NHL playoffs schedule 2026: Full bracket, dates, times, TV channels, live streams for road to Stanley Cup
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<p><em><a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/news/nhl-playoffs-schedule-2026-bracket-dates-times-channels-streams-stanley-cup/a0105211d0449156b92a9864?utm_source=yahoo&;utm_medium=referral&;utm_campaign=appeared_on">NHL playoffs schedule 2026: Full bracket, dates, times, TV channels, live streams for road to Stanley Cup</a> originally appeared on <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us?utm_source=yahoo&;utm_medium=referral&;utm_campaign=appeared_on">The Sporting News</a>.<br />
 Add The Sporting News as a <a href="https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=https://www.sportingnews.com">Preferred Source by clicking here</a>.</em></p>
<p>Hockey fans, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are officially here. The 2026 version might be as good as ever, with a bracket that feels as wide open as any in recent memory.</p>
<p>Sixteen teams have the same quest: to take home Lord Stanley&#8217;s Cup. Only one will emerge victorious and etch its name into NHL history. The landscape has shifted dramatically this year, as for the first time in a decade, the defending champions will not be in the dance, as the <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/florida-panthers">Florida Panthers</a> failed to qualify following their 2025 title run. That leaves the door wide open for the <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/colorado-avalanche">Colorado Avalanche</a>, who enter the postseason as Presidents&#8217; Trophy winners, and the <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/vegas-golden-knights">Vegas Golden Knights</a>, who look to recapture their 2023 magic under the late-season guidance of John Tortorella.</p>
<p>Then, of course, there&#8217;s the <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/buffalo-sabres">Buffalo Sabres</a>, who finally shattered the longest playoff drought in NHL history by storming into the postseason as Atlantic Division champions. After 14 years on the outside looking in, Lindy Ruff&#8217;s squad has transformed from a December basement-dweller into a legitimate threat to go the distance.</p>
<p>From the breakout Sabres winning the Atlantic to the <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/utah-mammoth">Utah Mammoth</a> making their postseason debut, the stage is set for a wild ride. Here is the full schedule for every series of the 2026 NHL Playoffs.</p>
<h2>NHL playoffs schedule, scores 2026</h2>
<h3>Stanley Cup Final</h3>
<p><strong>Hurricanes vs. Golden Knights &#8211; Vegas leads 2-1</strong></p>
<p>DateGameTime (ET)WatchJune 2Game 1: <strong>Golden Knights 5</strong>, Hurricanes 4——June 4Game 2: <strong>Hurricanes 4</strong>, Golden Knights 3 (OT)——June 6Game 3: <strong>Golden Knights 5</strong>, Hurricanes 4 (2 OT)——June 9Game 4 at Vegas8 p.m.ABC, <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100544745-17277092?sid=yahoo-us-a0105211d0449156b92a9864" target="_blank">DIRECTV</a><a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-101660097-15242095?sid=yahoo-us-a0105211d0449156b92a9864" target="_blank">,</a><a href="https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191278?irad=409363&;irmp=2436205&;subId1=nhleditorial&;subId2=yahoo-us-a0105211d0449156b92a9864" target="_blank">fubo</a>, <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/c/2436205/535101/9070?subId1=sports&;subId2=yahoo-us-a0105211d0449156b92a9864" target="_blank">ESPN app</a>June 11Game 5 at Carolina8 p.m.ABC, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN appJune 14Game 6 at Vegas<em>8 p.m.ABC, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN appJune 17Game 7 at Carolina</em>8 p.m.ABC, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app</p>
