NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 14, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

Stanley Cup Playoff Shocks & Series Shifts

The Western Conference saw the Avalanche complete an astonishing comeback, rallying from a 3-0 deficit against the Wild in Game, with Brett Kulak netting the overtime winner to clinch the series and send Colorado to the Western Conference finals. This remarkable turnaround followed Colorado doubling their regular-season hit rate throughout the contest, a physical approach that saw defenseman Josh Manson fined $5,000—the maximum allowable under the CBA—for a stick infraction against Michael McCarron. The defeated Wild felt "empty" after the series-ending collapse, having surrendered a three-goal first-period lead in that decisive Game 5 loss. Elsewhere in the West, the Vegas Golden Knights stand on the brink of advancing after Pavel Dorofeyev scored in overtime to secure a 3-2 series lead over the Ducks, though Vegas will be without defenseman Brayden McNabb for Game 6 due to a one-game suspension for his hit on Ryan Poehling.

In the Eastern Conference action, the Buffalo Sabres forced a decisive Game 6 against Montreal after Tage Thompson capitalized on an unusual bank shot off the boards to take Game, with Buffalo returning Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to the net for the crucial contest. Zach Benson, celebrating his 21st birthday, provided the eventual game-winner on a third-period power play in that 3-2 victory, positioning the Canadiens as slight series favorites despite the setback. Lessons learned across the league’s nearly complete second round suggest that intensity and physicality will dictate outcomes, a theme evident as the Avs advanced. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes, who remain undefeated this postseason, rely heavily on the production of 2010 No. 1 pick Taylor Hall, described as a "critical player" for their continued success.

Offseason Moves & League Administration

The Toronto Maple Leafs initiated a major organizational shift by officially parting ways with head coach Craig Berube on Wednesday after just two seasons, signaling that the team faces an offseason full of critical decisions following a period of regression. On the personnel front, the Columbus Blue Jackets secured center Charlie Coyle with a new six-year contract extension valued at $36 million, while the Carolina Hurricanes re-signed forward Mark Jankowski to a two-year deal averaging $1.85 million annually. In Pittsburgh, General Manager Kyle Dubas expressed his desire to retain longtime center Evgeni Malkin for a 21st season with the organization.

Beyond the NHL, the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL announced expansion plans, adding new franchises in Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, with a twelfth site yet to be determined, bolstering the league's growth trajectory. The league's upcoming player draft class is slated to be led by five members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning team, including defender Caroline Harvey, from a pool of 235 prospects. Separately, Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer was named the NHL's top rookie, earning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the first unanimous selection in 33 years.

Prospects, History, and Off-Ice Matters

Anticipation is building around top amateur talent, particularly Gavin McKenna, whose journey from Whitehorse, Yukon, to Penn State has positioned him as the expected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. On the international front, Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby confirmed his participation in the men's world hockey championships, marking his fourth appearance in the tournament for Team Canada. In community outreach, the NHL announced the finalists for the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award, with voting open until May 24 for the winners to be revealed in June. Furthermore, the lore surrounding team traditions continues, even if the actual items are scarce, as the expansive history of the plastic "Beer Sabre" was detailed in an inside story, contrasting with the actual quantity of swords ever used. Legal proceedings continue in the case involving the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, as attorneys for the accused driver argued for dismissal based on a reported discrepancy in blood alcohol level reporting.

Betting Markets & Promotions

Sportsbooks were actively promoting wagers across multiple leagues, focusing on Wednesday's NBA matchups alongside MLB and NHL contests, with Draft Kings offering new users $100 in bonus bets instantly after a minimum $5 wager. Competitor Bet MGM utilized its bonus code CBSSPORTS to provide a promotional safety net, offering users up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if their initial wager lost. Experts from the Sports Line Projection Model provided analysis and odds for Tuesday's playoff slate, identifying Sabres right wing Alex Tuch as a top player prop bet, while also forecasting outcomes for the Avalanche-Wild showdown.