Stanley Cup playoffs 2024: NHL postseason team predictions

The 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs are right here! It took till the ultimate two video games of the common season to find out last seeding for the bracket, however with the puck able to drop Saturday on our first playoff motion, it’s time for our jumbo-sized preview.

We’ve obtained all of the angles lined to get you prepared for the playoffs as ESPN hockey reporters Ryan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton check out every of the 16 postseason groups, providing the explanations every team may win all of it, together with the (doubtlessly) greatest flaws, gamers to observe and a daring prediction for each contender.

Note: Profiles for the Atlantic and Metropolitan playoff brackets had been written by Shilton, whereas Clark analyzed the Central and Pacific golf equipment. Also word that wild-card groups are listed in response to the playoff bracket during which they’re enjoying (so the Nashville Predators are within the Pacific, as an example).

Stats are collected from websites reminiscent of Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey.

Jump to a team:
Atlantic: FLA | BOS
TOR | TB
Metro: NYR | CAR
NYI | WSH
Central: DAL | WPG
COL | LA
Pacific: VAN | EDM
VGK | NSH

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ATLANTIC DIVISION

Record: 52-24-6, 110 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Florida was an eleventh-hour addition to the postseason area final yr and wound up going all the best way to the Stanley Cup Final. This yr’s Panthers have been something however underdogs, and their possibilities of returning to the Final are higher than ever. Florida ran it again this season with practically the identical roster intact — together with 15 skaters from that Cup Final lineup — and have since added extra expertise with Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola amongst others.

Florida’s actual power, although, comes by way of its star performers, and people top-tier skaters can do critical injury. Sam Reinhart had a profession yr, choosing up 52 targets and 92 factors; Aleksander Barkov stays an impressive two-way middle; Matthew Tkachuk discovered his feisty kind once more; and a rejuvenated Sergei Bobrovsky is Florida’s game-changer within the crease. Confidence? The Panthers ought to be filled with it.

Biggest flaws: Florida has top-end scoring expertise. But will it make the team too top-heavy? After Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe (with 33 targets) and Tkachuk (with 26), there’s a drop-off round who’s placing pucks within the web. The Panthers don’t have a standout offensive defenseman (Gustav Forsling leads the best way there with 10 targets and 38 factors) and might be uncovered within the playoffs if their elite skaters are neutralized and there’s nobody behind them to reply the scoring bell.

The Panthers had been middle-of-the-pack this season offensively (averaging 3.21 targets per recreation, 14th general) and there’s a scoring premium within the playoffs for each membership no matter regular-season success.

Player to observe: Aleksander Barkov. There are few gamers within the league with Barkov’s distinctive talent set. He can win key face-offs, break up passes and execute in seemingly small areas that may make or break a team’s consequence. This is when Barkov ought to be his strongest.

Bold prediction: Florida will barely survive a first-round collection that goes the space, and fatigue will weigh closely because the Panthers are ousted from the second spherical in 5 video games.

Record: 47-20-15, 109 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: The Bruins confirmed once more this season that they’re a resilient bunch, grappling with the lack of key gamers (i.e., Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci), transitioning to a brand new management group (led by newly anointed captain Brad Marchand) and, regardless of being among the many NHL’s older groups, nonetheless staying on tempo with the youthful crowd. The Bruins boast a deep lineup on each side of the puck that goes effectively past their stars — like Marchand, David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy. Coach Jim Montgomery can have an enviable variety of choices to select from when formulating Boston’s assault.

Boston additionally secured home-ice benefit to begin the postseason, and the native assist alone will be a bonus. The Bruins didn’t faucet into it final season — dropping within the first spherical to Florida — however ought to have realized loads from their prior disappointment. The Bruins are conscious their contending window may snap shut at any time. They squandered a Presidents’ Trophy-winning season a yr in the past by falling flat within the playoffs. That’s motivation sufficient to gasoline Boston’s subsequent chapter.

Biggest flaws: The Bruins have had points closing out video games. Boston is tied for the league lead in time beyond regulation or shootout losses (with eight) when main after two intervals. It’s a damning statistic, and Montgomery has talked all through the season about Boston discovering methods to “push through” even when drained on the finish of a recreation. That’s particularly vital within the playoffs, when time beyond regulation can prolong for hours.

