NHL Hockey 24 Hours

Last updated: April 20, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

NHL Playoff Upsets & Streaks

The Stanley Cup first round kicked off with several dramatic Game 1 results, including the Canadiens upsetting the heavily favored Lightning in overtime. Montreal's Juraj Slafkovsky, the 2022 number one overall selection, completed a power-play hat trick with the decisive goal 1:22 into the extra frame, leading to a 4-3 victory that prompted harsh criticism from Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper, who cited costly penalty "stupidity" as the turning point. Elsewhere, the Avalanche managed a narrow Game 1 win over the Kings, propelled by Logan O'Connor, who broke a nearly year-long goal drought to score a key marker in the contest.

Playoff Comebacks & Hot Starts

Two other opening-round matchups saw significant third-period turnarounds, showcasing early playoff resilience across the league. The Buffalo Sabres rallied from a two-goal deficit in the final eight minutes Sunday night to secure a 4-3 victory over the Bruins, marking the franchise's first playoff win in 15 years. Simultaneously, the Vegas Golden Knights maintained their impressive form under new coach John Tortorella, staging a three-goal surge in the third period to defeat the Utah Mammoth 4-2, extending their regulation unbeaten streak since his arrival last month. These four contests kicked off the postseason slate as eight new teams formally began their quest for the Cup.