Congratulations to the Las Vegas Knights on defeating the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Finals! The NHL now enters its offseason, and the 2023-24 regular season schedule is expected to be announced later in June.
Below you will find the entire 2023 NHL playoff schedule, complete with details on how to safely and securely stream every game with ExpressVPN.
| Playoffs start date | Mon, Apr 17, 2023 – Sun, Jun 18, 2023 |
| No. of teams: | 16 |
| Most titles: | Montreal Canadiens (24) |
| TV partner(s): | Canada; Sportsnet/TVA Sports; United States; ABC/ESPN/ESPN2/TNT/TBS; International: See list |
2023 NHL Playoffs schedule
First Round
Eastern Conference
| Matchup | Date and time | Network |
| Wild Card No. 2 Florida Panthers defeat Atlantic No. 1 Boston Bruins in six games | Series begins Monday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m. / 12:30 a.m. BST | ESPN, TNT, CBC, Ran.de |
| Atlantic No. 2 Toronto Maple Leafs defeat No. 3 Tampa Bay Lightning in six games | Series begins Tuesday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. / 12:30 a.m. BST | ESPN, TBS, CBC |
| Metropolitan No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes defeat Wild Card No. 1 New York Islanders in six games | Series begins Monday, April 17, at 7 p.m. / 12 a.m. BST | ESPN2, TBS, TNT |
| Metropolitan No. 2 New Jersey Devils defeat No. 3 New York Rangers in seven games | Series begins Tuesday, April 18, at 7 p.m. / 12 a.m. BST | ABC, ESPN, TBS |
Western Conference
| Matchup | Date and time | Network |
| Wild Card No. 1 Seattle Kraken defeat Central No. 1 Colorado Avalanche in seven games | Series begins Tuesday, April 18, at 10 p.m. / 3 a.m. BST | ESPN, TBS |
| Central No. 2 Dallas Stars defeat No. 3 Minnesota Wild in six games | Series begins Monday, April 17, at 7 p.m. / 12 a.m. BST | ESPN2, TBS |
| Pacific No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights defeat Wild Card No. 2 Winnipeg Jets in five games | Series begins Tuesday, April 18, at 9:30 p.m. / 2:30 a.m. BST | ESPN, ESPN2, TBS, CBC |
| Pacific No. 2 Edmonton Oilers defeat No. 3 Los Angeles Kings in six games | Series begins Monday, April 17, at 10 p.m. / 3 a.m. BST | ESPN, TBS, TNT, CBC |
Semifinals
Eastern Conference
| Matchup | Date and time | Network |
| Wild Card No. 2 Florida Panthers defeat Atlantic No. 2 Toronto Maple Leafs in five games | Series begins Tuesday, May 2, at 7 p.m. / 12 a.m. BST | ESPN, TNT, CBC |
| Metropolitan No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes defeat Metropolitan No. 2 New Jersey Devils in five games | Series begins Wednesday, May 3, at 7 p.m. / 12 a.m. BST | ESPN |
Western Conference
| Matchup | Date and time | Network |
| Central No. 2 Dallas Stars defeat Wild Card No. 1 Seattle Kraken in seven games | Series begins Tuesday, May 2, at 9:30 p.m. / 2:30 a.m. BST | ESPN, TNT |
| Pacific No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights defeat Pacific No. 2 Edmonton Oilers in six games | Series begins Wednesday, May 3, at 9:30 p.m. / 2:30 a.m. BST | CBC |
Eastern Conference Finals
| Matchup | Date and time | Network |
| Wild Card No. 2 Florida Panthers 4, Metropolitan No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes 3 (4 OT) | Thursday, May 18, 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST | TNT |
| Wild Card No. 2 Florida Panthers 2, Metropolitan No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes 1 (OT) | Saturday, May 20, 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST | TNT |
| Wild Card No. 2 Florida Panthers 1, Metropolitan No. 1 Carolina Hurricanes 0 | Monday, May 22, 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST | TNT |
| Wild Card No. 2 Florida Panthers 4, Metropolitan No. 1 Carolina Panthers 3 | Wednesday, May 24, 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST | TNT |
Western Conference Finals
| Matchup | Date and time | Network |
| Pacific No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights 4, Central No. 2 Dallas Stars 3 (OT) | Friday, May 19, 8:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 a.m. BST | ESPN, ESPN+ |
| Pacific No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights 3, Central No. 2 Dallas Stars 2 (OT) | Sunday, May 21, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. BST | ABC, ESPN+ |
| Pacific No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights 4, Central No. 2 Dallas Stars 0 | Tuesday, May 23, 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST | ESPN, ESPN+ |
