That’s a wrap on the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and what a first round it was! Drama everywhere! Upsets abound! Curses shaken off (maybe)! It’s hard to imagine that the second round will be able to clear the excitement bar set here, but the door for that does remain wide open.
We’ve got four new matchups set, with the first two series kicking off tonight, and once again, our staff is here to weigh in on how we see them shaking out.
Maple Leafs vs. Panthers
Maddie: I’m really impressed by what the Panthers were able to do in the first round, taking down a Bruins team that found historic levels of success in the first round. That’s insane. That said, I do wonder how much that took out of them, and how much they have left in the tank. The Leafs definitely showed some vulnerabilities against the Lightning, but finding their optimal lineup has me more confident in the way things are trending. Leafs in 6.
Mike D: Have to agree with Maddie on what exactly the Cardiac Cats have left in the tank after fighting all the way back against the Bruins. The Maple Leafs’ scoring depth showed up big-time against the Lightning and powered their playoff breakthrough. Florida has some big-time talent up and down their roster and might have the best player in the whole series in Matthew Tkachuk but Toronto has home ice and a huge weight of pressure off their shoulders — thinking a hard fought series with the Maple Leafs taking it in six games.
Jacob: Oftentimes, the teams that accomplish these massive upsets sort of just flare out. “Bob” is the x-factor, if he can summon that Vezina form and steal a couple games, then it could be interesting. However, just because they beat a Bruins team (who really beat themselves), it doesn’t change that the Leafs are solidly better at every other aspect of building a hockey team. Leafs in 5, I take no joy in reporting this.
Kelly: The Panthers beating the Bruins is obviously a monumental feat, but I think the Bruins did a bit of beating themselves in that series as well. Had they kept their shit together, I’m not sure the Panthers are able to do it. Now, no one knows how to trip over themselves like the Toronto Maple Leafs, so there is a chance the Cats get a little help again. That said, I think the Maple Leafs are going to be riding really high on the momentum of finally winning a series and I don’t think the Panthers will have enough to stop them. Leafs in 6.
Kurt: Man. I really wanna call this for Florida. For how much better they were on paper than a somewhat hobbled Tampa, I thought Toronto was fortunate to win that series in the way they did – you’re not gonna win three out of three overtime games very often and it felt as though Tampa controlled the run of play more than I expected them to. Florida is a team that can skate with Toronto speed-wise, and when they played this year it tended to be pretty close (three of their four contests went to OT), and for as good as Toronto is I’m still pretty sure that Florida has the single best player in the series in Matthew Tkachuk. And I don’t really trust either goalie, so I think this is going to be chaotic, and when there’s chaos I tend to lean towards the underdog (undercat?) because it’s much more fun. But … ah, screw it. I started this paragraph thinking I was going to end up on Toronto, and then I talked myself into this, and also I kinda think that the fanbase that chanted “WE WANT FLORIDA” after winning their first-round series deserves whatever happens next. Panthers in seven.
Thomas: This is going to be a battle between two teams that got to the second round despite their head coach. Both Paul Maurice and Sheldon Keefe had periods in the first round where they were run over tactically and went with some odd decisions that led to losses. Maybe they learned their lesson, but this might just end up being messy and fast and chaotic hockey being played. If we’re boiling it all down to pure talent available, the advantage goes to Toronto and it’s sometimes as simple as that. But I will account for them messing up a couple times. Leafs in seven.
Ryan Q: Now that Toronto’s won a series, I feel like they’re gonna be riding this high for the rest of the playoffs, and now they’re gonna be borderline unbeatable. I’ll probably be wrong, but I’m taking Toronto in six. They’re gonna be rollin’.
Steve: Could I actually be favoring…the Toronto Maple Leafs??? Yes, I suppose I am. I’m expecting this to be a wild series with a ton of goals and if the Leafs specialize in one area, it’s goal scoring. Will there be joy in Canada’s Mudville this year? It looks like there might be a chance. Toronto in six.
Matt: Leafs nation celebrated their first series win in 19 years like they were on the way to the cup. The tragic hero trope tells me that this newfound pride will result in their eventual downfall, it just depends on how close they get. I’m gonna say this is the end of the line. Florida in seven.
