NHL sets conference finals schedule

The NHL released its full 2026 conference finals schedule on May 19, locking in an Eastern Conference matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens after Montreal’s Game 7 win over Buffalo. Game 1 is set for Thursday, May 21, at 8 p.m. ET in Raleigh, with Game 2 on Saturday, May 23, at 7 p.m. ET. The series then moves to Montreal for Games 3 and 4 on May 25 and May 27, both scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. ### How did the NHL end up confirming the Eastern final this week? The league had announced schedule scenarios on May 14 because Carolina’s opponent was still unresolved. The NHL said then that the Eastern Conference Final would begin either May 19 or May 21 in Raleigh, depending on whether Buffalo-Montreal ended in six games or seven. (nhl.com) Montreal settled that question on Monday, May 18, when Alex Newhook scored at 11:22 of overtime to give the Canadiens a 3-2 win over the Sabres in Game 7 at KeyBank Center. That result pushed the Eastern final start to Thursday, May 21. ### What exactly is the game-by-game schedule? NHL.com listed Game 1 in Carolina on Thursday, May 21, at 8 p.m. (nhl.com) ET and Game 2 in Carolina on Saturday, May 23, at 7 p.m. ET. Game 3 in Montreal is Monday, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET, and Game 4 in Montreal is Wednesday, May 27, at 8 p.m. ET. (nhl.com) If the series goes longer, Game 5 is Friday, May 29, in Carolina at 8 p.m. ET, Game 6 is Sunday, May 31, in Montreal at a time still listed as TBD, and Game 7 is Tuesday, June 2, in Carolina at 8 p.m. ET. NHL.com said the games will air in the United States on TNT, truTV and HBO Max, with Canadian coverage on Sportsnet, CBC and TVA Sports. (nhl.com) ### Why does Carolina have home ice? Carolina finished as the Metropolitan Division regular-season champion and the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 53-22-7 record for 113 points, according to the Hurricanes’ team site. Montreal entered the playoffs as the third-place team in the Atlantic Division at 48-24-10 for 106 points. (nhl.com) The Hurricanes also reached the round with extra rest. Carolina swept the Ottawa Senators in the first round and the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round, and the club said it became the first team in NHL history to sweep each of its first two best-of-seven series en route to a conference final. (nhl.com) ### What is the recent playoff history between these teams? Carolina and Montreal last met in a postseason series in 2006, according to NHL.com’s series look-ahead. The Hurricanes won that first-round matchup in six games and went on to win the Stanley Cup that year. The Hurricanes’ site said the teams have met three times in the postseason since the franchise moved to North Carolina in 1997. (nhl.com) Carolina also beat Montreal in six games in the 2002 Eastern Conference semifinal before advancing to the Stanley Cup Final. ### What does Montreal bring into the series? (nhl.com) Montreal reached the conference final after surviving a seven-game second-round series against Buffalo. Newhook’s overtime winner on Monday sent the Canadiens into the Eastern final and ended Buffalo’s season. The Canadiens also bring the league’s deepest championship history. (nhl.com) ESPN’s conference-finals preview noted that Montreal owns an NHL-record 24 Stanley Cup titles. Thursday, May 21, is the next date on the calendar, when Montreal opens the series on the road against Carolina at Lenovo Center in Raleigh. (nhl.com) If needed, the series can run through Game 7 on Tuesday, June 2. (nhl.com) (espn.com)