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Special to ESPN.com- Sean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.
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Special to ESPN.com- Victoria Matiash is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. Victoria has been a part of the fantasy team since 2010.
The puck is set to drop on the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, as 16 teams will continue on their quest to get their named engraved in Lord Stanley's Cup. The Buffalo Sabres have snapped the longest postseason drought in the NHL on their way to winning the Atlantic Division. They will face the Boston Bruins in the first round.
Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, we see the battle of Pennsylvania between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, a rematch of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final when the Tampa Bay Lightning see the Montreal Canadiens, as well as Brandon Bussi and the Carolina Hurricanes throwing down with Brady Tkachuk and the Ottawa Senators
Out West, the Colorado Avalanche have been the frontrunners, leading in Stanley Cup odds all season on their way to winning the President's Trophy. Nathan MacKinnon and co. will take on the Los Angeles Kings. Elsewhere in the Western Conference, the second and third highest point totals collide when Jason Robertson and the Dallas Stars host Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wild.
The chaotic Pacific Division has resolved with the Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and Los Angeles Kings making the cut. The Mammoth make the playoffs for the first time since moving from Arizona, and will take on Mitch Marner and the Golden Knights. The Oilers will look to return to the Stanley Cup Final for a third straight year -- and they won't have to see Florida this time -- but to do so, their will first have to go through the Ducks.
Sean Allen and Victoria Matiash have the best bets, Conn Smythe Trophy picks, and more from each series as we get set. Follow the action all playoffs long, including the Stanley Cup Final, here at ESPN.
Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook
, subject to change. All times Eastern.
Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes
Game 1: Lenovo Center, Raleigh; Saturday, 3 p.m.
Game 1 puck line: Senators +1.5 (-198), Hurricanes -1.5 (+164)
Series winner: Senators (+145), Hurricanes (-170)
Series length: Four games (+550), Five Games (+265), Six Games (+205), Seven Games (+215)
Series Spread Ottawa Senators +1.5 (-140). It appears oddsmakers across the board are all over the Senators enjoying success this spring. Despite finishing in the final playoff spot in the East, Travis Green's crew is listed as a sixth favorite to win the Stanley Cup - ahead of the Oilers, Sabres, and Wild. Maybe because they have more regulation wins (18) than any other NHL team since goalie Linus Ullmark returned to play on Jan. 31.
Best Bet: Nikolaj Ehlers Most Points In Series (12-1). Somewhat quietly, the former Jet is storming into the postseason with six points in his past four games, and 28 in 25 contests since the Olympic break. Unlike other high-profile Carolina forwards -- Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis etc. -- Ehlers played the regular season out, even once the Hurricanes had matters wrapped up. Pre-playoff grind, he clearly feels fit enough. Pitted against the Senators' more balanced scoring attack, Ehlers presents as Carolina's hottest scoring individual in the here and now. A worthy play, especially considering the number.
If the Senators win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Linus Ullmark (45-1). As good as the Sens' collective has been defensively -- third in shots-allowed since the Olympic break -- they're not playing in June if Ullmark stumbles and/or sits sidelined. Since returning from a personal absence in late January, the club's No. 1 is 14-4-3 with a 2.41 GAA.
If the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Seth Jarvis (20-1). The multipurpose forward does it all: Contributes to the scoresheet at a greater rate than any other Carolina skater not named Sebastian Aho, leads his club in short-handed and game-winning goals, and defends effectively in all situations. Renowned for his 200-foot game, Jarvis was selected to represent Canada at both the Four Nations tournament and Olympics for good reason. This is the type of skater that serves as a difference-maker when it matters most. Like now.
--Matiash
Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars
Game 1: American Airlines Center, Dallas; Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
Game 1 puck line: Wild +1.5 (-245), Stars -1.5 (+200)
Series winner: Wild (+100), Stars (-120)
Series length: Four games (+650), Five Games (+265), Six Games (+200), Seven Games (+210)
Best Bet: Quinn Hughes Most Points In Series (+500). Kirill Kaprizov projects to tuck the puck in the Stars' net a handful of times, as does Matt Boldy. Top center Ryan Hartman should earn his scoring opportunities, along with supporting scoring castmates like Vladimir Tarasenko and others. Guess who's going to be involved in a lot of that scoring, at even-strength and with the extra skater? Just one of the best puck-movers in the biz.