<p><em>* If necessary</em></p>
<h3>Conference Finals</h3>
<p><strong>Hurricanes vs. Canadiens &#8211; Carolina wins 4-1</strong></p>
<p>DateGameTime (ET)WatchMay 21Game 1: <strong>Canadiens 6</strong>, Hurricanes 2——May 23Game 2: <strong>Hurricanes 3</strong>, Canadiens 2 (OT)——May 25Game 3: <strong>Hurricanes 3</strong>, Canadiens 2 (OT)——May 27Game 4: <strong>Hurricanes 4</strong>, Canadiens 0——May 29Game 5: <strong>Hurricanes 6</strong>, Canadiens 1——</p>
<p><strong>Avalanche vs. Golden Knights &#8211; Vegas wins 4-0</strong></p>
<p>DateGameTime (ET)WatchMay 20Game 1: <strong>Golden Knights 4</strong>, Avalanche 2——May 22Game 2: <strong>Golden Knights 3</strong>, Avalanche 1——May 24Game 3: <strong>Golden Knights 5</strong>, Avalanche 3——May 26Game 4: <strong>Golden Knights 2</strong>, Avalanche 1——</p>
<h3>Second Round</h3>
<p><strong>Hurricanes vs. Flyers &#8211; Carolina wins 4-0</strong></p>
<p>DateGameTime (ET)WatchMay 2Game 1: <strong>Hurricanes 3</strong>, Flyers 0——May 4Game 2: <strong>Hurricanes 3</strong>, Flyers 2 (OT)——May 7Game 3: <strong>Hurricanes 4</strong>, Flyers 1——May 9Game 4: <strong>Hurricanes 3</strong>, Flyers 2 (OT)——</p>
<p><strong>Sabres vs. Canadiens &#8211; Montreal wins 4-3</strong></p>
<p>DateGameTime (ET)WatchMay 6Game 1: <strong>Sabres 4</strong>, Canadiens 2——May 8Game 2: <strong>Canadiens 5</strong>, Sabres 1——May 10Game 3: <strong>Canadiens 6</strong>, Sabres 2——May 12Game 4: <strong>Sabres 3</strong>, Canadiens 2——May 14Game 5: <strong>Canadiens 6</strong>, Sabres 3——May 16Game 6: <strong>Sabres 8</strong>, Canadiens 3——May 18Game 7: <strong>Canadiens 3</strong>, Sabres 2 (OT)——</p>
<p><strong>Avalanche vs. Wild &#8211; Colorado wins 4-1</strong></p>
<p>DateGameTime (ET)WatchMay 3Game 1: <strong>Avalanche 9</strong>, Wild 6——May 5Game 2: <strong>Avalanche 5</strong>, Wild 2——May 9Game 3: <strong>Wild 5</strong>, Avalanche 1——May 11Game 4: <strong>Avalanche 5</strong>, Wild 2——May 13Game 5: <strong>Avalanche 4</strong>, Wild 3 (OT)——</p>
<p><strong>Golden Knights vs. Ducks &#8211; Vegas wins 4-2</strong></p>
<p>DateGameTime (ET)WatchMay 4Game 1: <strong>Golden Knights 3</strong>, Ducks 1——May 6Game 2: <strong>Ducks 3</strong>, Golden Knights 1——May 8Game 3: <strong>Golden Knights 6</strong>, Ducks 2——May 10Game 4: <strong>Ducks 4</strong>, Golden Knights 3——May 12Game 5: <strong>Golden Knights 3</strong>, Ducks 2 (OT)——May 14Game 6: <strong>Golden Knights 5</strong>, Ducks 1——</p>
<h3>First Round</h3>
<p><strong>Sabres vs. Bruins &#8211; Buffalo wins 4-2</strong></p>
<p><strong>Date</strong><strong>Game</strong><strong>Time (ET)</strong><strong>Watch</strong>April 19Game 1: <strong>Sabres 4</strong>, Bruins 3——April 21Game 2: <strong>Bruins 4</strong>, Sabres 2——April 23Game 3: <strong>Sabres 3</strong>, Bruins 1——April 26Game 4: <strong>Sabres 6</strong>, Bruins 1——April 28Game 5: <strong>Bruins 2</strong>, Sabres 1 (OT)——May 1Game 6: <strong>Sabres 4</strong>, Bruins 1——</p>
<p><strong>Lightning vs. Canadiens &#8211; Montreal 4-3</strong></p>
<p><strong>Date</strong><strong>Game</strong><strong>Time (ET)</strong><strong>Watch</strong>April 19Game 1: <strong>Canadiens 4</strong>, Lightning 3 (OT)——April 21Game 2: <strong>Lightning 3</strong>, Canadiens 2 (OT)——April 24Game 3: <strong>Canadiens 3</strong>, Lightning 2 (OT)——April 26Game 4: <strong>Lightning 3</strong>, Canadiens 2——April 29Game 5: <strong>Canadiens 3</strong>, Lightning 2——May 1Game 6: <strong>Lightning 1</strong>, Canadiens 0 (OT)——May 3Game 7: <strong>Canadiens 2</strong>, Lightning 1——</p>
<p><strong>Hurricanes vs. Senators &#8211; Carolina wins 4-0</strong></p>