Speaking of emotion, will the Bruins carry any demons from their previous failure into this postseason? Boston has repeatedly dealt with questions on its first-round flop final spring. It’s on the veterans who went by way of that to make sure there are not any lingering results impacting how Boston goes about its enterprise from right here on out.

Player to observe: David Pastrnak. Boston’s stars have to be stars. And there isn’t a one who can rise to the event for the Bruins fairly like Pastrnak. Whether it’s scoring a vital aim, elevating his linemates or making a matchup nightmare, Pastrnak is Boston’s jack-of-all-trades who will lead the cost by way of a tricky first-round slog — and presumably effectively past it.

Bold prediction: Boston will get outworked (once more) within the first spherical and received’t have the ability to match the depth of a hungrier opponent. The Bruins will fall in six video games and head into one other lengthy offseason to consider making main adjustments.

Record: 46-26-10, 102 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Toronto took its time discovering a candy spot, the place all the weather from constant scoring to secure goaltending to stable protection got here collectively and steered the Leafs nearer to their full potential. That it occurred late within the yr, proper earlier than the playoffs? Well, that simply could be Toronto’s secret sauce.

Unlike seasons previous, when the Leafs may coast at occasions on the goal-scoring prowess of Auston Matthews or the playmaking magic of Mitch Marner, the Leafs have efficiently weathered adversity to emerge as maybe the strongest collective model of themselves. Sure, GM Brad Treliving actively added some sandpaper to the lineup with Ryan Reaves and a big-bodied defenseman in Joel Edmundson, but it surely’s the general grit Toronto has earned all year long that ought to assist in the postseason.

Another Leafs edge? Their first line — helmed by Hart Trophy contender Matthews — has lastly discovered its rhythm. After months of tinkering, Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi have mixed with Matthews to make their unit elite. That has given coach Sheldon Keefe the chance to unfold out a number of the different prime skaters — reminiscent of Marner and William Nylander — so Toronto isn’t as susceptible to the ebbs and flows of its star performers. Nicholas Robertson has been bettering up entrance these days, and so has Matthew Knies. The Leafs had been felled by a scarcity of postseason scoring previously, and in the event that they’ve obtained that lined now, it may carry them effectively past one spherical.

Biggest flaws: Toronto has query marks on protection — together with who, precisely, will truly be within the six-man rotation come playoffs. TJ Brodie, as soon as a top-pairing staple, has slipped down the depth chart, and Keefe’s been often remodeling his again finish to see what sticks. The Leafs have averaged 3.13 targets towards this season and practically 30 pictures towards whereas struggling to defend off the frenzy. In a tight-checking postseason contest when desperation is at its peak, Toronto’s protection might be uncovered if it may well’t discover the right combination of gamers to deal with the job forward.

Player to observe: Ilya Samsonov. Toronto’s starter has been by way of the wringer and got here out the opposite facet enjoying a few of his finest hockey. The Leafs can solely hope Samsonov stays on that path when the playoffs start. He initiatives to be their starter within the first spherical, with rookie Joseph Woll trying over his shoulder, able to take over.

Bold prediction: Toronto will escape the primary spherical after which explode with a second-round sweep. The Leafs will attain their first Stanley Cup Final since 1967 and at last win all of it in a dramatic Game 7 victory.

Record: 45-29-8, 98 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Tampa Bay has an unparalleled playoff pedigree, and that’s why the Lightning can by no means be counted out of contending for a Stanley Cup. Yes, the Lightning faltered within the first spherical final yr, however that’s nonetheless the exception to their rule. Before that, it was three straight journeys to the Cup finals, with two victories. Tampa Bay can flip it on when it’s time to go.

The Lightning have additionally woven in some recent our bodies (particularly Anthony Duclair and Matt Dumba) and remained pretty wholesome, so sturdy chemistry may construct up over time. The outcomes since early March converse for themselves — Tampa Bay is averaging 4 targets per recreation (finest within the league); it’s top-10 in targets towards and top-five on the ability play; and the goaltending beneath Andrei Vasilevskiy is elite as soon as extra (.910 SV%, 2.61 GAA). Oh, and Nikita Kucherov? He leads the league in factors with 144 and will probably be a momentum-shifting, series-defining risk.

