Playoff time is almost upon us hockey fans! With only a couple of days remaining in the regular season, the playoff seeding is virtually decided. This means that fantasy championships are wrapping up and it's almost time to begin filling out playoff brackets and drafting lineups for playoff pools. Which teams have the best chance of lifting the cup and providing the most fantasy upside? Let's take a look at the top ten fantasy teams heading into the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

*Note: Stats courtesy of ESPN Fantasy Hockey

10. Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild have consistently been amongst the leagues top teams this season. Their success allowed them to be buyers at the trade deadline, adding several depth pieces for their playoff run. Not to mention they made one of the biggest splashes in recent memory by acquiring Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks. This team is deeper than ever before and has the star power with Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, alongside Hughes to be a true competitor. The reason they are so low on this list is simply due to the loaded Central Division they find themselves in. They'll be in tough to take down Dallas in the first round and even if they do move on they will need to face the President's Trophy winning Avalanche in round two.

9. Vegas Golden Knights

It's been a rough season for the Golden Knights, despite this, they find themselves atop the Pacific Division. The Pacific has been described as a "pillow fight" this season and that has proved to be accurate. In any other division this Knights team would be in danger of missing the playoffs entirely. They made a shocking coaching change late in the season by adding John Tortorella and relieving Bruce Cassidy of his duties. They've played better down the stretch and have seemingly been rejuvenated by the personnel change behind the bench, albeit collecting wins against fairly weak competition. The Knights have the star power with Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, and Mark Stone amongst others, to propel them through a weak Pacific Division.

8. Ottawa Senators

The Senators have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL in the back half of the season. They are battling with the Bruins for the top Wild Card spot and will be taking on the Carolina Hurricanes or the winner of the Atlantic Division, depending on where they ultimately place. They've battled injuries and their captain Brady Tkachuk's current status is unclear after he left the game against the Islanders. Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson are both not 100% healthy but remain in the lineup. Outside of these three, Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, Dylan Cozens, amongst others can provide some solid fantasy upside.

7. Montreal Canadiens

Montreal has been one of the most exciting teams in the NHL this season and fans have reason to be excited heading into the postseason. They're driven by their young stars who are all having career years. Unfortunately, it looks like Noah Dobson will be absent for a round or two after blocking a shot in Saturday's tilt. Montreal faces a tall task in the Atlantic Division as they likely will face the Lightning in round one, followed by the Sabres in round two. Still, the top line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky, as well as Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov have the potential to break open any series for the Canadiens. They'll need goaltender Jakub Dobes to continue his stellar play in the absence of Dobson on the backend.

6. Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning remain an undesirable first round matchup for any team in the playoffs. They have the championship pedigree and experience to combat the grueling nature of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Andrei Vasilevskiy is in the midst of another potential Vezina Trophy Campaign and will likely be the first goaltender taken in many playoff pools. Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel, and Brandon Hagel will also provide managers with some scoring in the playoffs. The status of Victor Hedman is still uncertain, however, and while they have an edge in experience over their Atlantic counterparts, making it out of the division remains no easy task.

5. Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres have finally ended the longest playoff drought in the league by clinching the playoffs this season. They also are currently favored to place atop a tough Atlantic Division. The Sabres have a slew of young talent that has stepped up this season and can provide some fantasy value. The lack of playoff experience remains a concern for the Sabres but they've played well down the stretch and are hoping to ride that momentum into the postseason.

4. Dallas Stars

The Stars have arguably the deepest lineup in all of hockey heading into the playoffs. Even with Roope Hintz likely being unavailable for the first round, Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger, Mikko Rantanen, and Wyatt Johnston, should be able to carry the load. Outside of their superstars, there are several secondary players like Matt Duchene and Thomas Harley who will also provide fantasy upside. Unfortunately for Dallas, it appears that they are on a collision course with Colorado in round two. Still, the Stars should be considered one of the favorites to go all the way and their roster has a plethora of fantasy options for managers to choose from.

3. Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have faltered in the playoffs in the last several seasons, ultimately falling in the Conference Finals year after year. However, getting to round three makes them a valuable team for managers and they have a good chance to make it there again in 2026. Carolina will likely win the Eastern Conference, matching them up against Ottawa or Boston in round one. They are definitely in the easier side of the Eastern Conference bracket and are the favorites to make it out of the Metropolitan Division. The Hurricanes also boast a deep roster with their only real weakness being in goal. If Brandon Bussi/ Frederik Andersen can give them solid goaltending, there is no reason Carolina can't win the East.

2. Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers have had a rough season and their placement in this rankings may come as a surprise to some but it's still warranted. Edmonton has made the Stanley Cup Finals in back to back seasons and have an edge in experience come playoff time. Despite Leon Draisaitl being out of action for an undetermined period, Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard have consistently dominated in the playoffs. It's hard to bet against the best player in the world, especially in a thin Pacific Division. Even with inconsistent goaltending, the McDavid factor coupled with their placement in the bracket makes them one of the top contenders despite a poor regular season.

1.Colorado Avalanche

Colorado is undeniably the favorite to win the Stanley Cup. The Presidents Trophy winning Avalanche are led by two of the best players in the world in Nathan Mackinnon and Cale Makar. Not to mention an elite supporting cast in Martin Necas, Nazem Kadri, and Brock Nelson, amongst others. Even in a grueling Central Division, Colorado has what it takes to make it out and go all the way. They should be the most bet on and most drafted team in the fantasy playoffs. The only thing that can hold the Avalanche back is their goaltending but Blackwood/ Wedgewood remain solid draft options due to the teams likely longevity in the playoffs.

*For more hockey and fantasy coverage, follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @Cdesjardins67