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.
Metropolitan Division
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins
On the thrilling date of April 25, 2024, at the electrifying Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON, a battle of epic proportions will unfold as the Toronto Maple Leafs clash with the Boston Bruins in the NHL 2023–2024 round one playoff game. With each team securing a win in the first two games, this matchup is not just a game; it’s a war that will determine the series leader. In their most recent clash, the Toronto Maple Leafs, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, snapped a five-game losing streak by edging out the Boston Bruins by a single point. The Boston Bruins, however, had a convincing victory in their initial encounter, triumphing with a four-point lead. Standout players from the game included the relentless Trent Frederic, the tenacious Jake DeBrusk, the determined John Beecher, and the resilient Brandon Carlo.
Brad Marchand has 67 points with 29 goals and 38 assists, while David Pastrnak leads the Bruins in scoring with 110 points, which includes a team-high 47 goals and 63 assists. Charlie McAvoy has 47 points and 35 assists; Pavel Zacha has 59 points with 21 goals and 38 assists; and Charlie Coyle has 60 points with 25 goals and 35 assists. With a team-high 69 goals and 38 assists, Auston Matthews leads the Leafs with 107 points, followed by William Nylander with 98 points, 40 goals, and 58 assists. This season, John Tavares has 65 points with 29 goals and 36 assists, Morgan Rielly has 58 points with 51 assists, and Mitch Marner has 85 points with a team-high 59 assists. With their previous loss on home ice, the Boston Bruins will come back stronger and win this game.
Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights
The Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights are set for their second playoff game on April 25, 2024, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. The Vegas Golden Knights won the first game by a one-point margin while playing away from home. To win their first playoff game, Brayden McNabb, Tomas Hertl, Jonathan Marchessault, and Mark Stone scored one goal for their team. With an average of three goals per game, the Dallas Stars are not scoring on their power play opportunities. Dallas’ top scorer is Mason Marchment with one goal, Logan Stankoven with one assist, and Jamie Benn with seven shots on goal. The Dallas Stars concede four goals per game and prevent 0% of their opponents’ shots from scoring. With one goal, two assists from Jack Eichel, and two shots on goal, Tomas Hertl leads Vegas. Brayden McNabb also leads.
The Vegas Golden Knights are killing all their opponents’ power plays and giving up just three goals per game on defense. Logan Thompson has faced thirty shots and given up three goals. Due to a lower-body injury, Dallas Stars star player Jani Hakanpaa will be absent from this game. In contrast, Vegas Golden Knights star player Robin Lehner will be absent because of a hip injury. Dallas was one of the most reliable teams this season, and they will have the advantage in this game since it will be played at home. The Golden Knights have defeated the Stars five times in a row, so it is tempting to take the underdog position. The Golden Knights have won eight of the last ten games against the Stars. Considering their game-one dominance, we can expect that the Vegas Golden Knights will again make the ice rock and win this game.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
In Game Two of the First Round, the Los Angeles Kings take on the Edmonton Oilers on April 25, 2024, at Rogers Place (Edmonton, AB) in an NHL encounter. The Kings lost the first game 7-4 after making mistakes and being outplayed on both ends of the rink. The Oilers were the series favorites going into it, and their dominating seven-goal effort at home proved it. The Oilers hope to control the series with a two-game lead, and this upcoming game should be fantastic. The Kings hope to square things off and return to Los Angeles with some momentum. Despite their offense picking up and scoring four goals in the defeat, the Kings need a better start to the series. Although Adrian Kempe and Pierre-Luc Dubois each had a goal and an assist, the entire offensive unit also contributed.
However, they were let down by the defense, which gave up just 2.56 goals per game and gave up seven goals in the first game. The Oilers’ offense was their main asset throughout the season, averaging 3.56 goals per game. In Game One, however, it took over, scoring seven goals to secure the victory. The top two lines were led by Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman, who combined for four goals and seven assists, but the entire offensive group was excellent. The Oilers’ offense was their main strength, but their defense faltered and gave up four goals in the victory. After analyzing their overall performance, we see that the Edmonton Oilers are one step ahead of the Los Angeles Kings and likely to win this game.
