Eastern Conference Final: Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes
The Canadiens surprised many with their strong start to the series. Montreal jumped out to an early lead in Game 1 and never looked back.
- Game 1: Montreal 6 at Carolina 2
- Game 2: Montreal at Carolina – 7:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, May 23
- Game 3: Carolina at Montreal – 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday, May 25
- Game 4: Carolina at Montreal – 8:00 p.m. ET, Wednesday, May 27
- Game 5:* Montreal at Carolina – 8:00 p.m. ET, Friday, May 29
- Game 6:* Carolina at Montreal – TBD, Sunday, May 31
- Game 7:* Montreal at Carolina – 8:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, June 2
*if necessary
The Hurricanes will look to even the series on home ice in Game 2. Carolina has shown resilience throughout the postseason, but they must tighten up defensively after allowing six goals in the opener.
Montreal’s offensive depth has been a key factor so far. The Canadiens will aim to maintain momentum as they travel back to Carolina for the next contest.
Western Conference Final: Vegas Golden Knights vs Colorado Avalanche
Vegas has controlled the series early with efficient play on both ends of the ice. The Golden Knights secured victories in the first two games at Ball Arena, putting Colorado in an early hole.
- Game 1: Vegas 4 at Colorado 2
- Game 2: Vegas 3 at Colorado 1
- Game 3: Colorado at Vegas – 8:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, May 24
- Game 4: Colorado at Vegas – 9:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, May 26
- Game 5:* Vegas at Colorado – 8:00 p.m. ET, Thursday, May 28
- Game 6:* Colorado at Vegas – 8:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, May 30
- Game 7:* Vegas at Colorado – 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday, June 1
*if necessary
Colorado faces a must-win situation when the series shifts to Vegas for Game 3. The Avalanche have historically performed well in high-pressure situations and will need their top players to step up.
Vegas, meanwhile, will try to extend its lead with strong goaltending and timely scoring. The Golden Knights have built a reputation for thriving in playoff environments.
Key Storylines Heading Into the Series
Several factors will shape the outcomes of these conference finals. Goaltending stands out as a critical element, with both series featuring experienced netminders who can steal games.
Special teams play could also prove decisive. Power-play efficiency and penalty-kill units have made the difference in previous rounds.
Fan excitement continues to build across the league as these matchups unfold. The path to the Stanley Cup Final narrows with each game.
These conference finals represent the culmination of months of competition. The winners will carry momentum into the championship round.
For more on earlier playoff action, see our coverage of the second round results. Additional details are available from the official NHL schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.