Sixteen NHL groups certified for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs. However with two rounds full, the sector is all the way down to the ultimate 4 rivals.
Every group brings a singular set of narratives to the convention finals spherical — on and off the ice.
This is every part you could know concerning the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers.
How they obtained right here: Defeated Lightning 4-1, Bruins 4-2
Playoff takeaways
Goalie confidence score: 8/10
Sergei Bobrovsky has improved all through the playoffs. That is good news for Florida because it faces maybe its hardest offensive problem but within the high-flying, high-scoring New York Rangers.
The Panthers’ netminder is a stable 8-3 within the postseason, with a .902 save proportion and a pair of.37 goals-against common. Bobrovsky was positive within the first spherical however hit an actual stride within the second spherical. The Bruins did not take a look at Bobrovsky usually, and he needed to be sharp once they did; for essentially the most half, he has come by means of when Florida has wanted him.
Bobrovsky’s 22-save efficiency in Sport 6 to shut out Boston was a few of his most interesting work, which ought to have him feeling in tiptop form forward of this convention finals bout.
What we have realized concerning the Panthers up to now
Florida is impressively multifaceted, and there is not one space the place the Panthers are actually poor. They’ve averaged essentially the most objectives per recreation amongst Jap Convention playoff groups (3.55); they’re stingy defensively (permitting 2.45 objectives per recreation and solely 24.1 photographs on internet); they usually have stable particular groups (with a 22% energy play and 86.1% penalty kill).
Most significantly, although, Florida is balanced. The Panthers’ stars have contributed as anticipated, with Carter Verhaeghe (six objectives and 11 factors), Matthew Tkachuk (4 objectives and 14 factors), and Aleksander Barkov (5 objectives and 13 factors) excelling. Florida’s depth skaters have made their mark, from Evan Rodrigues (three objectives and 6 factors) to Anton Lundell (two objectives and 9 factors). The Panthers have benefited from well timed scoring from the again finish, too: Gustav Forsling netting the sport winner in Sport 6 towards Boston was particularly notable, and Brandon Montour (three objectives and eight factors) has been excellent.
The Panthers have enviable depth and an all-around recreation on which to lean.
Gamers who will probably be key to this sequence
New York is the Jap Convention’s second-highest-scoring offense within the postseason (averaging 3.50 objectives per recreation), proper behind Florida, so Bobrovsky being at his greatest is important for the Panthers. Bobrovsky wasn’t overly taxed by Boston (an issue as a result of most goalies desire a busier workload), and the Rangers challenge to do the precise reverse by peppering the Panthers’ goalie at 5-on-5 and with their wonderful energy play.
Matching New York’s potential assault falls on the Panthers’ top-six skaters, however Tkachuk and Sam Bennett must be significantly engaged with their grittiness to get beneath the Rangers’ pores and skin. Florida does not need to be in a monitor meet reverse a lineup like New York’s, and setting a tone with some physicality and strain — whereas holding the Rangers to the skin and away from these juicy rush probabilities — is a perfect recipe for Florida to comply with. New York is not throwing many hits within the postseason (thirteenth total in that class) so the Panthers can use their feistier forwards to their benefit.
Participant who must step up
Make no mistake, Sam Reinhart has been stable within the playoffs, with 5 objectives and 9 factors by means of 11 video games. However it is a sequence the place he can shine. Reinhart had an incredible common season, scoring 57 objectives and 94 factors (together with 4 objectives within the regular-season sequence towards New York). He simply hasn’t been lighting up the rating sheet as usually within the playoffs, with solely two objectives in six video games towards Boston (and one four-assist efficiency).
It simply feels as if there’s extra Reinhart can provide, significantly on particular groups, the place he has simply two factors. The margins for victory turn into smaller the deeper a group goes, and Reinhart has the power to interrupt issues open for Florida. The Rangers have been closely star-driven within the playoffs, and it is how they’ve arrived within the convention finals. Florida’s depth has been a big asset, however at this juncture, a real standout like Reinhart could make the series-defining distinction.
Can Florida’s energy play match New York’s?
