NHL · 40 minutes ago

Road to the Stanley Cup: Predicting the 2025-26 NHL Playoffs Bracket

Grant White

Host · Writer

Stanley Cup Final: Dallas Stars vs Carolina Hurricanes
Stanley Cup Odds:
Dallas Stars +1200 | Carolina Hurricanes +550

The stage is set for a classic Stanley Cup Final. The Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes are two of the most dominant analytics-driven teams in the league, with recent on-ice success. This will be a chess matchup of epic proportions, with both teams extracting maximum value throughout their lineups. In the end, the Stars' scoring touch will be the deciding factor, with Dallas capturing its first Stanley Cup since 1999.

Predicted Winner: Dallas Stars
Round 1: Los Angeles Kings vs Colorado Avalanche
Series Odds:
Colorado Avalanche -530 | Los Angeles Kings +390

Stanley Cup Odds:
Colorado Avalanche +320 | Los Angeles Kings +5500

Schedule:
Game 1: LAK @ COL - Sunday, April 19, 3 pm ET
Game 2: LAK @ COL - Tuesday, April 21, 10 pm ET
Game 3: COL @ LAK - Thursday, April 23, 10 pm ET
Game 4: COL @ LAK - Sunday, April 26, 4:30 pm ET
Game 5 (if necessary): LAK @ COL - Wednesday, April 29, TBD
Game 6 (if necessary): COL @ LAK - Friday, May 1, TBD
Game 7 (if necessary): LAK @ COL - Sunday, May 3, TBD

The Colorado Avalanche embark on their playoff foray as the odds-on favorite to hoist the Stanley Cup. Still, their first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings won't be as easy as the betting odds imply. The Kings have looked like a different team with Artemi Panarin in the lineup. Moreover, the Avs' playoff resume is a little underwhelming. We're predicting a massive upset in Round 1.

Predicted Winner: Los Angeles Kings +390
Round 1: Minnesota Wild vs Dallas Stars
Series Odds:
Dallas Stars -118 | Minnesota Wild -102

Stanley Cup Odds:
Dallas Stars +1200 | Minnesota Wild +1700

Schedule:
Game 1: MIN @ DAL - Saturday, April 18, 5:30 pm ET
Game 2: MIN @ DAL - Monday, April 20, 9:30 pm ET
Game 3: DAL @ MIN - Wednesday, April 22, 9:30 pm ET
Game 4: DAL @ MIN - Saturday, April 25, 5:30 pm ET
Game 5 (if necessary): MIN @ DAL - Tuesday, April 28, TBD
Game 6 (if necessary): DAL @ MIN - Thursday, April 30, TBD
Game 7 (if necessary): MIN @ DAL - Saturday, May 2, TBD

Assuredly, this will be one of the most entertaining first-round matchups in the 2025-26 NHL playoffs. The Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild are two of the frontrunners in the Western Conference. Still, we predict home ice will be the deciding factor, with the Stars prevailing in a dramatic Game 7.

Predicted Winner: Dallas Stars -118
Round 1: Edmonton Oilers vs Anaheim Ducks
Series Odds:
Edmonton Oilers -250 | Anaheim Ducks +202

Stanley Cup Odds:
Edmonton Oilers +1400 | Anaheim Ducks +4500

Schedule:
Game 1: ANA @ EDM - Monday, April 20, 10 pm ET
Game 2: ANA @ EDM - Wednesday, April 22, 10 pm ET
Game 3: EDM @ ANA - Friday, April 24, 10 pm ET
Game 4: EDM @ ANA - Sunday, April 26, 9:30 pm ET
Game 5 (if necessary): ANA @ EDM - Tuesday, April 28, TBD
Game 6 (if necessary): EDM @ ANA - Thursday, April 30, TBD
Game 7 (if necessary): ANA @ EDM - Saturday, May 2, TBD

The Edmonton Oilers still have something to prove. Losers of two straight Stanley Cup Finals, the Oilers battle it out versus the Anaheim Ducks in the opening round of the NHL Playoffs. Edmonton's experience will be the deciding advantage in this one.

