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The Colorado Avalanche advanced to the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 5–1 win over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 4 at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, completing a four-game sweep. On paper, it was decisive. On the ice, it was a grind from start to finish. Cale Makar was quick to speak about this point following their sweep, mentioning the matchup was a lot closer than fans may have anticipated and saw. Although the Avalanche rolled past the Kings, Los Angeles consistently worked Colorado for every inch of the ice and every scoring chance they had. Cale Makar’s Thoughts on the LA Kings’ Play “It was a tight series every night; they defend extremely well and force you to earn everything. We had to adjust, find different looks, and stay patient. Nothing came easy.” Makar told NHL.com’s Dan Greenspan. Due to the Avalanche’s strong play over this period, they have now earned the right to get some much-needed rest as they await the winner of the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild series, which has been nothing short of a dog fight on both ends, as the series remains tied at 2’s with game five on Tuesday. From the very beginning of the series, many did not anticipate the Kings to have any chance. While they were swept and unable to take control of any games, the score remained close. The first two games of the series ended in 2-1 wins, which could have gone either way depending on the bounces. Game three proved the Avalanche had another level as they won another tight contest 4-2, while they dominated the Kings in game four 5-1. The Kings played with a lot of fight and heart, while the Avs continued to search for answers, as Makar noted. Solid Contributions All Around for the Avalanche Scott Wedgewood played solidly between the pipes, only surrendering five goals over the four-game span. The Avalanche also received key contributions from their captain, Gabriel Landeskog and Nathan MacKinnon, who led the way with two goals and two assists. With Wedgewood’s strong play, it was going to be very difficult for the Kings to remain in the series. No team in the NHL is going to have a chance with the President’s Trophy winners if you are only able to put the puck in the back of the net five times. While the loss is disappointing for the Kings, they should exit, leaving their heads held high. They played strong hockey throughout the entirety of the series, gaining respect from players of the calibre of Cale Makar. The series result says sweep; however, the performance says something otherwise.

After dropping Game 1, the Anaheim Ducks have taken full control of their series against the Edmonton Oilers, and now hold onto a 3-1 series lead. The Ducks have had many standout performances from players this series; however, none stand above Jackson LaCombe. The young defenceman leads the NHL in playoff scoring with eight points, including one goal over four games. He was a key contributor during game four, where he set up Cutter Gauthier on the power-play, as well as Jeffrey Viel‘s game-tying goal. LaCombe’s play has earned him more points as generational talent Connor McDavid over the span of their series. Jackson LaCombe’s Breakout Season in Anaheim LaCombe has emerged as one of the best young defencemen in the NHL this season, showing signs of being a future number one defenceman. The Minnesota native was selected 39th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, proving to be one of the biggest steals of this generation. LaCombe had a strong regular season in Anaheim, recording 58 points in all 82 games, and was selected to represent Team USA during its gold-medal run at the Milano Cortina Olympics in February. The 25-year-old has been near perfect in all three zones this postseason, proving how valuable he is to this Ducks roster. Over the first four games of this series, LaCombe has averaged 26:42 of ice time and almost played a career-high 29:54 in the Ducks’ overtime win on Sunday. He has registered at least two points in each of the team’s wins. His eight points over his first four playoff games tie for the second most in NHL history alongside Cyclone Taylor in 1918, while trailing Joe Micheletti with nine points in 1981. The Ducks’ play has shocked the Oilers at times this series, but it would be hard to imagine where they would sit without LaCombe in the lineup. LaCombe has played a very crucial part in their lineup, and it will look to continue that way as the Ducks gear up for game five in Edmonton on Tuesday.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have another name joining Team Canada at this year's IIHF World Hockey Championship in Switzerland beginning on May 15. According to TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger, Reilly will join Maple Leafs superstar John Tavares at the upcoming tournament. Disappointing season in Toronto for Morgan Rielly Morgan Rielly had a very disappointing season with the Maple Leafs, falling short of expectations heading into what was seen as a crucial season for his career. Rielly is coming off the worst season of his career, with his game being magnified by many. The 32-year-old was on the ice for the second-most five-on-five goals in the entire NHL, due to his defensive play falling off a cliff. Representing Team Canada at the IIHF World Hockey Championship can be used as an opportunity for Rielly to regain his confidence and re-find the form people once saw. Shying away from the Toronto media while playing in high-pressure competition could be what the British Columbia native needs moving forward. Offensively, Rielly did not play much better as he recorded the least amount of points since the shortened 2020-21 season, with just 36 points, including 