The Panthers did not have constant success towards Boston’s terrific penalty kill (minus a four-goal outburst with the person benefit in Sport 3). Florida was 0-for-7 with the additional man in Video games 5 and 6, two contests determined by a single objective. In the meantime, New York’s energy play has been a decisive think about its success all through the playoffs, and it has gotten the Rangers by means of some tightly contested battles.
The Panthers cannot afford to let many power-play alternatives slip away. That will not be straightforward, given the Rangers’ penalty kill is great at 89.5%. There’s little doubt Florida has the expertise to make extra noise on the person benefit, with seven gamers scoring there up to now — it is only a matter of breaking by means of New York’s defenses.
If the Panthers can put some doubt within the Rangers on that entrance early within the sequence, it will be a confidence booster. If Florida cannot, there will probably be nail-biting outcomes sooner or later.
How they obtained right here: Defeated Capitals 4-0, Hurricanes 4-2
Playoff takeaways
Goalie confidence score: 9.5/10
Igor Shesterkin is arguably New York’s postseason MVP. The Rangers’ netminder has the playoff discipline’s greatest report (8-2), a .923 SV% and a 2.40 GAA. At nearly no level has New York needed to make up for errors on his finish.
Shesterkin has been an absolute difference-maker for the Rangers — that good cease on Andrei Svechnikov within the waning minutes of Sport 6 of their second-round sequence towards Carolina was a jaw-dropper — and he has been markedly constant, with a .910 or higher SV% in 80% of the group’s postseason video games.
It is no exaggeration to say New York’s hopes of reaching a Stanley Cup Closing — and profitable all of it — hinge closely on Shesterkin persevering with to be the Vezina Trophy-caliber goaltender he has been for the reason that first spherical started.
What we have realized concerning the Rangers up to now
The Rangers have not strayed a lot from what made them this season’s Presidents’ Trophy winners. New York boasts an elite energy play (at 31.4%) that nearly overcompensates for its common 5-on-5 scoring (the Rangers have simply 20 even-strength objectives by means of 10 postseason video games).
New York’s total success has come by means of its high abilities, from Shesterkin’s goaltending to elite performances from Mika Zibanejad (three objectives and 14 factors), Vincent Trocheck (six objectives and 14 factors), and Chris Kreider (seven objectives and 10 factors). The Rangers have not relied on their depth to make a distinction, and whereas that hasn’t damage them (a lot) up to now, it’s one thing they may look to enhance on towards Florida.
Defensively, New York does not make it straightforward on Shesterkin — permitting 32.5 photographs on internet per recreation — however the Rangers should not take their goaltending without any consideration. The Panthers can shortly make them pay for any sloppiness.
Gamers who will probably be key to this sequence
Shesterkin is crucial to New York’s hopes of getting previous Florida. Sure, the Panthers have additionally leaned on their goaltending at occasions, however Shesterkin is an intimidating presence within the crease and supplies the arrogance New York must play the back-and-forth fashion that results in these open scoring alternatives (but in addition makes the Rangers susceptible defensively).
Past Shesterkin, it is a sequence the place Trocheck can proceed to have a serious impression. He has been the Rangers’ most efficient skater on the facility play (with eight factors), and they’re going to proceed to depend on that potent man-advantage unit to hold them by means of one other spherical. Trocheck has additionally been one in every of New York’s stronger contributors at 5-on-5; serving to bolster the Rangers there will probably be important, particularly when the sequence inevitably will get tighter.
Participant who must step up
Artemi Panarin cooled off within the second spherical after a dominant begin to the postseason. There is no time like the current for Panarin to show these jets again on (so to talk).
Panarin has zero objectives and two assists in New York’s previous three video games, however he additionally leads the Rangers total in playoff recreation winners (4). His 11 complete factors exhibits he’s greater than able to avenging his previous postseason demons (simply two assists in seven video games final 12 months) by preserving his unimaginable regular-season exhibiting (49 objectives and 120 factors) on the forefront of this playoff push.
Whereas the second spherical noticed Panarin in a lull of kinds, he could make up for misplaced time on this sequence. Florida’s lineup is filled with scoring potential, and New York’s potential to match it’ll decide who advances. Panarin must be able to reply that bell.
