NHL Playoff Predictions: Eastern Conference Second Round

With the first round of the playoffs wrapped up, just four NHL teams remain from the Eastern Conference — the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and New Jersey Devils.

The Boston Bruins led the league through the regular season, but their elimination by the Panthers in a first-round upset caused a shake-up in the Stanley Cup odds. 

So which Eastern Conference players should you be watching in the second round? Here are three player predictions and two series predictions.

Stanley Cup Playoffs Predictions: Second Round

Auston Matthews Will Record Over 8 Points

Through the regular season, Matthews recorded 40 goals, 45 assists, 85 points, and 327 shots, and the 25-year-old hasn’t slowed down in the playoffs. In the first round against the Lightning, Matthews added another nine points to his tally, so he’s definitely established himself as a player to watch as the postseason continues.

What a shot by Auston Matthews 🚀 pic.twitter.com/9Ypj4zDsTx

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 25, 2023

This is Matthews’ seventh trip to the playoffs, having advanced to the postseason in every season of his NHL career. The Maple Leafs haven’t made it past the first round in 19 years, so the pressure is on to keep this momentum going. I expect Matthews to continue being a crucial part of the team’s success in the second round, and eight points is very doable.

Jack Hughes Will Record Over 5 Points

Hughes finished the regular season with 43 goals, 56 assists, 99 points, and 336 shots, ranking him eighth in the NHL in goals, 10th in points, and fifth in shots. His 99 points are also a new franchise record for a single season, breaking that of Patrik Elias (96).

In his first playoff campaign, Hughes has already recorded three goals, two assists, five points, and 32 shots. The 21-year-old center is finishing a break-out year, and after a disappointing first series that saw the Devils only just scrape through to the second round, I expect him to turn up the heat even more.

Sebastian Aho Will Record Over 15 Shots

Aho recorded 36 goals, 31 assists, 67 points, and 218 shots during the regular season and backed it up with four goals, three assists, seven points, and 19 shots in the first round. Now heading into the second round to face the Devils, I won’t be surprised if the 25-year-old center turns up the heat even more.

Never count out the Canes! 👊

Sebastian Aho finds the loose puck to tie things up in the third period. pic.twitter.com/KVa2dUwnXm

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 29, 2023

This season is Aho’s fifth consecutive advancement to the playoffs in his seven-year career. He’s established himself as a reliable high-performer under pressure, and I expect 15 shots against the Devils to just be the beginning.

Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Prediction: Maple Leafs in six games.

In the 2022-23 regular season, the Maple Leafs met the Panthers four times and won three games — one at home and two on the road. Still, if the Panthers continue to play how they did in the first round, this will likely be a very tight matchup. Knocking out the Boston Bruins was a real upset, so the Maple Leafs will have their work cut out for them. I’m picking Toronto in six games, but I won’t be surprised if this series goes to the full seven.

Since the Maple Leafs placed higher in the regular-season standings and, therefore, have home ice advantage, Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 will be played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, while Games 3, 4, and 6 will be played at ​​FLA Live Arena in Sunrise.

New Jersey Devils vs. Carolina Hurricanes

Prediction: Hurricanes in six games.

Carolina and New Jersey met four times during the regular season, with each team winning two games — one at home and one on the road. 

While I certainly don’t think the Devils will go down without a fight, if they let the Hurricanes get ahead in the series the way they did with the Rangers in the first round, they are unlikely to be able to fight their way back. I’m picking the Hurricanes to win this series in six games, but it could be quicker if the Devils can’t keep it together.

Since the Hurricanes placed higher in the regular-season standings and, therefore, have home ice advantage, Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 will be played at PNC Arena in Raleigh, while Games 3, 4, and 6 will be played at ​​Prudential Center in Newark.