Whom You Know

Thursday, April 23, 2026

#NHLPeachy @NHL NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – April 23, 2026 GO #JoelQuenneville and the #Ducks Says Peachy!

* Wyatt Johnston scored the double-overtime winner to join rare NHL company and power the Stars to a 2-1 lead in their First Round series.

* Cutter Gauthier got the go-ahead goal to cap the Ducks’ latest comeback win this season, while Trevor Zegras helped the Flyers forge a 3-0 series lead in the “Battle of Pennsylvania.”

* Gauthier and Zegras were two of nine players with their first career playoff goal Wednesday, which marked the NHL’s highest single-day total since April 17, 2014 (11).

* Thursday features the Bruins and Sabres shifting to Boston for a pivotal Game 3 as well as the Senators and Kings looking to cut their series deficit in half at home.

JOHNSTON SPARKS STARS RALLY, SCORES IN DOUBLE OT TO SECURE SERIES LEAD

After the Wild went up 3-2, Wyatt Johnston (1-1—2) spearheaded the Stars’ rally by factoring on Matt Duchene’s (1-1—2) tying tally in the final 10 minutes of regulation and then netting the game winner in double overtime a little more than 40 minutes later to lift Dallas to a 2-1 series lead.

* Johnston scored his sixth career game-winning goal in the playoffs and moved into a tie with Tyler Seguin, Joe Pavelski, Jamie Langenbrunner and Brett Hull for the sixth most in Stars/North Stars history. The goal marked Johnston’s second point of the game, making him the first player in Stars team history (since 1993-94) to record consecutive multi-point contests in the playoffs at age 22 or younger. Only one player has achieved a longer such streak with the franchise before age 23: Steve Payne (4 GP w/ MNS in 1981).

Gauthier, Ducks fly south with First Round series against oilers tied 1-1

Cutter Gauthier (2-1—3) generated the go-ahead goal with 4:52 remaining in regulation as Anaheim earned its first playoff win since Game 4 of the 2017 Conference Finals and pulled even versus Edmonton. The First Round series between the Ducks and Oilers shifts to Honda Center for Game 3 tomorrow.

* Gauthier (22 years, 93 days) became the youngest player in franchise playoff history with a three-point performance, besting the previous mark set by Paul Kariya (22 years, 182 days; Game 1 of 1997 CQF). Joffrey Lupul (22 years, 228 days; Game 3 of 2006 CSF) is the only other player with one for Anaheim at age 22 or younger.

* Alex Killorn (1-2—3) and Jackson LaCombe (0-3—3) also had three points for the Ducks. LaCombe is one of five players competing in the 2026 playoffs that can join the “Triple Gold Club” with a Stanley Cup win and tied the franchise playoff record for most points in a game by a defenseman achieved by Sami Vatanen (Game 1 of 2015 R1), Chris Pronger (Game 3 of 2008 CQF) and J.J. Daigneault (Game 2 of 1997 CQF).

* Killorn was signed by the Ducks on July 1, 2023, after winning Stanley Cup championships with the 2021 and 2020 Lightning. Killorn made his pro debut with the AHL’s Norfolk Admirals in the midst of their 28-game winning streak during the 2011-12 season and concluded the campaign by capturing a Calder Cup alongside current teammate Radko Gudas.

FOUR FIRST-TIME GOAL SCORERS SEND FLYERS TO 3-0 SERIES LEAD

Trevor Zegras, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nick Seeler and Noah Cates all scored their first-ever goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, while Porter Martone extended his point streak to three games to propel the Flyers to a commanding 3-0 series lead. Philadelphia earned its first playoff win at Xfinity Mobile Arena since Game 4 of the 2016 First Round, when the venue was known as Wells Fargo Center, and own an all-time series record of 10-0 when leading 3-0 in a best-of-seven playoff round.

* Martone became the fourth teenager over the past 25 years to record a point in each of his first three career playoff games. He joined Kirby Dach (3 GP in 2020), Patrik Laine (3 GP in 2018) and Sidney Crosby (3 GP in 2007). The last player to post a longer run was Jeff Friesen in 1995 (4 GP).

Crosby climbing NHL’s all-time playoff points list featured in Live Updates

Wednesday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates featured more notes from the three-game slate, including Sidney Crosby collecting an assist to reach 202 career postseason points and pass Jaromir Jagr (201) for fifth place on the League’s all-time list. Crosby also hit 99 career playoff road points and needs one to become the third player in NHL history with 100, following Wayne Gretzky (164) and Mark Messier (139), whose totals include the suspended game during the 1988 Stanley Cup Final.

QUICK CLICKS

* NHL announces start times for Stanley Cup Playoffs 1st Round games on April 28

* Shane Gillis ‘ignites the orange’ before Game 3

* Vikings star Justin Jefferson hypes up Wild fans before Game 3

* ESPN open weekend with three most-watched playoff games on cable ever

* NHL on TNT opens playoffs with record viewership

SABRES, BRUINS BATTLE FOR SERIES LEAD WHILE SENATORS, KINGS RETURN HOME

Thursday’s slate features three Game 3s with the Sabres and Bruins battling for a 2-1 series lead at TD Garden, while the Senators and Kings also shift to their home rinks with their sights set on capturing their first win of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

* The Sabres and Bruins face a familiar scenario with the teams deadlocked at 1-1 through the first two games of their First Round series. Buffalo and Boston have faced off eight times previously in the playoffs, with the clubs splitting the first two games in five of those meetings. The Bruins won Game 3 in three of those five series, including the most recent instance (2010 CQF), while the Sabres’ last victory against Boston in that scenario came during the 1999 Conference Semifinals ahead of Buffalo’s most recent run to the Stanley Cup Final.

* David Pastrnak (1-4—5) logged a pair of assists in Game 2 and is tied for the lead among players with five points this postseason. He can become the seventh skater in Bruins history to start a playoff run on a three-game multi-point streak and first to do so since Jean Ratelle, Bobby Schmautz and Terry O’Reilly in 1977.

* The Senators face a 2-0 deficit in the First Round for the second straight year after battling back to force a six-game series against the Maple Leafs in 2025. Ottawa is 4-3 all-time in Game 3 at home when facing a 2-0 series deficit, while the Hurricanes/Whalers franchise is 3-9 all-time when trying to take a 3-0 series lead on the road.

* The Avalanche carry a 2-0 lead into Game 3 following consecutive 2-1 victories as Scott Wedgewood aims to become the first goaltender in franchise history to earn a win in each of his first three career playoff starts. Meanwhile, the Kings will try to claw back from a 2-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series for the fourth time in franchise history. They last accomplished the feat during the 2014 First Round against the Sharks (the fourth team in NHL history to win a series after trailing 3-0) en route to their second Stanley Cup in a three-year span.

#NewYorkNotes #Politics @RecordingAcad GRAMMYS ON THE HILL® CELEBRATES 25 YEARS of impact IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

To celebrate the champions of the music community and advance policy priorities that protect creators’ rights, the Recording Academy® is in Washington, D.C. this week for its GRAMMYS On The Hill® initiative. Marking a quarter-century of music advocacy this year, music’s biggest week in Washington brings together music creators, industry leaders and lawmakers for three days of advocacy, celebration and conversation from April 21—23.

“GRAMMYS On The Hill represents the core of the Recording Academy’s year-round work to advocate for music people and ensure their rights are safeguarded in our culture,” said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “As we mark 25 years of GRAMMYS On The Hill, we are reminded that music creators must remain at the center of every conversation shaping the future of the industry, especially as AI and other emerging technologies continue to transform it.”

