NHL First Round 2027
The 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round: Mid-April 2027 (dates TBA). Eight best-of-seven series, four per conference, played inside each division bracket.
First Round Schedule and Scores
Projected First Round matchups
New York Islandersat1
Pittsburgh Penguins
Carolina Hurricanesat3
New York Rangers
Ottawa Senatorsat2
Boston Bruins
Florida Panthersat5
Montréal Canadiens
Seattle Krakenat1
Edmonton Oilers
Vancouver Canucksat3
San Jose Sharks
Anaheim Ducksat2
Colorado Avalanche
Minnesota Wildat5
Utah MammothHow the First Round Works
Eight best-of-seven series, four per conference, played inside each division bracket.
Who plays
All 16 playoff teams.
Matchups
Division 2nd v 3rd, and each division winner v a wild card, in both conferences.
Home field
The higher seed, in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.
What is next
The two winners from each division meet in the second round.
How to Watch
First-round games are split between ESPN/ABC (with ESPN+ and Hulu streaming) and TNT/truTV (streaming on HBO Max) in the US, and on Sportsnet in Canada. Each game's channel is listed in the schedule above as soon as it is announced.
Where This Round Sits
- Regular seasonSep – Apr 10
- First RoundApr (TBA)
- Second Round
- Conf. Final
- Cup FinalJun (TBA)
Everything on this First Round page updates automatically: matchups when they are set, scores while games are on, results when they end. The full bracket shows how this round connects to the rest of the 2027 NHL playoffs.
First Round FAQ
When is the First Round?
Mid-April 2027 (dates TBA).
Who plays?
All 16 playoff teams.
What channel?
ESPN/ABC and TNT/truTV/HBO Max in the US; Sportsnet in Canada.
How many games?
Best of seven: the first team to four wins advances.
Who has home ice?
The higher seed, in Games 1, 2, 5 and 7.
What comes next?
The two winners from each division meet in the second round.