Stanley Cup Playoffs Set for 2026
The NHL’s 2025-26 regular season has come to a close, and the playoff bracket is now set. The race for the 2026 Stanley Cup title will begin on Saturday, April 18. With the regular season over, the focus shifts to the intense competition that defines the playoffs, where only the best teams will have a chance to claim the coveted championship.
Eastern Conference Matchups
In the Eastern Conference, four series are set to take place:
- Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators
- Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
- Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins
- Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
Each of these matchups promises to be a thrilling contest, with teams vying for dominance in one of the most competitive conferences in the league. The Hurricanes and Senators, for example, have shown strong performances throughout the season, while the Penguins and Flyers bring a history of playoff success to the table.
Western Conference Matchups
On the other side of the country, the Western Conference also features four exciting series:
- Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings
- Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild
- Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth
- Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks
The Avalanche, led by their star players, are expected to be strong contenders, while the Kings have been making a name for themselves in recent years. The Stars and Wild are known for their high-octane play, and the Golden Knights and Mammoth could provide some unexpected surprises. Meanwhile, the Oilers and Ducks have both had solid seasons and will be looking to make a deep run in the playoffs.
How to Follow the Playoffs
For fans who want to stay up-to-date with all the action, there are several ways to follow the Stanley Cup playoffs. Here are the key details:
- Dates and Times: All games will be scheduled starting on April 18, with times listed in p.m. ET. Some games may require adjustments depending on the time zone.
- Television and Streaming: Fans can watch the games on major networks or through streaming platforms. Specific channels and services will be announced closer to the start of the playoffs.
- Live Updates: Many sports websites and apps will provide live scores, highlights, and analysis throughout the playoffs.
Eastern Conference
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators
Hurricanes lead series 1-0
- Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Senators 0 | Story
- Game 2: April 20: Ottawa at Carolina, 7:30, ESPN2
- Game 3: April 23. Carolina at Ottawa, 7:30, TBS
- Game 4: April 25, Carolina at Ottawa, 3, TBS, truTV
- x-Game 5: April 26, Ottawa at Carolina, TBD
- x-Game 6: April 30, Carolina at Ottawa, TBD
- x-Game 7: May 2, Ottawa at Carolina, TBD
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers lead series 1-0
- Game 1: Flyers 3, Penguins 2 | Story
- Game 2: April 20, Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7, ESPN
- Game 3: April 22. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7, ESPN
- Game 4: April 25. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 8, TBS, truTV
- x-Game 5: April 27. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, TBD
- x-Game 6: April 29. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, TBD
- x-Game 7: May 2. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, TBD
Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins
Sabres lead series 1-0
- Game 1: Sabres 4, Bruins 3 | Story
- Game 2: April 21. Boston at Buffalo, 7:30, ESPN
- Game 3: April 23. Buffalo at Boston, 7, TNT, truTV
- Game 4: April 26. Buffalo at Boston, 7, TNT, truTV
- x-Game 5: April 28, Buffalo at Boston, TBD
- x-Game 6: May 1, Buffalo at Boston, TBD
- x-Game 7: May 3. Buffalo at Boston, TBD
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens
Canadiens lead series 1-0
- Game 1: Canadiens 4, Lightning 3 (OT)
- Game 2: April 21. Montreal at Tampa Bay, 7, ESPN2
- Game 3: April 24. Tampa Bay at Montreal, 7, TNT, truTV
- Game 4: April 26, Tampa Bay at Montreal, 7, ESPN,
- x-Game 5: April 29. Montreal at Tampa Bay, TBD
- x-Game 6: May 1. Tampa Bay at Montreal, TBD
- x-Game 7: May 3. Montreal at Tampa Bay, TBD
Western Conference
Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings
Avalanche lead series 1-0
- Game 1: Avalanche 2, Kings 1 | Story
- Game 2: April 21. Los Angeles at Colorado, 10 , ESPN
- Game 3: April 23. Colorado at Los Angeles, 10, TNT, truTV
- Game 4: April 26. Colorado at Los Angeles, 4:30, TNT, truTV
- x-Game 5: April 29, Los Angeles at Colorado, TBD
- x-Game 6: May 1. Colorado at Los Angeles, TBD
- x-Game 7: May 3. Los Angeles at Colorado, TBD
Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild
Wild lead series 1-0
- Game 1: Wild 6, Stars 1 | Story
- Game 2: April 20. Minnesota at Dallas, 9:30, ESPN
- Game 3: April 22. Dallas at Minnesota, 9:30 TNT, truTV
- Game 4: April 25. Dallas at Minnesota, 5:30, TBS, truTV
- x-Game 5: April 28, Minnesota at Dallas, TBD
- x-Game 6: April 30. Dallas at Minnesota, TBD
- x-Game 7: May 2, Minnesota at Dallas, TBD
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth
Golden Knights lead series 1-0
- Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Mammoth 2
- Game 2: April 21. Utah at Vegas, 9:30 ESPN2
- Game 3: April 24. Vegas at Utah, 9:30, TBS
- Game 4: April 27, Vegas at Utah, TBD, ESPN)
- x-Game 5: April 29. Utah at Vegas, TBD
- x-Game 6: May 1. Vegas at Utah, TBD
- x-Game 7: May 3. Utah at Vegas, TBD
Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks
- Game 1: April 20. Anaheim at Edmonton, 10, ESPN2
- Game 2: April 22. Anaheim at Edmonton, 10, TBS
- Game 3: April 24. Edmonton at Anaheim, 10,TNT, truTV
- Game 4: April 26. Edmonton at Anaheim, 9:30, ESPN
- x-Game 5: April 28. Anaheim at Edmonton, TBD
- x-Game 6: April 30, Edmonton at Anaheim, TBD
- *Game 7: May 2. Anaheim at Edmonton, TBD
How to watch NHL playoffs
NHL playoff games will be broadcast in the United States by ESPN, TNT and their affiliated networks.
How to stream NHL playoffs
Fubo carries ESPN, and Sling carries TNT.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL playoff schedule: Dates, TV, channel, bracket for first-round games
Whether you’re a die-hard hockey fan or just getting into the sport, the Stanley Cup playoffs offer an exciting opportunity to witness some of the best hockey in the world. With each series being a test of skill, strategy, and endurance, the road to the championship will be anything but easy. As the action begins, fans around the globe will be tuning in to see which team will ultimately lift the Stanley Cup.
