Mick Kern

Well, that was fun. And so far, Round Two is off to a sizzling start! Okay, back to Round One. The Senators and Kings were swept aside, but at least they made an effort during their brief foray into the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Which has been outstanding so far. The first round always is. Somewhere, the Lightning and Canadiens are still going at it, separated by one goal. Can that high level of play be maintained here in the Second Round?

Will the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs be a coronation for the Colorado Avalanche? If you go by the predictions below, the NHL regular season champions will capture the Stanley Cup for the first time since the Chicago Blackhawks turned the trick back in 2013. It’s time once again for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 16 teams still standing.

SUNRISE, FLORIDA -APRIL 14: NHL Linesperson James Tobias #61 drops the puck for a face off between Sam Reinhart #13 of the Florida Panthers and J.T. Miller #8 of the New York Rangers at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 14, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.