NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Stanley Cup Playoff Tensions & Discipline

The Western Conference semifinal series between the Colorado Avalanche and the Minnesota Wild reached a boiling point as the Avs demonstrated heightened aggression, doubling their regular-season hit rate, which should raise serious concerns for future opponents. Ahead of Game, where Colorado hosts Minnesota hoping to close out the series, the league issued disciplinary action stemming from a previous contest; Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson was fined $5,000 for a stick infraction against Wild center Michael McCarron, the maximum allowable under the CBA. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild face an elimination scenario, needing a win to force a Game 6 on Thursday, while the betting consensus favors the Avalanche to secure the closeout victory on home ice.

Further playoff action saw the Vegas Golden Knights take a commanding 3-2 series lead over the Anaheim Ducks after Pavel Dorofeyev scored his second goal of the night in 4:10 of overtime to seal a narrow 3-2 victory. However, the win came with consequences as Game 5 saw defenseman Brayden McNabb ejected for a heavy check into the boards that forced Ducks center Ryan Poehling off the ice. The league subsequently suspended McNabb for one game, meaning he will miss Thursday’s Game 6 as Vegas attempts to advance to the Western Conference Final. In Eastern Conference action, the Buffalo Sabres managed to even their series at 2-2 against Montreal after Zach Benson netted the game-winner on his 21st birthday during a third-period power play, prevailing after a bizarre sequence saw Tage Thompson score the opener off a freakish bank shot bounce.

Offseason Moves & League Administration

In a significant administrative shift, the Toronto Maple Leafs officially fired head coach Craig Berube on Wednesday after just two seasons, signaling that the organization is preparing for sweeping changes this offseason following repeated playoff disappointments. Separately, the Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer secured top rookie honors, becoming the first player in 33 years to be named the unanimous Calder Memorial Trophy winner. On the contract front, the Columbus Blue Jackets secured center Charlie Coyle by signing him to a new six-year contract extension valued at a total of six years and $36 million.

The league also saw developments in player commitment for international play, as Penguins captain Sidney Crosby confirmed his participation in the upcoming men's world hockey championships, marking his fourth appearance in the tournament. In personnel news, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas expressed his strong desire to retain veteran center Evgeni Malkin, stating he would "love" to have the star player return for what would be his 21st season with the franchise. On the business side, the Professional Women’s Hockey League is planning a rapid expansion, announcing new franchises in Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, with plans for a 12th site still to be determined.

Prospects, Legal Matters, and Betting Markets

The focus on future talent spotlights Gavin McKenna, who is shaping up as the likely top pick in the upcoming NHL Draft, with his journey taking him from Whitehorse, Yukon, through Medicine Hat, and currently at Penn State, making the NHL the expected next stop. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes continue their undefeated postseason run, relying heavily on former Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall, who is proving to be an essential contributor on the wing. In sobering off-ice news, the legal proceedings regarding the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau continued, as the judge upheld the charges against the accused driver despite defense arguments concerning discrepancies in blood alcohol level reporting.

Wednesday’s slate of sports drove heavy engagement across various betting platforms, with major sportsbooks offering incentives for wagering on the NHL alongside NBA and MLB contests. Bettors looking at the action could utilize the Draft Kings promo code to secure $100 in bonus bets after an initial $5 wager, or leverage the Bet MGM bonus code CBSSPORTS for up to $1,500 in first-bet insurance across the featured games, including the Wild-Avalanche matchup.