NHL Playoff Schedule 2026
All games · Dates · Times · TV channels · Live scores — First Round through the Stanley Cup Finals
The 2026 NHL Playoffs feature 16 teams in 4 rounds of best-of-7 series starting April 18. Stanley Cup Finals start June 4. All games air on ESPN, TBS, TNT, and ABC.
2026 NHL Playoffs TV Schedule by Round
| Round | Dates | TV Channels (US) | Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | Apr 18 – May 5 | ESPN · TBS · TNT | Max · ESPN+ |
| Conference Semifinals | May 6 – May 22 | ESPN · TBS · TNT | Max · ESPN+ |
| Conference Finals | May 22 – Jun 5 | ABC · ESPN · TNT · TBS | Max · ESPN+ |
| Stanley Cup Finals | Jun 4 – Jun ~24 | ABC · ESPN | Max · ESPN+ |
NHL playoff nights
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2026 NHL Playoff Games — Full Schedule
First Round Eastern Conference
24 games
First Round Western Conference
23 games
Second Round Eastern Conference
11 gamesSecond Round Western Conference
11 gamesWestern Conference Final
4 gamesEastern Conference Final
4 gamesHow the 2026 NHL Playoffs Work
16-Team Bracket
Eight teams per conference qualify — the top three from each of the four divisions (Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, Pacific) plus two Wild Cards per conference.
Best-of-7 Format
Every series is first team to 4 wins. Each round can take up to 17 days. The winner moves on; the loser is eliminated. No consolation bracket.
Home-Ice (2-2-1-1-1)
Higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, 5 & 7. Lower seed hosts Games 3, 4 & 6. Home ice can matter — the higher-seeded team wins the series ~57% of the time.
Four Rounds to the Cup
First Round → Conference Semifinals → Conference Finals → Stanley Cup Finals. Sixteen wins needed to lift the Cup. See the Finals schedule →
NHL Teams — Playoff Pages
More NHL Playoff Resources
NHL Playoff Schedule 2026 — FAQ
When does the 2026 NHL Playoff schedule start?+
The 2026 NHL Playoffs begin April 18, 2026, with the First Round. All 16 playoff teams (8 per conference) start their best-of-7 series simultaneously on April 18.
What channel is the NHL Playoff schedule on in 2026?+
The 2026 NHL Playoffs air on ESPN, TBS, TNT, and ABC in the United States. All games stream on Max (HBO Max) and ESPN+. The Stanley Cup Finals broadcast exclusively on ABC and ESPN.
What is the complete NHL playoff TV schedule for 2026?+
First Round and Conference Semifinals games air on ESPN, TBS, and TNT (streaming: Max and ESPN+). Conference Finals feature ABC, ESPN, TNT, and TBS. The Stanley Cup Finals are on ABC and ESPN only.
How many rounds are in the 2026 NHL Playoff schedule?+
Four rounds: First Round (16 teams, 8 series), Conference Semifinals (8 teams, 4 series), Conference Finals (4 teams, 2 series), and the Stanley Cup Finals (2 teams, 1 series). All rounds are best-of-7.
When does the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals schedule start?+
Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals is scheduled for June 4, 2026. The series can run through approximately June 24 if it goes to Game 7. Games air on ABC and ESPN.
What are all the 2026 NHL Playoff dates?+
First Round: April 18 – May 5. Conference Semifinals: ~May 6–22. Conference Finals: ~May 22 – June 5. Stanley Cup Finals: June 4 – ~June 24, 2026.
How often are NHL Playoff games played?+
NHL Playoff games are typically played every other day (with occasional back-to-back days). Each team plays Games 1 and 2 at home, Games 3 and 4 away, then alternates if the series extends. Best-of-7 series last 4–7 games.
Where can I watch NHL Playoff games for free in 2026?+
ABC games are free over-the-air and on the ESPN app. Some ESPN+ games require a subscription. The NHL app also offers streaming of select games. Check your local cable or streaming provider for full access to all ESPN, TBS, and TNT games.
How are teams seeded in the 2026 NHL Playoffs?+
The top three teams in each of the four divisions (Atlantic, Metropolitan, Central, Pacific) qualify automatically. The next two teams in each conference with the best records earn Wild Card spots. The division winner with the best record plays the Wild Card with the worst record, and #2 and #3 in each division face each other in the First Round.
Who has home-ice advantage in the 2026 NHL Playoffs?+
The higher-seeded team has home-ice advantage in every series. In a best-of-7 format, this means Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 are hosted at the higher-seed's arena. Games 3, 4, and 6 are at the lower seed's arena. The Stanley Cup Finals home-ice goes to whichever team has the better regular-season record.
How long does the 2026 NHL Playoffs last?+
Approximately 10 weeks from April 18 to mid-late June. Each round is best-of-7 and can take up to 17 days. If all four rounds go the distance (to Game 7), the playoffs run until ~June 24. The shortest possible length is ~7 weeks if every series is a sweep.
What is the Presidents' Trophy and does it help in the playoffs?+
The Presidents' Trophy is awarded to the NHL team with the best regular-season record. The winner receives home-ice advantage throughout the entire playoffs. However, the Presidents' Trophy winner has historically won the Stanley Cup in the same year in only about 25% of instances — it's an advantage, not a guarantee.
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