The NHL has officially released the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff schedule for the first round, detailing all matchups, game dates and start times as teams begin their quest toward the championship.
The opening round includes best-of-seven series in both conferences, featuring high-stakes matchups between division winners and wild-card teams.
Eastern Conference First-Round Matchups
The Eastern Conference First Round features eight teams in best-of-seven series, with the higher-seeded teams gaining home advantage in Games 1, 2, 5, and 7.
Below are the complete Eastern Conference matchups for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including schedule and broadcast details for the first round.
Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabers
Series Format: Best-of-seven | 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round
- Game 1: April 19, 2026 (7:30 p.m. ET) - Buffalo - ESPN
- Game 2: April 21, 2026 (7:30 p.m. ET) - Buffalo - ESPN
- Game 3: April 23, 2026 (7:00 p.m. ET) - Boston - TNT
- Game 4: April 26, 2026 (2:00 p.m. ET) - Boston - TNT
- Game 5 (if necessary): April 28, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Buffalo - TBD
- Game 6 (if necessary): May 1, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Boston - TBD
- Game 7 (if necessary): May 3, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Buffalo - TBD
Boston's experience meets Buffalo's rising core in a physical Atlantic Division series that tests both depth and composure.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
- Game 1: April 19, 2026 (5:45 PM ET) - Tampa Bay - TNT
- Game 2: April 21, 2026 (7:00 p.m. ET) — Tampa Bay — ESPN2
- Game 3: April 24, 2026 (7:00 p.m. ET) - Montreal - TNT
- Game 4: April 26, 2026 (7:00 p.m. ET) - Montreal - ESPN
- Game 5 (if necessary): April 29, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Tampa Bay - TBD
- Game 6 (if necessary): May 1, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Montreal - TBD
- Game 7 (if necessary): May 3, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Tampa Bay - TBD
Tampa Bay's playoff-tested roster faces a Montreal team looking to build on its postseason momentum in a rematch-style Atlantic showdown.
Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes
- Game 1: April 18, 2026 (3:00 PM ET) - Carolina - ESPN
- Game 2: April 20, 2026 (7:30 p.m. ET) - Carolina - ESPN2
- Game 3: April 23, 2026 (7:30 p.m. ET) - Ottawa - TBS
- Game 4: April 25, 2026 (3:00 PM ET) - Ottawa - TBS
- Game 5 (if necessary): April 27, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Carolina - TBD
- Game 6 (if necessary): April 30, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Ottawa - TBD
- Game 7 (if necessary): May 2, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Carolina - TBD
Carolina's structured, defensive style meets Ottawa's young, fast-rising core in a series built on speed and discipline.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
- Game 1: April 18, 2026 (8:00 PM ET) — Pittsburgh — ESPN
- Game 2: April 20, 2026 (7:00 p.m. ET) - Pittsburgh - ESPN
- Game 3: April 22, 2026 (7:00 p.m. ET) - Philadelphia - TNT
- Game 4: April 25, 2026 (8:00 PM ET) - Philadelphia - TBS
- Game 5 (if necessary): April 27, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Pittsburgh - TBD
- Game 6 (if necessary): April 29, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Philadelphia - TBD
- Game 7 (if necessary): May 2, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Pittsburgh - TBD
A renewed Pennsylvania rivalry adds intensity to a matchup defined by history, physicality and playoff experience.
The winners advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Western Conference First-Round Matchups
The Western Conference First Round features eight teams in best-of-seven series, with the higher-seeded teams gaining home advantage in Games 1, 2, 5, and 7.
Below are the complete Western Conference matchups for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche
- Game 1: April 19, 2026 (3:00 PM ET) - Colorado - TNT
- Game 2: April 21, 2026 (10:00 p.m. ET) - Colorado - ESPN
- Game 3: April 23, 2026 (10:00 p.m. ET) - Los Angeles - TNT
- Game 4: April 26, 2026 (4:30 PM ET) - Los Angeles - TNT
- Game 5 (if necessary): April 29, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Colorado - TBD
- Game 6 (if necessary): May 1, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Los Angeles - TBD
- Game 7 (if necessary): May 3, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Colorado - TBD
A pace-driven Avalanche attack meets a defensively structured Kings roster in a classic contrast of styles.
Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars
- Game 1: April 18, 2026 (5:30 p.m. ET) - Dallas - ESPN
- Game 2: April 20, 2026 (9:30 PM ET) - Dallas - ESPN
- Game 3: April 22, 2026 (9:30 PM ET) - Minnesota - TNT
- Game 4: April 25, 2026 (5:30 p.m. ET) - Minnesota - TBS
- Game 5 (if necessary): April 28, 2026 (12 p.m. ET) - Dallas - TBD
- Game 6 (if necessary): April 30, 2026 (1 p.m. ET) - Minnesota - TBD
- Game 7 (if necessary): May 2, 2026 (1 p.m. ET) - Dallas - TBD
Dallas' balanced scoring and experience contrasts Minnesota's disciplined defensive structure and goaltending prowess.
Utah Mammoth vs. Vegas Golden Knights
- Game 1: April 19, 2026 (10:00 p.m. ET) - Las Vegas - ESPN
- Game 2: April 21, 2026 (9:30 p.m. ET) — Las Vegas — ESPN2
- Game 3: April 24, 2026 (9:30 PM ET) - Utah - TBS
- Game 4: April 27, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Utah - ESPN
- Game 5 (if necessary): April 29, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Las Vegas - TBD
- Game 6 (if necessary): May 1, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Utah - TBD
- Game 7 (if necessary): May 3, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Las Vegas - TBD
Vegas' playoff-tested core faces a Utah team that makes its inaugural postseason appearance under pressure.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers
- Game 1: April 20, 2026 (10:00 p.m. ET) - Edmonton - ESPN2
- Game 2: April 22, 2026 (10:00 p.m. ET) - Edmonton - TBS
- Game 3: April 24, 2026 (10:00 p.m. ET) - Anaheim - TNT
- Game 4: April 26, 2026 (9:30 PM ET) - Anaheim - ESPN
- Game 5 (if necessary): April 28, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Edmonton - TBD
- Game 6 (if necessary): April 30, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Anaheim - TBD
- Game 7 (if necessary): May 2, 2026 (TBD PM ET) - Edmonton - TBD
Edmonton's high-powered attack tests Anaheim's young roster and defensive structure.
nhl playoff format reminder
The Stanley Cup Playoffs consist of a 16-team bracket consisting of four best-of-seven rounds culminating in the Stanley Cup Finals.
What's next in the NHL?
The winners advanced to the Conference Semifinals as the race for the Stanley Cup continued.
READ MORE: NHL Games Today – Full Schedule, Start Times & Matchups
