Panic Sets in for Eastern Conference Favorites as Playoffs Heat Up The 2026 NHL playoffs are in full swing, and the landscape of the Stanley Cup contenders is beginning to take shape. As the Eastern Conference's top teams face off against each other, seeds of doubt are starting to be sown. The Boston Bruins, who have been the class of the East all season, have stumbled out of the gate, losing two of their first three games. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs, who many thought would be the team to beat in the East, have been struggling to find their rhythm, with their star players not yet firing on all cylinders. Can these powerhouses regroup and reclaim their spots at the top, or will the upstart teams of the East take advantage of their missteps?
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition – May 10, 2026 NHL Media
