Marner’s Golden Knights complete Game 1 comeback, Celebrini committed to win in San Jose

The Stanley Cup Playoffs have started, so buckle up for some of the best hockey you will ever see. Day one of the postseason was as entertaining as ever, as there was an epic comeback after over a decade out of the playoffs in Buffalo, the Montreal Canadiens outlasted the Tampa Bay Lightning in overtime thanks to a Juraj Slafkovsky hat trick, and meanwhile, some familiar faces were making impacts across a variety of playoff teams.

Let’s jump right in as the NHL’s second season has begun, here’s the very latest from around the NHL:

Marner, Golden Knights comeback to take Game 1 vs. Mammoth

Nic Dowd would go on to tip one home just under two minutes after Stone tied the game in the third period, and the Golden Knights never looked back. Carter Hart made 31 saves to cap off the win, as head coach John Tortorella wins another game as the new Vegas’ bench boss.

If the Golden Knights can stay healthy and play up to their potential, considering how balanced their lineup is and how many gamebreakers they have, they could be very tough to beat, and we may just see Marner hoisting the Stanley Cup. For now, they need to win three more against Utah, who won’t go down without a fight.

Macklin Celebrini open to signing long-term extension

Good news, Sharks fans. Macklin Celebrini doesn’t want to go anywhere.

The newest face of the NHL had himself a sensational 2025-26 season with the Sharks, setting a franchise record with 115 points, which included 45 goals from the teenager. Celebrini has one year left on his current contract, and is eligible to sign an extension anytime after July 1.

“I’m just open to every possibility,” Celebrini said Saturday at locker clean out day. “There’s nothing really that goes into it. It goes hand in hand with me. I want to commit to this team and being here. I love it here. I’m open to whatever happens.”

There is a change to the CBA coming, which Sharks’ general manager Mike Grier will want to be conscious of. Starting in July, Celebrini is eligible to sign an eight-year extension, however, in September, these extensions will be maxed at seven years. And, Celebrini isn’t the only name to keep an eye on as his close buddy Connor Bedard is in the same boat with the Chicago Blackhawks. Bedard chose not to sign an extension last summer, and took a more patient approach, something Celebrini likely isn’t interested in for his situation.

“Connor and I are pretty good friends,” Celebrini said. “I talked to him a little bit just about his situation. He approached it differently, and every guy’s situation is going to be a little bit different.”

Expect to see Celebrini receive some Hart Trophy votes as the league’s most valuable player. To his team, there’s not many more in the league who mean more for their franchise.

Quick hits from around the NHL

• Tage Thompson scored twice as the Buffalo Sabres completed an epic third-period comeback to defeat the Boston Bruins 4-3.
• Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves to lead the Colorado Avalanche to a 2-1 Game 1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Nic Roy played just over 10 minutes for the Avs, and was held off the scoresheet, meanwhile, Scott Laughton had five shots on goal in over 15 minutes of ice time for the Kings.
• Speculation went viral on Sunday stating goaltender Carey Price tried to make an NHL comeback last season, but had to shut it down due to a lingering knee injury. Price is rumored to be interested in becoming a goalie coach.
• Leon Draisaitl is expected to return to the Edmonton Oilers lineup for Game 1 on Monday.
• Porter Martone scored on an absolute laser from the circle, helping the Philadelphia Flyers upset the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 1. Martone has quickly become the talk of the town in Philly.
• Evander Kane didn’t show up for his exit meeting with the Vancouver Canucks, essentially spelling the end of that relationship.
• Speaking of the Canucks, they fired general manager Patrik Allvin, while Jim Rutherford pulled off another awkward end-of-season press conference. Rutherford admitted he knew Quinn Hughes wanted to leave years ago.
• Sticking with the Canucks, Elias Pettersson called Vancouver home, and reiterated he prefers not to give Rutherford a list of teams he’d approve a trade to.
• Darren Dreger reported the Calgary Flames asked for Easton Cowan and two first-round picks for defenceman Rasmus Andersson.
• Patrick Kane and the Detroit Red Wings have mutual interest in another contract extension this offseason.