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Monday, June 8, 2026

#PatrioticPeachy Thanksgiving Point Welcomes Stunning 40-Foot Statue of Liberty and Iconic National Landmarks for America 250 Celebration

A towering 40-foot Statue of Liberty now rises above Thanksgiving Point's Ashton Gardens, joining a collection of iconic American landmarks that celebrate the nation's history, innovation, and enduring spirit during Imaginaria, the heart of Utah's America 250 celebration.

Now open through August 22, Imaginaria transforms the 50-acre Ashton Gardens into an immersive tribute to America's 250th birthday. Guests can experience larger-than-life replicas of the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Liberty Bell, along with a sweeping display of historical American flags representing the nation's journey through time.

As the heart of Utah's America 250 celebration, Imaginaria invites guests to explore America's story through hands-on play, interactive discovery, and unforgettable experiences designed to inspire wonder and curiosity.

"America's 250th birthday is an opportunity to reflect on the people, places, and ideals that have shaped our nation," said Melinda Pike, Chief Marketing Officer at Thanksgiving Point. "Imaginaria brings some of America's most recognizable landmarks together in one place, creating an experience that inspires curiosity, encourages exploration, and helps guests connect with our nation's story in a meaningful way. We are honored to be part of Utah's America 250 celebration."

Throughout the festival, guests can jump, splash, and play through experiences inspired by American history, innovation, and ingenuity. Highlights include a 250-foot obstacle course, a 150-foot mega slide, interactive sports challenges, train rides, water play experiences, hands-on crafts, and STEM activities for guests of all ages.

Additional themed areas celebrate the many stories that make America unique. Guests can discover Utah landmarks along Heritage Trail, experiment with music and movement in Music in America, and explore space exploration-inspired adventures at Spaceport. Each area of Imaginaria combines education and entertainment, encouraging guests to ask questions, make discoveries, and experience history in new ways.

Imaginaria is open Monday through Saturday at Ashton Gardens, located at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. Admission is included with Thanksgiving Point Membership. Tickets and additional information are available at ThanksgivingPoint.org.

About

Thanksgiving Point is a community-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building curiosity, creativity, and STEM confidence in children. Through immersive experiences, outreach initiatives, and more than 170 daily STEM discovery programs, Thanksgiving Point provides hands-on learning opportunities designed to help children explore, experiment, and develop essential problem-solving skills. The organization is deeply committed to serving underserved communities by expanding access to transformative educational experiences for children from all backgrounds.

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#SportyPeachy #PhiladelphiaPeachy PERFECT GAME DICK'S ALL-AMERICAN CLASSIC HEADED TO CITIZENS BANK PARK IN 2026

Perfect Game makes debut at iconic Phillies venue during America's 250th birthday celebration

Former Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel named Honorary Chairman of All-American Classic

Perfect Game, the world's largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced that the 2026 Perfect Game DICK'S All-American Classic will be played at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, marking the first time a Perfect Game event has ever been held at the iconic home of the Philadelphia Phillies.

The game will take place on Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET, representing the first time the DICK'S All-American Classic has been staged on the East Coast since 2005 in Aberdeen, Maryland.

Perfect Game is bringing the DICK'S All-American Classic to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on August 15, 2026. World Series-winning manager Charlie Manuel has been named Honorary Chairman of the game.

The move also comes during a historic year as the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, with Philadelphia — widely regarded as the birthplace of America — serving as a focal point for national commemorations throughout 2026, including MLB's All-Star Game. Citizens Bank Park has also played host to three World Series (2008, 2009 and 2022) and the 2012 NHL Winter Classic.

The weekend celebration of elite amateur baseball will include:PG All-Star Game – Friday, August 14 at 11:00 a.m. ET
Launch Hydrate Home Run Challenge – Saturday, August 15
DICK'S All-American Classic – Sunday, August 16 at 5:00 p.m. ET

Each year, the DICK'S All-American Classic features the top 60 high school baseball players in the country, many of whom go on to become first-round MLB Draft picks and future major leaguers.

"Bringing the DICK'S All-American Classic to Philadelphia is a milestone moment for Perfect Game," said Perfect Game Chairman Rick Thurman. "Hosting our premiere event in the birthplace of America during the nation's 250th anniversary makes this especially meaningful. Citizens Bank Park provides an iconic stage to celebrate both the future of baseball and a historic moment for the country."

