{"id":631667,"date":"2026-05-08T22:01:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T22:01:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/631667\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T22:01:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T22:01:15","slug":"how-the-hurricanes-and-avalanche-can-make-nhl-playoff-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/631667\/","title":{"rendered":"How the Hurricanes and Avalanche can make NHL playoff history"},"content":{"rendered":"

Red Light newsletter\u00a0\ud83c\udfd2\u00a0| This is\u00a0The Athletic\u2019s\u00a0hockey\u00a0newsletter.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>\u00a0to receive Red Light directly in your inbox.<\/p>\n

Good morning, hockey folks. We\u2019re six days into Round 2, with one series almost over and one just getting started. Plus, NHL Draft talk is heating up big time now that we have an order<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 98th edition of Red Light \ud83d\udea8 starts now \u2026<\/p>\n

Runaway TrainSweep watch is back \ud83e\uddf9<\/p>\n

Hurricanes 4, Flyers 1
Carolina leads series 3-0.<\/p>\n

Last night\u2019s game was a bit of a penalty-filled mess, with 24 minors and a misconduct in all, but at least we\u2019re seeing a little history.<\/p>\n

The Hurricanes broke a 1-1 game open late in the second on a shortie from defenseman Jalen Chatfield, then frustrated the overmatched Flyers the rest of the way, outshooting them 30-19. \u201cYou can tell guys are nervous<\/a>,\u201d Philadelphia coach Rick Tocchet said afterward.<\/p>\n

With the win, the Canes became just the 13th team in NHL history to start a postseason 7-0 \u2014 and only the third since 1994 (joining the 2008 Penguins and 2024 Rangers). If they can make it a sweep in Game 4, they\u2019ll be the first team to start the playoffs 8-0 since the 1985 Oilers, and only the fifth ever.<\/p>\n

Even more intriguing? The powerhouse Avalanche can join them at 7-0 with a win tomorrow in Minnesota. A double shot of undefeated teams that deep into a postseason has never happened before.<\/p>\n

The Flyers power play is a pathetic 1-for-16 (!)<\/a> in this series. It\u2019s absolutely killing them.
\nOn the flip side, 37-year-old Canes captain Jordan Staal is leading the way in his 20th NHL season. Now I feel old<\/a>.
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

\n The Canadiens\u2019 Alexandre Texier battles the Sabres\u2019 Bowen Byram. (Rebecca Villagracia \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a quick spin through the other three series with coverage from our eight writers on the ground in Buffalo, Anaheim and Minnesota \u2026<\/p>\n

Game 2: Canadiens at Sabres<\/p>\n

7 p.m. ET tonight (TNT, HBO Max; CBC, Sportsnet, TVAS)
Buffalo leads series 1-0.<\/p>\n

Game 3: Golden Knights at Ducks<\/p>\n

9:30 p.m. ET tonight (TNT, truTV, HBO Max; Sportsnet, Sportsnet 360, TVAS)
Series tied 1-1.<\/p>\n

Game 3: Avalanche at Wild<\/p>\n

9 p.m. ET tomorrow (TNT, truTV, HBO Max; CBC, Sportsnet, TVAS)
Colorado leads series 2-0.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Gavin McKenna. (Joe Camporeale \/ Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

McKenna or Stenberg?<\/p>\n

Never a dull moment in Toronto.<\/p>\n

On Monday, all the debates around the Maple Leafs were focused on their controversial choice<\/a> of John Chayka as GM. By Tuesday night, however, Toronto had unexpectedly won the draft lottery<\/a> \u2014 to the tortured cries of \u201crigged!<\/a>\u201d from Western Canada \u2014 and a new round of discourse emerged.<\/p>\n

What should the lucky Leafs do with the No. 1 pick<\/a> windfall? (And what should the unlucky Canucks do at No. 3<\/a>?)<\/p>\n

Though 18-year-old Penn State wunderkind Gavin McKenna feels like the safe, obvious choice at the top, it\u2019s a nuanced conversation<\/a>, especially because Toronto is trying to turn things around quickly while being one of the league\u2019s oldest teams.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, we have plenty of resources to help in this debate:<\/p>\n

