NHL Playoffs Bracket and Scores 2023: Recap of Stanley Cup Final and Entire Postseason
By Kim O’Reilly, NHL Zone
The thrilling journey of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs has come to an end. The Vegas Golden Knights showcased their dominance in the Final, swiftly defeating the Florida Panthers with a remarkable 9-3 victory in Game 5 on Tuesday.
This postseason was brimming with surprises from start to finish.
Despite the Boston Bruins winning the Presidents’ Trophy and setting new NHL records for wins (64) and points (135), they couldn’t advance beyond the first round. The Panthers executed a historic upset in Game 7, eliminating the Bruins from the playoffs.
In the Western Conference, the Colorado Avalanche, the defending champions, appeared poised to retain their title. However, their aspirations were short-lived as the Vegas Golden Knights emerged as the last team standing in the West and ultimately the entire league.
Stanley Cup Final Results:
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC2) Florida Panthers | VGK wins, 4-1
Game 1: Golden Knights 5, Panthers 2 | Recap
Game 2: Golden Knights 7, Panthers 2 | Recap
Game 3: Panthers 3, Golden Knights 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 4: Golden Knights 3, Panthers 2 | Recap
Game 5*: Golden Knights 9, Panthers 3 | Recap
Conference Finals Results:
Eastern Conference:
(1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC2) Florida Panthers | FLA wins, 4-0
Game 1: Panthers 3, Hurricanes 2 (4OT) | Recap
Game 2: Panthers 2, Hurricanes 1 (OT) | Recap
Game 3: Panthers 1, Hurricanes 0 | Recap
Game 4: Panthers 4, Hurricanes 3 | Recap
Western Conference:
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (2) Dallas Stars | VGK wins, 4-2
Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Stars 3 (OT)
Game 2: Golden Knights 3, Stars 2 (OT)
Game 3: Golden Knights 4, Stars 0 | Recap
Game 4: Stars 3, Golden Knights 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: Stars 4, Golden Knights 2 | Recap
Game 6: Golden Knights 6, Stars 0 | Recap
Second Round Results:
Eastern Conference:
(2) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC2) Florida Panthers | FLA wins, 4-1
Game 1: Panthers 4, Maple Leafs 2 | Recap
Game 2: Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 2 | Recap
Game 3: Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 4: Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 1 | Recap
Game 5: Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 2 (OT) | Recap
(1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (2) New Jersey Devils | CAR wins, 4-1
Game 1: Hurricanes 5, Devils 1 | Recap
Game 2: Hurricanes 6, Devils 1 | Recap
Game 3: Devils 8, Hurricanes 4 | Recap
Game 4: Hurricanes 6, Devils 1 | Recap
Game 5: Hurricanes 3, Devils 2 (OT) | Recap
Western Conference:
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (2) Edmonton Oilers | VGK wins, 4-2
Game 1: Golden Knights 5, Oilers 4 | Recap
Game 2: Oilers 5, Golden Knights 1 | Recap
Game 3: Golden Knights 5, Oilers 1 | Recap
Game 4: Oilers 4, Golden Knights 1 | Recap
Game 5: Golden Knights 4, Oilers 3 | Recap
Game 6: Golden Knights 5, Oilers 2 | Recap
(2) Dallas Stars vs. (WC1) Seattle Kraken | DAL wins, 4-3
Game 1: Kraken 5, Stars 4 (OT) | Recap
Game 2: Stars 4, Kraken 2 | Recap
Game 3: Kraken 7, Stars 2 | Recap
Game 4: Stars 6, Kraken 3 | Recap
Game 5: Stars 5, Kraken 2 | Recap
Game 6: Kraken 6, Stars 3 | Recap
Game 7: Stars 2, Kraken 1 | Recap
First Round Results:
Eastern Conference:
(WC2) Florida Panthers vs. Boston Bruins | FLA wins, 4-3
Game 1: Bruins 3, Panthers 1 | Recap
Game 2: Panthers 6, Bruins 3 | Recap
Game 3: Bruins 4, Panthers 2 | Recap
Game 4: Bruins 6, Panthers 2 | Recap
Game 5: Panthers 4, Bruins 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 6: Panthers 7, Bruins 5 | Recap
Game 7: Panthers 4, Bruins 3 | Recap
(2) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Tampa Bay Lightning | TOR wins, 4-2
Game 1: Lightning 7, Maple Leafs 3 | Recap
Game 2: Maple Leafs 7, Lightning 2 | Recap
Game 3: Maple Leafs 4, Lightning 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 4: Maple Leafs 5, Lightning 4 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: Lightning 4, Maple Leafs 2 | Recap
