Both Stanley Cup Playoff matchups from Monday night were decided by one goal, with the Pittsburgh Penguins fighting off elimination once again, while the Vegas Golden Knights avoided a disastrous meltdown with some late-game heroics. There has yet to be a single day of postseason hockey that’s disappointed. Color me shocked.
In Blackhawks news, a top prospect lit up the scoresheet to help his respective club even up the league’s Semifinal series. Plus, some rumblings about an ideal free-agent target that could help Chicago’s offense.
Around the league, Macklin Celebrini and Gavin McKenna are bound for the World Championships, the Nashville Predators signed a KHL prospect, and the Artemi Panarin trade is now finalized.
Chicago Hockey Now: ICYMI — here are individual grades for eight defensemen and two goaltenders from the 2025-26 Blackhawks roster, based on their respective performances from this past season.
More CHN: The 2026 World Championships in Switzerland are just a few weeks away, and three members of the Blackhawks are set to represent the United States in the tournament.
In KHL news, Roman Kantserov had his most productive game of the postseason so far, scoring a goal and adding two assists in Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s 4-2 win over Ak Bars Kazan in Game 2. Kantserov now has eight points (4G, 4A) in 12 postseason games. The Gagarin Cup Semifinal series between Metallurg and Ak Bars is tied 1-1.
🚨 На пятачок подъехал, клюшку в нужный момент подставил.#Металлург #Магнитогорск #ММК #Братьяпоогню pic.twitter.com/vr7d0nkpiE
In OHL news, AJ Spellacy and the Windsor Spitfires earned a key 4-2 home win over Jack Pridham the Kitchener Rangers in Game 3 of the Western Conference Championship. Pridham tallied an assist on Kitchener’s opening goal, giving him 14 points (2G, 12A) in 12 postseason games. Spellacy recorded one shot on goal and had a plus-one rating. Kitchener still leads the series 2-1.
According to David Pagnotta, the Blackhawks could have interest in Buffalo Sabres’ forward Alex Tuch, should he hit the free agent market come July 1. With how well Buffalo has fared this season, it feels hardpressed that Tuch, a New York native, would elect to leave the franchise now. We’ll see, but Tuch would be a perfect fit in Chicago.
David Pagnotta: Re Blackhawks: Free agency's kinda limited, the one guy I think is on their radar if he does hit July 1…Alex Tuch – DFO Rundown (4/22)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) April 27, 2026
The Athletic: There was plenty of controversy surrounding Ryan Poehling’s game-winning goal for the Anaheim Ducks in Game 4 against the Edmonton Oilers. Did the puck FULLY cross the line? Here’s what Chris Johnston is hearing around the situation.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Hey Philly, here come the Pens for Game 6! The Pittsburgh Penguins survived elimination once again on Monday, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in Game 5 to force Game 6 on Wednesday. Kris Letang netted the game-winner late in the second period. The Penguins now hold all the momentum.
Philly Hockey Now: Make that back-to-back losses for the Philadelphia Flyers since taking a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The series is now heading back to Xfinity Mobile Arena for Game 6.
Sportsnet: The Vegas Golden Knights nearly held a meltdown for the ages in Game 4 against the Utah Mammoth, allowing four consecutive goals after jumping ahead 3-0. Brett Howden scored a clutch goal in the third period to tie the game 4-4, then Shea Theodore buried the overtime winner to tie the series 2-2. Carter Hart continues to be a nightmare in net for Vegas, as he’s allowed nine goals over the last two games.
TSN: According to Darren Dreger, Macklin Celebrini, Mathew Barzal, Mark Scheifele, Morgan Reilly, and 2026 projected top overall pick Gavin McKenna will suit up for Team Canada at the upcoming 2026 World Championships in Switzerland.
Forever Blueshirts: Now that the Los Angeles Kings season is over, the Artemi Panarin trade with the New York Rangers is officially finalized. Had the Kings won the first-round series against Colorado, the Rangers would have received a better draft pick in return for the Breadman.
NHL.com: The Nashville Predators signed Russian forward Vitali Pinchuk to a one-year, entry-level contract for the 2026-27 season on Monday. Pinchuk, 24, ranked third in the KHL in goals (31) and was tied for sixth in points (66) during the 2025-26 KHL regular season for Dinamo Minsk.
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The post Jack’s Daily: Kantserov’s Big Game; Pens Stay Alive; Vegas Avoids Disaster appeared first on Chicago Hockey Now.