NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 8:46 PM ET

Playoff Race Tightens as Semifinals Begin

The 2026 NHL playoffs entered their penultimate round with four teams alive, and the first round of semifinal matchups delivered immediate drama. In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Montreal Canadiens dominated the Hurricanes with a commanding showing, silencing Carolina's notoriously loud fan base known as the "Caniacs" for their tailgating and barbecue traditions that bring a college football energy to the rink. Star defenseman Jaccob Slavin shouldered the blame for the Hurricanes' defensive breakdown, admitting he handed Montreal the game in a rare uncharacteristic misfire. The Canadiens now sit just seven wins from the Stanley Cup, and Sports Line's model has weighed in with its picks for Saturday's Game, while ESPN's own experts backed Montreal in their predictions for the series. In the West, the Colorado Avalanche regretted missed chances after losing Game 2 to the Golden Knights 3-1, with coach Jared Bednar acknowledging his team had opportunities to extend a 1-0 lead before the collapse. Cale Makar's injury status looms large heading into Game, and Sports Line's model has released its picks for the Western Conference finals matchup. Updated playoff statistics now paint a picture of four legitimate Conn Smythe candidates across both conferences, and goalie confidence ratings point to clear X factors for each remaining club as the semifinal round tips off Wednesday.

World Championship Shakeup

The IIHF World Championship continued to produce surprises on the international stage. Canada improved to a perfect 5-0 after defeating Slovenia 3-1 on Friday, riding a three-goal explosion from Mark Scheifele who had scored three goals in the previous outing, including the game winner 29 seconds into overtime against Norway. Meanwhile, the defending champion United States suffered its third loss of the tournament after Latvia upset them 4-2, with Sandis Vilmanis sealing the win by scoring two empty-net goals. Earlier in the week, the Americans topped Germany 4-3 in a shootout on a decisive penalty from Ryan Leonard, showing the team can still compete in tight games despite the recent stumbles.

PWHL Expansion and Transactions

The Professional Women's Hockey League continued its rapid growth with several major moves. Steve O'Rourke was relieved of his coaching duties with the Seattle Torrent after the expansion club finished last in its inaugural season, while Meghan Duggan left her NHL role to become general manager of the PWHL's Hamilton expansion team, joining Troy Ryan who departed Toronto for San Jose. On the ice, the Montreal Victoire captured their first PWHL championship with a 4-0 shutout of the Ottawa Charge in Game 4 of the Walter Cup Finals, led by Abby Roque's two goals. Separately, the Washington Capitals re-signed defenseman Timothy Liljegren to a two-year $6.5 million deal, and the Buffalo Sabres rewarded coach Lindy Ruff with a two-year contract extension after ending a 14-year playoff drought. The Anaheim Ducks face a tougher timeline after forward Troy Terry was diagnosed with hip surgery that could endanger his availability at the start of next season.

Collectibles and Betting Markets

The hockey memorabilia market reached a new benchmark when an autographed 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie card sold for $540,000 including buyer's premium, the highest price ever paid for an autographed hockey card. On the betting front, multiple sportsbooks have rolled out promotions tied to the playoff slate, with Bet MGM offering $1,500 in bonus bets if a first wager loses on NHL matchups including the Canadiens-Hurricanes and Avalanche-Golden Knights, while Draft Kings provides $100 in bonus bets instantly after a first $5 wager on the same games. Earlier in the week, similar Bet MGM offers targeted the Friday round of games before shifting to Saturday's slate. The New York Islanders also revealed their relocated AHL affiliate will be named the Hamilton Hammers, completing a move that has drawn attention across the minor league landscape.