2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs
16 Teams · 4 Rounds · Best-of-Seven · Road to the Cup
🔴 Today's Playoff Games
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Boston Bruins Recall Defensive Prospect From AHL Affiliate
The BOS coaching staff bolstered the blue line ahead of a tough Eastern Conference road swing, recalling a 23-year-old defenseman from the AHL affiliate to fill in for an injured veteran expected to miss two weeks.
Buffalo Adds Veteran Winger Before 2025-26 Trade Deadline
Buffalo Sabres management made a depth move, acquiring an experienced winger who brings Stanley Cup playoff experience and a strong penalty-kill presence to Buffalo's Eastern Conference push.
Detroit Red Wings Rally Late for Overtime Win at Little Caesars Arena
A packed Little Caesars Arena in Detroit saw Detroit Red Wings score twice in the final three minutes to force overtime, then seal the 2025-26 victory 54 seconds in. The win kept DET firmly in Atlantic Division playoff contention.
Florida Panthers Rally Late for Overtime Win at Amerant Bank Arena
A packed Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise saw Florida Panthers score twice in the final three minutes to force overtime, then seal the 2025-26 victory 54 seconds in. The win kept FLA firmly in Atlantic Division playoff contention.
Montreal Canadiens Recall Defensive Prospect From AHL Affiliate
The MTL coaching staff bolstered the blue line ahead of a tough Eastern Conference road swing, recalling a 23-year-old defenseman from the AHL affiliate to fill in for an injured veteran expected to miss two weeks.
Ottawa Senators Recall Defensive Prospect From AHL Affiliate
The OTT coaching staff bolstered the blue line ahead of a tough Eastern Conference road swing, recalling a 23-year-old defenseman from the AHL affiliate to fill in for an injured veteran expected to miss two weeks.
Tampa Bay Lightning Rally Late for Overtime Win at Amalie Arena
A packed Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay saw Tampa Bay Lightning score twice in the final three minutes to force overtime, then seal the 2025-26 victory 54 seconds in. The win kept TBL firmly in Atlantic Division playoff contention.
Toronto Maple Leafs Shutout Lifts Club Into Atlantic Division Playoff Spot
The TOR goaltender turned aside all 28 shots he faced as Toronto Maple Leafs blanked their opponent 3–0 at Scotiabank Arena, moving within two points of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
Carolina Hurricanes Rally Late for Overtime Win at Lenovo Center
A packed Lenovo Center in Raleigh saw Carolina Hurricanes score twice in the final three minutes to force overtime, then seal the 2025-26 victory 54 seconds in. The win kept CAR firmly in Metropolitan Division playoff contention.
Columbus Blue Jackets Shutout Lifts Club Into Metropolitan Division Playoff Spot
The CBJ goaltender turned aside all 28 shots he faced as Columbus Blue Jackets blanked their opponent 3–0 at Nationwide Arena, moving within two points of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
New Jersey Devils Place Top-Six Forward on Injured Reserve
NJD GM confirmed the forward sustained a lower-body injury during morning skate at Prudential Center. The team will reassess after the upcoming four-game road trip through the Metropolitan Division.
New York Islanders Shutout Lifts Club Into Metropolitan Division Playoff Spot
The NYI goaltender turned aside all 28 shots he faced as New York Islanders blanked their opponent 3–0 at UBS Arena, moving within two points of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs — Complete Guide
The 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs begin in late April 2026. Sixteen teams — 8 from the Eastern Conference and 8 from the Western Conference — compete across four rounds of best-of-seven series. The last team standing lifts the Stanley Cup in June 2026, crowning the 2025–26 NHL champion.
Playoff Format & Bracket Structure
The playoffs consist of four rounds: the First Round (16 teams), the Second Round (8 teams), the Conference Finals (4 teams), and the Stanley Cup Final (2 teams). Each round is a best-of-seven series. The higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7. Home-ice advantage is earned by finishing with more regular-season points.
How Teams Qualify for the Playoffs
The top 3 teams from each of the four divisions automatically qualify. Two additional wild-card spots per conference go to the teams with the most points among non-division-winners. This ensures competitive balance, with division winners guaranteed a top-3 seed in their conference bracket.
Frequently Asked Questions — NHL Playoffs
The 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs begin in late April 2026, following the end of the regular season. The exact start date depends on when all teams complete their 82-game schedules. The playoffs conclude in June 2026 with the Stanley Cup Final.
16 teams qualify for the NHL playoffs — 8 from the Eastern Conference and 8 from the Western Conference. The top 3 in each of the four divisions receive automatic berths, and 2 wild-card spots per conference go to the next-best teams by points.
There are 4 rounds in the NHL playoffs: First Round, Second Round, Conference Finals, and the Stanley Cup Final. Each round is a best-of-7 series. A team must win 16 games total (4 series) to claim the Stanley Cup.
Teams can make limited roster additions after the regular season under specific conditions. Players who were on the active roster at the trade deadline and meet waiver eligibility requirements can be activated. The playoff roster is carefully managed to ensure all eligible players are properly registered before each round.
Scotty Bowman holds the all-time record for Stanley Cup Playoff wins as a head coach with 223 wins across his career with the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Detroit Red Wings. He also won the most Stanley Cups as a coach, claiming the championship nine times.