Hurricanes unstoppable – Minnesota shortens

The Carolina Hurricanes remain the team to beat in the NHL Eastern Conference playoffs. Meanwhile, in the West, the Minnesota Wild, led by superstar Kiril Kaprizov, secured a crucial victory against the Colorado Avalanche.

10 May 2026

From: sn

The Hurricanes won Game 7 of their best-of-seven series against the Philadelphia Flyers, this time 3-2 in overtime. The hero of the night was forward Jackson Blake, who scored two goals and also netted the game-winning overtime goal. The Hurricanes, who will face either the Montreal Canadiens or the Buffalo Sabres in the Conference Finals, are now the only undefeated team remaining in the playoffs.

Five and a half minutes into overtime, the Flyers' dreams were shattered. Blake's goal completed Carolina's second straight sweep. The team has now won eight games in a row, following the Ottawa Senators' first-round loss to Carolina. At 22 years and 279 days old, Blake is the second-youngest player in Hurricanes history to score a game-winning goal.

Frederik Andersen is in top form. © APA / BRUCE BENNETT

Carolina set a new franchise record with eight straight wins to start the playoffs. They are also only the fifth team in NHL history to achieve such a winning streak at the beginning of the knockout round. "Everyone is putting in a top performance from start to finish," said Blake. He had special praise for goaltender Frederik Andersen (15 saves). "I don't know if I've ever seen a goalie play that well. We trust him every night." Andersen is only the fourth goaltender in NHL history to allow two goals or fewer in each of his first eight playoff starts.

Minnesota shortens

Minnesota Wild fans had reason to celebrate the end of a long drought. They secured their first second-round playoff victory in exactly twelve years. In Game 3, they defeated the Colorado Avalanche 5-1 at home. Colorado now leads the series 2-1.

Kiril Kaprizov led his team to victory. © APA / DAVID BERDING

Superstar Kirill Kaprizov played a key role in Minnesota's success. With three points on Saturday, he took over the top spot as the sole leading scorer of the playoffs. "I thought the break would do us good," said coach John Hynes after three days off. "The guys used the break well. We did some work and rested and recovered. Today we put in a performance that gave us a chance to win."