Biggest flaws: Tampa Bay was dealt a tricky blow when top-pairing defenseman Mikhail Sergachev suffered a damaged leg in February. He received’t return except the Lightning go deep into the playoffs. Sergachev’s absence has left the blue line uncovered.

Victor Hedman is carrying the group, but it surely now contains extra up-and-comers (reminiscent of Nick Perbix and Emil Lilleberg) than established skaters who’ve helped the team win previously. Dumba’s been a positive third-pairing man, but it surely’ll take extra than simply OK for the Lightning to not be drowned by defensive issues.

Player to observe: Brayden Point. While it’s Kucherov gathering the factors (and accolades) this season, Point has quietly had an exceptional season of his personal with 46 targets and 90 factors. Having Point wholesome and rolling like he’s now could be a significant flex for the Lightning and provides to their depth scoring capabilities.

Bold prediction: Kucherov will probably be held off the rating sheet by way of Tampa Bay’s first two video games, and the Lightning will get knocked out within the first spherical a second consecutive time.

METRO DIVISION

Record: 55-23-4, 114 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: New York is aware of the way it feels to fall brief. It occurred two years in the past within the Eastern Conference finals. It occurred once more final season within the first spherical. Those disappointments led to a training change and roster turnover and to a battle-tested New York that grew to become this season’s Presidents’ Trophy winner.

How did the Rangers get there? By turning into one of many league’s elite offensive squads. Artemi Panarin — who tallied simply two assists in that first-round loss towards New Jersey final spring — exploded with a 120-point common season; Chris Kreider popped in 39 targets; and Adam Fox is a point-per-game skater on the again finish. New York’s depth is stronger, too, notably since including Alex Wennberg on the deadline to fill the third-line middle position. Rookie Matt Rempe offers the Rangers some wanted measurement and toughness. All that, together with a wonderful goaltending tandem in Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick, offers New York an outstanding alternative to succeed in a Stanley Cup Final.

Biggest flaws: The Rangers have had their points structurally and defensively this season. There had been stretches across the midseason when New York was bafflingly poor in its personal finish, susceptible to turnovers and usually enjoying a harmful recreation of scorching potato with the puck. The Rangers are at their finest enjoying a collective team protection. When that’s missing, issues can go south rapidly. Shesterkin and Quick are good, however they will’t be left frolicked to dry, both.

Being the Presidents’ Trophy winner has not, traditionally, led to sturdy ends in the playoffs. The Rangers have their very own demons (as talked about above) from lackluster showings on the sport’s greatest stage. How they push previous these potential limitations will assist decide their playoff success.

Player to observe: Artemi Panarin. It’s time for Panarin to shut the e book on final season’s terrible playoff efficiency by writing a recent new chapter — this one centered on his skill to dominate opponents. That’s how New York will stretch this postseason out for weeks to return.

Bold prediction: New York’s stars will flip up within the first spherical, however the Rangers’ depth will fail to match, and a hungrier Washington team will oust the Presidents’ Trophy winners in a dramatic Game 7 finale.

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Record: 52-23-7, 111 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Carolina has waited within the wings lengthy sufficient. The Hurricanes are perennial contenders after which don’t fairly dwell as much as playoff expectations, like in final season’s Eastern Conference finals sweep towards Florida. Well, take into account this Carolina’s time to shine. The Hurricanes are constructed to go all the best way in each section. Jake Guentzel has been an incredible addition to the lineup post-deadline; Sebastian Aho is a bona fide star averaging effectively over a point-per-game; Seth Jarvis has come to life with a 33-goal effort; and Andrei Svechnikov made up for misplaced time with 52 factors in 59 video games. There’s a robust blue line led by Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns to associate with complementary defensive performances all through the lineup.

Carolina can also be dynamic on particular groups, proudly owning the second-ranked energy play (26.9%) and prime penalty kill (86.4%) within the common season. That mixture alone is a terrifying edge within the team’s favor. The Hurricanes’ goaltending has been a supply of power, too. Frederik Andersen returned from his blood clotting problem in positive kind (13-2-0, .932 SV%, 1.84 GAA), and rookie Pyotr Kochetkov has offered terrific showings within the crease.