Important development, as of Friday morning: Dealing with an illness, Hughes is considered a game-time decision for Game 1. On the upside, the elite blueliner did fly with the team to Dallas and coach John Hynes suggested he felt relatively positive about Hughes being active in the opener.
If the Wild win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Quinn Hughes (55-1). Difference-maker. Gamechanger. GM Bill Guerin didn't make the biggest transactional splash of the season in acquiring one of the league's elite defensemen just to make the playoffs. Able to dictate play and pace with the best of them -- he leads the NHL in puck possession time -- the 26-year-old projects to log approximately 30 minutes in contests that don't reach overtime.
If the Stars win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Jake Oettinger (35-1). If able to survive what portends to be a grueling set with the Wild, the Stars are next likely to earn a date with the Avalanche. Then -- if able to slay the NHL's most intimidating dragon of 2025-26 -- maybe the Oilers or Golden Knights thereafter. To run such a vicious gauntlet, Glen Gulutzan's crew will need excellent goaltending. Like they got from Oettinger in the 2024 playoffs before falling to the Oilers in the conference final.
--Matiash
Sidney Crosby joins "The Pat McAfee Show" to preview the Penguins' playoff matchup against the Flyers.
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins
Game 1: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh; Saturday, 8 p.m.
Game 1 puck line: Flyers +1.5 (-205), Penguins -1.5 (+170)
Series winner: Flyers (+140), Penguins (-170)
Series length: Four games (+550), Five Games (+265), Six Games (+205), Seven Games (+215)
Series Spread Pittsburgh Penguins -1.5 (+120). The hottest squad outside of Buffalo since the Olympics, the Flyers are a great story this second half of the campaign. But it's also difficult to disregard the experience Crosby, Malkin, Rust, Karlsson, Letang and other Penguins bring to the table when it's a case of loser-goes-home. Plus, goaltender Stuart Skinner knows how to win in the postseason, while Dan Vladar has all of 19 saves to his credit through two partial playoff contests, and none since 2022.
Best Bet: Porter Martone Series Total Shots 20+ (+330). This young fella certainly isn't shy about shooting on net. Since making his post-collegiate Flyers debut Mar. 31, the towering teen is averaging 3.6 shots/game through nine contests, including one uncharacteristic goose egg versus the Hurricanes. If the battle of Pennsylvania goes at least six, Martone should have little difficulty hitting that mark. Maybe even otherwise, considering he rifled off 20 in his first four NHL games.
Fun fact: scrambled, Porter Martone spells out the anagram "a pro tormenter". Which feels about right, so far.
If the Flyers win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Dan Vladar (180-1). The Flyers playoff run won't last without the club's MVP performing at his very best.
If the Penguins win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Sidney Crosby (45-1). Is it possible to even picture any other skater lifting this trophy than the Penguins' captain, perennial heartbeat, points-leader, and previous two-time Conn Smythe winner (2016, 2017)? Didn't think so.
--Matiash
Los Angeles Kings vs. Colorado Avalanche
Game 1: Ball Arena, Denver; Sunday, 3 p.m.
Game 1 puck line: Kings +1.5 (-125), Avalanche -1.5 (+105)
Series winner: Avalanche (-380), Kings (+300)
Series length: Four games (+370), Five Games (+225), Six Games (+235), Seven Games (+275)
Series spread: Colorado Avalanche -1.5 games (−170). The Presidents' Trophy-winning Avalanche enter the postseason as the heaviest favorites on the board for a reason. Colorado swept the season series against L.A., outscoring them 13-5 while showcasing a level of transition speed the Kings simply couldn't track. While the Kings added veteran scoring depth, their penalty kill remains a significant liability against a Colorado power play that has feasted on them all year. Expect the Avs to leverage their special teams to wrap this up in five or six games.
