Table of Contents
The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here with 16 teams vying to capture Lord Stanley’s Cup. Will we see a repeat winner in the Vegas Golden Knights or will one of the four teams without a championship finally capture their first title? Or, perhaps this will finally be the year that the Toronto Maple Leafs break their 56-year streak without a Stanley Cup?
Join The Hockey Writers as we preview the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and check back in for previews of Round 2, the conference finals, and the Stanley Cup Final.
2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule & Bracket
- 2024 Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule (updated as games are scheduled)
- 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket
- Playoffs Starting Lineups (Updated before every game)
2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Articles
Eastern Conference
New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals (Preview Show)
- Rangers Need Shesterkin & Special Teams to Continue Carrying Team
- Vincent Trocheck Was Rangers’ First Round MVP
- Rangers Sweep Capitals with 4-2 Win in Game 4, Round 2 Awaits
- Rangers Defeat Capitals to Go Up 3-0 in Their Series
- Rempe, Rangers Frustrating Capitals Physically in First-Round Series
- Rangers’ Zibanejad Can Erase Scoring Struggles This Postseason
- Rangers Defeat Capitals 4-1 for 1-0 Series Lead
- Rangers’ 4th Line Scoring the Key to Playoff Success
- Rangers Have Decisive Edge Over the Capitals in Playoff Matchup
- Rangers’ Lafreniere Can Channel Inner Kovalev This Postseason
Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (Preview Show)
- Panthers Have Built an Electric Playoff Atmosphere
- Stamkos’ Playoff Performance Leaves Lightning With Difficult Decision
- Jon Cooper’s Post-Elimination Presser Ruffles Some Feathers
- Panthers Knock Out Lightning to Clinch Trip to Second Round
- Panthers’ Adjustments That Are Needed for Game 5
- Lightning Start Strong to Defeat Panthers in Game 4 to Avoid Elimination
- Steven Stamkos Records 100th Career Playoff Point
- Reasons the Lightning Are in a 3-0 Hole to the Panthers
- Panthers’ Depth Continues to Be Difference-Maker in Game 3
- Panthers Take Commanding Lead With Game 3 Victory Over the Lightning
- Panthers Feeling Confident After Game 2 Win vs. Lightning (Panthers perspective)
- Lightning & Panthers Facing Off in Latest Playoff Battle of Florida
- 5 Lightning Players Who Are Key to a Long Playoff Run in 2024
- Lightning & Affiliates Prepared for Long Playoff Runs
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders (Preview Show)
- Hurricanes’ 3 Stars From Round 1 Win vs. Islanders
- Can J.P. Pageau Continue Leading the Islanders?
- 4 Islanders’ Bright Spots Through 4 Games vs. the Hurricanes
- Islanders Hold Off Hurricanes in Double OT to Avoid Elimination
- The Implications of Islanders’ Patrick Roy Yanking Ilya Sorokin
- Islanders’ Playoff Disappointment Reflective of Lamoriello’s Management
- Hurricanes’ Andersen Helps Lead Team to 3-0 Series Stranglehold
- Hurricanes Edge Isles, Take 3-0 Lead in Series
- Islanders Turning to Ilya Sorokin Won’t Steal Hurricanes Series
- Islanders Cannot Afford to Be Trigger Shy
- Hurricanes Come Back From 3-0 Deficit to Win 5-3
- Islanders Can Still Win Despite Game 1 Loss
- Patrick Roy Needs to Adjust for the Islanders to Overcome the Canes
- Islanders Have Blueprint to Win Series After Game 1 Loss
- Takeaways From Islanders’ Game 1 Loss to the Hurricanes (Islanders perspective)
- Hurricanes Survive Game 1 to Lead Series Over Islanders (Hurricanes perspective)
- 3 Bold Islanders Predictions for the First Round of the Playoffs
- Islanders’ New Faces Can Lead Upset of Hurricanes
- A Healthy Noah Dobson Poised to Lead Islanders in Round 1
- Hurricanes & Islanders Round 1 X-Factors
- 7 Things That Will Decide the Hurricanes-Islanders Series
- Islanders Must Fix Abysmal Special Teams to Have Playoff Success
- 3 Reasons to Believe in an Islanders Upset of the Hurricanes
Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (Preview Show)
- Sheldon Keefe’s Odd Quote Points a Finger at His Coaching Ability
- Bruins Third Line Essential to Game 7, Playoff Success
- Maple Leafs’ Core Four Respond to Talk of Split After Game 7 Loss
- Maple Leafs & Bruins Add to NHL Game 7 History
- Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews’ Status Undetermined for Game 7 vs. Bruins
- 3 Bruins Players Who Need to Step up in Game 7
- Can the Maple Leafs Complete Comeback in Game 7 on Saturday?
