NHL · Playoffs
NHL Stanley Cup contenders · 2026.
May 26, 2026 · 5 min read · DynastyDaily Editorial
Direct answer
Based on regular-season point totals, the Colorado Avalanche are the betting favorites with 119 points and a league-best goal differential of +97. They enter the playoff bracket as the top seed in their conference.
Eight teams remain in serious contention to lift the Cup in June. We rank them by regular-season fundamentals and identify the dark-horse pick.
| Team | Record | Pts | +/- | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado Avalanche | 54-16-11 | 119 | +97 |
| 2 | Carolina Hurricanes | 53-22-7 | 113 | +56 |
| 3 | Dallas Stars | 50-20-12 | 112 | +53 |
| 4 | Buffalo Sabres | 50-23-9 | 109 | +47 |
| 5 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 50-26-6 | 106 | +59 |
| 6 | Montréal Canadiens | 48-24-10 | 106 | +27 |
| 7 | Minnesota Wild | 46-24-12 | 104 | +32 |
| 8 | Boston Bruins | 45-27-10 | 100 | +22 |
Why Colorado Avalanche are the favorites
Colorado Avalanche enter the playoff bracket with 119 regular-season points and a goal differential of +97 — the league's best mark. Their combination of even-strength scoring and elite goaltending makes them a near-impossible four-round opponent.
The dark-horse pick
Veteran lineups with playoff scar tissue tend to overperform their regular-season seeds. Watch teams in the 5-8 range — historically, three of the last five Cup winners entered the bracket outside the top four.
Frequently asked
Who are the favorites to win the 2026 Stanley Cup?
Based on regular-season point totals, the Colorado Avalanche are the betting favorites with 119 points and a league-best goal differential of +97. They enter the playoff bracket as the top seed in their conference.
Which NHL team has scored the most goals in 2025-26?
The top scoring team is Colorado Avalanche with 300 goals through the regular season, ahead of the next closest team.
When does the 2026 Stanley Cup Final start?
The 2026 Stanley Cup Final is scheduled for early June, with the exact dates determined once both conference championship series conclude.
Where can I see live NHL standings?
Live standings update daily on the DynastyDaily NHL hub directly from the NHL official API.
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