NHL games on TV today: Full schedule, times, TV channels, live streams to watch 2026 hockey playoffs
TL;DR
The NHL playoffs for 2026 have started, featuring a new champion as the Florida Panthers missed the postseason. The Colorado Avalanche, having won the Presidents' Trophy, are favorites, but strong contenders like the Hurricanes, Stars, and Sabres are in the mix.
Key points
- NHL playoffs for 2026 have begun
- Florida Panthers missed the playoffs
- Colorado Avalanche won the Presidents' Trophy
- New champion expected in 2026
- Multiple contenders in the playoffs
NHL games on TV today: Full schedule, times, TV channels, live streams to watch 2026 hockey playoffs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The two-month journey to a Stanley Cup has begun, with the NHL's best teams trying to work their way through the brackets to the best trophy in sports.
Only one thing is certain about what's to come in the postseason: The league will have a new champion in 2026.Ā The Florida Panthers missed the playoffs after lifting the Cup the last two years and making the Final the year before that, guaranteeing a changing of the guard this June.
The Avalanche were the class of the league during the regular season, taking the Presidents' Trophy by eight points over the Hurricanes, and have to be considered the favorites. Contenders abound, though, from the 'Canes to the Stars to the Sabres, back in the playoffs after a 14-year absence.
However it shakes out, there will be playoff hockey to watch daily for weeks to come, and it doesn't get much better than that.
Here's everything you need to know about when and where to watch today's games in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL games on TV today
Saturday, April 18
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricanes vs. Senators Game 1 | 3 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV,fubo, ESPN app |
| Stars vs. Wild Game 1 | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
| Penguins vs. Flyers Game 1 | 8 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
See the upcoming daily schedule below.
Where to watch NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games in 2026
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.
Fans can live stream every game from the Stanley Cup Playoffs onĀ DIRECTV. Games appearing on ESPN networks, including ABC, can also be streamed live onĀ fuboĀ and theĀ ESPN app.
Catch every game ā 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 Networkāall included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
NHL Playoffs daily schedule 2026
Sunday, April 19
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Avalanche vs. Kings Game 1 | 3 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| Lightning vs. Canadiens Game 1 | 5:45 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| Sabres vs. Bruins Game 1 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
| Golden Knights vs. Mammoth Game 1 | 10 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
Monday, April 20
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Penguins vs. Flyers Game 2 | 7 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
| Hurricanes vs. Senators Game 2 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
| Stars vs. Wild Game 2 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
| Oilers vs. Ducks Game 1 | 10 p.m. | ESPN2, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
Tuesday, April 21
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning vs. Canadiens Game 2 | 7 p.m. | ESPN2, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
| Sabres vs. Bruins Game 2 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
| Golden Knights vs. Mammoth Game 2 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
| Avalanche vs. Kings Game 2 | 10 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
Wednesday, April 22
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Flyers vs. Penguins Game 3 | 7 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| Wild vs. Stars Game 3 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| Oilers vs. Ducks Game 2 | 10 p.m. | TBS, DIRECTV |
Thursday, April 23
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Bruins vs. Sabres Game 3 | 7 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| Senators vs. Hurricanes Game 3 | 7:30 p.m. | TBS, DIRECTV |
| Kings vs. Avalanche Game 3 | 10 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
Friday, April 24
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Canadiens vs. Lightning Game 3 | 7 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| Mammoth vs. Golden Knights Game 3 | 9:30 p.m. | TBS, DIRECTV |
| Ducks vs. Oilers Game 3 | 10 p.m. | TNT, truTV |
Saturday, April 25
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Senators vs. Hurricanes Game 4 | 3 p.m. | TBS, truTV, DIRECTV |
| Wild vs. Stars Game 4 | 5:30 p.m. | TBS, truTV, DIRECTV |
| Flyers vs. Penguins Game 4 | 8 p.m. | TBS, truTV, DIRECTV |
Sunday, April 26
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Bruins vs. Sabres Game 4 | 2 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| Kings vs. Avalanche Game 4 | 4:30 p.m. | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
| Canadiens vs. Lightning Game 4 | 7 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
| Ducks vs. Oilers Game 4 | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
Monday, April 27
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricanes vs. Senators Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| Penguins vs. Flyers Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| Mammoth vs. Golden Knights Game 4 | TBD | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
* If necessary
Tuesday, April 28
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Sabres vs. Bruins Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| Stars vs. Wild Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| Oilers vs. Ducks Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
Wednesday, April 29
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning vs. Canadiens Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| Flyers vs. Penguins Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| Avalanche vs. Kings Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
| Golden Knights vs. Mammoth Game 5* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
Thursday, April 30
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Senators vs. Hurricanes Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| Wild vs. Stars Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| Ducks vs. Oilers Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
Friday, May 1
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Bruins vs. Sabres Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| Canadiens vs. Lightning Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| Kings vs. Avalanche Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
| Mammoth vs. Golden Knights Game 6* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
Saturday, May 2
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricanes vs. Senators Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
| Penguins vs. Flyers Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
| Stars vs. Wild Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
| Oilers vs. Ducks Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
Sunday, May 3
| Matchup | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Sabres vs. Bruins Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
| Lightning vs. Canadiens Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
| Avalanche vs. Kings Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
| Golden Knights vs. Mammoth Game 7* | TBD | TBD |
* If necessary
NHL playoffs bracket 2026
Click here for the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket, updated live as series are completed.
Related Links
Q&A
What is the full schedule of NHL playoff games today?
The full schedule of NHL playoff games today includes various matchups, which can be found on official NHL platforms or sports news websites.
Which TV channels are broadcasting the NHL playoffs in 2026?
The NHL playoffs in 2026 are being broadcast on channels such as NBC Sports, ESPN, and regional sports networks.
How can I live stream NHL playoff games today?
You can live stream NHL playoff games today through services like ESPN+, Hulu Live, or the NHL's official streaming service.
Who are the favorites to win the 2026 NHL playoffs?
The Colorado Avalanche are considered favorites to win the 2026 NHL playoffs, with strong competition from the Hurricanes, Stars, and Sabres.