If the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Cale Makar (12-1). While Nathan MacKinnon is the engine, Makar is the cheat code. If Colorado repeats their 2022 success, it will be because Makar dominated both ends of the ice, eating 25-plus minutes a night and neutralizing the opposition's top stars while providing elite offensive production.
If the Kings win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Anze Kopitar (250-1). It's the ultimate "legacy" play, and while we are high-rolling here, we might as well go all in. If the Kings manage to suffocate MacKinnon and Makar -- and then manage to keep going and win 16 total games in the playoffs -- it will be because Kopitar delivered a masterclass in two-way playoff hockey. He's already led this franchise to two Cups; a third would require him to play in a fashion deserving of a second Conn Smythe for the captain in his final season.
--Allen
Nick Suzuki lights the lamp
Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 1: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa; Sunday, 5:45 p.m.
Game 1 puck line: Canadiens +1.5 (-162), Lightning -1.5 (+136)
Series winner: Canadiens (+205), Lightning (-250)
Series length: Four games (+500), Five Games (+250), Six Games (+220), Seven Games (+235)
Series Spread Montreal Canadiens +1.5 (-105). With respect to the less appealing odds on other spread plays, here's a reasonable enough option for those who believe the scrappy Canadiens will at least put up a valiant fight against a more experienced Lightning team.
Best Bet: Jake Guentzel to Record 2+ SOG in Every Game (+275). Pacing out at 3.0/game since the Olympic break, the Lightning winger failed to record fewer than two shots only twice in his past dozen contests. Meanwhile, the Canadiens have allowed the NHL's eighth most SOG over that same period. On paper, that equation works out in Guentzel's favor, especially for those who believe this series doesn't go seven, as the odds suggest.
If the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Nick Suzuki (100-1). In a toss-up between Suzuki and Cole Caufield, go with the Swiss Army knife center over the prolific goal scorer. A favorite for the Selke Trophy, Montreal's captain will have to be at his two-way best for the Habs to hold a shot at hoisting the Cup in the end.
If the Lightning win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Nikita Kucherov (11-1). One of the game's true elite playmakers won't feel as bad about losing out on the Hart for a third-straight season if his name ends up engraved on the Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup, and it's difficult to see the latter happen without Kucherov earning the trophy awarding personal performance. Only Nathan MacKinnon sports shorter odds league-wide.
--Matiash
Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres
Game 1: KeyBank Center, Buffalo; Sunday, 7:30 p.m.
Game 1 puck line: Bruins +1.5 (-185), Sabres -1.5 (+154)
Series winner: Bruins (-145), Sabres (-175)
Series length: Four games (+550), Five Games (+250), Six Games (+215), Seven Games (+210)
Series Spread Boston Bruins +1.5 (-135). It isn't difficult to picture: Superstar David Pastrnak carries his squad to victory in at least one of the series' possible seven contests. Goalie Jeremy Swayman steals another for the B's, adding extra shine to his Vezina-calibre season. Boston's impressive fourth line -- Mark Kastelic, Tanner Jeannot, and Sean Kuraly -- muscle out a third Bruins' victory before the Sabres extend their superlative season (or not) with a do-or-die clincher. But this tilt wears the aroma of a seven-game affair. Fun fact: Both Casey Mittelstadt and Pavel Zacha stand to benefit from a fresh dad bump as their respective partners gave birth this very week.
Best Bet: Jack Quinn Series Total Shots 15+ (+200). Logging heavy minutes, the 24-year-old is averaging 3.9 shots/game through 10 contests since March 27. Asking for a titch more than a pair every meeting, over what could extend seven games, feels like no great demand. Especially with extended overtime in play. If so, consider Quinn at 19-1 to register 20+ on net before all is said and done.
If the Bruins win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? David Pastrnak (100-1). Somewhat quietly, Pastrnak wrapped up 2025-26 with 100 points, 32 more than anyone else on his club. While the Bruins are built to grind out some wins, they also need to score. Enter the team's elite skater, who does that better than anyone else.
