* Nathan MacKinnon registered a third straight three-point game as the Avalanche kept the offense rolling to take a 2-0 series lead against the Wild. Colorado’s 14 goals through two games are the third most to open a series in the past 40 years and the most in franchise history.
* The Maple Leafs won the NHL Draft Lottery and will have the No. 1 pick at the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft from June 26-27 in Buffalo at KeyBank Center.
* NHL on TNT, Sportsnet and TVA Sports will carry the Sabres and Canadiens beginning their Second Round series in the first postseason meeting between the two clubs in nearly 30 years before the Ducks aim to even their series with the Golden Knights.
IT WAS GOALS GALORE FOR MacKINNON AND CO. AS AVALANCHE WIN SIXTH STRAIGHT
The Avalanche and Wild picked up right where they left off after a 15-goal, back-and-forth affair in Game 1 of the Second Round series and did so by trading a pair of goals six seconds apart within the opening three minutes of play. Nathan MacKinnon (1-2—3) then supplied his third consecutive three-point game as the Avalanche scored five-plus goals for the third straight contest en route to their sixth win in a row – tied with the Hurricanes for the longest streak to start the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and tied for the second-longest stretch in franchise history.
* The Avalanche and Wild tied the second-fastest two goals by both teams in Stanley Cup Playoffs history, alongside the Flyers and Penguins (Game 2 of the 2012 CQF). The only faster instance: Penguins and Sabres (0:05 in Game 3 of 1979 PRLM).
* Colorado’s offense, which scored 14 goals through its first two games of a series for the first time in franchise history, saw their streak of multiple tallies in consecutive regulation periods end following a two-goal first frame. The Avalanche became the fourth team in the past 30 years to record multiple goals in five straight regulation playoff periods alongside the 2012 Flyers (6 periods), 2022 Oilers (5 periods) and 2010 Canucks (5 periods).
* MacKinnon (4-6—10 in 6 GP), whose eight career 10-point postseasons tied Corey Perry and Sidney Crosby for the second most by an active player (Brad Marchand: 10), became the sixth player in the past 40 years to register three consecutive three-point games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The others: Leon Draisaitl (5 GP in 2022), Mikko Rantanen (4 GP in 2025), Joe Pavelski (3 GP in 2010), Joe Sakic (3 GP in 1997) and Dennis Maruk (3 GP in 1986).
* Scott Wedgewood extended his win streak to six games and tied the longest by a goaltender in franchise postseason history (last: Pavel Francouz, 6 GP in 2022). Only three other netminders in Stanley Cup Playoffs history have posted a streak of that length to start their postseason careers.
MAPLE LEAFS WIN 2026 NHL DRAFT LOTTERY
The Maple Leafs won the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery and will have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. Toronto, which moved from fifth to first in the lottery and began the night with an 8.5 percent chance of ending up with the No. 1 pick, will select first overall at the NHL Draft for the third time in franchise history following 2016 (Auston Matthews) and 1985 (Wendel Clark).
* The Sharks moved from ninth to the second selection in the 2026 NHL Draft and own a top-two pick for the third straight season after 2025 (No. 2: Michael Misa) and 2024 (No. 1: Macklin Celebrini). San Jose became the fifth team to pick among the top two in three straight drafts following Pittsburgh (4 from 2003 – 2006), Atlanta (4 from 1999 – 2002), Edmonton (3 from 2010 – 2012) and Quebec (3 from 1989 – 1991).
* Click here for details on the top prospects, including top-ranked North American skater Gavin McKenna and No. 1-ranked International skater Ivar Stenberg, for the upcoming 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft set for June 26-27 in Buffalo at KeyBank Center.
DEMIDOV, SCHAEFER AND SENNECKE VOTED CALDER TROPHY FINALISTS
Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov, Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer and Ducks forward Beckett Sennecke are the three finalists for the 2025‑26 Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded “to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition.” Click here for more details.
QUICK CLICKS
* Episode One of “Quest For The Stanley Cup” Premieres Today on the NHL’s YouTube Channel
* Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg likely to be top prize for winner of NHL Draft Lottery
* NHL EDGE stats: Sabres-Canadiens series in 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
* TNT Sports Delivers Its Most Watched NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round Ever
* ESPN delivered the most-viewed First Round of the Playoffs since the new NHL rights deal
SABRES-CANADIENS OPEN SERIES AHEAD OF GAME 2 OF GOLDEN KNIGHTS-DUCKS
The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs continue Wednesday when the Sabres and Canadiens contest Game 1 of their Second Round series in Buffalo before the Ducks look to even their series versus the Golden Knights. Both contests will air on TNT, Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
* After their thrilling seven-game series concluded Sunday, the Canadiens are back in action against the Atlantic Division-winning Sabres (their three series wins against Montreal are tied for their most vs. one franchise), in what will be the first postseason meeting between the teams in nearly 30 years (1998 CSF). The series will pit the two highest-scoring American players dating to last season: Cole Caufield (88 G) and Tage Thompson (84 G).
* The series also features defensemen looking to build off impressive showings in the First Round. Lane Hutson (2-4—6 in 7 GP), tied for the team lead in points, can become the third blueliner in Canadiens history to record a point in each of his first five road games of a postseason, following Vladimir Malakhov (5 GP in 1998) and Larry Robinson (5 GP in 1985). The other side of the ice has Bowen Byram (3-2—5 in 6 GP), who is tied for the second-most goals by a defenseman in these playoffs. Bryam is one shy of tying the Sabres record for goals by a blueliner in a single postseason, shared by Jason Woolley (4 in 1999), Alexei Zhitnik (4 in 1999) and Mike Ramsey (4 in 1983).
* Mitch Marner (3-6—9 in 7 GP) is tied with Jack Eichel (1-8—9) for the Vegas lead in points this postseason and has done so thanks in part to consecutive multi-point outings (1-1—2 in Game 1 of R2). After finishing the regular season with the most points among players on new teams (24-56—80), Marner currently trails only Quinn Hughes (3-8–11) for that same distinction in these playoffs.
* Jackson LaCombe (1-9—10 in 7 GP) factored on Anaheim’s lone goal in Game 1 and will look to keep contributing as the Ducks aim to even their series. Anaheim is one of three remaining teams this postseason with multiple wins following a loss (MTL: 3, ANA: 2 & BUF: 2) and a third victory in that scenario would be their most in a single playoff year since 2017 (4). LaCombe needs one more assist to reach 10 in his playoff career and can become the fastest player in Ducks history to hit the mark – Dmitri Mironov (11 GP in 1997) currently holds the distinction.
