Now that the NHL's conference final pairings are set, it's time to ponder the possible Stanley Cup Final showdowns they could yield.

Before we get there, we do have some compelling storylines in the upcoming round. For example, both series feature a head coach facing one of their former teams. Dallas Stars bench boss Peter DeBoer is going up against the Vegas Golden Knights, who he led from 2019-20 to 2021-22.

Meanwhile, Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice faces the Carolina Hurricanes, who he guided for parts of 11 seasons over two separate stints, along with a pair of campaigns with their initial incarnation, the Hartford Whalers.

While that won't be a factor once we get to the Cup Final, there should still be plenty of narratives in the decisive series. Each remaining club has top-end talent and has been captivating to watch for one reason or another.

Here's how we rate the four potential scenarios:

4. Stars vs. Panthers

This would be the least appealing simply because it involves the two worst teams of the four. The Stars finished second in the Central Division at 47-21-14, while the Panthers snuck in with the second Eastern Conference wild-card berth and placed fourth in the Atlantic at 42-32-8.

Florida pulled off two monumental feats in getting to this point by dispatching the record-setting Boston Bruins in seven games and eliminating the Toronto Maple Leafs in five. Would it be fun to see if the lowest seed in a conference can win the Cup for the first time since the Los Angeles Kings in 2012? Sure. The Panthers are true underdogs (undercats?), and they've been a great story this spring. But this matchup as a whole doesn't elicit as much excitement as the others.

The Stars do have their share of skill. They boast the electric Jason Robertson, the current leader in the Conn Smythe Trophy race in Roope Hintz, rookie sensation Wyatt Johnston, and the ageless Joe Pavelski, who'll turn 39 in July. Pavelski is looking to win the Cup for the first time, but he's been terrific this season. So while his pursuit of that elusive championship is a storyline, this may not be the veteran forward's last dance.

3. Panthers vs. Golden Knights

No matter who prevails in Round 3, the Cup Final will feature two teams from so-called "untraditional" hockey markets. Of course, that term has lost meaning now that the Stars, Hurricanes, and several other southern-based and/or western-situated squads have won titles.

However, the fact remains that neither the Golden Knights nor the Panthers have ever hoisted Lord Stanley's mug, so this pairing would guarantee a first-time champion. Both Florida and Vegas have been right on the doorstep, reaching the final in 1996 and 2018, respectively. The Colorado Avalanche swept the Panthers in Florida's third season in the league, while the Washington Capitals took care of the Golden Knights in five games in Vegas' inaugural campaign.

There are other reasons this could be a watchable series. For example, the Panthers and Golden Knights both have ultra-versatile, two-way wizards in the forms of Matthew Tkachuk and Mark Stone. It could be enjoyable to watch them battle in the corner. But the on-ice product as a whole won't be quite as fun as the two other possibilities.

2. Golden Knights vs. Hurricanes

On paper, this is the best possible matchup as it features two top seeds. But the games aren't played on paper. The Golden Knights won the Pacific, but that's the NHL's worst division. Vegas got three more points than Dallas during the regular season, but the Stars' plus-67 goal differential ranked second in the league, while their hypothetical opponents here sat ninth at plus-43.

The Golden Knights are also an average possession team, having ranked 16th in five-on-five xGF% during the regular season. That being said, Jack Eichel's stellar play in his first crack at the playoffs has been a delight, and Vegas remains a talented group blessed with depth almost everywhere. It's a shame injured Hurricanes forward Max Pacioretty won't be able to take part in this potential final against his old squad, but there would be a lot to like about the scenario nonetheless.

Carolina goaltender Frederik Andersen and Golden Knights netminder Adin Hill have both been dominant in these playoffs. Andersen is excelling after overcoming numerous past injuries, and Hill has stepped in admirably amid ailments sustained by his partners in the Vegas crease.

1. Hurricanes vs. Stars

This one's the most appealing for several reasons. Firstly, Carolina led the NHL in expected goals for percentage at five-on-five during the regular season, and Dallas is on top in that category so far in this postseason. These are two superb possession teams, and that combination of play-driving squads makes this possibility slightly more tantalizing than the Hurricanes' alternative.

Sebastian Aho and his teammates are also looking to win it all without (and for) Andrei Svechnikov, whose campaign ended in March due to a torn ACL. Svech's absence has taken some oomph out of the Carolina offense, but it's also made the team even more of a sentimental favorite. The Hurricanes and Stars are both elite defensive teams, too. While that could hurt the ratings, it would add to the recipe for what would be the best Cup Final outcome.

