NHL Playoffs 2026 First-Round Schedule: Dates, Times, Where To Watch
The NHL revealed the schedule for the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Saturday, April 18, marks the beginning of the two-month battle for the NHL's ultimate prize. It all starts with the Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Ottawa Senators, the Dallas Stars facing the Minnesota Wild and the Pittsburgh Penguins taking on the Philadelphia Flyers.
Four more series begin on Sunday, April 19, while the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks begin their best-of-seven series on Monday, April 20.
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Colorado Avalanche (C1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (WC2)
Game 1: Los Angeles at Colorado, Sunday, April 19, 3 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS)
Game 2: Los Angeles at Colorado, Tuesday, April 21, 10 p.m. (ESPN, SN360, TVAS)
Game 3: Colorado at Los Angeles, Thursday, April 23, 10 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max, SNW, SNP, SN360, TVAS)
Game 4: Colorado at Los Angeles, Sunday, April 26, 4:30 p.m. (TBS, truTV, HBO Max, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS)
If necessary
Game 5: Los Angeles at Colorado, Wednesday, April 29, time and broadcast information TBD
Game 6: Colorado at Los Angeles, Friday, May 1, time and broadcast information TBD
Game 7: Los Angeles at Colorado, Sunday, May 3, time and broadcast information TBD
Dallas Stars (C2) vs. Minnesota Wild (C3)
Game 1: Minnesota at Dallas, Saturday, April 18, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS)
Game 2: Minnesota at Dallas, Monday, April 20, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN, SN360, TVAS)
Game 3: Dallas at Minnesota, Wednesday, April 22, 9:30 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS)
Game 4: Dallas at Minnesota, Saturday, April 25, 5:30 p.m. (TBS, truTV, HBO Max, SNO, SNW, SNP, TVAS)
If necessary
Game 5: Minnesota at Dallas, Tuesday, April 28, time and broadcast information TBD
Game 6: Dallas at Minnesota, Thursday, April 30, time and broadcast information TBD
Game 7: Minnesota at Dallas, Saturday, May 2, time and broadcast information TBD
Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Utah Mammoth (WC1)
Game 1: Utah at Vegas, Sunday, April 19, 10 p.m. (ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 2: Utah at Vegas, Tuesday, April 21, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 3: Vegas at Utah, Friday, April 24, 9:30 p.m. (TBS, HBO Max, SN360, TVAS)
Game 4: Vegas at Utah, Monday, April 27, time TBD (ESPN, Canadian broadcast information TBD)
If necessary
Game 5: Utah at Vegas, Wednesday, April 29, time and broadcast information TBD
Game 6: Vegas at Utah, Friday, May 1, time and broadcast information TBD
Game 7: Utah at Vegas, Sunday, May 3, time and broadcast information TBD
Edmonton Oilers (P2) vs. Anaheim Ducks (P3)
Game 1: Anaheim at Edmonton, Monday, April 20, 10 p.m. (SN, CBC, TVAS, ESPN2)
Game 2: Anaheim at Edmonton, Wednesday, April 22, 10 p.m. (SN, CBC, TVAS, TBS, HBO Max)
Game 3: Edmonton at Anaheim, Friday, April 24, 10 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 4: Edmonton at Anaheim, Sunday, April 26, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN, SN, CBC, TVAS)
If necessary
Game 5: Anaheim at Edmonton, Tuesday, April 28, time and broadcast information TBD
Game 6: Edmonton at Anaheim, Thursday, April 30, time and broadcast information TBD
Game 7: Anaheim at Edmonton, Saturday, May 2, time and broadcast information TBD
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 1:05 AM.