“Just so appreciative for the opportunity to have played with them as long as we have. Hopefully, we can keep going,” Crosby said after the playoff elimination from the 2025-26 NHL campaign, via Pens Inside Scoop. “It’s kind of hard to put into words, honestly. We probably have just gotten used to. I think they’re like family. We’ve had some great wins, some tough losses like this.”

Crosby’s statement was a clear message to the organization and the higher ranks in the front office, including president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas. Still, the Penguins will take their time before coming to a final decision on Malkin, who will turn 40 before the 2026–27 NHL season. In fact, Malkin will be the same age as Dubas when the puck drops in October.

Crosby, Malkin, and Letang: ‘The Big Three’

Crosby, Malkin, and Kris Letang have played together for the past 20 seasons in the NHL. No other trio in North American sports history has been together for as long as the “Big Three” in Pittsburgh. Ask any of the three, and they hope to keep the streak going in the 2026–27 season.

However, at some point, the front office must decide what’s best for the organization. Malkin is set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in the summer, and although Dubas has admitted there’s interest in a reunion, anything can happen.

If it were up to Crosby, the decision would be made in a heartbeat, though he understands the business side of it and doesn’t take these past two decades for granted. Obviously, the trio has led Pittsburgh to three Stanley Cup conquests (2009, 2016, and 2017).

Where do the Penguins go next?

Entering this season, many expected it to be a sort of last dance for the “Big Three.” Making the postseason was a surprise, and the belief in the City of Bridges was that the trio could pull off one last improbable deep run. In the end, Crosby, Malkin, and Letang did their job but couldn’t overcome the lack of depth in Pittsburgh, and the young Flyers squad ultimately took them out in six games, in identical fashion to their first-round elimination by Philly in 2012.

Now, the dilemma is even harder for the Penguins. Should they call it a career for the “Big Three,” or have the three veterans proven to be part of the solution? Whichever route Dubas and company go down, only time will tell whether it was the right move or not.

For as much success as Crosby and company have had, the past few years have been anything but kind to fans in Pittsburgh. Moreover, extending Malkin may only be clawing at and holding on to the last thread of the glory days in the City of Bridges. It might have lost its grace and may be seen as more of a last-ditch effort than a tribute to the franchise’s active heroes..

Might be time to move on

Since hoisting back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, the Penguins have only won a single playoff series. That was back in 2018. Since the Washington Capitals knocked them out of the second round, en route to their Cup conquest, the Pens haven’t been the same.

Pittsburgh has been bounced in the opening round five times since (including once in the qualifying round in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs in the bubble). Moreover, they missed the postseason entirely three years in a row (2023, 2024, and 2025).

Pittsburgh’s 2025–26 NHL season was an anomaly. Against all odds, the Pens made the playoffs in Dan Muse’s first year as head coach. However, at the end of the day, it was only an oasis in the desert. It takes no master in biology to know a penguin won’t last long in the desert, and thus time is running out for Pittsburgh to figure out what’s wrong.

It starts with Malkin

Nailing the Malkin decision in the offseason is only the first step, yet it could well make or break Dubas’ plans for the summer. Crosby has sent his two cents out there for the organization to listen to, and it will. However, Crosby is only signed through one more season, and sooner or later, the Penguins will have to brace for a team that no longer features “Sid the Kid.”

Gearing up for Game 5 against the Lightning, the Canadiens received a bittersweet update on Dobson, as he is making progress but his return to play remains unconfirmed. Most signs suggest Dobson will miss the upcoming matchup with Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but it might be the last game he misses.

As reported by TVA Sports‘ Renaud Lavoie, Dobson joined the rest of the Canadiens’ scratches for an optional morning skate at Benchmark International Arena. Seeing the blueliner back on the ice with teammates for the first time since sustaining a hand injury may signal Dobson is closer than ever to making his return to NHL action. Still, he appears set to be absent from the lineup in Game 5.

Dobson’s injury

Dobson has been sidelined since April 11, when he blocked a shot with his left hand in a regular-season matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Montreal has Dobson listed with an upper-body injury.

Since the incident, Dobson has been absent from the Habs’ last six games (two in the regular season and four in the postseason). If the 25-year-old defenseman is indeed out for Game 5 against the Bolts, it will be his seventh straight game missed.

Dobson has missed games every year

Injuries have been a common theme in Dobson’s career, though most have usually been short-term. Since he entered the NHL in 2019, the former first-round selection (12th overall) has never played a full 82-game season. So far in his playoff career, Dobson has appeared in 31 games, recording 10 assists and no goals.

