Stanley Cup Playoffs 2023: First Round Kicks Off

0:00It's April 17th. Welcome in. This is NHO News Today, where Team Coverage meets AI. The 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs first round drops this Saturday with Carolina Hurricanes hosting Ottawa Senators at 3pm Eastern on ESPN. Carolina took the Metro Crown with the East's top record while Ottawa snagged the second wildcard spot. Later that day, Minnesota Wild hit Dallas Stars at 5.30pm. In Pittsburgh, Penguins welcome Philadelphia Flyers at 8pm Classic Metro. Division battle between 2nd and 3rd place. Sunday brings a stack slate of four series openers. Los Angeles Kings visit President's Trophy Champs Colorado Avalanche at 3pm on TNT. Tampa Bay Lightning host Montreal Canadiens at 5.45pm. Boston Bruins head to Atlantic Top Seed, Buffalo Sabers at 7.30pm, and Utah Mammoth face Pacific leader. Vegas Golden Knights at 10pm. These matchups pit division winners against wildcards and intra division rivals, like the

1:04Penn's Flyers Grudge match or Tampa Montreal rematch vibes. Fans are buzzing over underdogs, like Ottawa and LA pushing elites, with homies giving edges to seas like Carolina and Colorado early on. Monday wraps the openers with Anaheim Ducks at Edmonton Oilers at 10pm on ESPN 2 Pacific's 2nd and 3rd place clash. All 8 series are best of 7, stretching into late April and early May if they go long. Pucks about to drop on what shapes up as a wild ride tune in and see who advances first.