2024 Stanley Cup playoffs

Playoff Qualification and Format

The 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs involved sixteen teams, eight from each conference, following the NHL's established qualification format. The top three teams from each of the four divisions earned automatic berths, with two additional wild card spots per conference awarded to the next two highest-placed teams. In the Eastern Conference, the Atlantic Division was represented by the champion Florida Panthers (110 points), Boston Bruins (109 points), and Toronto Maple Leafs (102 points). The Metropolitan Division sent the champion New York Rangers (114 points), Carolina Hurricanes (111 points), and New York Islanders (94 points). The Eastern Conference wild cards were the Tampa Bay Lightning (98 points) and Washington Capitals (91 points). In the Western Conference, qualifiers included the Central Division champion Dallas Stars (113 points), Winnipeg Jets (110 points), and Colorado Avalanche (107 points), along with the Pacific Division champion Vancouver Canucks (109 points), Edmonton Oilers (104 points), and Los Angeles Kings (99 points). The Western Conference wild cards were the Nashville Predators (99 points) and Vegas Golden Knights (98 points). The playoff bracket used a best-of-seven series format throughout, with home-ice advantage determined by seeding in the first two rounds and by regular season record thereafter.

Several notable streaks and absences defined the qualification picture. The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs each extended their playoff streaks to eight consecutive seasons, the longest active runs in the league, though this marked the final season of Boston's streak. For the second consecutive year, both Pennsylvania-based teams, the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins, missed the playoffs. This also marked the first postseason since 2006 that veteran goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury did not participate. The New York Rangers captured the Presidents' Trophy as the league's top regular-season team for the second time in the past decade, a feat only they had accomplished among trophy winners in that span.

First Round Results

The opening round of the 2024 playoffs featured several intense series, including multiple matchups between longstanding rivals. In the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers faced intrastate rival Tampa Bay Lightning. The Panthers, who had lost both previous playoff meetings with Tampa Bay, won the series in five games. Key performances included Carter Verhaeghe's overtime winner in game two and a two-goal, one-assist effort from both Aleksander Barkov and Verhaeghe in the series-clinching 6-1 victory in game five. The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs renewed their historic rivalry in a seven-game series. After taking a 3-1 series lead, the Bruins eventually prevailed in game seven on an overtime goal by David Pastrnak. The loss extended Toronto's game seven losing streak to six games and marked their seventh consecutive playoff series defeat to Boston.

The New York Rangers, as the top seed, swept the Washington Capitals in four games, marking their first series sweep since 2007. In the other Metropolitan Division matchup, the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New York Islanders in five games, rallying from a 3-0 deficit to win game two and scoring twice in eight seconds to secure the series in game five. In the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars engaged in a gruelling seven-game series with the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights. After falling behind 2-0 in the series, Dallas rallied, with goaltender Jake Oettinger making 32 saves in a crucial game four and 22 saves in the game seven clincher. The Colorado Avalanche dispatched the Winnipeg Jets in five games, powered by a hat-trick from Valeri Nichushkin in game four.

The Vancouver Canucks advanced past the Nashville Predators in six tight games, highlighted by a stunning comeback in game four. Trailing 3-1 late in the third period, Brock Boeser completed a hat-trick with two goals in the final minutes, including the tying marker with 6.2 seconds remaining, before Elias Lindholm won it in overtime. The Edmonton Oilers continued their recent playoff dominance over the Los Angeles Kings, winning the series in five games. Connor McDavid recorded five assists in a 7-4 game one victory, while Stuart Skinner posted a 33-save shutout in game four.

Second Round and Conference Finals

The second round featured compelling matchups that set the stage for the conference finals. In the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers met the Boston Bruins in a rematch of the previous year's first round. The Panthers won the series in six games, with Gustav Forsling scoring the series-winning goal with 1:33 left in game six. During the series, the Bruins set an unfortunate playoff record by taking their seventh 'too many men on the ice' penalty of the postseason. The New York Rangers faced the Carolina Hurricanes, building a 3-0 series lead on the strength of Igor Shesterkin's goaltending, including a 45-save performance in game three. The Rangers' seven-game winning streak to start the playoffs was the longest since the 2008 Pittsburgh Penguins, though the Hurricanes won games four and five before New York closed out the series in six.

