NHL first‑round schedule
- The NHL published the full first-round Stanley Cup playoff schedule with dates, start times, and TV info. - U.S. coverage for opening weekend is split across ABC, ESPN, TNT and HBO Max starting April 18. - The schedule release gives viewers game-by-game broadcast assignments and timelines for all eight series ( ).
The National Hockey League’s full first-round playoff schedule is out, locking in dates, start times and U.S. TV windows for all eight series. (nhl.com) The playoffs began Saturday, April 18, with three Game 1s: Ottawa at Carolina at 3 p.m. Eastern, Minnesota at Dallas at 5:30 p.m., and Philadelphia at Pittsburgh at 8 p.m. All three opened on ESPN in the United States. (nhl.com) Sunday, April 19 adds four more series openers on national U.S. television: Montreal at Tampa Bay at 5:45 p.m. on TNT, Boston at Buffalo at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN, Utah at Vegas at 8 p.m. on ESPN2, and Los Angeles at Colorado at 3 p.m. on TNT. (nhl.com) The first round uses the NHL’s usual best-of-seven format, so every matchup is scheduled through at least four games and can run to seven. The league listed Games 5 through 7 as “if necessary,” with several start times still marked to be determined. (nhl.com) That release matters for viewers because the opening weekend is split across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, truTV and HBO Max, with regional sports networks also carrying local telecasts in several markets. The NHL’s schedule page lists those network assignments game by game. (nhl.com) The bracket also reflects a reshuffled field. NHL Public Relations said six teams that missed the 2024-25 postseason returned this year: Anaheim, Boston, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Utah. (nhl.com) Buffalo’s matchup with Boston stands out because the Sabres won the Atlantic Division and are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2010-11. NHL.com said Buffalo had not won a playoff series since 2006-07 before drawing Boston in this round. (nhl.com) Philadelphia-Pittsburgh brings another old rivalry back into the bracket. Delaware Online reported the Flyers won Game 1, 3-2, on April 18, and the NHL schedule lists Game 2 for Monday, April 20 at 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. (delawareonline.com) Utah’s series with Vegas opens Sunday at T-Mobile Arena after the Mammoth reached the postseason in the club’s first season under its Utah identity. The team site said Game 1 starts at 8 p.m. Eastern on April 19. (nhl.com) For now, the schedule gives fans the basic map for the next two weeks: four guaranteed games in every series, national TV assignments through April, and possible Game 7s stretching as late as May 3. (nhl.com)
