2023 Stanley Cup playoffs

1. Boston Bruins, Atlantic Division champions, Eastern Conference regular season champions, Presidents' Trophy winners – 135 points
2. Toronto Maple Leafs – 111 points
3. Tampa Bay Lightning – 98 points

1. Carolina Hurricanes, Metropolitan Division champions – 113 points
2. New Jersey Devils – 112 points
3. New York Rangers – 107 points

1. New York Islanders – 93 points
2. Florida Panthers – 92 points

1. Colorado Avalanche, Central Division champions – 109 points
2. Dallas Stars – 108 points
3. Minnesota Wild – 103 points

1. Vegas Golden Knights, Pacific Division champions, Western Conference regular season champions – 111 points
2. Edmonton Oilers – 109 points
3. Los Angeles Kings – 104 points

1. Seattle Kraken – 100 points
2. Winnipeg Jets – 95 points

The Boston Bruins earned the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best regular season team with a record-setting 135 points. Florida earned 92 points to finish as the Eastern Conference's second wild card. This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the 1996 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, which Florida won in five games. These teams split their four-game regular season series.

The Panthers defeated the Bruins in seven games after being down 3–1 in the series. In Game 1, goaltender Linus Ullmark made 31 saves to backstop the Bruins in a 3–1 victory.[14] A four-goal third period, coupled with Brandon Montour's two goals helped the Panthers win Game 2 6–3.[15] In Game 3, Taylor Hall had a goal and an assist for Boston defeating Florida 4–2.[16] Hall scored twice and provided two assists in Game 4 for the Bruins, giving Boston a 3–1 series lead with a 6–2 victory.[17] In Game 5, Carter Verhaeghe assisted on three goals including the Panthers' overtime goal scored by Matthew Tkachuk, keeping Florida alive in the series with a 4–3 victory.[18] Tkachuk scored twice and provided an assist in a high-scoring affair between Florida and Boston in Game 6, defeating the Bruins 7–5 to force a seventh game.[19] In Game 7, after the Panthers rallied a late goal to tie the game, Verhaeghe scored in the subsequent overtime to send Florida to the Second Round.[9]

The Toronto Maple Leafs finished second in the Atlantic Division, earning 111 points. The Tampa Bay Lightning earned 98 points to finish third in the Atlantic Division. This was the second consecutive and the second overall playoff meeting between these two teams. Tampa Bay won the previous year's Eastern Conference First Round series in seven games. Toronto won two of the three games in this year's regular season series.

The Maple Leafs defeated the Lightning in six games, winning their first playoff series since 2004. The Lightning scored four power play goals in Game 1, outscoring the Maple Leafs in a 7–3 victory.[20] In Game 2, Maple Leafs captain John Tavares scored a hat trick and Ryan O'Reilly provided four assists for Toronto's 7–2 victory.[21] O'Reilly scored a goal and two assists in the Maple Leafs' Game 3 victory where Morgan Rielly scored the overtime goal in a 4–3 triumph.[22] In Game 4, the Maple Leafs overcame a three-goal deficit led by two goals from Auston Matthews, and in the subsequent overtime, Alexander Kerfoot tipped in a shot to give Toronto a 5–4 victory and 3–1 series lead.[23] The Lightning kept their season alive, being backed by a 28-save performance from Andrei Vasilevskiy in Game 5 for a 4–2 victory.[24] In Game 6 and with overtime required, Tavares scored to send Toronto to the Second Round with a 2–1 victory.[11]

The Carolina Hurricanes finished first in the Metropolitan Division earning 113 points. New York finished as the Eastern Conference's first wild card earning 93 points. This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous playoff meeting was during the 2019 Eastern Conference Second Round, which Carolina won in a four-game sweep. Carolina won three of the four games in this year's regular season series.

The Hurricanes defeated the Islanders in six games. Martin Necas and Brent Burns assisted on both Carolina goals in Game 1 whose team emerged victorious for a 2–1 triumph.[25] The Hurricanes prevented New York from achieving a two-goal comeback in Game 2 by forcing overtime wherein Jesper Fast scored to give Carolina a 4–3 victory.[26] With Game 3 tied at 1–1 and it appearing to head to overtime, in a span of 2:18, the Islanders scored four times within the final four minutes and set a league record for the fastest four goals scored by one team in the playoffs to win the game 5–1.[27] In Game 4, Seth Jarvis scored twice for the Hurricanes in a 5–2 victory, winning their first playoff road game since game three of the 2021 Eastern Conference Second Round.[28] Ilya Sorokin made 34 saves for the Islanders in Game 5, forcing a sixth game with a 3–2 victory.[29] In Game 6, with the game headed to overtime, Paul Stastny scored for the Hurricanes, sending Carolina to the Second Round with a 2–1 victory.[30]

The New Jersey Devils finished second in the Metropolitan Division with 112 points. The New York Rangers earned 107 points to finish third in the Metropolitan Division. This was the seventh playoff meeting between these two rivals with New York winning four of the six previous series. They last met in the 2012 Eastern Conference Final, which New Jersey won in six games. New Jersey won three of the four games in this year's regular season series.

The Devils defeated the Rangers in seven games. In Game 1, Adam Fox assisted four times for the Rangers emerging with 5–1 victory.[31] Patrick Kane scored a goal and assisted on both of Chris Kreider's goals in the Rangers 5–1 Game 2 victory.[32] In Game 3, the Devils made a goaltender change and started rookie Akira Schmid, who made 35 saves en route to a 2–1 overtime victory, in which Dougie Hamilton scored the game-winning goal.[33] In Game 4, Jonas Siegenthaler scored a goal and provided an assist for the Devils for a 3–1 win to tie the series 2–2.[34] In Game 5, Erik Haula scored twice and notched an assist while Schmid stopped all 23 shots he faced for the Devils, defeating the Rangers 4–0 for a 3–2 series lead.[35] Kreider scored a goal and provided two assists for the Rangers in Game 6, defeating the Devils 5–2 to force a seventh game.[36] In Game 7, Schmid stopped all 31 shots he faced in a 4–0 victory to send the Devils to Second Round.[37]

The Colorado Avalanche finished first in the Central Division, earning 109 points. The Seattle Kraken earned 100 points to finish as the Western Conference's first wild card for their first playoff appearance. This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. This series also marked the first appearance of a team representing Seattle in the Stanley Cup playoffs in ninety-nine years. The most recent team to represent Seattle prior to this was the Seattle Metropolitans who lost the PCHA Final in 1924. Seattle won two of the three games in this year's regular season series.

The Kraken defeated the Avalanche in seven games. Goaltender Philipp Grubauer made 34 saves in Game 1 for the Kraken, defeating Colorado 3–1 for the city of Seattle's first playoff victory since Game 4 of the 1920 Stanley Cup Finals.[38] In Game 2, the Avalanche overcame a two-goal deficit, spearheaded by Devon Toews third period goal, to win 3–2.[39] Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen both scored twice for the Avalanche in Game 3, defeating 6–4.[40] In Game 4, with the game tied 2–2 after three periods, the Kraken's Jordan Eberle scored in the overtime period to give Seattle a 3–2 victory with a series tied 2–2.[41] Grubauer made 26 saves for the Kraken in Game 5, who took a 3–2 series lead with a 3–2 victory.[42] In Game 6, Artturi Lehkonen scored twice and Toews assisted thrice for Colorado, forcing a seventh game with a 4–1 victory.[43] Game 7 saw Oliver Bjorkstrand score twice for Seattle, and coupled with Grubauer's 33-save performance to hold a 2–1 lead, the Kraken advanced to the Second Round, becoming the first expansion team to triumph over the defending Stanley Cup champions in their inaugural playoff series.[10][44]

The Dallas Stars finished with 108 points to finish second in the Central Division. The Minnesota Wild earned 103 points to finish third in the Central Division. This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous playoff meeting was in the 2016 Western Conference First Round, which Dallas won in six games. These teams split their four-game regular season series.

