The 2026 Stanley Cup Final is upon us, and the road to get here was filled with thrilling series that kept fans on the edge of their seats. While the Hurricanes and Golden Knights battle it out in Game 3, let's take a step back and reflect on the 14 series that paved the way. From upsets to classic rivalries, each series had its own unique story, and I'm here to rank them from worst to best, with a heavy dose of personal commentary and analysis. So, grab your popcorn and settle in for a journey through the NHL playoffs, where every game was a rollercoaster ride.
14. Avalanche over Kings in four (first round)
Expectations: The Presidents' Trophy winners, the Avalanche, were expected to cruise past the Kings, who were an overwhelmed opponent. But could the Kings pull off an upset?
What we got: A series that was more one-sided than anticipated. The Avalanche, despite having a first-round bye, didn't exactly dominate. They won in four games, with a decisive Game 4 where their stars shone brightly.
Overtimes: One, a Colorado win in Game 2. This was a close call, but the Avalanche prevailed.
Most memorable moment: The decisive Game 4, where the Avalanche's stars overwhelmed the Kings. It was a moment of glory for Colorado, but it felt more like a one-sided affair.
Bottom line: This series is already being remembered as more one-sided than it was. The third period in Game 4 was the only time the Avs pulled away, and the Kings never really had a chance. It was a disappointment for the Kings, who gave it their all.
13. Hurricanes over Flyers in four (second round)
Expectations: The Hurricanes, heavy favorites, were expected to breeze past the Flyers, who were a feisty underdog. But could the Flyers pull off an upset?
What we got: Some close games, but not much in the way of surprises. The Hurricanes won in four, with Jackson Blake scoring the OT series-winner.
Overtimes: Two, with Carolina winning in Games 2 and 4. These games were nail-biters, but the Hurricanes prevailed.
Most memorable moment: Jackson Blake's OT series-winner to finish the sweep. It was a moment of glory for the Hurricanes, but the Flyers earned credit for their efforts.
Bottom line: The Flyers deserve credit for making it this far, but they didn't generate many highlights. It was a mercifully short series, and the Hurricanes dominated.
12. Golden Knights over Avalanche in four (conference final)
Expectations: The Golden Knights, peaking at the right moment, were expected to face a powerhouse Avalanche team. But could the Avalanche, already hobbled, pull off an upset?
What we got: A stunning sweep for the Golden Knights. The Avalanche, already dealing with injuries, couldn't mount a comeback.
Overtimes: Zero, which was inexcusable. The Golden Knights won in four games, with a memorable third period in Game 3.
Most memorable moment: The third period of Game 3, where the Golden Knights finished their comeback from down 3-0. It was a moment of glory for the Knights, but it fell short of expectations.
Bottom line: This series had its moments, but it didn't quite meet expectations. The Golden Knights dominated, and the Avalanche couldn't mount a comeback. It was a disappointment for the Avalanche, who were already dealing with injuries.
11. Hurricanes over Canadiens in five (conference final)
Expectations: The Hurricanes, an unstoppable force, were expected to face the Canadiens, a veteran team with emotional baggage. But could the Canadiens pull off an upset?
What we got: A five-game series with two overtimes, and it was the most lopsided matchup of the postseason. The Hurricanes won in five, with Andrei Svechnikov's OT winner in Game 3.
Overtimes: Games 2 and 3, both Hurricanes wins. These games were nail-biters, but the Hurricanes prevailed.
Most memorable moment: Andrei Svechnikov's Game 3 OT winner to end a game where Carolina outshot Montreal 39-13. It was a moment of glory for the Hurricanes, but it felt more like a one-sided affair.
Bottom line: The NHL's conference final format is a topic of debate. Gary Bettman's preferred format hasn't served up a Game 7 in the conference final since 2018, with four sweeps and five five-gamers in that time. It's a small sample size, but it's worth wondering about.
