Which NHL teams could make postseason after missing last season?

The 2026 playoff field experienced significant turnover compared to the 2025 season. Notable changes include the Buffalo Sabres ending a record playoff drought that lasted fourteen seasons. Additionally, the Anaheim Ducks have successfully returned to the postseason after a seven-year absence. These developments highlight a major shift in the NHL landscape as previously struggling teams reclaim their positions in the playoffs, altering the competitive dynamics of the league for the current 2026 postseason cycle.