Stanley Cup playoffs 2026: Bracket, schedule, scores, news

The 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs have begun, featuring 16 teams competing for the championship with the back-to-back champion Florida Panthers absent from the field this season, meaning a new champion will be crowned for the first time since 2023. In the Atlantic Division first round, the Buffalo Sabres lead the Boston Bruins 1-0 after winning Game 1 by a score of 4-3, with the Bruins responding to tie the series 1-1 in Game 2 with a 4-2 victory. Game 3 is scheduled for April 23 at 7 p.m. on TNT, with key players including Tage Thompson (40 goals, 41 assists) for Buffalo and David Pastrnak (29 goals, 71 assists) for Boston.