* Wyatt Johnston scored the double-overtime winner to join rare NHL company and power the Stars to a 2-1 lead in their First Round series.

* Cutter Gauthier got the go-ahead goal to cap the Ducks’ latest comeback win this season, while Trevor Zegras helped the Flyers forge a 3-0 series lead in the “Battle of Pennsylvania.”

* Gauthier and Zegras were two of nine players with their first career playoff goal Wednesday, which marked the NHL’s highest single-day total since April 17, 2014 (11).

* Thursday features the Bruins and Sabres shifting to Boston for a pivotal Game 3 as well as the Senators and Kings looking to cut their series deficit in half at home.
 

JOHNSTON SPARKS STARS RALLY, SCORES IN DOUBLE OT TO SECURE SERIES LEAD

After the Wild went up 3-2, Wyatt Johnston (1-1—2) spearheaded the Stars’ rally by factoring on Matt Duchene’s (1-1—2) tying tally in the final 10 minutes of regulation and then netting the game winner in double overtime a little more than 40 minutes later to lift Dallas to a 2-1 series lead.

* Johnston scored his sixth career game-winning goal in the playoffs and moved into a tie with Tyler Seguin, Joe Pavelski, Jamie Langenbrunner and Brett Hull for the sixth most in Stars/North Stars history. The goal marked Johnston’s second point of the game, making him the first player in Stars team history (since 1993-94) to record consecutive multi-point contests in the playoffs at age 22 or younger. Only one player has achieved a longer such streak with the franchise before age 23: Steve Payne (4 GP w/ MNS in 1981).

Gauthier, Ducks fly south with First Round series against oilers tied 1-1

Cutter Gauthier (2-1—3) generated the go-ahead goal with 4:52 remaining in regulation as Anaheim earned its first playoff win since Game 4 of the 2017 Conference Finals and pulled even versus Edmonton. The First Round series between the Ducks and Oilers shifts to Honda Center for Game 3 tomorrow.

* Gauthier (22 years, 93 days) became the youngest player in franchise playoff history with a three-point performance, besting the previous mark set by Paul Kariya (22 years, 182 days; Game 1 of 1997 CQF). Joffrey Lupul (22 years, 228 days; Game 3 of 2006 CSF) is the only other player with one for Anaheim at age 22 or younger.

* Alex Killorn (1-2—3) and Jackson LaCombe (0-3—3) also had three points for the Ducks. LaCombe is one of five players competing in the 2026 playoffs that can join the “Triple Gold Club” with a Stanley Cup win and tied the franchise playoff record for most points in a game by a defenseman achieved by Sami Vatanen (Game 1 of 2015 R1), Chris Pronger (Game 3 of 2008 CQF) and J.J. Daigneault (Game 2 of 1997 CQF).

* Killorn was signed by the Ducks on July 1, 2023, after winning Stanley Cup championships with the 2021 and 2020 Lightning. Killorn made his pro debut with the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals in the midst of their 28-game winning streak during the 2011-12 season and concluded the campaign by capturing a Calder Cup alongside current teammate Radko Gudas.

FOUR FIRST-TIME GOAL SCORERS SEND FLYERS TO 3-0 SERIES LEAD
Trevor Zegras, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nick Seeler and Noah Cates all scored their first-ever goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, while Porter Martone extended his point streak to three games to propel the Flyers to a commanding 3-0 series lead. Philadelphia earned its first playoff win at Xfinity Mobile Arena since Game 4 of the 2016 First Round, when the venue was known as Wells Fargo Center, and own an all-time series record of 10-0 when leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven playoff round.

* Martone became the fourth teenager over the past 25 years to record a point in each of his first three career playoff games. He joined Kirby Dach (3 GP in 2020), Patrik Laine (3 GP in 2018) and Sidney Crosby (3 GP in 2007). The last player to post a longer run was Jeff Friesen in 1995 (4 GP).
 

Crosby climbing NHL’s all-time playoff points list featured in Live Updates
Wednesday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates featured more notes from the three-game slate, including Sidney Crosby collecting an assist to reach 202 career postseason points and pass Jaromir Jagr (201) for fifth place on the League’s all-time list. Crosby also hit 99 career playoff road points and needs one to become the third player in NHL history with 100, following Wayne Gretzky (164) and Mark Messier (139), whose totals include the suspended game during the 1988 Stanley Cup Final.

