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NHL News

2026 Stanley Cup playoff picks: Every first-round series

With the puck dropping on the first NHL postseason clashes, who do our experts take in each series?

Lightning and Canadiens meet to begin the NHL Playoffs

Montreal Canadiens (48-24-10, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (50-26-6, in the Atlantic Division)

Buffalo hosts Boston to open the NHL Playoffs

Boston Bruins (45-27-10, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Buffalo Sabres (50-23-9, in the Atlantic Division)

Colorado and Los Angeles face off to begin the NHL Playoffs

Los Angeles Kings (35-27-20, in the Pacific Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (55-16-11, in the Central Division)

Utah visits Vegas to start the NHL Playoffs

Utah Mammoth (43-33-6, in the Central Division) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (39-26-17, in the Pacific Division)

Stars host the Wild to begin the NHL Playoffs

Minnesota Wild (46-24-12, in the Central Division) vs. Dallas Stars (50-20-12, in the Central Division)

All NHL News

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