2025-26 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 preview hub

The greatest tournament in pro sports is back. Over the next two months, 16 NHL teams will battle for the Stanley Cup across four rounds of best-of-seven series.

With the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers missing the big dance, the trophy is up for grabs. Will the Colorado Avalanche back up their Presidents’ Trophy win? Can Connor McDavid will the Edmonton Oilers to a third consecutive Cup Final appearance? What type of magic do Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins have up their sleeve after clawing their way out of a three-season playoff drought? It’s time to find out.

The 2025-26 Stanley Cup playoffs begin Saturday, April 18, and Daily Faceoff is here to get you ready with all the preview coverage you can consume.

Our in-depth list of stories, features and previews can be found below, with links to each article, and will be updated continuously in the coming days.

2025-26 ROUND 1 PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Complete Round 1 schedule for 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Coming soon

2024-25 ROUND 1 SERIES PREVIEWS

Western Conference

(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (WC2) – Coming April 17
(C2) Dallas Stars vs. (C3) Minnesota Wild – By Anthony Trudeau
(P1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Utah Mammoth – By Matt Larkin
(P2) TBD vs. (P3) TBD – Coming April 17

Eastern Conference

(A1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (WC1) Boston Bruins – By Matt Larkin
(A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (A3) Montreal Canadiens – By Scott Maxwell
(M1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC2) Ottawa Senators – Coming April 16
(M2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (M3) Philadelphia Flyers – Coming April 17

PLAYOFF FANTASY RANKINGS

Matt Larkin’s top 150 players
Brock Seguin’s top 250 players – Coming April 17

SPECIAL FEATURES

The top five likeliest villains of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs – By Ryan Cuneo
NHL rookies who could have big impacts in 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs – By Steven Ellis
16 Sleepers: A potential unsung hero for every 2023-24 playoff team – Coming April 18
Breaking down every goalie matchup in Round 1 – Coming April 17

PREDICTIONS

Round 1 series picks – Coming April 18
Daily Faceoff staff brackets – Coming April 18

2025-26 SEASON IN REVIEW

Daily Faceoff’s best and worst NHL predictions of 2025-26 – By Matt Larkin
The five trends that defined the 2025-26 NHL season – By Paul Pidutti
The biggest 2026 offseason need for every non-playoff NHL team – By Anthony Trudeau

_____

POST SPONSORED BY bet365

_____

Recently by Daily Faceoff