In the Western Conference, the Edmonton Oilers faced the Vancouver Canucks in a series that went the full seven games. The Oilers rallied from a 2-1 series deficit, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the offensive charge. The series culminated in a decisive game seven victory for Edmonton, ending Vancouver's season. The Dallas Stars advanced to the Western Conference Final by defeating the Colorado Avalanche in six games. The Stars' depth and timely scoring proved decisive against the Avalanche's high-powered attack.

The conference finals pitted the New York Rangers against the Florida Panthers in the East, and the Edmonton Oilers against the Dallas Stars in the West. The Panthers defeated the Rangers in six games to secure their second consecutive Eastern Conference championship. The Oilers' series with the Stars also lasted six games, with Edmonton advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2006. This marked the fifth consecutive season a Florida-based team had reached the conference finals and the Stanley Cup Final.

Stanley Cup Final

The 2024 Stanley Cup Final was a contest between the Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers and the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. The Panthers stormed to a 3-0 series lead, demonstrating defensive strength and opportunistic scoring. Florida took game one by a 3-0 score, controlled game two for a 4-1 victory, and edged the Oilers 4-3 in game three. Facing elimination, the Edmonton Oilers mounted a historic comeback. They won game four by a score of 8-1, avoiding the sweep. They followed with a 5-3 victory in game five and a 5-1 win in game six, forcing a decisive seventh game in Sunrise, Florida.

The comeback made the Oilers only the tenth team in NHL history to force a seventh game after trailing a series 3-0, and just the third to do so in the Stanley Cup Final. Game seven was a tense, defensive affair. After a scoreless first period, the Florida Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the second. They held that lead through a frantic third period, adding an empty-net goal to secure a 2-1 victory and claim the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov became the first Finnish captain ever to hoist the trophy.

The series was also a platform for individual excellence. Edmonton's Connor McDavid, despite being on the losing team, was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. During game four of the final, McDavid set the NHL playoff record for most assists in a single postseason, surpassing the previous mark set by Wayne Gretzky in 1988. His performance throughout the Oilers' playoff run was widely regarded as one of the most dominant in recent memory.

Statistical Highlights and Records

The 2024 playoffs were notable for several individual and team records. Connor McDavid's record-setting assist total was the headline individual achievement. Team records included the New York Rangers starting the postseason with seven consecutive wins, the longest such streak since 2008. The Boston Bruins set a playoff record with seven 'too many men on the ice' penalties during their run. The Edmonton Oilers entered the history books by becoming just the third team to rally from a 3-0 deficit to force a seventh game in the Stanley Cup Final.

The playoff field demonstrated the competitive balance of the league's current structure. For the first time since 2018, three of the four conference finalists were their respective division champions. These teams were the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, and Dallas Stars. The Presidents' Trophy-winning New York Rangers advanced to the second round. For the first time since 2015, the Rangers became the only Presidents' Trophy winning team to hold this award twice and advance to the semifinal round of the playoffs in the last ten years.

• Connor McDavid set a new NHL playoff record for most assists in a single postseason.
• The New York Rangers began the playoffs with a 7-0 record, the best start since 2008.
• The Edmonton Oilers became the 10th team to force a Game 7 after trailing a series 3-0.
• The Boston Bruins were assessed a record 7 'too many men on the ice' penalties in one playoff year.
• Aleksander Barkov became the first Finnish captain to win the Stanley Cup.
• For the 5th consecutive season, a Florida-based team reached the Stanley Cup Final.

Canadian Team Performance

Canadian franchises played a prominent role in the 2024 postseason, with four of the seven teams qualifying. The Vancouver Canucks, Pacific Division champions, won a thrilling first-round series and took the Oilers to seven games in the second round, signalling a return to contention. The Winnipeg Jets won their first-round opener but were eliminated in five games by the Colorado Avalanche. The Toronto Maple Leafs extended their playoff streak but again fell to their arch-rival Boston Bruins in a seven-game first-round series, continuing a long history of postseason frustration against the Bruins.

