Ryan S. Clark
Kristen Shilton
Multiple Authors
The 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs are right here!
The Eastern Conference bracket was set earlier this week, together with the Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres as division champions. For Carolina, it is extra of the identical, because the Canes have turn out to be perennial contenders; for the Sabres, this season ended the longest playoff drought in North American professional sports activities.
In the West, the ultimate three seeds within the Pacific Division got here proper right down to the wire. Due to the outcomes of Thursday evening, the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks will face off because the Nos. 2 and three seeds, whereas the Los Angeles Kings will play the Avalanche because the second wild card.
Things weren’t as shut within the Central, with the Colorado Avalanche clinching the Presidents’ Trophy because the NHL’s total high seed April 10, whereas the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild had been the primary pairing to be clinched as a first-round matchup.
We’ve acquired all of the angles lined to get you prepared for the playoffs as ESPN hockey reporters Ryan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton check out every of the 16 postseason groups, providing the explanations every workforce might win all of it, together with the most important X issue, gamers to look at and a daring prediction for each workforce.
Note: Profiles for the Atlantic and Metropolitan playoff brackets had been written by Shilton, whereas Clark analyzed the Central and Pacific golf equipment. Also be aware that wild-card groups are listed based on the playoff bracket during which they’re taking part in (so the Ottawa Senators are within the Metro, Kings are within the Central, and the Utah Mammoth are within the Pacific).
Stats are collected from websites equivalent to Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey.
Read extra: Full schedule
Stanley Cup Playoffs Central
Bracket, schedule
Contender flaws
Atlantic Division
Record: 50-23-9, 109 factors
First-round opponent: Bruins
Case for a Stanley Cup run: Buffalo lastly found out the right way to pull all of it collectively, and it resulted within the franchise’s first playoff berth in 14 years. The Sabres aren’t a one-trick pony. They have an elite corps of skaters up entrance and on the again finish who can stack up towards any workforce within the league. Tage Thompson is a point-per-game goal-scoring phenom; Rasmus Dahlin is an distinctive offensive defenseman; Alex Tuch is a 30-plus scorer; and a slew of complementary skaters from Josh Doan to Jack Quinn to Owen Power (and on, and on) provides Buffalo distinctive depth.
The Sabres had been top-10 in scoring all through the season and confirmed robust defensive particulars too. Their goaltending has additionally been a robust level following some early stumbles — whether or not it has been Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen or Alex Lyon within the crease, Buffalo has responded nicely and given each a defensive effort worthy of their high-end contributions.
X issue: Can the Sabres’ protection preserve tempo within the postseason, particularly with the workforce’s basic lack of NHL playoff expertise? There’s no questioning Buffalo’s expertise or capability to attain. But the postseason will not present the identical quantity of open ice the Sabres are accustomed to. That can be new to a lot of the roster, and getting the offense rolling early could possibly be a problem. That’s when protection actually comes beneath the microscope. It’ll take a five-man effort from Buffalo to each retain its offensive prowess and never get right into a monitor meet it may’t win. While Dahlin and Power have been glorious this season, Bowen Byram and Mattias Samuelsson should pull their weight too.
Player to look at: Jack Quinn. The Sabres had been affected person with Quinn as he developed slowly after being chosen eighth total within the 2020 draft. This season, Quinn discovered his method, approaching the 20-goal mark and notching career-best numbers in each offensive class. It’s a typical prevalence within the postseason that every workforce’s greatest gamers cancel one another out. That’s the place secondary skaters like Quinn are supposed to thrive. He’s not often called a bodily presence, and the way Quinn reacts to the tighter-checking playoff shifts can be a fast indicator as as to whether he is as much as the duty of being a difference-maker.
Bold prediction: Buffalo blitzes its method by the primary spherical previous Boston and takes a 3-0 collection lead within the second. The Sabres then all of the sudden go chilly and drop 4 straight to be stunningly minimize from the postseason subject one win shy of the convention finals.
Record: 50-26-6, 106 factors
First-round opponent: Canadiens
Case for a Stanley Cup run: Easy. It’s Nikita Kucherov.
Tampa Bay’s potent offense (rating among the many league’s greatest, with 3.52 objectives per sport) has been spearheaded through one other otherworldly efficiency from Kucherov, who had 44 objectives and 130 factors in 76 video games. The Lightning’s capability to overwhelm opponents with their velocity and talent makes them a championship favourite for a purpose.
