2024 Stanley Cup playoffs: Takeaways from the first 33 games - ESPN

Through the first 33 games of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, one team was swept, while six of the other seven series reached 3-1 (Stars-Golden Knights is 2-2). It's been a bit lopsided, but there's been no shortage of drama.

From goaltending decisions to lineup moves to the usual slew of «only in hockey» injuries, it's been a wild 33 games to start off the postseason.

To put it all into context, here are ESPN reporters Ryan S. Clark, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski with their top takeaways after the second wave of first-round games.

If the past is prologue, the Florida Panthers' journey back to the Stanley Cup Final could have ended in the first round. The Tampa Bay Lightning eliminated the Panthers in both of their previous playoff meetings, taking them out in six games in 2021 and then sweeping them in 2022.

«At some point you knew you were going to have them again and you've got to be able to get over that hump,» Florida center Aleksander Barkov said, «and we did it this year.»

Florida's five-game victory over the Lightning didn't just advance the Panthers to the second round. It offered them catharsis and validation.

«Tons of respect for what they've done and for all the players on the team that have won there,» Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk said. «Just to be in a playoff series against your biggest rival is so cool.»

Anthony Duclair has seen both sides of the rivalry in the last year, having been a Panther last season and then getting sent to the Lightning at the trade deadline from the San Jose Sharks.

«They're a well-rounded, well-built team,» he said after Game 5. «It starts with Bob. He made some key saves in key moments.»

Take out that horror show Game 4 in which he gave up six goals, and Sergei Bobrovsky