The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs have officially begun, with the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes playing today. The Blackhawks will not participate in the playoffs this year, but discussions about improving for next season are underway.
Key points
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs have started
Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes are first teams playing
Blackhawks are not in the playoffs this year
Discussions about improving for next season are ongoing
Ottawa SenatorsCarolina HurricanesBlackhawks
Jack’s Daily: Postseason Begins; Frondell’s First Pitch; Kane & Toews Future Plans
Jack’s Daily: Postseason Begins; Frondell’s First Pitch; Kane & Toews Future Plans
Welcome to the first day of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, hockey fans! The postseason officially gets underway as the weekend rolls in, with the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes kicking things off this afternoon.
Of course, the Blackhawks will be playoff spectators once again this season, although there was plenty of talk about making sure that doesn’t happen again in 2026-27 during the team’s exit interviews on Thursday.
More in the links for all the postseason previews, plus the takeaways from the final media availability with the players until training camp in the fall.
Also in Blackhawks news, Anton Frondell made a trip to Wrigley Field on Friday, while Roman Kantserov helped his KHL club advance into the Semifinals.
Around the league, Jonathan Toews & Patrick Kane spoke about their respective futures, while the Canucks made a significant front office change.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Rumors
Chicago Hockey Now: Connor Bedard spoke about his contract extension, Oliver Moore is heading to the World Championships, and Anton Frondell reflected on his first taste of the NHL. Here are the notable takeaways from the .
Q&A
When do the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs start?
The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs officially began today.
Which teams are playing in the first game of the 2026 playoffs?
The Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes are kicking off the first game of the 2026 playoffs.
Why are the Blackhawks not in the playoffs this year?
The Blackhawks are not participating in the playoffs due to their performance this season.
What are the Blackhawks' plans for the 2026-27 season?
The Blackhawks discussed strategies to avoid missing the playoffs again during their exit interviews.
Speaking of Frondell, he made a guest appearance at Wrigley Field and threw out the ceremonial first pitch ahead of the Cubs’ matchup with the New York Mets on Friday.
In KHL news, top prospect Roman Kantserov buried the overtime winner on Friday to help Metallurg Magnitogorsk advance into the Semifinals. Metallurg took down Torpedo 3-1 in the second-round playoff series and will face Ak Bars in the next round. Kantserov now has eight points (3G, 5A) in 10 postseason appearances.
No. 98 on the ice, but No. 1 in Jersey Sales. The NHL announced the top-selling jerseys from the 2025-26 regular season, and Connor Bedard cracked the top of the list.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: With the postseason getting underway on Saturday, The Athletic’s staff offered one bold prediction for all 16 teams that qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Saturday marks the start of Round 8 in the history of playoff battles between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers. Here’s how the first seven Battles of Pennsylvania were fought.
Philly Hockey Now: From the other side of the Rivalry, here’s what the Philadelphia Flyers must do to take down the Penguins in the first-round playoff series. Preventing Sidney Crosby from running wild would be a good place to start.
Colorado Hockey Now: The Colorado Avalanche claimed the Presidents’ trophy for the most points in the regular season and will face the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the postseason. The Avs will have home-ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Carolina Hockey Now: As the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators face each other Saturday to kick off the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they will do so after having battled through a very similar adversity in the regular season. Two unlikely netminders saved both of their seasons.
Montreal Hockey Now: The Montreal Canadiens drew the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the postseason. Special teams could play a huge factor in determining which side advances into round two.
Boston Hockey Now: The Boston Bruins did not reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs because of one individual or one particular line. Instead, it was due to their depth and leadership, which is what they will rely on in the first round against the Buffalo Sabres.
TSN: After finishing the regular season in last place, while also 14 points behind the 31st-ranked Blackhawks, the Vancouver Canucks decided to fire GM Patrick Allvin after three and a half seasons in the position.
Detroit Hockey Now: During the team’s exit interviews, forward Patrick Kane spoke positively about his time with the Detroit Red Wings and sure seems to be interested in returning for the 2026-27 season. DHN says it’s essential that the Wings bring back “Showtime” in the offseason.
NHL.com: As for Jonathan Toews’ future, he said during exit interviews that he’s still deciding on whether he will return for a 17th NHL season. However, he did mention that if he plays in 2026-27, he wants it to be for the Winnipeg Jets.
