The first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs is heating up with tight matchups across both conferences. Several series are knotted or leaning toward one side after three games, setting the stage for crucial Game 4s on Saturday. [1] [2] Fans can look forward to three high-stakes games broadcast nationally, featuring Metropolitan Division rivals and a Central clash.
Odds from BetMGM highlight the betting favorites, but nothing is decided yet in these best-of-seven series. Top performers are emerging, with multiple players tied for the playoff lead in points.
Eastern conference series breakdowns
In the Metropolitan first matchup, the Carolina Hurricanes hold a 2-1 edge over the Ottawa Senators. Game 1 saw Carolina blank Ottawa 2-0, followed by a thrilling 3-2 double-overtime win for the Hurricanes in Game 2. Ottawa bounced back in Game 3 with a narrow 2-1 victory, keeping their hopes alive. [2]
Game 4 odds favor Carolina at 1.80 (-125), with Ottawa at 2.05 (+105). The Hurricanes’ depth has been key, but Ottawa’s resilience could force a return trip to Raleigh. Taylor Hall leads Carolina with five points through three games, tying him for the playoff lead.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Penguins trail the Philadelphia Flyers 0-3. Philadelphia took the first two games 3-2 and 3-0, and won Game 3 5-2. Odds have Pittsburgh at 2.00 (+100) and Philadelphia at 1.83 (-120).
Over in Atlantic, Buffalo Sabres lead Boston Bruins 2-1 after splitting the first two and Buffalo’s 3-1 win in Game 3. Tampa Bay and Montreal are tied after three OT thrillers, with Montreal leading 2-1.
These series showcase the parity in the East.
Western conference matchups overview
The Central Division features Dallas Stars leading Minnesota Wild 2-1: Game 1 Minn 6 Dal 1, Game 2 Dal 4 Minn 2, Game 3 Dal 4 Minn 3 2OT. Colorado Avalanche leads Los Angeles Kings 3-0. Edmonton trails Anaheim 1-2.
These Western series promise more drama.
Dallas stars like Wyatt Johnston, Jason Robertson, and Matt Duchene each have five points, fueling their comeback. [3]
Saturday’s game 4 schedule
All eyes turn to Saturday’s tripleheader, times in Eastern:
- Carolina at Ottawa, 3 p.m. (SN, TVAS, TBS, HBO Max, truTV)
- Dallas at Minnesota, 5:30 p.m. (SN, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS, TBS, HBO Max, truTV)
- Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 8 p.m. (SN, TVAS, TBS, HBO Max, truTV) [4]
These games could shift series dramatically. For the latest odds, check BetMGM.
Broadcasts ensure wide accessibility, building playoff fever.
As seen in our recent NHL playoffs tracker for April 23 and April 24 updates, momentum swings quickly.
Leading playoff scorers
A cluster of stars share the top spot with five points each in three games:
- Wyatt Johnston, Dallas Stars
- Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars
- Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning
- Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota Wild
- David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
- Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning
- Taylor Hall, Carolina Hurricanes
- Matt Duchene, Dallas Stars
Dallas boasts three tied leaders, underscoring their offensive surge. [5]
These players’ contributions highlight why their teams remain competitive.
The playoffs’ early stars often carry momentum deeper.
Looking ahead to pivotal games
With Carolina, Dallas, and Pittsburgh facing elimination risks—or chances to tie—Saturday’s outcomes will reshape the bracket. Series like Colorado’s 3-0 lead position them for a quick advancement, while OT marathons in Tampa-Montreal add unpredictability.
Fans should watch for goaltending battles and power plays deciding these tilts. As the first round progresses, expect more heroes to emerge. Stay tuned for post-game analysis and the next tracker update. [6]
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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.