The Edmonton Oilers kicked off the Stanley Cup Final with a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory over the Florida Panthers, taking a 1-0 series lead. Leon Draisaitl scored the decisive goal in overtime, but the game's pivotal moment came when Connor McDavid executed Wayne Gretzky's predicted play to tie the game in the third period. This marked the Oilers' first lead in a Stanley Cup Final series in 35 years. Draisaitl's performance drew high praise from McDavid, who called him invaluable. The teams are set to meet again for Game 2 in Edmonton.

Auston Matthews, captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, faces immense pressure as his team trails the Florida Panthers 3-2 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Despite being a premier goal scorer, Matthews has struggled in crucial games, notably failing to find the net in 10 second-round playoff matches. With the Maple Leafs on the brink of elimination, fans are demanding more from their leader.

During a recent practice, Matthews was seen in what appeared to be an intense discussion with head coach Craig Berube, raising eyebrows among fans who speculated about the nature of their conversation. Matthews has contributed three assists in this series, but his lack of goals has become a point of concern. Berube has acknowledged the challenges of scoring in the playoffs while also emphasizing Matthews' contributions in other areas. Game 6 looms closer, and the Leafs need their captain to step up significantly.

The New York Rangers have turned to former Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan to revive their hockey fortunes after a disappointing season that saw them miss the playoffs. Sullivan, who previously led the Penguins to two Stanley Cup victories, has expressed confidence in the Rangers' talent and potential. In his introductory press conference, he praised the team's competitiveness and emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with players to foster a winning culture.

As Sullivan embarks on this new challenge, the Rangers are hopeful that his leadership will break their championship drought, which extends back to the 1993-94 season. With a solid core of players, Sullivan aims to guide the Rangers back to being serious contenders for the Stanley Cup. The franchise's past heartbreaks make this new direction all the more critical, as they look for a fresh start under Sullivan’s guidance.

The Los Angeles Kings have decided to part ways with general manager Rob Blake following a disappointing season that culminated in their fourth consecutive first-round playoff exit. Blake, who has been with the organization since 2017, oversaw five playoff appearances but was unable to advance past the first round each time. His tenure included significant trades and acquisitions, such as bringing in Kevin Fiala and Pierre-Luc Dubois, the latter of whom flopped in Los Angeles. The team will now look for a new general manager to shape its future and determine the fate of head coach Jim Hiller, who remains under contract.

Blake's era was marked by notable roster changes, including trading franchise goalie Jonathan Quick and young defenseman Sean Durzi, all while trying to transition the team into a new era led by stars like 22-year-old Quinton Byfield. Kings' president Luc Robitaille expressed gratitude for Blake's dedication but emphasized the need for a fresh approach to improve the team's playoff performances.

The New York Rangers have secured Chris Drury's leadership for the foreseeable future, signing him to a multiyear contract extension. After a disappointing season where the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21, the organization is looking to reload. Madison Square Garden CEO James Dolan praised Drury's dedication and work ethic. Drury, who has been with the franchise since 2021, expressed his pride in leading the team he once played for. He will now navigate a challenging offseason, including a coaching search and managing a roster projected to have limited salary cap space.

Drury's offseason strategies will include evaluating key players, addressing restricted free agents, and potentially trading or signing new talent. Notably, the Rangers traded captain Jacob Trouba and Kaapo Kakko during the last season, indicating a willingness to make significant roster changes. Moving forward, Drury aims to enhance the team's competitiveness in a crowded playoff race.