The Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers], Anaheim Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks] and Dallas Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars] won on Wednesday in NHL Stanley Cup playoff first-round action. Three games are on the schedule for Thursday. One of the Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins] and Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres] will take their series lead after Game 3, while the Carolina Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes] and Colorado Avalanche [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche] can take a commanding lead over the Ottawa Senators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators] and Los Angeles Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings], respectively. Here are series updates, odds for the next game in each matchup from BetMGM [https://sports.betmgm.ca/en/blog/league/nhl/?utm_source=thehockeynews&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=nhl_blog_page], leading scorers in the early stages of the playoffs and the schedule for Thursday. APRIL 23 NHL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE Times are listed in eastern time. Game 3: Buffalo at Boston, Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max, SN360, TVAS) Game 3: Carolina at Ottawa, Thursday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. (SN, CBC, TVAS, TBS, HBO, HBO Max) Game 3: Colorado at Los Angeles, Thursday, April 23, 10 p.m. (TNT, truTV, HBO Max, SNW, SNP, SN360, TVAS) NHL Playoffs 2026 First-Round Schedule: Dates, Times, Where To Watch [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/779c0789-1a42-4ac0-a207-26a0a56d0e5b.jpeg] NHL Playoffs 2026 First-Round Schedule: Dates, Times, Where To Watch The Stanley Cup playoffs begin on April 18 as the NHL announced the dates for every first-round series. Here's when and how to watch them. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-playoffs-2026-first-round-schedule-dates-times-where-to-watch] CAROLINA HURRICANES (M1) VS. OTTAWA SENATORS (WC2) Carolina leads 2-0 Game 1: Ottawa 0, Carolina 2 Game 2: Ottawa 2, Carolina 3 (2OT) Game 3 odds on BetMGM [https://betmgmsporton.onelink.me/otUl/4rkbpwij]: Carolina (2.00/+100), Ottawa (1.83/-120) - Hurricanes Play Panthers-Style Playoff Hockey With Matthew Tkachuk In The Stands [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/hurricanes-play-panthers-style-playoff-hockey-with-matthew-tkachuk-in-the-stands] - Senators' Line Changes Yielded Better Underlying Results In Game 2 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators/latest-news/senators-line-changes-yielded-better-underlying-results-in-game-2] - Carolina Hurricanes @ Ottawa Senators Game 3: Lineups, Game Preview And How To Watch [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/game-day/carolina-hurricanes-ottawa-senators-game-3-lineups-game-preview-and-how-to-watch] PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (M2) VS. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (M3) Philadelphia leads 3-0 Game 1: Philadelphia 3, Pittsburgh 2 Game 2: Philadelphia 3, Pittsburgh 0 Game 3: Pittsburgh 2, Philadelphia 5 Game 4 odds on BetMGM [https://betmgmsporton.onelink.me/otUl/4rkbpwij]: Pittsburgh (2.00/+100), Philadelphia (1.83/-120) - Old-Time Flyers Hockey Rocks Philadelphia: 'The Crowd Went Bananas' [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/old-time-flyers-hockey-rocks-philadelphia-the-crowd-went-bananas] - Game Blog: Pittsburgh Penguins Vs. Philadelphia Flyers, Game 3 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/game-day/live-game-blog-pittsburgh-penguins-v-philadelphia-flyers-game-3] - Flyers, Veterans Put Penguins in 3-0 Chokehold With Savvy Performance [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/latest-news/flyers-veterans-put-penguins-in-3-0-chokehold-with-savvy-performance] BUFFALO SABRES (A1) VS. BOSTON BRUINS (WC1) Series tied 1-1 Game 1: Boston 3, Buffalo 4 Game 2: Boston 4, Buffalo 2 Game 3 odds on BetMGM [https://betmgmsporton.onelink.me/otUl/4rkbpwij]: Buffalo (1.91/-110), Boston (1.91/-110) - Bruins' Nikita Zadorov Sends Sabres Big Warning After Game 2 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/latest-news/bruins-nikita-zadorov-sends-sabres-big-warning-after-game-2] - Sabres Looking To Unlock Struggling Power Play After Game 2 Loss To Boston [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/latest-news/sabres-looking-to-unlock-struggling-power-play-after-game-2-loss-to-boston] - The Sabres' First Home Playoff Game Absolutely Lived Up To The Hype In Win Over Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/the-sabres-first-home-playoff-game-absolutely-lived-up-to-the-buildup] TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (A2) VS. MONTREAL CANADIENS (A3) Series tied 1-1 Game 1: Montreal 4, Tampa Bay 3 (OT) Game 2: Montreal 2, Tampa Bay 3 (OT) Game 3 odds on BetMGM [https://betmgmsporton.onelink.me/otUl/4rkbpwij]: Tampa Bay (1.83/-110), Montreal (2.00/+100) - 'Somebody's Got To Be The Villain': Why The Lightning Believe They Can Bully Their Way To A Stanley Cup [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/somebodys-got-to-be-the-villain-why-the-lightning-believe-they-can-bully-their-way-to-a-stanley-cup] - Canadiens' Suzuki, Caufield And Slafkovsky Have To Be The Difference Makers On Friday [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-suzuki-caufield-and-slafkovsky-have-to-be-the-difference-makers-on-friday] - Nikita Kucherov Snaps 16-Game Playoff Goal Drought [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning/latest-news/nikita-kucherov-snaps-16-game-playoff-goal-drought] COLORADO AVALANCHE (C1) VS. LOS ANGELES KINGS (WC2) Colorado leads 2-0 Game 1: Los Angeles 1, Colorado 2 Game 2: Los Angeles 1, Colorado 2 (OT) Game 3 odds on BetMGM [https://betmgmsporton.onelink.me/otUl/4rkbpwij]: Colorado (1.59/-170), Los Angeles (2.40/+140) - Why The 2026 Colorado Avalanche Look Ready To Break The Presidents' Trophy Curse [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/why-the-2026-colorado-avalanche-look-ready-to-break-the-presidents-trophy-curse] - How Long Can Anton Forsberg Keep This Up For The Kings? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings/latest-news/anton-forsberg-is-carrying-the-kings-but-can-it-last] - Avalanche Carry 2–0 Lead Into LA As Kings Face Must-Win Pressure In Game 3 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/latest-news/avalanche-carry-2-0-lead-into-la-as-kings-face-must-win-pressure-in-game-3] DALLAS STARS (C2) VS. MINNESOTA WILD (C3) Dallas leads 2-1 Game 1: Minnesota 6, Dallas 1 Game 2: Minnesota 2, Dallas 4 Game 3: Dallas 4, Minnesota 3 (2OT) Game 4 odds on BetMGM [https://betmgmsporton.onelink.me/otUl/4rkbpwij]: Dallas (2.10/+110), Minnesota (1.75/-133) - Hynes Confirms Zuccarello's Injury Is From Tyler Myers Elbow To The Head [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/latest-news/hynes-confirms-zuccarellos-injury-is-from-tyler-myers-elbow-to-the-head] - Dallas Stars Game 3 Line Combinations Vs. Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/game-day/dallas-stars-game-3-line-combinations-vs-minnesota-wild] - Who's Hot And Cold In The NHL After The First Games Of The Playoffs [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/whos-hot-and-cold-in-the-nhl-after-the-first-games-of-the-playoffs] VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS (P1) VS. UTAH MAMMOTH (WC1) Series tied 1-1 Game 1: Utah 2, Vegas 4 Game 2: Utah 3, Vegas 2 Game 3 odds on BetMGM [https://betmgmsporton.onelink.me/otUl/4rkbpwij]: Vegas (1.91/-110), Utah (1.91/-110) - Watch Budding NHL Star Logan Cooley's Fiery, Flashy Playoffs As Nic Dowd Comes For Him [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/watch-budding-nhl-star-logan-cooleys-fiery-flashy-playoffs-as-nic-dowd-comes-for-him] - Old Demons Threaten Golden Knights Season Once Again [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/old-demons-threatening-to-end-golden-knights-season-again] - Utah Vs. Vegas Turns Personal As Mammoth Launch Jersey Exchange For Fans [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah/latest-news/utah-vs-vegas-turns-personal-as-mammoth-launch-jersey-exchange-for-fans] EDMONTON OILERS (P2) VS. ANAHEIM DUCKS (P3) Series tied 1-1 Game 1: Anaheim 3, Edmonton 4 Game 2: Anaheim 6, Edmonton 4 Game 3 odds on BetMGM [https://betmgmsporton.onelink.me/otUl/4rkbpwij]: Edmonton (1.75/-133), Anaheim (2.10/+110) - McDavid Fighting Something As Oilers Drop Game 2 To Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/latest-news/mcdavid-fighting-something-as-oilers-drop-game-2-to-ducks] - Can Ducks Beat Oilers? Yes, If They Keep Things Simple [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks/latest-news/can-ducks-beat-oilers-yes-if-they-keep-things-simple] - How Leon Draisaitl's Line Saved The Edmonton Oilers In Game 1 [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/how-leon-draisaitls-line-saved-the-edmonton-oilers-in-game-1] LEADING SCORERS T-1. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins: 5 points, 2 games T-1. Joel Eriksson Ek, Minnesota Wild: 5 points, 3 games T-1. Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars: 5 points, 3 games T-1: Wyatt Johnston, Dallas Stars: 5 points, 3 games T-1: Matt Duchene, Dallas Stars: 5 points, 3 games -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ceade378-2d1b-4f5b-9427-fb5dc159b112.jpeg] For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription?_gl=1*vxgsh8*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_ZET34ZFCGX*czE3NzYzNDk1ODUkbzMzNzkkZzEkdDE3NzYzNTcyNzAkajE4JGwwJGgw]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
