NHL conference – The Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes meet in the Eastern Conference finals with the Prince of Wales Trophy and Clarence S. Campbell Bowl on the line, while the Vegas Golden Knights face the Colorado Avalanche in the West as both sides chase a spot in
Playoff hockey doesn’t slow down when the stakes rise. After weeks of chase and collapse, the NHL conference finals arrive with hardware directly in front of every team—and a Stanley Cup Final berth hanging off the next set of wins.
In the Eastern Conference finals. the Montreal Canadiens face the Carolina Hurricanes for the Prince of Wales Trophy and the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl. In the Western Conference finals. the Vegas Golden Knights take on the Colorado Avalanche with the same ultimate prize: a spot in the Stanley Cup Final.
The paths to this moment couldn’t look more different. Carolina has played just eight games this postseason and became the first team to sweep its first two series since the first round went to best-of-seven in 1987. Montreal. by contrast. has played the most possible games at 14. and enters fresh off a second consecutive Game 7 win. this time in overtime.
Out West, it’s a clash between championship teams from different eras. The Colorado Avalanche are the 2022 champions and the Vegas Golden Knights are the 2023 champions. The matchup carries an extra layer of expectation because Colorado is the NHL’s best team in 2025-26. and the conference finals are the first major test of whether that label carries through to June.
The predictions for the Eastern Conference finals lean heavily toward Carolina’s extended rest and momentum. Kevin Skiver picked the Hurricanes in 5, crediting Montreal for earning the stage through 14 playoff games against Carolina’s eight. He framed it as a classic rest vs. rust equation and said the Hurricanes benefit from their extended break. Jace Evans also favored the Canadiens. choosing them in 6. even while acknowledging the risk of betting against a team that “has literally not lost a game yet in the playoffs. ” and pointing to Montreal’s youth. ability to match Carolina’s skill. and its goaltending. Mike Brehm went with Carolina in 6. arguing the Canadiens will be tougher than Carolina’s earlier opponents in the Senators and Flyers series. while also emphasizing Carolina’s sweeps gave it a chance to rest up injuries and keep the high-energy game rolling.
West predictions tilt toward Colorado’s depth and form. Kevin Skiver picked the Avalanche in 6. describing Colorado as a force and noting it returned to the conference finals for the first time since 2022 after cruising past the Kings and Wild. He also highlighted what’s next for Vegas. saying the Golden Knights would face a choice on John Tortorella in the offseason. Jace Evans picked the Avalanche in 6 as well. pointing to the Golden
Knights’ on-ice quality while landing on Colorado as a cut above; he cited the Avalanche’s 8-1 playoff record and said 17 different Avalanche players have scored across nine playoff games. Mike Brehm chose the Avalanche in 6. pointing to scoring stars for Vegas—Mitch Marner and Pavel Dorofeyev—while stressing that Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon is the best remaining player and that the Avalanche have scoring depth across the lineup. He also added that Colorado has won eight
of nine games, with Cale Makar seemingly limited to five points.
One more thread runs through the season’s entertainment. even as the playoff focus tightens: the NHL’s “Stanley Pup” returns June 8. pairing playoff-energy excitement with a mission to help rescue dogs get adopted. The program combines the moment on the ice with a mission off it. and will air June 8 on truTV and HBO Max.
For now, though, the playoffs are the story. The numbers—14 games for Montreal. eight for Carolina; 8-1 for Colorado. the championship pedigree of both sides in the West—set the scene. When the puck drops in each conference final. all of it turns into a simple question: can momentum and rest survive pressure for long enough to reach the Stanley Cup Final?.
NHL Stanley Pup conference finals Canadiens Hurricanes Golden Knights Avalanche Prince of Wales Trophy Clarence S. Campbell Bowl Stanley Cup Final playoff predictions
Canadiens Hurricanes again… who even cares.
Vegas vs Colorado is gonna be boring just like last year. Wait I mean Vegas is 2023 champs so they’ll win right? Idk I didn’t finish reading but trophy at stake always means refs get weird.
Montreal played 14 games so they’re cooked. But also Game 7 in OT means they’re unstoppable?? like pick one. If Carolina only played eight and already swept then that’s basically cheating lol
I saw a clip that said Colorado is the best team in 2025-26 so does that mean they already won the Stanley Cup and the rest is just for show? Also Prince of Wales Trophy and Campbell Bowl sound like college trophies? Anyway I’m rooting for whoever has the nicer jerseys.