Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 1 schedule announced
The six-team turnover for this season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs as in comparison with final season is the second-highest in NHL historical past (seven-team turnover, thrice). Anaheim, Boston, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Utah all certified after lacking the postseason in 2024-25. 2025-26 is the ninth season within the final 11 to have a playoff turnover of a minimum of 5 groups.
(*1*) and Evgeni Malkin every enter their franchise-leading sixteenth postseason. Crosby enters the 2026 playoffs tied with Jaromir Jagr (201) for the fifth-most playoff factors in NHL historical past whereas Malkin (180) owns the fourth-most by a participant born exterior of North America behind solely Jari Kurri (233), Jagr (201) and Nicklas Lidstrom (183).
The Lightning prolonged their franchise report with a ninth consecutive postseason look since 2017-18, tied for the longest lively streak within the NHL (with Colorado). They high the NHL in playoff wins (63), sequence wins (13), journeys to the Final (three; tied) and championships (two; tied) over that span.
Utah, which can turn out to be the twenty third state to host Stanley Cup Playoffs hockey (contains the District of Columbia), joined a listing of groups within the post-expansion period (excluding groups that joined in 1967-68) to achieve the postseason inside their first two NHL seasons. The Oilers and Golden Knights each went two-for-two, whereas the Hartford Whalers (now CAR), Quebec Nordiques (now COL), Atlanta Flames (now CGY) and Seattle Kraken all certified eleven.
Fans worldwide can share their predictions for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and face off in opposition to pals, household, colleagues and fellow hockey followers within the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket Challenge offered by Expedia. The eligible entrant that finishes atop the leaderboard will win the possibility to attend a 2026–27 NHL occasion and an Adventure Chrono 41mm NHL Limited Edition Watch by Norqain. Visit NHL.com/Bracket to register.
First Shift, NHL Now and NHL Tonight will present intensive pre- and postgame protection throughout NHL Network all through the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