Perhaps he scores his first during the first-round series against the Lightning. It’d be perfect timing for both himself and the Habs. Still, Dobson’s return to play in this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs remains uncertain.

Recent signs are encouraging, and the Canadiens might rush him back onto the ice if they fall behind 3-2 and face elimination in Game 6, which will be back home in Quebec’s metropolis.

“The defenseman is skating. It’s another step forward. Return to play still undetermined,” the Canadiens stated on their update on Dobson, via Anthony Martineau on X.

Fans in Montreal remained hopeful Dobson could be back in the lineup for Game 5 of the first-round series against Tampa Bay. Dobson made noise early on Tuesday as he skated by himself—and was later joined by Mike Matheson—prior to the team’s practice in Quebec before traveling to Florida. However, it looks like he won’t be able to play as the Habs vie for a 3-2 series lead on the road.

Canadiens confirm players’ status

As reported by Sportsnet’s Eric Engels, head coach Martin St. Louis confirmed both Juraj Slafkovsky and Josh Anderson will play in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Lightning. However, St. Louis provided no update on Dobson, who has yet to make his return to the lineup. Moreover, the former New York Islanders blueliner has yet to join the rest of the group in a team practice.

Though reports suggested the Canadiens could have Dobson back for the series against the Lightning, him missing the entire first round remains plausible. As Montreal said in its statement, Dobson is showing progress, but he is still not quite there yet to be cleared and reactivated. All signs indicate the 26-year-old defenseman is on track to miss his seventh straight outing in the 2025-26 NHL season for the Habs.

What happened to Dobson?

Dobson’s last appearance was on April 11, during Montreal’s regular-season defeat against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Dobson was in pain after blocking a shot with his left hand and hasn’t played since for the Habs.

At first, Montreal thought it had things under control even without him available. However, the Bolts are now putting the Habs against the ropes, and the latter have realized just how important having Dobson in the lineup is for them. The Canadiens hope to have him back as soon as possible. If not, it might be too late.

McDavid has been battling through a lower-body injury so far in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. While the Oilers’ captain has appeared in all four games so far in the first round, he could miss the upcoming showdown in which his team will face elimination.

In addition to McDavid, Jason Dickinson—who missed Games 2 and 3 of the series against the Ducks—is considered day-to-day and will be a game-time decision as well. If neither is able to dress for Game 5 at Rogers Place, Edmonton will be in for a very steep climb.

What happened to McDavid?

McDavid got tangled up with teammate Mattias Ekholm during Game 2 of the opening-round series against Anaheim. Immediately after the freak accident, McDavid felt pain in his right ankle and struggled to put any weight on that leg. After trying to shake the pain off, he left the game momentarily to be checked by the Oilers’ medical staff.

He returned to the game and has appeared in both Games 3 and 4. However, as he missed the team’s practice before Game 5 and Knoblauch failed to provide a clear update on him, signs indicate McDavid could miss the biggest game of the season for the Oilers—and possibly the last.

McDavid’s playoff stats

McDavid has never missed a postseason game for Edmonton in his NHL career. So far, McDavid has played 100 Stanley Cup playoff games, recording 154 points (45 goals and 109 assists). Through the opening four games of the first-round matchup against Anaheim, the best player in Edmonton—and the league—has put up four points (one goal and three assists).

McDavid has been far from his best hockey—likely due to the injury he’s playing through—but the Oilers still need him on the ice if they want any chance of overcoming a 3-1 series deficit.

Next man up for the Oilers

The Oilers’ hopes will be in the hands of Leon Draisaitl, who was rushed back after missing 14 games in the regular season ahead of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The German star leads the team with seven points (one goal and six assists).

Kasperi Kapanen is the leading goal scorer with four tallies. If McDavid and Dickinson aren’t healthy enough to go, Knoblauch and company will need the unsung hero to continue his red-hot streak in order to stay alive. Perhaps it’s too late for Edmonton to salvage its season—and its Stanley Cup dream.

“That’s something that happens sometimes. You try to go in front of the net. Sometimes [those shots] hit you, sometimes they go by and they don’t hit you. I feel good,” Crosby admitted after Game 5, via Pens Inside Scoop on X.

Crosby was also hit with an ill-intended cross-check by Travis Konecny after the buzzer sounded in Game 5. Despite falling to the ice and being slow to get up, Crosby made no mention of the incident, so all signs indicate he’s good to go for the next matchup against the Flyers.

Crosby is healthy for Penguins

Hearing Crosby is fully healthy is just what fans in Pittsburgh wanted to hear. The Penguins have battled back from down 3-0 in the series against the Philadelphia Flyers to force a Game 6 back in the City of Brotherly Love. Only one more win separates the Pens from forcing a win-or-go-home Game 7 back at PPG PAINTS Arena.

