2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Presented by Geico Begin April 21 with Quadruple Header on ESPN and ESPN2 (2024)

  • 14 First Round Games Over Four Days Beginning Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET
  • The Point will Air Daily as a Lead-in Show for Games Throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs
  • ESPN Playoff Hockey Challenge Accepting Entries Until Puck Drop on April 20
  • ESPN Debuts New Stanley Cup Playoffs Spot Voiced by Liam Neeson

2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Presented by Geico Begin April 21 with Quadruple Header on ESPN and ESPN2 (1)

With the NHL regular season now complete, the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs on ESPN presented by GEICO have arrived as 16 teams face off for the most prestigious trophy in sports. Providing fans with continuous action, 14 first round games will play out over the first four days on ESPN and ESPN2, beginning Sunday, April 21.

ESPN’s NHL studio show, The Point, will air regularly as a lead-in to games throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs with rotating hosts Steve Levy, John Buccigross and Arda Öcal and NHL analysts Mark Messier and P.K. Subban. The Drop, ESPN’s digital hockey show and podcast co-hosted by Arda Öcal and Greg Wyshynski, will stream Mondays and Thursdays throughout the playoffs on the NHL on ESPN YouTube channel and wherever you get your ESPN podcasts. In the Crease, a nightly highlight show, will stream on ESPN+ throughout the playoffs, following the conclusion of games on ESPN networks.

ESPN’s playoff puck drops Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on ESPN in a first round matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Atlantic Division champion Florida Panthers. The Panthers’ Sam Reinhart and Matthew Tkachuk aim to match the offensive firepower of the Lightning and Art Ross Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov.

At 3 p.m. on ESPN, the Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin take on the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers – an elite offensive team in the regular season – led by goals and assists leader Artemi Panarin.

The Colorado Avalanche and its points, goals and assists leader, Nathan MacKinnon, face off against the Winnipeg Jets and goalie Connor Hellebuyck – this season’s William M. Jennings Trophy winner – at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

Closing out the night at 10 p.m. on ESPN, the Nashville Predators and Pacific Division champion Vancouver Canucks both return to the postseason after having missed last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Leading off Monday’s quadruple header, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Auston Matthews – winner of his third career Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy – face the Boston Bruins and David Pastrnak in a series featuring two of the season’s top five scorers at 7 p.m. on ESPN.

The New York Islanders and Mathew Barzal challenge the Carolina Hurricanes and recent addition Jake Guentzel, who has already added eight goals and 25 points in just 17 games, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

The defending Stanley Cup Champion Vegas Golden Knights and reigning Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Marchessault take the ice against the Western Conference Champion Dallas Stars and its points and assists leader Jason Robertson at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN.

In a rematch of last season’s first round playoff series, the Edmonton Oilers and Connor McDavid, who tied for a league-leading 100 assists, host the Los Angeles Kings and its balanced attack from Adrian Kempe, Kevin Fiala and Anze Kopitar at 10 p.m. on ESPN2.

The telecast details and commentators for each game are detailed below. Commentator assignments and coverage details for ESPN games beyond April 29 will be announced in the coming days.

ESPN Debuts New NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Spot
The new NHL on ESPN Stanley Cup Playoffs spot, created in collaboration with Preacher, debuted and reinforces that once the Stanley Cup Playoffs start, records are erased, stats are wiped clean, and we’re back to a blank slate. It’s a whole new season within the season, where anything can happen. No lead is safe, no series is over until it’s over and no postseason in any sport is more unpredictable. Voiced by the inimitable Liam Neeson, the playoff campaign spot reaffirms the notion that every new series, every new game and every new period starts with a zero-zero mentality.

2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Presented by Geico Begin April 21 with Quadruple Header on ESPN and ESPN2 (2)

– TELECAST & COMMENTATOR SCHEDULE –

DateTime (ET)Game/TelecastESPN CommentatorsPlatforms
Sun, Apr 2112 p.m.The Point presented by VerizonHost: Steve Levy

Analysts: Mark Messier, P.K. Subban

ESPN
12:30 p.m.Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers

Game 1

Play-by-Play: Bob Wischusen

Analyst: Ryan Callahan

Reporter: Leah Hextall

In Studio: Steve Levy, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban

ESPN
3 p.m.Washington Capitals at New York Rangers

Game 1

Play-by-Play: Sean McDonough

Analyst: Ray Ferraro

Reporter: Emily Kaplan

In Studio: Steve Levy, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, Arda Öcal

ESPN
7 p.m.Colorado Avalanche at Winnipeg Jets

Game 1

Play-by-Play: John Buccigross

Analyst: Cassie Campbell-Pascall

In Studio: Steve Levy, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, Arda Öcal

ESPN2
10 p.m.Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks

Game 1

Play-by-Play: Mike Monaco

Analyst: AJ Mleczko

In Studio: Steve Levy, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, Arda Öcal

ESPN
In The Crease (following last game)Host: Arda ÖcalESPN+
Mon, Apr 226 p.m.The PointHost: John Buccigross

