NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Western Conference Showdowns

The Colorado Avalanche moved to the brink of the Western Conference Final after winning Game 5 against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday, with the Avs having doubled their regular-season rate of hits per game, a metric that has opposing contenders deeply concerned. The Avalanche had previously established a commanding 3-1 series lead Monday night after snapping back from a lull in Game, although that contest saw star Nathan Mac Kinnon bloodied after being struck in the face by a puck. Furthermore, Avs defenseman Josh Manson was fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for a stick infraction against Wild center Michael McCarron, an incident McCarron subsequently labeled Manson as "a dirty player". Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights seized a 3-2 series advantage over the Anaheim Ducks when Pavel Dorofeyev tallied his second goal of the night in overtime during Game 5. However, Vegas faces a setback as defenseman Brayden McNabb received a one-game suspension for his first-period interference check on Ducks forward Ryan Poehling in Game, an infraction that forced Poehling off the ice.

The Minnesota Wild are now facing an elimination scenario, needing to force a decisive game as their season hangs in the balance. In the Eastern Conference, the Buffalo Sabres managed to even their series at 2-2 against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, with Zach Benson scoring the tie-breaking goal on a power play on his 21st birthday. Tage Thompson also contributed with a pivotal goal that resulted from a freakish bank shot off the boards, helping Buffalo secure the Game 4 victory after they returned Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to net for the contest. Despite the Sabres' recent success, Montreal had previously been favored to advance past Buffalo, according to pre-game odds.

League Personnel & Offseason Moves

The Toronto Maple Leafs initiated significant offseason restructuring by officially parting ways with head coach Craig Berube on Wednesday after just two seasons, signaling a major change following a period of regression for the franchise. In contract news, the Columbus Blue Jackets secured center Charlie Coyle with a fresh six-year deal worth an average of $6 million annually, totaling $36 million. The Carolina Hurricanes also finalized forward Mark Jankowski's tenure, signing the 31-year-old to a two-year extension carrying an $1.85 million average annual value. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas expressed his strong desire to retain longtime center Evgeni Malkin for a potential 21st season with the club.

League Accolades & Future Talent

Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer secured the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year, achieving the distinction as the first unanimous selection for the award in 33 years. On the international front, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby will represent Team Canada at the upcoming men's world hockey championships, marking his fourth appearance in the tournament. Meanwhile, prospect Gavin McKenna, whose journey has taken him from Whitehorse, Yukon, to Penn State, is widely projected as the expected No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. Off the ice, the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced its expansion plans, adding franchises in Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, with one more site yet to be determined to reach a 12-team structure. The PWHL's inaugural draft pool, featuring 235 players, is headlined by five members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning team, including defender Caroline Harvey.

Legal & Betting Updates

The legal proceedings involving the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau saw a judge uphold the charges against the accused driver after defense attorneys argued for dismissal based on a discrepancy in blood alcohol level reporting. For bettors, promotions remained active across platforms, with both Draft Kings and Bet MGM offering substantial incentives—Draft Kings providing $100 in bonus bets after a $5 initial wager, while Bet MGM offered up to $1,500 in matched bonus bets for Wednesday's slate of NBA, MLB, and NHL contests. Experts provided insights on Wednesday's matchups, including the Wild vs. Avalanche contest, with betting models suggesting Colorado should capitalize on their home-ice advantage to close out the series. On Tuesday, Sports Line analysts also suggested backing Sabres right wing Alex Tuch among the best prop bets for the playoff games.