Beyond that, Tampa Bay is skilled, resilient and unflappable. Its workforce protection is great — giving up the third-fewest objectives within the league — and its penalty kill is third greatest. The Lightning’s goaltending has been spectacular as standard; Andrei Vasilevskiy is second solely to Scott Wedgewood in save proportion (.912) and goals-against common (2.32) amongst goalies who made 40-plus begins. And with Jon Cooper pushing all the fitting buttons behind the bench, it is simple to see how the Lightning can crush the competitors for a 3rd Cup title in six years.
X issue: The Lightning accomplish that a lot so nicely, however their energy play is a notable purple flag. Tampa Bay ranks 14th total (21.1%) with the additional man, however since getting back from the Olympic break, the Lightning are twenty fourth (19.2%). It’s an oddity contemplating all their firepower that they cannot capitalize extra typically on their alternatives. That’s a essential a part of any profitable playoff stint — to which the Lightning can definitely attest. There’s nonetheless time for the Lightning to tinker in order that they’ve two strong items that may each contribute — one thing their second group hasn’t been doing persistently. Kucherov may be the focus, however the Lightning should elevate their urgency.
Player to look at: Corey Perry. If there’s one factor Perry is aware of the right way to do, it is be a part of a workforce that reaches the Cup Final. He has accomplished it in 5 of the previous six seasons — and misplaced every time. Perry was a real difference-maker for Edmonton final yr, accumulating 10 objectives and 14 factors in 22 video games. Not too shabby for a man who was taking part in quarter-hour per sport as a 39-year-old. What can Perry do that time round? He’s been strong since arriving on the commerce deadline — with 5 objectives and eight factors in 19 video games. When the Lightning had been back-to-back champions, it was largely due to their depth. Perry can be a key a part of that this time round.
Bold prediction: Kucherov is goalless within the first spherical and an unsung hero bails the Lightning out to flee one other early exit. Tampa Bay finds its groove and powers its method again to a different Cup Final on the again of Vasilevskiy’s stellar play.
Record: 48-24-10, 33 factors
First-round opponent: Lightning
Case for a Stanley Cup run: Montreal had a traditionally good season offensively, together with captain Nick Suzuki eclipsing the 100-point mark. He was the primary Canadiens participant to try this in 40 years, only one indication of Montreal’s potent assault up entrance. Not to be outdone, Cole Caufield collected over 50 objectives within the common season, and Juraj Slafkovsky tossed in 30 extra.
On the again finish, Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson had been robust contributors on the scoresheet. The Canadiens had been high 10 in league scoring and on the ability play, they usually improved collectively on protection because the season went on.
Jakub Dobes has had stretches of fine success within the crease and continues to look extra assured as a starter. Head coach Martin St. Louis has guided this workforce to a second consecutive playoff look, and this time round Montreal has the expertise to anticipate what’s forward.
X issue: How will the Canadiens modify with out Dobson? Montreal’s second-best defenseman suffered an upper-body damage April 11, and the workforce stated he’d be reevaluated in two weeks. That all however ensures Dobson will miss at the very least a few video games within the first spherical, and there isn’t any telling if the ailment will maintain him out longer.
Montreal instantly recalled David Reinbacher — the fifth total choose in 2023 — from the American Hockey League to make his NHL debut. While Reinbacher did notch some extent in his preliminary outing, he’ll hardly be a substitute for Dobson. Adam Engstrom had been beforehand promoted, however he has performed fewer than 20 NHL video games and is a left-handed shot (though he has logged time on the fitting, the place Dobson’s absence can be felt).
The Canadiens should work collectively surviving this stretch and not using a key skater, and presumably additionally with out blueliner Alexandre Carrier out there (he is been out with an damage however is a chance to begin the playoffs).
Player to look at: Jakub Dobes. It’s a on condition that goaltending is essential to playoff success. But Dobes’ netminding can be beneath elevated scrutiny now that Dobson is out. Montreal has purpose to consider he is as much as the problem. Dobes has been sensational for the reason that Olympic break, with the third-best save proportion (.920) amongst beginning goaltenders in that span. Having Dobes on a sizzling streak heading into the postseason ought to put to relaxation considerations about his playoff efficiency final yr, the place he went 1-2-0 with an .881 SV% and a pair of.91 GAA.
The Canadiens had been a middle-of-the-pack workforce defensively all season, permitting simply over three objectives per sport — and that was with a comparatively wholesome D corps. It will take an elevated effort from everybody to see Montreal previous the opening spherical, and Dobes beginning robust might construct momentum for the Canadiens surging ahead from there.
