My 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions After The NHL Trade Deadline… (Bracket)
Welcome back to Hot Take Hockey!
Now that the NHL Trade Deadline has passed, it’s time to predict the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and build the full playoff bracket from Round 1 all the way to the Stanley Cup Final based on the current standings after the TDL.
Which teams will survive the Eastern Conference gauntlet?
Who comes out of the Western Conference?
And which team will lift the Stanley Cup in 2026?
In this video I go through every playoff matchup if the playoffs started today, every round prediction, and ultimately reveal my Stanley Cup Champion at this current time.
There are going to be some controversial picks in this one… so let me know your Stanley Cup predictions in the comments below.
👇 COMMENT YOUR PREDICTION
Who wins the 2026 Stanley Cup?
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22 Comments
Idk, in my opinion Vegas is a bit underrated right now. But I think if they're full healthy they have a roster capable of shutting down every forward lines
I think sabres deadline moves set them up to compete for real with Tampa and I could see buffalo beating Tampa in a series. Their D core is big and skilled. And they have momentum!
Sabres could win it all
Vegas lol dude they stink man…Oilers will take them out in 4 like they should have last year
I think Carolina will finally break through and win the cup in 7 vs Colorado
Time for the Canes to shock the league
8:40 what happened last year then?
Go Sabres! Nobody wants to play Buffalo, the speed, the amazing penalty killing all the shorthanded goals
It’s going to be wildest final In 20 years
Detroit Red Wings vs Colorado for the Stanley cup an impossibly until they moved Detroit out of the west
Will be filled with old redwings returning to the home games and old avalanche players returning to the games
Scotty bowman in the suites watching his second home with Scotty y running it return to hockey town
penguins Hater keep sleeping
Buffalo , versus Minnesota . Good bet . Minnesota has the better defense.
Colorado in the Finals dude? You’re really underestimating the unpredictability in the Playoffs
All the favorites huh. And then a Stanley Cup with two recent Stanley Cup winners. Why not play out actual matchups, and present scenarios where the upsets occur, as they do every year in the early rounds. Or how about picking a team closing strong down the stretch and riding that momentum or a goalie through a round or two? Anyone can fill a table with Vegas odds.
I'm not high on Vegas at all and think they lose to the Oilers or Ducks. Also as a Red Wings fan I'm getting nervous cus Larkin is hurt and Columbus isn't far out of a playoff spot.
Avid vs Swords is my pick
Yeah you know the Ducks have beaten Vegas every single time they've met right? Face it Vegas is very shaky this season they are not untouchable like they have been. I think the Ducks can beat both the Knights and the Oilers with how they've been playing.
Also I will remind you that anybody can beat anybody in the playoffs and don't forget the last time the Kraken played the Avalanche they beat them. And your talking about the Hurricanes like they did'nt go out and get Nick Ehlers before the season started.
BUFFALO!!! LFG!!! 🟦🦬🟨
Ngl I have the Ducks going on a run and losing to the Avs in the wcf. Vegas is just too inconsistent for me. I agree with rematch of 2022 though it feels like that is gonna happen.
Sabres are shocking me! As a Sabres fan it's fun to finally see them play good! Just getting in the playoffs would be awesome!
Sabres just smacked the taste out of Tampa's mouth. Showed Tampa isn't all that
9:51 I feel ur underestimating how well the Sabres have been playing against Tampa lately and especially cuz u mentioned the Lightning's goal tending – which yes, has typically been good but the Sabres opened up on him just a few days ago but I'm with you far as:
Minnesota vs Buffalo = Cup
or
Colorado
I'm starting to feel like the Sabres are trying to do MORE than just end a 14-yr playoff drought. They wanna take it all the way to the Stanley Cup.
HOWEVER I will say this…. depends on how they play in the playoffs I need to see first.
We've learned our lesson to keep being humble till actions speak louder than words lolol
Imagine not taking Buffalo to win it all 😭😭😭😭😭😭