NHL Hockey 3 Days

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

NHL Playoff Action & Betting Markets

The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued across Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with several key series observations, fueling player prop betting markets ahead of Thursday's slate. Sports Line analyst Scott Erskine pointed to Canadiens forward Cole Caufield as a prime wager target during Wednesday's action, while earlier in the week, he suggested backing Wild left wing Matt Boldy for Tuesday's contests and favored Hurricanes' Taylor Hall on Monday. For bettors looking to place wagers, promotions such as the Draft Kings offer provided $100 in bonus bets instantly after a minimum $5 wager across both NBA and NHL matchups on Wednesday. The model also provided specific analysis for the Eastern Conference second-round matchups, projecting outcomes for the Flyers hosting the Hurricanes in Game 3 on Thursday, where Philadelphia faces what may be their final opportunity to keep the semifinal series competitive.

2026 Draft Lottery & Future Outlook

While current playoff action dominates the immediate focus, the future structure of the league took shape on Tuesday with the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery results, where the Toronto Maple Leafs secured the No. 1 overall pick. The lottery process, held Tuesday night in New Jersey, centered around prospects like Penn State star forward Gavin McKenna, who is considered a top prize for the upcoming draft. Meanwhile, the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs is already being projected, with analysts offering an overview of the Eastern Conference clash between the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens.

Series Previews and Model Projections

Pre-series betting models provided advanced analysis for multiple second-round matchups across the Western and Eastern Conferences in the 2026 postseason. For the Western Conference second-round pairing, the Sports Line model released its picks for the Minnesota Wild facing the Colorado Avalanche in Game. Following a high-scoring affair, the model advised expecting another Colorado victory in Game, though it cautioned against expecting a repeat of the prior game’s 15 total goals scored. In the Eastern Conference, experts also released Game 2 best bets for the Philadelphia Flyers versus the Carolina Hurricanes, with the model guiding bettors through that matchup ahead of Thursday's Game 3 confrontation.

Broader Sports Betting Context

Beyond the ice, betting experts guided consumers through major events on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday across various sports. On Tuesday, the Projection Model offered its best bets for the opening games of the NBA second round, including the Pistons-Cavaliers and Thunder-Lakers Game 1s. Wednesday’s top recommended wagers included the highly anticipated NBA clash between the 76ers and the New York Knicks, a game where Jalen Brunson later delivered a record performance in a rout over Philadelphia. Monday's slate also featured expert guidance for major sporting events, including the Flyers-Hurricanes playoff game alongside NBA action.