HockeyWiz Intelligence
2026 Stanley Cup
Playoffs
Playoffs
2025–26 Season — Complete · Champion: Carolina Hurricanes
2025-26 Season Complete
2025-26 season complete · auto-checking for next season
① Stanley Cup FinalFinal · 4–2
Carolina Hurricanes def. Vegas Golden Knights
2025–26 Complete
Carolina Hurricanes
2nd franchise Stanley Cup
4–2
Vegas Golden Knights
3rd Final in 9 seasons
Game 6 · June 14, 2026: Carolina 3, Vegas 0. Rookie goaltender Brandon Bussi's shutout clinched the Hurricanes' 2nd Stanley Cup — their first championship since 2006. Jordan Staal was named Conn Smythe winner as Playoff MVP.
② Final Postseason Honors2025–26 Complete
Conn Smythe Trophy · Playoff MVP
Jordan Staal
Carolina Hurricanes · a defense-and-leadership-first pick over flashier offensive candidates, capping the Hurricanes' 2nd Cup and first title since 2006.
Clinching Shutout
Brandon Bussi
Rookie goaltender stopped all 30-plus shots in Game 6, a 3–0 clincher on June 14, 2026.
3 Finals in 9 Seasons
Vegas Golden Knights
Fell in 6 games in the Final — their 3rd Cup Final appearance since entering the league in 2017 (also 2018, 2023).
Presidents' Trophy, No Cup
Colorado Avalanche
NHL-best 121 points in the regular season, then swept 4–0 by Vegas in the Western Conference Final.
Storybook Ending
Carolina Hurricanes
First trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 20 years — and the franchise's 2nd championship overall.
③ The Complete Bracket15 Series · 2026 Playoffs
Eastern Conference
Round 1
Round 1Complete
M1
Hurricanes
113 pts
4
vs
WC2
Senators
99 pts
0
Hurricanes win 4–0
✓ Complete
Round 1Complete
M3
Flyers
98 pts
4
vs
M2
Penguins
98 pts
0
Flyers win 4–0 · upset
Rookie Porter Martone scored the Game 1 OT winner
✓ Complete
Round 1Complete
A1
Sabres
109 pts
vs
WC1
Bruins
100 pts
Sabres win the series
Buffalo’s first playoff series win since returning to the postseason
✓ Complete
Round 1Complete
A3
Canadiens
106 pts
vs
A2
Lightning
106 pts
Canadiens win the series · upset
✓ Complete
Round 2
Round 2Complete
M1
Hurricanes
113 pts
vs
M3
Flyers
98 pts
Hurricanes win the series
Carolina advances to the Eastern Conference Final
✓ Complete
Round 2Complete
A3
Canadiens
106 pts
4
vs
A1
Sabres
109 pts
3
Canadiens win 4–3
Game 7 heartbreaker ends Buffalo’s storybook return
✓ Complete
Conference Final
Conf. FinalComplete
M1
Hurricanes
113 pts
4
vs
A3
Canadiens
106 pts
1
Hurricanes win 4–1
Carolina reaches its first Stanley Cup Final in 20 years
✓ Complete
Stanley Cup Final
🏆
Carolina Hurricanes
def. Vegas Golden Knights · 4–2
2nd franchise Stanley Cup · first since 2006
Game 6: CAR 3–0 VGK · June 14, 2026 · Brandon Bussi shutout clinches it
Conn Smythe: Jordan Staal
Game 6: CAR 3–0 VGK · June 14, 2026 · Brandon Bussi shutout clinches it
Conn Smythe: Jordan Staal
Western Conference
Conference Final
Conf. FinalComplete
P1
Golden Knights
95 pts
4
vs
C1
Avalanche
121 pts
0
Golden Knights win 4–0 · sweep
Vegas’s 3rd Stanley Cup Final in 9 seasons (also 2018, 2023)
✓ Complete
Round 2
Round 2Complete
C1
Avalanche
121 pts
4
vs
C3
Wild
104 pts
1
Avalanche win 4–1
Overtime winner by Colorado’s Kulak in Game 5
