Table of Contents
The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here with 16 teams vying to capture Lord Stanley’s Cup. With the Florida Panthers not qualifying for postseason play, we won’t see a three-peat. Plus, with the Toronto Maple Leafs missing out, their Stanley Cup drought will extend to at least 59 years. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres and Anaheim Ducks broke extended playoff droughts, and the Utah Mammoth qualified for the postseason for the first time since moving to Utah. Who will capture hockey’s ultimate prize?
Join The Hockey Writers as we preview the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and check back in for previews of Round 2, the conference finals, and the Stanley Cup Final.
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule & Bracket
- 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule (updated as games are scheduled)
- 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Articles
- What’s Really Going On With NHL Officiating in the 2026 Playoffs
- THW’s Guide to the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
- 5 Most Interesting Potential Stanley Cup Final Matchups
- 3 Sleeper Teams to Watch in the Stanley Cup Playoffs
Eastern Conference
Buffalo Sabres vs. Boston Bruins (Preview Show)
- 3 Takeaways From the Sabres’ 4-1 Game 6 Win Over the Bruins
- Bruins Need Someone to Step Up in Order to Win Game 6
- 3 Keys to the Sabres Winning Their Series Versus the Bruins
- Bruins Benching James Hagens Was a Mistake
- 3 Takeaways From the Sabres’ 2-1 Game 5 Loss to the Bruins
- Sabres Starting Alex Lyon Has Swung Playoff Series
- 3 Takeaways From the Sabres’ 6-1 Game 4 Win Over the Bruins
- Sabres’ Playoff X-Factor Nobody Is Talking About
- Sabres’ Power Play Struggles Will Limit Playoff Potential
- 3 Takeaways From the Sabres’ 3-1 Game 3 Win Over the Bruins
- Experiencing the Sabres’ First Playoff Game in 14 Seasons Was Incredible
- Retaining Arvidsson Was the Bruins’ Best Deadline Move
- 3 Takeaways From the Sabres’ 4-2 Game 2 Loss to the Bruins
- Sabres’ Tage Thompson Has Taken His Game to a New Level
- 3 Takeaways From the Sabres’ 4-3 Game 1 Win Over the Bruins
- Sabres’ Expectations for the 2026 Playoffs
- 3 Aspects the Sabres Need to Clean up in the Playoffs
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Montreal Canadiens (Preview Show)
- Canadiens Set Dubious Records in Series Win Over Lightning
- 3 Keys for the Canadiens to Win Game 7
- 3 Reasons the Canadiens Can Beat the Lightning in Game 7
- Canadiens’ Third Line Has Been Their Secret Weapon in the 2026 Playoffs
- Canadiens Will Face a Tough Blue Line Decision When Dobson Returns
- 5 Canadiens Who Need to Step Up Against Lightning
- Brandon Hagel Is Leading the Way for the Lightning Through the First 3 Games
- Dach’s Redemption Arc Remains Incomplete Despite Game 3 Heroics for Canadiens
- Canadiens’ Special Teams Giving Them an Edge for Now
- Canadiens’ Martin St. Louis Is Proving He’s Among the NHL’s Best Coaches
- 3 Takeaways From Lightning’s Game 2 Overtime Win Over Canadiens
- Canadiens Haven’t Forgotten Kucherov’s 2021 Remark Ahead of Playoff Rematch
- How the Canadiens Flipped the Script on the Lightning in Game 1
- Takeaways From Lightning’s Game 1 Loss vs. the Canadiens
- Canadiens’ Slafkovsky Wins Game 1 with Record-Tying Hat Trick
- Slafkovský’s Breakout Moment Arrives for the Canadiens
- Canadiens’ Likeliest Unlikely Heroes Ahead of 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
- Lightning vs Canadiens: Tampa Bay’s Path to a First-Round Victory
- Canadiens and Lightning Series Comes Down to 5 Factors
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Ottawa Senators (Preview Show)
- Hurricanes’ Penalty Kill Dominated the Senators’ Power Play
- Hurricanes’ Second Line Played Key Role in Sweep of Senators
- Carolina Hurricanes’ 3 Stars of Round 1
- Grading Every Ottawa Senators’ 2026 Playoff Performance After First-Round Exit
- 3 Takeaways Following Hurricanes’ 4-2 Win to Sweep the Senators
- On the Verge Being Swept, the Senators Must Turn to Carter Yakemchuk
- 3 Takeaways From Hurricanes’ 3-0 Series Stranglehold After 2-1 Win
- Down 2-0, the Senators’ Offensive Game Plan Has Not Worked
