Conference Final schedule scenarios announced

NEW YORK -- The National Hockey league today announced the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Finals schedule scenarios. The Eastern Conference Final will feature the Metropolitan Division regular-season champion Carolina Hurricanes against either the Buffalo Sabres or Montreal Canadiens and will begin either Tuesday, May 19 or Thursday, May 21, in Raleigh. The Western Conference Final will feature the President’s Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche against either the Vegas Golden Knights or Anaheim Ducks and will begin Wednesday, May 20, in Denver. The confirmed Conference Finals schedule will be announced when matchups are determined. All times listed are ET and subject to change.

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL (BUF/MTL is decided in 6 Games)

Buffalo [A1] or Montreal [A3] vs. Carolina [M1]
Tuesday, May 19: TBD, BUF/MON at Carolina (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Thursday, May 21: TBD, BUF/MON at Carolina (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Saturday, May 23: TBD, Carolina at BUF/MON (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Monday, May 25: TBD, Carolina at BUF/MON (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
* Wednesday, May 27: TBD, BUF/MON at Carolina (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
* Friday, May 29: TBD, Carolina at BUF/MON (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
* Sunday, May 31: TBD, BUF/MON at Carolina (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, TVAS)

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL (BUF/MTL is decided in 7 Games)

Buffalo [A1] or Montreal [A3] vs. Carolina [M1]
Thursday, May 21: TBD, BUF/MON at Carolina (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Saturday, May 23: TBD, BUF/MON at Carolina (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Monday, May 25: TBD, Carolina at BUF/MON (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Wednesday, May 27: TBD, Carolina at BUF/MON (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
* Friday, May 29: TBD, BUF/MON at Carolina (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
* Sunday, May 31: TBD, Carolina at BUF/MON (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, TVAS)
* Tuesday, June 2: TBD, BUF/MON at Carolina (TNT, truTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

Vegas [P1] or Anaheim [P3] vs. Colorado [C1]                    
Wednesday, May 20: 8 p.m., VGK/ANA at Colorado (ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Friday, May 22: 8 p.m., VGK/ANA at Colorado (ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Sunday, May 24: 8 p.m., Colorado at VGK/ANA (ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Tuesday, May 26: TBD, Colorado at VGK/ANA (ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS)
* Thursday, May 28: 8 p.m., VGK/ANA at Colorado (ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS)
* Saturday, May 30: 8 p.m., Colorado at VGK/ANA (ABC, SN, CBC, TVAS)
* Monday, June 1: 8 p.m., VGK/ANA at Colorado (ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS)

* if necessary
TBD – To Be Determined

Starting times and broadcast information for games listed TBD will be announced when available.