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 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators] and Carolina Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes] at 3 p.m. ET. Three series begin Saturday, while four begin Sunday. The second and third seeds in the Pacific Division have not been decided yet. The teams that land in those spots will play Game 1 on Monday. The Edmonton Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers], Anaheim Ducks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/anaheim-ducks] and Los Angeles Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] have clinched playoff spots but can finish in the standings as either the second or third seed in the Pacific or the second wild-card team in the West. Here's the Game 1 schedule with game times and broadcast information listed if available. Times are listed in Eastern time. NHL Playoffs And Awards Watch: What The Final Day Decides [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/f69c0f6f-ef59-4a3e-98ba-5d22ef2e1256.jpeg] NHL Playoffs And Awards Watch: What The Final Day Decides 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. [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-playoffs-and-awards-watch-what-the-final-day-decides] SATURDAY, APRIL 18 Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes, 3 p.m. (ESPN, SN, TVAS) Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild] at Dallas Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars], 5:30 p.m. (ESPN, SN, TVAS) Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers] at Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins], 8 p.m. ET (ESPN, SN, TVAS) SUNDAY, APRIL 19 Western Conference wild-card No. 2 at Colorado Avalanche [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche], time TBD Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] at Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning], time TBD Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins] at Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres], time TBD Utah Mammoth [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah] at Vegas Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights], time TBD MONDAY, APRIL 20 Pacific Division No. 3 at Pacific Division No. 2, time TBD. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.
