Updated 2026 NHL Playoff Bracket, Schedule and Top Highlights from April 23

The Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche are both one win away from advancing to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Carolina stormed into Ottawa and picked up its third straight win over the Senators in the Eastern Conference.

Carolina's win set up two potential clinching scenarios on Saturday in the East. The Philadelphia Flyers also own a 3-0 advantage in their series.

Colorado took down the Los Angeles Kings once again to set up a potential sweep opportunity on Sunday afternoon.

The Buffalo Sabres regained their edge in the series versus the Boston Bruins with a win in Thursday's other contest.

Eastern Conference

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Thursday's Results

Carolina 2, Ottawa 1 (Carolina leads series 3-0)

Buffalo 3, Boston 1 (Buffalo leads series 2-1)

Carolina moved one win away from a sweep with a road win in Ottawa.

Jackson Blake and Logan Stankoven picked up a goal each for the Canes. Blake scored the game-winning goal late in the second period. Taylor Hall recorded assists on both tallies.

Ottawa was outshot on home ice and was once again held to a low goal total by the Metropolitan Division winner.

The Senators scored just three goals in three games. They'll need to put far more pucks into the net on Saturday to avoid a sweep.

Buffalo bounced back with a Game 3 triumph over Boston. The Sabres received goals from Bowen Byram, Alex Tuch and Noah Ostlund.

Tuch's tally four minutes into the third period was the difference-maker for the Atlantic Division champion.

Alex Lyon made 24 saves for the Sabres in his first start of the postseason. Lyon replaced Ukko-Pekko Luukkonen in Game 2.

Upcoming Schedule

Friday, April 24

Game 3: Tampa Bay at Montreal (7 p.m. ET, TNT)

Saturday, April 25

Game 4: Carolina at Ottawa (3 p.m. ET, TBS)

Game 4: Pittsburgh at Philadelphia (8 p.m. ET, TBS)

Western Conference

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Thursday's Results

Colorado 4, Los Angeles 2 (Colorado leads series 3-0)

The Presidents' Trophy winner extended its advantage on Thursday.

Gabriel Landeskog, Cale Makar, Arturri Lehkonen and Brock Nelson all scored for the Avalanche in their 4-2 triumph.

Makar's second-period goal put the Avalanche in the lead for good.

The Kings showed some signs of life late in the third period thanks to an Adrian Kempe power-play goal, but they conceded an empty-net tally to Nelson shortly after.

Colorado will play for the sweep on Sunday afternoon. A 4-0 series win would give the Avs a massive advantage going into the second round since Dallas and Minnesota are locked in a tight series.

Upcoming Schedule

Friday, April 24

Game 3: Vegas at Utah (9:30 p.m. ET, TBS)

Game 3: Edmonton at Anaheim (10 p.m. ET, TNT)

Saturday, April 25

Game 4: Dallas at Minnesota (5:30 p.m. ET, TBS)