If the Sabres win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Alex Tuch (90-1). The veteran who promised us his team had their eye on a much larger prize than just making the playoffs -- "we've got a bigger goal in mind" -- also stands to be the one who helps deliver on that pledge. From a group that's collectively stronger than the sum of its individual parts, Tuch strikes as that Jonathan Marchessault-type that helps push them over the finish line. Then there's the 29-year-old's expiring contract to serve as additional incentive. If extra inspiration is needed, which doesn't seem to be the case here.
--Matiash
Utah Mammoth at Vegas Golden Knights
Game 1: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas; Sunday, 10 p.m.
Game 1 puck line: Mammoth +1.5 (-192), Golden Knights -1.5 (+160)
Series winner: Golden Knights (-190), Mammoth (+155)
Series length: Four games (+550), five games (+255), six games (+210), seven games (+215)
Series spread: Utah Mammoth +1.5 games (-135). While the oddsmakers are leaning heavily toward a Vegas coronation, the head-to-head data tells a story of a much tighter margin. Utah's Karel Vejmelka has seen a massive volume of rubber against the Golden Knights this season (95 shots against in three games) and maintained a stellar .947 save percentage. If Vejmelka can maintain that level of theft, Utah isn't just capable of keeping games close, they are built to push this series deep. Taking the +1.5 games is a play on Utah's ability to frustrate the Knights' elite shooters and drag this into a grueling six or seven-game battle.
Best bet: Logan Cooley series leading goalscorer (+750). While snipers Dylan Guenther and Pavel Dorofeyev carry the short odds, the history points directly at Cooley. In three games against the Golden Knights this season, Cooley dominated with four goals on nine shots. His 44% shooting against Vegas might seem unsustainable, but it highlights a specific ability to exploit the Knights' defensive gaps. At +750, you are getting a massive value on the hottest hand in the matchup.
If the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Jack Eichel (28-1). When the lights get brightest, Jack Eichel finds another gear. He's the transition king for a team that thrives on counter-attacks. If Vegas goes all the way, it's because Eichel outplayed every other 1C in the West.
If the Mammoth win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Dylan Guenther (130-1). Clayton Keller has shorter odds, but the way Guenther ramped up his scoring through the season (13 goals in final 21 games) to finish with a team-high 40 goals suggests he'll be their offensive leader in the postseason if they go all the way.
--Allen
Connor McDavid lights the lamp
Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers
Game 1: Rogers Place, Edmonton; Monday, 10 p.m.
Game 1 puck line: Ducks +1.5 (-175), Oilers -1.5 (+145)
Series winner: Oilers (-205), Ducks (+170)
Series length: Four games (+500), Five Games (+250), Six Games (+215), Seven Games (+220)
Series spread: Edmonton Oilers -1.5 games (-105). The oddsmakers are giving Anaheim a puncher's chance to push this to six, but the head-to-head metrics are grim for the Ducks. Edmonton's Connor McDavid (seven points in three games) and Zach Hyman (nine shots, three goals) have treated the Anaheim defense like a practice squad. With the Oilers' top-end talent operating at this efficiency, expecting the Ducks to win three games is a tall order. The -105 price for Edmonton to end this in six or fewer games is the play here, especially with Anaheim's goaltending duo of Lukas Dostal and Ville Husso struggling to stay above an .870 save percentage against this specific attack.
If the Oilers win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Connor McDavid (15-1). It's the obvious choice for a reason. McDavid is a one-of-one talent who finished the season with 138 points. If Edmonton finally hoists the Cup with a third-time's-the-charm attempt, it will be because the best player in the world put up a historic postseason performance. He's the engine that makes the entire machine run.
If the Ducks win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe? Cutter Gauthier (200-1). If the Ducks are going to pull off a miracle, they need their surging sophomore to continue his blistering pace. Gauthier finished the season on a tear, tallying 15 goals in 20 games after the Olympic break to hit the 40-goal mark. For a 200-1 long shot, you're getting a pure goal scorer who could theoretically get "hot" enough to carry a Cinderella run.
--Allen