2026 NHL playoff bracket schedule, dates, game start-times, scores, TV for conference finals, full results








The NHL has announced the start dates and broadcast schedules for the 2026 Stanley Cup Conference Finals.The Western Conference Final will begin on Tuesday, May 20, with the Vegas Golden Knights visiting the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena in Denver.

The Eastern Conference Final featuring the Carolina Hurricanes will start on either Monday, May 19, or Wednesday, May 21, depending on the length of the ongoing second-round series between the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres.Montreal currently leads Buffalo 3-2 in that series, with Game 6 scheduled for Saturday in Montreal. If the Canadiens close out the series in six games, the Eastern Final will open on May 19.

If it goes to a decisive seventh game, the Eastern Final will shift to May 21.Carolina, which earned home-ice advantage, will host the first two games of the Eastern Conference Final at Lenovo Center.


How to watch 2026 NHL Conference Finals?


TVWest Final (Colorado vs Vegas): ESPN / ABC

East Final (Carolina vs MTL/BUF): TNT / truTV


Streaming (U.S.)ESPN/ABC games: ESPN app, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, fubo

TNT/truTV games: Max, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, fubo


Best option: Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV (carries both networks).Canada: Sportsnet, CBC, TVA Sports, or Sportsnet+.Western Final starts May 20 on ESPN.

Eastern Final starts May 19 or 21 on TNT/truTV.



Western Conference Final Schedule


Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights


All times p.m. ET


Game 1: May 20 – Vegas at Colorado, 8 p.m., ESPN  

Game 2: May 22 – Vegas at Colorado, 8 p.m., ESPN  

Game 3: May 24 – Colorado at Vegas, 8 p.m., ESPN  

Game 4: May 26 – Colorado at Vegas, TBD, ESPN  

Game 5 (if nec.): May 28 – Vegas at Colorado, 8 p.m., ESPN  

Game 6 (if nec.): May 30 – Colorado at Vegas, 8 p.m., ABC  

Game 7 (if nec.): June 1 – Vegas at Colorado, 8 p.m., ESPN


Eastern Conference Final Schedule


(Carolina Hurricanes vs. Buffalo Sabres/Montreal Canadiens)


All times p.m. ET, networks TNT/truTVIf


Game 1: May 21 – Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, 8 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS)  

Game 2: May 23 – Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, 7 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS)  

Game 3: May 25 – Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, 8 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS)  

Game 4: May 27 – Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, 8 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS)  

Game 5: May 29 – Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, 8 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS) if necessary  

Game 6: May 31 – Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TBD (TNT, truTV, Max, SN, TVAS) if necessary  

Game 7: June 2 – Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, 8 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, Max, SN, CBC, TVAS) if necessary


The NHL was able to release these dates after Colorado, Carolina, and Vegas advanced to the conference finals. The winner of the Montreal-Buffalo series will face the Hurricanes in the East. 



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