11 goals. Rielly also registered the second-worst plus-minus of his career, tallying a -18. Rielly's name heading towards the trade block Reilly is currently the longest tenured player on the roster, but has found his name in trade rumours as of late. "It’s a challenging thing to answer when those conversations haven’t happened yet, but, you know, after a year like this, after any year, but especially one like this, as an athlete, you have to be prepared for that. You know, it’s not the first time that it’s crossed my mind." Rielly said during the Maple Leafs end-of-season media availability on April 16th. Rielly was not the only player announced to Team Canada, as Dreger also announced that Macklin Celebrini, Mathew Barzal, Mark Scheifele, and Gavin McKenna will be joining Rielly in Switzerland. The veteran defenceman has ties to Canada's management staff, as former general manager Brad Treliving and Jason Spezza will oversee the roster, with the help of Kyle Dubas, with each of them being a part of the organization over the past decade. Morgan Rielly should be looking forward to this opportunity as it could truly help get his game back in the right direction for what will be a very interesting 2026-27 season for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This offseason for the Toronto Maple Leafs will prove to be crucial, as there are a lot of questions regarding this current group due to their lack of playoff success over the past decade, while not even clinching a spot in this season's playoffs. Many people have debated what the Maple Leafs have been missing over the past years, whether that is a reliable defenceman, scoring upfront or grit in the bottom six; however, according to TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger, Auston Matthews and William Nylander have sat down with head coach Craig Berube and the rest of the management staff on where they believe the Maple Leafs need to go from here. Darren Dreger's report on what the Maple Leafs could be eyeing "What I was told...William Nylander and Auston Matthews told both coach and management, look, we believe in this team...we gotta add some players, we gotta bring in a couple dogs up front...and we need two mobile defensemen." Dreger said on the Barn Burner Podcast. The Maple Leafs have a lot of options when it comes to finding players who fit within this mould. Heading into the offseason, the Maple Leafs are expected to have just north of $22 million to work with. For a team that has no major players coming off the books, this is seen as a lot of money to work with, especially with the players they can potentially target. With what Matthews and Nylander are looking to bring in, there are a few names that stand out above the rest. Dougie Hamilton: Mobile defenceman the Maple Leafs lack Dougie Hamilton is a player the Maple Leafs can look to acquire this summer. The Toronto native has been rumoured to be with the Maple Leafs throughout the entirety of the 2025-26 season; however, a trade never came to fruition. The Devils have made it known they are looking to move the player as the fit in New Jersey is no longer apparent on both ends. The 32-year-old has struggled the past few seasons, but a new situation and new look in Toronto could be what Hamilton needs. Hamilton has two seasons remaining at $9 million per season, and with the cap going up, and if the Maple Leafs can get the Devils to retain cap space on the puck-moving defenceman, this could be a potential target for the Maple Leafs moving forward. Hamilton has had strong offensive seasons in the past, and I believe a string of good hockey can get Hamilton back to the level he once was. Darren Raddysh: Offensive production the Maple Leafs don't have on the blue line Darren Raddysh is another player the Maple Leafs could target heading into free agency. Raddysh is in the final year of his contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning and has burst onto the scene this season. The Toronto native, at 30 years old, has had his most productive season by far, being the anchor on the Lightning's blue line and a big reason for their success during the regular season. The Toronto native has surpassed 30 points on multiple occasions throughout his career, but has broken out for 70 points this season. Raddysh, who came into the season as a reliable depth puck-moving defenceman, overtook JJ Moser and Viktor Hedman's spot on the team's top power-play unit. In four postseason contests this season, Raddysh hasn't looked to slow down as he has registered two points in four games. Vincent Trocheck: Reliable depth the Maple Leafs need upfront Vincent Trocheck is a centre the Maple Leafs need to target moving forward. The New York Rangers centre is signed through the 2028-29 season at just $5.625 million per season. With both teams struggling mightily this season, it is safe to assume they are both looking for a change. While it won't be easy to acquire a player of the likes of Trochek, the Maple Leafs can certainly find a way to make the deal work for both parties. What makes Trocheck such a standout player is his ability to play on all ends of the puck. He has been an important piece to the Rangers' penalty kill since being acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes, and he provides a scoring touch that many two-way centres lack. Despite the Rangers' struggles, Trocheck produced 53 points in 67 games, where he missed time due to an injury. The fit in Toronto would seem seamless, as he has experience playing with Matthews at the 2026 Olympics as well as last season's Four Nations Face-Off. The Toronto Maple Leafs will have a lot of questions to answer heading into the offseason; however, making a splash and acquiring a player or two of this calibre can help their retool get on the right track.

