May 26 NHL Playoffs Schedule Sets Stage for Potential Sweeps

Colorado Avalanche trail the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in the Western Conference final ahead of Game 4 on Tuesday, May 26 at 9 p.m. ET.

Vegas captured Game 3 by a 5-3 score on Sunday to extend its series lead. The Golden Knights have now won three consecutive postseason meetings against Colorado dating back to the 2023 conference final.

Vegas Eyes Sweep and Stanley Cup Final Berth

Game 4 at T-Mobile Arena carries heavy implications. A Vegas win would secure the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl and advance the club to its second Stanley Cup final in four seasons. Colorado has scored just six goals across the first three games.

Vegas leads the series after victories of 4-2, 3-1 and 5-3. The Golden Knights outscored the Avalanche 12-6 in that span. Colorado must win four straight to force a Game 7, a task achieved only twice in NHL history by teams down 0-3.

Mitch Marner tops all playoff scorers with 21 points in 15 games. Teammate Jack Eichel sits second with 18 points in the same number of contests. Nathan MacKinnon leads Colorado with 15 points in 12 games.

BetMGM lists Colorado at -115 and Vegas at -105 for Game 4.

Carolina Maintains Momentum in East Final

The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in overtime on Monday to grab a 2-1 series lead. Andrei Svechnikov scored his second goal of the playoffs, and Carolina outshot Montreal 38-13.

Montreal had taken the first two games by scores of 6-2 and 2-3 before Carolina responded with consecutive overtime wins. Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday in Raleigh.

Nick Suzuki leads Montreal with 16 points in 17 games. Lane Hutson has 15 points in the same span. Carolina holds home-ice advantage for the remainder of the best-of-seven series.

BetMGM posts Carolina at -140 and Montreal at +115 for Game 4.

Leading Playoff Scorers Heading Into May 26

Mitch Marner of Vegas leads all players with 21 points. Jack Eichel follows with 18 points. Nick Suzuki of Montreal ranks third with 16 points.

Five players are tied with 15 points: Kirill Kaprizov, Quinn Hughes, Nathan MacKinnon, Tage Thompson and Lane Hutson. The totals reflect performances through games completed by May 25.