NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

NHL Awards & Personnel Moves

Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer earned the Calder Memorial Trophy, becoming the first unanimous selection for the NHL's rookie of the year award in 33 years, while the Maple Leafs immediately responded to sustained regression by firing head coach Craig Berube after just two seasons. The dismissal of Berube marks another major organizational shift for Toronto as they enter an offseason demanding critical decisions regarding their core roster construction. On the player personnel front, the Columbus Blue Jackets committed long-term to center Charlie Coyle, inking him to a six-year, $36 million contract extension.

Stanley Cup Playoff Action & Disciplinary Measures

The Western Conference semifinals saw the Vegas Golden Knights take a commanding 3-2 series lead over the Ducks after Pavel Dorofeyev netted the overtime winner in Game, though the victory was marred by disciplinary action against Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb who received a game misconduct for a hard check into the boards on Ryan Poehling who required assistance leaving the ice. Meanwhile, the Avalanche continued to demonstrate their playoff intensity, having doubled their regular-season rate of hits per game, prompting concern from other Cup contenders as they hosted the Wild for a pivotal Game, where Colorado was favored to advance at home according to projection models. Further compounding disciplinary news, Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson was assessed the maximum allowable $5,000 fine for a stick infraction against Wild center Michael McCarron during earlier contest action.

Postseason Wrap-up & International Commitments

In the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Buffalo Sabres managed to equalize their series against Montreal after Zach Benson tallied the go-ahead goal on his 21st birthday, securing a tight 3-2 victory to knot the series at 2-2, with Tage Thompson contributing a crucial, if unconventional, goal that banked off the boards in Game 4 to force the deciding contest. Looking beyond the current playoff bracket, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas publicly expressed his desire to retain veteran center Evgeni Malkin, stating he would "love to have Malkin return for a 21st season," and Penguins star Sidney Crosby confirmed his intention to represent Canada at the upcoming men's world hockey championships, marking his fourth career appearance in the tournament.

Off-Ice Developments & Future Leagues

In league administration news, the Premier Hockey Federation announced substantial expansion, confirming new franchises in Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, with plans to finalize a 12th team addition later in the year. The focus for the future talent pool remains sharp, particularly concerning Gavin McKenna, who is widely anticipated as the expected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft, tracing his unique path from Whitehorse to his current status as a top prospect heading toward the NHL. The PWHL's inaugural draft class is set to feature 235 players, notably headed by five members of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team, including defender Caroline Harvey among the top selections. Furthermore, legal proceedings continued in the case involving the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, as the judge upheld the charges against the accused driver despite defense arguments centered on a discrepancy in reported blood alcohol levels.

Betting Markets & Promotions

Sportsbooks are heavily incentivizing action across Wednesday's slate of games, including NBA, MLB, and NHL matchups; bettors can utilize the Bet MGM bonus code CBSSPORTS to secure up to $1,500 in bonus bets should their initial wager lose. Similarly, Draft Kings is offering new users $100 in bonus bets instantly after placing a minimum $5 wager targeting Wednesday's featured contests. Experts from the Sports Line Projection Model have released their best bets and odds for high-interest games like the Wild versus Avalanche semifinal, advising on where to place wagers for maximum expected value.