STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS APRIL 21, 2026 – MAMMOTH SECURE FIRST-EVER PLAYOFF WIN, HEAD HOME TO UTAH WITH EVEN SERIES

After Utah erased a 1-0 deficit and took the lead, Vegas responded quickly to tie up the game but Logan Cooley (1-0—1) found the back of the net with six minutes remaining in regulation to lift the Mammoth to their first-ever win in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and send them home to Salt Lake City with an even series.

• The Mammoth joined the Jets (Game 1 of 2018 R1), Blue Jackets (Game 2 of 2014 R1), Lightning (Game 2 of 1996 CQF), Devils (Game 2 of 1988 DSF), Whalers (Game 1 of 1986 DSF) and original Jets (Game 2 of 1982 DSF) as the only teams since the WHA merger in 1979-80 to come from behind to earn their first-ever playoff win.
• Cooley, who scored Utah’s first-ever playoff goal in Game 1, became the first player to score in each of a franchise’s first two playoff games since 2003, when Andrew Brunette and Wes Walz both did so for the Wild. Only two players in NHL history have scored in each of a franchise’s first three postseason contests: Nick Harbaruk with Pittsburgh in 1970 and Newsy Lalonde with Montreal in 1918 to 1919.

LIGHTNING, AVALANCHE EARN OVERTIME WINS AS TREND OF CLOSE GAMES CONTINUE

The Stanley Cup Playoffs saw two more contests go into overtime, with the Lightning and Avalanche both prevailing thanks in part to late-tying tallies. The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs has now seen 13 close games (1-goal margin or 2+ w/ ENG). Only four other postseasons had as many through the first 15 games: 2010 (15), 2024 (14), 2021 (14) and 2025 (13).

• After Nikita Kucherov tied the score at 2-2 with 7:27 remaining in regulation to send the Lightning and Canadiens to overtime for the second straight contest, J.J. Moser netted the winning goal to help Tampa Bay knot the series at one game apiece as the teams shift to the Bell Centre for Game 3. The Lightning own an all-time best-of-seven series record of 13-7 when tied at one game apiece and are 10-1 in that scenario after starting the series on home ice. Tampa Bay’s .909 series winning percentage in that scenario is the best mark of any team in NHL history.
• Moser became the fourth Swiss player (and first Swiss defenseman) in NHL history to score an overtime goal in the playoffs, following Kevin Fiala (Game 2 of 2018 R2 & Game 3 of 2017 R1), Nino Niederreiter (Game 7 of 2014 R1) and Damien Brunner (Game 4 of 2013 CQF). Along with becoming the first player in Lightning history to have his first career playoff goal come in overtime, he also became the fifth blueliner to score a playoff overtime goal for Tampa Bay, and first since Kevin Shattenkirk (Game 4 of 2020 SCF).
• Kucherov scored his first postseason goal since Game 1 of the 2023 First Round to snap a 16-game drought in the playoffs and, in the process, recorded the latest tying tally in a playoff game for the Lightning since Patrick Maroon (53:48 in Game 4 of 2021 SCF).
• A tightly-contested game between the Kings and Avalanche saw its first goal scored by Artemi Panarin (1-0—1) in the final seven minutes of regulation. Colorado’s captain Gabriel Landeskog (1-0—1) responded soon after to force overtime where Nicolas Roy (1-0—1) and Nazem Kadri (0-1—1), two mid-season acquisitions by the Avalanche in 2025-26, combined on the winner to give the Avalanche a 2-0 series lead.
• Roy became the sixth player in Avalanche/Nordiques history to score a playoff overtime goal after being acquired mid-season, following Artturi Lehkonen (Game 4 of 2022 CF), Josh Manson (Game 1 of 2022 R2), Mike Keane (Game 1 of 1996 CF), Sandis Ozolinsh (Game 6 of 1996 CSF) and Wilf Paiement (Game 3 of 1982 DF).

PASTRNAK HELPS BRUINS PULL EVEN WITH ANOTHER MULTI-POINT GAME

David Pastrnak (0-2—2) factored on two of his team’s four goals, including the winner from Pavel Zacha (1-0—1), to help the Bruins bounce back against the Sabres in Game 2 and take an even series home to Boston.

