# NHL Playoff Bracket Maker

Run an NHL playoff bracket with a bracket wheel. The default field is the 16 teams from the 2026 playoffs, won by the Carolina Hurricanes. Spin for each matchup and crown your Stanley Cup champion, in season or in the off-season debate.

## Items on the Wheel

- Buffalo Sabres
- Colorado Avalanche
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Edmonton Oilers
- Dallas Stars
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Montreal Canadiens
- Minnesota Wild
- Anaheim Ducks
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Ottawa Senators
- Utah Mammoth
- Los Angeles Kings
- Boston Bruins

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How does the NHL playoff bracket work?

Sixteen teams enter the bracket. Spin the wheel to draw each head to head matchup, predict or vote on the winner with your group, and advance it until one team lifts the Stanley Cup.

### Is this the actual playoff field?

It is the 2026 playoff field. Choose Ranked under Who plays who to replay the real first round, with East and West meeting in the final. Edit the list once next season's playoff teams are set.

### Can I use this outside of playoff season?

Yes, it works year round for hot takes, trade deadline debates, and preseason predictions, not just the actual postseason bracket.

### How is this different from the Stanley Cup bracket?

The Stanley Cup bracket looks back at historic championship teams from past decades. This bracket is built around the most recent playoff field.

### How is this different from the NHL teams bracket?

The NHL teams bracket includes all thirty two current franchises. This bracket narrows the field to the sixteen teams from the most recent playoffs.

## Related Wheels

- [NHL Teams Bracket Tournament](https://spinthelist.com/bracket/nhl-teams)
- [Stanley Cup Playoff Bracket Maker](https://spinthelist.com/bracket/stanley-cup)
- [NBA Playoff Bracket Maker](https://spinthelist.com/bracket/nba-playoffs)

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Spin this wheel free at [SpinTheList.com](https://spinthelist.com/bracket/nhl-playoffs)