We’re down to our final eight teams (actually 10 as of this writing since we have a Game 7 tomorrow) in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, with two of my three futures plays heading into the playoffs still alive (my longshot play of the Edmonton Oilers winning the Western Conference didn’t really pan out, now did it?!). Now that we have a better lay of the land, let’s make some more plays. Here are your NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs futures after the first round.
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Futures After First Round
The first round of the playoffs didn’t offer many huge upsets, with all four division winners making it through to the second round. That includes the two favorites to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup in June. Which brings us to my first play.
Stanley Cup Matchup: Carolina Hurricanes vs Colorado Avalanche (+340)
As mentioned, other than a few small upsets, the first round of this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs pretty much went the way of the chalk, with all the top teams advancing. That of course includes the top two teams in the league this season, the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference, and the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference.
I especially like the Hurricanes making it through the East, as they get an overmatched, underprepared Philadelphia Flyers in the second round starting tonight. The Flyers have already had a successful playoffs, vanquishing their in-state rivals, the Pittsburgh Penguins, and should be no match for the Canes. Then I like Carolina over any team left at the top of the bracket.
The Avalanche will probably have a tougher go, starting with the Minnesota Wild this round, but they were the league’s best team all season so they should be up to the task.
Colorado vs Minnesota Correct Series Score (Colorado 4-1 +390, Colorado 4-2 +360)
Speaking of the Minnesota Wild, they looked great in dispatching the former Minnesota franchise, the Dallas Stars, in Round 1 in six games. With 23 goals in the series, the Wild’s offense is cooking, lead by Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov, who are the top point getters remaining in the playoffs with nine points, and midseason acquisition Quinn Hughes with eight.
While I’m picking the Colorado Avalanche to advance past the Wild, they will have their hands full. I’m betting on the Wild to grab a game of two (they split the regular season series with the Avalanche 2-2) and for us to be paid handsomely when they do.
Frederik Andersen to win Conn Smythe Trophy (+1100)
Veteran netminder Frederik Andersen had an injury-plagued, mediocre regular season for the Carolina Hurricanes. However, the 36-year-old has made up for that in the playoffs thus far, starring for the Hurricanes in the First Round.
With a solid postseason track record, the Hurricanes second round opponent the Philadelphia Flyers not being an offensive powerhouse, and my expectations for Carolina to make a run to the Cup, let’s sprinkle a bit on Andersen being the playoffs MVP.
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