NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 21, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Stanley Cup Playoff Thrillers & Upsets

The opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs delivered immediate drama, highlighted by the Montreal Canadiens edging the Tampa Bay Lightning in overtime, fueled by a power-play hat trick from 22-year-old Juraj Slafkovsky, the 2022 No. 1 pick, who netted the winner 1:22 into the extra session. Lightning coach Jon Cooper later lamented the penalty 'stupidity' his team exhibited, which ultimately cost them Game 1 against the Canadiens. Elsewhere in the East, Philadelphia rookie Porter Martone, just 19, became the first teenager in Flyers history to score in his first two playoff contests after he netted the winner with 2:37 remaining in a tight 3-2 victory over the rival Penguins in the opener. Martone's consistent scoring helped the Flyers swipe the first game, while the Sabres collectively savored their special win before quickly pivoting their focus toward Game 2.

Western Conference Openers & Comebacks

In the West, the Colorado Avalanche relied on a milestone goal from Logan O’Connor, who scored for the first time in nearly a year, to help the top-seeded Avs secure a Game 1 victory over the Kings on Sunday. The Vegas Golden Knights maintained their excellent form under new coach John Tortorella, rallying from an early deficit with three decisive third-period goals to defeat the Mammoth 4-2 in their opener. Conversely, the Dallas Stars immediately faced familiar postseason struggles, as Jake Oettinger and the Stars suffered a lopsided 6-1 defeat, resulting in a Game 1 loss at the American Airlines Center for the ninth time in their last eleven playoff series facing a 1-0 deficit.

Player Returns & Future Focus

The Edmonton Oilers welcomed the return of star center Leon Draisaitl for Game 1 against the Anaheim Ducks after he missed significant time following a lower-body injury sustained on March 15 making his playoff debut. While team results dominated the early weekend slate, franchise speculation continues off the ice; Sharks star Macklin Celebrini, who has one year left on his $2.925 million entry-level contract, expressed his openness to signing an offseason contract extension this summer after setting a franchise goal-scoring record. Meanwhile, Washington Capitals management confirmed they are prepared for either outcome regarding captain Alex Ovechkin, who is currently mulling his retirement ahead of what would be his 22nd NHL season.

Overtime Drama & Playoff Predictions

The grueling nature of playoff hockey was evident in Carolina, where Jordan Martinook finally sealed the victory in the second overtime period at 13:53, after his potential winning goal in the first overtime session was overturned following a review. Beyond the immediate results, analysts are already modeling the remainder of the bracket, with predictions available detailing who will take home the Stanley Cup and the expected number of games for each series matchup. For casual viewers seeking context on postseason traditions, specific comparisons have been drawn between the intensity of the NHL playoffs and the theatrical elements found in major wrestling events like Wrestlemania explaining playoff structure.