NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 20, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Stanley Cup Playoff Openers & Player Returns

The Stanley Cup playoffs commenced with several dramatic finishes, though the Western Conference saw the Edmonton Oilers prepare for G1 featuring the anticipated return of star center Leon Draisaitl, sidelined since March 15 with a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche secured a tight Game 1 win on Sunday, propelled by a key goal from Logan O’Connor, marking his first score in nearly a year as the top seeds edged the Kings. In contrast, the Vegas Golden Knights remained undefeated in regulation under new coach John Tortorella, rallying with three third-period goals to defeat the Mammoth 4-2 in their opener, while the Sabres celebrated a special win before immediately refocusing efforts toward Game 2.

Eastern Conference Upsets & Coaching Frustrations

The Eastern Conference saw the Montreal Canadiens stage a significant upset, with 22-year-old Juraj Slafkovsky netting his third power-play goal 1:22 into overtime to seal a 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1. Following the loss, Lightning coach Jon Cooper expressed considerable displeasure, attributing the defeat to "stupidity" regarding the penalties his squad committed throughout the contest. Further south, Philadelphia’s 19-year-old rookie Porter Martone delivered the game-winner with 2:37 remaining, giving the Flyers a narrow 3-2 victory over the rival Penguins in their quarterfinal opener.

Western Conference Deficits & Player Impact Rankings

In the Central Division, the Dallas Stars faced a familiar 1-0 series deficit after falling 6-1 to the Wild, marking the ninth time in their last 11 playoff runs that they have dropped the first game at the American Airlines Center, putting immediate pressure on goaltender Jake Oettinger. Ahead of the full slate of games, players expected to dictate the postseason narrative were ranked, with ESPN listing the top 50 impact players facing the ultimate prize over the coming weeks. This complex postseason bracket mirrors the drama of professional wrestling, as one analysis suggested WWE traditions offer context for understanding the intensity of the first round matchups.

Offseason Outlooks & Player Accolades

While the current focus remains on the ice, movement in player futures is already being discussed, as Sharks star Macklin Celebrini indicated openness to an extension this summer, despite having one year left on his $2.925 million entry-level contract. Separately, peer recognition surfaced Friday when the NHLPA's annual poll revealed that Sidney Crosby is the player his colleagues believe is most likely to transition into a head coaching role after retirement. Attention now shifts to Saturday's schedule as the Oilers and Ducks finally begin their campaigns, while analysts predict which teams, including the Stars and Penguins, must even their respective series.