The Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, and the 2026 edition promises to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. With 16 teams battling for Lord Stanley’s Cup, the field is wide open after the defending champion Florida Panthers failed to qualify, ending a decade-long streak of the reigning champ making the postseason.
The Colorado Avalanche enter as Presidents’ Trophy winners, while the Vegas Golden Knights aim to recapture their 2023 magic under John Tortorella. Connor McDavid is chasing his first Cup after another dominant 130-point season, and the Eastern Conference features a nostalgic “Battle of Pennsylvania” between the Penguins and Flyers. The Buffalo Sabres, after 14 years, have finally ended the longest playoff drought in NHL history, storming in as Atlantic Division champions under Lindy Ruff. The Utah Mammoth also make their postseason debut, adding to the intrigue.
Here is the full schedule for every series of the 2026 NHL Playoffs.
### Second Round
Hurricanes vs. Flyers – Carolina wins 4-0
– Game 1: Hurricanes 3, Flyers 0
– Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Flyers 2 (OT)
– Game 3: Hurricanes 4, Flyers 1
– Game 4: Hurricanes 3, Flyers 2 (OT)
Sabres vs. Canadiens – Tied 2-2
– Game 1: Sabres 4, Canadiens 2
– Game 2: Canadiens 5, Sabres 1
– Game 3: Canadiens 6, Sabres 2
– Game 4: Sabres 3, Canadiens 2
– Game 5: May 14 at Buffalo, 7 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, DIRECTV)
– Game 6: May 16 at Montreal, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app)
– Game 7: May 18 at Buffalo (TBA, ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app) if necessary
Avalanche vs. Wild – Colorado leads 3-1
– Game 1: Avalanche 9, Wild 6
– Game 2: Avalanche 5, Wild 2
– Game 3: Wild 5, Avalanche 1
– Game 4: Avalanche 5, Wild 2
– Game 5: May 13 at Colorado, 8 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, DIRECTV)
– Game 6: May 15 at Minnesota* (8 p.m. ET, ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app)
– Game 7: May 17 at Colorado (TBA, TNT, truTV, DIRECTV) if necessary
Golden Knights vs. Ducks – Vegas leads 3-2
– Game 1: Golden Knights 3, Ducks 1
– Game 2: Ducks 3, Golden Knights 1
– Game 3: Golden Knights 6, Ducks 2
– Game 4: Ducks 4, Golden Knights 3
– Game 5: Golden Knights 3, Ducks 2 (OT)
– Game 6: May 14 at Anaheim, 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, DIRECTV)
– Game 7: May 16 at Vegas (5 p.m. ET, ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app) if necessary
### First Round
Sabres vs. Bruins – Buffalo wins 4-2
– Game 1: Sabres 4, Bruins 3
– Game 2: Bruins 4, Sabres 2
– Game 3: Sabres 3, Bruins 1
– Game 4: Sabres 6, Bruins 1
– Game 5: Bruins 2, Sabres 1 (OT)
– Game 6: Sabres 4, Bruins 1
Lightning vs. Canadiens – Montreal wins 4-3
– Game 1: Canadiens 4, Lightning 3 (OT)
– Game 2: Lightning 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
– Game 3: Canadiens 3, Lightning 2 (OT)
– Game 4: Lightning 3, Canadiens 2
– Game 5: Canadiens 3, Lightning 2
– Game 6: Lightning 1, Canadiens 0 (OT)
– Game 7: Canadiens 2, Lightning 1
Hurricanes vs. Senators – Carolina wins 4-0
– Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Senators 0
– Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Senators 2 (2OT)
– Game 3: Hurricanes 2, Senators 1
– Game 4: Hurricanes 4, Senators 2
Penguins vs. Flyers – Philadelphia wins 4-2
– Game 1: Flyers 3, Penguins 2
– Game 2: Flyers 3, Penguins (no score listed)
– Game 3: Flyers 5, Penguins 2
– Game 4: Penguins 4, Flyers 2
– Game 5: Flyers 3, Penguins 2
– Game 6: Flyers 1, Penguins 0 (OT)
Avalanche vs. Kings – Colorado wins 4-0
– Game 1: Avalanche 2, Kings 1
– Game 2: Avalanche 2, Kings 1 (OT)
– Game 3: Avalanche 4, Kings 2
– Game 4: Avalanche 5, Kings 1
Stars vs. Wild – Minnesota wins 4-2
– Game 1: Wild 6, Stars 1
– Game 2: Stars 4, Wild 2
– Game 3: Stars 4, Wild 3 (2OT)
– Game 4: Wild 3, Stars 2 (OT)
– Game 5: Wild 4, Stars 2
– Game 6: Wild 5, Stars 2
Golden Knights vs. Mammoth – Vegas wins 4-2
– Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Mammoth 2
– Game 2: Mammoth 3, Golden Knights 2
– Game 3: Mammoth 4, Golden Knights 2
– Game 4: Golden Knights 5, Mammoth 4 (OT)
– Game 5: Golden Knights 5, Mammoth 4 (2OT)
– Game 6: Golden Knights 5, Mammoth 1
Oilers vs. Ducks – Anaheim wins 4-2
– Game 1: Oilers 4, Ducks 3
– Game 2: Ducks 6, Oilers 4
– Game 3: Ducks 7, Oilers 4
– Game 4: Ducks 4, Oilers 3 (OT)
– Game 5: Oilers 4, Ducks 1
– Game 6: Ducks 5, Oilers 2
### Where to Watch NHL Playoffs 2026
TV channels: ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT, TBS, truTV
Live streams: DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app
The Stanley Cup Playoffs are broadcast across ESPN and TNT Sports platforms, with six different channels carrying games. The Stanley Cup Final will be exclusively on ABC. Fans can stream every game live on DIRECTV, while games on ESPN networks (including ABC) are also available on f