Pittsburgh may be operating with an advantage, as its last two outings in the Stanley Cup Playoffs have already been elimination games. Playing with their backs against the wall, Crosby and company finally showed their teeth, and the Flyers are sensing the pressure.

2012 flashback gives Flyers hope

Though the Flyers’ lineup looks nothing like it did back in the 2011–12 NHL campaign, there are many similarities between the two first-round matchups against the Penguins that year and this time around. Both times, Philly jumped to a 3-0 lead before Pittsburgh clawed its way back to force a Game 6 in South Philadelphia. The Flyers would go on to win that game and eliminate the Pens.

Over a decade has passed since, but the squad in the Birthplace of America is hanging on to the hope that history will repeat itself. It serves as consolation; if not, the panic meter would be at an all-time high. Perhaps it already is.

Flyers sense the pressure, Penguins feed off of it

The Flyers are young and lack playoff experience. Watching how Crosby and company refuse to go out puts an incredible amount of pressure on them. The Penguins are using that to their advantage.

Moreover, the fact Philadelphia is punishing its best players and pointing blaming fingers around the locker room may be the perfect sign for the Pens. Penguins may not be the apex predator, but even they can smell blood and decide to go in for the kill.

Series schedule

The Penguins will travel to the Cradle of Liberty for Game 6 on April 29. If they manage to come away with their third straight triumph in the series, the Pens will keep their Stanley Cup hopes alive in the 2025–26 NHL season and force a decisive Game 7 back home in the City of Bridges. The win-or-go-home showdown is scheduled for May 2.

“I think there’s a chance [this series goes to 7 games]. If you wake up Sidney Crosby, this guy is unbelievable. I hate the guy and I love him at the same time. He’s going to have to lead the Penguins,” Oshie stated during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “If they are going to have any chance at coming back, it’s going to be on Sid’s shoulders.”

Crosby has come to life late in the series. Though the Penguins are still between a rock and a hard place, there were signs of improvement during Game 4’s victory. Crosby recorded two points (a goal and an assist) during Pittsburgh’s 4-2 win to avoid being swept by the Flyers. Crosby had put the Flyers on notice after the Penguins avoided elimination in Game 4, and now a former champion like Oshie may be trying to warn Philly, as well.

Penguins stayed alive

As the series returns to The Burgh, the Flyers know they must nip the problem in the bud before Crosby and company catch fire. Perhaps, the beast has been awaken, and it’s already too late.

The fourth win is said to be the hardest to secure in every Stanley Cup playoff matchup in the NHL, and a young squad like the one in Philadelphia may learn that lesson the hard way.

Crosby has gone back to doing Crosby things. The fact he scored a one-timer from an improbable position on the ice in Game 4 may be all the signs the Penguins need to know their captain is back in full force. The Pens may not need anything more. Crosby might be enough for them to secure another crucial victory in Game 5 and take the series back to the City of Brotherly Love.

Crosby, Penguins take it one game at a time

Pittsburgh won’t ever have any kind of love or respect for Philadelphia, but right now, there’s nothing the Black and Yellow want more than traveling back to the Birthplace of America for a Game 6. With no room for error but hanging on by a thread of hope, the Penguins are almost in an ideal spot to play relaxed and find their best hockey. What’s done is done. Taking a one-game-at-a-time approach may be the best thing the Pens can do.

Having lost only one game, the Flyers may look at Game 4’s defeat as a fluke outing. However, if they lose two in a row and suddenly find themselves in a pivotal Game 6 at Xfinity Mobile Arena, the nerves and anxiety may eat Philly alive.

Playoff experience doesn’t show up on any stat sheet, but it’s often the X-factor in a series. When the tide gets rough, it comes to light. This is a great time for the Pens’ experience to come into play.

Pittsburgh boasts an experienced lineup—this isn’t its first rodeo in the NHL postseason—and Crosby is hanging on to that as a beacon of hope. Although head coach Dan Muse made it clear Crosby and company should be frustrated after falling in consecutive home games, the captain himself sees this as an opportunity for the Penguins to prove themselves—once more.

“I think we’ve been in some tough spots all year,” Crosby commented, via NHL.com. “We’ve always responded really well to adversity. It seems like it’s brought out the best in all of us. I think that getting on the road and having a situation like this hopefully brings out the best in us again here.”