Former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has been named Honorary Chairman of the All-American Classic. Manuel is the winningest manager in Phillies history, having led the team to back-to-back National League pennants (2008-09) and the 2008 World Series championship.

"Philadelphia will always hold a special place in my heart," said Manuel. "To serve as honorary chairman of the Perfect Game All-American Classic at Citizens Bank Park — especially in a year when America is celebrating its 250th birthday — is a tremendous honor. There's no better baseball city, no better fans and no better place to showcase MLB's next generation of stars."

The event has previously been held at venues such as Petco Park in San Diego, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and Chase Field in Phoenix, and has featured alumni including Bryce Harper (2009), Zack Wheeler (2008), Bobby Witt Jr. (2018), Gunnar Henderson (2018), Francisco Lindor (2010), Hunter Greene (2016) and Dylan Cease (2013).

Player rosters, coaching staffs and broadcast details for the DICK'S All-American Classic will all be announced later in the year.



About Perfect Game

Perfect Game is the world's largest elite youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, producing nearly 10,000 events, hundreds of thousands of games and showcases each year across the country. Perfect Game is dedicated to giving amateur players exposure to take their game to the next level, whether that be in college or in the professional ranks. At Perfect Game events, players perform with top-level competition in front of college recruiters and professional scouts from all over the country. Because of this, these events prove to be invaluable to college coaches as well as Major League Baseball, as they can scout a large population of talented ballplayers in one location. To date, more than 2,383 players that have played in a Perfect Game event have also played in Major League Baseball. Since 2003, 15,797 Perfect Game alumni have been selected in the MLB First-Year Amateur Player Draft. In the 2025 Draft, for example, 92 percent of all players selected had played in Perfect Game events, and every player selected on the Draft's first day had previously attended Perfect Game events.

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#NHLPeachy @NHL NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Final Edition – June 8, 2026


* The Stanley Cup Final continues at T-Mobile Arena with Game 4 tomorrow, where the Golden Knights aim to take a 3-1 series lead as the Hurricanes look to equalize on the road. Teams that take a 3-1 series lead in a best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final own an all-time record of 38-1 (.974), while clubs that trailed 2-1 have won four of the past five Game 4s as visitors.



* Close games have been a recurring theme through the first three contests of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, and the Golden Knights and Hurricanes could combine for just the fourth championship series in NHL history to start with four straight one-goal games.



* Connor McDavid was named the recipient of the Ted Lindsay Award for the fifth time in his career, presented annually to “the most outstanding player in the NHL,” as voted by the members of the NHLPA.




FINAL CONTINUES TO FEATURE GOALS GALORE, COMEBACKS OF ALL KIND
The Golden Knights return to T-Mobile Arena for Game 4 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday with a 2-1 series lead, while the Hurricanes look to equalize on the road in what’s been a thrilling championship round, featuring plenty of scoring as well as a multi-goal comeback win in each of the first two contests plus a four-goal rally by Carolina in Game 3.



* After the Hurricanes and Golden Knights combined to make the 2026 Final the first championship series to feature a multi-goal comeback win by each team through the first two contests, Carolina rewrote NHL history again with a four-goal rally in Game 4. Though they ultimately fell 5-4 in overtime, the Hurricanes became the second team in Stanley Cup Final history to erase a four-goal deficit regardless of result, following Game 1 of the 1972 Final when the Rangers overcame a 5-1 deficit against the Bruins in an eventual 6-5 regulation defeat.


* The 2026 Stanley Cup Final has featured 25 goals through the first three games, the fifth most through that stage of any championship series in NHL history behind 1981 (NYI vs. MNS: 30), 1932 (NYR vs. TOR: 28), 1973 (MTL vs. CHI: 27), 1918 (TAN vs. VMI: 27) and 1980 (PHI vs. NYI: 26). Vegas and Carolina, which have averaged 8.33 goals per game this series, can combine for the fourth Final to feature 33-plus goals through four contests, following the aforementioned 1981 (36), 1918 (36) and 1980 (33) series.

* All three games of the Final have been decided by a one-goal margin, just the 10th championship series in NHL history to feature that trend through the first three contests – and first in a decade (also 3 GP in 2016; PIT vs. SJS). Only three Stanley Cup Finals have started with four straight one-goal games: 2015 (5 GP; CHI vs. TBL), 1951 (5 GP; TOR vs. MTL) and 1968 (4 GP; MTL vs. STL).

