No champion, no clear favorite: NHL playoffs set for wide-open race
The NHL postseason begins this week without a clear favorite, a rarity shaped by injuries, late-season surges and the absence of several recent contenders.
According to CBC, the defending champion Florida Panthers will not be part of the playoff picture after a season disrupted by injuries. Their absence is part of a broader shift that has opened the field, with multiple established teams missing and others returning after years on the outside.
That volatility has created what players and coaches describe as one of the most unpredictable playoff races in recent memory.
“Every team in the playoffs can win,” Dallas Stars defenceman Tyler Myers said. “Every series is a tough series. That's what's so amazing about the NHL playoffs.”
Read also: John Terry closes in on shock club ownership
Sabres and Penguins lead resurgence
Among the most notable returns is Buffalo, which snapped a 14-season playoff drought despite a difficult start. After struggling early, the Sabres found consistency in the second half of the year and, as CBC reported, have been among the league’s strongest teams since the Olympic break.
Head coach Lindy Ruff framed the turnaround as the result of steady progress rather than a sudden breakthrough.
“It's something that we strived for from Day 1,” Ruff said. “You've got to look back and say that we did a lot of good things to get to this point.”
Pittsburgh has followed a different path back to the postseason, surging late under first-year head coach Dan Muse. Veteran leaders Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang remain central, but the team’s return has also been fueled by younger contributors.
Read also: Supercomputer Ranked: The final Championship table
“A lot of people doubted us,” defenceman Ryan Shea said. “It just put fuel on the fire for us.”
Colorado carries expectations but no guarantees
Colorado enters the playoffs with the league’s best regular-season record, led by stars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Still, recent NHL history suggests regular-season dominance rarely translates directly into a championship.
The Avalanche could face a difficult early test against either Dallas or Minnesota, both among the league’s top teams.
“Confident for sure,” captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “But it’s going to be a long, tough road.”
Read also: 'I officiated with Anthony Taylor, this is the team he actually supports'
The playoff format, which emphasizes division matchups early, adds to that challenge. Commissioner Gary Bettman has defended the structure for producing high-intensity series from the opening round.
“If you're a fan of the game and you're looking for excitement… this format does it,” Bettman said.
Parity defines this year’s field
Across both conferences, the lack of a dominant favorite has shifted attention toward depth, momentum and health — factors that often prove decisive in playoff hockey.
The Eastern Conference, in particular, appears wide open following Florida’s exit, while the Western side features several contenders with realistic paths to the final.
Read also: James Vowles says Lewis Hamilton became Mercedes’ anchor after Abu Dhabi heartbreak
Olympic stars chase another prize
This year’s playoffs also follow an Olympic season, adding another layer of narrative. Several players who claimed gold now have a chance to pursue a Stanley Cup in the same year, while others are looking to rebound from disappointment.
Connor McDavid, coming off consecutive losses in the Stanley Cup final, headlines a group seeking redemption. Crosby, meanwhile, returns to the postseason after missing out on Olympic gold due to injury.
“That's the best time of year,” Crosby said. “That's why you play.”
With no clear frontrunner and multiple storylines converging, the coming weeks are expected to test not just talent, but endurance and adaptability — the traits that often decide who ultimately lifts the Cup.
Read also: Trump salutes Rory McIlroy after historic Augusta repeat as Doral return comes into view
Sources: CBC News
