NHL 2026–27 Season Predictions: Full Division Standings, Playoff Predictions, Stanley Cup Pick & Awards

It's time for puck drop.

The NHL returns this week, and with that, it's time to make predictions. In this blog post, we'll go over my predictions for each division, one through eight, the playoff teams, how many points each team will have, round by round of the postseason, a Stanley Cup champion, and even some awards.

There's going to be some surprises, some picks that will be chalk, but in it all, this is how, in my opinion, this season will play out. Let's get into it, and I can't wait to see who will be lifting the Stanley Cup come June.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

ATLANTIC DIVISION

Predicted Standings

Team	Points	Playoff
1. Tampa Bay Lightning	113	X
2. Florida Panthers	109	X
3. Montreal Canadiens	104	X
4. Ottawa Senators	99	X
5. Buffalo Sabres	94	—
6. Boston Bruins	86	—
7. Toronto Maple Leafs	85	—
8. Detroit Red Wings	82	—

Starting in the Atlantic Division, which very well could be the toughest division in hockey. I think there are multiple playoff contenders here, if not all eight teams here. That said, I've got four teams heading to the postseason in Tampa Bay, Florida, Montreal, and Ottawa.

I think Tampa is going to be a regular-season juggernaut once again. I love the addition of John Carlson. I think they’ll come back; they’ll care about getting that number one seed advantage, and they'll win the division behind another most year from Nikita Kucherov in a contract year.

Staying in Florida, the Panthers are back, and I don’t have much to say here. Last year was just ruined by injuries for them. This year, Matthew Tkachuk is healthy to start the year, Sasha Barkov is back after his torn ACL, Brad Marchand should be ready to go early in the season, and I'm just naming multiple guys who should be healthier after a long summer. The goaltending is the question with Jacob Markstrom, but I just think with the addition of Brady Tkachuk as well, this team is just so loaded that they can make up for it.

The Habs, my favourite team, I've got coming in third place. I think the biggest development they’ll make is with internal growth, with, for example, Lane Hutson in his third year hoping to become a real Norris contender, Ivan Demidov in his second season, Nick Suzuki’s getting better every year of his career, Cole Caufield coming off his first 50-goal season, and Juraj Slafkovsky perhaps trying to become a PPG player. While that is all nice to bank on, I do think Kent Hughes will make some type of major addition throughout the season to raise their ceiling, and I have them comfortably as a playoff team still.

I really think Ottawa’s going to be somewhat of a surprise. I like them to get back to the playoffs even without Brady Tkachuk after the trade. I see this group kind of coming together now that they have a common enemy in the division, and I think we see multiple players on this team have career years to get back to the playoffs.

Buffalo is my biggest faller in this division after winning the division last year and getting into the second round; I've got them missing outright. They will still be solid, but they lost a ton of key players like Bowen Byram and Alex Tuch, and it's as if we are not talking about that enough. They were major players in their success last year, and I just think those are very key losses. I still believe in the future of this team, but I think this year could be somewhat of a humbling year for them.

And then, in my opinion, this is where the key drop-off comes. I just don't believe that Boston, Toronto, and Detroit are as talented as some of these other teams. I think the Maple Leafs could be the biggest wild card here, as I can see a scenario where Auston Matthews finds his level of play, becomes a 50-goal scorer again, Gavin McKenna’s even better than we think, and the rest of the group follows their lead, but I just don’t believe in Jim Hiller as a coach, and there are still so many questions around this team. I think they are going to miss the playoffs again.

The Bruins shocked me last year. Sure, they could surprise me again, but I think they come back down to earth. And with Detroit, who knows what’s happening there with Dylan Larkin’s situation and just not great vibes.

METROPOLITAN DIVISION

Predicted Standings

Team	Points	Playoff
1. Washington Capitals	109	X
2. Carolina Hurricanes	106	X
3. New York Islanders	98	X
4. New Jersey Devils	97	X
5. Philadelphia Flyers	91	—
6. New York Rangers	87	—
7. Columbus Blue Jackets	86	—
8. Pittsburgh Penguins	84	—

In the Metro, I've also got four playoff teams with the Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils.

