NHL Hockey 8 Hours

Last updated: May 14, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

NHL Coaching Upheaval & Betting Markets

The Edmonton Oilers made a stunning move by firing head coach Kris Knoblauch immediately following the conclusion of the 2025 season, despite him guiding the franchise to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances in both 2024 and 2025, according to sources confirming the dismissal prior to his extension taking effect. This abrupt decision, viewed by some analysts as merely a superficial response, raises serious questions about General Manager Stan Bowman's broader roster construction failures that necessitated such a drastic coaching change after two deep playoff runs. Meanwhile, bettors to potential future NHL playoff action can access $1,500 in bonus bets via the Bet MGM promo code CBSSPORTS for Thursday's slate, while Draft Kings offers new users an instant $100 credit after a minimal $5 wager targeting current MLB games alongside NHL playoff lines.

Mid-Week Schedule Insights

For those looking to engage with the current NHL offerings, expert projections and betting models are available for matchups such as the Buffalo Sabres taking on the Montreal Canadiens, alongside the Golden Knights versus the Ducks, providing detailed prop bets and moneyline recommendations based on the Sports Line Projection Model for Thursday's action across the league.