Stanley Cup playoffs 2024: NHL conference finals preview - ESPN

Sixteen NHL teams qualified for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs. But with two rounds complete, the field is down to the final four competitors.

Each team brings a unique set of narratives to the conference finals round — on and off the ice.

Here's everything you need to know about the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers.

How they got here: Defeated Lightning 4-1, Bruins 4-2
Playoff takeaways

Goalie confidence rating: 8/10

Sergei Bobrovsky has improved throughout the playoffs. That's excellent news for Florida as it faces perhaps its toughest offensive challenge yet in the high-flying, high-scoring New York Rangers.

The Panthers' netminder is a solid 8-3 in the postseason, with a .902 save percentage and 2.37 goals-against average. Bobrovsky was fine in the first round but hit a real stride in the second round. The Bruins didn't test Bobrovsky often, and he had to be sharp when they did; for the most part, he has come through when Florida has needed him.

Bobrovsky's 22-save performance in Game 6 to close out Boston was some of his finest work, which should have him feeling in tiptop shape ahead of this conference finals bout.

What we've learned about the Panthers so far

Florida is impressively multifaceted, and there isn't one area where the Panthers are truly deficient. They've averaged the most goals per game among Eastern Conference playoff teams (3.55); they are stingy defensively (allowing 2.45 goals per game and only 24.1 shots on net); and they have solid special teams (with a 22% power play and 86.1% penalty kill).

Most importantly, though, Florida is balanced. The Panthers' stars have contributed as expected, with Carter Verhaeghe (six goals and 11 points), Matthew Tkachuk (four