Welcome, hockey fans, to your premier source for the most critical NHL News and NHL Scores! As we wake up on this Sunday, May 3, 2026, the intensity of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is reaching a boiling point. The First Round is wrapping up with massive Game 7 drama, and the Second Round has officially kicked off with a statement victory in the Eastern Conference. Whether you are tracking the latest line changes, monitoring goalie performances, or just looking to catch up on last night’s action, we have you covered.
Hurricanes Strike First: Dominating the Flyers in Game 1
The Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs started with an absolute clinic in Raleigh. If you were looking for high-octane NHL News, the Carolina Hurricanes delivered by smothering the Philadelphia Flyers 3-0 on Saturday night.
The story of the game was the unstoppable momentum of Logan Stankoven. Continuing his unbelievable postseason tear, Stankoven found the back of the net twice, including a lightning-fast redirect from the slot just 1:31 into the first period. Jackson Blake also added a beautiful goal at the 7:30 mark, splitting two defenders to slip the puck past Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar.
But the real anchor for Carolina was Frederik Andersen. The veteran netminder stopped all 19 shots he faced, securing his second shutout of these playoffs and the seventh of his postseason career. The Flyers struggled to generate any sustained offensive pressure, looking completely outmatched by Carolina’s suffocating defensive structure. With Carolina having not trailed in any of their five postseason games so far, Philadelphia has a massive tactical puzzle to solve before Game 2 on Monday.
Looking Ahead: Tonight’s High-Stakes Matchups
While yesterday’s NHL Scores set the tone for the East, tonight brings a massive doubleheader that hockey fans cannot afford to miss.
First, the Western Conference Second Round kicks off at 9:00 p.m. ET as the Minnesota Wild travel to Denver to face the highly favored Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche are well-rested after a dominant First Round, but the Wild have been playing a gritty, physical brand of hockey that could disrupt Colorado’s speed.
Even earlier in the evening, all eyes will be on the dramatic Game 7 conclusion to the First Round between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning at 6:00 p.m. ET. The winner punches their ticket to face the rested Buffalo Sabres in the Second Round. There is nothing in sports quite like a Game 7 in the NHL playoffs!
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The post NHL Scores & News Today: May 3, 2026 Playoffs Update appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
