NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 7, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

NHL Playoff Betting & Projections

As the Stanley Cup Playoffs advanced through the week, betting models and analysts provided guidance on key matchups, with attention focusing on Wednesday and Thursday's slate of games . Sports Line experts offered insights on player props for Wednesday's contests, singling out Montreal Canadiens right wing Cole Caufieldout as a strong backing, while also positioning prop bets for Tuesday's action, which included targeting Minnesota Wild left wing Matt Boldywhich included targeting. For bettors looking to engage early in the week, promotional offers were available, such as Draft Kings offering $100 in bonus betssuch as following a minimum $5 wager across NBA and NHL events.

Eastern Conference Playoff Scrutiny

The Eastern Conference semifinal series drew particular focus, especially Thursday's pivotal matchup where the Philadelphia Flyers hosted the Carolina Hurricanes for Game. Analysts suggested that the outcome of this contest could determine whether Philadelphia retained any chance of making the East semifinal competitive against Carolina, indicating high stakes relative to the series standing. Meanwhile, projections for future second-round matchups were already being modeled, with one analyst providing an overview of the 2026 Eastern Conference battle between the Buffalo Sabres and the Montreal Canadiensbattle between the.

Western Conference Second Round Analysis

Tuesday saw the second game of the Western Conference second-round series between the Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche, where Sports Line's proven model predicted a Colorado victory, though it cautioned against expecting a repeat of the prior game's high-scoring affair, aiming for fewer than 15 total goals scored. This specific 2026 playoff matchup was heavily scrutinized, with the model revealing its precise picks for Game. In other non-playoff news, the focus shifted to the future of team construction following the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery results announced Tuesday .

2026 NHL Draft Lottery Fallout

The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery concluded on Tuesday night from New Jersey, confirming that the Toronto Maple Leafs landed the No. 1 overall pick. This top selection is considered critical for the organization's offseason planning, especially as the consensus top prospect, Penn State star forward Gavin McKenna State star forward, was widely regarded as the primary prize available in the draft class. The Maple Leafs' victory in the lottery was one of the major sports headlines alongside NBA second-round updates and other league results .

Broader Sports Betting Context

Thursday's betting preview extended beyond the ice, offering model projections and expert advice for major NBA playoff games, including the Pistons-Cavaliers and Thunder-Lakers Game 2sincluding the, following successful performance in the first round where both the Thunder and Pistons took 1-0 leads in their respective NBA series. Earlier in the week, Wednesday’s betting slate also featured NBA action, such as the 76ers hosting the Knicks, a game where Jalen Brunson delivered a record-setting performance against Philadelphia.