The Official NHL 2023-2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs Thread

[DrJones]

Justice is served.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by DrJones

Let's get weird. Lightning over Panthers in 6 Bruins over Maple Leafs in 7 Capitals over Rangers in 7 Hurricanes over Islanders in 6 Stars over Golden Knights in 6 Jets over Avalanche in 6 Predators over Canucks in 7 Oilers over Kings in 5 Lightning over Bruins in 6 Hurricanes over Capitals in 4 Jets over Stars in 7 Oilers over Predators in 6 Hurricanes over Lightning in 5 Jets over Oilers in 6 Hurricanes over Jets in 6

I picked the wrong year to be weird!

In fact, one can make the argument that, despite this regular season of parity, 2024 was the chalkiest 1st round since I started watching hockey in 1981:

- 1980 was the 1st year the NHL had 16 teams make the playoffs (best-of-5, 1-vs-16); teams with home ice advantage went 8-for-8

- Since then, the fewest number of upsets in the 1st round is one (1988, 1996, 2018, 2024); unlike '88, 96, and '18, however, the Avs were slight betting favourites over the Jets, meaning the sports books correctly picked every opening round playoff series for the 1st time in 44 years

[DrJones]

Panthers over Bruins in 5
Hurricanes over Rangers in 7
Stars over Avalanche in 7
Oilers over Canucks in 6

[Majingir]

Quote: Originally Posted by Majingir

Round 1 picks: Bruins over Leafs Panthers over Lightning Canes over Islanders Rangers over Caps Canucks over Preds Avs over Jets Oilers over Kings Vegas over Stars Finals picks: Canes vs Vegas

Other than Vegas, I was right about all other 1st round picks.

My new 2nd round picks:

Canes over Rangers
Panthers over Bruins

Oilers over Canucks
Avs over Stars

[bhurst99]

Quote: Originally Posted by bhurst99

I'll give it a shot with my Jontay Porter-approved playoff predictions Boston over Leafs in 7 Florida over Tampa in 7 Islanders over Hurricanes in 7 Rangers over Capitals in 5 Colorado over Winnipeg in 6 Vancouver over Nashville in 6 Edmonton over Los Angeles in 5 Las Vegas over Dallas in 7 Boston over Florida in 6 Islanders over Rangers in 7 Edmonton over Vancouver in 6 Colorado over Las Vegas in 7 Boston over Islanders in 6 Edmonton over Colorado in 7 Edmonton over Boston in 6 (I cheered when Edmonton was terrible early in the season. Clearly, their sole motive is get back at me).

I got six correct. Not bad.

I feel like I got to stick with these two earlier predictions

Boston over Florida in 6
Edmonton over Vancouver in 6

I'll also take:

Carolina over NY Rangers in 6
Colorado over Dallas in 6

[Kobalt]

So many storylines between Stars and the Avs, but the main has to be Parise vs. Suter, no?

[tarheelguy4736]

I love the Canes but, man, they just don't know how to close a game some times. Especially when it comes to the Playoffs. Their power play is virtually non-existent and it has been like that the past few years in the playoffs.

They just kept shooting themselves in the foot last night with penalties and their lack of aggressiveness some times.

I hope they can bounce back with wins at home, but, right now... they aren't a Stanley Cup team.

[DrJones]

Ian Cole might've just had the worst period by a defenceman in Canucks history.

(Apologies to Luca Sbisa and Robert Nordmark.)