An ESPN panel of 27 hockey analysts has projected the Colorado Avalanche to win the 2026 Stanley Cup, with center Nathan MacKinnon the consensus pick to claim the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the playoffs. The Avalanche received 13 of the 27 votes to lift the Cup, significantly outpacing the Edmonton Oilers, who were chosen by four analysts.
The panel's forecast sees the Avalanche sweeping through the Western Conference bracket, starting with a unanimous first-round victory. All 27 analysts picked Colorado to defeat the Los Angeles Kings in their opening series. The Oilers, selected by 24 of 26 analysts to beat the Anaheim Ducks, were the second-most popular choice to win it all.
The Eastern Conference is predicted to have several tight matchups. The panel heavily favored the Tampa Bay Lightning over the Montreal Canadiens and the Carolina Hurricanes over the Ottawa Senators. The most surprising first-round prediction saw the Buffalo Sabres picked to upset the Boston Bruins, with 19 of 26 analysts selecting Buffalo.
Colorado’s all-around strength was cited as the primary reason for its status as the championship favorite. The team's depth and high-end talent make them the team to beat as the postseason begins. T.J. Oshie of ESPN summarized the prevailing sentiment, stating, "Avalanche are an 'absolute wagon from top to bottom.'"
Nathan MacKinnon is the heavy favorite to win the Conn Smythe, garnering 13 votes. His main competition is expected to come from Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, who received four votes for the playoff MVP honor. Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov received two votes.
The road to the Cup Final is projected to feature a highly anticipated clash between Colorado and Edmonton in the Western Conference Finals. The panel's selections set the stage for a potential showdown between the two powerhouse teams led by MacKinnon and McDavid. All eyes will now turn to the ice to see if the experts' predictions hold as the quest for the Stanley Cup begins.