- Bruins Facing Heavy-Duty Pressure Heading Into Game 7
- Maple Leafs’ Bertuzzi Takes Subtle Post-Game Shot at Former Team
- Slow Start Dooms Bruins in Pivotal Game 6
- Maple Leafs Even Series as Bruins Collapse Continues
- Does Auston Matthews Deserve Backlash for Not Playing?
- Can Joseph Woll Save the Maple Leafs’ Season?
- Matthews Out For Game 6, More Than Illness Going On Here
- Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Game 6: Ghosts of Postseason Past
- Matthew Knies in Maple Leafs’ Exclusive Under-22 Playoff Goal Scorers Club
- Maple Leafs’ Playoff Hopes Rest on St. Louisan Woll
- Maple Leafs’ Knies Showing Up in Big Playoff Moments
- 3 Bruins Takeaways From Disappointing Game 5
- Analyst Says Leafs Have “Passenger” Problem with Matthews in Lineup
- Domi and Woll Lead the Way as Maple Leafs Avoid Elimination
- Maple Leafs’ Knies Scores Overtime Goal to Avoid Elimination
- Maple Leafs’ Bench Bickering Isn’t One of a Kind
- Maple Leafs Secrecy on Injuries Doing Far More Harm than Good
- Maple Leafs Preparing for Game 5 Without Auston Matthews
- Maple Leafs Still Have (Limited) Reasons for Optimism Ahead of Game 5
- Why Maple Leafs Should Leak the Captured Bench Bickering Audio
- Keefe on Matthews’ Game 5 Availability and Unusual Illness Status
- Maple Leafs’ Offseason Mitch Marner Trade Possible, But Unlikely
- Maple Leafs’ Core Four Reaching the End? Friedman Thinks So
- Maple Leafs’ Playoff Leadership Under Scrutiny
- Bruins Brilliance: Unraveling Maple Leafs’ Game 4 Downfall
- Maple Leafs’ Playoffs Struggles Can’t Be All Blamed on Goaltending
- Maple Leafs’ Keefe Has Inexcusable Comments After Game 4 Loss
- Maple Leafs’ Game 4 Debacle: Dissecting Their Downfall
- Bruins Power Play Surging in Playoffs
- Maple Leafs’ Lifeless Game 4 Boils Over with Heated Bench Moment
- Maple Leafs Squander Home Ice Advantage, Fall to Bruins in Game 4
- As Nylander Returns to the Maple Leafs’ Lineup, Who is Out?
- 3 Bruins Who Need a Big Performance in Game 4
- Insider Confident Maple Leafs Can Come Back in Series
- Nylander Brushes Off Injury Questions, Citing Personal Reasons
- Why Isn’t Scotiabank Arena Louder for Maple Leafs’ Playoff Games?
