The Vegas Golden Knights are one step from playing for the Stanley Cup and face the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference final.
Game 1 of the best-of-seven series takes place Wednesday at Ball Arena in Denver.
Check back for live updates.
For the fifth time in nine years, welcome to the Western Conference Final. pic.twitter.com/C5njw5Pl3H
— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) May 20, 2026
Avalanche without star for opener
The Colorado Avalanche will not have superstar defenseman Cale Makar in the lineup for Game 1 of the Western Conference final against the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday, coach Jared Bednar said.
Makar (upper body) is listed as day-to-day, but is expected to play at some point in the series.
The Norris Trophy finalist sustained multiple injuries during the second round against the Minnesota Wild but continued to play through.
Mile high
The Golden Knights aren’t worried about the altitude in Denver.
The Western Conference final begins on Wednesday night and don’t expect the Knights to make excuses about how far their lungs might be expanding while racing up and down the ice.
“I mean, I’m probably going to feel it at some point over the first couple shifts, but not really,” forward Ivan Barbashev said. “You just have to keep playing. We’ve played at altitude a lot. It really doesn’t matter.”
Example: The first playoff series won by the Knights this postseason came against Utah, where Salt Lake City has an elevation of 4,327 feet.
Series preview
The Golden Knights meet the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference final in the teams’ first playoff matchup in five years.
Here is a preview of the series, with X factors, keys to victory and a prediction.
Series schedule
Game 1: Wednesday, 5 p.m. at Ball Arena (ESPN)
Game 2: Friday, 5 p.m. at Ball Arena (ESPN)
Game 3: Sunday, 5 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena (ESPN)
Game 4: Tuesday, 6 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena (ESPN)
*Game 5: May 28, 5 p.m. at Ball Arena (ESPN)
*Game 6: May 30, 5 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena (ABC)
*Game 7: June 1, 5 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena (ESPN)
*if necessary
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on X.
