2026 NHL Postseason 1st Round Preview

Eastern Conference

M1. Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC2. Ottawa Senators

Season Series- The Hurricanes won two out of three against the Senators. They split the games in Ottawa, with the Canes winning, 4-1, in January, while Ottawa won the most recent battle, 6-3, a few weeks ago. The only game in Raleigh was a 4-1 Carolina win in February.

Postseason History- This will be the 1st postseason meeting between these two teams. The Canes are in their eighth straight postseason, trying to reach at least the conference finals for the fourth time during that span. Ottawa is in for the second straight season, losing to Toronto in six games last April.

Prediction- There is a part of me that just wants to say "Carolina in 5" because of my die-hard fandom for the Hurricanes. However, the rational hockey brain in me won't allow that to happen. This is the toughest opening-round opponent the Hurricanes have faced since the 2019 Capitals, when the Canes were the up-and-coming team. Now, the Senators are in that position. They are a fast, hard-checking team, and they'll give the Canes fits the entire series. I do think the Hurricanes will win, but I need to see them show me a little something extra for me to feel confident in their chances moving forward. Hurricanes in 6

M2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs. M3. Philadelphia Flyers

Season Series- The sides split their four meetings this season, though the Penguins owned a 6-4 edge in points, on account of two shootout losses. Both of Pittsburgh's wins were by at least three goals. They also split wins in each city. They last met in early March.

Postseason History- This is the 8th postseason meeting between these franchises. The Flyers own a slight 4-3 advantage. It's the fifth time they've met in the opening round, with each side winning twice. Their last encounter came in 2018, a six-game triumph for Pittsburgh, which is also their last series win.

Prediction- What an unbelievable world we live in for these two teams to be playing in the postseason, let alone against each other. These two were my bottom teams in the Metro at the beginning of the season, so the pie is clearly on my face. This is going to be a very spirited affair between a pair of overachieving teams. The experience edge clearly falls on the Penguins' side, with the trio of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang supplying quite a bit of that. I have to trust in their experience, but this Flyers team is not one to be taken lightly. Penguins in 6

A1. Buffalo Sabres vs. WC1. Boston Bruins 

Season Series- The Bruins won three of four games against the Sabres this season, including a pair of overtime victories. Boston defended home ice by winning both games in Beantown. They split in Buffalo. The Sabres' lone victory was a 4-1 win during their long winning streak in December. 

Postseason History- This is the 9th postseason meeting between the Bruins and the Sabres. Boston has won six of the previous eight. Their last meeting was in 2010, when the division-winning Sabres were upset by the Bruins in six games. 

Prediction- Playoff hockey is back in Buffalo, New York, and it is going to be incredible to see. It'll be must-watch television on Sunday when they get rolling against the Bruins. For as good a story as the Sabres have been this season, their lack of experience is a major reason for pause. The Bruins aren't the deepest team in the world, but they have a few top-end forward lines and some sturdy defensemen to make them serious contenders. The Sabres have been the best team since December, and that momentum hasn't slowed down the slightest bit. It could bode well for them in their return. Sabres in 6

A2. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3. Montreal Canadiens

Season Series- The season series was split between the two teams, with Montreal owning a slight 5-4 points advantage in a shootout loss. Both of Tampa's wins came in December, including a 6-1 drumming in their first game, but Montreal won both games over the final two weeks, including a 4-1 win in Tampa.

Postseason History- This is the 5th postseason meeting between the Bolts and the Habs. The Lightning have won three of the last four, including their most recent during the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. Montreal's lone victory was a four-game sweep in the 1st Round in 2014. 

Prediction- Outside of the Sabres' return to the postseason, this is the series that I'm the most interested in. These two teams are going to kill each other, and I think they're destined to go the distance. The Lightning are a very experienced postseason team, going so far as to bring certain players back throughout the season from those Cup-winning teams. The Canadiens are another up-and-coming squad, led by one of the most exciting lines in the game. I think the depth of the Bolts will be too much for the Canadiens to handle, but this is going to be so much fun to watch. Lightning in 7

Western Conference

C1. Colorado Avalanche vs. WC2. Los Angeles Kings

Season Series- The Avalanche swept the season series against the Kings, outscoring them 13-5 in three games. Colorado scored at least four goals in each win, with two of their victories coming in Los Angeles, including Opening Night.

