Pregame coverage for Day 1 of the 2026 NHL playoffs is officially underway on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+, according to Elliotte Friedman. The broadcast marks the start of a triple-header to open the postseason, featuring three pivotal Game 1 matchups.
The schedule begins with the Ottawa Senators facing the Carolina Hurricanes. This will be followed by a Western Conference battle between the Minnesota Wild and the Dallas Stars. The opening day of coverage concludes with a Metropolitan Division rivalry game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Hurricanes enter the tournament as the top seed in the Metropolitan Division, while the Senators return to the postseason in a wild-card spot. In the nightcap, Penguins stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are set to make their 16th career playoff appearances, leading a Pittsburgh squad that qualified for the tournament after missing out last season. The Stars and Wild matchup features a high-scoring showdown between Jason Robertson and Kirill Kaprizov, two of the league's premier offensive threats.
Fans can access the full slate of games via the Sportsnet television network or through the Sportsnet+ digital streaming platform. Today’s broadcast is the first of several weeks of comprehensive coverage as the first round gets into full swing across North America.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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