2026 NHL Playoffs Round 2: Matchups, Early Results, and Betting Odds

The Stanley Cup Playoffs have moved into the second round, with eight teams remaining in the race for the NHL title.

After a competitive opening round, the next stage dropped the puck on Sunday with two games already playing out. Several top seeds have carried over strong efforts, while a few lower-seeded teams continue to build on surprising first-round runs.

Early results show teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche taking control in their series, reinforcing their status as legitimate championship contenders. Teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Anaheim Ducks have continued their postseason momentum after advancing through tough first-round matchups.

Early Results and Series Progress

The Hurricanes opened their series against the Philadelphia Flyers with a convincing 3-0 victory and have been heavily favored to advance, thanks to strong defensive play and depth scoring.

In the Western Conference, the Avalanche were in crazy game to open the series against the Minnesota Wild, finding a 9-6 win at home.

The Vegas Golden Knights and Ducks matchup remains one of the most intriguing series, with Anaheim entering after an upset win over Edmonton and looking to extend its postseason run.

The Buffalo Sabres and Canadiens series also stands out as one of the more evenly matched contests as well, with both teams showing strong goaltending and physical play early in the round. Montreal found a 2-1 Game 7 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday.

Second Round Matchups and Series Odds

Below is a breakdown of each second-round series along with NHL betting odds for each matchup winner (odds subject to change):

Eastern Conference:

• Hurricanes vs. Flyers
  • Hurricanes (-265)
  • Flyers (+213)
  • Carolina entered as a heavy favorite and has already taken early control of the series.
• Sabres vs. Canadiens
  • Sabres (-150)
  • Canadiens (+130)
  • A tightly contested matchup with split predictions among analysts.

Western Conference:

• Avalanche vs. Wild
  • Avalanche (-180)
  • Wild (+155)
  • Colorado’s dominant first round has carried into this series, making them a strong favorite.
• Golden Knights vs. Ducks
  • Golden Knights (-175)
  • Ducks (+150)
  • Anaheim enters as a dangerous underdog after its upset win in the opening round.

Key Trends and Betting Outlook

The second round has reinforced several key playoff trends, particularly the importance of goaltending and defensive structure. Low-scoring games and overtime finishes have continued to define multiple series, increasing the value of under bets and NHL live betting opportunities available at sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel.

Favorites like Carolina and Colorado have justified their odds with strong early performances, while underdogs such as Montreal and Anaheim remain viable betting options due to their recent momentum.

As the round progresses, betting markets are expected to tighten, especially in close series.