- Hurricanes’ Depth Has Been Key to Taking Series Lead
- Senators Series Deficit Is on Brady Tkachuk
- Hurricanes’ Jordan Martinook Finds a Way to Become Clutch at Opportune Times
- 3 Takeaways From Hurricanes’ 3-2 Double Overtime Win Over Senators
- 5 Takeaways From Senators’ 3-2 Double OT Loss to Hurricanes in Game 2
- Senators Have 3 Viable Options For Filling Artem Zub’s Spot
- 3 Takeaways From Hurricanes’ 2-0 Shutout Win Over Senators
- Senators’ Defence Is Key to Beating the Hurricanes
- What the Ottawa Senators Need From Brady Tkachuk in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
- Hurricanes Playoff Preview: First Postseason Meeting Against Senators in Round 1
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers (Preview Show)
- 3 Most Disappointing Penguins in First Round Loss to Flyers
- 3 Takeaways From Flyers’ Series-Clinching Game 6 Win vs. Penguins
- Penguins’ Bottom Six Is Key to Playoff Comeback
- Penguins Still Have Improvements to Make to Complete Comeback Against Flyers
- 3 Takeaways From the Penguins’ Game 5 Win vs. Flyers
- 3 Takeaways From Flyers’ Nerving Game 5 Loss vs. Penguins
- Flyers’ Matvei Michkov Discourse Is Getting Out of Hand Again
- 3 Takeaways From Flyers’ Game 4 Loss vs. Penguins
- Penguins Getting Swept Will Undo Goodwill of Regular Season
- 3 Takeaways From Flyers’ Electrifying Game 3 Win vs. Penguins
- Flyers’ Porter Martone Is Nearing a Playoff Milestone
- 4 Takeaways From the Penguins’ 3-0 Game 2 Loss Against the Flyers
- Penguins’ Lackadaisical Play Will Get Them Eliminated
- 4 Takeaways From Flyers’ Game 2 Win vs. Penguins
- 3 Takeaways from Flyers’ 3–2 Game 1 Win vs. Penguins
- Penguins & Flyers Set to Renew Rivalry in 2026 Playoffs
- Flyers’ Matvei Michkov Is One of the NHL’s Hottest Players Entering Postseason
- 3 Keys to Flyers Success in 1st-Round Series vs. Penguins
- 3 Things to Watch as Flyers Return to the Playoffs
Western Conference
Colorado Avalanche vs. Los Angeles Kings (Preview Show)
- Analyzing Brandt Clarke’s 2026 Playoff Performance for the Kings
- Avalanche’s Landeskog Looks Revitalized Early in Playoff Run
- 3 Takeaways From the Avalanche’s 5-1 Game 4 Win Over the Kings
- What a Fifth Consecutive First-Round Exit Would Mean for the Kings
- 3 Takeaways From the Avalanche’s 4-2 Game 3 Win Over the Kings
- Kings Continue to Struggle Offensively; Allow Avalanche to Take 3-0 Series Lead
- 3 Takeaways From the Avalanche’s 2-1 Game 2 Win Over the Kings
- Avalanche Prove Versatility Is Its Most Dangerous Asset
- Kings Takeaways: Hang With Avalanche in Game 1, Lose 2-1
- 3 Takeaways From the Avalanche’s 2-1 Game 1 Win Over the Kings
- Avalanche Have All the Pieces to Win the Cup This Season
Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild (Preview Show)
- 3 Takeaways From Stars’ Disappointing Game 6 Loss to Wild
- 3 Takeaways From the Wild’s 5-2 Win in Game 6 Over the Stars
- Minnesota Wild Gameday Playoff Preview: Game 6 vs. the Stars
- 3 Keys to Stars Survival in Game 6 vs. Wild
- 3 Takeaways From Stars’ 4-2 Game 5 Loss
- 3 Takeaways From the Wild’s 4-2 Win Over the Stars in Game 5
- Stars Need to Find More 5-on-5 Offense to Advance Past the Wild
- Minnesota Wild Gameday Playoff Preview: Game 5 vs. the Stars
- Stars’ Game 4 Loss to the Wild Was a Real Missed Opportunity
- 3 Takeaways From the Wild’s 3-2 Overtime Win Over the Stars in Game 4
- Minnesota Wild Gameday Playoff Preview: Game 4 vs. the Stars
- The Minnesota Wild Have Found a Weakness in Jake Oettinger
- Stars’ Special Teams Help Secure Crucial Game 3 Double OT Win vs. Wild
- 3 Takeaways From the Wild’s 2OT Loss to the Stars in Game 3
- Wild Fans Have More Reasons to Hope for Postseason Success
- 3 Takeaways From Stars’ 4-2 Game 2 Win Over Wild
- 3 Takeaways From the Wild’s 4-2 Loss to the Stars in Game 2
- Stars Need Top Players to Show Up in Pivotal Game 2 vs. Wild
- 3 Takeaways From Stars’ Stunning 6-1 Loss in Game 1 vs. Wild
- 3 Takeaways From the Wild’s Game 1 Victory Over the Stars
- Wild Have Solid Lineup Against the Stars But Have Options If Needed
- Dallas Stars Round 1 Preview: Series vs. Wild Is as Even as It Gets
- 5 Wild Players to Watch vs. the Stars in Round 1
- The Wild Have Changed a Lot From Last Playoff Series vs. Stars
