NHL Central

Arizona Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram has been awarded the 2023-24 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for exemplifying "perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey."

The honor, as voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA), was announced Wednesday.

Connor Ingram is the winner of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy! 🏆 #NHLAwards

The Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy is given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey. pic.twitter.com/fyYIHZPTyD

— NHL (@NHL) May 15, 2024

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen and Calgary Flames defenseman Oliver Kylington finished as runners up.

Ingram established himself as the Coyotes' starting goaltender and tied for the league lead in shutouts two seasons after he considered retiring from the NHL.

Traded to the Nashville Predators in 2019, Ingram voluntarily entered the NHL/NHL Players' Association's player assistance program midway through the 2021-22 season.

Ingram was seeking assistance for undiagnosed obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression, which led to over-drinking and impacted his ability to play, Amalie Benjamin reported for NHL.com.

The player assistance program led him through exposure therapy that helped Ingram return to the Predators nine months after seeking help. He made 33 saves to mark a win over the Minnesota Wild in his NHL debut.

9 months to the day that I stepped away and went into the @NHLPA program for help I played my first game. Amazing the things that happen when you put your mental health first. #LetsTalk pic.twitter.com/NHUj0IcNX9

— Connor Ingram (@CBIngram1) October 25, 2021

The Predators put Ingram, then a fringe third-string goaltender, on waivers at the beginning of the next season, where he was claimed by the Arizona Coyotes.

He quickly established himself as the Coyotes' go-to backup behind Karel Vejmelka during the 2022-23 season.

The Coyotes platooned Ingram and Vejmelka at the start of the 2023-24 season, but Ingram put up an 8-3 record with one shutout through his first 11 games to win the starting position.

He went on to start a career-high 48 games and appear in 50, finishing the season with a .907 save percentage and 2.91 goals against average while tying for the NHL lead with six shutouts.

Ingram told Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports that winning the Masterton became a goal for him as the 2023-24 season progressed.

"Slowly over the year, it became a goal of mine and to do it and to be recognized is big," Ingram said. "It kind of shows that while you have dark days in your life, there's always a way out and there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. To kind of get some recognition that you've put in the work and you've done what you've had to do and now it's going well for you is big.

"But this is not for me. It's so other people can say 'Hey, man, look. Life sucks right now, but let's figure it out.' I think this is a great way to prove that there is light at the end of the tunnel and you can get through it and you can do it. So why not try?"

Ingram will head into next season as potentially the first starting goaltender in Utah hockey history. The netminder has two years remaining on his contract as his team begins its relocation to Salt Lake City.

Nina Sanders, who formerly worked as a contractor for the Chicago Blackhawks, filed a lawsuit Tuesday accusing the team of fraud and sexual harassment, Dave Savini and Samah Assad reported for CBS Chicago.

Sanders, a Native American woman who filed the lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County, is also accusing the Blackhawks of breach of oral contract, per Savini and Assad.

In her lawsuit, Sanders accused a man working with the Blackhawks of "inappropriate sexual advances," non-consensual touching and sending her "sexually explicit videos," according to the lawsuit.

Sanders said she reported these alleged incidents, as well as two more involving other women being "groped" by men working with the team, and that the Blackhawks responded by pushing her out of her role, Savini and Assad reported.

#Blackhawks statement on the allegations is in the article.

The last sentence is pretty important: “Of note, the persons identified by Ms. Sanders in your question are not, and have never been, independent contractors with nor employees of the Chicago Blackhawks.” https://t.co/AKQaVhUE9H pic.twitter.com/S50klYsrEm

— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) May 15, 2024

Sanders is also accusing the Blackhawks of fraud by enticing her to accept the role with the organization with indications they planned to change their logo without any intention of actually doing so, per Savini and Assad.

The Blackhawks confirmed in a statement to CBS Chicago that Sanders "assisted the Chicago Blackhawks' Native American efforts as an independent contractor" from 2020 to 2023.

The team said it had "noted operational issues in her work" but "made an effort" to extend her contract in June 2023, which Sanders turned down.

