With a quarter of the 2025-26 season already in the books, let’s examine the projected NHL playoff matchups if the playoffs were to start on November 20, 2025. Of course, we all know things will change as the season progresses. Yet, it’s intriguing to see how the 32 NHL teams have done thus far. There are some surprising teams in the mix for the postseason at this juncture.
Eastern Conference Matchups 
May 28, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers players and coaches pose with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly (M-R) during the presentation of the Prince of Wales trophy after the game against the Carolina Hurricanes in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Detroit Red Wings vs New York Islanders
The Detroit Red Wings are a surprise with their first-place standing in the Atlantic Division at this point. Much can be attributed to their fast start. They defeated quality teams to begin the NHL 2025-26 season, winning five of their first six games. That included two back-to-back victories against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Their other three wins came against the current Cup champion, the Florida Panthers, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Edmonton Oilers.
The New York Islanders had a slow start with just a 4-5-1 record over their first ten games. They then proceeded to go 7-2-1 over the next ten games. Center Bo Horvat is pacing them with 13 goals and 11 assists at this point in the campaign. The 2025 first overall draft pick, defenseman Matthew Schaefer, has impressed with seven goals and eight assists thus far.
Series Prediction
Detroit would prevail in this matchup in six games. The Red Wings are finally getting it together.
Boston Bruins vs Montreal Canadiens
The Boston Bruins have been a very streaky team so far. They have had a three-game winning streak, as well as a seven-game winning streak. After winning their first three games, they regressed to losing six straight before righting the ship. David Pastrnak is their leading scorer with 11 goals and 16 assists. Morgan Geekie is scoring at a point-per-game pace with 14 goals and six assists.
The Montreal Canadiens have also been very streaky. They went 7-3 over their first ten games, but have faltered to a 3-4-3 record since then. They are currently in a funk with a five-game losing streak, including one shootout defeat. It’s no surprise that their two leading scorers are Nick Suzuki with five goals and 17 assists, and Cole Caufield with 13 tallies and eight helpers.
Series Prediction
With neither team showing much consistency, it’s a tough call to make. At this point, it appears that Boston is playing much better hockey.
The Bruins would win in five games.
Carolina Hurricanes vs Tampa Bay Lightning
The Carolina Hurricanes are leading the Eastern Conference with 28 points, carrying a 13-5-2 record. They began the season with five straight wins, showing they will once again be a quality playoff team. It’s no surprise that their leading scorer is Sebastian Aho with seven goals and 11 assists. He has scored 24 or more goals each of his nine seasons in the NHL.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been a bit of a disappointment thus far, coming in as the second wild-card team in the East. They began with a meager 4-4-2 record over ten games, but then they have improved with a 7-3 record. You can never count this team out. They are playoff-proven and will be there at the end of the season. Their two big guns are Jake Guentzel with 12 goals and nine assists, and Nikita Kucherov with nine goals and ten assists in 18 games.
Series Prediction
The Hurricanes are loaded with talent and seem to be on a mission. The Lightning may be going downhill.
Carolina would prevail in five games.
New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins 
Nov 16, 2025; Stockholm, SWEDEN; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) reacts against the Nashville Predators in a Global Series ice hockey game at Avicii Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-Imagn Images
The New Jersey Devils started on a roll with an 8-2 record in ten games. They have gone south a bit since then with a 5-4-1 record. Jack Hughes leads all scorers with ten goals and ten assists, even with missing three games. They have demonstrated the ability to win close games, as evidenced by their recent success, having won four of five overtime contests.
The Pittsburgh Penguins must be satisfied with their early-season performance. Possessing a 10-5-4 record must be viewed as a complete turnaround from last season’s disappointing results. Are they a playoff team? They are so far, and when you have Sidney Crosby on your squad, you always stand a shot. Crosby has contributed 12 goals and nine assists. He has Evgeni Malkin right up with him at five goals and 18 assists. The Pens’ defense, which ranks second in the NHL, has stepped up considerably.
Series Prediction
This would be an entertaining series. The Devils should win it, but hold on.
The Penquins would come away in an upset in seven games.
