{"id":555237,"date":"2026-04-18T12:15:54","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T12:15:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/555237\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T12:15:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T12:15:54","slug":"2026-stanley-cup-playoff-picks-every-first-round-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/555237\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Stanley Cup playoff picks: Every first-round series"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025-26 NHL regular season is officially in the books. Sixteen of the league’s teams have made the postseason bracket<\/a>, and 16 have been eliminated<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Before the first-round series begin, ESPN’s experts have identified their picks for each matchup, along with the team that will win the Stanley Cup in June and the player who will win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.<\/p>\n

More: Full schedule<\/a>
Mega-preview<\/a>
Lapsed fan’s guide<\/a>
Stanley Cup odds<\/a>
Flaws for each team<\/a><\/p>\n

Atlantic Division\"\"\"\"Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n

2 Related<\/p>\n

Sean Allen: Bruins in six
John Buccigross: Sabres in seven
Stormy Buonantony: Sabres in seven
Cassie Campbell-Pascall: Sabres in six
Sachin Chandan: Sabres in seven
Meghan Chayka: Bruins
Ryan S. Clark: Sabres in seven
Gregg Colli: Sabres in six
Ray Ferraro: Sabres in seven
Erik Johnson: Bruins in six
Emily Kaplan: Sabres in seven
Tim Kavanagh: Sabres in five
Rachel Kryshak: Sabres in six
Peter Lawrence-Riddell: Bruins in seven
Steve Levy: Sabres in seven
Vince Masi: Bruins in seven
Victoria Matiash: Bruins in seven
Sean McDonough: Sabres in six
Mark Messier: Sabres in six
Arda \u00d6cal: Sabres in six
T.J. Oshie: Sabres in six
Kristen Shilton: Sabres in six
Bob Wischusen: Sabres in six
Greg Wyshynski: Sabres in five<\/p>\n

Consensus prediction: Sabres (18 of 24 picks)<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

Sean Allen: Lightning in five
John Buccigross: Lightning in seven
Stormy Buonantony: Lightning in seven
Cassie Campbell-Pascall: Lightning in seven
Sachin Chandan: Lightning in six
Meghan Chayka: Lightning
Ryan S. Clark: Lightning in six
Gregg Colli: Canadiens in seven
Ray Ferraro: Lightning in six
Erik Johnson: Canadiens in seven
Emily Kaplan: Lightning in six
Tim Kavanagh: Canadiens in six
Rachel Kryshak: Lightning in seven
Peter Lawrence-Riddell: Lightning in six
Steve Levy: Lightning in seven
Vince Masi: Lightning in six
Victoria Matiash: Lightning in six
Sean McDonough: Canadiens in seven
Mark Messier: Lightning in seven
Arda \u00d6cal: Canadiens in six
T.J. Oshie: Lightning in seven
Kristen Shilton: Lightning in seven
Bob Wischusen: Lightning in seven
Greg Wyshynski: Lightning in six<\/p>\n

Consensus prediction: Lightning (19 of 24 picks)<\/p>\n

Metropolitan Division\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

Sean Allen: Hurricanes in seven
John Buccigross: Hurricanes in seven
Stormy Buonantony: Hurricanes in six
Cassie Campbell-Pascall: Hurricanes in five
Sachin Chandan: Senators in six
Meghan Chayka: Hurricanes
Ryan S. Clark: Hurricanes in six
Gregg Colli: Hurricanes in five
Ray Ferraro: Hurricanes in six
Erik Johnson: Hurricanes in six
Emily Kaplan: Hurricanes in seven
Tim Kavanagh: Hurricanes in five
Rachel Kryshak: Hurricanes in six
Peter Lawrence-Riddell: Hurricanes in six
Steve Levy: Senators in seven
Vince Masi: Hurricanes in seven
Victoria Matiash: Hurricanes in seven
Sean McDonough: Hurricanes in five
Mark Messier: Hurricanes in six
Arda \u00d6cal: Hurricanes in six
T.J. Oshie: Senators in seven
Kristen Shilton: Hurricanes in six
Bob Wischusen: Hurricanes in six
Greg Wyshynski: Hurricanes in seven<\/p>\n

Consensus prediction: Hurricanes (21 of 24 picks)<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"All of ESPN. All in one place.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch your favorite events in the newly enhanced ESPN App. Learn more about what plan is right for you. Sign Up Now<\/a><\/p>\n

