Hockey

Sabres rally to beat the Canadiens 8-3 to force Game 7

The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 12:34 AM CDT

MONTREAL (AP) — Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 18 saves after starter Alex Lyon stopped only one of the four shots he faced, and the Buffalo Sabres roared back to beat the Montreal Canadiens 8-3 on Saturday night and force a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The winner Monday night in Buffalo will face Carolina for the conference title and a chance to play for the Stanley Cup. The Hurricanes swept both of their series, last playing May 9.

“I think if you would have asked every guy in here in September if they would have taken being in Game 7 in Round 2, we all would have signed up for that,” Buffalo forward Tage Thompson said. "So, we’re in a great spot. Now it’s just one game. That’s all that matters.”

Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and four assists for a team playoff-record five points.

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Hockey

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, back right, confers with center Nathan MacKinnon, front right, and left wing Gabriel Landeskog in the third period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Wild Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Avalanche taking advantage of break to heal as they get set to play Knights in conference finals

Pat Graham, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Avalanche taking advantage of break to heal as they get set to play Knights in conference finals

Pat Graham, The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 4:55 PM CDT

DENVER (AP) — Most of the Colorado Avalanche's players returned to the ice for practice Saturday after a two-day break.

Emphasis on most.

Noticeably missing were defensemen Cale Makar and Brent Burns, along with forward Artturi Lehkonen. There to warm up before heading to the locker room was defenseman Josh Manson, while fellow blueliner Sam Malinski participated in a red, no-contact sweater.

The Avalanche emerged from their second-round series with Minnesota with their share of bumps and bruises. That's why this hiatus between series — six full days of practice/rest — was welcome. The Presidents' Trophy-winning Avalanche don't kick off the Western Conference final against Vegas until Wednesday night.

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Yesterday at 4:55 PM CDT

Hockey

Flaherty scores OT winner to give Montreal a 2-1 win over Ottawa in Game 2 of Walter Cup Finals

The Associated Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 5:09 PM CDT

LAVAL, Quebec (AP) — Maggie Flaherty scored 14:12 into overtime to give the Montreal Victoire a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Charge in Game 2 of the Professional Women’s Hockey League 's Walter Cup final on Saturday.

Flaherty one-timed Marie-Philip Poulin's pass in the slot and fired the puck past goaltender Gwyneth Philips for her second goal of the playoffs.

The win gave Montreal a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series, with the Victoire winning the opener 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night.

Ottawa will host Game 3 on Monday as the Charge face elimination for the first time in this postseason.

Hockey

Celebrini scores pair to lead Canada to 6-0 victory over Italy at men’s hockey worlds

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Celebrini scores pair to lead Canada to 6-0 victory over Italy at men’s hockey worlds

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 1:55 PM CDT

FRIBOURG - Macklin Celebrini scored twice to lead Canada to a 6-0 victory over Italy on Saturday at the world hockey championship.

Dylan Holloway, Fraser Minten, Evan Bouchard and Ryan O’Reilly also scored. Goaltender Cam Talbot made 19 saves for the shutout.

Celebrini, the 19-year-old captain, also had an assist.

"He is one of the best players in the NHL and you really see how good he is when you play on his team and watch him live," Bouchard said. "He is such a fun player to watch, and he is leading the way.

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Updated: Yesterday at 1:55 PM CDT

Hockey

Emily Clark (26) of the Ottawa Charge defends against the Montreal Victoire's Maggie Flaherty (91) during first period PWHL playoff action in Laval, Que., on May 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Flaherty scores overtime winner to give Victoire a 2-1 win over Charge

Jared Book, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Flaherty scores overtime winner to give Victoire a 2-1 win over Charge

Jared Book, The Canadian Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 4:47 PM CDT

LAVAL - Maggie Flaherty scored 14:12 into overtime to give the Montreal Victoire a 2-1 win over the Ottawa Charge in Game 2 of the PWHL's Walter Cup final on Saturday at Place Bell.

