NHL playoff schedule: Dates, TV channel, bracket, results for first round

The NHL's 2025-26 regular season is over, the playoff bracket is set and the chase for the 2026 Stanley Cup title is underway.

The four series are in the Eastern Conference are Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens.

In the Western Conference, the series are Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth and Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks.

Here is all the information you need to follow the Stanley Cup playoffs, including dates, times, results, television and streaming (all times p.m. ET, x-if necessary):

Eastern Conference

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators

Hurricanes win series 4-0

• Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Senators 0 | Story
• Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Senators 2 (2OT)
• Game 3: Hurricanes 2, Senators 1 | Story
• Game 4: Hurricanes 4, Senators 2 | Story

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers lead series 3-1

• Game 1: Flyers 3, Penguins 2 | Story
• Game 2: Flyers 3, Penguins 0 | Story
• Game 3: Flyers 5, Penguins 2 | Story | Penguins dispute call against Crosby
• Game 4: Penguins 4, Flyers 2 | Story
• Game 5: April 27. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7, ESPN
• x-Game 6: April 29. Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, TBD
• x-Game 7: May 2. Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, TBD

Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins

Sabres lead series 3-1

• Game 1: Sabres 4, Bruins 3 | Story
• Game 2: Bruins 4, Sabres 2
• Game 3: Sabres 3, Bruins 1 | Story
• Game 4: Sabres 6, Bruins 1
• Game 5: Bruins 2, Sabres 1 (OT) | Story
• Game 6: May 1, Buffalo at Boston, TBD
• x-Game 7: May 3. Buffalo at Boston, TBD

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens lead series 3-2

• Game 1: Canadiens 4, Lightning 3 (OT)
• Game 2: Lightning 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
• Game 3: Canadiens 3, Lightning 2 (OT)
• Game 4: Lightning 3, Canadiens 2
• Game 5: Canadiens 3, Lightning 2
• Game 6: May 1. Tampa Bay at Montreal, TBD
• x-Game 7: May 3. Montreal at Tampa Bay, TBD

Western Conference

Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings

Avalanche win series 4-0

• Game 1: Avalanche 2, Kings 1 | Story
• Game 2: Avalanche 2, Kings 1 (OT)
• Game 3: Avalanche 4, Kings 2 | Story
• Game 4: Avalanche 5, Kings 1 | Story

Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild

Wild lead 3-2

• Game 1: Wild 6, Stars 1 | Story
• Game 2: Stars 4, Wild 2 | Story
• Game 3: Stars 4, Wild 3 (2OT)
• Game 4: Wild 3, Stars 2 (OT) | Story
• Game 5: Wild 4, Stars 2
• Game 6: April 30. Dallas at Minnesota, TBD
• x-Game 7: May 2, Minnesota at Dallas, TBD

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth

Mammoth lead series 2-1

• Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Mammoth 2
• Game 2: Mammoth 3, Golden Knights 2
• Game 3: Mammoth 4, Golden Knights 2
• Game 4: April 27, Vegas at Utah, 9:30, ESPN)
• Game 5: April 29. Utah at Vegas, TBD
• x-Game 6: May 1. Vegas at Utah, TBD
• x-Game 7: May 3. Utah at Vegas, TBD

Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks

Ducks lead series 3-2

• Game 1: Oilers 4, Ducks 3
• Game 2: Ducks 6, Oilers 4
• Game 3: Ducks 7, Oilers 4
• Game 4: Ducks 4, Oilers 3 (OT)
• Game 5: Oilers 4, Ducks 1
• Game 6: April 30, Edmonton at Anaheim, TBD
• x-Game 7: May 2. Anaheim at Edmonton, TBD

How to watch NHL playoffs

NHL playoff games will be broadcast in the United States by ESPN, TNT and their affiliated networks.

How to stream NHL playoffs

Fubo carries ESPN, and Sling carries TNT.