Full 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule, Updated Bracket and Results
The NHL's 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are about to get started, with the postseason running from Apr. 18 through June 21 at the latest.
After winning back-to-back titles, both times beating the Edmonton Oilers, the Florida Panthers did not make the playoffs and are out of contention.
With that, the NHL will crown a new champion for the first time in three years, with the Colorado Avalanche entering the postseason as the Presidents' Trophy holders after racking up more points than anyone else in the regular season.
Although the Avalanche are one of the best teams in the field, they're not alone. The Carolina Hurricanes are a perennial contender and enter the playoffs with the best record from an Eastern Conference team.
Out West, the Oilers have made the finals in consecutive years and are gearing up for another similarly deep run after keeping their main core intact.
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs - First Round Bracket
Here's the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs updated bracket for both conferences.
YOUR 2026 #STANLEYCUP PLAYOFFS BRACKET IS HERE
— NHL (@NHL) April 17, 2026
: The #StanleyCup Playoffs begin SATURDAY on @espn, @NHL_On_TNT, @Sportsnet, & @TVASportspic.twitter.com/N4wSW1bhSl
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(A1) Buffalo Sabres 0 - 0 Boston Bruins (WC1)
(A2) Tampa Bay Lightning 0 - 0 Montreal Canadiens (A3)
(M1) Carolina Hurricanes 0 - 0 Ottawa Senators (WC2)
(M2) Pittsburgh Penguins 0 - 0 Philadelphia Flyers (M3)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(C1) Colorado Avalanche 0 - 0 Nashville Predators (WC2)
(C2) Dallas Stars 0 - 0 Minnesota Wild (C3)
(P1) Edmonton Oilers 0 - 0 Utah Mammoth (WC1)
(P2) Anaheim Ducks 0 - 0 Vegas Golden Knights (P3)
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs - First Round Schedule and Results
Here's the full schedule and updated results for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(WC1) Boston Bruins vs. (A1) Buffalo Sabres
Game 1: Boston at Buffalo - Apr. 19 - 7:30 p.m. ET
Game 2: Boston at Buffalo - Apr. 21 - 7:30 p.m. ET
Game 3: Buffalo at Boston - Apr. 23 - 7 p.m. ET
Game 4: Buffalo at Boston - Apr. 26 - 2 p.m. ET
* Game 5: Boston at Buffalo - Apr. 28 - TBD
* Game 6: Buffalo at Boston - May 1 - TBD
* Game 7: Boston at Buffalo - May 3 - TBD
(A3) Montreal Canadiens vs. (A2) Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 1: Montreal at Tampa Bay - Apr. 19 - 5:45 p.m. ET
Game 2: Montreal at Tampa Bay - Apr. 21 - 7 p.m. ET
Game 3: Tampa Bay at Montreal - Apr. 24 - 7 p.m. ET
Game 4: Tampa Bay at Montreal - Apr. 26 - 7 p.m. ET
* Game 5: Montreal at Tampa Bay - Apr. 29 - TBD
* Game 6: Tampa Bay at Montreal - May 1 - TBD
* Game 7: Montreal at Tampa Bay - May 3 - TBD
(WC2) Ottawa Senators vs. (M1) Carolina Hurricanes
Game 1: Ottawa at Carolina - Apr. 18 - 3 p.m. ET
Game 2: Ottawa at Carolina - Apr. 20 - 7:30 p.m. ET
Game 3: Carolina at Ottawa - Apr. 23 - 7:30 p.m. ET
Game 4: Carolina at Ottawa - Apr. 25 - 3 p.m. ET
* Game 5: Ottawa at Carolina - Apr. 27 - TBD
* Game 6: Carolina at Ottawa - Apr. 30 - TBD
* Game 7: Ottawa at Carolina - May 2 - TBD
(M3) Philadelphia Flyers vs. (M2) Pittsburgh Penguins
Game 1: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh - Apr. 18 - 8 p.m. ET
Game 2: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh - Apr. 20 - 7 p.m. ET
Game 3: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia - Apr. 22 - 7 p.m. ET
Game 4: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia - Apr. 25 - 8 p.m. ET
* Game 5: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh - Apr. 27 - TBD
* Game 6: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia - Apr. 29 - TBD
* Game 7: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh - May 2 - TBD
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(WC2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (C1) Colorado Avalanche
Game 1: Los Angeles at Colorado - Apr. 19 - 3 p.m. ET
Game 2: Los Angeles at Colorado - Apr. 21 - 10 p.m. ET
Game 3: Colorado at Los Angeles - Apr. 23 - 10 p.m. ET
Game 4: Colorado at Los Angeles - Apr. 26 - 4:30 p.m. ET
* Game 5: Los Angeles at Colorado - Apr. 29 - TBD
* Game 6: Colorado at Los Angeles - May 1 - TBD
* Game 7: Los Angeles at Colorado - May 3 - TBD
(C3) Minnesota Wild vs. (C2) Dallas Stars
Game 1: Minnesota at Dallas - Apr. 18 - 5:30 p.m. ET
Game 2: Minnesota at Dallas - Apr. 20 - 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 3: Dallas at Minnesota - Apr. 22 - 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 4: Dallas at Minnesota - Apr. 25 - 5:30 p.m. ET
* Game 5: Minnesota at Dallas - Apr. 28 - TBD
* Game 6: Dallas at Minnesota - Apr. 30 - TBD
* Game 7: Minnesota at Dallas - May 2 - TBD
(WC1) Utah Mammoth vs. (P1) Vegas Golden Knights
Game 1: Utah at Vegas - Apr. 19 - 10 p.m. ET
Game 2: Utah at Vegas - Apr. 21 - 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 3: Vegas at Utah - Apr. 24 - 9:30 p.m. ET
Game 4: Vegas at Utah - Apr. 27 - TBD
* Game 5: Utah at Vegas - Apr. 29 - TBD
* Game 6: Vegas at Utah - May 1 - TBD
* Game 7: Utah at Vegas - May 3 - TBD
(P3) Anaheim Ducks vs. (P2) Edmonton Oilers
Game 1: Anaheim at Edmonton - Apr. 20 - 10 p.m. ET
Game 2: Anaheim at Edmonton - Apr. 22 - 10 p.m. ET
Game 3: Edmonton at Anaheim - Apr. 24 - 10 p.m. ET
Game 4: Edmonton at Anaheim - Apr. 26 - 9:30 p.m. ET
* Game 5: Anaheim at Edmonton - Apr. 28 - TBD
* Game 6: Edmonton at Anaheim - Apr. 30 - TBD
* Game 7: Anaheim at Edmonton - May 2 - TBD
* If Necessary
Related: NHL Legend Wayne Gretzky Announces His 2026 Hart Trophy Winner
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 12:29 PM.