| Champions | Colorado Avalanche | Defending Champions | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| Runner-up | Tampa Bay Lightning | Conn Smythe Trophy | Cale Makar |
The 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League (NHL) began on May 2, 2022. The top seed from the Eastern Conference was the Florida Panthers – who also won the Presidents’ Trophy. The top seed from the Western Conference was the Colorado Avalanche.
With the Government of Canada allowing cross-border travel for fully vaccinated players and team personnel between Canada and the United States, the league was able to return to its usual two conference, four division alignment. As a result, the previous 16-team playoff format that was used before the COVID-19 pandemic from 2014–2019 was reinstated.
The Pittsburgh Penguins increased their postseason appearance streak to 16 seasons, the longest active streak in the four major North American professional sports. Three of the semifinalists from the previous season (the Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders and Vegas Golden Knights) failed to qualify for the playoffs. The Los Angeles Kings ended a two-year run where no teams from California qualified for the playoffs. With the Washington Capitals finishing in the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs are the first playoffs in NHL history where all eight teams in a single conference qualified with at least 100 points.
Eastern Conference First Round
(A1) Florida Panthers vs. (WC2) Washington Capitals
The Florida Panthers earned the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s best regular season team with 122 points. Washington finished as the Eastern Conference’s second wild card, earning 100 points. This is the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Florida won two of the three games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 3 | Washington Capitals | Florida Panthers | 4-2 |
| May 5 | Washington Capitals | Florida Panthers | 1-5 |
| May 7 | Florida Panthers | Washington Capitals | 1-6 |
| May 9 | Florida Panthers | Washington Capitals | 3-2 |
| May 11 | Washington Capitals | Florida Panthers | 3-5 |
| May 13 | Florida Panthers | Washington Capitals | 4-3 |
Panthers win 4-2
Deeper Dive
- Panthers 3 Keys to Success in 2022 Playoffs
- Panthers Offense and Goaltending Will Carry Them Over the Capitals
- 3 Takeaways From Capitals 4-2 Game 1 Win Over the Panthers
(A2) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (A3) Tampa Bay Lightning
The Toronto Maple Leafs finished second in the Atlantic Division, earning 115 points. The Tampa Bay Lightning earned 110 points to finish third in the Atlantic Division. This is the first playoff meeting between these two teams. These teams split their four-game regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Toronto Maple Leafs | 0-5 |
| May 4 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Toronto Maple Leafs | 5-3 |
| May 6 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Tampa Bay Lightning | 5-2 |
| May 8 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Tampa Bay Lightning | 3-7 |
| May 10 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Toronto Maple Leafs | 3-4 |
| May 12 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Tampa Bay Lightning | 3-4 OT |
| May 14 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Toronto Maple Leafs | 2-1 |
Lightning win 4-3
Deeper Dive
- 3 Takeaways From the Lightning’s Game 2 Rebound Win vs. the Maple Leafs
- 3 Takeaways From Maple Leafs’ Game 1 Win Over the Lightning
- Maple Leafs’ Game 1 Win Was Keefe’s Best Coaching Performance
- 3 Reasons the Lightning Will 3-Peat as Cup Champions
(M1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC1) Boston Bruins
The Carolina Hurricanes finished first in the Metropolitan Division earning 116 points. Boston finished as the Eastern Conference’s first wild card earning 107 points. This is the seventh playoff meeting between these two teams, with Boston winning five of the six previous series. They last met in the 2020 Eastern Conference First Round, which Boston won in five games. Carolina won all three games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2 | Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes | 1-5 |
| May 4 | Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes | 2-5 |
| May 6 | Carolina Hurricanes | Boston Bruins | 2-4 |
| May 8 | Carolina Hurricanes | Boston Bruins | 2-5 |
| May 10 | Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes | 1-5 |
| May 12 | Carolina Hurricanes | Boston Bruins | 2-5 |
| May 14 | Boston Bruins | Carolina Hurricanes | 2-3 |
Hurricanes win 4-3
Deeper Dive
- 3 Hurricanes Storylines to Follow in First-Round Matchup With Bruins
- Bruins Lacking Discipline & Finish in Game 2 Loss to Hurricanes
(M2) New York Rangers vs. (M3) Pittsburgh Penguins
The New York Rangers finished second in the Metropolitan Division with 110 points. The Pittsburgh Penguins earned 103 points to finish third in the Metropolitan Division. This is the eighth playoff meeting between these two teams with Pittsburgh winning five of the seven previous series. They last met in the 2016 Eastern Conference First Round, which Pittsburgh won in five games. New York won three of the four games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 3 | Pittsburgh Penguins | New York Rangers | 4-3 (3OT) |