The Ottawa Senators have found themselves down 3-0 in their series against a tough Carolina Hurricanes team. The Senators have found numerous problems with their games; however, one stands above the rest. During the Sens’ first three games of the postseason, they have scored a total of three goals, the fewest of any playoff team. The Senators’ lack of scoring has consistently cost them games, as they have lost close contests while giving up only seven. The team’s struggles scoring in the postseason date back to last season’s run, as they lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games. Senators Need Their Best Players to Begin Playing at Their Best Throughout the Senators’ lineup, they have received contributions from only two players, with Drake Batherson having a strong playoff series, scoring two of the three goals. The Senators’ top players, Tim Stützle and Brady Tkachuk, have not been nearly as productive as they were in the regular season, which has seriously cost the Senators and has pushed them to the edge of elimination. If the Senators want any chance of getting back into this series, they need their top players to begin acting like them, while capitalizing on the solid goaltending they haven’t received all season long. Missed Opportunities in Game Three This was a true eye-opener, as the Senators were unable to score on a glorious five-on-three opportunity in game three. The Senators had a tough time generating any scoring chances, leading to time being wasted off the clock. When the Senators gained any life in the second period of Thursday’s contest with Batherson tying the game, it was erased just over a minute later as Logan Stankoven regained the lead for the Hurricanes, heading into the third frame, sucking the air out of the Canadian Tire Centre. Moving into Game 4, the Senators need to regain confidence and for their best players to take over games. Linus Ullmark has been far from the problem during the beginning stages of their series; however, Frederik Andersen, on the other side, has been equally as good. Time will tell whether the Senators can get back into this series or, for the second year in a row, experience an early playoff exit.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs often bring out the best in players and are widely regarded as the highest level of hockey all season. This postseason has been no exception, with Porter Martone bursting onto the scene early in his NHL career. Martone, shortly after a disappointing end of the season with Michigan State University, joined the Flyers for the final 10 games of the season. Fans saw him fit into the lineup better than anyone expected. At just 19 years old, and with no professional hockey under his belt, Martone looked like an aged veteran dominating from the very beginning. Was Impressive from the Beginning in Philadelphia The Philadelphia Flyers drafted Martone sixth overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. For many players selected between fourth and eighth overall, it typically takes more than a season to develop into NHL contributors; however, Martone already looks like a star. The Peterborough native racked up nine points, including four goals, in the final 10 games of the season—very impressive for a player adjusting from junior hockey to the professional level. Many knew he was bound to make his NHL debut soon, just not this soon. The postseason has seen Martone take this to another level. In his first three career playoff games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Martone has produced three points, including goals in back-to-back games, with both counting as the game-winning goals. Martone has been a perfect fit on the Flyers’ second line alongside Christian Dvorak and Travis Konecny. Martone Receiving Praise from Flyers Veteran Martone’s teammates have not shied away from praising the young