Stanley Cup playoffs daily: Previews, stats, schedule, bracket
Following a trio of Game 1s opening the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs Saturday, there are 4 extra clashes all through the day Sunday as eight further groups start their postseason journeys.
Which groups will earn an early edge of their collection? What are the important thing matchups in every recreation?
Read on for previews of every of Sunday’s video games, scores and highlights from Saturday’s video games, and up to date playoff stat leaders.
Sunday’s video games
Los Angeles Kings at Colorado Avalanche
Game 1 | 3 pm ET (TNT)
The first workforce to clinch their playoff ticket faces off towards the ultimate workforce to take action, because the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche start their quest to win their second Cup of the 2020s (having received in 2022). Colorado did effectively towards most groups this season, and that was additionally the case towards LA, sweeping all three video games towards the Kings by an combination rating of 13-5. The two groups final met within the playoffs in 2002, which was a 4-3 collection win by the Avs.
Colorado was led in scoring this season by Hart Trophy candidate Nathan MacKinnon (127 factors), whereas Adrian Kempe paced the Kings (73).
Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 1 | 5:45 pm ET (TNT)
Due to COVID-19-based realignment in the 2021 seasonthese two Atlantic Division rivals wound up competing within the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, received 4-1 by Tampa Bay. Their earlier assembly in a standard playoff format was again in 2015, a 4-2 win for the Lightning. Can the Canadiens reverse the pattern this spring? The two golf equipment cut up the regular-season collection, though the Habs received the 2 most up-to-date video games (4-1 on March 31 and 2-1 on April 9).
Tampa Bay has one of many sport’s most harmful scorers in Nikita Kucherov (130 factors this season), whereas the Canadiens had been led in scoring by Nick Suzuki (101).
Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabers
Game 1 | 7:30 pm ET (ESPN)
For the primary time since 2011, the Sabers are competing within the Stanley Cup playoffs, they usually accomplish that as Atlantic Division regular-season champs. The B’s could be a tricky out for Buffalo, as Boston received the season collection 3-1, together with a 4-3 extra time win on March 25. The Sabers and Bruins met again within the 2010 playoffs, which was a 4-2 collection win for Boston.
Tage Thompson led the way in which on the scoring sheet for Buffalo (81 factors), whereas David Pasternak did likewise for Boston (100).
Utah Mammoth at Vegas Golden Knights
Game 1 | 10 pm ET (ESPN)
The Golden Knights famously made all of it the way in which to the Stanley Cup Final of their first season of existence, dropping to the Capitals in 2018; they might win the Cup 5 years later. The Mammoth are technically of their second season of existence — having performed because the Utah Hockey Club in 2024-25 — however might they make an identical run in 2026? Utah has had Vegas’ quantity this season, dropping the primary matchup 4-1 on Nov. 20, however successful 5-1 on Nov. 24 and 4-0 on March 19.
Vegas was led in scoring this season by Jack Eichel (90 factors), together with his Team USA Olympic teammate Clayton Keller main the way in which for Utah (88).
Saturday’s scoreboard
Carolina Hurricanes 2, Ottawa Senators 0
Hurricanes lead collection 1-0
The workforce’s two captains set the tone on the opening faceoff, with Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk combating Carolina’s Jordan Staal. It took some time for both offense to discover a rhythm, with Logan Stankoven opening the scoring at 2:11 of the second interval. It appeared like Stankoven had one other objective within the third, however the Canes’ second objective was as a substitute credited to his linemate Taylor Hall. After some had questioned the Canes’ goaltending heading into this one, Frederik Andersen answered the bell (at the very least by one recreation), stopping all 22 pictures he confronted. Game 2 will probably be Monday in Raleigh.
Minnesota Wild 6, Dallas Stars 1
Wild lead collection 1-0
This collection was anticipated to be one of many closest of the primary spherical, with many pundits believing it would go the total seven video games. It nonetheless may, however Game 1 didn’t go in response to that script. Minnesota jumped out to an early lead on a Joel Eriksson power-play objective at 5:35 of the primary. The Wild poured it on within the second, with three objectives within the first 6:30 from Kirill Kaprizov, Ryan Hartman and Matt Boldy. That was greater than sufficient for Jesper Wallstedtwho stopped 27 of 28 pictures. The two groups will face off once more Monday in Dallas.
Philadelphia Flyers 3, Pittsburgh Penguins 2
Flyers lead collection 1-0
The ultimate recreation on Saturday kicked off the newest version of the Battle of Pennsylvania. While feelings ran excessive, the 2 groups had been scoreless by the primary interval. Philly’s Jamie Drysdale opened issues up at 9:19 of the second, however was matched by Evgeni Malkin at 15:51. The groups remained tied till Travis Sanheim‘s nifty transfer and seeing-eye shot halfway by the third, and rookie Porter Martone added some insurance coverage with lower than three minutes to go. That was crucial, because the Penguins did get one again with the goalie pulled — Bryan Rust at 18:59 — however could not get the equalizer within the ultimate ticks. The groups will face off once more in Pittsburgh on Monday evening.
