Avalanche to face Golden Knights in West final

Colorado and Vegas reached the NHL’s Western Conference final on consecutive nights this week, setting up a series between two of the league’s most established contenders. The Avalanche eliminated the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in overtime in Game 5 on May 13, and the Golden Knights closed out the Anaheim Ducks 5-1 in Game 6 on May 14. The NHL has scheduled Game 1 for Wednesday, May 20, in Colorado. Betting markets updated Friday listed Colorado among the Stanley Cup favorites, with Carolina and Vegas also near the top. ### How did Colorado get here? Brett Kulak scored 3:52 into overtime on May 13 to give Colorado a 4-3 win over Minnesota and a 4-1 series victory, according to NHL.com. The Avalanche advanced after erasing a three-goal deficit at Ball Arena, with Nathan MacKinnon tying the game late in regulation. Colorado closed the second round in five games after opening the series with back-to-back wins and then recovering from a lopsided Game 3 loss. The Avalanche will have home ice in the conference final, with Games 1, 2, 5 and 7, if necessary, set for Denver. ### What did Vegas show in the clincher against Anaheim? Pavel Dorofeyev scored twice in the third period on May 14 as Vegas beat Anaheim 5-1 at Honda Center and won that series 4-2, NHL.com said. (nhl.com) The Golden Knights built a 3-0 lead in the first period on goals from Mitch Marner, Brett Howden and Shea Theodore before Dorofeyev added the final two. (nhl.com) Carter Hart stopped 31 shots in the clincher, and Mitch Marner assisted on Vegas’ first two goals. Anaheim outshot Vegas 32-21, but the Ducks’ first playoff appearance since 2018 ended one round short of the conference final. ### When does the series start, and where are the games? The NHL schedule released May 14 lists Game 1 for Wednesday, May 20, in Colorado at 6 p.m. (nhl.com) Mountain time, followed by Game 2 on Friday, May 22, also in Denver. Games 3 and 4 are set for May 24 and May 26 in Vegas. Games 5 through 7, if necessary, are scheduled for May 28 in Colorado, May 30 in Vegas and June 1 in Colorado. (nhl.com) ESPN and the ESPN App are listed for Games 1 through 5 and Game 7, while Game 6 is set for ABC and the ESPN App. ### What do the betting markets say entering the matchup? Betting odds published Friday by Covers and carried by Yahoo Sports listed Colorado at +130 to win the Stanley Cup, Carolina at +160 and Vegas at +575. (nhl.com) Those prices were posted after Colorado eliminated Minnesota and Vegas finished off Anaheim. The same market update said Vegas’ number shortened from +675 to +575 after the Ducks series ended, while Colorado moved from +150 to +130 after advancing. (nhl.com) Sportsbook prices vary by operator, but the update placed the Avalanche first and the Golden Knights third among the remaining teams. ### What makes this matchup the next focal point in the West? (sports.yahoo.com) Colorado and Vegas entered the conference final after taking different routes through the second round. The Avalanche needed overtime in their clincher after trailing 3-0, while the Golden Knights controlled Game 6 early with three first-period goals. NHL.com’s conference final preview published Friday described the teams as well matched ahead of the series. (sports.yahoo.com) The league’s schedule and ticket-sale announcements from both clubs also underscored that the matchup was set by Friday morning. Game 1 between the Avalanche and Golden Knights is set for May 20 in Denver, and the winner of the best-of-seven series will advance to the Stanley Cup Final. (nhl.com 1) (nhl.com 2) (nhl.com 3)