The 2026 NHL Playoffs have begun, featuring 16 teams vying for the Stanley Cup. Key matchups include the Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild and the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers.
Key points
2026 NHL Playoffs have started
16 teams are competing for the Stanley Cup
Dallas Stars face Minnesota Wild in a key matchup
Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens both reached 106 points
Pittsburgh Penguins meet Philadelphia Flyers for the first time since 2018
Mentioned in this story
Sidney CrosbyEvgeni MalkinKris Letang
Dallas StarsMinnesota WildTampa Bay LightningMontreal Canadiens
nhlplayoff-bracket-1.jpg
CBS Sports design
The NHL regular season is over, but the journey is only beginning for the 16 teams that remain standing. The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, and the first round should provide some fireworks.
Two of the three best teams in the Western Conference will meet as the Dallas Stars face off against the Minnesota Wild. Both teams have legitimate Stanley Cup aspirations, and neither one of them wants to bow out in the first round. The same could be said for the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens, Atlantic Division foes that both reached 106 points in the standings.
Playoff hockey will also be in Salt Lake City for the first time as the Utah Mammoth get set to face the Vegas Golden Knights. leads an ascendant Mammoth squad against and the battle-tested Golden Knights. This one should be worth the price of admission.
Q&A
What are the key matchups in the first round of the 2026 NHL Playoffs?
The key matchups include the Dallas Stars facing the Minnesota Wild and the Pittsburgh Penguins taking on the Philadelphia Flyers.
Which teams reached 106 points in the NHL standings this season?
The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens both reached 106 points in the standings.
When was the last time the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers met in the playoffs?
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers last met in the postseason in 2018.
Who are the notable players to watch in the Penguins vs. Flyers series?
Notable players to watch include Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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For the complete first-round schedule -- as well as updates on results and broadcast info -- follow along right here at CBS Sports.
All times Eastern.
Round 1
(1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC2) Ottawa Senators
Game 1: Saturday, April 18 | at CAR | 3 p.m. | ESPN
Game 2: Monday, April 20 | at CAR | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2
Game 3: Thursday, April 23 | at OTT | 7:30 p.m. | TBS
Game 4: Saturday, April 25 | at OTT | 3 p.m. | TBS/truTV
*Game 5: Monday, April 27 | at CAR | TBD | TBD
*Game 6: Thursday, April 30 | at OTT | TBD | TBD
*Game 7: Saturday, May 2 | at CAR | TBD | TBD
(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers
Game 1: Saturday, April 18 | at PIT | 8 p.m. | ESPN
Game 2: Monday, April 20 | at PIT | 7 p.m. | ESPN
Game 3: Wednesday, April 22 | at PHI | 7 p.m. | TNT
Game 4: Saturday, April 25 | at PHI | 8 p.m. | TBS/truTV
*Game 5: Monday, April 27 | at PIT | TBD | TBD
*Game 6: Wednesday, April 29 | at PHI | TBD | TBD
*Game 7: Saturday, May 2 | at PIT | TBD | TBD
(1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (WC1) Boston Bruins
Game 1: Sunday April 19 | at BUF | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Game 2: Tuesday, April 21 | at BUF | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Game 3: Thursday, April 23 | at BOS | 7 p.m. | TNT
Game 4: Sunday, April 26 | at BOS | 2 p.m. | TNT
*Game 5: Tuesday, April 28 | at BUF | TBD | TBD
*Game 6: Friday, May 1 | at BOS | TBD | TBD
*Game 7: Sunday, May 3 | at BUF | TBD | TBD
(2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Montreal Canadiens
Game 1: Sunday, April 19 | at TB | 5:45 p.m. | TNT
Game 2: Tuesday, April 21 | at TB | 7 p.m. | ESPN2
Game 3: Friday, April 24 | at MTL | 7 p.m. | TNT
Game 4: Sunday, April 26 | at MTL | 7 p.m. | ESPN
*Game 5: Wednesday, April 29 | at TB | TBD | TBD
*Game 6: Friday, May 1 | at MTL | TBD | TBD
*Game 7: Sunday, May 3 | at TB | TBD | TBD
Western Conference
(1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (WC2) Los Angeles Kings
Game 1: Sunday, April 19 | at COL | 3 p.m. | TNT
Game 2: Tuesday, April 21 | at COL | 10 p.m. | ESPN
Game 3: Thursday, April 23 | at LA | 10 p.m. | TNT
Game 4: Sunday, April 26 | at LA | 4:30 p.m. | TNT
*Game 5: Wednesday, April 29 | at COL | TBD | TBD
*Game 6: Friday, May 1 | at LA | TBD | TBD
*Game 7: Sunday, May 3 | at COL | TBD | TBD
(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Minnesota Wild
Game 1: Saturday, April 18 | at DAL | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN
Game 2: Monday, April 20 | at DAL | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN
Game 3: Wednesday, April 22 | at MIN | 9:30 p.m. | TNT
Game 4: Saturday, April 25 | at MIN | 5:30 p.m. | TBS/truTV
*Game 5: Tuesday, April 28 | at DAL | TBD | TBD
*Game 6: Thursday, April 30 | at MIN | TBD | TBD
*Game 7: Saturday, May 2 | at DAL | TBD | TBD
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Utah Mammoth
Game 1: Sunday, April 19 | at VGK | 10 p.m. | ESPN
Game 2: Tuesday, April 21 | at VGK | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2
Game 3: Friday, April 24 | at UTA | 9:30 p.m. | TBS
Game 4: Monday, April 27 | at UTA | TBD | ESPN
*Game 5: Wednesday, April 29 | at VGK | TBD | TBD
*Game 6: Friday, May 1 | at UTA | TBD | TBD
*Game 7: Sunday, May 3 | at VGK | TBD | TBD
(2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (3) Anaheim Ducks
Game 1: Monday, April 20 | at EDM | 10 p.m. | ESPN2
Game 2: Wednesday, April 22 | at EDM | 9:30 p.m. | TBS
Game 3: Friday, April 24 | at ANA | 10 p.m. | TNT
Game 4: Sunday, April 26 | at ANA | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN
*Game 5: Tuesday, April 28 | at EDM | TBD | TBD
*Game 6: Thursday, April 30 | at ANA | TBD | TBD
*Game 7: Saturday, May 2 | at EDM | TBD | TBD
