And Then There Were Four: NHL Conference Finals Predictions

The NHL has whittled the competition down to just four teams, following the Oilers game seven defeat of the Canucks. The two conference finals are set, with the Stars taking on the Oilers in the West and the Rangers battling with the Panthers in the East. Let’s take a look at the series to come!

As Colin Horgan for The Guardian points out, the Oilers were one of the big preseason favorites for the Stanley Cup. With Connor McDavid leading the team with 21 points (2g 19a) during the playoffs, per NHL Media, they look tough, but the Stars have very few weaknesses.

Per NHL Media, the Stars won two of the three matchups between the two teams during the regular season, with the most recent game finishing 5-0 to Dallas. With that form behind them, the Stars must be feeling confident heading into the series.

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In recent years, both the Oilers and the Stars have made runs to the Conference finals, with Edmonton getting swept by the Avalanche in 2022, while the Stars’ 2020 run ended in defeat to Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Final, per ESPN.

The Oilers are a well-oiled machine (no pun intended) but their roster is based around the supreme talent of Connor McDavid. The Stars on the other hand are deep, as McDavid told NHL Media, “They’re deep, they’re as deep a team as you’re going to find in the NHL. Four lines, six [defensemen], they got a great goaltender.” Per The Guardian, “The Stars had eight forwards with 20 or more goals.”

This series will be close, and the Oilers have become a great NHL story in recent years, but ultimately we think the Stars have too much for Edmonton and will win the series 4-2. Per Sport Betting Dime, the odds suggest Dallas has 53.5% implied odds to advance. Doesn’t get much tighter than that!

Anthony McCarron for SNY writes, “The Rangers’ clash with the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final features big-name players, big-brain coaches and big-save goalies.” Couldn’t have put it better ourselves. Both teams have been amongst the elite all season and now meet for a chance to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals!

Both rosters are loaded, with contributions coming from all over the ice. Again, per Anthony McCarron, “Fourteen Panthers have scored at least one goal and 13 Rangers have done the same.” This depth should keep these clashes exciting throughout, with no drop in intensity even when the third lines are on ice.

The Panthers boasted the equal-best defense in hockey during the regular season, giving up just 2.41 goals per game. The Rangers, on the other hand, allowed 2.76 goals per game, per hockey reference. The Rangers averaged 3.44 goals scored per game, compared to 3.27 by the Panthers. Will the better offense or defense prove successful?

The Panthers are an elite team with very few weaknesses, but the Rangers can score at any time, including four short-handed playoff goals per SNY, which could prove the difference. We have the Rangers in seven.

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