As the 2026 NHL playoffs continue to heat up, four teams have been eliminated in Round 2, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering what went wrong. In a season that promised so much, the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Vegas Golden Knights were unable to overcome their opponents and advance to the conference finals. The New York Times takes a closer look at the key takeaways from each team's disappointing postseason run, from the Bruins' struggles on the power play to the Avalanche's inability to contain their opponent's top scorers. With the playoffs now down to the final four, the eliminated teams' performances offer valuable insights into what it takes to succeed at the highest level of professional hockey.

What we learned about the 4 NHL teams eliminated in Round 2 of the 2026 playoffs  The New York Times