Every year around the middle of April the NHL Playoffs begin. The playoffs run through mid-June, when one team earns the right to hoist the Stanley Cup, named after former Canadian Governor Lord Stanley. The Stanley Cup is one of the most prestigious trophies in all of professional sports, and winning it is a dream for every NHL player.

Each season, 16 teams qualify for the playoffs—eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference. These teams compete in a four-round, best-of-seven series format, aiming to be the first to win four games in each round. The journey begins with the first round, followed by the second round, the conference finals, and ultimately the Stanley Cup Final.

Eastern Conference – first round matchups:

• Washington Capitals vs Montreal Canadians
• Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils
• Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
• Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators

The Capitals advanced into the second round after defeating the Canadians in five games. Similarly, the Hurricanes defeated the Devils in five games to advance. Also, like the Capitals and Hurricanes, the Panthers only took five games to take down the Panthers and advance into the second round. Finally, unlike the other series, the Maple Leafs vs Senators was a hard fought battle, with the Maple Leafs eliminating the Senators in game six. 

Western Conference – first round matchups:

• Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings
• Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild
• Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
• Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues

The Oilers took down the Kings in six games, while the Golden Knights emerged victorious over the Wild in six games also. The Stars vs Avalanche was a tight series that was brought all the way to game seven, where the Stars were able to win the game and the series. Finally, the Jets and Blues series also went to game seven, with the Jets clinching this series in the final game. 

Eastern Conference – second round matchups:

• Carolina Hurricanes vs Washington Capitals 
• Toronto Maple Leafs vs Florida Panthers

The Hurricanes were able to dominate the Capitals in this series, winning it in five games. The Maple Leafs and Panthers battled in a close series, but ultimately Florida came out on top in seven games. 

Western Conference – second round matchups: 

• Edmonton Oilers vs Vegas Golden Knights 
• Dallas Stars vs Winnipeg Jets.

The Oilers proved to be too good of a team for Vegas to contain by winning the series in only five games. The Stars and Jets had a tightly contested matchup, but Dallas ended up advancing after six games. 

With only four teams remaining, the intensity of the playoffs increases even further as the conference finals approach. The remaining teams will continue to push themselves to the limit for a chance to compete for the most desired trophy in hockey: the Stanley Cup.