The 2025–26 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on Saturday, so let’s dive into some thoughts and predictions on all eight opening-round series!
#1. Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1. Boston Bruins
The Buffalo Sabres’ 14-year playoff drought is finally over, and they draw a first-round matchup with the Boston Bruins. Avoiding Tampa Bay and Montreal in Round 1 is massive for Buffalo, though Boston won’t be a pushover by any means.
Pastrnak, McAvoy, and Swayman form a dangerous trio in the postseason. That said, this Sabres team is no joke either, so this should be a back-and-forth series. Ultimately, I’ve got Buffalo narrowly edging out Boston in seven games.
Verdict: Sabres in 7
#2. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. #3. Montreal Canadiens
This could be the best series of the first round. Having one of these teams eliminated this early feels wrong, but it just means we’re in for an absolute battle between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens.
Superstar talent, grit, and animosity on both sides set up a long, entertaining, and grueling series. I think this one goes the distance, but Tampa Bay prevails thanks to home-ice advantage and the edge in net with Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Verdict: Lightning in 7
#1. Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2. Ottawa Senators
It’s become one of the more trendy upset picks around the hockey world, and I’m rolling with it, taking the Ottawa Senators over the Carolina Hurricanes.
Carolina is deep and an absolute pain to play against, but Ottawa is just as stingy, and if Linus Ullmark plays to his capabilities, the Senators have a major edge in goal regardless of who the Canes throw in net. Give me the upset.
Verdict: Senators in 6
#2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #3 Philadelphia Flyers
The Battle of Pennsylvania is back just when nobody would have ever imagined it. As if Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs wasn’t enough, they also get to face their bitter rivals from Philadelphia.
Many appear to be leaning toward the Penguins in this series, and while the Flyers can’t be overlooked, the experience and top-end talent in Pittsburgh should prevail. It’s hard to imagine Crosby and Malkin going out in the first round in their return to the postseason.
Verdict: Penguins in 6
#1. Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2. Los Angeles Kings
As Daryl Sutter once said, it’s going to be a waste of eight days for whichever team lands the final wildcard spot to face the Colorado Avalanche, and this postseason, that’s unfortunately the Los Angeles Kings.
LA has been a nice story getting back to the playoffs thanks to a late-season run, but this will just be too tall a task—especially without Kevin Fiala. We’ll give them a game out of respect, but expect a short series where MacKinnon, Makar, and company put up big numbers.
Verdict: Avalanche in 5
#2. Dallas Stars vs. #3. Minnesota Wild
As always, the 2-3 matchup in the Central Division will see one of the NHL’s best teams head home far too early. The Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild have been on a collision course for a first-round matchup all season long, and here we are.
Both teams are star-studded and deep, but even with Quinn Hughes now in the mix, I still need to see Minnesota do it to believe it. For that reason, I lean toward Dallas, with their playoff pedigree and experience up and down the lineup, taking them over the top in a hard-fought, physical series.
Verdict: Stars in 6
#1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1. Utah Mammoth
This could be a sneaky great series out West between the Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Mammoth. Vegas had a relatively rough year but has been red hot under new HC John Tortorella, while Utah has been consistently solid throughout.
The Mammoth have some dangerous high-end talent that will give the Golden Knights fits, but in the end, Vegas’ championship pedigree helps them squeak by in a seventh and deciding game at the Fortress.
Verdict: Golden Knights in 7
#2. Edmonton Oilers vs. #3 Anaheim Ducks
Hey, at least we don’t get Year 5 of Kings–Oilers! A last-minute goal from Troy Terry on Thursday secured that Edmonton will take on some fresh blood in the Anaheim Ducks in Round 1.
Anaheim has been a great story getting back to the postseason with their young core for the first time since 2017–18. That said, Connor McDavid and the Oilers will be too much to handle, whether Leon Draisaitl plays or not.
Verdict: Oilers in 6
Next: Baseball Is Back! Our Top 10 MLB Players Heading Into 2026
Leave a Reply