2026 NHL Series: May 20 Matchup Fixtures & Prediction
The NHL playoffs are back, with the Avalanche and Golden Knights set to face another epic battle in the Western Conference. Both clubs have been among the best over recent years, establishing top playoff records and a championship-winning legacy. Previous meetings between the two teams have shown how evenly matched they are, and each game has grown more intense.
Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes clash with the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Finals. It should be another exciting National Hockey League series full of big hits, star power, and unthinkable moments.
The Colorado Avalanche is a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado. They are a member of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the NHL. The franchise was originally established in 1972 as the Quebec Nordiques of the World Hockey Association. They succeeded in entering the subsequent NHL-WHA merger of 1979. After moving to Denver in 1995, the franchise has become one of the more successful teams in the NHL. They won more division titles than any other franchise from 1995 until 2016 and consistently made the playoffs. The team has won three Stanley Cups: 1996, 2001, and 2022, and remains unbeaten in NHL final appearances.
Team trophies awarded to the Colorado Avalanche franchise
Award
Description
Times won
Seasons
Stanley Cup
NHL championship
3
1995–96, 2000–01, 2021–22
Presidents’ Trophy
Most regular season points
4
1996–97, 2000–01, 2020–21, 2025–26
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl
Western Conference playoff championship
3
1995–96, 2000–01, 2021–22
Avco World Trophy (WHA)
WHA championship
1
1976–77
Season-by-season record
The table below highlights the recent performances of the Colorado Avalanche over the past NHL seasons. Including their regular-season record, standings, and playoff results.
Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime Losses
Season
Record (W–L–OTL)
Points
Finish
NHL Playoffs
2021–22
56–19–7
119
1st, Central
Stanley Cup champions (vs Tampa Bay Lightning)
2022–23
51–24–7
109
1st, Central
Lost in first round (vs Seattle Kraken)
2023–24
50–25–7
107
3rd, Central
Lost in second round (vs Dallas Stars)
2024–25
49–29–4
102
3rd, Central
Lost in first round (vs Dallas Stars)
Vegas Ready to Shine Again
The Golden Knights are an American professional ice hockey team of the National Hockey League in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. The Golden Knights are the newest team in the NHL, formed in 2017 as one of six new expansion teams. They are the first major professional sports team to represent Las Vegas.
The Golden Knights also became one of the most successful expansion teams in NHL history. In their 2017-18 debut, they reached the Stanley Cup Final, setting an NHL record for debut team playoff wins. Since then, the franchise has remained an annual playoff participant, making the postseason in seven of its first nine seasons. In 2023, the franchise won its first Stanley Cup Championship, the quickest a franchise has ever won the Cup.
Team trophies awarded to the Vegas Golden Knights franchise
Award
Description
Times won
Seasons
Stanley Cup
NHL championship
1
2022–23
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl
Western Conference playoff championship
2
2017–18, 2022–23
Season-by-season record
The table below highlights the recent performances of the Vegas Golden Knights over the past NHL seasons. Including their regular-season record, standings, and playoff results.
Season
Record (W–L–OTL)
Points
Finish
NHL Playoffs
2021–22
43–31–8
94
4th, Pacific
Did not qualify
2022–23
51–22–9
111
1st, Pacific
Stanley Cup champions (vs Florida Panthers)
2023–24
45–29–8
98
4th, Pacific
Lost in first round (vs Dallas Stars)
2024–25
50–22–10
110
1st, Pacific
Lost in second round (vs Edmonton Oilers)
Carolina Hurricanes Ready for the Big Stage
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They are part of the Metropolitan Division of the NHL’s Eastern Conference. The franchise was formed in 1971 as the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association. In 1979, they joined the NHL as the Hartford Whalers. They moved to North Carolina in 1997 and became the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes have become one of the league’s more popular and respected franchises since moving to Raleigh. A crowning achievement was the franchise’s Stanley Cup win in 2006, defeating the Edmonton Oilers. It is the first professional hockey championship in North Carolina, recognized for its loyal fan base. The team has a very aggressive, exciting style of play; its home games are played at the Lenovo Center.
Team trophies awarded to the Carolina Hurricanes franchise
Award
Description
Times won
Seasons
Stanley Cup
NHL championship
1
2005–06
Prince of Wales Trophy
Eastern Conference playoff championship
2
2001–02, 2005–06
Avco World Trophy (WHA)
WHA championship
1
1972–73
Season-by-season record
The table below highlights the recent performances of the Carolina Hurricanes over the past NHL seasons. Including their regular-season record, standings, and playoff results.
