2026 WHL Playoffs Preview: 1) Prince Albert Raiders Versus 8) Red Deer Rebels The Prince Albert Raiders and Red Deer Rebels are set to clash in the opening round of the 2026 WHL Playoffs, renewing a postseason rivalry that last saw these two clubs meet in 2019. While the Raiders enter as the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed following a dominant 52-win campaign, the Rebels proved they could challenge them by splitting the regular-season series 2–2, including two crucial victories in early March. 2025-26 REGULAR SEASON STATISTICS: Season Records: * Prince Albert Raiders: 52-10-5-1 * Red Deer Rebels: 26-36-4-2 Power Play: * Prince Albert Raiders: 28.3% * Red Deer Rebels: 19.8% Penalty Kill: * Prince Albert Raiders: 79.4% * Red Deer Rebels: 72.5% Prince Albert Raiders Point Leaders Against Red Deer Rebels This Season: * Aiden Oiring: 4 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 P * Daxon Rudolph: 4 GP, 1 G, 5 A, 6 P * Brandon Gorzynski: 4 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 P * Braeden Cootes: 4 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 P * Max Heise: 4 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 P Red Deer Rebels Point Leaders Against Prince Albert Raiders This Season: * Beckett Hamilton: 4 GP, 3 G, 4 A, 7 P * Poul Andersen: 4 GP, 3 G, 2 A, 5 P * Samuel Drancak: 4 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 P * Cameron Kuzma: 4 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 P * Talon Brigley: 4 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 P SERIES SCHEDULE The best-of-seven series begins this Friday at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert. * Game 1: Red Deer @ Prince Albert — Friday, March 27, 7:00 PM ST * Game 2: Red Deer @ Prince Albert — Saturday, March 28, 7:00 PM ST * Game 3: Prince Albert @ Red Deer — Tuesday, March 31, 7:00 PM MT * Game 4: Prince Albert @ Red Deer — Wednesday, April 1, 7:00 PM MT * Game 5*: Red Deer @ Prince Albert — Friday, April 3, 7:00 PM ST * Game 6*: Prince Albert @ Red Deer — Sunday, April 5, 4:00 PM MT * Game 7*: Red Deer @ Prince Albert — Tuesday, April 7, 7:00 PM ST *If necessary Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News [https://thehockeynews.com/whl]. Medicine Hat Tiges Forward Markus Ruck Finishes 2025-26 Season As WHL's Top Scorer [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/medicine-hat-tiges-forward-markus-ruck-finishes-2025-26-season-as-whl-s-top-scorer] Final 4 2026 WHL Playoffs Spot Determined [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/final-4-2026-whl-playoffs-spot-determined] Brandon Wheat Kings To Host 2027 WHL Prospects Game [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/brandon-wheat-kings-to-host-2027-whl-prospects-game] WHL Goal-Scoring Title Will Be Crowned On Saturday [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/whl-goal-scoring-title-will-be-crowned-on-saturday] WHL Teams Who Can Still Clinch 2026 Playoff Spots [https://thehockeynews.com/whl/latest-news/whl-teams-who-can-still-clinch-playoffs] For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription?_gl=1*11e3hua*_ga*MTk0NDM0Mzk0OS4xNzQ2MjQ0ODA2*_ga_ZET34ZFCGX*czE3NjYzMzYxOTQkbzkwOSRnMSR0MTc2NjMzNzA3NyRqNTYkbDAkaDA.]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum. Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/cb2bb601-06a4-4c9c-b93a-8ebc3cf7b051.jpeg]