2026 Stanley Cup playoff picks: Every first-round series
ESPN • • general
Key Points:
- The NHL 2025-26 regular season has concluded with 16 teams advancing to the playoffs, and ESPN experts have made predictions for each first-round matchup, Stanley Cup winner, and Conn Smythe Trophy recipient.
- In the Atlantic Division, the Buffalo Sabres are the consensus pick to defeat the Boston Bruins, while the Tampa Bay Lightning are favored over the Montreal Canadiens.
- The Metropolitan Division predictions heavily favor the Carolina Hurricanes over the Ottawa Senators and the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Philadelphia Flyers.
- The Central Division sees unanimous support for the Colorado Avalanche to beat the Los Angeles Kings, with the Minnesota Wild narrowly favored over the Dallas Stars.
- For the Pacific Division, the Vegas Golden Knights are predicted to defeat the Utah Mammoth, and the Edmonton Oilers are favored against the Anaheim Ducks; overall, the Avalanche lead Stanley Cup predictions, while Nathan MacKinnon is the top pick for playoff MVP.
