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EASTERN CONFERENCE
New York Rangers (1st in Metropolitan Division) vs. Washington Capitals (2nd Eastern Conference wild card)
In the 2023-24 regular season, the New York Rangers were the best team in the regular season. They set franchise records for most wins (55) and points (114). This was their first Presidents' Trophy win since 2014-15. The Rangers last won the Stanley Cup in 1994, and last made the Stanley Cup Final in 2013-14. In the opening round of the playoffs, the Rangers face the Washington Capitals, who made the playoffs despite a -36 goal differential. The Capitals lost 24 games by three or more goals in the regular season. In the regular season, the Rangers and Capitals met four times, with the Rangers winning two and the Capitals winning the other two.
Prediction: New York in five games.
Florida Panthers (1st in Atlantic Division) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (1st Eastern Conference wild card)
In 2022-23, the Florida Panthers pulled off what many consider to be one of the biggest upsets in NHL history (if not the biggest) when they shocked the Boston Bruins in the opening round of the playoffs. (Boston had set regular season records for wins and points.) They rallied all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, where they fell to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games. Now, Florida have higher expectations after a stronger regular season. They face a familiar foe in the Tampa Bay Lightning, their state rivals.
Prediction: Florida in six games.
Boston Bruins (2nd in Atlantic Division) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (3rd in Atlantic Division)
The Boston Bruins set records in the 2022-23 regular season, winning 65 games and finishing with 135 points, both being regular season records. However, they had a terrible collapse in the opening round of the playoffs, losing to the Florida Panthers in an upset that left the hockey world in shock. They hope to atone for the mistake this year. They face a familar foe with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the 21st century, the Leafs and Bruins have met three times, with the Bruins winning every time. Boston has won the past six playoff meetings they've had against the Leafs. The Leafs are led by Auston Matthews, who led the NHL in goals with 69 in the regular season. The Bruins and Leafs met four times in the regular season, with Boston winning all four games.
Prediction: Boston in four games.
Carolina Hurricanes (2nd in Metropolitan Division) vs. New York Islanders (3rd in Metropolitan Division)
For the second consecutive season, the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders meet in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Last season, the Hurricanes won the series in six games. The lone previous playoff meeting between the Islanders and Hurricanes was in 2019, when the Hurricanes swept the Islanders in the second round. The Islanders hope the third time will be the charm. Having a slightly improved regular season over 2022-23 can be considered a start for them. In the regular season, Carolina won two of the games, and the Islanders won the other two.
Prediction: Carolina in six games.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas Stars (1st in Central Divison) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (2nd Western Conference wild card)
The Vegas Golden Knights had somewhat of a disappointing regular season. After winning their first ever Stanley Cup in 2023, they only finished with the 2nd wild card in the Western Conference, the last playoff seed. They face the Dallas Stars, who had the best record in the Western Conference in the regular season. However, one plus is that Vegas won every regular season meeting they had against Dallas. The Stars and Golden Knights have met in the playoffs twice. Dallas won the first meeting in 2020, but Vegas defeated them in the third round last season en route to winning the Stanley Cup.
Prediction: Dallas in six games.
Vancouver Canucks (1st in Pacific Division) vs. Nashville Predators (1st Western Conference wild card)
The Vancouver Canucks were perhaps the biggest surprise in the 2023-24 regular season. Most did not predict they would qualify for the playoffs at the start of the season, but they ended up finishing first in the Pacific Division and qualified for the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. In the opening round of the playoffs, they face the Nashville Predators, who rebounded from a disappointing 2022-23 season in which they missed the playoffs and finished with the first wild card in the Western Conference. The Predators have not advanced beyond the opening round of the playoffs since 2018. Vancouver won the sole previous playoff series they had against the Predators back in 2011. In the 2023-24 regular season, Vancouver won all three matchups.
Prediction: Vancouver in six games.
Winnipeg Jets (2nd in Central Division) vs. Colorado Avalanche (3rd in Central Division)
For the first time ever, the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche meet in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Winnipeg have qualified for the playoffs six times in the past seven seasons, and last year, they fell to the Vegas Golden Knights in the opening round. Colorado have made the playoffs seven consecutive seasons, including a Stanley Cup win in 2022.
Prediction: Colorado in seven games.
Edmonton Oilers (2nd in Pacific Division) vs. Los Angeles Kings (3rd in Pacific Division)
For the third straight season, the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings meet in the first round of the playoffs. This marks the 10th time the Kings and Oilers have met in the playoffs. Edmonton has won seven of the nine meetings to date. In the 2023-24 regular season, the Oilers and Kings met each other four times, with Edmonton winning three of those games.
Prediction: Edmonton in six games.
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