The Post’s Larry Brooks, Mollie Walker and Ethan Sears give their predictions for the 2023 NHL playoffs:
Larry Brooks
First round
Eastern Conference
Bruins over Panthers in 5
Maple Leafs over Lightning in 6
Hurricanes over Islanders in 6
Rangers over Devils in 7
Western Conference
Avalanche over Kraken in 6
Stars over Wild in 6
Jets over Golden Knights in 6
Oilers over Kings in 5
Second round
Eastern Conference
Bruins over Maple Leafs in 6
Rangers over Hurricanes in 5
Western Conference
Stars over Avalanche in 7
Oilers over Jets in 5
Conference Finals
Eastern Conference
Bruins over Rangers in 7
Western Conference
Stars over Oilers in 7
Patrick Kane of the Rangers controls the puck against the Bruins on March 4, 2023. USA TODAY SportsStanley Cup Final
Bruins over Stars in 6
Conn Smythe: Patrice Bergeron
Mollie Walker
First round
Eastern Conference
Bruins over Panthers in 5
Lightning over Maple Leafs in 7
Islanders over Hurricanes in 6
Rangers over Devils in 6
Western Conference
Avalanche over Kraken in 5
Wild over Stars in 7
Oilers over Kings in 6
Jets over Golden Knights in 6
Islanders teammates Ilya Sorokin (30) and Bo Horvat celebrate after clinching a playoff spot on April 12, 2023. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConSecond round
Eastern Conference
Bruins over Lightning in 7
Rangers over Islanders in 6
Western Conference
Avalanche over Wild in 6
Oilers over Jets in 5
Conference Finals
Eastern Conference
Bruins over Rangers in 7
Western Conference
Oilers over Avalanche in 6
Stanley Cup Final
Oilers over Bruins in 7
Conn Smythe: Connor McDavid
The Oilers’ Connor McDavid chases a puck against the Stars on March 16, 2023. USA TODAY SportsEthan Sears
First round
Eastern Conference
Bruins over Panthers in 5
Maple Leafs over Lightning in 7
Hurricanes over Islanders in 6
Rangers over Devils in 7
Western Conference
Avalanche over Kraken in 6
Stars over Wild in 7
Oilers over Kings in 7
Jets over Golden Knights in 6
Second round
Eastern Conference
Maple Leafs over Bruins in 7
Rangers over Hurricanes in 6
Western Conference
Stars over Avalanche in 7
Oilers over Jets in 5
Auston Matthews of the Maple Leafs with the puck against the Wild on Feb. 24, 2023. USA TODAY SportsConference Finals
Eastern Conference
Maple Leafs over Rangers in 7
Western Conference
Oilers over Stars in 7
Stanley Cup Final
Maple Leafs over Oilers in 6
Conn Smythe: Auston Matthews
