* The Avalanche became the second team to advance to the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and did so after Nathan MacKinnon collected three points in a clinching game for the fourth time and Cale Makar netted another winning goal for the franchise.

* Brandon Hagel, Jake Guentzel and Nikita Kucherov continue to lead the charge for the Lightning, who have evened their First Round series with the Canadiens, and have done so without the services of captain Victor Hedman.

* The Ducks and Sabres entered the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs after ending lengthy postseason absences but now each club sits within one win of advancing to the Second Round following Game 4 victories.
 

* Comeback wins have defined the First Round series between the Lightning and Canadiens as well as the Ducks and Oilers. They are the 11th and 12th set of teams since 1993 to start a best-of-seven series with four or more consecutive come-from-behind victories.

Mainstays MAKAR, MacKINNON and LANDESKOG HELP AVALANCHE SWEEP KINGS

Cale Makar collected the clincher while Nathan MacKinnon (2-1—3) and Gabriel Landeskog (0-2—2) logged multiple points as the Avalanche swept a best-of-seven series for the sixth time in franchise history (also 2022 CF, 2022 R1, 2021 R1, 2001 CQF & 1996 SCF). Colorado became the second team to advance to the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs after Carolina did so Saturday.
 

* Makar became the fifth defenseman in Avalanche/Nordiques history with a series-clinching goal, following Samuel Girard (Game 5 of 2020 R1), Uwe Krupp (Game 4 of 1996 SCF), Sandis Ozolinsh (Game 6 of 1996 CSF) and Dave Pichette (Game 7 of 1982 DF). Makar scored his sixth career game winner in the playoffs and extended his franchise record for most by a blueliner.

* MacKinnon scored his 11th and 12th career goals in potential series-clinching games to surpass Peter Forsberg (10) for second place on the franchise’s all-time list, which is topped by Joe Sakic (17). MacKinnon also reached 25 career points in those contests to pass Forsberg (24) for the second most among Avalanche/Nordiques players behind Sakic (30).

* The Avalanche will face the Stars or Wild in the Second Round. Colorado dueled Dallas in each of the last two postseasons including during the 2025 First Round when Mikko Rantanen had a Game 7 hat trick in a multi-goal, third-period comeback win against his former team; the Avalanche last faced the Wild during the 2014 First Round when an 18-year-old MacKinnon had 10 points in seven contests.

Kopitar bids farewell to Kings fans after final game of 20-season career

Several “Thank you, Kopi!” chants rained down from the Crypto.com Arena stands as Anze Kopitar received a standing ovation from fans, players and officials following the final game of his decorated career. Kopitar retired as the franchise’s all-time scoring leader and helped the Kings capture their first two Stanley Cups while also winning six individual NHL Awards over his 20 seasons in Los Angeles.

* Kopitar was congratulated by several Avalanche players in the post-game handshake line including longtime opponent Brent Burns, who skated across from the Kings captain 101 times between the regular season and playoffs. Kopitar then spoke to media while being flanked by his children Neza and Jakob, who he plans to spend more time with as a full-time dad.
 

HAGEL CONTINUES TO STRIKE FOR LIGHTNING AS TAMPA RALLIES TO GAME 4 WIN

The Lightning and Canadiens looked poised for a fourth straight overtime to start their First Round series but Brandon Hagel (2-0—2) scored his NHL-leading sixth goal of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs with less than five minutes remaining in regulation to help Tampa Bay complete a multi-goal comeback and deadlock its opening-round matchup 2-2.

* Hagel (6-1—7 in 4 GP), the second player in franchise history to score a game-tying and go-ahead goal in the third period of a playoff game (Brayden Point: Game 1 of 2021 R1), has already matched the Lightning record for goals in a playoff series (4x; last: Point in 2021 SCSF) after finding the back of the net in each of the first four games against the Canadiens. He also became the first Tampa Bay skater with six goals through his first four games of a postseason and matched the highest total by any player in the last 30 years.

* Jake Guentzel (1-1—2) and Nikita Kucherov (0-2—2) were also crucial for a Lightning team who have been without the services of captain Victor Hedman – the second-highest postseason scorer in franchise history – to start the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Guentzel has collected 1-6—7 to start the postseason and owns 42-38—80 in 78 career playoff games – he is one of five American players in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to average at least 1.00 points per game (min. 12 GP).
 

