Which teams advanced from the Eastern Conference in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs first round?

The teams that advanced from the Eastern Conference are the Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes, and Philadelphia Flyers. Buffalo defeated Boston 4-2, Montreal upset Tampa Bay 4-3, Carolina swept Ottawa 4-0, and Philadelphia beat Pittsburgh 4-2. These results highlight significant upsets with three of four top seeds eliminated.

What were the biggest upsets in the first round?

Major upsets included the Montreal Canadiens (A3) defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) in seven games, the Philadelphia Flyers (M3) beating the Pittsburgh Penguins (M2) 4-2, the Anaheim Ducks (P3) stunning the Edmonton Oilers (P2) 4-2, and the Minnesota Wild (C3) upsetting the Dallas Stars (C2) 4-2. These lower seeds showcased resilience and clutch performances. Lower seeds made noise across both conferences.

Which teams achieved sweeps in the first round?

The Carolina Hurricanes swept the Ottawa Senators 4-0, and the Colorado Avalanche swept the Los Angeles Kings 4-0. These dominant performances featured strong defense and timely scoring. The Hurricanes' sweep was particularly notable as a statement of dominance heading into the second round.

Who won the series between Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins?

The Buffalo Sabres won the series 4-2 against the Boston Bruins. Key games included a 6-1 rout in Game 4 and sealing it 4-1 in Game 6 at TD Garden. Buffalo's depth and home-ice advantage were decisive factors in this mild upset.

What are the second-round matchups for the 2026 playoffs?

In the East, it's Buffalo vs Montreal and Carolina vs Philadelphia. In the West, Colorado vs Minnesota and Vegas vs Anaheim. These matchups promise chaos with several underdogs advancing. Fans should watch for goaltending and special teams as the intensity rises.

Which series went to the most games?

The Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning series went to a thrilling seven games, with Montreal winning 2-1 in Game 7. It featured multiple overtime games and low-shot records. This epic highlighted the Canadiens' resilience against a playoff-tested Lightning team.

2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round Results: Full Scores, Upsets & Highlights

The first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs wrapped up with a mix of sweeps, upsets and nail-biting seven-game series. Lower seeds made noise across both conferences, including the Montreal Canadiens knocking off the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Anaheim Ducks stunning the Edmonton Oilers.[1][2] Defending champions and top seeds like the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights advanced comfortably, setting up intriguing second-round matchups. This round was among the closest in NHL history, with tight games keeping fans on edge.[3]

Fans witnessed dominant goaltending, overtime thrillers and offensive explosions. For the full bracket and schedules, visit the NHL playoffs page.[4] Here’s a breakdown of every series, complete with scores and key moments.

Eastern conference

The East saw three of four top seeds eliminated, highlighting the parity in the Atlantic and Metro divisions. Buffalo, Carolina, Montreal and Philadelphia punched tickets to round two. The Hurricanes’ sweep stood out as a statement of dominance.

Boston Bruins (WC1) vs Buffalo Sabres (A1)

Buffalo Sabres dispatched the Boston Bruins 4-2, a mild upset given the Sabres’ top Atlantic seed status. Game 1 went to Buffalo 4-3 at home. Boston evened it in Game 2 with a 4-2 win.

The Sabres took control in Game 3, winning 3-1 in Boston. Game 4 was a rout, 6-1 Buffalo on the road—one of the round’s biggest shocks.[5] Boston fought back in Game 5, 2-1, forcing Game 6. Buffalo sealed it 4-1 at TD Garden.

Buffalo’s depth and home-ice advantage proved decisive. This series showcased the Sabres’ resurgence after a strong regular season (50-23-9).[6]

Game 1: Boston 3 at Buffalo 4
Game 2: Boston 4 at Buffalo 2
Game 3: Buffalo 3 at Boston 1
Game 4: Buffalo 6 at Boston 1
Game 5: Boston 2 at Buffalo 1
Game 6: Buffalo 4 at Boston 1

Montreal Canadiens (A3) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (A2)

In one of the round’s epics, Montreal edged Tampa Bay 4-3. Game 1: Montreal 4 at Tampa 3 (OT). Tampa stole Game 2, 3-2.

Montreal won Game 3 3-2 at home. Tampa responded 3-1 in Game 4. Canadiens took Game 5 3-2 in Tampa. Lightning forced Game 7 with a 1-0 OT win in Montreal.

Game 7 thriller: Montreal 2-1 at Tampa. The Canadiens’ resilience shone through, firing just nine shots in one victory—a playoff record fewest.[7]

This upset vaulted the third seed past a Lightning squad with playoff pedigree.

Game 1: Montreal 4 at Tampa Bay 3 (OT)
Game 2: Montreal 2 at Tampa Bay 3
Game 3: Tampa Bay 2 at Montreal 3
Game 4: Tampa Bay 3 at Montreal 1
Game 5: Montreal 3 at Tampa Bay 2
Game 6: Tampa Bay 1 at Montreal 0 (OT)
Game 7: Montreal 2 at Tampa Bay 1

Ottawa Senators (WC2) vs Carolina Hurricanes (M1)

Carolina Hurricanes swept Ottawa 4-0 in efficient fashion. Game 1: 2-0 Carolina. Game 2 went to double OT, 3-2 Hurricanes.

