NHL Eastern Conference First Round Matchups

Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs 

The Boston Bruins (47-20-15) and Toronto Maple Leafs (46-26-10) have faced each other 4 times during the 2023-2024 regular season.

November 2, 2023 | Boston Bruins 3, Toronto Maple Leafs 2

The Bruins opened up the first and second period with goals scored by Pavel Zacha and Jake DeBrusk at TD Garden. Leafs’ Mitch Marner answered back during the second period and Austin Matthews scored the game-tying goal. After a scoreless third period and overtime, the teams went into the shootout which resulted in a Bruins win. Ilya Samsonov, who had a 0.950 save percentage, was in net for the Toronto Maple Leafs and saved 38 out of 40 shots on goal. Jeremy Swayman, who had a save percentage of 0.943, was in the net for the Boston Bruins and saved 33 out of 35 shots on goal. 

December 2, 2023 | Boston Bruins 4, Toronto Maple Leafs 3

The Bruins opened up the first and second period with goals scored by David Pastrnak and Kevin Shattenkirk at Scotiabank Arena. Leafs’ Matthews answered back and Max Domi scored the game-tying goal in the third period. The teams went back and forth between scoring chances as Bruins’ Trent Frederic scored a goal which was answered back by Matthews. The Leafs forced overtime, however, Captain Brad Marchand scored the game-winning goal and closed out the game with a Bruins victory. Joseph Woll, who had a 0.892 save percentage, was in net for the Toronto Maple Leafs and saved 33 out of 37 shots on goal. Linus Ullmark, who had a save percentage of 0.925, was in the net for the Boston Bruins and saved 37 out of 40 shots on goal.

March 4, 2024 | Boston Bruins 4, Toronto Maple Leafs 1 

The Bruins dominated the first and second period of this matchup at Scotiabank Arena as Morgan Geekie scored the opening goal and Zacha scored a power play goal. DeBrusk scored the only goal of the second period. The Leafs were finally on the board after a goal scored by John Tavares. Zacha scored the game-winning goal which secured the win for the Bruins. Joseph Woll, who had a 0.852 save percentage, was in net for the Toronto Maple Leafs and saved 23 out of 27 shots on goal. Jeremy Swayman, who had a save percentage of 0.970, was in the net for the Boston Bruins and saved 32 out of 33 shots on goal.

March 7, 2024 | Boston Bruins 4, Toronto Maple Leafs 1  

Pastrnak scored a power play goal which put the Bruins on the board first at TD Garden. The Bruins carried their momentum into the second period as Frederic scored an unassisted goal. The Leafs answered back with a power play goal scored by Marner and made it a one-goal game. Bruins’ Geekie capitalized on their power play opportunity and Brandon Carlo secured their win with one last goal to close out the game. Joseph Woll, who had a 0.840 save percentage, was in net for the Toronto Maple Leafs and saved 21 out of 25 shots on goal. Jeremy Swayman, who had a save percentage of 0.966, was in the net for the Boston Bruins and saved 28 out of 29 shots on goal.

In previous matchups, we have seen the Bruins being able to take control and dominate the Toronto Maple Leafs. The odds may have always gone in the Bruins favor with either of their goaltenders in net during games against the Leafs so it will be interesting to see who the Leafs choose to start the playoffs. In regards to the upcoming matchup, it looks like the Bruins may have the upperhand, however, we can still expect an intense first round matchup from both teams. 

Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

The Florida Panthers (52-24-6) and Tampa Bay Lightning (45-29-8) have faced each other 3 times during the 2023-2024 regular season.

December 27, 2023 | Florida Panthers 3, Tampa Bay Lightning 2

Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad and Sam Reinhart scored the first two goals of the game at Amalie Arena. The Lightning struck after Nikita Kucherov scored a goal during the third period which made the score 2-1. Reinhart extended the Panthers’ lead after scoring a shorthanded goal (3-1). Lightning’s Michael Eyssimont scored the last goal of the game but this last push was not enough to tie the game. Sergei Bobrovsky, who had a 0.931 save percentage, was in net for the Florida Panthers and saved 27 out of 29 shots on goal. Andrei Vasilevskiy, who had a save percentage of 0.903, was in the net for the Tampa Bay Lightning and saved 28 out of 31 shots on goal.