winger. Konecny said postgame on Monday: “It’s pretty impressive, there’s not a lot of guys that can come in and make the impact that he has, especially in the games leading up to making the playoffs. Like, how important those were and for him to be able to jump in, I think it just speaks to not just his hockey ability, but how he wants to learn. He listens. When we talk in the room and talk about little plays, you go out there, and you see it, it’s a switch the next shift. He learns quickly. You’re not duplicating mistakes. He’s a good player.” Head coach Rick Tocchet has also spoken highly of Martone, mentioning, “That goal, I call it scooter skating to get yourself in position, I know people think that maybe it’s easy, but it wasn’t because he had to scooter, the timing, all that stuff, on his backhand. That’s what he does. He’s a hockey player. It was a goal-scorer’s goal.” Tocchet said after his game two performance. The Philadelphia Flyers are counting on Porter Martone to sustain his strong play, as he projects to be a key part of their future. Gaining experience at the NHL level at just 19 years old should significantly benefit his development, and early signs suggest he has the potential for a highly impactful career.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Calle Järnkrok to a four-year extension in the summer of 2022, many Leafs fans saw it as a win. It was a small addition to their roster that added versatility and depth scoring beyond their top players. Just four seasons later, the Maple Leafs could not be much happier to get Järnkrok off their books heading into a crucial offseason. A combination of injuries and inconsistent play prevented him from becoming the reliable contributor the team once saw, leaving the organization and its fanbase ready to turn the page. When the Maple Leafs acquired Järnkrok after he split time between the Seattle Kraken and Calgary Flames, he finally provided the Maple Leafs with a bottom-six presence who was responsible defensively while adding a scoring touch. Toronto, led at the time by general manager Kyle Dubas, prioritized adding dependable depth pieces to support its star core. With Dubas later signing him to a four-year, $2.1 million average annual value deal, it was a low-risk move aimed at making the team better for the future. Järnkrok’s Tenure in Toronto Showed Promise Järnkrok’s first season with the Maple Leafs showed promise. He played in over 70 games, scoring nearly 40 points, including a career-high 20 goals. Toronto saw many positive signs as he played a crucial role on the team’s penalty kill. Järnkrok was able to play throughout the lineup, being placed in various scenarios with several line combinations. At that stage, the signing looked like a success, exactly the type of under-the-radar move contending teams rely on. However, this strong play did not last long. During Järnkrok’s second season with the Maple Leafs, the injury troubles began. The Swedish native suited up in only 52 games but was still productive, tallying 20 points. This seemed to be his last good season with the Maple Leafs, as during the 2024-25 season, he needed surgery due to a groin injury. Inconsistent Play Began to Shape the Narrative Throughout this time, he saw his role diminish as younger players pushed for opportunities, and questions emerged about whether he still fit into the team’s long-term plans. His ice time decreased, and his impact became far less noticeable compared to his first season with the organization. Heading into this season, Järnkrok’s contract seemed like a burden to the team rather than a valuable piece the Maple Leafs once had. This offseason, it is safe to assume the Maple Leafs will not be looking to bring him back, as he simply doesn’t fit into their lineup. Järnkrok’s time in Toronto was not a complete failure, but ultimately fell short of expectations.

