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Who's winning the Stanley Cup? All the intel you need on the 16 playoff teams

The postseason Thunderdome is about to open its gate. Which team will emerge as the 2026 Stanley Cup champion?

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Lapsed fan's guide to the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs

Miss anything the past six months? Miss EVERYTHING? Here are the top teams, players, matchups, stats to know.

TOP HEADLINES

PREPARING FOR THE POSTSEASON

Stanley Cup contender flaws: Biggest issues for the NHL's top playoff teams

No NHL team is perfect, and postseason opponents will be certain to key in on these areas of weakness.

Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images

Postseason roundtable: NHL player, coach, GM predict the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs

Which team is better than we think? Who has the most flop potential? And who wins the Cup?

COLORADO'S CREDENTIALS

T.J. Oshie: Avalanche are an 'absolute wagon from top to bottom'

0:41

Is MacKinnon already the best player in Avalanche history?

Joe Sakic has long been considered Colorado's signature player. Has the 30-year-old MacKinnon surpassed him?

East 1st Round - Game 1Series starts 4/18

Sidney Crosby explains why Penguins' rivalry with the Flyers is so special

2:19

SPORTS BETTING

OFFSEASON FOCUS

Keys to the offseason: Free agency and draft plans for every eliminated NHL team

We explore the next moves each team should make this summer and forecast expectations for 2026-27.

Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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