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Stanley Cup Final preview: Players to watch, goalie confidence levels, top trends
The NHL's 2024 championship round is here. Will the Oilers win their sixth Cup, or will the Panthers take home their first? Here's an in-depth preview.
JOE PAVELSKI
NHL
'He's meant everything to our group:' What's next for Joe Pavelski after 18 seasons in the NHL?
Could he continue to play or could a job in a front office be the next step for the Stars center? Whatever it is, people within the organization expect him to be successful.
Top Headlines
LOOKING AHEAD
Keys to the offseason: What's next for the Stars, other eliminated teams?
We explore the next moves each team should make this summer and forecast its 2024-25 outlook.
PLAYOFFS CENTRAL
Stanley Cup Playoffs Central: Bracket, schedule, game previews for the NHL's postseason
From the first round all the way through the Stanley Cup Final, ESPN has you covered. Explore the full results, and coverage on each team.
EDMONTON OILERS
BEST IN THE WEST
'He's the heartbeat of our team': Why everybody loves Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, long-suffering Edmonton Oiler
The No. 1 pick of the 2011 draft has been through quite a bit in his NHL career -- but now has his team on the precipice of the Stanley Cup Final.
Kris Knoblauch's journey from youth hockey coach to 'saving' Oilers' season
"We dug out of a big hole and Kris was a big reason for it," Edmonton GM Ken Holland said. It's been quite a year for the former West Hartford Wolves volunteer.
Have the Oilers done enough to get Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl a Stanley Cup?
Building around superstars can be a challenge. How did the Oilers do it, and could this be their best shot to win with McDavid and Draisaitl?
FLORIDA PANTHERS
THE EAST CHAMPS
The Panthers are back in the Stanley Cup Final: Keys to their run, early look at next potential matchups
Can the Panthers finish their story after falling just short in 2023? Here are the club's biggest trends so far, along with a look at what's ahead.
Patchwork Panthers: How Florida built a perennial contender
Only three players on the current roster have been there since being drafted by the Panthers. Here's how the front office, coaches make it all work.
How the Panthers became the NHL's bad boys
Frustrating, free-flowing and full of finesse. Florida is incapable of being rattled and is often the team instigating the extracurriculars.
JUNE 4: 9 P.M. ET ON ESPN
NHL
E:60: 'No Easy Victories - The 1994 New York Rangers' trailer
DRAFT PROSPECT RANKINGS
NHL DRAFT IS JUNE 28, 29 ON ESPN, ESPN+
NHL draft Big Board: Updated top-32 rankings following under-18 championships, draft lottery
With the draft order set and many prospects' seasons over, here's the new list ahead of the draft combine in June.
Post-lottery NHL mock draft: San Jose on the clock at No. 1
The Sharks, Blackhawks and Ducks have the top three picks, with Macklin Celebrini, Artyom Levshunov and Cole Eiserman among top prospects available.
Why everyone -- including Draymond Green and Steve Kerr -- sees Macklin Celebrini as a can't-miss prospect
The expected No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft, Celebrini has seen athletic success up close over the years with his dad working for a number of professional sports teams.
AWARD WINNERS
NHL awards and trophies for the 2023-24 season: Full schedule, list of winners
It's time to recognize the best players from this season. Who will take home the hardware for MVP, rookie of the year and more?
Top Headlines
- Chicago network to air Bulls, Blackhawks, Sox
- Despite 'our best game,' Stars ousted in Game 6
- Panthers open as favorites to win Stanley Cup
- Saginaw the 5th U.S. team to hoist Memorial Cup
- Oilers in Stanley Cup Final for 1st time since '06
- ECF ouster not 'special' ending Rangers expected
- 'We are back': Panthers will play for Cup again
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