Updated 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket, Schedule and Top Highlights from April 30
The Minnesota Wild have received their first playoff sequence in 11 years.
The Wild secured a visit to the Western Conference semifinals with a 5-2 Thursday night time win over the visiting Dallas Stars.
Later within the night, the Anaheim Ducks received their first playoff sequence in 9 years after beating the back-to-back Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers, 5-2.
Here’s a have a look at this weekend’s remaining schedule as three extra groups look to shut out their very own first-round sequence this weekend.
Thursday Schedule and Results
Minnesota Wild 5, Dallas Stars 2 (Wild win sequence 4-2)
Anaheim Ducks 5, Edmonton Oilers 2 (Ducks win sequence 4-2)
Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens, 7 pm ET (Canadiens lead sequence 3-2)
Buffalo Sabers at Boston Bruins, 7:30 pm ET (Sabres lead sequence 3-2)
Vegas Golden Knights at Utah Mammoth, 10 pm ET (Golden Knights lead sequence 3-2)
Quinn Hughes hadn’t scored a playoff aim since 2020 heading into Game 6.
He scored twice on Thursday night time, together with a slot go that ricocheted off the skate of a Stars defender for the series-clinching aim.
Matt Boldy scored two empty netters to seal the win for rookie goaltender Jesper Wallstedt, who completed the night time having made 22 saves.
The Wild have made eight postseason appearances over the past 10 years with out successful a sequence. That drought will lastly finish because the crew advances to play both the Golden Knights or Mammoth within the second spherical.
Wyatt Johnston and Mavrik Bourque scored for the Stars as Jake Oettinger made 16 saves within the loss. After qualifying for 3 straight Western Conference Finals, the Stars will head residence with out successful a playoff sequence for the primary time since 2022.
Anaheim superior to the second spherical thanks largely to a three-goal spurt in a 6:53 first interval span courtesy of Ryan Poehling, Chris Kreider and Cutter Gauthier, who received his tally on the facility play and gave the Ducks a 3-1 lead. Gauthier additionally received an help on Poehling’s aim.
Connor Murphy scored one at 15:14 for Edmonton to chop the Ducks’ 2-0 lead in half, though Gauthier answered along with his aforementioned aim 1:36 later.
Troy Terry put Anaheim up 4-1 with 47 seconds left within the second interval off assists from Leo Carlsson (his second helper of the sport) and Kreider.
Vasily Podkolzin received one again for Edmonton after Kasperi Kapanen’s shot deflected off him into the online early within the third interval.
However, Carlsson later scored on an empty internet to place the sport away. Carlsson, Kreider and Terry every had a aim and two assists.
Ducks goaltender Lukáš Dostál made 25 saves for the win. In addition, Gauthier and Poehling completed with 4 objectives apiece to guide the Ducks on this sequence.
Anaheim will now play the winner of the Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth first spherical playoff sequence. Vegas leads Utah three video games to 2.
