The Canadiens had three practice days in a row ahead of Game 1 of their series against the Lightning, and head coach Martin St. Louis joked they didn't know what to do with all the extra time. The Habs are trying to find the right balance between rest and work, and know that stopping Tampa Bay's rush offence is a key to the series.
The Canadiens beat the Lightning just over a week ago in a fight-filled game that contained 126 penalty minutes. The Habs are expecting more of those type of battles in their first-round series against Tampa Bay and aren't afraid to match their rival's physicality.
The TSN Hockey panel breaks down what it will take for the Canadiens, Senators and Oilers to win their first round matchups in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
TSN Canucks reporter Farhan Lalji discusses how the team got to the point of firing General Manager Patrik Allvin, and the future of Adam Foote, who will remain with the club as it looks for a new GM.
After missing the playoffs for only the second time in the last nine years, the Winnipeg Jets cleaned out their lockers following what most of the core players were calling a 'misstep' of a season. Connor Hellebuyck took it a step further, in a brutally honest interview in which he made it clear to the Jets' front office that he expects changes to be made. TSN's Danielle Bain has more.
The Maple Leafs are meeting with team legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Mats Sundin on Friday about a potential role in their new management structure. TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger joins James Duthie to discuss if it's a legitimate possibility that Toronto could hire Sundin and what his position could entail.
The Oilers have been without assistant captain Leon Draisaitl since the middle of March and his status remains up in the air for the start of Edmonton's series again the Ducks on Monday. TSN's Ryan Rishaug joins SportsCentre to discuss the latest on Draisaitl's condition and how he thinks this Oilers group compares to the one from a year ago.
Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch joins Claire Hanna to discuss what Linus Ullmark needs to prove in the playoffs after a strong finish to the regular season, and how different the Senators' mindset is entering their first-round series against the Hurricanes compared to last year.
After a magical regular season, the Canadiens open their playoffs on the road in Tampa Bay on Sunday. The two teams both finished with 106 points on the season but the Habs went 2-1-1 in the head-to-head. SportsCentre examines the key storylines for Montreal's matchup with the Lightning in the first round.
Connor Hellebuyck gets candid about the Jets' disappointing season and what he sees in Winnipeg's future. Hellebuyck says he doesn't play hockey for the money or the fame, he does it to win a Stanley Cup, and questions how the Jets return to contender status next season.
Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford apologizes to the fans for the frustrating season and thanks them for sticking through the tough times. Rutherford weighs in on where things went wrong in Vancouver and admits a fractured locker room, which he feels has been fixed, played a part in the team's downfall.
Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford details why he made the decision to relieve Patrik Allvin of his general manager duties, and says he's offered him another role within the organization. Rutherford outlines what he's looking for from the next GM and said he doesn't want any shortcuts on the rebuild.
Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford is candid about Elias Pettersson's disappointing last two years in Vancouver, saying the forward doesn't put enough preparation work in to be the best player he can be. Rutherford believes he can still reach that level and shares why it's a tough situation for the Canucks.
After a disappointing season, finishing seventh in the Central, the Winnipeg Jets clean out their lockers as they head into the offseason. Forward Cole Perfetti hopes the team uses their discouraging finish to come back next season bigger, faster and stronger, while Gabe Vilardi expresses faith in the Jets as a playoff team moving forward. Josh Morrissey feels motivated to lead the organization to the postseason in a year's time.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor Murphy explain how the Oilers are approaching their upcoming series against the Ducks, with tight defensive play being the main focus against a young, run-and-gun Anaheim team with plenty of offensive firepower.
Leon Draisaitl was skating alongside some familiar linemates in Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen at practice on Friday, a possible indication that he could be ready for Game 1 against the Ducks on Monday. Head coach Kris Knoblauch said Draisaitl has not yet been cleared but is preparing to be 'game ready' for when he is available to suit up.
T.J. Oshie joins ESPN's Scott Van Pelt to discuss why the Avalanche are so dangerous.
With a tough season in their rear-view mirror, Mikael Backlund, Joel Farabee and the rest of the Flames leadership are ready to look ahead with a group that works hard for each other and is hungry to compete for a spot in the postseason a year from now.
Thatcher Demko talks about the major surgery he underwent and the 'mental warfare' he's been dealing with. The Canucks goalie says he wondered what his future would look like but he'll be in a great spot in a couple of months and is very excited to get back on the ice.
After finishing last in the league, Brock Boeser, Teddy Blueger, Kevin Lankinen and Jake DeBrusk explain what the Canucks need to get back to being a competitive team in the NHL.
After a rough start to the 2025-26 campaign, the Flames were unable to find their footing down the stretch and finished seventh in the Pacific. Connor Zary says it's tough to end your season on April 16th and stew on the negative aspects. Matt Coronato details an inconsistent season for himself and the team after a tough start but is optimistic about what the team is trying to build and the direction they're trending in.
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