STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS MAY 24, 2026 – GOLDEN KNIGHTS STUN AVALANCHE WITH THREE-GOAL RALLY, CLAIM 3-0 SERIES LEAD

Gabriel Landeskog scored the first of three straight Avalanche goals as his club took a 3-0 lead into the first intermission but Mark Stone (1-1—2) – in the lineup for the first time since Game 3 of the Second Round – scored the first of five straight Golden Knights goals as Vegas stole Game 3 from the Presidents’ Trophy winners and moved within one victory of their third Stanley Cup Final appearance in nine NHL seasons.

• The Golden Knights, who captured the franchise’s first three-goal comeback win in the postseason, became the seventh team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to register a three-goal comeback victory against the No. 1-seeded club. The others: Blue Jackets (Game 1 of 2019 R1 at TBL), Jets (Game 3 of 2018 R2 vs. NSH), Flyers (Game 3 of 1987 SCF vs. EDM), Flames (Game 2 of 1984 DF at EDM), Canadiens (Game 2 of 1971 QF at BOS) and Maple Leafs (Game 3 of 1936 SCF vs. DET).
• Vegas became the 10th team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to take a 3-0 series lead against the No. 1 seed and third in the past eight postseasons after Tampa Bay achieved the feat versus Florida during the 2022 Second Round and Columbus did so against Tampa Bay in the 2019 First Round.

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are the fifth straight postseason to feature multiple three-goal comeback victories (also COL in Game 5 of R2). The only other streak of that length in NHL history occurred from 1982 to 1988 (7 years).

DEJA VU: TORTORELLA ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH SUNDAY’S RESULT

The Golden Knights improved to 18-4-1 under head coach John Tortorella, who joined the club with eight games remaining in their regular-season schedule. Tortorella has now been the head coach for each of the NHL’s past two times a team has rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Presidents’ Trophy winners in a playoff game after he watched his Blue Jackets accomplish the feat in Game 1 of the 2019 First Round against the 62-win Lightning en route to a series sweep.

• Tortorella, who earned his third career three-goal comeback win in the playoffs, became the first coach in NHL history to lead a best-of-seven series 3-0 against the No. 1-seeded team multiple times.

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• The Golden Knights sit one win shy of their third Stanley Cup Final appearance, which would tie the Flyers and Blues for the second most by a franchise through their first nine seasons in the NHL’s expansion era, behind the Oilers (5).
• The Golden Knights recorded their sixth season with 50 or more wins (regular season and playoffs combined) – the second most by a franchise through their first nine seasons, behind only the Oilers (7).
• Mitch Marner (0-2—2) boosted his totals in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs to 7-14—21 (15 GP). He is one of five players in the past 30 years with 14 or more assists through his first 15 career playoff games with a franchise, alongside David Pastrnak (15 w/ BOS), Reilly Smith (14 w/ VGK), Sidney Crosby (14 w/ PIT) and Wayne Gretzky (14 w/ STL).
• Brett Howden (10-2—12) capped the evening with his 10th goal of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and tied teammate Pavel Dorofeyev (10-4—14) for the League lead. It marked the fifth time since 2014 that a pair of teammates were the League’s first two players to hit a double-digit goal total in a single postseason, following Zach Hyman and Leon Draisaitl (EDM in 2024), Logan Couture and Tomas Hertl (SJS in 2019), Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin (PIT in 2017) as well as Marian Gaborik and Jeff Carter (LAK in 2014).

CANADIENS, HURRICANES BATTLE FOR 2-1 LEAD AS SERIES SHIFTS TO BELL CENTRE

The Canadiens welcome the Hurricanes to Bell Centre for a pivotal Game 3, with a 2-1 series lead on the line, in the Eastern Conference Final after Nikolaj Ehlers and Josh Anderson sparked the offense for their respective clubs during an overtime thriller in Game 2. Teams that take a 2-1 lead in a best-of seven series during the round before the Stanley Cup Final hold an all-time series record of 92-28 (.767).

