The Florida Panthers Won Back-to-Back Cups and Still Missed the 2026 Playoffs
Here's something you don't see every day: the team that just won the Stanley Cup two years in a row is sitting at home watching everyone else fight for the trophy. The Florida Panthers, fresh off consecutive championships, are completely shut out of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Why? Injuries absolutely decimated their roster this season, and there's no coming back from that kind of damage.
Meanwhile, the second round is already underway. After a scrappy, physical first round that wrapped up by May 3, the real playoffs started on May 2, and things are heating up fast. The Philadelphia Flyers are battling the Carolina Hurricanes. The Minnesota Wild are tangling with the Colorado Avalanche. The Anaheim Ducks are going toe-to-toe with the Las Vegas Golden Knights. And the Montreal Canadiens face the Buffalo Sabres. If the Stanley Cup Final goes the distance, we're looking at games running all the way to June 19.
🎲 Want to Make Tonight's Game More Interesting?
Kalshi lets you trade on real sports outcomes — not just spreads. It's the only federally regulated prediction market in the US, and it's available right here in Washington state.
New users get a FREE $10 just for signing up — no deposit required to claim it.
👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiHow to Catch Every Game
The playoffs are spread across TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, and ESPN2. Here's the deal: if you've got cable, you're golden. If not, stream ESPN games through ESPN Unlimited (starting at $29.99 a month or $299.99 a year). TNT, TBS, and truTV games? Grab HBO Max Standard (starting at $18.49 a month) or stream on DirecTV. Every single Stanley Cup Final game will air on TNT, so mark your calendar for June 3-19.
The Schedule You Need to Know
The playoff calendar is brutal and beautiful. The regular season ended April 16. First round ran April 18 through May 3. Conference finals start May 22. Then it's all Stanley Cup Final from June 3 onward. Games are dropping all week: May 5 brings Minnesota-Colorado at 8 p.m. on ESPN. May 6 has Montreal-Buffalo at 7 p.m. on TNT/truTV/HBO Max, with Anaheim-Vegas following at 9:30 p.m. on the same channels. May 7, Carolina-Philadelphia at 8 p.m. May 8 and 9 keep the momentum rolling with back-to-back primetime hockey.
The Panthers' absence stings, but the 2026 playoffs are shaping up to be everything you want: desperate teams, packed arenas, and streaming options for whenever you can tune in. Don't sleep on these matchups.
🐦 What fans are saying on X
See the latest reactions and highlights from Seattle fans about .
View X conversation →DFS Pick'em
📋 Chalkboard: 100% Deposit Match Up to $100 + a Free Square on Your First Entry
Use code ONTAP to lock in this offer.
👉 Double your first deposit on ChalkboardSponsored. Must be 18+. Terms apply.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.