NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 7, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

NHL Playoff Action & Betting Insights (Monday-Wednesday)

The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued through the middle of the week, prompting betting analysts to issue specific player prop recommendations across Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday's slates. For Monday's action, Sports Line analyst Scott Erskine identified the Carolina Hurricanes' Taylor Hall as a strong value play. Moving into Tuesday, the focus shifted, with Erskine suggesting backing the Minnesota Wild's Matt Boldy in his matchup. Wednesday's slate, which included contests like the Canadiens vs. Sabres, saw Erskine target Montreal right wing Cole Caufield as a top bet. These analytical picks were presented alongside broader wagering opportunities, such as a Draft Kings promotion offering $100 in bonus bets for wagers placed across NBA and NHL contests that Wednesday.

Tuesday and Wednesday's playoff matchups were heavily scrutinized by projection models, especially in the second round of the 2026 postseason. The Western Conference series between the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche was a key focus, with Game 2 taking place Tuesday; while the model predicted another Colorado victory, it cautioned against expectations of a repeat 15-goal affair seen in previous contests. Simultaneously, the Eastern Conference featured the Buffalo Sabres battling the Canadiens, providing ample second-round coverage for futures odds analysis. Monday's slate also featured pivotal Game 2 matchups, with the Sports Line model weighing in on the Philadelphia Flyers vs. Carolina Hurricanes and the Western Conference series opener between the Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks.

The betting focus for the week included several high-profile non-NHL games with analysts from CBS Sports integrating NBA and general sports betting advice alongside hockey picks. For Monday, top matchups included the 76ers vs. Knicks, while Tuesday’s featured games involved the Thunder vs. Lakers Game 1s. Wednesday's betting guide also set the stage for high-stakes NBA contests such as the 76ers vs. Knicks, even as playoff hockey dominated the ice action.

Draft Lottery & Offseason Developments

The NHL calendar also included significant offseason developments, most notably the results of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. The lottery, held Tuesday night in New Jersey, resulted in the Toronto Maple Leafs securing the No. 1 overall pick, a critical asset ahead of what is expected to be a transformative offseason for the franchise. The top prize prospect for the draft was widely considered to be Penn State star forward Gavin McKenna. Furthermore, the conclusion of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs revealed several major disappointments, with established contenders like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers failing to advance.

Playoff Series Milestones & Game 7 Results

The preceding week saw several series conclude with dramatic Game 7 victories that set the stage for the ongoing second round matchups. Key winners advancing from the first round included the Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Montreal Canadiens. These results immediately established the second-round pairings, such as the Golden Knights facing the Ducks, and set the stage for predictions regarding which four teams would eventually punch their ticket to the conference finals.