Crosby remains scoreless

Through the first two games of the first-round showdown against the Flyers, Crosby has been neutralized by Rick Tocchet and company. Despite registering 7 shots through two outings, the Pens’ captain has yet to score a point and is carrying a -2 plus/minus in the series. The last time Crosby was held scoreless in consecutive postseason games was during the 2020-21 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Crosby is far from the main culprit behind the Penguins‘ rough start to the Stanley Cup Playoffs—that could very well be the nail in their coffin—but his team still needs him to step up if Pittsburgh wants to stay alive. Being held scoreless by the Flyers is not like Crosby.

In his career, he has scored 139 points against the Flyers—the second most against any team, with only the Islanders ranking higher. Moreover, Crosby’s 60 career goals (regular season only) against Philadelphia are his most against a single opponent. In playoff games, Crosby has scored 15 goals against the Flyers.

When do Crosby and Penguins play again?

Crosby and the Penguins will hit the road for Games 3 and 4 of the first-round matchup against the Flyers. Pittsburgh’s first visit to Xfinity Mobile Arena will be on April 22, while Game 4 will take place on Saturday, Apr. 25. Thus, the Penguins are in for a long stay in Philly.

Though dubbed the City of Brotherly Love, it’s clear there is no love for the Flyers’ cross-state neighbors in South Philly. Entering the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, Crosby and the Penguins will quickly be reminded of how deep the rivalry runs.

Flyers vs Penguins: Playoff history

The Flyers have a chance to sweep the Pens in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The two franchises have met seven times in the postseason; Philadelphia leads with four series wins to Pittsburgh’s three, but neither has ever swept the other Pennsylvania organization.

A win in Game 3 could allow the Flyers to put their foot on the Pens’ throat, and it might be all she wrote for Crosby and company. If there’s a silver lining for Crosby and the Pens to hang their hats on, it’s that the Penguins have won their last three playoff games in Philly (2017-18 Stanley Cup Playoffs). If they can keep that trend going, they might save their 2025–26 NHL season.

The Oilers have yet to rule Draisaitl’s in or out for Game 1 against the Ducks at Rogers Place. In fact, Sportsnet reports that Draisaitl will be a game-time decision. The German star missed the final 14 games of the regular season after being placed on Injured Reserve (IR). However, Draisaitl has been practicing with his teammates since April 13.

While his status remains officially uncertain, the fact that he practiced with no limitations on the second line during Edmonton’s Sunday session suggests he is trending toward a return as the Oilers kick off their road to redemption in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“Back on Oilers’ power play and on a regular line, it certainly appears Leon Draisaitl is set for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs,” Sportsnet’s Gene Principe reported on his X account.

Oilers need Draisaitl

Coming off consecutive Stanley Cup Final losses, Connor McDavid and company are desperate to add a sixth championship to the Oilers’ legacy. While the path ahead will not be easy, having a healthy Leon Draisaitl back could go a long way. Despite his 17-game absence, Draisaitl finished the campaign with 16 power-play goals (PPG), leading the team in that category.

Draisaitl’s potential return strikes fear into the Ducks—and the rest of the league; when he and McDavid are firing on all cylinders, opponents have few answers, especially when Edmonton is on the man-advantage.

Oilers’ power play meets Ducks’ penalty kill

Edmonton finished the 2025–26 regular season with the NHL’s top-ranked power play, operating at a 30.6 PP%. Special teams are always crucial in the postseason, and this dominance has fueled the Oilers’ deep runs in recent years.

Conversely, the Ducks have struggled to kill off penalties, recording the sixth-worst penalty kill in the league at 76.4%. If Draisaitl remains active for the entire series, Anaheim must stay disciplined, or the matchup could quickly get out of hand.

This young Orange County squad lacks playoff experience and may find itself wet behind the ears against a redemption-seeking Edmonton group. Ultimately, McDavid and Draisaitl are determined to bring Lord Stanley back to Alberta and restore Edmonton’s status as the City of Champions.

“I told them right after the game, ‘You want experience? You got it now,’” Ruff admitted, per TSN. “If you’re going to say this was my first playoff game, you’ve got a great story to tell.”

In more ways than one, the Sabres made a statement in the series opener. More importantly, they proved Boston wrong after head coach Marco Sturm doubled down on his warning to Buffalo.

Third period comeback saves the day for Sabres

The Bruins led for most of the game, but a third-period surge from the Sabres turned the tables in the blink of an eye. Buffalo scored three goals less than five minutes apart, and the capacity crowd erupted.

The Sabres are now up 1–0 in the first-round series of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Sabres tend to do well in Game 1 of the postseason. Going back to the 1996-97 NHL campaign, Buffalo has won eight of its nine first-round series openers.

