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'The most dangerous man on the ice': How Auston Matthews can level up his legacy in Round 1
He's one of the sport's superstars, and led the NHL in goals this season. A series win against Toronto's tormentors would elevate him further.
PLAYOFFS CENTRAL
Stanley Cup Playoffs Central: Bracket, schedule, preview for the NHL's postseason
From the first round all the way through the Stanley Cup Final, ESPN has you covered. Explore the full results, and coverage on each team.
Top Headlines
NATHAN MACKINNON
NHL
Nathan MacKinnon is having the best season of his career, but he still gets overshadowed
From a crowded Hart field to a Justin Bieber snub, the Avs star still doesn't seem to get his due. But don't expect him to worry about what anyone else thinks.
A FAMILIAR FOE
Peter Laviolette coached the Caps -- now he's trying to eliminate them
This is the eighth time in history that a fired coach has faced his former team in the ensuing Stanley Cup playoffs; previously, those coaches went 6-1.
TOP PLAYOFF TRENDS
MASKS, TRADITIONS, TIME CAPSULE
What's on the masks of Stanley Cup playoff goalies? Our guide to all 16 teams
From throwback logos to player tributes to a friendly otter, see the unique mask designs that goalies on 2024 postseason teams have worn this season.
Catfish, knights and rats, oh my! Inside the traditions of NHL playoff teams
From knight battles to the catfish toss, all 16 Stanley Cup playoff teams have franchise-defining traditions.
Whitney Houston, Doom and more from the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup
No Canadian team has won a Stanley Cup since 1993, the year the PDF was invented. Here's a look at what pop culture was like more than 30 years ago.
Top Headlines
- Georgiev 'proves people wrong,' leads Avs' G2 win
- Bennett exits with injury as Panthers take 2-0 lead
- 'Struggling' Ovechkin still pointless; Caps trail 2-0
- Returning Ruff: It's time to turn Sabres around
- Canucks lose goalie Demko for at least Game 2
- Bruins' Peeke week-to-week, won't go to Toronto
- Devils forward Meier undergoes shoulder surgery
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Best of ESPN+
Offseason keys for NHL teams, including draft, free agency
We explore the next moves each team should make this summer and forecast its 2024-25 outlook.
Ranking every NHL team's prospects: Why the Sabres are No. 1
Clubs will add to their pools of young talent in the draft, but who has the best system right now? We count them down from 32 to 1.
Regrading the biggest deals of the 2024 NHL trade deadline
Many playoff-bound clubs made significant moves before March 8 -- but not all of them have worked out so well. Here are regrades on 23 of the biggest.
Trending Now
Ranking the top 50 NHL players in 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs
With Matthews in the top spot, where do MacKinnon, McDavid and Panarin rank? What about the top goalies? Here's what our voters think.
Stanley Cup playoffs: A guide to all 16 teams' quirky traditions
From knight battles to the catfish toss, all 16 Stanley Cup playoff teams have franchise-defining traditions.
What's on the masks of Stanley Cup playoff goalies? Our guide
From throwback logos to player tributes to a friendly otter, see the unique mask designs that goalies on 2024 postseason teams have worn this season.