HockeyWiz Intelligence
2026 Stanley Cup
Playoffs
Playoffs
First Round · 16 Teams · Best-of-Seven · Live NHL Stats
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Playoff Scores
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② 2025–26 Postseason Player LeadersLive · NHL Playoffs
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③ Eastern Conference — First Round8 Teams
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Eastern Conference
Atlantic · Metropolitan · 2 Wild Cards
Eastern Conference
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④ Western Conference — First Round8 Teams
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Western Conference
Central · Pacific · 2 Wild Cards
Western Conference
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⑤ All 16 Playoff Teams — Seeds & RecordsBoth Conferences
Eastern Conference
8 Teams
| Seed | Team | Pts | Record | Matchup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 |  Hurricanes | 113 | 53-22-7 | vs OTT |
| M2 |  Penguins | 98 | 41-25-16 | vs PHI |
| M3 |  Flyers | 98 | 43-27-12 | vs PIT |
| A1 |  Sabres | 109 | 50-23-9 | vs BOS |
| A2 |  Lightning | 106 | 50-26-6 | vs MTL |
| A3 |  Canadiens | 106 | 48-24-10 | vs TBL |
| WC1 |  Bruins | 100 | 45-27-10 | vs BUF |
| WC2 |  Senators | 99 | 44-27-11 | vs CAR |
Western Conference
8 Teams
| Seed | Team | Pts | Record | Matchup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 |  Avalanche | 121 | 55-16-11 | vs LAK |
| C2 |  Stars | 112 | — | vs MIN |
| C3 |  Wild | 104 | — | vs DAL |
| P1 |  Golden Knights | 95 | — | vs UTA |
| P2 |  Oilers | 93 | — | vs ANA |
| P3 |  Ducks | 92 | — | vs EDM |
| WC1 |  Mammoth | 92 | — | vs VGK |
| WC2 |  Kings | 90 | 35-27-20 | vs COL |
⑥ Top Storylines2026 Playoffs
🦬
Buffalo's Historic Return
The Sabres end a 14-year NHL-record drought. Not only did they qualify — they won the Atlantic Division with 109 pts. T. Thompson (40G, 41A) and Dahlin lead a team playing playoff hockey for the first time since 2011.
🏔️
Utah's Franchise First
The Utah Mammoth make their first-ever playoff appearance in just their 2nd NHL season. They host Game 3 at Delta Center on Apr 24 — the first Stanley Cup playoff game ever played in the state of Utah.
🦁
McDavid's Cup Quest
McDavid won his 6th Art Ross (138 pts, 90A). He has lost back-to-back Finals. Draisaitl is day-to-day. With Anaheim in R1, Edmonton has a clear path — if the goaltending holds.
🎸
Battle of Pennsylvania
PIT vs PHI for the 8th time in playoffs. PHI stole G1, 3–2, with 19-year-old Porter Martone netting the OT winner. Crosby and the Pens need to respond in Game 2 on Monday.
🔋
Avs' Presidents' Burden
Colorado won the Presidents' Trophy at 121 pts. MacKinnon led the NHL with 53 goals. But PT winners have a mixed Cup record. The Avs haven't won since 2022 and face a tough Western bracket.
⚡
Panthers Dynasty Ends
Back-to-back champion Florida Panthers failed to qualify for the first time since 2019 — first defending champ out since the 2014-15 Kings. A brand-new name goes on the Cup in June 2026.
⑦ Stanley Cup Odds & FavoritesPre-Round 1
Western Favorites
BetMGM
1
Colorado Avalanche
MacKinnon 53G · 121 pts · Presidents' Trophy
2
Edmonton Oilers
McDavid 138 pts · 2× Finals loser · Revenge tour
3
Dallas Stars
Rantanen · 112 pts · Lost G1 to MIN
4
Vegas Golden Knights
Eichel 90 pts · Hart 6-0-0 · Tortorella era
Eastern Favorites
BetMGM
1
Carolina Hurricanes
113 pts · 8th straight PO · Andersen G1 shutout
2
Tampa Bay Lightning
Kucherov 130 pts · Vasilevskiy · Guentzel
3
Buffalo Sabres
14-yr drought done · T.Thompson 81 pts
4
Montréal Canadiens
Suzuki 101 pts · Caufield · Hutson 78 pts (D)
⑧ Awards Watch · Heading Into Playoffs2025-26
Hart Trophy · MVP
Nikita Kucherov
130 pts (44G, 86A) · Hart ballot leader
Art Ross · Points Title
Connor McDavid
138 pts · 48G, 90A · 6th career Art Ross
Calder · Rookie of Year
Macklin Celebrini
SJS · Impressive debut · Calder frontrunner
Conn Smythe · Playoff MVP
Nathan MacKinnon (proj.)
53G leads NHL · COL heavy Cup favourite
⑨ Droughts Ended · Historic Firsts2025-26
Drought Breakers & Historic Returns
2026
Buffalo Sabres
First playoffs since 2011 · Won Atlantic Division · NHL-record 14-year drought
Anaheim Ducks
First playoffs since 2018 · 8-year drought over
Philadelphia Flyers
First playoffs since 2020 · Won G1 vs PIT on Martone OT winner
Utah Mammoth
First-EVER playoff appearance · 2nd season · Host first playoff game in Utah Apr 24
Toronto Maple Leafs
Missed playoffs for first time since 2015-16 · Auston Matthews future uncertain
Florida Panthers
Back-to-back champs failed to qualify · First defending champ out since 2014-15 Kings
⑩ Postseason Road Map4 Rounds
R1
First Round
16 teams · 8 series
Best of 7 · 2-2-1-1-1
Apr 18 – May 3
Best of 7 · 2-2-1-1-1
Apr 18 – May 3
R2
Second Round
8 teams · 4 series
Best of 7
Begins May 6
Best of 7
Begins May 6
CF
Conference Finals
4 teams · 2 series
Best of 7
Begins May 22
Best of 7
Begins May 22
SCF
Stanley Cup Final
2 teams · E vs W
Best of 7
No later than Jun 21
Best of 7
No later than Jun 21