Tank's 2025/26 NHL Preview and Predictions
Atlantic Division
- Toronto Maple Leafs 108 pts
- Tampa Bay Lightning 106 pts
- Ottawa Senators 98 pts
- Montreal Canadiens 94 pts
- Florida Panthers 91 pts
- Detroit Red Wings 88 pts
- Buffalo Sabres 83 pts
- Boston Bruins 78 pts
Expect another big regular season for the Maple Leafs, as they will battle for the President's Trophy with Auston Matthews making a run at the Hart Trophy. They have the pieces to climb the summit for the Stanley Cup, but like Sisyphus, the Leafs are unable to climb the hill in the postseason as the boulder rolls back down the mountain.
The Lightning are poised for another long run, thanks to their strong defense, scoring, and goaltending. Don't be shocked if the Lightning answer the Panthers' two cups and take Lord Stanley back to Florida's Gulf Coast.
With an improving defense, the Senators snuck into the postseason last year. Look for the upward trend to continue in Ottawa as they finish in the top three in the competive Atlantic Division.
The Montreal Canadiens' rebuild is beginning to show promise as they made the playoffs last year. Expect Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki to continue to grow as the Canadiens battle for the Wild Card again.
The Panthers have been to three straight Stanley Cup Finals and have won the last two years. This year, it could be an enormous mountain as their long playoff runs have left them nursing injuries, with Matthew Tkachuk likely out until December, while captain Aleksander Barkov will miss the season with a torn ACL. The cost of winning is high, and the Panthers' two-year reign will end without making the playoffs.
The Red Wings feel like they are close to a breakthrough, as the team that once made it to 25 straight postseasons has not been back to the playoffs since 2016. The problem continues to be on the blueline, as Detroit's defense is not good enough.
The Sabres hoped to go back to the glory days by hiring Lindy Ruff. The Sabres had not made the playoffs since Ruff's first tenure in Buffalo ended in 2011. That NHL-record drought will not end in 2026 as Ruff will be the first coach fired.
The Boston Bruins' window is closed, as their once-potential dynasty lies in ruins. The best option is to make hard decisions and continue the rebuild by trading Pavel Zacha and possibly even David Pasternak to kick-start the rebuild.
Metropolitan Division
- Carolina Hurricanes 109 pts
- New Jersey Devils 104 pts
- New York Rangers 101 pts
- Washington Capitals 97 pts (WC 1)
- Columbus Blue Jackets 95 pts (WC 2)
- New York Islanders 87 pts
- Philadelphia Flyers 80 pts
- Pittsburgh Penguins 75 pts
The Carolina Hurricanes have been on the doorstep of greatness in recent years, having lost in the Conference Finals to the Panthers in two of the last three seasons. No team is better built for a long playoff run than the Hurricanes, who continued to strengthen their blueline presence.
Health is the key for the Devils, who will go only as far as Jack Hughes can stay healthy. If Jack Hughes can play at 100% all season, the Devils could be a top contender; if he continues to be hampered by his troublesome shoulder, the Devils will be in trouble.
The Rangers were the NHL's most disappointing team last season, having failed to make the playoffs after winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2023. The Rangers will likely return to the playoffs, but they lack the firepower to advance far in the postseason.
It's a farewell tour for Alex Ovechkin, who took a sip from the Fountain of Youth and broke Wayne Gretzky's goal record. He will reach 900 goals early in the season, as he takes the Capitals to one final postseason run.
The Blue Jackets overcame tragedy and were in the playoff hunt until the end of the season, while mourning the death of Johnny Gaudreau. Expect the Jackets to slip in this year, as goalie Elvis Merzlikins has a breakout season.
The Islanders are a team in transition after winning the draft lottery and selecting Matthew Schaefer; the future is brighter. However, the team is not quite a playoff team, as they will continue to reshape the future throughout the year.
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The Flyers have some talent, but collectively lack a cohesive team that can factor in the playoff chase, especially as the lack of goaltending continues to be a woe for Philadelphia.
For nearly 20 years, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby have symbolized hockey in Pittsburgh. They led the Penguins to three Stanley Cups, but now it is time to say goodbye. The best outcome would be for the Penguins to trade both and begin rebuilding.
Central Division
- Colorado Avalanche 114 pts
- Dallas Stars 107 pts
- Winnipeg Jets 103 pts
- Minnesota Wild 96 pts (WC 1)
- Utah Mammoth 94 pts (WC 2)
- St. Louis Blues 92 pts
- Nashville Predators 74 pts
- Chicago Blackhawks 72 pts
After missing nearly three seasons, Gabriel Landeskog returned in the postseason for the Colorado Avalanche. The last time he was fully healthy, he led Colorado to a Stanley Cup. Expect the Avalanche to be among the best teams in the NHL.