(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)

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The Calgary Flames don't want the Pittsburgh Penguins contacting Brad Treliving about their general manger vacancy - at least for the time being.

The Penguins wanted to reach out to the ex-Flames GM as part of their initial round of interviews, but the Flames wouldn't allow it, reports The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. Calgary said Pittsburgh would need to wait until Treliving's contract expires June 30 before contacting him.

Though the Flames are paying Treliving for another six weeks or so, the team and the executive agreed to part ways in mid-April. Don Maloney took over as president of hockey operations and interim GM.

The Penguins fired GM Ron Hextall along with president of hockey operations Brian Burke a few days before Calgary and Treliving made their decision official.

Pittsburgh reportedly interviewed 10-12 candidates in the first round of discussions about the GM role, including Peter Chiarelli and Marc Bergevin.

The Penguins are slated to draft 14th overall next month. Calgary will be on the clock two picks later.

Treliving assembled a Flames squad that won the Pacific Division last season. However, Calgary lost in the second round of the playoffs in 2021-22 and failed to make the postseason this campaign after a roller-coaster offseason in which management was forced to overhaul the roster.

The 53-year-old was initially lauded for acquiring Jonathan Huberdeau and Mackenzie Weegar from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk, but the former didn't mesh with head coach Darryl Sutter and had a disappointing season. Calgary fired Sutter in early May.

Treliving had served as Flames GM since April 2014. He drafted the likes of Dillon Dube, Rasmus Andersson, and Andrew Mangiapane and was never afraid to make a blockbuster trade or signing. In 2018, he landed Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin in an ill-advised swap with the Carolina Hurricanes in which he gave up future Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox.

The former GM signed Nazem Kadri to a seven-year, $49-million pact last summer, but the gritty forward had a somewhat disappointing campaign. Kadri enjoyed a career year with the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche last season.

Before joining the Flames, Treliving was the Arizona Coyotes' assistant GM.

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The conference finalists in these Stanley Cup Playoffs will have a little bit of time to rest up before their series begin.

Here's how and where each matchup takes place. All of the Eastern Conference games will start at 8 p.m. ET and air on TNT, Sportsnet, CBC, and TVA Sports.

*If necessary

Eastern Conference Final

Carolina Hurricanes (M1) vs. Florida Panthers (WC2)

Western Conference Final

Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Dallas Stars (C2)

All of the Western Conference Final contests will be broadcast on ESPN+, Sportsnet, CBC, and TVA Sports. ABC will also air Games 2 and 5, with ESPN showing the rest of the matchups.

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A quartet of groups reportedly remains in the hunt to purchase the Ottawa Senators on the final day bids can be submitted.

The final four majority owner candidates are Michael Andlauer, Steve Apostolopoulos, Jeffrey and Michael Kimel, and Neko Sparks, reports Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.

One of the bids exceeds $1 billion, according to Sportico's Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams.

Andlauer is a Montreal Canadiens minority owner who also owns the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs.

Apostolopoulos reportedly bid $6 billion for the NFL's Washington Commanders, who were later sold to New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris. Apostolopoulos is based in Toronto.

The Kimels are also Toronto-area billionaires and former Pittsburgh Penguins minority owners who recently sold their stake in the club. Canadian singer The Weeknd has partnered with their bid.

Sparks is an L.A.-based entrepreneur, CEO, and producer. He's aiming to become the first Black owner in NHL history. Snoop Dogg has joined his efforts. Sparks reportedly wants to offer First Nations communities equity stakes in the team.

Snoop Dogg posted a message for the Senators and their fans on his Instagram account Monday.

Ryan Reynolds was initially interested, but his bid - fronted by real estate mogul Christopher Bratty and the Remington Group - bowed out last week. The group reportedly sought an exclusive negotiating window but was denied.

Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive also appeared to be in the mix for the Senators but isn't among the reported final bidders.

The late Eugene Melnyk's daughters, Anna and Olivia, inherited the franchise when their father died in March 2022. They appointed New York-based firm Galatioto Sports Partners to oversee the sale.

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Jay Woodcroft isn't tipping his hand about which Edmonton Oilers goaltender will be in the crease to start Game 6 of their second-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night.

"I'm going to reserve the right to take the time that we have before we have to make that decision," the Oilers head coach said Saturday.

Stuart Skinner has started all 11 playoff games for Edmonton this spring. He owns a .890 save percentage in that span. Woodcroft has pulled him in favor of Jack Campbell three times this postseason, including in a 4-3 loss Friday.

