NHL Playoffs Begin Today as Canucks Fire GM, Kotkaniemi Unhappy in Carolina

The Boston Bruins open their first-round series against the Buffalo Sabres, while other key storylines emerge across the league.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:33pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the players and action on the ice.The start of the NHL playoffs brings the promise of intense, high-stakes hockey action as teams battle for the Stanley Cup.Boston Today

The NHL playoffs begin today with three games starting at 3:00 PM ET. The Boston Bruins are traveling to Buffalo to open their first-round series against the Sabres tomorrow night at 7:30 PM. Elsewhere around the league, the Vancouver Canucks fired their GM Patrik Allvin, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi expressed unhappiness with his lack of playing time in Carolina. The Blackhawks and Red Wings also held their end-of-season exit interviews.

Why it matters

The start of the NHL playoffs is always an exciting time, as teams battle it out for the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup. The Bruins-Sabres series is an intriguing matchup, with the Bruins looking to lean on their physical style of play and strong fourth line. The Canucks' GM firing and Kotkaniemi's discontent in Carolina also highlight the constant roster changes and behind-the-scenes drama that occur throughout the league, even as the playoffs get underway.

The details

The Boston Bruins will open their first-round playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night at 7:30 PM. After practice yesterday, Bruins players discussed the importance of physicality and the fourth line in the upcoming series. Nikita Zadorov said he will not change his physical style of play. Elsewhere, the Vancouver Canucks fired GM Patrik Allvin, who had been with the team since 2018. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, the 25-year-old forward for the Carolina Hurricanes, expressed unhappiness with his lack of meaningful playing time in an interview with a Finnish newspaper. The Blackhawks and Red Wings also held their end-of-season exit interviews this week.

  • The NHL playoffs begin today with three games starting at 3:00 PM ET.
  • The Boston Bruins will open their first-round series against the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night at 7:30 PM.

The players

Nikita Zadorov

A physical defenseman for the Boston Bruins who said he will not change his style of play in the upcoming playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres.

Patrik Allvin

The former general manager of the Vancouver Canucks, who was fired yesterday morning.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi

A 25-year-old forward for the Carolina Hurricanes who expressed unhappiness with his lack of playing time in an interview with a Finnish newspaper.

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What they’re saying

“As long as they can play responsibly and stay out of the box, it could change a game or even the series.”

— Marco Sturm, Bruins Assistant Coach

“The lack of meaningful minutes is starting to get to me.”

— Jesperi Kotkaniemi

What’s next

The judge in the Canucks' GM firing case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Patrik Allvin to be released on bail.

The takeaway

The start of the NHL playoffs always brings high drama, both on and off the ice. While the Bruins look to lean on their physical style of play against the Sabres, the Canucks' front office shakeup and Kotkaniemi's discontent in Carolina highlight the constant roster changes and behind-the-scenes storylines that unfold throughout the league.