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Last updated: April 19, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Stanley Cup Playoff Openers

The Stanley Cup postseason commenced with four Game 1 matchups slated for Sunday, following Saturday's initial slate of opening contests setting the tone for the first round. In a tight Eastern Conference quarterfinal, the Philadelphia Flyers secured a narrow 3-2 victory over the rival Penguins, with 19-year-old rookie Porter Martone netting the deciding goal with just 2:37 remaining in regulation to steal the opener. Conversely, the Dallas Stars suffered a decisive 6-1 defeat against the Wild, marking the ninth time in their last eleven playoff series that the Stars dropped Game 1 at the American Airlines Center, putting immediate pressure on goaltender Jake Oettinger and the favored squad.