The Carolina Hurricanes are through to the Eastern Conference Final, eliminating the Washington Capitals in five games and securing their second trip to the NHL’s final four in the last three seasons.
Now, the Hurricanes wait for the outcome of Game 7 between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers to find out who their opponent will be.
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Toronto will host Game 7 at Scotiabank Arena on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Maple Leafs are 12-15 all-time in Game 7s. Florida, meanwhile, enters Sunday with a 3-1 record in Game 7s, including 2-0 on the road.
Nearly midnight on Saturday, the NHL announced the dates and times for both conference finals matchups.
In the Eastern Conference, the Hurricanes will host Game 1 of the conference finals only if Florida beats Toronto in Game 7. If the Maple Leafs advance, then Carolina will open the series on the road.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs advance (all times ET):
Game 1: Carolina at Toronto – Tuesday, May 20 – 8 p.m.
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Game 2: Carolina at Toronto – Thursday, May 22 – 8 p.m.
Game 3: Toronto at Carolina – Saturday, May 24 – 8 p.m.
Game 4: Toronto at Carolina – Monday, May 26 – 8 p.m.
Game 5: Carolina at Toronto – Wednesday, May 28 – 8 p.m.
Game 6: Toronto at Carolina – Friday, May 30 – 8 p.m.
Game 7: Carolina at Toronto – Sunday, June 1 – 8 p.m.
If the Florida Panthers advance:
Game 1: Florida at Carolina – Tuesday, May 20 – 8 p.m.
Game 2: Florida at Carolina – Thursday, May 22 – 8 p.m.
Game 3: Carolina at Florida – Saturday, May 24 – 8 p.m.
Game 4: Carolina at Florida – Monday, May 26 – 8 p.m.
Game 5: Florida at Carolina – Wednesday, May 28 – 8 p.m.
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Game 6: Carolina at Florida – Friday, May 30 – 8 p.m.
Game 7: Florida at Carolina – Sunday, June 1 – 8 p.m.
Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (9) tries to carry the puck between Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner (16) and forward Auston Matthews (34) at Scotiabank Arena. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Hurricanes lost their regular-season series against both the Maple Leafs and the Panthers, putting together the same 1-2-0 record.
That said, Carolina was able to beat Florida on the road. The Hurricanes could only beat Toronto while playing a home game in Carolina.
No matter the final matchup, the Eastern Conference Final will begin on Tuesday, May 20, at 8 p.m. ET.
Related: Justin Bieber’s Bold Message to Auston Matthews After Maple Leafs Force Game 7
Related: Logan Thompson Assigns Blame for Capitals’ Elimination