"The biggest flaw of the playoffs in general might be the seeding system, as the winner of the Pacific Division might finish with fewer points than the Washington Capitals, who didn't qualify for the playoffs in the East."
"Every team that makes the postseason has a chance to win it all, but not every team is a true contender. This year, there are some teams that grossly outperformed preseason expectations."
"The team that best mitigates its fatal flaw -- and gets some luck -- is likely to lift the Stanley Cup. Given how wide open the field is this year, it feels like 13 or 14 teams can make a run to the Cup Final."
The 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs are criticized for their seeding system, which penalizes strong teams. The Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild face off early, despite being top contenders. The Pacific Division winner may have fewer points than non-playoff teams. While every postseason team has a chance, not all are true contenders. Teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres have exceeded expectations, while others like the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs have underperformed. Each team has a fatal flaw that could determine their success in the playoffs.
Read at ESPN.com
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