Sixteen teams will make this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, but only a few are built to go the distance. Regardless of what the standings show, not all NHL playoff teams are created equal. Some of them have that championship DNA, while others are destined for an early exit.
Playoff hockey demands consistent offensive production, strong depth, reliable goaltending and extreme physicality. That’s something not all teams can deliver over an extended period of time. This season has several legitimate Stanley Cup contenders, but there are also a number of possible pretenders in the mix.
Let’s break down a few of the top teams heading into the playoffs, and determine whether they’re Stanley Cup contenders or pretenders. Because once the postseason begins, there’s nowhere to hide.
Colorado Avalanche
As the NHL’s best team, anything less than winning the Stanley Cup will be a disappointment for the Avalanche. Colorado has the league’s likely Hart Trophy winner in Nathan MacKinnon, along with the game’s best defenceman in Cale Makar.
This is a team that leads the league in both goals scored and goals against, proving they’re capable of winning in different ways, whether that’s a back-and-forth shootout or a tight, low-scoring affair. As long as their goaltending holds up, they’ll continue to be one of the favourites to win it all.
Verdict: CONTENDER
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay brings a balanced offensive attack, with elite production from Nikita Kucherov and strong secondary scoring from players like Jake Guentzel and Brandon Hagel. They also have one of the game’s best goaltenders in Andrei Vasilevskiy, who’s leading the NHL in wins this season.
Currently battling the Sabres for top spot in the Atlantic Division, the Lightning look like one of the league’s best teams yet again. It seems like Tampa Bay is in the Stanley Cup conversation every year, and that continues to be the case in 2026.
Verdict: CONTENDER
Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes play one of the best defensive systems in the NHL, limiting scoring chances and controlling the pace of the game, regardless of the opponent. On offence, they get balanced production throughout the lineup, with five different players reaching the 20-goal mark this season.
While they look good on paper, this is nothing new for Carolina fans. They’ve had a number of strong seasons in recent years, only to see them come undone in the playoffs. Until they break through in the postseason, the doubts will remain.
Verdict: PRETENDER
Dallas Stars
You could make the case that the Stars are flying under the radar after playing in Colorado’s shadow all season. Don’t let that fool you; this is a very good hockey team. They have a deep offence with three point-per-game players, as well as a disciplined defence and stellar goaltending.
Playing in the Western Conference, Dallas faces a difficult path to the Stanley Cup Finals, but this team is well-equipped for anything that may come its way. Having reached the conference finals each of the past three seasons, this could be the year that the Stars finally get over the hump.
Verdict: CONTENDER
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo has been one of the best stories in hockey this year, going from perennial losers to one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. No team has been hotter over the back-half of the season, as the Sabres put together one of the best 40-game stretches in modern NHL history.
This team plays a fast, aggressive style that creates chances in bunches, and features a talented, young core group of players coming into their own. Having said that, the Sabres’ lack of playoff experience will be tough to overcome. The future is bright in Buffalo, but they still have much to learn.
Verdict: PRETENDER
Minnesota Wild
The Wild are back in the playoff picture once again, looking to snap a streak of eight straight first-round exits. This year’s team has all the tools necessary to get the job done; in addition to Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, Minnesota added an elite offensive defenceman in Quinn Hughes earlier this season.
In addition to those playmakers, the Wild play structured defensive hockey and rank in the top five for goals against per game. Minnesota’s mid-season acquisition of Hughes made it clear that they feel ready to contend for a Stanley Cup. Who are we to disagree?
Verdict: CONTENDER
Montreal Canadiens
They may be the youngest team in the league, but the Canadiens continue to exceed expectations. With Nick Suzuki on pace for a 100-point season, Cole Caufield closing in on 50 goals and Lane Hutson looking like one of hockey’s best young blue-liners, Montreal is playing with a ton of confidence.
There’s no denying that this team is short on experience, but they’re playing some of their best hockey of the season when it matters most. If they can get reliable goaltending from Jakub Dobes, don’t be surprised if the Habs go on a run in the playoffs.
Verdict: CONTENDER
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks took a big step forward this season and you can be sure they want to keep that momentum going when the postseason begins. Anaheim has several young, talented players emerging throughout their roster. They play fast and can catch opponents off guard if they’re not prepared.
The Ducks are a franchise on the rise, but they still have a long way to go before seriously contending for a Stanley Cup. Dangerous one night and flat the next, they still need to work on bringing a consistent performance to every game. That’s tough to overcome over a full series against an experienced contender.
Verdict: PRETENDER
Last month we listed the most dangerous NHL playoff teams nobody is talking about. It’s interesting to see who is a contender or pretender from that list. Bring it on.