On Tuesday, April 21, over 200 Recording Academy members, industry leaders and members of congress gathered at The Hamilton Live in downtown Washington, D.C., for the GRAMMYS On The Hill® Awards, which honored Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) for their bipartisan work to protect musicians as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the music industry, including as champions of the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act, landmark legislation that would establish federal protections against unauthorized AI-generated replicas of a person’s voice and likeness. In addition to saluting this year’s honorees, the night featured several performances that commemorated 250 years of American music.

“Musicians are magic makers, finding the perfect harmony for every moment from our sorrows to our joys,” said Sen. Coons. “That work—that magic— deserves to be protected. Today, too many artists have had their intellectual property, likenesses and livelihoods stolen by online pirates and AI artists. I’m proud to be spearheading efforts in Congress to safeguard your ideas and creativity because what you do cannot be replaced. As a Senator, I’ve had the opportunity to travel all over the world and have seen how American music helps people see us, understand us, and believe in our American dream. You connect us to the world, and you inspire the world. That’s what I’m going to keep fighting for. Thank you for this honor.”

“I’m truly honored to be recognized by the Recording Academy, a distinction that underscores the vital role music creators play in shaping our culture and economy,” said Rep. Salazar. “At a time of rapid technological change, protecting the voices, rights and livelihoods of artists is more important than ever. I remain committed to advancing policies like NO FAKES Act to ensure creators are respected, their work is protected, and their likeness is never exploited.”

This celebratory evening was followed by GRAMMYS On The Hill® Advocacy Day on Wednesday, April 22, which brought artists, songwriters, producers, and other music advocates to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers and discuss one of the most pressing issues facing creators today: the impact of artificial intelligence on the music community. As AI reshapes the music landscape, the Academy is advocating for policies that ensure human creators are protected, credited and fairly compensated. GRAMMY-winning and GRAMMY-nominated artists including Durand Bernarr, Grace Potter, Israel Houghton, Maggie Rose, and Molly Tuttle , met with lawmakers including Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), along with Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Erin Houchin (R-IN), Jason Smith (R-MO), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) to discuss the importance of the NO FAKES Act, as well as the Transparency and Responsibility for Artificial Intelligence Networks (TRAIN) Act and the Copyright Labeling and Ethical AI Reporting (CLEAR) Act.

In addition to meetings with lawmakers, GRAMMYS On The Hill Advocacy Day included a roundtable briefing focused on AI and the future of music with Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Peter Welch (D-VT). The day concluded with a reception on Capitol Hill hosted by the Academy’s Black Music Collective, in cooperation with the Congressional Black Caucus, to honor the enduring influence of Black sound and its profound impact on American culture. The reception featured a performance by Durand Bernarr , as well as a special presentation from Amazon Music and the co-chairs of the Black Music Collective, who presented a $10,000 donation to Howard University as recipients of the 2026 “Your Future Is Now” music equipment grant.

GRAMMYS On The Hill concludes on Thursday, April 23 with the third annual Future Forum, a conference convening music creators, industry leaders and policymakers for engaging discussions on the most pressing issues shaping the music industry. Future Forum will feature a keynote conversation with Harvey Mason jr. and YouTube Global Head of Music Lyor Cohen, exploring how the creative community and industry leaders can work together to face the challenges presented by artificial intelligence. Chair of the Recording Academy Board of Trustees, Dr. Chelsey Green , will lead a panel on the role of music education in preparing the next generation for the future. Other programming will include a panel presented with the Academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing® on how artists are using AI in the recording studio, and a discussion on how music builds up cities and communities across the United States.

Since its inception, GRAMMYS On The Hill has led to several major legislative victories for the music industry, including the landmark Music Modernization Act in 2018 and more recently the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act in 2022. Year-round, the Recording Academy’s Washington, D.C.-based Advocacy team mobilizes Academy members and music professionals from across the country to present a powerful lobbying force that fights for music creators’ rights at the local, state and federal levels.

about the recording academy

The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music's history while investing in its future through the Grammy Museum® , advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares® , and celebrates artistic excellence through the Grammy Awards® — music's only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world's leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators.

For more information about the Grammy Awards and the Recording Academy, please visit Grammy.com and RecordingAcademy.com . For breaking news and exclusive content, join the Recording Academy's social communities on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and X.

#HealthyPeachy @ACCinTouch Dr. Roxana Mehran is New American College of Cardiology President

Roxana Mehran, MD, FACC, today assumed the role of president of the American College of Cardiology. Mehran will serve a one-year term at the helm of the almost 60,000-member global cardiovascular organization as it works toward its mission to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health for all.

Dr. Roxana Mehran is the new president of the American College of Cardiology.

"I am honored and excited to assume this unique leadership role within the College," Mehran said. "The ACC is a remarkable global organization devoted to improving human health by transforming cardiovascular care. Our members are on the front lines every day seeking evidence, diagnosing diseases and caring for patients."

As president, Mehran is focused on strengthening the College's global partnerships while maintaining close engagement with members to foster growth, opportunity and impact.

"I am optimistic about our future and our collective ability to shape it, guided by science and driven by a commitment to caring for the most vulnerable patients," she said.

A renowned interventional cardiologist, researcher and advocate for women in medicine, Mehran brings a global perspective and a collaborative approach to her presidency. She is an endowed professor of cardiovascular clinical research and outcomes, and a professor of medicine in cardiology and population health science and policy at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, where she completed fellowships in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology.

She is also director of the Women's Heart and Vascular Center at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, leading a multidisciplinary program designed to address the unique needs of women's cardiovascular health.

Throughout her career, Mehran has led numerous global studies, contributed to the development of clinical guidelines and authored thousands of peer-reviewed publications. She was named by Clarivate Analytics as one of the most influential scientific minds in their Highly Cited Researchers list for the past eight years. She is the founder and chief scientific officer of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation and the founder of Women as One, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing opportunities for women in medicine.

Mehran has an extensive history of service to the ACC, including serving as chair of the Interventional Section Leadership Council, a member of the Board of Trustees and contributing as an author on several guidelines.

She has received several awards, including the 2017 ACC Bernadine Healy Leadership in CV Disease Award and the 2018 Nanette Wenger Award for Excellence in Medical Leadership from WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. In 2019, she received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Silver Medal. In 2022, she was awarded the Terry Ann Krulwich Physician-Scientist Alumni Award, Pulse-Setter Champion Award and Women in Cardiology Mentoring Award from the American Heart Association. In 2023, Mehran received the Bahr Award of Excellence from the ACC and in 2025 the Gold Medal from ESC.

Mehran officially assumes the presidency during the Convocation Ceremony at ACC's Annual Scientific Session, taking place March 28-30, 2026, in New Orleans.

Other new officers for 2026-27 are Vice President Hani Najm, MD, MSc, FACC; Board of Trustees Members Fred M. Kusumoto, MD, FACC; Andrea L. Price, MS, RCIS, CPHQ, AACC; Finance Committee Chair-Elect/Treasurer 2027-2030 Sanjay Gandhi, MBBS, MBA, FACC; Board of Governors Chair Renuka Jain, MD, FACC; and Board of Governors Chair-elect Dinesh Kalra, MD, FACC.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a global leader dedicated to transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. For more than 75 years, the ACC has empowered a community of over 60,000 cardiovascular professionals across more than 140 countries with cutting-edge education and advocacy, rigorous professional credentials, and trusted clinical guidance. From its world-class JACC Journals and NCDR registries to its Accreditation Services, global network of Chapters and Sections, and CardioSmart patient initiatives, the College is committed to creating a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. Learn more at www.ACC.org or connect on social media at @ACCinTouch.

