The 2026 NHL playoffs initiate without the defending Stanley Cup champion for the first time in 11 years, a situation that has occurred only six times in over a century of league history.
Florida, the reigning champion, was eliminated during the regular season due to an extensive injury list, joining a rare group of teams that failed to qualify for the playoffs after winning the Cup the previous year. Only Toronto (1967/68), Montreal (1969/70), Recent Jersey (1996/97), Carolina (2006/07) and Los Angeles (2014/15) have experienced this outcome before.
The absence of a repeat champion opens the door for other contenders, with Colorado emerging as a strong favorite. The Avalanche not only scored over 300 goals for the first time in franchise history but also boast the league’s best defense, allowing just 2.48 goals per game. Aside from Nazem Kadri and Josh Mitchell, who are expected to return in time for the playoffs, the team is largely healthy.
Meanwhile, Edmonton faces a significant challenge as Leon Draisaitl suffered an injury prior to the playoffs. The German forward has recorded at least 50 goals and 100 points in four of the last eight seasons, a feat unmatched by any other player in the league. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins acknowledged the loss of production but emphasized the need to adapt, suggesting the team may benefit from a shift in mindset given their past reliance on offensive firepower in playoff series where defensive play often prevails.
The opening round features several notable storylines, including a guaranteed Czech matchup in the Vegas versus Utah series, where Tomáš Hertl will face off against goaltenders Karel Vejmelka and Vítek Vaněček. Martin Nečas, the Czech league’s top scorer this season, will lead Colorado’s charge against Los Angeles in their pursuit of a rare double — winning both the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup in the same season.
For more on this story, see St. Louis Blues Eliminated from NHL Playoffs.
The last team to accomplish that feat was the 2013 Chicago Blackhawks, although their season was shortened due to a lockout. The most recent full-season achievement dates back to the 2006/07 Detroit Red Wings, who won the Presidents’ Trophy and the Stanley Cup 19 years ago.
According to the official schedule released by the NHL, the first round begins on Saturday, April 18, with games timed according to Central European Summer Time. Series such as Carolina versus Ottawa, Buffalo versus Boston, Tampa Bay versus Montreal, and Pittsburgh versus Philadelphia are set to open the postseason, with potential Games 5, 6, and 7 scheduled only if necessary.
The playoffs are expected to conclude by May 4, allowing players to join their national teams for the upcoming IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, which runs from May 15 to May 31. This timeline creates a window for NHL players to participate in both events without overlap.
Six teams that did not qualify for the playoffs last year — Anaheim, Boston, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Utah — have returned this season, marking the second-highest number of returning absentees in playoff history.
How does the absence of the defending champion affect the playoff landscape?
It removes a clear favorite and increases uncertainty, allowing teams like Colorado and Edmonton to position themselves as contenders despite injuries or roster changes, while opening opportunities for franchises that have recently missed the postseason.
What makes Colorado’s position unique heading into the playoffs?
The Avalanche are the only team to score over 300 goals during the regular season while also maintaining the best defensive record in the league, giving them a rare balance of offensive firepower and structural stability.
Can Leon Draisaitl return for the Edmonton Oilers during the playoffs?
While he suffered an injury before the playoffs began, Draisaitl has already resumed training, and his return is not ruled out, though the team must prepare to compete without his offensive production in the interim.
Why is the matchup between Vegas and Utah significant for Czech hockey fans?
It guarantees a direct contest involving Czech players, with Tomáš Hertl representing the Golden Knights and Czech goaltenders Karel Vejmelka and Vítek Vaněček forming Utah’s tandem, ensuring at least one Czech athlete will be on the ice for every game in that series.