NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket 2026 Dates, Matchups, Game Times and TV Schedule Info

Key Points:

• All 16 NHL Stanley Cup playoff teams are set, with key seeding decided in the Pacific Division and Western Conference wild card spots; Edmonton secured the No. 2 Pacific seed, Anaheim the third, and Los Angeles the second Western wild card.
• The playoff matchups feature top teams like the Colorado Avalanche, Buffalo Sabres, and Vegas Golden Knights facing wild card and divisional opponents, with the first-round games scheduled from April 18 to April 20.
• The Colorado Avalanche enter the playoffs as the NHL's best team, boasting strong offense and defense, led by Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Nečas, and goaltender Scott Wedgewood, making them favorites for the Stanley Cup.
• The Buffalo Sabres aim for their first Stanley Cup after breaking a 14-year playoff drought and winning their division, fueled by balanced scoring and leadership from Tage Thompson.
• The Edmonton Oilers, led by Connor McDavid, seek to overcome recent playoff heartbreaks despite defensive struggles and injuries, while the Pittsburgh Penguins return to the postseason with veteran stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin aiming for another championship.