For hockey fans, the Stanley Cup Playoffs have arrived, and the 2026 bracket is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory after a regular season defined by historic turnarounds and shifting divisional powers.
In the Eastern Conference, the field combines battle-tested giants with long-awaited homecomings. The Buffalo Sabres headline the story, snapping an NHL-record 14-season postseason drought by capturing the Atlantic Division title. They open against a resurgent Boston Bruins squad, setting up a clash between Buffalo’s high-octane offense and Boston’s elite defensive structure. Meanwhile, the Battle of Pennsylvania returns as the Penguins and Flyers renew their fierce rivalry in a first-round series for the first time since 2018.
Out West, the Colorado Avalanche secured the Presidents’ Trophy, ensuring the road to the Cup runs through Denver. However, they face a gauntlet of contenders, including a dangerous Dallas Stars team riding a franchise-record winning streak and a Vegas Golden Knights squad that found new gear after John Tortorella took over the bench.
From the emergence of young stars like Cole Caufield to the enduring brilliance of veterans like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, the stage is set for two months of high-stakes, sudden-death drama. With six teams qualifying after missing out last year, hunger for a deep run is at an all-time high.
Below is the complete 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket and schedule, updated live as series are completed.
Second Round
Eastern Conference
(M1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (M3) Philadelphia Flyers – Carolina wins 4-0
(A1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (A3) Montreal Canadiens – Tied 2-2
Western Conference
(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (C3) Minnesota Wild – Colorado leads 3-1
(P1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (P3) Anaheim Ducks – Vegas leads 3-2
First Round
Eastern Conference
(A1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (WC1) Boston Bruins – Buffalo wins 4-2
(A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (A3) Montreal Canadiens – Montreal wins 4-3
(M1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC2) Ottawa Senators – Carolina wins 4-0
(M2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (M3) Philadelphia Flyers – Philadelphia wins 4-2
Western Conference
(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (WC2) Los Angeles Kings – Colorado wins 4-0
(C2) Dallas Stars vs. (C3) Minnesota Wild – Minnesota wins 4-2
(P1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Utah Mammoth – Vegas wins 4-2
(P2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (P3) Anaheim Ducks – Anaheim wins 4-2
Second Round Schedule and Scores
Hurricanes vs. Flyers – Carolina wins 4-0
May 2: Game 1 – Hurricanes 3, Flyers 0
May 4: Game 2 – Hurricanes 3, Flyers 2 (OT)
May 7: Game 3 – Hurricanes 4, Flyers 1
May 9: Game 4 – Hurricanes 3, Flyers 2 (OT)
Sabres vs. Canadiens – Tied 2-2
May 6: Game 1 – Sabres 4, Canadiens 2
May 8: Game 2 – Canadiens 5, Sabres 1
May 10: Game 3 – Canadiens 6, Sabres 2
May 12: Game 4 – Sabres 3, Canadiens 2
May 14: Game 5 at Buffalo, 7 p.m. ET – TNT, truTV, DIRECTV
May 16: Game 6 at Montreal, 8 p.m. ET – ABC, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app
May 18: Game 7 at Buffalo – TBA (if necessary)
Avalanche vs. Wild – Colorado leads 3-1
May 3: Game 1 – Avalanche 9, Wild 6
May 5: Game 2 – Avalanche 5, Wild 2
May 9: Game 3 – Wild 5, Avalanche 1
May 11: Game 4 – Avalanche 5, Wild 2
May 13: Game 5 at Colorado, 8 p.m. ET – TNT, truTV, DIRECTV
May 15: Game 6 at Minnesota, 8 p.m. ET – ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app
May 17: Game 7 at Colorado – TBA (if necessary)
Golden Knights vs. Ducks – Vegas leads 3-2
May 4: Game 1 – Golden Knights 3, Ducks 1
May 6: Game 2 – Ducks 3, Golden Knights 1
May 8: Game 3 – Golden Knights 6, Ducks 2
May 10: Game 4 – Ducks 4, Golden Knights 3
May 12: Game 5 – Golden Knights 3, Ducks 2 (OT)
May 14: Game 6 at Anaheim, 9:30 p.m. ET – TNT, truTV, DIRECTV
May 16: Game 7 at Vegas, 5 p.m. ET – ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app (if necessary)
First Round Schedule and Scores
Sabres vs. Bruins – Buffalo wins 4-2
April 19: Game 1 – Sabres 4, Bruins 3
April 21: Game 2 – Bruins 4, Sabres 2
April 23: Game 3 – Sabres 3, Bruins 1
April 26: Game 4 – Sabres 6, Bruins 1
April 28: Game 5 – Bruins 2, Sabres 1 (OT)
May 1: Game 6 – Sabres 4, Bruins 1
Lightning vs. Canadiens – Montreal wins 4-3
April 19: Game 1 – Canadiens 4, Lightning 3 (OT)
April 21: Game 2 – Lightning 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
April 24: Game 3 – Canadiens 3, Lightning 2 (OT)
April 26: Game 4 – Lightning 3, Canadiens 2
April 29: Game 5 – Canadiens 3, Lightning 2
May 1: Game 6 – Lightning 1, Canadiens 0 (OT)
May 3: Game 7 – Canadiens 2, Lightning 1
Hurricanes vs. Senators – Carolina wins 4-0
April 18: Game 1 – Hurricanes 2, Senators 0
April 20: Game 2 – Hurricanes 3, Senators 2 (2 OT)
April 23: Game 3 – Hur