Game 6: Maple Leafs 2, Lightning 1 (OT) | Recap
(1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (WC1) New York Islanders | CAR wins, 4-2
Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Islanders 1 | Recap
Game 2: Hurricanes 4, Islanders 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 3: Islanders 5, Hurricanes 1 | Recap
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Islanders 2 | Recap
Game 5: Islanders 3, Hurricanes 2 | Recap
Game 6: Hurricanes 2, Islanders 1 (OT) | Recap
(2) New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers | NJ wins, 4-3
Game 1: Rangers 5, Devils 1 | Recap
Game 2: Rangers 5, Devils 1 | Recap
Game 3: Devils 2, Rangers 1 (OT) | Recap
Game 4: Devils 3, Rangers 1 | Recap
Game 5: Devils 4, Rangers 0 | Recap
Game 6: Rangers 5, Devils 2 | Recap
Game 7: Devils 4, Rangers 0 | Recap
Western Conference:
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC2) Winnipeg Jets | VGK wins, 4-1
Game 1: Jets 5, Golden Knights 1 | Recap
Game 2: Golden Knights 5, Jets 2 | Recap
Game 3: Golden Knights 5, Jets 4 (2OT) | Recap
Game 4: Golden Knights 4, Jets 2 | Recap
Game 5: Golden Knights 4, Jets 1 | Recap
(2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (3) Los Angeles Kings | EDM wins, 4-2
Game 1: Kings 4, Oilers 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 2: Oilers 4, Kings 2 | Recap
Game 3: Kings 3, Oilers 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 4: Oilers 5, Kings 4 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: Oilers 6, Kings 3 | Recap
Game 6: Oilers 5, Kings 4 | Recap
(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Minnesota Wild | DAL wins, 4-2
Game 1: Wild 3, Stars 2 (2OT) | Recap
Game 2: Stars 7, Wild 3 | Recap
Game 3: Wild 5, Stars 1 | Recap
Game 4: Stars 3, Wild 2 | Recap
Game 5: Stars 4, Wild 0 | Recap
Game 6: Stars 4, Wild 1 | Recap
(WC1) Seattle Kraken vs. (1) Colorado Avalanche | SEA wins, 4-3
Game 1: Kraken 3, Avalanche 1 | Recap
Game 2: Avalanche 3, Kraken 2 | Recap
Game 3: Avalanche 6, Kraken 4 | Recap
Game 4: Kraken 3, Avalanche 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: Kraken 3, Avalanche 2 | Recap
Game 6: Avalanche 4, Kraken 1 | Recap
Game 7*: Avalanche 2, Kraken 1 | Recap
Note: The games marked with an asterisk () denote the decisive game in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about NHL Playoffs Recap
What were the results of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final?
The Vegas Golden Knights emerged as the champions, defeating the Florida Panthers with a 4-1 series victory. They dominated Game 5 with a 9-3 win to clinch the title.
Which team won the Presidents’ Trophy in the 2023 NHL season?
The Boston Bruins won the Presidents’ Trophy in the 2023 NHL season. They set new records for wins (64) and points (135) during the regular season.
Did the Colorado Avalanche defend their championship title in the 2023 playoffs?
No, the Colorado Avalanche were unable to defend their championship title. They were eliminated during the playoffs, and the Vegas Golden Knights emerged as the Western Conference champions and eventually won the Stanley Cup.
Were there any major upsets during the 2023 NHL Playoffs?
Yes, there were several major upsets in the 2023 NHL Playoffs. The Florida Panthers pulled off a historic upset by eliminating the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the first round. Additionally, the Seattle Kraken defeated the top-seeded Colorado Avalanche in a thrilling seven-game series in the first round.
Who were the finalists in the Eastern Conference?
The finalists in the Eastern Conference were the Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes. The Florida Panthers advanced to the Stanley Cup Final after defeating the Carolina Hurricanes in a 4-0 series sweep in the conference finals.
More about NHL Playoffs Recap
- NHL Official Website
- 2023 NHL Playoffs Schedule and Results
- Vegas Golden Knights Team Page
- Florida Panthers Team Page
- Boston Bruins Team Page
- Colorado Avalanche Team Page
- Carolina Hurricanes Team Page
