NHL releases dates for 2025-26 Stanley Cup Conference Finals
May 14, 2026, 19:28 EDTUpdated: May 14, 2026, 19:31 EDT
Credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff
The NHL has released the three schedule options for the 2025-26 Western and Eastern Conference finals, depending on the outcomes of the next few games.
The Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes were the first two teams to advance, with the remaining four teams fighting out for the final two spots.
Here’s a look at what both conference schedules will look like, with teams and official start times still needing to be decided:
Western Conference Final
COLORADO AVALANCHE vs. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS/ANAHEIM DUCKS
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Networks |
| 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 |
Eastern Conference Final (Scenario 1)
CAROLINA HURRICANES vs. BUFFALO SABRES/MONTREAL CANADIENS
Condition: If the Buffalo/Montreal series is decided in six games.
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Networks |
| 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 (Scenario 2)
CAROLINA HURRICANES vs. BUFFALO SABRES/MONTREAL CANADIENS
Condition: If the Buffalo/Montreal series is decided in 7 games.
| Date | Time (ET) | Matchup | Networks |
| 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 |