By: Bryce Coleson  

     Another spring means another NHL Stanley cup playoffs which started on April 18 with first-round action. There are quite a few new faces this year, with six teams that did not make playoffs last year making it this year those teams being the Buffalo Sabers, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues and the Utah Mammoth, which was an relocated team for the NHL in the 2025-2026 season  

     The first round started on April 18 with the first game being the Ottawa Senators versus the Carolina Hurricanes. Other games that took place on the 18^th were the Minnesota Wild versus the Dallas Stars and the Philadelphia Flyers versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. On Sunday, April 19, the first-round action continued, the first game being the Los Angeles Kings versus the Colorado Avalanche and the Montreal Canadians versus theTampa Bay Lightning, the Boston Bruins versus the Buffalo Sabers, and the Utah Mammoth versus the Las Vegas Golden Knights. In the next 2 weeks these teams will get to know each other well playing a first to four, seven game series. 

     As of the time this article was written, the series have not been completed but so far the Hurricanes lead the Senators 2-0, the Flyers lead the Penguins 2-0, the Wild and the Stars are tied up at one a piece. The Oilers lead the Ducks 1-0, the Avalanche lead theKings 1-0, the Canadiens lead the Lightning 1-0, the Sabers lead the Bruins 1-0, and the Golden Knights lead the Mammoth 1-0. 

     The Squire interviewed junior, Michael Palmieri, to get insight into his thoughts about the NHL playoffs.  He stated, “I believe that the Pittsburgh Penguins will win this year. Pittsburgh is my hometown and I always root for the hometown team.” This is a very interesting take from Palmieri because the Penguins have one of the lowest betting odds to win the Stanley Cup. The Squire also asked Palmieri what’s one team that he believes will not live up to the playoff hype. He replied with the Bruins due to their lack of experience and added that he doesn’t believe they have enough discipline to stay focused throughout the grueling playoffs. 

     The Squire’s prediction for the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs is that it will come down to the Colorado Avalanche and the Carolina Hurricanes, with the Hurricanes coming away victorious and crowning themselves as the 2025-26 Stanley Cup champions. 

     The Squire thanks Palmieri for his time and insight, be sure to stay updated with the NHL playoffs and all things hockey by downloading the NHL app!