NHL Releases Game 1 Schedule For First Round

The NHL announced the Game 1 schedule for every first-round series of the 2026 playoffs.

The entire first round schedule will be announced after the regular season ends Thursday night.

The first game of the playoffs will be between the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes at 3 p.m. ET. Three series begin Saturday, while four begin Sunday.

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Will Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon face each other in the first round? There's an outside chance of it happening, but we will know the rest of the confirmed first-round matchups on Thursday.

Saturday, April 18

Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes, 3 p.m. (ESPN, SN, TVAS)

Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars, 5:30 p.m. (ESPN, SN, TVAS)

Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, SN, TVAS)

Sunday, April 19

Western Conference wild-card No. 2 at Colorado Avalanche, time TBD

Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning, time TBD

Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres, time TBD

Utah Mammoth at Vegas Golden Knights, time TBD

Monday, April 20

Pacific Division No. 3 at Pacific Division No. 2, time TBD.

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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 9:56 AM.