<p><strong>Date</strong><strong>Game</strong><strong>Time (ET)</strong><strong>Watch</strong>April 18Game 1: <strong>Hurricanes 2</strong>, Senators 0——April 20Game 2: <strong>Hurricanes 3</strong>, Senators 2 (2 OT)——April 23Game 3: <strong>Hurricanes 2</strong>, Senators 1——April 25Game 4: <strong>Hurricanes 4</strong>, Senators 2——</p>
<p><strong>Penguins vs. Flyers &#8211; Philadelphia wins 4-2</strong></p>
<p><strong>Date</strong><strong>Game</strong><strong>Time (ET)</strong><strong>Watch</strong>April 18Game 1: <strong>Flyers 3</strong>, Penguins 2——April 20Game 2: <strong>Flyers 3</strong>, Penguins——April 22Game 3: <strong>Flyers 5</strong>, Penguins 2——April 25Game 4: <strong>Penguins 4</strong>, Flyers 2——April 27Game 5: <strong>Flyers 3</strong>, Penguins 2——April 29Game 6: <strong>Flyers 1</strong>, Penguins 0 (OT)——</p>
<p><strong>Avalanche vs. Kings &#8211; Colorado wins 4-0</strong></p>
<p><strong>Date</strong><strong>Game</strong><strong>Time (ET)</strong><strong>Watch</strong>April 19Game 1: <strong>Avalanche 2</strong>, Kings 1——April 21Game 2: <strong>Avalanche 2</strong>, Kings 1 (OT)——April 23Game 3: <strong>Avalanche 4</strong>, Kings 2——April 26Game 4: <strong>Avalanche 5</strong>, Kings 1——</p>
<p><strong>Stars vs. Wild &#8211; Minnesota wins 4-2</strong></p>
<p><strong>Date</strong><strong>Game</strong><strong>Time (ET)</strong><strong>Watch</strong>April 18Game 1: <strong>Wild 6</strong>, Stars 1——April 20Game 2: <strong>Stars 4</strong>, Wild 2——April 22Game 3: <strong>Stars 4</strong>, Wild 3 (2 OT)——April 25Game 4: <strong>Wild 3</strong>, Stars 2 (OT)——April 28Game 5: <strong>Wild 4</strong>, Stars 2——April 30Game 6: <strong>Wild 5</strong>, Stars 2——</p>
<p><strong>Golden Knights vs. Mammoth &#8211; Vegas wins 4-2</strong></p>
<p><strong>Date</strong><strong>Game</strong><strong>Time (ET)</strong><strong>Watch</strong>April 19Game 1: <strong>Golden Knights 4</strong>, Mammoth 2——April 21Game 2: <strong>Mammoth 3</strong>, Golden Knights 2——April 24Game 3: <strong>Mammoth 4</strong>, Golden Knights 2——April 27Game 4: <strong>Golden Knights 5</strong>, Mammoth 4 (OT)——April 29Game 5: <strong>Golden Knights 5</strong>, Mammoth 4 (2 OT)——May 1Game 6: <strong>Golden Knights 5</strong>, Mammoth 1——</p>
<p><strong>Oilers vs. Ducks &#8211; Anaheim wins 4-2</strong></p>
<p><strong>Date</strong><strong>Game</strong><strong>Time (ET)</strong><strong>Watch</strong>April 20Game 1: <strong>Oilers 4</strong>, Ducks 3——April 22Game 2: <strong>Ducks 6</strong>, Oilers 4——April 24Game 3: <strong>Ducks 7</strong>, Oilers 4——April 26Game 4: <strong>Ducks 4</strong>, Oilers 3 (OT)——April 28Game 5: <strong>Oilers 4</strong>, Ducks 1——April 30Game 6: <strong>Ducks 5</strong>, Oilers 2——</p>
<h2>Where to watch NHL playoffs 2026</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>TV channels:</strong> ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT, TBS, truTV</li>
<li><strong>Live streams: </strong><a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100544745-17277092?sid=yahoo-us-a0105211d0449156b92a9864" target="_blank">DIRECTV</a><a href="https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-101660097-15242095?sid=yahoo-us-a0105211d0449156b92a9864" target="_blank">,</a><a href="https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191278?irad=409363&;irmp=2436205&;subId1=nhleditorial&;subId2=yahoo-us-a0105211d0449156b92a9864" target="_blank">fubo</a>, <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/c/2436205/535101/9070?subId1=sports&;subId2=yahoo-us-a0105211d0449156b92a9864" target="_blank">ESPN app</a></li>
</ul>
<p>The Stanley Cup Playoffs will be broadcast across ESPN and TNT Sports platforms, with six different channels being destinations for games. The Stanley Cup Final will be exclusively on ABC.</p>
