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 soon
(C2) Dallas Stars vs. (C3) Minnesota Wild – By Anthony Trudeau
(P1) TBD vs. (WC1) Utah Mammoth – Coming soon
(P2) TBD vs. (P3) TBD – Coming soon
Eastern Conference
(A1) Buffalo Sabres vs. (WC1) Boston Bruins – By Matt Larkin
(A2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (A3) Montreal Canadiens – Coming soon
(M1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC2) Ottawa Senators – Coming soon
(M2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (M3) Philadelphia Flyers – Coming soon
PLAYOFF FANTASY RANKINGS
Matt Larkin’s top 150 players – Coming April 16
Brock Seguin’s top 250 players – Coming soon
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 – Coming April 16
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
One problem to solve for each of the NHL’s 16 eliminated teams – Coming April 16
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POST SPONSORED BY bet365
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