NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: May 27, 2026, 11:42 PM ET

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Western Conference Finals

The Golden Knights completed a sweep of the Avalanche in the Western Conference finals, with Cole Smith scoring 14:15 into the third period to secure a 2-1 victory in Game. Despite Avalanche star Nathan Mac Kinnon playing through injury, Colorado couldn't overcome Vegas's dominant performance. The sweep represents a significant upset as the Avalanche had been the Presidents' Trophy winners, a fact that challenges the alleged Presidents' Trophy curse. With the series win, Vegas becomes the odds-on favorite to win the Stanley Cup, with the Hurricanes just behind on the odds board after their series against Montreal remains tied at 2-1.

Eastern Conference Finals: Canadiens vs. Hurricanes

The Canadiens look to even their series against the Hurricanes at 2-2 heading back to Raleigh for Game, with Montreal mastering the art of 'bouncing forward' to stay alive in the Eastern Conference finals. After winning Game 3 in overtime, the Canadiens are proving that Montreal is THE place to be in the sporting world this May, reviving Habs fans' hopes and dreams. Meanwhile, expert picks favor the Hurricanes to close out the series, and Sports Line's model reveals its picks for Wednesday's crucial matchup. The Hurricanes, who have held the edge in the series thus far, remain the favorites according to oddsmakers.

Hockey World Championship: International Rivalry

The United States set up a quarterfinal showdown with fierce rival Canada at the ice hockey world championship by beating Austria 4-1 on Tuesday. Earlier in the tournament, the defending champion U.S. topped Hungary 7-3 to keep hopes alive of advancing to the quarterfinals. On the Canadian side, Captain Macklin Celebrini scored and Sidney Crosby added his seventh assist of the tournament as Team Canada defeated Slovakia 5-1, boosted by a four-goal spark in the final period. The U.S.-Canada rivalry continues to be one of the most compelling storylines in international hockey.

Player News & Contract Updates

Penguins center Evgeni Malkin will return for his 21st season after signing a one-year deal worth $5.5 million, providing stability to Pittsburgh's lineup. Meanwhile, Maple Leafs forward Max Domi is out indefinitely after complications arose during an offseason surgery, creating uncertainty for Toronto's forward depth. In other player news, Mitch Marner's playoff success has drawn attention as he leads all playoff scorers for a team one win away from the Cup Final, despite an up-and-down postseason record with the Leafs.

Coaching Changes & Front Office Moves

Kris Sparre, a finalist for the 2026 PWHL coach of the year award after guiding Boston to a 62-point season, has been named coach of the Hamilton expansion franchise. The move represents a significant shift in the PWHL coaching landscape as Sparre leaves Boston to build a new team in Hamilton. His departure creates an opening in Boston that the team will need to address before the next season begins.

Memorial Cup & Junior Hockey

In junior hockey action, Liam Lefebvre scored his second goal of the game at 5:28 of overtime to give the Chicoutimi Sagueneens a 3-2 victory over the host Kelowna Rockets on Sunday night in the Memorial Cup. The overtime victory showcases the high level of competition in the Memorial Cup, which brings together the top junior teams from across Canada and beyond.

NHL Betting & Promotions

Sports betting promotions continue to be a significant part of the NHL coverage, with Draft Kings offering $100 in bonus bets instantly after a first $5 wager for NHL games on Wednesday. Similarly, Bet MGM offers $1,500 in bonus bets if your first bet loses for NBA, NHL and MLB betting. These promotions reflect the growing intersection between sports betting and NHL coverage, as fans look to engage with the games through various platforms