The 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs begin with 16 teams vying for hockey's ultimate prize, featuring both familiar contenders and surprising newcomers. The Carolina Hurricanes and Buffalo Sabres secured division titles in the East, while the Colorado Avalanche earned the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's top overall seed. The Western Conference saw tight races down to the final night, with the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks claiming Pacific Division seeds.

Buffalo enters the postseason for the first time in 14 years after a remarkable turnaround. The Sabres boast elite talent including Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Jack Quinn, ranking among the league's top 10 in scoring. Their biggest challenge may be adapting to the tighter-checking playoff style without NHL postseason experience. Tampa Bay returns as a championship favorite led by Nikita Kucherov's record-breaking 130-point season, though their power play has been inconsistent since the Olympic break.

The Montreal Canadiens make a surprise playoff appearance with a historically strong offensive season, paced by Nick Suzuki's 100-point campaign and Cole Caufield's 50 goals. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings secured the second wild card in the West. Each team faces unique challenges, from Buffalo's playoff inexperience to Tampa's power-play struggles, setting the stage for what promises to be an unpredictable postseason.