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The 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs have been a wild ride so far, which isn’t anything new. The first round of the NHL playoffs have been highlighted by plenty of physical play. As the first round of the postseason starts to come to a close, we look ahead to the second round. Here we’ll be tracking teams as they advance to the second round of the playoffs.
2023 NHL playoff bracket update: Second round
Eastern Conference
No. 1 MET Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina was able to take down the New York Islanders in six games to advance to the second round in the Eastern Conference. The Hurricanes jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the series and after dropping Game 5, they were able to shut the door with a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 6. Paul Stastny delivered the knockout blow at the 14 minute mark to advance his team to the next round. They will await the winner of the first-round series between the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils.
No. 2 MET New Jersey Devils
The Devils are the final team to clinch a spot in the second round with their win over the New York Rangers. The Devils came back down 2-0 in the series to win four of five games, including a 4-0 shutout win in Game 7 on Monday. Akira Schmid came in for Vitek Vanecek in net and won four of five games, including two shutouts along the way. Erik Haula scored four goals in the series and Jack Hughes had three for New Jersey, which has only made the postseason twice since 2012.
No. 2 ATL Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto was able to take down the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games to advance to the second round in the Eastern Conference. The Maple Leafs jumped out to a 3-1 in the series and narrowly avoided a Game 7 by downing the Lightning in a 2-1 Game 6 overtime victory. The team awaits the Florida Panthers, winners of their first-round series against the Boston Bruins.
Wild Card Florida Panthers
A dramatic series that went the distance overtime saw the worst team in the Eastern Conference knock off the President’s Trophy winning Boston Bruins. Carter Verhaeghe’s OT winner completed a 3-1 series comeback by the Cardiac Cats, who won the President’s Trophy themselves before an early elimination by the Tampa Bay Lightning last season.
Western Conference
No. 1 PAC Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights are the first team to advance from the 2023 NHL playoffs and the Western Conference. The Knights will await the winner of the Oilers-Kings series in the second round. Vegas was able to dispatch the Winnipeg Jets in five games in the first round with a 4-1 win in Game 5 on Thursday night at home. All-Star forward Chandler Stephenson was huge for the Golden Knights in the series, scoring four goals with four assists in five games. The return of Mark Stone could also be the key to a long playoff run. He also had eight points in the series with three goals. They will face the Edmonton Oilers in the second round.
No. 2 PAC Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers beat the Los Angeles Kings in six games to advance to the second round of the Western Conference. The Kings took a 2-1 series lead with overtime wins in Game 1 and Game 3. However, Edmonton rallied with an overtime win in LA in Game 4 and then won at home and away to close it out. Center Leon Draisaitl and winger Connor McDavid combined for 21 points in the opening series. They will face the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round.
No. 2 CEN Dallas Stars
Dallas was able to take down the Minnesota Wild in six games to advance to the second round in the Western Conference. Down 2-1 in the series, the Stars were able to rally and take the next three to win the series. They completely buried the Wild in Game 5 and Game 6, outscoring them 8-1 in those two matchups. The team will face the Seattle Kraken.
WC1 Seattle Kraken
Seattle beat the Colorado Avalanche in Game 7 to win the series 4-3. Seattle trailed the series 2-1 and then lost a potential clinching game at home before going to Denver to secure the win. They advance to face the Dallas Stars in the second round of the playoffs.