2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – First Round Predictions
My colleagues and I at Bleacher Report NHL recently made our predictions for the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The following are my selections. You can see the full staff list by following this link.
Feel free to post up your predictions in the comments section below.
COLORADO AVALANCHE VS LOS ANGELES KINGS
Winners of the Presidents’ Trophy, the Avalanche possess plenty of playoff experience. Led by Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas, they possess a potent offense. They have solid goaltending and the NHL’s top defenseman in Cale Makar. These factors give them a significant edge in this series.
The Kings scraped their way into the postseason. They’ll be motivated to give retiring captain Anze Kopitar a strong playoff run. Their offense got a boost with the addition of Artemi Panarin, but it can’t match the powerful Avalanche. They’ll have their hands full trying to shut down the league’s top regular-season team.
Prediction: Avalanche in 5
DALLAS STARS VS MINNESOTA WILD
The Stars have reached the Western Conference Finals in each of the last three years. With a deep roster featuring winger Jason Robertson, center Wyatt Johnston, and defenseman Miro Heiskanen, they are determined to get over the hump this season and win their first Stanley Cup since 1999.
Wild GM Bill Guerin’s acquisition of superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes signaled his intention to force open his club’s Stanley Cup window. They have a strong offense led by Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, and a solid blueline that improved with the addition of the puck-moving Hughes.
Prediction: Wild in 7
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS UTAH MAMMOTH
Despite one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the Vegas Golden Knights clinched first place in the weak Pacific Division. However, they noticeably improved after hiring John Tortorella as interim coach. The Golden Knights have considerable experience, led by stars Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, and Tomas Hertl.
For many of the Mammoth players, this will be their first foray into the NHL playoffs. They’re an exciting young team featuring scoring forwards Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther, and Logan Cooley. The Mammoth have also had steady goaltending all season from Karel Vejmelka, which could make the difference.
Prediction: Mammoth in 6
EDMONTON OILERS VS ANAHEIM DUCKS
The Oilers were plagued by questionable goaltending and a shaky defense throughout this season. However, they have the experience of back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, and the powerful offensive punch of superstar Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who is returning from a knee injury.
Meanwhile, the Ducks are returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2018. This is an exciting young team led by Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier. They also possess the veteran experience of Jacob Trouba, Chris Kreider, and John Carlson, but it might not be enough to contain the battle-tested Oilers.
Prediction: Oilers in 6
CAROLINA HURRICANES VS OTTAWA SENATORS
The Hurricanes are a talented and experienced club that finished first in the Eastern Conference. Their goaltending is a question mark, but that should be offset by an otherwise deep roster featuring forwards Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, and defenseman Jaccob Slavin.
Meanwhile, the Senators have a good mix of scoring and defensive grit up front with Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, and Shane Pinto, while Jake Sanderson is an emerging all-star defenseman. However, they have their own goalie issues and lack sufficient depth to contain the Hurricanes.
Prediction: Hurricanes in 5
BUFFALO SABRES VS BOSTON BRUINS
The Sabres ended a league-record 14-year playoff drought this season. This will be the first postseason for many of them, including stars Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin. They have a good mix of veterans and young talent, and will be determined to prove themselves as a strong playoff club.
Meanwhile, the Bruins are back in the postseason after missing the cut last year. Led by winger David Pastrnak, defenseman Charlie McAvoy, and goaltender Jeremy Swayman, they have the postseason experience, but they might not have sufficient depth to contain the Sabres’ offense.
Prediction: Sabres in 6
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VS MONTREAL CANADIENS
The Lightning possess considerable veteran depth and postseason experience, led by goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and forwards Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point. They will attempt to use that to their advantage in this series, though the absence of veteran defenseman Victor Hedman will be felt.
Meanwhile, the up-and-coming Canadiens have plenty of speed and skill in Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky, while Lane Hutson is among the league’s best young defensemen. Their overall defensive game needs work, but they’re a hungry young club out to make their mark.
Prediction: Canadiens in 6
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS VS PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Back in the playoffs after a three-year absence, the Penguins have retooled with younger talent. However, they are still led by aging stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and apart from Erik Karlsson, there is reason for concern about their defensive depth.
The rebuilding Flyers exceeded expectations by squeaking into the playoffs. They possess a promising mix of veterans such as Travis Konecny, Trevor Zegras, and Owen Tippett, and youngsters like Matvei Michkov and Porter Martone. They have nothing to lose, which could make them dangerous.
Prediction: Flyers in 6
Hmmm. In the 4 game season series, Ottawa and Carolina each won 2, with the Senators edging the Hurricanes 17-16 in goals scored.
In overall stats the Hurricanes hold a slight edge in both goals scored (296 to 278) and goals against (240 to 246) … but those are negligible differences over 82 games.
