NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Action Heats Up in Opening Round
NHL 史坦利盃季後賽：首輪賽事戰況升溫
The 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, which officially kicked off on April 18, 2026, are currently delivering intense action across the league.
2026年NHL史坦利盃季後賽於2026年4月18日正式揭開序幕，目前聯盟各處正上演著激烈的賽事。
In this best-of-seven tournament, sixteen teams are competing to reach the Stanley Cup Final this June.
在這場七戰四勝制的錦標賽中，十六支隊伍正角逐六月份的史坦利盃決賽門票。
This year features a significant shift in the hockey landscape, as defending champions, the Florida Panthers, and the long-streaking Toronto Maple Leafs both failed to qualify.
今年的冰球賽事格局出現了顯著變化，衛冕冠軍佛羅里達美洲豹隊以及長期連勝的多倫多楓葉隊雙雙未能晉級。
Conversely, the Buffalo Sabres have returned to the postseason for the first time in 14 years, and the Utah Mammoth have impressively qualified in just their second season.
相反地，水牛城軍刀隊睽違14年首次重返季後賽，而猶他猛瑪象隊則在成軍僅第二個賽季便展現驚人實力成功闖入。
The format remains high-stakes, with no shootouts allowed; if a game is tied, teams play sudden-death, 5-on-5 overtime until a winner emerges.
賽事規則依舊嚴苛，不允許互射點球；若比賽陷入平手，隊伍必須進行即刻決勝的五對五延長賽，直至分出勝負為止。
With games occurring daily, fans are eager to see which teams will survive this grueling path to the championship.
隨著每日賽事不斷開打，球迷們都拭目以待，想看看哪支隊伍能挺過這條通往冠軍的嚴峻考驗。
