Stanley Cup Playoffs Central: The first-round bracket is (nearly) set

The 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs are here, as 16 teams compete for the most magnificent trophy in sports. The record-setting Boston Bruins are the No. 1 overall seed, but their path will be a tough one. Out West, the defending Cup champion Colorado Avalanche hope to continue their reign atop the league, after playing some of their best hockey as the regular season came to a close.

But there are 14 other teams with an equal chance to win 16 games and raise the sacred chalice. After a grueling, 82-game campaign, the “second season” has arrived.

Read on for the full playoff coverage from every first-round series all the way through the Stanley Cup Final.

Note: The Central Division seeding has yet to be completed, pending Friday’s Avalanche-Predators game.

More: Playoff schedule
Final standings
Regular-season stats

First round

Jump to:
Atlantic: BOS-FLA | TOR-TB
Metro: CAR-NYI | NJ-NYR
Central: DAL/COL-SEA | COL/DAL-MIN
Pacific: VGK-WPG | EDM-LA

Atlantic Division

Regular-season records:

• Bruins: 65-12-5, 135 points

• Panthers: 42-32-8, 92 points

Leading scorers:

Schedule:

Game 1 (at BOS): April 17, TBD
Game 2 (at BOS): April 19, TBD
Game 3 (at FLA): TBD
Game 4 (at FLA): TBD
Game 5 (at BOS): TBD
Game 6 (at FLA): TBD
Game 7 (at BOS): TBD

Regular-season records:

• Maple Leafs: 50-21-11, 111 points

• Lightning: 46-30-6, 98 points

Leading scorers:

Schedule:

Game 1 (at TOR): April 18, TBD
Game 2 (at TOR): April 20, TBD
Game 3 (at TB): TBD
Game 4 (at TB): TBD
Game 5 (at TOR): TBD
Game 6 (at TB): TBD
Game 7 (at TOR): TBD

Metro Division

Regular-season records:

• Hurricanes: 52-21-9, 113 points

• Islanders: 42-31-9, 93 points

Leading scorers:

Schedule:

Game 1 (at CAR): April 17, TBD
Game 2 (at CAR): April 19, TBD
Game 3 (at NYI): TBD
Game 4 (at NYI): TBD
Game 5 (at CAR): TBD
Game 6 (at NYI): TBD
Game 7 (at CAR): TBD

Regular-season records:

• Devils: 52-22-8, 112 points

• Rangers: 47-22-13, 107 points

Leading scorers:

Schedule:

Game 1 (at NJ): April 18, TBD
Game 2 (at NJ): April 20, TBD
Game 3 (at NYR): TBD
Game 4 (at NYR): TBD
Game 5 (at NJ): TBD
Game 6 (at NYR): TBD
Game 7 (at NJ): TBD

Central Division

Regular-season records:

• Stars: 47-21-14, 108 points

• Avalanche: 50-24-7, 107 points

• Kraken: 46-28-8, 100 points

Leading scorers:

Schedule:

Game 1 (at DAL/COL): TBD
Game 2 (at DAL/COL): TBD
Game 3 (at SEA): TBD
Game 4 (at SEA): TBD
Game 5 (at DAL/COL): TBD
Game 6 (at SEA): TBD
Game 7 (at DAL/COL): TBD

Regular-season records:

• Avalanche: 50-24-7, 107 points

• Stars: 47-21-14, 108 points

• Wild: 46-25-11, 103 points

Leading scorers:

Schedule:

Game 1 (at COL/DAL): TBD
Game 2 (at COL/DAL): TBD
Game 3 (at MIN): TBD
Game 4 (at MIN): TBD
Game 5 (at COL/DAL): TBD
Game 6 (at MIN): TBD
Game 7 (at COL/DAL): TBD

Pacific Division

Regular-season records:

Leading scorers:

Schedule:

Game 1 (at VGK): April 18, TBD
Game 2 (at VGK): April 20, TBD
Game 3 (at WPG): TBD
Game 4 (at WPG): TBD
Game 5 (at VGK): TBD
Game 6 (at WPG): TBD
Game 7 (at VGK): TBD

Regular-season records:

• Oilers: 50-23-9, 109 points

• Kings: 47-25-10, 104 points

Leading scorers:

Schedule:

Game 1 (at EDM): April 17, TBD
Game 2 (at EDM): April 19, TBD
Game 3 (at LA): TBD
Game 4 (at LA): TBD
Game 5 (at EDM): TBD
Game 6 (at LA): TBD
Game 7 (at EDM): TBD