After waiting for days, we finally know (at least some) of the NHL Playoff schedule. The Minnesota Wild will open their first-round series on the road in Dallas on Saturday, but won't be the only team in the state getting underway with some meaningful action at the same time.
Game 1 is locked in for the 4:30 pm CT slot, confirming earlier rumors from unverified sources about when the puck will drop. A trifecta of anonymous American Airlines Center employees, Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan, and Marcus Foligno dropped hints that Saturday afternoon would be when the game takes place, and it's nice to finally have something set in stone.
GAME ☝️ SCHEDULE JUST DROPPED
— NHL (@NHL) April 16, 2026
The #StanleyCup Playoffs start this SATURDAY on @espn, @Sportsnet, and @TVASports! pic.twitter.com/Wax3QAnKYb
As for the rest of the series? Who believed that the NHL would have their stuff together enough to drop something as important as a playoff schedule in a neat and timely manner? You're telling me you put faith in Gary Bettman??
To be slightly fair to schedule-makers, the NHL regular season doesn't wrap up until Thursday night which means not all playoff series are locked in. That means that the full schedule won't drop until roughly 48 hours before the first playoff series begins, and that's assuming the league actually releases the full details tonight.
Regardless of what the entire schedule for the Wild-Stars looks like we know two things for certain: this series is going to be off the rails and Game 1 falling on Saturday gives Minnesota sports fans a unique situation.
Three teams will be playing at essentially the same exact time, with both the Wild and Timberwolves starting their respective playoff series. The third team is the Twins, who could play ball on Saturday owning the best record in the American League.
Talk about the Paul Rudd "Look At Us" meme coming to life.
All three games have different official start times but if the Twins go into extra innings against the Reds there's a chance that three Minnesota teams with a lot to play for will be in action when the Wild drop the puck.
Game | Start Time (CT) | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
Twins vs. Reds | 1:10pm | Twins TV |
Timberwolves vs. Nuggets | 2:30 pm | Amazon Prime Video |
Wild vs. Stars | 4:30 pm | ESPN |
For what it's worth, the Twins are the only team hosting a game on Saturday as both the Wolves and Wild will be on the road. Still, this is a position not many expected us to be in, with special emphasis being placed on the Twins being worthy of mention alongside the Timberwolves and Wild as they start playoff series.
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