The 2026 NHL playoffs will feature a few teams that have missed the postseason in recent years: the Pittsburgh Penguins last appeared in the playoffs three years ago, the Buffalo Sabers last made it 14 years ago, and the Utah Mammoth have never. The Florida Panthers, who have won the Stanley Cup for the past two seasons, will not be in the playoffs after a season plagued by injuries. Playoff games begin on April 18 and could run as late as June 19 if all seven Stanley Cup Final games are necessary.
You’ll be able to catch the first rounds of the NHL playoffs on TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, and ESPN2. Every game of the Stanley Cup Final in June will air on TNT. Here’s what you need to know so you won’t miss a single game of the 2026 NHL Playoffs.
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How to watch the 2026 NHL Playoffs:
ESPN’s streaming platform offers thousands of exclusive live events like 2026 NHL playoff games, plus original studio shows and acclaimed series that air across ESPN’s suite of seven linear channels, and exclusive content on ESPN+, ABC on ESPN, SEC+, ACCNX and more. The new tier costs $29.99/month or $299.99/year.
ESPN Select allows subscribers to access exclusive content only available on the app, and an extensive archive of on-demand content (including the entire 30 For 30 library, select ESPN Films, game replays and more). Whether you purchase a standalone plan, add-on or Disney bundle plan, the service provides access to thousands of sports events for $12.99/month or $129.99/year.
Dates: April 18 – June, 2026
TV channels: TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, ESPN2
Streaming: DirecTV, ESPN Unlimited and more
When are the 2026 NHL Playoffs?
The NHL playoffs begin on April 18 and run through the Stanley Cup finals, which are scheduled for June 3-19 if all seven games are necessary.
What channels are broadcasting NHL Playoff games?
NHL playoff games will air on TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN and ESPN2. Every game of the Stanley Cup finals will air on TNT.
How to watch the 2026 NHL Playoffs without cable:
NHL playoff games that air on ESPN and ESPN2 are also streaming on ESPN Unlimited, and games on TNT, TBS and truTV will stream on HBO Max. You can also find these channels on streaming platforms like DirecTV.
ESPN’s streaming platform offers thousands of exclusive live events like 2026 NHL playoff games, plus original studio shows and acclaimed series that air across ESPN’s suite of seven linear channels, and exclusive content on ESPN+, ABC on ESPN, SEC+, ACCNX and more. The new tier costs $29.99/month or $299.99/year.
ESPN Select allows subscribers to access exclusive content only available on the app, and an extensive archive of on-demand content (including the entire 30 For 30 library, select ESPN Films, game replays and more). Whether you purchase a standalone plan, add-on or Disney bundle plan, the service provides access to thousands of sports events for $12.99/month or $129.99/year.
HBO Max is home to great shows like Euphoria, The Pitt, and Industry, as well as tons of great sports programming, including the 2026 NHL playoffs and more. That means games broadcast on networks like TNT will also be available to stream for HBO Max Standard Plan subscribers.
Ad-free Standard or Premium plans run $18.49/month or $22.99/month, respectively.
Who is in the NHL Playoffs?
The top 3 teams in each division automatically qualify for the NHL playoffs, and two wild card teams (next-best records) also qualify. The teams advancing to the NHL playoffs include:
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Eastern Conference: Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators
Western Conference: Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, Utah Mammoth, Los Angeles Kings
NHL playoff first round schedule:
Here’s the schedule for all of the scheduled first-round Stanley Cup playoff games:
Ottawa Senators vs. Carolina Hurricanes
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Game 1: Saturday, April 18, 3 p.m.(ESPN)
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Game 2: Monday, April 20, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
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Game 3: Thursday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. (TBS, HBO Max)
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Game 4: Saturday, April 25, 3 p.m. (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars
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Game 1: Saturday, April 18, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN)
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Game 2: Monday, April 20, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
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Game 3: Wednesday, April 22, 9:30 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
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Game 4: Saturday, April 25, 5:30 p.m. (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins
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Game 1: Sunday, April 19, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
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Game 2: Tuesday, April 21, 7:30 p.m (ESPN)
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Game 3: Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
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Game 4: Sunday, April 26, 2 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
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Game 1: Saturday, April 18, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
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Game 2: Monday, April 20, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
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Game 3: Wednesday, April 22, 7 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
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Game 4: Saturday, April 25, 8 p.m. (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
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Game 1: Sunday, April 19, 5:45 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
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Game 2: Tuesday, April 21, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
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Game 3: Friday, April 24, 7 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
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Game 4: Sunday, April 26, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
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Utah Mammoth vs. Las Vegas Golden Knights
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Game 1: Sunday, April 19, 10 p.m. (ESPN)
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Game 2: Tuesday, April 21, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
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Game 3: Friday, April 24, 9:30 p.m. (TBS, HBO Max)
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Game 4: Monday, April 27, TBD (ESPN)
Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers
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Game 1: Monday, April 20, 10 p.m. (ESPN2)
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Game 2: Wednesday, April 22, 10 p.m. (TBS, HBO Max)
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Game 3: Friday, April 24, 10 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
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Game 4: Sunday, April 26, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche
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Game 1: Sunday, April 19, 3 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
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Game 2: Tuesday, April 21, 10 p.m. (ESPN)
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Game 3: Thursday, April 23, 10 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
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Game 4: Sunday, April 26, 4:30 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
2026 NHL playoffs key dates:
All times Eastern.
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April 16: End of regular season
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April 18 – May 3: Stanley Cup playoffs first round
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May 6: Stanley Cup playoffs second round begins
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May 22: Stanley Cup playoffs conference finals begin
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June 3: Stanley Cup Final, Game 1 (TNT, HBO Max)
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June 5: Stanley Cup Final, Game 2 (TNT, HBO Max)
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June 8: Stanley Cup Final, Game 3 (TNT, HBO Max)
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June 11: Stanley Cup Final, Game 4 (TNT, HBO Max)
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June 13: Stanley Cup Final, Game 5 (TNT, HBO Max)
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June 16: Stanley Cup Final, Game 6 (TNT, HBO Max)
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June 19: Stanley Cup Final, Game 7 (TNT, HBO Max)
More ways to watch NHL Playoff Games:
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