Bold prediction: Montreal’s offense goes chilly as Suzuki and Caufield battle towards tighter checking. The high pairing of Mike Matheson and Hutson holds the road in entrance of a stellar displaying from Dobes, and the Canadiens escape to the second spherical.
Record: 45-27-10, 100 factors
First-round opponent: Sabres
Case for a Stanley Cup run: Boston needed to present fortitude early this season simply to safe its postseason berth. The Bruins had been a below-average membership earlier than bursting by January with one of many league’s greatest information. Boston has been blessed with glorious goaltending from Jeremy Swayman — with a career-high 30 wins — who factors to his personal current previous of ups and downs as one other instance of how this Bruins workforce has persevered to its present placement.
While Boston is at all times counting on top-end skills like David Pastrnak to ship — and he’ll once more be a focus of the offense on the heels of an excellent common season — it is the Bruins’ second line that has helped them thrive. Led by the emergence of Casey Mittelstadt transferring from heart to wing beside Pavel Zacha, Boston’s high six is noticeably stronger. Charlie McAvoy anchors the again finish, and his capability to contribute offensively can be key for Boston at 5-on-5 and on particular groups.
X issue: Marco Sturm is a rookie NHL head coach heading into his first playoff look. It could be simply as difficult for freshman coaches to get their ft moist within the postseason as for gamers, and Sturm has some robust personnel selections to make.
That begins with how Sturm intends to maximise the Bruins’ scoring depth. They have high-end expertise by these high two strains, however that is hardly ever sufficient to maintain an extended playoff run. Since late February, nearly all of the Bruins’ scoring has come from 4 gamers (Zacha, Viktor Arvidsson, Pastrnak and McAvoy). The Bruins want extra contributors. Morgan Geekie getting again on monitor is useful, and 2025 first-rounder James Hagens getting some taking part in time within the common season was optimistic for his potential influence. It can be a major problem for Boston if its offense is simply too one-dimensional.
Player to look at: Jeremy Swayman. It’s not an exaggeration to say Swayman will make or break the Bruins’ playoff alternative. Swayman has proved his postseason mettle prior to now — he had a .933 SV% in 12 begins within the 2024 playoffs.
This time, there is not a playoff-worthy backup ready to take over if Swayman cannot maintain the road — Joonas Korpisalo had a tricky season supporting Swayman, who carried the lion’s share of the workforce’s workload. Will that spell fatigue for Swayman at this all-important time on the calendar? Or will the added stress and duty deliver out one of the best in him once more and supply Boston with an opportunity to win each sport?
Bold prediction: Boston dials in its defensive effort and finally ends up profitable a collection of one-goal video games. Its scoring stability is restored when accidents pressure Mittelstadt again down the center and he transitions simply into his former function.
Metropolitan Division
Record: 53-22-7, 113 factors
First-round opponent: Senators
Case for a Stanley Cup run: Carolina is aware of all too nicely about falling wanting the promised land. That expertise is (satirically) pivotal to why the Hurricanes are favored (once more) to win the East.
The Hurricanes have a strong offense (ranked second total) fueled by elite skaters like Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Nikolaj Ehlers and Andrei Svechnikov. There is depth to spare in Carolina’s lineup that can give coach Rod Brind’Amour flexibility to make changes on the fly. The Hurricanes are an distinctive puck possession workforce that is going to place constant stress on opponents, and the skilled protection is brimming with shutdown skills too.
Carolina’s goaltending has been a power all season because of Brandon Bussi and Frederik Andersen staying (comparatively) wholesome and acting at a excessive degree. Boasting an influence play and a penalty kill sitting high 10 within the league rounds out all of the methods Carolina can dominate in each part.
X issue: This is Carolina’s second to lastly struggle its method again into the Cup Final. The Canes have every bit in place to try this — however we have seen this story play out unfavorably for them in seasons previous. While Carolina has stated all the fitting issues about leaving the previous prior to now — and the Hurricanes have not appeared too rattled by their heartbreaking defeats — how will this workforce deal with what could possibly be its greatest alternative but to place all of it collectively? Bussi had a terrific common season, however he is nonetheless (technically) a rookie with no NHL playoff expertise. The Hurricanes’ defensive corps is a veteran group however could possibly be worn down if the early-round collection had been to go the space. And if Carolina does make it again to the convention finals, will these demons materialize once more and make the previously unstoppable Hurricanes seem pedestrian? Carolina’s success hinges on not repeating previous errors.
