NHL changes start date for 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs

The National Hockey League has reportedly changed the start date for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs next month.

Originally, the National Hockey League was supposed to begin the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday, April 22nd, but now, according to Irfaan Gaffar of The Fourth Period, they've decided to start it on Saturday, April 20th.


This year's Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to be one of the most competitive in recent years, with seven teams within one point of each other for first place in the National Hockey League standings.


Heading into Tuesday's action, these are the playoff matchups for Round One in both the Eastern and Western Conferences:

(A1) Florida Panthers vs (WC1) Tampa Bay Lightning
(A2) Boston Bruins vs (A3) Toronto Maple Leafs
(M1) New York Rangers vs (WC2) Washington Capitals
(M2) Carolina Hurricanes vs (M3) Philadelphia Flyers

(P1) Vancouver Canucks vs (WC2) Vegas Golden Knights
(P2) Edmonton Oilers vs (P3) Los Angeles Kings
(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs (WC1) Nashville Predators
(C2) Dallas Stars vs (C3) Winnipeg Jets

Starting the Stanley Cup Playoffs on a Saturday night will also be big for the NHL's viewership. More people are home on the weekends and will tune into Hockey Night in Canada on Sportsnet and CBC, so it'll be a big night for the National Hockey League north of the border. This will also mark the first time since 2021 that the Stanley Cup Playoffs will begin on a Saturday.

Of the four current division leaders heading into Tuesday's action - Florida, Colorado, New York Rangers and Vancouver - who do you think has the best chance at winning the Stanley Cup? Let us know what you think in the poll below.