The second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs is complete, with four teams advancing to the conference finals and four heading home. Here's a breakdown of the biggest winners and losers from the conference semifinals.
Winner: Mitch Marner's Playoff Redemption
Marner shed his "playoff choker" reputation by leading the Vegas Golden Knights past the Anaheim Ducks. He recorded 11 points in six games, including a hat trick in Game 3 and a two-point performance in Game 6 to close out the series.
With 14 points in his last seven games—including a three-point effort against the Utah Mammoth—Marner now leads the Golden Knights in scoring this postseason. As Vegas prepares to face the Avalanche in the Western Conference Final, there's no doubt Marner can carry this team deep into the playoffs.
Loser: Alex Tuch Goes Cold at Worst Moment
Tuch was instrumental in the Buffalo Sabres' first-round victory over the Boston Bruins, which is why many picked Buffalo to beat the Canadiens. However, he vanished when it mattered most.
The Syracuse native failed to record a single point in the seven-game series against Montreal. The Sabres were outscored 8-1 with him on the ice at five-on-five. Despite putting 26 shots on net—the most on the team—none found the back of the net. Tuch will now enter contract negotiations with the Sabres on a sour note.
Winner: Jakub Dobes' Coming-Out Party
Since Carey Price stepped away in April 2022, the Canadiens have searched for goaltending stability. Dobes, 24, has provided exactly that.
The 2020 fifth-round pick showcased elite poise in Game 7, making crucial saves—including one in overtime on Tage Thompson during an odd-man rush. Against the Sabres, he posted a .913 save percentage with a .870 high-danger save percentage.
If Dobes continues this form, he'll give the Canadiens a legitimate chance to upset the Carolina Hurricanes. He's on the fast track to stardom in one of hockey's hottest markets.