Connect with us

Published

on

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.

The No. 8 seed Panthers have kept on rolling, all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, where they will face the winner of the Western Conference finals between the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights.

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

More: Playoff schedule
Conference final preview
Conn Smythe Watch
Top 50 players in the playoffs
Wyshynski’s bracket
Experts picks

Conference final round

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

Eastern Conference

play

1:05

Tkachuk sends Panthers to Stanley Cup Final with unbelievable goal in final seconds

Matthew Tkachuk nets the game-winning goal with five seconds to spare to send the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final.

Earlier results:

  • Hurricanes: Defeated Islanders in six, Devils in five

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

Leading scorers:

Results:

Game 1 (at CAR): Panthers 3, Hurricanes 2 (4OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 2 (at CAR): Panthers 2, Hurricanes 1 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 3 (at FLA): Panthers 1, Hurricanes 0 | Recap | Replay
Game 4 (at FLA): Panthers 4, Hurricanes 3 | Recap | Replay


Western Conference

play

1:39

Ty Dellandrea notches 2 clutch goals for the Stars in the 3rd period

Ty Dellandrea gathers two goals in the third period as the Stars lead 4-2 vs. the Golden Knights in Game 5.

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): Golden Knights 4, Stars 3 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 2 (at VGK): Golden Knights 3, Stars 2 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 3 (at DAL): Golden Knights 4, Stars 0 | Recap | Replay
Game 4 (at DAL): Stars 3, Golden Knights 2 (OT) | Recap | Replay
Game 5 (at VGK): Stars 4, Knights 2 | Recap
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

play

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

play

2:24

Stars defeat the Kraken in Game 7 to advance to the WCF

Stars take care of business at home to defeat the Kraken in Game 7 as they advance to take on the Vegas Golden Knights.

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 | Replay

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)

Continue Reading

Sports

Misiorowski perfect into 7th, sets rookie record

Published

on

By

Misiorowski perfect into 7th, sets rookie record

MINNEAPOLIS — Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers lost his bid for a perfect game in the seventh inning of a 17-6 win against the Minnesota Twins on Friday night.

After issuing a walk to Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner lofted a home run to the flower bed just past the right-field wall, ending Misiorowski’s run of hitless innings to start his big league career at 11, the first starter to do that since 1900.

“I think this is exactly how I ever dreamed of it coming along,” the 23-year-old rookie said. “It’s exciting.”

He threw five no-hit innings against St. Louis on June 12, but left in the sixth with cramping in his right calf and quadriceps.

“I felt calmer and ready to go compared to the first one,” Misiorowski said. “Nerves were going pretty heavy on the first one, so it’s good to finally feel the feet under you.”

The 6-foot-7 right-hander struck out six with a fastball topping out at 102.1 mph and a slider and changeup in the mid-90s.

“It’s important to prove to yourself as a young player that you belong in the big leagues and taste success and realize that you do belong here,” said Christian Yelich, who had a career-high eight RBIs. “He should believe he’s a really good major league pitcher because he is. All the nights probably aren’t going to go as smooth as the first two, but you see the ability.

“He’s got a chance to something special every night he goes out there.”

Misiorowski is the only big leaguer since 1900 to have more wins (2) than hits allowed (1) in his first two career starts, according to OptaSTATS.

“He was attacking, but mixing, too,” manager Pat Murphy said. “It wasn’t just heaters.”

After seeing four straight pitches of at least 100.8 mph from Misiorowski, Willi Castro twisted like a corkscrew and dropped to the ground as he struck out on a 95.5 mph slider in the first inning.

“You don’t see a guy throwing a slider 95, 96,” Castro said. “It’s really hard to pick up.”

Misiorowski threw 29 pitches of 100 mph or higher and had 12 of 101 mph or more. Since tracking started in 2008, the only starting pitchers to throw more in a game at 101 mph and above are Hunter Greene (33 on Sept. 17, 2022; 21 on March 30, 2023; 18 on July 26, 2022; and 13 on April 16, 2022) and Jordan Hicks (on July 12, 2022), according to Major League Baseball.

After the homer by Wallner, Misiorowski was pulled for reliever Nick Mears and left to a standing ovation. He threw 86 pitches, 60 for strikes, and departed with Milwaukee leading 8-2.

The Brewers scored five runs in the top of the seventh, a long time for starter to sit in the dugout, but Misiorowski was adamant about going back to the mound.

“He said, ‘Yes I’m getting toward the end, but I want to challenge myself,'” Murphy said. “It was a good time to have him do that.”

Continue Reading

Sports

Suarez, managers suspended for Padres-L.A. feud

Published

on

By

Suarez, managers suspended for Padres-L.A. feud

LOS ANGELES — San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez was suspended for three games and fined an undisclosed amount Friday for intentionally hitting Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers with a pitch during the NL West rivals’ contentious meeting Thursday night.

Suarez will appeal the suspension, keeping him eligible to play for San Diego on Friday night against Kansas City. He did not pitch in the Padres’ 6-5 loss.

Padres manager Mike Shildt and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also received one-game suspensions and undisclosed fines for their roles in the brouhaha that occurred in both halves of the ninth inning during the Padres’ 5-3 victory at Dodger Stadium.

“I support it,” Roberts said about the league’s disciplinary decision. “I think that obviously I never want to make the game about the managers. It shouldn’t be. It should be about the players and winning, so last night, both managers are protecting their teams, and it just unfortunately got to the point that we became the focus, and that’s not the way it should be.”

Both managers were ejected in the top of the ninth after they ran onto the field and bumped into each other during a vociferous argument that almost got even more physical before their players and assistant coaches intervened.

Shildt believed Dodgers reliever Jack Little intentionally hit Fernando Tatís Jr. in the right hand with a pitch, igniting the latest bench-clearing incident between local rivals with several years of bad-tempered history.

“Circumstances were really challenging this past series, and at the end of the day I don’t regret standing up for a guy that I love in Tati, and a team that I love and a city that I love,” Shildt said. “In that regard, I have no regrets how it got to that point. Again, we can all have our comments and thoughts and theories. But as far as my actions, it’s not something you want to do every night or needs to be done, hopefully ever again. But appropriate actions for the circumstances were taken, and I don’t regret it at all.”

Shildt and Roberts served their suspensions Friday. Bench coach Danny Lehmann managed the Dodgers in their 6-5 win over the Washington Nationals, and Padres bench coach Brian Esposito was in San Diego’s dugout vs. the Royals.

In the bottom of the ninth, Ohtani was hit on the back of his right shoulder by Suarez’s pitch, putting the tying run on base during the Dodgers’ three-run rally. Ohtani’s teammates appeared to be preparing to storm the field for the second time before Ohtani waved them back. The three-time MVP then walked to the Padres’ dugout for some light banter, defusing the tension.

Suarez on Friday insisted he hadn’t retaliated for Tatís.

“I was never trying to get anyone into trouble or hit anybody,” Suarez said through an interpreter. “Unfortunately it happened. I got ejected and I couldn’t finish out the game, but we won as a team, and we were able to salvage that game. … [The Dodgers are] entitled to their opinion. They can say whatever they want. That was not the case. I was out there to try to save the game.”

Ohtani threw a bullpen session as scheduled Friday despite getting hit by Suarez on his pitching shoulder. Ohtani’s second mound start for the Dodgers is still expected to happen Sunday, Roberts said.

Tatís was in the Padres’ lineup as usual Friday. Manny Machado said afterward that the Dodgers should “pray” Tatís had escaped serious injury, encouraging them to “put out a candle.”

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Continue Reading

Sports

Devers, facing Boston, clarifies first base mindset

Published

on

By

Devers, facing Boston, clarifies first base mindset

SAN FRANCISCO — As he prepared to face his former team just five days after being traded, San Francisco Giants slugger Rafael Devers wants to leave things in the past as it pertains to the Boston Red Sox.

But he did provide some insight into his feelings when he was asked Friday why he would consider playing first base for the Giants when he refused to do so for the Red Sox.

“I put up some good numbers in Boston and I feel like I earned some respect,” Devers said through an interpreter. “If they would have asked me at the beginning of spring training, yes, I would have played [first].”

Of course, back then the Red Sox didn’t have an opening at first base as Triston Casas didn’t get hurt until about a month into the season. But the overall damage had been done.

The lack of communication between the sides seemingly led to the stunning trade, and now just three games into his career with San Francisco, Devers has to face his old teammates in a weekend series at Oracle Park.

“Whatever happened, happened,” Devers said. “But they’re still my friends.”

Devers actually got to see his friends after they arrived in town Thursday, but as of early Friday afternoon, he had not seen or talked to manager Alex Cora. He’s confident he will.

Devers was pressed about his former manager.

“I don’t want to talk about the past,” Devers said. “I don’t have anything good or bad to say about Alex. I just want to leave everything in the past.”

Cora addressed the subject during his pregame media availability, saying, “There’s a lot of stuff that Rafy did for us that we’re going to miss. We’re very proud of him.”

Asked if the two need to clear the air about anything, Cora replied, “Clear the air about what? It’s a trade. It’s baseball. It’s a business. That’s how it works.

“It’s not the first guy that’s gotten traded. It’s not the last guy. People have their opinions about the whole thing. Communication, first base, DH, third base, the manager, the GM, the owner, whatever. It’s a baseball trade. From my end, I turn the page.”

Cora was then asked if he’s “surprised” Devers is working at first base, to which the manager offered a succinct, “No.”

Devers acknowledged it’s been a “long week” but he’s feeling more relaxed and even happy now. Entering Friday, he was 3-for-11 with two walks and four strikeouts for his new team, which desperately needs his presence in its lineup.

Devers, batting third and serving as the Giants’ designated hitter, got a standing ovation before grounding out in his first at-bat in the first inning Friday and hit a drive to the wall in left-center that Ceddanne Rafaela caught against the wall.

He would finish the game 0-for-5 as San Francisco lost 7-5 and dropped to 1-3 since the trade. It was the second time this season Devers went 0-for-5 or worse (0-for-6 at at Detroit on May 13), and the first time he did so in a home game since Sept. 26, 2023 (Rays at Red Sox).

Eventually, he’ll see time at first base — but only when he’s ready.

“It’s not a position I’m going to learn how to play overnight,” Devers said.

“It’s not the first guy that’s gotten traded. It’s not the last guy. People have their opinions about the whole thing. Communication, first base, DH, third base, the manager, the GM, the owner, whatever. It’s a baseball trade. From my end, I turn the page.”

Red Sox manager Alex Cora

He was asked several times when he might get a start there.

“Whenever I feel like I’m comfortable,” he answered.

The conversation eventually came back around to his relationship with the Red Sox, but Devers insisted on putting it behind him.

“I really don’t want to talk about it,” he said. “I want to concentrate what’s in the future for me.”

ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Continue Reading

Trending