• Eric Robinson (2-2—4 in 10 GP) is an undrafted, 10-season NHL veteran and has become an unexpected source of offense for the Hurricanes, who have their sights on a fifth straight road win to start the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Robinson has found the back of the net in each of the first two games of the Eastern Conference Final and can become the third player in franchise history to start a series with a three-game goal streak, following Logan Stankoven (4 GP in 2026 R1) and Pat Verbeek (3 GP in 1991 DSF). The 30-year-old can also become the fourth active player to score each of his first three or more goals of a postseason in the Conference Finals/Semifinals alongside Jason Robertson (4 in 2025), Cole Caufield (4 in 2021) and Tyler Seguin (3 in 2011).
• Phillip Danault (2-8—10 in 16 GP), with a reputation for being a go-to, two-way center, has adapted the script in the Eastern Conference Final with the Canadiens and has collected a series-best four points (1-3—4). When the puck drops for Game 3, he can join P.K. Subban (3 GP in 2014 R2) as the second Canadiens player in the past 45 years to record multiple points in each of his team’s first three games of a series.

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STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS MAY 23, 2026 – HURRICANES WITHSTAND CANADIENS RALLY TO CLAIM GAME 2 WITH OVERTIME WIN

Josh Anderson (2-0—2) became the fifth different player in Canadiens history with two game-tying goals in a playoff game but Nikolaj Ehlers (2-0—2) scored his second of the contest within the opening four minutes of overtime to help the Hurricanes draw even in the Eastern Conference Final. Carolina, which earned its first victory against Montreal since March 28, 2025 (0-4-0; regular season & playoffs combined), also captured its first home win in any Conference Finals series since 2006 (Game 7 vs. BUF).

• Overtime has been crucial to the Hurricanes’ success not only in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs but in their franchise history as well (4-0 in 2026 & 36-23, .610 all-time). They are the fourth team in as many postseasons to win each of their first four overtime games in a playoff year following the 2025 Oilers (4-0), 2024 Rangers (4-0) and 2023 Panthers (7-0). Florida, Anaheim (7 GP in 2003) and San Jose (5 GP in 2011) are the only clubs in NHL history to extend its streak beyond four contests.
• Overall, Carolina captured its sixth straight win in a playoff game that required overtime dating to Game 5 of the 2025 First Round – the second-longest stretch in franchise history (7 wins from 2021-23). Its current run is tied for the second longest among all franchises in the past 20 years, behind only Florida (11 GP from 2021 – 2024).
• Thirteen of the 14 series this postseason have featured at least one overtime game. Should any contest in the Western Conference Final or Stanley Cup Final require more than 60 minutes, the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs can be the sixth in NHL history to feature 14 or more series with at least one overtime game alongside 2020 (16), 2013 (15), 2023 (14), 2021 (14) and 2014 (14).
• Ehlers, an Aalborg, Denmark native, scored his second career overtime goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (also Game 3 of 2021 R1) and did so with his father in the Lenovo Center stands. He joined Mikkel Boedker (2) as the second Danish player in NHL history with multiple overtime goals in his postseason career.

Colorado can join rarefied air by rallying from 2-0 series deficit vs. Vegas

Martin Necas and the Avalanche aim to cut their series deficit in half against Pavel Dorofeyev and the Golden Knights as Colorado looks to become the ninth team in NHL history to win a final-four round after losing each of the first two games.

• Vegas can become the 10th club in League history to take a 3-0 series lead against the NHL’s No. 1 seed and third over the past eight postseasons after Tampa Bay achieved the feat versus Florida during the 2022 Second Round and Columbus did so against Tampa Bay in the 2019 First Round. The 2022 Lightning’s roster featured Avalanche forward Ross Colton and the 2019 Blue Jackets’ bench boss was Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella.
• Colorado can become the first team in more than 81 years to win a final-four round after losing each of its first two games at home and second in League history following Detroit, which achieved the feat versus Boston during the 1945 Semifinals. The Avalanche can win any playoff round after facing a 2-0 series deficit for the fourth time in franchise history (also 1999 CSF, 1987 DSF & 1982 DF).
• Steve Wochy played with the Red Wings during the 1945 Semifinals and spoke about Detroit’s rally in a 2024 NHL Productions film about his life. Wochy was born in Fort William, Ont., which is now known as Thunder Bay – hometown of Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood and Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal.