Western Conference Matchups 
May 29, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; The Edmonton Oilers pose with the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl after the game between the Dallas Stars and the Edmonton Oilers in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild
The Colorado Avalanche are on an absolute roll. They hold the best record in the NHL at this point, a 13-1-5 record, having lost only once in regulation to the Bruins. Nathan MacKinnon is well on his way to a Hart trophy for MVP if he continues to excel at this pace. It can be said that Colorado is a definite threat to win their fourth Stanley Cup. Not only do they have MacKinnon, but Cale Makar, the two-time Norris Trophy recipient, who has eight goals and 20 assists to add to their arsenal.
Minnesota Wild 
Nov 19, 2025; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (30) blocks a shoot out shot by Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall (71) in the overtime shootout at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Wild locked up their best forward by signing Kirill Kaprizov to an NHL record eight-year $136 million contract. He is showing he is worth it with 11 goals and 13 assists in his first 20 games. The uncertainty of whether they would have their star player in uniform due to contract negotiations had to take a toll on the team. They had a 3-5-2 record over the first ten games and have excelled to the wild-card spot, going 7-2-1 over the next ten games.
Series Prediction
It doesn’t take a hockey guru to see that the Avalanche would be the winner in this series. Say in four games.
Dallas Stars vs Winnipeg Jets
The Dallas Stars are fresh off the elimination last season in the conference final at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers. They are playing consistent hockey as evidenced by their 6-3-1 start, and have gone 6-2-2 over 20 games. Jason Robertson has 11 goals and 14 assists to help the Dallas club’s fortunes. The Stars look to get back to the postseason to see if they can make it to the Cup Final this time.
The Winnipeg Jets started the NHL 2025-26 season with a respectable 7-3 tally. Since then, they have faltered by recording a 5-5 record. When two players account for 33 percent of your goals, you know something’s wrong. Mark Scheifele is on fire with 11 goals and 17 assists in 20 games. The Jets also have Kyle Connor with 11 goals and 14 assists. When you add in the stingy goaltending of Connor Hellebuyck, you have a good shot at winning.
Series Prediction
The Stars are just a little bit better than the Jets. They would take the series in six games.
Anaheim Ducks vs Chicago Blackhawks 
Nov 11, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) celebrates after his goal in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The Anaheim Ducks are flying high this season with the help of young, talented players. Leo Carlsson has been phenomenal, adding 11 goals and 16 assists. Don’t forget, with the newly hired head coach, Joel Quenneville, this team is showing that they are no flash in the pan.
Now here is a real change this season. Two teams that have been near or in the basement of the standings in the playoffs? Sure, and that’s what effective rebuilds will do for you. The Chicago Blackhawks have Connor Bedard. Scoring 13 goals and 16 assists has certainly aided the Hawks’ success this season… so far.
Series Prediction
It almost seems that BOTH teams deserve to win, considering their past, but the Ducks would come out ahead in six games in this scenario.
Las Vegas Golden Knights vs Los Angeles Kings
The Las Vegas Golden Knights have a history of being a competitive team, and this season is no different. They actually were able to convince Mitch Marner to join the Sin City group, and he has shown what he does best. He has contributed four goals and 17 assists thus far. Of course, Jack Eichel has prevailed as the team leader in scoring with 10 goals and 17 assists. Vegas must be considered as a serious Cup contender.
The Los Angeles Kings had a slow start with a 4-3-3 record, but have since improved with a 7-3 record in the last ten games. Adrian Kempe, fresh off a new deal over an eight-year span worth $10.625 million AAV, is their scoring leader with six goals and 13 assists. The Kings need more secondary scoring if they wish to get very far in the playoffs.
Series Prediction
The smart bet would be to go with the Vegas team. It would take six games to complete.
End Of NHL Playoff Matchups Rant
I’m sure almost everyone noticed that teams like the Cup champion Florida Panthers were not in this projected playoff matchup. Then, the Edmonton Oilers aren’t there either. In the Eastern Conference, the disparity is even more pronounced. The Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Rangers are all missing.
Again, the season is only 20 games in, and things can change considerably. Still, it was fun to see how things stand at this point of the 2025-26 NHL season.