NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on DISH: Second Round Schedule

Stanley Cup Playoff Promotional art with the TNT crew: Liam McHugh with analysts Wayne Gretzky, Paul Bissonnette, Anson Carter, and Henrik Lundqvist

Published on: May 4, 2026

Author: Mark Schiff

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 - Second Round Schedule

Eastern Conference

Montreal Canadiens (3A) vs. Buffalo Sabres (1A)

  • Game 1: Montreal at Buffalo -- 7 p.m. ET, Wednesday, May 6 (TNT)

  • Game 2: Montreal at Buffalo -- 7 p.m. ET, Friday, May 8 (TNT)

  • Game 3: Buffalo at Montreal -- 7 p.m. ET, Sunday, May 10 (ESPN)

  • Game 4: Buffalo at Montreal -- TBA, Tuesday, May 12 (ESPN)

  • Game 5: Montreal at Buffalo -- TBA, Thursday, May 14 (TNT)*

  • Game 6: Buffalo at Montreal -- TBA, Saturday, May 16 (ABC or ESPN)*

  • Game 7: Montreal at Buffalo -- TBA, Monday, May 18 (ESPN)*

 

Philadelphia Flyers (3M) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (1M)

  • Game 1:  Philadelphia 0, Carolina 3

  • Game 2: Philadelphia 2, Carolina 3 (OT)

  • Game 3: Carolina at Philadelphia -- 8 p.m. ET, Thursday, May 7 (TNT)

  • Game 4: Carolina at Philadelphia -- 6 p.m. ET, Saturday, May 9 (TNT)

  • Game 5: Philadelphia at Carolina -- TBA, Monday, May 11 (ESPN)*

  • Game 6: Carolina at Philadelphia -- TBA, Wednesday, May 13 (TNT)*

  • Game 7: Philadelphia at Carolina -- TBA, Saturday, May 16 (TNT)*

*If necessary

 

Western Conference

Minnesota Wild (3C) vs. Colorado Avalanche (1C)

  • Game 1: Minnesota 6, Colorado 9

  • Game 2: Minnesota at Colorado -- 8 p.m. ET, Tuesday, May 5 (ESPN)

  • Game 3: Colorado at Minnesota -- 9 p.m. ET, Saturday, May 9 (TNT)

  • Game 4: Colorado at Minnesota -- TBA, Monday, May 11 (ESPN)

  • Game 5: Minnesota at Colorado -- TBA, Wednesday, May 13 (TNT)*

  • Game 6: Colorado at Minnesota -- TBA, Friday, May 15 (ESPN)*

  • Game 7: Minnesota at Colorado -- TBA, Sunday, May 17 (TNT)*

 

Anaheim Ducks (3P) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (1P)

  • Game 1: Anaheim 1, Vegas 3

  • Game 2: Anaheim at Vegas -- 9:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday, May 6 (TNT)

  • Game 3: Vegas at Anaheim -- 9:30 p.m. ET, Friday, May 8 (TNT)

  • Game 4: Vegas at Anaheim -- 9:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, May 10 (ESPN)

  • Game 5: Anaheim at Vegas -- TBA, Tuesday, May 12 (ESPN)*

  • Game 6: Vegas at Anaheim -- TBA, Thursday, May 14 (TNT)*

  • Game 7: Anaheim at Vegas -- TBA, Saturday, May 16 (ABC or ESPN)*

*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.