The field remaining to claim the Stanley Cup is down to five. Only two teams remain out West as the Colorado Avalanche are set to face the Vegas Golden Knights in the conference final. Meanwhile in the East, the Carolina Hurricanes await either the Montreal Canadiens or the Buffalo Sabres.
Western Conference: Avalanche vs Golden Knights
The Avs have been arguably the best team in the league all season. They swept the Kings out of the first round before they knocked out the Wild in the second round. Colorado closed out the Minnesota series with an astonishing three-goal comeback in Game 5.
The Vegas Golden Knights found themselves in a tight battle with the Anaheim Ducks through four games with the series tied at 2-2, but Vegas rattled off two straight wins to advance. Mitch Marner was the engine for the Golden Knights offense, tallying 11 points in the series.
Eastern Conference: Hurricanes Await Opponent
The Hurricanes were the top seed in the East and have proved it so far. They are a perfect 8-0 to start the playoffs. Under the current format that began in 1975, no team has ever gone a perfect 16-0 through to winning the Cup. The closest team to doing so was the 1987-88 Edmonton Oilers, who went 16-2.
Now, the Canes await either the Canadiens or the Sabres in the conference final. Buffalo blew out Montreal, 8-3, in the Bell Centre on Saturday night to force a Game 7. The winner of that game will move on to face the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final.
2026 NHL Playoffs Schedule
Western Conference Final
(1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (1) Vegas Golden Knights
- Game 1: Wednesday, May 20 | at COL | 8 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 2: Friday, May 22 | at COL | 8 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 3: Sunday, May 24 | at VGK | 8 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 4: Tuesday, May 26 | at VGK | 9 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 5: Thursday, May 28 | at COL | 8 p.m. | ESPN
- Game 6: Saturday, May 30 | at VGK | 8 p.m. | ABC
- Game 7: Monday, June 1 | at COL | 8 p.m. | ESPN
Eastern Conference Final
(1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. TBD
Waiting on winner of Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens (Game 7: Monday, May 18 | at BUF | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN)