NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 20, 2026, 2:44 PM ET

Conference Finals Preview

The NHL's final four are set for their semifinal round as the Avalanche host the Golden Knights in Wednesday's Western Conference finals opener and the Hurricanes face the Canadiens on Thursday after an 11-day break — the longest layoff since 1919 for a team that swept its first two playoff series. Colorado enters Game 1 having lost none of its home playoff games this postseason, while Vegas awaits permission from the Golden Knights to interview coach Bruce Cassidy, with multiple clubs reportedly waiting as of Tuesday. On the betting front, Sports Line's model has released its Western Conference final picks, and NHL analysts have weighed in on all four remaining series, with the Avs-Knights clash drawing particular scrutiny given the stakes of the penultimate round. The Hurricanes-Ch Canadiens matchup carries its own intrigue after Carolina's extended rest, and ESPN's preview breaks down goalie confidence ratings and X factors for each of the four clubs heading into the round.

Game 7 Drama

Monday's second-round slate delivered a blockbuster as Alex Newhook scored his second Game 7-winning goal of the playoffs in overtime, lifting the Canadiens past the Sabres 3-2 and sending Montreal to the Eastern Conference finals. The victory was especially sweet for Buffalo, whose rebuilding season ended with a standing ovation after a historic campaign that exceeded expectations. Earlier in the day, best bets and props were available through Sports Line and CBS Sports analysts for the Canadiens-Sabres Game, with a proven model offering its prediction ahead of the decisive matchup. The Sabres' collapse came despite a dominant series performance from Mitch Marner, who was named among the round's winners, while Alex Tuch disappeared as a force in Buffalo's second-round exit; Tuch, 30, will hit free agency this summer, and his agent says the disappointing postseason will not affect his next contract. Meanwhile, Bet MGM and Draft Kings both ran NHL-friendly promo codes offering bonus bets for the Game 7 action and other major matchups.

Roster & Coaching Shakeup

The off-ice turbulence continues as the Golden Knights were stripped of their second-round pick and coach John Tortorella fined $100,000 for the team's refusal to speak to media after clinching its series. On the coaching front, Sheldon Keefe will remain as Devils coach after new GM Sunny Mehta completed his full organizational evaluation, while the Canucks fired first-year coach Adam Foote on Tuesday after he compiled a 25-49-8 record and dismissed three assistants. Free-agent movement is already shaping up, with Quinn Hughes saying he is "definitely open" to a contract extension with the Wild starting July 1, and Filip Gustavsson slated for offseason hip surgery that could affect his availability at training camp. The Sabres' collapse has sparked broader offseason planning conversations around free agency, and ESPN has mapped out each team's next moves heading into 2026-27.

International & League Business

Overseas, Canada routed Denmark 5-1 at the world championships on Monday with Sidney Crosby assisting on four of five third-period goals, while Macklin Celebrini scored twice in a 6-0 shutout of Italy to push Canada to 2-0 at the tournament. At the same event, Hungary blanked Britain 5-0 on Tuesday in its first victory of the competition. Stateside, the PWHL completed its four-team expansion with San Jose becoming the league's 12th franchise, a move that signals the league's continued growth into new markets. In auction news, a ring given to Herb Brooks after the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" sold for $549,000 at Heritage Auctions, underscoring the enduring legacy of that Olympic moment.

Betting & Odds

Sportsbooks are heavily backing the Avalanche-Golden Knights series and Hurricanes-Ch Canadiens matchup in futures markets, while Draft Kings and Bet MGM continue offering NHL bonus incentives for Wednesday's games, including the Avs-Knights opener and the ongoing NBA-MLB-NHL cross-sport slate. Daily picks and best bets remain available through CBS Sports, with analysts offering their conference finals outlooks as just four teams remain alive for the Stanley Cup.