"After contract negotiations dissolved, Ms. Sanders shared her frustrations with the organization over the working relationship, and introduced noted allegations, none of which had been shared by Ms. Sanders at any time during her engagement with the Chicago Blackhawks," the organization wrote.

The Blackhawks said they conducted an investigation "with the assistance of outside counsel" in response to Sanders' allegations and "found insufficient evidence to substantiate her claims."

The people identified in Sanders' harassment allegations "are not, and have never been, independent contractors with nor employees of the Chicago Blackhawks," the organization said.

The Blackhawks have previously been accused of covering up sexual assault allegations involving former video coach video coach Brad Aldrich, which allegedly took place in 2010, by two former players.

Most recently an unidentified plaintiff filed a lawsuit regarding the 2010 allegations in November in Cook County. A judge denied the Blackhawks' motion to dismiss the negligence suit in March.

The Dallas Stars have a comfortable 3-1 lead over the Colorado Avalanche after a 5-1 win Monday night.

After dropping the first game of the series, the Stars have bounced back to win three straight games and now have the chance to close out the series on Wednesday.

Center Wyatt Johnston was the story for Dallas Monday night as the second-year player notched a pair of goals in the win. The big performance came just hours before his 21st birthday.

His first goal came in the first period after a wrist shot gave the Stars an early 1-0 lead. He added another goal in the second period on a snap shot.

Dallas managed to take a comfortable 3-0 lead later in the second on a goal from Miro Heiskanen, but the Avalanche quickly answered back on a goal from Casey Mittelstadt.

The Stars put the game away in the final period after goals from Evgenii Dadonov and Sam Steel.

After the win, fans praised Johnston for helping the Stars gain a comfortable lead in the series.

The only two players in NHL history with a short handed goal and a power play goal in the same playoff game before they turned 21:

- Wyatt Johnston
- Wayne Gretzky @DallasStars pic.twitter.com/H0B9Oib72h

— ᴀʀᴅᴀ Öᴄᴀʟ (@Arda) May 14, 2024

Thinking this Wyatt Johnston kid is going to be a problem. pic.twitter.com/LkhgHnG0lH

— Rick Arpin (@realrickarpin) May 14, 2024

wyatt johnston >>> wayne gretzky https://t.co/h2m5yjuPkG

— x - madi 🤠 (@barzillier) May 14, 2024

wyatt johnston plays for my team pic.twitter.com/UQ4Xn6PC9z

— ‏ٰ (@filmpullman) May 14, 2024

MILWJ

man i love wyatt johnston

— x - nat (@magicmmitch) May 14, 2024

wow i can't believe wyatt johnston is actually mike modano AND wayne gretzky

— kay²⁴ ⁵🩶 (@kayheartshintz) May 14, 2024

Colorado Avalanche through 2 periods of Game 4...
3 slot shots, 1 goal.

Wyatt Johnston through 2 periods...
6 slot shots, 2 goals.

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) May 14, 2024

Wyatt Johnston is my hero #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/URa6IGQ4HO

— 𝕁𝕠𝕔 𝕊𝕫𝕟 (@RangersReports2) May 14, 2024

In addition to Wyatt Johnston's 2 goals, he has 8 of the Stars 29 shots. Nice early bday gift as he turns 21 on Tuesday

— jonathan davis (@westcoasthky) May 14, 2024

That Wyatt Johnston on the @DallasStars is quite the natural goal scorer. Wow.

— Dreamer-29-97-93 (@Dreamer29_97_93) May 14, 2024

The Dallas Stars appear to know what they are doing; appears that the rest of the #nhl is just going through the motions

— cooperate or cooperate not (@dcharvie) May 14, 2024

Now we can say good night in Denver. Dadonov makes it 4-1.

The Stars are the better team. This would be a sweep if not for the Avalanche Game 1 comeback.

— Owen (@Alakazam_428) May 14, 2024

https://twitter.com/jakeslauer/status/1790236823710564635

The Stars are now in full control of the series and have the chance to advance to the conference finals for a second consecutive season on Wednesday with a win.

