This should be a pretty fun series in the West as the Pacific Division Champion Vegas Golden Knights face the first wild card Utah Mammoth. Both of these teams had their ups and downs this year but have played pretty good hockey, setting up a competitive first round matchup. The Mammoth went 2-1 during the regular season matchups between these teams this year. The Golden … Continue reading NHL Playoffs 2026 – Round 1 Series Preview: Golden Knights vs. Mammoth

I couldn’t be more excited as my Buffalo Sabres head into the playoffs as Atlantic Division Champions with a solid series against the Boston Bruins in the first round. Should be a competitive series and I can’t wait to be there tonight for Game 1. Both of these teams went into the year expected to be bottom five teams, fighting for lottery picks and not … Continue reading NHL Playoffs 2026 – Round 1 Series Preview: Sabres vs. Bruins

I’m expecting this to be a fantastic first round series in the Atlantic Division between the 2 seed Tampa Bay Lightning and the 3 seed Montreal Canadiens, who finished the season tied with 106 points and were both electric to watch this year. These teams split their season series in the regular season this year. The Lightning dominated the first game on the road on … Continue reading NHL Playoffs 2026 – Round 1 Series Preview: Lightning vs. Canadiens

I think this is the biggest mismatch of a series in the first round as the President’s Trophy winning Colorado Avalanche face the second Wild Card in the West, the LA Kings. I’m expecting this to be a pretty quick series. The Avalanche swept the regular season series between these teams, winning by multiple goals every game they played. On opening night of the season … Continue reading NHL Playoffs 2026 – Round 1 Series Preview: Avalanche vs. Kings

I wouldn’t say this is all that great of a series between the 7th and 8th best teams in the East but this Metro Division rivalry for the Battle of Pennsylvania is always fun as the #2 seed Pittsburgh Penguins face the #3 seed Philadelphia Flyers in the first round. During the regular season, these teams split their four games, with both Penguins wins being … Continue reading NHL Playoffs 2026 – Round 1 Series Preview: Penguins vs. Flyers

This Central Division matchup is one of my most anticipated of the first round, between the #2 seed Dallas Stars and the #3 seed Minnesota Wild. Both of these teams were fantastic this season, being the second and third overall seeds in the West, clinching their spots in the playoffs a couple weeks ago. I expect this series to be an all out war, and … Continue reading NHL Playoffs 2026 – Round 1 Series Preview: Stars vs. Wild

Even though this is the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference vs. the second Wild Card team, I actually expect this to be a pretty solid series to start the playoffs between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Ottawa Senators. This will be the first time these franchises have met in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. During the regular season, Carolina went 2-1 against the Sens. They … Continue reading NHL Playoffs 2026 – Round 1 Series Preview: Hurricanes vs. Senators