NHL Playoff Schedule Revealed: First-Round Matchups and Broadcast Details

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The NHL's 2025-26 regular season has concluded, and the playoff bracket is set for the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs. The first-round matchups in the Eastern Conference are Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins, and Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens. In the Western Conference, the series are Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth, and Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks. The first games of the opening round will be played on Saturday, April 18, with the full schedule of dates, times, TV, and streaming information provided.

Why it matters

The NHL playoffs are one of the most exciting events in professional sports, with intense rivalries, dramatic finishes, and the ultimate prize of hoisting the Stanley Cup. This first-round schedule sets the stage for what is sure to be a thrilling postseason, as teams battle to advance one step closer to hockey's ultimate championship.

The details

The first-round playoff series will be a best-of-seven format, with the higher-seeded team hosting Games 1, 2, 5 (if necessary), and 7 (if necessary). Games will be broadcast nationally in the United States on ESPN, TNT, and their affiliated networks. Streaming options include Fubo, which carries ESPN, and Sling, which carries TNT.

• The 2025-26 NHL regular season has concluded.
• The first-round playoff games will begin on Saturday, April 18.
• The potential Game 7s in the first round would be played on May 2 and May 3.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The first-round playoff series will begin on Saturday, April 18, with the full schedule of games and broadcast details provided. Fans can follow the action on ESPN, TNT, and their affiliated networks, as well as through streaming options like Fubo and Sling.