2026 NHL Playoffs Guide: Start Date, Bracket, Format & FAQ
The 2025-26 NHL regular season ends on Thursday, April 16, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to begin shortly after.
The first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs is expected to start on Saturday, April 18. The NHL will release the full schedule on the final day of the regular season (April 16).The 2026 Stanley Cup Final is projected to begin in early June.
The first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs is expected to start on Saturday, April 18. The NHL will release the full schedule on the final day of the regular season (April 16).The 2026 Stanley Cup Final is projected to begin in early June.
NHL Playoffs FAQ
When do the 2026 NHL playoffs start?
The NHL regular season ends Thursday, April 16, 2026. The playoffs are expected to start Saturday, April 18, 2026.
NHL Draft Lottery: Tuesday, May 5
Key Playoff Dates
Last day of regular season: Thursday, April 16
Last day of regular season: Thursday, April 16
First Round: Starts Saturday, April 18
NHL Draft Lottery: Tuesday, May 5
How many teams make the playoffs?
Sixteen of the 32 league teams make the playoffs, eight from each conference. Per conference, the top three finishers in both divisions and two wildcard teams qualify. This produces 8 first-round matchups. There are no first-round byes.
What teams have clinched a playoff spot or have been eliminated from the playoffs?
As the regular season is still in progress, no teams have officially clinched or been eliminated yet. Check the official NHL standings for the latest updates:
NHL Eastern Conference Standings
NHL Eastern Conference Standings
NHL Western Conference Standings
2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket
Here's the current 2026 NHL Playoffs bracket based on the latest standings (as of April 15, 2026):
Eastern Conference
First Round Matchups
(A1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (WC1) Boston Bruins
Here's the current 2026 NHL Playoffs bracket based on the latest standings (as of April 15, 2026):
Eastern Conference
First Round Matchups
(A1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (WC1) Boston Bruins
(A2) Montreal Canadiens vs. (A3) Tampa Bay Lightning
(M1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC2) Ottawa Senators
(M2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (M3) Philadelphia Flyers
Western Conference
First Round Matchups
(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (WC2) Los Angeles Kings
First Round Matchups
(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (WC2) Los Angeles Kings
(C2) Dallas Stars vs. (C3) Minnesota Wild
(P1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Utah Mammoth
(P2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (P3) Anaheim Ducks
What is the format of the NHL Playoffs?
All four rounds (First Round, Second Round, Conference Finals, and Stanley Cup Final) are best-of-seven series played in a 2-2-1-1-1 format (higher seed hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7).
When will the detailed playoff schedule and matchups be posted?
The full bracket and detailed game-by-game schedule (including times and TV broadcasts) will be released immediately after the regular season ends on April 16, 2026, once final standings and seeding are determined.
The playoffs typically run through late May or early June, with the Stanley Cup Final potentially starting in early June and concluding by mid-to-late June if it goes to seven games.
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