The Avalanche have a lot of work to do to overcome the 3-1 deficit, but it will start with a strong performance in Game 5. Colorado will be without a key player in Valeri Nichushkin, who was suspended for at least six months ahead of Game 4.

After winning three straight, Dallas has all the momentum. Now the Stars are looking to close things out.

Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche outshot, but couldn't outscore, the Dallas Stars in a 4-1 Game 3 loss Sunday night at Ball Arena.

Stars center Tyler Seguin's second-period goal made the difference as the Avalanche fell into a 2-1 Eastern Conference semifinals series deficit.

Fans were disappointed by the Avalanche's effort, especially in the third period. The 2022 Stanley Cup champions were outshot 10-7 while trailing in the final frame.

If the Avs want to win this series, they’re going to have to play with some urgency and dynamics in the future.

— playoff avalanche warning 🚨 (@morgannaanna) May 12, 2024

The Colorado Avalanche have led for 00:00 in this series against the stars.

That’s not ideal if you’re hoping to win a best of 7 series.

— Strez (@Its_Strez) May 12, 2024

You don't beat the Avs by sitting back with a lead.
In the third period, Stars outshot Colorado 10-7, won the offensive zone possession battle and kept MacKinnon, Makar and Rantenen in check.

That is the type of performance that wins this time of the year.

— Bruce LeVine (@BruceLeVinePuck) May 12, 2024

Game set and match. Sucks to lose games where your opponent basically creates nothing but the way it goes sometimes. Can’t really knock the Avs, couple turnovers turned into goals. The power play has been a disaster the last 2 outings though

— Luca Celebre (@LucaCelebre21) May 12, 2024

If not for Georgiev’s outstanding OT, the Avs would be on the verge of getting swept. The team that showed up to play WPG disappeared. Dallas owns the mental edge in this series. Avs are on the ropes in a real way.

— Mat Smith (@RealMatSmith) May 12, 2024

Deboer is like Bednar Kryptonite. Time for the Avs to adjust and anticipate how Dallas is going to change their play style based on the score.

— Dario in Denver (@DarioinDenver) May 12, 2024

MacKinnon was held to one assist after failing to record a point for the first time this postseason during the Avalanche's Game 2 loss.

https://twitter.com/DeathAndTaxes89/status/1789517377241055404

Colorado netminder Alexandar Georgiev finished the loss having turned aside 19 of 21 shots.

Georgiev is single handedly keeping this from being a blowout. It would be nice if the offense would reward him for his efforts. #GoAvsGo

— Mr. Steal Your Doughnuts (@BEARDO) May 12, 2024

Nobody showed up tonight besides Georgiev. It's a shame. #ALLIN

— John Starcevich III 🦬 🦬 (@johnstar3) May 12, 2024

The Avalanche earned a trio of power-play opportunities in the first period, but were unable to convert on any.

It was the Stars that were first on the board as Logan Stankoven scored his first career playoff goal in the final minutes of the first period.

Technically Special Teams ended 0-0.
But when the Avs had momentum and did not score on three power plays in the first 21 minutes of the game, an argument can be made that Dallas won the Special Teams battle tonight.

— Bruce LeVine (@BruceLeVinePuck) May 12, 2024

MacKinnon assisted on a Mikko Rantanen goal to even the score midway through the second period:

NATE DOGG WITH THE DANGLES, RANTANEN WITH THE FINISH 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ry6KK65IYo

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 12, 2024

Nathan MacKinnon- that attack and the handles with the stick. Just absurd.

He’s the best in the NHL for a reason. #TexasHockey

— James Espinosa 🎙️ (@SirEdwardJames) May 12, 2024

But the tie lasted just five minutes before Evgenii Dadonov fed Tyler Seguin to put the Stars back ahead.

SEGUIN GIVES DALLAS THE LEAD 👀 pic.twitter.com/o2UgWVSdKd

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 12, 2024

Seguin and Stankoven each scored their second goals of the night with empty netters that sealed the victory for Dallas.

The Stars were able to hold on to their lead in large part thanks to goaltender Jake Oettinger.

