NHL releases final Game 1 schedule as Ottawa Senators face Carolina Hurricanes while classic teams Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabres miss opening night

The National Hockey League has confirmed that it will officially start the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs with the first game on April 18 by confirming the final lineup of Game 1. The first match they play involves the Ottawa Senators as they go to meet the Carolina Hurricanes, and it is the beginning of a fierce playoff season.

Although the timetable presents bitter-block orderline battles throughout both conferences, a more customary opening was anticipated by some fans. Interestingly, the oldest franchises, the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Buffalo Sabres, are not included in the opening game, even though they are all represented by the playoff field this season.

NHL Game 1 opening schedule and key matches

Game 1 will start with the Ottawa Senators against the Carolina Hurricanes at 3 p.m. ET on April 18. It is then succeeded by Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars, and then finally Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins, meeting at the end of the day.

The action is enlarged on Sunday as the Montreal Canadiens take on the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Boston Bruins take on the Buffalo Sabres. Other NHL events in the Western Conference, such as Utah Mammoth versus the Vegas Golden Knights, and a confrontation between the Colorado Avalanche, are also additions to the list of Western Conference matches.

The last Game 1 match is the Monday game, with the Edmonton Oilers and the Anaheim Ducks as the second match of the first round.

Competitive balance is also one of the indicators of the scheduling by the league, as there are several returning teams and new entrants in the playoffs that increase the unpredictability.

The lack of traditional teams on the first night does not necessarily mean that the viewing expectations will be affected, yet the entire schedule should be viewed as an interesting opening. Having spaced matches and robust conference coverage, the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to create instantaneous excitement and fan followings.

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