2026 Stanley Cup playoffs first round: Schedule, results and series updates

The 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs have delivered early drama across both conferences, with sweeps, overtime thrillers and unexpected leads shaking up the bracket.[1][2] Lower seeds like the Philadelphia Flyers and Anaheim Ducks have grabbed series advantages, while top teams such as the Carolina Hurricanes advanced swiftly by sweeping the Ottawa Senators. As Game 4s loom on April 26, fans are buzzing over potential upsets and hot goaltending performances.

Several series remain tightly contested, highlighted by double-overtime wins and high-scoring affairs. For deeper previews on potential matchups, check our 2026 NHL playoff bracket preview. This update covers all first-round action, including completed games and upcoming schedules.

Eastern conference series

The Eastern Conference has seen the Hurricanes punch their ticket to the second round first, a dominant 4-0 series win over the Senators that underscores Carolina’s regular-season form.[3] Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres hold a 2-1 edge on the Boston Bruins after stealing Game 3 on the road. The Sabres’ resilience in close games has fans recalling their surprising Atlantic Division title run.

In the Montreal-Tampa Bay matchup, the Canadiens lead 2-1 following a 3-2 home win in Game 3. Tampa Bay bounced back in Game 2, but Montreal’s overtime victory in the opener set the tone. Game 4 shifts to Montreal on April 26 at 7 p.m. ET, where the Lightning aim to even the series.

The Flyers-Penguins clash stands out as one of the round’s biggest surprises, with Philadelphia up 3-1 after dropping Game 4. Their 5-2 rout in Game 3 highlighted offensive depth against a Penguins team struggling defensively.

• Boston Bruins (WC1) vs. Buffalo Sabres (A1): Sabres lead 2-1

  • Game 1: Boston 3 at Buffalo 4
  • Game 2: Boston 4 at Buffalo 2
  • Game 3: Buffalo 3 at Boston 1
  • Game 4: Buffalo at Boston, 2 p.m. ET April 26
  • Game 5: Boston at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m. ET April 28 (if necessary)

• Montreal Canadiens (A3) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (A2): Canadiens lead 2-1

  • 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 at Montreal, 7 p.m. ET April 26

• Ottawa Senators (WC2) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (M1): Hurricanes win 4-0

  • 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

For full details on the Hurricanes-Senators sweep, see the complete coverage.

• Philadelphia Flyers (M3) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (M2): Flyers lead 3-1
  • 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 at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. ET April 27 (if necessary)

These series showcase the East’s parity, with wild cards and third seeds pushing favorites. As noted in our first-round schedule and key storylines, upsets like the Flyers’ surge add unpredictability.[4]

Western conference series

Western action mirrors the East’s intensity, with the Colorado Avalanche on the brink of a sweep after a 3-0 lead over the Los Angeles Kings. Their overtime wins in Games 1 and 2 demonstrated elite puck control and goaltending.[5]

The Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars are deadlocked at 2-2, featuring overtime deciders in Games 3 and 4. Minnesota’s Game 1 blowout contrasted with Dallas’s response, setting up a pivotal Game 5 in Dallas on April 28.

Utah Mammoth’s 2-1 lead over the Vegas Golden Knights flips the script on the top seed, thanks to a 4-2 home win in Game 3. The expansion franchise’s speed has troubled Vegas’s defense.

The Anaheim Ducks hold a 2-1 advantage on the Edmonton Oilers, capped by a 7-4 explosion in Game 3. Edmonton’s star power faltered in that rout, raising questions about their depth.

• Los Angeles Kings (WC2) vs. Colorado Avalanche (C1): Avalanche lead 3-0

  • 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 at Los Angeles, 4:30 p.m. ET April 26 (if necessary)

• Minnesota Wild (C3) vs. Dallas Stars (C2): Series tied 2-2

  • 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 at Dallas, 8 p.m. ET April 28

• Utah Mammoth (WC1) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (P1): Mammoth lead 2-1

  • Game 1: Utah 2 at Vegas 4
  • Game 2: Utah 3 at Vegas 1
  • Game 3: Vegas 2 at Utah 4
  • Game 4: Vegas at Utah, 9:30 p.m. ET April 27

• Anaheim Ducks (P3) vs. Edmonton Oilers (P2): Ducks lead 2-1

  • Game 1: Anaheim 3 at Edmonton 4
  • Game 2: Anaheim 6 at Edmonton 4
  • Game 3: Edmonton 4 at Anaheim 7
  • Game 4: Edmonton at Anaheim, 9:30 p.m. ET April 26

View the full NHL playoffs bracket for second-round possibilities.[6]

The West’s wild-card teams have outperformed expectations, fueling narratives around underdogs like Utah and Anaheim. High-scoring outputs and late-game heroics promise more excitement ahead.

With four series nearing conclusions and others ramping up, the second round looms large. The Hurricanes’ early advancement positions them as contenders, but momentum swings—like Philadelphia’s edge or Minnesota’s resilience—could reshape the bracket. Keep an eye on April 26’s quadruple-header, as it may decide multiple outcomes and set the postseason’s tone. What series will produce the next big surprise?