In the case of the NHL in 2025-26, that holds true once again. The arrival of six new teams to the postseason this spring is the second-highest total in league history, with Anaheim, Boston, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Utah entering the fray after missing out last year.

The NHL draft lottery will determine the order for the non-playoff team. Here are each team's odds.

Props : NHL player props will still be going strong all the way until a potential Game 7 of the Cup Final. The most popular markets include anytime goalscorer, player points, assists, shots on goal, and goalie saves.

The Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks are locked into the two best odds percentages to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft.

For some teams, what comes ahead is winning or bust. For others, it's gaining valuable playoff experience or looking to bounce back.

Brady Tkachuk and Jordan Staal fought seconds into the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs after the Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes captains dropped gloves immediately.

The Avalanche walked away with the NHL’s Presidents’ Trophy by having the best season out of any team. They finished the 2025-26 season with 121 points and a 55-16-11 record. Where to Watch & Stream: Sportsnet+, TVAS+, CBC, Sportsnet, & TVAS (in Canada). HBO Max, truTV, & TNT (in the USA).

The ultimate goal for every NHL team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is to win it all, but for some teams, more than others, winning it all matters more. With that, we’ll visit the three first-round playoff series with the most at stake.