The 2023-24 NHL campaign has reached its climactic stages, as the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs take place between April and June. Sixteen teams will compete in a bracket format to reach the Stanley Cup Finals and stake their claim for a championship.

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The Vegas Golden Knights, last season’s victors, will be in the mix once more, as will the Florida Panthers, who are seeking to go one better after coming up short. With plenty of contenders from the Eastern and Western Conferences - consisting of the Pacific, Central, Atlantic, and Metropolitan regions, respectively - there will be no shortage of excitement.

Each conference will see eight teams square off in best-of-seven matchups through a standard elimination bracket. The two winners ultimately meet in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals themselves, and once a team is out, there are no more second chances.

But how can you watch it all unfold? When will the games take place? And where is the best place to stream it all? Here, GOAL talks you through the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, including dates, times, and how to watch.

When do the NHL Playoffs start?

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The 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to start on Saturday, April 20, and will then stretch for the best part of the next two months through to mid-June. The latest end date for the NHL Stanley Cup Finals is expected to be Monday, June 17.

Timings are subject to change depending on the length of best-of-seven matchups through the first round, second round and conference finals.

When are the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals?

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The 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Finals are not yet dated because they will not be set until the conclusion of the conference finals during the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs themselves.

However, they are scheduled to take place between Wednesday, June 5 and Monday, June 17. The venues will be split between the home arenas of the two sides who contest the Stanley Cup Finals.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Picture

Sixteen teams will enter the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, but only two will reach the Finals, and only one can claim the championship from there.

The Dallas Stars and the Florida Panthers are among the favorites to win it all, and both could well set up a climactic encounter. But they will have to see off heavyweights from their respective conferences to get there.

Below are the teams who have already qualified for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, along with their division and rank.

Eastern Conference 

• Boston Bruins (Atlantic 2)
• Carolina Hurricanes (Metropolitan 2)
• Florida Panthers (Atlantic 1)
• New York Islanders (Metropolitan 3)
• New York Rangers (Metropolitan 1)
• Tampa Bay Lightning (Wild Card)
• Toronto Maple Leafs (Atlantic 3)
• Washington Capitals (Wild Card)

Western Conference 

• Colorado Avalanche (Dallas 3)
• Dallas Stars (Central 1)
• Edmonton Oilers (Pacific 2)
• Los Angeles Kings
• Nashville Predators (Wild Card)
• Vancouver Canucks (Pacific 1)
• Vegas Golden Knights
• Winnipeg Jets (Dallas 2)

How to watch the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

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The 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs will be shown on linear and pay television across ABC, ESPN, TBS and TNT across the United States, while ESPN+ and MAX will provide streaming coverage.

Regional and local broadcasters will carry games from the first round, with the exception of ABC matches. Following the second round, ABC will have the first choice of conference finals, with TNT set to air the other selection. ABC will then have exclusive coverage of the 2024 NNL Stanley Cup Finals.

Most games shown on TNT will be available to stream through MAX. Offering coverage from across the Warner Bros. Discovery stable of original content and library material, customers can watch NHL games and more from just the starting price of $9.99 monthly.

Select matches from ABC and ESPN will be streamed through ESPN+. Offering coverage from all ESPN channels, including ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN3, ESPN+ allows customers access to a wide variety of sporting content for just $10.99 per month.

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In Canada, games will air on CBC and the Sportsnet networks under their Hockey Night in Canada brand. The Stanley Cup Finals will be simulcast on both CBC and Sportsnet, and the games will be streamed through Sportsnet+ and CBC Gem.

Additionally, users in the United States will be able to stream the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs through several streaming package providers. Below are some of GOAL’s favorites.