February 17, 2024 | Florida Panthers 9, Tampa Bay Lightning 2

Panthers scored 4 unanswered goals during the first period at Amalie Arena despite Lightning striking first. Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk dominated the second period with two power play goals. Carter Verhaeghe scored two goals and Sam Bennett scored a power play goal during the third period. Brayden Point capitalized on a power play opportunity and scored their second Lightning goal of the game. Sergei Bobrovsky, who had a 0.933 save percentage, was in net for the Florida Panthers and saved 28 out of 30 shots on goal. Andrei Vasilevskiy, who had a save percentage of 0.727, was in the net for the Tampa Bay Lightning and saved 16 out of 22 shots on goal before he was pulled and replaced by Jonas Johansson. After entering late into the game, Johansson had a save percentage of 0.625 and saved 5 out of 8 shots on goal. 

March 16, 2024 | Tampa Bay Lightning 5, Florida Panthers 3

Lightning’s Captain, Steven Stamkos, opened the first period at Amerant Bank Arena and Eyssimont extended their lead before the end of the first period. Their momentum continued in the second period with a goal scored by Darren Raddysh and a Stamkos power play goal. The Panthers answered back with goals scored by Tkachuk and Reinhart. It was a one-goal game after Reinhart scored an unassisted goal but Kucherov scored an empty-net goal which secured a win for the Lightning. Sergei Bobrovsky, who had a 0.733 save percentage, was in net for the Florida Panthers and saved 11 out of 15 shots on goal. Andrei Vasilevskiy, who had a save percentage of 0.940, was in the net for the Tampa Bay Lightning and saved 47 out of 50 shots on goal.

In previous matchups, we have seen the Florida Panthers being able to take control and hold their own when they played against the Tampa Bay Lightning. We can also expect to see another goaltending battle between Sergei Bobrovsky and Andrei Vasilevskiy as they have faced each other multiple times during the regular season. In regards to the upcoming matchup, it looks like the Panthers may have the upperhand, however, it may be a hard-fought battle amongst both teams knowing both of their playoff histories and drive to win.

New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals 

The New York Rangers (55-23-4) and Washington Capitals (40-31-11) have faced each other 4 times during the 2023-2024 regular season.

December 9, 2023 | Washington Capitals 4, New York Rangers 0

Capitals’ Sonny Milano scored the first goal of the game at Capital One Arena. They carried their momentum into the second period and scored 3 unanswered goals. Anthony Mantha opened the second period which was followed by Tom Wilson scoring an unassisted goal and Nicolas Aube-Kubel scoring the third Capitals goal of the period and secured their win. Igor Shesterkin, who had a 0.862 save percentage, was in net for the New York Rangers and saved 25 out of 29 shots on goal. Charlie Lindgren, who had a save percentage of 1.000, was in the net for the Washington Capitals and saved all 31 shots on goal.

December 27, 2023 | New York Rangers 5, Washington Capitals 1

Capitals’ Mantha scored the first goal of the game at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers would then go on to score 5 unanswered goals to end with a triumphant win. Goals were scored by K'Andre Miller who scored 2 goals, Artemi Panarin, Braden Schneider, and Alexis Lafreniere. Igor Shesterkin, who had a 0.963 save percentage, was in net for the New York Rangers and saved 26 out of 27 shots on goal. Darcy Kuemper, who had a save percentage of 0.839, was in the net for the Washington Capitals and saved 26 out of 31 shots on goal. 

January 13, 2024  | Washington Capitals 3, New York Rangers 2

Rangers’ Adam Fox scored opened up the game at Capital One Arena which was answered back by Capitals’ Mantha to make it a tied game. Fox made it a one-goal game in the second period, however, Capitals’ Nic Dowd and T.J. Oshie were able to generate and score two more goals to close out the game. Jonathan Quick, who had a 0.857 save percentage, was in net for the New York Rangers and saved 18 out of 21 shots on goal. Charlie Lindgren, who had a save percentage of 0.926, was in the net for the Washington Capitals and saved 25 out of 27 shots on goal.

January 14, 2024 | New York Rangers 2, Washington Capitals 1

The Rangers opened up the first period with two goals scored by Panarin and Lafreniere at Madison Square Garden. Capitals’ Oshie made it a one-goal game but were unable to tie the game which secured the win for the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin, who had a 0.960 save percentage, was in net for the New York Rangers and saved 24 out of 25 shots on goal. Charlie Lindgren, who had a save percentage of 0.935, was in the net for the Washington Capitals and saved 29 out of 31 shots on goal.

