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NHL Hockey 8 Hours

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11 articles summarized · Last updated: LATEST

Last updated: May 23, 2026, 5:43 PM ET

Playoff Digest

The Montreal Canadiens dominated Game 1 against the Hurricanes, and defenseman Jaccob Slavin admitted as much, saying he handed the Canadiens the game after an uncharacteristic defensive breakdown. Montreal now needs just seven more wins to hoist the Stanley Cup, with contributions coming from across the roster, not any single star. Sports Line's model has since weighed in with its picks for Saturday's Game, and ESPN's panel of experts weighed in on both series, with the Canadiens-Knights matchup drawing particular attention after Colorado's 3-1 loss to Vegas in Game. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar lamented missed chances to extend a 1-0 lead, calling the defeat frustrating after the team appeared to have the game under control.

Betting & Odds

With the penultimate round tipping off Saturday betting operators are offering sharp incentives and aggressive first-bet guarantees to attract action on the Canadiens-Hurricanes and Knicks-Cavaliers. Draft Kings is running a $100 bonus-bet offer triggered by a $5 first wager, while Bet MGM's CBSSPORTS promo code delivers $1,500 in bonus bets if the initial stake loses. Sports Line's model has already posted its Game 2 predictions, reflecting a market that sees Montreal as the side to back after the emphatic Game.

International Hockey

At the IIHF World Championship, Latvia upset the United States 4-2 as Sandis Vilmanis scored two empty-net goals, handing the defending champions their third loss of the tournament. The U.S. entered the game as heavy favorites, making the result one of the event's biggest shocks. Canada, meanwhile, extended its perfect run to 5-0 with a 3-1 win over Slovenia, further cementing their status as tournament favorites heading into the knockout round.

Collectibles

In the world of hockey memorabilia, an autographed 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie card sold for $540,000 including buyer's premium at Fanatics Collect's May Premier Auction, shattering the previous record for an autographed hockey card. The sale signals continued appetite for high-end vintage NHL collectibles among a deep-pocketed collector base.