ESPN experts pick 2026 Stanley Cup second-round winners
Updated
Updated · ESPN · May 2
ESPN experts pick 2026 Stanley Cup second-round winners
4 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 2
They backed Carolina over Philadelphia 23-2, Colorado over Minnesota 16-9 and Vegas over Anaheim 13-9, with most forecasts ranging from five to seven games.
The second round is about to begin, while the Atlantic Division matchup remains unsettled pending Sunday's Tampa Bay Lightning-Montreal Canadiens result and Buffalo's opponent.
The projections offer an early gauge of conference-final contenders after Carolina swept Ottawa, Minnesota eliminated Dallas and Vegas advanced behind Mitch Marner's two-goal performance.
Will the Presidents' Trophy curse strike again, dooming the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche in their Stanley Cup quest?
The Ducks beat Vegas every time this season. Can their young talent overcome poor stats to pull off the upset?