Game 3: Carolina 2-1 at Ottawa. Game 4: 4-0 shutout on the road. The Canes’ defense suffocated the Senators throughout.

This sweep positions Carolina as a Cup favorite heading into round two.

Game 1: Ottawa 0 at Carolina 2
Game 2: Ottawa 2 at Carolina 3 (2OT)
Game 3: Carolina 2 at Ottawa 1
Game 4: Carolina 4 at Ottawa 0

Philadelphia Flyers (M3) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (M2)

Philadelphia upset Pittsburgh 4-2. Game 1: Philly 3-2 at Pitt. Game 2: 3-0 shutout.

Pittsburgh won Game 3? No: Game 3 Pitt 2 at Philly 5? Wait, Philly won 5-2. Game 4: Pitt 4-2 at Philly.

Philly took Game 5 2-3? Game 5 Philly 2 at Pitt 3 (Pitt win). Game 6: Pitt 0 at Philly 1 (OT).

The Flyers’ clutch play in OT Game 6 clinched it.

Game 1: Philadelphia 3 at Pittsburgh 2
Game 2: Philadelphia 3 at Pittsburgh 0
Game 3: Pittsburgh 2 at Philadelphia 5
Game 4: Pittsburgh 4 at Philadelphia 2
Game 5: Philadelphia 2 at Pittsburgh 3
Game 6: Pittsburgh 0 at Philadelphia 1 (OT)

Western conference

The West mirrored the East with upsets from Minnesota and Anaheim, plus sweeps by Colorado and Vegas. Expect fireworks in the second round.

Los Angeles Kings (WC2) vs Colorado Avalanche (C1)

Colorado swept LA 4-0. Game 1: 2-1 Avs. Game 2: 2-1 OT.

Game 3: 4-2 Colorado at LA. Game 4: 5-1 finale. The Avs’ firepower overwhelmed the Kings.[1]

Game 1: Los Angeles 1 at Colorado 2
Game 2: Los Angeles 1 at Colorado 2 (OT)
Game 3: Colorado 4 at Los Angeles 2
Game 4: Colorado 5 at Los Angeles 1

Minnesota Wild (C3) vs Dallas Stars (C2)

Minnesota upset Dallas 4-2. Game 1 blowout: 6-1 Wild. Dallas evened Game 2 4-2.

Game 3: Dallas 4-3 (2OT) at Minny. Game 4: Minny 3-2 OT. Game 5: 4-2 Wild at Dallas. Game 6: 5-2 Minnesota.

The third seed’s momentum carried them through.

Game 1: Minnesota 6 at Dallas 1
Game 2: Minnesota 2 at Dallas 4
Game 3: Dallas 4 at Minnesota 3 (2OT)
Game 4: Dallas 2 at Minnesota 3 (OT)
Game 5: Minnesota 4 at Dallas 2
Game 6: Dallas 2 at Minnesota 5

Utah Mammoth (WC1) vs Vegas Golden Knights (P1)

Vegas won 4-2. Game 1: 4-2 Knights. Utah stole Game 2 3-1.

Game 3: Vegas 2-4 at Utah. Game 4: 5-4 OT Vegas. Game 5: 5-4 (2OT) Vegas at Utah? Utah 4 at Vegas 5 (2OT). Game 6: 5-1 Vegas at Utah.

Pacific top seed advances.

Game 1: Utah 2 at Vegas 4
Game 2: Utah 3 at Vegas 1
Game 3: Vegas 2 at Utah 4
Game 4: Vegas 5 at Utah 4 (OT)
Game 5: Utah 4 at Vegas 5 (2OT)
Game 6: Vegas 5 at Utah 1

Anaheim Ducks (P3) vs Edmonton Oilers (P2)

Anaheim stunned Edmonton, winning 4-2 despite the series listed as 4-1 (games indicate 4-2). Game 1: Edm 4-3. Game 2: Ducks 6-4.

Game 3: 7-4 Ducks. Game 4: 4-3 OT Anaheim. Game 5: Edm 4-1. Game 6: Ducks 5-2.

A major surprise, with Ducks dominating late.[2]

Game 1: Anaheim 3 at Edmonton 4
Game 2: Anaheim 6 at Edmonton 4
Game 3: Edmonton 4 at Anaheim 7
Game 4: Edmonton 3 at Anaheim 4 (OT)
Game 5: Anaheim 1 at Edmonton 4
Game 6: Edmonton 2 at Anaheim 5

The second round promises chaos, with Buffalo vs Montreal, Carolina vs Philadelphia in the East, and Colorado vs Minnesota, Vegas vs Anaheim out West. Underdogs like the Canadiens, Flyers, Wild and Ducks could shake up the bracket further. Keep an eye on goaltending and special teams as the playoffs intensify—check NHL.com for second-round schedules.[8] Who emerges as the ultimate champion? The chase continues.

2026 Stanley Cup playoffs first round results

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