Predicted Winner: Edmonton Oilers -250
Round 1: Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins
Series Odds:
Buffalo Sabres -178 | Boston Bruins +146

Stanley Cup Odds:
Buffalo Sabres +1700 | Boston Bruins +4000

Schedule:
Game 1: BOS @ BUF - Sunday, April 19, 7:30 pm ET
Game 2: BOS @ BUF - Tuesday, April 21, 7:30 pm ET
Game 3: BUF @ BOS - Thursday, April 23, 7 pm ET
Game 4: BUF @ BOS - Sunday, April 26, 2 pm ET
Game 5 (if necessary): BOS @ BUF - Tuesday, April 28, TBD
Game 6 (if necessary): BUF @ BOS - Friday, May 1, TBD
Game 7 (if necessary): BOS @ BUF - Sunday, May 3, TBD

The Buffalo Sabres came out of nowhere, claiming their first division banner since 2009-10. Short on playoff experience, we expect them to fall victim to a grizzled Boston Bruins squad that can dominate all facets of the game.

Predicted Winner: Boston Bruins +146
Round 1: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens
Series Odds:
Tampa Bay Lightning -260 | Montreal Canadiens +210

Stanley Cup Odds:
Tampa Bay Lightning +380 | Montreal Canadiens +2700

Schedule:
Game 1: MTL @ TBL - Sunday, April 19, 5:45 pm ET
Game 2: MTL @ TBL - Tuesday, April 21, 7 pm ET
Game 3: TBL @ MTL - Friday, April 24, 7 pm ET
Game 4: TBL @ MTL - Sunday, April 26, TBD
Game 5 (if necessary): MTL @ TBL - Wednesday, April 29, TBD
Game 6 (if necessary): TBL @ MTL - Friday, May 1, TBD
Game 7 (if necessary): MTL @ TBL - Sunday, May 3, TBD

The Montreal Canadiens faltered down the stretch, negatively impacting their outlook versus the Tampa Bay Lightning in Round 1. The Bolts wield an advantage in the attacking and defending zones, making their path to Round 2 nothing more than a formality.

Predicted Winner: Tampa Bay Lightning -260
Round 1: Carolina Hurricanes vs Ottawa Senators
Series Odds:
Carolina Hurricanes -172 | Ottawa Senators +142

Stanley Cup Odds:
Carolina Hurricanes +550 | Ottawa Senators +1600

Schedule:
Game 1: OTT @ CAR- Saturday, April 18, 3 pm ET
Game 2: OTT @ CAR - Monday, April 20, 7:30 pm ET
Game 3: CAR @ OTT - Thursday, April 23, 7:30 pm ET
Game 4: CAR @ OTT - Saturday, April 25, 3 pm ET
Game 5 (if necessary): OTT @ CAR - Monday, April 27, TBD
Game 6 (if necessary): CAR @ OTT - Thursday, April 30, TBD
Game 7 (if necessary): OTT @ CAR - Saturday, May 2, TBD

There are some reckless bettors overestimating the Ottawa Senators' chances against the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 1. The Sens have run into some scoring issues, putting them at a sincere disadvantage versus the defensively responsible Hurricanes. Carolina cruises to victory.

Predicted Winner: Carolina Hurricanes -172
Round 1: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers
Series Odds:
Pittsburgh Penguins -152 | Philadelphia Flyers +126

Stanley Cup Odds:
Pittsburgh Penguins +3000 | Philadelphia Flyers +500

Schedule:
Game 1: PHI @ PIT - Saturday, April 18, 8 pm ET
Game 2: PHI @ PIT - Monday, April 20, 7 pm ET
Game 3: PIT @ PHI - Wednesday, April 22, 7 pm ET
Game 4: PIT @ PHI - Saturday, April 25, 8 pm ET
Game 5 (if necessary): PHI @ PIT - Monday, April 27, TBD
Game 6 (if necessary): PIT @ PHI - Wednesday, April 29, TBD
Game 7 (if necessary): PHI @ PIT - Saturday, May 2, TBD

Nothing matches the intensity of a playoff rivalry showdown. Bettors, fans, and even the most casual observers will want to tune in when the Pittsburgh Penguins get down to business against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Pens' core hasn't run out of steam just yet, and we're predicting a convincing series win in the Battle of Pennsylvania.

Predicted Winner: Pittsburgh Penguins -152
Round 2: Dallas Stars vs Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Odds:
Dallas Stars +1200 | Los Angeles Kings +5500

The Dallas Stars have punched their way into three straight Western Conference Finals, and we don't expect them to end that trend in 2026. If things go down the way we think, Dallas will be tasked with getting past the Los Angeles Kings in Round 2. Everything the LA does well, the Stars do better. The Stars advance.