* Shea Theodore scored the overtime winner for Vegas in Game 3 after Seth Jarvis did the same for Carolina in Game 2. Should the teams require extra time again in Game 4, the 2026 Final would mark just the third championship series in NHL history with three straight overtime games, following 1951 (5 GP; MTL vs. TOR) and 1993 (3 GP; LAK vs. MTL).

* Mitch Marner netted his second hat trick of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs in Game 3 and leads all skaters in the Final with 3-4—7 (3 GP). Marner will look to join Mikko Rantanen (0-8—8 in 4 GP w/ COL in 2022) as the second player in the past 31 years to record at least eight points through the first four games of a Stanley Cup Final.


* NHL in ASL continues to broadcast every game of the Stanley Cup Final, available for streaming exclusively on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited plan subscribers in the U.S. as well as on Sportsnet+ in Canada. The alternate telecast, dedicated completely to the Deaf and hard of hearing community using American Sign Language, captured Theodore’s double-OT winner in Game 3.


GET TO KNOW: JACCOB SLAVIN AND PAVEL DOROFEYEV
A handful of players are appearing in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in their careers in 2026 as Vegas and Carolina each continue to chase their second-ever championship. Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin and Golden Knights forward Pavel Dorofeyev are two of those stars looking to hoist the Cup by the end of June.





* Slavin’s career highlights include franchise playoff records for goals, assists and points by a defenseman (9-35—44 in 102 GP), two Lady Byng Trophies and the distinction of being the only active blueliner to register 40 or more playoff points and a plus-40 rating. Only one other defenseman in League history has captured the Lady Byng Trophy multiple times: Red Kelly (3x)



* He has found the score sheet in two of three games to start the Stanley Cup Final (0-2—2 in 3 GP) and has done so on the heels of capturing a gold medal with the United States at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. He can join Drew Doughty (2013-14), Duncan Keith (2009-10), Brent Seabrook (2009-10) and Ken Morrow (1979-80) as the fifth defenseman to win an Olympic gold medal and Stanley Cup in the same season.


* Slavin started skating at age two using an M&M’s candy method his parents developed, where his mom, Wendi, would place M&M’s candies on the ice in small intervals to encourage him – and all of his siblings – to learn to skate. He has two children and has since bought M&M’s in bulk as both have learned to skate the Slavin way.






* Dorofeyev (No. 79 in 2019) is one of two players on Vegas’ roster that was drafted by the franchise, alongside Kaedan Korczak (No. 41 in 2019), who has yet to skate in a game during this championship series. Vegas, which won its first Cup in 2023 with just one player drafted by the club having competed in the Final (min. 1 GP), can become the fourth franchise in NHL history to achieve the feat multiple times, following Montreal (5x), Toronto (2x) and Boston (2x).



* He has found the back of the net for the Golden Knights when it matters most in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – with five of his 10 goals this postseason having tied the contest. Dorofeyev is looking for his first points of the Final when the puck drops at T-Mobile Arena for Game 4 and should he help Vegas draw even once again, he would join Luc Robitaille (7 in 1991), Joe Pavelski (6 in 2020) and Jere Lehtinen (6 in 1999) as the fourth player in Stanley Cup Playoffs history with six or more game-tying goals in a single playoff year.



* The 2026 Stanley Cup Final culminates a career season for the 25-year-old forward where he established a career high with 37 goals – highlighted by a hat trick on opening night against the Kings. He has made a habit of making hats fly this year after also securing a three-goal performance in Game 5 of the First Round. Now, Dorofeyev (47 in 101 GP) needs three more goals to join William Karlsson (50 in 2017-18) as the second Golden Knights player with 50 in one campaign (regular season & playoffs combined).



McDAVID WINS FIFTH TED LINDSAY AWARD
Connor McDavid was named as the recipient of the Ted Lindsay Award on Sunday, presented annually to “the most outstanding player in the NHL,” as voted by the members of the NHLPA. The Oilers captain was surprised with the trophy by his family and close friends during a casual golf outing.



* McDavid became just the second five-time recipient in the award’s history, following Wayne Gretzky. McDavid was also named the recipient in 2016-17, 2017-18, 2020-21 and 2022-23.

* McDavid's 16 overall individual awards are the fourth most by any player in NHL history, behind Gretzky (31), Alex Ovechkin (19), Bobby Orr (17) and Mario Lemieux (17).


