Here’s the latest 2026 NHL playoff update (as of May 6, 2026):

 Current Round: Second Round (Conference Semifinals)

Eastern Conference

• Carolina Hurricanes vs Philadelphia Flyers
   Hurricanes lead 1–0 (won Game 1: 3–0)

Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens
 Series just set after Montreal won Game 7 vs Tampa Bay

Western Conference

• Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild
   Avalanche lead 2–0
  (Game 1: 9–6, Game 2: 5–2)
• Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks
   Golden Knights lead 1–0

 Key First-Round Results

• Hurricanes swept Ottawa Senators (4–0)

Flyers eliminated Pittsburgh Penguins (4–2)

Avalanche swept Los Angeles Kings (4–0)

Wild beat Dallas Stars (4–2)

Sabres beat Boston Bruins (4–2)

Golden Knights beat Utah Mammoth (4–2)

🔥 Notable storylines

• The Sabres won a playoff series for the first time in 19 years
• The Hurricanes have been dominant and haven’t trailed much so far
• The Avalanche (top regular-season team) look like serious Cup favorites
• The defending champs (Florida Panthers) didn’t even make the playoffs

Round 2 is underway

The first round just finished, and several series have already started in Round 2.

Current Round 2 matchups

• Carolina Hurricanes vs Philadelphia Flyers
  • Hurricanes lead 2–0
  • Game 1: 3–0, Game 2: 3–2 (OT)

Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild

• Avalanche lead 1–0
• Game 1: 9–6 shootout-style game

Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks

• Golden Knights lead 1–0
• Game 1: 3–1

Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens

• Series starting now (Game 1 scheduled May 6)

Key Round 1 results

• Buffalo Sabres beat Boston Bruins (first series win in 19 years)

Philadelphia Flyers eliminated Pittsburgh Penguins in OT Game 6

Montreal Canadiens beat Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7

• Vegas Golden Knights eliminated Utah in 6 games
• Anaheim Ducks knocked out Edmonton Oilers
• Carolina Hurricanes swept Ottawa Senators

 Quick takeaway

• Hurricanes look dominant (undefeated so far)
• Sabres are a big surprise team
• West is wide open with high-scoring games
• Several series already showing offense-heavy trends

Here’s the latest NHL playoff update (May 4, 2026) — we’ve just wrapped up Round 1 and Round 2 is starting:

Big recent results (Round 1 just finished)

• The Montreal Canadiens upset the Tampa Bay Lightning 2–1 in Game 7 to win their series.

The Philadelphia Flyers eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 (OT).

The Buffalo Sabres beat the Boston Bruins in 6 games.

The Colorado Avalanche swept the Los Angeles Kings 4–0.

The Minnesota Wild knocked out the Dallas Stars in 6 games.

The Vegas Golden Knights beat the Utah Mammoth in 6 games.

Round 2 matchups (just starting)

Eastern Conference

• Carolina Hurricanes vs Philadelphia Flyers
  • Hurricanes already won Game 1 (3–0)

Buffalo Sabres vs Montreal Canadiens

• Series begins May 6

Western Conference

• Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild
  • Avalanche dominated Game 1 9–6
• Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks
  • Game 1 happening May 4

 Quick picture of the playoffs

• Round 1 is done
• Round 2 (Conference Semifinals) is underway
• No defending champs — the Florida Panthers missed playoffs

Underdog story: Buffalo Sabres back in playoffs after a long drought

Current Round Status

• Round 1 is just wrapping up
• Round 2 (Conference Semifinals) is starting

 Key Results (Recent)

• 🟢 Buffalo Sabres eliminated the Boston Bruins (4–2 series) and move on

🟢 Vegas Golden Knights beat the Utah Mammoth (4–2)

🟢 Minnesota Wild eliminated the Dallas Stars (4–2)

🟢 Colorado Avalanche swept the Los Angeles Kings (4–0)

🔴 Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens → Game 7 happening now/next

Round 2 Matchups (So Far)

Eastern Conference

• Carolina Hurricanes vs Philadelphia Flyers
  • Game 1: Hurricanes won 3–0

• Sabres vs winner of Lightning/Canadiens (pending Game 7)

Western Conference

• Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild
  • Game 1 scheduled May 3

Vegas Golden Knights vs Anaheim Ducks

• Series about to begin

Big Storylines

• The Sabres’ first playoff series win since 2007 is one of the biggest surprises
• The Avalanche look dominant after a sweep
• Multiple overtime-heavy series, especially Lightning vs Canadiens
• No defending champion: Florida Panthers missed the playoffs entirely

What’s Next

• Round 2 is starting now (early May)
• Conference Finals will follow later this month
• Stanley Cup Final expected by mid-to-late June