The too early Stanley Cup 2026 Playoff Thread

[Cornuck]

Kings winning the 3rd on the 2nd of a back to back isn't a good sign.

[Meds]

Yeah, the Wild can bow out in the 1st round. Hope they get run through in 4.

Colorado looks like the team to beat.

Ottawa and Montreal won’t go too far, but they’ll be entertaining to watch.

Not sure about that. Montreal's roster doesn't have much for playoff experience, but they are young, fast, and have some guys breaking out this year. They may be naive enough to actually surprise in the first round.....

Ottawa likely chokes again.

[Cousin Strawberry]

Ottawa plays a defensively sound game so not sure about that. Would love to see the Canadian teams to have some success for a change and MTL and Ottawa should put up a good fight

I can also see the hated coilers being the team that comes out of the west again after the central teams beat the shit out of each other

[dangler]

i'll be watching the Habs & Sens too. Tough opponents, so if either of them gets past the 1st rd. they could go far. Would like to see Oilers/Utah make it through to the 2nd as i believe that could be a entertaining series as well.

[JelloPuddingPop]

Ottawa and Montreal won’t go too far, but they’ll be entertaining to watch.

Not sure about that. Montreal's roster doesn't have much for playoff experience, but they are young, fast, and have some guys breaking out this year. They may be naive enough to actually surprise in the first round.....

Ottawa likely chokes again.

I was actually looking at that - and Montreal has more experience than one might think. Remember they went to the SCF in 2021 - including current roster players: Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Brendan Gallagher, Josh Anderson, Phil Danault, & Jake Evans. Dobson has been to the finals as well, (if he is back for the playoffs). Matheson & Texier have some playoff exp. as well. Newhook has a cup.

Also, Suzuki, Kapanen and Slafkovsky all just played in the Olympics, which likely was great experience to prepare for this.

Likely will call up Blais I would assume, as a black ace - who also has a cup.

That doesn't equal what TB is going to bring to the table - but its not nothing.

[Cousin Strawberry]

Ottawa just needs their goaltending to stabilize. That's been an issue all year

MTL have to speed to beat the 'Ning (lame ass Snoozi level nicky). Pulling for that group to take the next step and win a round or 3