NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 5:58 AM ET

Western Conference Final: Golden Knights Surge Past Avalanche

The Vegas Golden Knights stunned the Avalanche 3-1 in Game 2 of the Western Conference final on Friday, with Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev scoring in a 2:07 burst during the third period to overturn a 1-0 deficit. Colorado coach Jared Bednar acknowledged his team had chances to extend the lead but could not finish, while defenseman Cale Makar's injury status emerged as a major question mark heading into the contest. The Golden Knights took a 2-0 series lead and now own the cushion that ESPN's playoff model flagged as significant, with Sports Line's proven model backing Vegas in the matchup. For the Avalanche, the loss added to a growing list of missed opportunities in a series they entered as favorites, and ESPN's daily playoff brief noted the team faced an uphill climb if they could not generate more offense in the third period. Betting markets reflected the shift, with Fan Duel and Bet MGM promotions targeting the series and providing bonus-bet incentives for Friday action.

Hurricanes Drop Opener to Road Warriors Canadiens

The Carolina Hurricanes opened their Eastern Conference series with a dominant Game 1 win over Montreal, but head coach Jaccob Slavin took full responsibility for the defensive breakdown that contributed to the loss. Slavin admitted he essentially handed the Canadiens the game with positioning errors that proved costly in a matchup where Carolina entered as a statistical favorite. ESPN's expert panel weighed in on both the Avs-Knights and Canes-Canadiens series, and the Canadiens' road form emerged as a central talking point. Montreal's resilient away-game identity was praised in postgame grades, with analysts noting the team's ability to control pace on hostile ice. The Hurricanes now face a 1-0 deficit in a series where multiple Conn Smythe candidates are emerging across all four remaining teams, according to ESPN's Stanley Cup MVP tracker.

PWHL Expansion and International Hockey

The Professional Women's Hockey League filled its final two expansion GM spots on Friday, with Meghan Duggan taking the Hamilton role and Troy Ryan moving from Toronto to San Jose. The moves come after Seattle Torrent coach Steve O'Rourke was dismissed following a last-place finish in the PWHL's inaugural season, signaling that the league is tightening standards as it scales. On the international front, Canada improved to 5-0 at the World Championship with a 3-1 win over Slovenia on Friday, extending its perfect run through the group stage. Meanwhile, a 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie card sold for $540,000 including premium at Fanatics Collect's May Premier Auction, setting a record for the most ever spent on an autographed hockey card and underscoring the continued appetite for premium collectibles among sports investors.

Playoff X Factors and Betting Outlook

Four teams remain alive in the postseason, and ESPN's Conn Smythe Watch identified several legitimate candidates for playoff MVP across the remaining rounds. Goalie confidence ratings and each club's X factors were broken down ahead of the semifinal round, with analysts flagging the importance of netminding consistency as the field narrows. Sports Line's Game 2 prediction model gave the Golden Knights an edge over Colorado, while a same-game parlay featuring Cale Makar's status was highlighted for Friday's matchup. Sports betting promos from Bet MGM and Draft Kings offered bonus-bet incentives for Avalanche-Golden Knights action, with Bet MGM's CBSSPORTS code providing up to $1,500 in bonus bets if a first wager loses across NBA, NHL, and MLB.