Biggest flaws: The Hurricanes should watch out with Andersen. Although the veteran has been sturdy since his restoration, there’s no denying Andersen’s historical past of accidents. If Carolina expects to go far, it’s going to want a stable tandem in place to lean on, and Andersen ought to be a part of it. But if Andersen had been to overlook video games, would Kochetkov survive carrying the load on an extended postseason run? The Hurricanes’ choices to assist Kochetkov in that regard are pretty restricted. Depth, in all aspects, will be the distinction between profitable and dropping a good collection. Carolina should hope it doesn’t face a goaltending dilemma anytime quickly.

Player to observe: Jake Guentzel. The former Pittsburgh Penguin wasted no time proving his price on a brand new roster with eight targets and 25 factors in 17 video games. If that was the beginning of Guentzel’s manufacturing in Carolina, then take into account the Eastern Conference playoff area on discover that an precise offensive hurricane is headed its means.

Bold prediction: Carolina will chart an unstoppable course straight on to the Eastern Conference finals, however as soon as once more the Hurricanes will lose steam and received’t have the ability to make the Cup Final.

Record: 39-27-16, 94 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: New York discovered its rhythm from late March into April, and that secured a playoff spot and powers the team’s postseason hopes. The Islanders have a white-hot goaltender in Semyon Varlamov (8-1-1 in begins since March 10) main the best way. What the Islanders lacked in identification earlier this yr has lastly come collectively beneath new coach Patrick Roy. There’s a stability to New York’s construction that has revealed itself additional with every passing recreation. The Islanders usually favor physicality, and now they’re extra opportunistic offensively so as to add dimension the place it wasn’t earlier than. New York ought to be assured heading into the postseason.

Biggest flaws: The Islanders have lengthy confronted criticism for his or her low scoring output, and this season — as a complete — has been no exception. New York ranked twenty third in offense by way of the common season, averaging beneath three targets per recreation. The Islanders’ assault is top-heavy when it does ignite, with solely 5 skaters surpassing the 20-goal mark and just one (Mathew Barzal) working at a point-per-game tempo. New York has to work laborious for the offense it does get, and that may weigh a team down in a playoff collection.

New York can also be susceptible on particular groups. The Islanders cobbled collectively a league-worst penalty kill (72.2%), and their energy play ranked twenty first general (19.7%). That places critical strain on them to remain disciplined and never let opponents use the mediocre particular groups towards them.

Player to observe: Bo Horvat. The Islanders’ ahead had a stable common season with 33 targets and 68 factors. But this time of yr is why New York traded for Horvat within the first place. He should produce a high-caliber effort nightly within the postseason for the Islanders to go far.

Bold prediction: New York will attempt to experience Varlamov’s scorching hand, however the goalie will stumble early and get replaced by Ilya Sorokin. He will practically information the Islanders to a first-round victory, however they’ll fall in Game 7.

Record: 40-31-11, 91 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: The Capitals by no means gave up. That angle earned them a return bid to the playoffs in mind-blowing vogue. Washington by some means has each the worst aim differential (minus-37) of any postseason team in historical past and the possibility to show it means nothing when it opens one other first-round collection. Washington has obtained contributions from all over the place and everybody this season, from established veterans (reminiscent of Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson) to rising stars (together with Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre). The Caps are in succesful arms between the pipes, too, with Charlie Lindgren rising as a secure beginning possibility who can swing a recreation in Washington’s favor.

The Capitals’ general buy-in beneath first-year coach Spencer Carbery (who has accomplished a masterful job righting the ship for Washington by way of a number of rocky stretches this season) can also be what makes them harmful. Yes, each team needs to achieve success within the playoffs, however Washington is already pushed by its underdog standing. If the Caps hold that mentality on the forefront, they may take the playoff area by storm.

Biggest flaws: Washington must flip up the warmth offensively. The Capitals ranked twenty eighth in whole offense (with 2.63 targets per recreation) and twenty ninth in 5-on-5 targets (143), and Dylan Strome paced the team with simply 67 factors on the season. Where will Washington get constant scoring from in a playoff collection? Even if it manages that, can it hold the puck out of its personal web, too? Lindgren has been terrific for a lot of the yr, however the Caps permit over 30 pictures on web per recreation. How will that have an effect on them when a few of their key contributors have little to no postseason expertise? It’s a recipe for preventable errors, and people can rapidly grow to be series-defining issues.

