Current playoff picture

Eastern Conference

• Carolina Hurricanes advanced to the Eastern Conference Final after sweeping the Philadelphia Flyers 4-0.
• Montreal Canadiens lead the Buffalo Sabres series 3-2 after a 6-3 win in Game 5 on Thursday night. Game 6 is Saturday in Montreal.

Western Conference

• Colorado Avalanche eliminated the Minnesota Wild 4-1.

Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 after a 5-1 Game 6 victory.

Upcoming games

Saturday, May 16

• Buffalo at Montreal — Game 6 — 8:00 PM ET

Western Conference Final

• Colorado vs Vegas begins May 20 in Denver.

Biggest storylines right now

• Montreal is one win away from the Eastern Conference Final.
• Carolina remains undefeated in the playoffs at 8-0.

Vegas enters the conference final with strong momentum after back-to-back series wins.

The defending champion Florida Panthers missed the playoffs entirely this season.

Latest playoff headlines

• The Colorado Avalanche eliminated the Minnesota Wild in dramatic fashion with a 4-3 overtime comeback win and are headed to the Western Conference Final.

The Vegas Golden Knights lead the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 after Pavel Dorofeyev scored the OT winner in Game 5.

The Carolina Hurricanes swept the Philadelphia Flyers and became the first team into the Eastern Conference Final.

The Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens series is tied after Buffalo’s recent 3-2 win.

Tonight’s key games

• Canadiens at Sabres
• Golden Knights at Ducks

Conference finals picture

Eastern Conference

• Hurricanes vs winner of Sabres/Canadiens

Western Conference

• Avalanche vs winner of Golden Knights/Ducks

Big surprises this postseason

• The defending champion Florida Panthers missed the playoffs entirely.
• The Toronto Maple Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
• The Ducks and Sabres both ended long playoff droughts this season.

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are deep into the second round, and there’s already been one sweep.

Latest playoff headlines

• The Carolina Hurricanes swept the Philadelphia Flyers 4-0 and became the first team to reach the Eastern Conference Final.

The Montreal Canadiens lead the Buffalo Sabres series 2-1 after a dominant 6-2 Game 3 win.

The Anaheim Ducks tied their series 2-2 against the Vegas Golden Knights with a 4-3 win in Game 4.

The Colorado Avalanche currently lead the Minnesota Wild series 2-1.

Current second-round series

Big surprise stories this postseason include the Canadiens’ playoff run, Anaheim ending Vegas’ momentum, and Carolina staying undefeated through two rounds.

 The honest call:

Buffalo Sabres in 7 games

 Why Buffalo (slight edge)

• Special teams difference ⚡
  Their power play has already made an impact — that usually decides tight playoff series.
• Physical wear-down factor 💪
  Over a long series, Buffalo’s heavier style can slow down Montreal’s speed.
• Blue line control
  With players like Rasmus Dahlin, they can dictate pace and possession.

 Why Montreal can absolutely flip this

• Clutch factor is real
  Montreal Canadiens already proved they can win elimination games.
• Game-breakers
  Cole Caufield only needs one look to change a game.
• Leadership
  Nick Suzuki has been playing like a true playoff driver.

What decides Game 7

If it gets there (likely):

• If it’s tight, low scoring → edge Montreal
• If it’s physical + special teams battle → edge Buffalo

 Final Take

This is basically a coin flip series, but:

👉 Buffalo has a slight structural advantage
👉 Montreal has the higher upset potential

Prediction: Sabres win a tight Game 7 — but don’t be surprised if the Canadiens steal it.