Scott Wheeler\u2019s latest first-round mock draft is a fascinating projection<\/a> from No. 1 all the way down to Ottawa at 32.
\nJonas Siegel ran through the Leafs\u2019 10 biggest offseason priorities. Reading the list<\/a>, I\u2019m not sure anyone has as challenging a next two months as Chayka.
\nRelated: How much of an impact can McKenna (or Ivar Stenberg) make in Toronto right away<\/a>?
\nAnd: What pieces do the Leafs still need to get back to being a Stanley Cup contender after finishing 28th in 2025-26? Here\u2019s the puzzle<\/a>.
\nPlus: Sean \u201cTuesday Me\u201d McIndoe breaks down the regular-season games that changed the outcome<\/a> of the draft lottery. And why your team should trade its lottery pick<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There are always a lot of eyes on the Leafs, but I have a feeling Toronto will be drawing even more attention than ever for the next six months.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Frederik Andersen. (Jaylynn Nash \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udca1 This Week\u2019s MirTrivia<\/p>\n

Canes netminder Frederik Andersen picked up his 53rd career playoff win last night, the third-most of any goalie since the big Dane entered the NHL in 2013-14. I have a couple of related puzzlers for you today \u2026<\/p>\n

1. Who are the only two goalies with more playoff wins in that span? (Hint: Both have won the Cup multiple times.)<\/p>\n

2. Who has more career playoff wins: Andersen, or the second round\u2019s eight other starting goaltenders combined?<\/p>\n

Answers at the bottom.<\/p>\n

Coast to Coast<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccb July 1 is still a couple of months away, but that\u2019s not too early for our first NHL free agent big board. The ever-effervescent Chris Johnston has the top 20 UFA targets<\/a> to watch this offseason.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd2e This Sabres-Canadiens playoffs series looks like the future of the Atlantic Division<\/a>, according to the venerable pride of Hearst, Ont., Pierre LeBrun.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcb8 Connor Bedard\u2019s next contract with the Blackhawks will be franchise-defining \u2014 and he has leverage<\/a>. And it\u2019s certainly going to impact what Macklin Celebrini gets in San Jose, too.<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd88 Speaking of which \u2026 how close are the rebuilding Sharks to being Stanley Cup contenders<\/a> \u2014 and what do they still need? The No. 2 pick<\/a> doesn\u2019t hurt. I love this checklist series.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf0 Projecting the careers of the 2026 NHL Draft\u2019s top 12 prospects: Optimist versus pessimist<\/a> edition, from draft analyst (draftalyst?) Corey Pronman.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfa4 On yesterday\u2019s \u201cThe Athletic Hockey Show<\/a>,\u201d Sean Gentille and Shayna Goldman sing the praises of the Sabres\u2019 Josh Doan and Zach Benson. Plus: Peter Baugh joins the show as they wonder: Uh, will the Avalanche ever lose?<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc23 Plus: On today\u2019s Prospect Series podcast, the guys make the case for and against the Leafs taking McKenna with the No. 1 pick, plus Scott Wheeler\u2019s first post-NHL Draft Lottery mock. Watch\/listen here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Feedback? Corrections? Suggestions? Our line is open: Email us at redlight@theathletic.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Andrei Vasilevskiy. (Minas Panagiotakis \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

MirTrivia Answer<\/p>\n

The only two goalies with more playoff wins than Andersen since 2013-14?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the Lightning\u2019s Andrei Vasilevskiy with 70 and the Panthers\u2019 Sergei Bobrovsky with 61. (Andersen passed Marc-Andre Fleury\u2019s 47 last round.)<\/p>\n

The tougher question is No. 2, but kudos to those who picked Andersen versus the field. His 53 wins are six more than the other eight Round 2 starters:<\/p>\n

Carter Hart (14), Scott Wedgewood (6), Luk\u00e1\u0161 Dost\u00e1l (5), Alex Lyon (5), Jakub Dobe\u0161 (5), Filip Gustavsson (4), Jesper Wallstedt (4), Dan Vladar (4).<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know what this says about the volatility of NHL goaltending, but it certainly doesn\u2019t boost the argument that you need an established veteran No. 1 making a big salary to win it all: The 25-year-old Dost\u00e1l is the only one making more than $3.75 million.<\/p>\n

A final shoutout to close today goes to Red Light\u2019s biggest fan: Brian in B.C. reads and responds with a nice note after every newsletter we put out, and he\u2019s 74 years old today. Happy birthday, Dad \u2014 hope you shoot your age. \ud83c\udf82\ud83c\udfcc\ufe0f<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udceb Love Red Light? Check out The Athletic\u2019s other newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Red Light newsletter\u00a0\ud83c\udfd2\u00a0| This is\u00a0The Athletic\u2019s\u00a0hockey\u00a0newsletter.\u00a0Sign up here\u00a0to receive Red Light directly in your inbox. Good morning, hockey…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":631668,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[4821,1223,385,99],"class_list":["post-631667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nhl","tag-carolina-hurricanes","tag-colorado-avalanche","tag-nhl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/631667","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=631667"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/631667\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/631668"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=631667"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=631667"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=631667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}