NHL lists conference-final matchups

The NHL’s conference-final picture is now fully posted, with Montreal facing Carolina in the Eastern Conference Final and Vegas meeting Colorado in the Western Conference Final. NHL.com’s playoff schedule page lists the dates, start times, broadcast outlets and results for both best-of-seven series. As of Sunday, May 24, the East series was tied 1-1 and Vegas held a 2-0 lead in the West. The schedule also sets the next games through early June, if needed. ### Which teams are left in the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Montreal and Carolina are the last two teams in the East, according to the NHL’s conference-final series page. Vegas and Colorado are the final two in the West, the league’s bracket and series coverage pages show. The NHL had outlined those conference-final scenarios on May 14, saying Carolina would host the Eastern Conference Final beginning either May 19 or May 21 depending on the opponent. Montreal ultimately advanced to face the Hurricanes, while Vegas and Colorado set the Western matchup. ### What has already happened in the East? (nhl.com) Montreal won Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final 6-2 at Carolina on Thursday, May 21, the NHL’s series page and gamecenter show. The same series page lists Carolina’s 3-2 overtime win in Game 2 on Saturday, May 23, which left the matchup tied 1-1 heading into Montreal’s home games. (nhl.com) NHL.com’s main playoff scoreboard on Sunday showed Montreal entering the next game with home ice for Games 3 and 4, scheduled for May 25 and May 27. The network listings there show TNT, truTV and HBO Max for the Eastern series broadcasts in the United States. ### Why is Vegas in the strongest position right now? Vegas took the first two games in Denver, including a 3-1 win in Game 2 on Friday, May 22, NHL.com reported. (nhl.com) Ivan Barbashev scored twice, including the go-ahead goal, and the Golden Knights scored three times in the third period. The NHL’s Morning Skate roundup on May 23 said Barbashev and Jack Eichel led a late rally that gave Vegas a 2-0 lead over the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche. (nhl.com) The league said it was Vegas’ fourth third-period comeback win of the postseason. ### What does the schedule say for the next few games? Sunday, May 24, is set for Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, with Colorado at Vegas at 8 p.m. (nhl.com) ET on ESPN, according to NHL.com’s main scoreboard and conference-final schedule page. Game 4 in that series is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, in Vegas, with later games set for May 28, May 30 and June 1 if necessary. (media.nhl.com) Monday, May 25, is set for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final, with Carolina at Montreal, and Game 4 is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27. The NHL’s series page lists Game 5 for Friday, May 29, with Games 6 and 7, if necessary, on May 31 and June 2. ### Where is the official schedule and TV information? (nhl.com) NHL.com’s conference-finals schedule page is the league’s running reference for dates, times, television listings and results. The site also links to series-specific coverage pages and gamecenters for box scores, recaps and lineup information. (nhl.com) June 1 and June 2 are the listed dates for potential Game 7s in the West and East, respectively, on NHL.com’s schedule pages. Until then, the next named participants are Colorado and Vegas on Sunday night, followed by Carolina and Montreal on Monday. (nhl.com)