Postseason History- This is the 3rd postseason meeting between these two sides. The Avalanche have won the previous two encounters, both coming in seven games in 2001 and 2002. Colorado has gone to at least the conference finals in years when they've beaten the Kings in the playoffs.

Prediction- The Kings deserve some props for working their way into the postseason in Anze Kopitar's final season. Their prize is facing the best teams in the league. If you're going to go out, you might as well go out against the best. The Kings have a finishing problem that can't be ignored. Colorado is better on paper in just about every conceivable area. I don't think this will be a particularly close series, which is not how Kopitar should be forced to go out. If there's a series that could threaten to be a sweep, it's this one, but I'll take the respectable way out. Avalanche in 5

C2. Dallas Stars vs. C3. Minnesota Wild

Season Series- They split the season series, with each team winning twice on home ice. The winning team scored five goals in three of the four games. The lone exception was a 2-1 overtime win for Minnesota in mid-March. 

Postseason History- This is the 3rd postseason meeting between the Stars and the Wild. Both previous series were won in six games by the Stars. They were both also in the 1st Round. Their last meeting was in 2023.

Prediction- These two have known for months that they'd be playing each other, with the only real question being who would have home ice. The Stars earned that honor. These teams feel very similar to me. They each have incredible, high-end forwards who drive the scoring, and world-class defensemen on the back end. Dallas will contend with Roope Hintz to begin the series, while Miro Heiskanen could be good to go. I think this series could easily come down to which goalie performs better, and I'm usually partial to Jake Oettinger in those situations. Dallas in 7

P1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1. Utah Mammoth

Season Series- The Mammoth took two of three games from the Golden Knights during the regular season, all of which were decided by at least three goals. Vegas' lone win came in Utah in November, but the Mammoth followed it with a 5-1 win four days later at home and a 4-0 win in Vegas in March.

Postseason History- This is the 1st postseason series between these two teams, which includes the seasons before Utah's relocation. While this is Utah's first postseason appearance, if you include the Coyotes' history, they haven't qualified for the playoffs or won a series since the 2020 Qualifying Round in the bubble.

Prediction- Truthfully, no one deserved to win the Pacific Division this season, and that the top Wild Card team from a different division wasn't far behind the division champs is an indictment on just how rough a year it was. Nevertheless, the Golden Knights emerged "victorious" despite only 39 wins. I've been very high on Utah all season, picking them to finish in the Top 3 during the preseason, and that hasn't changed much throughout the season. If Karel Vejmelka plays like he has this season, and if the Mammoth can slow down the top of Vegas' lineup, we could have an upset on our hands. Mammoth in 7

P2. Edmonton Oilers vs. P3. Anaheim Ducks

Season Series- The division foes only met three times during the regular season, with Edmonton winning both games in Edmonton, while the Ducks won the lone game in Anaheim. The first two meetings were high scoring, with the sides combining for 11 goals.

Postseason History- This is the 3rd postseason meeting between the Oilers and the Ducks. The previous two were split between the two sides. Edmonton beat Anaheim, 4-1, in the conference finals in 2006, and Anaheim beat Edmonton, 4-3, in the 2nd Round in 2017.

Prediction- The Oilers might've come out in a better spot than they could've hoped. They have the "easier" first-round opponent, and if they win this matchup, they will get a Vegas team they know they can beat in the next round, and a battered Central Division team in the conference finals. A third straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final isn't out of the question. However, there's a lot that needs to happen for that to materialize, and I have no reason to count out this Ducks team just yet. I think the Oilers can get through this series, but the rest of that "ideal scenario" might not be so ideal for them. Oilers in 6

Predictions for the Rest

2nd Round

Carolina over Pittsburgh in 5

Tampa Bay over Buffalo in 7

Colorado over Dallas in 7

Edmonton over Vegas in 6

Conference Finals

Carolina over Tampa Bay in 7

Colorado over Edmonton in 6

Stanley Cup Final

Colorado over Carolina in 7