| May 5 | Pittsburgh Penguins | New York Rangers | 2-5 |
| May 7 | New York Rangers | Pittsburgh Penguins | 4-7 |
| May 9 | New York Rangers | Pittsburgh Penguins | 2-7 |
| May 11 | Pittsburgh Penguins | New York Rangers | 3-5 |
| May 13 | New York Rangers | Pittsburgh Penguins | 5-3 |
| May 15 | Pittsburgh Penguins | New York Rangers | 3-4 OT |
Rangers win 4-3
Deeper Dive
- Penguins Must Pull Out of Downward Spiral to Advance Past Rangers
- Rangers Need to Solve Crosby Line to Survive Series
Western Conference First Round
(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (WC2) Nashville Predators
The Colorado Avalanche finished first in the Central Division earning 119 points. The Nashville Predators earned 97 points to finish as the Western Conference’s second wild card. This is the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the 2018 Western Conference First Round, which Nashville won in six games. Nashville won three of the four games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 3 | Nashville Predators | Colorado Avalanche | 2-7 |
| May 5 | Nashville Predators | Colorado Avalanche | 1-2 OT |
| May 7 | Colorado Avalanche | Nashville Predators | 7-3 |
| May 9 | Colorado Avalanche | Nashville Predators | 5-3 |
Avalanche wins 4-0
Deeper Dive
- 3 Takeaways From Avalanche’s 7-2 Victory Over Predators in Game 2
- Avalanche vs. Predators: 2022 First Round Playoff Preview
- Predators Face Tough Postseason Choice With Saros Injury
(C2) Minnesota Wild vs. (C3) St. Louis Blues
The Minnesota Wild finished second in the Central Division earning 113 points. The St. Louis Blues earned 109 points to finish third in the Central Division. This is the third playoff meeting between these teams with the teams splitting the two previous series. They last met in the 2017 Western Conference First Round, which St. Louis won in five games. St. Louis won all three games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2 | St. Louis Blues | Minnesota Wild | 4-0 |
| May 4 | St. Louis Blues | Minnesota Wild | 3-5 |
| May 6 | Minnesota Wild | St. Louis Blues | 5-1 |
| May 8 | Minnesota Wild | St. Louis Blues | 2-5 |
| May 10 | St. Louis Blues | Minnesota Wild | 5-2 |
| May 12 | Minnesota Wild | St. Louis Blues | 1-5 |
Blues win 4-2
Deeper Dive
- Wild’s Kaprizov Leads Way in Huge Game 2 Victory Over Blues
- 3 Blues Takeaways From Games 1 & 2 vs the Wild
- 3 Reasons Why the Wild Could Win the 2022 Stanley Cup
- St. Louis Blues: 2022 First Round Playoff Preview
(P1) Calgary Flames vs. (WC1) Dallas Stars
The Calgary Flames finished first in the Pacific Division earning 111 points. The Dallas Stars finished as the Western Conference’s first wild card earning 98 points. This is the third playoff meeting between these two teams with Dallas winning both previous series. They last met in the 2020 Western Conference First Round, which Dallas won in six games. Calgary won two of the three games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 3 | Dallas Stars | Calgary Flames | 0-1 |
| May 5 | Dallas Stars | Calgary Flames | 2-0 |
| May 7 | Calgary Flames | Dallas Stars | 2-4 |
| May 9 | Calgary Flames | Dallas Stars | 4-1 |
| May 11 | Dallas Stars | Calgary Flames | 1-3 |
| May 13 | Calgary Flames | Dallas Stars | 2-4 |
| May 15 | Dallas Stars | Calgary Flames | 2-3 OT |
Flames win 4-3
Deeper Dive
- 3 Takeaways From Flames’ Game 1 Victory Over Stars
- Playoff Series Preview: Dallas Stars vs. Calgary Flames
- Stars’ Lack of Offense Bodes Well For Flames’ First-Round Success
(P2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (P3) Los Angeles Kings
The Edmonton Oilers finished second in the Pacific Division with 104 points. The Los Angeles Kings earned 99 points to finish third in the Pacific Division. This is the eighth playoff meeting between these two teams with Edmonton winning five of the seven previous series. They last met in the 1992 Smythe Division Semifinals, which Edmonton won in six games. Edmonton won three of the four games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2 | Los Angeles Kings | Edmonton Oilers | 4-3 |
| May 4 | Los Angeles Kings | Edmonton Oilers | 0-6 |
| May 6 | Edmonton Oilers | Los Angeles Kings | 8-2 |
| May 8 | Edmonton Oilers | Los Angeles Kings | 0-4 |
| May 10 | Los Angeles Kings | Edmonton Oilers | 5-4 OT |
| May 12 | Edmonton Oilers | Los Angeles Kings | 4-2 |
| May 14 | Los Angeles Kings | Edmonton Oilers | 0-2 |
Oilers win 4-3
Deeper Dive
- 3 Reasons the Oilers Defeated the Kings 6-0 in Game 2
- 3 Takeaways From the Kings Game 1 Victory Over the Oilers
- 3 Kings Rookies That Can Step Up in the Playoffs
- Revisiting the Oilers and Kings Storied Playoff History
Eastern Conference Second Round
(A1) Florida Panthers vs. (A3) Tampa Bay Lightning
This is the second consecutive and the second overall playoff meeting between these two rivals. Tampa Bay won the previous year’s Stanley Cup First Round series in six games. These teams split their four-game regular-season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 17 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Florida Panthers | 4-1 |