Player to look at: Nikolaj Ehlers. When the Hurricanes have faltered prior to now, it was typically because of dried-up depth scoring. GM Eric Tulsky went after Ehlers within the offseason to protect towards that occuring once more. Regardless of Ehler’s spectacular numbers so far — 25 objectives and 70 factors in 81 video games — it is all for naught if he cannot produce within the postseason. That’s been a problem for Ehlers prior to now with Winnipeg, with final season’s playoffs the one one in his profession when the winger has managed greater than two objectives. He has appeared to suit seamlessly in with the Hurricanes although, possible partly as a result of he would not have to hold the identical offensive load he did with the Jets. Ehlers generally is a true complementary piece, unburdened by additional pressures, and make Carolina harmful when it counts.
Bold prediction: Bussi struggles in web to begin the primary spherical and Andersen replaces him in time to see Carolina advance. Andersen falters within the second spherical and the Hurricanes lose steam, dropping swiftly in a five-game collection.
Record: 41-25-16, 98 factors
First-round opponent: Flyers
Case for a Stanley Cup run: Pittsburgh is the last word sleeper workforce in these playoffs. GM Kyle Dubas began working his magic in June when he employed first-time NHL head coach Dan Muse — an initially head-scratching alternative that is been pitch excellent for the Penguins. Then, when accidents required it, Dubas acquired artistic retooling Pittsburgh’s roster — his December acquisition of Egor Chinakhov was a house run, whereas buying and selling for Elmer Soderblom on the deadline proved a robust transfer, too.
Pittsburgh has its veteran punch up entrance with future Hall of Famers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, whereas Rickard Rakell, Anthony Mantha and Bryan Rust have been overachievers this season. On the again finish, Erik Karlsson stays a viable offensive risk, and Kris Letang has admirably fought by damage to assist Pittsburgh keep within the hunt. Plus, the Penguins have had glorious particular groups — significantly within the second half of the season — once they showcased this membership at its greatest total.
X issue: If there is a query mark in Pittsburgh, it is between the pipes. Will the Penguins get one of the best out of Arturs Silovs and/or Stuart Skinner when neither goaltender was particularly good within the common season? Both Silovs and Skinner recorded sub-.900 save percentages, and whereas Silovs noticed extra motion than Skinner, that does not imply that one participant or the opposite will not be rapidly changed.
Pittsburgh ranked eleventh in objectives towards per sport through the common season (3.10) — probably the most by any Eastern Conference playoff workforce — however tied for thirteenth fewest pictures per sport, suggesting it was the shortage of well timed saves (and never defensive breakdowns) inflicting issues. Silovs hasn’t seen NHL playoff motion since 2024 in Vancouver. Skinner appeared in back-to-back Cup Finals with Edmonton and misplaced each instances.
How Pittsburgh handles its goaltending scenario — from who performs to how he performs to how lengthy a leash he’ll have — can be a deciding consider how lengthy these Penguins keep within the combine.
Player to look at: Sidney Crosby. It’s not as if Crosby might fly beneath the radar if he tried. But that is when the Penguins want their celebrity captain to shine brightest. Since getting back from a lower-body damage sustained on the 2026 Olympics, Crosby has simply two objectives in 12 video games. There’s no query he is aware of the right way to ramp it up within the postseason, so long as his physique cooperates. Pittsburgh arguably has extra depth to help Crosby and the membership’s different high skaters, however there isn’t any denying this workforce will go additional with Crosby on the forefront of its assault.
Bold prediction: Muse has the Penguins taking part in free-flowing hockey that silences the competitors. Pittsburgh’s goaltending is finally an asset, and a big purpose it will get again to the convention finals in true Cinderella trend.
Record: 43-27-12, 98 factors
First-round opponent: Penguins
Case for a Stanley Cup run: Philadelphia was 9 factors out of the East’s second wild-card spot on March 10, nevertheless it went 13-4-1 from there with a league-leading .750 factors proportion to succeed in its first postseason since 2020. The Flyers have momentum, they usually really feel like they’re taking part in with home cash this spring.
Philly’s younger stars have overachieved to take the Flyers farther than anybody anticipated. Porter Martone has transitioned fantastically (in a small, late-season pattern dimension) from the NCAA to the NHL, whereas Matvei Michkov overcame early struggles to be a real standout and Tyson Foerster is a well timed scoring risk. Philadelphia can also be basking in above-average goaltending from veteran Dan Vladar in one of the best season of his NHL profession. The Flyers discovered their stride when it will have been simpler to fold. Confidence needs to be sky-high.