Flaherty one-timed a Marie-Philip Poulin pass in the slot and fired the puck past goaltender Gwyneth Philips for her second goal of the playoffs.

The win gave Montreal a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Ottawa will host Game 3 on Monday as the Charge face elimination for the first time in this post-season.

Kati Tabin had the other Montreal goal. Sarah Wozniewicz scored for the Charge.

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Yesterday at 4:47 PM CDT

Hockey

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (34) skates off the ice after being taken out of the game against the Montreal Canadiens during first period second round, Game 6, NHL playoff action in Montreal on Saturday, May 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Sabres replace netminder Lyon after three early goals in Game 6 against Canadiens

Jordan Stoopler, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Sabres replace netminder Lyon after three early goals in Game 6 against Canadiens

Jordan Stoopler, The Canadian Press 1 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 8:20 PM CDT

MONTREAL - The goaltending carousel for the Buffalo Sabres continued in Game 6 of their second-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night at Bell Centre.

Starter Alex Lyon was pulled 10:14 into the first period after allowing three goals on three shots.

The 33-year-old started the first three games of the best-of-seven series against Montreal before ceding the net to Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen for Games 4 and 5.

Lyon entered the night with a .917 save percentage and 2.25 goals-against average in nine appearances this post-season.

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Updated: Yesterday at 8:20 PM CDT

Hockey

Teenage captain Celebrini scores 2 as Canada shuts out Italy at ice hockey worlds

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Teenage captain Celebrini scores 2 as Canada shuts out Italy at ice hockey worlds

The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 4:09 PM CDT

FRIBOURG, Switzerland (AP) — Teenage captain Macklin Celebrini scored twice and Canada shut out Italy 6-0 at the ice hockey world championship on Saturday.

In his three-point game, the 19-year-old Celebrini netted a one-timer from the right circle after receiving a cross-ice pass from Porter Martone to make it 3-0 with 3:04 remaining in the opening period.

Celebrini followed his first goal of the tournament with his second from a backhand shot high into the net at 2:09 in the middle period for 4-0.

Canada was two wins from two in Group B in Fribourg after beating Sweden 5-3 in their opening game on Friday.

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Updated: Yesterday at 4:09 PM CDT

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Hockey

Montreal Victoire teammates celebrate after Montreal Victoire's Maggie Flaherty (91) scored against Ottawa Charge during overtime PWHL playoff hockey action in Laval, Que., on Saturday, May 16, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Flaherty’s OT goal moves Victoire closer to first Walter Cup

Jared Book, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Flaherty’s OT goal moves Victoire closer to first Walter Cup

Jared Book, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 6:46 PM CDT

LAVAL - Maggie Flaherty saw five Ottawa Charge players headed toward the side boards, and made a beeline toward the slot screaming for Marie-Philip Poulin to get her the puck.

The pass from the Montreal Victoire captain, as it often does, landed right on Flaherty’s tape and she one-timed the shot over the glove of netminder Gwyneth Philips.

Flaherty’s second goal of the playoffs came 14:12 into overtime to give the Victoire a 2-1 win over the Charge in Game 2 of the Professional Women's Hockey League's Walter Cup final on Saturday at Place Bell.

The win gives Montreal a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Ottawa will host Game 3 on Monday as the Charge face elimination for the first time in this post-season.

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Yesterday at 6:46 PM CDT

Hockey

Montreal Victoire host Ottawa Charge in Game 2 of Walter Cup final

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Montreal Victoire host Ottawa Charge in Game 2 of Walter Cup final

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Yesterday at 3:00 AM CDT

LAVAL - The Montreal Victoire can grab a commanding lead in the Walter Cup final when they host the Ottawa Charge tonight.

Montreal has a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series for the Professional Women's Hockey League Championship.

Abby Roque put away the overtime winner as the Victoire beat Ottawa 3-2 on Thursday in Game 1.

