NHL playoffs schedule 2026: Full bracket, dates, times, TV channels, live streams for road to Stanley Cup
The 2026 NHL playoffs are underway with 16 teams competing in a best-of-seven, four-round format to win the Stanley Cup. The Florida Panthers, last year's champions, missed the postseason, opening the door for top contenders like the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights. The Buffalo Sabres ended a 14-year playoff drought and are making a surprising run, while Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers aim to advance deep into the playoffs. Games are broadcast across ESPN, TNT, and ABC, with live streaming available via DIRECTV, fubo, and the ESPN app.
- ▪The 2026 NHL playoffs feature a 16-team bracket with eight teams from each conference, following a best-of-seven series format across four rounds.
- ▪The defending champion Florida Panthers did not qualify for the 2026 playoffs, marking the first time in a decade the reigning Cup holder is absent.
- ▪The Buffalo Sabres clinched a playoff spot as Atlantic Division champions, ending the longest postseason drought in NHL history.
- ▪Games are televised on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT, TBS, and truTV, with live streaming options on DIRECTV, fubo, and the ESPN app.
- ▪The Stanley Cup Final will be broadcast exclusively on ABC, with all series following a 2–2–1–1–1 home-ice format.
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