ever first-rounder to be selected out of Michigan State, joining Mike Gyetvai in 2007 (Calgary)
Location: Trump National Doral – Blue Monster Course, Miami, Florida
Tournament Dates: April 30 – May 3, 2026
Format: 72‑hole stroke play, no‑cut, 72‑player signature‑event field
While exact tee times are not listed in retrieved sources, play begins Thursday morning (April 30) as standard PGA Tour scheduling.
Expected Weather Conditions (Miami, Late April–Early May)
No source provided a specific forecast, but Miami’s late‑April climate historically features:
Highs: mid‑80s °F
Humidity: high
Wind: typically 10–15 mph, often a major factor at Doral This aligns with the course’s reputation for wind‑exposed water carries. (Inference based on Miami climate; no direct forecast provided.)
Course Conditions – Blue Monster Breakdown
From multiple sources, the Blue Monster is described as long, punishing, and water‑heavy:
Par 72, 7,739 yards
Greens: TifEagle Bermudagrass, Stimp ~11.5
Fairways/Rough: Bermudagrass, rough approx. 3″
Water in play on 10 holes
Course identity: Demands elite driving, long‑iron precision, and nerve under pressure.
Signature hole: The 18th, a 473‑yard par‑4 with water guarding the entire left side—one of the Tour’s most dramatic finishes.
Tournament History & Context
Doral has hosted PGA Tour events since 1962, including the Doral Open and WGC‑Cadillac Championship.
Last PGA Tour event here: 2016 WGC‑Cadillac Championship, won by Adam Scott.
The 2026 edition marks the Tour’s return after a decade, now as a Signature Event with a $20M purse.
Field & Key Player Matchups
The 72‑player field includes seven of the world’s top 10:
Scottie Scheffler (No. 1)
Cameron Young (No. 4)
Justin Rose (No. 5)
Collin Morikawa (No. 6)
Tommy Fleetwood (No. 7)
Russell Henley (No. 8)
J.J. Spaun (No. 10)
Notable absences: Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Ludvig Åberg, Matt Fitzpatrick (resting ahead of Quail Hollow & PGA Championship).
Featured Matchup Angles
Scheffler vs. Morikawa: Both elite tee‑to‑green; Scheffler leads the field in total strokes gained.
Fleetwood vs. Course Fit: Historically struggled at Doral (71st in 2015 WGC), weaker driving distance and putting metrics—handicappers fading him.
Veterans with Doral wins: Adam Scott (2016), Justin Rose (2012) bring rare course familiarity.
Recent Player Form
Scottie Scheffler: Runner‑up in last two starts (Masters, RBC Heritage), top‑25 in all 2026 events, No. 1 in SG: Tee‑to‑Green.
Collin Morikawa: Two strong starts recently despite back issues; returns after rest week.
Tommy Fleetwood: 33rd at Masters, 52nd at RBC Heritage—form trending down.
This is the second meeting of the season between these teams.
Weather Updates: Warm and humid Florida spring conditions. Kickoff temperatures expected in the low-to-mid 80s°F (around 82-86°F), with partly cloudy skies and a 40-60% chance of scattered showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon/evening. Humidity will be high (70%+). Any rain could make the field slick but is unlikely to cause a delay at the open-air Inter&Co Stadium. Typical late spring conditions that may favor the team with better offensive execution in the heat.
Injury Report: Birmingham Stallions: The team has dealt with significant quarterback instability. They recently traded for Dorian Thompson-Robinson and have rotated QBs amid offensive struggles. No major new long-term absences widely reported, but depth is being tested.
Orlando Storm: Relatively healthy overall. The Storm have maintained strong depth while posting an excellent record. Monitor final practice reports for any last-minute changes to key defensive contributors.
Key Player Matchups & Team Leaders:
Orlando Storm Offense/Defense: QB Jack Plummer has been efficient and steady. RB Jashaun Corbin provides balance, while the defense (led by edge rusher Keshawn Banks with consistent sacks and linebacker Tavante Beckett) has been elite. The Storm lead the league in few points allowed and recorded the first shutout in UFL history earlier this season.
Birmingham Stallions Offense/Defense: The Stallions feature talented WRs including Deon Cain, Justyn Ross, and others, but the offense has been inconsistent and turnover-prone. QB play (whether Thompson-Robinson, Matt Corral remnants, or others) remains the biggest question mark.
Key battles: Orlando’s stifling defense vs. Birmingham’s attempt to find offensive rhythm; Stallions’ ability to pressure Plummer vs. the Storm’s home-field control and run defense.
Team Records & Recent Forms:
Birmingham Stallions (1-4): Struggling early in the season with major offensive woes. They are coming off multiple losses and were shut out 16-0 by these same Orlando Storm in Week 4. The Stallions have talent but have yet to put together consistent performances on both sides of the ball.
Orlando Storm (4-1): One of the top teams in the UFL. They started the season strong (including a historic 16-0 shutout of Birmingham) and have built their success on elite defense paired with efficient offense. The Storm enter with excellent momentum and are playing confident football.
Series History: Orlando leads the 2026 season series 1-0 after the April 18 shutout victory (16-0 in Birmingham). This is only the second meeting between the franchises in the current UFL alignment.
Betting Trends
Orlando has dominated recent matchups, especially defensively, and performs well at home. Birmingham’s games have often been lower-scoring due to offensive struggles. The Storm’s defensive-minded approach frequently leads to Unders, while Birmingham has been an underdog most of the season.
GAME ODDS
Birmingham Stallions 44.5
Orlando Storm – 6
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, May 2, 2026
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