NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 16, 2026, 8:51 PM ET

Playoff Push & Western Conference Race

The NHL playoffs are edging toward their decisive weekends, with the Avalanche-Golden Knights clash shaping up as the marquee second-round matchup that will determine who represents the West in the Stanley Cup Final. Las Vegas sits one win away from advancing, though the team faces scrutiny after the NHL stripped the Golden Knights of their second-round pick and fined coach John Tortorella $100,000 for refusing to speak to the media after a series-clinching victory. Meanwhile, in the East, the Sabres are fighting to stay alive against the Canadiens, with Montreal capable of closing out the series on Saturday before facing the Hurricanes in the next round. Betting markets have followed suit, with both Bet MGM offering $1,500 in bonus bets via code CBSSPORTS and Draft Kings providing $100 in instant bonus bets on first $5 wagers for Saturday NHL action that includes the Sabres-Canadiens series and UFC bouts.

Wild Front: Injuries, Coaching Shakeup, and Hughes

The Minnesota Wild's playoff run took a hard hit against Colorado, with defenseman Jonas Brodin and center Joel Eriksson Ek sidelined by broken bones in their feet during the second-round series. Those absences compounded a roster already thin after the Avalanche eliminated them, and now the franchise is pivoting to its future. Star defenseman Quinn Hughes said he is "definitely open" to signing a contract extension with the Wild, a move that could lock in the team's top talent through the next competitive window. Down in Edmonton, the Oilers made a more dramatic move, firing head coach Kris Knoblauch after back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025 despite his contract extension not yet taking effect. The decision ends a tenure that produced remarkable short-term success but ultimately fell short of the ultimate goal.

PWHL Expansion & Women's Hockey Gains Traction

Women's hockey is accelerating its professional footprint. The PWHL announced San Jose, California, as its fourth and final expansion market, bringing the league to the San Francisco Bay Area and broadening its West Coast presence. Detroit received its own franchise as well, with Manon Rheaume hired as general manager of the PWHL's expansion team, continuing her trailblazing transition from goaltender to front-office leader. On the international stage, Canada's men's national team is showing strength at the world championships, blanking Italy 6-0 behind two goals and an assist from Macklin Celebrini to improve to 2-0. The result positions Canada as a clear contender heading into the tournament's knockout rounds.

Culture, Betting, and Prospects

The league's cultural footprint continues to grow in unexpected directions, with ESPN diving into the lore of the plastic "Beer Sabre" souvenir swords that have become a niche symbol of NHL fandom despite their scarcity. For those looking to wager on the playoff action, platforms remain active, with Bet MGM's CBSSPORTS promo still delivering $1,500 in bonus bets on Saturday NHL cards. On the prospect front, Gavin McKenna is poised to become the No. 1 pick in June's draft, his journey from Whitehorse, Yukon, to Penn State capturing attention for his blend of size, skating, and hockey sense.