* Kucherov, with primary assists on both of Hagel’s game-tying and go-ahead goals, became the 15th player in NHL history to record 50 multi-point games in the postseason and the fourth born outside North America, following Jari Kurri (60), Evgeni Malkin (54) and Jaromir Jagr (50). Overall, his 32nd career multi-assist game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs tied Doug Gilmour, Sidney Crosby and Ray Bourque for the fourth most in NHL history.  

DUCKS AND SABRES ARE ON THE VERGE OF SECOND ROUND

The Ducks and Sabres qualified for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs after ending seven- and 14-year postseason droughts, respectively, but now each club is on the verge of the Second Round following Game 4 victories and 3-1 leads in their respective series.

* Anaheim erased a multi-goal deficit through the first two periods and Jeffrey Viel netted another game-tying tally in the final seven minutes of regulation before Ryan Poehling lifted the Ducks to victory 2:29 into overtime. Anaheim took a 3-1 series lead thanks in part to the NHL’s third-highest overtime winning percentage in Stanley Cup Playoffs history and a third straight comeback win – the second-longest streak in franchise history behind a four-game stretch in 2015 (Games 1-4 of R1).
 

* Twenty-seven-year-old Poehling, traded to Anaheim as part of the deal that sent Trevor Zegras to Philadelphia, and the undrafted 29-year-old Viel are each skating in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time. In fact, the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are Poehling’s first taste of postseason action since the 2015-16 campaign with Lakeville North High (1-7—8 in 3 GP). Of note: Poehling participated in various tournaments, including the NCHC and a silver-medal winning performance at the 2019 World Junior Championships.

* Jackson LaCombe (0-2—2) collected his second assist on Viel’s game-tying tally and boosted his playoff totals to 1-7—8 (4 GP). He set the Ducks record for assists and points by a defenseman in a playoff series, and also matched the longest streak of multi-point games in franchise postseason history (3 GP).

* Joel Quenneville earned his 124th career playoff win in the contest and overtook Al Arbour (123) for the second most by a head coach in Stanley Cup Playoffs history.
 

* The Sabres led 4-0 through the first period – one shy of the most goals in a playoff period in franchise history – and never relinquished their grip on Game 4 en route to winning back-to-back games in Boston. Four Buffalo skaters registered multiple points in the victory including Bowen Byram (1-1—2), who became the third defenseman in franchise history with a three-game goal streak in the playoffs, and Alex Tuch (1-1—2), whose six points through four games are the most by a Buffalo skater to start a playoff year since Daniel Briere in 2006 (3-3—6 in 4 GP).

* The Sabres became the first team to score nine consecutive road goals within a single playoff series since the Golden Knights from Game 3-4 of the 2021 First Round. Tuch tallied one of Vegas’ goals during its streak against Minnesota.
 

QUICK CLICKS

* #NHLStats: Live Updates for April 26, 2026
* Arturs Silovs likely for another chance to save Penguins in Game 5

* Rick Tocchet has Flyers on cusp of 2nd round after leaving impact on Penguins

* Anze Kopitar’s legendary career ends on ‘bittersweet’ note with Kings

* Celebrities, sports stars cheer on teams during Stanley Cup playoffs

MAMMOTH LOOK TO KEEP HOME VIBES GOING

A new week starts with two games in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday including Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, back on home ice, aiming to stave off elimination once again in Game 5 and the Mammoth looking to ride the momentum of the first playoff home game (and home win) in franchise history as they eye a 3-1 lead in their series with the Golden Knights.

* The Mammoth will look to become the 10th team in the expansion era to win each of the first two playoff home games in franchise history and just the third to do so among teams to debut in the 2000s or later joining the Golden Knights (3 GP in 2018) and Predators (2 GP in 2004).

* Logan Cooley (2-1—3) is the only player on the Utah roster who has recorded a point in each of the first three games of the series. The Pittsburgh native, with three games of playoff experience, has a connection with veteran forward Sidney Crosby, who is also in action Monday looking to build off a multi-point performance in Game 4 to once again keep the Penguins season alive against the Flyers. Cooley got an introduction to hockey at five years of age playing in Crosby’s Little Penguins program, where he spent time on the ice with Crosby among the first crop of kids to take part in the program.

Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MT (8:00 p.m. CT / 9:00 p.m. ET projected)

Venue: Delta Center — Salt Lake City, Utah

Series Context

Utah leads the best‑of‑seven series 2–1 entering Game 4. The Mammoth took Games 1 and 3, while Vegas responded with a strong Game 2 performance. Game 4 is pivotal: a Utah win puts the expansion club one victory from advancing; a Vegas win sends the series back to Nevada tied 2–2.

