2024 NHL Playoffs: B/R Staff Conference Finals Predictions
And now, it gets really dramatic.
The final four teams vying for the Stanley Cup are all set as the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers have all reached the conference finals.
Florida is searching for its first Cup in franchise history while Dallas, New York and Edmonton haven't seen the NHL's ultimate glory in over 25 years. The stakes couldn't be any higher.
With that in mind, the B/R NHL Staff was called together to provide series predictions for the Eastern and Western Conference Finals.
So, which teams do you think are moving on to the Stanley Cup Final? Submit your picks now in the comments section of the B/R app.
Eastern Conference Final: New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers
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This is the second time in three years that the Rangers have reached the conference final, and it's the second straight appearance for the Panthers.
Both teams have strong goaltending with the Rangers backstopped by Igor Shesterkin and the Panthers by Sergei Bobrovsky. They also possess solid defense corps. New York packs plenty of scoring punch led by Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, but Florida has better two-way talent in Sam Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk.
The Panthers' physical game should give them the edge and put them over the top. It worked to their advantage against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins, and it will make the difference in what should be a long, grueling series against the Rangers.
Prediction: Panthers in 7
- Lyle Richardson
The Panthers, most notably Matthew Tkachuk, have referenced the pain they experienced losing in last year's Final throughout this season and now after every postseason round won.
This is a hungry team with all the tools. You've got several "rats" who are just as effective at scoring as they are drawing penalties and shaking their opponents' psyches. You've got scoring depth down the lineup, rounded out by the shrewd deadline acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko. They've got a healthy defense that has previously been missing and, of course, there's "Playoff Bob."
But these Rangers are simply flawless. They are elite players executing elite plays against elite competition. The whole squad is unfazed. And while many are "hungry," with various individual and team storylines throughout the lineup, their strategy is so systematic they don't need to rely too heavily on any potentially fleeting vibes.
Oh yeah, then there's Shesterkin.
Prediction: Rangers in 6
-Sara Civian
It's been a magical ride for the Rangers this season.
A Presidents' Trophy-winning campaign, a monster season from Panarin and a thrilling playoff run so far.
However, it comes to an end in the Eastern Conference Final.
The defending Eastern Conference champion Panthers are a mean and nasty team in the best way possible. Barkov, fresh off winning the Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward is an automatic neutralizer for an opposing team's top line. And Gustav Forsling has developed into a top defenseman during these playoffs, including the series-winning goal vs. Boston.
If Bobrovsky can stay in the same ballpark as countryman Shesterkin in goal, the advantage is clearly in favor of the Panthers. In the previous round, Carolina was able to carry the 5-on-5 advantage, but it couldn't capitalize in special teams situations.
The problem for New York is that Florida is better than the Hurricanes with higher-end scoring talent.
Prediction: Panthers in 6
- Lucky Ngamwajasat
The Rangers finished atop the standings and won the Presidents' Trophy, but that doesn't necessarily mean they were the league's best team.
That title instead goes to the Panthers, who finished four points behind to claim third in the East and tied for fourth overall. They're coming off a championship-series berth last spring and have lost just three games in two series while dusting Tampa Bay and Boston.
To suggest they're firing on all competitive cylinders would be an understatement. And it's easy to see just how much the disappointment of the handshake line with Vegas has galvanized the returning group, and how much better it got with the Tarasenko add.
That's not to say New York isn't deserving of its place and that the storyline of it being 30 years since the Messier-led Cup run isn't compelling. But it won't be enough. Not close.
Prediction: Panthers in 5
- Lyle Fitzsimmons
Justice is served in the East as the two best teams reach the conference final. At least on paper, this should be one of the best conference finals matchups in recent history.
By now, the Rangers should have shaken off all doubters. Yes, this is an unconventional contender. They rarely dictate play at five-on-five. A concoction of special teams, finishing and goaltending is usually a disaster in the making as those details are typically volatile. They have proved they are elite in all three aspects.
The Florida Panthers, like the Carolina Hurricanes, are a possession-heavy team. Unlike Carolina, they have credible goaltending, finishing and special teams play. Barkov and Tkachuk are much better than any forwards the Rangers faced in the second round.
This may come down to health and fitness. A bad version of Adam Fox is still better than most NHL defensemen, but he appeared to feel the effects of a leg injury in the second round.
Meanwhile, Filip Chytil appears set to return from a mystery absence after playing his first game since November. If he is fit and in a groove, he is an incredible luxury on the third line. If those two are going, and with home ice favoring the Rangers, I'll give the slight edge in a dead heat to the Presidents' Trophy winners.
Prediction: Rangers in 7
- Adam Herman
It was meant to be that these two teams faced off in the Eastern Conference Final. They've each been the best all year long and they've each showed why they're so difficult to beat. Both the Rangers and Panthers have stellar goaltending, defense and the ability to score at will.
Breaking down a series like this is so difficult because everything will be on a razor's edge. For the Rangers, Artemi Panarin's brilliance all year has carried over into the postseason and Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider have followed suit while Igor Shesterkin is, arguably, the best performer in the postseason right now.
