The first round of the 2026 Kelly Cup Playoffs is nearly in the books, with just one game 7 left to be played, while the Division rounds are set for 3 of the 4 divisions. Each series is a best-of-7 series, played in either a 2-3-2 or 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the better finishing team hosting the first home games. Let’s get caught up on where we stand!

Western Conference

Mountain Division:

Kansas City Mavericks (1) vs Allen Americans (2)

Kansas City continued their ECHL dominance in the first round, sweeping the Tahoe Knight Monsters out of the playoffs and securing their spot in the division finals. They’ll face the Americans, who also made easy work of their first-round opponent, defeating Idaho 4 games to 1. A factor to this series – possible games 6 and 7 will be played in a closed environment due to building availability. 

Game 1 – Saturday, May 9 at 7:05 p.m. CT at Kansas City
Game 2 – Sunday, May 10 at 4:05 p.m. CT at Kansas City
Game 3 – Wednesday, May 13 at 7:10 p.m. CT at Allen
Game 4 – Saturday, May 16 at 7:10 p.m. CT at Allen
Game 5 – Sunday, May 17 at 2:10 p.m. CT at Allen (If Necessary) 
Game 6 – Tuesday, May 19 at 7:10 p.m. CT at Kansas City (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Wednesday, May 20 at 7:10 p.m. CT at Kansas City (If Necessary)

Central Division:

Fort Wayne Komets (1) vs Toledo Walleye (2)

The Komets secured a spot in the Central division finals after a convincing 4-1 series win over the Indy Fuel, led by F Austin Magera, who is tied for the lead in playoff points at 10 (3g, 7a). The Walleye were able to hold off the Bloomington Bison, who gained a pair of wins to delay their elimination – though Toledo finished the series at home to secure their spot in the next round. 

Game 1 – Sunday, May 10 at 5:05 p.m. ET at Fort Wayne
Game 2 – Tuesday, May 12 at 7:15 p.m. ET at Toledo
Game 3 – Thursday, May 14 at 7:35 p.m. ET at Fort Wayne
Game 4 – Friday, May 15 at 7:15 p.m. ET at Toledo
Game 5 – Saturday, May 16 at 7:15 p.m. ET at Toledo (If Necessary) 
Game 6 – Tuesday, May 19 at 7:35 p.m. ET at Fort Wayne (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Wednesday, May 20 at 7:35 p.m. ET at Fort Wayne (If Necessary)

South Division:

Florida Everblades (1) vs South Carolina Stingrays (2)

Florida had an easy go with their first round series, sweeping the Savannah Ghost Pirates from the tournament in their first playoff appearance. The Everblades now turn their attention to the Stingrays, who needed 6 games to hold off the Atlanta Gladiators. South Carolina is finding success behind their goaltender Garin Bjorklund, who leads all goalies in the playoffs with a 2.01 GAA. 

Game 1 – Friday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Florida
Game 2 – Saturday, May 9 at 7 p.m. ET at Florida
Game 3 – Wednesday, May 13 at 7:05 p.m. ET at South Carolina
Game 4 – Friday, May 15 at 7:05 p.m. ET at South Carolina
Game 5 – Sunday, May 17 at 7:05 p.m. ET at South Carolina (If Necessary) 
Game 6 – Tuesday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Florida (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Wednesday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Florida (If Necessary)

North Division

Wheeling Nailers (1) vs winner of Maine/Adirondack

The Nailers were able to hammer home the series win over the Reading Royals 4 games to 1 – including a desperation OT game 4 win for Reading to extend the series – before Wheeling closed the series out in game 5 in 2OT. They’ll await the winner of the Maine/Adirondack series.

Maine Mariners (2) vs Adirondack Thunder (3)

The lone Game 7 in the Kelly Cup Playoffs’ first round will be played tonight in the North Division, as the Maine Mariners will host the Adirondack Thunder. The matchup has been close through the series – all but one game was decided by a single goal, and 3 matches went to OT. The winner will head to Wheeling for the second round. 

Game 1 – Adirondack 1 at MAINE 2 (OT) 
Game 2 – ADIRONDACK 3 at Maine 2
Game 3 – MAINE 5 at Adirondack 2
Game 4 – MAINE 5 at Adirondack 4
Game 5 – Maine 2 at Adirondack 3 (OT)
Game 6 – ADIRONDACK 2 at Maine 1 (OT)
Game 7 – Wednesday, May 6 at 7 p.m. ET at Maine

Follow all of the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoff Action on FloSports, and keep up to date with scores, series results and more at ECHL.com!