Flyers, Hurricanes Set for Second-Round Showdown as Wild and Ducks End Long Playoff Droughts

Key facts

• Philadelphia Flyers eliminated Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 in the first round, winning Game 6 in overtime 1-0.
• Carolina Hurricanes await the Flyers in the second round, the first confirmed matchup of Round 2.
• Minnesota Wild won their first playoff series in 11 years, beating Dallas Stars 5-2 in Game 6 (series 4-2).
• Anaheim Ducks won their first playoff series in nine years, defeating Edmonton Oilers 5-2 in Game 6 (series 4-2).
• Montreal Canadiens lead Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 after a 3-2 road win; Game 6 is at Bell Centre.
• Vegas Golden Knights lead Utah Mammoth 3-2 after a 5-4 double-overtime win; Brett Howden scored the short-handed winner.
• Quinn Hughes scored twice for Minnesota in Game 6, including the series-clinching goal off a Stars defender's skate.
• Thursday's games: Dallas at Minnesota (7:30 p.m. ET) and Edmonton at Anaheim (10 p.m. ET).

Philadelphia Punches Ticket to Second Round

The Philadelphia Flyers became the first team to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 in overtime on Wednesday to clinch the series four games to two. The victory sets up a second-round clash with the Carolina Hurricanes, a matchup that now stands as the only confirmed series in the next stage. Philadelphia's Game 6 triumph was a defensive grind, with the lone goal coming in the extra period after a scoreless regulation. The Flyers had taken a 3-0 series lead with wins in Games 1 and 2 (3-2 and 3-0) before Pittsburgh rallied with a 2-5 loss in Game 3 and a 4-2 win in Game 4. But Philadelphia closed out the series on home ice, denying the Penguins a chance to force a Game 7.

Wild and Ducks End Lengthy Postseason Droughts

Thursday night saw two franchises snap long playoff series winless streaks. The Minnesota Wild, who had not won a playoff series in 11 years, defeated the visiting Dallas Stars 5-2 to take the series four games to two. Quinn Hughes, who had not scored a playoff goal since 2020, broke that drought with two goals in Game 6, including the series-clinching tally that deflected off a Stars defender's skate. Later, the Anaheim Ducks dispatched the back-to-back Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers 5-2, winning their first playoff series in nine years. The Ducks had taken a 3-2 series lead into the game and closed it out on home ice. Both Minnesota and Anaheim now await their second-round opponents as the rest of the first round continues.

Canadiens and Golden Knights on the Brink of Advancement

The Montreal Canadiens moved within one win of reaching the second round after a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Tampa Bay, taking a 3-2 series lead. Game 6 is scheduled for Friday night at Montreal's Bell Centre, where the Canadiens can close out the series on home ice. In the Western Conference, the Vegas Golden Knights also took a 3-2 series lead after a dramatic 5-4 double-overtime win over the Utah Mammoth. Former Moose Jaw Warrior Brett Howden scored a short-handed goal in the second extra period to lift Vegas. The series now shifts back to Utah for Game 6, with the Golden Knights needing one more win to advance.

Thursday's Playoff Schedule and Series Odds

Two first-round games are scheduled for Thursday. At 7:30 p.m. ET, the Dallas Stars visit the Minnesota Wild in Game 6, with the Wild leading the series 3-2. The game will be broadcast on TNT, truTV, HBO Max, SNE, SN360, and TVAS. Later, at 10 p.m. ET, the Edmonton Oilers face the Anaheim Ducks in Game 6, with the Ducks holding a 3-2 series lead; coverage is on TNT, truTV, HBO Max, SN, SN360, CBC, and TVAS. BetMGM has posted odds for the next games in each series, though specific lines were not disclosed. The outcomes of these games will determine whether additional series are decided or if Game 7s are forced.

Wider Playoff Landscape and Historical Context

The first round has already produced notable storylines: the Flyers' overtime clincher, the Wild's 11-year drought, and the Ducks' nine-year wait. The Canadiens and Golden Knights are each a win away from joining them, while the Sabres lead the Bruins 3-2 and the Golden Knights lead the Mammoth 3-2, with those series also nearing resolution. The WHL's Eastern Conference final is tied at two wins apiece after the Prince Albert Raiders defeated the Tigers in Medicine Hat 6-3. Game 5 is scheduled for Friday in Prince Albert. Meanwhile, local baseball in Moose Jaw is set to begin this weekend, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Boston Red Sox 8-1 on Thursday before heading to Minnesota for a weekend series.

What Comes Next: Potential Second-Round Matchups

With the Flyers-Hurricanes series confirmed, the second round will begin once the remaining first-round series conclude. The Wild and Ducks have secured their spots but await opponents: Minnesota will face the winner of the series between the Central Division's top seed and the lowest remaining seed, while Anaheim will meet the survivor of the Pacific Division bracket. If Montreal closes out Tampa Bay, they would advance to face either the Boston Bruins or Buffalo Sabres, depending on the outcome of that series. The Golden Knights, if they eliminate Utah, would likely meet the winner of the Edmonton-Anaheim series—but Anaheim has already advanced, so Vegas would face the Ducks in the second round. All series are best-of-seven, with Game 7s possible in several matchups this weekend.

The bottom line

• Philadelphia Flyers are the first team to advance to Round 2, where they will face the Carolina Hurricanes.
• Minnesota Wild ended an 11-year playoff series drought with a 5-2 Game 6 win over Dallas; Quinn Hughes scored twice.
• Anaheim Ducks snapped a nine-year series winless streak by defeating Edmonton 5-2 in Game 6.
• Montreal Canadiens lead Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 after a 3-2 road win; Game 6 is at Bell Centre on Friday.
• Vegas Golden Knights lead Utah Mammoth 3-2 after a double-overtime win; Brett Howden scored the short-handed game-winner.
• Two Game 6s are scheduled for Thursday: Dallas at Minnesota (7:30 p.m. ET) and Edmonton at Anaheim (10 p.m. ET).