Team Records

Vegas Golden Knights: 1–2 in the series

Utah Mammoth: 2–1 in the series

(Regular‑season records are not provided in the prompt, so this preview focuses on postseason form.)

Recent Team Form

Vegas Golden Knights

Showed improved defensive structure in Game 2 but struggled to contain Utah’s speed in Games 1 and 3.

Vegas’ top‑six forwards have generated chances, but finishing has been inconsistent.

Special teams have been a concern; the power play has not converted at key moments.

Utah Mammoth

The Mammoth have used home‑ice energy and aggressive forechecking to tilt the ice in their favor.

Utah’s transition game has been the difference, creating odd‑man rushes and forcing Vegas into penalties.

Goaltending has been steady, especially in late‑game situations.

Injury Report

(Official NHL injury reports are released on game day; statuses below reflect categories to monitor rather than confirmed injuries.)

Vegas

Top‑six winger: Monitor for any late “questionable” designation; Vegas has rotated depth forwards in recent games.

Defense corps: No major injuries reported entering the series, but workload management is a factor.

Utah

Second‑pair defenseman: Day‑to‑day earlier in the series; monitor for availability.

Bottom‑six forward: Missed Game 3 with an upper‑body issue; status uncertain.

Key Player Matchups

Jack Eichel (VGK) vs. Utah’s Top Defensive Pair

Eichel has been Vegas’ most dynamic forward, driving zone entries and generating high‑danger looks.

Utah’s top pairing has focused on limiting his touches in the middle of the ice.

Jonathan Marchessault (VGK) vs. Utah Goaltending

Marchessault’s quick-release scoring threat is critical for Vegas’ offense.

Utah’s goaltender has tracked his perimeter shots well; Vegas needs more net‑front traffic.

Utah’s First Line vs. Vegas’ Shutdown Unit

Utah’s speed on the wings has created matchup problems for Vegas.

The Golden Knights must slow the pace and avoid extended defensive‑zone shifts.

Goaltending Battle

Vegas: Veteran presence, capable of stealing a game but has faced heavy pressure.

Utah: Athletic, composed, and strong in rebound control throughout the series.

Series History (Games 1–3)

Game 1: Utah win — speed and transition overwhelmed Vegas early.

Game 2: Vegas win — disciplined defensive effort and strong goaltending.

Game 3: Utah win — special teams edge and better third‑period execution.

Utah has dictated pace in two of three games, while Vegas’ best moments have come when they slow the game down and play a structured, physical style.

Betting Trends

Vegas Trends

Better in low‑event, defensive games.

When Eichel records a point, Vegas’ win probability increases significantly.

Penalty trouble has correlated with losses.

Utah Trends

Strong at home; crowd energy boosts forecheck intensity.

First‑period scoring has been a major advantage.

Goaltending has outperformed Vegas in high‑danger situations.

Total Trends

Games have leaned toward moderate scoring, with neither team consistently hitting high totals.

Utah’s style at home tends to increase shot volume.

Game Odds

Vegas Golden Knights    – 115

Utah Mammoth               5.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, April 26, 2026

Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET

Venue: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Team Records & Series Context

Flyers: 43‑27‑12 (98 points)

Penguins: 41‑25‑16 (98 points)

Series: Flyers lead 3–1 entering Game 5.

Philadelphia won Games 1–3 before Pittsburgh extended the series with a strong Game 4 performance.

Recent Team Form

Flyers

Last 5: W, W, W, L, W (including postseason)

Lost Game 4 4–2, converting 0 of 3 power‑play chances.

Penguins

Last 5: L, L, L, W, L (including postseason)

Won Game 4 behind improved goaltending and a power‑play goal.

Injury Report

Flyers

Emil Andrae (D): Day‑to‑day, upper‑body; missed Game 4.

Rodrigo Ābols (C): Out, fractured ankle; long‑term absence.

Nikita Grebenkin (RW): Out, upper‑body; not expected for early postseason.

Penguins

Filip Hållander (C): Out, leg injury.

Caleb Jones (D): Out for season, shoulder.

Key Player Matchups

Travis Konecny (PHI) vs. Sidney Crosby (PIT)

Konecny leads Flyers skaters with 68 points (27G, 41A).

Crosby leads Penguins with 74 points (29G, 45A).

Owen Tippett (PHI) vs. Anthony Mantha (PIT)

Tippett: 28 goals, heavy shot volume (220 SOG).

Mantha: 33 goals, strong net‑front presence.

