The 2023-2024 NHL regular season has come to an end, and the quest for the Stanley Cup has begun. Will Connor McDavid and the Oilers finally live up to their potential? Will the New York Rangers break the Presidents’ Trophy curse? Will the Nashville Predators be the second consecutive wild card team to make the finals? Probably not, but in hockey, you never know. You could be the greatest regular season team in history, and get bounced in the first round (looking at you, 2023 Bruins).
EASTERN CONFERENCE
New York Rangers (M1) vs. Washington Capitals (WC2)
Ohhhhhhhh baby. The Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers vs. the hobbling Washington Capitals. The Capitals had the fourth-worst goal differential in the NHL this year, above only the three worst teams in the NHL this season. The Capitals have no business being in the playoffs. Goaltender Charlie Lindgren might steal them a game here, but that’s it. Not only were the Rangers the best team this season, but also the best New York Rangers team ever. They set the franchise record for most wins and most points, had the third-best special teams in the league, and Artemi Panarin had the second-best season in Rangers history. The Rangers thumped the Capitals in Game 1, they’re going to give them a beatdown this whole series, and I am loving it.
Prediction: NYR over WSH in 5
Florida Panthers (A1) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (WC1)
Last year, the Florida Panthers shocked everyone by defeating the all-time wins record-setting Boston Bruins in the first round, overcoming a 3-1 series deficit. This historic upset set high expectations for the Panthers in the 2023-2024 season, where they excelled as one of the top three teams in the league all year long. With impressive offensive depth and the second-best defensive record, the Panthers are strong contenders, especially if goalie Sergei Bobrovsky continues to be lights-out.
On the other hand, the Tampa Bay Lightning have appeared in three of the last four Stanley Cup Finals, powered by potential 2023-2024 MVP Nikita Kucherov—the fifth player ever to record 100 assists—and backed by top talents. The Lightning are a perennially good team, but they had an average season, they’re aging, there’s uncertainty around defenseman Mikhail Sergachev’s return, and their opponents have all the momentum in the world. No one should ever count out the Lightning, but I’m giving this series to the Panthers.
Prediction: FLA over TBL in 6
Boston Bruins (A2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (A3)
I’m a New Yorker who despises the Boston Bruins, but I think they’re beating the Maple Leafs. They’ve been the Leafs’ boogeyman since 1959, winning every playoff series since. While Toronto’s Auston Matthews continues to deliver an all-time performance, the rest of the team’s leading scorers have disappeared. On the other hand, the Bruins are one season removed from being the greatest regular season team in hockey history. They’ve got outstanding depth and some real star talent with David Pastrňák being a top-five finalist for league MVP. This is a historic NHL rivalry, and you can be sure the Bruins would rather die than face first-round elimination embarrassment for the second year in a row.
Prediction: BOS over TOR in 6
Carolina Hurricanes (M2) vs. New York Islanders (M3)
The Islanders do not deserve to be in the playoffs. The only reason they’re even remotely here is because of the overtime loss point. If you take away those 16 points, they are second-to-last in the Metropolitan division. They are near the bottom of the league in every team stat, while Carolina is top 8. If Carolina loses this series, sell the team. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Islanders steal a game, but anything more than that is blasphemous. There’s not that much to say here. Make this easy, ‘Canes.
Prediction: CAR over NYI in 5
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas Stars (C1) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (WC2)
I’m picking the Stars in this series, but it could be the closest series of the first round. The Stars finished second in wins behind the New York Rangers and have been on fire with an 8-2-0 record in their last 10 games. Their third line alone has amassed 139 points this season. Despite a slight dip, goalie Jake Oettinger remains a top netminder, and Dallas ranks ninth in fewest goals allowed per game. Their special teams outperform the Knights, ranking 6th in power play and 8th in penalty killing, (the Knights are at 20th and 16th, respectively). It won’t be easy, though. Vegas swept Dallas in their regular-season matchups and boosted their lineup at the trade deadline. It’s not suspicious at all that for the third year in a row, someone on the team has gotten injured right before the deadline (giving Vegas a few extra million dollars to work with). Please beat the wheels off these cheaters, Dallas.
Prediction: DAL over VGK in 7
Winnipeg Jets (C2) vs. Colorado Avalanche (C3)
The Avalanche have three of the best players in the league (MacKinnon, Makar, Rantanen) and were top 10 in the league in every team stat except penalty killing. They won the cup in 2022, with largely the same team. It didn’t matter for Game 1 on Sunday, though, with the Avalanche scoring 6 on Winnipeg (the second time all year Winnipeg gave up 6 goals) and still losing. This was a fluke for Winnipeg, and potentially a sobering reality for the Avs. The Jets have figured out how to play against the best offense in the league, and Colorado clearly doesn’t have the goaltending to support. Maybe the Avalanche skaters can make up the difference, but it’s going to be hard without a change in net. I’d recommend a walrus. I seriously think a walrus would be a better goaltender.
Prediction: WPG over COL in 6
Vancouver Canucks (P1) vs. Nashville Predators (WC1)
At some point this season, the Predators had a 7 percent chance to make the playoffs. Then, they went on an 18-game point streak. In the last few months, they’ve been a top-three team in the NHL. The Canucks haven’t been in the playoffs since 2015, and the Predators are here to rain on their parade. Game 1 was shockingly close (and in Vancouver no less). Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko’s injury is a doomsday scenario made manifest. Of all the wild card matchups this season, I think this one has the biggest potential for an upset. Yes, the Canucks stars are probably better on paper, but the Predators have veterans with real playoff experience. That could really matter here. This is likely going to be a tough, amazing series, and I think there’s a chance Nashville gets it done in the end.
Prediction: NSH over VAN in 7
Edmonton Oilers (P2) vs. Los Angeles Kings (P3)
In 2022, the Oilers defeated the Kings in seven games. In 2023, the Oilers won in six games. In 2024, the Oilers are winning in six again. Connor McDavid is the best player in the world. He could score fifteen goals in four games, and I wouldn’t be surprised. I think he goes nuclear against the Kings and wills the Oilers to the second round. That’s not to say that the Kings don’t stand a chance. The Kings’ stars have been effective, and at the beginning of the season, they looked like a real cup contender, until they forgot how to play hockey for like 30 games. They have a ton of playoff veterans, but there are consistency and goaltending issues. I don’t see them keeping McDavid, Draisaitl, and the rest of the Oilers at bay.
Prediction: EDM over LAK in 6
Jordan Wasserberger ’27 (jwasserberger@college.harvard.edu) is going to synagogue every Friday of the playoffs to pray for the Rangers.