NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 6, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

NHL Playoff Action & Betting Previews

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs continued through the weekend and mid-week with second-round matchups taking shape, prompting analysts to issue current betting advice across several series. Following a dramatic Sunday that saw the Pistons, Canadiens, and 76ers win Game 7s to advance, the second round kicked off with intense matchups on Monday and Tuesday. For Monday's slate, Sports Line analyst Scott Erskine provided specific player prop insights, tagging Carolina Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall as a prime betting target, while the overall slate also featured the Flyers-Hurricanes and other key contests. Tuesday’s schedule brought continued playoff intensity, with analyst Erskine suggesting bets on Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Boldy for Tuesday's contests, as the Sports Line Projection Model issued predictions for the night’s biggest games.

The Western Conference second round saw the Colorado Avalanche meet the Minnesota Wild, with Game 2 occurring Tuesday after the Avalanche took the opener. Sports Line’s proven model offered its picks for the Tuesday night clash, anticipating another Colorado victory but forecasting a much lower final tally than the high-scoring Game, expecting fewer than 15 total goals scored. Meanwhile, the Western Conference also featured the Vegas Golden Knights hosting the Anaheim Ducks in their opening game of the second round series on Monday. Analyst Erskine provided an overview for that matchup, detailing predictions for the Vegas-Anaheim series.

In the East, the Philadelphia Flyers faced the Carolina Hurricanes in their Game 2 contest, which the Sports Line model also analyzed extensively. Furthermore, the Buffalo Sabres battling the Montreal Canadiens in their own second-round series received an overview from Erskine, who broke down the Eastern Conference matchup. the second round features several teams trying to survive after a disappointing first round, including the Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers, who failed to advance past the initial stage. Wednesday’s schedule was set to feature three games, including a potential turning point for the Penguins in Philadelphia.

NHL Draft Lottery Upheaval

The focus away from the ice shifted to the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, which took place Tuesday night in New Jersey, setting the stage for a critical offseason for several franchises. The biggest news from the lottery drawing was the Toronto Maple Leafs securing the highly coveted No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Penn State star forward Gavin McKenna was widely considered the top prospect available and the main prize for the lottery winner. The Maple Leafs landing the top selection comes after a season where several contenders stumbled, leading to this pivotal moment for the franchise.

Player Props & Sunday Betting Action

Sunday’s playoff slate generated significant interest for player prop betting, with analyst Erskine identifying specific opportunities for bettors to capitalize on early-round action. Among the suggested wagers, Minnesota Wild left wing Kirill Kaprizov was highlighted as a top player prop bet. Furthermore, bettors to Sunday’s NBA action were offered incentives, as Draft Kings promoted an offer providing $100 in bonus bets for placing a $5 wager on matchups like the Raptors-Cavaliers or Lightning-Canadiens games.

League-Wide Updates & Other Sports Context

While the NHL playoffs dominated the hockey news cycle, other sports results provided context to the overall sports betting environment. In the NBA, the Thunder and Pistons both started their respective second-round series with 1-0 leads, while the New York Knicks delivered a decisive victory over the 76ers, fueled by a record performance from Jalen Brunson. In baseball news, the Detroit Tigers received difficult news as pitcher Tarik Skubal requires surgery, potentially sidelining a top arm. Separately, the soccer world saw Arsenal advance to the UEFA Champions League final.