The National Hockey League playoffs are starting soon, with plenty of newcomers and upsets alike. In case you’re looking for something new to do this spring, or you’re even just a fan of a team that didn’t make the cut, here’s your (incredibly biased) guide on who to support! This list was compiled based on the standings on April 4th 2026.
THe Atlantic
To start, if you’re in a Pre-Med program, you’ll love the Tampa Bay Lightning. They’ve been a very strong contender for several years, making them a predictable Cup favourite this year. They’re also famously very violent, and I think any pre-med major would love to watch them immediately start beating up their opponents as soon as they don’t think they can win. On the complete opposite spectrum, any Arts major might prefer the MontrĂ©al Canadiens instead. This is a very young team that’s just dipping its toes in for the second time recently, and have great vibes with a very large fanbase. It’s hard to describe the season the Buffalo Sabres have had, but the chaos of being the worst team in the NHL for over a decade just to suddenly decide to be third in the conference is very impressive, and feels like something that might be appreciated by a Sociology major, who might enjoy the analysis of how this could occur. It’s a bit surprising that the Boston Bruins are slated to make the playoffs, just because no individual player on that team seems particularly good at hockey. I think the slight individual chaos might be relatable to a Geology major. I don’t think there is a lot that joins various Pre-Law majors together. They come from all walks of life, but the one trait that binds them together is their love of argumentation and disagreement. I think the perfect team for them is the Ottawa Senators, where they can watch this team and have massive arguments among themselves and with other fans, ranging from “Who sucks less – Ottawa or Toronto?” to “Who can we fire to make this team actually good?”
The Metropolitan
There aren’t many teams to discuss in the Metropolitan Division, because in all honesty they aren’t very good. I’m sorry if your major is listed here. With that out of the way, I think Accounting majors will love the Carolina Hurricanes. They’re the only team in this division that has had any success at all in past years, and even then they predictably fall apart in exhaustion at the same point every year, reminiscent of an accountant during tax season, which may be comforting to watch, in a way. For a History major on the other hand, who might prefer to dwell on the past, the Pittsburgh Penguins would make a great watch. This team feels like it’s in the past, and yet here they are in the big 2026, still one of the better teams in the league. A lot to enjoy this year, but also a lot of rabbit holes to go down about their players from the ’80s all the way to the 2010s, which still have a lot of influence today. Lastly, the vibe I get from the New York Islanders, is that they’re a bit unqualified to be here. They’re far from the worst team in the standings, but their current team doesn’t really seem to know what they’re doing, and are a bit too reliant on an 18-year-old defenseman to solve all their problems. They feel like a Communications major.
The Central
The Central Division have been an absolute powerhouse this season, so I had to go with three stereotypically hardcore majors for the top three teams, complete with some decent rivalry between them. Finance majors would love the Colorado Avalanche, which have superior statistics all across the board, making them an easy bet. The Dallas Stars are the only team that have been any challenge to them all year, a hard-working team that has had some success but never able to get it done for several years. I think an engineering major would enjoy cheering for them, especially with their calculating and successful power play. The Minnesota Wild, a bit stuck in the shadow of them both, feels a bit like a computer science major. It’s been defeated basically immediately for years on end, but this year feels different with all the experienced veterans that have recently joined. Finally, for some representation for the undeclared majors, I think the Utah Mammoth would make a great watch this post-season, where you can discover your identity and where you want to go alongside a brand new NHL team that’s finding their identity in their second season.
the Pacific
Last, and also least, the Pacific Division this season has arguably been the worst division to exist in the history of this sport, at least since these four divisions were established in the 1990s. However, four teams stand out as slightly less bad than the rest. The Edmonton Oilers might just be the team to watch if you’re an English major who eats up tragic works, in search of the happy ending that is always out of reach. On the other hand, the Anaheim Ducks are young, hot, and most importantly, happy. I think this vibe is really suited for a Nursing major, if you enjoy watching a strong team with low expectations have a good time. In contrast to both of them, maybe you’re just a bit evil. Maybe you enjoy throwing out a player as soon as a newer shinier one is available. You sound like you might be in Management, and you also sound like you would love to support the Vegas Golden Knights. Unfortunately, it works very well, allowing them to make the playoffs almost every year since they were established with great players that are fun to watch. Lastly, I imagine watching your team lose to the exact same opponent, in the exact same round, four years in a row, might lead to some kind of existential crisis. As a Philosophy major, you would be equipped to deal with these feelings, and watching the Los Angeles Kings would make the perfect activity for you this spring.