Super 16: Analysis, questions for teams entering Stanley Cup Playoffs

Makar back for Avalanche, Kadri questionable; Kings enter power rankings after clinching berth

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:00am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game broken down into overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the complexity and intensity of the upcoming Stanley Cup Playoffs.As the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin, the NHL's top contenders face a gauntlet of challenges and questions on the road to hockey's ultimate prize.Compton Today

The field is set for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the brackets will be finalized Thursday. We're two days away from the puck dropping on the greatest postseason in North American professional sports, and with that will come predictions, analysis, and questions.

Why it matters

The Super 16 provides analysis and questions facing each of the 16 teams that will be vying for the Stanley Cup, giving readers a comprehensive preview of the upcoming playoffs.

The details

The Avalanche are entering the playoffs looking great, with Cale Makar returning from injury. The Hurricanes could get reinforcement in goalie Pyotr Kochetkov, while the Stars are banged up heading into their first-round series against the Wild. The Sabres clinched the Atlantic Division, their first division crown since 2009-10. The Lightning hit a brief skid but still have home-ice advantage against the Canadiens. The Wild's goaltending situation is unclear, and the Bruins are hard to figure out after a rollercoaster season.

  • The field is set for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the brackets will be finalized Thursday.
  • The puck will drop on the greatest postseason in North American professional sports in two days.

The players

Cale Makar

The Avalanche defenseman returned from an upper-body injury and had three assists in his return.

Nazem Kadri

The Avalanche forward is out with a finger injury but is expected to return close to the start of the postseason.

Pyotr Kochetkov

The Hurricanes goaltender was thought to be lost for the remainder of the season due to injury but has been recalled after making two starts on a conditioning loan.

Roope Hintz

The Stars' No. 1 center will not play in Games 1 or 2 of their first-round series against the Wild due to a lower-body injury.

Noah Ostlund

The Sabres rookie forward is expected to return from an upper-body injury for the start of the playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“The Avalanche are entering the playoffs looking like they have all season -- great. They're coming off a 3-1 win at the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, marking their seventh straight road win and wrap up their schedule at home against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. Cale Makar had three assists in his return after missing seven games with an upper-body injury, so he's back to normal.”

— Tracey Myers, staff writer

“The bottom line for the Hurricanes is they have home-ice advantage for as long as they remain alive in the Eastern Conference, and this team was built for this time of the year as long as they get consistent goaltending.”

— Mike G. Morreale, senior draft writer

“The Stars are banged up heading into their first-round series against the Minnesota Wild. Roope Hintz will not play in Games 1 or 2 at minimum; Dallas' No. 1 center has been out since sustaining a lower-body injury on March 6.”

— Dan Rosen, senior writer

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.