X issue: The Flyers gave up the primary objective in additional video games than virtually some other workforce. That’s tough sufficient to beat within the common season, not to mention within the elevated depth of the postseason. In the 18-game stretch that noticed Philadelphia cost into the playoffs, it surrendered the primary objective solely seven instances — a relative enchancment that has to proceed into this subsequent chapter.
Given the Flyers’ basic lack of postseason expertise as it’s, taking part in catchup towards a veteran squad (like, say, Pittsburgh within the first spherical) will depart them uncomfortably uncovered. And when Philadelphia does open the scoring, its document is great (with 10 wins in 11 occurrences since March 10).
Player to look at: Trevor Zegras. The Flyers made a number of clever strikes to place themselves again in a playoff spot. Trading for Zegras this previous offseason was considered one of them. He has cemented himself in Philadelphia’s high six, with 26 objectives and 67 factors in 81 video games.
Zegras hasn’t been within the playoffs earlier than — the Ducks had been rebuilding all through his tenure there — however that could possibly be one of the best factor for him and the Flyers. Zegras confirmed in the best way he transitioned to Philadelphia that, when alternative knocks, he is able to reply. Zegras can be a focus in fact; the opposition is sure to make him initially uncomfortable. If he can showcase the form of elite playmaking and scoring he brings when at his greatest, then Zegras could possibly be what takes the Flyers from enjoyable first-round ousters to respectable contenders.
Bold prediction: Vladar’s lack of previous playoff reps is uncovered early, and the Flyers cannot counteract with sufficient objective help. Coach Rick Tocchet does his greatest to shuffle the deck and preserve Philadelphia alive, nevertheless it will get swept within the opening spherical.
Record: 44-27-11, 99 factors
First-round opponent: Hurricanes
Case for a Stanley Cup run: Ottawa used a triumphant second half of the season to turn out to be a real playoff risk. The Senators had been one of many league’s greatest defensive groups at even power following the Olympic break, and their 5-on-5 scoring was high 10 too. They soared to boast the third-best document within the league over the common season’s ultimate eight weeks, with a potent energy play and persistently stingy protection.
The Senators can lean on a formidable depth of expertise up entrance, with Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson (each 30-plus objective scorers), Dylan Cozens, Shane Pinto and naturally the at all times harmful Brady Tkachuk. Ottawa goes into this postseason with its eyes large open — the workforce’s expertise within the first spherical final yr towards Toronto gives now what it was lacking then.
X issue: Does Ottawa have playoff-caliber goaltending? It’s a good query, and will determine the workforce’s postseason consequence. Linus Ullmark has, like the remainder of Ottawa, carried out higher currently than he did earlier within the season. But how a lot of Ullmark’s enchancment could be tied to the Senators’ stronger defensive work in entrance of him?
Ullmark has by no means recorded a save proportion above .900 in any of the 4 postseasons during which he has appeared. And if Ullmark does stumble this time round, how will the Senators reply? Can James Reimer take over? Or if Ullmark is damage, might a Reimer-Leevi Merilainen tandem suffice? It’s clearly Ullmark’s web to lose, and if the Senators protection stands tall and Ullmark stays out there, the veteran ought to pull his personal weight making well timed saves. Whether Ullmark can ship on that could be a query Ottawa may have answered early within the playoffs.
Player to look at: Thomas Chabot. It’s mind-blowing to suppose Chabot went from breaking his arm to being again within the Senators’ lineup in simply 17 days. But his return was instrumental in Ottawa clinching its playoff berth. How will Chabot maintain up carrying over 22 minutes per sport in what could possibly be a bodily first-round effort towards a workforce that is aware of he is getting over an damage? Will he be at full power, or will the Senators have to regulate to him being extra tentative?
There are few gamers in Ottawa extra essential to the workforce’s success than Chabot has been yr over yr. It needs to be clear from the outset of the Senators’ push how Chabot is really feeling. Even although he managed to get again on the finish of the common season, every little thing is amplified within the playoffs. He is aware of that, and Ottawa can be a scary workforce if Chabot is not any worse for put on along with his newly healed arm.
Bold prediction: Ottawa falls flat early within the first spherical. The workforce rallies admirably, although, to pressure Game 7 — the place the Senators are ousted in a back-breaking, double-overtime end.
