When will the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals start? Full schedule, Game 7 date and more explored

The NHL unveiled the official schedule for the Stanley Cup Finals today. Game 1 is set to begin on Saturday, June 8, at 8 p.m. ET.

The Stanley Cup Finals will feature the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals series (New York Rangers or Florida Panthers) versus the winner of the Western Conference Finals (Edmonton Oilers or Dallas Stars).

It’s worth noting that all games are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET and will be available on major networks and streaming platforms such as ABC, ESPN+, Sportsnet, CBC and TVAS.

Here is a breakdown of the Stanley Cup Finals schedule:

• Game 1: Saturday, June 8 @ 8 p.m. ET
• Game 2: Monday, June 10 @ 8 p.m. ET
• Game 3: Thursday, June 13 @ 8 p.m. ET
• Game 4: Saturday, June 15 @ 8 p.m. ET
• Game 5: Tuesday, June 18 @ 8 p.m. ET*
• Game 6: Friday, June 21 @ 8 p.m. ET*
• Game 7: Monday, June 24 @ 8 p.m. ET*

*Games 5, 6 and 7 will be played if necessary.

Both Conference Finals series are currently tied at two games apiece. Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals series will be played on Thursday night as both clubs look to take a 3-2 lead. Similarly, the Oilers and Stars will be looking to take a 3-2 series lead on Friday night in Game 5.

The team with the best regular-season record would host Game 1 in the finals. If the Rangers qualify, Game 1 will be at Madison Square Garden. If the Dallas Stars qualify against the Florida Panthers, Dallas will host Game 1.

If the Edmonton Oilers win the Western Conference Finals, they would play Game 1 on the road as they had the worst regular-season record of the four remaining teams.

Interesting numbers behind the Rangers bid to reach the Stanley Cup Finals

The New York Rangers last reached the Stanley Cup Finals during the 2013-2014 season and lost to the Los Angeles Kings in five games.

But this time around, it seems circumstances are in the Rangers’ favor.

This season is the second time in three years that New York has made it to the Conference Finals. The last time the Rangers reached the Conference Finals, they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Additionally, the Rangers are the first Presidents’ Trophy winners since 2004 to reach the third round. If they can advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, they will have a chance to end the Presidents’ Trophy curse.

History is on the Rangers’ side versus the Panthers, as the only other time the two teams met in the playoffs was in 1997. In that series, the Rangers won the first-round matchup in five games.

One of the most interesting numbers behind the Rangers’ playoff run this season has been their 34 comeback wins. The combined regular-season and playoff wins are a record. This season’s Rangers have surpassed the 2005-2006 Hurricanes and the 1983-1984 Edmonton Oilers.

However, the Rangers have not won a championship since 1994. Before that, the Rangers had gone 54 years without a championship. The Rangers hope they won’t need to wait another 50 years for the next one.