The 2026 NHL playoffs are beneath manner they usually’re lacking one notable staff, The Florida Panthers, who’ve received the Stanley Cup for the previous two seasons. The Panthers aren’t within the playoffs this 12 months, after enduring a season suffering from accidents. First spherical collection will probably be wrapping up this week, and it has been a contentious, fight-filled first spherical to say the least. The second spherical begins on Could 6. Playoff video games started on April 18 and will run as late as June 19 if all seven Stanley Cup Closing video games are essential.
You can catch the primary rounds of the NHL playoffs on TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, and ESPN2. Each recreation of the Stanley Cup Closing in June will air on TNT. This is what you’ll want to know so you will not miss a single recreation of the 2026 NHL Playoffs.
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Tips on how to watch the 2026 NHL playoffs:
ESPN’s streaming platform gives 1000’s of unique reside occasions like 2026 NHL playoff video games, plus unique studio reveals and acclaimed collection that air throughout ESPN’s suite of seven linear channels, and unique content material on ESPN+, ABC on ESPN, SEC+, ACCNX and extra. The brand new tier prices $29.99/month or $299.99/12 months.
ESPN Choose permits subscribers to entry unique content material solely out there on the app, and an intensive archive of on-demand content material (together with the whole 30 For 30 library, choose ESPN Movies, recreation replays and extra). Whether or not you buy a standalone plan, add-on or Disney bundle plan, the service offers entry to 1000’s of sports activities occasions for $12.99/month or $129.99/12 months.
Dates: April 18 – June, 2026
TV channels: TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, ESPN2
Streaming: DirecTV, ESPN Limitless and extra
When are the 2026 NHL playoffs?
The NHL playoffs started on April 18 and the event runs via the Stanley Cup finals, that are scheduled for June 3-19 if all seven video games are essential.
What channels are broadcasting NHL playoff video games?
NHL playoff video games will air on TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN and ESPN2. Each recreation of the Stanley Cup finals will air on TNT.
Tips on how to watch the 2026 NHL playoffs with out cable:
NHL playoff video games that air on ESPN and ESPN2 are additionally streaming on ESPN Limitless, and video games on TNT, TBS and truTV will stream on HBO Max. You may also discover these channels on streaming platforms like DirecTV.
ESPN’s streaming platform gives 1000’s of unique reside occasions like 2026 NHL playoff video games, plus unique studio reveals and acclaimed collection that air throughout ESPN’s suite of seven linear channels, and unique content material on ESPN+, ABC on ESPN, SEC+, ACCNX and extra. The brand new tier prices $29.99/month or $299.99/12 months.
ESPN Choose permits subscribers to entry unique content material solely out there on the app, and an intensive archive of on-demand content material (together with the whole 30 For 30 library, choose ESPN Movies, recreation replays and extra). Whether or not you buy a standalone plan, add-on or Disney bundle plan, the service offers entry to 1000’s of sports activities occasions for $12.99/month or $129.99/12 months.
HBO Max is residence to nice reveals like Euphoria, The Pitt, and Business, in addition to tons of nice sports activities programming, together with the 2026 NHL playoffs and extra. Meaning video games broadcast on networks like TNT can even be out there to stream for HBO Max Normal Plan subscribers.
Advert-free Normal or Premium plans run $18.49/month or $22.99/month, respectively.
Who’s within the NHL playoffs?
The highest 3 groups in every division mechanically qualify for the NHL playoffs, and two wild card groups (next-best data) additionally qualify. The groups advancing to the NHL playoffs embrace:
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Japanese Convention: Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators
Western Convention: Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Geese, Utah Mammoth, Los Angeles Kings
NHL playoff first spherical schedule:
This is the schedule for the entire scheduled first-round Stanley Cup playoff video games:
April 27
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Utah Mammoth vs. Las Vegas Golden Knights, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
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Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
April 28
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Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins, 7:30 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
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Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars, 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
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Anaheim Geese vs. Edmonton Oilers, 10 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
April 29
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Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, TBD
2026 NHL playoffs key dates:
All instances Japanese.
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April 16: Finish of normal season
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April 18 – Could 3: Stanley Cup playoffs first spherical
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Could 6: Stanley Cup playoffs second spherical begins
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Could 22: Stanley Cup playoffs convention finals start
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June 3: Stanley Cup Closing, Sport 1 (TNT, HBO Max)
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June 5: Stanley Cup Closing, Sport 2 (TNT, HBO Max)
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June 8: Stanley Cup Closing, Sport 3 (TNT, HBO Max)
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June 11: Stanley Cup Closing, Sport 4 (TNT, HBO Max)
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June 13: Stanley Cup Closing, Sport 5 (TNT, HBO Max)
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June 16: Stanley Cup Closing, Sport 6 (TNT, HBO Max)
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June 19: Stanley Cup Closing, Sport 7 (TNT, HBO Max)
Extra methods to observe NHL Playoff Video games:
