I think this is the best series of the first round as the Western Conference leading Dallas Stars face the second Wild Card Vegas Golden Knights. This will be a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Finals, where Vegas won it in six games to advance to the Cup Finals and it’s insane that one of these teams will get eliminated here. I think the … Continue reading NHL Playoffs 2024 – Round 1 Series Preview: Stars vs. Golden Knights

I know that compared to some of the other series we have in the first round this one isn’t that exciting, but I really think this first round matchup between the Pacific Division winner Vancouver Canucks and the first Wild Card in the West, Nashville Predators ends up being a really competitive, solid series. Vancouver swept the regular season series between these teams, going a … Continue reading NHL Playoffs 2024 – Round 1 Series Preview: Canucks vs. Predators

This series between the #2 seeded Winnipeg Jets and #3 seeded Colorado Avalanche is a fascinating matchup in the Central Division in what I expect to be a great series. Both of these teams had solid seasons, finishing the year just three points apart. This will be the first time these teams have ever met in the playoffs. The Jets dominated the regular season series … Continue reading NHL Playoffs 2024 – Round 1 Series Preview: Jets vs. Avalanche

I’m anticipating this to be a very quick series with a lousy matchup between the President’s Trophy winning Rangers against the second Wild Card Washington Capitals  in a huge first round mismatch in the Metro Division. Despite the Rangers being the way better of these teams this year, they split their four regular season games with the home team winning all four games. The Caps … Continue reading NHL Playoffs 2024 – Round 1 Series Preview: Rangers vs. Capitals

Fantastic matchup in the Atlantic Division as the Battle of Florida kicks off today at 12:30 with the defending Eastern Conference Champs and the #1 seed in the Atlantic, Florida Panthers facing their in-state rivals, the 1st Wild Card seeded Lightning. The Panthers won the regular season series between these teams 2-1, with the road team winning all three games. Florida won the first matchup … Continue reading NHL Playoffs 2024 – Round 1 Series Preview: Panthers vs. Lightning

In the Atlantic Division we have an awesome original six matchup for the first round with the #2 seed Bruins facing the #3 seed Maple Leafs. The Leafs haven’t beat the Bruins in the playoffs since 1959.  Boston swept the season series between these teams this year, winning 3-2 in a shootout on November 2nd at home, 4-3 in overtime in Toronto on December 2nd, … Continue reading NHL Playoffs 2024 – Round 1 Series Preview: Bruins vs. Maple Leafs

The playoffs begin on Saturday evening with the #2 seed in the Metro Division Carolina Hurricanes facing the #3 seed New York Islanders. I don’t think this is a great matchup. These teams met in the first round last season as well, with the Canes winning in six games last year. Although the Canes were the far better team between them this season, they split … Continue reading NHL Playoffs 2024 – Round 1 Series Preview: Hurricanes vs. Islanders