Day 8 featured the first sweep of the 2026 postseason, a double-overtime survival by the Wild, and a vintage performance from the Penguins' core to stay alive in Philadelphia.
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Ottawa Senators 2
Carolina Wins Series 4-0
The Hurricanes have become the first team to advance to the second round, completing a dominant sweep of the Senators at Canadian Tire Centre. Logan Stankoven also made history, becoming the first player in franchise history to start a postseason with a four-game goal streak.
Minnesota Wild 3, Dallas Stars 2 (OT)
Series Tied 2-2
In a goalie duel for the ages, the Wild survived an overtime thriller at Grand Casino Arena to even their series with Dallas. Matt Boldy provided the heroics, deflecting a puck past Jake Oettinger with just 28.9 seconds left in the first overtime period. The Stars had fought back from an early deficit to force the extra frame. The series now returns to Dallas as a "best-of-three" sprint.
Pittsburgh Penguins 4, Philadelphia Flyers 2
Philadelphia Leads Series 3-1
Facing a "sweep or survival" scenario at Xfinity Mobile Arena, the Penguins’ veterans turned back the clock to force a Game 5. Sidney Crosby set the tone early with a power-play goal, while Kris Letang notched the eventual game-winner in the third period. The Flyers' youth, led by a goal from rookie Denver Barkey, pushed back late, but Arturs Silovs stood tall in the Pittsburgh net to silence the raucous Philly crowd. An empty-netter from Connor Dewar sealed the win, sending the series back to Pittsburgh for a high-stakes Monday night matchup.