The puck is about to drop on the NHL's second season, and the path to the Stanley Cup is officially set. The bracket is locked, the matchups are fierce, and every shift from here on out carries the weight of history. It's time to break down how the greatest trophy in sports will be won.

From the opening face-off of the First Round to the final buzzer of the Stanley Cup Final, we're forecasting every series. Which powerhouse will survive a brutal conference gauntlet? Which underdog has the grit to pull off an earth-shattering upset? And when the last piece of playoff confetti falls, which captain will finally get to lift Lord Stanley's iconic chalice over their head?

We're going deep with predictions for each matchup, including the critical number of games it will take to advance. Strap in for a journey through potential overtime thrillers, defensive battles, and offensive explosions. The quest for 16 wins starts now—here’s exactly how we see it all unfolding.