Updated 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket, Schedule After Hurricanes Eliminate Flyers

The Carolina Hurricanes made it to the 2026 Eastern Conference Final in just eight games.

Jackson Blake scored five and a half minutes into Saturday evening overtime in Philadelphia to claim a 3-2 overtime Game 4 win against the Philadelphia Flyers.

After eliminating the Flyers and Ottawa Senators, the Canes are the first team in history to open the Stanley Cup Playoffs with two best-of-seven series sweeps.

The Canes are the only undefeated team remaining in the 2026 playoffs after the Colorado Avalanche lost Game 3 of their own second-round series to the host Minnesota Wild.

Here's a look at the results and highlights from Saturday night action as well as the upcoming Sunday schedule.

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Saturday Results

Carolina Hurricanes 3, Philadelphia Flyers 2 OT (CAR wins series 4-0)

Minnesota Wild 5, Colorado Avalanche 1 (COL leads series 2-1)

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Sunday Schedule

Buffalo Sabres at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. ET (Series tied 1-1)

Vegas Golden Knights at Anaheim Ducks, 9:30 p.m. ET (VGK leads 2-1)

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Saturday Highlights

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Hurricanes 3, Flyers 2 (OT)

The Flyers pushed the Hurricanes to Game 4 overtime before conceding the second-round series sweep Saturday night.

Trevor Zegras started out the game by setting up Tyson Foerster to help the Flyers open scoring in the first period.

The Hurricanes then stunned the Flyers with two goals in a span of 28 seconds late in the second frame.

The second tally was ultimately waved off due to goaltender interference to keep the game tied at one.

The Flyers got two point-blank looks at a go-ahead goal late in the second.

One puck ended up trapped under Canes netminder Frederik Andersen, while the other hit the post to keep the game tied at one.

The Hurricanes earned their first lead of the game early in the third period with a strike from NHL playoffs goals leader Logan Stankoven.

A late tying goal from Alex Bump and some strong netminding from Dan Vladar helped the Flyers push the game to overtime.

Blake ultimately scored in overtime to end the Flyers' season and send the Canes on to the third round.

The Canes finished out the elimination game having outshot the Flyers 40-17. Vladar finished out his final game of the season with 37 saves.

The Hurricanes will now advance to face either the Buffalo Sabres or Montreal Canadiens for a shot at the Stanley Cup Final.

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Wild 5, Avalanche 1

The Wild opened Game 3 with three straight goals to hand the Avalanche their first loss of the 2026 playoffs.

Minnesota grabbed an early lead with two goals in one and a half minutes late in the first period.

Ryan Hartman extended the Wild's lead to three goals by batting in a midair power-play goal early in the second period.

Scott Wedgewood was pulled in favor of Mackenzie Blackwood after allowing three goals on 12 shots, after which the Avs got on the board with a Nathan MacKinnon power play goal.

Brock Faber answered just 20 seconds later with another insurance goal before Matt Boldy iced the win with an empty-netter.

Jesper Wallstedt finished the win having made 34 saves on 35 shots for the Wild, who will now have the chance to even the series when the puck drops for Game 4 on Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET in Minneapolis.