NHL sets conference finals schedule

The NHL has set the Stanley Cup conference finals, and the bracket is now down to four teams. The Western Conference final opens Wednesday, May 20, with the Vegas Golden Knights visiting the Colorado Avalanche at 8 p.m. ET. The Eastern Conference final begins Thursday, May 21, with the Montreal Canadiens at the Carolina Hurricanes, also at 8 p.m. ET. The league posted the full best-of-seven schedules and broadcast listings on NHL.com, and Sportsnet published the same matchups and dates after Montreal clinched the last remaining berth Monday night. ### Which teams are left, and how did the field get here? Montreal completed the final-four field on May 19 when Alex Newhook scored in overtime of Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres, according to NHL.com. That set the Eastern Conference final as Canadiens-Hurricanes. Carolina had already advanced after sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers, while the Western Conference matchup had been locked in earlier with Colorado against Vegas. (nhl.com) Sportsnet said the final four are Carolina and Montreal in the East, and Colorado and Vegas in the West. NHL.com lists Carolina as the Metropolitan Division regular-season champion and the top remaining seed in the East, while Vegas and Colorado meet in a series between division winners in the West. ### When do the conference finals start? (nhl.com) Colorado hosts Vegas in Game 1 on Wednesday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET. Game 2 stays in Colorado on Friday, May 22 at 8 p.m. ET, before the series shifts to Las Vegas for Games 3 and 4 on May 24 and May 26. If needed, Games 5 through 7 are scheduled for May 28, May 30 and June 1. (sportsnet.ca) Carolina opens at home against Montreal on Thursday, May 21 at 8 p.m. ET. Game 2 is set for Saturday, May 23 at 7 p.m. ET, and Games 3 and 4 move to Montreal on May 25 and May 27. If necessary, Games 5 through 7 are scheduled for May 29, May 31 and June 2. ### Where will the games be shown? NHL.com lists ESPN as the U.S. carrier for the first five Western Conference final games, with ABC carrying a potential Game 6 and ESPN a potential Game 7. (nhl.com) In Canada, Sportsnet, CBC and TVA Sports are listed for every game in that series. TNT, HBO Max and truTV are listed by NHL.com for every scheduled Eastern Conference final game in the United States. (nhl.com) In Canada, Sportsnet, CBC and TVA Sports are listed for Games 1 through 5 and a possible Game 7, while a possible Game 6 is listed on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. ### Why did the East schedule firm up later than the West? (nhl.com) May 18 was the publication date on the NHL schedule post, but the league had announced conference-final schedule scenarios on May 14 because one Eastern semifinal was still unresolved. That earlier notice said Carolina would face either Buffalo or Montreal and that the East final would begin either May 19 or May 21 in Raleigh. Montreal’s Game 7 win finalized the opponent and locked the series into the later start. (nhl.com) Sportsnet described the conference-final schedule as preliminary before the last second-round game was completed. After Montreal advanced, the full third-round slate was posted with the final matchup and dates. ### What comes next on the calendar? Wednesday, May 20 is the next date on the playoff schedule, with Vegas at Colorado in Game 1 of the Western Conference final at 8 p.m. (nhl.com) ET. Thursday, May 21 brings Montreal at Carolina in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final, also at 8 p.m. ET. The league’s full schedule page and conference-finals post list all dates, start times and “if necessary” games through June 2. (nhl.com) (sportsnet.ca)