Road to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final: Ranking the 14 NHL Playoff Series That Shaped the Journey

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs produced a wide range of memorable series, but few have matched the drama of the Hurricanes’ and Golden Knights’ run to the Final. With the Stanley Cup Final tied after two games, the postseason has already delivered close contests, overtimes, star performances and several unexpected twists, setting up a finish that could still reshape how the entire playoff bracket is remembered.

Before the Final, the postseason featured 14 series that varied from brief, one-sided sweeps to hard-fought seven-game battles. Some matchups lived up to the hype, while others fell short of expectations. Longer series, overtime finishes, major upsets and emotional moments all helped determine which rounds stood out most. Overall, the playoffs were viewed as good but not truly all-time great, though a few series came close to classic status.

Among the less memorable series were several sweeps, including the Avalanche defeating the Kings, the Hurricanes sweeping the Flyers, and the Golden Knights sweeping the Avalanche in the conference final. Those matchups included some strong individual moments, but they never developed into the kind of sustained drama that defines elite playoff hockey. Injuries, mismatched rosters and one-sided stretches prevented them from becoming especially competitive.

Other series provided more intrigue, even if they did not last long enough to become legends. The Flyers and Penguins delivered a lively rivalry matchup in the first round, but much of the tension faded after Philadelphia jumped out to an early lead. The Hurricanes’ first-round win over the Senators featured close games and a chaotic overtime sequence, but Carolina controlled the series overall. The Sabres’ six-game win over the Bruins marked a welcome return to the playoffs for Buffalo, highlighted by a dramatic comeback in Game 1.

Several higher-ranked series were defined by strong competition and pivotal overtime moments. The Avalanche-Wild matchup produced one of the most entertaining games of the postseason in Game 1, even though the series ended in five. The Ducks’ six-game upset of the Oilers was one of the most surprising results of the playoffs, especially given Connor McDavid’s injury and Edmonton’s struggles in goal. The Golden Knights’ six-game victory over the Ducks included a turning-point overtime goal and a standout performance from Mitch Marner, reinforcing Vegas’s status as a serious contender.

The strongest series of the playoffs featured the Canadiens, who appeared twice near the top of the rankings. Their seven-game win over the Sabres in the second round included just one overtime but still delivered enough tension to stand out. Even better was Montreal’s seven-game first-round battle with the Lightning, an instant classic in which every game was tied in the third period and the teams split four overtime games. Alex Newhook’s unusual Game 7 winner capped a series that fully matched its hype.

As the Hurricanes and Golden Knights continue the Stanley Cup Final, the rest of the postseason remains unfinished in memory. If the championship round delivers more close games, overtimes and late drama, it could push some of these already strong series even further down the rankings.