NHL Hockey 3 Days

Last updated: April 21, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

Stanley Cup Playoff Opening Round Upsets & Returns

The opening slate of the Stanley Cup playoffs saw immediate drama, highlighted by significant player returns and a few stunning upsets, as the Edmonton Oilers secured a Game 1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, 4-3, with Kasperi Kapanen netting the difference-maker late in the third period. The Oilers' success was bolstered by the return of star center Leon Draisaitl, who played after missing time due to a lower-body injury suffered in mid-March, providing an immediate spark. Conversely, the Vegas Golden Knights rallied with three third-period goals on Sunday to defeat the Mammoth 4-2 in Game 1, maintaining their regulation unbeaten streak since John Tortorella assumed coaching duties last month. Meanwhile, the top-seeded Avalanche needed a late goal from Logan O’Connor, his first in nearly a year, to edge the Kings in their opening contest.

The Eastern Conference featured a major shock as the Montreal Canadiens edged the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in overtime, fueled by a spectacular performance from 22-year-old Juraj Slafkovsky, the 2022 No. 1 pick, who completed his first playoff hat trick with the tying goal in the second overtime session. The Lightning coach, Jon Cooper, later attributed the loss to "stupidity" regarding penalties his team committed in the Game 1 loss that went to overtime. In another Eastern matchup, the Philadelphia Flyers took a 2-0 series lead, with 19-year-old Porter Martone becoming the first teenager in franchise history to score a goal in each of his first two playoff games after netting the winner in a 3-2 victory over the Penguins in the series opener.

Series Adjustments & Veteran Decisions

After dropping their respective Game 1 contests, teams looked to adjust quickly, with the Dallas Stars learning from early mistakes to secure a series-tying 4-2 win against the Wild on Monday night, reversing the pattern that saw them lose their ninth Game 1 in the last 11 playoff runs, including a decisive 6-1 defeat in the opener where Oettinger struggled. The Carolina Hurricanes also found a way to win a marathon contest after a potential winning goal was overturned; Jordan Martinook eventually provided the deciding marker at 13:53 of the second overtime after being denied on a first-period penalty shot. Elsewhere, the Buffalo Sabres celebrated a special win but immediately focused on preparing for Game 2, while the Washington Capitals await a definitive answer from captain Alex Ovechkin regarding his potential 22nd NHL season.

Offseason Outlooks & League Context

Beyond the immediate playoff action, league personnel decisions and future outlooks began to take shape, including news that Sharks star Macklin Celebrini is open to signing an extension this summer, despite having one year left on his entry-level contract valued at $2.925 million. Meanwhile, analysts continued to debate the competitive balance of the postseason, with one prediction ranking the top 50 players expected to make the biggest impact across the 16 competing teams. For casual observers seeking context for the intense atmosphere, some writers drew parallels between the current playoff environment and the traditions found in professional wrestling, offering an explanation of the first round via WWE analogies.