Oettinger made 28 saves to hold the Avs, a team that averaged an NHL-best 3.68 goals per game during the regular season, to just one strike.

Oettinger just stole one.

— x - Passing Drill (2-3) (@PassingDrill) May 12, 2024

Avs may never score on Oettinger ever again

— x- Taylor Rae (@Taylor_Rae_33) May 12, 2024

MacKinnon and the Avalanche will look to even the series in Game 4. The puck drops Monday in Denver at 10:30 p.m. ET.

The Dallas Stars have evened the series against the Colorado Avalanche after a 5-3 win Thursday night.

It was all Dallas through the first two periods as the Stars took a 4-0 lead thanks to a pair of goals from Miro Heiskanen and a goal each from Roop Hintz and Tyler Seguin. The Avalanche applied some pressure in the third period after goals from Joel Kiviranta, Brandon Duhaime and Valeri Nichushkin, but Dallas ultimately capitalized on an empty Colorado net to make it a two-goal game in the final minute.

The Stars did an excellent job of shutting down Colorado stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, who have had goals or assists in all of the Avalanche playoff games so far. Dallas prevented MacKinnon and Makar from notching any points on Thursday.

The loss left NHL fans confused by the lack of production from the two stars.

Easily the worst playoff game I've seen this Avs core play. Horrendously lazy, sloppy and undisciplined. MacKinnon and Rantanen have zero shots on goal, which is shockingly bad. Just a brutal game all around 👎

— nathan (@ncavalanche) May 10, 2024

The Stars have done an excellent job on MacKinnon on the power play tonight. They’re pressuring him higher up on that circle and not giving him any time or space.

— Luca Celebre (@LucaCelebre21) May 10, 2024

MacKinnon hasn’t registered a shot on goal in two periods. Duchene’s line is outplaying his line. In Game 1, the top line absolutely dominated the action but Colorado didn’t get much from 2-3-4 until Wood made a play in OT. Tonight DAL has attacked COL’s rush and limited space.

— Mat Smith (@RealMatSmith) May 10, 2024

This is a classic case of the Avs beating themselves. Disappointing and easily our worst performance of the playoffs. Zero shots from Mackinnon; I’d love for someone to tell me how many playoff games we’ve won with zero shots from the dogg.

— Paul O'Leary (@poleary19) May 10, 2024

Mackinnon is selling

— Brandon (@btutor24) May 10, 2024

https://twitter.com/Pokecheque/status/1788774312683483480

Where is Nathan mackinnon? They haven’t said his name once other than a penalty he committed Dallas scored on.

— jkwest.eth (@jkwest_eth) May 10, 2024

This has been such a weird and frustrating game...

— Dude Where's Makar (@joelthesakic) May 10, 2024

Mackinnon was a no show in Game 2… had his opportunity to shine at the end.

— Sean (@SeanMurphy_92) May 10, 2024

Imagine an Avs team that doesn’t start 3-4 goals down. Sheeeesh

— Jackson (@Jackson_Wieger) May 10, 2024

https://twitter.com/tommysgahan/status/1788789627903500567

Now would be a great time to show up, MacKinnon

— Zack Steffel (@Zackzerz) May 10, 2024

Dallas got so lucky the Avs waited til the 3rd period to get it together

— habs24 (@24_habs_) May 10, 2024

Avs really wait till they’re down by 3-4 goals to comeback before it’s to late , tragic

— ໊ (@PapiGing) May 10, 2024

The Stars now head to Colorado with a manageable series after avoiding going down 2-0, but things won't be easy on the road. The Avalanche had all the momentum in the third period, but ultimately came up short in their comeback hopes.

If Colorado can put together a full game rather than waiting until the final period to show up, it should fare better in Game 3.

The best-of-seven series will continue on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews, Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon and Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov are finalists for the 2023-24 Ted Lindsay Award, the NHL announced Wednesday.

Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon and Auston Matthews are the three finalists for the 2023-24 Ted Lindsay Award.
#NHLAwards: https://t.co/5fD9ok95mz pic.twitter.com/bCtcjTqW2M

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) May 8, 2024

The Ted Lindsay Award honors the NHL's most outstanding player as voted on by the NHL Players' Association.

Kucherov is seeking his second trophy after claiming the award following the 2018-19 season.

Matthews is also a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy for defensive forwards and the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanlike play.

He also claimed the Ted Lindsay Award after the 2021-22 season.

Matthews already clinched his third career Rocket Richard Trophy after leading the NHL with 69 goals during the 2023-24 season. That's the highest goal total recorded by any NHL player since Mario Lemieux achieved the feat for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1995-96.

The Toronto star also paced all NHL scorers with 51 goals at even strength as he led the Maple Leafs to finish the season as the highest scoring 5v5 team in the NHL, per Natural Stat Trick.

Kucherov and MacKinnon are also finalists for the 2023-24 Hart Trophy, which honors the most valuable player to their team as voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.

MacKinnon, a finalist in 2018 and 2019, is up for his first Ted Lindsay Award after becoming the first player in NHL history to record two 19-game point streaks in a single season.

In 82 games he topped the NHL with 405 shots on goal and led the Avalanche with 51 goals and 89 assists for 140 points, just four shy of Kucherov for the most in the league.

The last time Kucherov led the NHL in points, he claimed both the Ted Lindsay and Hart. Now he could be set to repeat as the winner of both awards after pacing all NHL producers with 100 assists and 144 points through 81 games.

Kucherov is now the only player in NHL history other than Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky to record a triple-digit assists total alongside 40 regular-season goals, per Lightning reporter Chris Krenn.

This will mark just the third time in eight seasons the trophy has not been awarded to an Edmonton Oiler. Connor McDavid has claimed the award four times, and Leon Draisaitl once, over the stretch.

The 2023-24 Ted Lindsay Award will be announced June 27 during the NHL Awards show, which is set to take place prior to the 2024 NHL Draft.

Now that's how you start a playoff series.

The Colorado Avalanche erased a 3-0 deficit in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals on Tuesday night, beating the Dallas Stars after Miles Wood scored the game-winner in overtime.

MILES WOOD COMPLETES THE AVS COMEBACK 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pWaukWdVnt

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 8, 2024

Turns out the 2021-22 champions still have that never-say-die resilience.

It looked like the Stars were going to absolutely cruise in this one after Ryan Suter, Wyatt Johnston and Jamie Benn scored in the first period, opening up a 3-0 lead.

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1788029711748120843

Bing bong! pic.twitter.com/qQq7gc2iRO

— X - Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) May 8, 2024

But Valeri Nichushkin and Cale Makar countered in the second period with goals of their own, Nathan MacKinnon evened the contest early in the third and Wood provided the heroics in extra time.

AVS TIE IT, AVS TIE IT 🏔️

This game is NOT over yet! #StanleyCup

🇺🇸: @espn ➡️ https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/A4IDNxfgFu

— NHL (@NHL) May 8, 2024

The comeback and Wood's goal had fans and pundits alike absolutely buzzing after the game:

Avs showed some serious guts tonight! What a comeback victory! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/fAfQd9JV2m

— Adrian Hernandez (@AdoHernandez27) May 8, 2024

We reported over eight years ago that Miles Wood was a wagon https://t.co/myElmqyWk9

— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) May 8, 2024

Miles Wood with some speed man and what a pass from Cogs and a beautiful goal from Wood. 🔥

Stars had all the momentum in OT and Avs pull it out.

Great comeback in this one!! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/3qBZ13myvd

— April 🌷 〽️ (@A_Town_Denver) May 8, 2024

What’s better than playoff hockey??? The Avs winning in playoff hockey!!!

— Rod Mackey (@RodMackeySports) May 8, 2024

That’s the third time this season the Avs have come from behind to beat Dallas in their own barn. https://t.co/bBffqoq5aj

— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) May 8, 2024

Miles Wood may have ended it for the Avs, but Georgie was absolutely the hero of overtime. Bailed them out time and time again. Absolute unit.#GoAvsGo #9sports

— Arielle Orsuto (@ArielleOrsuto) May 8, 2024

Alexander Georgiev stood on his head in OT. I swear they spent the first 7 minutes of OT in the Avs zone 😅 Georgie saves the day!

— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) May 8, 2024

Miles Wood. Overtime winner. What a comeback victory.

— Avalanche Forever (@citchmook) May 8, 2024

Alexandar Georgiev added 22 saves for the Avs in the win.

It was quite the night for hockey fans in general, as the night's only other game—a New York Rangers' 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes—also went to overtime. It wasn't until the second period of extra time that Vincent Trocheck ended the game on the power play, giving the Rangers a 2-0 advantage in the series.

The Avs only went up 1-0 in this series, but did so on the road, stealing the home-ice advantage in the process.

The old cliché goes that a playoff series doesn't truly begin until a team wins on the road. Well, consider this series underway, and in earnest. It's hard to imagine a more dramatic way to get it started.

The Winnipeg Jets announced on Monday that head coach Rick Bowness has retired from hockey after 38 seasons in the NHL.

The 69-year-old was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award this past season, given to the head coach who has "contributed the most to his team's success," after leading Winnipeg to a 52-24-6 record (110 points) and a second straight playoff berth.

During his career, Bowness has served as the head coach of the Jets (1988-89; 2022-23 to 2023-24); the Boston Bruins (1991-92); the Ottawa Senators (1992-93 to 1995-96); the New York Islanders (1996-97 to 1997-98); the Phoenix Coyotes (2003-04) and the Dallas Stars (2019-20 to 2021-22).

He's gone 310-408-48 in his career, leading his teams to five playoff appearances and the Stars to the Stanley Cup Finals in the 2019-20 campaign.

He also played for the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and the Jets in his career and served as an assistant coach for a number of franchises.

Congratulations on a great head coaching career, Rick Bowness! 👏 pic.twitter.com/LxAyNnjI21

— NHL (@NHL) May 6, 2024

Rick Bowness’ 2,726 games as an @NHL coach are the most by anyone in league history 🐐 pic.twitter.com/ILL8y0qDV8

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 6, 2024

Hockey won't be the same without you, Bones 💙 pic.twitter.com/7evocydmqK

— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) May 6, 2024

Today is about appreciating Rick Bowness for the Jets. Moving forward, the organization has a high level of respect for Scott Arniel and he will be strongly considered, but all options will be discussed as part of the process. https://t.co/7Ov30ujtGs

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 6, 2024

He hinted at his pending retirement during a press conference on Thursday after the Jets were eliminated from the postseason by the Colorado Avalanche.

"Since my last season in Tampa, every year I sit down and I talk to (his wife) Judy, talk to the kids," he told reporters. "I will talk to [team chairman Mark Chipman] and [executive vice president and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff] and I know what I'm going to do. I know what I want to do. That will come out. We will let you know."

Jets' associate coach Scott Arniel will likely be the favorite to replace him, but a coaching search will now commence in Winnipeg.

It may be a busy offseason for the organization, with six players set to hit free agency. Plenty more turnover could be on the horizon for Winnipeg.

"There are going to be changes," Cheveldayoff told reporters last week. "Changes are inevitable every offseason, whether you want them to happen or you don't want to happen."

The defending Stanley Cup Champions have been eliminated from the playoffs.

The Vegas Golden Knights dropped Game 7 of their first round series to the Dallas Stars 2-1 Sunday night, ending their season.

The Stars took a 1-0 lead early in the first period on a Wyatt Johnston goal, but the Golden Knights managed to answer in the second period after Brett Howden put one in the net on a tip-in.

Radek Faksa gave Dallas a 2-1 edge in the first minute of the final period, and Vegas never responded. The Golden Knights had a prime opportunity to even things up in a power play halfway through the third period, but couldn't capitalize.

After the loss, fans lamented the disappointing first-round exit a year removed from taking home the Stanley Cup.

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas... except for me.

Thank you for all the memories, @GoldenKnights.

