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Stanley Cup Playoffs Central: Bracket, schedule, game previews for the NHL's postseason

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The 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs are here! The NHL's 32 teams are down to just five left in the second round, after a thrilling first eight matchups in the first.

Will the New York Rangers parlay their success in winning the Presidents' Trophy to a championship -- thus breaking the "curse" of that award? Are the Dallas Stars now the team to beat after knocking off the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights and 2022 champion Colorado Avalanche?

Read on for the full playoff coverage from every first-round series all the way through the Stanley Cup Final.

More: Playoff schedule

Conn Smythe Watch

Lapsed fan's guide

Wyshynski's bracket

Top 50 players

Cup contender comps

Conference finals

Eastern Conference

M1 New York

Rangers

vs.

A1 Florida

Panthers

Path to Conference finals:

Rangers: defeated Capitals 4-0; defeated Hurricanes 4-2

Panthers: defeated Lightning 4-1; defeated Bruins 4-2

Leading scorers in playoffs:

Rangers: Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck (14 points)

Panthers: Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov (13 points)

Schedule:

Game 1: FLA @ NYR | May 22, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+)

Game 2: FLA @ NYR | May 24, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+)

Game 3: NYR @ FLA | May 26, 3 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN+)

Game 4: NYR @ FLA | May 28, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+)

Game 5: FLA @ NYR | May 30, 8 p.m. ET* (ESPN/ESPN+)

Game 6: NYR @ FLA | June 1, 8 p.m. ET* (ABC/ESPN+)

Game 7: FLA @ NYR | June 3, 8 p.m. ET* (ESPN/ESPN+)

Western Conference

C1 Dallas

Stars

vs.

Pacific Division

winner

Schedule:

Game 1: TBD @ DAL | May 23, 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT)

Game 2: TBD @ DAL | May 25, 8 p.m. ET (TNT)

Game 3: DAL @ TBD | May 27, TBD ET (TNT)

Game 4: DAL @ TBD | May 29, TBD ET (TNT)

Game 5: TBD @ DAL | May 31, TBD ET* (TNT)

Game 6: DAL @ TBD | June 2, TBD ET* (TNT)

Game 7: TBD @ DAL | June 4, TBD ET* (TNT)

Second round

Atlantic Division

A1 Florida

Panthers

vs.

A2 Boston

Bruins

Path to Round 2:

Panthers: defeated Lightning 4-1

Bruins: defeated Maple Leafs 4-3

Leading scorers in Round 1:

Panthers: Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe (9 points)

Bruins: Brad Marchand (8 points)

Schedule: (FLA wins 4-2)

Keys to the offseason for the Bruins

Game 1: BOS 5, FLA 1 | Recap | Replay

Game 2: FLA 6, BOS 1 | Recap | Replay

Game 3: FLA 6, BOS 2 | Recap | Replay

Game 4: FLA 3, BOS 2 | Recap | Replay

Game 5: BOS 2, FLA 1 | Recap | Replay

Game 6: FLA 2, BOS 1 | Recap

Consensus pick: Panthers

play

0:53

Gustav Forsling scores late winner to secure series win over Bruins

The Panthers knock off the Bruins with a late goal from Gustav Forsling to reach the Eastern Conference finals.

Metropolitan Division

M1 New York

Rangers

vs.

M2 Carolina

Hurricanes

Path to Round 2:

Rangers: defeated Capitals 4-0

Hurricanes: defeated Islanders 4-1

Leading scorers in Round 1:

Rangers: Mika Zibanejad (7 points)

Hurricanes: Seth Jarvis (7 points)

Schedule: (NYR win 4-2)

Keys to the offseason for the Hurricanes

Game 1: NYR 4, CAR 3 | Recap | Replay

Game 2: NYR 4, CAR 3 (2OT) | Recap | Replay

Game 3: NYR 3, CAR 2 (OT) | Recap | Replay

Game 4: CAR 4, NYR 3 | Recap | Replay

Game 5: CAR 4, NYR 1 | Recap | Replay

Game 6: NYR 5, CAR 3 | Recap

Consensus pick: Rangers

play

0:34

Chris Kreider completes natural hat trick to give the Rangers the lead

Chris Kreider tallies his third goal of the period to give the Rangers their first lead of the game.

Central Division

C1 Dallas

Stars

vs.

