NHL playoff bracket 2026: Full schedule, TV channels, scores for hockey's road to Stanley Cup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.For hockey fans, its the best time of the year. The Stanley Cup Playoffs are officially here, and after a regular season defined by historic turnarounds and shifting divisional powers, the 2026 bracket is one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.In the Eastern Conference, the field is a mix of battle-tested giants and long-awaited homecomings. The headline is the Buffalo Sabres, who not only snapped an NHL-record 14-season postseason drought but did so by capturing the Atlantic Division title. Theyll open against a Boston Bruins squad that returned to form after a year away, setting up a clash between Buffalos high-octane offense and Bostons elite defensive structure. Meanwhile, the Battle of Pennsylvania is back, as the Penguins and Flyers renew their fierce rivalry in a first-round series for the first time since 2018.Over in the West, the Colorado Avalanche have secured the Presidents Trophy, ensuring the road to the Cup runs through Denver. However, they face a gauntlet of contenders, including a Dallas Stars team that looks dangerous after a franchise-record winning streak and a Vegas Golden Knights squad that has found a new gear since John Tortorella took over the bench.From the emergence of young stars like Cole Caufield to the enduring brilliance of veterans like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, the stage is set for two months of high-stakes, sudden-death drama. With six teams qualifying for the postseason after missing out last year, the hunger for a deep run has never been higher. Let the chase for 16 wins begin.The Sporting News has the complete bracket and schedule throughout the entire Stanley Cup Playoffs. Check it out below.NHL playoff bracket 2026Click here for the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket, updated live as series are completed. SN First RoundEastern ConferenceMatchupSeries(A1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (WC1) Boston BruinsBuffalo leads 3-1(A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (A3) Montreal CanadiensTied 2-2(M1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC2) Ottawa SenatorsCarolina wins 4-0(M2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (M3) Philadelphia FlyersPhiladelphia leads 3-2Western ConferenceMatchupSeries(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (WC2)Los Angeles KingsColorado wins 4-0(C2) Dallas Stars vs. (C3) Minnesota WildTied 2-2(P1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Utah MammothUtah leads 2-1(P2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (P3) Anaheim DucksAnaheim leads 3-1NHL playoffs schedule, scores 2026First RoundSabres vs. Bruins - Buffalo leads 3-1DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 19Game 1: Sabres 4, Bruins 3April 21Game 2: Bruins 4,Sabres 2April 23Game 3: Sabres 3, Bruins 1April 26Game 4: Sabres 6, Bruins 1April 28Game 5: Bruins at Sabres7:30 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVMay 1Game 6*: Sabres at BruinsTBDTBDMay 3Game 7*: Bruins at SabresTBDTBD*If necessaryLightning vs. Canadiens - Tied 2-2DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 19Game 1: Canadiens 4, Lightning 3 (OT)April 21Game 2: Lightning 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)April 24Game 3: Canadiens 3, Lightning 2 (OT)April 26Game 4: Lightning 3, Canadiens 2April 29Game 5: Canadiens at Lightning7 p.m.ESPN2, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN appMay 1Game 6: Lightning at CanadiensTBDTBDMay 3Game 7*: Canadiens at LightningTBDTBD*If necessaryHurricanes vs. Senators - Carolina wins 4-0DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 18Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Senators 0April 20Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Senators 2 (2 OT)April 23Game 3: Hurricanes 2, Senators 1April 25Game 4: Hurricanes 4, Senators 2Penguins vs.Flyers - Philadelphia leads 3-2DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 18Game 1: Flyers 3, Penguins 2April 20Game 2: Flyers 3, PenguinsApril 22Game 3: Flyers 5, Penguins 2April 25Game 4: Penguins 4, Flyers 2April 27Game 5: Flyers at PenguinsApril 29Game 6: Penguins at Flyers7:30 p.m.TNT, truTV,DIRECTVMay 2Game 7*: Flyers at PenguinsTBDTBD*If necessaryAvalanche vs. Kings - Colorado wins 4-0DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 19Game 1: Avalanche 2, Kings 1April 21Game 2: Avalanche 2, Kings 1 (OT)April 23Game 3: Avalanche 4, Kings 2April 26Game 4: Avalanche 5, Kings 1Stars vs. Wild - Tied 2-2DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 18Game 1: Wild 6, Stars 1April 20Game 2: Stars 4, Wild 2April 22Game 3: Stars 4,Wild 3 (2 OT)April 25Game 4: Wild 3, Stars 2 (OT)April 28Game 5: Wild at Stars8 p.m.ESPN2, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN appApril 30Game 6: Stars at WildTBDTBDMay 2Game 7*: Wild at StarsTBDTBD*If necessaryGolden Knights vs. Mammoth - Utah leads 2-1DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 19Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Mammoth 2April 21Game 2: Mammoth 3, Golden Knights 2April 24Game 3: Mammoth 4, Golden Knights 2April 27Game 4: Golden Knights at Mammoth9:30 p.m.ESPN, DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN appApril 29Game 5: Mammoth at Golden Knights10 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVMay 1Game 6*: Golden Knights at MammothTBDTBDMay 3Game 7*: Mammoth at Golden KnightsTBDTBD*If necessaryOilers vs. Ducks - Anaheim leads 3-1DateGameTime (ET)WatchApril 20Game 1: Oilers 4, Ducks 3April 22Game 2: Ducks 6, Oilers 4April 24Game 3: Ducks 7, Oilers 4April 26Game 4: Ducks 4, Oilers 3 (OT)April 28Game 5: Ducks at Oilers10 p.m.TNT, truTV, DIRECTVApril 30Game 6*: Oilers at DucksTBDTBDMay 2Game 7*: Ducks at OilersTBDTBD*If necessaryWhere to watch NHL playoffs 2026TV channels:ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT, TBS, truTVLive streams:DIRECTV,fubo, ESPN appThe 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 onDIRECTV. Games appearing on ESPN networks, including ABC, can also be streamed live onfuboand theESPN 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 Networkall 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.How will the 2026 NHL playoffs work?Sixteen teams qualify for the NHL playoffs, eight from each conference. This includes the top three seeds from each division, who earn automatic berths. The remaining four spots are filled by the two highest-placed finishers in each conference outside of the automatic qualifiers, regardless of their division.The NHL uses a fixed, division-based bracket. There is no reseeding between rounds, meaning teams can map out their potential path to the Final from Day 1. The division winner with the best record in the conference plays the wild card with the fewer points. The other division winner plays the wild card with more points. Meanwhile, the teams that finished second and third in each division face off against one another. The winners of the first-round series within each divisional bracket meet to determine who moves on to the Conference Finals, then the final four teams battle for their respective conference titles.The Eastern Conference champion and Western Conference champion then meet in the Stanley Cup Final.Related LinksLatest NHL news and rumorsFull NHL schedule, scores for 2025-26How to bet on the NHL

