NHL Hockey 3 Days

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

NHL Front Office Shakeups & Coaching Moves

The hockey operations structure in Vancouver underwent a major overhaul Thursday when the Canucks formally appointed Ryan Johnson as general manager, while simultaneously naming franchise legends Daniel and Henrik Sedin as co-presidents of hockey operations. This leadership restructuring follows a broader trend of high-profile coaching changes across the league, exemplified by the Maple Leafs officially parting ways with coach Craig Berube on Wednesday after two seasons marked by regression, leaving Toronto facing critical offseason decisions. Perhaps the most stunning administrative move came in Edmonton, where the Oilers fired Kris Knoblauch despite him leading the team to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 2024 and 2025, a decision that sources suggest only masks deeper systemic failures attributed to GM Stan Bowman's roster construction.

Playoff Action & Player Discipline

The Western Conference semifinal series between Vegas and Anaheim reached a fever pitch Wednesday night, as Pavel Dorofeyev's second goal of the game in overtime secured a 3-2 victory, putting the Golden Knights on the brink of the Western Conference Finals with a 3-2 series lead. However, the win came with repercussions for Vegas, as defenseman Brayden McNabb received a one-game suspension for an interference infraction against Ducks forward Ryan Poehling, meaning he would miss Thursday's pivotal Game. The Avalanche, meanwhile, demonstrated their playoff mettle by staging a massive comeback against Minnesota in Game, overcoming a 3-0 deficit midway through the second period before Brett Kulak sealed the rally in overtime to advance to the Western Conference finals, showcasing an increased intensity and physicality that has doubled their hit rate from the regular season.

In the Eastern Conference action earlier in the week, the Buffalo Sabres leveled their series against Montreal at 2-2 Tuesday night, thanks in part to Zach Benson's third-period power play goal on his 21st birthday, forcing a decisive Game 4 where the team opted to return Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to the net. The Wild's elimination was marked by crushing disappointment after they blew a three-goal first-period lead in their overtime loss to Colorado, leaving players feeling 'empty' about the series-ending collapse. On the disciplinary front, Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson was fined the maximum allowable amount of $5,000 under the CBA for a stick infraction against Minnesota's Michael McCarron, an incident McCarron subsequently labeled Manson as a dirty player.

Awards, Extensions, & Offseason Planning

While the playoffs raged, league announcements recognized individual achievements and future planning, as Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer was named the NHL's rookie of the year, becoming the first unanimous Calder Trophy winner in 33 years. the Blue Jackets secured their center depth by signing Charlie Coyle to a substantial six-year, $36 million contract extension, while the Hurricanes committed to forward Mark Jankowski with a two-year extension averaging $1.85 million annually. In Pittsburgh, General Manager Kyle Dubas expressed his desire to retain veteran star Evgeni Malkin, stating he would "love" to have the longtime center back for a 21st season. Furthermore, the Professional Women's Hockey League announced expansion into Las Vegas and Hamilton, with a 12th site still pending, and their upcoming draft class is heavily influenced by five members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal team, including defender Caroline Harvey.

Betting Markets & Prospect Watch

The period saw heavy promotional activity across major sportsbooks concurrent with the playoff slate, with both Draft Kings and Bet MGM offering substantial incentives for wagering on NHL playoff matchups alongside MLB games, games ,. For instance, bettors could utilize a Draft Kings promo code for $100 in bonus bets after a $5 wager on Wednesday's slate involving the Pistons-Cavaliers, while Bet MGM offered new users $1,500 in bonus bets if their initial bet lost on the same night. Sports Line Projection Model experts provided analysis for key Thursday matchups, including the Golden Knights vs. Ducks semifinal and the Sabres vs. Canadiens contest. Meanwhile, attention turned toward the draft as the expected No. 1 overall selection, Gavin McKenna, continued his compelling path from Whitehorse, Yukon, through Medicine Hat, with the NHL set as his next destination.