As the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway, the NHL landscape looks more unpredictable than ever, with familiar powerhouses absent and newcomers making surprising debuts. ESPN hockey writer Greg Wyshynski has released his comprehensive bracket predictions, forecasting every series from the first round through the Stanley Cup Final. In his analysis, published on ESPN.com, Wyshynski highlights the tournament's inherent chaos, noting that 'the Florida Panthers, back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, aren't here. The Buffalo Sabres, who last made the playoffs when "Fast Five" was in theaters, are here.' This shift underscores the playoffs' reputation as 'the greatest postseason in sports: the unpredictability,' where a single bad bounce or a hot goalie can alter outcomes dramatically.
The Eastern Conference first round kicks off with the top-seeded Buffalo Sabres facing the Boston Bruins. Wyshynski points to Buffalo's lack of postseason experience as a potential concern, but he believes it won't hinder them against a Bruins team that may lack depth. 'Boston might ice a line of Fraser Minten, Marat Khusnutdinov and James Hagens that have a sum total of zero playoff appearances between them,' he writes. Despite Boston's strengths, including goaltender Jeremy Swayman's 28.8 goals saved above expected and David Pastrnak's 100-point season, Wyshynski sees Buffalo's home-ice advantage and youthful energy prevailing. He predicts the Sabres will eliminate the Bruins in five games, citing Boston's poor defensive metrics—26th in expected goals against per 60 minutes since the Olympic break and a season-long expected goals percentage of 46.7%.
In the Atlantic Division's other matchup, the second-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning take on the third-seeded Montreal Canadiens. Wyshynski praises Montreal's top line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky, which posted a 69.9% goals-for percentage, with Caufield scoring 51 goals and Suzuki reaching 100 points for the first time in his career. Suzuki is even in line for the Selke Trophy, recognizing him as the best defensive forward. However, Wyshynski questions whether coach Marty St. Louis can deploy this line effectively against Tampa's Nikita Kucherov, who led the league with 1.71 points per game. Tampa's depth, including veteran Corey Perry, and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy give them the edge, despite concerns over defenseman Victor Hedman's personal leave and Montreal's injury to Noah Dobson. The prediction: Lightning in six games.
Moving to the Metropolitan Division, the first-seeded Carolina Hurricanes face the Ottawa Senators. An NHL executive told Wyshynski that Ottawa is a team to avoid due to their underlying numbers, supported by Linus Ullmark's post-Olympic performance of 12-4-3 with a .902 save percentage. Yet, Ullmark's playoff history is troubling, with an .885 save percentage and 3.28 goals-against average in 16 games. Both teams share a similar balanced style, with strong defensive forwards like Shane Pinto and Michael Amadio for Ottawa versus Jordan Staal for Carolina. Questions linger over Carolina's goaltending choice between Brandon Bussi and Frederik Andersen, as well as Ottawa's injured Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot. Wyshynski trusts Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour's perfect opening-round record, predicting a seven-game series win for Carolina.
The Metropolitan Division's second-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins clash with the third-seeded Philadelphia Flyers in a heated rivalry. Pittsburgh, under first-year coach Dan Muse, ranked third in goals per game at 3.54 and excels in inner slot shots at 5-on-5. Philadelphia, coached by Rick Tocchet, is a defensive powerhouse, third in preventing inner slot shots and expected goals against. Wyshynski describes it as 'the irresistible force vs. the immovable object.' While Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin's return adds excitement, Philadelphia's goaltender Dan Vladar, who saved 13.8 goals above expected, edges out Pittsburgh's Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs, whose playoff records are shaky. Flyers' offensive talents like Trevor Zegras, Matvei Michkov, and Porter Martone, plus Tyson Foerster's impact (18-9-2 record with him in the lineup), tip the scales. Prediction: Flyers in six.
'Defense wins championships, and Philadelphia is easily the superior defensive team in this series,' Wyshynski wrote. 'That includes goaltending, where Dan Vladar ended up on my Hart Trophy ballot for fixing the most glaring weakness on this roster.'
