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The two-month journey to a Stanley Cup has begun, with the NHL's best teams trying to work their way through the brackets to the best trophy in sports.
Only one thing is certain about what's to come in the postseason: The league will have a new champion in 2026. The Florida Panthers missed the playoffs after lifting the Cup the last two years and making the Final the year before that, guaranteeing a changing of the guard this June.
The Colorado Avalanche were the class of the league during the regular season, taking the Presidents' Trophy by eight points over the Carolina Hurricanes, and have to be considered the favorites. Contenders abound, though, from the 'Canes to the Buffalo Sabres, back in the playoffs after a 14-year absence.
However it shakes out, there will be playoff hockey to watch daily for weeks to come, and it doesn't get much better than that.
Here's everything you need to know about when and where to watch today's games in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
NHL games on TV today
Monday, May 18
See the upcoming daily schedule below.
Where to watch NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games in 2026
The Stanley Cup Playoffs will be broadcast across ESPN and TNT Sports platforms, with six different channels being destinations for games. The Stanley Cup Final will be exclusively on ABC.
Fans can live stream every game from the Stanley Cup Playoffs on DIRECTV. Games appearing on ESPN networks, including ABC, can also be streamed live on fubo and the ESPN app.
Catch every game – try DIRECTV FREE today! Stream live MLB, March Madness, soccer and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.
Start your FREE trial now and never miss a moment of the action. No contracts, no hassle, just wall-to-wall sports and entertainment.
NHL Playoffs daily schedule 2026
Wednesday, May 20
| Avalanche vs. Golden Knights Game 1 | 8 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
Thursday, May 21
| Hurricanes vs. Sabres/Canadiens Game 1 | TBD | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
Friday, May 22
| Avalanche vs. Golden Knights Game 2 | 8 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
Saturday, May 23
| Hurricanes vs. Sabres/Canadiens Game 2 | TBD | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
Sunday, May 24
| Golden Knights vs. Avalanche Game 3 | 8 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
Monday, May 23
| Sabres/Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Game 3 | TBD | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
Tuesday, May 26
| Golden Knights vs. Avalanche Game 4 | TBD | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
Wednesday, May 27
| Sabres/Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Game 4 | TBD | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
Thursday, May 28
| Avalanche vs. Golden Knights Game 5* | 8 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
* If necessary
Friday, May 29
| Hurricanes vs. Sabres/Canadiens Game 5* | TBD | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
* If necessary
Saturday, May 30
| Golden Knights vs. Avalanche Game 6* | 8 p.m. | ABC, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
* If necessary
Sunday, May 31
| Sabres/Canadiens vs. Hurricanes Game 6* | TBD | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
* If necessary
Monday, June 1
| Avalanche vs. Golden Knights Game 7* | 8 p.m. | ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app |
* If necessary
Tuesday, June 2
| Hurricanes vs. Sabres/Canadiens Game 7* | TBD | TNT, truTV, DIRECTV |
* If necessary
NHL playoffs bracket 2026
Click here for the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket, updated live as series are completed.
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