Central Division
Record: 55-16-11, 121 factors
First-round opponent: Kings
Case for a Stanley Cup run: All of the issues that acquired of their method since their final Stanley Cup in 2022 now not seem like considerations. And, the Avalanche possess depth, in that they will depend on all 4 strains, three defensive pairings and both of their goaltenders. The Avs completed first within the NHL in scoring (3.65 objectives per sport) and likewise allowed the fewest objectives per sport (2.43).
At varied factors this season, they’ve not had their full complemented roster — and nonetheless gained. The method they’ve gained whereas keeping off the problem from the Stars and Wild to win the Central Division title provides to the thought this could possibly be the yr for the Avs so as to add one other championship to their earlier Cups in 1996, 2001 and 2022.
X issue: Center depth past Nathan MacKinnon had been an issue in earlier years. Now, it seems that their choices down the center could possibly be their greatest power.
Reacquiring Nazem Kadri on the commerce deadline reunited them with the middle who anchored their second line once they gained the Cup in 2022. He joined fellow commerce acquisition Nicolas Roy, additional including to a bunch that already had a confirmed second-line heart in Brock Nelson together with Jack Drury as additional depth.
Player to look at: Scott Wedgewood. He has been a profession backup who has been a vital a part of what may be the NHL’s strongest tandem within the NHL this season, alongside Mackenzie Blackwood. Wedgewood is a first-time 30-game winner — greater than he has gained prior to now two seasons mixed.
His postseason expertise is restricted to 4 video games — during which he got here in to interchange the starter. If Wedgewood does begin for the Avs, can he parlay what he has accomplished within the common season into postseason success?
Bold prediction: The Avalanche’s energy play, which completed the common season twenty sixth within the NHL, will end within the high 5 amongst Stanley Cup playoff groups.
Record: 50-20-12, 112 factors
First-round opponent: Wild
Case for a Stanley Cup run: Little in regards to the Stars is a thriller at this level. They’ve completed with greater than 100 factors for a fourth consecutive season. They’ve superior to 3 straight Western Conference finals.
Figuring out what they need to do to win the Western Conference and advance to the Stanley Cup Final is the riddle that is ready to be solved. It’s additionally why there’s going to be a lot consideration on Glen Gulutzan.
The former Oilers assistant coach got here again for a second stint in Dallas after the membership moved on from Peter DeBoer final summer season. In Gulutzan’s first season, the Stars maintained the profile of a workforce in a championship window. Now, it is about taking it at the very least one step additional.
X issue: Can Gulutzan discover a Plan B? It’s not that the Stars did not make changes beneath DeBoer as soon as they reached the convention finals. It’s simply that these changes did not at all times work out as deliberate. That was the case final season when the Stars misplaced 4 straight, and scored solely 3 times earlier than dropping to the Oilers in 5 video games within the convention finals final season.
During Gulutzan’s time in Edmonton, the teaching employees discovered methods to make the mandatory changes at any time when it confronted some form of postseason problem towards a Western Conference workforce. Is it doable that he can take what he realized with the Oilers and parlay it into success with the Stars?
Player to look at: Jake Oettinger. Perhaps probably the most defining facet of the Stars’ playoff run final season was seeing Oettinger benched in Game 5 towards the Oilers. It led to DeBoer having to publicly clarify his determination after the collection was over, and the flood of questions that got here with how coach and franchise goaltender might coexist going ahead.
Instead, the Stars fired DeBoer, employed Gulutzan and have seen Oettinger win greater than 30 video games for a fifth straight season — with the thought he’ll hopefully win 16 extra in these playoffs.
Bold prediction: Jason Robertson picks up the place he left off final postseason and grabs at the very least one level in each sport by the primary two rounds.
Record: 46-24-12, 104 factors
First-round opponent: Stars
Case for a Stanley Cup run: Last season, the Wild relied closely on their defensive identification, solely to be ousted within the first spherical towards the Golden Knights. This season, they’ve turn out to be one of many strongest groups within the offensive zone — tied for eleventh in scoring — whereas their goalie tandem of Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt has made them top-of-the-line groups within the league in objective suppression, ending fourth at 2.87 objectives towards per sport.
It’s an strategy that has enabled the Wild to problem two of one of the best groups within the NHL — the Avs and the Stars — within the Central Division. It creates the assumption for the Wild that beating one, if not each, will permit them to mount a critical problem for the franchise’s first Stanley Cup title.
X issue: Their offensive depth. Go again to what they had been a yr in the past. The Wild had been a workforce that relied closely on a choose group to create and/or rating objectives. It’s a part of the rationale why they had been among the many lowest groups by way of objectives scored that certified for the playoffs.
Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov have acquired supplemental assist this season, because the Wild have 9 gamers which have scored 10 or extra objectives in 2025-26. That stability has additionally helped them end with a high 5 power-play unit within the NHL.
Player to look at: Quinn Hughes. Wild basic supervisor Bill Guerin traded fairly a bit to get one of many NHL’s greatest defensemen for moments like this. In Hughes’ time with the Wild, he has averaged greater than some extent per sport.
What he has offered already has made the Wild a extra formidable workforce due to how he can choose groups aside as a facilitator. But what he did on the Olympics for the gold-medal-winning Team USA creates the expectation Hughes could possibly be in retailer for a good greater star flip as soon as the playoffs start.
Bold prediction: If the Wild advance past the primary spherical — for the primary time since 2015 — they’re going to win the Stanley Cup.
Record: 35-27-20, 90 factors
First-round opponent: Avalanche
Case for a Stanley Cup run: The Kings have at all times been conscious of what is at stake in previous postseasons — they gained the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014. But what makes this postseason totally different is that fairly a bit might change as soon as it is throughout.
Longtime captain Anze Kopitar is retiring. That means the Kings will want a brand new captain and top-line heart that may replicate — or come near replicating — what Kopitar did.
And if that is not sufficient, the Western Conference is beginning to see groups that had been as soon as within the cellar start to goal greater — like their in-state rivals in Anaheim and San Jose — whereas others who had been playoff groups in 2025 however missed this yr’s version may have a watch on subsequent yr’s playoffs.
So yeah, the stress is on in L.A., and that may be an excellent factor.
X issue: Did they study from final yr? Taking that 2-0 lead within the first spherical towards the Oilers confirmed that the Kings can pose a critical problem to top-of-the-line groups within the NHL in a playoff atmosphere. However, errors and errors after the 2-0 lead compounded in a method that turned too tough to beat.
Finding a approach to higher navigate what they skilled final yr could possibly be the distinction in reaching the second spherical or having their season finish with one other painful first-round exit.
Player to look at: Artemi Panarin. This is strictly why the Kings made the push to win the Panarin commerce sweepstakes earlier than the Olympic break. He provides them a dynamic ahead who can rating for himself and create for others.
What Panarin offered was already a necessity for the Kings, nevertheless it turned additional amplified as soon as Kevin Fiala sustained a fractured leg on the Olympics. Panarin was averaging greater than some extent per sport upon arriving in L.A., with the assumption that his scoring capability can carry over into one other essential playoff look for the Kings.
Bold prediction: The Olympic model of Joel Armia returns! He averages greater than some extent per sport within the playoffs.
Pacific Division
Record: 39-26-17, 95 factors
First-round opponent: Mammoth
Case for a Stanley Cup run: Challenging because the common season might have been at instances, the Stanley Cup playoffs are literally when the actual evaluation begins for the Golden Knights. That’s why they fired Bruce Cassidy, the coach who guided them to their Stanley Cup title in 2023, and employed the coach they consider can deliver them one other: John Tortorella.
The Knights gained seven of eight contests beneath their new coach, which has created the assumption that the Golden Knights could possibly be taking part in a few of their most constant hockey at crucial time of the yr.
X issue: How Carter Hart has performed since Tortorella’s arrival. No workforce had a decrease save proportion in 5-on-5 play than the Golden Knights this season. But that is what makes Tortorella’s transient regular-season stint intriguing.
Hart completed with a .930 save proportion over his six begins in April. That could possibly be seen as a possible signal of a turnaround, given Hart’s .887 save proportion all through an injury-riddled first marketing campaign total in Vegas.
Player to look at: Mitch Marner. Signing an eight-year deal value $12 million yearly comes with expectations. Especially for a franchise that has been outlined by its capability to win regardless of the price.
In two of Marner’s previous three postseasons, he has averaged both some extent per sport or greater than some extent per sport. Getting that degree of manufacturing — alongside along with his capability to play heavy minutes within the defensive zone — locations him ready to be one of the crucial vital gamers within the Golden Knights’ bid for a second title.
Bold prediction: Vegas may have at the very least one spherical through the playoffs during which it’ll lead the NHL in workforce save proportion.
Record: 41-30-11, 93 factors
First-round opponent: Ducks
Case for a Stanley Cup run: Few of the groups on this yr’s postseason panorama have gone by what the Oilers have skilled.