LOOKING AHEAD TO THE DRAFT: SET OF TWINS TO WATCH FOR IN RUCK BROTHERS

Liam Ruck (No. 20-Ranked North American Skater) and Markus Ruck (No. 23-Ranked North American Skater) are twins and teammates in the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers, both who will hope to hear their name called in Buffalo at the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft. The pair are mirror twins – which is when a pair of twins possess opposite traits that mirror each other – who were born eight minutes apart and have been inseparable ever since. They joined "NHL Draft Class" podcast this week from the NHL Scouting Combine.


* Markus (21-87—108 in 68 GP) and Liam (45-59—104 in 68 GP) finished first and second in WHL scoring during the 2025-26 regular season and won a WHL championship together in 2024-25. The duo is from Osoyoos, B.C., and grew up big Canucks fans, even having their childhood room painted in Canucks colors. They hope to follow in the Sedin twins' footsteps by both being selected in the first round of the NHL Draft and maybe even playing together on an NHL team.





* CLICK HERE for #NHLStats Pack: Looking Ahead to the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft





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#NHLPeachy @NHL NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Final Edition – June 7, 2026


* History was made at both ends of the ice in Game 3 of an already-unmatched championship series as Mitch Marner scored the fastest hat trick in Stanley Cup Final history – part of a record-setting four-point period – before the Hurricanes responded with a record-setting achievement and four-goal rally.



* All that history set up a memorable finish for the hosts, who claimed their first-ever Stanley Cup Final overtime win on the strength of a double-overtime goal by original “Golden Misfit” Shea Theodore, with an assist to another original Golden Knight in Brayden McNabb (who played 35:47 in his return to the lineup following a Game 2 injury, second to only Theodore).



* It was a newsworthy day on many other fronts around the NHL as Gavin McKenna and 89 other draft-eligible players completed the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine presented by Fanatics; it was announced that Hockey Fights Cancer has eclipsed a total of $53 million in fundraising (including over $9.1 million in 2025-26); and two NHL Awards were handed out including the Vezina Trophy (under suspicious circumstances).






WHAT MADE GAME 3 HISTORIC

* Mitch Marner (3-1—4) scored the fastest hat trick in Stanley Cup Final history (6:10) – besting the previous mark of 6:21 set 69 years ago by Maurice Richard – and became the first NHL player with four points in a period during the Stanley Cup Final. In the process, Marner also set a franchise record for points in a playoff year and broke Frank Mahovlich’s mark (27 in 1971 w/ MTL) for playoff points by a player in his first season with a franchise. Marner, who also attempted a penalty shot, has a long list of notes in #NHLStats: Live Updates.



* Captain Jordan Staal (1-1—2) found the back of the net for the third straight game and netted the last of three Hurricanes tallies during a 39-second, third-period flurry. Carolina notched the fastest three goals in Stanley Cup Final history and became the fifth team to notch three tallies that quickly in any playoff game. The previous record for fastest three goals by one team in the Final was 56 seconds, achieved more than 72 years ago by the 1954 Canadiens.



* Staal and Sebastian Aho (0-2—2) – who recorded his eighth consecutive 10-point postseason – then combined on Carolina’s tying goal with 1:42 remaining in regulation and helped their club become the second team in Stanley Cup Final history to erase a deficit of four or more goals, regardless of result. Overall, this is the second time in Stanley Cup Final history that there has been a tying goal in the final two minutes of regulation in consecutive games (also Mark Stone in Game 2 at 58:39). Every game in this series has now seen a tying goal in the last 10 minutes of regulation – a first in Stanley Cup Final history.






A STANLEY CUP FINAL GAME TO CHALLENGE ANY KNIGHT’S TALE

For 78 minutes of real time, Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final was deadlocked at zeros but that changed in a hurry – and the historic nature of this matchup quickly returned as Vegas turned the game on its head with a four-goal outburst and, in true Vegas style, the visitors followed suit with four of their own in the third period to tie the game. As Vegas luck would have it, 78 minutes after the game-tying goal, the home team iced a Game 3 victory with a double-overtime winner by defenseman Shea Theodore.



5:23 p.m. PT – Puck drop of Game 3
* The puck drops on the first Stanley Cup Final game in Vegas since their 9-3 Cup-clincher in 2023, but the Hurricanes hold the Golden Knights to only two shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes of play.



6:41 p.m. PT – Game 3 is still tied at 0-0

* A TV timeout shows zeros on the scoreboard for both teams, but the Vegas crowd is seconds away from eruption with Tomas Hertl winning the ensuing face-off to set in motion a sequence of events unlike any the NHL has ever seen.



