NHL playoff predictions: Second-round winners, Stanley Cup champion and more

The second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs is underway, with the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche each taking 1-0 series leads over the Philadelphia Flyers and Minnesota Wild, respectively. The Athletic's national writers Dom Luszczyszyn, James Mirtle, Harman Dayal, Sean Gentille, Mark Lazerus, and Shayna Goldman have submitted their picks for each second-round series. Their predictions cover second-round series winners, Eastern and Western Conference champions, the Stanley Cup winner, and the Conn Smythe Trophy recipient.