NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 11:48 AM ET

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Eastern Conference

The Montreal Canadiens dominated Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes with a masterful performance that extended their winning streak to seven games, while star defenseman Jaccob Slavin shouldered responsibility for Carolina's uncharacteristic defensive collapse. The Hurricanes' 11-day playoff layoff set a modern record, marking the longest such wait since 1919, as they attempted to regroup after sweeping their first two playoff series. Montreal's balanced attack sealed a victory that put them in position to take a commanding series lead against the Canes, whose rowdy fan base known as the Caniacs brings a college football atmosphere to NHL games.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Western Conference

The Vegas Golden Knights stunned the Colorado Avalanche with a 3-1 victory in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final, taking a commanding 2-0 series lead after Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev scored in a 2:07 span in the third period. Colorado coach Jared Bednar lamented missed opportunities that could have extended the Avalanche's 1-0 lead before the late collapse, while the team faces growing concerns about star defenseman Cale Makar's injury status. The Avalanche now find themselves in an 0-2 hole against a Knights team that has mastered the art of bouncing back throughout these playoffs, with several analysts questioning if Colorado can overcome this deficit given their recent performance.

International Hockey Championship

At the ice hockey world championship, Latvia pulled off a stunning upset by defeating the United States 4-2, with Sandis Vilmanis scoring two empty-net goals to secure the victory. Meanwhile, Canada continued its dominant run with a 3-1 victory over Slovenia, improving to a perfect 5-0 at the tournament. Earlier in the tournament, Mark Scheifele shined for Canada with a hat trick, including the game-winning goal just 29 seconds into overtime in a 6-5 victory over Norway. The United States bounced back from their loss to Latvia, defeating Germany 4-3 in a shootout victory, with Ryan Leonard scoring the decisive penalty.

NHL Business & Transactions

The hockey memorabilia market reached new heights as an autographed 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie card sold for $540,000 including buyer's premium in Fanatics Collect's May Premier Auction, setting a record for the most ever spent on an autographed hockey card. In league management, the Buffalo Sabres rewarded coach Lindy Ruff with a two-year contract extension after the 66-year-old led Buffalo back to the NHL playoffs, ending a league-leading 14-year postseason drought. The PWHL underwent significant personnel changes, with Meghan Duggan taking over as GM in Hamilton and Troy Ryan leaving Toronto for San Jose, while Steve O'Rourke was dismissed as coach of the Seattle Torrent after the expansion team finished last in its first season. In other transactions, the Washington Capitals re-signed defenseman Timothy Liljegren to a two-year contract worth $6.5 million, while Anaheim Ducks forward Troy Terry needs hip surgery with a timeline for return to next season still uncertain.

Professional Women's Hockey

The Montreal Victoire secured their first PWHL title with a 4-0 victory over the Ottawa Charge in Game 4 of the Walter Cup Finals, with Abby Roque scoring two goals to lead the championship effort. The New York Islanders revealed their AHL affiliate's name as the Hamilton Hammers after the club was relocated to the Canadian city, completing the organization's minor league hockey presence. The PWHL continues to expand its footprint in North America, with the recent coaching and management hires aimed at strengthening the league's competitive balance and long-term sustainability.

Playoff Analysis & Betting

With four teams remaining in the Stanley Cup playoffs, analysts began the Conn Smythe watch, identifying several legitimate candidates for playoff MVP across both conference finals. The semifinal round begins with key matchups, with experts highlighting goalie confidence ratings and X factors for all remaining clubs. For bettors, the Avalanche-Golden Knights series has attracted significant attention, with Sports Line's model revealing picks for the Western Conference finals and several experts suggesting same-game parlays that could yield substantial returns. Major sportsbooks continue to offer promotional bonuses, with Bet MGM providing up to $1,500 in bonus bets for first-time bettors and Draft Kings offering $100 in bonus bets after a $5 wager on NHL games.