The Capitals, who I have won the division with, had me loving everything they did this offseason. They locked up their young players for long-term deals and brought in outside veterans like Jordan Kyrou, Alex Tuch, and Boone Jenner. They just have a great foundation here with one of the best forward groups in the league. While I don't love the blueline, in net, Logan Thompson could be a very good Vezina nominee, which could help balance that out. And in what is all likelihood going to be Alex Ovechkin's final season, it's clear that they are going all-in on trying to compete for the Cup for him; they'll be a major player in the Eastern Conference and finish atop the Metro.

The defending champion Hurricanes, I think, will care more about health than anything this year. They proved last year they can go play anywhere; they're still a comfortable playoff team, they're still one of the premier contenders in the NHL, just a bit of a step back in the regular season.

The New York Islanders, for the second straight year, are my "surprise" playoff team entering the season. I thought they'd make the playoffs last year, and I thought I was going to be proven right up until those final few weeks of the season. Matthew Schaefer was unbelievable as a rookie and almost helped drag them to the postseason, but they just kind of fell off at the end in that final month, which cost Patrick Roy his job. This year, they get a full year of Pete DeBoer behind the bench, who I think is one of the better coaches in the NHL. I think Schaefer is going to be even better. He very well could be a Norris nominee. I think the Islanders surprise some people and get into the playoffs as a division team.

And then in the final wild card spot, the New Jersey Devils. They do this thing where they follow up a great season with a bad season. Last year was their bad season, so while I don't think it's going to be a great season, I think they find a way to get back into the playoffs. I think they'll be aggressive throughout the year, and who knows, maybe they land Quinn Hughes somehow if he tells the Wild he plans on leaving to go there. But I do think the Devils get into the playoffs.

Then the Flyers, I think, take a step back after last year. Remember, they were not a great team last year up until the end of the regular season, when they went on a run to get into the playoffs. I think they'll have a better regular season throughout, but I don't think they're going to have a high like they did to get into the playoffs.

The Rangers, I do think, will be better than some people expect, but they're still not a playoff team. Columbus, I could see a real scenario where they trade players like Marchenko and Werenski, and they go full rebuild. But I think the floor is there where they're not going to be the worst team in the East. I just don't think they're as good as the other teams in this division.

And the Penguins, they shocked me last year by getting into the playoffs, but this is the year I feel like we will see the fall of an empire (for real this time). On paper, they are one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference. I don't love any of the players on this team, outside of Sidney Crosby. I think they take a major step back this year and miss the playoffs, and they're not even close to actually making it in general.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

CENTRAL DIVISION

Predicted Standings

Team	Points	Playoff
1. Dallas Stars	110	X
2. Colorado Avalanche	109	X
3. Utah Mammoth	104	X
4. Minnesota Wild	102	X
5. St. Louis Blues	95	X
6. Winnipeg Jets	91	—
7. Nashville Predators	84	—
8. Chicago Blackhawks	71	—

In the Central, I've got five playoff teams: the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Utah Mammoth, Minnesota Wild, and, to some people's surprise, the St. Louis Blues.

In first place, I've got the Dallas Stars. This might be a bit of a surprise to some people not seeing the Colorado Avalanche there, but in recent memory, if you're just going off the trend, the team that's won the Presidents' Trophy hasn't exactly had the best season the following year, so that's why I'm going with the Stars. I think they're a fairly complete team once again, and for them, the question is, are they finally going to be able to get over the hump in the playoffs? But throughout the regular season, I think they'll be great.

For the Avs, there's nothing to say. Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and the group are coming back for another run at the Cup. I think they'll care about health as well, as opposed to trying to win every possible regular season game. So I could see a bit of a step back there.

The Utah Mammoth, I think, is going to be great this season. I think they get comfortably into the playoffs this time as a division-seeded team as opposed to a wildcard. I think they kind of surprise people by not letting this just be a three-team division, like a lot of people think. Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther are going to get better. I love the addition of Vinny Trocheck. I just think they're a very well-rounded group.

The Minnesota Wild, I think, take a bit of a step back, and it's not because of anyone who's on the roster. It's just that there's so much uncertainty around this team. What type of distraction will Quinn Hughes be if he doesn't have an extension? Will they trade Hughes if he doesn't have an extension? Who would they get back to if they traded Hughes? I think they're still in the playoffs, with or without Quinn, but I think they take a bit of a step back.

