The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs have officially arrived, and the opening-round matchups are already delivering the heart-stopping drama hockey fans crave all year long. From stunning double-overtime heroics to gritty shutouts, the ice is heating up as 16 teams battle for the ultimate prize.
If you are looking for the absolute latest NHL news and NHL scores, you are in the right place. Let’s dive into an action-packed recap of yesterday’s playoff slate and look ahead to what is breaking around the league today.
Official NHL Scores from Yesterday
All games played on Monday, April 20, 2026
| Away Team | Score | Home Team | Score | Series Status |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 3 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 0 | Philly leads 2-0 |
| Ottawa Senators | 2 | Carolina Hurricanes | 3 | CAR leads 2-0 |
| Minnesota Wild | 2 | Dallas Stars | 4 | Series tied 1-1 |
| Anaheim Ducks | 3 | Edmonton Oilers | 4 | EDM leads 1-0 |
Game Notes and Highlights
- Double-Overtime Thriller in Raleigh: The Carolina Hurricanes took a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Ottawa Senators thanks to Jordan Martinook. After missing a penalty shot in the first OT, Martinook found redemption by burying a loose rebound past Linus Ullmark at 13:53 of the second overtime to secure a 3-2 victory.
- Ducks Return to the Dance: The Anaheim Ducks played their first postseason game since 2018, putting up a hard-fought battle against the high-powered Edmonton Oilers. Ultimately, Connor McDavid and the Oilers protected home ice at Rogers Place to edge out a 4-3 win.
- Flyers Continue to Roll: Following a Game 1 win, the Philadelphia Flyers completely shut down Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins once again at PPG Paints Arena, blanking their cross-state rivals 3-0 to take a 2-0 series lead.
- Stars Even Things Up: Over in Dallas, the Stars rebounded from their opening loss to defeat the Minnesota Wild 4-2, re-establishing their defensive structure to tie up the series before heading to St. Paul.
Breaking NHL News for Today
Off the ice, front offices are still making moves. Today, April 21, 2026, the Ottawa Senators announced they have bolstered their goaltending depth by signing 18-year-old prospect Lucas Beckman to a three-year, entry-level contract. Beckman, originally a fourth-round pick, has been putting up a stellar .972 save percentage in the QMJHL playoffs.
Tonight, the playoff schedule rolls on with massive Game 2 matchups, including the Buffalo Sabres looking to build on their historic multi-goal, third-period comeback against the Boston Bruins, and the Montreal Canadiens hoping Juraj Slafkovský can follow up his sensational Game 1 hat trick against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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The post Latest NHL News and NHL Scores: April 2026 Playoff Results appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
