NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 20, 2026, 11:55 AM ET

Stanley Cup Playoffs: West Final Heats Up

The Avalanche will open the West final on home ice Wednesday, a significant advantage given Colorado’s unblemished 7-0 record at Ball Arena this postseason. However, their defensive anchor is in question, as Cale Makar sat out another practice Tuesday, casting doubt on his availability for Game 1 against Vegas. The Golden Knights, meanwhile, are playing without a coach as Bruce Cassidy remains under contract in Vegas, preventing several NHL teams from interviewing him for their vacant positions. Despite this distraction, the series pits two offensive juggernauts against each other, with experts splitting their series predictions on which powerhouse will advance to the Stanley Cup Final.

Eastern Conference Showdown Set

In the East, the Hurricanes and Canadiens will face off starting Thursday after both swept their second-round opponents. Montreal’s underdog run continues, while Carolina enters as the favorite, seeking its first Cup since 2006. The matchup presents a stark contrast in styles, with the Canadiens relying on a stifling defense and the Hurricanes generating volume chances. Analysts are breaking down the conference finals with particular focus on goaltending confidence, identifying X-factors for each of the final four clubs as the penultimate round begins.

Coaching Carousel Turns

The Devils have retained Sheldon Keefe for next season after new GM Sunny Mehta completed his organizational assessment. The move provides stability in New Jersey after a season where they reached the second round. Conversely, the Canucks have fired head coach Adam Foote following a 25-49-8 campaign in his first NHL head coaching stint. Foote and his entire staff were let go as Vancouver begins a full rebuild under new leadership, signaling a complete reset for the franchise.

League Business & Expansion

The PWHL completed its expansion to 12 teams by adding San Jose, marking the league’s first entry into California. The move continues the professional women’s hockey league’s aggressive growth strategy. On the men’s side, the Sabres’ disappointing playoff exit has not impacted Alex Tuch’s contract expectations, according to his agent, who stated the forward’s next deal will be unaffected by his second-round struggles against Montreal. Tuch, 30, will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.

International & Prospect News

At the world championship in Switzerland, Austria and Norway earned victories on Tuesday. Austria defeated Hungary, which had earlier shut out Britain 5-0 for its first win of the tournament. to the NHL draft, Gavin McKenna is poised to become the No. 1 pick, a prospect whose journey from Whitehorse, Yukon, to Penn State has scouts raving about his two-way game and hockey IQ.

Betting & Odds Landscape

Sportsbooks are rolling out major promo offers for Wednesday’s playoff action. Bet MGM is providing new users with $1,500 in bonus bets if their first wager loses, while Draft Kings is offering $100 in instant bonus bets after a first $5 bet. These promotions are tied to the NBA’s Thunder-Spurs game and the NHL’s Avalanche-Golden Knights West Final opener, aiming to attract bettors to both the postseason and the final day of the regular seasons in other sports.