2025-26 NHL Playoff Thread: No More BuffLMAO

[synistar]

14 years of misery. The Sabres have finally quenched the playoff drought winning the Atlantic Division. Likewise the Ducks end their eight-year playoff absence.

The Red Wings flamed out hard as their drought continues to year 10 to commemorate the franchise's centennial. Panthers couldn't overcome the injury bug to go for 3 in a row. Blame Canada for the new LTIR rules. Not Mark "Made of Glass" Stone who somehow stayed off LTIR for once.

I could rant more about the season, but playoff hockey starts in less than 18 hours. Now please someone send the Kings a memo that OT losses are meaningless now.

[synistar]

Prepare for the Red X!

Canes in 7
Sabres in 5
Flyers in 6
Habs in 7

Wild in 7
Avs in 5
Mammoth in 6
Ducks in 7

Carolina in 5
Penguins in 6
Sabres in 6
Lightning in 7

Vegas in 5
Ducks in 7
Avs in 4
Stars in 7

Carolina in 5
Buffalo in 6
Penguins in 7
Lightning in 5

Vegas in 7 (god I feel dirty typing that)
Edmonton in 6
Avs in 5
Stars in 6

Carolina in 5
Tampa Bay in 5 (Habs squeak 1 out at home)
Pens in 6 (STUUUUUUUUUUUUUU)
Buffalo in 7

Wild in 6
Vegas in 4
Avs in 4
Oilers in 6

Avs in 6

Stars in 6

Mammoth in 7 (I might be the only one taking Utah)

Oilers in 7

------

Sabres in 7

Lightning in 6

Carolina in 5

Penguins in 7

Avs in 5
Stars in 6
Mammoth in 7
Oilers in 6

Sabres in 7 (honestly feel like Bs win this, but god I would love a BUF W)
Lightning in 6
Canes in 5
Pens in 7

[Obsidian]

Ottawa in 6
Pittsburgh in 5
Montreal in 7
Buffalo in 6

Dallas in 6
Colorado in 4
Utah in 6
Edmonton in 5

Vegas has more losses than wins, I don't believe in them at all. Minne and Dallas should be a good series, Lightning and Habs should be a good series. Ottawa and Carolina will come down to which goaltending duo chokes harder, but the Canes just wilt against heavy teams and the Sens aren't exactly light.

The Avs/Kings could be the first ever 3 game sweep.

[Richybear]

Blame Canada for the new LTIR rules. Not Mark "Made of Glass" Stone who somehow stayed off LTIR for once.

Was reading an article saying after this year and Vegas doing SEIR (Season Ending Injured Reserve) with Pietrangelo, that next year they'll do it with Stone to save $9.5M or whatever his cap hit is. Make up a story that he was grinding out 25/26 so he could go to the Olympics, but now he's pretty much dead, has to step back. Goes on SEIR, never plays again, but technically doesn't retire so he still gets paid, but no cap hit. Granted he just had 73 pts in 60 games, which will look sus as all fuck, but it's Vegas.

[DFJS]

Wild in 7
Avs in 6
Vegas in 6
Edmonton in 5.

Buffalo in 7
Habs in 7
Pens in 6
Carolina in 6.

As much as id like the Ducks to beat the Oilers in just don't see it happening. Ducks have been terrible lately and Oilers have plenty of experience and talent. I expect alot of high scoring games between the two. Its nice I'll get to see my team in the post season for the first time in a long time.

[bori]

This might be the first year where no one selects Bruins, including myself.

[Bombur]

Stars in 7
Avs in 5
Oilers in 5
Mammoth in 7

Sabres in 7
Canes in 6
Pens in 6
Lightning in 6

[Obsidian]

This might be the first year where no one selects Bruins, including myself.

It would be very Buffalo to end their 14 year playoff drought by winning the Atlantic and then getting bounced in round 1 by the Bruins though. I just think Buffalo is a little too fast for Boston.

[Cail]

Ottawa 6
Pittsburgh 6
Buffalo 5
Montreal 7

Colorado 4
Dallas 7
Utah 6
Edmonton 6

[Outlaw]

LFG!! I don't know who I'm rooting for this year the Oilers I guess.

[Salodin]

COL 6
DAL 6

VGK 5
EDM 5

BUF 7
TBL 5

CAR 5
PHI 6 only cause I want gritty

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[Cail]

I’m not keeping track this year if someone else wants to take over

[Obsidian]

I’m not keeping track this year if someone else wants to take over

I've got one made up, I'll post it later tonight.

[Obsidian]

Let me know if I fucked up anyone's picks, I had to do the entries on my phone at a wedding rehearsal. Thanks synistar for copying everyone's from the other thread!

Also fuck whoever at NHL Media decided Buffalo and Boston should both have yellow for their accent colour.

[Melena]

Tchaulk and Staal dropped gloves off the opening face off.

Playoff hockey is back baby!

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[Melena]

Also, ten year anniversary of the greatest playoff hockey tweets ever

https://www.buzzfeed.com/craigsilverman/this-shit-lit

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[bori]

Let me know if I fucked up anyone's picks, I had to do the entries on my phone at a wedding rehearsal. Thanks synistar for copying everyone's from the other thread!

Also fuck whoever at NHL Media decided Buffalo and Boston should both have yellow for their accent colour.

Fancy!

[Obsidian]

From the broadcast angles I dunno how they could conclusively say it was or wasn't in the net there. Crazy save regardless.

[bori]

Dallas is getting wrecked right now.

[Outlaw]

Wild are making a statement.