The Panthers succeed by beating you with talent and nastiness, something they'll try to use to their advantage to get the Rangers out of their game. Matthew Tkachuk always brings his best and Sam Reinhart is a threat all over the place while Aleksander Barkov is an underappreciated great.
This is going to be a fantastic series.
Prediction: Panthers in 7
- Joe Yerdon
Western Conference Final: Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers
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The Stars are making their second straight conference final appearance and their third since 2020. Meanwhile, the Oilers are back for the second time in three years.
Four Oilers— Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins— lead all NHL postseason players in points while Zach Hyman leads all goal scorers. They're an offensive juggernaut that can be difficult to contain, especially on the power play.
The Stars, however, are a better-balanced team that can roll four lines, possess better blueline depth and have superior goaltending with Jake Oettinger. They possess a solid mix of veterans like Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Joe Pavelski and young stars like Miro Heiskanen, Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson.
That depth will make the difference in this series.
Prediction: Stars in 6
- Lyle Richardson
The Stars have prevailed despite the gauntlet it took to get them to this point.
First, they outlasted the reigning champion Vegas Golden Knights that took them down last season, then they got past the electric Avalanche and Hart finalist Nathan MacKinnon.
Perhaps this is exactly what the team that has been in the conversation, but just couldn't seem to get over the hump.
Next, they'll face the ever-menacing Oilers and all their big, bad, points scorers. This could be a defining series for goaltender Jake Oettinger if he can outlast the brunt of some of the best offensive firepower in the NHL.
It's a tall task, but he's been on the verge of truly breaking into elite goaltender status for a while now, and he's been up to the task in net.
Prediction: Stars in 7
-Sara Civian
As Sara had mentioned, the Stars have faced the West's very best and the last two Stanley Cup champions.
It certainly doesn't get any easier in the conference final.
But where Dallas has an enormous advantage is, again, as Sara mentioned, in goal. You're taking Jake Oettinger over Stuart Skinner in a best-of-7 series every day of the week.
And yes, the Oilers have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. With that said, have you seen Dallas lately and its group of young stars?
Wyatt Johnston has 11 points through 13 games in the postseason. Jason Robertson has 12 points. And Miro Heiskanen has 13.
Dallas has the firepower to match Edmonton, a strong, nasty defensive corps led by the addition of Chris Tanev and a sizeable goalie advantage.
Gimme the Stars here.
Prediction: Stars in 5
- Lucky Ngamwajasat
It seems pretty cut and dried here, eh?
The Stars are indeed deep. They do have a strong veteran core. And their goaltending is, in most cases, at least above average if not consistently excellent.
So it makes perfect sense for people to pick them in one-sided fashion.
But the Oilers are doing a fine job bucking trends so far.
They were beaten, 8-1, in the 2023-24 season-opener against Vancouver and wound up losing all four pre-playoff matchups against the Canucks by a combined 21-7.
And then they beat them in the second round, holding them to 20 goals in seven games.
Dallas was 1-0 against Edmonton before coach Jay Woodcroft was shown the door, then split two subsequent meetings. And it's not as if the Stars have gone unchallenged in the tournament up to now, losing three times at home and five times overall in 13 games.
Their penalty kill is worst among teams still playing, which is particularly pertinent given the Oilers' league-best power play. And don't forget that Edmonton has averaged more shots, allowed fewer shots, and has the world's best player in that McDavid kid.
If Skinner is mediocre, it's a done deal. But if he's good, it's an upset special.
Prediction: Oilers in 6
- Lyle Fitzsimmons
It's the same story as ever for Edmonton. The top of the lineup is incredible. McDavid and Draisaitl are superstars. Bouchard is one of the top offensive defensemen in the league. The defense lacks depth and goaltender Skinner has struggled to the point of getting benched for Calvin Pickard in the second round.
The Stars look like a force. Vegas and Colorado were unfairly difficult matchups in rounds one and two for a team that topped the conference, but they got through both series.
Dallas made a move for shutdown defenseman Chris Tanev at the deadline and he has delivered, in particular shutting down Nathan MacKinnon.
McDavid and Draisaitl are the Final Boss in the West for Tanev, Heiskanen, goaltender and Jake Oettinger, but Dallas has the structure and defensive talent to mitigate the damage while letting their own top players produce.
Prediction: Stars in 5
- Adam Herman
It'll be a fascinating contrast of styles between Dallas and Edmonton. The Stars play brilliant defensively with superb goaltending and have all the weapons on offense to win games. Edmonton has offense for days and... well, a lot of offense!
The Oilers showed they have a lot of heart in being able to get past the Vancouver Canucks in seven games. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard were all fantastic and that's what you need to get you places in the postseason. Having your big players playing big is important.
But Dallas is beating teams with efficiency and an all-around attack. If it's not Wyatt Johnston scoring big goals, it's Joe Pavelski or Jason Robertson. And even if those guys aren't scoring a ton, there's Miro Heiskanen playing fantastic at both ends of the ice while Jake Oettinger stands tall in goal.
Dallas has been a machine all year and looks even more menacing in the playoffs.
Prediction: Stars in 5
- Joe Yerdon
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