Heading into the final week of the NHL regular season we now have 14 of the 16 Stanley Cup playoff berths clinched. At the time of writing we are just waiting for the metropolitan division to finish with four teams in line to take the final two places. The New York Islanders slightly edge third place as it stands with the Washington Capitals ahead of the Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins for the final wild card spot. The playoffs are then set to begin on Saturday April 20 with a tentative date for the finals set for June 3 and conclude no later than June 17.
There is still a long way to go for these teams but the excitement is palpable among fans nonetheless. Here, we will help you prepare for the most thrilling period of the NHL calendar.
The Teams
With just the Metropolitan Division waiting to be wrapped up, we have 14 teams confirmed to have made the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning have clinched in the East.
The Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators and Vegas Golden Knights have clinched in the West.
The Carolina Hurricanes currently find themselves as the favorites to lift the trophy come June according to Stanley Cup odds. At the time of writing they sit 2nd in the Metropolitan Division, though could still clinch the division championship on the final day of the regular season for the fourth time in as many seasons.
As mentioned however, there is still a long way to go and the competition is plentiful. The Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche are all within arms reach according to the odds. This can only be a good thing for NHL fans as we are bound to see plenty of drama in the playoffs.
The format
The Stanley Cup playoffs and final work much like the brackets of all other major sports in the US. There are four-rounds overall: first round, second round, conference finals and finals in a best-of-seven series.
In the first round, the team who finished top in the conference plays the second wild-card team. The other division winner takes on the other wild-card team. The No. 2 team from a division plays the No. 3 team from the same division.
The second round is not reseeded and is contested by the series winners. The No. 2 and No. 3 teams for a division plays the winner of the series with their division winner playing the wild card team.
Where to watch
It has never been easier to watch sport and the NHL is no different. With streaming, you can essentially watch the Stanley Cup wherever you are. In the US, games will be broadcast live on ESPN, ABC, TNT and TBS and on Sportsnet and CBC in Canada.
In the first round, Saturday night games will air in the US on ABC. Other first-round contests may air on the family networks of ESPN and TNT’s, such as ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, TBS or TruTV. The second-round series and conference finals will be split between ESPN and TNT, with the Stanley Cup final airing on ESPN.
There are also a number of streaming options for cordcutters and those who may watch when away from home. ESPN+, the TNT app, SlingTV and Fubo will air games throughout the playoffs and finals.
How to watch
Now we know where to watch, it is all about creating the ultimate gameday experience. Hockey is one of the most high-octane, fast-paced sports in the world and you don’t want to miss a single second of the action. Investing in a big television set (60” or more) will afford you that luxury.
You also want excellent picture quality for that same reason. With players gliding across the ice at speeds reaching upwards of 20mph and pucks moving at 100mph, an OLED TV is the way to go. Pixel transitions on OLED televisions are rapid meaning there is no motion blur.
A strong sound system can also enhance your gameday, allowing you to feel like you are right in the stands. Surround sound systems are a great way to bring the atmosphere right to your front door. By strategically placing your speakers with a 5.1 or 7.1 channel, you will hear every big hit, every swing of the stick and every roar from the crowd.
The Stanley Cup is cinematic. It consistently produces drama, fairytales, heartbreak and ecstasy, sometimes all in a single game. The 2024 playoffs and finals promise to be no different so be prepared for the final act of yet another incredible season of hockey.