• Pastrnak became the fourth player in Bruins history to record multiple assists in each of his first two road games in a postseason, joining Adam Oates (2 GP in 1993), Craig Janney (2 GP in 1990) and Milt Schmidt (2 GP in 1948).
• Pastrnak recorded his 24th career multi-point playoff game and surpassed Janney, Ken Hodge, Cam Neely and Rick Middleton (all w/ 23 GP) for the eighth most in franchise history. He also surpassed Ondrej Palat (23 GP) for the fourth most in NHL history by a Czech player, behind only Jaromir Jagr (50 GP), Patrik Elias (29 GP) and former Bruins teammate David Krejci (28 GP).

Wednesday has First Round series shifting to Saint Paul, Philadelphia

Wednesday has the Stars and Wild shifting to Grand Casino Arena for a pivotal Game 3 as well as the Penguins looking to cut their series deficit to 2-1 as the “Battle of Pennsylvania” against the Flyers goes to Xfinity Mobile Arena. The finale features the Ducks aiming for a split versus the Oilers before heading back to Honda Center.

• Wyatt Johnston and Brock Faber are set to follow up multi-goal performances from Game 2 during the series’ first contest in the “State of Hockey,” which the Stars called home for 26 seasons when the franchise was known as the Minnesota North Stars. When a best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoffs round is tied 1-1, the Game 3 victor goes on to win the series nearly two-thirds of the time (245-124; .664) including an 11-5 (.688) record by the Stars/North Stars and a 1-4 (.200) mark by the Wild.
• Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin can help the Penguins earn a series win after facing a 2-0 deficit for the sixth time in franchise history (also 2009 SCF, 2009 CSF, 1996 CQF, 1992 DSF & 1991 CF) – the trio played in each of the last two instances and accounted for four of Pittsburgh’s eight game-winning goals across the two series. Porter Martone can achieve another NHL first and become the first player with three consecutive winners at any point in a postseason since Carter Verhaeghe (Game 4-6 of 2022 R1).

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

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STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS – APRIL 20, 2026 – MARTINOOK NETS WINNER IN 2OT AS HURRICANES ACHIEVE NHL-FIRST

In a contest that featured the Senators rally from a 2-0 deficit to force overtime and saw 93:53 of Stanley Cup Playoffs hockey – the longest game of the postseason so far – it was the Hurricanes who prevailed to take a 2-0 series lead thanks to Jordan Martinook’s first career playoff overtime goal. It marked the first double overtime contest of the postseason and the second straight playoff year in which Carolina skated in a First Round series with contests requiring multiple overtime rounds (also 2 double OT games during 2025 R1).

• Martinook became the third player in franchise history to score the winning goal in a playoff game that required multiple overtimes, alongside Sebastian Aho (Game 5 of 2025 R1) and Brock McGinn (Game 7 of 2019 R1). He helped improve the franchise’s win percentage in playoff overtime games to .589, which is the fourth best among all teams behind the Kraken (1.00; 2 GP), Islanders (.631) and Ducks (.615).

MARTONE CONTINUES UNPRECEDENTED START TO STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS CAREER

Porter Martone scored the game-winning goal for the second consecutive game and made NHL history in the process as the Flyers shut out the state-rival Penguins to take a 2-0 series lead back to the “City of Brotherly Love.” Philadelphia won each of its first two road games of a postseason for the eighth time in franchise history and first since the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs (5 GP).

• Overall, Martone became the third rookie in NHL history to score the game-winning goals in consecutive games to start a postseason, alongside Brett Hull (2 GP in 1988 w/ STL) and Cooney Weiland (2 GP in 1929 w/ BOS).
• Martone, the second teenager in franchise history to score in consecutive postseason contests, also became the first to score in back-to-back road games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Just two games into his postseason career, the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft also joined Danius Zubrus (5 in 1997; 3 on the road) and Sean Couturier (3 in 2012; 3 on the road) as the third teenager in Flyers history with multiple goals in a single playoff year.

STARS, OILERS CLOSE OUT TIGHT GAMES WITH VICTORY

The Stars and Oilers both earned wins Monday in tightly contested games – a trend so far in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs which has featured eight of 11 contests decided by one-goal or two including an empty net.

