Colorado and Carolina enter the conference finals in commanding form, combining for a 16-1 record so far — the best mark for two teams at this stage in NHL history. Both now face tougher hurdles to keep their runs going.
Western Conference Showdown
In the West, the Avalanche finished first overall in the regular season and rolled through the first two rounds at 8-1, sweeping the Kings before dispatching the Wild in five. This is their first conference final since 2022, the year they captured the Stanley Cup. Colorado leans on elite talent in Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, and its depth has been obvious, with 17 different goal scorers through just nine postseason games. Game 1 against the Golden Knights is set for Wednesday at Ball Arena in Denver.
Vegas brings significant postseason pedigree. The 2023 champions have won more playoff games and series than any team since joining the league in 2017-18, a run that includes a six-game victory over the Avalanche in the 2021 second round. Since John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy as coach on March 29, the Golden Knights are 15-4-1, closing the regular season 7-0-1 and then winning each of their first two series in six games. This marks their fifth trip to the NHL’s semifinal round in nine seasons. Offensively, Mitch Marner leads all playoff scorers with 18 points in 12 games, Pavel Dorofeyev tops the goal chart with nine, and Brett Howden sits second with eight.
In the East, the Hurricanes swept both the Senators and Flyers to go 8-0 and claim a third conference final appearance in four years, and their fourth since 2019 under coach Rod Brind’Amour. It is the franchise’s fifth trip this deep since 2009 and a prime chance to reach the Final for the first time since their 2006 championship. With the two-time defending Panthers out due largely to injuries, the path feels more open than in recent seasons. Carolina will have nearly a 12-day layoff before hosting Game 1 on Thursday in Raleigh, a pause the team views as a chance to heal even as it tries to guard against rust. Taylor Hall leads the Hurricanes with 12 points in eight games, followed by Jackson Blake with 11, while Logan Stankoven has seven goals.
Montreal stands in the way. The Canadiens, blending a storied brand with a youthful core, have avoided back-to-back losses this spring and advanced with seven-game wins over the Lightning and Sabres, returning to the third round for the first time since their 2021 run to the Final. Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson has a team-high 14 points in 14 games, captain Nick Suzuki has 13, and Alex Newhook’s seven goals include two Game 7 winners, the latest in overtime at Buffalo.
Four teams remain, two rounds to play, and the league’s hottest clubs now meet their biggest tests. The excitement of the playoffs promises thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments as these teams vie for a coveted spot in the Stanley Cup Final.