The 2022-23 NHL season has come to an end and 16 teams are set to face off in the postseason starting this week. The Boston Bruins are currently the favorites to win the Stanley Cup as they are definitively the best team in the league, earning a record-breaking season with the best record and highest points total of all time.

Fans have different perspectives on who will do well in the playoffs and which team has the best shot at making it to the finals. Higher seeds tend to be favored in a best-of-seven series, but not everyone agrees with that notion.

The New York Islanders are set to play the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the playoffs. Despite Carolina holding the number one seed in the Metropolitan Division, an upset is predicted due to the great impact of star players on the Islanders.

“The Islanders are a team that I think can go far in the playoffs because they have some playmakers like Brock Nelson and Adam Pelech,” said San Jose Sharks fan Jonas Lyions (‘26).

Led by superstar Nathan McKinnon, the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in last year’s Stanley Cup Finals. The Avalanche own first place in the Central Division, but matchup difficulties this season may stop them from making it back to the finals.

“I don’t think Nathan McKinnon and the Avalanche will be able to repeat because they probably will have to play against the Dallas Stars if they do make it in the second round, and I believe the Stars are a good team to make it far,” said San Jose Sharks fan Aiden Joyce (‘24).

Connor McDavid from the Edmonton Oilers tallied up 153 points this season along with 64 goals and 89 assists. McDavid and Leon Draistl, another scoring leader in the NHL, are looking to make a push in the playoffs as they match up against the Los Angeles Kings in round one.

“The Oilers will be a team that will make it deep in the playoffs because their offense is a powerhouse and they have the leading scorer who I think will be putting up numbers in the postseason,” said Seattle Kraken Fan Matteo Gable (‘24).

After conquering a 65-12-5 record, the Boston Bruins hope to top off their historic season with their seventh Stanley Cup championship in franchise history.

“The Bruins will probably win the (Stanley) Cup this year. I do not think they will be able to lose in a seven game series,” said Joyce.