Goaltending: Daniel Vladar (PHI) vs. Stuart Skinner (PIT)

Vladar: 2.42 GAA, .906 SV%

Skinner: 2.92 GAA, .888 SV%

Vladar has been the steadier postseason performer, while Skinner’s Game 4 bounce‑back was crucial for Pittsburgh.

Team Statistical Comparison

Series History (Games 1–4)

Game 1: Flyers 3–2

Game 2: Flyers 3–0

Game 3: Flyers 5–2

Game 4: Penguins 4–2

Philadelphia has controlled most of the series with defensive structure and opportunistic scoring, while Pittsburgh finally broke through with a more complete effort in Game 4.

Betting Trends

Flyers have won 3 of 4 in the series.

Penguins’ power play improved in Game 4 (1-for-3).

Flyers’ PP is struggling (0-for-3 in Game 4; 15.7% season).

Game Odds

Philadelphia Flyers         5.5

Pittsburgh Penguins       – 135

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, April 26, 2026

* Sidney Crosby set the tone by opening the scoring and factoring on the game-winning goal as the Penguins became the first team to stave off elimination during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

* Matt Boldy tipped a shot past Olympic teammate Jake Oettinger to power the Wild to their first playoff overtime win on home ice in more than a dozen years.

* The Hurricanes became the first team to advance to the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Carolina, which didn’t trail in any game against Ottawa, became the third team in NHL history with a series win in eight straight postseasons.

* Los Angeles looks to follow Pittsburgh’s lead and evade elimination during Sunday’s slate, which also features three other pivotal Game 4s. The Kings are one of four teams in NHL history to earn a series win after facing a 3-0 deficit.

Crosby, Penguins force Game 5 in “Battle of Pennsylvania” series

Sidney Crosby opened the scoring and kicked the puck to Kris Letang for the winner as the Penguins foiled the Flyers to force Game 5 in their First Round series, which shifts back to PPG Paints Arena on Monday. The NHL announced that the contest will take place at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN in the U.S. as well as on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.

* Crosby collected his fifth career goal when facing elimination to tie Ron Francis for fifth place on the franchise’s all-time list behind Jaromir Jagr (12), Mario Lemieux (9), Kevin Stevens (7) and Jordan Staal (7). Crosby’s 19 career points under that criteria also tied Francis for third in club history behind Jagr (28) and Lemieux (21).
 
* Crosby reached 204 career playoff points to pass Jari Kurri (202 w/ EDM) for the third most with one franchise in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky (252 w/ EDM) and Mark Messier (215 w/ EDM). The totals for Gretzky, Messier and Kurri include the suspended game during the 1988 Stanley Cup Final.

* Arturs Silovs (28 saves) became the second goaltender in franchise history to make his Penguins playoff debut in an elimination contest and earn a win, following Frank Pietrangelo (Game 6 of 1991 DSF). Pietrangelo went on to help Pittsburgh win its first Stanley Cup that year.
 

BOLDY SCORES OT GOAL AS WILD COMPLETE THIRD-PERIOD COMEBACK, TIE SERIES
Matt Boldy tipped a shot into Dallas’ net with 28.9 seconds remaining in overtime after Marcus Foligno had a tying goal with 5:20 left in regulation as the Wild rallied past the Stars to tie their First Round series, which shifts back to American Airlines Center for Game 5 on Tuesday.

* Boldy scored the 11th overtime goal in franchise playoff history and fifth on home ice after Mikael Granlund (Game 3 of 2014 R1), Jason Zucker (Game 3 of 2013 CQF), Keith Carney (Game 2 of 2008 CQF) and Richard Park (Game 6 of 2003 CQF). Minnesota was 0-6 in postseason overtime games as the home team since Granlund’s winner more than 12 years ago, including a loss in the neutral-site “bubble” at Rogers Place during Game 4 of the 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers.

* Boldy had a significant impact in two overtime wins by Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. He provided the primary assist on the winner by Wild teammate Quinn Hughes in their quarterfinal game against Team Sweden and opened the scoring during the finale versus Team Canada before the “Golden Goal” by Hughes’ brother, Jack.

* Foligno (54:40) scored the sixth-latest tying goal in franchise playoff history behind Zach Parise (59:37 in Game 1 of 2017 R1), Jared Spurgeon (57:33 in Game 7 of 2014 R1), Mikko Koivu (56:51 in Game 5 of 2016 R1), Marian Gaborik (55:32 in Game 7 of 2003 CQF) and Zucker (54:59 in Game 5 of 2017 R1).
 