10. Flyers over Penguins in six (first round)
Expectations: A classic rivalry matchup featuring two surprise playoff teams. But could the Flyers pull off an upset?
What we got: Three quick Flyers wins, two Penguins wins, and a fun Flyers OT win to end the series in six. But the bad blood never really surfaced.
Overtimes: One, a 1-0 Flyers win in Game 6 to end it. It was a close call, but the Flyers prevailed.
Most memorable moment: Cam York's series-winner wasn't exactly one for the highlight reels, but it set off an A+ celebration in Philly. It was a moment of glory for the Flyers, but it felt more like a classic rivalry matchup.
Bottom line: This series is a good example of how sequence can matter. Re-order a few of the games, and this one probably ends up feeling closer to classic status. It was fine, but it didn't quite reach the madness of 2012.
9. Hurricanes over Senators in four (first round)
Expectations: A sneaky good matchup pitting a Cup favorite against a wild-card team. But could the Senators pull off an upset?
What we got: Four close games, four Carolina wins, and zero Brady Tkachuk points. The Hurricanes won in four, with a chaotic and confusing OT sequence.
Overtimes: One, a Carolina win in Game 2. It was a close call, but the Hurricanes prevailed.
Most memorable moment: The chaotic and confusing OT sequence that featured a goal, a review, a reversal, and a penalty shot. It was a moment of confusion, but the Hurricanes prevailed.
Bottom line: The Senators gave the Hurricanes a tough challenge, but it was a big disappointment at the time. In hindsight, it was a close call, and the Senators earned credit for their efforts.
8. Sabres over Bruins in six (first round)
Expectations: A team that was written off after being terrible last season faced a team that was written off after being terrible in mid-December. But could the Sabres pull off an upset?
What we got: A series that fell well short of classic status, but had its share of fun moments. The Sabres won in six, with Tage Thompson and the Sabres flipping a switch and scoring four times in seven minutes.
Overtimes: One, a Boston win to stay alive in Game 5. It was a close call, but the Bruins prevailed.
Most memorable moment: Tage Thompson and the Sabres flipping a switch and scoring four times in seven minutes in Game 1. It was a moment of glory for the Sabres, but it felt more like a fun moment.
Bottom line: This one was never quite as close as the scoreboard made it seem. The Bruins only managed five goals in the last four games, but it was a fun way to reintroduce the Sabres to postseason hockey.
7. Avalanche over Wild in five (second round)
Expectations: After their first-round bye, the Avs were expected to face some real competition from the Wild. But could the Wild pull off an upset?
What we got: A disappointingly brief series with only one especially close final score. The Avalanche won in five, with a memorable Game 1.
Overtimes: One, with the Avalanche ending it in Game 5 after coming back from down 3-0. It was a moment of glory for the Avalanche, but it felt more like a brief series.
Most memorable moment: Game 1, with 15 goals and sheer madness. While the series was a bit of a dud, Game 1 was one for the ages.
Bottom line: Expectations were high coming in, and even higher after 15 goals in the opener. After that, meh. But Game 1 was one for the ages, and it was a fun moment.
6. Ducks over Oilers in six (first round)
Expectations: The Oilers, facing pressure, were expected to face a young Ducks team. But could the Oilers pull off an upset?
What we got: Connor McDavid playing through injury, terrible Edmonton goaltending, and a whole lot of tough questions after the Oilers' shocking first-round exit. The Ducks won in six, with a memorable OT goal.
Overtimes: One, a Ducks win in Game 4 that gave them a 3-1 series lead. It was a moment of glory for the Ducks, but it felt more like a close call.
Most memorable moment: The OT goal, which needed replay review to confirm it had crossed the line. It was a moment of glory for the Ducks, but it felt more like a close call.
Bottom line: According to the standings, this wasn't much of an upset. But given where each team was supposed to be in their contention window, it sure felt like one. And playoff upsets are undeniably fun.
5. Golden Knights over Ducks in six (second round)
Expectations: The young punks who aren't supposed to be here take on the veteran contenders who've looked oddly vulnerable. But could the Ducks pull off an upset?
