NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 20, 2026, 8:55 AM ET

Stanley Cup Conference Finals The semifinal round of the 2026 playoffs begins Wednesday with the Western Conference featuring Avalanche vs. Golden Knights, though Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar sat out practice Tuesday on the eve of this crucial matchup, raising questions about his availability for Game. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference pits Hurricanes against Canadiens starting Thursday, with Sports Line NHL analyst Scott Erskine providing an overview of the series. As just four teams remain standing, experts have made their predictions for the conference finals, while Sports Line's proven model reveals its picks for the Avalanche vs. Golden Knights series. The second-round saw Mitch Marner dominate while Alex Tuch disappeared, highlighting the players who stood out for better or worse in this year's playoffs.

Coaching & Personnel Moves In coaching news, the Canucks have fired first-year coach Adam Foote and three assistants after compiling a disappointing 25-49-8 record in his lone season behind the bench. Meanwhile, Devils coach Sheldon Keefe will return to his position after new general manager Sunny Mehta completed his evaluation of the organization. The coaching carousel continues as multiple NHL teams are awaiting permission to interview Bruce Cassidy, but the Vegas Golden Knights have yet to allow teams to speak with him as of Tuesday. On the player front, Alex Tuch's struggles during the Sabres' second-round series loss to Montreal won't affect his upcoming free agency contract, according to his agent Scott Bartlett.

League Expansion & Future Outlook The Professional Women's Hockey League completed its ambitious expansion with the addition of San Jose as the league's 12th team, bringing the sport to California. to the draft, Gavin McKenna's path to becoming the expected No. 1 pick has taken him from Whitehorse, Yukon, to Medicine Hat to Penn State, with NHL scouts impressed by his development. As teams look toward the offseason, analysts have outlined key free agency plans for teams including the Wild, while fans can find best bets and props for the biggest games using the Sports Line Projection Model. In international play, Austria and Norway posted victories at the ice hockey world championship in Switzerland, where Hungary shut out Britain 5-0 for its first win at this year's tournament.