In the Eastern Conference second round, Wyshynski envisions the Sabres meeting the Lightning after both advance. Referencing a March 8 regular-season thriller with 15 goals and 102 penalty minutes, he notes Buffalo's 3-0-1 record against Tampa this year. The Sabres' 'pond hockey' offense faces Tampa's two-way players and Vasilevskiy, leading to a grueling seven-game series. Wyshynski picks the Lightning to advance, crediting coach Jon Cooper's ability to 'grind down' Buffalo.
The other second-round matchup pits the Hurricanes against the Flyers. Described as an 'absolute grind,' it features two defensively stout teams under Brind'Amour and Tocchet. While Philadelphia upset Pittsburgh, Wyshynski believes they lack the scoring depth to overcome Carolina's maturation as a contender. He predicts a five-game Hurricanes victory.
The Eastern Conference finals would see the Hurricanes facing the Lightning, Carolina finally avoiding the absent Panthers but encountering another Florida powerhouse. Wyshynski, who preseason picked Carolina to win the East, sticks with them due to improved offensive depth from players like Jake Guentzel, Mikko Rantanen (briefly), Nikolaj Ehlers, Jackson Blake, K'Andre Miller, and Alexander Nikishin. Assuming goaltending holds, he forecasts Hurricanes in six, bringing a long-awaited banner to their fans.
Turning to the Western Conference, the first round opens with the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche hosting the wild card Los Angeles Kings. Wyshynski congratulates the Kings for dodging a fifth straight elimination against the Edmonton Oilers, but offers condolences for facing the Presidents' Trophy winners. LA's post-Olympic metrics are solid—12th in goals-for percentage and 10th in expected goals percentage—with stars like Adrian Kempe (36 goals), Quinton Byfield (24 goals), and Artemi Panarin (27 points in 26 games). Interim coach D.J. Smith has bolstered defense, and Kevin Fiala's potential return from an Olympic injury could help. Still, they're outmatched by Colorado. Wyshynski notes the historical curse of the Presidents' Trophy, with only eight of 39 winners claiming the Cup since 1985-86, and an equal number losing in the first round. Prediction: Avalanche in five, bidding farewell to retiring Anze Kopitar.
The Central Division's second-seeded Dallas Stars face an unidentified opponent, but Wyshynski laments the playoff format's inequities, where the No. 3 seed battles the No. 7 for advancement after 82 games. This structural frustration has been a recurring complaint in NHL circles, highlighting ongoing debates about seeding and wild card placements.
Wyshynski's predictions extend to the full bracket, though details on later Western rounds and the Stanley Cup Final remain forthcoming in his analysis. His forecast positions the Hurricanes as Eastern champions, setting up a potential clash with a Western powerhouse like the Avalanche. Throughout, he emphasizes the playoffs' script-defying nature, apologizing 'in advance for spoiling the next two months,' while acknowledging that 'obviously all of this is going to happen exactly to script and none of these picks will be incorrect.'
Beyond individual series, Wyshynski provides context on team trajectories. For instance, Buffalo's resurgence after 14 seasons evokes the 2019 St. Louis Blues' Cinderella run. Tampa's physical style under Jon Cooper, including potential mauling of Montreal's stars, draws from past playoff successes. Bruins coach Marco Sturm claimed this week that 'we are bigger, stronger, and we are more physical,' though roster comparisons suggest otherwise.
The broader implications of these predictions ripple through the league. A deep Sabres run could validate their rebuild, while a Flyers upset might signal Philadelphia's rise under Tocchet. Carolina's potential breakthrough would reward Brind'Amour's consistent first-round success, extending his unbeaten streak. In the West, Colorado's dominance reinforces their status, but the Kings' resilience post-Olympics shows mid-tier teams' potential to compete.
As games begin across arenas from Buffalo to Los Angeles, fans and analysts alike will watch how Wyshynski's bracket holds up. With the full schedule available on NHL.com and odds fluctuating on betting sites, the next two months promise drama. For now, his vision offers a roadmap through the unpredictability, reminding everyone why the Stanley Cup playoffs captivate the sports world.