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Stanley Cup contender flaws: Biggest issues for the top teams this postseason
No NHL team is perfect, and opponents will be certain to key in on these areas of weakness.
STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS HUB
SCHEDULE, MATCHUPS, STATS
Stanley Cup Playoffs Central: Bracket, schedule, scores, news
From the first round all the way through the Stanley Cup Final, ESPN has you covered this NHL postseason.
Top Headlines
KEYS TO THE OFFSEASON
HOW ELIMINATED TEAMS IMPROVE
Keys to the NHL offseason: Free agency and draft plans for Rangers, Bruins, every other eliminated team
We explore the next moves each team should make this summer and forecast its 2025-26 outlook.
INSIDE THE SENATORS' RISE
BACK IN THE PLAYOFFS
'I know how badly they want to win': How the Senators grew into being a playoff team
Ottawa is back in the postseason for the first time since 2017 -- with plans to make it an annual occurrence.
KEY TO THE WILD'S SUCCESS
NHL
Meet the Wild's secret weapon -- who won't play a single minute this season
With a roster tight against the salary cap, the club has needed to make the most of its roster spots.
OVI X MCAFEE
NHL
Ovechkin tells McAfee his chase for the goal record was great for hockey
WHO NEEDS THE CUP MOST?
RANKING THE PLAYOFF TEAMS
NHL Urgency Index: Which teams need to win the Stanley Cup right now?
The Leafs, Stars and Oilers are among eight teams under the most pressure to win a title -- and here's how we know.
OVECHKIN'S RECORD
NHL
'That's just Ovi': How a true original set a goal-scoring record
Unorthodox as some of his methods might seem, the Capitals' star set a mark that might never be broken.
OVECHKIN THROUGH THE YEARS
The Alex Ovechkin Eras: Eight spans that define the career of the Great 8
Witness Ovi's evolution from rock star rookie to "young gun" to Cup winner to chasing Gretzky (and much more).
Why Ovechkin is 'nearly impossible' to stop: Opponents, teammates explain his shot
Top NHL blueliners, goalies and scorers explain Ovi's unique skill as he closes in on Wayne Gretzky's record.
Top Headlines
- Ruff earns 900th win in Sabres' season finale
- Avs narrow Stanley Cup favorites in packed field
- Ovi closes historic season with 897th career goal
- B. Tkachuk: Early exit in return precautionary
- Florida's Puljujarvi banned 2 games vs. Lightning
- Jets lock down Pionk with 6-year, $42M extension
- Report: Rangers' Panarin settled after accusation
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- Michael Miller/ISI Photos/Getty Images
What to expect from top NHL prospects traded at the deadline
How will those players impact their new teams? When will they play meaningful minutes at the NHL level? Here are scouting reports on eight big names.
- ESPN
Ranking the top 32 prospects for the 2025 NHL draft
James Hagens, Michael Misa and Matthew Schaefer are among the top prospects for the upcoming NHL draft. But who checks in at No. 1 in our first rankings?
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- Greg Wyshynski
Capitals fan follows Ovechkin's goal record chase in countdown-themed car
Eddie Twomey's jeep is adorned with a number of decorations reflecting Alex Ovechkin's chase to surpass Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL career goals record.
- Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty Images
Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher offers fan jersey swap to honor late mother
After his mother's death, Gallagher is set to receive his "Hockey Fights Cancer" jersey back from a fan.
- Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP
Sabres announcer Rob Ray shakes off puck to head mid-commentary
The Sabres legend kept rolling on the broadcast despite the puck opening up a gash above his left eye.