Italian Joe: This is such a tough one to call. On paper, I feel like it’s an easy win for the Leafs–especially with the pressure of advancing past the first round off their backs. But we all said the same thing about the Bruins steamrolling the Panthers, and look what happened. One thing’s for certain though: goals, and lots of them. Neither team has a Vezina-caliber goaltender like their first round opponents did, and I expect it to absolutely rain goals. This series should be a blast, with both teams riding high off historic victories–and I think the Leafs will be riding just a little bit higher. Toronto in six.
Nick: It’d be very Toronto to lose this series as the heavy favorites after the hockey world celebrated the Leafs for overcoming their playoff demons. The Leafs are certainly the more complete team and the regular season clearly showed that, but the Panthers do have a deep group of forwards and just turned their series against the Big Bad Bruins into a boat race. I’ll take the Leafs in six, but I don’t feel good about it.
Ryan G.: This is the Leafs’ year now, right? They finally conquered Tampa Bay *and* they don’t have to face the Bruins in the second round. Sure, Alex Lyon and Sergei Bobrovsky leading the Panthers past Boston was fun, but this is where their fun ends. The Leafs seem to have the advantage in most aspects of the game in this series. Leafs in 6.
Hurricanes vs. Devils
Maddie: This feels like it’s going to be a wild one. On paper, I feel like the Hurricanes should have an edge, but the Devils are playing great right now, and the Hurricanes keep getting hit with injuries, and that probably brings this series more even. Hurricanes in seven, I think? Hurricanes in seven.
Mike D: The Devils really turned up the heat after spotting the Rangers a 2-0 lead and looked more like the team capable of big runs like in the regular season. Their ability to play an open run-and-gun and defensive deadlock style should help them against the stingy Hurricanes and we could be looking at some low scoring totals all series long. Wouldn’t have said this a week ago, but the Devils have the crease advantage going into the series but can Carolina’s overall depth on defense get it done? Head says Hurricanes and heart says Devils, but it’s going to be Carolina in seven.
Kelly: If Carolina were healthy this would, quite possibly, be the most insanely fun series ever. But they aren’t, and the Devils are (Is Timo Meier alive? I think he is), and if Schmid keeps it up the Hurricanes, in their current form, just won’t be able to stop this team. I’m going to be real nuts here and say Devils in 5. Maybe it’ll jinx them!
Jacob: Both teams are a little banged up, but there’s still a lot of talent on either side. It should be a run and gun series, the legend of Akira Schmid continues to grow, and I don’t know fam… I don’t like betting against upstart goalie stories. This feels like a series where whoever takes the initiative first and grabs the momentum early will have the advantage, as both teams feel each other out and settle in for a battle. I take no joy in reporting this either: Devils in 7.
Kurt: This brings me no pleasure and I very much want to be wrong about this one but the ‘Canes are running out of juice. Too many meaningful injuries to work with, and while Carolina looked closer to their usual selves in their first-round series than they did down the stretch, the Devils are a team that can match them stylistically if they need to. Unless we get a goalie course-correction from NJ (which is very possible!), think we’re gonna be unhappy about this one. Devils in six.
Thomas: Sometimes all it takes to win a series is how well a team is playing lately. Before 82 games were played, we would be laughing at this series being a possibility and thinking the Hurricanes had the upper hand. Unfortunately, Carolina is slowly decaying with three top-six forwards out. For god’s sake, they’re playing a dude named “MacKenzie MacEachern” on the top line. Mac Mac! So it pains me to say but the Devils are playing too well and just beat a better team in the first round than they are facing in the second. Devils in five.
Ryan Q: The Hurricanes are the much better team when they’re healthy, but they’re super banged up right now, and I don’t trust their situation in net. The Devils appear to have found their answer in net, and I think that gives them the edge. Devils in seven.
Steve: Is this my season-long bet on the ‘Canes to win the Cup talking when I pick the Carolina Hurricanes in this series? Who is to say? All I know is, I like Carolina’s system and the muscle-bound man behind the bench as much as I loathe the Devils franchise. ‘Canes in seven.
