Stanley Cup playoffs picks: Every first-round NHL series

The six-month journey of the 2023-24 NHL regular season is complete. Sixteen of the league's 32 teams have been eliminated , and 16 have made the postseason bracket . It's time for ESPN's hockey experts to serve up their picks on every first-round series, along with their calls on which team will skate with the Cup this June and which player will earn the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs. More: Playoff schedule Mega-preview Lapsed fan's guide Top 50 players Cup contender comps First round Atlantic Division A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Tampa Bay Lightning Sean Allen: Panthers in six Blake Bolden: Panthers in six John Buccigross: Panthers in seven Ryan Callahan: Lightning in seven Cassie