NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 26, 2026, 8:52 PM ET

NHL Playoffs: Hurricanes Lead Canadiens; Avalanche Face Elimination

The Carolina Hurricanes extended their series lead over Montreal to 2-1 following a 3-2 overtime victory in Game, with the team building a 2-1 series advantage as they seek a commanding lead heading into Game. Sports Line analyst Scott Erskine projects Carolina as the series favorite against the Canadiens, who remain winless on home ice in the playoffs. The Hurricanes' resurgence has them leaning on defensive responsibility after allowing crucial goals in Game, while young stars stepping up across the bracket have keyed midround momentum shifts.

Despite the series deficit, the Canadiens have mastered the art of bouncing back with contributions up and down their lineup, creating chaos in the Eastern Conference finals. Mitch Marner leads all playoff scorers with 21 points as the Maple Leafs push toward their first Cup Final since 1999, though Max Domi's status remains uncertain indefinitely after surgical complications. The Conn Smythe race tightens with several legitimate MVP candidates emerging across the four surviving teams.

In the West, the Colorado Avalanche face elimination after dropping a 3-1 decision to the Vegas Golden Knights in Game, with Nathan Mac Kinnon listed as day-to-day after aggravating his ankle injury. The Golden Knights now hold a 2-0 series lead and look to complete a shocking sweep of the presumptive favorites. Jared Bednar's squad laments missed opportunities after squandering a first-period lead, while expert projections favor Vegas to advance to the Cup Final for the first time since 2021.

World Championship Updates

The international scene saw Canada maintain perfect record with a 3-1 victory over Slovenia, improving to 5-0 at the World Championship where Macklin Celebrini and Sidney Crosby led the charge. However, the US suffers shocking upset as Latvia claims a 4-2 victory, with defending champion America struggling for rhythm ahead of their crucial quarterfinal matchup with Canada. The US remains alive after a 7-3 drubbing of Hungary, but geopolitical tensions add pressure in a tournament where home-ice advantage shifts based on political standings.

Individual Moves and Memorabilia

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin commits to final season on a one-year, $5.5 million deal, bringing his 21-year Penguins career to a conclusion. Meanwhile, historic memorabilia sets records as a signed 1979 Wayne Gretzky rookie card sells for $540,000 at auction, surpassing previous hockey card values. The Memorial Cup previewed playoff hockey with Chicoutimi's overtime victory over Kelowna and Everett's WHL-champion triumph in the junior ranks.

Betting Outlook

NHL betting markets shift with the Hurricanes' series lead and Avalanche struggles creating new wagering angles. Draft Kings and Bet MGM both offer enhanced promotions for Tuesday's playoff action, though the focus remains on Game 4 lines in both conference finals. Sports Line's projection model favors Vegas to take Game 4 and advance, while Carolina's momentum makes them attractive against Montreal's home-ice hopes.