標籤: advance

The Montreal Canadiens advance to the Eastern Conference Finals after defeating the Buffalo Sabers 4–3 in their second-round series.

The Sabers won Game 1 and Game 4, but the Canadiens were the better team, as shown by their dominant performances in Game 2 and Game 3. That being said, Buffalo deserves credit for its impressive comeback in Game 6.

All things considered, advancing to the Conference Finals is quite an accomplishment for the league’s youngest team, but the hard work is far from over.

Next playoff opponent

The Canadiens will face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals, a powerhouse team that has yet to taste anything but success in the 2026 NHL Playoffs.

The Hurricanes easily defeated the Ottawa Senators 4–0 in the first round series, outscoring them 11–5 in the process. They continued their momentum into the second round, where they once again had a dominant performance, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in four consecutive games and defeating them 13–5.

Simply put, they have been the best team in the playoffs, and by a wide margin.

They are sure to be very well rested compared to the Canadians, although that may not be an advantage given the situation. While the Habs have lacked rest, they have maintained their lead by playing every two days and facing equally competitive opponents.

While the Hurricanes have not played a game since May 9, meaning they will be facing a very cold winter ahead of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Given that Game 1 of the series is scheduled for May 21, the Hurricanes will not have played an NHL game in a dozen days, leaving a significant amount of rust for these highly-tuned athletes.

Of course, his lack of game-time action in recent days will be mitigated by the fact that the Hurricanes are one of the most talented teams in the league.

Montreal Canadiens Vs. Carolina Hurricanes conference finals

• game 1 – Thursday, May 21. Time TBD – @CarolinaHurricanes
• game 2 – Saturday, May 23. Time TBD – @CarolinaHurricanes
• game 3 – Monday, May 25. Time TBD – @MontrealCanadiens
• game 4 – Wednesday, May 27. Time TBD – @MontrealCanadiens
• *game 5 -Friday, May 29. Time TBD – @CarolinaHurricanes
• *game 6 – Sunday, May 31. Time TBD – @MontrealCanadiens
• *game 7 – Tuesday, June 2. Time TBD – @CarolinaHurricanes

*if necessary.

Mark has been covering the Habs for over a decade. He previously worked for the Journal Metro, The Athletic, The… More about Mark Dumont

Manchester United Now edging closer to a clear decision on Manuel Ugarte, the latest developments suggest his exit is not only likely, but is being actively worked on behind the scenes.

The 24-year-old has struggled to establish himself since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain for around €50m (£43m) in 2024. Despite his reputation as one of South America’s most reliable defensive midfielders, his role at Old Trafford has steadily diminished.

This season, he has made 22 appearances in all competitions, but only eight of those have come as a starter. He also did not leave the bench in United’s last two matches under Michael Carrick.

Lack of participation has shaped both his own stance And the club’s thinking is moving towards the summer. As we have already reported, a decision has been made. Now, reports from Uruguay say it’s just a matter of time.

Manchester United is now pushing for a sale

Earlier reports There has been speculation about the terms of reaching a deal, but the latest information suggests the process is already underway.

According to a Uruguayan journalist rhodri vazquezUgarte’s time at the club is effectively coming to an end, with talks set to accelerate his departure in the coming days. “His days at Manchester United are numbered”He writes.

His representative, George Chizen, is expected to meet with Jorge Mendes to work out next steps.

Importantly, Manchester United are targeting a permanent sale rather than another loan. The expected fee is around €28 million (£24 million), a significant drop from the amount paid two years ago. This figure reflects both his limited role and the club’s desire to progress quickly.

From a squad perspective, this aligns with a broader reset. Ugarte has not become a vital part of Carrick’s plans and retaining him would only reduce flexibility in the market.

An environment of competition is being created across Europe

According to the report, there remains interest from across Europe in the Manuel Ugarte position and the list of suitors is evolving.

Napoli are now strongly involved, following previous reports from Uruguay that they were preparing a move. However, they are not alone. Also, Atletico Madrid has now emerged as another major contender, giving a different dimension to the race.

This follows the earlier interest juventusWho was already monitoring the midfielder and was planning to track him down during his international duty. The presence of multiple clubs increases Manchester United’s chances of securing a quick deal.

There is also an important player-driven factor. Ugarte has already done rejected viewpoint From less competitive leagues, priority is being given to making the step up to Europe’s top competitions. Italy and Spain both fit that profile.

what happens next

Manuel Ugarte wants clarity before the World Cup and that deadline is now shaping talks.

Manchester United is ready to do business, the players are ready to go, and the agents are starting to make moves. Those three elements rarely align so clearly unless a transfer is imminent.

The fee may still change depending on interest, especially if more clubs formally enter the race. Still, the direction is now clear.

For Manchester United, it looks like a case of quickly cutting losses and reallocating resources. For Ugarte, this is an opportunity to reset his trajectory at a club where he can play regularly again.

liverpoolThe outlook for Allen is now clearer following the latest details from Brazil, even if no deal is reached.

same source The one who previously revealed Palmeiras’ stance has now made it clear A figure of €35m (£30m) has been linked to Liverpool Will not be completely cured. Instead, the English club would like to split the package between a guaranteed amount and performance-based bonuses.

Adding to that, RTI game It is claimed that Liverpool are positioning themselves to secure priority in a deal which would see the 21-year-old move to England just after the World Cup.

Palmeiras seeks long-term benefits

Palmeiras isn’t just focused on headline numbers. According to the update, the Brazilian club has asked to retain 20% of Allan’s economic rights in any transfer. Alternatively, if Liverpool insist on purchasing 100% of the player’s rights they will demand a higher guarantee fee.

Practically, Palmeiras wants protection from future outbreaks in Europe. They view Allen as one of their most valuable assets and believe his ceiling cap justifies a stake in any upcoming sale.

The structure being discussed mirrors the deal that took Estevao to Chelsea, where the player remained in Brazil before moving on after contract terms were reached.

Allen remains under contract until December 2029. As a result, the Brazilian side is negotiating from a stronger position. Internally, he is seen as an important member of Abel Ferreira’s team, with plenty of room for growth.

There is also an important personal factor. Italy’s rejected move earlier this year had implications for more than just financial terms. Allen is understood to be viewing the idea of ​​joining a club like Liverpool positively, which adds a layer of complexity to Palmeiras’ approach.

Where does this leave Liverpool

The report also suggests that Liverpool backed out at one stage of negotiations. However, that pause should not be interpreted as a definite comeback.

At this time, Alan remains a Palmeiras player. As we covered earlierThere is no consensus. Nevertheless, the detailed description of Liverpool’s intended structure shows that real groundwork has been done.

In that context, securing preference could prove decisive. European competition remains a risk, and Palmeiras remains committed to maximizing value.

If the Reds return with better guarantees – or accept a model closer to Palmeiras’ sale-on-demand – negotiations could quickly gain momentum. Until then, both sides are on firm footing, with interest intact but no deal reached.