Nicholas Robertson heads into another offseason where his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs feels all but certain. Robertson heads into the offseason as a restricted free agent, which by the title sounds as if he will return with the Maple Leafs, but after another inconsistent season, many believe it may be time for a fresh start on both ends of the table. The Maple Leafs selected Robertson in the 2019 NHL Draft, 53rd overall. At first glance, Robertson looked like the steal of the draft, producing strong numbers in both the AHL with the Toronto Marlies and at the OHL level with the Peterborough Petes. However, this strong play never translated to the NHL, leaving his future with the Leafs uncertain. Nick Robertson has appreciated his time in Toronto "I’m gonna, not gonna take a deep dive in my future. I don’t know what my future holds, but I will say that everyone here has been unbelievable with me. For my family, for me, guys here this year, I love these guys.” Robertson said to NHL insider David Alter. Robertson saw time all over the Maple Leafs lineup throughout the 2025-26 season, but he was never able to find a stable fit. Despite this, Robertson set career highs in both goals (16) and points (32) while ranking 13th in time on ice among all forwards with 12:40. Head coach Craig Berube ultimately failed to give Robertson a true shot to make an impact within the lineup. Many saw the 24-year-old improve in all three zones, having the best season of his career. In years past, Robertson was solely used to score goals, which he has never been great at; however, this season, he has been Which way both sides should lean towards With the Maple Leafs heading towards a much-needed retool, it could be in their best interest to move on from the Pasadena native. Robertson, just one season ago, asked for a trade; however, former general manager Brad Treliving did not approve the request, and the two sides headed to arbitration. The Maple Leafs could try to use Robertson as a trade chip, as they look to replace a depleted blueline and find talent up front to support Auston Matthews and William Nylander. Robertson has had a lot of ups and downs in his young NHL career, and moving on to a new organization could be the best way forward. Robertson will be a player that the new general manager will have to decide on moving forward.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs are all over the playoffs and now, they're coming up in massive clutch moments for their new teams and even scoring overtime game-winners. Center Nicolas Roy scored the overtime winner in Game 2 to help the Colorado Avalanche past the Los Angeles Kings to take a 2-0 series lead and what a goal it was. The Maple Leafs dealt Roy to the Avalanche at this season's trade deadline in exchange for a 2027 conditional first-round pick and a 2026 conditional fifth-round pick. The 29-year-old played 59 games with the Maple Leafs, as he was acquired in the Mitch Marner trade to the Vegas Golden Knights over the summer. In regards to the Avalanche, this has been a great trade that has worked out in their direction. Roy had a solid final 15 games to close out the regular season, registering five points over that span. The Quebec native has found a home on the third line alongside Nazem Kadri and Gabriel Landeskog, being slotted into a much better situation than the one he found himself in Toronto. Roy's comments postgame alongside Gabriel Landeskog Roy spoke postgame on his game-winner and what it means to him. “I like to be in this area, and a lot of those goals are scored there. So I try to be there as much as I can, we're comfortable playing these type of games, especially in playoffs. A team like LA, we knew it wasn't going to be a high-scoring game. " Roy said on Wednesday. With the Colorado Avalanche holding a 2–0 series lead over the Los Angeles Kings and emerging as strong Stanley Cup contenders, Nicolas Roy’s championship experience with the Vegas Golden Knights could prove valuable moving forward. Roy remains under contract with Colorado through next season at a cap hit of $3 million.

Alexander Nylander will have Toronto Maple Leafs star and brother, William Nylander, in the stands for the Toronto Marlies playoff run as the Maple Leafs' season ended last week. Alex Nylander spoke to the media on Tuesday, announcing that his brother will remain in the city with him before returning home to Stockholm, Sweden, for the summer. Alex also shared his excitement to have his brother alongside him, saying, "It's unfortunate for him that they're not in the playoffs, but he gets to see me play, so that's going to be a lot of fun." Alex Nylander relying on William's playoff experience The Maple Leafs and Nylander have played in the postseason over the past nine seasons, ending the longest active streak in the NHL. The Maple Leafs finished in the bottom five of the NHL, giving them the fifth-best odds of the first pick in the draft. Alex also shared that William will be guiding him through the postseason, as well as what he can work on heading into the summer. "It helps a lot. He'll be able to see what I can do and what I can work on. Or what I'm doing great, and just guide me through the playoffs as he's been through them, like, the past nine years, just take all the advice I can from him and just keep going the way I've been playing the whole year." William Nylander was the Maple Leafs most consistent and best forward over the course of the 2025-26 season, leading the Leafs with 79 points, including 30 goals in 65 games, while dealing with groin injuries throughout the middle half of the season. Nylander has historically played well in the postseason for the Maple Leafs, recording 58 points, including 26 career goals in 67 games. Alex's comments on William's postseason play over the past nine seasons Alex noted William's playoff success, mentioning, He's been dialled through the playoffs the past years, I obviously learned from that, and he obviously just keeps going for what he's been doing for the regular season. The level steps up a notch in the playoffs, and the games are high-paced and stuff like that, so I'll be ready for it. And we're going to talk and see how he handles the playoffs, and I think it's going to be great." Alex Nylander is coming off a strong regular season, heading into the postseason as the Marlies look to defeat the Rochester Americans beginning on Wednesday.

