Both ESPN and TNT, which broadcast the playoffs, also brought in record numbers for each of their stations.
The first two days (Saturday and Sunday) were electric.
The Philadelphia Flyers won Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their first playoff appearance in five years (full recap).
Keeping it in the east, the Montreal Canadiens bested the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2026 playoffs' first overtime game behind Juraj Slafkovsky's hat trick (full recap).
Then, in Buffalo, the game of opening weekend, the Sabres were down 3-0 entering the third period of Game 1 against the Boston Bruins before surmounting a historic comeback in their first playoff appearance in 15 years.
Over in Carolina, the Hurricanes blanketed the Senators for a 2-0 shutout in the very first game of the playoffs (highlights), while the Presidents' Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche barely scraped by the Los Angeles Kings in a close 2-1 win (highlights).
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild put up a current playoff-high six goals on the Dallas Stars to take Game 1 of the series (highlights)
Then, to top off the first two days, the Vegas Golden Knights rallied from down 2-1 against the Utah Mammoth by scoring three straight in the third period as both teams combined for a total of 64 shots.