Roque's heroics were only possible after Nicole Gosling tied the game 2-2 with 2.1 seconds remaining in regulation.

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Yesterday at 3:00 AM CDT

Hockey

Canadiens squander opportunity to close out Sabres in stunning Game 6 loss

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

Canadiens squander opportunity to close out Sabres in stunning Game 6 loss

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Updated: 12:48 AM CDT

MONTREAL - The Montreal Canadiens built an early two-goal lead, and the Bell Centre — already primed for a celebration — was rocking.

A trip to the NHL’s Eastern Conference final was firmly in their grasp. Then they let it slip away in stunning fashion.

The Canadiens are headed to another Game 7 after an 8-3 thumping to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night, blowing a multi-goal advantage at home in a potential series-clinching game for the first time in franchise history.

"How shocked? Pretty shocked,” Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki said. “We're up 3-1 in the first period and we lose 8-3, so that's disappointing, for sure.

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Updated: 12:48 AM CDT

Hockey

CASSIDY DANKOCHIK / CARILLON
Niverville Nighthawks forward Max Dowse celebrates a goal Wednesday against the Rockland Nationals. The Nighthawks received a bye to
the Centennial Cup semifinals where they’re set to face off against the Toronto Patriots.

Niverville Nighthawks’ team structure sets them apart in MJHL

Cassidy Dankochik 5 minute read Preview

Niverville Nighthawks’ team structure sets them apart in MJHL

Cassidy Dankochik 5 minute read Friday, May. 15, 2026

The Niverville Nighthawks don’t look like many other Manitoba Junior Hockey League franchises.

The team does not employ a combined head coach and general manager, as is the case for nearly every other squad. They have head coach Dwight Hirst and general manager Mike McAulay.

Niverville joined the MJHL in 2022 with Kelvin Cech in a combined role and McAulay as assistant general manager. After parting ways with Cech in the middle of the 2023-24 season, they turned to Hirst, who is from Lac du Bonnet, as interim coach and promoted MacAulay to general manager, maintaining that structure ever since.

It paid off this year with a league championship and one of the strongest MJHL representatives in recent years at the national junior A championships. The Nighthawks went undefeated in preliminary round play at the Centennial Cup in Summerside, P.E.I., earning a bye to the semifinals.

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Friday, May. 15, 2026

Hockey

Wild vets Brodin, Eriksson Ek each had broken foot that kept them out of playoff series loss to Avs

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Wild vets Brodin, Eriksson Ek each had broken foot that kept them out of playoff series loss to Avs

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, May. 15, 2026

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Defenseman Jonas Brodin and center Joel Eriksson Ek were unable to play for Minnesota in the second-round series against Colorado in the NHL playoffs because of broken bones in their feet, the veteran stalwarts revealed Friday in season-ending interviews with reporters.

Brodin suffered a fracture in the big toe in his right foot when he blocked a shot in Game 5 of the Wild's first-round series against Dallas, requiring surgery and forcing him to miss the clinching win over the Stars and all five games against the Avalanche.

The Wild were eliminated on Wednesday in a 4-3 overtime loss in Denver, with both Brodin and Eriksson Ek relegated to watching the game on TV. Their defensive acumen, physical presence and playoff experience were all missed against the high-scoring Avalanche, who had the best regular season record in the league.

Brodin, who finished his 14th season in the NHL, all with the Wild, was aiming to return at the end of the conference finals if they were to advance.

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Friday, May. 15, 2026

Hockey

PWHL to choose San Jose as its 4th expansion market, AP sources say

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

PWHL to choose San Jose as its 4th expansion market, AP sources say

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, May. 15, 2026

The PWHL is bringing women’s hockey to the Bay Area by choosing San Jose, California, as its fourth and final market during the league’s latest round of expansion, two people with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on Friday.

The people spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity because the league had not made an announcement. The Hockey News first reported the development earlier in the day.

With the addition of San Jose, the PWHL increases to 12 teams, doubling the league's size since it started in 2024 and broadening its geographical reach.

