NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on DISH: First Round Schedule
The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway on Saturday, April 18. If you’re a hockey fan, you know what that means: The hits will be harder. The pace will be quicker. The beards will grow longer. And in the end, one team will hoist the greatest trophy in sports.
Like recent years, the first three rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will be split between ESPN/ABC and TNT/TBS, with the Stanley Cup Final airing exclusively on ABC. Here's a look at the First Round schedule and matchups, plus how to catch all of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with DISH. Not a DISH subscriber? Follow this link to find the best offer and subscribe to DISH today!
How to Watch the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs with DISH
The vast majority of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff games will air on one of four channels: ESPN, TNT, ESPN2, and TBS. Some First and Second Round games, along with the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, will air on ABC. America's Top 120 Package will get you all of these channels for the best price on DISH. Subscribe today and don't miss a minute of the Stanley Cup Playoffs!
2026 NHL Playoffs - First Round Schedule
Eastern Conference - First Round
Boston Bruins (WC1) vs. Buffalo Sabres (A1)
Game 1: Boston at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m. ET April 19 (ESPN)
Game 2: Boston at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m. ET April 21 (ESPN)
Game 3: Buffalo at Boston, 7 p.m. ET April 23 (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
Game 4: Buffalo at Boston, 2 p.m. ET April 26 (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
*Game 5: Boston at Buffalo, April 28 TBD
*Game 6: Buffalo at Boston, May 1 TBD
*Game 7: Boston at Buffalo, May 3 TBD
Montreal Canadiens (A3) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (A2)
Game 1: Montreal at Tampa Bay, 5:45 p.m. ET April 19 (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
Game 2: Montreal at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. ET April 21 (ESPN2)
Game 3: Tampa Bay at Montreal, 7 p.m. ET April 24 (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
Game 4: Tampa Bay at Montreal, 7 p.m. ET April 26 (ESPN)
*Game 5: Montreal at Tampa Bay, April 29 TBD
*Game 6: Tampa Bay at Montreal, May 1 TBD
*Game 7: Montreal at Tampa Bay, May 3 TBD
Ottawa Senators (WC2) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (M1)
Game 1: Ottawa at Carolina, 3 p.m. ET April 18 (ESPN)
Game 2: Ottawa at Carolina, 7:30 p.m. ET April 20 (ESPN2)
Game 3: Carolina at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m. ET April 23 (TBS, HBO Max)
Game 4: Carolina at Ottawa, 3 p.m. ET April 25 (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
*Game 5: Ottawa at Carolina, April 27 TBD
*Game 6: Carolina at Ottawa, April 30n TBD
*Game 7: Ottawa at Carolina, May 2 TBD
Philadelphia Flyers (M3) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (M2)
Game 1: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m. ET April 18 (ESPN)
Game 2: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. ET April 20 (ESPN)
Game 3: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. ET April 22 (ESPN)
Game 4: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 8 p.m. ET April 25 (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
*Game 5: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, April 27 TBD
*Game 6: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, April 29 TBD
*Game 7: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh, May 2 TBD
*If necessary
Western Conference - First Round
Los Angeles Kings (WC2) vs. Colorado Avalanche (C1)
Game 1: Los Angeles at Colorado, 3 p.m. ET April 19 (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
Game 2: Los Angeles at Colorado, 10 p.m. ET April 21 (ESPN)
Game 3: Colorado at Los Angeles, 10 p.m. April 23 (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
Game 4: Colorado at Los Angeles, 4:30 p.m. ET April 26 (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
*Game 5: Los Angeles at Colorado, April 29 TBD
*Game 6: Colorado at Los Angeles, May 1 TBD
*Game 7: Los Angeles at Colorado, May 3 TBD
Minnesota Wild (C3) vs. Dallas Stars (C2)
Game 1: Minnesota at Dallas, 5:30 p.m. ET April 18 (ESPN)
Game 2: Minnesota at Dallas, 9:30 p.m. ET April 20 (ESPN)
Game 3: Dallas at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. ET April 22 (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
Game 4: Dallas at Minnesota, 5:30 p.m. ET April 25 (TBS, truTV, HBO Max)
*Game 5: Minnesota at Dallas, April 28 TBD
*Game 6: Dallas at Minnesota, April 30 TBD
*Game 7: Minnesota at Dallas, May 2 TBD
Utah Mammoth (WC1) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (P1)
Game 1: Utah at Vegas, 10 p.m. ET April 19 (ESPN)
Game 2: Utah at Vegas, 9:30 p.m. ET April 21 (ESPN2)
Game 3: Vegas at Utah, 9:30 p.m. ET April 24 (TBS, HBO Max)
Game 4: Vegas at Utah, April 27 TBD (ESPN)
*Game 5: Utah at Vegas, April 29 TBD
*Game 6: Vegas at Utah, May 1 TBD
*Game 7: Utah at Vegas, May 3 TBD
Anaheim Ducks (P3) vs. Edmonton Oilers (P2)
Game 1: Anaheim at Edmonton, 10 p.m. ET April 20 (ESPN2)
Game 2: Anaheim at Edmonton, 10 p.m. ET April 22 (TBS, HBO Max)
Game 3: Edmonton at Anaheim, 10 p.m. ET April 24 (TNT, truTV, HBO Max)
Game 4: Edmonton at Anaheim, 9:30 p.m. ET April 26 (ESPN)
*Game 5: Anaheim at Edmonton, April 28 TBD
*Game 6: Edmonton at Anaheim, April 30 TBD
*Game 7: Anaheim at Edmonton, May 2 TBD
*If necessary
Key 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Dates & Channels
First & Second rounds: Games are split among ESPN/ESPN2 and TNT/TBS, with a handful on ABC. The First Round begins on Saturday, April 18; the Second Round begins on Wednesday, May 6.
Eastern Conference Finals: Airing exclusively on TNT. Begins on Friday, May 22.
Western Conference Finals: Airing exclusively on ESPN. Begins on Friday, May 22.
2026 Stanley Cup Final: Airing exclusively on ABC. Game 1 is on June 3.