Player to observe: Alex Ovechkin. Like there’s anybody else you’d be watching anyway. Ovechkin is within the late levels of a Hall of Fame profession, and this chance to be within the playoffs seemed like an extended shot even final month. He received’t take this opportunity without any consideration, and that ought to not solely gasoline a stellar displaying from him but additionally present motivation to each participant in Washington’s dressing room.

Bold prediction: The Capitals will give a rousing first-round effort to unseat the Presidents’ Trophy winners and advance to an sudden second-round displaying that may finish with a Game 6 defeat.

CENTRAL DIVISION

Record: 52-21-9, 113 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Practically each team that wins a Stanley Cup encounters some form of crucible earlier than finally capturing a championship. The Stars have accomplished simply that. Back in 2020, they reached the Stanley Cup Final. In 2022, they struggled to attain in a first-round loss. The 2023 postseason noticed them get inside two video games of the Stanley Cup Final, which is a part of what makes them one of many NHL’s most authentic Cup challengers.

Depth is every little thing within the postseason, and the Stars have it. They have eight gamers who scored greater than 20 targets this season and 13 gamers who completed with greater than 20 factors. But it’s not simply the power to attain. Trading for Chris Tanev on the deadline gave the Stars that right-handed accomplice that they had looked for Miro Heiskanen, giving them a pairing able to shutting down an opponent’s prime two strains.

Biggest flaws: Strange because it sounds, there are questions on Jake Oettinger. Even although he has a 3rd straight season of greater than 30 wins, Oettinger’s consistency has been a subject of dialog. His 2.72 goals-against common and .905 save proportion are outliers, given he has a profession 2.52 GAA and .912 save proportion.

That stated, he had a 1.66 GAA and a .940 save proportion in April. If that’s the model of Oettinger the Stars can get within the playoffs, it may in the end see them take the subsequent step and advance to their second Stanley Cup Final in 4 seasons.

And after all, matching up towards the Golden Knights in Round 1 brings questions too; particularly can they take the teachings realized from final yr to win this time round?

Player to observe: Wyatt Johnston. Several executives across the NHL stress the significance of having the ability to construct by way of the draft. Johnston is the newest instance from the Stars’ meeting line that exhibits why they place such a premium on draft picks. He has gone from being a rookie who was a major contributor to a second-year participant who led them with 32 targets — and he doesn’t flip 21 till May.

Bold prediction: Thomas Harley would be the breakout star of a playoff run that may a minimum of attain the second spherical. Harley completed the common season with 15 targets and 47 factors, and he’ll give the Stars one other standout on each ends.

Record: 51-24-6, 108 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Losing within the first spherical to the Golden Knights final yr uncovered a variety of the Jets’ points. Namely, they wanted so as to add as a lot scoring assist as attainable, and that’s what they’ve accomplished over the previous 12 months. The Pierre-Luc Dubois commerce allowed Winnipeg to land Alex Iafallo and Gabriel Vilardi, who’ve been a part of the team’s balanced scoring assault.

Altogether, the Jets had 13 gamers who scored greater than 10 targets this season. They’ve obtained contributions from established figures reminiscent of Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, whereas seeing new faces like Iafallo, Vilardi and Sean Monahan add to these totals. Combine that with what they’ve in aim in Connor Hellebuyck and it makes Winnipeg a team that might pose issues if it may well get out of the primary spherical.

Biggest flaws: Can the Jets parlay their regular-season success into the form of outcomes that get them past the primary spherical? It’s an much more related query heading into Round 1, given what they’ve accomplished towards the Avs within the common season (profitable all three video games). But it’s a query Winnipeg has been attempting to reply for the previous few years. Back in 2017-18, the Jets misplaced within the Western Conference finals to the Golden Knights, and attending to that spherical created the assumption that they may grow to be one of many West’s long-term contenders.

Since then, Winnipeg has made it out of the primary spherical solely as soon as. What has separated the Jets from groups such because the Avalanche, Golden Knights and Stars, amongst others, is that they haven’t been capable of go on these prolonged runs that present they’re able to problem for a Stanley Cup. Is this the season the Jets take off?

Player to observe: Connor Hellebuyck. He has had one of many strongest particular person campaigns of his profession and stands to seize what can be his second Vezina Trophy. Last yr’s playoffs had been a problem, as Hellebuyck completed with a 3.44 GAA and .886 save proportion. Still, Hellebuyck’s earlier postseason expertise has proven he could make a distinction for a team that’s in search of to take the subsequent step in its playoff evolution.

