2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 Predictions – The Hockey Writers –

The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs have wrapped up the first round of play, and Round 2 is set and ready to go. The writers at The Hockey Writers took a poll on the first-round matchups and cast their votes on who they think will win each series, how many games, and the series MVP (most valuable player).

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers Predictions

Carolina Hurricanes: 100%
Philadelphia Flyers: 0%

The top team in the Eastern Conference has a second-round matchup against a team that entered the season with small playoff hopes and barely squeaked in. With that being said, the Philadelphia Flyers looked fantastic for much of their first-round series, but so did the Carolina Hurricanes.

This is certainly favoured toward the Hurricanes on all accounts, but seeing nobody pick the Flyers was a bit of a shock.

CAR in 5 Games: 55.6%
CAR in 4 Games: 22.2%
CAR in 6 Games: 22.6%

The Hurricanes are a great team who sent the Ottawa Senators packing in four games in Round 1, and there is a good chance that they get through the second round in a similar fashion. Votes lean heavily on the Flyers winning a maximum of one game.

Series MVP:
Logan Stankoven (44.4%)
Sebastian Aho (33.3%)
Taylor Hall & Jackson Blake (11.1%)

After an incredibly dominant series from the Hurricanes’ second line, seeing the three of them here, as well as their top forward, is no shock. Stankoven has had an unbelievable playoff run so far, and is on track to be the MVP in this series, just as he was in Round 1.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens Predictions

Montreal Canadiens: 55.6%
Buffalo Sabres: 44.4%

As expected, the poll was pretty close to even on this one, and after knocking out the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Montreal Canadiens are given the slight edge here.

MTL in 6 Games: 55.6%
BUF in 6 Games: 33.3%
BUF in 7 Games: 11.1%

Almost everybody predicts a six-game series here, but not everyone agrees on who will put this series away early. The Sabres played a tough series against the Boston Bruins, but the Canadiens played a very tight series with great goaltending on both sides.

Series MVP:
Jakob Dobes (33.3%)
Juraj Slafokvsky (22.2%)
Tage Thompson (22.2%)

After the excellent performance in Game 7 against the Lightning, seeing Dobes lead the way here makes a lot of sense. He was the biggest reason the Canadiens, who didn’t have a great game, were able to come away with the win. Both Slafkovsky and Thompson are going to be threats for their respective teams, but Dobes was the biggest star in Round 1.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild Predictions

Colorado Avalanche: 66.6%
Minnesota Wild: 33.4%

Another very tough matchup for the Minnesota Wild, this time in the second round. They handled the Dallas Stars well while the Colorado Avalanche made easy work of the Los Angeles Kings. The Avalanche is an incredibly well-built team and takes the slight edge in this poll.

COL in 6 Games: 33.3%
MIN in 7 Games: 33.3%
Remaining votes to Avalanche in 4, 5, and 7 games

Most people think this series is going to go six or seven games, and it was quite a surprise to see some thinking the Avalanche would decimate the Wild in four or five games.

Series MVP:
Nathan MacKinnon (33.3%)
Six other players tied behind MacKinnon

There are so many players who can take over a series playing in this matchup, whether you look at the superstar defensemen, the flaming hot goalies (prior to Game 1, that is), and the talent in the forward groups. This is such a difficult series to predict anything for.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Anaheim Ducks Predictions

Anaheim Ducks: 55.6%
Vegas Golden Knights: 44.4%

After knocking off the reigning back-to-back Western Conference champions, the Anaheim Ducks are feeling pretty good about themselves. The Vegas Golden Knights had a six-game bout with the Utah Mammoth, but they didn’t look strong enough for voters to swing things their way.

ANA in 7 Games: 33.3%
VGK in 7 Games: 33.3%
ANA in 6 Games: 22.2%
VGK in 6 Games: 11.1%

There is a tight series ahead, according to these predictions. A seven-game series feels inevitable between these two. They are two representations of different team styles. The Ducks are led by young, quick players, and are playing with house money at this point, while the Golden Knights have a big veteran presence and have Stanley Cup expectations.

Series MVP:
Jackson LaCombe (33.3%)
Mark Stone (22.2%)
Four other players tied behind LaCombe and Stone

Jackson LaCombe had one of the best first-round showings across the league. He was outstanding defensively and posted eight points, which ranked just shy of the top of the league. Expecting him to be dominant against the Golden Knights is very justified.