- 3 Keys to the Rangers Winning Games 3 & 4 in Washington
- Maple Leafs Test William Nylander for Concussion Concern
- Maple Leafs in 2-1 Hole to Bruins After Game 3 Loss
- Maple Leafs Won’t Go Far with Samsonov in Net
- Brad Marchand’s Antics Should Motivate the Maple Leafs
- Nylander, Matthews Game 3 Status Updates for Maple Leafs
- Maple Leafs’ Communication Missteps Lead to Nylander Speculation
- Matthews’ Star Performance Was the Catalyst for Maple Leafs Game 2 Win
- Max Domi Can Be Maple Leafs’ Difference-Maker vs. Bruins
- Maple Leafs’ Physical Play Has Been a Double-Edged Sword
- Maple Leafs: Marner’s Playoff Struggles Summed Up By Bailing on Hit
- Maple Leafs’ Post-Game Press Conference After Game 2 Win
- Beating Marchand’s Game: Maple Leafs Discipline Can Defeat Agitation
- Sheldon Keefe Gives No William Nylander Injury Update
- Maple Leafs: Marner’s Playoff Struggles Summed Up By Bailing on Hit
- 3 Takeaways From Maple Leafs’ Comeback Win in Game 2 (Maple Leafs Perspective)
- Maple Leafs Tie Series Against Bruins With Game 2 Win
- Maple Leafs Need to Tighten Up After Games 1 & 2 in Playoffs
- 3 Takeaways From Bruins’ 5-1 Game 1 Win Over Maple Leafs (Bruins perspective)
- Maple Leafs Fall to Bruins in Penalty-Filled Game 1 (Maple Leafs perspective)
- Maple Leafs vs. Bruins 2024 Playoff Series Preview
- Bruins Need Adrenaline Boost Ahead of Series vs. Maple Leafs
- Bruins Predictions Against Maple Leafs in 2024 Playoffs
- Maple Leafs/Bruins 1st Round Series Is Ideal Playoff Matchup
- T.J. Brodie Doesn’t Make Cut for Maple Leafs First Playoff Game
- Maple Leafs’ Strategy for Beating the Bruins in 2024 Playoffs
- 3 Keys to the Maple Leafs Beating the Bruins in the First Round
- Maple Leafs Adjust Strategy Without Nylander
Western Conference
Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights (Preview Show)
- Stars Outshine Golden Knights 2-1 in Game 7, Advance to Round 2
- Hill and Hanifin’s Heroic Efforts Keep the Golden Knights Alive
- Golden Knights Edge Stars 2-0 to Force Game 7
- Stars Take First Series Lead in 3-2 Win vs. Golden Knights
- Stars Even Series With 4-2 Win Over Golden Knights
- 3 Standout Stats From the Golden Knights’ Opening Playoff Games
- How the Stars Can Salvage First-Round Series vs. Golden Knights
- Golden Knights’ Stars Are Key to Series Win vs. Stars
- 3 Things the Stars Need to Do Better After Game 1
- Stone Leads Golden Knights to 4-3 Victory Over Stars
- 3 Biggest Golden Knights Factors vs. Stars in Round 1
- 3 Keys to Success for the Golden Knights in First Round vs Stars
- 3 Stars’ Keys to Victory vs. Golden Knights in the First Round
Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators (Preview Show)
- 3 Canucks That Need to Step Up in Game 6
- Canucks Learn Lessons About Margins for Error vs. Predators in Game 5
- Predators Clip Canucks 2-1 in Game 5, Send Series Back to Nashville
- Comeback Canucks’ Promising Playoff Narrative
- Canucks Pull off a Great Escape vs. Predators in Game 4
- Boeser Hat Trick Helps Canucks Win 4-3 in OT, Lead Series 3-1
- Canucks Perform Uno Reverse to Down Predators in Game 3
- Canucks Survive Game 3 With 2-1 Win, Take 2-1 Series Lead
- Canucks’ 3 Concerning Storylines Heading Into Game 3
- Nikita Zadorov Is Key to Canucks Achieving Playoff Success
- Takeaways From Predators’ Block Party Game 2 Win Over Canucks
- Canucks’ Demko Out for Game 2 and Potentially Series
- Canucks Have Some Adjustments to Make for Game 2
- Canucks Tame Predators 4-2 in Game 1, Lead Series 1-0
- What the Canucks Can Expect From the Predators in Round 1
- Canucks’ 5 Key Role Players in the 2024 Postseason
- What Canucks Need for a Successful Playoff Run
- Canucks’ 3 Burning Questions Before Game 1 vs Predators
- Playoff Inexperience: Canucks’ Challenge Against the Predators
Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche (Preview Show)
- Canucks Grind Out Victory vs Predators, Win Playoff Series
- Jets’ Hellebuyck Has Surprising Answers About Playoff Performance
- Awards From the Avalanche vs. Jets First-Round Series
- Jets Crushed By Avalanche in 5 Games: What Went Wrong?
