When do NHL conference finals begin? Dates set in East, West

Three teams have clinched a spot in the NHL's conference finals, with the Vegas Golden Knights joining the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes after Thursday's victory against the Anaheim Ducks.

That's enough for the NHL to put out potential starting dates for the conference finals, before the Montreal Canadiens beat the Buffalo Sabres on May 14. Game 6 will be on Saturday in Montreal.

Regardless of the results of that series, led 3-2 by Montreal, the Western Conference finals will start on May 20 at Denver's Ball Arena against the Golden Knights.

If the Canadiens wrap up their series in six games, the Eastern Conference finals will start on May 19. If the teams go to seven games, it will start on May 21. The Hurricanes will host the first two games at Lenovo Center.

Here are the scenarios for the conference finals:

Western Conference final

All times p.m. ET. x-if necessary

• May 20: Vegas at Colorado, 8, ESPN
• May 22: Vegas at Colorado, 8, ESPN
• May 24: Colorado at Vegas, 8, ESPN
• May 26: Colorado at Vegas, TBD, ESPN
• x-May 28: Vegas at Colorado, 8, ESPN
• x-May 30: Colorado at Vegas, 8, ABC
• x-June 1: Vegas at Colorado, 8, ESPN

Eastern Conference final

Times TBD

If Buffalo-Montreal series ends in six games

• May 19: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
• May 21: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
• May 23: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
• May 25: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
• x-May 27: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
• x-May 29: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
• x-May 31: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV

If Buffalo-Montreal series ends in seven games

• May 21: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
• May 23: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
• May 25: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
• May 27: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
• x-May 29: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV
• x-May 31: Carolina at Buffalo/Montreal, TNT, truTV
• x-June 2: Buffalo/Montreal at Carolina, TNT, truTV