The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs will continue with lots of excitement as we move into Round 2 of the NHL playoffs. The real momentum and competitive spirit of each team have been showcased in the round 1 playoff of the NHL.
All matchups in the NHL league are becoming important as each game has a greater impact on the overall standings. NHL playoff intensity and pressure build-up for teams in this round. So, let’s look back at previous game insights, upcoming matchups, and predictions that might ultimately help decide this round’s outcomes.
NHL 2025-26 Fixtures Schedule for April 21, 2026
1. Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens
Date: 21 April 2026 (Tuesday)
Time: 07:00 PM ET | 04:00 PM PT | 04:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
2. Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins
Date: 21 April 2026 (Tuesday)
Time: 07:30 PM ET | 04:30 PM PT | 05:00 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo
3. Vegas Golden Knights vs Utah Mammoth
Date: 21 April 2026 (Tuesday)
Time: 09:30 PM ET | 06:30 PM PT | 07:00 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas Valley
4. Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings
Date: 21 April 2026 (Tuesday)
Time: 10:00 PM ET | 07:00 PM PT | 07:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver
Lineup Predictions for NHL April 21:
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Montreal Canadiens
Date: 21 April 2026 (Tuesday)
Time: 07:00 PM ET | 04:00 PM PT | 04:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
Montreal Canadiens Expected Lineups:
| Category | Players |
| Forwards | Cole Caufield — Nick Suzuki — Juraj Slafkovský |
| Defensemen | Mike Matheson — Kaiden Guhle |
| Goaltender | Jakub Dobeš (Starter) — Jacob Fowler (Backup) |
Tampa Bay Lightning Expected Lineups:
| Category | Players |
| Forwards | Gage Goncalves — Brayden Point — Nikita Kucherov |
| Defensemen | Ryan McDonagh — Darren Raddysh |
| Goaltender | Andrei Vasilevskiy (Starter) — Jonas Johansson (Backup) |
Prediction:
The Montreal Canadiens currently hold the momentum in the NHL after an overtime 4-3 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite Lightning holding the top 2 position in the NHL Atlantic division, Montreal has now won the last three head-to-head matchups consecutively. On the other hand, the Tampa Bay Lightning has lost its momentum after two losses.
The Montreal Canadians are falling just behind the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL Atlantic Division standings. This assumes we have a high chance of a position change in the NHL standings by this matchup. As both teams have the same Pts of 106.
Staying back-to-back, if the Tampa Bay Lightning are back to form, there may be a lesser chance of the Canadiens winning. But given the Canadiens’ current strong form, this matchup favors them.
The pick: The Montreal Canadiens
Buffalo Sabres vs Boston Bruins
Date: 21 April 2026 (Tuesday)
Time: 07:30 PM ET | 04:30 PM PT | 05:00 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo
Buffalo Sabres Expected Lineups:
| Category | Players |
| Forwards | Peyton Krebs – Tage Thompson – Alex Tuch |
| Defensemen | Rasmus Dahlin – Mattias Samuelsson |
| Goaltender | Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (Starter), Alex Lyon (Backup) |
Boston Bruins Expected Lineups:
| Category | Players |
| Forwards | Morgan Geekie – Elias Lindholm – David Pastrnak |
| Defensemen | Jonathan Aspirot – Charlie McAvoy |
| Goaltender | Jeremy Swayman (Starter), Joonas Korpisalo (Backup) |
Prediction:
The Buffalo Sabres face the Boston Bruins in Game 2 of this first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series. The Sabres pulled off a dramatic comeback victory (4-3) over the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of the NHL playoffs. They will carry some momentum into their April 21st rematch against the Bruins.
Buffalo’s dominance on home ice throughout the regular season resulted in 1st place finish in the Atlantic Division. This gives Buffalo a solid advantage in this series over Boston. While the Boston Bruins have extensive playoff experience, they have struggled to be consistent in key moments.
Game 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs will see the Buffalo Sabres build another home win over the Boston Bruins as they build on their previous success.
The pick: The Buffalo Sabres
Vegas Golden Knights vs Utah Mammoth
Date: 21 April 2026
Time: 09:30 PM ET | 06:30 PM PT | 07:00 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas Valley
Vegas Golden Knights Expected Lineups:
| Category | Players |
| Forwards | Ivan Barbashev – Jack Eichel – Mitch Marner |
| Defensemen | Noah Hanifin – Shea Theodore |
| Goaltender | Carter Hart (Starter), Adin Hill (Backup) |
Utah Mammoth Expected Lineups:
| Category | Players |
| Forwards | Clayton Keller – Nick Schmaltz – Lawson Crouse |
| Defensemen | Mikhail Sergachev – Nate Schmidt |
| Goaltender | Karel Vejmelka (Starter), Vítek Vaněček (Backup) |
Prediction:
The Vegas Golden Knights head into this matchup against the Utah Mammoth with their #1 position in the NHL Pacific Division. They have a continued streak of undefeated performances under their new coach, John Tortorella. The Vegas Golden Knights come into this game with an excellent amount of momentum.
On the other hand, Utah Mammoth secured their playoff spot as the top wild card, but their inconsistency and weaker defensive record put them at a disadvantage in this matchup.
Considering the Golden Knights’ superior defensive play, current winning momentum, and overall balanced strength as a roster, they look stronger. Hence, the Vegas Golden Knights are the prohibitive favorite to win against the Utah Mammoth.
The pick: The Vegas Golden Knights
Colorado Avalanche vs Los Angeles Kings
Date: 21 April 2026
Time: 10:00 PM ET | 07:00 PM PT | 07:30 AM IST (Next day)
Venue: Ball Arena, Denver
Colorado Avalanche Expected Lineups:
| Category | Players |
| Forwards | Artturi Lehkonen – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas |
| Defensemen | Brett Kulak – Cale Makar |
| Goaltender | Scott Wedgewood (Starter), Mackenzie Blackwood (Backup) |
Los Angeles Kings Expected Lineups:
| Category | Players |
| Forwards | Artemi Panarin – Anze Kopitar – Adrian Kempe |
| Defensemen | Mikey Anderson – Drew Doughty |
| Goaltender | Anton Forsberg (Starter), Darcy Kuemper (Backup) |
Prediction:
The Colorado Avalanche are one of the NHL league’s top teams. They finished with the most points in the regular season and posted strong offensive statistics. The Avalanche won Game 1, 2-1 against the Kings, thanks to the goaltender’s solid play.
The head-to-head record between Colorado and the Kings has been exceptional, with Colorado winning all four regular-season matchups. Eight of their previous ten games have shown a strong advantage in both offense and defense.
On the other side, the Los Angeles Kings clinched a playoff position as a wild-card participant. The Kings have been inconsistent in the playoffs, being much less successful against top-tier teams than against low-tier ones. So, Avalanche is expected to win against the Kings due to their superior overall play and recent history of success.
The pick: The Colorado Avalanche
Conclusion:
As the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs enter the second round, the battle for the championship intensifies. The teams remaining in the tournament have all proven to be very competitive. The Colorado Avalanche, Buffalo Sabres and Vegas Golden Knights have shown consistent play through their last series. Other highly competitive teams include the Montreal Canadiens; they may have an impact on this round of the playoffs. With greater importance on every matchup, teams in this round will play intensely, impacting their journey towards the NHL Stanley Cup.
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