Analysts: Mark Messier, P.K. Subban

ESPN2, ESPN+
7 p.m.Toronto Maple Leafs at Boston Bruins

Game 2

Play-by-Play: Sean McDonough

Analyst: Ray Ferraro

Reporter: Emily Kaplan

In Studio: John Buccigross, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, Arda Öcal

ESPN
7:30 p.m.New York Islanders at Carolina Hurricanes

Game 2

Play-by-Play: Roxy Bernstein

Analyst: Kevin Weekes

In Studio: John Buccigross, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, Arda Öcal

ESPN2
9:30 p.m.Vegas Golden Knights at Dallas Stars

Game 1

Play-by-Play: Bob Wischusen

Analyst: Ryan Callahan

Reporter: Leah Hextall

In Studio: John Buccigross, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, Arda Öcal

ESPN
10 p.m.Los Angeles Kings at Edmonton Oilers

Game 1

Play-by-Play: Mike Monaco

Analyst: AJ Mleczko

In Studio: John Buccigross, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, Arda Öcal

ESPN2
In The Crease (following last game)Host: Arda ÖcalESPN+
Tue, Apr 236 p.m.The PointHost: Arda Öcal

Analysts: Mark Messier, P.K. Subban

ESPN2, ESPN+
7 p.m.Washington Capitals at New York Rangers

Game 2

Play-by-Play: Sean McDonough

Analyst: Ray Ferraro

Reporter: Emily Kaplan

In Studio: Steve Levy, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, Arda Öcal

ESPN
7:30 p.m.Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers

Game 2

Play-by-Play: Bob Wischusen

Analyst: Ryan Callahan

In Studio: Steve Levy, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, Arda Öcal

ESPN2
9:30 p.m.Colorado Avalanche at Winnipeg Jets

Game 2

Play-by-Play: John Buccigross

Analyst: AJ Mleczko

Reporter: Leah Hextall

In Studio: Steve Levy, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, Arda Öcal

ESPN
10 p.m.Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks

Game 2

Play-by-Play: Mike Monaco

Analyst: Cassie Campbell-Pascall

In Studio: Steve Levy, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, Arda Öcal

ESPN2
In The Crease (following last game)Host: Arda ÖcalESPN+
Wed, Apr 246 p.m.The PointHost: Steve LevyESPN2, ESPN+
7 p.m.Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs

Game 3

Play-by-Play: Sean McDonough

Analyst: Ray Ferraro

Reporter: Emily Kaplan

In Studio: Steve Levy, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, Arda Öcal

ESPN
9:30 p.m.Vegas Golden Knights at Dallas Stars

Game 2

Play-by-Play: Bob Wischusen

Analyst: Ryan Callahan

Reporter: Leah Hextall

In Studio: Steve Levy, Mark Messier, P.K. Subban, Arda Öcal

ESPN
In The Crease (following last game)Host: Arda ÖcalESPN+
Thu, Apr 257 p.m.The PointHost: Arda Öcal

Analyst: AJ Mleczko

ESPN2, ESPN+
7:30 p.m.Carolina Hurricanes at New York Islanders

Game 3

Play-by-Play: John Buccigross

Analyst: Kevin Weekes

Reporter: Blake Bolden

In Studio: Arda Öcal, AJ Mleczko

ESPN2
In The Crease (following last game)Host: Arda ÖcalESPN+
Mon, Apr 296 p.m.The PointHost: TBA

Analysts: TBA

ESPN2, ESPN+
TBADallas Stars at Vegas Golden Knights

Game 4

Play-by-Play: TBA

Analyst: TBA

Reporter: TBA

In Studio: TBA

ESPN
In The Crease (following last game)Host: TBA ESPN+

*Commentator assignments and studio show times may be subject to change.

NHL Digital Content on ESPN.com and ESPN App
Go to ESPN.com/NHL or the ESPN App for up-to-the-minute NHL news, information and analysis, including premium editorial content by ESPN senior NHL writer Greg Wyshynski, exclusively for ESPN+ subscribers.

ESPN Playoff Hockey Challenge
ESPN Playoff Hockey Challengeallows fans to predict the winner of each playoff round for the chance to win a Grand Prize of $25,000 once the Stanley Cup is raised. Like allESPN Fantasygames, Playoff Hockey Challenge is free to play and makes it easy for fans to fill out brackets and compete with friends, family and others by creating and joining groups. Fans can complete and submit up to two bracketsatESPN.com/playoffhockeychallengeor on the ESPN Fantasy App foriOSandAndroid. Entries for the Hockey Playoff Challenge will be accepted until Saturday, April 20, when the puck drops for the first matchup of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Presented by Geico Begin April 21 with Quadruple Header on ESPN and ESPN2 (3)

– 30 –


CONTACTS:

ESPN
Danny Chi | [emailprotected] | 213-405-4400
Andrea DiCristoforo | [emailprotected] | 213-405-4612

ESPN+
[emailprotected]

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2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Presented by Geico Begin April 21 with Quadruple Header on ESPN and ESPN2 (2024)

FAQs

What channel will the Stanley Cup finals be on in 2024? ›

The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs presented by GEICO continue Saturday, May 4, with a primetime matchup on ABC and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET.

