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When do the 2024 NHL playoffs start? Dates to know, schedule, TV channels & betting odds

Albert Bainbridge IV, NorthJersey.com
·3 min read

The best time of the year in the NHL is nearly upon us as the Stanley Cup playoffs are right around the corner.

The regular season wraps up Thursday night before the postseason begins this weekend.

All 16 teams have been finalized for the playoffs after a wild turn of events saw the Washington Capitals -- albeit finishing the regular season with an eye opening minus-37 goal differential -- snuck into the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night.

More: 3 things to know about Rangers vs. Capitals first-round NHL playoff series

With that being said, here's what you need to know about when the 2024 NHL playoffs start, where to watch the entire postseason, and who are the betting favorites to win the Stanley Cup:

When do the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs start?

Jan 14, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) makes a save against New York Rangers left wing Jimmy Vesey (26) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) makes a save against New York Rangers left wing Jimmy Vesey (26) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, April 20 marks the official day that the first round begins. The postseason was supposed to get underway on Monday, April 22, but the league moved up the start date two days earlier.

While the Western Conference matchups have yet to be established, all four of the Eastern Conference first round head-to-head battles have officially been announced with dates and start times for each Game 1 this weekend and are as followed:

Saturday, Apr. 20:

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New York Islanders, 5 p.m. ET

Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 8 p.m. ET

Sunday, Apr. 21:

Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning, 12:30 p.m. ET

New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals, 3 p.m. ET

When is the 2024 Stanley Cup Final?

Jun 13, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault (81) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Florida Panthers in game five of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault (81) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the Florida Panthers in game five of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The Stanley Cup Final has a tentatively scheduled start date of June 3. This could change based on how long the Eastern and Western Conference finals take as well.

Where can I watch the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs?

Jun 13, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault (81) shoots against Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the third period in game five of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights forward Jonathan Marchessault (81) shoots against Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the third period in game five of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

Just as it has been the past two seasons, the NHL playoffs will be split airing on both ESPN or TNT in the United States.

The media conglomerates are in the third year of a seven-year deal with the NHL to host the playoffs and Stanley Cup Final.

ESPN and TNT will split the first three rounds with the exception being that games on Saturday night will air on ABC.

The big difference this year is that while TNT had the Stanley Cup Final in 2023, this year's final will be on ESPN.

If you don't have cable but want to catch the non-stop action that is the Stanley Cup playoffs, fans can start a free trial with FuboTV.

Who are the favorites to win the 2024 Stanley Cup Final?

Jan 2, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) skate during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) and Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (22) skate during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

In what seems like one of the most wide open playoff pictures in recent memory, the Carolina Hurricanes are the odds-on-favorites at 7/1 (+700) to win their second Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Here are the current odds for each of the 16 teams that qualified for this year's postseason to lift the Stanley Cup:

Carolina Hurricanes: +700 (Bet $100 to win $700)

Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars: +850 (Bet $100 to win $850)

New York Rangers and Colorado Avalanche: +900 (Bet $100 to win $900)

Boston Bruins: +1150 (Bet $100 to win $1,150)

Vegas Golden Knights: +1200 (Bet $100 to win $1,200)

Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs: +1600 (Bet $100 to win $1,600)

Winnipeg Jets: +2100 (Bet $100 to win $2,100)

Tampa Bay Lightning: +2500 (Bet $100 to win $2,500)

Los Angeles Kings: +3000 (Bet $100 to win $3,000)

Nashville Predators: +4000 (Bet $100 to win $4,000)

New York Islanders: +6000 (Bet $100 to win $6,000)

Washington Capitals: +18000 (Bet $100 to win $18,000)

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This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NHL playoffs 2024 schedule, dates, TV info and betting odds