NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 8, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

NHL Playoff Betting & Player Props

Betting markets focused heavily on the ongoing playoff slate, with analysts providing specific recommendations for contests spanning Tuesday through Thursday. For Wednesday's action, Sports Line analyst Scott Erskine identified Canadiens right wing Cole Caufield as a prime candidate for favorable player props, while the platform also offered betting guides for contests including the Sabres facing the Canadiens in a hypothetical second-round matchup. to Thursday, experts provided best bets and props for NBA contests like the Thunder-Lakers Game, while simultaneously assessing the Eastern Conference where the Hurricanes faced the Flyers in Game, which some suggested might be Philadelphia's final opportunity to make the East semifinal competitive. Furthermore, promotional offers, such as Draft Kings providing $100 in bonus bets for new users wagering on Wednesday's NBA and NHL games, drove engagement across the betting platforms.

Recent & Future Playoff Scenarios

While current playoff action commanded immediate attention, analysis also extended to future scenarios, including the 2026 postseason outlook where the Avalanche were projected to face the Wild in a West second-round Game. In that specific contest, the Sports Line model predicted another Colorado victory, cautioning against expectations of an extremely high-scoring affair like a potential 15-goal output. On Tuesday, betting advice also covered player props like Wild left wing Matt Boldy for that day's matchups, contrasting with Wednesday's focus on games such as the Sabres battling the Canadiens in the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Draft Lottery Outcomes & Offseason Outlook

The focus shifted outside of immediate competition when the results of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery concluded, revealing that the Toronto Maple Leafs secured the No. 1 overall pick. This top selection comes ahead of what is described as a critical offseason for the franchise, contrasting with the current playoff picture where other teams, such as the Thunder and Pistons, held 1-0 leads in their respective NBA series. The Maple Leafs landing the top pick in the 2026 amateur draft offers them a significant asset for rebuilding their roster structure over the next two years.