#CanadaPeachy #LiteraryPeachy @VisitNovaScotia Prince Edward Island, Canada: Where Literary Settings Come to Life

Prince Edward Island invites travelers to step into the settings of beloved classic and contemporary novels

"Readaways" are all the rage, with book clubs, TikTok's BookTok community and a cultural shift toward analog hobbies all powering the trend. Prince Edward Island (PEI) holds so much for the literary traveler, there's no need to stuff a suitcase with books. In this Atlantic Canada province, vacationing bibliophiles find fiction and nonfiction blurring as they step into real-life settings they've come to know through the pages of classic and contemporary novels. Against a coastal backdrop of white sand beaches, red sandstone cliffs and wildflower fields in kaleidoscopic bloom, everyone is invited to be a main character.

Anne's World

Island author L.M. Montgomery didn't have tourism promotion as her goal when she published Anne of Green Gables in 1908, but this enduring story's enchanting setting has drawn countless visitors to Canada's smallest province. There's more Anne than ever for fans, with summer-long stagings of Anne of Green Gables - The Musical, presented by Confederation Centre of the Arts at the Charlottetown Festival, and Anne & Gilbert, The Musical at Charlottetown's Florence Simmons Performance Hall.

An Anne-themed itinerary wouldn't be complete without a visit to Montgomery's birthplace in New London and her final resting place in Cavendish, not far from Green Gables Heritage Place, a replica farmstead and landscape that inspired the beloved novel's setting. Renewal of the Canada Strong Pass for 2026 means admission to the historic home, tucked within Prince Edward Island National Park, is free from June 19 through September 7, 2026. The Anne of Green Gables Museum in Park Corner, on the shores of the Lake of Shining Waters, is another storybook stop.

Lodging properties with literary ties make a PEI escape all the more immersive. Montgomery Inn at Ingleside was built in 1877 by Montgomery's paternal grandfather. Dalvay by the Sea "played" the White Sands Hotel in the 1987 film Anne of Avonlea. And Kindred Spirits Inn & Cottages, which neighbors Green Gables Heritage Place, takes its name from Anne Shirley's words for her dearest friend, Diana Barry.

A Prophetic Title

Since Canadian author Carley Fortune's This Summer will be Different debuted in May of 2024, Prince Edward Island has seen a new wave of literary tourists who want to experience places namedropped in the book. Going behind the scenes on a self-guided tour of COWS Creamery, and scouring markets for their pink-labeled Sea Salt Cultured Butter oft-mentioned in the book, brings a delicious new dimension to ink on a page. At Malpeque Oyster Barn in Malpeque Bay, where protagonist Lucy "Bee" Ashby first met shucker and love interest Felix "Wolf" Clark, diners can dream of their own meet-cute.

With visitation to PEI surging along with book sales, romantic drives to see the colliding of the tides at North Cape are on the rise. Readers can rent a North Shore beach house or stay at the Inn at Bay Fortune, which both get nods in the novel, the latter for its summertime Fireworks Feast, a unique farm-to-fire-to-fork culinary odyssey. On an island, serendipity can lead to settings that feel straight out of this love story, like Little Dutch Flower Farm, Point Prim Lighthouse, and Island Lavender Distillery.

Four Days for Storytellers

For the second year, readers and writers will gather in PEI for the Cavendish Literary Festival as autumn transforms this land of imagination. From September 24-27, workshops and conversations designed to inspire the next generation of storytellers might just prove life-changing for aspiring authors.

For more information on Prince Edward Island, visit https://www.tourismpei.com/.

About Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism (ACAT):

This press release has been made possible through funding provided by the Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism (ACAT). ACAT is a nine-member pan-Atlantic initiative comprising the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Associations, and the four Provincial Departments responsible for tourism.

#CulinaryCourant World-Class Competition BBQ Returns to Grand Junction for the Inaugural Rocky Mountain BBQ Classic

The inaugural Rocky Mountain BBQ Classic brings professional competitive barbecue back to Grand Junction this May, featuring a $50,000 sanctioned state championship alongside professional bull riding and live music. This star-studded festival offers a unique chance to learn from world-renowned celebrity pitmasters, with exclusive VIP tickets providing meet-and-greets, "live fire" cooking experiences, and all-inclusive catering.

After a long hiatus, professional competitive barbecue is making a return to the Western Slope in a big way. The inaugural Rocky Mountain BBQ Classic will take over the Mesa County Fairgrounds on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, featuring a high-stakes state championship, Challenge of Champions Bull Riding Tour events, and a star-studded lineup of culinary legends.

Recognized as a State Championship qualifier by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), the Master BBQ Competition is the weekend's main event. With $50,000 in total prize money being awarded, including a $10,000 cash prize for the Grand Champion, the stakes are high. The Grand Champion from the KCBS pro division will be eligible for the American Royal World Series of Barbecue in Kansas City and the Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational in Lynchburg, Tenn.

The next generation of talent will face off in the Backyard BBQ Competition at Veterans Memorial Park by the fairgrounds, competing for $10,000 in prize money and a $2,500 Grand Champion title. Adding to the heat is the Tailgate Challenge, a fast-paced showdown where 24 teams battle through creative BBQ rounds for a separate $10,000 top prize. This crowd-friendly event will be judged by the festival's roster of celebrity female pitmasters.

The event will be emceed by Brian Duffy (Bar Rescue, BBQ Brawl) and features an elite roster of celebrity pitmasters who will showcase their craft on the demonstration stage, including:Kevin Bludso (James Beard Award winner)

Lee Ann Whippen (BBQ Hall of Fame Inductee)

Stan Hays (CEO of Operation BBQ Relief)

Thyron Mathews (Netflix's BBQ Showdown Winner)

And more, including Mary Cressler, Andy Allo, and Rasheed Philips.

"Having such high-powered, highly influential celebrity pitmasters take part in our competition here on the Western Slope is beyond our wildest dreams," says Perry. "Their skills and experience elevate the entire event, and their openness to chatting and sharing their food with VIP ticket holders creates a truly unique experience in the valley."

Beyond the pits, the weekend is packed with additional food trucks, live concerts, and adrenaline-pumping bull riding events.

Tickets are on sale now, with general admission offering access to concerts and food trucks, and exclusive VIP Tickets that offer best way to experience the weekend. VIP guests receive:Exclusive meet-and-greets and food sampling with celebrity pitmasters.

The "Live Fire" open-air live fire cooking activation.

Up-close VIP seating at live fire and concert events.

Unlimited upscale BBQ catering, unlimited drinks (time-limited), shaded seating, and private VIP bathrooms.

A Platinum option that also includes VIP seating at the bull riding event, catering, and drink tickets.

For more information or to purchase VIP tickets, please visit rmbbqclassic.com.

About Rocky Mountain BBQ Classic

The Rocky Mountain BBQ Classic a sanctioned Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) event dedicated to restoring the tradition of competitive barbecue in Grand Junction, Colorado. Combining sanctioned BBQ excellence with celebrity pitmasters, professional rodeo from Professional Bull Riders, and live music, the Classic provides a premier entertainment experience for the local community and visitors alike. More information is available at rmbbqclassic.com.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

#NHLPeachy @NHL NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – April 22, 2026

* Logan Cooley netted the game winner to lift the Mammoth to their first-ever Stanley Cup Playoffs win and send them home to Salt Lake City with the chance to take a series lead.

* The trend of close games continued Tuesday with the Lightning and Avalanche both securing victories in overtime after netting tying tallies in the final 10 minutes of regulation.

* Wednesday’s schedule opens with the Penguins looking to cut their deficit in half and the Flyers aiming for their first 3-0 lead since another “Battle of Pennsylvania” series in the 2012 Conference Quarterfinals.

MAMMOTH SECURE FIRST-EVER PLAYOFF WIN, HEAD HOME TO UTAH WITH EVEN SERIES

After Utah erased a 1-0 deficit and took the lead, Vegas responded quickly to tie up the game but Logan Cooley (1-0—1) found the back of the net with six minutes remaining in regulation to lift the Mammoth to their first-ever win in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and send them home to Salt Lake City with an even series.