✓ Complete
Round 2Complete
P1
Golden Knights
95 pts
vs
P3
Ducks
92 pts
Golden Knights win the series
Vegas advances to the Western Conference Final
✓ Complete
Round 1
Round 1Complete
C1
Avalanche
121 pts
4
vs
WC2
Kings
90 pts
0
Avalanche win 4–0
✓ Complete
Round 1Complete
C3
Wild
104 pts
vs
C2
Stars
112 pts
Wild win the series · upset
✓ Complete
Round 1Complete
P1
Golden Knights
95 pts
vs
WC1
Mammoth
92 pts
Golden Knights win the series
Ends the Utah Mammoth’s first-ever franchise playoff appearance
✓ Complete
Round 1Complete
P3
Ducks
92 pts
4
vs
P2
Oilers
93 pts
2
Ducks win 4–2
Major upset — Anaheim rallies from down 3–1 to eliminate McDavid’s injury-hit Oilers
✓ Complete
④ All 16 Playoff Teams — Seeds & RecordsBoth Conferences
Eastern Conference
8 Teams
| Seed | Team | Pts | Record | Round 1 Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | Hurricanes | 113 | 53-22-7 | W 4–0 vs OTT |
| M2 | Penguins | 98 | 41-25-16 | L 0–4 vs PHI |
| M3 | Flyers | 98 | 43-27-12 | W 4–0 vs PIT |
| A1 | Sabres | 109 | 50-23-9 | W vs BOS |
| A2 | Lightning | 106 | 50-26-6 | L vs MTL |
| A3 | Canadiens | 106 | 48-24-10 | W vs TBL |
| WC1 | Bruins | 100 | 45-27-10 | L vs BUF |
| WC2 | Senators | 99 | 44-27-11 | L 0–4 vs CAR |
Western Conference
8 Teams
| Seed | Team | Pts | Record | Round 1 Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1 | Avalanche | 121 | 55-16-11 | W 4–0 vs LAK |
| C2 | Stars | 112 | — | L vs MIN |
| C3 | Wild | 104 | — | W vs DAL |
| P1 | Golden Knights | 95 | — | W vs UTA |
| P2 | Oilers | 93 | — | L 2–4 vs ANA |
| P3 | Ducks | 92 | — | W 4–2 vs EDM |
| WC1 | Mammoth | 92 | — | L vs VGK |
| WC2 | Kings | 90 | 35-27-20 | L 0–4 vs COL |
⑤ Top Storylines · How It Played Out2026 Playoffs — Final
🐐
Redemption in Carolina
The Hurricanes ended a 20-year wait for a Stanley Cup Final trip and won it — their 2nd franchise championship, first since 2006. Jordan Staal, a defense-and-leadership-first pick, took home the Conn Smythe over flashier offensive names.
🦆
McDavid's Oilers Stunned
Edmonton, led by Art Ross winner Connor McDavid, was upset in Round 1 by the Anaheim Ducks in 6 games — rallying back from down 3–1. Injuries to McDavid and Draisaitl were a major factor in the collapse.
🦬
Buffalo's Drought Ends, Then a Heartbreak
The Sabres ended a 14-year NHL-record playoff drought, won the Atlantic Division, and won their first series since 2011 — before falling to Montreal in a Round 2 Game 7 heartbreaker.
🏔️
Utah's Franchise First — Then a Quick Exit
The Utah Mammoth made their first-ever playoff appearance in just their 2nd NHL season — a historic first for the state — before being eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 1.
🔋
Avs' Presidents' Trophy Didn't Translate
Colorado's NHL-best 121-point regular season and Nathan MacKinnon's Rocket Richard-winning season were not enough — the Avalanche were swept 4–0 by Vegas in the Western Conference Final.
♠️
Vegas's 3rd Final in 9 Seasons
The Golden Knights reached the Stanley Cup Final for the 3rd time since entering the league in 2017 (also 2018, 2023) — but fell to Carolina in 6 games.
