Notes for each confirmed matchup in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs:
* This is the second all-time postseason meeting between the franchises, following the 1996 Conference Quarterfinals when the Panthers beat the Bruins in five games en route to reaching the Stanley Cup Final. It was Florida’s first-ever playoff series. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.
- Panthers Clinch Franchise-Record Fourth Straight Postseason Berth
- Bruins’ Historic Season Continues with Playoff Clinh in 64th Game
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* Tampa Bay and Toronto will meet in the 2023 First Round. It will be the second all-time postseason meeting between the franchises – the Lightning defeated the Maple Leafs in seven games in the First Round last year. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.
- Lightning Clinch Franchise-Best Sixth Straight Playoff Berth
- Maple Leafs Clinch Postseason Spot for Seventh Straight Year
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* This is the seventh all-time postseason meeting between the franchises and first since the Devils eliminated the Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final 11 years ago. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.
- Rangers Clinch 62nd Postseason Berth in Franchise History
- Devils’ Turnaround Continues with First Playoff Clinch Since 2018
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* This is the second all-time postseason meeting between the franchises. Carolina swept New York in the best-of-seven 2019 Second Round. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.
- Islanders Clinch Playoff Spot for Fourth Time in Five Years
- Hurricanes Clinch Playoff Spot for Fifth Straight Season
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* This is the second all-time postseason meeting between the franchises following the 2018 Conference Finals, a five-game triumph by Vegas during its historic run to the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.
- Jets Clinch Final Playoff Spot in Western Conference
- Golden Knights Clinch Fifth Postseason Berth in Six Seasons
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* This is the ninth all-time postseason meeting between the franchises (EDM: 6-2; LAK: 2-6) and second in as many years. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.
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* This is the first all-time postseason meeting between the franchises. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.
- Kraken Clinch First Stanley Cup Playoffs Spot in Sophomore Season
- Avalanche Clinch a Playoff Berth to Defend Championship
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* This is the second postseason meeting between the franchises, following a six-game triumph by the Stars in the 2016 First Round. Click here for a few #NHLStats on their matchup.
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* Edmonton and Vegas will square off in the Second Round, marking the first all-time postseason meeting between the franchises. The Oilers own an all-time series record of 10-6 in their first head-to-head playoff round with a franchise, while the Golden Knights are 7-3. Click here for a few more #NHLStats on their matchup.
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* Florida and Toronto will square off in the Second Round, marking the first all-time postseason meeting between the franchises. The Panthers own an all-time series record of 4-5 in their first head-to-head playoff round with a franchise, while the Maple Leafs are 12-13. Click here for a few more #NHLStats on their matchup.
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* The Stars/North Stars franchise has faced a club making its first appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on two other occasions, both in the first postseason of the NHL’s expansion when the club itself was in the playoffs for the first time. In 1968, the North Stars defeated the Kings in the Quarterfinals (4-3 W) and then lost to the Blues in the Semifinals (4-3 L). Click here for a few more #NHLStats on their matchup.
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* The Devils will face the Hurricanes in 2023 Second Round. New Jersey is 1-3 all-time in series against Carolina, with its only win against the franchise coming in the 2001 Conference Quarterfinals (4-2 W). In their previous four matchups, the team that advanced made it to the Stanley Cup Final three times (NJD in 2001; CAR in 2002 & 2006). Click here for a few more #NHLStats on their matchup.