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STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS MAY 22, 2026 – BARBASHEV LEADS VEGAS TO THIRD-PERIOD COMEBACK WIN AND 2-0 SERIES LEAD

The Avalanche held a 1-0 lead with a little more than 10 minutes remaining in regulation, but Golden Knights forwards Ivan Barbashev (2-1—3) and Jack Eichel (1-1—2) combined to score the tying and go-ahead tally in a span of 2:07 – the second-fastest two goals in a Conference Finals/Semifinals in franchise history – to lift Vegas to a 2-0 series lead. In the process, the Golden Knights registered their franchise-best fourth third-period comeback win of the postseason and became the first team to defeat the Avalanche (45-1-0) when trailing after two periods in 2025-26 (regular season & playoffs).

• Barbashev put the Golden Knights up 2-1 with 8:38 remaining in regulation, the franchise’s second-latest go-ahead goal in a Conference Finals/Semifinals contest behind Game 4 of the 2018 Conference Finals (Reilly Smith at 53:02). Barbashev also joined Smith as the second skater in Golden Knights history to score two career go-ahead goals in the final 10 minutes of a playoff game (also Game 1 of 2026 R2).
• Eichel scored the tying goal to record his 60th career playoff point (12-49—61 in 54 GP) and became the fastest player in Golden Knights history to reach the mark. Eichel then set up Barbashev to take the lead, marking the 24th time he has factored on a go-ahead goal in the playoffs with Vegas, which tied him with Jonathan Marchessault for the third most in franchise history behind only Mark Stone (34) and Shea Theodore (32).

HALL, HURRICANES HOPE TO EVEN EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL AGAINST CANADIENS

Taylor Hall and the Hurricanes hope to even their Eastern Conference Final series against fellow No. 1 pick Juraj Slafkovský and the Canadiens before it shifts to Bell Centre for Game 3 on Monday. Montreal can establish a single-postseason franchise record for road wins, while Carolina hasn’t suffered consecutive home losses since early January.

• Hall can help the Hurricanes win a final-four round for the third time in franchise history following seven- and six-game victories during the 2006 and 2002 Eastern Conference Final, respectively. Carolina pulled even with a Game 2 win at home both times, including when Rod Brind’Amour assisted on Niclas Wallin’s overtime goal after Toronto tied the contest with 7.2 seconds remaining in regulation during the 2002 series.
• Slafkovský’s three-point Conference Finals debut included an assist on the Canadiens’ opening-minute goal by Cole Caufield, who has collected 21 of his 56 total tallies this season in games on Saturday. The highest single-season total in franchise history is shared by Stephane Richer (27 in 1989-90), Guy Lafleur (27 in 1977-78) and Newsy Lalonde (27 in 1918-19), while the League mark is held by Dave Taylor with the 1980-81 Kings (28).

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Roberto Duncan Named Head Coach of Lancer Baseball

The University of Windsor Lancers Department of Athletics has announced the hiring of Roberto Duncan as the new head coach of the Lancer baseball program.

“We are thrilled to welcome Roberto to the Lancer family. His extensive experience coaching in a post-secondary environment brings a high level of knowledge and professionalism that will greatly benefit our student-athletes. Additionally, his strong connections within the Windsor-Essex community will help us continue to build meaningful relationships and strengthen the foundation of our program. I’m excited to have him on board and look forward to the impact he will make both on and off the diamond.” – University of Windsor Director of Athletics, Stephanie White

Duncan most recently served as head coach of the St. Clair Saints of the OCAA from 2021-24, in which he led the team to four consecutive OCAA Championships with an 80-10-1 overall record. His time included three regular season pennants with a 62-6 record. In 2023, he was named the 2023 OCAA Coach of the Year. Prior to his time as head coach of the Saints he spent three years as an assistant coach, which included an OCAA Championship and national title in 2017.

“I would like to thank Director of Athletics Stephanie White and the entire athletic department for trusting me to lead the Windsor Lancer baseball program and for welcoming me into the Lancer family,” said Duncan.

“I am excited to meet the coaches, connect with the returning players, begin recruiting, and prepare for the 2026 season and beyond. Coaching in the OUA is a new and exciting challenge, and I look forward to representing the program with pride while giving my very best to our players, their parents, the coaching staff, and the University of Windsor.”

In his own playing career, Duncan was a free agent signing by the Boston Red Sox and played in 151 games across three season (2010-12) in the Dominican Summer League as well as a stint in the Panamanian Professional League. He joined the Saints in 2015 and won two OCAA Championships and a national silver medal. The Panama City, Panama native hit .289 in his collegiate career as a first baseman. Duncan holds an MLB Advanced Certification for Coach Development.