⚡
Panthers Dynasty Ends
Back-to-back champion Florida Panthers missed the playoffs entirely after an injury-plagued season — the first defending champ to miss out since the 2014-15 Kings.
🍁
Leafs Miss the Dance
The Toronto Maple Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16, with Marner's departure and defensive issues cited as key factors.
🎸
Battle of Pennsylvania Upset
Philadelphia swept Pittsburgh 4–0 in Round 1 — rookie Porter Martone scored the Game 1 overtime winner that set the tone for the upset.
⑥ How the Preseason Favorites FaredOdds vs. Reality
Western Favorites
Pre-Round 1 Odds
1
Colorado Avalanche
Presidents' Trophy winner (121 pts) — swept 4–0 by Vegas in the West Final
2
Edmonton Oilers
McDavid's Art Ross season — upset in Round 1 by Anaheim (4–2), injuries to McDavid & Draisaitl
3
Dallas Stars
112-pt Central runner-up — upset in Round 1 by Minnesota
4
Vegas Golden Knights
The dark horse hit — 3rd Cup Final in 9 seasons, fell to Carolina in 6
Eastern Favorites
Pre-Round 1 Odds
1
Carolina Hurricanes
The favorite delivered — 2nd franchise Stanley Cup, first since 2006
2
Tampa Bay Lightning
Hart winner Kucherov's season — upset in Round 1 by Montreal
3
Buffalo Sabres
14-year drought ended, won a series — then lost a Round 2 Game 7 to Montreal
4
Montréal Canadiens
The sleeper overdelivered — upset TBL and BUF before falling to Carolina in the East Final
⑦ 2025–26 Final AwardsConfirmed Winners
Hart Trophy · MVP
Nikita Kucherov
Tampa Bay Lightning · his 2nd Hart Trophy · beat out McDavid and MacKinnon
Art Ross · Points Title
Connor McDavid
Edmonton Oilers · NHL points leader
Rocket Richard · Goals Title
Nathan MacKinnon
Colorado Avalanche · NHL goals leader
Calder · Rookie of Year
Matthew Schaefer
New York Islanders · unanimous selection
William M. Jennings · Fewest GA
Colorado Goaltending Tandem
Avalanche · fewest goals allowed
Presidents' Trophy
Colorado Avalanche
121 pts · 4th Presidents' Trophy in franchise history
Conn Smythe · Playoff MVP
Jordan Staal
Carolina Hurricanes · a defense/leadership-first pick over flashier offensive candidates
⑧ Droughts Ended · Historic Firsts2025-26 — Final
Drought Breakers & Historic Returns
2026
Buffalo Sabres
First playoffs since 2011 · won the Atlantic Division · NHL-record 14-year drought ended, then fell to Montreal in a Round 2 Game 7
Anaheim Ducks
First playoffs since 2018 · 8-year drought over · upset Edmonton in 6 games before falling in Round 2
Philadelphia Flyers
First playoffs since 2020 · swept Pittsburgh 4–0 behind Porter Martone's Game 1 OT winner, eliminated in Round 2
Utah Mammoth
First-ever playoff appearance in the franchise's 2nd NHL season — eliminated by Vegas in Round 1
Toronto Maple Leafs
Missed playoffs for first time since 2015-16 · Marner's departure and defensive issues cited
Florida Panthers
Back-to-back 2024–25 champs missed the playoffs entirely after an injury-plagued season
⑨ Postseason Road Map4 Rounds · Concluded
R1
First Round
16 teams · 8 series
Best of 7 · 2-2-1-1-1
Concluded
Best of 7 · 2-2-1-1-1
Concluded
R2
Second Round
8 teams · 4 series
Best of 7
Concluded
Best of 7
Concluded
CF
Conference Finals
4 teams · 2 series
Best of 7
Concluded
Best of 7
Concluded
SCF
Stanley Cup Final
2 teams · CAR def. VGK
Best of 7
Clinched Jun 14, 2026
Best of 7
Clinched Jun 14, 2026