NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

NHL Postseason Action & Discipline

The Western Conference semifinal between the Colorado Avalanche and the Minnesota Wild saw the Avs take a commanding 3-1 series lead after bouncing back to win Game 4 on Monday, despite star Nathan Mac Kinnon skating off with a bloody nose after being struck by a teammate’s puck. The physicality of the series escalated, leading to a disciplinary action where Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson was fined $5,000—the maximum allowed—for hitting Wild center Michael McCarron with the blunt end of his stick, a move McCarron later labeled as dirty play following Manson’s return. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights edged closer to the Western Conference Final after Pavel Dorofeyev scored his second goal in overtime, securing a critical 3-2 series advantage over the Ducks, though they suffered a defensive setback when Brayden McNabb was tossed from Game 5 for a hard check on Ryan Poehling.

In the Eastern Conference pairings, the Buffalo Sabres managed to even their series at 2-2 against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night, with Zach Benson’s third-period power-play goal on his 21st birthday proving decisive in a 3-2 victory, prompting the Sabres to stick with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in net for the pivotal Game. The Canadiens, despite facing elimination pressure, were still favored by betting models to win the series according to reports, while the Hurricanes waited on the winner as they advanced. Furthermore, reports indicated that Penguins GM Kyle Dubas expressed his desire to have veteran center Evgeni Malkin return for a 21st season with the franchise.

Offseason Moves & League Awards

The Toronto Maple Leafs initiated significant offseason changes by firing head coach Craig Berube after just two seasons marked by regression, signaling that the team faces a slate of critical decisions following the dismissal. On the awards front, Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer garnered widespread acclaim by becoming the first unanimous selection for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 33 years. In player movement news, the Columbus Blue Jackets secured center Charlie Coyle by agreeing to a six-year, $36 million contract extension, while the Carolina Hurricanes added depth by signing forward Mark Jankowski to a two-year extension averaging $1.85 million annually.

International Play & League Expansion

Beyond the NHL playoffs, Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby is set to represent Team Canada at the upcoming men’s world hockey championships, marking his fourth appearance in the tournament. On the development side, the PWHL announced expansion plans, adding new franchises in Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, with the league confirming one final 12th site is yet to be named, following the anticipation surrounding the upcoming draft class which is headlined by five members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning team, including defender Caroline Harvey among the top prospects. Prospect focus also turned to Gavin McKenna, whose unique journey from Whitehorse, Yukon, to Medicine Hat and Penn State is detailed as he is expected to be the number one overall pick in the next draft.

Betting Markets & Legal Matters

As the playoffs continue, sportsbooks offered substantial incentives for bettors targeting Wednesday's slate, with promotions like the Bet MGM bonus code CBSSPORTS offering up to $1,500 in bonus bets if a first wager loses across the NBA, MLB, and NHL. Similarly, Draft Kings provided a promotion offering $100 in bonus bets instantly following a minimum $5 wager on Wednesday's action. In off-ice legal news, attorneys for the accused driver in the tragic deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau argued for the dismissal of charges, citing a discrepancy in blood alcohol level reporting.