These are my very quick predictions for the 1st round of the 2026 NHL Playoffs. I won't make a new thread for round 2 but I'm just starting here for now.

Colorado vs LA - this one is over in 5. LA will get 1 win but Colorado is too good.

Dallas vs Minnesota - this one will probably go to 7. Both teams are too good to have one out in the first round but that's how they've set up the format in recent years. My money is on Dallas but I could see it going either way.

Vegas vs Utah - I say Vegas in 6 but I really hope Utah beats them. I'm not a fan of Vegas anymore and would love to see a "new" team like Utah get some playoff experience past the first round.

Edmonton vs Anaheim - If you had asked me a couple months ago I would have picked Anaheim to win this series with how good they had been but now I feel like Edmonton is playing more like a team than they had before and so I say Edmonton in 6.

Buffalo vs Boston - Buffalo in 6. Boston is still a good team but Buffalo has finally taken that next step this year and I think they're ready to be a playoff team.

Tampa Bay vs Montreal - I say Tampa in 6. Montreal has been pretty good this year but Tampa is so experienced in the playoffs that I think they'll overpower Montreal in the end.

Carolina vs Ottawa - similar to the TB vs Montreal. Carolina in 6 but Ottawa has made improvements this year as well. I hope both Canadian teams can win but I don't see that being likely.

Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia - Pittsburgh in 6. They've had a weird resurgence this year. Sort of a last hurrah moment. I hope they win at least the first round as sort of a "goodbye" to this team. Not sure if they'll ever have another shot with the current core they have.

So, that's it. Some of these aren't who I WANT to win but who I think will win. We'll see if I'm close at all this year.

problem is playoffs mean nothing to me if the Jets aren't in, but without Florida it's a big SOMEONE ELSE chant


I'm really hoping for a two Canadian Team Stanley Cup final it would be even better if Vegas is out early like last year

classgame : same. Calgary is out this year (again) but I knew they would be. We're getting a new arena so hopefully by the time it is ready we will have a team that is somewhat competitive again.

I'm glad Florida is out. I would have been pissed if they won 3 in a row.

I'd like 2 Canadian teams in the finals but that hasn't happened since Bettman and I don't see it happening if he is still in charge.

It would be so nice to see Bettman's worst nightmare come to fruition. Though it's actually nice to not have to dig around for a white shirt or having to load up on Coffee Crisp related products (to keep me awake I can't stay awake for NHL games anymore)