NHL Hockey 3 Days

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

NHL Playoff Action & Predictions

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs continued through the week, with the Sports Line Projection Model offering expert guidance on betting lines for Tuesday's slate, which included critical NBA matchups alongside the hockey action. Monday's playoff schedule saw the Philadelphia Flyers facing the Carolina Hurricanes in a key contest, while analysts offered specific prop advice, naming Wild left wing Matt Boldy as a top bet for Tuesday's game. to Wednesday, betting interest was also directed toward the Canadiens battling the Sabres in their second-round series, with promotional offers like the Draft Kings $100 bonus bet incentivizing wagers across both the NHL and NBA playoff schedules.

The second round saw several series reach pivotal moments, including the Western Conference clash where the Vegas Golden Knights hosted the Anaheim Ducks in Game 1 on Monday, with analysts predicting a home victory for Vegas to start the series. In the Central Division matchup, the Minnesota Wild visited the Colorado Avalanche for Game 2 on Tuesday, following predictions that Colorado would secure another win, though perhaps with fewer than the 15 total goals scored in the previous contest according to one projection. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference bracket featured the Buffalo Sabres taking on the Montreal Canadiens, a series that analyst Scott Erskine provided an overview of for second-round predictions.

As the second round progresses, the focus shifts toward the Conference Finals, with predictions already being made for every matchup as teams seek to punch their tickets to the final round. The bracket also features the second-round showdown between the Colorado Avalanche and the Minnesota Wild, where the proven model released its picks for Game. Separately, the Flyers met the Hurricanes in their Game 2 matchup, with the model again providing specific guidance on the expected outcome. The earlier rounds saw some major contenders stumble, as the Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers were listed among the biggest first-round disappointments for failing to advance.

Draft Lottery & Offseason Outlook

The anticipation for the upcoming NHL Draft was punctuated by the results of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, which took place on Tuesday evening in New Jersey following preliminary odds analysis. The big winner was the Toronto Maple Leafs, who landed the coveted No. 1 overall pick, a selection that arrives ahead of what is expected to be a critical offseason for the franchise. The lottery draw also confirmed the futures of other teams, as the Thunder, Pistons, 76ers, and Canadiens all secured victories in their respective NBA Game 7s on the same day the Maple Leafs secured their top selection. The consensus top prospect heading into the lottery was Penn State star forward Gavin McKenna, who is now slated to be the centerpiece of the Maple Leafs' rebuilding efforts.

Mid-Week Betting Previews

As the playoffs continued, betting analysis remained a key feature, with experts providing their best picks for Monday's games, including advice on supporting Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall. Tuesday's betting slate also featured prop advice for the Wild vs. Avalanche game, focusing on individual player performances. Looking toward Wednesday's major sporting events, the Sports Line Projection Model offered its top betting recommendations for the day, encompassing both NBA matchups like the 76ers vs. Knicks and other NHL contests, while promotions like the Draft Kings offer encouraged immediate action from bettors targeting Wednesday's games across the league.