• Wyatt Johnston (2-0—2) climbed up multiple franchise lists and Miro Heiskanen (0-1—1) reached the 50-assist plateau to propel the Stars to victory as they evened the series against the Wild before heading to Minnesota for Game 3. Heiskanen became the third-fastest defenseman born outside North America to reach 50 career playoff assists (95 GP), behind only Sergei Zubov (80 GP) and Sandis Ozolinsh (81 GP).
• Johnston moved into a tie with Jere Lehtinen (8) for the second-most game-opening goals in the playoffs in franchise history behind Mike Modano (13). He also became the second Stars/North Stars player age 22 or younger to record 20 career playoff goals, joining Steve Payne (24) and required the sixth-fewest contests to reach that plateau among players to debut with the franchise.
• Troy Terry (2-1—3) matched the Ducks record for points in a playoff period to give Anaheim a lead through 40 minutes after falling behind 2-0, but Leon Draisaitl (0-2—2) – in his first game back in Edmonton’s lineup since March 15 – collected his second assist of the evening on Kasperi Kapanen’s go-ahead goal with 1:54 remaining in regulation as Edmonton staged a rally of its own to capture Game 1 at Rogers Place.
• Draisaitl (52-91—143 in 97 GP) eclipsed the 90-assist mark in his postseason career. His 0.94 assists per game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs ranks third in NHL history (min. 20 GP), behind Wayne Gretzky (1.25) and teammate Connor McDavid (1.09).

QUARTET OF CLUBS LOOK TO EVEN SERIES TUESDAY

A doubleheader broadcast nationally in Canada on Sportsnet opens with the Lightning aiming to even their series at home against the Canadiens and closes with the Mammoth attempting to secure their first-ever playoff win. The Bruins open a two-pack on ESPN looking to bounce back in Game 2 against the Sabres while the Kings look to return to Los Angeles with a series stalemate.

• Nikita Kucherov and the Lightning are no strangers to overcoming a 1-0 series deficit – Tampa Bay owns a 12-11 (.522) all-time record when trailing 1-0 in a best-of-seven and even overcame that exact deficit in both the 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs en route to consecutive championships. Kucherov (0-2—2) and Jake Guentzel (0-3—3) each had multiple assists in Game 1 and can become the second and/or third Lightning players to record multiple assists in the team’s first two games of a postseason, following Tyler Johnson (2 GP in 2016).
• David Pastrnak and the Bruins look to erase the 1-0 series deficit and head home on equal footing – Boston owns an all-time record of 16-35 (.313) when trailing 1-0 in a best-of-seven but has won seven of its past 10 series after facing that deficit (dating to 2009). Pastrnak, who had 1-2—3 in Game 1, needs one goal to pass Johnny Bucyk (40) for seventh place on the Bruins’ all-time list, and two points to tie Bobby Orr (92) for eighth place.
• Logan Cooley and the Mammoth aim to return home with an even series – Utah can become the sixth team to overcome a deficit to win their first-ever playoff series, following the Kraken (2023 R1), Wild (2003 CQF), Ducks (1997 CQF), Sharks (1994 CQF) and North Stars (1968 QF). Cooley, who scored the franchise’s first-ever playoff goal, can become the youngest American player in NHL history to score in each of their first two career playoff games (21 years, 352 days).
• Anze Kopitar and the Kings look to even their series at one apiece – Los Angeles holds an 8-18 (.308) record when trailing 1-0 in a best-of-seven series, with its most recent such win coming in the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs versus Edmonton. Kopitar has 27-62—89 in 104 career playoff games and can climb the franchise’s all-time points and assists list.

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STEVE VAGNINI NAMED OCAA COACH OF THE YEAR

By Josh Bell-Webster

The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) has announced that Steve Vagnini of St. Clair College has been named its 2025-26 Coach of the Year. Vagnini was at the helm of a Saints team that completed a memorable women’s outdoor soccer season in 2025. Vagnini’s leadership earned him triple honours as the OCAA, West Division and CCAA Coach of the Year at season’s end.