The city is home to the NHL's Sharks and gives the league a four-team foothold in the West. Las Vegas is another expansion market, and Seattle and Vancouver, joined the league last year. The team would likely play at the Sharks' arena, the SAP Center.

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Friday, May. 15, 2026

Hockey

Golden Knights docked 2nd-round pick, John Tortorella fined $100K for breaking media rules

Scott Brown, The Associated Press 1 minute read Preview

Golden Knights docked 2nd-round pick, John Tortorella fined $100K for breaking media rules

Scott Brown, The Associated Press 1 minute read Friday, May. 15, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL docked the Vegas Golden Knights a second-round pick in next month's draft and fined coach John Tortorella $100,000 on Friday for violating media access rules after their series-clinching Game 6 victory at Anaheim on Thursday night.

Tortorella refused to speak to reporters after Vegas routed the Ducks 5-1 to move on to face Colorado in the Western Conference final. The Golden Knights also did not open their locker room in accordance with league and Players' Association-negotiated regulations.

The NHL in a statement announcing the punishment said the penalties for these “flagrant violations” come after previous warnings were issued to the Golden Knights. The team has been offered the opportunity to appeal to Commissioner Gary Bettman’s office in person at the league’s New York headquarters next week.

“The Golden Knights are aware of today's announcement from the NHL regarding the postgame media availability following Game 6 in Anaheim,” the team said in a statement posted to social media. “The organization will have no further comment.”

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Friday, May. 15, 2026

Hockey

FILE - Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Manon Rheaume listens to the national anthem prior to her professional debut against the St. Louis Blues on Sept. 23, 1992 at the Tampa Fairgrounds in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, File)

Trailblazing goalie Manon Rheaume hired to become first GM of PWHL’s Detroit expansion team

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Trailblazing goalie Manon Rheaume hired to become first GM of PWHL’s Detroit expansion team

John Wawrow, The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, May. 15, 2026

Manon Rheaume is carrying over her trailblazing women’s hockey career into a front office role in being hired as the general manager of the PWHL’s expansion team in Detroit, the league announced on Friday.

The Canadian Olympian goaltender, and first woman to appear in an exhibition game of any of North America’s four major sports, has spent the past four years working in the NHL's Los Angeles Kings hockey operations department. And Rheaume’s hiring represents a homecoming for the 54-year-old, who spent 11 years in a developmental role for the Detroit-based Little Caesars youth hockey girls’ program.

“She brings an unmatched resume, a championship mindset and a lifelong commitment to growing the women’s game,” said Jayna Hefford, PWHL executive vice president of hockey operations, who oversees the hiring process.

“Her experience at every level of hockey, combined with her leadership and vision, makes her the perfect person to lead PWHL Detroit into its inaugural season,” Hefford added.

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Friday, May. 15, 2026

Hockey

Canada's Robert Thomas celebrates after teammate Dylan Cozens scored a goal during a Group B preliminary round game between Canada and Sweden at the men's ice hockey world championship in Fribourg, Switzerland, Friday, May 15, 2026. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

Switzerland beats defending champion the US in ice hockey worlds opener

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Switzerland beats defending champion the US in ice hockey worlds opener

The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, May. 15, 2026

ZURICH (AP) — Switzerland started a quest for its first ice hockey world championship title by defeating the defending champion United States 3-1 on Friday in a rematch of last year’s final.

Sven Andrighetto and Pius Suter led the Swiss with two-point games each and goaltender Leonardo Genoni made 19 saves in front of the roaring crowd in Zurich.

Suter knocked in a pass from Andrighetto from close range to give the hosts a 1-0 lead 2:03 in and Andrighetto added the second with 8:41 to go in the first period from a tight angle with Suter assisting.

Alex Steeves found the back of the net for the U.S. 8:45 into the final period, roofing the puck that bounced off the boards behind the goal.

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Friday, May. 15, 2026

May 17, 2026

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