NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 7, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Action & Betting Outlook

As the Stanley Cup Playoffs progressed this week, betting markets were active across the slate, with analysts providing guidance on player performance props for both Monday and Wednesday contests. For Monday's action, Sports Line analyst Scott Erskine identified Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall as a strong prop bet, while the Sports Line Projection Model provided comprehensive odds for the slate, including the Flyers vs. Hurricanes matchup. Moving into Wednesday, Erskine backed Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield as a prime target for bettors, with the Projection Model offering top picks for that night’s games, which also included NBA contests like the 76ers vs. Knicks where betting promotions were applied.

The second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs saw several high-stakes series analyzed, with the Buffalo Sabres set to battle the Montreal Canadiens in an Eastern Conference showdown, according to futures odds assessments. Out West, the Minnesota Wild faced the Colorado Avalanche in Game 2 on Tuesday, where the model predicted a Colorado victory, cautioning against expectations of a repeat high-scoring affair after their initial contest. The Avalanche-Wild series was further detailed in betting guides predicting outcomes for their second-round tilt, even as the Draft Lottery results were being held ahead of the 2026 draft.

Focusing on the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Philadelphia Flyers hosted the Carolina Hurricanes for Game 3 on Thursday, where analysts suggested it could be Philadelphia's final opportunity to keep the series competitive against the Hurricanes. Meanwhile, the postseason failures of established contenders were quantified, with teams like the Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers landing among the biggest first-round disappointments of the 2026 tournament.

2026 NHL Draft Lottery Results & Future Outlook

The results of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery were finalized this week, producing a potentially franchise-altering outcome for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs secured the coveted No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft, an event that arrives ahead of what is expected to be a critical offseason for the organization as noted in Monday's roundup. The top prize in the 2026 selection pool is widely considered to be Penn State star forward Gavin McKenna, whose availability was a central focus surrounding Tuesday night’s lottery event in New Jersey highlighted by pre-lottery odds.