3 Dark Horse Teams for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Which overlooked teams could surprise and win some playoff series?
With three weeks remaining until the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin, plenty of teams are still working hard to finish strong.
However, we’re at a point in the season where we can more or less distinguish the contenders from the pretenders.
Despite what these three teams’ point totals might say, however, they may be a candidate to go on a run this spring. Who are they?
Boston Bruins
If you look at the Boston Bruins on paper, you might be surprised they even got this far. But their depth and adaptability could make them a tough out if they can sneak their way in.
It’s a particularly tight race in the East right now, but the Bruins have the inside track. For the sake of the argument, let’s assume they remain in the seventh seed as they are now and square off against the Buffalo Sabres.
The Sabres are legit this season, and that’s reflected in their record. They’d be a brutal first-round matchup. But the Bruins can definitely make things interesting.
For one, you have David Pastrňák: potentially the single most impactful player in the series—he has 86 points in 65 games (108-point pace per 82 games). Though they don’t play on the same line at 5-on-5, Morgan Geekie is statistically the best finisher in the league as well.
Plus, Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman are stars at their respective positions, and arguably high-end ones.
When you factor in the middle-six scoring Boston gets via Viktor Arvidsson, Casey Mittelstadt, Fraser Minten, and others, this team really isn’t that far off. Buffalo has been unstoppable for the past four months or so, but that could all change in a battle with the Bruins.
It won’t be easy, but if the Bruins can beat Buffalo, they can beat their next Atlantic Division foe. Able to excel in high- and low-event environments, Boston could be for real.
Pittsburgh Penguins