The St. Louis Blues had me kind of loving everything they did this offseason and will be a surprise playoff team. They added young players in Connor McMichael and Mason McTavish, who I think will be some great additions, and there is a real possibility Joel Hofer could be one of the surprise goaltenders of the season this year. I trust Jim Montgomery as head coach to get the most out of this team. I think St. Louis surprises people and gets into the playoffs.

Winnipeg, depending on what they get for Connor Hellebuyck when I assume they trade him, could change my thinking on them because I actually do think they're a good team on paper. It's just so much uncertainty in the air there. If Stuart Skinner's your goalie for a majority of the year, that's not great. And if Connor Hellebuyck is there, does he want to be there? What will he play like then? So just a bit of uncertainty. I tried to find a way to get them into the playoffs because I do really like this team on paper, but there are just too many questions.

Nashville, I think, finally takes a bit of a slide here. I think they'll trade some players like Ryan O'Reilly at the deadline to contenders, which would be good for them to get some assets.

And then Chicago, with no Connor Bedard for the first while of the year, I just think this team is awful on paper. I think they'll be better and more competitive than they've been in recent years in games, but I just think the teams around them are just so much better. I really do think Chicago's going to be the worst team in the league this year. I think they will actually finish at the basement of the NHL this year.

PACIFIC DIVISION

Predicted Standings

Team	Points	Playoff
1. Vegas Golden Knights	103	X
2. Edmonton Oilers	102	X
3. San Jose Sharks	95	X
4. Los Angeles Kings	92	—
5. Anaheim Ducks	92	—
6. Seattle Kraken	80	—
7. Vancouver Canucks	75	—
8. Calgary Flames	72	—

And then the Pacific, just a three-team playoff division: the Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, and San Jose Sharks.

The Golden Knights have been the most consistent team in this division throughout recent years. I think they win this division just a hair over the Edmonton Oilers, who do have a lot of questions. I think they, on paper, improved the roster, but obviously bringing in Mike Babcock, who knows how that's going to happen. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, I don't think, again, will care about the regular season. I think they'll just care about getting into position to succeed come the playoffs, and I think for them actually being the second team in the division here would be good for them.

Because I do have the San Jose Sharks making the playoffs, that's just because I believe in Macklin Celebrini so much. I think he takes another MAJOR leap. I like the moves the Sharks made to add guys like Jacob Trouba and Darnell Nurse to their blue line to improve that. So while they do get in, I think they will kind of get their teeth kicked in by the Oilers. And for the Oilers, I think they'd rather play the Sharks than face a team like Minnesota or St. Louis as a division-winning team.

Then in the four-five, staying in California, I've got the Kings and Ducks tying. I think both these teams got worse this summer. Anze Kopitar is no longer on the Kings in retirement, and then the Ducks just had to trade so many guys and get off some contracts because of how badly they screwed up their salary cap. So, while Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier could get better, they did have a lot of losses in guys like Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba, who I think were key contributors to this team last year.

And then this is where the real drop comes from with Seattle, Vancouver, and Calgary.

Seattle, I hope they sell some guys at the deadline and finally choose a direction.

The Canucks, after finishing last in the NHL last year, I don't think they're as bad as people think on paper. Like, obviously it's going to be a tough year, but even their defense core with players like Filip Hronek, Zeev Buium, and Tom Willander makes up a real solid foundation. And their forwards, like Brock Boeser, Jacob DeBrusk (if he can bounce back), and Elias Pettersson (maybe if he can find a way to get to, like, 60 or 70 points), can be good for them. So I don't think they're as bad as people think. Marco Rossi could also take a jump. I just don't think they're going to be as bad as people think.

And Calgary, I think Dustin Wolf is going to be hung out to dry this year. I think it's going to be a rough year in Calgary. But at the end of the day, I think Calgary is actually the worst team in this division, not Vancouver.