* The Mammoth joined the Jets (Game 1 of 2018 R1), Blue Jackets (Game 2 of 2014 R1), Lightning (Game 2 of 1996 CQF), Devils (Game 2 of 1988 DSF), Whalers (Game 1 of 1986 DSF) and original Jets (Game 2 of 1982 DSF) as the only teams since the WHA merger in 1979-80 to come from behind to earn their first-ever playoff win.

* Cooley, who scored Utah’s first-ever playoff goal in Game 1, became the first player to score in each of a franchise’s first two playoff games since 2003, when Andrew Brunette and Wes Walz both did so for the Wild. Only two players in NHL history have scored in each of a franchise’s first three postseason contests: Nick Harbaruk with Pittsburgh in 1970 and Newsy Lalonde with Montreal in 1918 to 1919.

LIGHTNING, AVALANCHE EARN OVERTIME WINS AS TREND OF CLOSE GAMES CONTINUE

The Stanley Cup Playoffs saw two more contests go into overtime, with the Lightning and Avalanche both prevailing thanks in part to late-tying tallies. The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs has now seen 13 close games (1-goal margin or 2+ w/ ENG). Only four other postseasons had as many through the first 15 games: 2010 (15), 2024 (14), 2021 (14) and 2025 (13).

* After Nikita Kucherov tied the score at 2-2 with 7:27 remaining in regulation to send the Lightning and Canadiens to overtime for the second straight contest, J.J. Moser netted the winning goal to help Tampa Bay knot the series at one game apiece as the teams shift to the Bell Centre for Game 3. The Lightning own an all-time best-of-seven series record of 13-7 when tied at one game apiece and are 10-1 in that scenario after starting the series on home ice. Tampa Bay’s .909 series winning percentage in that scenario is the best mark of any team in NHL history.

* Moser became the fourth Swiss player (and first Swiss defenseman) in NHL history to score an overtime goal in the playoffs, following Kevin Fiala (Game 2 of 2018 R2 & Game 3 of 2017 R1), Nino Niederreiter (Game 7 of 2014 R1) and Damien Brunner (Game 4 of 2013 CQF). Along with becoming the first player in Lightning history to have his first career playoff goal come in overtime, he also became the fifth blueliner to score a playoff overtime goal for Tampa Bay, and first since Kevin Shattenkirk (Game 4 of 2020 SCF).

* Kucherov scored his first postseason goal since Game 1 of the 2023 First Round to snap a 16-game drought in the playoffs and, in the process, recorded the latest tying tally in a playoff game for the Lightning since Patrick Maroon (53:48 in Game 4 of 2021 SCF).

* A tightly-contested game between the Kings and Avalanche saw its first goal scored by Artemi Panarin (1-0—1) in the final seven minutes of regulation. Colorado’s captain Gabriel Landeskog (1-0—1) responded soon after to force overtime where Nicolas Roy (1-0—1) and Nazem Kadri (0-1—1), two mid-season acquisitions by the Avalanche in 2025-26, combined on the winner to give the Avalanche a 2-0 series lead.

* Roy became the sixth player in Avalanche/Nordiques history to score a playoff overtime goal after being acquired mid-season, following Artturi Lehkonen (Game 4 of 2022 CF), Josh Manson (Game 1 of 2022 R2), Mike Keane (Game 1 of 1996 CF), Sandis Ozolinsh (Game 6 of 1996 CSF) and Wilf Paiement (Game 3 of 1982 DF).

PASTRNAK HELPS BRUINS PULL EVEN WITH ANOTHER MULTI-POINT GAME

David Pastrnak (0-2—2) factored on two of his team’s four goals, including the winner from Pavel Zacha (1-0—1), to help the Bruins bounce back against the Sabres in Game 2 and take an even series home to Boston.

* Pastrnak became the fourth player in Bruins history to record multiple assists in each of his first two road games in a postseason, joining Adam Oates (2 GP in 1993), Craig Janney (2 GP in 1990) and Milt Schmidt (2 GP in 1948).

* Pastrnak recorded his 24th career multi-point playoff game and surpassed Janney, Ken Hodge, Cam Neely and Rick Middleton (all w/ 23 GP) for the eighth most in franchise history. He also surpassed Ondrej Palat (23 GP) for the fourth most in NHL history by a Czech player, behind only Jaromir Jagr (50 GP), Patrik Elias (29 GP) and former Bruins teammate David Krejci (28 GP).

QUICK CLICKS

* Thrilling NHL Season Delivers New High Under ESPN/TNT Rights Deal

* NHL on ESPN programming average viewers up 30% YoY

* Bills QB Josh Allen bangs drum before Sabres' Game 2

* Jeremy Swayman displays quiet leadership for Bruins in Game 2 win against Sabres

* Celebrities, sports stars cheer on teams during Stanley Cup playoffs

Wednesday has First Round series shifting to Saint Paul, Philadelphia

Wednesday has the Stars and Wild shifting to Grand Casino Arena for a pivotal Game 3 as well as the Penguins looking to cut their series deficit to 2-1 as the “Battle of Pennsylvania” against the Flyers goes to Xfinity Mobile Arena. The finale features the Ducks aiming for a split versus the Oilers before heading back to Honda Center.

* Wyatt Johnston and Brock Faber are set to follow up multi-goal performances from Game 2 during the series’ first contest in the “State of Hockey,” which the Stars called home for 26 seasons when the franchise was known as the Minnesota North Stars. When a best-of-seven Stanley Cup Playoffs round is tied 1-1, the Game 3 victor goes on to win the series nearly two-thirds of the time (245-124; .664) including an 11-5 (.688) record by the Stars/North Stars and a 1-4 (.200) mark by the Wild.

* Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin can help the Penguins earn a series win after facing a 2-0 deficit for the sixth time in franchise history (also 2009 SCF, 2009 CSF, 1996 CQF, 1992 DSF & 1991 CF) – the trio played in each of the last two instances and accounted for four of Pittsburgh’s eight game-winning goals across the two series. Porter Martone can achieve another NHL first and become the first player with three consecutive winners at any point in a postseason since Carter Verhaeghe (Game 4-6 of 2022 R1).

#NewColumn #TerrificTakeoutFlorida

#FloridaPeachy #MovietimeInManhattan THE 2026 FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FILMMAKER AWARD WINNERS

William Means’ Junkie wins both the Grand Jury Prize

and Audience Award for Best Narrative Film

Documentary feature winners were Sharon Leise’s Seized

(Grand Jury Prize), and Patrick Bresnan’s

First They Came For My College (Audience Award)

Michael Borrelli’s The Last Day of Byron Bray also

doubled up on the awards, taking both the

Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award for Best Short Film.

Junkie, Seized, First They Came For My College

The 2026 Florida Film Festival announced the filmmaker award winners during a ceremony at the Enzian Theater and following a 35th Anniversary edition of the popular film festival which combined salutes to beloved stars, screenings of highly anticipated films, and a concentration of films produced in Florida by local filmmakers, all taking place in the warm (literal and figurative) setting of Central Florida. William Means’ Junkietook both the Grand Jury prize and the Audience Award for Best Narrative Film. Sharon Leise’s Seized won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Film, and Patrick Bresnan’s First They Came For My College won the Audience Award for Best Documentary Film. Michael Borrelli’s The Last Day of Byron Bray also was a two-time winner, taking both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award for Best Short Film.

Additional Jury Awards went to Brian Gersten’s Hollywood’s Mermaid: The Esther Williams Story (Best Documentary Short), and Andy London, and Carolyn London’s 1981 (Best Animated Short). Films receiving Special Jury Awards included Tatti Ribeiro’s Valentina (Narrative Feature) for “resolute feature filmmaking”, Blake Winston Rice’s Disc (Narrative Short) for “surprising intimacy”, and Madeline Engle and Joe Purtell’s Trapped (Documentary Short) for “innovation in Non-Fiction storytelling”.

