The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are well underway and delivering exactly the drama hockey fans live for — overtime thrillers, historic sweeps and an old rivalry reignited in Pennsylvania. Here’s everything Australian fans need to know to follow the action.
How to watch the NHL Playoffs in Australia
ESPN via Kayo Sports — The primary home of NHL hockey in Australia. ESPN holds broadcast rights and shows selected playoff games live. Kayo ($30/month) is the most flexible way to access this on any device.
NHL.TV — Every single game, no blackouts for Australian viewers. This is the equivalent of NBA League Pass for hockey. Available at approximately $150-200 USD for the full season. The only way to guarantee you never miss a game.
Disney+ — ESPN games are simulcast on Disney+ at no extra cost for subscribers.
What’s NOT on free-to-air: Unlike the NFL which gets some Channel 7 coverage, the NHL Playoffs are entirely behind the paywall in Australia.
Current first round standings
Eastern Conference:
Carolina Hurricanes def. Ottawa Senators 4-0 — The Hurricanes are the first team to advance to the second round, sweeping the Senators without dropping a game. Carolina look like genuine Stanley Cup contenders.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins — Flyers lead 3-1. The rivalry is back — Philly and Pittsburgh meeting in the playoffs for the first time since 2018. The Flyers have been outstanding, winning three of four with Sidney Crosby and the Penguins facing elimination in Game 5.
Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins — Series tied 2-2. The Sabres are in the playoffs for the first time since 2011 — a 14-year drought that makes this one of the great comeback stories in recent NHL history. Buffalo have won three of the four games and are playing with nothing to lose.
Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning — Series tied 2-2. Three of the four games have gone to overtime. This is the most entertaining series of the first round.
Western Conference:
Colorado Avalanche def. Los Angeles Kings 4-0 — The Presidents’ Trophy winners and heavy Stanley Cup favourites have swept the Kings and already advanced to round two. Nathan MacKinnon scored twice in the clinching game.
Anaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers — Ducks lead 3-1. The biggest upset of the first round. The Ducks — in the playoffs for the first time since 2018 — are one win away from eliminating Connor McDavid and the Oilers.
Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars — Series tied 2-2. Two legitimate Cup contenders going blow for blow. Game 5 tonight is must-see hockey.
Utah Mammoth vs Vegas Golden Knights — Series tied 2-2. Historic playoff hockey in Salt Lake City for the first time ever as the expansion Utah Mammoth take on Jack Eichel and Vegas.
Tonight’s games — Tue 29 Apr AEST
- 9am AEST — Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins, Game 5 (PHI lead 3-1) — NHL.TV
- 10am AEST — Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars, Game 5 (Series tied 2-2) — NHL.TV
- 12am AEST — Anaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers, Game 5 (ANA lead 3-1) — NHL.TV
This week’s full schedule AEST
Wednesday 29 Apr
- 9:30am — Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins, Game 5 (Series tied 2-2) — NHL.TV
Thursday 30 Apr
- 9am — Montreal Canadiens vs Tampa Bay Lightning, Game 5 (Series tied 2-2) — NHL.TV
Conference Semifinals begin approximately May 4.
The big storylines
Crosby’s last stand? At 38 years old, Sidney Crosby is facing a potential first-round exit with the Penguins down 3-1 to the Flyers. Every game could be one of the last in one of the greatest careers in NHL history.
Ducks stunning the Oilers — Anaheim have outplayed McDavid, Draisaitl and the Oilers in every game. If they close it out in Game 5 it will rank among the biggest upsets in recent playoff history.
The Sabres are back — Buffalo ending a 14-year playoff drought is one of the great stories of the 2026 season. Their passionate fanbase has been waiting since 2011 for this moment.
Colorado’s coronation? — The Avalanche look virtually unstoppable. Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar are playing at a level that makes Colorado the team to beat for the Stanley Cup.
Check our live TV guide
We update our US Sports TV Guide daily with every NHL game time in AEST and confirmed Australian broadcasters. Bookmark it — it’s the fastest way to find out when and where to watch every playoff game from Australia.
Last updated: Tuesday 29 April 2026