Following a trio of Game 1s opening the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs Saturday, there are 4 extra clashes all through the day Sunday as eight extra groups start their postseason journeys.
Which groups will earn an early edge of their sequence? What are the important thing matchups in every recreation?
Read on for previews of every of Sunday’s video games, scores and highlights from Saturday’s video games, and up to date playoff stat leaders.
Read extra:
Full schedule
Playoff Central
Stanley Cup odds
Lapsed fan’s guide
Sunday’s video games
Los Angeles Kings at Colorado Avalanche
Game 1 | 3 p.m. ET (TNT)
The first staff to clinch its playoff ticket faces off in opposition to the ultimate staff to take action, because the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche start their quest to win their second Cup of the 2020s (having received in 2022). Colorado did properly in opposition to most groups this season, and that was additionally the case in opposition to L.A., sweeping all three video games in opposition to the Kings by an combination rating of 13-5. The two groups final met within the playoffs in 2002, which was a 4-3 sequence win by the Avs.
Colorado was led in scoring this season by Hart Trophy candidate Nathan MacKinnon (127 factors), whereas Adrian Kempe paced the Kings (73).
Montreal Canadiens at 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 wound up competing within the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, received 4-1 by Tampa Bay. Their earlier assembly in a conventional playoff format was again in 2015, a 4-2 win for the Lightning. Can the Canadiens reverse the development this spring? The two golf equipment cut up the regular-season sequence, though the Habs received the 2 most up-to-date video games (4-1 on March 31 and 2-1 on April 9).
Tampa Bay has one of many sport’s most harmful scorers in Nikita Kucherov (130 factors this season), whereas the Canadiens had been led in scoring by Nick Suzuki (101).
Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres
Game 1 | 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
For the primary time since 2011, the Sabres are competing within the Stanley Cup playoffs, and so they achieve this as Atlantic Division regular-season champs. The B’s is perhaps a troublesome out for Buffalo, as Boston received the season sequence 3-1, together with a 4-3 additional time win on March 25. The Sabres and Bruins met again within the 2010 playoffs, which was a 4-2 sequence win for Boston.
Tage Thompson led the best way on the scoring sheet for Buffalo (81 factors), whereas David Pastrnak did likewise for Boston (100).
Utah Mammoth at Vegas Golden Knights
Game 1 | 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)
The Golden Knights famously made all of it the best way to the Stanley Cup Final of their first season of existence, dropping to the Capitals in 2018; they might win the Cup 5 years later. The Mammoth are technically of their second season of existence — having performed because the Utah Hockey Club in 2024-25 — however might they make an identical run in 2026? Utah has had Vegas’ quantity this season, dropping the primary matchup 4-1 on Nov. 20, however successful 5-1 on Nov. 24 and 4-0 on March 19.
Vegas was led in scoring this season by Jack Eichel (90 factors), together with his Team USA Olympic teammate Clayton Keller main the best way for Utah (88).
Saturday’s scoreboard
Carolina Hurricanes 2, Ottawa Senators 0
Hurricanes lead sequence 1-0
The staff’s two captains set the tone on the opening faceoff, with Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk combating Carolina’s Jordan Staal. It took some time for both offense to discover a rhythm, with Logan Stankoven opening the scoring at 2:11 of the second interval. It regarded like Stankoven had one other purpose within the third, however the Canes’ second purpose was as an alternative credited to his linemate Taylor Hall. After some had questioned the Canes’ goaltending heading into this one, Frederik Andersen answered the bell (not less than via one recreation), stopping all 22 photographs he confronted. Game 2 will likely be Monday in Raleigh.
Minnesota Wild 6, Dallas Stars 1
Wild lead sequence 1-0
This sequence was anticipated to be one of many closest of the primary spherical, with many pundits believing it would go the complete seven video games. It nonetheless would possibly, however Game 1 didn’t go in keeping with that script. Minnesota jumped out to an early lead on a Joel Eriksson Ek power-play purpose at 5:35 of the primary. The Wild poured it on within the second, with three objectives within the first 6:30 from Kirill Kaprizov, Ryan Hartman and Matt Boldy. That was greater than sufficient for Jesper Wallstedt, who stopped 27 of 28 photographs. The two groups will face off once more Monday in Dallas.
Philadelphia Flyers 3, Pittsburgh Penguins 2
Flyers lead sequence 1-0
The ultimate recreation on Saturday kicked off the newest version of the Battle of Pennsylvania. While feelings ran excessive, the 2 groups had been scoreless via the primary interval. Philly’s Jamie Drysdale opened issues up at 9:19 of the second, however was matched by Evgeni Malkin at 15:51. The groups remained tied till Travis Sanheim‘s nifty transfer and seeing-eye shot halfway via the third, and rookie Porter Martone added some insurance coverage with lower than three minutes to go. That was important, because the Penguins did get one again with the goalie pulled — Bryan Rust at 18:59 — however could not get the equalizer within the ultimate ticks. The groups will face off once more in Pittsburgh on Monday night time.