Previous matchups against both teams have been evenly split in regards to wins and losses against one another. We may be able to expect Igor Shesterkin and Charlie Lindgren to be in net for the upcoming matchups based on the results of previous matchups between these two teams. Although the Washington Capitals have had a rough start of the regular season, they won when it mattered which will make for an interesting first round matchup when up against the New York Rangers who have had a phenomenal 2023-2024 regular season. 

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders 

The Carolina Hurricanes (52-23-7) and New York Islanders (39-27-16) have faced each other 4 times during the 2023-2024 regular season.

November 4, 2023 | Carolina Hurricanes 4, New York Islanders 3

Islanders’ Noah Dobson opened up the first period at UBS Arena and ended the period in their favor. The Islanders’ lead was extended by Simon Holmström and Mathew Barzal. Canes’ made a comeback with goals scored by Jalen Chatfield, Dmitry Orlov and Jesperi Kotkaniemi and won in overtime with a goal scored by Sebastian Aho. Antti Raanta, who had a 0.880 save percentage, was in net for the Carolina Hurricanes and saved 22 out of 25 shots on goal. Ilya Sorokin, who had a save percentage of 0.913, was in the net for the New York Islanders and saved 42 out of 46 shots on goal.

November 30, 2023 | New York Islanders 5, Carolina Hurricanes 4

Chatfield put the Canes on the board first, however, Islanders’ Bo Horvat momentarily tied the game at PNC Arena. Jordan Staal scored another goal for the Canes and temporarily extended their lead until Holmström tied the game. Islanders made it a one-goal game after Pierre Engvall scored which was answered back in the third period with a goal scored by Canes’ Jack Drury. Kyle Palmieri extended the Islanders’ lead with a power play goal but Canes’ Aho forced the teams to go into overtime. Although victorious during their last overtime with the Islanders, Canes fell short after Barzal scored the game-winning goal for the Islanders. Pyotr Kochetkov, who had a 0.688 save percentage, was in net for the Carolina Hurricanes and saved 11 out of 16 shots on goal. Semyon Varlamov, who had a save percentage of 0.907, was in the net for the New York Islanders and saved 39 out of 43 shots on goal. 

December 23, 2023 | New York Islanders 5, Carolina Hurricanes 4 

Islanders’ Sebastian Aho opened the game at PNC Arena with a goal which was matched by Canes’ goal scored by Teuvo Teravainen. Islanders made it a two-goal game with goals scored by Brock Nelson and Horvat. Although Canes’ Aho capitalized on a power play opportunity, Islanders’ Mike Reilly extended their lead. Jaccob Slavin scored a Canes goal and made it a one-goal game but Islanders' Anders Lee made it a two-goal game. The Canes made a commendable attempt to tie the game with a goal scored by Stefan Noesen but were unable to force overtime. Pyotr Kochetkov, who had a 0.821 save percentage, was in net for the Carolina Hurricanes and saved 23 out of 28 shots on goal. Ilya Sorokin, who had a save percentage of 0.900, was in the net for the New York Islanders and saved 38 out of 40 shots on goal.

March 19, 2024 | Carolina Hurricanes 4, New York Islanders 1 

Seth Jarvis scored two goals during the first period of the game at UBS Arena and Martin Nečas closed out the first period with a power play goal. Islanders' Palmieri scored a goal during the third period which temporarily made it a two-goal game. Jake Guentzel secured the Canes’ win after he scored an empty-net goal. Pyotr Kochetkov, who had a 0.968 save percentage, was in net for the Carolina Hurricanes and saved 30 out of 31 shots on goal. Ilya Sorokin, who had a save percentage of 0.909, was in the net for the New York Islanders and saved 30 out of 33 shots on goal.

Previous matchups between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders for the most part have been a close back and forth battle when you look at the first three games they played against each other. In regards to goaltending, we may see Pyotr Kochetkov in net for the Carolina Hurricanes and Semyon Varlamov starting for the New York Islanders since both goaltenders have been on a win-streak for the past few games of the regular season which makes for an intense first round. 

Closing Thoughts

After looking at the previous matchups between the teams who have made it into the playoffs, who do you think is going to win and advance to the second round in the Eastern Conference?