The Stars defeated the Wild in six games. In Game 1, both teams remained tied after three periods and an overtime period; however, at 12:20 of the second overtime, the Wild's Ryan Hartman scored to give Minnesota a 3–2 victory.[45] Forward Roope Hintz scored a hat trick and defenceman Miro Heiskanen provided four assists for the Stars in game two, defeating the Wild 7–3 to tie the series 1–1.[46] In Game 3, Mats Zuccarello scored twice and Hartman scored a goal and provided two assists for Minnesota, defeating Dallas 5–1.[47] Hintz assisted thrice and goaltender Jake Oettinger made 32 saves for the Stars, tying the series 2–2 with a 3–2 victory.[48] In Game 5, Oettinger shut out the Wild stopping all 27 shots in a 4–0 victory to give Dallas a 3–2 series lead.[49] Max Domi and Mason Marchment both scored a goal and provided an assist in Game 6, moving onto the Second Round with a 4–1 victory.[50]

The Vegas Golden Knights finished first in the Pacific Division and Western Conference earning 111 points. The Winnipeg Jets earned 95 points to finish as the Western Conference's second wild card. This was the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the 2018 Western Conference Final, which Vegas won in five games. Vegas won all three games in this year's regular season series.

The Golden Knights defeated the Jets in five games. In Game 1, Blake Wheeler scored a goal and provided two assists for the Jets in their 5–1 victory.[51] Mark Stone provided two goals and an assist for Vegas in Game 2, tying the series 1–1 in a 5–2 victory.[52] The Golden Knights prevented the Jets from overtaking a three-goal lead in Game 3 with Michael Amadio scoring in double overtime to win 5–4.[53] In Game 4, Brett Howden scored twice for the Golden Knights to defeat the Jets 4–2 and take a 3–1 series lead.[54] Chandler Stephenson scored twice for the Golden Knights in Game 5, sending Vegas to the Second Round with a 4–1 victory.[55]

The Edmonton Oilers finished second in the Pacific Division with 109 points. The Los Angeles Kings earned 104 points to finish third in the Pacific Division. This was the second consecutive playoff meeting and ninth playoff meeting overall between these two teams with Edmonton winning six of the eight previous series. Edmonton won the previous year's Western Conference First Round series in seven games. These teams split their four-game regular season series.

The Oilers defeated the Kings in six games. Los Angeles came back from a two-goal deficit in Game 1, and, assisted by captain Anze Kopitar's goal and three assists, the Kings won 4–3 in overtime by forward Alex Iafallo's goal.[56] Although the Kings tied Game 2 after being down by two goals, Edmonton forward Klim Kostin's goal at 2:20 of the third period proved to be the game-winner for the Oilers in a 4–2 affair.[57] In Game 3, the game again headed to overtime where Trevor Moore scored for the Kings to win 3–2.[58] The Oilers came back from a three-goal deficit and a one-goal deficit in Game 4 to force overtime then Zach Hyman scored to give Edmonton the 5–4 victory and a series tied 2–2.[59] In Game 5, the Oilers forced Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to be pulled after tallying four goals on nineteen shots, wrapping in a 6–3 victory to take a 3–2 series lead.[60] Kailer Yamamoto sealed the Oilers' victory late in Game 6, scoring with 3:03 left in the game to win 5–4 and advance to the Second Round.[61]

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Toronto won three of the four games in this year's regular season series.

The Panthers defeated the Maple Leafs in five games. Matthew Tkachuk had three assists for the Panthers in Game 1, defeating the Maple Leafs 4–2.[62] In Game 2, the Panthers overcame a two-goal deficit and with Sergei Bobrovsky's 35 saves, Florida won 3–2.[63] Game 3 was originally scheduled for Saturday, May 6; however, due to scheduling conflicts with the Miami Heat and the 2023 Miami Grand Prix, the game was rescheduled to Sunday, May 7.[64][65] The Panthers emerged victorious in this game, winning 3–2 via Sam Reinhart's overtime goal, taking a 3–0 series lead in the process.[66] In Game 4, the Maple Leafs staved off elimination on the back of Mitch Marner's goal and assist in a 2–1 victory to force a fifth game.[67] With Game 5 tied 2–2 after three periods, the Panthers' Nick Cousins scored in overtime to advance Florida to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time in twenty-seven years.[68]

This was the fifth playoff meeting between these two teams with Carolina winning three of the four previous series. They last met in the 2009 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, which Carolina won in seven games. These teams split the four games in this year's regular season series.

