2026 NBA and NHL Playoffs Set: Panthers Dethroned, New Champions Await

Key facts

• NBA play-in tournament begins April 14, 2026.
• NBA playoffs start April 18, 2026.
• First-round NBA games include Atlanta at New York on April 18 (6 ET, Prime Video) and Toronto at Cleveland on April 18 (1 ET, Prime Video).
• NHL regular season ends April 16, 2026.
• 16 NHL teams (8 per conference) will make the playoffs.
• Florida Panthers, 2025 Stanley Cup champions, are eliminated from 2026 playoffs.
• Stanley Cup Finals scheduled for June 2026.
• First-round NHL matchups include Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings.

The Road to the Title Begins

The 2026 NBA and NHL playoffs are set to commence within days, with the NBA's SoFi Play-In Tournament tipping off on April 14 and the NHL regular season concluding on April 16. The first-round NBA playoff games are scheduled to begin on April 18, while NHL first-round matchups will follow the weekend after the regular season ends. For the NBA, the schedule for the first round will be announced after the regular season concludes. Confirmed first-round games include Atlanta at New York on April 18 at 6 p.m. ET on Prime Video, and Toronto at Cleveland on April 18 at 1 p.m. ET on Prime Video. Other games include Detroit and Boston hosting Game 1 on April 19, with Detroit's game at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock and Boston's at 1 p.m. ET on ABC. The NHL playoffs will feature 16 teams, eight from each conference, with the Stanley Cup Finals held in June, promising nearly two months of playoff hockey.

A New Champion in the NHL

The Florida Panthers, winners of the 2025 Stanley Cup and the franchise's second consecutive trophy, are out of the playoff picture. The Panthers had faced the Edmonton Oilers in both of their championship series. Their elimination ensures that a new champion will be crowned in 2026. The NHL playoff bracket has been set, with first-round matchups including the Buffalo Sabres facing the Boston Bruins as the Atlantic Division's top seed against a wild-card team, and the Tampa Bay Lightning taking on the Montreal Canadiens. In the Metropolitan Division, the Carolina Hurricanes meet the Ottawa Senators, while the Pittsburgh Penguins play the Philadelphia Flyers.

Western Conference NHL Matchups

In the Western Conference, the Colorado Avalanche, as the Central Division's top seed, will play the Los Angeles Kings, a wild-card team. The Dallas Stars face the Minnesota Wild in another Central Division matchup. The Pacific Division sees the Vegas Golden Knights against the Utah Mammoth, and the Edmonton Oilers take on the Anaheim Ducks. These matchups set the stage for a wide-open playoff field, with no clear favorite after the Panthers' absence.

NBA Playoff Seeding and Elimination Scenarios

The NBA playoff seeding and elimination scenarios are being tracked closely as the regular season winds down. The play-in tournament, which begins April 14, will determine the final playoff spots. The first-round schedule will be announced after the regular season concludes. Key first-round games already set include the Atlanta Hawks at the New York Knicks on April 18, with potential additional games in the series scheduled for later dates. Similarly, the Toronto Raptors will visit the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 18.

Broadcast and Viewing Information

NBA playoff games will be broadcast on ABC, NBC, Peacock, and Prime Video, with specific assignments for each game. For example, Game 1 of the Detroit series is on NBC/Peacock, while Boston's Game 1 is on ABC. The Atlanta-New York series opener is on Prime Video. NHL playoff broadcasts have not been detailed in the provided information, but fans can follow live scores and updated standings through NHL HQ resources.

What Lies Ahead

With the regular season ending and playoffs beginning, both leagues are poised for intense competition. The NBA's play-in tournament adds an extra layer of drama, while the NHL's expanded field ensures a wide range of contenders. The absence of the defending champion Panthers in the NHL opens the door for new teams to vie for the Stanley Cup. In the NBA, the path to the championship remains uncertain, with several teams harboring legitimate hopes.

The bottom line

• NBA play-in tournament starts April 14; playoffs begin April 18.
• NHL regular season ends April 16; first-round playoffs start the following weekend.
• Florida Panthers, two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, are eliminated from 2026 playoffs.
• Stanley Cup Finals will be held in June 2026.
• First-round NBA games include Atlanta at New York and Toronto at Cleveland on April 18.
• NHL first-round matchups include Buffalo vs. Boston and Colorado vs. Los Angeles.