Other films receiving Audience Awards included Costa Karalis’ Frogtown (Best Florida Feature), Daniel Roher’s Tuner (Best International Feature), Justin Whittingham’s Welcome (Best Florida Short), Eric Jackowitz’The Seeing Eye Dog Who Saw Too Much (Best Midnight Short), and Alexandra Strunin’s I Gaze at the Sky (Best International Short).

Florida Film Festival Executive Director Wade Neal, said, "This Florida Film Festival was my first as the new Executive Director, and it exceeded what was already very high expectations on my part for an exciting, well-curated, and outrageously fun film event. These award winners are wonderful representatives of the amazing films we screened and filmmakers we hosted throughout the fest.”

FFF Programming Director, Matthew Curtis, added, “There is always an additional expectation and anticipation during a film festival’s big anniversary year. This one fulfilled that for our film fans, our staff, and a wonderful group of filmmakers. The fact that two of those films doubled up on awards – a first for us – seems very appropriate to cap the uniqueness of our 35th edition.”

The Florida Film Festival’s jurors for this edition included:

The Narrative Features Competition Jury

Brian Andreotti (Co-Founder and Director of Acquisitions for Music Box Films)

Aaron Koontz (FFF Alumni and Independent Spirit Award nominated filmmaker)

Violet Lucca (Film Critic and Author)

The Documentary Competition Jury

Brian Bolster (5-Time FFF Alumni Director and Grand Jury Award Winner)

Grace Cheung (Director of Strategic Initiatives at Magnolia Pictures)

Clint Worthington (Assistant Editor at RogerEbert.com)

Shorts Competition Jury

Dwight Brown (Former Chairman of the New York Film Critics Circle)

Radha Mehta (Slamdance Award Winning director and FFF Alumni)

Guillermo Restrepo (Director of Publicity IFC Entertainment Group)

The 35th Anniversary edition kicked off with an Opening Night presentation of Adam Carter Rehmeier’s renegade road trip movie Caroline, Caroline, and featured a gala Centerpiece presentation of Jorma Taccone’s Over Your Dead Body, with both filmmakers in attendance. The festival closed with a nod to the classics via a 75th Anniversary screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train. Florida Film Festival’s celebrated “An Evening With.. events were huge hits with the packed audiences, as well as fans outside the Enzian Theater, with Academy Award®-nominee Paul Giamatti and Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Beverly Hills Cop’s Judge Reinhold delighting everyone with stories from their films and careers, and having fun posing for selfies and talking to people outside prior to the events in the theater. Also making special appearances were Fallout’s Johnny Pemberton, with his filmMermaid, Justice Smith, with his film Grampa, and Orlando’s first African American Poet Laureate, Shawn Welcome, with Welcome, a documentary short film about his life.

World premieres included Ahmed Bouchalga’s The Call, Costa Karalis’ Frogtown, Woodruff Laputka and Tehben Dean’s The Man Whom the Trees Loved, Randy Moore’s Return From Tomorrow, Alejandro Ruax and Saskia d’Altena’s If You Really Love Me, Outlive Me, Paul Oh’s Correspondence, Justin Whittingham’s Welcome, Ellie Foumbi’s Afufu, Faryl Amadeus’ Man in Motel, Jessica Li’s Peace Corps, Michael Borrelli’s The Last Day of Byron Bray, Timothy Jacob Elledge’s Neuman, Brooke Trantor’s Nut Milk in May, Sterling Hampton IV’s Study Hall, Isabel Pask’s Scout’s Honor, Grant Swanson’s Iron Lake, Syra McCarthy and Kyle Casey Chu’s Betty St. Clair, Austin Cauldwel’s Idyll, Kyle Spleiss’s House Cat, Justice Smith’s Grampa, Stacey Torkelson’s In Lieu of Flowers, Mary Pilon’s Screw Lucy, Modar Kajo’s In God’s Hands, and Noah Engel’s Everything that Fell from the Mourning Dove's Nest as She Built It ).

Highly anticipated titles from filmmakers like Steven Soderberg (The Christophers), Kirk Jones (I Swear), Gregg Araki (I Want Your Sex), Ben Wheatley (Normal), Curry Barker (Obsession), Maude Apatow (Poetic License), Daniel Roher (Tuner), and Jeremy Workman (School For Defectors) were all screened for Central Florida film fans to see for the first time. Meanwhile, the film festival saw several screenings sell out, with record breaking audience numbers overall. Filmmakers participated in dedicated red carpets and press junkets throughout the festival’s run, as well as numerous networking events which have become a hallmark of the film festival.

To find more information on the Florida Film Festival, please go to: https://floridafilmfestival.com/.

The 2026 Florida Film Festival Award Winners:

Grand Jury Awards

Best Narrative Feature

Junkie

Director: William Means

Special Jury Award – Narrative Feature

Valentina

Director: Tatti Ribeiro

Best Documentary Feature

Seized

Director: Sharon Liese

Best Narrative Short

The Last Day of Byron Bray

Director: Michael Borrelli

Special Jury Award – Narrative Short

Disc

Director: Blake Winston Rice

Best Documentary Short

Hollywood’s Mermaid: The Esther Williams Story

Director: Brian Gersten

Special Jury Award – Documentary Short

Trapped

Directors: Madeline Engle, Joe Purtell

Best Animated Short

1981

Directors: Andy London, Carolyn London

Audience Awards

Best Narrative Feature

Junkie

Director: William Means

Best Documentary Feature

First They Came for My College

Director: Patrick Bresnan

Best Florida Feature

Frogtown

Director: Costa Karalis

Best International Feature

Tuner

Director: Daniel Roher

Best Short Film

The Last Day of Byron Bray

Director: Michael Borrelli

Best Florida Short

Welcome

Director: Justin Whittingham

Best Midnight Short

The Seeing Eye Dog Who Saw Too Much

Director: Eric Jackowitz

Best International Short

I Gaze at the Sky

Director: Alexandra Strunin

About the Florida Film Festival

The Florida Film Festival (FFF) is an Oscar®-qualifying festival that has been showcasing the best in independent, documentary, and international cinema since 1992. Presented by Enzian Theater in Maitland, Florida, the 10-day event features 160+ films, filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, and world-class special events. FFF is one of only a handful of festivals in the U.S. that qualifies in all three Academy Award® short film categories: Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, and Documentary Short Subject.

About the Primary Sponsor – Full Sail University

Full Sail University is an award-winning educational leader for those pursuing careers in entertainment media and emerging technologies. Founded in 1979, Full Sail has received numerous accolades throughout its over 45-year history, including most recently being named to TheWrap’s 2025 “Top 50 U.S. Film Schools” list as well as being named one of the “30 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada” in 2025 by MovieMaker Magazine.  

Full Sail University is a graduate and undergraduate degree-granting institution offering on-campus and online degree programs in areas related to Art & Design, Business, Film & Television, Games, Media & Communications, Music & Recording, Sports, and Technology. With over 100,000 graduates worldwide, Full Sail alumni have worked on countless award-winning projects with individual recognition including Oscar®, Emmy®, Grammy®, Addy®, and The Game Award honors.

