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

After three Game 1s opening the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday, there will be four more matchups throughout the day on Sunday as eight additional teams begin their playoff journey.

Which teams will get an early advantage in the series? What are the key matches in each match?

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

Learn more:
Complete program
Playoff powerhouse
Stanley Cup Odds
Guide for the inactive fan

Sunday matches

Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche
Game 1 | 3 p.m. ET (TNT)

The first team to punch their ticket to the playoffs will face the last team to do so, as the Presidents’ Trophy winners Avalanche begin their quest to win their second Cup of the 2020s (after winning it in 2022). Colorado has done well against most teams this season, and that was also the case against Los Angeles, sweeping all three games against the Kings by a total score of 13-5. The two teams last met in the playoffs in 2002, when the Avs won the series 4-3.

Colorado was led this season by Hart Trophy candidate Nathan MacKinnon (127 points), while Adrian Kempe led the Kings (73).

Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 1 | 5:45 p.m. ET (TNT)

Due to COVID-19-based realignment in the 2021 season, these two Atlantic Division rivals ended up playing in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, which Tampa Bay won 4-1. Their previous meeting in a traditional playoff format was in 2015, a 4-2 victory for the Lightning. Will the Canadian be able to reverse the trend this spring? The two clubs shared the regular season series, even if the Habs won the last two matches (4-1 on March 31 and 2-1 on April 9).

Tampa Bay boasts one of the sport’s most dangerous scorers, Nikita Kucherov (130 points this season), while the Canadiens were led by Nick Suzuki (101).

Boston Bruins vs. Buffalo Sabers
Game 1 | 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

For the first time since 2011, the Sabers are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and they are doing so as Atlantic Division regular season champions. The B’s could 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, which was a 4-2 victory for Boston.

Tage Thompson led the way in scoring for Buffalo (81 points), while David Pastrnak did the same for Boston (100).

Utah Mammoth at Vegas Golden Knights
Game 1 | 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final in their first season of existence, losing to the Capitals in 2018; they would win the Cup five years later. Mammoths are technically in their second season of existence – after playing for the Utah Hockey Club in 2024-25 – but could they make a similar run in 2026? Utah had Vegas’ number this season, losing the first game 4-1 on November 20, but winning 5-1 on November 24 and 4-0 on March 19.

Vegas has been led this season by Jack Eichel (90 points), with Team USA Olympic teammate Clayton Keller leading the way for Utah (88).

Saturday’s scoreboard

Carolina Hurricanes 2, Ottawa Senators 0
The Hurricanes lead the series 1-0

The team’s two captains set the tone on the opening faceoff, as Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk took on Carolina’s Jordan Staal. It took time for both offenses to find a rhythm, with Logan Stankoven opening the scoring at 2:11 of the second period. It looked like Stankoven had scored another goal in the third, but the Canes’ second goal instead went to teammate Taylor Hall. After some questioned the Canes’ goaltending before this one, Frederik Andersen answered the bell (at least for one game), stopping all 22 shots he faced. Game 2 will take place Monday in Raleigh.

Minnesota Wild 6, Dallas Stars 1
Wild lead series 1-0

This series was expected to be one of the closest in the first round, with many experts estimating it would go a full seven games. It’s still possible, but the first match didn’t go according to this scenario. Minnesota took an early lead thanks to a power play goal from Joel Eriksson Ek at 5:35 of the first period. The Wild gave it their all in the second, with three goals in the first 6:30 from Kirill Kaprizov, Ryan Hartman and Matt Boldy. It was more than enough for Jesper Wallstedt, who saved 27 of the 28 shots sent in his direction by Dallas. The two teams will face each other again on Monday in Dallas.

Philadelphia Flyers 3, Pittsburgh Penguins 2
The Flyers lead the series 1-0

Saturday’s final game kicked off the latest edition of the Battle of Pennsylvania. While emotions ran high, both teams remained scoreless throughout the first period. Philadelphia’s Jamie Drysdale opened the scoring at 9:19 of the second, but was tied by Evgeni Malkin at 15:51. The teams remained tied until Travis Sanheim’s nifty move and visual shot midway through the third, and rookie Porter Martone added some insurance with less than three minutes remaining. That was crucial, as the Penguins managed to come back with the goaltender’s takedown – Bryan Rust at 18:59 – but failed to tie the game in the final seconds. The teams will face off again in Pittsburgh on Monday night.

Playoff scoring leaders

Playoff goaltending leaders