Ongoing: 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs

[happy5214]

The Stanley Cup is the oldest team trophy in North American professional sports, awarded since 1893 to champion hockey teams in Canada and the United States via competitions of varying formats. Currently the championship trophy of the National Hockey League, it is possibly also the most recognizable trophy in North American sports. The Stanley Cup Playoffs, contested by 16 teams, are played annually to determine who lifts Lord Stanley's Cup and claim the highest-level championship in professional ice hockey. The Vegas Golden Knights are the defending champions, winning their first title in only their sixth season of play. They have qualified for this year's playoffs, but their seeding is not known yet as of this posting.

This contest will take place in the standard 16-team, four-round, straight knockout format. Correct picks will be worth 1 point each in the first and second rounds, 2 points each in the conference finals, and 4 points in the Stanley Cup final.

This contest is part of the 2023-24 Legion Cup. It also awards points toward the North American Cup. Unless we reach the threshold of 10 participants, the prize to the winner is 2 slot-equivalents. If we reach 10 participants, the prize will be 3 slot-equivalents, and the point allocation for both cups will be doubled.

The first round will begin on Saturday. The Western Conference match-ups are only partially known as of this post, as the Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights are battling for the third spot in the Pacific Division. As a result, the Western Conference match-up times are not yet announced. I will edit this post and update the contest calendar once they are determined. The teams and times have been added.

Here are the match-ups and game 1 start times for the first round:

• (East/Atlantic 1) Florida Panthers vs. (East/Wild Card 1) Tampa Bay Lightning (April 21, 11:30 AM)
• (East/Atlantic 2) Boston Bruins vs. (East/Atlantic 3) Toronto Maple Leafs (April 20, 7 PM)
• (East/Metropolitan 1) New York Rangers vs. (East/Wild Card 2) Washington Capitals (April 21, 2 PM)
• (East/Metropolitan 2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (East/Metropolitan 3) New York Islanders (April 20, 4 PM)
• (West/Central 1) Dallas Stars vs. (West/Wild Card 2) Vegas Golden Knights (April 22, 8:30 PM)
• (West/Central 2) Winnipeg Jets vs. (West/Central 3) Colorado Avalanche (April 21, 6 PM)
• (West/Pacific 1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (West/Wild Card 1) Nashville Predators (April 21, 9 PM)
• (West/Pacific 2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (West/Pacific 3) Los Angeles Kings (April 22, 9 PM)

Good luck!