NHL announces conference‑final schedule scenarios

The NHL on May 14 released schedule scenarios for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs conference finals, setting alternate start dates in the East and a fixed opener in the West. The league said the Eastern Conference final will pit the Carolina Hurricanes against either the Buffalo Sabres or Montreal Canadiens and will begin in Raleigh on either May 19 or May 21, depending on when that second-round series ends. Colorado’s place in the Western Conference final was confirmed after the Avalanche advanced on May 14 with a 4-3 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild. The NHL said the Western Conference final will begin May 20 in Denver against either the Vegas Golden Knights or Anaheim Ducks. ### Why are there two different start dates for the Eastern final? The NHL said the Eastern Conference final starts Tuesday, May 19, if the Buffalo-Montreal series is decided in six games. The same series shifts to a Thursday, May 21 opener if it goes the distance and is decided in seven games, according to the league’s bulletin. Carolina already has home-ice advantage in that series. The Hurricanes, identified by the NHL as the Metropolitan Division regular-season champion, will host Games 1 and 2 in Raleigh under either scenario, with the rest of the dates moving back accordingly. ### What does the East schedule look like in each scenario? The NHL listed May 19, May 21, May 23 and May 25 as the first four possible dates if Buffalo or Montreal clinches in Game 6. The if-necessary games in that version would be May 27, May 29 and May 31. The May 21 scenario begins with Games 1 and 2 on May 21 and May 23 in Raleigh. In that version, Games 3 and 4 would be May 25 and May 27, and if-necessary games would be May 29, May 31 and June 2. Broadcast plans were also included. The NHL said Eastern final games are slated for TNT, truTV, HBO Max, Sportsnet, CBC and TVA Sports, with several start times still listed as to be determined. ### Why is the Western final already locked in? Colorado secured the first Western Conference berth on May 14. NHL.com said the Avalanche reached the conference final for the first time since 2022 after Brett Kulak scored the overtime winner in a 4-3 Game 5 victory over Minnesota in Denver. The NHL’s May 14 bulletin set a full Western Conference final framework because one side of the matchup is already known. The series will open Wednesday, May 20, at 8 p.m. ET in Denver, with Game 2 on May 22 and Game 3 on May 24 at either Vegas or Anaheim. ### Who can still fill the two open spots? Carolina is already through in the East. (nhl.com) NHL.com said the Hurricanes advanced on May 9 by sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers and will face either Buffalo or Montreal in the conference final. Montreal moved closer to that spot on May 14. NHL.com said the Canadiens beat the Sabres 6-3 in Game 5 at KeyBank Center behind a goal and two assists from Nick Suzuki, taking a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. (nhl.com) Colorado is waiting on the Vegas-Anaheim winner in the West. The NHL schedule page listed a Golden Knights-Ducks Game 7 for Saturday, May 16, after Vegas took a 3-2 series lead. (nhl.com) ### What has the league not announced yet? The NHL said the confirmed conference-final schedule will be announced once the matchups are determined. The league also said all listed times are subject to change, and several games in both brackets still carry TBD start times. (nhl.com) Friday, May 15, is the next date that can settle part of the bracket. (nhl.com) The NHL schedule lists Montreal at Buffalo for Game 6 at 8 p.m. ET, with a Buffalo win forcing Game 7 on Monday, May 18. (nhl.com)