The 2023-24 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Third round predictions

EASTERN CONFERENCE

New York Rangers (1st in Metropolitan Division) vs. Florida Panthers (1st in Atlantic Division)
The Florida Panthers are aiming to make the Stanley Cup Final for the second season in a row. However, in the Eastern Conference Final, they will face the New York Rangers, who had the best record in the regular season. This marks only the second time that the Rangers and Panthers have met in the playoffs, with the only other previous meeting being in 1996-97, when the Rangers beat the Panthers in the first round four games to one. The Rangers last made the Stanley Cup Final in 2013-14, when they were defeated by the Los Angeles Kings in five games. The Rangers and Panthers met in the regular season three times, with Florida winning two of the three meetings.
Prediction: New York in six games.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Dallas Stars (1st in Central Division) vs. Edmonton Oilers (2nd in Pacific Division)
The Edmonton Oilers were victorious over the Vancouver Canucks in what was the only seven game series of the second round. Six of the seven games were decided by one goal (Edmonton won the sixth game of the series by a 5-1 score in the only game decided by more than one goal. The Stars and Oilers have met in the playoffs eight times so far (including to when Dallas was located in Minnesota and known as the Minnesota North Stars), with Dallas winning six of the meetings, including the most recent one in 2002-03. Dallas won two of the three regular season meetings against Edmonton.
Prediction: Edmonton in seven games.