<p>Fans can live stream every game from the Stanley Cup Playoffs on <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100544745-17277092?sid=yahoo-us-a0105211d0449156b92a9864" target="_blank">DIRECTV</a>. Games appearing on ESPN networks, including ABC, can also be streamed live on <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191278?irad=409363&;irmp=2436205&;subId1=nhleditorial&;subId2=yahoo-us-a0105211d0449156b92a9864" target="_blank">fubo</a> and the <a href="https://go.web.plus.espn.com/c/2436205/535101/9070?subId1=sports&;subId2=yahoo-us-a0105211d0449156b92a9864" target="_blank">ESPN app</a>.</p>
<p>Catch every game – try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live MLB, March Madness, soccer and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.</p>
<p>Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.</p>
<h2>NHL playoffs bracket 2026</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/playoffs" target="">Click here for the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket</a>, updated live as series are completed.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.zenfs.com/en/the_sporting_news_articles_584/58dd642c06c79a215561d1e723a1cef0" /></p>
<p> SN </p>
<h2>How will the 2026 NHL playoffs work?</h2>
<p>The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs follow a divisional bracket system where 16 teams — eight from each conference —compete in four rounds of best-of-seven series. The top three teams in each of the league&#8217;s four divisions qualify automatically, while the final four spots are awarded to the two wild card teams in each conference with the highest remaining point totals.</p>
<p>In the opening round, the division winner with the best record in their conference faces the wild card with the fewest points, while the other division winner plays the wild card with the higher point total. The remaining first-round series feature the second- and third-place teams from each division facing off against one another.</p>
<p>Every series follows a 2–2–1–1–1 format, meaning the higher-seeded team hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7. Home-ice advantage is determined by division seeding in the first two rounds and moves to the team with the better regular-season record for the Conference Finals and the Stanley Cup Final.</p>
<p>Postseason hockey also introduces continuous 20-minute, five-on-five overtime periods where the first goal scored ends the game, as there are no shootouts in the playoffs.</p>
<h2>How many teams make the NHL playoffs?</h2>
<p>Sixteen teams make the Stanley Cup Playoffs, eight from both the Eastern and Western Conference. This includes the top three teams in all four divisions — Atlantic, Metropolitan, Pacific, Central — and four wild card teams, two from each conference.</p>
<h2>How many rounds are in the NHL playoffs?</h2>
<p>There are four rounds in the NHL playoffs, each consisting of a best-of-seven series. To win the Stanley Cup, a team must advance through the First Round, the Second Round (Division Finals), and the Conference Finals, before finally winning the Stanley Cup Final.</p>
<p>Because every round requires four victories to advance, a champion must win a total of 16 games over the course of the postseason.</p>
<h2>How many games are in a series?</h2>
<p>All series in the Stanley Cup playoffs follow a seven-game format.</p>
<p>The matchups are played in a 2–2–1–1–1 format, where the team with home-ice advantage hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7, while the lower seed hosts Games 3, 4, and 6. This structure remains consistent from the opening series through the Final, ensuring that the team with the better regular-season standing always has the opportunity to host a potential Game 7 in front of their home crowd.</p>
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