#NHLPeachy @NHL #NHLStats Pack: 2025-26 Regular Season Recap Our Coverage Sponsored by Cosmopolitan Dental, Official Dentist of Whom You Know @GaroNazarianDDS #cosmopolitandental #loveyoursmile

The Best Dentist in Manhattan & Official Dentist of Whom You Know:

http://cosmopolitandental.com/

https://x.com/GaroNazarianDDS

https://www.instagram.com/cosmopolitandentalnyc/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cosmopolitan-Dental/154408207913417

30 E. 40th Suite 1001

(212) 683-1960

Dr. Garo Nazarian is a Mover and Shaker, and was the first featured: http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/01/movers-and-shakers-dr-garo-nazarian-of.html

Dr. Nazarian, a graduate of Boston College and Columbia Dental School, opened Cosmopolitan Dental in 2006 and has grown in practice into one of the top cosmetic and dental implant practices in New York City. Cosmopolitan Dental strives to surpass all patients' expectations by catering to your dental needs while providing the utmost professional results. Cosmopolitan Dental has been recognized by America's Top Dentists and has earned both the Patients' choice award and the Doctors' choice award. Dr. Garo Nazarian is a proud member of the New York State Dental Association, New York County Dental Society and the American Dental Association. Cosmopolitan Dental loves to make you smile!

***

10 statements that defined the 2025-26 regular season, and the players and stats that brought them to life. But first, here’s the TL;DR:

* There will be six new teams in the running when the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin Saturday and for the first time since 2015, the postseason will begin with one guarantee: a new champion will be crowned.

* Players spanning three generations – highlighted by the likes of Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer – had record-setting performances.

* The international reach of the game was on full display in 2025-26, including historic performances with the return of NHL players to the Olympic Winter Games – capped by Jack Hughes’ “Golden Goal.”

1. TURNOVER AND TURN-AROUNDS WERE THE STORY OF THE SEASON

The 2025-26 regular season saw an unprecedented Rush to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, highlighted by a six-team turnover – the second-highest total in NHL history – and teams soaring up the standings to turn deficits into playoff spots.

* Stanley Cup Playoffs hockey will head to Buffalo for the first time since 2011, to Anaheim for the first time since 2018 and to Utah for the first time ever. Philadelphia (2020), Pittsburgh (2022) and Boston (2024) also return after at least one season outside the bracket.

* The Sabres were the NHL’s top team since mid-December – when their franchise record-tying winning streak began – en route to their first Atlantic Division crown. Buffalo is the only playoff team to qualify after ranking last place in its conference more than a month into the 2025-26 season (most recently Dec. 17). They also are the only playoff team in 2026 to sit 32nd in the overall standings this season (all in the second week, Oct. 11-14).

* The Senators overcame the largest standings deficit of any club that made the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – sitting 10 points out as late as Jan. 30. Ottawa is the only playoff team to qualify after ranking last place in its division after the holiday break in 2025-26 (most recently Feb. 4).

* The Flyers tied for the most wins and third-most points in the NHL after the Olympic break to clinch a return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Philadelphia faced a standings deficit as large as nine points (March 10) and became the first team in NHL history to qualify for the postseason after overcoming a deficit of that size 60-plus games into a season.

* The Pacific Division had six of its eight teams still in playoff contention entering the final weekend of the season and the division title secured by Vegas in game No. 82. The Golden Knights became the second team to finish as the No. 1 seed in its division after hiring a new head coach within its last 20 games (John Tortorella: March 30 debut; 8 GR), while the fourth-place Kings (WC2) were the only other playoff team to make in-season coaching change (D.J. Smith: March 1). Vegas and Los Angeles finished just five points apart, the third time since divisions were introduced in 1967-68 that the top four clubs in one division were separated by that small a margin (also 2018-19 Metropolitan and 1967-68 West). Overall, it took until the penultimate game on the League schedule (1,311 of 1,312) to decide the ranks of seeds 2-4 within the Pacific.

2. TEENAGERS LED A GROUP OF YOUNG STARS

Matthew Schaefer, 18, and Macklin Celebrini, 19, paced a group of 23 teenagers (including six 18-year-olds) that played in 2025-26 – the most since 2018-19 (27). Schaefer was one of nine players from the 2025 NHL Draft who played in 2025-26, the most to debut the season after their draft since the 2017 class and tied for the second-highest total over the past 16 drafts.

#NHLStats Pack: Young Stars of the 2025-26 NHL Season

* Schaefer (NYI) set the League benchmark for most points by an 18-year-old defenseman, tied the single-season NHL record for most goals by a rookie defenseman and became the first defenseman in more than 90 years – and fourth in NHL history – to lead all NHL rookies in goals (tied or outright). Check out the Schaefer Fact Sheet for more on his historic season and impact off the ice.

* Celebrini (SJS) became the sixth teenager in NHL history with a 100-point season, broke Joe Thornton’s franchise record for points in one season, posted the second-highest goal total in club history and rode that performance to a fourth place finish in NHL scoring – joining Sidney Crosby (1st in 2006-07) and Wayne Gretzky (2nd in 1979-80) as the only teenagers to rank that high. Celebrini, who lifted the Sharks into the playoff race by factoring on 46% of the team’s goals (second to Connor McDavid: 49% w/ EDM), completed his final NHL campaign before turning 20 and will have the fifth-highest career point total as a teenager in League history (4th in assists, 7th in goals, t-2nd GWG).

* The Canadiens boasted the second-youngest roster in the NHL at the end of the season, including rookie points leader Ivan Demidov, one of five 20-goal rookies in Oliver Kapanen, rookie wins leader Jakub Dobes had the highest total by a Canadiens rookie since Ken Dryden 54 years ago and was joined in the top five by Jacob Fowler (the first Florida-born goaltender in NHL history) and had defenseman Lane Hutson, 22, match a 49-year old franchise record in his second full season.

* Other young players with breakout seasons include Beckett Sennecke (ANA), who shared the rookie goals lead and is part of a top three in team scoring whose average age is 22; Jimmy Snuggerud (STL), the highest-scoring rookie post-Olympics ahead of Schaefer; and Connor Bedard (CHI), the youngest 30-goal scorer in Blackhawks history.

3. IT WAS ANOTHER THREE-HORSE RACE FOR THE SCORING TITLE

For a second time in three years, the combination of Connor McDavid (EDM; 138 points), Nikita Kucherov (TBL; 130) and Nathan MacKinnon (COL; 127) finished as the top three in the Art Ross Trophy race – just the third grouping in League history to rank 1-3 in League scoring multiple times (any order). The three players combined to lead the Art Ross Trophy race for 138 of 167 game days in 2025-26 (79%; McDavid: 72; MacKinnon: 60; Kucherov: 6), including 136 in a row from Nov. 8 onward. The last player to lead before that trio took over was 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini (SJS; through Nov. 7), who finished his second NHL season ranked fourth in League scoring.

* McDavid became the fourth player to win the Art Ross Trophy six times, joining Wayne Gretzky (10), Gordie Howe (6) and Mario Lemieux (6). McDavid, who became the fifth player in NHL history to claim 15 individual awards, did so in a campaign in which he hit a collection of career milestones (1,100 points; 1,200 points; 400 goals; 800 assists) as well as single-season benchmarks including his ninth 100-point season and third 130-point season. McDavid secured the Art Ross Trophy in his final game of the season when he helped the Oilers lock in home ice in the First Round with a 0-4—4 showing that lifted him ahead of Bobby Orr (4-assist games; 7th) and Jari Kurri (4-point games; 10th) on a pair of all-time NHL lists. McDavid finished with more assists (90) than 99% of the League had points and became the sixth player in League history with multiple 90-assist seasons (also 100 in 2023-24).

* Kucherov topped the NHL in points-per-game (1.71) and trailed in the scoring race by as many as 22 points (Dec. 23, 2025) but paced all players with 85 points after the Christmas break – 14 more than the next closest player – to finish among the top two in League scoring for the fourth time in his career (the others were his Art Ross Trophy wins). Kucherov topped the NHL in four-point games (9) – the second most by any player over the past 29 seasons (McDavid: 10 in 2022-23) – and finished second in multi-point (40) and three-point (19) showings, behind McDavid (43) in the first category and MacKinnon (20) in the latter. Kucherov will enter his 13th NHL season needing 13 points to tie Tampa Bay’s career scoring record.

