2026 NHL Playoffs

[TPIR_rules]

My first round & Stanley Cup Final predictions:


Carolina over Ottawa in 6
Boston over Buffalo in 6
Tampa Bay over Montreal in 7
Pittsburgh over Philadelphia in 6
Colorado over Los Angeles in 5
Vegas over Utah in 6
Dallas over Minnesota in 7
Edmonton over Anaheim in 5



Stanley Cup Final:   Carolina over Vegas

[mellongraig]

There will be a new Stanley Cup champion this year after Florida failed to qualify for the postseason. And unlike the NBA where the broadcast rights are nationally exclusive without regional sports networks covering them, first round NHL playoff games still allow regional sports networks to televise their team's games locally. That may change come the 2028-29 NHL season when the US deals are being negotiated for new contracts.

[mellongraig]

We have our first series sweep... Carolina takes Game 4, 4-2 over Ottawa to sweep the series in four games.

[PatrickRox80]

The Flyers couldn't finish off the Penguins in four.

The Avalanche can go for the sweep against the Kings today.

[TPIR_rules]

Second round predictions:


Carolina over Philadelphia in 6
Colorado over Minnesota in 7
Vegas over Anaheim in 6




I'll give my prediction of the other series in a few days.

[mellongraig]

Canada's quest for a Stanley Cup continues for at least another round, as Montreal manages to win Game 7 against Tampa Bay by a score of 2-1 and take the series 4-3.

What a series... all seven games between Montreal and Tampa Bay were decided by a single goal, just the third time in NHL history, and the first since 2015. Four of the seven games were decided in overtime.

Montreal will face Buffalo next... that series will start on Wednesday night in Buffalo.

[TPIR_rules]

My other second round prediction:

Montreal over Buffalo in 6

[ooboh]

The Colorado Avalanche scored as many goals against the Minnesota Wild as the Montreal Canadiens registered shots on goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning, yet both the Avalanche and Canadiens won. Interesting.

[TPIR_rules]

There will be a new Stanley Cup champion this year after Florida failed to qualify for the postseason. And unlike the NBA where the broadcast rights are nationally exclusive without regional sports networks covering them, first round NHL playoff games still allow regional sports networks to televise their team's games locally. That may change come the 2028-29 NHL season when the US deals are being negotiated for new contracts.

It will also be the first time in 7 years that the Stanley Cup Final will not have a Florida team in it.