NHL Hockey 8 Hours

Last updated: May 20, 2026, 2:44 PM ET

Western Conference Finals Drama

The Avalanche will open their Western Conference finals series against the Golden Knights on Wednesday night, but star defenseman Cale Makar will miss Game 1 due to a lingering injury, forcing the Colorado roster to shuffle its defensive core and raising questions about depth against a team that has yet to lose on home ice in Stanley Cup playoff history. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights, riding a 17‑game home‑ice streak, will look to capitalize on the absence of Makar and maintain their perfect record while the Avalanche attempt to break a long‑standing home‑ice advantage that has kept them undefeated in the playoffs. Analysts highlight that Makar’s absence could tilt the balance in a series where goalies’ confidence ratings are already a focal point, as the playoffs’ semifinal round begins Wednesday and all four clubs’ goaltending prospects are under scrutiny.

East Coast Respite and Betting Frenzy

The Hurricanes, after sweeping their first two playoff series, will experience an 11‑day layoff before facing the Canadiens in Game, the longest break since 1919. This extended rest could offer the Hurricanes a rare opportunity to recover from a grueling early postseason, yet it also risks disrupting the team’s momentum and rhythm in a tightly contested Eastern Conference race. On the betting side, sportsbooks are rolling out promotions for the same night’s marquee matchups: Bet MGM offers a $1,500 bonus bet for first‑time wagers that lose on NBA, NHL, and MLB games if the customer uses the CBSSPORTS code, while Draft Kings provides an instant $100 bonus after a $5 wager, targeting the Thunder‑Spurs and Avalanche‑Golden Knights games that night. These incentives reflect the high betting volume surrounding the playoff fixtures, as well as the growing interest in the NHL’s late‑season clashes.