The NHL has announced the preliminary schedule for the Western and Eastern Conference Finals, with the series beginning May 20 and May 21, respectively, after the final second-round game on Monday night set the final four.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs’ sprint toward the last four weeks just tightened by the minute. On Thursday, the NHL released the preliminary schedule for the Western and Eastern Conference Finals—setting exact start dates and game times as the calendar turns.
The Western Conference Finals will begin on May 20, while the Eastern Conference Finals starts on May 21.. The timing comes after the final second-round game on Monday night. which officially locked in the final four teams: the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens in the East. and the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights in the West.
In the West. the matchup flips back and forth between Vegas and Colorado as Game 1 kicks off with Vegas at Colorado on Wed.. May 20 at 8 p.m.. ET / 5 p.m.. PT.. Game 2 follows with Vegas at Colorado on Fri.. May 22 at 8 p.m.. ET / 5 p.m.. PT, before Colorado hosts for Game 3 on Sun.. May 24 at 8 p.m.. ET / 5 p.m.. PT.
If the series runs long, the schedule keeps its momentum: Game 4 is set for Tues.. May 26 at 9 p.m.. ET / 6 p.m.. PT with Colorado hosting Vegas, while Game 5 returns Vegas-at-Colorado on Thurs.. May 28 at 8 p.m.. ET / 5 p.m.. PT.. Game 6 brings Colorado and Vegas back at 8 p.m.. ET / 5 p.m.. PT on Sat.. May 30, before a potential Game 7 goes Vegas at Colorado on Mon.. June 1 at 8 p.m.. ET / 5 p.m.. PT.
The Eastern Conference Finals opens a day later, with Montreal taking the early trip to Carolina.. Game 1 has Montreal at Carolina on Thurs.. May 21 at 8 p.m.. ET / 5 p.m.. PT, followed by Game 2 on Sat.. May 23 at 7 p.m.. ET / 4 p.m.. PT.. Carolina then gets the next two games at home and away balance, starting with Game 3 on Mon.. May 25 at 8 p.m.. ET / 5 p.m.. PT and Game 4 on Wed.. May 27 at 8 p.m.. ET / 5 p.m.. PT.
The later dates are set in pairs as well.. Game 5 is listed for Fri.. May 29 at 8 p.m.. ET / 5 p.m.. PT, and Game 6 is scheduled for Sun.. May 31, though the exact time is TBD.. If there’s a seventh game, Game 7 is slated for Tues.. June 2 at 8 p.m.. ET / 5 p.m.. PT — with all matchups carried on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
Between the brackets, the picture is clear: the league’s third-round series now has a defined rhythm, and the teams that survived the second round get their next chance to swing the momentum—starting almost immediately on May 20 and 21.
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs conference finals schedule Vegas Golden Knights Colorado Avalanche Carolina Hurricanes Montreal Canadiens Western Conference Final Eastern Conference Final Sportsnet Sportsnet+