NHL Conference Final Superlatives: MVP, Most Disappointing And More
The NHL's conference finals went by quickly in these Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Vegas Golden Knights handled the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche in a sweep. In the East, the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Montreal Canadiens in five games, winning four straight after losing Game 1.
Looking back at the short-lived Eastern and Western Conference finals, here are the players who stood out for better or worse, along with the best game of the round.
A Quick Glance: Golden Knights Set For Third Trip To Stanley Cup Final In Franchise History
The Golden Knights return to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time since debuting in the NHL for the 2017-18 season, as they'll meet the Carolina Hurricanes, who are also making their third appearance in the Cup Final.
Most Disappointing: Brock Nelson, C, Colorado Avalanche
Honorable mentions: Scott Wedgewood, Noah Dobson
Brock Nelson has been very disappointing for Colorado, not just in the Western Conference final but in this entire post-season.
He finished the series against the Golden Knights with zero points despite averaging 18:40 of ice time as the Avalanche's second-line center.
There is the argument that Nelson is more of a defense-minded forward, as he is a Selke Trophy finalist. However, his minus-4 rating was the second-lowest on the team in that series.
Although Colorado's stars didn't exactly shine, the team desperately needed secondary scoring to stay alive, and Nelson couldn't provide that in the slightest.
How The Carolina Hurricanes Flipped The Series Against The Montreal Canadiens
Shedding early rust, Carolina weaponized a relentless forecheck and superior mental endurance to overwhelm a fatigued Montreal squad, turning a shaky start into a dominant conference final victory.
Unsung Hero: Eric Robinson, LW, Carolina Hurricanes
Honorable mention: Dylan Coghlan
Eric Robinson had an exceptional series for the Hurricanes.
Going into the Eastern Conference final, Robinson had just two assists.
Now, after Carolina eliminated Montreal, the left winger has three goals and six points in this post-season.
He tied the league lead in goals for the conference final round and contributed to the scoresheet in all outings except Game 4.
Despite only averaging 11:21 of ice time in this series, Robinson made his presence known for the Canes.
NHL Playoff Predictions 2026: Who Will Take Home The Stanley Cup?
The Stanley Cup final is here, and the Vegas Golden Knights face their toughest test yet in a dominant Carolina Hurricanes squad. Fresh off a near-perfect post-season run, the Hurricanes' stifling defense faces a battle-tested Golden Knights roster. Which team will win it all?
Best Game: Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights, Game 3
Honorable mention: Carolina versus Montreal, Game 3
In Game 3 of the Western Conference final, the Golden Knights made a statement that all but confirmed who was advancing to the Stanley Cup final.
In the first period, the Avalanche dominated the scoresheet, wrapping up the first frame with a 3-0 lead. It seemed that Colorado found its footing in the series as expected.
However, John Tortorella's team stormed back for the remaining 40 minutes of the contest, scoring five unanswered goals and never looking back.
Vegas ended up winning that game 5-3 to suck the life out of the Avalanche and make a comeback highly unlikely.
See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
The Hockey News
This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 3:15 PM.