Today marks a historic day in Toronto Maple Leafs history. It was 75 years ago today when Bill Barilko scored the overtime game-winning goal against the Montreal Canadiens to win the 1951 Stanley Cup. To many, this is the greatest goal in Maple Leafs history; however, this goal was known as his last. The celebrations didn’t last long, as many Maple Leafs fans recall. Just four months after scoring the Stanley Cup-winning goal, Bill Barilko disappeared during a fishing trip to James Bay alongside his friend and experienced pilot, Henry Hudson. What followed was one of the most extensive and costly search-and-rescue efforts in Canadian history, lasting more than two months before it was ultimately called off, leaving behind one of hockey’s most enduring mysteries. In the years that followed, a sense of misfortune seemed to linger over the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. Despite multiple playoff appearances and two trips to the Stanley Cup Finals, the team failed to win another championship. It wasn’t until 1962, when the wreckage and remains were finally discovered, that the Maple Leafs ended their drought and won the Stanley Cup once again, lifting the curse. Documentary set to uncover Bill Barilko's story as Maple Leafs legend Canadian journalist Steve Paikin is set to tell the story of Bill Barilko with a new documentary titled Frozen in Time: The Bill Barilko Story. Paikin has joined more than 70 award-winning documentaries from Melbar Entertainment Group to tell this mystery. The documentary will feature notable hockey and Canadian characters, including Timmins native Frank Mahovlich, Hall of Fame "Keeper of the Cup" Phil Pritchard, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment President and CEO Keith Pelley, and many more. With the 75th anniversary on the horizon, Paikin wants this story to be told because he feels the younger generation of hockey fans is not aware of this story, despite the famous Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip's song Fifty Mission Cap, which tells the story of Barilko. The filming of the documentary began in March of 2026 and is planned to air in Canadian theatres before following a debut on TVO.

The Toronto Maple Leafs held their end-of-season media availability on Thursday. During the media availability, star forward Matthew Knies opened up about the lower-body injury that held him back throughout the season. Matthew Knies missed time throughout the season, most notably at the beginning of the season. Knies spoke about his injury trouble; however, what he said surprised many fans. Matthew Knies speaks on his lingering knee injury "It came up earlier in the year, I honestly don’t even know what date, sometime pretty early in the season. I think it was kind of blown out of proportion. I don’t think it was that, that serious as everyone was saying." Knies said on Thursday. Knies admitted he was dealing with the injury throughout the course of the 2025-26 season, but it wasn't significant enough to keep him out of the lineup. "It was obviously not comfortable to play with all year, but it didn’t really hinder me being out of the lineup." Knies missed three games in mid-November due to the injury, but that was the only time the 23-year-old was out of the lineup this season. The University of Minnesota alumni still managed to have their most productive season despite the injury. He tallied for 66 points, including 23 goals, finishing third on the team in points behind William Nylander and John Tavares. While he was short of a career high in goals, he nearly doubled his assist total. With the Maple Leafs season over before the postseason for the first time in a decade, Knies is excited to take some time to heal his knee heading into next season. "I’m happy now that I can let it heal up and rest it a little bit, and try to come back 100% for next season." The 2025-26 season was the first of his six-year extension, which he signed last June. Knies' contract carries an average annual value of $7.5 million per season. If Knies continues to develop into the player everyone believes he can become, many will view this contract as a steal down the road. Heading into next season, it is essential to the Maple Leafs success that Knies comes back healthy. Luckily for Maple Leafs fans, it doesn't seem as serious as many originally believed.