Here’s a look at the initial matchups and game outcomes for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round.
Contents
- EASTERN CONFERENCE
- Boston Bruins (WC1) vs. Buffalo Sabres (A1)
- Montreal Canadiens (A3) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (A2)
- Ottawa Senators (WC2) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (M1)
- Philadelphia Flyers (M3) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (M2)
- WESTERN CONFERENCE
- Los Angeles Kings (WC2) vs. Colorado Avalanche (C1)
- Minnesota Wild (C3) vs. Dallas Stars (C2)
- Utah Mammoth (WC1) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (P1)
- Anaheim Ducks (P3) vs. Edmonton Oilers (P2)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Boston Bruins (WC1) vs. Buffalo Sabres (A1)
Series tied 1-1
- Game 1: Boston 3 at Buffalo 4
- Game 2: Boston 4 at Buffalo 2
- Game 3: Buffalo at Boston, 7 p.m. ET April 23
- Game 4: Buffalo at Boston, 2 p.m. ET April 26
- *Game 5: Boston at Buffalo, April 28
- *Game 6: Buffalo at Boston, May 1
- *Game 7: Boston at Buffalo, May 3
*If necessary
Montreal Canadiens (A3) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (A2)
Series tied 1-1
- Game 1: Montreal 4 at Tampa Bay 3 (OT)
- Game 2: Montreal 2 at Tampa Bay 3
- Game 3: Tampa Bay at Montreal, 7 p.m. ET April 24
- Game 4: Tampa Bay at Montreal, 7 p.m. ET April 26
- *Game 5: Montreal at Tampa Bay, April 29
- *Game 6: Tampa Bay at Montreal, May 1
- *Game 7: Montreal at Tampa Bay, May 3
*If necessary
Ottawa Senators (WC2) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (M1)
Hurricanes lead series 2-0
- Game 1: Ottawa 0 at Carolina 2
- Game 2: Ottawa 2 at Carolina 3 (2OT)
- Game 3: Carolina at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m. ET April 23
- Game 4: Carolina at Ottawa, 3 p.m. ET April 25
- *Game 5: Ottawa at Carolina, April 27
- *Game 6: Carolina at Ottawa, April 30
- *Game 7: Ottawa at Carolina, May 2
*If necessary
Philadelphia Flyers (M3) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (M2)
Flyers lead series 2-0
- Game 1: Philadelphia 3 at Pittsburgh 2
- Game 2: Philadelphia 3 at Pittsburgh 0
- Game 3: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. ET April 22
- Game 4: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 8 p.m. ET April 25
- *Game 5: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, April 27
- *Game 6: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, April 29
- *Game 7: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, May 2
*If necessary
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Los Angeles Kings (WC2) vs. Colorado Avalanche (C1)
Avalanche lead series 2-0
- Game 1: Los Angeles 1 at Colorado 2
- Game 2: Los Angeles 1 at Colorado 2 (OT)
- Game 3: Colorado at Los Angeles, 10 p.m. April 23
- Game 4: Colorado at Los Angeles, 4:30 p.m. ET April 26
- *Game 5: Los Angeles at Colorado, April 29
- *Game 6: Colorado at Los Angeles, May 1
- *Game 7: Los Angeles at Colorado, May 3
*If necessary
Minnesota Wild (C3) vs. Dallas Stars (C2)
Series tied 1-1
- Game 1: Minnesota 6 at Dallas 1
- Game 2: Minnesota 2 at Dallas 4
- Game 3: Dallas at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. ET April 22
- Game 4: Dallas at Minnesota, 5:30 p.m. ET April 25
- *Game 5: Minnesota at Dallas, April 28
- *Game 6: Dallas at Minnesota, April 30
- *Game 7: Minnesota at Dallas, May 2
*If necessary
Utah Mammoth (WC1) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (P1)
Series tied 1-1
- Game 1: Utah 2 at Vegas 4
- Game 2: Utah 3 at Vegas 1
- Game 3: Vegas at Utah, 9:30 p.m. ET
- Game 4: Vegas at Utah, April 27
- *Game 5: Utah at Vegas, April 29
- *Game 6: Vegas at Utah, May 1
- *Game 7: Utah at Vegas, May 3
*If necessary
Anaheim Ducks (P3) vs. Edmonton Oilers (P2)
Oilers lead series 1-0
- Game 1: Anaheim 3 at Edmonton 4
- Game 2: Anaheim at Edmonton, 10 p.m. ET April 22
- Game 3: Edmonton at Anaheim, 10 p.m. ET April 24
- Game 4: Edmonton at Anaheim, 9:30 p.m. ET April 26
- *Game 5: Anaheim at Edmonton, April 28
- *Game 6: Edmonton at Anaheim, April 30
- *Game 7: Anaheim at Edmonton, May 2
*If necessary