| May 19 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Florida Panthers | 2-1 |
| May 22 | Florida Panthers | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1-5 |
| May 23 | Florida Panthers | Tampa Bay Lightning | 0-2 |
Lightning win 4-0
(M1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (M2) New York Rangers
This is the second playoff meeting between these two teams. Their only previous meeting was in the 2020 Eastern Conference Qualifying Round, which Carolina won in a three-game sweep. Carolina won three of the four games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 18 | New York Rangers | Carolina Hurricanes | 1-2 OT |
| May 20 | New York Rangers | Carolina Hurricanes | 0-2 |
| May 22 | Carolina Hurricanes | New York Rangers | 1-3 |
| May 24 | Carolina Hurricanes | New York Rangers | 1-4 |
| May 26 | New York Rangers | Carolina Hurricanes | 1-3 |
| May 28 | Carolina Hurricanes | New York Rangers | 2-5 |
| May 30 | New York Rangers | Carolina Hurricanes |
Series tied 3-3
Western Conference Second Round
(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (C3) St. Louis Blues
This is the second consecutive playoff meeting and the third overall between these two teams with Colorado winning both previous series. Colorado won the previous year’s Stanley Cup First Round series in a four-game sweep. Colorado won two of the three games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 17 | St. Louis Blues | Colorado Avalanche | 2-3 OT |
| May 19 | St. Louis Blues | Colorado Avalanche | 4-1 |
| May 21 | Colorado Avalanche | St. Louis Blues | 5-2 |
| May 23 | Colorado Avalanche | St. Louis Blues | 6-3 |
| May 25 | St. Louis Blues | Colorado Avalanche | 5-4 OT |
| May 27 | Colorado Avalanche | St. Louis Blues | 3-2 |
Avalanche win 4-2
(P1) Calgary Flames vs. (P2) Edmonton Oilers
This is the sixth playoff meeting between these two rivals with Edmonton winning four of the five previous series. They last met in the 1991 Smythe Division Semifinals, which Edmonton won in seven games. These teams split their four-game regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 18 | Edmonton Oilers | Calgary Flames | 6-9 |
| May 20 | Edmonton Oilers | Calgary Flames | 5-3 |
| May 22 | Calgary Flames | Edmonton Oilers | 1-4 |
| May 24 | Calgary Flames | Edmonton Oilers | 3-5 |
| May 26 | Edmonton Oilers | Calgary Flames | 5-4 OT |
Oilers win 4-1
Eastern Conference Final
(M2) New York Rangers vs. (A3) Tampa Bay Lightning
This is the second playoff meeting between these two teams. New York is making their seventh Semifinals/Conference Final appearance since the league began using a 16-team or greater playoff format in 1980. They lost their most recent appearance in the 2015 Eastern Conference Final, also the most recent playoff meeting between these two teams, in seven games to Tampa Bay. This is Tampa Bay’s eighth Semifinals/Conference Final since entering the league and their third consecutive Third Round appearance, the first team to accomplish this feat since the 2015 Chicago Blackhawks. They won the previous year’s Semifinals against the New York Islanders in seven games. New York won all three games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 1 | Tampa Bay Lightning | New York Rangers | 2-6 |
| June 3 | Tampa Bay Lightning | New York Rangers | 2-3 |
| June 5 | New York Rangers | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2-3 |
| June 7 | New York Rangers | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1-4 |
| June 9 | Tampa Bay Lightning | New York Rangers | 3-1 |
| June 11 | New York Rangers | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1-2 |
Lightning win 4-2
Western Conference Final
(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (P2) Edmonton Oilers
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 31 | Edmonton Oilers | Colorado Avalanche | 6-8 |
| June 3 | Edmonton Oilers | Colorado Avalanche | 0-4 |
| June 5 | Colorado Avalanche | Edmonton Oilers | 4-2 |
| June 7 | Colorado Avalanche | Edmonton Oilers | 6-5 OT |
Avalanche win 4-0
Stanley Cup Final
(C1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (A3) Tampa Bay Lightning
This will be the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Colorado will be making their third Finals appearance. They last appeared in the Final in 2001, which Colorado won against the New Jersey Devils in seven games. This will be Tampa Bay’s third consecutive Finals appearance and fifth overall, they are the first team to appear in three consecutive Finals since the 1985 Edmonton Oilers. They won the previous year’s Finals against the Montreal Canadiens in five games. Colorado won both games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 15 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Colorado Avalanche | 3-4 OT |
| June 18 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Colorado Avalanche | 7-0 |
| June 20 | Colorado Avalanche | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2-6 |
| June 22 | Colorado Avalanche | Tampa Bay Lightning | 3-2 OT |
| June 24 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Colorado Avalanche | 3-2 |
| June 26 | Colorado Avalanche | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2-1 |
Avalanche win 4-2 and the Stanley Cup; Cale Makar awarded Conn Smythe Trophy
