Spencer Knight signed a three-year, $17.5 million extension with the Chicago Blackhawks, starting in 2026-27 at an average salary of $5.83 million. The 24-year-old goalie was moved from Florida to Chicago in March for Seth Jones and a 2026 fourth-round pick, signaling a long-term bet on Knight as the crease cornerstone.

Knight owns a 95-game NHL resume with a 2.83 GAA and .904 SV%, including a 17-16-3 line and a 2.72 GAA/.902 SV% in 2023-24 across Panthers and Blackhawks, with 15 Chicago starts after the trade. Chicago praises his athleticism and calm positioning as it aims to build around him for four seasons.

Alex Ovechkin made history by scoring the first playoff overtime goal of his NHL career, propelling the Washington Capitals to a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

Despite a two-goal lead evaporating in the third period, Ovechkin's second goal of the game, 3:26 into overtime, kept the Capitals' hopes alive. The Capitals displayed physical dominance throughout the game, but the Canadiens made a fierce comeback, sparked by Cole Caufield's goal and Nick Suzuki's equalizer late in the third. Goaltender Logan Thompson faced 33 shots in his return from injury, while Sam Montembeault stopped 29 for the Canadiens.

Connor Bedard showcased his potential in the Chicago Blackhawks' season finale, scoring a pair of goals against the Ottawa Senators and assisting Frank Nazar for the overtime winner in a 4-3 victory. This game, while a bright spot in a tough season for the Blackhawks, highlighted areas needing improvement, as interim coach Anders Sörensen noted the team wasn't at its best. Despite the uncertain future, Bedard and his teammates, many of whom are former first-round picks, remain optimistic about their growth.

Bedard emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities during the game, crediting goalie Spencer Knight for his stellar performance that kept the team competitive. Nazar's late-season surge, which included goals in three consecutive games, signifies a promising young core that the Blackhawks hope can lead them toward success. Even players like Ryan Donato and Kevin Korchinski contributed positively, reflecting a blend of experience and youth that the team is cultivating.