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Virgil van Dijk has backed Mohamed Salah to win his race against time to pull on the Liverpool shirt one last time before his Anfield departure. The Egyptian superstar left the pitch in tears during the weekend victory over Crystal Palace, sparking fears that a legendary career on Merseyside has reached a premature end. Van Dijk maintains hope for Anfield legend The Liverpool captain is refusing to accept that Salah has already made his final appearance for the club. Despite the grim optics of Salah limping off, Van Dijk believes the 33-year-olds powers of recovery could see him return for the final home games. "I hope so," the defender said when asked if Salah would play again. "There will be a medical assessment and then that will determine what the issue is going to be. I know he is doing everything in his power to be back on the pitch as soon as possible." An emotional exit for the Egyptian King The timing of the injury is particularly cruel given that Liverpool have just four matches remaining in their campaign. With Salah set to leave when his contract expires in June, the prospect of him missing a stadium farewell is a heavy burden for the squad. Van Dijk admitted that the situation weighed on his teammate's mind as he left the field on Saturday. "If you get injured at this stage of the season, especially in the situation he is in, there is only two more home games left for him its a combination of feelings that go through your mind when you go off," Van Dijk explained. "The reality is he has to get scanned, assessed, hopefully he wont be long but at this point I dont know. Maybe hes back next week, maybe not. I have no idea." A guaranteed send-off regardless of fitness Salahs legacy at Anfield is already set in stone, with 257 goals in 440 appearances making him the third-highest scorer in the club's history. Regardless of whether he wins his fitness battle, Van Dijk is certain that the supporters will give the three-time PFA Player of the Year the tribute he deserves for his trophy-laden nine-year stay. "He will get the send-off regardless," Van Dijk added. "I dont think that is the thing at this point, we shouldnt think too far ahead. Knowing Mo he is a quick healer with the right people around us and lets see." Reds looking to secure Champions League football Aside from the concern over Salah, Liverpool's victory over Palace was a positive step toward securing Champions League qualification. The win allowed the Reds to climb to fourth in the Premier League table, trailing Manchester United only on goals scored, although their arch-rivals still have one game in hand. While Salah's potential absence looms large, the captain was quick to praise others who stepped up, "It is important for Alex to get goals as a striker and it was a great goal," the Dutch national said. "In terms of what Ive seen of him, everyone knows and sees and experiences as teammates how outstanding he is. It is about getting games, confidence, but obviously scoring goals as a striker - thats the main trigger for him," Van Djik added. "Im not worried at all about him whatsoever. We want more than goals from him and thats what he can bring, and he just has to keep going and keep working, keep staying fit and keep staying important for the football club because I think he will and he already is."

