NHL experts, analytics predict playoff winners

2023 NHL forecast includes series predictions and Stanley Cup early picks

FiveThirtyEight's projections and probabilities provide insights for playoff matchups

The 2022-23 NHL regular season has come to an end, and the playoffs are set to begin. FiveThirtyEight's NHL forecast predicts the winner of each hockey game and calculates each team's chances of advancing to the playoffs. The Boston Bruins enter the postseason as the Presidents Trophy winners with the league's best record. They are favored to win the Stanley Cup, according to FiveThirtyEight's model. The Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Edmonton Oilers are also among the favorites to win the championship. In the Eastern Conference, the Bruins are projected to face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round. The Penguins are a veteran team with a lot of experience in the playoffs. They will be a tough test for the Bruins, but Boston is favored to advance. In the Western Conference, the Avalanche are projected to face the Minnesota Wild in the first round. The Wild are a young team with a lot of talent. They will be a tough test for the Avalanche, but Colorado is favored to advance. The playoffs are always full of surprises, and anything can happen. But FiveThirtyEight's model provides a good starting point for predicting who will win each series and the Stanley Cup.