QUICK CLICKS

* NHL announces start times for Stanley Cup Playoffs 1st Round games on April 28
* Shane Gillis ‘ignites the orange’ before Game 3
* Vikings star Justin Jefferson hypes up Wild fans before Game 3
* ESPN open weekend with three most-watched playoff games on cable ever 
* NHL on TNT opens playoffs with record viewership

SABRES, BRUINS BATTLE FOR SERIES LEAD WHILE SENATORS, KINGS RETURN HOME

Thursday’s slate features three Game 3s with the Sabres and Bruins battling for a 2-1 series lead at TD Garden, while the Senators and Kings also shift to their home rinks with their sights set on capturing their first win of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
 

* The Sabres and Bruins face a familiar scenario with the teams deadlocked at 1-1 through the first two games of their First Round series. Buffalo and Boston have faced off eight times previously in the playoffs, with the clubs splitting the first two games in five of those meetings. The Bruins won Game 3 in three of those five series, including the most recent instance (2010 CQF), while the Sabres’ last victory against Boston in that scenario came during the 1999 Conference Semifinals ahead of Buffalo’s most recent run to the Stanley Cup Final.

* David Pastrnak (1-4—5) logged a pair of assists in Game 2 and is tied for the lead among players with five points this postseason. He can become the seventh skater in Bruins history to start a playoff run on a three-game multi-point streak and first to do so since Jean Ratelle, Bobby Schmautz and Terry O’Reilly in 1977.

* The Senators face a 2-0 deficit in the First Round for the second straight year after battling back to force a six-game series against the Maple Leafs in 2025. Ottawa is 4-3 all-time in Game 3 at home when facing a 2-0 series deficit, while the Hurricanes/Whalers franchise is 3-9 all-time when trying to take a 3-0 series lead on the road.

* The Avalanche carry a 2-0 lead into Game 3 following consecutive 2-1 victories as Scott Wedgewood aims to become the first goaltender in franchise history to earn a win in each of his first three career playoff starts. Meanwhile, the Kings will try to claw back from a 2-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series for the fourth time in franchise history. They last accomplished the feat during the 2014 First Round against the Sharks (the fourth team in NHL history to win a series after trailing 3-0) en route to their second Stanley Cup in a three-year span.

NHL Western Conference First Round Playoffs – Game 3
Faceoff is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET
Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
TV/Streaming: ESPN, ESPN+, SN360, TVAS, Hulu

Series Context and Team Records

This is a best-of-7 Western Conference First Round series. The Colorado Avalanche, a top Western seed and perennial contender, hold a commanding 2-0 lead after dominating the first two games at Ball Arena. The Los Angeles Kings, a Pacific Division wild-card entrant, are fighting to avoid a sweep and must generate offense and defensive structure at home to stay alive.

Game 1 (April 19, Ball Arena): Avalanche 4, Kings 1

Game 2 (April 21, Ball Arena): Avalanche 3, Kings 2

2025-26 regular-season records:

Colorado Avalanche: 52-23-7, 111 points (Central Division champions, top-3 in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles Kings: 43-29-10, 96 points (Western Conference wild card)

Colorado posted one of the league’s strongest goal differentials (+48) and led in 5-on-5 expected goals. Los Angeles improved defensively but enters the postseason as clear underdogs against the Avalanche’s star power and depth.

Recent Team Forms

Avalanche: Colorado has been clinical and efficient through the first two games, controlling possession, generating high-danger chances, and capitalizing on special teams. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen have driven the offense, while the defense (led by Cale Makar) has limited Kings’ transition opportunities. Goaltending has been steady, and the Avs look locked in for a deep run.

Kings: Los Angeles has been competitive in stretches but has struggled with sustained pressure and finishing. They showed fight in Game 2 but ultimately fell short in the third period. The young forward group has moments of speed, yet defensive gaps and an inability to contain Colorado’s top line have been glaring. Home ice and the crowd at Crypto.com Arena offer their best chance to flip momentum.

Injury Report

Colorado Avalanche:

Valeri Nichushkin (F) – Day-to-day (upper body); did not play in Games 1-2 but practiced this week and is a game-time decision.

No other significant absences. The core roster remains fully intact, with goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (or primary starter) healthy and rested.

Los Angeles Kings (blue-line depth tested):

Drew Doughty (D) – Out (lower body); missed the end of the regular season and has been ruled out for at least the first three games.

Sean Walker (D) – Questionable (upper body); limited in practice.

Forward depth is healthy, but the absence of Doughty’s veteran leadership and minutes on the back end creates matchup vulnerabilities against Colorado’s speed.

Key Player Matchups

Avalanche Top Line (Nathan MacKinnon – Mikko Rantanen – Jonathan Drouin / Artturi Lehkonen) vs. Kings’ Defensive Pairs (without Doughty): MacKinnon’s speed and playmaking have been unguardable; Colorado’s stars must be contained early to prevent a blowout.

Kings’ Top Units (Anze Kopitar – Quinton Byfield – Adrian Kempe; Trevor Moore) vs. Avalanche Shutdown Defense (Devon Toews, Cale Makar): Kopitar remains a Selke-level force, but the Kings need secondary scoring from Byfield and Kempe to keep pace.

