Golden Knights to Face Utah Mammoth in NHL Playoffs

First-round schedule announced for highly anticipated Western Conference matchup

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:08am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the action and energy of a hockey game, with the players and rink broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in the teams' official colors.The first-round playoff clash between the Golden Knights and Mammoth promises an intense, high-stakes battle on the ice.Las Vegas Today

The NHL has released the first-round playoff schedule for the upcoming series between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Utah Mammoth. The best-of-seven matchup will begin on Sunday, April 19 with puck drop set for 7 p.m. in Las Vegas.

Why it matters

This will be the first-ever playoff meeting between the Golden Knights and Mammoth, two of the Western Conference's top teams. The series is expected to be highly competitive, with both squads looking to advance to the next round of the NHL postseason.

The details

The Golden Knights and Mammoth will face off in a best-of-seven first-round playoff series, with the winner advancing to the second round. Game 1 is scheduled for Sunday, April 19 at 7 p.m. in Las Vegas, followed by Game 2 on Tuesday, April 21 at the same time and location.

  • The series begins on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
  • Game 2 will be played on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

The players

Vegas Golden Knights

A professional ice hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada that plays in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Utah Mammoth

A professional ice hockey team based in Salt Lake City, Utah that also plays in the Western Conference of the NHL.

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What’s next

The full schedule for the best-of-seven series will be announced in the coming days, including game dates, times, and locations for the remainder of the matchup.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated first-round playoff series between the Golden Knights and Mammoth will showcase two of the Western Conference's top teams as they compete for a spot in the next round of the NHL postseason.