C3 Colorado

Avalanche

Path to Round 2:

Stars: defeated Golden Knights 4-3

Avalanche: defeated Jets 4-1

Leading scorers in Round 1:

Stars: Wyatt Johnston (7 points)

Avalanche: Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Cale Makar (9 points)

Schedule: (DAL wins 4-2)

Game 1: COL 4, DAL 3 (OT) | Recap | Replay

Game 2: DAL 5, COL 3 | Recap | Replay

Game 3: DAL 4, COL 1 | Recap | Replay

Game 4: DAL 5, COL 1 | Recap | Replay

Game 5: COL 5, DAL 3 | Recap | Replay

Game 6: DAL 2, COL 1 (2OT) | Recap

Consensus pick: Stars

play

1:06

Matt Duchene's 2OT heroics send Stars to Western Conference finals

Matt Duchene roofs a game-winning 2OT goal to send Dallas to the Western Conference finals.

Pacific Division

P1 Vancouver

Canucks

vs.

P2 Edmonton

Oilers

Path to Round 2:

Canucks: defeated Predators 4-2

Oilers: defeated Kings 4-1

Leading scorers in Round 1:

Canucks: Brock Boeser, J.T. Miller (6 points)

Oilers: Connor McDavid (12 points)

Schedule: (series tied 3-3)

Game 1: VAN 5, EDM 4 | Recap | Replay

Game 2: EDM 4, VAN 3 (OT) | Recap | Replay

Game 3: VAN 4, EDM 3 | Recap | Replay

Game 4: EDM 3, VAN 2 | Recap | Replay

Game 5: VAN 3, EDM 2 | Recap

Game 6: EDM 5, VAN 1 | Recap

Game 7: EDM @ VAN | May 20, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN) | Preview

Consensus pick: Oilers

play

0:39

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scores the tip-in to make it 4-1 Oilers

Connor McDavid's third assist of the night finds Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for a point-blank Edmonton goal.

First round

Atlantic Division

A1 Florida

Panthers

vs.

WC1 Tampa Bay

Lightning

Regular-season records:

Panthers: 52-24-6, 110 points

Lightning: 45-29-8, 98 points

Leading scorers:

Panthers: Sam Reinhart, 94 points (57 G, 37 A)

Lightning: Nikita Kucherov, 144 points (44 G, 100 A)

Consensus pick: Panthers

Schedule: (FLA wins 4-1)

Keys to the offseason for the Lightning

Game 1: FLA 3, TB 2 | Recap | Replay

Game 2: FLA 3, TB 2 (OT) | Recap | Replay

Game 3: FLA 5, TB 3 | Recap | Replay

Game 4: TB 6, FLA 3 | Recap | Replay

Game 5: FLA 6, TB 1 | Recap | Replay

play

0:46

Aleksander Barkov with a shorthand Panthers goal

Aleksander Barkov rips a shot into the net and puts the Panthers up 2 against the Lightning.

A2 Boston

Bruins

vs.

A3 Toronto

Maple Leafs

Regular-season records:

Bruins: 47-20-15, 109 points

Maple Leafs: 46-26-10, 102 points

Leading scorers:

Bruins: David Pastrnak, 110 points (47 G, 63 A)

Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews, 107 points (69 G, 38 A)

Consensus pick: Bruins

Schedule: (BOS wins 4-3)

Keys to the offseason for the Maple Leafs

Game 1: BOS 5, TOR 1 | Recap | Replay

Game 2: TOR 3, BOS 2 | Recap | Replay

Game 3: BOS 4, TOR 2 | Recap | Replay

Game 4: BOS 3, TOR 1 | Recap | Replay

Game 5: TOR 2, BOS 1 (OT) | Recap | Replay

Game 6: TOR 2, BOS 1 | Recap

Game 7: BOS 2, TOR 1 (OT) | Recap

play

1:11

David Pastrnak's OT winner sends TD Garden into a frenzy in Game 7

David Pastrnak sends the Bruins faithful home happy with a spectacular game-winning goal in overtime to close out the Maple Leasfs in Game 7.

Metropolitan Division

M1 New York

Rangers

vs.

WC2 Washington

Capitals

Regular-season records:

Rangers: 55-23-4, 114 points

Capitals: 40-31-11, 91 points

Leading scorers:

Rangers: Artemi Panarin, 120 points (49 G, 71 A)

Capitals: Dylan Strome, 67 points (27 G, 40 A)

Consensus pick: Rangers

Schedule: (NYR wins 4-0)

Keys to the offseason for the Capitals

Game 1: NYR 4, WSH 1 | Recap | Replay

Game 2: NYR 4, WSH 3 | Recap | Replay

Game 3: NYR 3, WSH 1 | Recap

Game 4: NYR 4, WSH 2 | Recap | Replay

play

0:32

Jack Roslovic seals Rangers sweep with empty-net goal

Jack Roslovic caps off the Rangers' night with an empty-net goal to make it 4-2, sealing the 4-0 sweep vs. the Capitals.

M2 Carolina

Hurricanes

vs.

