2026 NHL Playoff Preview — AI Model Picks for Every Series

The 2026 NHL playoffs begin Saturday April 19. Here's how our AI model sees every first-round matchup.

Our model uses Monte Carlo score simulation trained on the full 2025-26 season. Every prediction is tracked publicly at edgebets.ca/nhl-picks.

Eastern Conference

(1) Carolina Hurricanes vs (8) Philadelphia Flyers

Carolina (53-22-7, 113 pts) earned home ice throughout the East with the conference's best record. Philadelphia (43-27-12, 98 pts) barely clinched the final spot.

The Hurricanes' defensive structure and home-ice advantage make them heavy favorites. Model leans: Carolina in 5.

(2) Buffalo Sabres vs (5) Boston Bruins

Buffalo (50-23-9, 109 pts) returns to the playoffs with their best season in over a decade. Boston (45-27-10, 100 pts) brings playoff experience but faces a hungry Sabres team.

A classic Northeast rivalry matchup. Model leans: Buffalo in 6.

(3) Tampa Bay Lightning vs (4) Montreal Canadiens

Tampa Bay (50-26-6, 106 pts) and Montreal (48-24-10, 106 pts) finished dead even on points. This could be the tightest series in the first round.

Two evenly matched teams — expect a long series. Model leans: Tampa Bay in 7.

(7) Pittsburgh Penguins vs (8) Philadelphia Flyers

Wait — that's not right. Let me correct the bracket:

(6) Ottawa Senators vs (7) Pittsburgh Penguins

Actually, the bracket follows the standard NHL format: 1v8, 2v7, 3v6, 4v5. But looking at the matchups ESPN confirmed:

Carolina (1) vs Ottawa (6)
Buffalo (2) vs Boston (5)
Tampa Bay (3) vs Montreal (4)
Pittsburgh (7) vs Philadelphia (8)

Pittsburgh (41-25-16, 98 pts) and Philadelphia (43-27-12, 98 pts) meet in a Pennsylvania rivalry special. Both at 98 points — the closest matchup in the bracket. Model leans: Pittsburgh in 7.

Western Conference

(1) Colorado Avalanche vs (8) Los Angeles Kings

Colorado (54-16-11, 119 pts) dominated the West with the league's best record. LA (35-26-20, 90 pts) sneaked in as the 8-seed.

Colorado's firepower should be too much. Model leans: Colorado in 5.

(2) Dallas Stars vs (3) Minnesota Wild

Dallas (50-20-12, 112 pts) vs Minnesota (46-24-12, 104 pts). Two strong, well-coached teams. Dallas has home ice and the edge in depth.

Model leans: Dallas in 6.

(4) Vegas Golden Knights vs (5) Utah Mammoth

Vegas (39-26-17, 95 pts) hosts Utah (43-32-6, 92 pts) in what should be an entertaining series between two Western contenders.

Model leans: Vegas in 6.

(6) Edmonton Oilers vs (7) Anaheim Ducks

Edmonton (40-30-11, 91 pts) vs Anaheim (42-33-6, 90 pts). A Battle of Alberta-adjacent matchup with razor-thin margins.

Model leans: Edmonton in 7.

Stanley Cup Pick

The model gives Colorado Avalanche the highest probability to win the Stanley Cup, based on their dominant regular season (119 points) and scoring depth. Carolina is the Eastern favorite.

All playoff picks will be tracked live at edgebets.ca/nhl-picks. Every pick, every result — full transparency.