After a thrilling 2023-24 NHL regular season, the Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway Saturday, April 20. Sixteen teams embark on a two-month crusade to raise Lord Stanley’s chalice.
The Vegas Golden Knights look to repeat as Stanley Cup champions and will open the tournament as the lowest-seeded team in the Western Conference. They’ll face the Dallas Stars, who were one point away from winning the Presidents’ Trophy this season.
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In the Eastern Conference, the New York Rangers are a clear favorite after setting franchise records in wins (55) and points (114), capturing the fourth Presidents’ Trophy in their history. They face-off against the Washington Capitals, who didn’t secure a playoff berth until their 82nd and final game of the season.
Buckle your seat belts, it’s going to be a bumpy, wild ride before a Stanley Cup champion is crowned.
Related: Capitals receive massive break to clinch playoff berth
2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs: schedules, results, TV info for each 1st-round series
Here’s all you need to know for each series in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Eastern Conference
New York Rangers (M1) vs. Washington Capitals (WC 2)
Game 1: Rangers 4 – Capitals 1 (New York leads 1-0)
Game 2: Rangers 4 – Capitals 3 (New York leads 2-0)
Game 3: Rangers 3 – Capitals 1 (New York leads 3-0)
Game 4: Rangers 4 – Capitals 2 (New York wins 4-0)
Carolina Hurricanes (M2) vs. New York Islanders (M3)
Game 1: Hurricanes 3 – Islanders 1 (Carolina leads 1-0)
Game 2: Hurricanes 5 – Islanders 3 (Carolina leads 2-0)
Game 3: Hurricanes 3 – Islanders 2 (Carolina leads 3-0)
Game 4: Islanders 3 – Hurricanes 2 2OT (Carolina leads 3-1)
Game 5: Hurricanes 6 – Islanders 3 (Carolina win 4-1)
Florida Panthers (A1) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (WC1)
Game 1: Panthers 3 – Lightning 2 (Florida leads 1-0)
Game 2: Panthers 3 – Lightning 2 OT (Florida leads 2-0)
Game 3: Panthers 5 – Lightning 3 (Florida leads 3-0)
Game 4: Lightning 6 – Panthers 3 (Florida leads 3-1)
Game 5: Panthers 6 – Lightning 1 (Florida wins 4-1)
Boston Bruins (A2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (A3)
Game 1: Bruins 5 – Maple Leafs 1 (Boston leads 1-0)
Game 2: Maple Leafs 3 – Bruins 2 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Bruins 4 – Maple Leafs 2 (Boston leads 2-1)
Game 4: Bruins 3 – Maple Leafs 1 (Boston leads 3-1)
Game 5: Maple Leafs 2 – Bruins 1 OT (Boston leads 3-2)
Game 6: Bruins at Maple Leafs, Thursday, May 2, 8 p.m. ET (TBS, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 7: Maple Leafs at Bruins, Saturday, May 4, 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN+, SN, CBC, TVAS)*
*If Necessary
Related: NHL Power Rankings for 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Western Conference
Dallas Stars (C1) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (WC2)
Game 1: Golden Knights 4 – Stars 3 (Vegas leads 1-0)
Game 2: Golden Knights 3 – Stars 1 (Vegas leads 2-0)
Game 3: Stars 3 – Golden Knights 2 OT (Vegas leads 2-1)
Game 4: Stars 4 – Golden Knights 2 (Series tied 2-2)
Game 5: Stars 3 – Golden Knights 2 (Dallas leads 3-2)
Game 6: Stars at Golden Knights, Friday, May 3, TBD
Game 7: Golden Knights at Stars, Sunday, May 5, TBD*
Winnipeg Jets (C2) vs. Colorado Avalanche (C3)
Game 1: Jets 7 – Avalanche 6 (Winnipeg leads 1-0)
Game 2: Avalanche 5 – Jets 2 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Avalanche 6 – Jets 2 (Colorado leads 2-1)
Game 4: Avalanche 5 – Jets 1 (Colorado leads 3-1)
Game 5: Avalanche 6 – Jets 3 (Colorado wins 4-1)
Vancouver Canucks (P1) vs. Nashville Predators (WC1)
Game 1: Canucks 4 – Predators 2 (Vancouver leads 1-0)
Game 2: Predators 4 – Canucks 1 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Canucks 2 – Predators 1 (Vancouver leads 2-1)
Game 4: Canucks 4 – Predators 3 OT (Vancouver leads 3-1)
Game 5: Predators 2 – Canucks 1 (Vancouver leads 3-2)
Game 6: Canucks at Predators, Friday, May 3, 7 p.m. ET (TNT, MAX, SN, CBC, TVAS)
Game 7: Predators at Canucks, Sunday, May 5, TBD*
Edmonton Oilers (P2) vs. Los Angeles Kings (P3)
Game 1: Oilers 7 – Kings 4 (Edmonton leads 1-0)
Game 2: Kings 5 – Oilers 4 OT (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: Oilers 6 – Kings 1 (Edmonton leads 2-1)
Game 4: Oilers 1 – Kings 0 (Edmonton leads 3-1)
Game 5: Oilers 4 – Kings 3 (Edmonton wins 4-1)