Season
Record (W–L–OTL)
Points
Finish
NHL Playoffs
2021–22
54–20–8
116
1st, Metropolitan
Lost in second round (vs New York Rangers)
2022–23
52–21–9
113
1st, Metropolitan
Lost in conference finals (vs Florida Panthers)
2023–24
52–23–7
111
2nd, Metropolitan
Lost in second round (vs New York Rangers)
2024–25
47–30–5
99
2nd, Metropolitan
Lost in conference finals (vs Florida Panthers)
Upcoming NHL Fixtures:
1. Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights
Date: 20 May 2026 (Wednesday)
Time: 08:00 PM ET | 05:00 PM PT | 05:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver
2. Carolina Hurricanes vs Montreal Canadiens
Date: 21 May 2026 (Thursday)
Time: 08:00 PM ET | 05:00 PM PT | 05:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Lenovo Center, Raleigh
Expected Lineup and Prediction:
Colorado Avalanche vs Vegas Golden Knights
Date: 20 May 2026 (Wednesday)
Time: 08:00 PM ET | 05:00 PM PT | 05:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver
Standings:
Colorado Avalanche: 1st in Central Division, 121 points
Vegas Golden Knights: 1st in Pacific Division, 95 points
Colorado Avalanche Expected Lineup
Position
Players
Forwards
Jonathan Drouin — Nathan MacKinnon — Mikko Rantanen
Defensemen
Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Goaltenders
Alexandar Georgiev
Vegas Golden Knights Expected Lineup
Position
Players
Forwards
Ivan Barbashev — Jack Eichel — Jonathan Marchessault
Defensemen
Noah Hanifin — Alex Pietrangelo
Goaltender
Adin Hill
Prediction:
The Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights are set for another exciting matchup at Ball Arena. Both teams have been among the strongest sides in the Western Conference this season.
The Avalanche comes into this match with the upper hand over the Golden Knights. The Avalanche won two out of their three head-to-head games against the Golden Knights in the regular season. Home-court advantage for Colorado and their depth in attack could prove an advantage in this matchup.
Colorado was seen as more stable throughout the season than Vegas, particularly in their attacks. Colorado had been performing better when facing big challenges in important games. With their home crowd and the advantage of momentum behind them, the Avalanche are likely to secure their victory.
The pick: Colorado Avalanche
Carolina Hurricanes vs Montreal Canadiens
Date: 21 May 2026 (Thursday)
Time: 08:00 PM ET | 05:00 PM PT | 05:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Lenovo Center, Raleigh
Standings:
1 st in Metropolitan Division, 113 points
3 rd in Atlantic Division, 106 points
Carolina Hurricanes Expected Lineup:
Position
Players
Forwards
Andrei Svechnikov – Sebastian Aho – Seth Jarvis
Defensemen
Jaccob Slavin – Jalen Chatfield
Goaltender
Frederik Andersen
Montreal Canadiens Expected Lineup:
Position
Players
Forwards
Nick Suzuki – Cole Caufield – Juraj Slafkovský,
Defensemen
Mike Matheson– Noah Dobson
Goaltender
Jakub Dobeš
Prediction:
The Hurricanes are set to host the Eastern Conference Finals at the Lenovo Center. The Carolina Hurricanes will enter the matchup with confidence after showing strong consistency throughout the playoffs.
The Hurricanes have been more balanced this year, with fair defensive play and quick attacking transitions. Their home-ice advantage in Raleigh could be a massive factor in giving them the early momentum in the series. Carolina’s current form makes it a slight favorite heading into the conference finals. The Carolina Hurricanes would hold the advantage early in the series.
The pick:Carolina Hurricanes
Conclusion:
The Avalanche vs Golden Knights series still has plenty of games left, while the Carolina Hurricanes battle against the Montreal Canadiens. The fans should be ready for even more twists and turns in the upcoming National Hockey League. Both teams have been playing way too close for the entire NHL season. There is no way each game will be easier to call than the one before it. Colorado and the Hurricanes may have managed to take a slight initial advantage. On the other hand, Vegas has the talent to make the next game even more exciting from the very start.