Predictions for the 2023-24 season

The Hurricanes are still favourite and the Panthers second favourite. We already know that the Hurricanes and the Rangers will meet in the second round. The models favour the Hurricanes (67.4%) to win over the Rangers (32.6%).

Let’s look at the first round individual match-ups.

• Panthers (100%) vs Lightning (0%), 4-1:

• Bruins (50.1%) vs Maple Leafs (49.9%), 3-3: It’s a coin toss as who will win the last game. The models only give a tiny edge to the Bruins to win game seven. Will Matthews be back?

• Rangers (100%) vs Capitals (0%), 4-0:

• Hurricanes (100%) vs Islanders (0%), 4-1:

• Stars (84%) vs Golden Knights (16%), 3-2: The Stars have made a come-back after dropping the first two games. They’ve been dominant in this series.

• Jets (0%) vs Avalanche (100%), 1-4:

• Canucks (75.8%) vs Predators (24.2), 3-2: Goaltending is the big unknown with the Canucks relying on Silovs in the last two games. He has done well-enough for the Canucks to win one of the two.

• Oilers (100%) vs Kings (0%), 4-1:

Power ranking

No change at the top with the Hurricanes first and the Panthers second. The Avalanche has climbed to the third spot.