* MacKinnon led the NHL in even-strength points (97), the most since Wayne Gretzky 35 years ago, and topped his team in points for the eighth time – overtaking Peter Stastny (7x) to trail only Joe Sakic (12x) for the second-most instances in franchise history. MacKinnon picked up a career first by securing the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL goals leader with 53 – just the second player in franchise history to claim the honor. MacKinnon, who in December became the career leader for goals in Avalanche team history, held at least a share of the NHL goals lead for 136 consecutive game days from Nov. 8 onward (standing as the outright leader from Dec. 2 until the end of the season).

* The list of NHL leaders from the defensive end was a mix of established veterans and newcomers, with Evan Bouchard (EDM) topped all blueliners in assists (74) and points (95) – the second Oilers defenseman to top both lists after Paul Coffey (4x) – while Jakob Chychrun (WSH) had 26 goals (including an NHL record-tying 8 GWG) to finish ahead of second-place Matthew Schaefer (NYI) and pace a group of six 20-goal scorers from the back end – the most the NHL has seen in 32 years.

* Other notable veteran contributors to those totals: Zach Werenski (CBJ; 10th defenseman in NHL history to lead his team in points in consecutive seasons), Cale Makar (COL; first defenseman in 34 years with three straight 20-goal seasons), Quinn Hughes (MIN; franchise records for assists and points by defensemen after in-season trade), Rasmus Dahlin (BUF; most points by a Sabres defenseman in 36 years) and Darren Raddysh (TBL; franchise record 22 goals for a blueliner). Achievements by the two youngest defensemen among the defensive scoring leaders, Lane Hutson and Schaefer, are explored above in Section 2.

4. SID AND OVI KEPT IT 100

Twenty-one seasons into their NHL careers, 38-year-old Sidney Crosby and 40-year-old Alex Ovechkin continued to make an impact as both players led their team in points in a campaign capped by their 100th all-time head-to-head meeting during the final weekend of the season.

* Crosby (16x, all w/ PIT) now trails only Wayne Gretzky (19x; 9 w/ EDM, 7 w/ LAK, 3 w/ NYR) and Gordie Howe (17x, all w/ DET) for the most seasons as any team’s points leader – with Ovechkin (15, all w/ WSH) and Anze Kopitar (15x, all w/ LAK) right behind them. From a single franchise perspective, Crosby moved within one campaign of matching Howe’s mark set with Detroit.

* Crosby extended his NHL record by averaging a point-per-game or better for the 21st time in his 21-season career, ahead of second-place Gretzky (19) and five more than the closest active player (Evgeni Malkin: 16). In the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2022, Crosby captained Team Canada to silver at the Olympics in campaign in which he also: overtook Mario Lemieux and Steve Yzerman to climb into seventh place on the all-time points list, breaking Lemieux’s franchise scoring record in the process; reached milestones for assists (1,100), games played (1,400) and points (1,700); climbed into third all-time for career multi-point games (breaking another franchise record); matched Yzerman as the longest tenured captain in NHL history (19 seasons) while overtaking both him and Adam Oates to move into eighth place for career assists – with his 1,107 now within four of tying Ray Bourque (1,111 w/ BOS) for the most in NHL history with a single franchise. Crosby (1,761) also trails only Howe (1,809 w/ DET) for the most points with one franchise all-time.

* Ovechkin also led the Capitals in goals for the 21st time in his 21-season career, by far the most in League history (Howe: 15) and 11 more than the closest active player (Crosby: 10). Set to make a decision on his future this summer, Ovechkin played in all 82 games in 2025-26 and achieved many feats in the process – building the pot for THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer with each tally: first player to 900 regular-season goals; second player to 1,000 total NHL goals; 21st career 20-goal season (2nd all-time); 20th career 30-goal season (extending NHL record); reached 1,500 games played; overtook Joe Sakic for 10th place on the all-time points list; set the NHL record for total career game-winning goals; moved into fourth place for career hat tricks; posted the third-most goals by a 40-year-old in League history (32; behind Howe: 44 in 1968-69 and Johnny Bucyk: 36 in 1975-76); and climbed within four of tying longtime teammate Nicklas Backstrom’s club record for career assists.

5. IT TRULY WAS A RECORD-BREAKING SEASON

Other veterans made their mark in 2025-26 as the League’s oldest player, 41-year-old Brent Burns (COL), became the second in NHL history to play 1,000 consecutive games, and the League’s oldest goaltender, 40-year-old Jonathan Quick (NYR), climbed into 12th place on the all-time wins list before announcing his retirement. Quick will retire alongside Anze Kopitar (LAK), his teammate in Los Angeles for 16 seasons and two Stanley Cup wins. Kopitar will aim to add another Cup to his tally before hanging up the skates in a season that saw him break the Kings’ all-time points record – a benchmark held by Marcel Dionne for more than 45 years. Another longtime teammate of theirs, Drew Doughty (LAK), set a new Kings record for career goals by a defenseman.

* It was a historic year on many fronts as 15 teams had a major all-time or single-season scoring record broken or matched. Among the highlights not mentioned elsewhere in this recap: Auston Matthews (TOR) and Kirill Kaprizov (MIN) set career goals records; Mark Scheifele (WPG) set career and single-season points records and also became the franchise leader in games played; Jared Spurgeon (MIN) became the franchise leader in assists and points by a defenseman; while New York teams had records set by Mika Zibanejad (NYR; power-play goals), Ilya Sorokin (NYI; career shutouts, tied single-season) and Matthew Schaefer (NYI; a long list).

* Patrick Kane (DET) hit 500 goals and 1,400 points during the same campaign in which he became the all-time leader for points by both a U.S.-born player and by an American national – and finished within two of Phil Housley’s American benchmark for career assists. In addition, Nikolaj Ehlers (CAR) set the mark for assists by Danish players – adding to the goal and point records he already held.

6. THERE WERE PLENTY OF OTHER AMAZING ACHIEVEMENTS FROM OTHER STARS

A collection of other notable stats from the 2025-26 regular season, which was led nearly gate-to-gate by the Avalanche, who sat atop the NHL standings for 153 games days overall including 143 in a row to end the campaign. The club capped the regular season with a hat trick of NHL awards: its fourth Presidents’ Trophy, as well as individual honors to Nathan MacKinnon (Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy) and goaltenders Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood, who claimed the William M. Jennings Trophy. ICYMI: Wedgewood and Blackwood were recently featured in the latest Skates Off where they discussed their chemistry and explored goalie mask artistry.

* Wedgewood finished as the NHL leader in both goals-against average (2.02) and save percentage (.921) – with sizeable advantages atop both lists – while Blackwood (2.51; 8th) also ranked among the top 10 for goals-against average. Colorado set a franchise record for points (121), matched their benchmark for road wins (29) and had their second-highest win total overall (55) – thanks in part to a pair of double digit winning streaks.

* Like the Avalanche, the Hurricanes spent the entire season inside the playoff bracket including 104 consecutive game days atop its division and sat as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for more than half the campaign (53%). That was thanks in large part to the emergence of 27-year-old first-year NHLer Brandon Bussi, an undrafted netminder who became the fastest goaltender in NHL history to 30 career wins (37 GP) and the eighth goaltender in NHL history with 30-plus in his debut campaign.

* Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL; 39) led the NHL in wins for the first time since 2021-22 and sixth time overall, which matches Clint Benedict (6x) for second place in League history behind Martin Brodeur (9x; tied or outright). Vasilevskiy’s active streak of nine consecutive 30-win seasons ranks second all-time and helped him edge second-place Karel Vejmelka (UTA; 38) atop the wins list. Vejmelka had the highest single-season win total by a Czech goaltender in nearly 20 years and third highest all time (tied).