In their defensive structure, the Senators are ranked among the best in the league at preventing shots, sitting 2nd in the NHL in shots allowed per game. They also rank second in the NHL in 5-on-5 expected goal suppression, allowing only 2.32 per 60 minutes, and since late January, Ottawa goalies have led the NHL with a 2.08 GAA.
And the best they can do, in your opinion, is 1 win before going off to the golf courses?
They’re the Rodney Dangerfield of the NHL I tell ya … can’t get no respect … no respect at all.
Hey George, the Sens definitely have a chance but in order to be successful, a lot will depend on ability to score and the elephant in the room, Ullmark. Having said that, I wonder if both those two things might be better this year, after letting them down last year. It’s definitely going to be a good series but as much as I hate saying this, the (always over rated) Canes might be the ones who is likely be the ones going through.
Buy a hat like that bet it comes with a free bowl of soup! Looks good on you though.
Had our draft last night
1- Kuuuuch
2- Nate
3- McDavid
I picked 9th took Vaaaassss
And Point on way back up.
Goalies worth a lot
I agree with most of this list with 2 exceptions, Dallas vs Minnesota and Carolina vs Ottawa.
I lean to Minnesota in this series as a stronger all around at every position, Dallas will go as far as Oettinger can take them and he isn’t the same goalie he was 2-3 years ago.
Minnesota in 6
I think Ottawa is the one team Carolina didn’t want to see in the 1st round. The Sens have the style that Carolina doesn’t match well with.
Carolina’s man on man D which stifles teams breaks down with Sens crash the net philosophy.
Ottawa in 5
Hoping for a Carolina sweep so we can fire up the Brady rumor machine. Wouldn’t expect Lyle to go against Habs but, don’t see them beating Tampa. Pitt over Philly. Buffalo over Boston. Out west: Colorado, Dallas, Vegas and big upset- Ducks knock out Oilers.
LOL. Like a dog with a bone when it comes to Tkachuk, eh Slick62?
A Carolina sweep would certainly fire that up … but while I don’t engage in “predictions” (I adhere to Toe Blake’s philosophy that predictions are for Gypsies), I will say that I believe Ottawa will win “more than 1 game.”
My pics rd1
Avs, oil, Utah, Dallas
Sens, bruins, bolts, Pittsburgh
Both Sens and Bruins will need great goaltending to advance
Not sure about “great” Mrbruin4. Everything I’ve read from the most credible pundits suggest that if both Boston and Ottawa get even “decent” goaltending, they can advance.
We’ll start to find out where Ottawa is concerned in about 3 hours.
Since most are throwing their hat in the ring so will I
Sens vs Canes – Sens in 6
Pitt vs Phi – Pitt in 7
Sabres vs Bruins – Bruins in 6
Tampa vs Montreal – Tampa in 7(Hedman returns)
Oilers vs Ducks – Oilers in 5
Dallas vs Wild – Dallas in 7
Vegas vs Utah – Vegas in 6
Avs vs LA – Avs in 5
There’s going to be a few good series this year and a couple no brainers…like will anyone pick the kings to get by? Didnt they only win 35 wins in 82 games… I think that’s like one win in 2.3 games…they’ll need more than seven to win 4 whereas the Avs win every 1.5 games…they’ll can do it in 6 easily.
Knights makes sense to get by based on past/experience same can be said for the Oilers…Two fairly easy wins. Stars and Wild will be a great series and I think momentum will carry the Wild past the Stars probably.
The same can be said about the east too. If the Sabers can solve Swayman, they should get by, regardless of the inexperience they have. It’s going to be tough for both teams.
Pens and Flyers will be fun to watch too. Experience vs speed, youth and hunger. Skinner did bring his team to back to back cup finals…a tough call and either one can win this but maybe pens have the advantage.
Lastly, (since I already noted on the Sens/canes above) the Habs. Good up and coming young team. The Bolts are always out of it, done, past their prime, lost players, etc but somehow still a top team. I think experience and coaching/systems will make the difference. I think there shouldn’t be any shame to losing to them as it will expose parts of your team to make them even better in the future. I’m hoping for a long hard fought series…the young lions fighting the old guard.
I agree with most of those except Buff /Boston Stars/Minn and Ottawa has a chance of that’s right taking out the Canes the Avs this years Stanley Cup winner will take out La in four.. I think Boston will wear The Sabres down. Bos in 7, Stars in 7. Brady is one guy I would take on the bruins almost no matter what the cost, he’s a born winner and plays like true bruin.
Interesting, I agree with buffalo in 6. Pittsburgh in 7. But I am always wrong with both Pittsburgh and Boston. So, who knows? I could see the flyers possibly stealing that series. Utah over vegas might be a surprise but I will take Vegas in 7. Minnesota and Dallas is a toss up. Dallas in 7. Avalanche in 5 I agree. Carolina in 6. Edmonton in 7. TB in 7.
I think Ottawa and Montreal are better than I think but I have to go with experience of Carolina and TB. Difficult to pick. Could be wrong on many. Great hockey though!!!