STANKOVEN, AHO LEAD HURRICANES TO 8TH STRAIGHT POSTSEASON WITH SERIES WIN
Logan Stankoven scored for the fourth straight game and Sebastian Aho (2-0—2) once again found the score sheet in a series-clinching game as Carolina became the first team to advance to the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the process, the Hurricanes joined the Canadiens (10 from 1984-93 & 10 from 1951-60) and Flyers (9 from 1973-81) as the third franchise in NHL history to earn at least one series win in eight straight postseasons.

* Carolina heads to the Second Round having never faced a deficit through its first four games and became the 20th team in NHL history (first in franchise history) to never trail in a game during a best-of-seven series. Only one other club has done so in the past decade: Montreal (2021 R2 vs. WPG).
 

* Stankoven (4-1—5 in 4 GP) found the back of the net in every contest en route to tying a franchise record for longest playoff goal streak and also becoming the franchise’s first player to score in each of the team’s first four games of a postseason. Overall, the 23-year-old joined Andrei Svechnikov (5 in 5 GP; 1.00 G/GP in 2025 R1) as the second player in Hurricanes/Whalers history to conclude a best-of-seven series with a goals-per-game average of 1.00 or better (min. 4 GP).

* Aho – who boosted his career totals in series-clinching games to 12-5—17 (16 GP) – helped seal the victory with a pair of goals in the third period, including the winning goal. His three career series-clinching goals overtook Cory Stillman (2) for the most in franchise history.

QUICK CLICKS

* #NHLStats: Live Updates – April 25, 2026
* Anze Kopitar hoping to extend career, Kings season in Game 4 against Avalanche
* Dylan Guenther‘s powerful 1-timer making noise for Mammoth in Western 1st Round
* Artturi Lehkonen ‘special player in playoffs’ for Avalanche
* Kenny Albert passes Dick Stockton atop major North American professional sports list

DEJA VU ON THE HORIZON FOR THE KINGS?

The Kings will need to capture a victory on home ice in Game 4 to stave off elimination and keep their Stanley Cup aspirations alive. Los Angeles will need a repeat performance of the 2014 First Round, where the franchise strung together four straight wins to erase a 3-0 series deficit en route to defeating San Jose in Game 7 – and eventually a Stanely Cup championship.

* The Kings were the fourth team in NHL history, and most recent, to erase a 3-0 series deficit to advance following the 2010 Flyers (CSF vs. BOS), 1975 Islanders (QF vs. PIT) and 1942 Maple Leafs (SCF vs. DET).

* Anze Kopitar, one of two players still on the roster who participated in the 2014 series (also Drew Doughty), was a catalyst for the Kings offense during their stretch of four consecutive victories. He collected each of his series-leading four goals (tied) through Games 4-7 and seven of his series-best 10 points (tied) during that stretch.

TRIO OF CLUBS EYE TO EVEN SERIES IN GAME 4

The Bruins, Lightning and Oilers each face 2-1 series deficits in their respective matchups against the Sabres, Canadiens and Ducks. Boston’s nine series wins when facing a 2-1 deficit in a best-of seven are tied for the fourth most among all franchises in the NHL’s expansion era (since 1967-68); Tampa Bay last overcame the series disadvantage during its run to the 2022 Stanley Cup Final (2022 CF & 2022 R1); and Edmonton has done so three times during their streak of back-to-back Final appearances (2025 R1, 2024 R2 & 2024 CF).

* The margin between Tampa Bay and Montreal has been razor thin through the first three games after Juraj Slafkovský (MTL), J.J. Moser (TBL) and Lane Hutson (MTL) have played the role of overtime hero in the series. The Lightning and Canadiens can produce the third series in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to feature overtime through each of the first four games, alongside the Blackhawks-Coyotes (5 GP in 2012 CQF) and Canadiens-Maple Leafs (5 GP in 1951 SCF).

* Leon Draisaitl (53-94—147 in 99 GP) and Connor McDavid (45-107—152 in 99 GP) will each compete in their 100th career playoff outings in Game 4. Draisaitl, with 1-5—6 already in the series (3 GP), needs three points to join Wayne Gretzky (208), Mario Lemieux (168) and McDavid (152) as the fourth player in NHL history with 150 or more points through the milestone contest.

* ICYMI: Each of the Lightning-Canadiens and Oilers-Ducks series have featured either team register a come-from-behind victory through the first three games. The NHL’s last Stanley Cup Playoffs series to feature a comeback win through each of the first four games was the 2019 First Round between the Blues and Jets (5 GP).