Howden, Golden Knights into conference semi-finals

Oakbank’s Brett Howden continues to be one of the most important players in the 2026 NHL playoffs.

The former Eastman Selects forward has eight goals in 12 play-off games so far this season, as the Vegas Golden Knights beat Anaheim to advance to the Western Conference finals. As of May 19, he sat in second for all players in goals for the 2026 playoffs.

Howden is playing on a line alongside Mitch Marner and William Karlsson, with the former leading all players in points.

Howden struck three times in the series against the Ducks in a 4-2 series win, including the winner in a decisive 5-1 game six victory in Anaheim.

After a spectacular Marner breakaway effort opened the scoring in the first period, the duo executed a perfect two-on-two rush, short-handed mid-way through the opening frame.

Marner crossed the blue line and cut left, with Howden crossing right in front of the former Maple Leaf, posting up at the side of the net for a back-door feed he one-timed home.

“When he has the puck on his stick I just try to get to the net and find some space,” Howden said in a news conference after clinching the series.

“Luckily enough I found some space and he made the play.”

That post-game availability was costly for the Golden Knights, with head coach John Tortorella deciding not to speak to the media after the series win. The NHL fined Vegas’ head coach $100,000 and took away the team’s second-round pick in the upcoming NHL draft.

The goal tied Howden for most shorthanded playoff goals in a single season.

“I don’t know if I’ve had a short-handed goal ever before,” Howden quipped.

“(Marner) has made some unbelievable plays to me to set me up for some of those. I feel like me and Mitch are building a little something here. I’m learning to read off of him and his instincts.”

Howden’s three short-handed markers across just 12 playoff games equals his total across his regular season career which spans nearly 500 games.

The Golden Knights are taking on Colorado in the Stanley Cup semi-finals, with game one taking place after press time May 20.

PWHL

The Professional Women’s Hockey League season could be over by May 20, with Kati Tabin’s Montreal Victoire holding a 2-1 advantage over Jocelyne Larocque’s Ottawa Charge, with a potential decisive game four set for Wednesday night.

The Victoire took a 2-0 series lead after back-to-back overtime wins May 14 and May 16.

The Charge rescued their season with a late goal of their own in game three on home ice, as Rebecca Leslie scored the game-winner with under a minute left on the clock.

If a game five is needed, it will take place May 23 in Montreal.

The league also announced further expansion May 19, as they’ll be in San Jose for the beginning of the 2026/2027 season. San Jose joins Las Vegas and Hamilton in joining the league next season. Those three teams will put the PWHL at 11 teams.