The NHL playoffs have culminated with two teams remaining as the Stanley Cup Final approaches.
Following early rounds filled with teams that hadn’t experienced postseason action in years, the conference championships brought back familiar contenders.
The Vegas Golden Knights dominated their West final series, sweeping the Presidents’ Trophy champion Colorado team, while the Carolina Hurricanes eliminated Montreal in a five-game series. These squads will face off in the championship round as the two most successful franchises over the last two months.
A fresh champion will emerge this year, and no team will achieve a three-peat following the Florida Panthers’ injury-plagued exit after reaching three straight finals. Both finalists are different from last year after Edmonton fell to Anaheim.
WESTERN CONFERENCE: Vegas advanced past Utah and Anaheim in six-game series, then completed a four-game sweep against the Avalanche.
EASTERN CONFERENCE: Carolina eliminated Ottawa and Philadelphia in sweeps, then bounced back from an opening game defeat to the Canadiens to reach their first final since 2006.
The playoff format includes the top three teams from each division’s four groups. The remaining four positions are awarded to the next two highest-ranking teams per conference, without regard to division. All playoff rounds follow a best-of-seven format, with the Stanley Cup going to the first team reaching 16 wins.
— Carolina faces Vegas, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday night.
Carolina enters as a narrow favorite with slightly better than even odds.
All playoff contests receive national television coverage in the United States through ESPN or Turner networks. The NHL schedule is available online along with streaming information. Much of TNT’s programming, including the Stanley Cup Final, will air simultaneously on truTV and stream on Max’s B/R Sports Add-On. Canadian viewers can watch games on Sportsnet and CBC.
Following three rounds of seven-game series, the final begins Tuesday evening. Should the series reach its maximum length, Game 7 could occur as late as June 20.
WEST: Straightforward coach John Tortorella assumed control of the Vegas Golden Knights in late March, and the team has maintained momentum since. Mitch Marner, previously criticized for postseason struggles during his Toronto tenure, has emerged as potentially the playoffs’ top performer.
EAST: The Carolina Hurricanes have dominated their Eastern Conference run, receiving outstanding goaltending from 36-year-old Frederik Andersen and versatile contributions from 2018 league MVP Taylor Hall. Following numerous disappointing playoff conclusions, they seek the franchise’s second title and first since 2006.
The Stanley Cup drought for Canadian teams will continue another year. No team from north of the border has captured the championship since Montreal’s 1993 victory.