What we got: A solid effort from the Ducks, and the Golden Knights serving notice that we could ignore the regular-season record. The Golden Knights won in six, with Pavel Dorofeyev's OT winner.
Overtimes: One, with the Golden Knights winning Game 5 in what was the series turning point. It was a moment of glory for the Knights, but it felt more like a close call.
Most memorable moment: Pavel Dorofeyev's OT winner, but it might have to be Mitch Marner's ridiculous goal to open Game 6. It was a moment of glory for the Knights, but it felt more like a close call.
Bottom line: This one was reasonably good, while leaving room for future matchups between these two teams to top it. It was a fun series, and the Golden Knights served notice that we could ignore the regular-season record.
4. Wild over Stars in six (first round)
Expectations: The unquestioned main event of the first round, one we'd known was coming all season long. But could the Wild pull off an upset?
What we got: A good series that never quite reached classic status. The Wild won in six, with two overtimes, splitting Games 3 and 4.
Overtimes: Two, with the teams splitting Games 3 and 4. These games were nail-biters, but the Wild prevailed.
Most memorable moment: Quinn Hughes' statement game, as the best player in the series scored twice, including the third-period winner. It was a moment of glory for the Wild, but it felt more like a close call.
Bottom line: This series had its moments, but it didn't quite reach classic status. It was a fun series, but the hockey gods' bait-and-switch was criminal.
3. Golden Knights over Mammoth in six (first round)
Expectations: After the Golden Knights pulled out of a season-long nosedive, the Mammoth felt like a tricky pick to become the league's first crossover division champ. But could the Golden Knights pull off an upset?
What we got: A solid little series that saw the Knights on the ropes early before recovering to win in six. The Golden Knights won in six, with two overtimes, splitting Games 4 and 5.
Overtimes: Two, with the Golden Knights winning Games 4 and 5 to take control of the series. It was a moment of glory for the Knights, but it felt more like a close call.
Most memorable moment: Brett Howden's double-OT winner in Game 5, a rare sudden-death shorty. It was a moment of glory for the Knights, but it felt more like a close call.
Bottom line: When a team goes to the final, their first-round series often sinks to the lower regions of our collective memory. But this was a fun matchup with plenty of twists and turns.
2. Canadiens over Sabres in seven (second round)
Expectations: A lovable collection of youngsters and veterans who weren't supposed to be here, playing for their rabid fans while trying to stake their claim as the Atlantic's new powerhouse. But could the Canadiens pull off an upset?
What we got: A weirdly high number of blowouts that somehow still added up to the closest series of the second round. The Canadiens won in seven, with a memorable Game 7.
Overtimes: Just one, but it came in Game 7. It was a close call, but the Canadiens prevailed.
Most memorable moment: Alex Newhook's fluky game-winner in Game 7, one of only nine shots the Habs managed in the entire game. It was a moment of glory for the Canadiens, but it felt more like a close call.
Bottom line: One criticism of this year's postseason is that it's been woefully short on Game 7 showdowns. The Canadiens took it upon themselves to make sure we had at least a few to chew on.
1. Canadiens over Lightning in seven (first round)
Expectations: A classic battle between an up-and-coming team and a grizzled contender, with some bad blood thrown into the mix. But could the Canadiens pull off an upset?
What we got: All that and more, in a ridiculously close series in which every game was tied in the third period. The Canadiens won in seven, with a memorable Game 7.
Overtimes: A playoff-leading four, split between the two teams. These games were nail-biters, but the Canadiens prevailed.
Most memorable moment: Alex Newhook's fluky game-winner in Game 7, one of only nine shots the Habs managed in the entire game. It was a moment of glory for the Canadiens, but it felt more like a classic battle.
Bottom line: An instant classic that more than lived up to the hype. It's too bad Nikita Kucherov got called back to his home planet after Game 4; he would have loved this series.