Virat Kohli added another feature to his cap after RCB thumped DC in the IPL 2026 match on Monday.

SportsLine's model reveals its Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Game 5 picks

Travis Bazzana is finally set to make his major league debut.The Cleveland Guardians plan to call up Bazzana on Tuesday, according to ESPNs Jeff Passan. The former No. 1 overall pick will take over at second base for the Guardians, starting with their game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.Bazzana was selected with the top pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, which marked the Guardians only No. 1 selection in franchise history despite them entering the lottery with just a 2% chance at earning the top pick. Bazzana was just the eighth second baseman to go in the top 10 in the MLB Draft, and the first to ever be selected first.Bazzana has shined at the Triple A level so far this season. The 23-year-old holds a .287 batting average with 10 RBI and two home runs in 24 outings with the Guardians Triple A affiliate in Columbus. Bazzana missed two months with an oblique strain last summer, which undoubtedly delayed his move up to the Guardians.Bazzana will take over at second on Tuesday, and the team intends to option Juan Brito to make room for him.The Guardians will enter Tuesdays contest having lost four of their last five games, including a 3-2 loss to the Rays on Monday night. The Rays rallied out of a two-run hole late, thanks to a solo shot from Jonathan Aranda and an RBI single from Ryan Vilade in the eighth inning. The Guardians now sit at 15-15 on the season, but are only half of a game back from first place in the AL Central race.

The 152nd running of the "Run for the Roses" takes place this Saturday at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of horse racings Triple Crown and is famously known as the "most exciting two minutes in sports," as well as the oldest continuously held sporting event in the United States. After the draw set the official post positions, here are the updated live odds for the 2026 Kentucky Derby as of April 27. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Kentucky Derby live odds: Renegade: +400 (bet $10 to win $50 total)Further Ado: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)Commandment: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)Chief Wallabee: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)The Puma: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)So Happy: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)Emerging Market: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)Incredibolt: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)Danon Bourbon: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)Fulleffort: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)Silent Tactic: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)Potente: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)Litmus Test: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Albus: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Right to Party: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Wonder Dean: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Pavlovian: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Golden Tempo: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Six Speed: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)Intrepido: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total) For bettors eyeing the favorite, Renegade is the horse currently at the top of the board. Trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Renegade boasts one of the strongest trainer-jockey pairings in the field, along with prominent co-owner Mike Repole. Pletcher, one of the most accomplished trainers in American horse racing history with more than 5,500 career wins, has won the Kentucky Derby twice. Ortiz, meanwhile, remains in search of his first Derby victory despite being widely regarded as one of the sports top jockeys. Its worth noting that no favorite has won the Kentucky Derby since 2018. Renegade will also break from the No. 1 post position, a spot that has historically been challenging. The last horse to win from the rail was Ferdinand in 1986. Second on the oddsboard is Further Ado at +600. Further Ado is coming off a major win in the Grade 1 Kentucky Blue Grass Stakes. He is trained by Brad Cox and ridden by legendary jockey John Velazquez. Cox, one of the sports top trainers, has one official Kentucky Derby win, though his lone victory came via disqualification and not by crossing the line first. Velazquez, meanwhile, is a three-time Derby winner. Further Ado should get an ideal trip from post 18, likely sitting just behind the early leaders, conserving energy before making his big move at the top of the stretch. It is important to note that Irad Oritz Jr., who previously rode Further Ado in his previous four races, has chosen to ride Renegade over him. A few longer shots that might be worth considering are Chief Wallabee (+1000) and Potente (+2000). Chief Wallabee shares the same trainer-jockey pairing as last years Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty, with Bill Mott and Junior Alvarado. Theyll look to become the first trainer-jockey duo to win back-to-back Derbies since Ron Turcotte and Lucien Laurin, who accomplished the feat with Riva Ridge in 1972 and Secretariat in 1973. Despite barely losing his last two races, Chief Wallabee has posted some of the fastest speed figures in the entire field in those races. Lastly, Potente offers strong value, as Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert looks to make history with a potential seventh Kentucky Derby win in 2026. Originally purchased for $2.4 million, Potente has early speed and should be forwardly placed in this race. He finished second in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby and has reportedly impressed in his first trip to Churchill Downs, "setting the track ablaze" with a sharp morning workout that suggests hes rounding into great form before the biggest race of his life. As history has shown, its never wise to doubt Baffert.

The 36-year-old left-armer has been out of action since late January following a heavy workload during the Ashes, where he was named Player of the Series for claiming 31 wickets at an average of 19.93.