Can New York’s protection maintain up — and lock down?
Enjoyable truth: The Hurricanes outshot the Rangers in all six of their second-round video games. Washington outshot New York in two of their 4 first-round video games. Regardless of a stable group of blueliners, New York has been channeling some “pretend it ’til you make it” power on the again finish (and Shesterkin taking part in lights-out is a giant purpose that hasn’t ruined the Rangers’ playoff run).
Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren have confronted New York’s hardest postseason matchups whereas being outshot 72-53 however not outscored (the Rangers have a objective fringe of 4-3) at even power. However that is a fragile tightrope to stroll; New York could possibly be one dangerous recreation from Shesterkin away from dropping its deal with on a sequence.
Bettering defensively falls not solely on the Rangers’ blueliners however on their forwards as properly. Run-and-gun may suffice within the common season, and having a potent energy play is nice. Full-team buy-in is healthier, and that is the query mark for New York heading into the convention finals. Can the Rangers do the little issues properly sufficient that the massive ones fall extra simply into place?
How they obtained right here: Defeated Golden Knights 4-3, Avalanche 4-2
Playoff takeaways
Goalie confidence score: 10/10
Jake Oettinger has performed extra than simply assist the Stars attain the convention finals. He is presenting one of many stronger Conn Smythe circumstances this postseason.
Again within the 2022 playoffs, the Stars had been ousted within the first spherical, however Oettinger was arguably the most important purpose they pushed the sequence to seven video games. His performances created the assumption that if the Stars may someway bolster their roster, they could be capable of pose a major problem. That point has arrived, and Oettinger has performed a big position.
What we have realized concerning the Stars up to now
They could be essentially the most adaptable group on this 12 months’s playoffs. Face the defending Stanley Cup champs within the first spherical? Spot them a 2-0 sequence lead, taking part in right into a narrative through which Dallas had misplaced 9 of 11 conferences? No downside. Advance to the second spherical and construct a three-goal lead in Sport 1, solely to surrender 4 unanswered in additional time? Yeah, the Stars discovered a solution to overcome that too.
The Stars have confronted the 2 most up-to-date Cup champions — whose rosters featured All-Stars resembling Jack Eichel, Cale Makar, Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Alex Pietrangelo — and nonetheless gained. Now they are going towards Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. If they should tackle a number of the NHL’s greatest gamers to show they’re the NHL’s greatest group, so be it.
Participant who will probably be key to this sequence
Miro Heiskanen is averaging greater than 28 minutes per recreation, with a few of his performances going longer than the run time of a sitcom. He leads his group in factors. He is on the controls of an influence play that’s scoring almost 30% of the time. The years of belief he has gained enable him to be matched up towards a number of the NHL’s greatest gamers on a nightly foundation. And he’s solely 24.
Ever since Heiskanen debuted within the 2018-19 season, the dialogue centered on how excessive his ceiling could be if he ever discovered a stage of offensive consistency that would come wherever near matching what he does on the defensive finish. What he did within the 2022-23 season offered a glimpse. What he has performed through the 2024 playoffs may land the Stars a Stanley Cup.
Participant who must step up
Joe Pavelski ranks thirty seventh in profession playoff factors, and he has 74 objectives in 195 postseason contests. That is what makes the truth that he has one objective and three factors in 13 video games this 12 months so jarring.
Pavelski performs the kind of recreation that is constructed to succeed, in that he depends on his intelligence and positioning to both get objectives or be in a spot that permits his teammates to get objectives. His defensive contributions have performed an element in why he is averaging greater than 18 minutes per recreation. But when Pavelski can begin producing extra on the rating sheet, it will make an already deep Dallas assault even deeper.
Will it’s 5 the arduous means or the enjoyment of six for the Stars on the again finish?
The success of their five-player defensive construction — coupled with Oettinger being in objective — has allowed objective prevention to be a key aspect of the Stars’ success. However as they get additional alongside, can they proceed to largely play 5 defensemen as a substitute of six?
