Stanley Cup playoffs daily: Previews, stats, schedule, bracket

Following the trio that started Game 1 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs There will be four more clashes throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday as eight additional teams begin their journeys to the postseason.

Which teams will take an early lead in their series? What are the major matches in each sport?

Read on for previews of each of Sunday’s games, scores and highlights from Saturday’s games and updated playoff stat leaders.

sunday games

Los Angeles Kings But colorado avalanche
Game 1 | 3 PM ET (TNT)

The first team to earn their playoff ticket faces the last team to do so, as the Presidents Trophy-winning Avalanche begin their quest to win their second Cup of the 2020s (winning in 2022). Colorado has performed well against most teams this season and the same was the case against LA, winning all three games against the Kings by an overall score of 13–5. The two teams last met in the playoffs in 2002, with the Avs winning the series 4–3.

Colorado was led by Hart Trophy candidate in scoring this season nathan mackinnon (127 points), while Adrian Kempe Kings (73) advanced.

montreal canadiens But tampa bay lightning
Game 1 | 5:45 PM ET (TNT)

because of this COVID-19-based realignment of the 2021 seasonThese two Atlantic Division rivals ended up competing in the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals, which Tampa Bay won 4–1. Their previous meeting in the traditional playoff format was in 2015, with the Lightning winning 4–2. Can Canadians reverse this trend this spring? The two clubs split the regular-season series, although the Habs won the two most recent games (4–1 on March 31 and 2–1 on April 9).

Tampa Bay has one of the game’s most dangerous scorers Nikita Kucherov (130 points this season), while leading the Canadiens in scoring nick suzuki (101).

boston bruins But buffalo saber
Game 1 | 7:30 pm ET (ESPN)

For the first time since 2011, the Sabers are competing in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and they do so as the Atlantic Division regular season champions. The B may be tough for Buffalo, as Boston won the season series 3–1, including a 4–3 overtime win on March 25. The Sabers and Bruins met in the 2010 playoffs, a 4–2 series victory for Boston.

taze thompson led the way on the scoring sheet for Buffalo (81 points), while david pasternak Did the same for Boston (100).

utah mammoth But vegas golden knights
Game 1 | 10 pm ET (ESPN)

The Golden Knights famously made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in their first season of existence, losing to the Capitals in 2018; They would win the cup after five years. Mammoths are technically in their Second Season of survival – played as Utah Hockey Club in 2024-25 – but can they produce a similar performance in 2026? Utah has Vegas’ number this season, losing the first match 4–1 on November 20, but winning 5–1 on November 24 and 4–0 on March 19.

Vegas led the way in scoring this season jack eichel (90 points), with his Team USA Olympic teammates clayton keller Leading the way for Utah (88).

saturday scoreboard

carolina storm 2, ottawa senators 0
Hurricanes lead 1-0 in the series

The two captains of the team started the opening match with Ottawa. brady tkachuk fighting carolina jordan stall. It took a while for any offense to find its rhythm logan stankoven Scoring started at 2:11 of the second period. It looked like Stankoven had another goal in the third, but the Canes’ second goal was credited to his linemate Taylor Hall. After some people questioned this goal of Keynes, Frederick Anderson Answered the bell (during at least one game), stopping all 22 shots he faced. Game 2 will be Monday in Raleigh.

Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes: Game Highlights

minnesota wild 6, dallas stars 1
Huge 1-0 lead in the series

The series was expected to be one of the closest series of the first round, with many pundits believing it would go the full seven games. It could still happen, but Game 1 didn’t go according to that script. Minnesota took an early lead joel erickson one Power-play goal at 5:35 of first. The Wild poured it on in the second, with three goals in the first 6:30. Kirill Kaprizov, Ryan Hartman And matt boldy. that was more than enough jesper wallstadHe was guided by Dallas, who saved 27 of 28 shots. Both the teams will face each other again on Monday in Dallas.

Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars: Game Highlights

philadelphia flyers 3, pittsburgh penguins 2
Flyers lead series 1-0

Saturday’s final game kicked off the latest edition of the Battle of Pennsylvania. Although emotions were running high, both teams remained goalless in the first period. philly’s jamie drysdale Things open up at 9:19 of the second, but it’s matched by evgeni malkin At 15:51. The teams remained tied till travis sanheimGreat moves and shots to watch in the middle of the third, and the newbie Porter Marton Added some insurance in less than three minutes. This was significant, as the goalie’s pullout gave the Penguins one comeback — brian rust At 18:59 – but couldn’t get the equalizer in the final tick. The teams will meet again on Monday night in Pittsburgh.

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: Game Highlights

playoff scoring leader

player	GP	Yes	A	P
T-1. matt boldyF, wild	1	2	1	3
T-1. Kirill KaprizovF, wild	1	1	2	3
T-1. Matt ZuccarelloF, wild	1	0	3	3
T-4. joel erickson oneF, wild	1	2	0	2
T-4. Taylor HallF, storm	1	1	1	2
T-4. logan stankovenF, storm	1	1	1	2
T-4. Ryan HartmanF, wild	1	1	1	2
T-4. evgeni malkinf, penguin	1	1	1	2
T-4. jackson blakeF, storm	1	0	2	2