Sean Allen: Penguins in six
John Buccigross: Penguins in seven
Stormy Buonantony: Flyers in six
Cassie Campbell-Pascall: Penguins in six
Sachin Chandan: Penguins in five
Meghan Chayka: Penguins
Ryan S. Clark: Penguins in seven
Gregg Colli: Penguins in six
Ray Ferraro: Penguins in seven
Erik Johnson: Flyers in six
Emily Kaplan: Penguins in seven
Tim Kavanagh: Flyers in six
Rachel Kryshak: Penguins in seven
Peter Lawrence-Riddell: Penguins in six
Steve Levy: Flyers in seven
Vince Masi: Penguins in six
Victoria Matiash: Penguins in six
Sean McDonough: Penguins in six
Mark Messier: Penguins in seven
Arda \u00d6cal: Penguins in six
T.J. Oshie: Penguins in five
Kristen Shilton: Penguins in five
Bob Wischusen: Penguins in six
Greg Wyshynski: Flyers in six<\/p>\n

Consensus prediction: Penguins (19 of 24 picks)<\/p>\n

Central Division\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

Sean Allen: Avalanche in four
John Buccigross: Avalanche in four
Stormy Buonantony: Avalanche in five
Cassie Campbell-Pascall: Avalanche in five
Sachin Chandan: Avalanche in four
Meghan Chayka: Avalanche
Ryan S. Clark: Avalanche in six
Gregg Colli: Avalanche in four
Ray Ferraro: Avalanche in five
Erik Johnson: Avalanche in six
Emily Kaplan: Avalanche in five
Tim Kavanagh: Avalanche in four
Rachel Kryshak: Avalanche in five
Peter Lawrence-Riddell: Avalanche in five
Steve Levy: Avalanche in five
Vince Masi: Avalanche in five
Victoria Matiash: Avalanche in five
Sean McDonough: Avalanche in five
Mark Messier: Avalanche in four
Arda \u00d6cal: Avalanche in six
T.J. Oshie: Avalanche in four
Kristen Shilton: Avalanche in five
Bob Wischusen: Avalanche in five
Greg Wyshynski: Avalanche in five<\/p>\n

Consensus prediction: Avalanche (24 of 24 picks)<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"2026 Stanley Cup Favorites<\/p>\n

Sean Allen: Wild in seven
John Buccigross: Wild in seven
Stormy Buonantony: Wild in six
Cassie Campbell-Pascall: Wild in seven
Sachin Chandan: Stars in seven
Meghan Chayka: Wild
Ryan S. Clark: Stars in six
Gregg Colli: Wild in seven
Ray Ferraro: Stars in seven
Erik Johnson: Stars in seven
Emily Kaplan: Wild in seven
Tim Kavanagh: Stars in seven
Rachel Kryshak: Stars in seven
Peter Lawrence-Riddell: Stars in seven
Steve Levy: Wild in seven
Vince Masi: Wild in six
Victoria Matiash: Wild in seven
Sean McDonough: Stars in seven
Mark Messier: Wild in six
Arda \u00d6cal: Wild in six
T.J. Oshie: Wild in seven
Kristen Shilton: Stars in seven
Bob Wischusen: Stars in seven
Greg Wyshynski: Stars in seven<\/p>\n

Consensus prediction: Wild (13 of 24 picks)<\/p>\n

Pacific Division\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

Sean Allen: Mammoth in seven
John Buccigross: Golden Knights in seven
Stormy Buonantony: Golden Knights in six
Cassie Campbell-Pascall: Mammoth in six
Sachin Chandan: Golden Knights in five
Meghan Chayka: Golden Knights
Ryan S. Clark: Mammoth in seven
Gregg Colli: Golden Knights in six
Ray Ferraro: Golden Knights in six
Erik Johnson: Golden Knights in six
Emily Kaplan: Golden Knights in seven
Tim Kavanagh: Golden Knights in seven
Rachel Kryshak: Golden Knights in five
Peter Lawrence-Riddell: Mammoth in seven
Steve Levy: Golden Knights in six
Vince Masi: Golden Knights in seven
Victoria Matiash: Golden Knights in seven
Sean McDonough: Golden Knights in six
Mark Messier: Golden Knights in five
Arda \u00d6cal: Mammoth in seven
T.J. Oshie: Golden Knights in six
Kristen Shilton: Mammoth in seven
Bob Wischusen: Golden Knights in seven
Greg Wyshynski: Golden Knights in six<\/p>\n

Consensus prediction: Golden Knights (18 of 24 picks)<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

