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 Florida Panthers failed to qualify following their 2025 title run. That leaves the door wide open for the Colorado Avalanche, who enter the postseason as Presidents' Trophy winners, and the Vegas Golden Knights, who look to recapture their 2023 magic under the late-season guidance of John Tortorella.The storylines are everywhere you look.

Connor McDavid is coming off another staggering 130-point season, desperate to finally bring a Cup back to Edmonton. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference features a nostalgic "Battle of Pennsylvania" between the Penguins and Flyers.Then, of course, there's the Buffalo Sabres, 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’s squad has transformed from a December basement-dweller into a legitimate threat to go the distance.From the breakout Sabres winning the Atlantic to the Utah Mammoth 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.NHL playoffs schedule, scores 2026First RoundSabres vs. Bruins - Series tied 1-1DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 19Game 1: Sabres 4, Bruins 3——April 21Game 2: Bruins 4, Sabres 2——April 23Game 3: Sabres at Bruins7:00 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVApril 26Game 4: Sabres at Bruins2:00 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVApril 28Game 5: Bruins at SabresTBDTBDMay 1Game 6*: Sabres at BruinsTBDTBDMay 3Game 7*: Bruins at SabresTBDTBD*If necessaryLightning vs. Canadiens - Series tied 1-1DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 19Game 1: Canadiens 4, Lightning 3 (OT)——April 21Game 2: Lightning 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)——April 24Game 3: Lightning at Canadiens7:00 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVApril 26Game 4: Lightning at Canadiens7:00 p.m.ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN appApril 29Game 5: Canadiens at LightningTBDTBDMay 1Game 6*: Lightning at CanadiensTBDTBDMay 3Game 7*: Canadiens at LightningTBDTBD*If necessaryHurricanes vs.

Senators - Carolina leads 2-0DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 18Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Senators 0——April 20Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Senators 2 (2 OT)——April 23Game 3: Hurricanes at Senators7:30 p.m.TBS, DIRECTVApril 25Game 4: Hurricanes at Senators3:00 p.m.TBS, truTV, DIRECTVApril 27Game 5*: Senators at HurricanesTBDTBDApril 30Game 6*: Hurricanes at SenatorsTBDTBDMay 2Game 7*: Senators at HurricanesTBDTBD*If necessaryPenguins vs. Flyers - Philadelphia leads 2-0DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 18Game 1: Flyers 3, Penguins 2——April 20Game 2: Flyers 3, Penguins——April 22Game 3: Penguins at Flyers7:00 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVApril 25Game 4: Penguins at Flyers8:00 p.m.TBS, truTV, DIRECTVApril 27Game 5*: Flyers at PenguinsTBDTBDApril 29Game 6*: Penguins at FlyersTBDTBDMay 2Game 7*: Flyers at PenguinsTBDTBD*If necessaryAvalanche vs.

Kings - Colorado leads 1-0DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 19Game 1: Avalanche 2, Kings 1——April 21Game 2: Kings at Avalanche10:00 p.m.ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN appApril 23Game 3: Avalanche at Kings10:00 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVApril 26Game 4: Avalanche at Kings4:30 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVApril 29Game 5*: Kings at AvalancheTBDTBDMay 1Game 6*: Avalanche at KingsTBDTBDMay 3Game 7*: Kings at AvalancheTBDTBD*If necessaryStars vs. Wild - Series tied 1-1DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 18Game 1: Wild 6, Stars 1——April 20Game 2: Stars 4, Wild 2——April 22Game 3: Stars at Wild9:30 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVApril 25Game 4: Stars at Wild5:30 p.m.TBS, truTV, DIRECTVApril 28Game 5: Wild at StarsTBDTBDApril 30Game 6*: Stars at WildTBDTBDMay 2Game 7*: Wild at StarsTBDTBD*If necessaryGolden Knights vs.

Mammoth - Vegas leads 1-0DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 19Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Mammoth 2——April 21Game 2: Mammoth at Golden Knights9:30 p.m.ESPN2, DIRECTV,fubo, ESPN appApril 24Game 3: Golden Knights at Mammoth9:30 p.m.TBS, DIRECTVApril 27Game 4: Golden Knights at MammothTBDESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN appApril 29Game 5*: Mammoth at Golden KnightsTBDTBDMay 1Game 6*: Golden Knights at MammothTBDTBDMay 3Game 7*: Mammoth at Golden KnightsTBDTBD*If necessaryOilers vs. Ducks - Edmonton leads 1-0DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 20Game 1: Oilers 4, Ducks 3——April 22Game 2: Ducks at Oilers10:00 p.m.TBS, DIRECTVApril 24Game 3: Oilers at Ducks10:00 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVApril 26Game 4: Oilers at Ducks9:30 p.m.ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN appApril 28Game 5*: Ducks at OilersTBDTBDA