The Stanley Cup Playoffs are full of new blood, and so far three teams have advanced to the second round after not even making the postseason last year.
Buffalo, Colorado, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Anaheim have advanced from the first round, with the Flyers (six years) and the Ducks (eight) enjoying their first playoff trips in a long while. The Sabres ended the longest drought in NHL history at 14 seasons and are now through after eliminating Boston.
The Avalanche and Wild, who will face each other, each lost in the first round a year ago. Another newcomer is on the way, too: Whoever wins the Montreal-Tampa Bay series didn’t make the second round last year either, making a pair of early exits.
The second round includes six out of eight new teams. Only Carolina, which hosts the Flyers in Game 1 on Saturday, and Vegas, which defeated Utah next faces Anaheim, made it this far a year ago.
“That’s the exciting part of where the league is at and where these teams are at,” Hall of Fame defenseman Chris Pronger said recently. “New teams (are) getting into the playoffs and showcasing some of these young players that are on the rise that maybe haven’t had that experience. And now they get a chance to kind of understand what it’s all about and what it means to play in the playoffs.”
A new Cup winner was guaranteed last month when back-to-back champion Florida was eliminated from contention late in a season derailed by injuries.
There will now be two new finalists after Edmonton got knocked out in the first round by the Ducks. Oilers captain Connor McDavid said they “were an average team all year” and did not live up to high expectations.
The Hurricanes, who have advanced in each of the past eight years since Rod Brind’Amour took over as coach in 2018, host one of the upstart teams in the field: Philadelphia last reached the playoffs during 2020 pandemic.
“There was never a doubt,” said Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar, who had a 42-save shutout in the Game 6 overtime victory against Pittsburgh. “Good things happen to good people, and we are good people here.”
“It’s going to be a hard-fought series,” Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “High-quality teams, high-quality players, good goaltending and special teams. It’s going to be a battle.”
Minnesota finally won its opening series after losing its past eight, reaching the second round for the first time since 2015. Rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt noticed a fan crying in the stands during the clinching Game 6 win, and it made him realize how much it meant beyond the locker room.
“There’s so many more people who are with us on this road and this journey,” Wallstedt said. “The excitement and joy to get past the first round is huge.”
The Ducks in coach Joel Quenneville’s debut season advanced for the first time since a run to the Western Conference Final in 2017.
“Now we’ve got a taste of playoff hockey,” Quenneville said. “I think we can feel at this moment that it’s so much fun playing games that have the meaning and the building being as loud and excited as it is. It seems to grow from this level on.”
Rewards cards are frequently rolling out high-value welcome offers. If you’re a travel enthusiast like us at TPG, it’s likely you’re keeping your eyes peeled for standout bonuses.
This month, we’ve compiled five of our favorite cards with stellar offers right now. These range from top-tier business cards to cobranded options for your next trip — and you won’t want to miss out on the value.
Plus, there are even more limited-time offers available, so don’t stop your search here if none of these currently suit your needs.
Our favorite credit card welcome offers in April 2026
Card
Welcome offer
Welcome offer value*
Annual fee
Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
$4,000
Earn 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,500 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. Plus, receive a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account.
$1,750 (including the value of the Global Companion Award)
$395
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, upon approval, receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use during the first year.
$1,638
$95
Receive a $300 electronic Disney gift card immediately upon approval, plus earn a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
$600
$149
Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends May 13.
$1,500
*Welcome offer value is determined using TPG’s April 2026 valuations and is not provided or reviewed by the issuer.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Luxury-minded travelers who qualify for a business card will love the many perks that come with an Amex Business Platinum Card membership.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership.
Why we love it: Carly Helfand, TPG’s director of points, miles and credit card content, loves the statement credits on her Amex Business Platinum, especially since they led to her enjoying up to $600 in hotel credits** last year. She said she’s already used the benefit twice — once last December for a stay at Wynn Las Vegas and once in February for a stay at the Andaz Prague.
Carly also loves the card’s Hilton statement credit of up to $50 per quarter on eligible purchases made directly with a property in the Hilton portfolio***. She said she finds these credits super easy to maximize and recently used one to cover poolside dining charges at the Boeira Garden Hotel Porto Gaia, Curio Collection by Hilton in Portugal.
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**The hotel credits are received as two statement credits of up to $300 biannually on prepaid American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with Amex Travel when you pay with your Amex Business Platinum. The Hotel Collection stays require a two-night minimum.
***Enrollment is required. Separate Hilton for Business program membership is required.
The Atmos Rewards Summit is an excellent card for Alaska and Hawaiian loyalists, but there’s plenty for other types of travelers to love as well.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award after spending $6,500 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. Plus, receive a 50% flight discount code for a qualifying future flight after opening your new account.
Why we love it: Even though senior credit cards editor Giselle Gomez doesn’t live in an Alaska Airlines hub, she decided to open the Summit because she frequently flies with Oneworld alliance partners. She said she loves that she can rack up Atmos Rewards points to redeem them for flights with partner airlines.
Plus, the card earns 3 points per dollar spent on foreign purchases, which makes it an easy go-to option when she’s abroad.
The Venture Rewards stands out as a fantastic option for travelers looking to collect valuable rewards with simplicity.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, upon approval, receive a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use during the first year.
Disney fans, listen up: The all-new Disney Inspire Visa can unlock massive savings for your next trip to the castle.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Receive a $300 electronic Disney gift card immediately upon approval, plus earn a $300 statement credit after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Why we love it: Senior points and miles editor Gabrielle Bernardini visits Disney World a few times a year, so she enjoys receiving a $100 statement credit each anniversary year (after spending $200 on U.S. park tickets) with the Disney Inspire.
This perk helps Gabrielle offset one of the biggest Disney vacation expenses: park tickets.
In the world of cobranded hotel cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant provides solid top-tier perks for those loyal to the brand.
THE POINTS GUY
Welcome offer: Earn 200,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. This offer ends May 13.
Why we love it: Senior editor Christine Gallipeau initially added the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant to her wallet to receive the card’s automatic Platinum Elite status, which she knew she’d take full advantage of while traveling, as well as during staycations in the Washington, D.C., area with her hotel-loving pup. However, it now stays in her wallet for several other reasons.
In addition to enjoying late checkout and free breakfast at select Marriott properties, Christine also maximizes the card’s dining statement credits (up to $25 each month for eligible dining purchases worldwide). She also loves applying her annual free night award (worth up to 85,000 points; certain hotels have resort fees) toward a staycation each year at one of her favorite local hotels, The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C., where rates are often close to or over $1,000 a night.
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