The 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs continued on Sunday with four clashes as eight additional teams began their postseason journeys.
Which teams earned an early edge in their series? Here’s a look at Sunday’s games, plus scores and highlights from Saturday’s games, and updated playoff stat leaders.
Kings vs Avalanche: A Playoff Rematch
The Los Angeles Kings faced off against the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche swept all three games against the Kings this season by an aggregate score of 13-5. The two teams last met in the playoffs in 2002, which was a 4-3 series win by the Avs.
Colorado were led in scoring this season by Nathan MacKinnon (127 points), while Adrian Kempe paced the Kings (73).
Canadiens and Lightning Renew Rivalry
The Montreal Canadiens played the Tampa Bay Lightning. These two Atlantic Division rivals wound up competing in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, won 4-1 by Tampa Bay. Their previous meeting in a traditional playoff format was back in 2015, a 4-2 win for the Lightning.
The two clubs split the regular-season series, although the Habs won the two most recent games (4-1 on March 31 and 2-1 on April 9). Tampa Bay has one of the sport’s most dangerous scorers in Nikita Kucherov (130 points this season), while the Canadiens were led in scoring by Nick Suzuki (101).
Bruins and Sabres Clash in Game 1
For the first time since 2011, the Sabres are competing in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and they do so as Atlantic Division regular-season champs. The Boston Bruins might be a tough out for Buffalo, as Boston won the season series 3-1, including a 4-3 overtime win on March 25. The Sabres and Bruins met back in the 2010 playoffs, which was a 4-2 series win for Boston.
Tage Thompson led the way on the scoring sheet for Buffalo (81 points), while David Pastrnak did likewise for Boston (100).
Mammoth Try to Upset Golden Knights
The Utah Mammoth faced the Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights famously made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in their first season of existence, losing to the Capitals in 2018; they would win the Cup five years later. The Mammoth are technically in their second season of existence — having played as the Utah Hockey Club in 2024-25.
Utah has had Vegas’ number this season, losing the first matchup 4-1 on Nov. 20, but winning 5-1 on Nov. 24 and 4-0 on March 19. Vegas was led in scoring this season by Jack Eichel (90 points).
Four more clashes took place on Sunday as the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs continued.