Story perspectives

May 2-3 Playoffs Kick Off; Hurricanes, Avalanche Favored Teams

5/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

The NHL announced that the Hurricanes host the Flyers on Saturday, May 2, with Game 1 on ABC.
The Avalanche open against the Wild on Sunday, May 3, at 9 p.m. ET in Denver, with Game 1 on TNT, truTV, and HBO MAX.
ESPN analysts favor the Hurricanes (23 of 25 picks) and NHL.com staff favor the Avalanche (12 of 15 picks) to win their series.

History

Historical Context

In 1995, the National Hockey League secured a three-year national television contract with Fox, valued at $115 million, expanding broadcast reach. The deal gave Fox rights to 35 regular-season games, the All-Star Game, and the Stanley Cup Finals, boosting viewership by 20 percent. Today's playoff schedule, featuring the Carolina Hurricanes versus the Philadelphia Flyers on ABC and the Colorado Avalanche against the Minnesota Wild on TNT, mirrors that era’s multi-network strategy to maximize audience exposure. Such diversified broadcasting ensures broader fan engagement, drives advertising revenue, and solidifies the NHL’s position in the competitive sports media landscape.

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Story summary

The NHL announced that the Hurricanes host the Flyers on Saturday, May 2, with Game 1 on ABC.
The Avalanche open against the Wild on Sunday, May 3, at 9 p.m. ET in Denver, with Game 1 on TNT, truTV, and HBO MAX.
ESPN analysts favor the Hurricanes (23 of 25 picks) and NHL.com staff favor the Avalanche (12 of 15 picks) to win their series.

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