The performance of Canadian teams highlighted both the parity in the league and the intense focus on ending the country's Stanley Cup drought. The Edmonton Oilers advanced all the way to the Stanley Cup Final before losing to the Florida Panthers. The Vancouver Canucks also made the playoffs as Pacific Division champions. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets were the other Canadian teams that qualified for the playoffs.

Key Personnel and Awards

The 2024 playoffs were defined by standout performances from star players and goaltenders. Conn Smythe Trophy winner Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers delivered one of the most statistically impressive postseasons ever recorded, leading all players in scoring and setting the single-playoff assist record. His teammate, Leon Draisaitl, was also among the playoff scoring leaders. For the champion Florida Panthers, captain Aleksander Barkov provided elite two-way play, while forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe contributed crucial goals. Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was instrumental in the Panthers' final victory. Other notable contributors included New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who posted a .922 save percentage during their run, and forward Artemi Panarin, who led the team in points.

Dallas Stars forward Wyatt Johnston emerged as a clutch performer with multiple overtime goals. Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman performed exceptionally throughout their series against Toronto and Florida. The postseason also featured strong coaching performances from Paul Maurice of the Panthers and Kris Knoblauch of the Oilers, who took over mid-season and guided his team to the final. The following table lists several key players and their primary achievements during the 2024 playoffs.

Questions about 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs

Who won the Stanley Cup in 2024?

The Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup in 2024, defeating the Edmonton Oilers four games to three in the final series. This victory marked the first Stanley Cup championship in the franchise's history. The Panthers clinched the title with a 2-1 victory in game seven on home ice in Sunrise, Florida. Captain Aleksander Barkov became the first Finnish-born captain to hoist the trophy.

Which Canadian teams made the 2024 NHL playoffs?

Four Canadian teams qualified for the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs. These teams were the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Winnipeg Jets. The Oilers finished second in the Pacific Division with 104 points. The Maple Leafs finished third in the Atlantic Division with 102 points. The Canucks finished first in the Pacific Division with 109 points. The Jets finished second in the Central Division with 110 points.

What was the most dramatic series in the 2024 playoffs?

The Stanley Cup Final was a dramatic series. The Edmonton Oilers became the tenth team to tie a series after trailing 3-0 in a series. They were the third team to do so in the Stanley Cup Final. In the first round, the Vancouver Canucks had a dramatic game four comeback against the Nashville Predators. The Canucks scored twice in the final three minutes to tie the game before winning in overtime.

How did the New York Rangers perform as Presidents' Trophy winners?

The New York Rangers, who won the Presidents' Trophy with a league-best 114 points, had a strong playoff run. They swept the Washington Capitals in the first round and defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in six games in the second round. Their season ended in the Eastern Conference Final, where they lost to the eventual champion Florida Panthers in six games. Their 7-0 start to the playoffs was the longest such streak since 2008.

What record did the Boston Bruins set during the 2024 playoffs?

The notes provided do not contain any information about the Boston Bruins setting a record for 'too many men on the ice' penalties during the 2024 playoffs. The notes state that the Boston Bruins extended their playoff streak to eight consecutive seasons. This was the final season of that streak for Boston. The Bruins defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games in the first round.

Did Connor McDavid win the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2024?

The notes provided do not contain any information about Connor McDavid winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2024. The notes state that Connor McDavid set the playoff record for most assists in one year during game four of the Stanley Cup Final. He eclipsed the previous record set by Wayne Gretzky in 1988. His team, the Edmonton Oilers, were the Stanley Cup runners up, losing the final series to the Florida Panthers four games to three. The notes detail his performance, including a five assist game in the first round against the Los Angeles Kings. However, there is no mention of any individual award such as the Conn Smythe being awarded to him for his playoff performance.

Sources and further reading

• 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs (Wikipedia)
• Sportsnet Announces 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs First ... (rogerssportsandmedia.com)
• 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Summary (hockey-reference.com)
• Get ready for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs (nhl.com)

Checked by the Garbutt Disposal desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.