NHL playoffs picks, predictions for 2024 hockey brackets and Stanley Cup Remaining

What’s better than hockey? Playoff hockey. 

The 2024 NHL playoffs kick off on Saturday, as 16 groups salvage situation to embark on the hunt for the Stanley Cup. Hockey’s postseason never fails to ship on the theatrics, and it should serene be no assorted in 2024. 

As is the case one and all year, there are so many exciting storylines heading into the postseason. In the Eastern Conference, the Rangers are out to existing the Presidents’ Trophy curse is but a declare of the previous, the Panthers are aiming to salvage support to the Stanley Cup Remaining to avenge their loss last one year, and the Lights are out to existing they’re serene able to profitable all of it. 

In the Western Conference, the Golden Knights have targets on their backs, coming into the playoffs as the defending champions. The Avalanche try to rebound after a significant-spherical exit last one year, and the Oilers serene are having a look to reach the Stanley Cup Remaining for the first time within the Connor McDavid expertise. 

NHL PLAYOFFS: FULL BRACKET | SCHEDULE | ODDS

The Carrying Info affords out its predictions for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs. 

You may per chance well presumably spy the most up-to-date 2024 Stanley Cup odds at BetMGM.

The Carrying Info 2024 NHL playoff predictions

Eastern Conference

First spherical

Second spherical

Eastern Conference Remaining

There is no sugar-coating it — the Eastern Conference is a bloodbath. Individually, there are six groups that can salvage all of it, and but, as a minimal two of those groups are guaranteed to be out forward of the 2d spherical. 

In the first spherical, the Rangers and Hurricanes should serene manufacture pretty easy work of the Capitals and Islanders, respectively. The Isles completely will do up a closer fight in opposition to the Canes, nonetheless, I create now not spy both underdog coming out on top.

As in 2013, 2018, and 2019, the Bruins and Maple Leafs will give the fans a must-ogle sequence that goes the restrict, however the fourth time is probably now not the charm for Toronto, as Boston comes out on top any other time.

The superb upset within the first spherical comes within the Battle of Florida, as the Lightning knock off the Panthers — the defending Eastern Conference champs — in six games. Tampa Bay will existing any other time it’s miles a team constructed for the postseason, 

For the 2d spherical, the Lightning continue on its quest to rob out its Atlantic Division competitors, turning in one other early exit for the Bruins. Tampa Bay ended Boston’s season in 2018 and 2020, and Jon Cooper’s crew will ship the same destiny to the Spoked B in 2024. The Hurricanes and Rangers square off in a test between the 2 most efficient Metro groups all one year, nonetheless or now not it’s Carolina that punches its model to a 2d consecutive Eastern Conference Remaining. 

That sets up a Hurricanes-Lightning Eastern Conference Remaining. Tampa Bay is 3-0 in its previous three appearances within the convention finals (2020, 2022, 2021), whereas Carolina has but to salvage a sport in its previous three ECF showings, getting swept in 2009, 2019, and 2023. That changes in 2024, as the Hurricanes in a roundabout method salvage over the plug and reach the Stanley Cup Remaining for the first time since profitable all of it in 2006. 

Western Conference

First spherical

Second spherical

Conference last

On paper, the Western Conference is now not as deep as the Eastern Conference is. On the opposite hand, that does indicate or now not it’s missing factual contenders, especially within the Central Division. 

Starting within the first spherical, the Stars will must endure the total manner down to knock off the defending Stanley Cup champions, but Dallas should serene be ready to grind its manner to a salvage, especially with Jake Oettinger heating up as of unhurried.

While the Predators are scorching scorching heading into the playoffs, the Canucks had been too factual for too prolonged, and I mediate Vancouver narrowly avoids an upset.

For the third one year in a row, or now not it’s Edmonton-Los Angeles within the first time. It’ll serene be no assorted this one year, as the Oilers don’t have a project in opposition to the Kings, as Connor McDavid and Co. shut to the 2d spherical for the third straight one year.

Or now not it’s nearly unfair that someone has to lose the Jets-Avalanche sequence since every had been at the pause of the standings all one year prolonged, nonetheless or now not it’s hard to spy Nathan MacKinnon and Colorado shedding within the first spherical for the 2d consecutive postseason. 

In the 2d spherical, what’s Colorado’s reward for beating Winnipeg? A date with Dallas. While the Avs may per chance well have extra star energy, they may be able to’t match the scoring depth that the Stars have, and that often is the adaptation within the sequence. As for the Oilers and Canucks, this is where Edmonton’s playoff journey comes in to hand, and we can spy McDavid reach his 2d Western Conference Remaining. 

A Stars-Oilers matchup would be completely charming. Or now not it’s two groups that excel in transition and play with a lot of bound. McDavid in a roundabout method is going to reach the Stanley Cup Remaining, but I even have too many concerns about Edmonton’s protection. Dallas will salvage support to the last stage of the postseason for the first time since 2021.  

Stanley Cup Remaining

The Stars and Hurricanes truly feel love two groups that have a lot of scoring depth, play truly sound protection, and have top-notch goaltending. Or now not it may per chance maybe probably be a chess match between Pete DeBoer and Rod Brind’Amour in this sequence. 

Carolina has been a top contender for what feels love extra than one years now, however the Canes have but to do all of it collectively. A a lot just like the Avalanche, who suffered extra than one early exits forward of going on their Stanley Cup bustle in 2022, it feels once the Hurricanes in a roundabout method reach the Stanley Cup Remaining, they is probably now not denied. 

The superb reason? The Hurricanes had been one share away for years and have but to circulate out and salvage that guy. They did this one year, landing Jake Guentzel at the trade deadline, and the winger has been a entirely splendid slot in Carolina. He’s the missing share on offense and a extraordinarily excellent playoff performer. 

Brind’Amour brought the franchise its first Stanley Cup as a player in 2006, and he’ll declare Raleigh its 2d, this time as a coach, in 2024. 

Prediction: Hurricanes over Stars, 4-3

Conn Smythe Award winner prediction: Jake Guentzel, Hurricanes