They’ve fallen into two-game deficits initially of a collection solely to come back again and win. They’ve made quite a few lineup changes which have led to a few of their extra unheralded gamers displaying up in important moments. They’ve even discovered methods to navigate their goaltending points in ways in which allowed them to succeed in consecutive Cup Finals.
And this yr, the Florida Panthers will not be ready for them within the Cup Final.
X issue: It’s their supporting forged. The problem for the Oilers the final two years hasn’t been what they’re going to obtain from Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. It has been what they will obtain from both different members of their core or the remainder of their supporting forged. Especially when members from earlier postseasons like Connor Brown, Evander Kane, Brett Kulak, John Klingberg and Corey Perry, amongst others, are elsewhere.
That supporting forged is much more vital as Draisaitl’s availability stays in query after a regular-season-ending, lower-body injury sustained in March. He has resumed working towards however has not been confirmed to begin the collection for Edmonton.
Player to look at: Connor Ingram. One of the most important points going through the Oilers over the previous two postseasons has been their inconsistencies in web. That’s why they made the choice to commerce Stuart Skinner in change for Tristan Jarry … solely to look at Jarry battle.
Ingram, who was promoted from the AHL, has emerged into the Oilers’ most constant goalie, however he has simply 4 video games of postseason expertise, again in 2022 with the Predators.
Bold prediction: Ingram will get by at the very least one collection with out being changed for efficiency causes.
Record: 43-33-6, 92 factors
First-round opponent: Oilers
Case for a Stanley Cup run: Part of the technique the Ducks have used to construct their roster has centered round insulating their younger gamers with veterans. The purpose for that’s to ascertain a tradition, whereas additionally offering their roster with those that have playoff expertise.
Now that the Ducks are within the postseason? It additional reinforces how the choice to usher in veterans with important playoff résumés like John Carlson, Mikael Granlund, Radko Gudas, Alex Killorn, Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba might as soon as once more profit the franchise.
X issue: Coach Joel Quenneville. This can be his first playoff since he was banned by the NHL in reference to the Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault investigation.
Quenneville’s on-ice accomplishments have made him one of many biggest bench bosses within the historical past of the game. He has gained greater than 1,000 video games, is a three-time Stanley Cup winner with Chicago, and likewise has a title from his time as an assistant with the Avalanche in 1996.
Player to look at: Leo Carlsson. There was some extent this season at which Carlsson was receiving Hart Trophy consideration, earlier than he sustained a left thigh damage in January that compelled him to overlook the Olympics. The 21-year-old has proved he can deal with the calls for of being a trusted two-way, top-line heart within the NHL.
What now stands earlier than him is an opportunity to additional cement his place as somebody who might turn out to be a long-term playoff fixture within the Western Conference.
Bold prediction: John Carlson continues what he did since being traded — and leads all defensemen in factors after the primary spherical.
Record: 43-32-6, 92 factors
First-round opponent: Golden Knights
Case for a Stanley Cup run: Depth is every little thing within the playoffs. Especially for these groups that may rely on quite a few gamers to attain objectives. The Mammoth have used their depth to assist win video games all season.
Utah has six gamers that scored 20 or extra objectives, together with 10 gamers altogether who’ve reached double figures. Couple that with the truth that the Mammoth are among the many high 10 groups within the NHL in fewest pictures allowed and scoring possibilities allowed, and it might make the Mammoth a risk of their first playoff look as a franchise.
X issue: The determination to usher in veterans with Stanley Cup expertise. Every workforce with a younger core has made it some extent so as to add veterans for moments equivalent to this.
Utah has gamers like that in Ian Cole, Nate Schmidt, Mikhail Sergachev, Brandon Tanev and Vitek Vanecek. Four of these 5 have gained Stanley Cups, and Tanev has appeared in 59 postseason video games.
That’s a distinction in contrast with six of the gamers who lead the workforce in factors: Lawson Crouse, Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz have mixed to seem in 21 playoff video games, and Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther and JJ Peterka can be making their playoff debuts this week.
Player to look at: Clayton Keller. So a lot of his progress — and that of the franchise he captains — has been intertwined.
His private progress, which has allowed him to complete with greater than 80 factors in three of the previous 4 seasons, has come because the Mammoth have sought to evolve right into a playoff workforce.
How will it work out for Keller and the Mammoth now that they are each at their desired vacation spot of the playoffs?
Bold prediction: Inexperience can be pushed apart and Dylan Guenther will lead the playoffs in objectives after the primary spherical.