Sean Allen: Oilers in five
John Buccigross: Oilers in five
Stormy Buonantony: Oilers in five
Cassie Campbell-Pascall: Oilers in five
Sachin Chandan: Oilers in five
Meghan Chayka: Oilers
Ryan S. Clark: Oilers in six
Gregg Colli: Oilers in five
Ray Ferraro: Oilers in six
Erik Johnson: Oilers in four
Emily Kaplan: Oilers in six
Tim Kavanagh: Ducks in six
Rachel Kryshak: Oilers in six
Peter Lawrence-Riddell: Oilers in seven
Steve Levy: Oilers in six
Vince Masi: Oilers in six
Victoria Matiash: Oilers in six
Sean McDonough: Oilers in six
Mark Messier: Oilers in five
Arda \u00d6cal: Oilers in five
T.J. Oshie: Oilers in five
Kristen Shilton: Oilers in six
Bob Wischusen: Ducks in six
Greg Wyshynski: Oilers in four<\/p>\n

Consensus prediction: Oilers (22 of 24 picks)<\/p>\n

Stanley Cup champ<\/p>\n

Sean Allen: Wild
John Buccigross: Avalanche
Stormy Buonantony: Wild
Cassie Campbell-Pascall: Avalanche
Sachin Chandan: Lightning
Meghan Chayka: Avalanche
Ryan S. Clark: Avalanche
Gregg Colli: Golden Knights
Ray Ferraro: Lightning
Erik Johnson: Avalanche
Emily Kaplan: Oilers
Tim Kavanagh: Stars
Rachel Kryshak: Oilers
Peter Lawrence-Riddell: Avalanche
Steve Levy: Sabres
Vince Masi: Lightning
Victoria Matiash: Avalanche
Sean McDonough: Avalanche
Mark Messier: Oilers
Arda \u00d6cal: Oilers
T.J. Oshie: Avalanche
Kristen Shilton: Hurricanes
Bob Wischusen: Avalanche
Greg Wyshynski: Avalanche<\/p>\n

Prediction breakdown: Avalanche (11), Oilers (4), Lightning (3), Wild (2), Golden Knights (1), Stars (1), Sabres (1), Hurricanes (1)<\/p>\n

Conn Smythe Trophy<\/p>\n

Sean Allen: Kirill Kaprizov<\/a>
John Buccigross: Nathan MacKinnon<\/a>
Stormy Buonantony: Quinn Hughes<\/a>
Cassie Campbell-Pascall: Nathan MacKinnon
Sachin Chandan: Nikita Kucherov<\/a>
Meghan Chayka: Nathan MacKinnon
Ryan S. Clark: Nathan MacKinnon
Gregg Colli: Mitch Marner<\/a>
Ray Ferraro: Andrei Vasilevskiy<\/a>
Erik Johnson: Nathan MacKinnon
Emily Kaplan: Connor McDavid<\/a>
Tim Kavanagh: Jake Oettinger<\/a>
Rachel Kryshak: Leon Draisaitl<\/a>
Peter Lawrence-Riddell: Nathan MacKinnon
Steve Levy: Rasmus Dahlin<\/a>
Vince Masi: Nikita Kucherov
Victoria Matiash: Nathan MacKinnon
Sean McDonough: Nathan MacKinnon
Mark Messier: Connor McDavid
Arda \u00d6cal: Connor McDavid
T.J. Oshie: Nathan MacKinnon
Kristen Shilton: Andrei Svechnikov<\/a>
Bob Wischusen: Nathan MacKinnon
Greg Wyshynski: Nathan MacKinnon<\/p>\n

Prediction breakdown: Nathan MacKinnon (11), Connor McDavid (3), Nikita Kucherov (2), Kirill Kaprizov (1), Quinn Hughes (1), Mitch Marner (1), Andrei Vasilevskiy (1), Jake Oettinger (1), Leon Draisaitl (1), Rasmus Dahlin (1), Andrei Svechnikov (1)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 2025-26 NHL regular season is officially in the books. Sixteen of the league’s teams have made the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":555238,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5129],"tags":[149,5317,5,4,74,39,5316],"class_list":{"0":"post-555237","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-vegas-golden-knights","8":"tag-golden-knights","9":"tag-goldenknights","10":"tag-hockey","11":"tag-nhl","12":"tag-vegas","13":"tag-vegas-golden-knights","14":"tag-vegasgoldenknights"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/116425668350529095","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/555237","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=555237"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/555237\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/555238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=555237"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=555237"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=555237"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}