NHL Hockey 3 Days

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

Stanley Cup Playoff Openers & Early Upsets

The opening weekend of the Stanley Cup playoffs delivered immediate drama, highlighted by an upset in the Eastern Conference where Montreal edged Tampa Bay 4-3 in a tight Game 1 decided 1:22 into the second overtime period, fueled by a power-play hat trick from 22-year-old Juraj Slafkovsky, the 2022 No. 1 pick. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes survived a scare, needing James Martinook’s goal at 13:53 of the second overtime to secure the win after a potential first-overtime winner was overturned following review. In Colorado, the top-seeded Avalanche secured a Game 1 victory over the Kings, capped by Logan O’Connor scoring his first goal in nearly a year to seal the win.

The Western Conference saw mixed results for favored teams, as the Dallas Stars struggled mightily in their opener, falling 6-1 to the Wild; this loss marked the ninth time in their last 11 playoff series that Dallas dropped Game 1 at the American Airlines Center. Dallas managed to correct course in Game 2, winning 4-2 against the Wild by eliminating the early mistakes that hampered them initially. In a surprising start to their series, the Vegas Golden Knights maintained their strong form under new coach John Tortorella, rallying with three third-period goals on Sunday night to defeat the Mammoth 4-2 in their opener.

Pacific Division Battles & Key Returns

The Edmonton Oilers kicked off their first-round series with a narrow 4-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, a contest where star center Leon Draisaitl made his return from injury after being sidelined since March 15. Draisaitl immediately impacted the game, contributing two points in the victory, which was ultimately clinched by Kasperi Kapanen’s game-winning goal with just 1:54 remaining in the third period. Elsewhere in the East, the Philadelphia Flyers took an early series lead, with 19-year-old rookie Porter Martone becoming the first teenager in franchise history to score in each of his first two playoff contests, netting the eventual 3-2 winner against the Penguins with 2:37 left on the clock.

Coaching Reactions & Offseason Speculation

Coaches faced the media following the opening weekend’s action, with Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper blaming team penalties for the crucial Game 1 overtime defeat against the Canadiens. Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals are preparing for multiple scenarios surrounding captain Alex Ovechkin, whose decision on whether to return for a 22nd season or retire will be finalized soon. In personnel news outside the immediate playoff fray, Sharks star Macklin Celebrini, who is currently on a $2.925 million entry-level contract, has indicated he is open to discussing an extension with San Jose management this offseason after setting a franchise record for rookie scoring.

League Context & Futures Outlook

As 16 teams battle for the Cup, discussions naturally turn to player valuations, leading to a published ranking of the top 50 players expected to dominate the 2026 postseason, setting the stage for future narratives. For fans seeking context on playoff intensity, some analysts drew parallels between the high-stakes atmosphere of the postseason and major professional wrestling events, offering a guide on how WWE traditions explain the first round. Teams that dropped Game 1, such as the Stars, Penguins, and Senators, are now focused on how to even the series as they turn the page toward their respective Game 2 matchups.