Hurricanes Face Canadiens in Eastern Conference Final! Analysis, Schedule, and How to Watch

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After nine days of wondering who the next opponent would be, the Carolina Hurricanes finally have their foe for the Eastern Conference Finals following the Montreal Canadiens’ overtime win in Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres.

Between their sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers in Round Two and Game 1 of the ECF, the Hurricanes will have 11 days of rest, setting the modern NHL record. Ironically, only the 1919 Canadiens had more, with 12.

Game 7 between the Canadiens and Sabres was certainly an interesting one. The Canadiens took the early lead with a pair of goals in the first frame, before the Sabres tied it up in the following two frames. However, the Sabres had found the back of the net for a third time after the puck trickled through the legs of Jakub Dobes, with the escaped puck having been pushed across the line by Beck Malenstyn. But unfortunately for the Sabres, the referee had blown the whistle as soon as Dobes seemed to cover the puck – despite not having control of it, and the goal was ultimately removed.

With 8:38 left in the additional frame, Alex Newhook got the game-winning goal.

The Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens are going into overtime, but…
The Sabres were this close to having their go-ahead goal, but removed due to an early whistle (Dobes did not have the puck under control)#LetsGoBuffalo#GoHabsGo#NHL#StanleyCuphttps://t.co/RRRuqqTTge

— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) May 19, 2026

A Brief History of the Hurricanes vs. the Habs​

Throughout the regular season, the Canadiens took all three games against the Hurricanes. However, in the only two instances of the two teams facing each other in the postseason (2002, 2006), the Hurricanes defeated them in six games or fewer. Ironically, both postseasons also saw the Hurricanes appear in the Stanley Cup Finals, with them winning the championship in 2006.

Carolina Hurricanes-Montreal Canadiens Schedule and Broadcasting Information​

Game 1​

When: Thursday, May 21st, 8:00 PM EDT
Where: Raleigh, N.C. | Lenovo Center
How to Watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS

Game 2​

When: Saturday, May 23rd, 7:00 PM EDT
Where: Raleigh, N.C. | Lenovo Center
How to Watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS

Game 3​

When: Monday, May 25th, 8:00 PM EDT
Where: Opponent Arena
How to Watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS

Game 4​

When: Wednesday, May 27th, 8:00 PM EDT
Where: Opponent Arena
How to Watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS

Game 5 (if necessary)​

When: Friday, May 29th, 8:00 PM EDT
Where: Raleigh, N.C. | Lenovo Center
How to Watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS

Game 6 (if necessary)​

When: Sunday, May 31st, TBD
Where: Opponent Arena
How to Watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO MAX, SN, TVAS

Game 7 (if necessary)​

When: Tuesday, June 2nd, 8:00 PM EDT
Where: Raleigh, N.C. | Lenovo Center
How to Watch: TNT, TruTV, HBO MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS

All Games will have local play-by-play by Mike Maniscalco and analysis by Tripp Tracy on the Hurricanes’ radio partner, 99.9 The Fan.

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