NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 20, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Stanley Cup Playoff Openers & Early Surprises

The 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs commenced with several dramatic Game 1 results, setting an immediate tone for the demanding first round, which some observers liken to the unforgiving nature of Wrestlemania. The Colorado Avalanche, top seeds in the West, secured a narrow victory as Logan O’Connor, returning from a near-year-long absence, tallied a crucial goal to help them edge the Kings. Conversely, the Dallas Stars faltered badly, losing 6-1 to the Wild, marking the ninth time in their last 11 playoff runs that they dropped the opening contest at the American Airlines Center. Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights continued their impressive run under new coach John Tortorella, rallying with three third-period goals to defeat the Mammoth 4-2, maintaining their regulation unbeaten streak since his arrival last month.

The Eastern Conference saw a stunning upset as the Montreal Canadiens edged the favored Tampa Bay Lightning in overtime, fueled by a power-play hat trick from 22-year-old Juraj Slafkovsky, the 2022 No. 1 overall pick, who scored the winner 1:22 into the extra frame. Lightning coach Jon Cooper later attributed the loss to "stupidity" regarding penalty trouble his team incurred throughout the game that led to the overtime defeat. In a massive story for the rebuilding franchise, the Buffalo Sabres snapped a 15-year playoff drought by erasing a two-goal deficit in the final eight minutes Sunday night to secure a 4-3 victory over the Bruins. The Flyers also managed a road steal, with 19-year-old rookie Porter Martone netting the game-winner with 2:37 remaining to outlast the rival Penguins 3-2.

Betting Outlooks & Player Focus

As the first round unfolds, betting markets show the Colorado Avalanche remain favorites to lift the Cup, alongside the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning, though bettors are showing interest in longshots like the Sabres, given their electrifying opening win. Analysts are already releasing detailed predictions for every series matchup, including Conn Smythe Trophy candidates for each of the 16 participating clubs as part of the betting guide. This high-stakes environment places immense pressure on the league's elite performers, many of whom feature prominently in recent rankings of the top 50 players expected to decide the championship.

Offseason Moves & Player Personnel News

Beyond the immediate playoff action, news surfaced regarding contract decisions and front-office upheaval. San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini, who just completed a three-year, $2.925 million entry-level contract after breaking a franchise scoring record, has indicated he is open to signing an offseason extension with the organization this summer. Conversely, the Vancouver Canucks immediately reacted to their last-place finish by firing general manager Patrik Allvin. Meanwhile, in personnel updates unrelated to the postseason, Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck disclosed that his month-long absence earlier in the season was due to surgery required to address a bacterial infection in one of his lungs. Furthermore, a recent NHLPA poll revealed that Sidney Crosby is the player his peers believe is most likely to transition into a head coaching role following retirement.