— The Stanley Cup (@StanleyCup) May 6, 2024

no longer the defending champs. 💔

— y-Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 6, 2024

Not a good power play for the Golden Knights.

Vegas never got set up, even clearing the zone a couple times on their own.

— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) May 6, 2024

Golden Knights are pressing, but not getting enough pucks to the net #VegasBorn

— Vince Sapienza (@VinceSapienza) May 6, 2024

Sucks the Golden Knights are not playing with urgency !!!#VGKvsDAL

— DRoyer ☠️☠️☠️☠️ Raider Nation (@royerdw1971) May 6, 2024

vegas has smoked two wide open goals. game of inches 😵‍💫

— Marty Byrde (@KerrickDuchy) May 6, 2024

Not exactly the opening frame the Golden Knights were looking for. Felt like they were playing uphill aside from the PK and when the chances came they didn't finish them. Meanwhile, a single soft exit ended up behind Hill.

It's going to take much better to win this game.

— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) May 6, 2024

https://twitter.com/HungarianSalami/status/1787300446039625908

Vegas really needs to take a breath and simplify the offense. Passing constantly has only lead to pucks in the feet of the Stars skaters.

— Golden Knights Watch (@VGK_Watch) May 6, 2024

https://twitter.com/flyinbrianX/status/1787302713799143501

Radek Faksa's Goal early in the 3rd is the difference as the Dallas Stars eliminate the Vegas Golden Knights 2-1 in Game 7 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal. Stars advance to the Western Conference Semifinal. #StanleyCup

— Andrew Sheehy (@andrewsheehy228) May 6, 2024

It feels like Vegas should be attempting shots on goal…

— Rami Lavi (@rami_lavi) May 6, 2024

Vegas had plenty of opportunities in the deciding game but never found the net outside of the second period, and now its season is over in the first round.

The Golden Knights have a long offseason ahead of them to figure out what needs to happen to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals, but the Stars are moving on to the second round to face the Colorado Avalanche.

The first-round series gave fans plenty of excitement, and if the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs is anything like the past few weeks, it should be eventful.

The internal issues preceding the Arizona Coyotes' relocation dates back years, and a new report from ESPN's Emily Kaplan and Greg Wyshynski shed further light into how bad things had gotten behind the scenes.

Kaplan and Wyshynski reported how the Coyotes' "creative accounting was a constant source of concern around the league." Part of that included choosing "lesser hotels than the collective bargaining agreement stipulates" to save money on accommodations.

"Multiple sources told ESPN that the Coyotes were either late paying their hotel bills or sometimes just crossed out the total and paid a different amount," per the report. "Other sources indicated local businesses would come to the team seeking payments, would be offered a fraction of what was owed and then would be negotiated down to take less than what was actually owed."

Alex Meruelo Sr., the franchise's majority owner before the sale to Ryan Smith, denied having any knowledge of such problems.

"Having been in business for 40 years, you wouldn't be around if you didn't pay your bills. That's all I want to say about that," he told Kaplan and Wyshynski.

This isn't the first time Arizona's "creative accounting" was publicized.

In December 2021, they paid back $1.3 million in overdue taxes to the city of Glendale under the threat of eviction from then-Gila River Arena.

Earlier that year, The Athletic's Katie Strang pulled back the curtain on the Coyotes' inner workings under Meruelo's stewardship, and how the organization handled its finances was among the revelations.

Strang reported that "a handful of players" hadn't received signing bonuses on time. In addition, team officials would "haggle" over the amount of money it owed to third-party contractors.

"Over the course of reporting this story, The Athletic identified and spoke with eight vendors with whom the Coyotes had outstanding or past due balances or negotiated their debt to a lower amount," Strang wrote.

The Coyotes' relocation to Salt Lake City doesn't spell the end of hockey in Arizona altogether. As part of the sale to Smith, Meruelo has five years in which to build a suitable new arena that allows him to reactivate the franchise.

Given how badly the Coyotes were reportedly mismanaged and their longstanding trouble in finding a permanent home, the odds of that happening are slim.