NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 14, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

NHL Coaching Carousel & Front Office Turmoil

The Oilers immediately fired coach Kris Knoblauch following his second consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2025, a move sources confirmed suggests deeper organizational problems stemming from General Manager Stan Bowman’s roster construction despite the contract extension. This drastic personnel change comes just one day after the Maple Leafs officially parted ways with Craig Berube following two seasons, leaving both major Canadian markets scrambling for leadership roles heading into the offseason. Meanwhile, the league is also seeing administrative growth, as the PWHL announced expansion into Las Vegas and Hamilton, with a twelfth site still to be named to complete a dozen teams.

Western Conference Playoff Drama

The Golden Knights face elimination as they head into Game 6 hosting the Ducks, though Vegas holds a precarious 3-2 series lead after Pavel Dorofeyev secured a critical overtime winner for his second goal of the night pushing Vegas to the brink. Adding complexity to the pivotal Game 6 is the one-game suspension handed down to Vegas defenseman Brayden McNabb for an interference infraction against Ryan Poehling, meaning the Knights must adjust their defensive corps immediately. In stark contrast, the Colorado Avalanche completed an epic comeback, storming back from a 3-0 deficit against the Wild to win 4-3 in overtime, with Brett Kulak tallying the deciding goal to send the Avs to the Western Conference finals, leveraging an intensity that has seen them double their regular-season hit rate as playoff lessons emerge.

Eastern Conference & Individual Honors

The Sabres managed to tie their series at 2-2 against the Canadiens on Tuesday, capitalizing on a bizarre bank shot off the boards by Tage Thompson that proved the difference in Buffalo's victory, despite the ongoing lore surrounding the "Beer Sabre" tradition that has captured fan attention. In individual accolades, Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer earned the Calder Memorial Trophy, becoming the first unanimous rookie of the year selection in 33 years, while the Hurricanes continue their postseason run propelled by the strong play of 2018 Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall finding his form at a critical time. For the Minnesota Wild, the season ended in crushing fashion after they surrendered a three-goal first-period lead in their Game 5 collapse, leaving players feeling "empty" as they immediately pivot toward offseason planning and forecasting expectations for the 2026-27 campaign addressing their next moves.

Betting Markets & Prospect Watch

As the playoffs intensify, sportsbooks are aggressively promoting sign-up bonuses for bettors targeting Thursday’s slate, where Draft Kings offers $100 in bonus bets instantly upon a $5 wager across MLB and NHL action. Similarly, new users can access a potential $1,500 in bonus bets through the Bet MGM platform using the code CBSSPORTS for Thursday's betting lines. Separately, attention is turning toward the next generation of talent, with anticipation building around Gavin McKenna, whose journey from Whitehorse, Yukon, through Medicine Hat and Penn State sets the stage for his expected No 1 draft selection. Experts are also providing analysis and projections for key matchups, including where the Sports Line Projection Model places its wagers for contests like the Sabres vs. Canadiens matchup identifying best props and odds.