Full first-round schedule for 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The chase for the Stanley Cup is here.

Sixteen NHL teams secured their spot in the 2024 playoff field. The New York Rangers led the Eastern Conference by earning the Presidents’ Trophy, while the Dallas Stars shined brightest in the West. The defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights are also back in the playoff mix, as are the reigning runners-up Florida Panthers.

Here’s everything to know about the NHL’s first-round schedule:

When did the NHL playoffs start?

The 2024 playoffs began on Saturday, April 20.

NHL first-round playoff matchups

Here are the first-round matchups in each conference:

Eastern Conference

• Atlantic 1 Florida Panthers vs. Wild Card 1 Tampa Bay Lightning: Panthers won series 4-1
• Atlantic 2 Boston Bruins vs. Atlantic 3 Toronto Maple Leafs: Bruins lead 3-2
• Metropolitan 1 New York Rangers vs. Wild Card 2 Washington Capitals: Rangers won series 4-0
• Metropolitan 2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. Metropolitan 3 New York Islanders: Hurricanes won series 4-1

Western Conference

• Central 1 Dallas Stars vs. Wild Card 2 Vegas Golden Knights: Stars lead 3-2
• Central 2 Winnipeg Jets vs. Central 3 Colorado Avalanche: Avalanche won series 4-1
• Pacific 1 Vancouver Canucks vs. Wild Card 1 Nashville Predators: Canucks lead 3-2
• Pacific 2 Edmonton Oilers vs. Pacific 3 Los Angeles Kings: Oilers won series 4-1

NHL first-round playoff schedule

Here's an updated look at the first-round schedule (* = if necessary):

Eastern Conference

Panthers vs. Lightning

• Game 1: Panthers 3, Lightning 2
• Game 2: Panthers 3, Lightning 2 (OT)
• Game 3: Panthers 5, Lightning 3
• Game 4: Lightning 6, Panthers 3
• Game 5: Panthers 6, Lightning 1

Bruins vs. Maple Leafs

• Game 1: Bruins 5, Maple Leafs 1
• Game 2: Maple Leafs 3, Bruins 2
• Game 3: Bruins 4, Maple Leafs 2
• Game 4: Bruins 3, Maple Leafs 1
• Game 5: Maple Leafs 2, Bruins 1 (OT)
• Game 6: Bruins at Maple Leafs; Thursday, May 2 (8 p.m. ET, TBS)
• Game 7*: Maple Leafs at Bruins; Saturday, May 4 (TBD)

Rangers vs. Capitals

• Game 1: Rangers 4, Capitals 1
• Game 2: Rangers 4, Capitals 3
• Game 3: Rangers 3, Capitals 1
• Game 4: Rangers 4, Capitals 2

Hurricanes vs. Islanders

• Game 1: Hurricanes 3, Islanders 1
• Game 2: Hurricanes 5, Islanders 3
• Game 3: Hurricanes 3, Islanders 2
• Game 4: Islanders 3, Hurricanes 2 (2OT)
• Game 5: Hurricanes 6, Islanders 3

Western Conference

Stars vs. Golden Knights

• Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Stars 3
• Game 2: Golden Knights 3, Stars 1
• Game 3: Stars 3, Golden Knights 2 (2 OT)
• Game 4: Stars 4, Golden Knights 2
• Game 5: Stars 3, Golden Knights 2
• Game 6: Stars at Golden Knights; Friday, May 3 (10 p.m. ET, TNT)
• Game 7*: Golden Knights at Stars; Sunday, May 5 (TBD)

Jets vs. Avalanche

• Game 1: Jets 7, Avalanche 6
• Game 2: Avalanche 5, Jets 2
• Game 3: Avalanche 6, Jets 2
• Game 4: Avalanche 5, Jets 1
• Game 5: Avalanche 6, Jets 3

Canucks vs. Predators

• Game 1: Canucks 4, Predators 2
• Game 2: Predators 4, Canucks 1
• Game 3: Canucks 2, Predators 1
• Game 4: Canucks 4, Predators 3 (OT)
• Game 5: Predators 2, Canucks 1
• Game 6: Canucks at Predators; Friday, May 3 (7 p.m. ET, TNT)
• Game 7*: Predators at Canucks; Sunday, May 5 (TBD)

Oilers vs. Kings

• Game 1: Oilers 7, Kings 4
• Game 2: Kings 5, Oilers 4 (OT)
• Game 3: Oilers 6, Kings 1
• Game 4: Oilers 1, Kings 0
• Game 5: Oilers 4, Kings 3