Predicted Winner: Dallas Stars
Round 2: Vegas Golden Knights vs Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Odds:
Vegas Golden Knights +1200 | Edmonton Oilers +1400

Everyone knows what the Edmonton Oilers' weaknesses are, and the team has done little to address them. That will be their undoing, as their streak of Stanley Cup Finals appearances comes to an end in a second-round matchup against the mighty Vegas Golden Knights.

Predicted Winner: Vegas Golden Knights
Round 2: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins
Stanley Cup Odds:
Tampa Bay Lightning +380 | Boston Bruins +4000

The Tampa Bay Lightning asserted their dominance throughout the regular season, showcasing elite scoring depth and defensively responsible play in their own end. The Boston Bruins are a league below the Lightning and will come up well short of their second-round counterparts.

Predicted Winner: Tampa Bay Lightning
Round 2: Carolina Hurricanes vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Stanley Cup Odds:
Carolina Hurricanes +550 | Pittsburgh Penguins +3000

This is a nightmare matchup for the Carolina Hurricanes. The Metropolitan Division winners have consistently come up short in the postseason, and the Pittsburgh Penguins know exactly what it takes to win. It will take the full seven games, but we expect the Canes to prevail in a hard-fought series.

Predicted Winner: Carolina Hurricanes
Western Conference Finals: Dallas Stars vs Vegas Golden Knights
Stanley Cup Odds:
Dallas Stars +1200 | Vegas Golden Knights +1200

This year's Western Conference Final pits the Dallas Stars versus the Vegas Golden Knights. Consistency has been a limiting factor for the Knights this season, and the Stars are primed to finally get over the hump. It will be a tightly contested series, but the Stars will have the answer versus the Golden Knights.

Predicted Winner: Dallas Stars
Eastern Conference Final: Carolina Hurricanes vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Stanley Cup Odds:
Carolina Hurricanes +550 | Tampa Bay Lightning +380

The Carolina Hurricanes have been trying to get back to the Stanley Cup Final since 2006, making two of the past three Eastern Conference Finals. They will have to be at their best to get past the Tampa Bay Lightning, but home-ice advantage will help. Carolina upsets the Bolts in a memorable series.

Predicted Winner: Carolina Hurricanes
Stanley Cup Final: Dallas Stars vs Carolina Hurricanes
Stanley Cup Odds:
Dallas Stars +1200 | Carolina Hurricanes +550

The stage is set for a classic Stanley Cup Final. The Dallas Stars and Carolina Hurricanes are two of the most dominant analytics-driven teams in the league, with recent on-ice success. This will be a chess matchup of epic proportions, with both teams extracting maximum value throughout their lineups. In the end, the Stars' scoring touch will be the deciding factor, with Dallas capturing its first Stanley Cup since 1999.

Predicted Winner: Dallas Stars
Round 1: Los Angeles Kings vs Colorado Avalanche
Series Odds:
Colorado Avalanche -530 | Los Angeles Kings +390

Stanley Cup Odds:
Colorado Avalanche +320 | Los Angeles Kings +5500

Schedule:
Game 1: LAK @ COL - Sunday, April 19, 3 pm ET
Game 2: LAK @ COL - Tuesday, April 21, 10 pm ET
Game 3: COL @ LAK - Thursday, April 23, 10 pm ET
Game 4: COL @ LAK - Sunday, April 26, 4:30 pm ET
Game 5 (if necessary): LAK @ COL - Wednesday, April 29, TBD
Game 6 (if necessary): COL @ LAK - Friday, May 1, TBD
Game 7 (if necessary): LAK @ COL - Sunday, May 3, TBD

The Colorado Avalanche embark on their playoff foray as the odds-on favorite to hoist the Stanley Cup. Still, their first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings won't be as easy as the betting odds imply. The Kings have looked like a different team with Artemi Panarin in the lineup. Moreover, the Avs' playoff resume is a little underwhelming. We're predicting a massive upset in Round 1.

Predicted Winner: Los Angeles Kings +390

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Road to the Stanley Cup: Predicting the 2025-26 NHL Playoffs Bracket

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