The opening round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs has concluded, showcasing thrilling matchups and intense competition. With four teams from each conference advancing, fans witnessed some remarkable performances. Here’s how every best-of-seven matchup played out in this year’s playoffs.
Eastern Conference Playoff Results
In the Eastern Conference, the competition was fierce. The Boston Bruins, who came in as the first wild card, faced off against the Buffalo Sabres, the first seed in the Atlantic Division. Buffalo emerged victorious with a 4-2 series win:
- Game 1: Buffalo 4, Boston 3
- Game 2: Boston 4, Buffalo 2
- Game 3: Buffalo 3, Boston 1
- Game 4: Buffalo 6, Boston 1
- Game 5: Boston 2, Buffalo 1 (OT)
- Game 6: Buffalo 4, Boston 1
The Montreal Canadiens, seeded third in the Atlantic, faced the Tampa Bay Lightning and secured a hard-fought 4-3 victory:
- Game 1: Montreal 4, Tampa Bay 3 (OT)
- Game 2: Tampa Bay 3, Montreal 2 (OT)
- Game 3: Montreal 3, Tampa Bay 2 (OT)
- Game 4: Tampa Bay 3, Montreal 2
- Game 5: Montreal 3, Tampa Bay 2
- Game 6: Tampa Bay 1, Montreal 0 (OT)
- Game 7: Montreal 2, Tampa Bay 1
The Carolina Hurricanes swept the Ottawa Senators, winning 4-0 in a dominant display:
- Game 1: Carolina 2, Ottawa 0
- Game 2: Carolina 3, Ottawa 2 (2OT)
- Game 3: Carolina 2, Ottawa 1
- Game 4: Carolina 4, Ottawa 2
Lastly, the Philadelphia Flyers overcame the Pittsburgh Penguins with a 4-2 series win:
- Game 1: Philadelphia 3, Pittsburgh 2
- Game 2: Philadelphia 3, Pittsburgh 0
- Game 3: Philadelphia 5, Pittsburgh 2
- Game 4: Pittsburgh 4, Philadelphia 2
- Game 5: Pittsburgh 3, Philadelphia 2
- Game 6: Philadelphia 1, Pittsburgh 0 (OT)
Western Conference Playoff Results
The Western Conference also offered some thrilling matchups. The Colorado Avalanche, the first seed, dominated the Los Angeles Kings with a 4-0 sweep:
- Game 1: Colorado 2, Los Angeles 1
- Game 2: Colorado 2, Los Angeles 1 (OT)
- Game 3: Colorado 4, Los Angeles 2
- Game 4: Colorado 5, Los Angeles 1
The Minnesota Wild battled the Dallas Stars and advanced with a 4-2 series win:
- Game 1: Minnesota 6, Dallas 1
- Game 2: Dallas 4, Minnesota 2
- Game 3: Dallas 4, Minnesota 3 (2OT)
- Game 4: