NFL Playoff Prediction 2024-2025 Season

This is part 2 of the NFL 2024-2025 season, where I have predicted the playoffs and the superbowl winners based on my previous post for the regular season. Here are my official predictions and the times each game will start.

Wild Card Round:

  • Saturday
    • 4pm on Fox- San Francisco 49ers (5th Seed) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4th Seed) : 49ers Advances
    •  8pm on NBC- Jacksonville Jaguars (7th Seed) vs Kansas City Chiefs (2nd Seed): Chiefs Advances
  • Sunday
    • 1pm on Fox- Green Bay Packers (6th Seed) vs Detroit Lions (3rd Seed): Packers Advances
    • 4pm on CBS/Nickelodeon/Paramount+ – Baltimore Ravens (5th Seed) vs Houston Texans (4th Seed): Texans Advances
    • 8pm on NBC/Peacock- Dallas Cowboys (7th Seed) vs Philadelphia Eagles (2nd Seed): Eagles Advances
  • Monday
    • 7pm on ESPN/ESPN+/Hulu- Buffalo Bills (6th Seed) vs Miami Dolphins (3rd Seed): Bills Advances 

Divisional Round

  • Saturday
    • 4pm on CBS/Nickelodeon/Paramount+ – Buffalo Bills (6th Seed) vs Cincinnati Bengals (1st Seed): Bengals advances
    • 8pm on Amazon Prime- San Francisco 49ers (5th Seed) vs Philadelphia Eagles (2nd Seed) : Eagles Advances
  • Sunday
    • 4pm on Fox- Green Bay Packers (6th Seed) vs Seattle Seahawks (1st Seed): Packers Advances
    • 8pm on NBC/Peacock- Houston Texans (4th Seed) vs Kansas City (2nd Seed): Chiefs Advances

Championship Round

  • Sunday
    • 4pm on Fox- Green Bay Packers vs Philadelphia Eagles (NFC Championship): Eagles Win
    • 8pm on CBS/Paramount+ – Kansas City Chiefs vs Cincinnati Bengals (AFC Championship): Bengals Win

Superbowl

  • 7pm on Fox: Cincinnati Bengals vs Philadelphia Eagles: Philadelphia Eagles win the Lombardi Trophy for the 2nd time 

2024 Western Conference Final Preview: Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers

BY NATE MOSER

After a close series between Edmonton and the Vancouver Canucks in Game Seven, the Oilers move on to the Western Conference Final to take on the Dallas Stars. They meet a Dallas team who eliminated the Colorado Avalanche in six games. Immediate reactions upon this matchup is it could go either way. The Stars were in the Stanley Cup Final back in 2020, losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in what was a weird postseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic earlier in the year. The Oilers, on the other hand, have not made it to the Cup Final since 2006, when they lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games.

Looking specifically at the forwards for each team, there is solid depth on both sides. Starting with Edmonton, it starts with the best hockey player in the sport in Connor McDavid. He has captivated the hockey world since he was with the Erie Otters back in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) as a teenager. He is an absolute machine on the ice and some of his moves when he is out there are so automatic that he looks like a robot on skates. His point production being as high as it has been for seasons now is just assumed at this point. It’s McDavid, of course he is going to tally 100 points. However, in true McDavid fashion, he has found new ways to be unprecedented in his career. He finished the 2023-24 campaign with 100 assists. Yes, that stat is correct. Not 100 points, 100 assists. What makes this even more mind-blowing is the fact that this was not even his best season in points, because he only potted 32 goals. To put this in perspective, he had 64 goals in 2022-23, and 44 in 2021-22. Here are his stats from the last few seasons:

  • 2021-22: 44 goals and 79 assists for 123 points in 80 games
  • 2022-23: 64 goals and 89 assists for 153 points in 82 games
  • 2023-24: 32 goals and 100 assists for 132 points in 76 games

Stars players are going to have to do the impossible job of trying to contain McDavid, because if he gets his way, it could be a quicker series for everyone with Dallas eliminated as a result. Looking beyond him, the Oilers also have another dangerous weapon in Leon Draisaitl. Along with McDavid, Draisaitl puts up 100-point seasons so easily. 2023-24 was no exception. He scored 41 goals and added 65 assists to finish the regular season with 106 points. That was his fifth time having at least 100 points in a season. Below are all the seasons he achieved this feat:

  • 2018-19: 50 goals and 55 assists for 105 points in 82 games
  • 2019-20: 43 goals and 67 assists for 110 points in 71 games
  • 2021-22: 55 goals and 55 assists for 110 points in 80 games
  • 2022-23: 52 goals and 76 assists for 128 points in 80 games
  • 2023-24: 41 goals and 65 assists for 106 points in 81 games

McDavid and Draisaitl are the main components of the Oilers’ offense, but they have a solid group of talent around them as well. There is Zach Hyman, who scored 54 goals and a total of 77 points; Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who tallied 67 points; and Adam Henrique among others. Dallas will have their hands full with all of the talent that is in Edmonton’s forward core.

However, the Stars have their fair share of lethal talent as well. Leading the charge in that regard in the regular season was Jason Robertson who accumulated 80 points in 82 games (29 goals and 51 assists). Following Robertson in points is Joe Pavelski, who had himself 67 points on the season in 82 games (27 goals and 40 assists). A few other names to round out the top five in points are Wyatt Johnston (32 goals and 33 assists for 65 points), Roope Hintz (30 goals and 35 assists for 65 points), and Matt Duchene (25 goals and 40 assists for 65 points). They have an offense by committee as well. Robertson is the offensive face but his teammates like Pavelski, Duchene, and Hintz cannot be ignored. This roster carries a lot of offensive skill.

Then, there are the defenses for each organization. The Oilers have a defense who know how to produce offensively. In fact, the Oilers’ third highest point total belonged to Evan Bouchard, who had 82 points in 81 games (18 goals and 64 assists). Mattias Ekholm continued to be a stellar acquisition from the Nashville Predators by accruing 11 goals and 34 assists for 45 points in 79 games. That is his best point total in a single season for his career, beating out his 44 points he had with the Predators during the 2018-19 campaign. Other defenders who will try and help Edmonton get past Dallas include Darnell Nurse, Brett Kulak, Cody Ceci, and Vincent Desharnais.

The Stars, meanwhile, are led on the backend by Miro Heiskanen. The 24-year-old played in his sixth NHL season and did not disappoint with nine goals and 45 assists for 54 points in 71 games. So far, in the 2024 postseason, Heiskanen is a point-per-game with five goals and eight assists in 13 games. He has solid backup on the blueline though as well. 22-year-old Thomas Harley suited up for 79 games in the regular season, tallying 15 goals and 32 assists for 47 points. In the playoffs right now, Harley has two assists in 13 games. Also, do not underestimate the veteran leadership a player like Ryan Suter brings. His career has spanned over 1,400 games between his time on the Predators, Minnesota Wild, and now with Dallas. The younger Stars defensemen could soak up a lot of knowledge through how Suter carries himself. There was a reason he was sought after and paid a lot by the Wild back during the 2012 free agency window.

Goaltending is where this series gets extremely intriguing, because the Oilers recently had to rely on their backup goalie for a portion of their previous series. Their starter Stuart Skinner played 10 postseason games, but after a poor performance against the Vancouver Canucks, he got pulled during the contest and replaced with backup Calvin Pickard. Pickard has been a journeyman goalie throughout his career; having played for the Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers, Arizona Coyotes, and Detroit Red Wings. He has made a difference to an extent, helping the team win a game and bring them closer to winning the series. Skinner played for Edmonton in Game Seven, which saw the Oilers eliminate the Canucks by a 3-2 final score. Between Skinner and Pickard, time will tell how the goalie matchup on their side goes as the series goes on versus the Stars. With Dallas, it is the Jake Oettinger Show. He has been awesome to help get the Stars this far. His record in the 13 games he has started so far is 8-5 with a goals-against-average (GAA) of 2.09 and a save percentage (SV%) of .918.

Ultimately, I think this series could go either way. I think the McDavid and Draisaitl vs. Oettinger matchup will be key. If McDavid and Draisaitl get their way with the puck and they take full advantage, Edmonton is going to make the progress they need to against Dallas. If Oettinger helps shut those two down, it will make a massive difference and create a big challenge that the Oilers will have to figure out. That is not even factoring the talents the Stars have in Robertson, Pavelski, Duchene, and Heiskanen that were referenced earlier. It should be a great series all-around. Between the two, it feels like the Stars are going to figure out a way to get it done. The official prediction is Dallas in six games.

What Comes Next : Boston Bruins (Rifkin Statement Address)

By Mike Rifkin

The Boston Bruins have been a model of consistency over the last 15 years, only missing the playoffs twice since the 2007-08 season, and winning the Stanley Cup in 2011. People have been wondering when the Bruins’ would fall off and it has yet to happen. During the 2022-23 season the Boston Bruins set a record for most wins in a season with 65 and points with 135. But while those records are nice, it means nothing as the Bruins blew a 3-1 lead to the Florida Panthers in the first round of the playoffs. This season the Bruins finished second in the Atlantic Division, beat the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven games in the first round. But like last season the Bruins were sent home by the Florida Panthers in six games. 

Prior to this season the Bruins top two centers David Krejci and captain Patrice Bergeron retired. Bergeron (who is a future hall of famer) and Krejci last season combined for 43 goals and 114 points. Instead, of going out and acquiring a true number one Center the Bruins opted to use Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha in those roles and both posted or in Zacha’s case a career high in goals ( Coyle : 25, Zacha 21) and the two combined for 119 points as well. 

But when you talk Boston Bruins forwards you have to talk about David Pastrnak, one of the most dynamic players in the NHL. Pastrnak has hit the 30 goal mark in six of the last seven seasons, the only miss being 2020-21 shortened season. Pastrnak had 47 goals on the season and 110 points on the season, both top ten in the NHL. 

Over the last two seasons the Bruins goaltending duo of Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman have been nothing short of fantastic. The duo last season won the Jennings trophy (fewest goals allowed) and Ullmark won the Vezina trophy. Both Ullmark and Swayman were top five in Goals Against Average and save percentage. This year both were great again and were top 10 in those same categories. At the trade deadline there was a report that the Los Angeles Kings tried to acquire Ullmark, but he nixed that deal. With Swayman being a restricted free agent, it is likely that we have seen the end to that duo. 

BRUINS FREE AGENTS (WITH 2023-24 Stats)

RESTRICTED

JESPER BOQVIST – (6 goals 14 pts) 

JEREMY SWAYMAN (25-10-8 2.53 GAA .916 SAVE PERCENTAGE 3 Shutouts) 

BRANDON BUSSI (AHL STATS : 23-10-5 2.67 GAA .913 SAVE PERCENTAGE 1 Shutout)

UNRESTRICTED 

JAKE DEBRUSK ( 19 GOALS 40 POINTS)

DANTON HEINEN ( 17 GOALS 36 POINTS)

JAMES VAN RIEMSDYK ( 11 GOALS 38 POINTS)

PAT MAROON ( 4 GOALS 12 POINTS)

MATT GRZELCYK ( 2 GOALS 11 POINTS)

KEVIN SHATTENKIRK (6 GOALS 24 POINTS)

DEREK FORBORT ( 0 GOALS FOUR POINTS)

Let’s start with the two big free agents and then we’ll get to the team as a whole. There is no question in my mind that Jeremy Swayman is a number one goalie and deserves to be paid as such, so that is the top priority of the offseason. Now when it comes to Jake DeBrusk it’s difficult. I like the player a lot, the last two seasons he had 25+ goals and led the team in points in the playoffs, but the consistency is where it gets me. DeBrusk is coming off a two year eight million dollar contract, so he is going to look to be bumped north of the four million he was making. 

The Bruins are expected to have 22.5 million dollars in cap space with the cap rising this summer. So how should they spend that money plus whatever else might the offseason hold for them?

Let’s start with the Linus Ullmark situation, because as mentioned above Swayman has taken the reins of the net. And if Brandon Bussi is ready to be the backup or the Bruins can sign a cheap backup. Teams like the Kings, Oilers and Devils all are in need of a true number one goalie. Now the question would be does this happen at the draft or after? Or do the Bruins wait to see what Calgary does with Jacob Markstrom? 

STAYING : SWAYMAN, BUSSI, MAROON, SHATTENKIRK (IF PRICES ARE RIGHTS)

LEAVING ULLMARK, DEBRUSK GRZELCYK, FORBORT, HEINEN, JVR

Acquiring ( WON’T PUT MONEY OR TERM OF DEAL) : Elias Lindholm (unless Ullmark trade nets them a number one Center), Yakov Trenin, Alex Carrier, Ian Cole (or Dylan Demelo). 

Now if Bussi isn’t ready then you could add a veteran backup goalie. But the reason for the three defensemen is if anything is true in hockey it’s that depth on the backend is needed, I expect Parker Wotherspoon and Mason Lohrei to continue their progression. 

https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/cap/_/year/2024/sort/cap_maximum_space2

Predicting NFL Regular Season Results

After the NFL schedule release this past week, I have decided to give my predictions and predict the wins and losses for each team this season and determine who will make the playoffs in the 2024-2025 NFL season. I did include week 18 as it can be a crazy week for some teams who need the win and others who are not playing their starting players to rest them for the playoffs the following week. I hope to make a playoff prediction list with this list in the next few weeks. Here are my full predictions for the NFL regular season.

TeamWeeks WinningWeeks LosingBye WeekW-LPlayoffsDivision Placement
Buffalo Bills1,5,7,9,10,14,15,16,17,182,3,4,6,8,11,14,1310-7Yes/6th Seed2nd/AFC East
New England Patriots6,8,11,15,1,2,3,4,5,7,9,10,12,13,16,17,18144-13No4th/AFC East
NY Jets2,3,4,6,9,11,15,1,5,7,8,10,13,14,16,17,18127-9No3rd/AFC East
Miami Dolphins1,2,4,5,8,10,11,12,14,17,183,7,9,13,15,16,611-6Yes/3rd Seed1st/AFC East
Baltimore Ravens1,2,4,6,9,10,12,13,15,16,183,5,7,8,171411-5Yes/5th Seed2nd/AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals1,3,4,5,6,8,9,11,12,14,16,172,7,10,15,181312-5Yes/1st Seed1st/AFC North
Cleveland Browns3,7,8,9,11,12,14,1,2,4,5,6,13,15,16,17,18107-10No3rd/AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers2,3,6,7,181,4,5,8,10,12,13,14,15,16,17,95-12No4th/AFC North
Denver Broncos5,6,8,13,181,2,3,4,7,9,10,11,12,15,16,17145-12No4th/AFC West
KC Chiefs2,3,5,7,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,171,4,8,16,18612-5Yes/2nd Seed1st/AFC West
LA Chargers1,2,4,7,10,13,15,16,17,3,6,8,9,11,12,14,59-6No2nd/AFC West
Las Vegas Raiders3,4,8,9,12,16,171,2,5,6,7,11,13,14,15,107-9No3rd/AFC West
Houston Texans1,2,3,4,7,8,11,12,15,16,175,6,9,10,13,181411-6Yes/4th Seed1st/AFC South
Indianapolis Colts3,4,5,7,9,12,13,15,16,1,2,6,8,10,11,17,149-7No3rd/AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10,13,14,1,5,11,15,16,17,181210-7Yes/7th Seed2nd/AFC South
Tennessee Titans6,9,15,17,1,2,3,4,7,8,10,11,12,13,14,16,54-12No4th/AFC South
Dallas Cowboys1,2,3,4,5,9,10,12,13,15,186,8,11,14,16,17711-6Yes/7th Seed2nd/NFC East
NY Giants1,2,8,9,10,14,16,173,4,5,6,7,12,13,15,18118-9No3rd/NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles1,2,3,4,6,7,11,12,14,15,17,188,9,10,13,513-4Yes/2nd Seed1st/NFC East
Washington Commanders4,5,7,8,10,13,151,2,3,6,9,11,12,17,18147-10No4th/NFC East
Chicago Bears1,10,122,3,4,5,6,8,9,11,13,14,15,16,17,1873-14No4th/NFC North
Detroit Lions1,2,3,6,7,8,10,11,13,14,16,17,184,9,12,15,513-4Yes/3rd Seed1st/NFC South
Green Bay Packers2,3,4,5,6,9,11,13,15,16,17,181,7,8,12,14,1012-5Yes/6th Seed2nd/NFC South
Minnesota Vikings5,8,11,13,14,151,2,3,4,7,9,10,12,16,17,1866-11No3rd/NFC North
Arizona Cardinals2,9,10,16,1,3,4,5,6,7,8,12,13,14,15,17,18114-13No4th/NFC West
LA Rams4,7,9,16,17,1,2,3,5,8,10,11,12,13,14,15,1865-12No3rd/NFC West
San Francisco 49ers1,2,3,4,5,8,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,186,7,17,914-3Yes/5th Seed2nd/NFC West
Seattle Seahawks1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9,12,13,14,16,17,183,11,15,1014-3Yes/1st Seed1st/NFC West
Atlanta Falcons1,4,5,10,11,15,17,182,3,6,7,8,9,13,14,16,128-9No2nd/NFC South
Carolina Panthers5,6,91,2,3,4,7,8,10,12,13,14,15,16,17,18113-14No4th/NFC South
New Orleans Saints1,7,8,13,182,3,4,5,6,9,10,11,14,15,16,17125-12No3rd/NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers1,3,6,7,8,12,13,14,16,17,2,4,5,9,10,15,181110-7Yes/4th Seed1st/NFC South

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jd3Qy4Egsz4C4Mf4gYja2zVvG-CD16atk-ArZYTz5ks/edit?usp=drivesdk

MISSED IT BY THAT MUCH

BY Mark Halpern

The New York Knicks amazing season run has come to a close. The Knicks were defeated by the Indiana Pacers in game 7 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday and sent the Knicks home. However, something happened in New York that I have rarely seen. In my 41 years as a Knicks fan, I think I have expressed every emotion from down right disrespectful to outrageously ecstatic and that was just between games. I have been a loyal and dedicated fan and even though the Knicks were sent home this season was not in any way a failure and the loyal fan base made sure they were not just proud of one player but almost every Knick who checked in and who checked out got standing ovations from this Knick crowd. It’s very hard to get a standing ovation when you lose to an inferior team but, this wasn’t just a loss it also proved to be very successful. The Knicks experiment with Jalen Brunson leading the way and rotating centers worked. It was unfortunate that the Knicks lost Mitchell Robinson after game 2 and took away the Knicks chance at being able to match up defensively height wise and were being dominated on either end of the floor rebound wise and the Pacers capitalized on that key by taking the last three games of the series to move on.

    I wish I could say that Robinson’s injury was the only one but the Knicks were also down Julius Randle for most of the year, Josh Hart got a severe abdominal strain but still played through the pain, OG Anunoby was lost after game two due to a hamstring  injury and the Knicks were losing players towards the end and couldn’t match up. Especially in the fourth quarter with losing star Jalen Brunson to a broken hand.  However, this was a Knicks team that wasn’t considered a top team in the Eastern Conference and the jury was out on them. As fans we have to look at the last two seasons as massive successes.  It is a huge step forward and with the Knicks showing how much talent they have, attracting HIGH quality free agents will not be a problem as the Garden faithful will gladly welcome into the fold. I am a very proud Knick fan to be writing this article and hope we see the same life, hunger and will next season.

The Difference Maker

By Mike Rifkin

The Florida Panthers and New York Rangers are getting ready to play in the Eastern Conference Finals, with a chance to go play for the Stanley Cup. For both teams this is the second time in three seasons that both are playing for a chance to go to the Cup Final. Now, we can discuss all of the X-factors that’ll play in this series, but one matchup will determine the outcome of this series. The battle of the goalies. Both Igor Shesterkin and Sergei Bobrovsky have both won the Vezina Trophy and both have had big moments in their playoff career. 

For the Rangers they’ve had the distinct goaltending edge in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Igor Shesterkin is 8-2 with a 2.40 GAA and a .923 save percentage so far in the playoffs. In game four against the Hurricanes, Shesterkin had his streak of 30 consecutive playoff games of giving up three goals or less snapped. Shesterkin had a big struggle during the season, but after getting some time off after the All Star break, Shesterkin has been phenomenal for the Rangers and is a big reason why they won the Presidents’ Trophy. 

For the Panthers they haven’t had the distinct advantage in goal through the first two rounds, going up against Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jeremy Swayman. But Sergei Bobrovsky has been excellent with a 2.37 GAA and a .902 save percentage. Bobrovsky in his playoff career has a 2.94 GAA and .905 save percentage.  

Two Russian Goalies, who have had outstanding seasons have an opportunity to lead their respective franchise to the Eastern Conference Championship time will tell on which one will be the difference maker. 

THE COWBOYS SCHEDULE

BY MARK HALPERN

Last week the NFL released the schedules of all 32 NFL teams and the Cowboys have a rough opening schedule. Cleveland followed by the Saints, Ravens, Giants, Steelers and then the Lions. This will be more on the Defense than the Offense as four of these six are high powered teams. The second half has some easier teams but still will face off against powerhouses such as the 49ers, Bengals and obviously the Eagles once again. The Defense has to be better than last year more on the run as Dallas was notorious for being run over. The Secondary is getting Diggs back which is big and will lighten the load on third year star Daron Bland who is currently slated at the number 2 CB with Gilmore still on the market. 

    Now for the biggest joke of the year on the schedule. The Cowboys annual Thanksgiving game is usually slated more against higher profile teams to draw ratings as they are they only game on at 4:25pm. For the second time in three years the Cowboys will play the Giants on Thanksgiving. It feels like every year it’s the Lions vs the Bears and the Cowboys taking on either the Commanders or Giants, let’s try something different at some point. The Lions game and the late-night game will draw more ratings as well lets call it what it is the Giants.

MARVIN HARRISON JR BEING SUED 

BY FANATICS

BY MARK HALPERN

At the end of last week, we saw our first real story about one of the top rookies in the NFL draft and he is getting noticed for the wrong reasons. Marvin Harrison Jr the son of ex wide receiver Marvin Harrison (Formerly of the Indianapolis Colts) is being sued over his likeness rights for his jump into the NFL. Fanatics as it has been doing to try and steal as many of the top players to sign to their own label and take a firm grasp of the Sport Card market by locking up every top star and basically offering them more to not sign with other card labels. They had been very successful with C.J. Stroud, Bryce young and Will Levis who didn’t have any LICENSED autograph rookie cards because of their deal with fanatics. Fanatics was ready to roll forward with their brand until they were hit with an injunction barring them from producing LICENSED cards until the former contract is up in 2026.

     Fanatics has gotten every player they have targeted so far and had a “DEAL” in place for Harrison Jr, and now he is reneging on the deal saying all he saw was an offer sheet. Harrison Sr is his son’s manager and has been adamant he has not signed any deal and will hold up any production or likeness rights for as long as they need. Harrison Jr is expecting to be one of the top rookies in the draft this year and a star for many more years to come, if he lives up to his expectations this season. Harrison Jr, is launching his own brand and has said he never signed any deal for Fanatics and currently no deal with the NFLPA for his cards to be produced. 

    When I look at this case, I see both stories possibly being true. The way Fanatics has attacked the market you had to expect they were going to protect themselves by locking up the top 4 picks in this year’s draft for their launch in 2026. It is possible that Harrison did sign an offer sheet before the draft and if a court decides that it is legal and binding, he will live up to the deal as it could cost him millions if he decides to go another way. Fanatics might only have an offer sheet and not possibly have a full LIKENESS rights contract and if that is the case then Harrisons own brand line will be able to be produced by whichever way he sees fit. Personally, in my humble opinion there is so much talk but not enough evidence to really support either side and I will keep updating as more is brought to the surface.

2024 Eastern Conference Final Preview: Florida Panthers vs. New York Rangers

BY NATE MOSER

With the Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes officially eliminated from the NHL playoffs, only two teams are left standing in the Eastern Conference for a chance at lifting the Stanley Cup. There is the Florida Panthers, who made it to the Stanley Cup Final last season, but were defeated in that series by the champion Vegas Golden Knights. The Panthers are still looking for their first Cup championship in franchise history. Then, there are the New York Rangers, who last made the Stanley Cup Final in 2014, and are looking for their first Cup since 1994. This series should be intense. Both rosters are very deep and skilled. Here are some things to look forward to on both sides.

Looking at the Rangers forwards, they have had a balanced attack throughout their run. Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad both currently lead the team with 14 points each (Trocheck: six goals and eight assists, and Zibanejad: three goals and 11 assists). Following them are Artemi Panarin (four goals and seven assists for 11 points), Chris Kreider (seven goals and three assists for 10 points), and Alexis Lafreniere rounding out the top five scorers (four goals and six assists for 10 points). The Panthers, meanwhile, have continued their successful postseason dominance from their 2023 run. Matthew Tkachuk continues to be one of their core talents with four goals and 10 assists for 14 points in 11 games. Captain Aleksander Barkov had five goals and eight assists in that same span of games. Carter Verhaeghe has 11 points (six goals and five assists), while Sam Reinhart, who had a career-high regular season campaign that included 57 goals, has five goals and four assists. That is not even including Vladimir Tarasenko, who provides a veteran leadership role based on his experience but also a Cup championship with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.

Focusing on the blueline now, the first defenseman who comes to mind for the Rangers is Adam Fox. The 26-year-old won the Norris Trophy for Best Defenseman in the NHL back in 2021 by putting up a stat line of five goals and 42 assists for 47 points in 55 games. He finished the 2023-24 regular season with 17 goals and 56 assists for 73 points in 72 games. He is one of the best at his position in the league, and he leads a Rangers blueline who also includes the skillsets of Jacob Trouba, K’Andre Miller, Erik Gustafsson, Ryan Lindgren, and Braden Schneider. Fox has put up four assists so far in the 2024 playoffs.

Trouba, the current captain for the team, brings a physical presence that has gained his share of negative attention from others. Statistically, this postseason run, he has one goal and three assists for four points. Miller has three points (one goal and two assists) while Gustafsson has chalked up three assists.

Looking at Florida’s defense group, Brandon Montour leads the charge in stats for the club. The 30-year-old caught many eyes last year for the Panthers, and now he is continuing his solid performances in both the 2023-24 regular season, as well as this current playoff run. He has accrued the following:

  • 2022-23 regular season: 16 goals and 57 assists for 73 points in 80 games
  • 2023 playoffs: eight goals and five assists for 13 points in 21 games
  • 2023-24 regular season: eight goals and 25 assists for 33 points in 66 games

Yes, Montour’s production dipped a bit in the regular season, but he has done well for the Panthers in the 2024 postseason with three goals and five assists in 11 games. There’s Gustav Forsling, who re-signed with Florida for eight years back in March. He had two goals and five assists through 11 games. Oliver Ekman-Larsson also has a goal and three assists for four points, while former first overall pick Aaron Ekblad has four assists.

Then, there’s the goaltending. The Rangers have been known for some absolute stars who have suited up for their organization. Mike Richter was a force between the pipes which led the Rangers to their first Cup championship in decades. Then, there is Henrik Lundqvist, who never got a Cup but was one of the goalies who defined the NHL in the mid-to-late 2000s as well as the 2010s. Now, the net belongs to Igor Shesterkin. He has been lights out for many games, and he is so crucial to the success that the team has. When he is on his game, the rest of the players in front of him get a lift in their play. He has a solid defense in front of him, but when Shesterkin is called upon, he plays so well. His 2024 postseason record, as this is being written, is 8-2. He has a 2.40 goals-against-average (GAA) and a save percentage (SV%) of .923. Shesterkin being on his game will make life so much easier for the Rangers and their fans.

For the Panthers, they have had a history of goaltending too. Roberto Luongo leads in that regard, having spent two stints in net for the franchise. Now, they have been aided by the presence of Sergei Bobrovsky. There were times the contract that he signed with the Panthers looked like an overpayment, but he has been stellar for the club lately. Last postseason, Bobrovsky put up a record of 12-6. His GAA on that run was 2.78, while he had a .915 SV%, and one shutout. Then, in the 2023-24 regular season, he posted a record of 36-17-4, with a SV% of .915 and a GAA of 2.37. So far, in this postseason run, he has a record of 8-3. His GAA is 2.37, and he has a SV% of .902. He has put up great numbers and has been on fire lately. Both goalies in Shesterkin and Bobrovsky have barely lost. If both of them play ridiculously well, one single mistake should have a vital impact in which team advances to the next round.

