Stanley Cup playoffs daily: Previews, stats, schedule, bracketESPN staffMay 23, 2026, 07:00 AM ETMultiple Authors
tamil yogi
It’s Day 4 of the conference finals round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights have battled hard through two games in the Western Conference finals, and now it’s time for the second matchup between the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes out east.
Game 1 was a bit lopsided on the scoreboard, as the Habs won 6-2. But, the underlying numbers painted a different picture — which is good for those who want a long series. We’re onto Game 2, with the Canes hoping they can even things up before the series shifts to la belle province for Games 3 and 4.
Here’s a look at key stats to know ahead of Saturday’s game — along with a best bet — as well as highlights from Friday and updated playoff stats leaders.
Read more:
Full schedule
Playoff Central
Stanley Cup odds
Experts’ picks
Conference finals megapreview
Offseason guide for eliminated teams
Saturday’s schedule
Montreal Canadiens at Carolina Hurricanes
Game 2, 7 p.m. ET (TNT) | MTL leads 1-0
The Canadiens are now 7-2 on the road this postseason, tying the franchise record for road wins in a single playoff year (1989 and 2021). The Hurricanes are 1-17 in their past 18 conference finals games dating back to 2009.
In Stanley Cup playoff history, the winner of Game 1 has gone on to have a 545-254 series record, including a 10-2 record in the 2026 playoffs to this point.
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Juraj Slafkovsky had two goals and an assist in Game 1, becoming the first Canadien with at least three games with three points in a single postseason since Guy Lafleur (who had four) in 1979.
Teammate Nick Suzuki added three assists in the Game 1 win, and now has points in each of his nine road games this postseason. He’s the fifth player in Stanley Cup playoff history with points in nine or more road games to start a postseason.
In the first two rounds of the playoffs, Carolina’s Frederik Andersen allowed 10 goals on 201 shots (.950 save percentage) as the Hurricanes won eight straight. In Game 1, he allowed five goals on 21 shots (.762 save percentage).
After going scoreless in his first five postseason games, Seth Jarvis has scored two in the past four games, including scoring in Game 1. Jarvis was the Canes’ leading goal scorer in the regular season, with 32.
Saturday’s best bet
The bet: Carolina Hurricanes puck line -1.5 (+124)
The Hurricanes shouldn’t be caught flat again after a sluggish start in Game 1, where an 11-day layoff appeared to show against a sharp Canadiens team. Carolina controlled play as the game wore on — finishing with a 66-36 edge in five-on-five shot attempts — even if the early deficit proved too much to erase.
Back them to adjust at home and even the series, with more value in the puck line rather than the money line. For a longer shot, you can pair it with the over 5.5 goals (-130) and Logan Stankoven anytime goal scorer (+235) as part of a correlated angle on Carolina generating chances and not falling into an 0-2 hole. — Sean Allen
Friday’s scoreboard
Vegas Golden Knights 3, Colorado Avalanche 1
Golden Knights lead 2-0
Looking to tie the series up at one game apiece, the Avs came out of the gates charged up and Ross Colton scored his second goal of the postseason to give them a 1-0 lead at 16:59 of the first. That score held until midway through the third, when the Golden Knights came roaring back. Jack Eichel scored his second of the postseason at 9:15 of the third to tie it up, then Ivan Barbashev netted his fourth of the playoffs just 2:07 later to give Vegas its first lead of the game.
That was all the Golden Knights needed, but Barbashev added an empty-net goal with just over a minute remaining to seal the deal. The series shifts to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for Game 3 on Sunday. Full recap | Grades
Playoff scoring leaders
PlayerGPGAP1. Mitch Marner, F, Golden Knights
Click here for full list of stats leaders.
Playoff goaltending leaders
PlayerGPWGAASV%1. Arturs Silovs, Penguins
Click here for the full list of goaltender stats.
Stanley Cup playoff bracket
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