Bold prediction: Vilardi will lead the Jets in scoring by way of a minimum of one spherical of the playoffs. In a full, 82-game season, Vilardi was on tempo for a team-high 37 targets, and his projected 62 factors would have been second. Going to Winnipeg has allowed him to additional faucet into his promise, and it may as soon as once more profit the Jets within the postseason.

Record: 49-25-7, 105 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Having Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar permits the Avalanche to be prime Cup contenders on an annual foundation. But having these three is just not sufficient, which is what the Avs realized final yr when the then-defending champions had been ousted within the first spherical.

Avs common supervisor Chris MacFarland and his entrance workplace employees have used the time since to strengthen their depth. This is a team that isn’t reliant on its stars, and it may well obtain contributions from everybody on a nightly foundation. That’s what allowed the Avs to win the title again in 2022, and it’s what has them in competition for a second championship previously three years.

Biggest flaws: Could or not it’s the actual fact they’re opening the playoffs towards the Jets? The Jets’ 7-0 victory this previous Saturday raised questions on what may occur as soon as the playoffs began. Losing by a fairly massive margin wasn’t the one speaking level after the sport. There was additionally a dialogue about how the Jets had been 3-0 towards the Avalanche within the common season — and had outscored them 17-4 in these contests.

It’s attainable that what occurred within the common season may have little bearing as soon as their first-round collection begins. The Golden Knights received solely considered one of their eight mixed video games towards the Oilers and Stars within the 2022-23 common season, solely to then beat these two groups en path to profitable the Stanley Cup. Could or not it’s an analogous scenario for the Avs, or can the Jets parlay their regular-season success into profitable the collection?

Player to observe: Gabriel Landeskog. The greatest query concerning the team has been: Can the captain return this postseason? Landeskog has missed the previous two seasons recovering from a persistent knee damage that noticed him bear cartilage transplant surgical procedure final May. Avs coach Jared Bednar stated Tuesday that Landeskog is “not close” to collaborating in practices, whereas having famous beforehand that the Avs captain may return in some unspecified time in the future within the playoffs.

Bold prediction: Casey Mittelstadt will common some extent per recreation within the first spherical. After coming over in commerce from Buffalo, Mittelstadt crammed the second-line middle hole Colorado had been attempting to fill because the departure of Nazem Kadri. His arrival offers the Avs one other participant who may make a large impression in what would be the first playoff collection of his profession.

Record: 45-28-8, 98 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Much of the system that allowed the Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup final season is again. They have the reigning Conn Smythe winner in Jonathan Marchessault. They have gamers who’ve excelled in prime line and/or prime pairing roles reminiscent of Jack Eichel and Alex Pietrangelo. They have Adin Hill, the goaltender who performed a major position. They even have the unsung heroes reminiscent of Nicolas Hague and Zach Whitecloud, who had been among the many most used defensive pairings within the playoffs final season.

And then Vegas supplemented all that by having one of the advantageous commerce deadlines in current reminiscence. It added a top-nine winger in Anthony Mantha and a top-pairing defenseman in Noah Hanifin, then made the stunning commerce to get one other top-six ahead in Tomas Hertl, making a team that appears as if it may well definitely defend its title.

Biggest flaws: Could the additions of Hanifin, Hertl and Mantha be too many new shifting items without delay? One factor that has allowed the Golden Knights to go from being an enlargement team to a full-on juggernaut is their skill to have gamers seamlessly match into their system as in the event that they’ve been there the entire time. That’s the way it has labored with Ivan Barbashev, Mark Stone, Chandler Stephenson, Eichel, Pietrangelo and Hill.

It’s unsure whether or not Hanifin, Hertl and Mantha can observe swimsuit. Hanifin had 12 factors by way of his first 18 video games, and Mantha had 10 factors in his first 18 video games. Once Hertl was cleared to play after his restoration efforts from knee surgical procedure, he had three factors in his first 4 video games, together with the profitable aim towards the Avs this previous Sunday. So far, so good.