Special Teams: Colorado’s power play (strong conversion rate) vs. Los Angeles’ penalty kill. The Avalanche have already scored multiple power-play goals in the series; Kings must stay out of the box.

Goaltending: Colorado’s starter (Georgiev or tandem) vs. Los Angeles’ Darcy Kuemper or primary netminder. The Avalanche edge in goaltending stability and workload management is noticeable.

Series History

The Avalanche lead the all-time playoff series record against the Kings 5-2 (most recent meeting in 2022, Colorado won in 6 games en route to the Stanley Cup). In the 2025-26 regular season, Colorado went 3-1-0 against Los Angeles. Historical trends favor the more experienced Avalanche in high-stakes, physical Western Conference matchups, especially when holding a multi-game lead.

Betting Trends

Series games have trended slightly Under due to Colorado’s structured defense, though high-event moments from the Avalanche stars keep the Over in play.

Game Odds

Colorado Avalanche       – 166

Los Angeles Kings            5.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, April 22, 2026

NHL Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs – Game 3
Faceoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET
Venue: Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa, Ontario
TV/Streaming: TBS, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS, FanDuel Sports Network

Series Context and Team Records

This is a best-of-7 Eastern Conference First Round series. Carolina (Metropolitan Division champions and top seed in the East) earned home-ice advantage with a stellar regular season and has taken a commanding 2-0 lead after two hard-fought victories at Lenovo Center in Raleigh. Ottawa, an Eastern wild-card team making its first playoff appearance in several years, is now on the brink and must find a way to steal a game at home to extend the series.

Game 1 (April 18, Lenovo Center): Hurricanes 2, Senators 0

Game 2 (April 20, Lenovo Center): Hurricanes 3, Senators 2 (2OT)

Regular-season records (2025-26):

Carolina Hurricanes: 53-22-7, 113 points (z – 1st in Eastern Conference)

Ottawa Senators: 44-27-11, 99 points (x – Eastern wild card)

Carolina led the league in many advanced metrics and posted one of the best goal differentials (+56). Ottawa showed improvement and a dangerous young core but enters this matchup as clear underdogs.

Recent Team Forms

Hurricanes: Carolina has looked like the best team in the East through the first two games. They posted a shutout in Game 1 behind elite goaltending and smothering defense, then showed resilience in Game 2 by winning in double overtime despite Ottawa’s push. Their five-on-five play, penalty kill, and structured forecheck have been dominant. The Hurricanes are 2-0 and have yet to allow more than two goals in regulation.

Senators: Ottawa has been competitive but has come up short in key moments. They were blanked in Game 1 and forced overtime in Game 2, but defensive lapses and an inability to sustain pressure against Carolina’s speed have hurt them. The young lineup (led by Brady Tkachuk) has shown fight, but the Senators are now 0-2 and must generate more offense at home to avoid a sweep.

Injury Report

Carolina Hurricanes: Largely healthy entering Game 3. No major injuries reported for the series. The team managed some depth absences late in the regular season, but the playoff roster is intact and rolling. Frederik Andersen has started both games and remains the clear No. 1 option.

Ottawa Senators (notable absences impacting the blue line):

Nick Jensen (D) – Out for the season (lower body)

Artem Zub (D) – Day-to-day / missed time after leaving Game 1 early (undisclosed); status uncertain for Game 3

Tyler Kleven (D) – Day-to-day (upper body)

Ottawa’s defense has already been thinned, which could create matchup problems against Carolina’s speed and skill up front.

Key Player Matchups

Hurricanes’ Top Six (Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Andrei Svechnikov, Nikolaj Ehlers) vs. Senators’ Defense and Linus Ullmark: Carolina’s depth scoring and transition game have overwhelmed Ottawa early. Aho and Jarvis are playoff-tested difference-makers.

Senators’ Captain Brady Tkachuk & Tim Stützle / Dylan Cozens vs. Hurricanes’ Shutdown Pairs (Jaccob Slavin, etc.): Tkachuk has been Ottawa’s emotional leader and offensive catalyst; containing him will be Carolina’s top priority.

Special Teams: Carolina’s penalty kill has been excellent. Ottawa’s power play must click at home or the series could end quickly.

Goaltending: Frederik Andersen (Carolina – rock-solid .967 SV% in the series so far) vs. Linus Ullmark (Ottawa – battling but facing heavy pressure). Andersen’s experience gives Carolina the edge.

Series History

This is the first-ever NHL playoff series between the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators. In the 2025-26 regular season, Carolina went 2-1 against Ottawa. Historically, the Hurricanes have owned the season-series edge (67-42-13 all-time in regulation). Playoff experience heavily favors Carolina, who reached the Eastern Conference Final as recently as 2024-25, while Ottawa is still gaining its first taste of postseason hockey in years.

