Stanley Cup playoffs daily: Previews, stats, schedule, bracketESPN staffMay 12, 2026, 07:00 AM ETMultiple Authors
tamil yogi
Narratives can change quickly during the Stanley Cup playoffs. In Game 1 of their series against the Montreal Canadiens, the Buffalo Sabres looked unbeatable. Then, in Games 2 and 3, observers might have wondered how the Sabres got to this round at all.
On Tuesday, the Sabres have a chance to right the ship and send the series back to Western New York tied at two games apiece with a win in Game 4 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).
And speaking of narratives, one would be excused for failing to make too much of the opening four games of the Anaheim Ducks-Vegas Golden Knights series, as momentum in the games has shifted countless times, with a pivotal Game 5 on tap in Tuesday’s nightcap (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Here’s what to watch in those games, along with scores and highlights from Monday’s matchup and updated playoff stat leaders.
Read more:
Full schedule
Playoff Central
Stanley Cup odds
Conn Smythe Watch
Second-round picks
Offseason guide for eliminated teams
Tuesday’s schedule
Buffalo Sabres at Montreal Canadiens
Game 4, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN) | MTL leads 2-1
History does not favor the Sabres here. The Canadiens have led 2-1 in 51 best-of-seven series and have a 40-11 series record in those instances; the Sabres have never won a series after falling behind 2-1, losing all 14 previous instances.
The Sabres had a 4-1 lead midway through the second period of Game 1. Since then, the Canadiens have outscored them 12-3.
Editor’s Picks
‘Blast from the past’: How Taylor Hall found his MVP form again with the Hurricanes
‘The ultimate teammate’: Meet Zach Benson, the NHL’s next great Stanley Cup playoff pest
2026 NHL draft: Updated top-32 rankings, plus player comps
Montreal’s Alex Newhook has now scored two goals in two consecutive games. These are the first two-goal games of his playoff career, having scored two total goals in the 40 postseason games prior.
Teammate Juraj Slafkovsky now has four power-play goals this postseason, the most by a Canadiens player since P.K. Subban in the 2014 playoffs (also four).
The Sabres have allowed 11 goals in the past two games, which is tied for their most goals allowed in a two-game span this regular season and playoffs. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has not played since Game 2 against the Boston Bruins; will he get another shot in the crease in Game 4?
Tage Thompson scored a goal in Game 3, snapping a seven-game goal drought that was his longest since January 2024.
Vegas Golden Knights at Anaheim Ducks
Game 5, 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) | Series tied 2-2
With the series knotted at two games apiece, one of these clubs has a better track record than the other. The Golden Knights have a 5-2 series record when they’ve been tied 2-2 in a best-of-seven series; the Ducks have a 5-8 series record in the same scenario.
All of ESPN. All in one place.
Watch your favorite events in the newly enhanced ESPN App. Learn more about what plan is right for you. Sign Up Now
Anaheim’s Cutter Gauthier had three assists in the Ducks’ Game 4 win, becoming the youngest Ducks player with multiple three-point playoff games (22 years old).
Ian Moore scored the eventual winning goal for Anaheim, becoming the second Ducks rookie defenseman with a game-winning goal in the postseason. He joins Kurt Sauer (Game 2 of the 2003 conference finals).
In defeat, Vegas’ Jack Eichel had two assists, giving him 45 through 50 playoff games. That passed Brian Leetch for the most helpers by a U.S.-born player through 50 postseason contests.
Teammate Mitch Marner is the leading scorer in the playoffs (six goals, 10 assists), and he had his second straight three-point outing in Game 3. That is the second instance in Knights history of a player doing so in back-to-back games, joining Jonathan Marchessault in 2023.
Tuesday’s best bet
The bet: Vegas Golden Knights moneyline (-155)
The Golden Knights return to T-Mobile Arena with this series tied up at two games apiece, and I think Vegas is the team that will ultimately advance. I like the Knights to build a 3-2 series lead in this pivotal Game 5 because they’ve been trending as a trustworthy bet on home ice.
Anyone who has been to a game at T-Mobile Arena — let alone a playoff game there — knows it is one of the best home-ice environments in the league. Vegas has won seven of its past nine on home ice dating back to March 30, so I’ll lean into that trend in a crucial Game 5. — Tyler Fulghum
Monday’s scoreboard
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild
Avalanche lead 3-1
After losing 5-1 in Game 3 on Saturday, the Avalanche bounced back nicely in Game 4 with a renewed effort seen in earlier action. The first two goals of the contest came on the power play — Danila Yurov’s in the first period for Minny and Nazem Kadri’s in the second period for Colorado — but the tide eventually turned in the third.
Ross Colton and Nico Sturm traded goals within the first 9:15 before Parker Kelly scored the eventual game winner. Nathan MacKinnon and Brock Nelson scored empty-netters in the final minute to cap things off. Game 5 is Wednesday in Denver, with the Avalanche one win away from the conference finals. Full recap.
Playoff scoring leaders
PlayerGPGAP1. Mitch Marner, F, Golden Knights
Click here for full list of stats leaders.
Playoff goaltending leaders
PlayerGPWGAASV%1. Frederik Andersen, Hurricanes
Click here for the full list of goaltender stats.
Stanley Cup playoff bracket
Updated NHL playoff bracket ESPN
Terms of Use