- Avalanche Outduel Jets 6-3 in Game 5, Take Series 4-1
- Jets on the Brink of Elimination After Disastrous Games 3 & 4
- Avalanche vs. Jets: Studs, Duds, and One Big Thud Heading Into Game 5
- Jets Have Abandoned What Made Them Successful vs. Avalanche
- Avalanche Special Teams Driving Success Against Jets in Round 1
- Nichushkin’s Hat Trick Leads Avalanche Past Jets in Game 4
- Avalanche Continue to Have Hellebuyck’s Number in Game 3 Win
- Avalanche Bury Jets 6-2 in Game 3, Snatch 2-1 Series Lead
- Winnipeg Jets’ Keys to Success in Games 3 and 4
- Jets’ Goaltending Advantage Against Avalanche Hasn’t Materialized
- Avalanche in Control of Series Against the Jets Going into Game 3
- 3 Takeaways From Jets’ 5-2 Loss Against Avalanche (Jets perspective)
- Avalanche Are Good Enough to Win Without Quality Goaltending
- Jets Win High-Scoring Game 1 vs Avalanche
- Jets and Avalanche Combine for Six Goals in a Wild First Period
- Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche Playoff Series Preview
- 3 Key Jets in First-Round Series Versus Avalanche
- Avalanche’s 3 Keys to Playoff Success Against the Jets in Round 1
- 3 Avalanche Players Who Must Come Through Against the Jets
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings (Preview Show)
- How the Oilers’ Defensive Pairs Performed in Round 1
- Oilers Eliminating Kings Makes Dubois’ Preseason Comments Ironic
- 3 Keys to Series as Oilers Eliminate Kings in 5 Games
- 4 Current Oilers Stars Who Matched 4 Legends’ Stats vs. Kings
- Oilers Move On to 2nd Round After 4-3 Win Over Kings in Game 5
- Kings’ Path to Avoiding Elimination vs. Oilers
- Oilers’ Skinner Silences Doubts With Great Play in Wins vs. Kings
- Oilers Are Better Built for a Deep Playoff Run Than in Years Past
- Ex-Oilers Coach Shuns Team’s Playoff Games After Rough Exit
- Oilers Shut Out Kings 1-0 in Game 4, Grab 3-1 Series Lead
- Evander Kane Mocks Reporter While Embracing Playoff “Drama”
- Oilers’ 3 Most Incredible Stats From Game 3 Win vs. Kings
- Oilers Pound Kings 6-1 in Game 3 for a 2-1 Series Lead
- McDavid’s Stirring Locker Room Speech Captures Oilers’ Confidence
- Oilers & Skinner Need Bounce-Back Performance vs. Kings in Game 3
- Oilers Represent Corey Perry’s Best Chance at Second Cup
- Oilers Haunted by History in Game 2 Overtime Loss to Kings
- Oilers’ 5 Most Incredible Stats From Game 1 Win vs. Kings
- Hyman’s Hat Trick Propels Oilers to 7-4 Win Over Kings
- Oilers Sit Connor Brown and Derek Ryan in Game 1 vs. Kings
- Who Plays, Who Sits In Oilers’ First-Round Series with Kings
- Oilers’ Knoblauch Must Avoid Previous Coaching Staff’s Playoff Errors
- 10 More Thoughts: Oilers vs Kings 2023-24 NHL Playoffs Round 1
- Evander Kane Dealing with Nagging Sports Hernia Injury
- Oilers Look to Exorcise Game 1 Demons Against Kings
- Evander Kane and LTIR Mess Looms for Oilers Before Game 1 vs Kings
- Oilers Lack Momentum Going Into Series Against Kings
- 3 Bold Predictions for Kings & Oilers Round 1 Series
- Matt Roy’s Playoffs Will Determine His Kings’ Future
- Los Angeles Kings’ Keys to the Playoffs
2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Predictions
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