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STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS MAY 21, 2026 – CANADIENS COME OUT FLYING FOLLOWING GAME 7 WIN, HAND HURRICANES FIRST LOSS

Cole Caufield (1:00) and Seth Jarvis (0:33) exchanged opening-minute goals before the Canadiens added three more during the first period en route to taking a 1-0 lead in their Eastern Conference Final series and halting the Hurricanes’ eight-game postseason-opening winning streak, which was one shy of tying the NHL record set by the 1985 Oilers (9-0).

• Nick Suzuki (0-3—3) assisted on Caufield’s goal and extended his postseason-opening road point streak to a franchise-record nine games while becoming the fifth player in NHL history with a run of that length after Mark Messier (10 GP in 1994 & 9 GP in 1990), Joe Sakic (10 GP in 1996), Leon Draisaitl (9 GP in 2025) and Peter Forsberg (9 GP in 1999). Suzuki reached 14 road points in the 2026 playoffs to set a single-postseason club record and tie Mitch Marner for the League lead.
• Caufield collected his fifth career goal during a final-four round after having four as a 20-year-old rookie in the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals and assisted on a highlight-reel tally by Juraj Slafkovský (2-1—3) during the final frame. Caufield became the eighth player in NHL history with 40 tying or go-ahead goals in a campaign (regular season & playoffs).
• Jakub Dobes (25 saves) remained perfect against Carolina this season and improved to 9-6 in 15 appearances during the 2026 playoffs with a 2.48 goals-against average and .911 save percentage. Dobes became the fourth rookie goaltender in franchise history with nine or more wins during a postseason after Patrick Roy (15-5 in 1986), Ken Dryden (12-8 in 1971) and Steve Penney (9-6 in 1984).
• Phillip Danault (1-1—2), Alexandre Texier and Ivan Demidov accounted for the other first-period goals by Montreal, which scored four in the opening frame of a playoff contest for the first time since Game 1 of the 1991 Division Semifinals. The Canadiens achieved the feat during a final-four round for the first time in more than 67 years and fourth time in franchise history (also Game 5 of 1959 SF, Game 1 of 1958 SF & Game 5 of 1954 SF).

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE DRAFT: SAN JOSE HOLDS ANOTHER HIGH PICK

The Sharks won the second drawing of the NHL Draft Lottery, moving up from ninth position to the second overall pick – their third consecutive draft with a top two selection after Macklin Celebrini (No. 1 in 2024) and Michael Misa (No. 2 in 2025). San Jose could become the fifth franchise in NHL history to make a top two overall selection in three straight years following the Penguins (4 from 2003 to 2006), Thrashers (4 from 1999 to 2002), Oilers (3 from 2010 to 2012) and Nordiques (3 from 1989 to 1991).

• The 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft will take place at KeyBank Center in Buffalo from Friday, June 26 (Round 1: 7 p.m. ET) to Saturday, June 27 (Rounds 2-7: 11 a.m. ET).

Landeskog, Avalanche aim to even series against Eichel, Golden Knights

Gabriel Landeskog and the Avalanche aim to even their Western Conference Final series against Jack Eichel and the Golden Knights before it shifts to T-Mobile Arena for Game 3 on Sunday. Landeskog logged a goal in the series opener before Eichel assisted on an empty-netter to quell Colorado’s comeback attempt.

• Landeskog underwent multiple knee surgeries after captaining the 2022 Avalanche to the Stanley Cup and made his triumphant return to Colorado’s lineup for the first time in more than 1,000 days during Game 3 of the 2025 First Round. Landeskog was a regular for the Avalanche during their Presidents’ Trophy-winning season and can become the NHL’s second European to captain multiple Cup-winning teams, following Aleksander Barkov (2025 & 2024 FLA).
• Eichel, Noah Hanifin, Brock Nelson and Jaccob Slavin are the four players still competing in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs that won a gold medal with Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The only American to win the Stanley Cup and Olympic gold in the same season is Ken Morrow, who completed the feat with the 1980 Islanders after playing for the “Miracle on Ice” team alongside Nelson’s uncle, Dave Christian.

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