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The 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs are here, as 16 teams compete for the most magnificent trophy in sports.

The record-setting Boston Bruins were the No. 1 overall seed, but they were ousted in Round 1 by the Florida Panthers. Out West, the defending Cup champion Colorado Avalanche hoped to continue their reign atop the league, but they were upset by the Seattle Kraken in the latter club’s first trip to the postseason.

And now, we’re down to the final four: the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Florida Panthers in the East, while the Dallas Stars take on the Vegas Golden Knights in the West.

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

More: Playoff schedule
Top 50 players in the playoffs
Wyshynski’s bracket
Lapsed fan’s guide
Megapreview
Experts’ picks

Conference final round

Jump to:
East: CAR-FLA
West: VGK-DAL

Eastern Conference

Earlier results:

  • Hurricanes: Defeated Islanders in six, Devils in five

  • Panthers: Defeated Bruins in seven, Maple Leafs in five

Leading scorers:

Schedule:

Game 1 (at CAR): Thu., May 18: 8 ET (TNT)
Game 2 (at CAR): Sat., May 20: 8 ET (TNT)
Game 3 (at FLA): Mon., May 22: 8 ET (TNT)
Game 4 (at FLA): Wed., May 24: 8 ET (TNT)
Game 5 (at CAR): Fri., May 26: 8 ET (TNT)
Game 6 (at FLA): Sun., May 28: 8 ET (TNT)
Game 7 (at CAR): Tue., May 30: 8 ET (TNT)

Western Conference

Earlier results:

  • Golden Knights: Defeated Jets in five, Oilers in six

  • Stars: Defeated Wild in six, Kraken in seven

Leading scorers:

Schedule:

Game 1 (at VGK): Fri., May 19: 8:30 ET (ESPN/ESPN+)
Game 2 (at VGK): Sun., May 21: 3 ET (ABC/ESPN+)
Game 3 (at DAL): Tue., May 23: 8 ET (ESPN/ESPN+)
Game 4 (at DAL): Thu., May 25: 8 ET (ESPN/ESPN+)
Game 5 (at VGK): Sat., May 27: 8 ET (ABC/ESPN+)
Game 6 (at DAL): Mon., May 29: 8 ET (ESPN/ESPN+)
Game 7 (at VGK): Wed., May 31: 9 ET (ESPN/ESPN+)

Second round

Jump to:
Atlantic: TOR-FLA
Metro: CAR-NJ
Central: DAL-SEA
Pacific: VGK-EDM

Atlantic Division

play

0:49

Nick Cousins’ OT winner advances Panthers to East finals

Nick Cousins scores in overtime to eliminate the Maple Leafs as the Panthers advance to the East finals.

First-round results:

Leading scorers:

Results:

Game 1 (at TOR): Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 2 (at TOR): Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 3 (at FLA): Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 2 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 4 (at FLA): Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 5 (at TOR): Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 2 (OT) | Recap | Replay

Keys to the offseason for the Maple Leafs

Consensus pick: Maple Leafs

Metro Division

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0:40

Canes advance to East finals with OT winner

The Hurricanes eliminate the Devils with an OT winner by Jesper Fast in Game 5.

First-round results:

Leading scorers:

Results:

Game 1 (at CAR): Hurricanes 5, Devils 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 2 (at CAR): Hurricanes 6, Devils 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 3 (at NJ): Devils 8, Hurricanes 4 | Recap | Replay
Game 4 (at NJ): Hurricanes 6, Devils 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 5 (at CAR): Hurricanes 3, Devils 2 | Recap | Replay

Keys to the offseason for the Devils

Consensus pick: Devils

Central Division

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0:47

Wyatt Johnston’s impressive goal pads Stars’ lead in the 3rd

Wyatt Johnston fakes out the goalie and scores to give the Stars a 2-0 lead in the third period.

First-round results:

Leading scorers:

Results:

Game 1 (at DAL): Kraken 5, Stars 4 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 2 (at DAL): Stars 4, Kraken 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 3 (at SEA): Kraken 7, Stars 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 4 (at SEA): Stars 6, Kraken 3 | Recap | Replay
Game 5 (at DAL): Stars 5, Kraken 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 6 (at SEA): Kraken 6, Stars 3 | Recap | Replay
Game 7 (at DAL): Stars 2, Kraken 1 | Recap

Keys to the offseason for the Kraken

Consensus pick: Stars

Pacific Division

play

1:47

Marchessault’s natural hat trick sends Vegas to Western Conference final

Jonathan Marchessault scores three consecutive goals for the natural hat trick as the Golden Knights advance to the Western Conference finals.

