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Last updated: May 22, 2026, 5:53 AM ET

Conference Finals Begin

The Vegas Golden Knights opened the Western Conference finals with a 4-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, highlighted by Dylan Coghlan's first playoff goal and Carter Hart's 36 saves. The Avalanche struggled without star defenseman Cale Makar, who was sidelined by an upper-body injury, hardly resembling the top-seeded team that dominated the first two rounds. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens pounced on a slow-starting Carolina Hurricanes, scoring four first-period goals en route to a dominant 4-0 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Canadiens' impressive road performance earned top grades from analysts, while Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin took responsibility for the defensive breakdown, acknowledging his role in the uncharacteristic loss.

Player Updates & Team News

Ana Ducks forward Troy Terry requires hip surgery that could jeopardize his availability at the start of next season, creating uncertainty for the team's offensive core. In Buffalo, the Sabres rewarded coach Lindy Ruff with a two-year contract extension after the 66-year-old led the team back to the NHL playoffs, ending a league-leading 14-year postseason appearance drought. On the international stage, Canada's Mark Scheifele delivered a hat trick, including the overtime winner 29 seconds into the extra period, in a 6-5 victory over Norway at the ice hockey world championship. The New York Islanders revealed their AHL affiliate's name as the Hamilton Hammers following the club's relocation to the Canadian city, completing the transition of their minor league affiliate.

Expert Analysis

As the puck dropped on the penultimate round clashes, NHL experts weighed in on both series, with most analysts favoring the Avalanche despite Makar's absence, citing their depth and experience. The Canadiens' road dominance has proven to be a significant factor throughout the playoffs, and their ability to jump on opponents early has became a trademark of their postseason run. The Golden Knights' balanced scoring attack, with contributions from multiple players, has challenged Colorado's defense, creating mismatches that Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar acknowledged would require adjustments as the series progresses.