Updated 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket, Schedule and Top Highlights from May 6

The final second-round matchup of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs started on Wednesday.

The Buffalo Sabres wrapped up a 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1, while the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Vegas Golden Knights by the final score of 3-1 in Game 2 of their series.

Here's a look at Wednesday's results and the upcoming playoff schedule.

Wednesday Round 2 Results, Schedule

Buffalo Sabres 4, Montreal Canadiens 2 (Sabres lead series 1-0)

Anaheim Ducks 3, Vegas Golden Knights 1 (Series tied 1-1)

Thursday Round 2 Schedule

Carolina Hurricanes at Philadelphia Flyers, 8 p.m. ET (Hurricanes lead series 2-0)

Wednesday Highlights

Sabres 4, Canadiens 2

The first period of the matchup was an eventful one, as Zach Benson connected with Josh Doan for a tap-in goal to give Buffalo a 1-0 lead.

The Sabres extended their advantage to 2-0 on a power play later in the first, as Benson picked up his second assist of the game on Ryan McLeod's goal.

Montreal got on the board with just under one minute remaining in the opening period after Nick Suzuki's short shot found the back of the net.

Buffalo pushed its lead to 3-1 in the second period, with Jordan Greenway shooting through a screen to score.

The Sabres took a 4-1 lead with Bowen Byram's goal roughly six minutes later, although the Canadiens responded with a goal from Kirby Dach.

Montreal wouldn't be able to get any closer for the rest of the game, as Buffalo kept its opponent scoreless in the third period to take a 1-0 series lead.

Ducks 3, Golden Knights 1

The second matchup of the day started off as a defensive battle, with the score remaining tied 0-0 after the first period came to an end.

Anaheim struck first during the second period, as Beckett Sennecke set up at the top of the crease before scoring off a feed from Jeffrey Viel to give his squad a 1-0 advantage.

Leo Carlsson helped the Ducks gain some more breathing room with his wrist shot early in the third period before Jansen Harkins later scored on an empty net, resulting in a 3-0 lead for Anaheim.

Mark Stone recorded a goal for Vegas just before the final buzzer sounded, but the Golden Knights were ultimately unable to take a 2-0 series lead.

Ducks goaltender Lukáš Dostál still finished with 22 saves in the win.