Undrafted forward Cole Smith scored the series-clinching goal to propel the Golden Knights to a sweep of the Presidents’ Trophy winners in the Western Conference Final and a berth to their third Stanley Cup Final in nine NHL seasons.
* Vegas, the seventh team in NHL history to sweep the No. 1 seed, became the eighth team in League history to enter the Stanley Cup Final on a win streak of six or more games (last, BOS: 7 GP in 2019).
* The Canadiens look to pull even in the Eastern Conference Final while the Hurricanes aim to take a 3-1 series lead and become the seventh team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to win each of their first six or more road games to start a postseason.
VEGAS SWEEPS PRESIDENTS’ TROPHY WINNERS & CLAIMS STANLEY CUP FINAL BERTH
The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche averaged an NHL-best 3.63 goals per game during the regular season and entered the Western Conference Final with a League-best 4.11 goals per game, but the Golden Knights stifled the club through four games (1.75 G/GP) to complete the sweep and secure their third Stanley Cup Final appearance in nine NHL seasons. With chants of ‘We Want the Cup’ echoing throughout T-Mobile Arena, Vegas became the seventh team in League history to sweep the No. 1 seed in a best-of-seven series, and the second to do so to advance to the Final (also BOS: 1970 SF vs. CHI).
* The Golden Knights became the 29th team in NHL history to sweep a best-of-seven series in the Conference Finals/Semifinals and first since the Panthers (2023 vs. CAR). Among the 20 previous teams to do so in the expansion era (since 1968), half went on to capture the Stanley Cup: 2022 Avalanche, 2010 Blackhawks, 2009 Penguins, 1992 Penguins, 1984 Oilers, 1982 Islanders, 1981 Islanders, 1978 Canadiens, 1972 Bruins and 1970 Bruins.
* The club’s string of success dates back to Game 5 of the Second Round against the Ducks. The Golden Knights became the eighth team in NHL history to enter the Stanley Cup Final on a win streak of six or more games alongside the 1992 Blackhawks (11 GP), 1969 Blues (8 GP), 2019 Bruins (7 GP), 1992 Penguins (7 GP), 1978 Canadiens (7 GP), 1972 Bruins (7 GP) and 1970 Bruins (6 GP).
* Vegas became the fifth team to advance to the Stanley Cup Final after recording fewer than 40 wins during a regular season of 82 or more games. The others: Carolina (35 in 2002), Buffalo (37 in 1999), Detroit (38 in 1997) and Los Angeles (39 in 1993).
* Vegas now has its sights on its second Stanley Cup championship, following 2023. The Golden Knights can become the fourth franchise in the NHL’s expansion era to win multiple championships prior to their 10th campaign, alongside the Oilers (4), Islanders (2) and Flyers (2).
WHAT HAPPENED IN VEGAS. . .
* Cole Smith, appearing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second time in his career (5 GP in 2024), has found a knack of scoring in series-clinching games for the Golden Knights in 2026 (1-0—1 in Game 6 of R1). He became the sixth undrafted player since 2000 to score a series-clinching goal to help his team advance to the Stanley Cup Final. The others: Yanni Gourde (2021 w/ TBL), Chris Kunitz (2017 w/ PIT), Joel Ward (2016 w/ SJS), Dustin Penner (2012 w/ LAK) and Adam Oates (2003 w/ ANA).
* A pair of longtime Golden Knights skaters, captain Mark Stone, who was acquired from the Senators in 2019, and Shea Theodore, one of the franchise’s original ‘Golden Misfits,’ teamed up on the opening goal in Game 4. Stone notched his eighth goal in a potential clinching game for Vegas, the second most in franchise history behind only Jonathan Marchessault (9), while Theodore (5-16—21 in 29 GP) passed Kris Letang (7-13—20 in 34 GP) for the most points among active defensemen in potential series-clinching contests.
* John Tortorella became the third coach in NHL history to lead his team to the Stanley Cup Final after taking over in their final 10 games of the season. The others: Roger Neilson (VAN in 1982; 4-0 L vs. NYI) and Larry Robinson (NJD in 2000; 4-2 W vs DAL).
* Tortorella is also returning to the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in his career following a seven-game victory with the Lightning in 2004. He became the second head coach in NHL history to go 20 seasons between appearances in the League’s championship series, alongside Paul Maurice (20 seasons; 2002 & 2023).
* The Golden Knights now await the winner of the Canadiens and Hurricanes, with either matchup marking the 67th unique Stanley Cup Final in NHL history. A Vegas-Carolina matchup would be the second championship series between two division winners in the past 15 postseasons (since 2012), following the Golden Knights and Capitals in 2018. Vegas and Montreal would meet in the postseason for the second time after the Canadiens skated to a six-game victory in the Stanley Cup Semifinals – where half the games were decided in overtime.
QUICK CLICKS
* #NHLStats: Live Updates for Tuesday, May 26
* Canadiens–Hurricanes Game 1 on TNT peaked at 2.1M viewers, more ratings news
* Evgeni Malkin signs 1-year, $5.5 million contract to remain with Penguins
ANOTHER OVERTIME OUTING ON DECK IN EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL?
The Hurricanes and Canadiens are right back into Conference Finals action when the puck drops for Game 4 after the clubs required more than 60 minutes in each of the past two contests. Only three series in the round before the Final have featured three consecutive overtime games: 2024 Eastern Conference Final (3 GP; NYR vs. FLA), 2001 Western Conference Final (3 GP; STL vs. COL) and 1933 Semifinals (3 GP; TOR vs. BOS).
* Lane Hutson has found the score sheet in all but one home game during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Canadiens – who look to even a series 2-2 after trailing 2-1 for the first time since the 2010 Conference Semifinals – en route to a 3-12—15 (17 GP) total. Only seven defensemen in NHL history have collected more assists in a single postseason at age 22 or younger: Miro Heiskanen (20 in 2020), Ray Bourque (15 in 1983), Al MacInnis (15 in 1986), Quinn Hughes (14 in 2020), Paul Coffey (14 in 1984), Paul Reinhart (14 in 1981) and Denis Potvin (14 in 1976).
* The Hurricanes own an advantage in the Conference Finals for the first time since 2006 and have won 10 of their past 11 series when owning a 2-1 lead in any matchup (only loss: 2022 R2 vs. NYR). Carolina, which can become the seventh team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to win each of its first six or more road games of a postseason, has done so thanks in part to the services of Taylor Hall (2-6—8 in 5 GP). He needs two points to tie Ron Francis (4-6—10 in 2002) and Cory Stillman (4-6—10 in 2006) for the most on the road in one playoff year in franchise history.
