The Conference Finals are set. After Montreal eliminated Buffalo in Game 7, four teams remain in the hunt for the Stanley Cup: the Carolina Hurricanes in the East and the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche in the West.
Let us start in the Eastern Conference.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes made quick work of Ottawa and Philadelphia, closing out their second-round series on May 9. That left them with a 12-day layoff before the conference final. In a 26-day span, Carolina played just five games.
Montreal has reason for confidence. The Canadiens won all three regular-season meetings against Carolina after the calendar turned, outscoring the Hurricanes 15-8. The goaltenders those nights stopped a dismal 75.0 per cent of shots, but even expected goals favoured Montreal at 50.5 per cent.
The top line delivered. Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Nick Suzuki combined for eight goals in those three games.
Carolina, though, remains formidable. In five seasons under Rod Brind'Amour, the Hurricanes rank second in goals conceded and first in expected goals conceded. Frederik Andersen has been sharp this postseason, saving 95.0 per cent of shots and posting a plus-15 goals saved above expected.
Logan Stankoven, acquired in the Mikko Rantanen trade, has carried the load. He has seven goals in eight games, and his line with Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake holds an 11-1 goal differential.
Pick: Carolina in six.
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche
Colorado dismantled Dallas (112 points) and Minnesota (104 points). But Vegas already has one playoff upset of Colorado, eliminating the Avalanche in six games during their Presidents' Trophy 2020-21 season.
Vegas found stability in goal. Carter Hart stopped 89.1 per cent of shots, delivering 8.5 goals saved above expected. The power play generated 9.6 goals per 60 minutes, third best in the regular season.
The forward core remains dangerous. Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner and Tomas Hertl create chances, and Pavel Dorofeyev has nine postseason goals.
Colorado's tandem of Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood saved 91.0 per cent of shots, finishing 50 goals above expected and claiming the Jennings Trophy.
Pick: Colorado in seven.