6:42 p.m. PT – Hertl scores the opening goal for Vegas

* Hertl notched his fourth go-ahead goal of the playoffs with Mitch Marner recording his first point of the night, moving within one of tying the franchise record for most in a playoff year.



6:57 p.m. PT – Marner collects his fourth point with a hat-trick goal, Vegas takes 4-0 lead

* Marner completed the fastest hat trick in Stanley Cup Final history and gave the Golden Knights a four-goal lead just 15 minutes after the club’s opening goal (6:26 in game time).



7:33 p.m. PT – Jordan Martinook scores Carolina's first goal of the night

* The Hurricanes began yet another rally as Martinook triggers what turns out to be the third straight game of this series with a multi-goal rally.



7:37 p.m. PT – Jordan Staal cuts Carolina's deficit to one

* Less than five minutes after Martinook’s goal, Staal pulled his team within one to complete the fastest three goals by one team in Final history (0:39 of game time) and become the second 37-year-old in NHL history to start a Final with a three-game goal streak.



8:05 p.m. PT – Andrei Svechnikov ties the game

* Carolina became the second team in Stanley Cup Final history to erase a four-goal deficit and first in more than 50 years. In Game 1 of the 1972 Stanley Cup Final, the Rangers trailed 5-1 before tying the score in an eventual 6-5 regulation defeat against the Bruins.



9:23 p.m. PT – Shea Theodore scores the OT winner for Vegas

* Theodore became the seventh defenseman in NHL history with multiple overtime goals in a single postseason and the only active blueliner with multiple career playoff OT winners (his other was in Game 4 of the First Round this year at Utah).





RECAPPING A BUSY SATURDAY AROUND THE NHL

Saturday was a newsworthy day across the NHL on many fronts:



* The 2026 NHL Scouting Combine presented by Fanatics, which included 90 draft-eligible players from North America and Europe, concluded Saturday with final fitness testing in Buffalo. Gavin McKenna, the top-ranked North American skater, topped the prospects in the VO2 Max Aerobic Fitness and ranked among the top eight in three other categories. Click here for the top 25 results from each test.






* The NHL, NHLPA and the V Foundation for Cancer Research announced that over $9.1 million was raised during the 2025-26 season for Hockey Fights Cancer powered by the V Foundation presented by AstraZeneca. Since its founding in 1998, Hockey Fights Cancer has eclipsed a total of $53 million in fundraising. The announcement was followed by three special moments during Game 3 in recognition of National Cancer Survivor Month: four survivors, Isabella “Izzy” Woodward (age 11), Gabrie Nakhle (age 14), Cooper Petrone (age 25) and Krystal Galindo (age 40) served as “March Marshalls” leading fans into T-Mobile Arena; all four were then recognized in-arena during the first period; and Petrone returned during the second intermission, participating in the “Knight Club” experience.






* NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman joined the NHL in ASL telecast to discuss the Hockey Fights Cancer announcement, which includes over $4.8 million from this season’s campaign to support lifesaving cancer research across NHL markets in North America in partnership with the V Foundation. Across North America, individual NHL Clubs raised more than $3.2 million for local cancer-related charities. The American Cancer Society and Canadian Cancer Society also raised more than $1 million through HFC Assist to aid in cancer support services.






* Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is now a two-time winner of the Vezina Trophy after he was surprised with the trophy by Tampa police and a member of their K-9 unit who were investigating suspicious activity near his vehicle. Click here for more information.






* The Canadian winner of the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award presented by Hyundai was announced during Game 3 on Sportsnet, with Doug Grandy, founder and coach of the Rink Rebels Female Hockey Organization, set to receive a $30,000 donation to continue supporting his community through hockey. Click here for more information.



* The pre-game concerts for the 2026 Stanley Cup Final have made their way to Las Vegas, with ILLENIUM pumping up fans outside T-Mobile Arena before Game 3. The party also continued back in Raleigh with a packed towel-waving house at Lenovo Center for a Hurricanes Watch Party.






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#NHLPeachy @NHL NHL Morning Skate: Stanley Cup Final Edition – June 6, 2026


* The first Stanley Cup Final in NHL history where each team earned a multi-goal comeback win through the first two games shifts from Raleigh to Las Vegas for a pivotal Game 3 tonight when the Hurricanes and Golden Knights joust for a 2-1 series lead.

* When a best-of-seven Final is tied 1-1, the Game 3 victor goes on to win the series nearly 80% of the time (24-7; .774) including a 10-5 (.667) record for the home team and a 14-2 (.875) mark by the road club. More trends can be found in Saturday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates.

* A couple of Canadiens stars surprised each other in the Montreal locker room with the Frank J. Selke and Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.



* The 2026 NHL Scouting Combine presented by Fanatics will conclude Saturday with fitness testing to close out a full week of meetings with clubs, media interviews, photoshoots and more.






ENTERTAINING SERIES SHIFTS TO the "ENTERTAINMENT CAPITAL OF THE WORLD”
Seth Jarvis and the Hurricanes are set to visit Brett Howden and the Golden Knights as the 2026 Stanley Cup Final shifts to T-Mobile Arena for Game 3 tonight after each of the championship series’ first two contests featuring thrilling finishes with 16 combined tallies, five tying markers and both teams earning a multi-goal comeback win.


* The tight games, momentum swings and unpredictability that overtime hero Jarvis mentioned during his media availability Thursday have been hallmarks of the Final dating to Mark Stone’s Cup-clinching hat trick in 2023, which was the last time T-Mobile Arena hosted a contest during the championship series. The 2024 Final saw the Oilers force a Game 7 after facing a 3-0 series deficit, while the 2025 one featured late tying tallies and overtime heroics that have continued into this year’s championship round.





* Howden paces all players with three goals through the first two games of the Final and leads the League with 13 tallies in 18 contests this postseason, which are one more than his 58-game total of 12 from the regular season. He can become the sixth player over the last 40 years with four goals through the first three games in a championship series after Sam Bennett (4 in 2025 SCF), Brad Marchand (4 in 2025 SCF), Jonathan Marchessault (4 in 2023 SCF), Jake Guentzel (4 in 2017 SCF) and Mario Lemieux (4 in 1992 SCF). The most by an NHL player is held by Alf Skinner (7 in 1918 SCF), while skaters with non-NHL teams account for three of the nine instances of five or more.



* Jordan Staal scored a goal in each of the Final’s first two games and fellow captain Stone had the tying tallying with 1:21 remaining in regulation Thursday. Staal captured the Cup with the 2009 Penguins and can surpass Chris Chelios (16 from 1986 MTL to 2002 DET) for the most years from one championship to the next in NHL history (17), while Stone can become the first player in the League’s modern era (since 1944) to serve as a franchise’s first captain and also captain the club to each of its first two titles. Staal can join one of Chelios’ longtime teammates as the NHL’s second captain with goals in each of a Final’s first three games.


NHL EDGE stats through the first two games of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final
Highlights from the first two contests of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final through the lens of NHL EDGE Puck and Player Tracking technology:

* Seth Jarvis’ overtime winner in Game 2 was clocked with a shot speed of 80.05 mph, the second hardest resulting in a goal during the championship round behind Nikolaj Ehlers from when he opened the scoring just 25 seconds into the first period Tuesday (84.63 mph). NHL in ASL, the three-time Sports Emmy-nominated alternate telecast dedicated completely to the Deaf and hard of hearing community using American Sign Language, captured the series-tying goal. The NHL in partnership with P-X-P will produce every game of the Final and the telecasts are available to stream exclusively on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited plan subscribers in the U.S. as well as on Sportsnet+ in Canada.



* Brett Howden and Mark Jankowski had goals in Game 2 which featured alley-oop assists by Mitch Marner and Eric Robinson, respectively. Marner’s helper covered 91.3 feet while airborne and had a max height of 24.0 feet, while Robinson’s spanned 82.2 feet in the air and featured an apex of 19.7 feet.





* Robinson was clocked with a 23.53 mph speed burst when he attempted to negate an icing call just before Jankowski’s goal, which marked the fastest of the Final and one of the quickest this postseason. Alexander Nikishin’s blast at 14:17 of the third period in Game 1 was the hardest shot speed of the championship series so far (94.59 mph).



* Before Game 3, GRAMMY-nominated multi-platinum artist, producer and songwriter ILLENIUM will headline a free concert on Toshiba Plaza outside T-Mobile Arena. The performance will begin at 3:00 p.m. PT.






COUPLE OF CANADIENS CAPTURE FRANK J. SELKE, LADY BYNG MEMORIAL TROPHY
Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield were named the 2025-26 recipient of the Frank J. Selke and Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, respectively, after Suzuki believed that he was surprising Caufield with the Lady Byng inside the Montreal locker room while not knowing that Caufield also was surprising him with the Selke.

