The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are firing on all cylinders, and if you have been stepping away from the screen for even a moment, you are missing some massive shockwaves. Between monumental first-round eliminations and surprise international hockey announcements, today’s landscape is incredibly busy. If you are tracking the long-tail of the season, catching up on the latest NHL News and NHL Scores is mandatory to see how the brackets and the international stage are shaping up.
Latest NHL News: Team Canada Out of 2026 Spengler Cup
While the NHL playoffs dominate the spotlight, a major piece of international hockey news dropped early this morning. Hockey Canada officially announced that the Canadian national men’s hockey team will not participate in the 2026 Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland.
This ends a beloved holiday tradition for many Canadian hockey fans. Hockey Canada cited that their long-term agreement expired following the 2025 tournament, and a new deal could not be reached in time to field a roster for this upcoming Christmas season. Canada has a rich history at the prestigious European club tournament, winning the event 16 times since 1984, though their last victory came back in 2019.
Typically, Canada has utilized a roster of European-based, Canadian-born professionals to compete against top European club teams. Last year, a U.S. Collegiate Selects team made a surprise run to the finals, finishing as runners-up to HC Davos. That same NCAA-based squad has been invited back to fill the void for 2026. While Hockey Canada stated they are open to future discussions regarding the Spengler Cup, this December will definitely feel a little different without the maple leaf on the ice in Davos.
NHL Scores: Wild and Ducks Advance to Round 2!
Last night (Thursday, April 30, 2026), the Stanley Cup Playoffs delivered two decisive Game 6 matchups that sent two heavy-hitting teams packing. We officially have our latest entries into the second round.
The Anaheim Ducks pulled off a massive series victory over the Edmonton Oilers, shutting down Edmonton’s high-flying offense. The Ducks controlled the pace, securing a 5-2 victory on home ice at the Honda Center and winning the series 4-2. Meanwhile, in Saint Paul, the Minnesota Wild took care of business against the Dallas Stars. In a mirror-image result, the Wild defeated the Stars 5-2 at the Grand Casino Arena, punching their ticket to the next round and sending Dallas home with a 4-2 series victory.
Here are yesterday’s NHL scores and game notes, formatted for your quick review:
The playoffs continue tonight with massive Game 6 implications across the board, including the Montreal Canadiens trying to eliminate the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Buffalo Sabres looking to close out the Boston Bruins, and the Vegas Golden Knights attempting to finish off the Utah Mammoth.
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