Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. RALEIGH, N.C. — Parents typically don’t want to see their children be miserable. Which makes the Eastern Conference final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs a very stressful time for Henry and Linda Staal. “It’s tough for them. They’ve been cheering for all
Experts’ picks for the NHL’s conference finals
The second round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs was perhaps less shocking than the first, with two division winners (the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes) making it through, along with the Central Division’s No. 2 seed Dallas Stars, and the Florida Panthers, whose Cinderella run continues after being
Stanley Cup Playoffs takeaways: What we’ve learned through 16 games of Round 2
We have reached another pivot point in the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs: Each Round 2 series has made it through four games, and the next matchup will be played at the higher seed’s arena. In the East, the Carolina Hurricanes have built a 3-1 lead over the New Jersey Devils,
NHL coach carousel: Who fills this year’s vacancies?
Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. Life comes at NHL coaches fast after disappointing seasons. Gerard Gallant walked into the news conference room at the New York Rangers’ practice facility on May 3 and said, “I’m fine, I’m fine.” Speculation about his job status had swirled in the media
How Connor Bedard became hockey’s next young superstar
Emily Kaplan is ESPN’s national NHL reporter. Hockey’s most scrutinized teenager seeks the quiet life — for now. Connor Bedard, the most hyped NHL prospect since that Connor, was finishing up his third season in junior hockey when I visited him in March. His team, the Regina Pats, is located
Snoop Dogg joins Sparks’ bid to buy Senators
Kristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN. Hip-hop artist and entrepreneur Snoop Dogg has joined businessman Neko Sparks’ bid to buy the Ottawa Senators. Snoop confirmed his involvement in an Instagram post Monday. “Amazing what [Neko Sparks] is trying to do in Ottawa,” Snoop wrote to his 80
Flames fire coach Sutter after three seasons
Ryan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN. The Calgary Flames announced Monday they have fired coach Darryl Sutter after three seasons. It’s the second time the Flames have parted ways with Sutter, who previously coached the team for three seasons from 2002-03 through 2005-06. He led the Flames
Bergeron undecided on future after B’s stunner
Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. BOSTON — Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron said he’s uncertain about his NHL future after their crushing Game 7 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers on Sunday night. Bergeron, 37, is an unrestricted free agent this summer. Bruins players had talked openly about sending
Lightning have ‘full confidence’ in series rebound
Kristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN. TORONTO — The Tampa Bay Lightning have been here before. Down 3-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Maple Leafs. On the brink of elimination in Game 5 on Thursday. And yet, the Lightning see no reason to
Ranking the best Stanley Cup Final matchups: Where does Oilers-Bruins land?
Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. For the first time since 2016, the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs didn’t involve a series sweep. There are teams teetering on the brink of elimination, but as of Monday morning, all 16 playoff qualifiers are still alive. Which means, mathematically,