NHL predictions 2025-26: Playoff teams, division winners and Stanley Cup
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Daily Faceoff
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In a bold outlook for the 2025-26 NHL season, experts have predicted an intriguing landscape for playoff teams. With the upcoming talent expected to take center stage, established franchises like the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning are forecasted to remain strong contenders. Notably, the Avalanche, led by Nathan MacKinnon, continue to impress with their deep roster, while the Lightning look to rely on their proven experience in high-stakes games.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils are viewed as an emerging powerhouse, largely due to the young and dynamic talent of Jack Hughes, who is expected to lead the charge. As teams refine their lineups in preparation for the season, the struggles faced by the Arizona Coyotes have raised questions about their future competitiveness in the Pacific Division. To counteract this, the Coyotes will need to find their footing with promising players stepping up.
The playoff picture also includes perennial favorites like the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins, known for their efforts to blend aging veterans with fresh talent, setting the stage for an exciting season filled with drama, surprises, and the quest for the Stanley Cup. As fans gear up for another thrilling year, the anticipation around who will make the postseason and ultimately hoist the trophy continues to build, creating buzz across the hockey community.
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils are viewed as an emerging powerhouse, largely due to the young and dynamic talent of Jack Hughes, who is expected to lead the charge. As teams refine their lineups in preparation for the season, the struggles faced by the Arizona Coyotes have raised questions about their future competitiveness in the Pacific Division. To counteract this, the Coyotes will need to find their footing with promising players stepping up.
The playoff picture also includes perennial favorites like the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins, known for their efforts to blend aging veterans with fresh talent, setting the stage for an exciting season filled with drama, surprises, and the quest for the Stanley Cup. As fans gear up for another thrilling year, the anticipation around who will make the postseason and ultimately hoist the trophy continues to build, creating buzz across the hockey community.