9:25 PM ET Emily KaplanESPN As each NHL team is eliminated from playoff contention — either mathematically or by losing in the postseason — we’ll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2018-19, along with three keys to its offseason and a way-too-early prediction for what next season

8:29 AM ET Emily KaplanESPN Does anyone know what goaltender interference is? Bueller? OK, here’s a recap of last night’s action (check out replays of every playoff game on ESPN+), and what to watch for tonight, in today’s edition of ESPN Stanley Cup Playoffs Daily: Jump ahead: Last night’s games | Three StarsPlay of the

1:12 AM ET Emily KaplanESPN The Stanley Cup is anyone’s for the taking, and this year’s playoffs is shaping up to be a wacky one. The Calgary Flames were eliminated by the Colorado Avalanche after losing 5-1 in Game 5 on Friday night, meaning the top seeds in both conferences have been ousted in the

1:48 PM ET Washington Capitals have recalled postseason hero Devante Smith-Pelly from the AHL, the team announced Friday. He will be in the lineup Saturday for Game 5 of the Caps’ first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, coach Todd Reirden told reporters Friday. The series is tied 2-2. The Capitals will be without winger

11:25 AM ET New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk will miss three to four weeks with a lower-body injury, general manager Lou Lamoriello said Friday. Boychuk was injured in the second period of the Islanders’ series-clinching win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday. He left the game and did not return. The timeline would knock

2:10 AM ET Greg WyshynskiESPN SAN JOSE — With two goals in Game 5 on Thursday night, Sharks forward Tomas Hertl helped his team avoid elimination. Then he guaranteed the fans that there will be a Game 7 back in San Jose against the Vegas Golden Knights. “I know we have one more game and

7:30 PM ET Associated Press SEATTLE — The arena for Seattle’s new NHL franchise won’t be completed until late spring or summer of 2021, but that shouldn’t have any impact on the expansion team’s first season. Team president Tod Leiweke said Thursday the delay could end up affecting some other plans for the franchise, including

9:43 AM ET Emily KaplanESPN RALEIGH, N.C. — Smoke from pulled pork and burgers on grills wafted through the parking lots outside PNC Arena. The cars blasted Kanye West and country music. The fans parked some four to five hours before the Carolina Hurricanes dropped the puck for their first playoff game in a decade,

7:00 AM ET Emily KaplanESPN When you think of Brad Marchand, you think of the winger’s earned nickname, which was used by President Barack Obama when the Bruins visited the White House following their 2011 Stanley Cup. “Brad Marchand went into the season playing on the fourth line,” Obama said. “But the Little Ball of

2:16 PM ET The Carolina Hurricanes erupted for five goals to beat the Capitals in Game 3, but they will be missing some firepower for Thursday’s game. Coach Rod Brind’Amour said Wednesday that power forward Micheal Ferland is not expected to play with an upper-body injury. “I would say (he’s) still a ways away,” he