Western Conference

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars

The two top teams in the top half of the West bracket are meeting in Round 2, but neither team had an easy path to get here. The Stars survived a seven-game war with the Colorado Avalanche and needed an incredible third-period comeback to win Game 7. Trailing 2-0 with a little over 12 minutes to play, former Av Mikko Rantanen netted a hat trick to lead Dallas to an improbable 4-2 win. Incredibly, Winnipeg’s path was even crazier. Facing a St. Louis club that had the third-fewest points of all playoff teams, the Jets found themselves down 3-1 with less than two minutes to play in Game 7. Playing with an empty net, Vladislav Namestnikov brought the Jets to within one goal with 1:56 to go. Then, Cole Perfetti scored a miraculous game-tying goal with less than three seconds on the clock. In double overtime, Adam Lowry scored the series-winner with 3:50 remaining. Winnipeg won the regular season series against Dallas, 3-1, but the Stars are playing at a higher level right now.

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

For the second time in three years, the Knights and Oilers will meet for a chance to play in the Western Conference Finals. As the favorite in Round 1, Vegas trailed Minnesota 2-1 and faced a Game 4 on the road. The Knights tied the series with an overtime victory and proceeded to win the next two games — including another OT win in Game 5 — to eliminate the Wild. As for Edmonton, the Oilers pulled off a 4-2 win over the Kings in a series that is still difficult to wrap our heads around. Los Angeles jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the series and largely dominated Games 3 and 4, as well. However, the Oilers found a way to steal both games and went on to win four in a row to eliminate their rival for the fourth year in a row. Edmonton has the talent to hang with Vegas, but the Knights will follow the script from two years ago and take down last year’s Western Conference champs in six.

Eastern Conference

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes

While all four Round 1 series in the West were bloodbaths, three of the series out East were won with relative ease. The top-seed Capitals dispatched Montreal in five games and outscored the Canadiens 9-3 over the final two games. Meanwhile, Carolina eliminated an injury-depleted New Jersey club in five games — though the Devils put up a bit more of a fight than Montreal supplied Washington with. Both of these teams feel like they can win the East and contend for the Stanley Cup. Despite having home ice, Washington may struggle with Carolina’s pressure and ability to possess the puck at a high clip. This is Washington’s first appearance in Round 2 since the 2019-20 season while Carolina is here for the seventh year in a row. Canes in six.

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers

Is this the year Toronto gets over the hump? The Leafs raced out to a commanding 3-0 lead over Ottawa in Round 1 but nearly saw the series knotted at 3-3 before two late goals in Game 6 ended Ottawa’s season. Now, the Leafs will take on the defending Stanley Cup champions — and the Panthers look primed to repeat. Florida has won the East two years in a row and just dispatched the rival Lightning in five dominant games. Toronto has not advanced past the second round since the 2001-02 season and it fell to Florida, 4-1, in Round 2 two seasons ago. Florida won the regular season series 3-1 and it has a few advantages working in its favor. The Panthers are built for the playoffs, they know how to win, they have the better goalie and they have owned the Leafs in recent years. Sorry, Toronto — it is not your year.