NHL Hockey 3 Hours

Last updated: June 28, 2026, 8:34 AM ET

NHL Postseason Shake-Ups and Projections

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired coach Craig Berube, marking another significant organizational shift as they face a pivotal offseason. This move follows a period of intense speculation and comes as the team grapples with its ongoing Stanley Cup aspirations. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers also parted ways with head coach Kris Knoblauch, despite his recent success in leading the team to consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances in 2024 and 2025. These coaching changes signal a drastic attempt by both franchises to redefine their paths forward after disappointing playoff outcomes.

Canada's prolonged Stanley Cup drought has now extended to 33 years, with the Montreal Canadiens falling in Game 5 of their second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canadiens' elimination means no Canadian team will contend for the championship this season. This outcome underscores the difficulty of winning hockey's ultimate prize, a challenge that transcends the notion of a "Presidents' Trophy curse" and simply reflects the high level of competition in the league as it's hard to win the Cup.

to the Conference Finals, computer simulations offer projections for the remaining series. For the Western Conference, Vegas and Colorado are projected to go to Game, with the Golden Knights having a slight edge. In the Eastern Conference, simulations favor the Hurricanes over the Canadiens in Game, predicting a swift conclusion to that series. These predictions will be closely watched as teams vie for a spot in the Stanley Cup Final with conference finals picks available. Mitch Marner, however, is rewriting his playoff reputation, suggesting individual performances can defy broader team narratives even amidst significant organizational changes.