Being in the running for an individual award is nice, but Lord Stanley is the most coveted accolade for these NHLers. And after last night’s action, three teams clinched their first-round series to move one skate closer to the most famous trophy in sports. Buckle up.

Only one team has advanced to the second round, so the rest is still unwritten. Release your inhibitions — here’s where things stand nearly two weeks into the NHL postseason.

The PWHL postseason push is fierce with just four regular-season games to go, but today’s breaking news is lighting the lamp no matter your rooting allegiance. That’s right, the league’s next expansion team is officially official.

With every first-round Stanley Cup Playoffs series still to be decided, these storylines are the stuff of fairy tales. Grab your tissues and scroll on for the icy and spicy latest.

It’s happening. Well, two things are happening: The PWHL is expanding, officially naming Vancouver as its seventh franchise on Wednesday, and this season’s on-ice action returns from the international break tomorrow. A women’s hockey double whammy? Yes, please.

After grinding through 82 regular-season games, it’s time to wipe the slate clean. Sixteen NHL playoff teams are contending for the Stanley Cup, the hardest trophy to win in sports.

Count ’em — not one, not two, not three, not four, but five Canadian NHL teams are playoff-bound this season, the most since 2017. That means five chances to end Canada’s 32-year Stanley Cup drought. Eh-xcellent.

The PWHL shared wins from its first-ever Takeover Tour today, which saw all six teams play games at nine different exhibition sites across the U.S. and Canada. Not only was this a brilliant strategy to market test in potential PWHL cities, but the tour spurred engagement and allowed the league to reach new hockey fans.

If you thought February’s 4 Nations Face-Off was feisty, buckle up — the 24th IIHF Women’s World Championship begins from Czechia today, with the globe’s 10 best women’s national hockey teams in action in the game’s top tourney. So while PWHL teams are on break until the end of the month, some spicy international rivalries are about to take the ice. Pass the milk.

Since the beginning, the PWHL has been intentional in its development, from signing a CBA before the puck dropped to nabbing early broadcast and founding partners. One of those decisions — a deal with software company Greenfly — has provided insight into how athlete engagement behaviors can shape sponsorship, especially amid the growth opportunity of tunnel walks.

The GR8 Chase is over — Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal in yesterday’s 4–1 loss to the NY Islanders, making him the top goal scorer in NHL history. Here’s a look at the historic hockey moment, by the numbers.

If you thought last week’s 4 Nations Face-Off was fun, then feast your eyes on Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, who’s now just 13 goals away from breaking the NHL’s all-time career goals record, a mark long held by Wayne “The Great One” Gretzky. History is happening.