NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 19, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Stanley Cup Playoff Opening Results & Upsets

The first wave of Stanley Cup First Round action saw several immediate shocks, with young talent driving major results across Sunday's slate of Game 1 contests 3. The top-seeded Avalanche secured a tight victory over the Kings, highlighted by Logan O'Connor capping a lengthy personal comeback with a key goal in the win. In a massive upset, the Montreal Canadiens, fueled by 22-year-old Juraj Slafkovsky, stunned the Tampa Bay Lightning, as Slafkovsky netted his third power-play goal exactly 1:22 into overtime to clinch a dramatic 4-3 victory in the opener. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Flyers continued their strong late-season form, with 19-year-old rookie Porter Martone scoring the decisive goal with 2:37 remaining to give the Flyers a 3-2 road win against their rivals, the Penguins.

Conversely, the Dallas Stars are already facing an all-too-familiar early hurdle, as the team dropped Game 1 at home by a resounding 6-1 margin to the Wild, marking the ninth time in their last 11 playoff series that they have started down 1-0. This early pressure contrasts sharply with the high expectations surrounding clubs like the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes, who remain the favorites to lift the Cup according to oddsmakers, although the betting public shows some interest in a longshot like the Buffalo Sabres entering the weekend. For fans needing a refresher on the stakes, detailed guides are available covering the top performers, crucial matchups, and intel regarding all 16 playoff contenders.

Offseason Moves & Player Futures

As the postseason begins, front-office decisions and player contract talks are already on the radar, signaling significant changes following the regular season's conclusion. The Vancouver Canucks have already moved to dismiss General Manager Patrik Allvin following their last-place finish across the league, indicating a major overhaul is imminent for the struggling franchise. On the personnel side, San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini, who is entering the final year of his $2.925 million entry-level deal, has confirmed he is open to signing an extension this summer after breaking the franchise record for rookie scoring. Further insight into player perception reveals that Sidney Crosby remains highly regarded by his peers, as the NHLPA's annual poll released Friday named him the player most likely to transition successfully into a head coaching role.

Pre-Season Betting & Player Context

Before the puck dropped, extensive analysis provided blueprints for potential outcomes, including a full projection of the 2026 Stanley Cup bracket by Wyshynski detailing series winners and game counts. Betting guides also offered specific advice, naming a Conn Smythe Trophy prediction for every first-round team based on current odds. Separately, veteran Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck revealed the severity of an early-season absence, explaining that he missed a full month due to a bacterial infection in one lung that required surgical intervention. Furthermore, in late-season action that determined seeding, the Anaheim Ducks secured the No. 3 seed in the Pacific Division after managing a narrow 5-4 victory over the Nashville Predators to close out their schedule.