NHL Reveals Stanley Cup Playoff Round 1 Game 1 Schedule
The NHL released opening dates for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday. Most Game 1 times were announced ahead of the weekend.
Opening-day matchups
Play begins Saturday, April 18. Three series will start that afternoon and evening.
- Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes — 3 p.m. ET.
- Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars — 5:30 p.m. ET.
- Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins — 8 p.m. ET.
Sunday slate
Four Game 1s are scheduled for Sunday, April 19. Exact start times remain to be determined.
- Presidents’ Trophy winners Colorado Avalanche vs. the Western Conference’s second wild-card team.
- Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning.
- Buffalo Sabres, Atlantic Division champions, face the Boston Bruins. Buffalo returns to the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
- Utah Mammoth, in the postseason for the first time since relocating from Arizona, meet Pacific Division champion Vegas Golden Knights.
Monday Game 1 and Pacific seeding
The final Game 1 is set for Monday, April 20. That matchup will feature the second- and third-place Pacific Division teams.
The Pacific’s final three seeds will be decided Thursday night. Standings are tight heading into that night.
- Edmonton Oilers: 91 points, currently hold a tiebreaker over the Los Angeles Kings, who also have 91 points.
- Anaheim Ducks: 90 points, can move into second with a win over the Nashville Predators and losses by Edmonton and Los Angeles.
Context and next steps
The NHL revealed the Round 1 Game 1 schedule on Thursday. Fans now know most opening-night start times.
Final Pacific placements and the Monday puck drop time will be set after Thursday’s games. Filmogaz.com will monitor updates.
