NHL Conference Finals facts for kids
The National Hockey League (NHL) Conference Finals are super exciting hockey games! They are the championship series for the Eastern Conference and Western Conference in the NHL. Think of them as the semi-finals before the big championship game.
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What Are the NHL Conference Finals?
These games happen every year in late May. They take place after the first two rounds of the playoffs. The two best teams from the Eastern Conference play each other. At the same time, the two best teams from the Western Conference also play each other. The winners of these two series then go on to play in the Stanley Cup Finals. That's where they battle for the famous Stanley Cup trophy!
How Do They Work?
Each Conference Final is a "best-of-seven" series. This means two teams play against each other up to seven times. The first team to win four games wins the series. If one team wins four games quickly, like 4-0 or 4-1, the series ends sooner. If the teams are very evenly matched, they might play all seven games! This makes for very thrilling hockey.
The Eastern Conference Championship
The team that wins the Eastern Conference Final gets a special award. They are given the Prince of Wales Trophy. This trophy is named after the Prince of Wales. He later became King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom. The trophy has been around since 1925. It's a symbol of being the best team in the Eastern Conference.
The Western Conference Championship
The winner of the Western Conference Final also receives a cool trophy. This one is called the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl. It's named after Clarence S. Campbell. He was the president of the NHL for many years. This trophy has been awarded since 1968. It shows that a team is the champion of the Western Conference.
Why Are They Important?
Winning a Conference Final is a huge deal for any NHL team. It means they have beaten many other strong teams. It also means they have earned the right to play for the Stanley Cup. The Stanley Cup is one of the oldest and most famous trophies in sports! These games are often very intense and exciting. Players give their all to reach the final championship.
