NY Post Experts Predict 2026-27 NHL Season, Favoring Montreal and Colorado
The New York Post's hockey analysts have released their forecasts for the upcoming NHL season, including Stanley Cup contenders and individual award winners.
National Hockey League experts from the New York Post have unveiled their predictions for the 2026-27 season, with the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche emerging as frontrunners for the Stanley Cup.
Mollie Walker, Ethan Sears, and Andrew Crane, contributors to the Post, have outlined their projected standings, playoff matchups, and individual award recipients.
Eastern Conference Projections
Walker's Eastern Conference outlook sees the Carolina Hurricanes topping the Metropolitan Division, followed by the Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils. In the Atlantic Division, she predicts the Montreal Canadiens will lead, with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers also making the playoffs. The Rangers and Buffalo Sabres are tabbed as wild card teams.
Sears aligns with Carolina at the top of the Metro, with New Jersey and Washington rounding out the division's playoff spots. His Atlantic Division projection also places Montreal first, ahead of Tampa Bay and Florida. Buffalo and Ottawa are his Eastern Conference wild cards.
Crane's predictions for the Metro Division are Carolina, Washington, and Philadelphia. The Atlantic Division is led by Montreal, followed by Florida and Tampa Bay. Buffalo and Boston are his projected wild card teams.
Western Conference Projections
In the Western Conference, Walker forecasts the Colorado Avalanche to lead the Central Division, with Dallas and Minnesota also securing playoff berths. The Pacific Division is projected to be led by the Vegas Golden Knights, followed by Anaheim and San Jose. Edmonton and Utah are her wild card selections.
Sears places Dallas first in the Central Division, with Colorado and Minnesota following. His Pacific Division sees Anaheim on top, with San Jose and Vegas also qualifying. Edmonton and Utah are his wild card picks for the West.
Crane's Central Division has Colorado at the top, followed by Minnesota and Dallas. The Pacific Division is led by Vegas, with Edmonton and San Jose also making the cut. Utah and Anaheim are his Western Conference wild cards.
Playoff and Award Predictions
For the Eastern Conference Finals, Walker and Sears both predict a matchup between Montreal and Carolina, with Montreal advancing. Crane foresees Montreal defeating Carolina.
In the Western Conference Finals, Walker predicts Dallas will overcome Vegas, while Sears anticipates Dallas will beat San Jose. Crane projects Colorado to defeat Vegas.
Looking at the Stanley Cup Final, Walker and Sears both believe Montreal will emerge victorious over Dallas. Crane, however, predicts the Colorado Avalanche will win the Stanley Cup against Montreal.
Individual awards were also predicted: Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks is a popular pick for the Hart Trophy (MVP), with Walker and Sears backing him. Andrew Crane, however, selected Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche.
For the Norris Trophy (best defenseman), Rasmus Dahlin of Buffalo is Walker's pick, while Quinn Hughes of Minnesota is favored by Sears and Crane.
In net, the Vezina Trophy (best goaltender) is projected to go to Igor Shesterkin of the Rangers, according to Walker and Crane. Sears selects Andrei Vasilevskiy of Tampa Bay.
The Calder Trophy (top rookie) is predicted by Walker and Sears to go to Ivar Stenberg of San Jose. Porter Martone of Philadelphia is Crane's pick.
For the Jack Adams Award (coach of the year), Martin St. Louis of Montreal is predicted by Walker and Crane. Ryan Warsofsky of San Jose is Sears' selection.
Regarding the first coach to be fired, Walker and Crane predict Sheldon Keefe of the New Jersey Devils. Sears identifies Scott Arniel of Winnipeg for that distinction.
Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks is a highly anticipated rookie. The 2026-27 NHL season is set to begin soon, with these predictions offering a glimpse into potential team performances and individual achievements.