Apr 21, 2024 - 06:55
By espn.com

Stanley Cup playoffs 2024: NHL postseason team predictions - ESPN

The 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs are here! It took until the final two games of the regular season to determine final seeding for the bracket, but with the puck ready to drop Saturday on our first playoff action, it's time for our jumbo-sized preview.

We've got all the angles covered to get you ready for the playoffs as ESPN hockey reporters Ryan S. Clark and Kristen Shilton take a look at each of the 16 postseason teams, offering the reasons each team could win it all, along with the (potentially) biggest flaws, players to watch and a bold prediction for every contender.

Note: Profiles for the Atlantic and Metropolitan playoff brackets were written by Shilton, while Clark analyzed the Central and Pacific clubs. Also note that wild-card teams are listed according to the playoff bracket in which they're playing (so the Nashville Predators are in the Pacific, for instance).

Stats are collected from sites such as Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference and Evolving Hockey.

Greg Wyshynski breaks down all you need to know going into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Record: 52-24-6, 110 points

Case for a Stanley Cup run: Florida was an eleventh hour addition to the postseason field last year and wound up going all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. This year's Panthers have been anything but underdogs, and their chances of returning to the Final are better than ever. Florida ran it back this season with nearly the same roster intact — including 15 skaters from that Cup Final lineup — and have since added more experience with Vladimir Tarasenko and Niko Mikkola among others.

Florida's real strength, though, comes through