Welcome to your daily dose of the best action on the ice! When it comes to tracking down the most important NHL News and NHL Scores, we have you covered from the first puck drop of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to the frantic pace of front office offseason moves. Today is Thursday, May 7, 2026, and the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is treating hockey fans to exactly what we all want: intense rivalries, clutch road performances, and absolute drama.
The intensity on the ice right now is palpable. Whether you are strictly following your favorite team’s hunt for Lord Stanley’s Cup, or you are deeply invested in keeping tabs on the teams building for the future, the current mix of high-stakes playoff hockey and critical offseason negotiations is providing endless storylines for the hockey world. Finding all this information in one place can be tough, but our daily recaps ensure you don’t miss a single beat. Let’s dive straight into today’s most crucial updates, analyze the latest front office moves, and comprehensively recap the game-changing moments from last night’s highly anticipated playoff matchups.
Latest NHL News: Penguins Secure Depth with Key Contract Extensions
The Pittsburgh Penguins might have recently been eliminated from the postseason at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers, but their front office is wasting absolutely no time in actively constructing their roster for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign. In the biggest NHL news making waves this morning, Pittsburgh officially announced two significant contract extensions that will greatly solidify their bottom-six forward group and defensive depth.
First, the Penguins inked hard-working forward Connor Dewar to a two-year, $4.5 million extension, carrying a highly manageable average annual value (AAV) of $2.25 million. Dewar proved to be an invaluable asset after being acquired from the Maple Leafs in 2025. Bringing relentless tenacity and defensive responsibility to the ice, he also contributed 14 goals and 30 points in 78 games last season, plus adding two goals in the recent first-round playoff series.
Alongside Dewar, the Penguins also announced a one-year, $850,000 contract extension for defenseman Ilya Solovyov. Acquired midway through the season from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for a draft pick and Valtteri Puustinen, the 25-year-old Belarusian blue liner proved he belongs at the NHL level. He averaged over 14 minutes of ice time in his appearances and showcased great shutdown potential. In a league where salary cap management is paramount to building a Stanley Cup contender, locking down reliable, cost-effective contributors like Dewar and Solovyov early gives Pittsburgh much-needed flexibility. They now have their defensive foundation set as they head into a critical summer of restructuring. These moves clearly signify Pittsburgh’s commitment to staying highly competitive in the grueling Eastern Conference.
Wednesday’s Playoff Results: Crucial NHL Scores from May 6
While the Penguins handle their contractual business off the ice, the remaining contenders are battling fiercely for their playoff lives under the bright lights. If you missed out on yesterday’s thrilling action, we have the vital NHL scores that officially shifted the balance of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Over in the Eastern Conference, the Buffalo Sabres look like an absolute juggernaut right now. They successfully defended home ice at the KeyBank Center, relying on a dominant offensive surge to take Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens. Meanwhile, out West, the Anaheim Ducks completely flipped the script on the hockey world. Going into the notoriously hostile environment of T-Mobile Arena, the Ducks rallied together to secure a massive 3-1 road victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. This crucial triumph ties their intense second-round series at one game apiece, setting the stage for a dramatic Game 3 back in California.
Check out the full scoreboard and notes from last night’s action below!
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The post NHL News and NHL Scores: May 7 Playoff Recap & Penguins Updates appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
