NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 6, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Stanley Cup Playoffs Set Second Round Stage

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs have set the table for the second round, following a dramatic conclusion to the opening matchups where several contenders faced early exits, including the Lightning and Oilers being named among the biggest first-round disappointments. Attention now pivots to the matchups ready to tip off, including a Western Conference showdown featuring the Colorado Avalanche taking on the Minnesota Wild, while the Eastern Conference bracket pits the Buffalo Sabres against the Montreal Canadiens. Bettors are keenly focused on these series, with analysts providing insights across the board; for instance, a proven model projects another Colorado victory over Minnesota in Game, though forecasting fewer than 15 total goals after a high-scoring opener.

The second round features several established rivalries, including the Vegas Golden Knights hosting the Anaheim Ducks in the West, with early predictions suggesting Vegas should protect home ice in their Game 1 contest to secure the initial series win against Anaheim. Meanwhile, in another Eastern Conference pairing, the Philadelphia Flyers face the Carolina Hurricanes, where Sports Line's model has released its specific predictions for Game 2 of that series. Elsewhere in the postseason action across the league, the Pistons, Cavaliers, 76ers, and Canadiens all secured Game 7 victories to advance, signaling dramatic, hard-fought series conclusions across the bracket.

Betting Previews and Player Props

As the second round commenced, betting action intensified across the slate, with analysts from Sports Line providing numerous prop bets and game predictions for Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday contests. For Monday's playoff schedule, which included the Flyers vs. Hurricanes matchup, experts pointed toward Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall as a top prop bet choice. Following suit for Tuesday's slate, which features the critical Game 2 between the Avalanche and Wild, attention turned to Wild left wing Matt Boldy as one of the best prop bets. Looking back to Sunday’s games, which included a matchup involving the Canadiens, betting advice focused on player performance props, singling out Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov as a strong candidate for favorable returns.

The comprehensive betting outlook for Tuesday’s schedule, covering both NBA and NHL action, identified several key contests, including the Thunder vs. Lakers Game 1s alongside the NHL's playoff offerings. Furthermore, special promotional offers were available over the weekend to incentivize wagers on Sunday’s games, such as the Lightning vs. Canadiens contest, offering new users $100 in bonus bets after an initial $5 wager on eligible NBA or NHL matchups. Sports Line analysts are compiling their picks for all second-round series as teams battle toward the conference finals to punch their ticket.

Draft Lottery Shakes Up Offseason Outlook

Beyond the immediate playoff intensity, the focus on the future was crystallized by the results of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, which took place Tuesday night in New Jersey. The biggest winner of the lottery draw was the Toronto Maple Leafs, who landed the coveted No. 1 overall pick. This top selection is considered critical ahead of what promises to be a pivotal offseason for the franchise. The big prize available in this draft class is widely considered to be Penn State star forward Gavin McKenna, making the outcome of the lottery particularly consequential for the team that secured the top slot.