NHL power rankings: Which conference finals team is the best?

The NHL has reached its conference finals stage with four teams remaining: the Colorado Avalanche (No. 1 overall seed) facing the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference finals starting May 20, 2026, and the Carolina Hurricanes taking on the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference finals beginning May 21. USA TODAY's Mike Brehm has ranked all four teams and identified Conn Smythe Trophy candidates for each. The NHL also announced finalists for major awards, including Tampa Bay Lightning's Jon Cooper as a Jack Adams Award finalist.