As the 2025-2026 NHL regular season comes to a close, hockey fans are eagerly anticipating the start of the playoffs, and the question on everyone's mind is: who will hoist the Stanley Cup aloft this year? In a highly competitive league, several teams are vying for the top spot, including last year's finalists, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and dark horse contenders like the Colorado Avalanche and the Toronto Maple Leafs. With a deep pool of talented players and a mix of seasoned veterans and young guns, this year's playoffs promise to be a thrilling ride filled with upsets, comebacks, and heart-stopping moments. From the East to the West, our experts weigh in on the teams to watch and the players to keep an eye on as they make their predictions for the 2026 Stanley Cup winner.

NHL Playoff Predictions 2026: Who Will Take Home The Stanley Cup?  Yahoo Sports