The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin on Monday night with the Islanders kicking off local action down in Raleigh against the Carolina Hurricanes.
It’s a tantalizing appetizer for the main course around the Big Apple, which is a massive rivalry tilt between the Rangers and Devils that begins on Tuesday.
While the Metropolitan area will like its chances to have representation late in the playoffs, the rest of the field provides the favorites.
The Boston Bruins are coming off a historic season with 65 wins and 135 points and look poised to run over the league. But the defending champion Avalanche look to hit their stride out west — though Connor McDavid and the dangerous Edmonton Oilers might have something to say about that.
Check out our first-round predictions below:
Christian Arnold, staff writer
Eastern Conference
- Bruins vs. Panthers: Panthers in 7
- Maple Leafs vs. Lightning: Maple Leafs in 6
- Hurricanes vs. Islanders: Hurricanes in 6
- Devils vs. Rangers: Rangers in 7
Western Conference
- Golden Knights vs. Jets: Golden Knights in 6
- Oilers vs. Kings: Oilers in 6
- Avalanche vs. Kraken: Avalanche in 5
- Stars vs. Wild: Stars in 6
Nick Faria, staff writer
Eastern Conference
- Bruins vs. Panthers – Panthers in 5
- Maple Leafs vs. Lightning – Maple Leafs in 7
- Hurricanes vs. Islanders – Islanders in 6
- Devils vs. Rangers – Rangers in 7
- Golden Knights vs. Jets – Vegas in 6
- Oilers vs. Kings – Edmonton in 6
- Avalanche vs. Kraken – Colorado in 5
- Stars vs. Wild – Dallas in 7
Joe Pantorno, executive sports editor
Eastern Conference
- Bruins vs. Panthers: Bruins in 5
- Maple Leafs vs. Lightning: Maple Leafs in 6
- Hurricanes vs. Islanders: Islanders in 7
- Devils vs. Rangers: Devils in 7
Western Conference
- Golden Knights vs. Jets: Golden Knight s in 6
- Oilers vs. Kings: Oilers in 6
- Avalanche vs. Kraken: Avalanche in 5
- Stars vs. Wild: Stars in 6
Eric Samulski, managing sports editor
Eastern Conference
- Bruins vs. Panthers: Bruins in 5
- Maple Leafs vs. Lightning: Maple Leafs in 6
- Hurricanes vs. Islanders: Islanders in 7
- Devils vs. Rangers: Rangers in 6
Western Conference First Round
- Golden Knights vs. Jets: Golden Knights in 6
- Oilers vs. Kings: Oilers in 5
- Avalanche vs. Kraken: Avalanche in 6
- Stars vs. Wild: Stars in 6