* Suzuki joined Canadiens greats Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau as the franchise’s third winner of the Selke Trophy, which recognizes “the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game” as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Gainey captured the award in each of the first four seasons it was presented (1977-78 through 1980-81), while Carbonneau claimed it three times (1987-88, 1988-89 & 1991-92).







* Caufield joined Mats Naslund (1987-88) and Toe Blake (1945-46) as Montreal’s third player to win the Lady Byng since it was first presented in 1924-25. The award goes “to the player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability” as selected by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.









NHL SCOUTING COMBINE CONCLUDES SATURDAY WITH FITNESS TESTING
Gavin McKenna (No. 1-Ranked North American Skater) was one of six of the NHL top prospects who met with the media Friday before the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine presented by Fanatics concludes with fitness testing Saturday. McKenna sat alongside Keaton Verhoeff (No. 4-Ranked North American Skater), two players who played in the NCAA last season with McKenna finishing fifth in scoring across the league (15-36—51), while Verhoeff led all draft-eligible defensemen (6-14—20). Verhoeff started as a goaltender before moving to defense and didn’t play his last game in net until age 11 – when asked if he could stop a McKenna shot he joked, “I think I could get in front of it, but it wouldn’t feel too good. He’d probably go around me a couple times too.”


NHL SCOUTING COMBINE: RUDOLPH ACHIEVES ON AND OFF THE ICE
Daxon Rudolph has found much success on the ice, but as NHL.com writes from the 2026 NHL Scouting Combine presented by Fanatics, his achievements are just as impressive off it. The Prince Albert Raiders defenseman, who was a finalist for the Bill Hunt Memorial Trophy as best defenseman in the WHL in 2025-26, was also a finalist for the league’s Scholastic Player of the Year award last season – an accomplishment that made his mother, Renee, proud.







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NHL PODCASTS WEEKLY ROUNDUP



* NHL Draft Class (June 4): Guest – Mark Leach
* NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers (June 4): Guest – Chris Nilan
* La Tasse de Café LNH (June 3): La finale de la Coupe Stanley démarre en force!
* 100% Hockey with Millard & Shannon (June 3): Breaking Down a Wild Final Opener
* NHL Unscripted with Virk and Demers (June 1): Guest – Jordan Schmaltz
* NHL Fantasy on Ice (June 1): 2026 Stanley Cup Final preview
* 100% Hockey with Millard & Shannon (June 1): Guest – Darren Pang
* NHL Schlagschuss (June 1): Der Lösungsweg zum Stanley Cup
* NHL Längs Sargen (June 1): Inför Stanley Cup-finalrysaren
* La Tasse de Café LNH (May 30): Les Canadiens tombent face aux Hurricanes



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#NHLPeachy #CharitablePeachy @NHL Hockey Fights Cancer Surpasses $53 Million Raised All-Time


Over $9.1 Million Raised Throughout The 2025-26 NHL Season

The National Hockey League (NHL), National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and the V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated charity dedicated to funding innovative cancer research, are excited to announce that over $9.1 million was raised during the 2025-26 season for Hockey Fights Cancer™ powered by the V Foundation presented by AstraZeneca. Since its founding in 1998, Hockey Fights Cancer has eclipsed a total of $53 million in fundraising.

As the preeminent cancer fundraising initiative in professional sports, Hockey Fights Cancer™ will direct over $4.8 million from this season’s campaign to support lifesaving cancer research across NHL markets in North America in partnership with the V Foundation. Across North America, individual NHL Clubs raised more than $3.2 million for local cancer-related charities. The American Cancer Society and Canadian Cancer Society also raised more than $1 million through HFC Assist to aid in cancer support services.

“Since 1998, the National Hockey League family has come together to drive the mission of Hockey Fights Cancer, increasing awareness and raising millions of dollars to fund life-saving research and support families,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “Our efforts were supercharged three years ago, when the NHL and NHLPA partnered with the V Foundation and AstraZeneca. And Hyundai and Nicorette joined our fight, broadening Hockey Fights Cancer’s efforts and making them even more effective -- enabling HFC to raise a record $9.1 million during the 2025-26 season and eclipse $50 million raised over the life of the program. We and our partners salute and thank NHL fans for their generosity, and we are energized by the possibilities of what our teamwork can do in our joint quest to conquer cancer.”