Matt: The Devils did their job and dispensed of the Rangers, and now I’m finished with them. Shayne Gostisbehere for Conn Smythe. Hurricanes in six.
Italian Joe: If the Canes weren’t as injured as they are, this series would be close–but New Jersey is absolutely rolling right now and they have the Best Goalie Named After an Anime in net. Two shutouts in a series against the Rangers, who had more offensive fire power than the Canes had all year? It’s the Devils, baby–Jersey in six.
Nick: So it took the Devils two games to figure out playoff hockey? This sucks. After waiting a generation for the Crosby/Ovechkin era to wind down, the Devils look like a potential juggernaut. The Canes don’t have the finishers to keep up with Jersey and the Devils win in six, as I wonder if the Philadelphia can geographically relocate to another part of the country.
Ryan G.: It looked like the Devils were fraudulent until they woke up in New York and turned the series on its head. With that being said, this is the Carolina Hurricanes we’re talking about. They may be missing a few of their key scorers, which is huge, but the way they play they’ll be able to get by without them. The Canes are going to grind down the Devils in six games.
Stars vs. Kraken
Maddie: Feeling similar vibes to our first matchup over in the East here. Huge credit to the Kraken for knocking out the defending champs, but I feel like the Stars are just a more complete team, and they’ve got the definite edge here. Stars in five.
Mike D: Much like the Devils above, the Kraken proved they could play a shutdown style of play against the high-flying Avalanche and should be commended after a regular season of insane goal totals. Dallas is just such a complete team with four dangerous scoring lines and a solid defense in front of the best goaltender left in the whole playoff. Stars take this one in six games.
Kelly: Hak & Krak (Bill Matz is a treasure and none of us appreciate him enough) got lucky in the first meeting a depleted and tired defending champ. I just can’t buy it. Team’s not that good. Plus, Jason Robertson. Stars in five.
Jacob: The Kraken are kinda like the Islanders of the Western Conference, they’re really stingy, try hard, and are disciplined. I don’t think they’re too talented, though, and the Stars look like they’re rounding into form. Roope Hintz is well on his way to cementing himself as a top 30 player, and Jason Robertson is there waiting for him. And even if the Stars falter, Jake Oettinger is behind them and quickly becoming one of the best goalies in the NHL. This is one of the best Dallas teams since the Modano/Turco/Zubov days, and they might go all the way, Stars in 5.
Kurt: I will give the Kraken some credit here in that I clearly had them wrong last round. They skated right with Colorado in every game of that series, and Philipp Grubauer appears to have remembered that he is a goaltender in the National Hockey League that is supposed to stop pucks, which I love for him. They’re gonna have a chance no matter what else if that part continues. Still, hard not to like what Dallas has been doing lately. Stars in six.
Thomas: This is the one series where it will be nonstop action or some of the most boring hockey played in the postseason we have ever seen. Dallas can just control games and slow them down to their own pace, especially if Joe Pavelski is back for this series. Seattle beating the reigning champions is their own Stanley Cup, and the Stars have the talent to go all the way. Stars in six.
Ryan Q: I can’t say I expected the Kraken to make it into the second round. But now that they’re here… I still don’t think they’ll advance. Dallas in six.
Steve: Dave, nice job on beating the Avs. It was as difficult as rocking a goatee in 2023. I just don’t see the Krakens’ terrific story continuing for another round. Dallas sucks, but I think they win this one in six.
Matt: I’m the only one who picked Seattle to win their first round! Congrats to me! I guess I gotta stick with him despite overwhelming odds (and everybody else once again picking against them): Seattle in six.
Italian Joe: Has anybody been watching the Stars? Cuz I have. And lemme tell ya, they are good. Like, dark horse Cup candidate good once they get rolling. Their top line is dynamite–especially Roope Hintz–and they’ve got the depth to match Seattle. The Kraken are a fun story, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them flip the narrative again as disruptors in the West if Philipp Grubauer continues to overperform, but this feels like the end of the line for their season without Jared McCann and Andre Burakovsky. Stars in six.
