NHL Playoffs 2024 Round 2 brackets: Confirmed matchups, potential clashes and more explored

The NHL playoffs are in full swing, and the battle for the Stanley Cup is reaching a fever pitch. With several first-round series concluded, hockey fans are eagerly looking ahead to the matchups and storylines that Round 2 will bring.

Let's take a close look at confirmed games and some other details about round 2 of the 2024 NHL playoffs.

---

Eastern Conference

#1. Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins

Regular-season records:

• Panthers: 52-24-6, 110 points
• Bruins: 47-20-15, 109 points

Leading scorers:

• Panthers: Sam Reinhart, 94 points (57 G, 37 A)
• Bruins: David Pastrnak, 110 points (47 G, 63 A)

#2. New York Rangers vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Regular-season records:

• Rangers: 55-23-4, 114 points
• Hurricanes: 52-23-7, 111 points

Leading scorers:

• Rangers: Artemi Panarin, 120 points (49 G, 71 A)
• Hurricanes: Sebastian Aho, 89 points (36 G, 53 A)

---

Western Conference

#1. Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche

Regular-season records:

• Stars: 52-21-9, 113 points
• Avalanche: 50-25-7, 107 points

Leading scorers:

• Stars: Jason Robertson, 80 points (29 G, 51 A)
• Avalanche: Nathan MacKinnon, 140 points (51 G, 89 A)

#2. Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers

Regular-season records:

• Canucks: 50-23-9, 109 points
• Oilers: 49-27-6, 104 points

Leading scorers:

• Canucks: J.T. Miller, 103 points (37 G, 66 A)
• Oilers: Connor McDavid, 132 points (32 G, 100 A)

---

First-Round Recap

The New York Rangers swept the Washington Capitals in the first round. The Florida Panthers got the better of the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games. The Carolina Hurricanes, too, moved to Round 2 by ousting the New York Islanders in five games. Boston Bruins stayed away from another 3-1 curse and won Game 7, eliminating the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Western Conference saw the Colorado Avalanche take down the Winnipeg Jets and the Edmonton Oilers outlast the Los Angeles Kings. The Dallas Stars ousted defending champs Vegas Golden Knights in seven games.

---

NHL Playoff Format and other details for Round Two

The NHL follows a bracket format throughout the postseason. This format adds an element of unpredictability and excitement as teams winning in the best-of-seven series proceed to the next round.

In the second round, winners from the first round within each bracket will battle each other to determine which four teams advance to the conference finals.

Key Dates and Schedule

The NHL released the complete Round 2 playoff schedule today. Here are the full Game 1 details of all eight teams involved in the second round of NHL playoffs:

New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes: (Rangers win)

Sunday, May 5

4 P.M. ET

ESPN, SN, TVAS

Florida Panthers vs Boston Bruins:

Monday, May 6

8 P.M. ET

ESPN, SN, CBC,TVAS

Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche

Tuesday, May 7

9:30 P.M. ET

ESPN, SN, SN360, TVAS

Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers

Wednesday, May 8

10 PM E.T.

SN, SN360, CBC, TVAS, ESPN