The most exciting part of the NHL season has begun for the 2026 season. On Saturday, April 18th the NHL kicked off their playoffs with games across the nation taking place. Starting off is round 1 being from April 18th-May 3rd (if necessary). Teams like the Colorado Avalanche and the Carolina Hurricanes come into the playoffs as big favorites, while teams like the Ottawa Senators and the Los Angeles Kings come into it as big underdogs.
“Watching the playoffs has always been a big part of me and my family’s night tradition, watching the big games before we go to bed. I think the Avalanche will win it this year, I think they are way too big of favorites to not win,” junior Aidan Freeman said.
Freeman has the Avalanche as his favorite which most people agree with. In the NHL Fan Bracket Challenge 34.8% of fans had them winning it all. The Avalanche won the presidents trophy in the regular season, being the team with the most points, and they have a Hart (MVP) front runner in Nathan MacKinnon and a Veznia (best goalie) front runner in Scott Wedgewood. The Edmonton Oilers got second in the votes with 12.8% of brackets having them win it all.
“I hope the Oilers get it done this year, them going back to back years to the finals and not being able to get it done is so unfortunate. I do hope for the Sabres to get it done too, with their drought being ended this year, Tage Thompson gotta bring it home,” junior Ben Talbott said.
The Edmonton Oilers have made it to back to back Stanley Cup Finals, but losing both times to the Florida Panthers. The Oilers are also heavy favorites with them having Connor McDavid, arguably the best player in the whole league and Leon Draisaitl, a consistent 100 point scorer in the league on his right side. They also have Evan Bouchard, an elite scoring defenseman that is a front runner for the Norris Award (defensive player of the year).
The NHL Playoffs is one of the craziest playoffs in all major leagues. The chase for the Stanley Cup is one of the most exciting races and the one that the players dream about since they were little kids, being able to hoist the cup above their heads and skate around with all of their teammates around them. Also getting their name engraved in the cup, being a winner and a mark in history forever.
