The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway, and for some of the NHL's top teams, the early returns have been nothing short of disappointing. The Tampa Bay Lightning, who have been a force to be reckoned with in recent years, are among the biggest first-round flops, struggling to find their footing against a pesky opponent. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers, who were expected to make a deep run, are also facing an early exit. As the playoffs continue to unfold, fans are left wondering what went wrong for these perennial powerhouses, and whether their disappointing first-round exits signal a shift in the NHL's power dynamics.
Stanley Cup Playoffs 2026: Lightning, Oilers among biggest first-round disappointments CBS Sports
