NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: May 24, 2026, 8:44 AM ET

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Western Conference

The Colorado Avalanche fell into an 0-2 hole against the Vegas Golden Knights after a 3-1 loss in Game, with coach Jared Bednar lamenting missed opportunities that could have extended Colorado's early lead. Despite facing elimination, the Avalanche have received expert support for their ability to mount a comeback, with analysts noting their experience in previous playoff runs. The series now shifts to Las Vegas with the Golden Knights seeking to close out the Western Conference finals on home ice, while Colorado looks to avoid becoming the latest top seed to fall in this year's postseason.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Eastern Conference

The Eastern Conference finals tied at 1-1 after the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Carolina Hurricanes, with star defenseman Jaccob Slavin taking responsibility for the defensive breakdowns that led to Montreal's victory. The Canadiens have demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the playoffs, earning the nickname "bouncing back" specialists as they've repeatedly responded to adversity with strong performances. Sports Line's model favors Montreal in Game, projecting the Canadiens to build on their home-ice advantage with a victory that would give them a 2-1 series lead heading back to Carolina.

International Hockey Championship

At the ice hockey world championship, Latvia stunned the United States with a 4-2 victory, highlighted by Sandis Vilmanis scoring two empty-net goals that sealed the upset against the defending champions. Meanwhile, Canada continued their dominance with a 3-1 win over Slovenia, improving to a perfect 5-0 record in the tournament. The United States' third loss at the world championship has raised questions about their preparation, while Canada's unbeaten run has established them as early favorites to capture the title.

Memorial Cup Action

The Everett Silvertips, fresh off their Western Hockey League championship, began their Memorial Cup campaign with a 5-3 victory over the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. Right wing Jesse Heslop contributed with a goal for the Silvertips, who will look to continue their momentum as they compete for junior hockey's most prestigious trophy in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Memorial Cup brings together champions from various junior leagues, with Everett looking to add to their WHL championship with a national title.

Hockey Memorabilia

A record-setting auction saw an autographed 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie card sell for $540,000 including buyer's premium in Fanatics Collect's May Premier Auction, marking the highest price ever paid for an autographed hockey card. The sale underscores the enduring value of hockey memorabilia, particularly items featuring the Great One, whose rookie cards have consistently set records at auction. The Gretzky card's sale price reflects both the player's legendary status in hockey history and the growing market for high-end sports collectibles.

Betting Promotions

NHL fans looking to wager on the conference finals can capitalize on promotional offers from Bet MGM, which is providing $1,500 in bonus bets if the first bet loses for Saturday's games including Hurricanes-Canadiens. Meanwhile, Draft Kings offers a more modest incentive with $100 in bonus bets instantly after a first $5 wager for the same slate of NHL games. These betting promotions coincide with pivotal moments in both conference finals, with the Avalanche facing elimination and the Canadiens looking to take a 2-1 series lead over the Hurricanes.