The Hurricanes defeated the Devils in five games. In Game 1, Jordan Martinook and Jordan Staal assisted twice in the Hurricanes' 5–1 victory.[69] Frederik Andersen made 28 saves in Game 2, and with Jesperi Kotkaniemi's two goals, Carolina defeated New Jersey 6–1.[70] Jack Hughes had two goals and assists in Game 3, granting the Devils the victory in an 8–4 affair.[71] In Game 4, the Hurricanes capitalized on a five-goal second period, routing out the Devils 6–1 for a 3–1 series lead.[72] Andersen made 27 saves in Game 5 for the Hurricanes and with an overtime goal by Jesper Fast, Carolina advanced to the Eastern Conference Final with a 3–2 victory.[73]

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Dallas won two of the three games in this year's regular season series.

The Stars defeated the Kraken in seven games. Although Joe Pavelski scored four goals in Game 1 for the Stars, Yanni Gourde's overtime goal for the Kraken provided Seattle a 5–4 victory.[74] Wyatt Johnston and Tyler Seguin each provided a goal and an assist in Dallas' Game 2 victory, outscoring Seattle 4–2.[75] Seven different Kraken players scored in Game 3, routing the Stars 7–2 to take a 2–1 series lead.[76] Max Domi scored twice for Dallas in Game 4, outscoring Seattle 6–3 to even the series 2–2.[77] In Game 5, Roope Hintz provided an assist and scored twice for Dallas, giving the Stars a 5–2 victory and a 3–2 series lead.[78] Eeli Tolvanen scored a goal and had two assists while Jordan Eberle scored twice and provided an assist for the Kraken in Game 6, sending the series to a seventh game with a 6–3 victory.[79] In Game 7, Hintz and Johnston each provided a goal and an assist for the Stars, sending Dallas to the Conference Finals with a 2–1 victory.[80]

This was the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Edmonton won three of the four games in this year's regular season series.

The Golden Knights defeated the Oilers in six games. In Game 1, Leon Draisaitl scored four goals for Edmonton; however, the Golden Knights, led in part by Ivan Barbashev's two goals, defeated the Oilers 6–4.[81] Game 2 was originally scheduled for Friday, May 5; however, due to Game 3 of the Maple Leafs-Panthers series rescheduled to Sunday, May 7, a void was left in the Hockey Night in Canada timeslot, thus Game 2 was moved to Saturday, May 7 to the dismay of Oilers fans.[64][65] Draisaitl continued his scoring into Game 2, providing two goals for the Oilers and this time defeating the Golden Knights 5–1.[82] In Game 3, Jonathan Marchessault scored twice and Jack Eichel provided a goal and two assists for the Golden Knights to win 5–1.[83] Connor McDavid assisted twice and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored a goal and provided an assist for the Oilers, tying the series 2–2 with a 4–1 victory.[84] In Game 6, Jonathan Marchessault scored a natural hat trick in the second period, giving the Golden Knights a 5–2 victory and a fourth advancement to the Conference Finals/Stanley Cup Semifinals.[85]

This is the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Carolina are making their fifth Conference Final appearance. They were defeated in a four-game sweep against the Boston Bruins in their most recent Conference Final in 2019. This is Florida's second Conference Final appearance. Their only prior appearance was in 1996, which they won against the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games. Carolina won two of the three games in this year's regular season series.

This will be the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Vegas will be making their fourth Conference Final/Stanley Cup Semifinal appearance. They were defeated in 2021 by the Montreal Canadiens in six games in their most recent appearance. This will be Dallas's tenth Conference Final/Stanley Cup Semifinal appearance since the league began using a 16-team or greater playoff format in 1980. Their most recent appearance in the Conference Final/Stanley Cup Semifinal was in 2020 against the Golden Knights, which is also their most recent playoff matchup; Dallas won in five games. Dallas won all three games in this year's regular season series.

These are the top ten skaters based on points, following the conclusion of games played on May 18, 2023. Players in bold are currently active in the playoffs.[86]

This is a combined table of the top five goaltenders based on goals against average (GAA) and the top five goaltenders based on save percentage (SV%), with at least 420 minutes played. The table is sorted by GAA, and the criteria for inclusion are bolded. Players in bold are currently active in the playoffs. Updated as of games played on May 18, 2023.[87]