Marc Dumont
The NHL has revealed when the first-round series between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning will begin.
According to a social media post published by the NHL’s Public Relations account, Game One of the first round-series featuring the Canadiens and the Lightning is scheduled for Sunday, April 19.
With that in mind, the series between the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars, and Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins will begin on Saturday, April 18.
Joining the Canadiens on Sunday will be three other series: the Boston Bruins versus the Buffalo Sabres, and the Utah Mammoth versus the Vegas Golden Knights. Unfortunately, despite knowing the games will take place on Sunday, the NHL is yet to confirm exact start times.
Seeing as there are two series yet to be determined due to the remaining games in the regular season scheduled for Thursday, the Colorado Avalanche’s official opponent is yet to be revealed, while the participants in the Western Conference’s final series are yet to be determined. All things considered, it’s quite a chaotic finish to the NHL’s regular season. In most years, teams can start to establish their plans for the playoffs more than 48 hours notice before they’re expected to host thousands of fans.
The 2026 #StanleyCup Playoffs begin Saturday!
— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) April 16, 2026
The one guarantee this year: There will be a new champion.
Tune in on @ESPN, @NHL_On_TNT, @Sportsnet and @TVASports. Full schedule to be announced after all First Round matchups are set later tonight.
Details:… pic.twitter.com/rPW1og9c3w
Montreal Canadiens Brass Tacks
We can expect the NHL to go with the usual scheduling, which means the first two home playoff games at the Bell Centre should take place on Thursday and Saturday.
Of course, they’ve actually modified the usual alternating schedule in the past, but if my memory serves, that was only when the Toronto Maple Leafs were involved, which means we should finally be able to celebrate a home game on Saturday at the Bell Centre, for the first time in several years.
There’s no hockey in the NHL better than springtime hockey at the best arena on earth.