- Wild Can Handle Not Having Home Ice Against the Stars
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Utah Mammoth (Preview Show)
- 3 Reasons the Mammoth Lost in Round 1
- 3 Reasons the Golden Knights Eliminated the Mammoth
- 3 Takeaways From Mammoth’s 5-1 Game 6 Loss to Golden Knights
- Golden Knights Gameday Playoff Preview: Game 6 at the Mammoth
- 3 Takeaways From Mammoth’s 5-4 Double Overtime Game 5 Loss to the Golden Knights
- Lawson Crouse’s Patience and Leadership During Mammoth’s Rebuild Paying off in Playoffs
- Golden Knights’ Gameday Playoff Preview: Game 5 vs. the Mammoth
- Meet the “Speed Line”: The Mammoth’s Most Dangerous Trio in the Playoffs
- 3 Takeaways From Mammoth’s 5-4 Overtime Game 4 Loss to the Golden Knights
- 3 Takeaways From Mammoth’s 4-2 Game 3 Win Over the Golden Knights
- Liam O’Brien Could Be Unlikely Hero for Mammoth in Playoffs
- Golden Knights’ Gameday Playoff Preview: Game 3 vs. the Mammoth
- 3 Takeaways From Mammoth’s 3-2 Game 2 Win Over the Golden Knights
- Golden Knights Gameday Playoff Preview: Game 2 vs. the Mammoth
- Mammoth’s Logan Cooley Has Become Public Enemy #1 in Vegas
- 3 Takeaways From Mammoth’s 4-2 Game 1 Loss to the Golden Knights
- Mammoth Playoff Preview: Knights Await First Time Playoff Team in Round 1
- Golden Knights Gameday Playoff Preview: Game 1 vs. the Mammoth
- Utah Mammoth Players Share Thoughts on Clinching Franchise’s First Playoff Berth
Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks (Preview Show)
- Oilers Coach Reveals Connor McDavid Played With Ankle Injury in Playoffs
- 4 Reasons the Oilers Fell Apart in the 2026 Playoffs
- 4 Most Disappointing Oilers From the 2026 Playoffs
- Oilers’ 3 Stars of the Playoffs
- 5 Takeaways From Oilers’ Season-Ending 5-2 Loss to Ducks in Game 6
- 5 Keys to Oilers Defeating Ducks in Game 6
- Despite Bad Night, Ducks Need to Continue to Start Lukas Dostal
- Former NHL Goalie Questions Compete Level of Oilers’ Tristan Jarry
- 3 Takeaways From Oilers’ Massive Game 5 Victory Over the Ducks
- Oilers’ Misery Continues as McDavid Refuses to Comment on His Health
- 3 Keys to the Oilers Defeating the Ducks in Game 5
- Oilers Could Benefit From a First-Round Exit
- 4 Takeaways From Oilers’ 4-3 Overtime Loss to Ducks in Game 4
- Oilers’ Curtis Lazar Could Be a Surprise X-Factor
- Viel Taunting Oilers Bench Could Wind Up Being a Massive Mistake
- Oilers Need to Consider Starting Jarry Over Ingram in Game 4
- How Ducks’ Tim Washe Has Shut Down Connor McDavid Through 3 Games
- Connor McDavid Hasn’t Been Himself vs the Ducks
- 4 Takeaways From Oilers’ Embarrassing 7-4 Game 3 Loss to Ducks
- 3 Bruins Who Need to Be Difference-Makers to Come Back Against the Sabres
- Chris Kreider Is the Key to a Deep Ducks Playoff Run
- 3 Keys to the Oilers Beating the Ducks in Game 3
- Oilers Need to Get Back to a Defence-First Mindset
- Oilers’ Best Players Need to Step Up in Series Against the Ducks
- 3 Takeaways From Oilers’ Game 2 Loss to the Ducks
- 3 Keys to an Oilers Game 2 Victory vs Ducks
- Oilers Got the Jake Walman They Expected in Game 1
- Oilers’ Henrique Will Miss Game 2 Against Ducks With Injury
- 4 Takeaways From Oilers’ Game 1 Victory Over Ducks
- Oilers Allow Significantly Fewer Goals When Leon Draisaitl Isn’t in Lineup
- Breaking Down How the Oilers Stack Up Against the Ducks
- Oilers’ Draisaitl & Dickinson Could be in Lineup For Game 1 Against Ducks
- 3 Ducks to Watch in the First Round of 2026 Playoffs
- 5 Unforgettable Playoff Games Between the Oilers and Ducks
- Pressure Is on Connor Ingram to Come Through for the Oilers
- 2 Local Kids Could Have Major Impact on Oilers’ Playoff Run
- 4 X-Factors for the Oilers in Their First-Round Series Against the Ducks
- Josh Samanski Could Play a Crucial Role for the Oilers in the Playoffs
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Predictions
- 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Predictions
- Raz’s Series Predictions: 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Round 1 (Western Conference)
- Raz’s Series Predictions: 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Round 1 (Eastern Conference)
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