Who is predicted to win the Stanley Cup in 2024 in NHL? ›

2024 NHL Stanley Cup odds: Hurricanes, Oilers top odds to win NHL Finals.

Who are the ESPN NHL playoff commentators? ›

ESPN's NHL studio show, The Point, will air regularly as a lead-in to games throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs with rotating hosts Steve Levy, John Buccigross and Arda Öcal and NHL analysts Mark Messier and P.K. Subban.

Are the NHL playoffs on ESPN+? ›

The NHL playoffs are on ESPN network not on ESPN+ which is why you are not able to watch the games. The only way to access ESPN content is through having a cable box or streaming provider.

When was the Bruins' last Stanley Cup? ›

Boston Bruins
Minor league affiliatesProvidence Bruins (AHL) Maine Mariners (ECHL)
Stanley Cups6 (1928–29, 1938–39, 1940–41, 1969–70, 1971–72, 2010–11)
Conference championships5 (1987–88, 1989–90, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2018–19)
Presidents' Trophy4 (1989–90, 2013–14, 2019–20, 2022–23)
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Who has won the most Stanley Cups? ›

Having lifted the trophy a total of 24 times, the Montreal Canadiens are the team with more Stanley Cup titles than any other franchise.

Will Oilers make the playoffs in 2024? ›

The Vancouver Canucks will face the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canucks, the top seed in the Pacific Division, defeated the Nashville Predators in six games in the first round.

What are the odds of the Leafs winning the Stanley Cup? ›

Toronto Maple Leafs 2023-24 Betting Overview: Division, Playoffs & NHL Stanley Cup Odds
Will the Maple Leafs...?Current Odds
🍁 Win the Stanley Cup Finals+1400
🍁 Win the Eastern Conference (Make the Stanley Cup Finals)+700
🍁 Win the Atlantic DivisionOff the board
🍁 To Make the PlayoffsClinched
Apr 30, 2024

What teams have won the Stanley Cup in the last 5 years? ›

  • 2019: St. ...
  • 2018: Washington Capitals, Coach Barry Trotz.
  • 2017: Pittsburgh Penguins, Coach Mike Sullivan.
  • 2016: Pittsburgh Penguins, Coach Mike Sullivan.
  • 2015: Chicago Blackhawks, Coach Joel Quenneville.
  • 2014: Los Angeles Kings, Coach Darryl Sutter.
  • 2013: Chicago Blackhawks, Coach Joel Quenneville.
Jun 13, 2023

Who will Dallas Stars play in round 2? ›

Colorado Avalanche vs Dallas Stars: Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 schedule. The Avalanche will face the regular-season No. 1 Western Conference team in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Is there a new Stanley Cup trophy every year? ›

Like the Grey Cup, and unlike the trophies awarded by the other major professional sports leagues of North America, a new Stanley Cup is not made every year.

Who is the female commentator on ESPN hockey? ›

Leah Hextall (born c. 1981) is a Canadian sports journalist and ice hockey play-by-play broadcaster and reporter. In March 2020, she became the first woman to call play-by-play for a nationally televised NHL game as part of Sportsnet's first all-female broadcast team.

Who is the female NHL reporter on ESPN? ›

Emily Kaplan serves as a reporter for The Walt Disney Company's coverage of the National Hockey League. Kaplan is also a national hockey writer and reporter for ESPN.com.

Who is the ESPN anchor for the NHL? ›

Hockey Play-By-Play and Host

John Buccigross is part of ESPN's NHL team as a play-by-play commentator for select NHL games.

Will ABC show Stanley Cup Finals? ›

The new deal is highlighted by: exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Final on ABC in four of the seven years of the agreement, with the ability to simulcast/megacast on ESPN+ and additional ESPN networks; the return of live NHL action to ESPN networks with 100 exclusive national regular-season games across ESPN, ESPN+ ...

What channel are the Stanley Cup finals on? ›

See how to watch or stream the chase for the Stanley Cup with the 2024 NHL playoff TV schedule on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, TNT and TBS. In the third year of the NHL's new media rights deal, the postseason is set to April 20 and ABC's exclusive coverage of the Stanley Cup Final is tentatively set to begin June 8.

Who carries Stanley Cup Finals? ›

Which TV providers carry the Stanley Cup Finals?
ProviderTypePrice
Sling TVStreaming$40.00–$55.00/mo.
SpectrumCable$69.99–$74.99/mo.
VidgoStreaming$69.99–$99.99/mo.
XfinityCable$20.00–$80.00/mo.
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Where will the Stanley Cup finals be held? ›

2023 Stanley Cup Finals
Location(s)Sunrise: FLA Live Arena (3, 4) Paradise: T-Mobile Arena (1, 2, 5)
CoachesFlorida: Paul Maurice Vegas: Bruce Cassidy
CaptainsFlorida: Aleksander Barkov Vegas: Mark Stone
National anthemsFlorida: Phillip Phillips (3) Cassadee Pope (4) Vegas: Carnell Johnson
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