Betting Trends

Trends lean Under in Carolina’s defensive-minded playoff games, though Game 2 went to double OT and pushed the total higher.

Other Notes: Carolina is 2-0 SU and ATS in the series. Ottawa has covered the puck line in one game but has yet to win. Public betting has been heavily on the Hurricanes.

Game Odds

Carolina Hurricanes        5.5

Ottawa Senators              – 122

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, April 22, 2026

NHL Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs – Game 3
Faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
Venue: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
TV/Streaming: TNT, truTV, HBO Max, NESN, SN360, TVAS

Series Context and Team Records

This is a best-of-7 Eastern Conference First Round series between Atlantic Division champion Buffalo (50-23-9, 109 points in the regular season) and Eastern Conference wild-card Boston (45-27-10, 100 points). The Sabres earned home-ice advantage with their division title and first playoff appearance since 2011, but the series is tied 1-1 after split results in Buffalo.

Game 1 (April 19, KeyBank Center): Sabres 4, Bruins 3 (Sabres lead 1-0)

Game 2 (April 21, KeyBank Center): Bruins 4, Sabres 2 (series tied 1-1)

Buffalo dominated late in the regular season and rode momentum into the playoffs, while Boston relied on veteran experience and a strong home record (29-11-1). The Bruins now return to TD Garden, where they have been dominant defensively and in goal.

Recent Team Forms

Sabres: They looked playoff-ready with a strong close to the regular season but have been inconsistent in the series. Game 1 featured a thrilling comeback win, but Game 2 exposed issues: a slow start, defensive lapses in the second period, and a 0-for-9 power-play drought across the first two games (now 0-for-31 dating back to early April). Buffalo’s speed and top-end talent (Dahlin, Thompson) have flashed, but they have struggled to sustain pressure against Boston’s structure. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was pulled in Game 2; the team needs a bounce-back in net and on special teams.

Bruins: They stole Game 2 on the road with a three-goal second-period surge, showcasing resilience and depth scoring (Viktor Arvidsson with two goals, contributions from Morgan Geekie and Pavel Zacha). Boston’s form highlights elite home play, tight checking, and goaltending stability from Jeremy Swayman. Their penalty kill has been effective, and they have capitalized on Sabres’ early mistakes.

Injury Report

Buffalo Sabres (significant depth hits):

Sam Carrick (C) – Out (upper body/arm; ruled out for the series)

Noah Ostlund (C) – Day-to-day (upper body); possible return for Game 3

Jiri Kulich (F) – Out for the season (blood clot)

Justin Danforth (F) – Out (lower body, pre-series)

Goalie situation uncertain: Luukkonen struggled in Games 1-2; Alex Lyon (who relieved well in Game 2) is a strong candidate to start after returning from his own late-season lower-body issue.

Boston Bruins: Fully healthy. No players listed on the injury report. This gives Boston a clear edge in lineup continuity and depth.

Key Player Matchups

Sabres’ Top Line (Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch – Jack Quinn / Peyton Krebs) vs. Bruins’ Shutdown Defense (Charlie McAvoy, etc.) and Swayman: Thompson and Tuch must generate offense to counter Boston’s structure. Dahlin (Norris-caliber play late in the season) and the top defense pair need to drive transitions.

Bruins’ Top Units (David Pastrnak – Elias Lindholm – Morgan Geekie; Arvidsson – Zacha) vs. Sabres’ Penalty Kill and Luukkonen/Lyon: Boston’s second line exploded in Game 2. Arvidsson’s speed and Pastrnak’s finishing are major threats.

Special Teams: Sabres’ power play (0-for-9) featuring Dahlin, Thompson, Quinn, Zucker, and Norris must break through. Boston’s PK has been strong; their own power play (better regular-season conversion) could exploit any Buffalo penalties.

Goaltending: Swayman (reliable veteran) vs. the Sabres’ tandem. A Lyon start could provide stability for Buffalo.

The Sabres’ youth and speed give them dynamic potential, but Boston’s experience and home defensive structure create a tough road test.

Series History

The Bruins lead the all-time playoff series record 6-2 (8 previous meetings), with the most recent matchup in 2010 (Boston won in 6 games). In the 2025-26 regular season, Boston went 3-1-0 against Buffalo. While the Sabres have closed the competitive gap this year, historical playoff experience favors the Bruins in tight, physical games.

Betting Trends

Trends lean toward the over in high-event playoff games, though Boston’s home defensive play (strong goal differential) has kept some games lower.

Other Notes: Sabres’ power-play woes and Boston’s home dominance (excellent record and structure) are key factors. Models project a competitive game, often favoring Boston slightly at home (~52% win probability in some simulations).

Game Odds

Buffalo Sabres                   6.5

Boston Bruins                    – 110

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, April 22, 2026