| Central No. 2 Dallas Stars 3, Pacific No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights 2 (OT) | Thursday, May 25, 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST | ESPN, ESPN+ |
| Central No. 2 Dallas Stars 4, Pacific No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights 2 | Saturday, May 27, 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST | ABC, ESPN+ |
| Pacific No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights 6, Central No. 2 Dallas Stars 0 | Monday, May 29, 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST | ESPN, ESPN+ |
2023 Stanley Cup Finals
| Matchup | Date and time | Network |
| Vegas Golden Knights 5, Florida Panthers 2 | Saturday, June 3, 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST | TNT, TBS, CBC |
| Vegas Golden Knights 7, Florida Panthers 2 | Monday, June 5, 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST | TNT, TBS, CBC |
| Florida Panthers 3, Vegas Golden Knights 2 (OT) | Thursday, June 8, 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST | TNT, CBC |
| Vegas Golden Knights 3, Florida Panthers 2 | Saturday, June 10, 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST | TNT, CBC |
| Vegas Golden Knights 9, Florida Panthers 3 | Tuesday, June 13, 8 p.m. ET / 1 a.m. BST | TNT, CBC |
2023 NHL standings
Division
Atlantic Division
| Team | Record | Points |
| Boston Bruins | 65-12-5 | 135 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 50-21-11 | 111 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 46-30-6 | 98 |
| Florida Panthers | 42-32-8 | 92 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 42-33-7 | 91 |
| Ottawa Senators | 39-35-8 | 86 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 35-37-10 | 80 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 31-45-6 | 68 |
Metropolitan Division
| Team | Record | Points |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 52-21-9 | 113 |
| New Jersey Devils | 52-22-8 | 112 |
| New York Rangers | 47-22-13 | 107 |
| New York Islanders | 42-31-9 | 93 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 40-31-11 | 91 |
| Washington Capitals | 35-37-10 | 80 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 31-38-13 | 75 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 25-48-9 | 59 |
Central Division
| Team | Record | Points |
| Colorado Avalanche | 51-24-7 | 109 |
| Dallas Stars | 47-21-14 | 108 |
| Minnesota Wild | 46-25-11 | 103 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 46-33-3 | 95 |
| Nashville Predators | 43-32-8 | 92 |
| St. Louis Blues | 37-38-8 | 81 |
| Arizona Coyotes | 28-40-14 | 70 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 26-49-7 | 59 |
Pacific Division
| Team | Record | Points |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 51-22-9 | 111 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 50-23-9 | 109 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 47-25-10 | 104 |
| Seattle Kraken | 46-28-8 | 100 |
| Calgary Flames | 38-27-17 | 93 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 38-37-7 | 83 |
| San Jose Sharks | 22-44-16 | 60 |
| Anaheim Ducks | 23-47-12 | 58 |
Wild Card
Eastern Conference
| Team | Record | Points |
| New York Islanders | 42-31-9 | 93 |
| Florida Panthers | 42-32-8 | 92 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 40-31-11 | 91 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 42-33-7 | 91 |
| Ottawa Senators | 39-35-8 | 86 |
| Washington Capitals | 35-37-10 | 80 |
| Washington Capitals | 35-37-10 | 80 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 31-38-13 | 75 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 31-45-6 | 68 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 25-48-9 | 59 |
Western Conference
| Team | Record | Points |
| Seattle Kraken | 46-28-8 | 100 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 46-33-3 | 95 |
| Calgary Flames | 38-27-17 | 93 |
| Nashville Predators | 43-32-8 | 92 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 38-37-7 | 83 |
| St. Louis Blues | 37-38-8 | 81 |
| Arizona Coyotes | 28-40-14 | 70 |
| San Jose Sharks | 22-44-16 | 60 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 26-49-7 | 59 |
| Anaheim Ducks | 23-47-12 | 58 |
*Italics denote playoff team
Conference
Eastern Conference
| Team | Record | Points |
| Boston Bruins | 65-12-5 | 135 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 52-21-9 | 113 |
| New Jersey Devils | 52-22-8 | 112 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 50-21-11 | 111 |
| New York Rangers | 47-22-13 | 107 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 46-30-6 | 98 |
