NHL Hockey 8 Hours

Last updated: May 22, 2026, 2:48 PM ET

International & NHL Playoff Headlines

Canada improved to 5-0 at the ice hockey world championship with a 3-1 victory over Slovenia, extending their perfect start in the tournament. In a major NHL development, Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was ruled out for Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against Vegas, a significant blow to Colorado's defensive corps. This injury casts a shadow over the contest, with analysts immediately adjusting series predictions and betting lines. The Golden Knights now enter Friday's game as slight favorites, a shift directly tied to Makar's absence.

Front Office & League Moves

The PWHL's expansion into Hamilton, Ontario, took shape with the hiring of former U.S. Olympian Meghan Duggan as the franchise's first general manager. Duggan departs her role with the NHL's New Jersey Devils to build the new team's operations. Her appointment signals the league's continued strategic push into new Canadian markets, leveraging her playing pedigree and recent NHL front-office experience to establish a foundation for the Hamilton club ahead of its debut.

Betting Landscape Shifts

The sports betting market reacted swiftly to Makar's status, with same-game parlay options and moneyline odds for Game 2 seeing immediate movement. Sportsbooks like Bet MGM and Draft Kings promoted heavily, offering bonus bets tied to Friday's NHL playoff action, while predictive models updated their picks to reflect Colorado's defensive vulnerability without its star blue-liner. The injury created a clear volatility point for in-game wagering.