Poll: Who Will Win the Stanley Cup?

[Editor's note: Welcome to Athlon Sports' poll of the day, where we ask readers to weigh in on the biggest topic of the day. Thanks for voting, and be sure to sound off in the comment section.]

The NHL playoffs begin Saturday. The race for the Stanley Cup begins with three Game 1s: Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes; Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars; and Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins. Four more series begin Sunday.

There will be a new Stanley Cup champion crowned this year, as the two-time defending champ Florida Panthers did not qualify for the postseason. Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, who lost each of the last two Finals to the Panthers, open a first-round series against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night.

The Western Conference's Colorado Avalanche, led by league-leading goal scorer Nathan MacKinnon, finished with the NHL's best record (119 points). The Carolina Hurricanes (113) had the best record in the Eastern Conference, second-best overall.

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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 5:25 AM.