NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 14, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

NHL Coaching Carousel & Roster Stability

The NHL offseason coaching market saw major upheaval this week, headlined by the stunning dismissal of Kris Knoblauch by the Edmonton Oilers. Sources confirmed the firing despite Knoblauch guiding the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 2024 and 2025, with his contract extension not yet commenced, raising serious questions about General Manager Stan Bowman's roster decisions. In a separate, significant organizational shift, the Toronto Maple Leafs officially parted ways with coach Craig Berube after just two seasons, signaling a major change following a perceived regression as detailed by CBS Sports. Meanwhile, on the personnel front, the Columbus Blue Jackets secured center Charlie Coyle on a six-year, $36 million contract, while the Carolina Hurricanes announced a two-year extension for forward Mark Jankowski, averaging $1.85 million annually.

Western Conference Playoff Drama & Discipline

The Western Conference semifinals delivered high drama, particularly in the Vegas-Anaheim series, which was pushed to a decisive Game 6 following a tight contest. Pavel Dorofeyev scored his second goal in overtime to give the Golden Knights a 3-2 series lead on Monday. However, Vegas faces disciplinary hurdles heading into Game, as defenseman Brayden McNabb received a one-game suspension for his interference infraction that injured Ducks forward Ryan Poehling. Separately, the Colorado Avalanche completed a massive comeback against the Minnesota Wild, storming back from a 3-0 deficit in Game, capped by Brett Kulak's overtime winner to punch their ticket to the Western Conference Finals. The Avs’ increased intensity, doubling their regular-season hit rate, appears to be a defining characteristic of their run.

Eastern Conference Upsets & Player News

The Eastern Conference semifinal saw the Buffalo Sabres force a pivotal Game 5 against Montreal after Zach Benson scored the go-ahead goal on his 21st birthday during a third-period power play, giving the Sabres a 3-2 victory on Tuesday as detailed in ESPN coverage. This performance followed Sabres coach taking Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen back in net for Game 4. On the disciplinary front, Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson was fined the maximum allowable $5,000 under the CBA for striking Wild center Michael McCarron, an action McCarron subsequently labeled the Avs defenseman as "a dirty player" according to reports. In league-wide honors, Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer was named the unanimous winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy, marking the first time in 33 years a rookie secured the award without a single dissenting vote.

Offseason Outlooks & Prospect Watch

While playoff action dominates, teams are to major offseason decisions. The Minnesota Wild expressed feeling 'empty' after collapsing in their series-ending Game 5 loss, setting the stage for key offseason moves and free agency forecasts. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas stated he would "love" to retain longtime center Evgeni Malkin for a 21st season following recent discussions. Beyond current players, the focus shifts to the upcoming draft, where prospect Gavin McKenna, whose journey has spanned from Whitehorse to Medicine Hat and Penn State, is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick. Furthermore, the Professional Women's Hockey League announced expansion into Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, with a 12th site yet to be determined, noting the upcoming draft class is headlined by five U.S. Olympic gold medalists, including defender Caroline Harvey per league announcements.

Betting Markets & League Administration

The increased playoff intensity has driven significant promotional activity in the sports betting sector. For Thursday's action, including the Red Sox-Phillies MLB game, bettors could utilize the Bet MGM promo code CBSSPORTS to secure $1,500 in bonus bets if their initial wager loses, while Draft Kings offered $100 in bonus bets instantly after a minimum $5 wager targeting Thursday's NHL slate. Similar promotions were active on Wednesday for games involving the Cavaliers-Pistons matchup as tracked by CBS Sports. In administrative news, the NHL announced the finalists for the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award, with voting open until May 24 for the winners who will be revealed in June. On the international stage, Penguins star Sidney Crosby will represent Team Canada at the upcoming men's world hockey championships, marking his fourth appearance in that tournament.