Tage Thompson’s heroics

Trailing 2–0 in the third period, it felt like the Sabres would relive the pain that has followed them for the past 15 years. However, when the night was darkest, a hero emerged in Western New York—none other than Tage Thompson, who scored twice to tie the game.

The Sabres’ best player put the cherry on top by assisting on Alex Tuch’s empty-net game-winning goal. In his first career playoff game, Thompson finished the night with three points. He looked like a playoff vet out there, and he insisted that playoff experience may be an overrated trait.

“We’ve been in games that have prepared us for this. I think eight years of adversity is enough experience to get you ready for stuff like this,” Thompson said, via NHL.com. “The last thing you want is regret.”

Buffalo’s rocking

The job is far from finished, though. The Bruins were very close to coming away with a crucial Game 1 triumph that would’ve put the pressure on the Sabres and completely changed the tune across town. As both sides gear up for Game 2 (Apr. 21), Boston knows a win in the City of Good Neighbors can flip the momentum as the series heads to Beantown.

Still, prevailing in Buffalo will be no walk in the park. Fans have waited far too long—they will make life hell for any visiting team. If there’s a lesson to be learned after Game 1, it’s that KeyBank Center might be the loudest barn in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It was 15 years in the making; Pandora’s box has now been opened, and the Bruins are the first to experience the wrath in Nickel City.

It may get lost behind the fact that they won the Presidents’ Trophy and scored the most goals in the regular season, but the Avalanche also gave up the least goals in the 2025-26 NHL season. Thus, fans can rest assured that when the action gets tighter, the ice seemingly shrinks, and every puck battle can prove decisive, the Avs will be up for the challenge. In case anybody on the Kings overlooked that, MacKinnon delivered a reminder after Game 1 of the first-round series.

“We are comfortable in those low-scoring games,” MacKinnon admitted after the game, via DNVR. “We gave up the least goals in the league this year, we pride ourselves off our defensive hockey. It may be harder for [other] people, but that’s what we want to be.“

Wedgewood stood tall once again

Scott Wedgewood’s incredible performance in the 2025–26 NHL regular season transitioned smoothly into his first career start in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avalanche’s goalie stopped 24 shots to help his team come away with a crucial Game 1 victory on home ice.

In Game 1 against the Kings, Wedgewood recorded a .960 save percentage (SV%) after finishing the campaign with the league’s best .921 SV% and a 2.02 GAA. If he can keep his red-hot form, MacKinnon and the Avs will remain confident they can walk away with low-scoring wins.

Colorado’s push for its fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history is largely hanging on the glove and trapper of a 33-year-old revitalized veteran netminder. So far, so good. If Game 1 of the first round is any indicator, the Avalanche are in safe hands.

Series schedule

• Game 2: Kings at Avalanche (April 21)
• Game 3: Avalanche at Kings (April 23)
• Game 4: Avalanche at Kings (April 26)
• Game 5 IF NECCESARY: Kings at Avalanche (April 29)
• Game 6 IF NECCESARY: Avalanche at Kings (May 1)
• Game 7 IF NECCESARY: Kings at Avalanche (May 3)

“Yeah. Somebody had fun with it, so I’m glad that happened. At the end of the day, nobody is looking [at the games] closely enough as I do. When we are on top of our game, and we are hard on pucks, strong on pucks, we’re physical, we have a chance,” Sturm said, via WEEI.

Sturm’s comment was answering a question on the impact his recent statement on the Bruins had in Buffalo. The Sabres—fresh off snapping the longest playoff drought in NHL history—can’t hide their excitement as the Stanley Cup Playoffs return to the City of Good Neighbors. Thus, it makes sense why Sturm’s comments made that much noise in Western New York.

What had Sturm said?

With the Bruins gearing up for the first-round, Boston’s head coach sent his team a confident message. Taking on the Atlantic Division winners, the Spoked B is mostly seen as an underdog in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, Sturm defied that title.

“We’re excited. We are bigger, stronger, we are more physical. We just have to be smart. But, we’re going to go after them,” Sturm had commented on the matchup against the Sabres.

Bruins won season series

Though Sturm’s words made noise, there is some evidence to back him up. After all, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. No other team in the NHL has had Buffalo’s number in the 2025–26 season quite like Boston has. The Bruins won the regular-season series 3–1. However, the only series fans will remember is the upcoming first-round showdown.

Playoff history between Bruins and Sabres

The Bruins are 6–2 all-time in playoff series against the Sabres. The last time both clubs met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs was in 2010, when Boston advanced to the second round with a 4–2 series win. Sturm sure knows about that, as he was on Boston’s roster as a winger. Sturm played in all six games of the matchup against the Sabres.