Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer, right, slams Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker into the boards during the third period on Jan. 2 in Sunrise, Fla. (AP file photo)

The NHL playoffs have reached the conference finals, with four teams ready to battle for the Stanley Cup.

The defending champion Florida Panthers face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final starting tonight, while the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars meet up for a rematch of the 2024 West final beginning Wednesday.

Canada’s hopes of ending the nation’s Cup drought — dating to Montreal’s win in 1993 — rest with the Oilers.

All four rounds of the playoffs are best-of-seven, and the first team to 16 victories wins the Stanley Cup. It’s a grind that won’t end until June.

Final four matchups

Florida vs. Carolina. These teams played this round two years ago, and the Panthers swept the series, winning all four games by a goal. They are much different now, with Florida having won the first title in franchise history and the Hurricanes changing their roster with a series of trades over the past several months. The big question is whether Carolina can get that one big goal they’ve been missing in six consecutive playoff appearances under Rod Brind’Amour that ended with disappointing exits.

Dallas vs. Edmonton. Play starts in Texas, with the Stars owning home-ice advantage. They should have the edge in goal with Jake Oettinger, and coach Peter DeBoer has a team in the West final for the sixth time in seven seasons. The Oilers have the edge of experiencing from their long playoff run last year, plus two of the best players in the world in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

How to watch

Every game of the Stanley Cup playoffs is nationally televised in the U.S on an ABC and ESPN, along with the Turner network. Much of TNT’s coverage, which includes the Stanley Cup Final, will be simulcast on truTV and available on Max’s B/R Sports Add-On. In Canada, games will be showcased on CBC and Sportsnet.

When is the Stanley Cup Final?

The playoffs began April 19 to open three rounds of seven-game series in the East and West before the final starts in early June. If the final goes the distance, Game 7 could be as late as June 23.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl