2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Schedule, Bracket, How to Watch, TV Channels & Streaming Guide

2026 NHL Playoff Schedule & Results

Eastern Conference — First Round (Complete)

Buffalo Sabres def. Boston Bruins, 4-2. 

The Buffalo Sabres ended their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought, clinching a playoff spot for the first time since 2011. They then backed it up by dispatching the Bruins in six games.

Montreal Canadiens def. Tampa Bay Lightning, 4-3. 

In game seven, Kaiden Guhle assisted twice and goaltender Jakub Dobeš made 28 saves to send Montreal to the second round with a 2-1 victory. The Canadiens set an NHL record for the fewest shots on goal in a playoff win, registering only nine shots.

Carolina Hurricanes def. Ottawa Senators, 4-0. 

The top seed in the East swept their first-round opponent.

Philadelphia Flyers def. Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-2. 

Pittsburgh avoided elimination in game four as Sidney Crosby scored and assisted, but Cam York scored in overtime in game six to advance the Flyers.

Western Conference — First Round (Complete)

Colorado Avalanche def. Los Angeles Kings, 4-0. 

Nathan MacKinnon scored twice and provided an assist in a 5-1 Game 4 clincher, advancing the Avalanche to the second round.

Minnesota Wild def. Dallas Stars, 4-2.

The Wild rallied to win four straight after dropping the first two games, eliminating the Stars and advancing to the Second Round for the first time since 2015.

Vegas Golden Knights def. Utah Mammoth, 4-2.

The Golden Knights dispatched the Mammoth in six games despite losing the regular season series, advancing on the strength of their veteran playoff experience.

Anaheim Ducks def. Edmonton Oilers, 4-2.

The Ducks pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the first round, rallying past Connor McDavid and the Oilers after dropping Game 1 to advance to the Second Round in just their second playoff appearance since 2018.

Eastern Conference — Second Round (Now Underway)

Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres

After taking down the Tampa Bay Lightning in a thrilling Game 7, the Montreal Canadiens meet the Buffalo Sabres in the second round. Both teams are on the rise, but only one will break through for an Eastern Conference Final berth.

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Carolina Hurricanes

The top seed in the East, the Hurricanes, swept their first-round opponent in the Senators and will take on a Flyers team that just upset their biggest rival in the Penguins. Carolina is the clear favorite, but Philadelphia has already proven it can be a problem for anyone.

Western Conference — Second Round (Now Underway)

Minnesota Wild vs. Colorado Avalanche

The Wild just won a playoff series for the first time since 2015, setting up a matchup between two of the best defensemen in the world with Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes on the ice at the same time.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights face the Ducks in the Pacific portion of the bracket, pitting a veteran defensive squad against one of the most surprising postseason stories of the year.

Stanley Cup Final

The 2026 Stanley Cup Final is scheduled to be held in June following the conclusion of the NHL conference finals, with a possible game seven planned to be held no later than June 21. The series will be televised on ABC and streamed on the ESPN app in the United States.

How to Watch the 2026 NHL Playoffs on DIRECTV Genre Packs

DIRECTV Genre Packs are one of the best options for hockey fans who want comprehensive playoff coverage. Starting at $49.99 for the first two months of service and $64.99/month afterwards, DIRECTV gives you access to every channel broadcasting the 2026 NHL Playoffs, including ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT, and truTV in the MySports Genre Pack. 

A 5-day free trial is available for new customers, and there are no annual contracts.

FAQ

What channels are the 2026 NHL Playoffs on?

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs air on ABC, ESPN, TNT, TBS, and truTV. All TNT Sports games stream on HBO Max. Games on ABC and ESPN are streaming on ESPN Unlimited.

When did the 2026 NHL Playoffs start?

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs began on April 18, 2026.

When is the 2026 Stanley Cup Final?

The 2026 Stanley Cup Final is scheduled to be held in June, with a possible Game 7 no later than June 21. In the United States, the series will be televised on ABC and streamed on the ESPN app.

Who are the biggest storylines of the 2026 playoffs?

The Buffalo Sabres ended their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought, qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2011. The Anaheim Ducks also returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2018. The Philadelphia Flyers ended a five-year playoff drought. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens set an NHL record for the fewest shots on goal in a playoff win (9) in their Game 7 victory over Tampa Bay.

Who are the top seeds in the 2026 NHL Playoffs?

The Colorado Avalanche qualified as Presidents' Trophy winners with the NHL's best regular-season record at 121 points. The Carolina Hurricanes were the Eastern Conference regular-season champions with 113 points.

Will the 2026 NHL playoffs be on ESPN+?

Select games airing on ABC and ESPN during the 2026 NHL Playoffs will simultaneously stream on ESPN Unlimited. For complete coverage, fans should also consider an HBO Max subscription for TNT-broadcast games.

Can I watch the 2026 NHL playoffs on DIRECTV Genre Packs?

Yes. DIRECTV offers access to every channel broadcasting the 2026 NHL Playoffs (ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT, and truTV) starting at $49.99 for the first two months of service, with a 5-day free trial available for new customers.