Making my prediction for this Eastern Conference Final matchup, I am picking the Rangers to defeat the Panthers in seven games. It will be close for sure. I do not expect this series to be one-sided. It really could go either way between both clubs. It would not shock me if either one made it to the Cup Final. I just think the Rangers will figure out how to pull it off. They were hot out of the gates, and only lost games recently. That has not doused their chances of winning it all though. They are a skilled bunch and I think they find a way to eliminate the Panthers in seven.

WHAT COMES NEXT : CAROLINA HURRICANES (RIFKIN STATEMENT ADDRESS)

BY MIKE RIFKIN

For the second time in three seasons the New York Rangers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After years of being so close this feels so different for the Hurricanes, because of the going all in at the trade deadline. So, the question is how should the Hurricanes approach the summer to get over the hump.

The Hurricanes didn’t waste too much time after the season ended, they’ve announced an extension with Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour. In six seasons at the helm of the Canes, Brind’Amour has a 278-130-44 record and is 36-32 in the playoffs. Since taking the helm Brind’Amour has taken Carolina to the playoffs every year, taking the team to the Conference Finals twice. 

The Hurricanes will have almost 28 million dollars in cap space this summer, with the cap rising. Don Waddell will have his work cut out for him on retooling this roster because they have a lot of decisions to make and here’s what they have to consider. 

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (WITH  REG SEASON STATS)

FWD: MARTIN NECAS (24 GOALS 53 PTS)

FWD : SETH JARVIS ( 33 GOALS 67 PTS)

FWD : JACK DRURY (8 GOALS 27 PTS) 

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS ( WITH REG SEASON STATS)

FWD : TEUVO TERAVAINEN ( 25 GOALS 53 PTS)

FWD : JAKE GUENTZEL ( 30 GOALS 77 PTS) (8 GOALS 25 PTS WITH CANES)

FWD : JORDAN MARTINOOK (14 GOALS 32 PTS)

FWD STEFAN NOESEN (14 GOALS 37 PTS) 

DEF: JALEN CHATFIELD (8 GOALS 22 PTS 

DEF : BRADY SKJEI (13 GOALS 47 PTS) 

DEF : TONY D’ANGELO (3 GOALS 8 PTS)

DEF : BRETT PESCE  (3 GOALS 13 PTS)

Let’s start with the restricted free agents. Rumors are already swirling on Necas and his availability. He reportedly wants top line minutes and top power play time, and as nice of a year as he had for the Hurricanes, he is probably better off going elsewhere. Teams like the Predators, Sharks, Ducks, Kraken and Red Wings make sense. Now as for Jarvis and Drury, I’d be all in on signing to long deals, especially Jarvis, who continues to grow as a player and was very noticeable in the playoffs. 

Jake Guentzel was everything the Hurricanes could’ve asked for and more. Once he recovered from injury after the trade he created a dynamic duo alongside Sebastian Aho. So even if Guentzel is looking for a little bump from the six million he was making, the Canes should do everything in their power to bring him back. The other forward I’d bring back is Jordan Martinook, he does a little bit of everything for the Canes, and is a critical identity player in my opinion. On the Blue Line it comes down to Brett Pesce or Brady Skjei on who I would try to keep, both are solid top four defensemen. Both will be 30 years old during next season, so it comes down to what each wants. Now Pesce’s name has surfaced in trade rumors in the past, so it might be simpler to move him. 

Allow me to put my GM hat on and show what I would do if I was in the Carolina front office ( Note I am not going to use money, just looking to see who could be a fit) 

Returning : Guentzel, Martinook, Skjei, Jarvis, Drury, Chatfield (if money works)

Going ( and how they could be replaced) :

 Teravainen (Kevin Labanc, Chandler Stephenson)

Necas ( just depends on trade package, but would have to imagine a first rd pick)

Noesen ( Brandon Duhaime, Alexander Barabanov)

Pesce ( Matt Dumba, Matt Grezelcyk)

DeAngelo ( Erik Johnson, Derek Forbort) 

Don Waddell has a tough summer ahead of him, with the Canes being eliminated they do hold onto their first rd pick. But Waddell has a lot of work to do this summer to get the Hurricanes to get to the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2006. 
https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/cap/_/year/2024/sort/cap_maximum_space2