The Eastern Conference will come down to a seven-game series between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Montreal Canadiens, but both teams took drastically different paths to get here. The Canes swept their first two opponents, while both of the Habs' series were decided in Game Sevens. Given how well both teams have played, another Game Seven could be on the horizon for Montreal.

The Hurricanes have looked like the best team in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs after completing their second straight sweep, this time over the Philadelphia Flyers. In overtime of Game Four, Canes forward Jackson Blake scored the game-winning goal after his wrist shot ricocheted off the glove of Philly goalie Dan Vladar and bounced into the back of the net, sending Carolina to the Eastern Conference Finals.

"That line, in general, is scoring some pretty special-looking goals," head coach Rod Brind'Amour said after the win. "Everything has a sequence of events, as we like to say. That's certainly what happened there."

With that victory, the Hurricanes became the first team since 1987 - when the NHL established a four-round, seven-game series format - to go undefeated in the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Carolina is also just the fifth team ever to win its first eight playoff games in a single postseason.

"Obviously, we're getting some huge performances, but everybody's doing it," Brind'Amour told reporters. "It's how we have to get it done. You go down the list, and every guy has had his hands in these two series wins."

While the Canes have been resting comfortably at home since May 9th, the Canadiens were fighting for their playoff lives against the Buffalo Sabres. In the first overtime period of Game Seven, Habs forward Alex Newhook scored the series-clinching goal to lift Montreal to a 3-2 win over Buffalo. That made him the second player in Stanley Cup Playoff history to record multiple Game Seven-clinching goals in a single playoff run.

Kalshi Promo Code LIVESCORE for $10 Bonus on NHL Finals

“It’s a crazy feeling. To come up and get two wins to keep us going here in the playoffs. It's fun. It's why you play the game,” Newhook said during the postgame interview. “I think we played well enough to win, so we’re looking forward now.”

Despite having a younger roster, the Canadiens have taken a huge leap forward from last year's postseason run, when they fell to the Washington Capitals, 4-1. Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis knows that his guys are grateful for the opportunity to keep fighting and playing in the playoffs because that's the most surefire way to improve in the NHL.

“Last year's experience in the playoffs, what we're going through right now, you can't buy that. It's amazing,” he said after the Game Seven victory. “I'm so happy for the player to live that. It's unbelievable to play in the NHL as a player, but to get to live these do-or-die situations in terms of you're moving on, or you're done, scoring the big goal, the overtime, that feeling that a player has, it's unbelievable. I'm so happy that they're getting to live that.”

The biggest issue for Carolina heading into this series is figuring out how to keep up the momentum they built after such a big break. The good news for the Canes is that they can use this time to rest their bodies and get fully healthy for the Eastern Conference Finals.

"Whatever, how long we've got to rest or be off, we'll do it," Brind'Amour said on May 9th. "I think the good part is we just literally had the exact same thing [happen], and we had a plan. Clearly, it was okay, so we could follow that and run with it."

Unlike the Hurricanes, the Habs didn't have much time to celebrate their Game Seven victory. They had a two-day break between the end of their last series and the start of this one tonight.

“I mean, there's a lot of emotions: relief, excitement, jumping off the boards as fast as you can to get over and celebrate,” Montreal center Nick Suzuki said after the Monday night win. “That was [an] amazing shot, amazing play. It took everything that we had to get through this series. Now we’ve got to just reset, get some rest, and get ready to go to Carolina.”

Prediction for Montreal Canadiens (+210) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (-260)

Some people are expecting the Canes to crush the Canadiens, but that won't happen. This is the Eastern Conference Finals. Teams didn't get here based on pure luck. The Habs and Hurricanes made it to this point because they are the two Eastern Conference teams that are playing the best RIGHT NOW. It would be surprising if this series is decided in less than six games.

We have to discuss Carolina's extended break. The Canes haven't played a hockey game since May 9th. Historically speaking, teams have struggled in their first game back from an extended break, so the Canadiens will likely take Game One. That could do a lot of damage to the Hurricanes' psyche, since they're 1-12 in Eastern Conference Finals games under Rod Brind'Amour.

Unlike previous years, though, Carolina’s playstyle works better against teams like the Montreal Canadiens as opposed to the Florida Panthers, whom the Hurricanes lost to the last two times they reached the Eastern Conference Finals. Florida is a really tough and physical, grind-it-out team that pummels you and then scores after you're beating you up. That is not true for the Canadiens, who only average 34 hits per game in the playoffs, 11 fewer than what Florida averaged during its championship runs in 2024 and 2025. More importantly, the Canes have already gone against highly physical teams since the Sens and Flyers ranked first and second, respectively, in hits per game. This year's Hurricanes squad was built to handle both strength and speed.

Carolina will win this series handily if it stays out of the penalty box because the Canadiens lead all teams in power-play goals this postseason with 13. Unfortunately for the Canes, they’re second amongst playoff teams in penalties drawn per game (7.00). They're bound to give up power-play goals, but they should still come out on top in this series since Carolina is allowing the fewest even-strength goals in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs (eight). The Hurricanes will slow the pace of the game and not allow Montreal's speed to dictate this matchup. From there, the Habs will try to beat the Canes at their own game, which is a battle they’re destined to lose.

Prediction: Hurricanes win the series in six games.

What To Do If You Have A Gambling Problem

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call or visit the Council on Compulsive Gambling:

• Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-Call GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org

• CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY – Call 1-800-GAMBLER

• AZ- Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP

• IA – Call 1-800-BETS-OFF

• KS, NV – Call 1-800-522-4700

• KY – Call 1-800 GAMBLER, 18+

• MI – Call 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help

• MA – Call 1-800-327-5050

• NC – Call – 1-800-662-4357

• NY- Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)

DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Gambling comes with its fair share of risks, and it is important to recognize that when using online gambling sites.

While we review different gambling sites, you should check with local laws in your area before gambling online. Also, all gambling sites and guides are rated 21+ only.

The following free gambling addiction resources can be of help:

21+ Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER