It is formally time for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs to start.

The New York Rangers secured the Presidents’ Trophy with the most effective report all through the 2023-24 common season. When the mud settled on the 2023-24 common season, the Rangers completed with a 55-23-4 report (114 factors) as they only edged out the Dallas Stars for the crown.

Within the opening spherical, the lower-seeded wild card group faces off towards the division winner with the most effective report. The opposite wild card group takes on the opposite division winner. The second and third-place groups from the divisions battle it out within the different playoff matchups. Within the opening two rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, home-ice benefit is given to the upper seed, which signifies that they’d the higher common season report.

With the playoffs right here, our NHL consultants revealed their first-round predictions together with their Stanley Cup picks.

Western Convention

(1) Stars vs. (WC2) Golden Knights

Chris: This actually pains me to select towards the defending Stanley Cup champions, but it surely’s such a tricky matchup. The Stars are one of the crucial dominant offenses all through the NHL as they averaged 3.59 objectives (third within the league) throughout the common season. The scoring depth is astounding with Jason Robertson, Joe Pavelski, Roope Hintz, and Wyatt Johnston lighting the lamp on a constant foundation. Including Chris Tanev to stabilize the blue line was a large addition on the commerce deadline. My solely query mark lies within the crease for Dallas. We have seen goaltender Jake Oettinger thrive previously, but it surely’s been an up-and-down marketing campaign for the previous first-round choose. Getting into the postseason, Oettinger has tallied a 5-1-0 report, a 1.67 goals-against-average, and a .941 save share over his final six begins, so maybe he has turned the nook. The Golden Knights will give the Stars all the things they’ll deal with after including Tomas Hertl to a loaded group of facilities on the commerce deadline. Captain Mark Stone might additionally return in some unspecified time in the future on this collection, however the Stars are too well-rounded to go towards. Decide — Stars beat Golden Knights 4-3

Austin:   This matchup might simply be a convention closing, which it was final 12 months, however as an alternative we get to see it within the first spherical. The Stars labored all season to earn the highest seed within the Western Convention, and their reward is a date with the defending Stanley Cup champs and the group that eradicated them from the 2023 postseason. This can be a heavyweight battle, and it seems just like the Golden Knights are getting wholesome on the proper time as soon as once more. Mark Stone has began practising after lacking prolonged time with a lacerated spleen, and he joins a loaded lineup that has added the likes of Noah Hanifin and Tomas Hertl since final 12 months’s Stanley Cup run. In fact, this Dallas lineup additionally seems totally different from the one which fell to Vegas final summer time. The signing of Matt Duchene has supplied some additional pop to the Stars’ ahead group, and Chris Tanev solely solidifies the group’s blue line. As intimidating because the Golden Knights look on paper, the Stars are simply as scary, they usually have been the higher group this season. Dallas will get its revenge in a hard-fought collection. Decide — Stars beat Golden Knights 4-2

(2) Jets vs. (3) Avalanche

Chris: This is perhaps the hardest collection to foretell out of the eight within the opening spherical. The Avalanche actually light during the last month of the common season as they dropped seven of their final 11 video games. In consequence, Colorado was out of the race for the Central Division crown, and even misplaced out on home-ice benefit on this collection. Nonetheless, Nathan MacKinnon simply produced a Hart Trophy-caliber season, and that is nonetheless a well-rounded group that put the puck within the internet greater than some other group on a nightly foundation (3.68 goals-per-game). It definitely will not be a simple street on this collection with seemingly Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck in between the pipes for the Jets. My largest difficulty with the Jets is that I am undecided if they’ve sufficient of a scoring punch to maintain up with the Avalanche. That is going to be a really entertaining collection, however I will go together with the group that is been there earlier than. Decide — Avalanche beat Jets 4-2

Austin: Very similar to the above collection, this can be a brutal first-round matchup for either side. The Jets and Avalanche each had nice common seasons, and one will probably be going house early. The powerful half is determining which group that will probably be. The Avalanche are led by Nathan MacKinnon, who simply tallied 140 factors and appears to be taking part in a unique sport than everybody else proper now. Add Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar and Devon Toews into that blend, and Colorado has the sting on the prime of the lineup. The difficulty for the Avs is that the goaltending scenario is on shaky floor heading into the playoffs. Alexandar Georgiev has struggled, and Justus Annunen has about as a lot NHL expertise as me. The Jets haven’t got that difficulty in internet. Connor Hellebuyck will seemingly win the Vezina Trophy, and he offers his group a large benefit at that place. On prime of that, Winnipeg has some strong depth that solely acquired higher with the additions of Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli forward of the commerce deadline. If the Jets’ shutdown line consisting of Adam Lowry between Nino Niederreiter and Mason Appleton could make life tough on the Avs’ prime gamers, this collection will go in Winnipeg’s favor. Decide — Jets beat Avalanche 4-3

(1) Canucks vs. (WC1) Predators

Chris: The Canucks have come a good distance in a calendar 12 months, to say the least. Since bringing in Rick Tocchet, the Canucks have been a juggernaut, and are a really deep group. Vancouver did get goaltender Thatcher Demko again within the lineup over the common season’s closing week after lacking time with a knee harm. Having Demko again within the crease is very large, and actually makes life that rather more tough for the Predators. It has been a really profitable season for the Predators, however the Canucks are simply too loaded from an offensive perspective. Decide — Canucks beat Predators 4-1

Austin: These two groups are fascinatingly comparable. Overachieving rosters? Test. Norris Trophy candidates? Test. Jack Adams Award candidates? Test. Elite Swedish ahead on the prime of the lineup? Test. Goaltender able to stealing a collection? Test. That is why this collection is perhaps nearer than the standings would point out. With Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, and J.T. Miller main the way in which, the Canucks have greater than sufficient offensive firepower to advance. That mentioned, no group generated anticipated objectives at a better price than the Predators down the stretch. Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, and Ryan O’Reilly have been driving that bus, however all 4 traces have been chipping in on offense. This collection may finally be determined by which goalie blinks first. Juuse Saros and Thatcher Demko are two of the most effective within the enterprise, they usually can erase a variety of errors. Given the way in which they performed down the stretch, in addition to the wealth of playoff expertise on the roster, I believe the Predators pull off the upset towards a extremely expert Canucks group. Decide — Predators beat Canucks 4-3

(2) Oilers vs. (3) Kings

Chris: The Kings almost ended up dealing with the Stars, however have been in a position to come again and defeat the Blackhawks in Sport 82 to earn this matchup towards the Oilers. Whereas the Stars are a juggernaut, the Oilers are definitely no slouch. After coping with a lower-body harm late within the common season, Connor McDavid returned to the ice and even made some historical past within the course of. The largest query mark in terms of Edmonton’s postseason probabilities has all the time lied in between the pipes. Nonetheless, Stuart Skinner performed extraordinarily properly over the ultimate two months of the common season. So long as that continues to be the case, I simply assume that the Oilers have an excessive amount of firepower for the Kings to deal with. Los Angeles is a middle-of-the-pack scoring group, and I imagine that McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and firm will probably be a buzzsaw that the Kings aren’t prepared for. Decide — Oilers beat Kings 4-1

Austin: It is Groundhog Day yet again. In every of the final two years, the Oilers have eradicated the Kings within the first spherical. Is the third time the appeal for Los Angeles? We’re about to seek out out. As is often the case, the Oilers boast an explosive offense with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl able to placing a landing on the scoreboard at a second’s discover. They’re joined by now 50-goal-scorer Zach Hyman, who has dominated the netfront all season. The excellent news for the Kings is that they appear uniquely positioned to fight the high-powered Oilers. Los Angeles is content material to pull the sport into the mud, and it stays an elite defensive squad. The massive downside for the Kings is that not even the 2002-03 New Jersey Devils might utterly shut down McDavid and Co. They are going to get their probabilities and their objectives. When Edmonton does mild the lamp, who can Los Angeles depend on to reply the bell? Kevin Fiala and Adrian Kempe are proficient gamers, however the Kings may lack the horses to maintain up with the Oilers on this one. Decide — Oilers beat Kings 4-1

Japanese Convention

(1) Rangers vs. (WC2) Capitals

Chris:  The Rangers’ postseason hopes have been dashed early on throughout the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, however they definitely rebounded with a stellar 2024 common season. Artemi Panarin had a sensational 12 months during which he tallied his first profession 100-point season with 120 factors (49 objectives & 71 assists). Panarin has been underwhelming at instances all through his playoff profession, so the Rangers will certainly want Panarin to cleared the path all through the postseason from an offensive standpoint. In the meantime, the Capitals drug themselves throughout the end line to qualify for the postseason, but it surely’s onerous to think about the Capitals giving the Rangers a run for his or her cash. So long as Igor Shesterkin has a strong efficiency in internet, the Rangers ought to roll. Decide — Rangers beat Capitals 4-1

Austin: Something can occur within the Stanley Cup Playoffs, however this matchup is actually pushing the boundaries of “something.” These Capitals and their minus-37 purpose differential is perhaps the worst group to make the playoffs in my lifetime. Beating some other group on this playoff area can be a tall activity for them, however knocking off the President’s Trophy winners appears particularly far-fetched. The Rangers have some filthy offensive weapons with Artemi Panarin coming off a 120-point season, and he’s surrounded by Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere. Merely put, the Caps haven’t got a fraction of that offense. As enjoyable as it is going to be to see Alex Ovechkin within the playoffs as soon as once more, that is not sufficient for Washington to drag off the upset. If Charlie Lindgren can maintain his awe-inspiring play between the pipes going, the Capitals might need a puncher’s probability. The kicker there may be that the Rangers have the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner, Igor Shesterkin, within the crease. I might be shocked if this turns into a protracted collection. Decide — Rangers beat Capitals 4-0

(2) Hurricanes vs. (3) Islanders

Chris: The Hurricanes have added fairly a little bit of expertise during the last calendar 12 months, and look primed for a deep Stanley Cup run. Jake Guentzel has been great since coming over from the Penguins on the commerce deadline. Skating with a line alongside Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis has actually elevated Guentzel’s sport to a different degree. The Hurricanes are also one of many few groups within the playoff area which have the luxurious of two top-tier netminders in Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov. Andersen will presumably be the starter for Sport 1, however even when he struggles, head coach Rod Brind’Amour can flip to Kochetkov, who performed extraordinarily properly when Anderson was out of the lineup earlier this season. Decide — Hurricanes beat Islanders 4-1

Austin: In a single nook, the Hurricanes are a official Stanley Cup contender that solely upgraded because the season progressed. Within the different nook is an underwhelming Islanders group that wanted a loopy late-season push simply to get right here. Carolina has been making an attempt to recover from the postseason hump for a couple of years now, and this looks like the 12 months to do it. The Canes’ protection continues to be borderline impenetrable, and Frederik Andersen returned late within the common season and seemed like a goaltender able to dominate the postseason. The one query in regards to the Hurricanes was their ending expertise, and that was addressed with the commerce deadline acquisitions of Jake Guentzel and Evgeny Kuznetsov. The Islanders, however, have been a little bit of a multitude all through the season. They made a training change, going from Lane Lambert to Patrick Roy, and their defensive numbers did take a notable step ahead with Roy behind the bench. On prime of that, the Islanders goaltending duo of Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov is perhaps the most effective within the playoffs. The slim path to victory for New York is obvious. Play lockdown protection and have the goalie stand on his head. It might occur, however I am not betting on it. Decide — Hurricanes beat Islanders 4-1

(1) Panthers vs. (WC1) Lightning

Chris:  The battle for bragging rights within the Sunshine State is arguably one of many extra intriguing collection of the primary spherical. The Panthers seemed like arguably the highest group within the East getting into the ultimate month of the season, however they did have caught a slide getting into the ultimate two weeks. Nonetheless, Florida did sufficient down the stretch to edge out Boston for the Atlantic Division crown. Alternatively, the Lightning are confirmed playoff contenders which can be paced by NHL factors chief Nikita Kucherov. Clearly, having a goaltender that’s battle-tested like Andrei Vasilevskiy is a large plus, however I simply assume that the Panthers are a proficient sufficient group to unravel Vasilevskiy to win what could possibly be a prolonged collection. Decide — Panthers beat Lightning 4-3

Austin: The Battle of Florida all the time delivers, and for the primary time in latest reminiscence, I believe the Panthers have the clear higher hand. After their unimaginable run to the Stanley Cup Ultimate final 12 months, the Panthers have been among the many NHL’s highest in 2023-24. Whether or not it is producing scoring probabilities or suppressing scoring probabilities, Florida has been wonderful at five-on-five. The identical can’t be mentioned for the Lightning, a group that was barely underwater with its anticipated objectives share. Regardless of that clear edge in favor of the Panthers, it is not onerous to think about the Bolts springing the upset. Tampa has a championship pedigree, a dominant energy play, and the most effective goalies on this rotating rock. That may be a recipe for achievement within the playoffs. It additionally helps that Nikita Kucherov simply dropped 44 objectives and 100 assists on the remainder of the league. All that mentioned, the Panthers discovered what it takes to go on a deep postseason run final 12 months. Gamers like Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, and Sam Reinhart will not be intimidated by the rings on the opposite aspect. The Panthers lastly get the electrical monkey off their again. Decide — Panthers beat Lightning 4-2

(2) Bruins vs. (3) Maple Leafs

Chris: Maybe I will remorse this, however I am siding with the Maple Leafs on this collection. Toronto is totally loaded on the prime, and Auston Matthews has been a confirmed playoff producer in every of the final two seasons. Sure, it is noteworthy that the Bruins gained all 4 matchups throughout the common season, however the Bruins limped into the postseason and ought to be dealing with the Lightning somewhat than the Maple Leafs. One of many largest storylines on this collection could possibly be the expertise drop-off after David Pastrnak. Certain, Pastrnak tallied 110 factors on the season, however they did not have anybody else that even touched the 70-point mark. If the Maple Leafs protection can do sufficient to restrict Pastrnak’s alternatives, this could possibly be a collection that Toronto can steal. Decide — Maple Leafs beat Bruins 4-3

Austin: As Maple Leafs followers know all too properly, this matchup has all the time gone the Bruins’ manner in latest historical past. If Toronto goes to recover from this hurdle, it has to discover a technique to constantly beat the most effective defensive groups and the most effective goaltending duos within the sport as we speak. Letting Auston Matthews shoot the puck early and sometimes is perhaps a great begin in that regard. Matthews scored 69 objectives within the common season, and the Leafs’ star energy does not finish there with William Nylander, Mitch Marner and John Tavares rounding out the “Core 4.” In fact, that core hasn’t executed a lot towards the Bruins, a group that retains plugging alongside regardless of key offseason losses. Even after shedding Patrice Bergeron, Boston was in a position to stay atop the NHL resulting from David Pastrnak being a stone chilly killer, very good group protection, and rock-solid goaltending. All that mentioned, the Bruins have seemed extra weak than regular this 12 months, with their five-on-five play sagging a bit. If the Maple Leafs can seize the chance, they’re going to exorcise this New England demon in dramatic trend. Decide — Maple Leafs beat Bruins 4-3

Stanley Cup winner

Chris: I’ve all the time been a proponent of sticking with my preseason Stanley Cup choose barring one thing catastrophic taking place with that group. The Hurricanes have been my choose initially of the 2023-24 season, and I see no motive to not experience the wave. When the commerce deadline rolled round, the Hurricanes did one thing that they historically shrink back from — making a splash. Carolina acquired star winger Jake Guentzel and ahead Evgeny Kuznetsov to bolster a ahead group that was already fairly proficient. Guentzel has been sensational since arriving in Raleigh, and makes this group all of the extra harmful. The likes of the Rangers, Panthers, and Bruins are definitely worthy foes, but it surely’s price noting that the Hurricanes have been nipping on the Rangers’ heels down the stretch after not having goaltender Frederik Anderson for almost all of the 12 months. From a Western Convention standpoint, the Stars are undoubtedly able to making a deep run if they’ll get previous the scrappy Golden Knights within the opening spherical. These will surely be the 2 finest groups in my e-book, however I belief the goaltending and scoring depth of the Hurricanes far more in a collection. Decide — Hurricanes beat Stars 4-3

Austin: The Stanley Cup Playoffs are sometimes a battle of attrition, and the Stars have a singular mixture of high-end expertise and depth. The ahead group is affected by massive names like Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Joe Pavelski, Matt Duchene, Wyatt Johnston and Jamie Benn. The blue line, led by shutdown skilled Miro Heiskanen and budding star Thomas Harly, solely acquired higher when Dallas snagged Chris Tanev from the Calgary Flames final month. The Stars’ solely clear flaw for many of the season was in purpose, with Jake Oettinger struggling. Effectively, within the closing weeks of the common season, Oettinger lastly seemed like himself once more and is purple scorching heading into the postseason. Now you’d want the Hubble telescope to seek out a difficulty with this group. There’s a non-zero probability Dallas has to undergo the Golden Knights, Oilers and Avalanche simply to achieve the Stanley Cup Ultimate. That is an arduous path, however no group is best positioned to navigate it than the Stars. On the opposite aspect of the bracket, the Hurricanes’ upgrades repay, they usually lastly recover from the hump to achieve the Ultimate. Sadly for them, they run right into a loaded and battle-tested Stars lineup. Decide — Stars beat Hurricanes 4-2