Updated 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket, Schedule and Top Highlights from April 25

The 2025-26 NHL postseason may come to an end for two teams on Saturday.

The Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins both face must-win situations for the remainder of the first round as they're sitting in 3-0 holes. The Minnesota Wild, meanwhile, are trying to avoid falling into a 3-1 deficit against the Dallas Stars.

The stakes couldn't be much higher.

Here's an overview of the action on the ice.

Saturday Results

Carolina Panthers 4, Ottawa Senators 2 (CAR wins series 4-0)

Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild, 5:30 p.m. (DAL leads 2-1)

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 8 p.m. (PHI leads 3-0)

Sunday Schedule

Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins, 2 p.m. (BUF leads 2-1)

Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings, 4:30 p.m. (COL leads 3-0)

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. (MTL leads 2-1)

Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks, 9:30 p.m. (ANA leads 2-1)

Saturday Highlights

Hurricanes 4, Senators 2

Four goals were the margin of victory through the first three games of the series, and Game 4 offered more of the same early on.

The score remained deadlocked through the first period. The minutes continued to tick away in the second until Taylor Hall finally broke the stalemate and gave Carolina the lead.

Less than two minutes later, though, Drake Batherson capitalized on a power-play opportunity and brought the Senators level.

Logan Stankoven is nothing if not consistent. The Hurricanes forward had one goal in each of the first three games, and he made it four in a row midway through the third period.

With the Senators' season hanging in the balance, coach Travis Green pulled goaltender Linus Ullmark late into the third period. That allowed Sebastian Aho to have a wide-open shot at doubling the Canes' advantage.

Dylan Cozens got one back for Ottawa, but it was too little too late. Another empty-netter from Aho assured Carolina of victory.