ESPN Gurus Pick First-Round Winners

ESPN's sharpest minds drop their bold predictions for the 2026 Stanley Cup first round, splitting hairs on matchups that could define the bracket. Some see upsets brewing in the East where underdogs lurk, while the West's heavyweights draw near-unanimous nods from the panel. These picks carry weight because they've nailed past postseasons, and one overlooked call might just flip the entire playoff script.