M3 New York

Islanders

Regular-season records:

Hurricanes: 52-23-7, 111 points

Islanders: 39-27-16, 94 points

Leading scorers:

Hurricanes: Sebastian Aho, 89 points (36 G, 53 A)

Islanders: Mathew Barzal, 80 points (23 G, 57 A)

Consensus pick: Canes

Schedule: (CAR wins 4-1)

Keys to the offseason for the Islanders

Game 1: CAR 3, NYI 1 | Recap | Replay

Game 2: CAR 5, NYI 3 | Recap | Replay

Game 3: CAR 3, NYI 2 | Recap | Replay

Game 4: NYI 3, CAR 2 (2OT) | Recap | Replay

Game 5: CAR 6, NYI 3 | Recap

play

1:40

Hurricanes score 2 goals in 8 seconds to go ahead

Jack Drury and Stefan Noesen score eight seconds apart in the third period and the Hurricanes take a lead.

Central Division

C1 Dallas

Stars

vs.

WC2 Vegas

Golden Knights

Regular-season records:

Stars: 52-21-9, 113 points

Golden Knights: 45-29-8, 98 points

Leading scorers:

Stars: Jason Robertson, 80 points (29 G, 51 A)

Golden Knights: Jonathan Marchessault, 69 points (42 G, 27 A)

Consensus pick: Stars

Schedule: (Stars win 4-3)

Game 1: VGK 4, DAL 3 | Recap | Replay

Game 2: VGK 3, DAL 1 | Recap | Replay

Game 3: DAL 3, VGK 2 (OT) | Recap | Replay

Game 4: DAL 4, VGK 2 | Recap | Replay

Game 5: DAL 3, VGK 2 | Recap | Replay

Game 6: VGK 2, DAL 0 | Recap

Game 7: DAL 2, VGK 1 | Recap

play

0:34

Radek Faksa scores 44 seconds into 3rd period

Radek Faksa scores quickly in the third period to give the Stars a 2-1 lead.

C2 Winnipeg

Jets

vs.

C3 Colorado

Avalanche

Regular-season records:

Jets: 52-24-6, 110 points

Avalanche: 50-25-7, 107 points

Leading scorers:

Jets: Mark Scheifele, 72 points (25 G, 47 A)

Avalanche: Nathan MacKinnon, 140 points (51 G, 89 A)

Consensus pick: Avs

Schedule: (COL wins 4-1)

Keys to the offseason for the Jets

Game 1: WPG 7, COL 6 | Recap | Replay

Game 2: COL 5, WPG 2 | Recap | Replay

Game 3: COL 6, WPG 2 | Recap | Replay

Game 4: COL 5, WPG 1 | Recap | Replay

Game 5: COL 6, WPG 3 | Recap | Replay

play

1:22

Mikko Rantanen scores back-to-back goals in third period

Mikko Rananen scores back-to-back goals to give the Avalanche a 5-3 lead in the third period vs. the Jets.

Pacific Division

P1 Vancouver

Canucks

vs.

WC1 Nashville

Predators

Regular-season records:

Canucks: 50-23-9, 109 points

Predators: 47-30-5, 99 points

Leading scorers:

Canucks: J.T. Miller, 103 points (37 G, 66 A)

Predators: Filip Forsberg, 94 points (48 G, 46 A)

Consensus pick: Canucks

Schedule: (VAN wins 4-2)

Keys to the offseason for the Predators

Game 1: VAN 4, NSH 2 | Recap | Replay

Game 2: NSH 4, VAN 1 | Recap | Replay

Game 3: VAN 2, NSH 1 | Recap

Game 4: VAN 4, NSH 3 (OT) | Recap | Replay

Game 5: NSH 2, VAN 1 | Recap

Game 6: VAN 1, NSH 0 | Recap

play

0:55

Canucks lockup series on lone goal from Pius Suter in final minutes

Pius Suter scores a goal in the third period to give the Canucks a 1-0 win and series victory vs. the Predators.

P2 Edmonton

Oilers

vs.

P3 Los Angeles

Kings

Regular-season records:

Oilers: 49-27-6, 104 points

Kings: 44-27-11, 99 points

Leading scorers:

Oilers: Connor McDavid, 132 points (32 G, 100 A)

Kings: Adrian Kempe, 75 points (28 G, 47 A)

Consensus pick: Oilers

Schedule: (EDM wins 4-1)

Keys to the offseason for the Kings

Game 1: EDM 7, LA 4 | Recap | Replay

Game 2: LA 5, EDM 4 (OT) | Recap

Game 3: EDM 6, LA 1 | Recap | Replay

Game 4: EDM 1, LA 0 | Recap | Replay

Game 5: EDM 4 LA 3 | Recap

play

1:07

Zach Hyman makes it 4-2 Oilers to end 2nd period

Zach Hyman scores in the second period to give the Oilers a 4-2 lead heading into the third period vs. the Kings.

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