By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
While the Providence Bruins played their final game of the 2025-26 season yesterday against the Utica Comets, there were Eastern Conference games today that needed to be played to determine the conference’s standings. With the Hershey Bears defeating the Rochester Americans in overtime and the Cleveland Monsters winning their game earlier today, the American Hockey League standings in both conferences are officially set for the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs.
For the 2026 playoffs, Providence will enter as the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy winners. With having the AHL’s best record, Providence will not play in the best-of-three first round and will wait to learn its opponent in the best-of-five Division Semifinals. Providence has three potential opponents they could play, but there’s a guide to getting each one.
Atlantic Division’s Top-Six Teams
No. 1 Providence Bruins
No. 2 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
No. 3 Charlotte Checkers
No. 4 Bridgeport Islanders
No. 5 Hershey Bears
No. 6 Springfield Thunderbirds
Round One’s Two Matchups
No. 3 Charlotte Bears vs No. 6 Springfield Thunderbirds
No. 4 Bridgeport Islanders vs No. 5 Hershey Bears
Providence will play the lowest remaining seed of the four teams that will play each other in the first round, while Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will play the highest remaining seed. The only team competing in the first round that Providence won’t play in the Division Semifinals is Charlotte.
Providence will play either Bridgeport, Hershey, or Springfield in the Division Semifinals. Based on how the first round could go for the four teams competing, Providence has a way to get each of the three teams named.
How Providence Will Play Bridgeport
Bridgeport defeats Hershey, and Springfield loses to Charlotte
How Providence Will Play Hershey
Hershey defeats Bridgeport, and Springfield loses to Charlotte
How Providence Will Play Springfield
Springfield defeats Charlotte
Needing to Prove it in the Playoffs
Providence has had an incredible season, finishing with 110 points. 2026 was the fourth time in Providence’s history that the team finished with the AHL’s best record. Providence Goaltender Michael DiPietro has been outstanding all season, winning the Team MVP, and he deserves to be in the discussion as AHL MVP with his 34 wins, 1.91 GAA, and .930 save percentage. Providence captain Patrick Brown led by example by recording 54 points, and his +36 rating led the team. Forward Riley Tufte led Providence with 32 goals, and forward Georgii Merkulov’s 61 points led the team. Providence got excellent depth all around throughout the entire season on its roster.
Providence has shown all season that they’ve been the best team in the AHL. Now, Providence will have to prove it in the 2026 playoffs. Providence is seeking its second Calder Cup in team history, and the first one since 1999. When Providence won the 1999 Calder Cup, they had the AHL’s best record. The 2026 Providence team hopes to replicate the 1999 team’s success by winning the Calder Cup while having the AHL’s best record.
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