NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 5, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Second Round Action Heats Up

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are firmly entrenched in the second round, following a dramatic conclusion to the opening set of games where several contenders, including the Lightning & Oilers, suffered first-round exits. In the West, the Colorado Avalanche are favored in their series against the Minnesota Wild, with models predicting another Colorado victory in Game, though analysts project a much lower total goal count than the previous high-scoring affair. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights begin their second-round matchup against the Anaheim Ducks, with projections suggesting Vegas should protect home ice for the opening win of their series. Further East, the Philadelphia Flyers meet the Carolina Hurricanes, where models are making specific recommendations for player props, including leaning on Taylor Hall in Monday's contests.

Playoff Betting & Player Props

As the second round progresses, betting analysts are zeroing in on specific player performances across the slate, providing detailed prop bets for fans engaging with the action. For Sunday's matchups, one key recommendation included backing Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov in player prop markets across the various contests. to Monday, experts offered comprehensive evaluations for the evening’s games, advising wagers on contests such as Flyers versus Hurricanes alongside the high-profile 76ers vs. Knicks basketball game. Furthermore, promotional offers, such as Draft Kings providing $100 in bonus bets for new users wagering on Sunday's NHL and NBA offerings, are driving increased engagement across the postseason slate.

Postseason Previews & Draft Prospects

With several series underway, attention is already turning toward the conclusion of the playoffs and the subsequent offseason, which will be immediately preceded by the 2026 NHL Draft lottery taking place Tuesday night in New Jersey. The major focus of the lottery is the potential selection of Penn State star forward Gavin McKenna, widely considered the top prize available in the upcoming draft pool. Looking back at the first round disappointments, teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers face critical offseason planning, with analysts already detailing the keys to the offseason for every eliminated franchise as they look toward the 2026-27 campaign.

Series Updates & Notable Results

While the second round unfolds, recaps from the decisive Game 7s revealed several teams advancing, including the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA, alongside the Montreal Canadiens securing passage in their NHL series. The Buffalo Sabres successfully navigated their opening round, securing a series win for the first time since 2007, while the Vegas Golden Knights eliminated the Utah team behind a two-goal effort from Mitch Marner. Disciplinary action is also on the docket, as Boston's Charlie McAvoy faces an in-person hearing following an incident involving a slash during his team's recent contest.

Offseason Moves & Player News

Beyond the playoff intensity, some teams are already locking down future assets, such as the St. Louis Blues securing forward Klim Kostin (assuming Holloway is a typo for a relevant player mentioned in the context of the Blues , signing him to a five-year contract valued at $38.75M. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Connor McDavid played through a debilitating foot fracture during the Oilers' first-round loss, explaining some of his perceived struggles. For teams still competing, the Carolina Hurricanes are slated to welcome back forward Elias Lindholm in time for their Game 1 matchup, providing a boost to their lineup structure.