During his near-decade with the St. Clair program, Vagnini has cultivated a culture of accountability, respect and teamwork. By prioritizing comprehensive player development — covering technical, tactical, physical and psychological growth — he has ensured his athletes evolve into well-rounded individuals and competitors. Vagnini’s stewardship has helped produce high-achieving student-athletes, including Victoria Walsh, the 2025 OCAA West Player of the Year and CCAA All-Canadian.

Vagnini is as committed to his players’ personal and academic development as he is to their performance. Through biweekly meetings, Vagnini monitors their academic progress and personal goal-setting, underscoring his belief that character and education are paramount. Ultimately, Vagnini’s philosophy ensures that every student-athlete graduates from the program more confident and capable than when they arrived.

The Saints were coming off a 2024 season where they finished near the top of the West Division standings but were upset in the opening round of the OCAA playoffs. With a core of returning players mixed with some key additions, Vagnini looked to reverse the disappointment of past seasons. St. Clair began 2025 by levelling two-time reigning OCAA silver medalist Humber 2-2 before avenging its crossover loss the previous season to Sheridan winning 4-0.

After going 3-0-3 during the month of September, the Saints turned it on for the stretch run. St. Clair won four straight matches to conclude the regular season, averaging five goals on offence while recording three clean sheets. The Saints secured the West Division championship with an overall 7-0-3 record, allowing just five goals against in 10 matches, never once tasting defeat. It marked St. Clair’s first divisional title in 26 years.

Avoiding the pitfall of another first-round upset, the Saints scored 10 times in a shut out of Loyalist, then took an early two-goal lead over Durham and coasted to a quarter-final victory. As a result, St. Clair played host to the OCAA championship on home turf, its first trip to the final four since 2023.

The Saints were behind division rival Humber 1-0 at half time of the semifinal, but got the equalizer in the 59th minute, then a game-winning goal in the second overtime period to clinch their first OCAA medal since 2015. Playing Centennial in the OCAA gold medal match, St. Clair pounced on an early lead and never let up, winning 4-1 to end its 36-year OCAA championship drought.

Making their debut on the national stage, the Saints posted a 2-2 record at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Soccer National Championship in Red Deer, Alta., fighting their way to the bronze medal match.

Vagnini also led the women’s indoor soccer team to a regional championship in 2026, advancing to the final four where the Saints lost both the semifinal and bronze medal match in penalty kicks.

PREVIOUS OCAA COACHES OF THE YEAR
2024-25 — Betty Calic, Mohawk Curling
2023-24 — Luca Sirianni, Seneca Women’s Soccer
2022-23 — Doug Wiseman St. Clair Women’s Softball

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St. Clair Saints Name New Men’s Volleyball Head Coach

The St. Clair College Athletic Department has announced Greg Simone as the new Varsity Men’s Volleyball Head Coach.

Simone is a former five year USport athlete where he played for four years at the University of Windsor and one year at the University of Waterloo. He also has extensive playing experience playing beach volleyball for Team Ontario.

Simone has recently spent the last few years as a Head Coach with the Sky Volley Club coaching several boy’s teams. He also has experience with the Forest City Volleyball Club and the KW Predator Volleyball Club. Prior to that he was an assistant coach with the University of Waterloo after his playing career.
Simone was born and raised in London where he attended London Central Secondary School before going to the University of Windsor.

Simone is eager to take over the Saints program. “I am truly honoured to step into the role of Head Coach for the St. Clair College men’s volleyball program. This is an incredible opportunity to lead a dedicated group of student-athletes, and I am excited to get to work. Together we will build a program that competes for OCAA Championships while creating a winning culture both on and off the court.”

Director of Athletics and Recreation Reid Innes is pleased to add Simone to the Saints coaching roster. “We’re excited to welcome Coach Simone to Saints Athletics. He comes to St. Clair College sharing our approach to prepare student-athletes for success in competition, academics, and life beyond our campus. I believe his experiences as a player and coach position him to do just that. We look forward to this new path for our Men’s Volleyball team.”

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STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS APRIL 19, 2026 – 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).
• Slafkovský became 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).

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).

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.

• Stone scored 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 tied with 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

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.

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.

Mammoth’s Durzi Fined for Head-Butting

Utah Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for head-butting Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Rasmus Andersson during Game 1 of the teams’ First Round series in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 19. The incident occurred at 16:32 of the first period. Durzi was assessed a minor penalty for roughing. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

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