Nick: Seattle definitely surprised me with the quality of its depth and exposed the lack of Colorado’s. But Dallas quietly checks a lot of Cup contender boxes. Elite goaltending? Check. Elite defenseman? Check. Elite top line? Check. After dropping Game 1 in double overtime, the Stars made quick work of Minnesota. Dallas will keep rolling and win in six.
Ryan G.: I’m fully aboard the Kraken hype train. No one cared who Dave Hakstol was until he put on the goatee. He has the Kraken playing well in the playoffs and Seattle has plenty of guys with playoff experience on its roster. The Stars are good, but it’s important to remember that Dallas sucks. Kraken in seven.
Golden Knights vs. Oilers
Maddie: I don’t know that I have any real thoughts to offer on this one other than that getting McDavid vs. Eichel in a series is really cool, and after taking out the Jets with relative ease in the first round, this is going to be Vegas’s first real challenge of the postseason. Golden Knights in seven.
Mike D: Picked the Oilers to win the Stanley Cup and have not wavered on that by hedging with a late Stars entry — the Golden Knights are just that good. This is a legacy series for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl because another season short of at least making a Cup final will be terribly disappointing and likely result in big, big changes. The Oilers need to find a way to win the crease battle to have a chance, and I think Stuart Skinner comes up big with a few key saves to help Edmonton advance behind a slew of offensive firepower. Oilers in seven.
Kelly: My bracket has the Oilers winning the West and I’m sticking to it. Like Mike said, if the Oilers goaltending can keep it together I think they can overcome the Knights’ pretty substantial fire power. It’s going to be tough but I think they can do it in six. Oilers in six.
Jacob: The Oilers are my guilty pleasure. Vegas and Peter DeBoer are a very difficult opponent however, and if there was someone to try and shut down Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid’s scorched earth tactics, it would be Mark Stone. But, the Oilers did pass the Kopitar test, and against a Kings team that I was very impressed with all year long. Two Canadian teams in the conference final; sounds fun, sounds weird, sounds like Edmonton in 6.
Kurt: I started this season pretty high on Vegas and have been up and down on them since then and have mostly been wrong with my recent guesses on them (I picked them to lose last round to the Jets, who barely participated in that series), so congratulations to them for what I am about to say: I was extremely impressed with Edmonton last round. L.A. had been picking up steam for a solid month-plus leading into that series and yet it felt like the Oilers were toying with them for a lot of that series. No regulation losses in that series, and none since … early March? Sheesh. Oilers in five.
Thomas: I hate this series. Two teams I personally just do not like for multiple reasons and I will be struggling to stay up late to watch them bash sticks against one another. Yeah, yeah – Jack Eichel vs. Connor McDavid is exciting enough of a headline for some people to go bananas. Still, on the ice both teams have crappy goaltending, questionable blue lines, and hope for their star forwards to carry them to some wins. This is going to get stupid. Edmonton in seven.
Ryan Q: Connor McDavid is a god and the Golden Knights have a big question mark in net. Plus, the Golden Knights have really ugly sweaters now, so I’m actively rooting against having to look at them any longer than I need to. Edmonton in five.
Steve: I think this should be another fun one. Eichel vs. McDavid has been a long time coming, and I’m totally into it. That said, I think Edmonton did enough at the trade deadline to get them over this hump, and this just doesn’t seem like Vegas has Lady Luck in their corner this season. Oilers in six.
Matt: Watching Conor McDavid in the Stanley Cup Finals is just so enticing. We as general hockey fans deserve it. Oilers in five.
Nick: Vegas looked pretty brutal for about a game and a half until it made some adjustments and sent Winnipeg into existential crisis after five games. Impressive stuff. I just don’t know if the Golden Knights will be able to keep up with the speed of Connor McDavid and the Oilers. Edmonton has been a wagon, winning 22 of its past 27. This feels like their year. Oilers in six.
Italian Joe: Like many, I too have the Oilers winning the Cup. The only hope Vegas has is Stuart Skinner turning into a pumpkin, which seems unlikely. Jack Eichel can hit all the next levels he wants, but it still won’t come close to what McDavid and Draisaitl can accomplish. Oilers in six.
