Hockey playoffs: Six teams advance to second round as Game 6s conclude
The Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, and Vegas Golden Knights clinched their series on Thursday, while the Minnesota Wild and Anaheim Ducks also advanced to face the Colorado Avalanche and the winner of the Vegas-Utah matchup respectively.
Six teams have advanced to the second round of the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs following a decisive round of Game 6s on Thursday. The Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, and Vegas Golden Knights secured their positions by defeating their opponents, while the Minnesota Wild and Anaheim Ducks also claimed victory to move forward in the tournament.
The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2, with Lane Hutson recording a five-game point streak. Jakub Dobes also made history as the third rookie goaltender in Canadiens history to record three playoff wins in a single postseason. The Buffalo Sabres overcame the Boston Bruins 4-2, a contest highlighted by David Pastrnak scoring an overtime goal to become the seventh player in Stanley Cup playoff history to score multiple OT goals while facing elimination.
In the West, the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Utah Mammoth 4-2, with Pavel Dorofeyev recording a hat trick to become the fourth different player in franchise history to do so in the postseason. Further west, the Minnesota Wild defeated the Dallas Stars 5-2, securing their place in the second round for the first time since 2015. Quinn Hughes scored the game-winning goal, while Matt Boldy added two empty-net goals to seal the victory.
The Anaheim Ducks beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-2, becoming the first team through in the Pacific Division bracket. Ryan Poehling, Chris Kreider, and Cutter Gauthier scored in the first period, and Leo Carlsson scored the empty-netter to win the series. The Ducks will now face the winner of the Vegas Golden Knights-Utah Mammoth series.
Friday's schedule presents a high-stakes scenario with three remaining teams attempting to force a decisive seventh game. The Tampa Bay Lightning face the Montreal Canadiens, the Boston Bruins host the Buffalo Sabres, and the Utah Mammoth welcome the Vegas Golden Knights. All three groups are playing with their backs against the wall, hoping to avoid the panic of putting it all on the line in a Game 7.
The tournament enters a critical phase as the bracket reshuffles, with the Minnesota Wild set to face the Colorado Avalanche and the Anaheim Ducks awaiting the outcome of the Pacific Division showdown. The intensity of the competition remains high as teams vie for a spot in the next round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
