Colorado Avalanche face Vegas Golden Knights in Western Conference finals
The Colorado Avalanche will face the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2026 NHL Western Conference finals, starting on 20 May, as both recent champions battle for a place in the Stanley Cup Final.
Both franchises have lifted the famous trophy this decade, with Denver celebrating in 2022 before the Nevada-based outfit triumphed a year later.
The Central Division winners dominated the regular season to claim the Presidents’ Trophy with a staggering 121 points.
They are now aiming to become the first team since the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 to translate regular-season supremacy into ultimate playoff glory.
MacKinnon leads relentless Denver attack
Scoring depth has been a hallmark of the top seed’s postseason run after swiftly eliminating the Los Angeles Kings and Minnesota Wild.
An incredible 17 different players have found the back of the net for the franchise across just nine playoff outings.
Star forward Nathan MacKinnon has been the primary offensive catalyst, producing an astonishing 1.44 points-per-game average this spring.
Goaltender Scott Wedgewood has provided vital stability at the other end of the rink, boasting a 2.21 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.
Vegas rely on Marner’s playoff brilliance
The Pacific Division champions have established an impressive postseason pedigree, reaching this stage for the fifth time since their inception.
To reach the final four, they overcame both the Mammoth and the Anaheim Ducks in hard-fought six-game series.
Much of their offensive success has flowed through Mitch Marner, who currently leads all playoff scorers with an impressive 18 points.
History slightly favours the bookmakers’ underdogs in this specific matchup, as they defeated their upcoming opponents during a second-round series in 2021.
Western Conference finals schedule
- Game 1: 20 May (Denver)
- Game 2: 22 May (Denver)
- Game 3: 24 May (Las Vegas)
- Game 4: 26 May (Las Vegas)
- Game 5: 28 May (Denver) *if required
- Game 6: 30 May (Las Vegas) *if required
- Game 7: 1 June (Denver) *if required