Stanley Cup Playoffs conference finals predictions

NHL.com staff members make their picks for Hurricanes-Panthers, Golden Knights-Stars

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By NHL.com @NHLdotcom

There are four teams left in the hunt for the Stanley Cup, and according to NHL.com writers and editors, all have an equal chance to reach the Cup Final.

The 16 writers and editors who made their predictions for the Eastern Conference Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers, and Western Conference Final between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Dallas Stars were split right down the middle, with each team getting eight votes to advance.

But it won't be easy, with all 16 picking each series to go at least six games.

As for the second-round picks, only staff writer David Satriano went 4-0. How will he and the others fare in the conference finals? Here is how they picked:

RELATED: [Full 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs coverage]

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Amalie Benjamin, staff writer

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Florida Panthers in 6 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Vegas Golden Knights in 6 games

Second-round record: 1-3

Overall record: 6-6

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Brian Compton, managing editor

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Carolina Hurricanes in 7 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Dallas Stars in 6 games

Second-round record: 1-3

Overall record: 4-8

Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Florida Panthers in 7 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Dallas Stars in 6 games

Second-round record: 1-3

Overall record: 6-6

William Douglas, staff writer

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Florida Panthers in 7 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Vegas Golden Knights in 6 games

Second-round record: 3-1

Overall record: 8-4

Tom Gulitti, staff writer

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Carolina Hurricanes in 6 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Dallas Stars in 7 games

Second-round record: 3-1

Overall record: 7-5

Pete Jensen, director, senior fantasy editor

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Florida Panthers in 7 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Dallas Stars in 6 games

Second-round record: 1-3

Overall record: 4-8

Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Florida Panthers in 6 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Dallas Stars in 6 games

Second-round record: 1-3

Overall record: 4-8

Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Carolina Hurricanes in 7 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Dallas Stars in 6 games

Second-round record: 2-2

Overall record: 5-7

Tracey Myers, staff writer

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Florida Panthers in 6 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Dallas Stars in 7 games

Second-round record: 2-2

Overall record: 6-6

Bill Price, Editor-in-Chief

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Carolina Hurricanes in 7

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Vegas Golden Knights in 6

Second-round record: 3-1

Overall record: 7-5

Shawn Roarke, senior director of editorial

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Carolina Hurricanes in 7 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Vegas Golden Knights in 6 games

Second-round record: 3-1

Overall record: 7-5

Dan Rosen, senior writer

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Carolina Hurricanes in 7 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Dallas Stars in 7 games

Second-round record: 2-2

Overall record: 5-7

David Satriano, staff writer

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Florida Panthers in 6 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Vegas Golden Knights in 6 games

Second-round record: 4-0

Overall record: 8-4

Dave Stubbs, columnist

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Carolina Hurricanes in 6 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Vegas Golden Knights in 7 games

Second-round record: 2-2

Overall record: 8-4

Derek Van Diest, staff writer

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Florida Panthers in 6 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Vegas Golden Knights in 6 games

Second-round record: 1-3

Overall record: 5-7

Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

Eastern Conference Final

CAR vs. FLA: Carolina Hurricanes in 6 games

Western Conference Final

VGK vs. DAL: Vegas Golden Knights in 7 games

Second-round record: 1-3

Overall record: 5-7

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