2026 NHL Playoffs & Stanley Cup: Dates & Schedule
- The quest for the Stanley Cup in the 2026 NHL playoffs begins April 19, 2026.
- The Stanley cup Finals are set to begin around June 9, potentially extending to June 23 if a Game 7 is needed.
- The NHL playoff TV schedule will vary for viewers in the U.S.and Canada. American fans can catch the action on TNT, TBS, TruTV, ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, Hulu, and...
Get ready, hockey fans! The 2026 NHL playoffs begin April 19, 2026, wiht sixteen teams vying for the Stanley Cup. Determine your schedule to watch the best-of-seven series through June 2026. Find out when the Stanley Cup Finals will air, potentially lasting until June 23, when the winner is crowned. Catch the matchups on TNT,ESPN,CBC,and Sportsnet,with additional streaming options likely available. Stay ahead of the game with the latest dates for each round of the playoffs, including the opening round and the Conference Finals. News Directory 3 will keep you informed. Discover what’s next as the regular season unfolds.
2026 NHL Playoff Schedule: Key Dates and TV Broadcasts
Updated May 25, 2025
Hockey fans, mark your calendars! The quest for the Stanley Cup in the 2026 NHL playoffs begins April 19, 2026. Sixteen teams, eight from each conference, will battle it out in best-of-seven series to determine who hoists the coveted trophy.
The opening round is scheduled to run through May 3. The Stanley cup Finals are set to begin around June 9, potentially extending to June 23 if a Game 7 is needed. Keep in mind that these dates are subject to change based on the league’s final scheduling decisions.
The NHL playoff TV schedule will vary for viewers in the U.S.and Canada. American fans can catch the action on TNT, TBS, TruTV, ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, Hulu, and ESPN+. Canadian viewers can tune in to CBC and Sportsnet. Additional streaming options may also become available.
2026 NHL Playoff Schedule: Round by Round
Here’s a breakdown of the key dates for each round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs:
| Matchup | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Round: Seed 1 vs. seed 8 | April 19-May 3 | TBD | TBD |
| First Round: seed 2 vs. Seed 7 | April 19-May 3 | TBD | TBD |
| First Round: Seed 3 vs. Seed 6 | April 19-May 3 | TBD | TBD |
| First Round: Seed 4 vs. seed 5 | April 19-May 3 | TBD | TBD |
| Second Round: Winner of 1-8 vs. Winner of 4-5 | May 4-TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Second Round: Winner of 2-7 vs.Winner of 3-6 | May 4-TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Conference Finals: Winner of 1-4-5-8 vs. Winner of 2-3-6-7 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Stanley Cup Finals: Game 1 | June 9-23 | TBD | TBD |
| Stanley Cup finals: Game 2 | June 9-23 | TBD | TBD |
| Stanley Cup Finals: Game 3 | June 9-23 | TBD | TBD |
| Stanley Cup Finals: Game 4 | June 9-23 | TBD | TBD |
| Stanley Cup Finals: Game 5* | June 9-23 | TBD | TBD |
| Stanley Cup Finals: Game 6* | June 9-23 | TBD | TBD |
| Stanley Cup Finals: Game 7* | June 9-23 | TBD | TBD |
*If necessary
What’s next
As the regular season progresses, stay tuned for updates on game times and specific TV schedules as they are released by the NHL and its broadcast partners. The Stanley Cup chase promises excitement and drama as teams compete for hockey’s ultimate prize.