Stanley Cup Final rematch leads games of week
The NHL is playing its final week before the Christmas break, and the league’s holiday roster freeze started just before press time. But there will be plenty of action with a rematch of the 2022-23 Stanley Cup Final. Among the marquee matchups, one former No. 1 overall pick is trying to end a surprising goal drought.
Here’s a look at the projected Stanley Cup playoff bracket as of press time, plus the key games of the week.
Eastern playoff bracket
If the season ended on Dec. 17, here’s how the Eastern Conference playoff matchups would align:
No. 1 New York Rangers Washington Capitals
No. 2 Boston Bruins vs. No. 7 Carolina Hurricanes
No. 3 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. No. 6 Florida Panthers
No. 4 Philadelphia Flyers vs. No. 5 New York Islanders
Western playoff bracket
vs. No. 8
If the season ended on Dec. 17, here’s how the Western Conference playoff matchups would align:
No. 1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. No. 8 Arizona Coyotes
No. 2 Colorado Avalanche vs. No. 7 Nashville Predators
No. 3 Vancouver Canucks vs. No. 4 Los Angeles Kings
No. 4 Winnipeg Jets vs. No. 5 Dallas Stars
Key games this week
WEDNESDAY
New York Islanders at Washington Capitals, 7:30 p.m. ET: Capitals star Alex Ovechkin’s goal drought has hit a career-worst 13 games and is jeopardizing his chances of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s career record. His shooting percentage is a career-worst 4.8%, but he has 44 goals against the Islanders, including a two-goal game this season. SATURDAY
Dallas Stars at Nashville Predators, 2 p.m. ET: Dallas’ Matt Duchene plays in Nashville for the first time since the Predators bought out his contract. He entered the week ranked fourth on the Stars with 24 points.
Vegas Golden Knights at Florida Panthers, 3 p.m. ET. A rematch of the 2022-23 Stanley Cup Final. The defending champion Golden Knights entered the week as the league’s top team and the Panthers were tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference. The teams’ last meeting was a 9-3 Golden Knights victory in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.
When do the Stanley Cup playoffs begin?
Postseason games are scheduled to begin on April 22. The last possible day of the Stanley Cup Final is June 24.