NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 17, 2026, 2:50 PM ET

Stanley Cup Playoffs The Hurricanes continue waiting for their next opponent as the Eastern Conference Final between Sabres and Canadiens gets underway. In the Western Conference, the Avalanche-Golden Knights matchup is shaping up to determine who will represent the West in the Stanley Cup Final. Despite leading the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2024 and 2025, coach Kris Knoblauch has been unexpectedly fired despite having a contract extension that hadn't even begun. The NHL has stripped the Golden Knights of their second-round pick and fined coach John Tortorella $100,000 for the team's decision to avoid speaking to the media after their series-clinching win. After two full rounds of playoffs, Marner's revenge and other key takeaways are beginning to influence the rest of the postseason.

World Championships The defending champion United States men's hockey team bounced back strongly from a loss to Switzerland with a convincing 5-1 victory over tournament newcomer Britain at the world championships. Meanwhile, Canada dominated Italy with a 6-0 victory as Macklin Celebrini scored twice and added an assist, improving Canada to 2-0 at the tournament.

Team & Player News Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes signaled his openness to signing a contract extension to remain with the team, expressing he is "definitely open" to reaching a deal that would begin in July. The Wild's second-round series against the Avalanche was impacted significantly as key players Brodin and Eriksson Ek were unable to play due to broken bones in their feet, revealing the extent of their injuries that kept them sidelined during the crucial matchup.

Prospects & Hockey Culture Gavin McKenna's remarkable journey from Whitehorse, Yukon, to Medicine Hat to Penn State has positioned him as the expected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NHL draft, with his unique path making him a special prospect in the eyes of scouts. Meanwhile, the lore of the plastic swords known as Beer Sabres continues to expand in hockey culture, with their story becoming more expansive than the actual quantity of them in existence, highlighting the unique traditions that have developed around the sport.

Betting Promotions Sports betting promotions are targeting NHL fans with Bet MGM offering $1,500 in bonus bets for first-time bettors on games including Sabres-Canadiens. Meanwhile, Draft Kings provides instant bonus bets with $100 in rewards after just a $5 wager for games like Canadiens-Sabres, reflecting the growing integration of sports betting with hockey coverage.