NHL Playoffs Second Round Schedule: Key Dates and Matchups Revealed

The intensity of the Stanley Cup playoffs is palpable as the first round approaches its conclusion, with one decisive Game 7 set for Sunday, May 3. However, anticipation is already building for the second round, which promises to deliver thrilling matchups across the league.

The Carolina Hurricanes are gearing up to host the Philadelphia Flyers at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2, live on ABC. The Hurricanes secured their spot in the next round with a commanding sweep of the Ottawa Senators, while the Flyers emerged victorious against the Pittsburgh Penguins in six hard-fought games.

Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche will kick off their second-round series at home against the Minnesota Wild at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday. The Avalanche advanced with a clean sweep of the Los Angeles Kings, while the Wild defeated the Dallas Stars in a competitive six-game series.

In another notable development, the Buffalo Sabres have moved on after a decisive 4-1 victory over the Boston Bruins on Friday night. They now await the outcome of Sunday’s clash between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Montreal Canadiens, scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, which will determine their next opponent. The Lightning kept their playoff hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 overtime win against the Canadiens on Friday.

Additionally, the Vegas Golden Knights secured a win against the Utah Mammoth and will face the Anaheim Ducks in the second round, although a starting date for that matchup has yet to be announced. As the playoffs progress, fans are eager to see how these exciting matchups unfold.

All times are listed in p.m. ET.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.