NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 14, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

NHL Playoff Drama & Coaching Carousel

The National Hockey League witnessed stunning coaching upheaval and dramatic playoff exits over the last three days, setting the stage for a volatile offseason. The Edmonton Oilers fired Kris Knoblauch despite the coach guiding the team to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances in both 2024 and 2025, a move sources confirmed was a potential distraction masking deeper roster flaws attributed to General Manager Stan Bowman's decisions. Simultaneously, the Toronto Maple Leafs officially parted ways with Craig Berube after just two seasons, signaling that management faces an offseason demanding major structural changes following the second-round failure. Furthermore, the Minnesota Wild were left feeling 'empty' after a series-ending collapse, blowing a three-goal first-period lead before falling 4-3 in overtime to the Avalanche in Game, while Colorado's increased playoff intensity—doubling their regular season hit rate—has other contenders deeply concerned about their physical approach.

Western Conference Semifinals Clashes

The Western Conference semifinals delivered high-stakes drama, particularly between Vegas and Anaheim, which culminated in a dramatic Game 5 victory for the Golden Knights. Pavel Dorofeyev's overtime goal, his second of the night, secured a 3-2 series lead for Vegas over the Ducks, putting the Knights on the brink of the Western Conference Finals. However, Vegas faces disciplinary action heading into Game, as defenseman Brayden McNabb received a one-game suspension for an interference infraction that injured Ducks forward Ryan Poehling. The series has been physical; earlier in the week, Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson received a $5,000 fine—the CBA maximum—for a stick infraction against Wild center Michael McCarron, though Colorado managed to rally from a 3-0 deficit to defeat Minnesota in Game, forcing a decisive Western Conference Finals berth with a 4-3 overtime win.

Eastern Conference Battles & Individual Highlights

In the East, the Buffalo Sabres managed to even their series against the Canadiens on Tuesday night, largely propelled by an unusual bounce. Tage Thompson's routine play turned into a fluke bank shot off the boards, providing the pivotal goal in Buffalo's Game 4 victory to tie the series 2-2, with the Sabres opting to return Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to the net for that contest. Elsewhere in the East, the Hurricanes kept their perfect postseason run intact, buoyed by veteran contributions, as Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall remains a critical player for Carolina. Off the ice, Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer became the first unanimous Calder Trophy winner in 33 years, cementing his status as the NHL's top rookie.

Offseason Moves & League Updates

While playoff action dominated the mid-week schedule, teams and the league prepared for major offseason decisions and organizational shifts. The Columbus Blue Jackets secured center Charlie Coyle with a six-year, $36 million contract extension, while the Hurricanes locked up forward Mark Jankowski to a two-year deal averaging $1.85 million annually. Pittsburgh GM Kyle Dubas expressed his desire to retain longtime center Evgeni Malkin for a 21st season. In league administration, the Professional Women's Hockey League is expanding, adding franchises in Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, with a 12th site yet to be determined, and their upcoming draft class is expected to feature five U.S. Olympic gold medalists.

Betting Markets & Prospect Watch

The playoff games on Wednesday and Thursday continued to draw significant attention in sports betting markets, with major operators offering substantial incentives for wagering on NHL contests alongside MLB matchups. Both Draft Kings and Bet MGM provided bonus offers, , ,, , ,, , , , for bettors targeting Thursday’s slate, which included the Golden Knights vs. Ducks Game, while the Sports Line Projection Model offered projections and best bets for Thursday's matchups. highly touted prospect Gavin McKenna's path to the expected No. 1 overall pick continues to draw interest as his journey takes him toward a potential NHL debut.