NHL Playoffs 2026: Sweeps on the Horizon as Avalanche and Hurricanes Dominate

<h2>NHL Playoffs 2026: Sweeps on the Horizon as Avalanche and Hurricanes Dominate</h2> <p>The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are delivering the intensity we expect, but two series might be wrapping up much earlier than anticipated. Thursday night saw the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes push their respective opponents to the brink of elimination, taking commanding 3-0 series leads.</p> <p>Let's break down the action and see where the betting value lies as we head into the weekend at My Bet Assist.</p> <h3>Avalanche Push Kings to the Brink</h3> <p>If you've been betting the Colorado Avalanche this series, you're sitting pretty. The Avs secured a <strong>4-2 victory</strong> over the Los Angeles Kings in Game 3, proving once again why they are a nightmare matchup.</p> <p>Cale Makar broke a 1-1 tie in the second period with the go-ahead goal, and Artturi Lehkonen delivered a back-breaking shorthanded goal in the third. Gabriel Landeskog opened the scoring early, and Brock Nelson added an empty-netter to seal it. Scott Wedgewood was solid between the pipes with 24 saves.</p> <p>The Kings fought hard, getting goals from Trevor Moore and Adrian Kempe (on the power play), but Colorado's depth and structure proved too much.</p> <p><strong>Betting Takeaway:</strong> The Avalanche are a juggernaut right now and heavy favorites to finish the sweep in Game 4. If you're looking for value, consider the under &mdash; the Kings will likely play a desperate, tight-checking game to avoid elimination on home ice.</p> <h3>Hurricanes One Win Away from Sweep</h3> <p>The Carolina Hurricanes are quietly dismantling the Ottawa Senators. A <strong>2-1 victory</strong> in Game 3 gives them a 3-0 series lead, and they look like a team on a mission.</p> <p>Logan Stankoven opened the scoring for Carolina in the first period, and Jackson Blake netted the game-winner late in the second. Drake Batherson scored Ottawa's lone goal, but the Hurricanes outshot the Senators 27-22 and controlled the pace of play throughout.</p> <p><strong>Betting Takeaway:</strong> Carolina is simply too deep and too structured for Ottawa. The Senators will be fighting for their playoff lives, but the Hurricanes are the clear favorites to close it out. Look at the under here as well &mdash; Carolina's defense has been stifling throughout the series.</p> <h3>Sabres Take the Lead Over Bruins</h3> <p>The Buffalo Sabres are officially making waves. After a long playoff drought, they've taken a <strong>2-1 series lead</strong> over the Boston Bruins with a convincing 3-1 victory in Game 3.</p> <p>Bowen Byram scored the go-ahead goal in the second period after Tanner Jeannot tied the game. Alex Tuch added insurance in the third, and Noah Ostlund sealed it with an empty-netter. The Sabres outshot the Bruins 30-25 and looked like the faster, hungrier team all night.</p> <p><strong>Betting Takeaway:</strong> This series is a battle of attrition. The Bruins have the experience, but the Sabres have the momentum and the energy of a franchise that hasn't tasted playoff success in years. If Buffalo is a home underdog in Game 4, there's real value in backing them on the moneyline.</p> <h3>Thursday's NHL Playoff Scoreboard</h3> <table style="width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin:16px 0;"> <tr style="background:#1a1a2e; color:#fff;"><th style="padding:8px; text-align:left;">Matchup</th><th style="padding:8px;">Score</th><th style="padding:8px;">Series</th></tr> <tr><td style="padding:8px;">Buffalo at Boston</td><td style="padding:8px; text-align:center;">BUF 3, BOS 1</td><td style="padding:8px; text-align:center;">BUF leads 2-1</td></tr> <tr style="background:#f5f5f5;"><td style="padding:8px;">Carolina at Ottawa</td><td style="padding:8px; text-align:center;">CAR 2, OTT 1</td><td style="padding:8px; text-align:center;">CAR leads 3-0</td></tr> <tr><td style="padding:8px;">Colorado at Los Angeles</td><td style="padding:8px; text-align:center;">COL 4, LAK 2</td><td style="padding:8px; text-align:center;">COL leads 3-0</td></tr> </table> <hr/> <p><strong>Related reading:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="/blog/nhl-playoffs-utah-mammoth-first-home-win-ducks-canadiens-april-2026">NHL Playoffs 2026: First Round Preview and Betting Breakdown</a></li> <li><a href="/blog/nhl-playoffs-hurricanes-sweep-senators-boldy-ot-wild-stars-april-25-2026">NHL Playoff Betting Preview: Best Series Prices and First-Round Edges</a></li> </ul>