“Our collective partnership with the NHL, the V Foundation and AstraZeneca, as well as the addition of Hyundai’s Greatest Save this season, has continued to unite the hockey community and bring us closer to our goal of eradicating cancer,” said Marty Walsh, NHLPA Executive Director. “We are proud of the work done this season and we remain committed to raising awareness and funding research through Hockey Fights Cancer.”

For three seasons, the V Foundation has been the official North American fundraising partner of Hockey Fights Cancer™ and has expanded the reach and impact of the initiative through the collective efforts of NHL Clubs, players, coaches, corporate partners and fans. The V Foundation also ensures that 100% of direct donations go directly to cancer research, thanks to an endowment that covers administrative expenses. Together, in three years, the partnership has:

Raised over $12.3 million for game-changing cancer research through the V Foundation.To date, Hockey Fights Cancer U.S. presenting sponsor AstraZeneca has contributed $1.1 million (USD) to support life-saving cancer research through the V Foundation as part of their Get Body Checked Against Cancer public health campaign.
In Canada, through Hyundai’s Greatest Save, Hyundai Hope on Wheels and HFC partners contributed $1 million (CAD) in 2025-26 to paediatric cancer research.
Canadian partner Nicorette contributed $126,000 (CAD) since becoming an HFC partner during the 2024-25 season.

Funded research in 22 out of 32 NHL markets, including grants in six new markets during the 2025-26 season.

Awarded 42 research grants to date, with more grants to be awarded from this season’s record fundraising in the coming year.

Supported research across a wide range of cancers, including blood, brain, breast, cervical, colorectal, head and neck, lung, melanoma, pancreatic, prostate and pediatric cancers.



“It’s incredibly encouraging to witness Hockey Fights Cancer and the entire NHL community come together to support lifesaving cancer research,” said V Foundation CEO Brandi Williams Broome. “The $4.8 million raised this year for cancer research through the V Foundation is the most in this partnership’s history, underscoring the extraordinary generosity and commitment of hockey fans, players, teams and partners across the league. This growing momentum will continue to make a meaningful difference for the millions of people facing cancer. Each gift to the V Foundation directly supports all-star scientists relentlessly pursuing breakthroughs, fueling hope for patients and families everywhere and accelerating Victory Over Cancer®.”



In conjunction with the Stanley Cup Final, the NHL, NHLPA and the V Foundation are proud to announce that Hockey Fights Cancer™ will support two additional transformative cancer research projects at top cancer centers in the East and the West, advancing treatments for both pediatric and adult cancers.



The Foligno Face-Off, a special fundraising initiative during the 2025–26 season, featured veteran NHL brothers Marcus and Nick Foligno raising funds for breast cancer research in honor of their late mother, Janis Foligno. What began as a sibling rivalry while the brothers played on separate teams became a shared mission after Nick was traded from the Chicago Blackhawks to the Minnesota Wild midseason. The campaign raised more than $200,000 to support a new breast cancer research grant in Minnesota through the V Foundation and Hockey Fights Cancer. The American Hockey League (AHL), where both Foligno brothers played during their first professional seasons, notably raised $18,500 for the campaign this season.



Founded in 1998 by the NHL and NHLPA, Hockey Fights Cancer™ was the first national cause program pioneered by a major sports league. This initiative has raised more than $53 million over 27 years, uniting players, teams and fans in support of those affected by cancer. Together, the NHL, NHLPA and the V Foundation remain committed to funding game-changing research to accelerate Victory Over Cancer® and save lives.



### (6/6/26)



NHL, the NHL Shield and the wordmark and image of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks and Hockey Fights Cancer name and logo are trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © NHL 2026. All Rights Reserved.



NHLPA, National Hockey League Players’ Association and the NHLPA logo are registered trademarks of the NHLPA and are used under license. © NHLPA. All Rights Reserved.



About the V Foundation for Cancer Research

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach, ESPN commentator and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The V Foundation has funded over $458 million in game-changing cancer research grants in North America through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations is awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to funding the best scientists to accelerate Victory Over Cancer® and save lives. To learn more, visit v.org.



About Hockey Fights Cancer™

Founded in 1998 by the NHL and NHLPA, the first national cause program pioneered by a major sports league, the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative powered by the V Foundation presented by AstraZeneca has raised more than $53 million since its inception. Since partnering with the V Foundation and AstraZeneca, Hockey Fights Cancer has raised more than $21.3 million over the past three seasons. For additional information on Hockey Fights Cancer or to donate to the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative, please visit hockeyfightscancer.com.


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