NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: April 19, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

NHL Playoffs Open With Upsets & Struggles

The Stanley Cup playoffs commenced with four Game 1s on Sunday, following Saturday's action where the Philadelphia Flyers secured a narrow 3-2 victory over the rival Penguins, propelled by a late go-ahead goal from 19-year-old rookie Porter Martone with just 2:37 remaining in the third period. Conversely, the Dallas Stars suffered a decisive 6-1 defeat to the Wild, marking the ninth time in their last eleven postseason series that the Stars dropped their home opener at the American Airlines Center, raising immediate concerns about goaltender Jake Oettinger and the team's early playoff resilience.

Offseason Contract Speculation

While the postseason heats up, forward contract news emerges from the West Coast, as Sharks' top prospect Macklin Celebrini expressed openness to signing an extension this summer. Celebrini, who is currently playing on a three-year, $2.925 million entry-level contract with one year remaining, recently broke the franchise record for points scored by a rookie, making his immediate future a priority for San Jose management.