The road to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final has been a thrilling journey, with 14 NHL playoff series setting the stage for the ultimate showdown. This year's postseason has been a rollercoaster, with some series living up to expectations and others falling short. As an expert analyst, I'll delve into the rankings, offering my insights and commentary on each series, providing a deeper understanding of the path to the Stanley Cup.
- Avalanche over Kings in four (first round):
- Commentary: This series was expected to be a walkover for the Presidents' Trophy winners, but the Kings put up a fight. The decisive Game 4 saw Colorado's stars shine, but it was a closer affair than anticipated. The Avs' third-period surge was the only time they truly pulled away, and the Kings' resilience was commendable.
- Hurricanes over Flyers in four (second round):
- Commentary: The Hurricanes were heavy favorites, but the Flyers surprised with their tenacity. While the series was short, it lacked the memorable moments one would expect from a favorite-underdog dynamic. The Hurricanes' Jackson Blake's OT series-winner was the highlight, but the Flyers' performance was underwhelming.
- Golden Knights over Avalanche in four (conference final):
- Commentary: The Golden Knights' sweep was a stunning upset. The Avs, despite being hobbled, couldn't match the Knights' momentum. The absence of Cale Makar from the Avs lineup was a significant factor. The series had its moments, but it fell short of expectations, leaving a sense of disappointment.
- Hurricanes over Canadiens in five (conference final):
- Commentary: This series was a clash of styles, with the young Hurricanes facing the veteran Canadiens. The result was a five-game thriller with two overtimes. The Hurricanes' Andrei Svechnikov's OT winner in Game 3 was a pivotal moment, but the series highlighted the NHL's conference final format debate.
- Flyers over Penguins in six (first round):
- Commentary: A classic rivalry was expected, but the bad blood never truly materialized. The Flyers' quick wins and the Penguins' resurgence kept the series interesting. The Flyers' OT win in Game 6 was memorable, but it lacked the intensity of past matchups.
- Hurricanes over Senators in four (first round):
- Commentary: This series was a close affair, with the Hurricanes winning all four games. The Senators' challenge was commendable, but Brady Tkachuk's lack of points was notable. The chaotic OT sequence in Game 2 was a highlight, showcasing the series' unpredictability.
- Sabres over Bruins in six (first round):
- Commentary: The Sabres' comeback from a poor season to a playoff spot was impressive. The series had its fun moments, but the Bruins' dominance in the last four games was evident. The Sabres' resurgence was a delightful introduction to postseason hockey.
- Avalanche over Wild in five (second round):
- Commentary: The Avs' first-round bye set the stage for a competitive series, but it fell short. Game 1's madness was entertaining, but the series lacked close scores. The Avalanche's comeback from down 3-0 in Game 5 was a highlight, but the overall series was underwhelming.
- Ducks over Oilers in six (first round):
- Commentary: The Oilers' pressure and Connor McDavid's injury made this a challenging series. The Ducks' OT win in Game 4 was a turning point. The series had its memorable moments, but the Oilers' early exit left questions.
- Golden Knights over Ducks in six (second round):
- Commentary: The Golden Knights' resilience and the Ducks' solid effort made this a competitive series. The Knights' OT win in Game 5 was a turning point. Pavel Dorofeyev's OT winner was a highlight, but Mitch Marner's goal in Game 6 was equally impressive.
- Wild over Stars in six (first round):
- Commentary: This series lived up to its hype, with two OT games. Quinn Hughes' statement game in the finale was memorable, but the series' flukey nature left questions. The hockey gods' bait-and-switch was a fascinating aspect.
- Golden Knights over Mammoth in six (first round):
- Commentary: The Golden Knights' recovery from a poor season was remarkable. The series had twists and turns, with the Knights on the ropes early. Brett Howden's double-OT winner was a highlight, but the Knights' Game 4 win was a turning point.
- Canadiens over Sabres in seven (second round):
- Commentary: This series had blowouts, but the closest series of the second round. The Canadiens' Game 7 win was a memorable moment. The series' lack of Game 7 showdowns was a criticism, but the Canadiens' effort was commendable.
- Canadiens over Lightning in seven (first round):
- Commentary: A classic battle with bad blood, this series lived up to the hype. Every game was tied in the third period, with four OT games. Alex Newhook's fluky game-winner in Game 7 was a highlight, making it an instant classic.
