Unveiling the Champions: NHL Playoffs 2024—Schedule, Format, Streaming Details, and Predictions
What outshines watching a game of ice hockey? Watching the NHL playoffs in 2024 and that time of year alone is within close range. Less than one week is left in the 2023–24 NHL regular season. The field for the Stanley Cup Playoffs 2024 is nearing being set, where 16 teams will begin the quest for the Lord Stanley’s Cup. April has arrived, and for ice hockey fans, that means one thing: playoff season! With 16 teams in the mix, eight each from the Eastern Conference and Western Conference, the conflict for the coveted NHL Stanley Cup Finals is on! The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs will begin on Saturday, April 20, 2024, with 16 teams tussling it out for hockey’s ultimate prize. In this post, we are covering the excitement of the NHL playoffs and seeking matchups between the top teams in the league. Prepare yourself for an adrenaline-filled end to the 2024 season as we defeat all the action on the ice!
The NHL Playoffs 2024 mark the climax of the hockey season, hollowing out the top 16 teams over each other in a quest for the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. The league is divided into two conferences, each with its subdivisions. At the end of the regular season, teams are ranked based on scores earned from triumphs and overtime losses. The top three teams in each division secure playoff berths and two wild-card teams from each conference, determined by their overall points regardless of division in the NHL playoffs.
From there, a bracket-style tournament is revealed, with matchups determined by seeding. Each Round consists of a best-of-seven series, where teams compete until one emerges victorious. Take a trip close to the Stanley Cup Final, where the last two teams battle it out for hockey’s most significant treasure. In “Tattoo,” an enthusiastic Vegas Golden Knights fan prematurely gets a Stanley Cup 2024 tattoo on his arm before the 2019 Playoffs begin, confidently stating, “This is our year.” In “Catfish,” a Nashville Predators fan smuggles a dead catfish into the arena, braving the smell and security threat before tossing the excellent luck ritual onto the ice. Remember to check out all other sports details on our website.
NHL Outright Odds
The top clubs with the best possibilities of bringing home the Cup this year are mentioned below along with the overall odds for all NHL teams to win the Stanley Cup in 2023.
NHL Playoffs 2024 Format
The NHL playoffs consist of four rounds, each of which is a best-of-seven series. This means the first team to win four games in a series advances to the next Round. In NHL Playoffs 2024 four rounds are:
- First Round: Also known as the Conference Quarter Finals, this Round features the top-seeded teams facing off against the wild-card or lower-seeded divisional teams.
- Second Round: Referred to as the Conference Semifinals, the winners from the first-round advance to face each other within their respective conferences.
- Conference Finals: Winners of the second Round within each conference compete in the conference finals to determine the Eastern and Western Conference Champions.
- NHL Finals: Champions from the Eastern and Western Conferences meet in the Stanley Cup Finals to vie for the Stanley Cup in 2024.
- Home-Ice Advantage: In each series, the team with a higher speed and a better regular season record has a home-ice advantage for most games. They get to play more games at their home arena, giving them familiarity with their surroundings, enthusiastic fan support, and the logistical benefits of not having to travel as much.
When does the NHL regular season (2023–24) end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on April 18, 2024.
NHL Stanley Cup Finals: Schedule
First Round:
- New York Islanders vs. Carolina Hurricanes, April 20, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET or 2:30 a.m. IST (next day).
- Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins: April 20, 2024, at 8.30 p.m. ET/5:30 a.m. IST (next day).
- Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers, April 21, 2024, at 12:30 p.m. ET or 10:00 p.m. IST.
- Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers, April 21, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. ET or 12:30 a.m. IST (next day).
Second Round: tentatively set to begin Monday, May 6, 2024.
Conference Finals: tentatively set to start Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
Stanley Cup Finals: tentatively set to start Saturday, June 8, 2024.
Where can I watch the NHL playoffs in 2024?
NHL playoffs will be split in the United States between the EPSN family of networks and Turners.
In the NHL playoffs of first Round, games will air on ABC. Other first-round contests may air on ESPN and TNT’s channels, such as ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, TBS, or TruTV.
TNT is splitting the second-round series, the conference final, and ABC and TBS channels for US viewers.
All NHL playoffs game will be aired on Sportsnet and CBC broadcasts in Canada.
For the Canadian audience, games on Sportsnet are available to stream on SN Now, and any contest on CBC can be streamed through CBC Gem.
Fans in the United States looking to stream the NHL playoffs have options. Games on Fubo and TNT can be streamed through the TNT app and Sling TV.
Predictions for the Stanley Cup Playoffs:
Here we predicted some NHL playoffs starts in the first Round of the Eastern Conference to garb Stanley Cup 2024.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Rangers
Despite their two away defeats in round two, the Carolina Hurricanes are returning home with a determination to reclaim what the New York Rangers took from them in the upcoming NHL intense encounter.
- Date: May 10, 2024
- Venue:PNC Arena (Raleigh, NC)
The Carolina Hurricanes’ first two opening games of round two were utterly disappointing. The New York Rangers defeated the Hurricanes 4-3 in both games. In their game, the New York Rangers took in the first period, where Mika Zibanejad contributed two goals and one goal from Vincent Trocheck. On the other hand, in the first half, the Carolina Hurricanes could shoot only one goal with the help of Jaccob Slavin. Further, the second period didn’t provide that much opportunity for either team. In the third period, the Hurricanes gave a super combe by marking two points and the Rangers one, but unfortunately, the early lead made the New York Rangers hold the first-round two victory. In game two again, the Hurricanes suffered an overtime loss; on the game day, Jake Guentzel played a significant role for the Hurricanes, but as usual, the dominant performance from the New York Rangers made them suffer a second straight defeat. In this playoff, the New York Rangers have a great offense, but their defense needs quite an improvement as the game is getting tough day by day; on the other hand, the Carolina Hurricanes need to make significant improvement, and in the upcoming match, they have to be more precise on the defensive side. Even though the Hurricanes are on the home ice, the New York Rangers are also more assertive on the away. With their dominant performance, they will win this game.
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
The Central Division, the Dallas Stars, and the Colorado Avalanche are ready to resume their game two-round two series in the highly anticipated NHL fixture 2023-2024.
- Date: May 10, 2024
- Venue:American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX)
The Colorado Avalanche is coming off with lots of hope to take the 2-0 lead. The Colorado Avalanche grabbed the game with 4-3 overtime triumphs in their game. The Dallas Stars started the game full of positiveness by outscoring the Colorado Avalanche with a dominant score of 3-0. The three goals were contributed by Ryan Suter, Wyatt Johnston, and Jamie Benn. Unfortunately, the Dallas Stars upper hand only remained in the first period. Further, the Colorado Avalanche took the lead slowly with the help of Valeri Nichushkin, Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, and Miles Wood. With a scoring average of 5.33 goals per game, the Colorado Avalanche have a power play success rate of 44.4%. With eight goals, nine assists from Cale Makar, and twenty-eight shots on goal, Nathan MacKinnon leads Colorado. In terms of defense, the Colorado Avalanche give up three goals per game while stopping 76.5 percent of their opponents’ power plays. In addition to scoring 27.8% of their power play opportunities, the Dallas Stars are averaging 2.38 goals per game. Tyler Seguin led Wyatt Johnston’s Dallas team in five goals, five assists, and twenty-five shots on goal. Dallas Stars defensemen are killing 64.3% of their opponent’s power play opportunities while giving up 2.5 goals per game. Even though Dallas has a higher chance of making a strong comeback, the recent performance made us expect the Colorado Avalanche to grab the game-two victory.