* A snapshot of some of the top-scoring duos in 2025-26: In Montreal, Cole Caufield and captain Nick Suzuki recorded the first 50-goal and 100-point seasons in 36 and 40 years, respectively. In Winnipeg, Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor factored on the same goal a League-best 65 times. Set to face off in the First Round, Dallas (Jason Robertson & Wyatt Johnston) and Minnesota (Kirill Kaprizov & Matt Boldy) each had multiple 40-goal scorers in the same season for the first time in team history, while Nashville did so for the second time (Steven Stamkos & Filip Forsberg).

* The Canadiens and Ducks both qualified for the playoffs after sharing the League lead with 26 comeback wins, a franchise record for both (tied for ANA) and outdone by only seven teams in NHL history. Both also made a habit of late rallies: Anaheim paced all teams in third-period comeback wins (12) ahead of Montreal and Vegas (tied w/ 10). Overall, the Ducks scored 68 tying goals – tied for the second-highest total in League history (1985-86 CHI: 73) – including 11 in the final five minutes of regulation. Furthermore, Anaheim set an NHL record with tying or go-ahead goals scored in the final five minutes of regulation (previous: 16 by 2008-09 DET, 2000-01 BOS & 1986-87 NYI).

* An all-time high 17 players skated in their 1,000th game, including four who hit the mark in the final three weeks of the season: Brock Nelson (COL), Evander Kane (VAN), Adam Larsson (SEA) and Mika Zibanejad (NYR). Larsson became the third player to reach the milestone while wearing a Kraken sweater.

7. NHL PLAYERS BROUGHT HISTORIC PERFORMANCES IN RETURN TO OLYMPICS

NHL players returned to the Olympic Winter Games, an event that culminated with an unforgettable Canada-USA showdown for gold and included a long list of record-setting performances. A few highlights:

* Jack Hughes (NJD) scored the “Golden Goal” in overtime to secure his country’s first Olympic gold medal in 46 years, finishing the tournament as the team’s top goal scorer and tied for second among Americans in points behind brother Quinn Hughes (MIN) – who set or tied Olympic records for assists (7) and points (8; tied) by an American NHL player. Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) made 41 saves in the gold medal game – including highlight-reel stops against the two tournament scoring leaders – as he secured Best Goaltender honors and joined Quinn on the tournament All-Star team. After the break, Jack ranked second in scoring with 41 points, behind Olympic MVP Connor McDavid (EDM; 42).

* A total of 91 Olympians will be part of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – including 16 from Team USA who will now pursue a second championship in 2025-26.

* Other notable achievements were had by: Canadian teammates McDavid and Macklin Celebrini (SJS), the youngest NHL player at the event; Sebastian Aho (CAR), the top goal-scorer for Finland’s bronze-medal entry; Czech tandem Martin Necas (COL) and David Pastrnak (BOS); German trio Leon Draisaitl (EDM), Tim Stützle (OTT) and Moritz Seider (DET); Swedish and Swiss scoring leaders Lucas Raymond (DET) and Roman Josi (NSH); as well as the young Slovak pairing Juraj Slafkovský (MTL) and Dalibor Dvorsky (STL).

* Many of those players also had notable performances during the NHL campaign; some highlights not covered elsewhere in this document: Necas and Pastrnak became the first Czech players to have 100 points in the same season; Stützle (also 2022-23) joined Alexei Yashin (5x) as the second player in Senators history to lead the team in goals, assists and points multiple times; Aho matched Eric Staal (8x) for the most seasons as points leader for the Hurricanes/Whalers; Seider extended his consecutive games played streak to 410 games (the longest ever to begin a career for a defenseman); Slafkovský became the first Slovakian 30-goal scorer since Marian Hossa a dozen years ago.

8. HIGH-SCORING, COMPETITIVE BALANCE TRENDS CONTINUED

With half the League still in playoff contention entering the final weekend of the regular season (16 teams had not yet clinched or been eliminated) and the final Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket determined after the penultimate game, the competitive balance in the standings was paired with high-scoring close games on the ice.

* Teams that missed the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs had a .533 points percentage, the fourth-highest rate in any 82-game season (tied). Their collective .474 winning percentage also tied for fourth.

* 20 teams improved their point total versus last season, the most ever in one campaign.

* This was the fifth straight season that at least 40% of games were comeback wins (an NHL first).

* Nearly half of all games were tied in the third (46%), the highest rate over the past nine seasons.

* An NHL record 246 tying or go-ahead goals were scored in the final five minutes of regulation. The 148 tying goals in that window were a record, while the 98 go-ahead tallies ranked fourth.

* This was the third time in five seasons that goals-per-game was 6.3 or higher, and the fifth time in eight campaigns that it hit at least 6.0. By contrast, the League averaged 6.0 goals-per-game only once over 21 seasons from 1996-97 to 2017-18.

9. THE BUSINESS OF THE GAME AND OFF-ICE IMPACT ARE STRONGER THAN EVER

The NHL set a total attendance record for the fourth consecutive regular season, with 23,158,522 fans – 97.5% of capacity – eclipsing the previous high of 23,014,458 set in 2024-25. The per-game average was 17,651 and includes contests at 35 venues. Click here for more on the attendance four-peat. Many of those fans sported new jerseys, with Connor Bedard (CHI) the go-to choice for many.

* More than 100,000 fans attended the two outdoor games this season – the first two ever held in Florida. First, 36,153 in attendance at loanDepot park in Miami saw Mika Zibanejad (NYR) score the first Winter Classic hat trick and set an outdoor record with five points. The Rangers also came up with a hat trick in the first-ever Inside Out Classic in April.

* The second outdoor game in Florida was staged less than one month later when a capacity crowd of 64,617 packed inside a football stadium on the coldest Feb. 1 in Tampa in 126 years. They witnessed countless memorable moments in a game oozing with intensity and record-setting performances before the Lightning claimed a Stadium Series victory with the largest comeback win in its history and the largest outdoor rally across the 45 NHL outdoor contests.

* More kids are playing hockey around the world than ever before in NHL, NHLPA and 32 Club programs. Leaguewide, NHL Clubs invest nearly $100 million in their communities each season. The NHL’s charitable foundations – NHL Foundation U.S., Inc. and NHL Foundation Canada – granted $400,000 to 13 best-in-class organizations in the U.S. and Canada this season. And in collaboration with Megan Keller, who scored the gold-medal winning goal, the NHL Foundation U.S. will make a $100,000 donation to two organizations as part of its Empowerment Grant for Girls Hockey.

* The final week of the season saw the Blues become the first in the NHL to broadcast a regional game in American Sign Language, with the game holding special significance to Jake Neighbours (STL). The NHL in ASL will return for the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.

10. NHL EDGE SHOWCASES STARS, HIGHLIGHTS UNDERLYING TALENTS OF EVERY PLAYER

* Connor McDavid (EDM; 151) was once again the NHL leader in speed burst of 22+ mph – with more than triple the amount of all but one player across the rest of the League (Owen Tippett, PHI: 61) – and covered the most miles (330.27).

* The 2025-26 leaderboards included players who set new NHL EDGE era benchmarks: Louis Crevier (CHI) for the hardest shot resulting in a goal (102.54 mph) and Beck Malenstyn (BUF) for the fastest max skating speed (24.94 mph).

* Devin Cooley (CGY; 73.1%) was one of two goaltenders with a save percentage greater than .900 in at least 73% of his starts, showing his personality both in the media and part of an all-California goaltending tandem in Calgary alongside Dustin Wolf, who made a young fan’s day during the team’s final homestand.