EASTERN CONFERENCE
Carolina Hurricanes (1st in Metropolitan Division) vs. New Jersey Devils (2nd in Metropolitan Division)
The New Jersey Devils won their first playoff series since 2012 after defeating the New York Rangers in the opening round of the playoffs. They meet the Carolina Hurricanes, who defeated the New York Islanders in six games. The Hurricanes and Devils have met in the playoffs four times previously; the Hurricanes won three of the previous four meetings, including the most recent one in 2008-09. The teams met four times in the 2022-23 regular season; the Hurricanes won two, and the Devils won the other two. However, Devils goaltender Akira Schmid, who started five of the seven playoff games in the first round for the Devils, did not play against the Hurricanes in the regular season.
Prediction: Carolina in six games.
Toronto Maple Leafs (2nd in Atlantic Division) vs. Florida Panthers (2nd Eastern Conference wild card)
The Florida Panthers became the talk of the hockey world after they defeated the Boston Bruins in seven games in the opening round, a series which many consider to be one of the biggest upsets in NHL history. The series win also marks the first time in franchise history that the Panthers have advanced in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in consecutive seasons. In the second round, they face the Toronto Maple Leafs, who defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games. This series marks the first playoff meeting between the Leafs and Panthers.
Prediction: Florida in four games.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Vegas Golden Knights (1st in Pacific Division) vs. Edmonton Oilers (2nd in Pacific Division)
The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round of the playoffs for the second straight season, thanks to an unstoppable offensive core. They face the Vegas Golden Knights, who defeated the Winnipeg Jets in five games in the opening round. The Oilers won three of the four regular season meetings against the Golden Knights in the regular season. This marks the first playoff meeting between the Oilers and Knights. The question marks for both teams would be the goaltending. Edmonton uses rookie goaltender Stuart Skinner, whereas Vegas uses goaltender Laurent Brossoit, who has never played more than 24 regular season games in a season.
Prediction: Edmonton in seven games.
Dallas Stars (2nd in Central Division) vs. Seattle Kraken (1st Western Conference wild card)
The Seattle Kraken made NHL history by becoming the first expansion team to win their first ever playoff series against the defending Stanley Cup Champions after defeating the Colorado Avalanche in seven games in the opening round. They face the Dallas Stars, who advanced in the playoffs for the first time since 2020 after defeating the Minnesota Wild in the opening round. Dallas won two of the three regular season meetings against Seattle. The Kraken needs to have their special teams game be as strong as it was against the Avalanche if they hope to advance again. Dallas needs to have goaltender Jake Oettinger deliver the way he did in the opening round.
Prediction: Dallas in seven games.
Subject: The 2022-23 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Second round predictions 
Tue May 02, 2023 12:28 pm
