On Saturday, April 20, the top teams in the National Hockey League begin the annual quest for the Stanley Cup. Right now, seven teams have secured postseason spots. Which squads will get it done come the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and which teams will be on the outside looking in? Check out bold predictions for the 2024 NHL Playoffs.

A Closer Look at the 2024 NHL Playoffs

If the NHL playoffs started today: The matchups and what to expect in each series ⤵️https://t.co/E7oL8OyRFP

— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) April 1, 2024

Vancouver Wins the Western Conference

It doesn’t get bolder than this. Vancouver is a longer shot to win the Stanley Cup than the Vegas Golden Knights even though the Canucks have a 10 points lead over the Knights in the Pacific Division.

Quinn Hughes has become one of the league’s top defenders. Add in the way J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser are playing, and it’s obvious that the Canucks can win it all. Give Vancouver the Western Conference nod.

The Avs get bounced in the first round

Colorado may be the most talented team in the NHL. But Nathan MacKinnon and his mates aren’t playing as cohesively as one might expect. Leaning on Mackinnon as much as Colorado does will be their undoing in the first round.

The Western Conference is deep this season with Dallas being a force in the Central, Colorado’s division. Also, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Vegas will be in the postseason. Colorado bows out in the first round.

Neither Boston nor Florida does enough in the East to advance to the Stanley Cup

Florida and Boston have played great all season long. However, like last season, the Bruins appear to be slowing down. In fact, by April 20, Florida should be the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Florida, for sure, could do enough to win the Eastern Conference. But the Metro squads, Carolina and the New York Rangers, are playing lights out. Both teams are throwing down the gauntlet. The Hurricanes especially look tough.

Carolina outlasts the Rangers in a 7-game classic

Which brings us to our Eastern Conference bold betting prediction. The Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers play a classic 7-game series. The prediction is that, hopefully, it happens in the Eastern Conference Finals where the Hurricanes outlast the Rangers in a 7-game series that includes 3 overtime matches.

Why Carolina over NYR? The Canes, for sure, lean on Sebastian Aho. But Aho isn’t Carolina’s only star player. Without Artemi Panarin, the Rangers would struggle to beat Ottawa. So give Carolina the edge in what will be a classic series.

Heartbreak time for Edmonton and Toronto again

It will be heartbreak for Oilers and Maple Leafs fans again. Both teams have struggled in recent decades to win Stanley Cups. Heck, both squads usually bow out in the first round.

This NHL Playoffs won’t be any different. Edmonton faces a tough contingent in the West led by Vancouver, Dallas, and Vegas. Toronto faces Florida, Boston, Carolina, and the New York Rangers. Expect hearts to break again in Canada.

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READ MORE: 2024 NHL Playoffs Picture