However, Woodcroft praised Skinner and insisted the 24-year-old's performance wasn't a factor in giving Campbell a few opportunities.

"(Skinner has been) very good," Woodcroft said. "He's given us a chance to win ... in those pulls, that was more to either stem the tide of momentum or to try and change something up. Those are on the team, they're not on one individual. So, for us, we're in the position we're in because of the people that we have in the locker room, and we believe the solutions to what we're trying to get done here - the answers - are in the locker room."

Woodcroft also lauded Campbell for his ability to step in when called upon.

"He's someone who's come (on in) relief very well," the bench boss said. "He's done his job, and I think that's a big thing for all players. ... For Jack to come (on in) relief the times he has, he's come in and done his job and been an important member of our group."

Campbell was a prized offseason signing for the Oilers, who inked him to a five-year, $25-million deal last July. The 31-year-old began the campaign as Edmonton's starter, but Skinner snatched the job from him and ran with it by outplaying him in the second half.

The elder netminder also replaced Skinner during a 5-1 loss in Game 3 of this series and a 5-4 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 4 of their first-round matchup. Campbell has turned aside all but two of 47 shots in these playoffs.

Skinner was voted a Calder Trophy finalist earlier in May. He posted a .914 save percentage during the regular season, going 29-14-5 in 50 games and starting all but two of them. Skinner had never played in the postseason before starting Game 1 against the Kings in April.

The Golden Knights lead the ongoing series 3-2. If necessary, Game 7 would take place Tuesday night.

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Morgan Rielly and his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates thought they tied up Friday's Game 5 against the Florida Panthers late in the second period, but a play that was ruled no goal on the ice was upheld on review.

Here's a closer look at the play, along with the disappointed reactions from Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas and his staff.

The NHL said the referee blew the play dead before the puck crossed the line.

The Leafs did eventually score the tying goal, as William Nylander buried one with under five minutes left in the third period.

Rielly netted a goal earlier in the second frame to cut the Panthers' lead to 2-1.

The Panthers entered Game 5 leading the best-of-seven series 3-1.

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Jesper Fast scored the winning goal just over seven minutes into overtime as the Carolina Hurricanes ended the New Jersey Devils' season with a 3-2 victory in Game 5 of their second-round series Thursday night.

The Hurricanes will face either the Florida Panthers or Toronto Maple Leafs in the Eastern Conference Final. The Panthers lead that series 3-1.

More to come.

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Ryan Reynolds won't be part of the new ownership group of the Ottawa Senators, as the actor's bid for the club isn't moving forward, reports ESPN's Emily Kaplan.

Reynolds' request for an exclusive window to finalize the deal was declined, adds Kaplan.

The "Deadpool" star was aligned with a bid from real estate mogul Christopher Bratty's Remington Group. The consortium was reportedly prepared to offer $1 billion for the team, which Forbes valued at $800 million in December.

Two more celebrities - Snoop Dogg and The Weeknd - recently joined the pursuit to purchase the Senators.

The deadline for interested parties to submit final offers is Monday.

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Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Laurent Brossoit exited Game 3 of their second-round playoff series against the Edmonton Oilers in the first period due to injury.

Brossoit needed help off the ice after sliding across the crease on an Oilers scoring chance.

The Golden Knights ruled Brossoit out for the rest of the game in the first intermission.

Adin Hill entered the contest in his place. Hill made his second appearance of the playoffs after relieving Brossoit in the third period of Game 2, which the Oilers won 5-1.

Jonathan Quick is Vegas' third goalie.

Brossoit provided stability in the Golden Knights' crease down the stretch. He went 7-0-3 with a .927 save percentage in 11 games during the regular season, including a span in April when he went 5-0-0 with a .946 clip after taking over as the starter in the wake of injuries to Hill and Logan Thompson.

Brossoit entered Monday's game with a 5-2 record and a .896 save percentage in these playoffs.

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The Chicago Blackhawks got the opportunity to select Connor Bedard by securing the first overall pick in the NHL draft lottery Monday night.

The Anaheim Ducks will choose second, while the Columbus Blue Jackets will pick third. Here's the full list of teams for the top 16 selections:

The Blackhawks had the third-highest odds of winning the lottery at 11.5%. The Ducks had the best chance at 25.5%, while the Blue Jackets had the second-highest odds at 13.5%.

Chicago has picked first overall just once in franchise history, selecting Patrick Kane in 2007. The club chose Kirby Dach third overall in 2019 before trading him to the Montreal Canadiens last July.

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