Player to observe: Noah Hanifin. Yes, the thought of Stone getting back from damage to seem within the playoffs makes him a robust candidate to be the reply right here. But we all know what Stone can do within the postseason. Seeing what Hanifin can do within the playoffs might be fairly vital, contemplating Vegas simply signed him to an eight-year extension. He has eight factors whereas averaging 21:03 of ice time per recreation in 27 profession playoff contests; these numbers ought to each rise this spring.

Bold prediction: Hertl will lead the Golden Knights in factors all through everything of their playoff run. Even if there are questions on how all the brand new items match, Hertl will discover a method to reply them by being the team’s most prolific performer.

PACIFIC DIVISION

Record: 50-22-9, 109 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Few groups have been as constant because the Canucks in a season that has watched them go from a shock team to at least one that might win the Cup. Other than a four-game dropping streak in February, Vancouver has seemed the a part of a critical championship challenger that relied upon its total roster to succeed in this stage.

J.T. Miller has 100 factors and Quinn Hughes seems to be the Norris Trophy favourite, however there may be a lot extra to the Canucks. Brock Boeser‘s 40-goal marketing campaign led the best way amongst 10 gamers who completed the season with greater than 10 tallies. The team additionally has 14 gamers who completed the yr with greater than 20 factors.

Biggest flaws: Can Vancouver make it work within the playoffs? Rarely does a team go from lacking the playoffs in seven of its previous eight seasons to profitable a Stanley Cup. But that’s the narrative the Canucks are in search of to rewrite as they’ve made it past the second spherical solely as soon as because the 2010-11 season that noticed them attain the Stanley Cup Final.

Vancouver is also attempting to do that in a crowded Western Conference panorama that has seen fairly a number of groups encounter years of frustration earlier than lastly claiming the sport’s final prize. Although the argument might be had that possibly all these years of lacking the playoffs is the wrestle that has set the stage for the Canucks this postseason.

Player to observe: Thatcher Demko. Before he sustained a knee damage on March 9, Demko was performing like one of many NHL’s finest goaltenders. He led the league with 34 wins whereas posting a 2.47 GAA and a .917 save proportion on the time of his damage. Demko returned to the lineup this Tuesday and completed with 39 saves and a .975 save proportion in a win towards the Calgary Flames.

Bold prediction: Elias Lindholm will attain double figures in factors through the playoffs. Although his time with the Canucks has had its challenges, Lindholm will play a significant position in Vancouver’s bid to get past the primary spherical.

Record: 49-26-6, 104 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Since Kris Knoblauch was employed to switch Jay Woodcroft in November, the Oilers have seemingly discovered solutions to lots of the questions going through them after their gradual begin. At occasions, they’ve seemed like probably the most harmful team within the league, evidenced by the actual fact they’re third in targets scored per recreation and have given up the fifth fewest targets per recreation since Knoblauch was employed.

Could this be Edmonton’s yr? It was simply two years in the past when the Oilers reached the Western Conference finals earlier than dropping to the eventual champion Avalanche. Last yr, they reached the second spherical, the place they had been knocked out by the eventual champion Golden Knights. Could the teachings from the previous few years lead this team to future glory?

Biggest flaws: Do the Oilers have the supporting solid that may assist them win a championship? That remained a query all through that second-round collection towards the Golden Knights. One of the avenues that allowed Vegas to beat Edmonton, and the remainder of its playoff opponents, was that it may depend on its depth to win video games.

This has been a problem for the Oilers. Outside of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, the one Oilers to attain targets in these losses to the Golden Knights had been Zach Hyman and Warren Foegele. Receiving constant secondary scoring, together with the power to parlay the success they’ve created with their defensive construction beneath a brand new teaching employees, may show essential to the Oilers’ title aspirations.

Player to observe: Stuart Skinner. Among the questions Edmonton confronted final postseason: Can Skinner be the goalie who leads it to a championship? His maiden playoff voyage was rocky. There had been postseason video games during which he had a save proportion exceeding .960, and there have been additionally video games during which he was pulled in favor of Jack Campbell. He seemed stable this common season, however till he proves his mettle within the postseason, these questions will linger.

Bold prediction: Adam Henrique will end among the many prime 5 Oilers in playoff factors. Again, secondary scoring will probably be essential, and that is additionally an enormous alternative for Henrique to make his mark after enjoying for non-playoff groups for many of the previous decade.

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Emily Kaplan units up the chase for the Stanley Cup because the NHL’s second season will get underway.

Record: 43-27-11, 97 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Returning to the playoffs for a 3rd straight season was thanks partially to the depth of the Kings’ roster. They have 4 gamers who had greater than 20 targets within the common season, 9 gamers who reached double figures in targets and 11 gamers who completed with greater than 20 factors. Four of these 11 gamers had been defensemen.

Like a variety of groups, Los Angeles additionally made a training change this season, changing Todd McLellan with interim coach Jim Hiller. His arrival has led to the Kings turning into one of many stronger defensive groups within the NHL. Since he took over on Feb. 2, L.A. has allowed the third fewest targets per recreation and the fifth fewest pictures per recreation and has a top-six penalty kill.

Biggest flaws: Do the Kings have sufficient to win a first-round collection — notably towards a team that has overwhelmed them two years in a row? All the strikes the entrance workplace has remodeled the previous few years have made Los Angeles one of many extra intriguing groups within the NHL, however getting past the primary spherical has been the most important problem going through a franchise that’s attempting to cement itself as one of many West’s elite groups.

Beating a convention energy just like the Oilers would emphatically reply these questions. But if the Kings don’t prevail, common supervisor Rob Blake and his entrance workplace employees will probably be asking fairly a number of questions on what potential adjustments have to be made.

Player to observe: Pierre-Luc Dubois. Landing Dubois in a megatrade with the Jets — after which signing him to a long-term contract — was a type of strikes that signaled the Kings’ intent when it got here to their aspirations. So far, Dubois’ first season in L.A. hasn’t gone as deliberate, given the 40 factors he had by way of 80 video games is the fewest he has had in a season during which he has performed a minimum of 70. Dubois is averaging 0.68 factors per recreation in 38 profession postseason contests, and he may use these playoffs to reframe his first season in Southern California.

Bold prediction: Dubois will lead the Kings in factors through the playoffs. It’ll permit them to drive a Game 7 towards the Oilers in a collection that may see L.A. make one other first-round exit.

Record: 47-30-5, 99 factors

Case for a Stanley Cup run: There are two arguments that might clarify why the Predators will go on a future. The first is that the gulf between higher-seeded and lower-seeded groups isn’t that extensive anymore. Or a minimum of that was the case final season when the Panthers upset the Bruins whereas the Seattle Kraken knocked out the Avs.

The second is that the Predators have been one of many NHL’s most constant groups since Feb. 17 — the day their 18-game points streak began. Only the Hurricanes have received extra video games than the Preds since then. They’re fourth in targets per recreation whereas permitting the fourth fewest targets per recreation in that point. Finding that form of cohesion, whereas having skilled Cup winners reminiscent of Ryan McDonagh, Ryan O’Reilly and Luke Schenn on the team, makes Nashville one of many extra intriguing groups to observe.

Biggest flaws: Could a common lack of playoff expertise be an issue? One factor that has allowed the Preds to alter their fortunes this season is the contributions made by gamers reminiscent of Luke Evangelista, Michael McCarron, Tommy Novak, Kiefer Sherwood and Cole Smith, amongst others. It’s a bunch that additionally doesn’t have a lot — and in some circumstances, any — playoff expertise.

McCarron and Sherwood have mixed to play in 5 video games. Evangelista is a rookie, whereas Novak and Smith haven’t performed within the postseason earlier than. Seeing how that individual group can deal with the calls for of the playoffs may play a large position in whether or not Nashville can get past the primary spherical for the primary time because the 2017-18 season.

Player to observe: Juuse Saros. He’s one of many few goaltenders within the NHL who has began greater than 60 video games in every of the previous three seasons. Even although the Preds haven’t made it out of the primary spherical in a number of years, Saros was sturdy in his most up-to-date postseason, again in 2021-22, when he completed with a .921 save proportion. And with one yr left on his contract and the emergence of Yaroslav Askarov, there’s added strain to carry out.

Bold prediction: The Predators will push the Canucks to seven video games. Last yr’s postseason confirmed that lower-seeded groups cannot solely problem the upper seeds within the first spherical however beat them. It’s attainable Nashville might be the subsequent decrease seed to advance to the second spherical or a minimum of comprehend it exited the primary spherical getting ready to a significant upset.