News and Notes from Wednesday, May 20th, 2026
News
- In the PWHL, the league announced the finalists for the 2026 Defender of the Year Award.
- The finalists are Sophie Jaques (VAN), Megan Keller (BOS), and Haley Winn (BOS).
- The Buffalo Sabres have announced that they have re-signed head coach Lindy Ruff.
- Ruff would sign a two year contract extension.
- The Washington Capitals announced that they have re-signed defenseman Timothy Liljegren.
- Liljegren would sign a two year deal with an AAV of $3.25 million per season.
Jersey Tracking and Mini Recaps
Montreal Victoire v. Ottawa Charge – 7p ET – Game 4 (PWHL)
- In Ottawa, the Victoire look for the second attempt to close out the series and win their first PWHL crown. After a scoreless first, Montreal took the 1-0 lead when Abby Roque netted her third of the postseason. In the third, Abby Roque scored her second of the night with a shorthanded goal as Montreal took the 2-0 lead and then Maggie Flaherty scored her third of the playoffs as the Victoire took the 3-0 lead. Then, Lina Ljungblom netted her first career PWHL postseason goal as the Victoire defeated the Charge 4-0 to win their first PWHL title.
- Marie-Philip Poulin would be named the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP
Vegas Golden Knights v. Colorado Avalanche – 8p ET – Game 1
- In Colorado, the Avalanche and Golden Knights face off in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final. Following a scoreless first, Vegas took the 1-0 lead when Dylan Coghlan netted his first of the postseason and then Pavel Dorofeyev netted a power play goal, his 10th goal of the season, as the Golden Knights took the 2-0 lead. In the third, Brett Howden scored his ninth as Vegas took the 3-0 lead but then Colorado got on the board when Valeri Nichushkin got his second of the postseason. Then, Gabriel Landeskog scored a power play goal, his fourth of the postseason, as the Avalanche got within a goal but then Nic Dowd scored his third of the playoffs to give the Golden Knights the 4-2 win over the Avalanche to take Game 1 of the West Final.
Eastern Conference Final
Montreal Canadiens (A3) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (M1)
- Game 1: Montreal at Carolina — 8 p.m., Thursday, May 21 (TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS)
- Game 2: Montreal at Carolina — 7 p.m., Saturday, May 23 (TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS)
- Game 3: Carolina at Montreal — 8 p.m., Monday, May 25 (TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS)
- Game 4: Carolina at Montreal — 8 p.m., Wednesday, May 27 (TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS)
- * Game 5: Montreal at Carolina — 8 p.m., Friday, May 29 (TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, CBC, TVAS)
- * Game 6: Carolina at Montreal — TBD, Sunday, May 31 (TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, TVAS)
- * Game 7: Montreal at Carolina — 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 2 (TNT, HBO Max, truTV, SN, TVAS)
* – If necessary
Today’s Games
- MON v. CAR – 8p ET – Game 1
Noteworthy in Hockey
- 32 Thoughts Podcast: The Coaches They Are A-Changin’ (SportsNet)
- The curious case of modern coaching: Why tenures have dropped NHL-wide (SportsNet)
- When It Comes To Failed Expansion Markets, Don’t Blame The PWHL (The Hockey News)
- Capitals Re-Sign Timothy Liljegren (TXHT)
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