Jack’s Daily: Quenneville Advances; Wild Eliminate Stars; Frondell’s Highlight

In OHL news, Marek Vanacker, Parker Holmes, and the Brantford Bulldogs failed to advance to the OHL Final on Thursday, falling 4-3 in overtime in Game 5 to the Barrie Colts. Vanacker netted his eighth goal of the postseason in the second period and now has 18 points in 13 games. Brantford still leads the Eastern Conference Championship 3-2 and can close out the series on Saturday.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

The Athletic: For the first time since 2015, the Minnesota Wild have won a Stanley Cup Playoff series. The Wild defeated the Dallas Stars 5-2 in Game 6 on Thursday to win the first-round series 4-2. Quinn Hughes scored twice and added an assist, while Matt Boldy hit two empty-netters for his fifth and sixth goals of the series. Those two players were major difference-makers for Minnesota.

Colorado Hockey Now: Another Central-Division series awaits the Wild after knocking out the Stars. They’ll have a date in the second round with the Colorado Avalanche, the Presidents’ Trophy winners from 2025-26.

NHL.com: In his first season with the team, head coach Joel Quenneville has successfully led the Anaheim Ducks into the second round. The Ducks took down the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 in Game 6 to win the first-round series 4-2. Troy Terry (1G, 2A) and Chris Kreider (1G, 2A) each tallied three points in the win. Jackson Lacombe also recorded his team-leading ninth point of the series.

ESPN: With the loss, the Oilers officially won’t represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final for a third consecutive year. During his postgame interview, star forward Connor McDavid called Edmonton’s 2025-26 group an “average team”. No lies detected, but a curious choice of words.

ProHockeyRumors.com: The NHL announced its three finalists for the 2025-26 Lady Byng Trophy on Thursday. One of Cole Caufield (Montreal Canadiens), Anze Kopitar (Los Angeles Kings), and Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators) will take home the award, which is presented annually to the player who exhibits a high standard of sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct, and playing ability.

Florida Hockey Now: Speaking of the Senators, team captain Brady Tkachuk threw cold water on some of the recent trade rumors he’s been involved in since Ottawa was swept out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. While it might not happen right now, could the Tkachuk Brothers join forces with the Florida Panthers in the future?

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Now that the season has ended for the Pittsburgh Penguins, here are three players who should be re-signed in the offseason.

For more Blackhawks news, visit Chicago Hockey Now and like our Facebook Page.

Follow us on X:

@chihockeynow, @JackBushman2

The post Jack’s Daily: Quenneville Advances; Wild Eliminate Stars; Frondell’s Highlight appeared first on Chicago Hockey Now.