First-round results:

Leading scorers:

Results:

Game 1 (at VGK): Golden Knights 6, Oilers 4 | Recap | Replay
Game 2 (at VGK): Oilers 5, Golden Knights 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 3 (at EDM): Golden Knights 5, Oilers 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 4 (at EDM): Oilers 4, Golden Knights 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 5 (at VGK): Golden Knights 4, Oilers 3 | Recap | Replay
Game 6 (at EDM): Golden Knights 5, Oilers 2 | Recap | Replay

Keys to the offseason for the Oilers

Consensus pick: Oilers

First round

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

Atlantic Division

play

0:36

Carter Verhaeghe ends Bruins’ season in OT

The Florida Panthers end the Boston Bruins’ season with a stunning OT goal from Carter Verhaeghe.

Regular-season records:

  • Bruins: 65-12-5, 135 points

  • Panthers: 42-32-8, 92 points

Leading scorers:

Results:

Game 1 (at BOS): Bruins 3, Panthers 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 2 (at BOS): Panthers 6, Bruins 3 | Recap | Replay
Game 3 (at FLA): Bruins 4, Panthers 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 4 (at FLA): Bruins 6, Panthers 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 5 (at BOS): Panthers 4, Bruins 3 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 6 (at FLA): Panthers 7, Bruins 5 | Recap | Replay
Game 7 (at BOS): Panthers 4, Bruins 3 (OT) | Recap | Replay

Keys to the offseason for the Bruins

Consensus pick: Bruins (28 of 29 picks)

play

2:26

Maple Leafs advance for 1st time in 19 years off Tavares’ OT winner

John Tavares scores in overtime as the Maple Leafs advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2004.

Regular-season records:

  • Maple Leafs: 50-21-11, 111 points

  • Lightning: 46-30-6, 98 points

Leading scorers:

Results:

Game 1 (at TOR): Lightning 7, Maple Leafs 3 | Recap | Replay
Game 2 (at TOR): Maple Leafs 7, Lightning 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 3 (at TB): Maple Leafs 4, Lightning 3 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 4 (at TB): Maple Leafs 5, Lightning 4 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 5 (at TOR): Lightning 4, Maple Leafs 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 6 (at TB): Maple Leafs 2, Lightning 1 (OT) | Recap | Replay

Keys to the offseason for the Lightning

Consensus pick: Maple Leafs (22 of 29 picks)

Metro Division

play

1:33

Canes eliminate Islanders with OT winner

Paul Stastny nets the game-winner in overtime to move the Hurricanes on to Round 2.

Regular-season records:

  • Hurricanes: 52-21-9, 113 points

  • Islanders: 42-31-9, 93 points

Leading scorers:

Results:

Game 1 (at CAR): Hurricanes 2, Islanders 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 2 (at CAR): Hurricanes 4, Islanders 3 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 3 (at NYI): Islanders 5, Hurricanes 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 4 (at NYI): Hurricanes 5, Islanders 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 5 (at CAR): Islanders 3, Hurricanes 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 6 (at NYI): Hurricanes 2, Islanders 1 (OT) | Recap | Replay

Keys to the offseason for the Islanders

Consensus pick: Tied (14 of 28 picks for each team)

play

0:43

Erik Haula slaps home one-timer to pad the Devils’ lead

Erik Haula puts the Devils up 3-0 in the third period of Game 7.

Regular-season records:

  • Devils: 52-22-8, 112 points

  • Rangers: 47-22-13, 107 points

Leading scorers:

Results:

Game 1 (at NJ): Rangers 5, Devils 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 2 (at NJ): Rangers 5, Devils 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 3 (at NYR): Devils 2, Rangers 1 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 4 (at NYR): Devils 3, Rangers 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 5 (at NJ): Devils 4, Rangers 0 | Recap | Replay
Game 6 (at NYR): Rangers 5, Devils 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 7 (at NJ): Devils 4, Rangers 0 | Recap | Replay

Keys to the offseason for the Rangers

Consensus pick: Rangers (18 of 29 picks)

Central Division

play

2:05

Kraken knock off defending champion Avs to advance

The Kraken become the first expansion franchise to win their first playoff series against a defending champion with a 2-1 win vs. the Avalanche in Game 7.

Regular-season records:

  • Avalanche: 51-24-7, 109 points

  • Kraken: 46-28-8, 100 points

Leading scorers:

  • Avalanche: C Nathan MacKinnon, 111 points (42 G, 69 A)

  • Kraken: LW Jared McCann, 70 points (40 G, 30 A)

Schedule:

Game 1 (at COL): Kraken 3, Avalanche 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 2 (at COL): Avalanche 3, Kraken 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 3 (at SEA): Avalanche 6, Kraken 4 | Recap | Replay
Game 4 (at SEA): Kraken 3, Avalanche 2 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 5 (at COL): Kraken 3, Avalanche 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 6 (at SEA): Avalanche 4, Kraken 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 7 (at COL): Kraken 2, Avalanche 1 | Recap | Replay

Keys to the offseason for the Avalanche

Consensus pick: Avalanche (27 of 29 picks)

play

1:00

Mason Marchment beats the buzzer to extend Stars lead

Mason Marchment scores a goal on the breakaway with 0.5 seconds remaining in the second period as the Stars lead 3-0.

Regular-season records:

  • Stars: 47-21-14, 108 points

  • Wild: 46-25-11, 103 points

Leading scorers:

Results:

Game 1 (at DAL): Wild 3, Stars 2 (2OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 2 (at DAL): Stars 7, Wild 3 | Recap | Replay
Game 3 (at MIN): Wild 5, Stars 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 4 (at MIN): Stars 3, Wild 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 5 (at DAL): Stars 4, Wild 0 | Recap | Replay
Game 6 (at MIN): Stars 4, Wild 1 | Recap | Replay

Keys to the offseason for the Wild

Consensus pick: Stars (22 of 29 picks)

Pacific Division

play

1:38

Golden Knights defeat Jets with ease to advance in Stanley Cup playoffs

The Vegas Golden Knights defeat the Winnipeg Jets 4-1 and advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Vegas wins series, 4-1

Regular-season records:

Leading scorers:

Results:

Game 1 (at VGK): Jets 5, Golden Knights 1 | Recap | Replay
Game 2 (at VGK): Golden Knights 5, Jets 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 3 (at WPG): Golden Knights 5, Jets 4 (2OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 4 (at WPG): Golden Knights 4, Jets 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 5 (at VGK): Golden Knights 4, Jets 1 | Recap | Replay

Consensus pick: Golden Knights (25 of 29 picks)

Keys to the offseason for the Jets

play

0:40

Kostin’s 2nd goal puts the Oilers ahead

Klim Kostin nets his second goal of the game as the Oilers take a 4-3 lead vs. the Kings.

Regular-season records:

  • Oilers: 50-23-9, 109 points

  • Kings: 47-25-10, 104 points

Leading scorers:

Results:

Game 1 (at EDM): Kings 4, Oilers 3 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 2 (at EDM): Oilers 4, Kings 2 | Recap | Replay
Game 3 (at LA): Kings 3, Oilers 2 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 4 (at LA): Oilers 5, Kings 4 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 5 (at EDM): Oilers 6, Kings 3 | Recap | Replay
Game 6 (at LA): Oilers 5, Kings 4 | Recap

Keys to the offseason for the Kings

Consensus pick: Oilers (27 of 29 picks)

Related Topics:
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Pirates reliever swipes at fan he says crossed line

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3 hours ago

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June 20, 2025

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Pirates reliever swipes at fan he says crossed line

  • Associated Press

Jun 19, 2025, 11:24 PM ET

DETROIT — Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dennis Santana was involved in an altercation with a fan he said “crossed the line” during the second game of Thursday’s doubleheader with the Detroit Tigers, and at one point, he was seen leaping and swiping at the person.

“You guys know me — I’m a calm demeanor type of person,” Santana said after the game through an interpreter. “I’ve never had any issues for any of the teams I’ve played for. This guy crossed the line a few times.”

Santana declined to disclose what the fan said.

“He crossed the line, and I’d like to leave it at that. I’ve never had anything like this happen in my eight years in baseball,” he said.

In videos posted to social media, Santana can be seen pointing out the fan to a police officer before jumping and swinging at the person, who is in the front row above the Pittsburgh bullpen at Comerica Park.

Santana did not complain about how security officers handled the situation.

“My job is as a pitcher, not as security, so I can’t discuss their job,” he said. “I respect them and what they do.”

The fan appeared to be wearing a Tigers hat and a shirt honoring Pirates Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente.

After jumping at the fan, Santana was escorted away by Pirates bullpen personnel and held back by a teammate.

Santana entered the game in the ninth inning, pitching to one batter before the game was delayed by rain. The Pirates won 8-4.

Santana said he discussed the incident with Pirates manager Don Kelly.

“He knows I regret what I did,” Santana said. “You know I’m a professional.”

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Rays’ Bigge hit by foul ball in dugout, carted off

Published

3 hours ago

on

June 20, 2025

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Rays' Bigge hit by foul ball in dugout, carted off

  • ESPN News Services

Jun 19, 2025, 10:45 PM ET

TAMPA, Fla. — Rays pitcher Hunter Bigge was carted off the field in a frightening scene and taken to a hospital after getting struck in the side of his face by a foul ball lined into the Tampa Bay dugout Thursday night.

Bigge was placed on a backboard and gave a thumb-up before being driven by ambulance to a nearby hospital for tests. He never lost consciousness and was able to converse with first responders, Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

In the top of the seventh inning, Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman sharply pulled a pitch into the Tampa Bay dugout on the first-base side, and the ball hit Bigge, a 27-year-old right-hander currently on the 15-day injured list with a lat strain.

Emergency medical personnel quickly arrived to attend to Bigge. After several quiet minutes, as visibly concerned Rays players knelt in the field, Bigge was loaded onto a stretcher and carted off. He received a standing ovation from the Steinbrenner Field crowd.

The ball left Rutschman’s bat at 105 mph, according to Statcast.

The game resumed after an eight-minute delay, and Baltimore held on for a 4-1 victory.

Bigge was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 12th round of the 2019 amateur draft from Harvard and made his major league debut for them on July 9 last year. He was traded 19 days later to Tampa Bay along with Christopher Morel and minor leaguer Ty Johnson for All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes.

In 32 career appearances, including one start, Bigge has a 2.51 ERA and one save. This season, he has a 2.40 ERA in 13 relief outings covering 15 innings.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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Dodgers ask feds to leave; team delays initiatives

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3 hours ago

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June 20, 2025

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Dodgers ask feds to leave; team delays initiatives

  • Alden GonzalezJun 19, 2025, 04:51 PM ET

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      ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the L.A. Rams for ESPN from 2016 to 2018 and the L.A. Angels for MLB.com from 2012 to 2016.

LOS ANGELES — Federal agents with the United States Department of Homeland Security set up outside Dodger Stadium on Thursday morning, sparking outrage on social media and triggering more protests against immigration enforcement in the city.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who said they denied the federal agents access to the stadium’s parking lot, subsequently postponed plans to unveil initiatives to assist local immigrant communities.

“Because of the events earlier today, we continue to work with groups that were involved with our programs,” Dodgers president Stan Kasten said. “But we are going to have to delay today’s announcement while we firm up some more details. We’ll get back to you soon with the timing.”

A caravan of white, unmarked vans and SUVs arrived at the Gate A entrance of Dodger Stadium, off Vin Scully Avenue, at around 8 a.m., with agents saying they had detainees to process, according to local media reports and firsthand accounts.

The security guard on hand told the agents that they were not allowed on private property, prompting federal officials to circle outside to Gate E, the downtown-facing entrance to the ballpark’s parking lot where dozens of protesters gathered.

The Los Angeles Police Department later arrived on the scene, and everyone was dispersed by around noon PT.

Thursday’s game against the San Diego Padres was played as scheduled.

The Dodgers initially posted on their X account that the federal officials were with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The federal agency, however, refuted its presence at Dodger Stadium through its X account.

“False,” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement posted. “We were never there.”

The Department of Homeland Security said the agents were with the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), which attempted to access the stadium.

“This has nothing to do with the Dodgers,” DHS posted to X. “CBP vehicles were in the parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement.”

ICE and CBP are both federal agencies under the Department of Homeland Security.

Protests against ICE raids in Los Angeles began earlier this month after federal agents arrested dozens of workers in the city. Protesters blocked a major freeway and set cars on fire in the following days, prompting police to respond with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades.

In the wake of those protests, and a decision by President Donald Trump’s administration to activate more than 4,000 National Guard members and 700 active-duty Marines over the objection of city and state leaders, the Dodgers were criticized for not making any public statements in support of immigrants.

The team solidified plans to work with immigration groups earlier this week and was planning to unveil them Thursday, until the presence of federal agents further inflamed the situation.

Despite the protests, immigration-enforcement activity has continued throughout Los Angeles, with city leaders and community groups reporting ICE presence at libraries, car washes and home improvement stores. School graduations in the city have increased security over fears of ICE action, with some schools offering parents the option to watch via live streams.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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