The Dallas Stars have reached the Western Conference Finals in the past three seasons. The Stars are one of the most complete teams in the NHL, and this is the year they get over the hump and take the Stanley Cup to the Lone Star State.
The Winnipeg Jets won the President's Trophy in 2025 as Connor Helebuyck won the Vezina and the Hart Trophy, becoming the eighth player to pull the double. The Jets will again be a factor in the Central Division, but it will ultimately lead to more playoff disappointment.
The Wild have some of the NHL's top prospects. Look for them to begin making a difference, as Zeev Buium wins the Calder Trophy and becomes Minnesota's top scorer.
Utah has a nickname, as the renovation of its arena began in earnest this summer. The Mammoth will give Utah its first taste of the postseason, as they grab the Western Conference's second Wild Card spot, with a growing fan base.
In the competive Central Division, the Blues are among three teams that have a shot at the Wild Card spots. However, they will be the odd team out, as they may have to make some tough decisions about the team's future, with Cam Fowler possibly getting traded at the deadline.
The Predators went all in last offseason, landing Jonathan Marchessault and Steve Stamkos. However, it ended in disappointment as Nashville was among the worst teams in the NHL. Expect a shakeup as the Predators will again be among the bottom five teams.
The Blackhawks are developing a core around Connor Bedard, but the process is slow, as the franchise was in disarray when they selected him first in 2023. Patience is needed as the Blackhawks will again finish last in the Central Division.
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Pacific Division
- Vegas Golden Knights 112 pts
- Edmonton Oilers 105 pts
- Los Angeles Kings 98 pts
- Vancouver Canucks 90 pts
- Anaheim Ducks 88 pts
- Calgary Flames 82 pts
- Seattle Kraken 78 pts
- San Jose Sharks 66 pts
Seeking to bring back the Stanley Cup to Vegas, the Golden Knights acquire Mitch Marner. Look for them to light up the scoreboard like the Vegas strip, as the Knights make a long playoff run with one of the most exciting teams in the NHL.
The Oilers have lost in the Stanley Cup Final in the past two seasons, with Connor McDavid carrying the team on his back. With a two-year extension, McDavid is secure, but unless the Oilers can get consistent goaltending, his quest for the Stanley Cup will again end in frustration.
The Kings have a good team, but have been eliminated by the Oilers in the past four seasons in the first round of the playoffs. The teams will meet again; this time, the Kings, with their goaltending edge, will advance.
The Canucks are a team that can either come together or fall apart. They have the pieces to make a run at the playoffs, especially if Elias Pettersson can bounce back and get back to the 30-goal mark. Quinn Hughes' desire to join his brothers in New Jersey could, however, put the Canucks in a corner where they become sellers.
The Ducks could be a surprise playoff team, as they have a young and talented team that is starting to gel around Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Mason McTavish. Expect them to remain in the race until the final weeks of the season.
Don't expect much from the Flames, as they are a team that is in transition. They have some good, talented players, but they are not deep enough to factor in the playoff chase. Expect them to be sellers at the deadline as they try to put themselves in a position for the future.
Hoping to repeat the quick success of the Knights, the Kraken made the playoffs in their second season and advanced to the second round. However, they have struggled over the last two years and are a long shot to improve this year. It is back to the drawing board in Seattle, as they need to rebuild the core they failed to develop as an expansion team five years ago.
The Sharks have a few young, dynamic players, with Macklin Celebrini poised for greatness. However, the Sharks lack depth and defense and will again be among the worst teams in the NHL.
First Round
- Hurricanes over Blue Jackets in 5
- Capitals over Maple Leafs in 7
- Devils over Rangers in 6
- Lightning over Senators in 6
- Avalanche over Mammoth in 6
- Golden Knights over Wild in 5
- Stars over Jets in 6
- Kings over Oilers in 6
Second Round
- Hurricanes over Devils in 7
- Lightning over Capitals in 6
- Golden Knights over Kings in 5
- Stars over Avalanche in 7
Eastern Conference Finals
- Hurricanes over Lightning in 6
Western Conference Finals
- Stars over Golden Knights in 6
Stanley Cup Finals
- Stars over Hurricanes
Conn Smythe Trophy: Mikko Rantanen, Stars
Awards
- Jack Adams Award Winner (Best Coach): Andre Tourigny, Mammoth
- Art Ross Trophy (Leading Scorer): Connor McDavid, Oilers
- Calder Trophy Winner (Best Rookie): Zeev Buium, Stars
- Selke Trophy Winner (Defensive Forward): Nico Hischier, Devils
- Norris Trophy Winner (Best Defenseman): Cale Makar, Avalanche
- Vezina Trophy Winner (Best Goalie): Connor Hellebuyck, Jets
- Hart Trophy Winner (MVP): Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs
