NHL Playoffs: Wide Open Race for the Stanley Cup

The NHL playoffs are back in full swing, with 16 teams vying for the coveted Stanley Cup. This year's postseason is particularly wide open, with no clear favorite emerging.

Eastern Conference Matchups:

* New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals

* Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders

* Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

* Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers

Western Conference Matchups:

* Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights

* Winnipeg Jets vs. Colorado Avalanche

* Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators

* Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings

Players to Watch:

* Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers): The reigning Hart Trophy winner is looking to lead his team to their first Stanley Cup since 1990.

* Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay Lightning): The Russian superstar is coming off a 100-assist season and is a key cog in the Lightning's quest for a three-peat.

* Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs): The American sniper scored 69 goals this season, the most in the NHL since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96.

* Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche): The reigning Selke Trophy winner is a dynamic force on both ends of the ice.

* Artemi Panarin (New York Rangers): The Russian winger had an MVP-caliber season, leading the Rangers to the Presidents' Trophy.

Favorites and Contenders:

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, and Dallas Stars are the betting favorites to win the Stanley Cup. However, several other teams, including the Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche, and Toronto Maple Leafs, are considered legitimate contenders.

Key Storylines:

* The Hurricanes have won 16 of their final 21 games, including several key acquisitions at the trade deadline.

* The Stars are a well-rounded team with a mix of veterans and young players.

* The Jets are a physical and defensively sound team that could pose a threat to the Stars in the second round.

* The NHL is experiencing a boom in popularity, with record attendance and fan engagement.

Playoff Format:

The playoffs consist of three rounds of seven-game series, followed by the Stanley Cup Final. The Final is scheduled to begin in early June, with Game 7 potentially taking place on June 24.

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