Eastern Conference Final

• Montreal Canadiens lead/opened strongly after taking Game 1 against Carolina Hurricanes.
• Montreal jumped out with a big offensive start and held on for the win.

Western Conference Final

• Vegas Golden Knights lead the series 2–0 over Colorado Avalanche.
• Vegas won Game 2 by a 3–1 score after a third-period comeback led by Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev.

Colorado is also dealing with injuries, including continued absence for Cale Makar in Game 2.

Big storylines

• Montreal has become a surprise contender after surviving multiple tough series.

Vegas has grabbed momentum despite injury concerns of its own.

So right now the road to the Stanley Cup looks like:

🏒 Montreal vs Carolina → series underway
🏒 Vegas 2–0 Colorado

Tonight’s Game 2 is Avalanche at Golden Knights at 8 p.m. ET, and the next Eastern final game is Canadiens at Hurricanes on Saturday, May 23 at 7 p.m. ET.

Reuters

Canadiens’ attack stuns Hurricanes in East finals opener

Today

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Colorado Avalanche captain Nathan MacKinnon reacts angrily following Vegas Golden Knights NHL Game 1 defeat

Today

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are down to the Conference Finals with four teams remaining:

Eastern Conference Final

• Carolina Hurricanes vs. Montreal Canadiens
• Carolina enters the series undefeated in the playoffs at 8-0.
• Montreal advanced after a dramatic Game 7 overtime win over Buffalo.

Western Conference Final

• Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights
• Colorado eliminated Minnesota in five games.
• Vegas knocked out Anaheim in six games.

Latest Playoff Notes

• Carolina has had a long 12-day break before the East Final after sweeping Philadelphia.

Colorado’s Cale Makar reportedly missed practice ahead of Game 1 and his status is being watched closely.

Montreal’s Alex Newhook has become one of the breakout stars of the playoffs with multiple Game 7 OT winners.