All conference finalists in the NHL playoffs have been determined

The pairs of finals of the Eastern and Western conferences of the Stanley Cup in 2026 have been determined. The conference finals will start on May 21 with the Colorado—Vegas matchup.

The Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights hockey clubs will play in the Western Conference for reaching the finals of the playoffs. In the second round, Colorado defeated the Minnesota Wild 4-1 in the series, while Vegas defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-2.

The Montreal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes will meet in the finals. At the same time, Montreal beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 in the second round, and Carolina defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-0.

The winners of the conference finals series will later play for the Stanley Cup, Sport-Express clarifies.

Vagaries of fate: which of the Russians will be lucky in the NHL playoffs

In the fight for the Stanley Cup, Malkin plays against Michkov, Panarin will fight Nichushkin, and Lyubushkin will face the diaspora from Minnesota

On the same day, the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres in the 1/4 finals of the NHL Playoffs and advanced to the semifinals with a score of 3:2 in overtime. The Canadian club won for the 17th time in the seventh match in the NHL playoffs.