The NHL playoffs heat up with three pivotal Game 6s scheduled for Friday, May 1. Two series wrapped up on Thursday, as the Philadelphia Flyers edged the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 and the Minnesota Wild dispatched the Dallas Stars 4-2.[1][2] These victories set the stage for potential first-round conclusions, though a sweep in all three remaining matchups is needed to fully end the opening round before the Philadelphia Flyers face the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 2 on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET in Raleigh.[3]
Fans can catch the action across ESPN, Sportsnet, CBC, and TVA Sports networks. Odds from BetMGM show tight contests ahead, with home teams slightly favored in two series.
May 1 schedule and betting odds
Three Game 6s highlight Friday’s slate, all in Eastern Time.
- Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. (SN, CBC, TVAS, ESPN2). Tampa Bay (1.87/-115), Montreal (1.95/-105).
- Buffalo Sabres at Boston Bruins, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN, SN360, TVAS2). Buffalo (1.85/-118), Boston (1.98/-102).
- Vegas Golden Knights at Utah Mammoth, 10 p.m. (ESPN, SN, SN360, TVAS2). Vegas (1.87/-115), Utah (1.95/-105).[4]
These matchups carry elimination implications for the visitors in two cases. Montreal holds a 3-2 edge over Tampa Bay after a thrilling five games filled with overtime drama. Buffalo leads Boston 3-2 following a heartbreaking overtime loss in Game 5. Vegas clings to a slim advantage against Utah after surviving double overtime in Game 5.
For a full breakdown of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs first-round schedule and results, check the latest updates. The NHL’s official first-round schedule confirms these timings and broadcast details.[1]
Atlantic division battles
The Buffalo Sabres (A1) lead the Boston Bruins (WC1) 3-2 heading into Game 6 on the road.
- Game 1: Boston 3, Buffalo 4
- Game 2: Boston 4, Buffalo 2
- Game 3: Buffalo 3, Boston 1
- Game 4: Buffalo 6, Boston 1
- Game 5: Boston 2, Buffalo 1 (OT)
Buffalo’s offensive firepower has overwhelmed Boston at times, but the Bruins stole Game 5 in overtime to force this decider.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning (A2) trail the Montreal Canadiens (A3) 2-3.
- Game 1: Montreal 4, Tampa Bay 3 (OT)
- Game 2: Montreal 2, Tampa Bay 3 (OT)
- Game 3: Tampa Bay 2, Montreal 3 (OT)
- Game 4: Tampa Bay 3, Montreal 2
- Game 5: Montreal 3, Tampa Bay 2
Overtime has defined this series, with each of the first three games requiring extra time. Tampa Bay evened it at 2-2 before Montreal regained the lead. The Lightning need a strong road performance to extend the series.[5]
The Edmonton Oilers (P2) vs. Anaheim Ducks (P3) series appears concluded, with Anaheim taking a 4-2 victory based on the game log, though not explicitly noted as ended Thursday.
Metropolitan and Central division recaps
Philadelphia Flyers (M3) stunned the Pittsburgh Penguins (M2) 4-2.
- Game 1: Philadelphia 3, Pittsburgh 2
- Game 2: Philadelphia 3, Pittsburgh 0
- Game 3: Pittsburgh 2, Philadelphia 5
- Game 4: Pittsburgh 4, Philadelphia 2
- Game 5: Philadelphia 2, Pittsburgh 3
- Game 6: Pittsburgh 0, Philadelphia 1 (OT)
The Flyers’ Game 6 overtime winner ended Pittsburgh’s run and advanced them to face Carolina. The Hurricanes (M1) dominated the Ottawa Senators (WC2) in four games.
- Game 1: Ottawa 0, Carolina 2
- Game 2: Ottawa 2, Carolina 3 (2OT)
- Game 3: Carolina 2, Ottawa 1
- Game 4: Carolina 4, Ottawa 2
In the Central, Minnesota Wild (C3) upset the Dallas Stars (C2) 4-2.
- Game 1: Minnesota 6, Dallas 1
- Game 2: Minnesota 2, Dallas 4
- Game 3: Dallas 4, Minnesota 3 (2OT)
- Game 4: Dallas 2, Minnesota 3 (OT)
- Game 5: Minnesota 4, Dallas 2
- Game 6: Dallas 2, Minnesota 5
Colorado Avalanche (C1) swept the Los Angeles Kings (WC2) 4-0. The Flyers embrace underdog role as they eye Hurricanes ahead of Round 2.[2]
Pacific division showdowns
Vegas Golden Knights (P1) hold a narrow lead over Utah Mammoth (WC1), with key wins in overtime.
- Game 4: Vegas 5, Utah 4 (OT)
- Game 5: Utah 4, Vegas 5 (2OT)
Game 6 heads to Utah, where the Mammoth could force a seventh. This series has mirrored the playoff intensity elsewhere.
Anaheim’s edge over Edmonton sets up potential second-round intrigue, but focus remains on Vegas-Utah for May 1.
Leading playoff scorers
Early standouts dominate the points race after six games for most.
- Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers: 10 points T-2. Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild: 9 points T-2. Matt Duchene, Dallas Stars: 9 points T-2. Kirill Kaprizov, Minnesota Wild: 9 points T-2. Jackson LaCombe, Anaheim Ducks: 9 points
Minnesota’s duo of Boldy and Kaprizov fueled their upset, while Draisaitl keeps Edmonton competitive despite the series loss.
These performances highlight depth scoring’s importance in tight playoffs.[6]
The first round nears its end, with May 1’s outcomes dictating the pace into Round 2. Philadelphia’s matchup against Carolina on ABC, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports kicks off the next stage regardless. Wins for Montreal, Buffalo, and Vegas would streamline the bracket, but any Game 7 pushes the schedule deeper. Keep an eye on these resilient underdogs—the Flyers and Wild have already shifted narratives, signaling a wide-open Stanley Cup chase.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.