Earlier than Sport 6 towards the Avalanche, the Stars relied closely on Thomas Harley, Esa Lindell, Ryan Suter, Chris Tanev and Heiskanen, whereas Nils Lundkvist averaged 4:27 in ice time in 12 video games. The Stars turned to veteran Alex Petrovic, who logged greater than 16 minutes of their double-overtime win. Even when a part of Petrovic’s workload elevated due to additional time, it is nonetheless extra ice time than what Lundkvist has acquired at any level in these playoffs. The final time Lundkvist acquired greater than 16 minutes in a single recreation got here again in January.
The Oilers will definitely make the Stars work on protection. Dallas’ blue-line rotation will probably be a important strategic level to look at because the sequence will get rolling.
How they obtained right here: Defeated Kings 4-1, Canucks 4-3
Playoff takeaways
Goalie confidence score: 8/10
For each setback, there was a comeback. That has been the narrative surrounding Stuart Skinner all through his skilled profession. It additionally describes how he managed to come back again from being pulled in Sport 3 of the Oilers’ second-round sequence and benched in Video games 4 and 5 earlier than returning to assist Edmonton shut out the sequence.
What Skinner offered in these remaining two video games was a goaltender who stopped photographs inside a defensive framework that takes away scoring probabilities and high-danger photographs, whether or not it is in 5-on-5 sequences or in short-handed conditions. If the Oilers can get that model of Skinner towards the Stars, it may see them take the subsequent step towards reaching their final vacation spot.
What we have realized concerning the Oilers up to now
Aim prevention is simply as a lot a precedence for Edmonton as objective creation. One of many looming questions dealing with the Oilers over the previous few years was whether or not they may discover consistency inside their defensive construction. It is a query they’ve frequently answered since they moved on from Jay Woodcroft and employed Kris Knoblauch as head coach, which led to the addition of Corridor of Fame defenseman Paul Coffey to the Edmonton teaching workers. The arrival of Knoblauch and Coffey has since turned the Oilers right into a group that may each create and remedy issues in both finish of the ice.
Perhaps the strongest instance of that progress has come through the playoffs. Within the first spherical, the Kings went from scoring 9 objectives within the first two video games to scoring a complete of 4 objectives over the subsequent three. The identical applies to the Canucks, who went from scoring 11 objectives within the first three video games to eight objectives for the ultimate 4 video games of the sequence.
Participant who will probably be key to this sequence
There are a number of causes to spotlight Leon Draisaitl with regards to why this could possibly be the Oilers’ 12 months to win the Cup. One among them got here within the remaining minutes of Sport 7, when Draisaitl was one in every of Edmonton’s most lively gamers on the defensive finish. His funding into being aggressive on the forecheck performed an element in Vancouver’s struggles to get settled in an try and discover a game-tying objective. Draisaitl’s stick was continuously transferring to disrupt passes or present some kind of further impediment.
A lot might be mentioned about his defensive skills earlier than attending to the truth that he is one of many recreation’s most harmful gamers on the offensive finish — he leads all playoff scorers, with 24 factors in 12 video games — reinforcing why he could be a very powerful Oiler, if not a very powerful participant, on this sequence.
Participant who must step up
Dylan Holloway has used the previous few video games to indicate that he’s making an impression. He began Sport 7 on the second line and has recorded a objective and two factors over his previous two video games.
Receiving these kinds of contributions from Holloway is essential for a few causes. It stems from the expectation of being a first-round choose in a company that has discovered success with others taken within the opening spherical. Edmonton should additionally discover methods to get as a lot secondary and tertiary offense as doable. In a giant sequence (and probably a Stanley Cup Closing), Holloway can take optimistic profession strides because the Oilers make a push to remain among the many high Cup contenders.
What occurs if Connor McDavid begins constantly scoring once more?
It is not like McDavid hasn’t been busy. He has created objectives for others whereas anchoring Edmonton’s high line and likewise driving a power-play unit that at one level was changing at a charge of fifty% this postseason. That is what makes McDavid a perpetual risk who requires everybody’s consideration.
However the truth that he has scored solely two objectives by means of 12 postseason video games raises two questions: What does it say that the Oilers can get this far with no need McDavid to attain in bunches? And the way terrifying may Edmonton be if McDavid begins constantly scoring once more and continues to create for these round him?