| New York Islanders | 42-31-9 | 93 |
| Florida Panthers | 42-32-8 | 92 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 40-31-11 | 91 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 42-33-7 | 91 |
| Ottawa Senators | 39-35-8 | 86 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 35-37-10 | 80 |
| Washington Capitals | 35-37-10 | 80 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 31-38-13 | 75 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 31-45-6 | 68 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 25-48-9 | 59 |
Western Conference
| Team | Record | Points |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 51-22-9 | 111 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 50-23-9 | 109 |
| Colorado Avalanche | 51-24-7 | 109 |
| Dallas Stars | 47-21-14 | 108 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 47-25-10 | 104 |
| Minnesota Wild | 46-25-11 | 103 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 46-33-3 | 95 |
| Seattle Kraken | 46-28-8 | 100 |
| Calgary Flames | 38-27-17 | 93 |
| Nashville Predators | 43-32-8 | 92 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 38-37-7 | 83 |
| St. Louis Blues | 37-38-8 | 81 |
| Arizona Coyotes | 28-40-14 | 70 |
| San Jose Sharks | 22-44-16 | 60 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 26-49-7 | 59 |
| Anaheim Ducks | 23-47-12 | 58 |
*Italics denote playoff team
What is the format of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs?
The top three teams in each NHL division make the playoffs, along with two wild cards in each conference. Teams earn their playoff spot via points rather than solely through win totals; for example, the Florida Panthers and Buffalo Sabres each had 42 victories, but the Panthers earned a playoff spot because they had 92 points to the Sabres’ 91.
Each round is a best-of-seven series, ensuring the team with home-ice advantage hosts games one, two, five, and seven. The teams are split into two separate brackets by division for the first round, with each bracket consisting of the top three divisional qualifiers and a wild card team.
If you want to know even more, check out the NHL’s official website and read their full guide on how the entire system works!
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FAQ: About the 2023 NHL playoff schedule
When do the 2023 NHL Playoffs start?
The 2023 NHL Playoffs begin Monday, April 17. Barring any unexpected delays, the Stanley Cup Finals are scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 8.
Who are the Bruins playing in the first round of the playoffs?
After setting the NHL single-season record for victories (65) and points (165), the Boston Bruins open the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers. Linus Ullmark and the B’s are searching for their first championship since 2011.
How many games do teams have to win the Stanley Cup?
As in the NBA, NHL teams must win 16 games—four in each round—to win the Stanley Cup. Each series is a best-of-seven set.
What is home-ice advantage in the NHL?
For the NHL Playoffs, home-ice advantage refers to the team having four games at home in a playoff series rather than three. For example, the Colorado Avalanche had home ice advantage in the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals because they had a superior regular-season record to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Who is in the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals?
The Panthers are in the Finals for the first time since 1996, when they lost to the Colorado Avalanche. The Golden Knights previously made the Finals as an expansion club in 2018, losing to the Washington Capitals in five games.
Who is predicted to win the 2023 Stanley Cup?
According to the FanDuel Sportsbook, Vegas Golden Knights entered the Stanley Cup Finals as -125 favorites to win the series over the Florida Panthers.
Who keeps the Stanley Cup after winning it?
The NHL allows the Stanley Cup-winning team to keep the Cup for 100 days during the offseason. Hopefully it’ll be kept in the air conditioning during the Florida or Nevada summer!
Who is the youngest player to ever win the Stanley Cup?
Former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Larry Hillman is the youngest player to win the Stanley Cup, doing so at 18 years old in 1955. Over 50 years later, Chris Chelios was 46 years old when he won the Cup in 2008, ironically while playing for Detroit.
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