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

Eastern Conference

First Round

A1. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. WC2. New Jersey Devils

Prediction: Lightning in 6

A2. Florida Panthers vs. A3. Montreal Canadiens

Prediction: Panthers in 6

M1. Washington Capitals vs. WC1. Ottawa Senators

Prediction: Capitals in 5

M2. Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3. New York Islanders

Prediction: Hurricanes in 4

Second Round

A1. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A2. Florida Panthers

Prediction: Panthers in 5

M1. Washington Capitals vs. M2. Carolina Hurricanes

Prediction: Hurricanes in 6

Eastern Conference Final

Florida Panthers vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Prediction: Panthers in 6

Western Conference

First Round

C1. Dallas Stars vs. WC2. St. Louis Blues

Prediction: Stars in 5

C2. Colorado Avalanche vs. C3. Utah Mammoth

Prediction: Avalanche in 5

P1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1. Minnesota Wild

Prediction: Wild in 6

P2. Edmonton Oilers vs. P3. San Jose Sharks

Prediction: Oilers in 5

Second Round

C1. Dallas Stars vs. C2. Colorado Avalanche

Prediction: Stars in 7

P2. Edmonton Oilers vs. WC1. Minnesota Wild

Prediction: Oilers in 7

Western Conference Final

Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers

Prediction: Stars in 6

2027 Stanley Cup Final: Florida Panthers vs. Dallas Stars - Panthers in 6

In the Stanley Cup Final, I've got the Florida Panthers taking on the Dallas Stars.

I think the Panthers fairly easily find their way out of the Eastern Conference. I think in the Atlantic part of the division, they'll be able to beat up on a young Montreal team in the first round, who will be a better team but just will draw a tougher matchup. And then I think Tampa Bay will get past New Jersey but then fall once again to their Florida counterparts, which will set up a third time in five years, a matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final, as I would have the Hurricanes getting through the Senators and Capitals within the first two rounds of the postseason.

And of course, this would mean the Panthers then to get back to the Final for the fourth time in five years.

And then the Western Conference, I've got Dallas getting over the hump this year to get back to the Final for the first time since 2020. I just believe the Stars are the most balanced team in the conference this year, and after a first-round exit last year, they come out firing. Another reason fpr why I'm taking Dallas is just that I think the Avs' goaltending will be a problem come playoff team (like we saw against Vegas last year), and I see flaws on almost every Pacific Division team. The Oilers, I do think, in their first year under Mike Babcock, will come back a bit more motivated than they have been the past two years and a bit more rested. So they do get back to the Western Conference Final, but ultimately the difference in net is the difference for me.

Dallas beats Edmonton this time around and gets to the final.

Then, in the final, I'm just going with the Florida Panthers to take down the Dallas Stars in six games.

This is the first time going into a hockey season I honestly would be shocked if a team didn't win the Stanley Cup. You just look up and down this lineup; I just think it is clear they are the best roster in hockey.

Florida has the best forward group in the NHL and one of the best defensive groups in the NHL. They're rested coming into this season after not getting to the postseason last year, guys coming back off injury and motivated to complete this dynasty. Three titles in four years would do that (not to mention the four finals' appearances in five years).

Everyone had their shot last year, and the Hurricanes took advantage of it.

This year I think the Panthers are coming back to do what they do, which is dominate come postseason time. Obviously, the concern is in net with Jacob Markstrom, but like I wrote earlier, I just think this team is so well-balanced in front of him that they'll be able to protect him, win in spite of him, and ultimately the Stanley Cup once again will be in Sunrise come this June.

NHL AWARDS

Hart Trophy

Winner: Macklin Celebrini

Team: San Jose Sharks

Art Ross Trophy

Winner: Nikita Kucherov

Team: Tampa Bay Lightning

Rocket Richard Trophy

Winner: Leon Draisaitl

Team: Edmonton Oilers

Vezina Trophy

Winner: Logan Thompson

Team: Washington Capitals

Norris Trophy

Winner: Matthew Schaefer

Team: New York Islanders

Calder Trophy

Winner: Gavin McKenna

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs

Selke Trophy

Winner: Nick Suzuki

Team: Montreal Canadiens

Jack Adams

Winner: Travis Green

Team: Ottawa Senators

OTHER PREDICTIONS

Presidents Trophy

Winner: Tampa Bay Lightning

Worst Record

Team: Chicago Blackhawks

Biggest Surprise Team

Team(s): New York Islanders & St. Louis Blues

Most Disappointing & Biggest Drop-Off Team

Team: Buffalo Sabres

Most Improved Team

Team: Washington Capitals