The second round of the NHL playoffs promises to be fiercely competitive, with no teams having achieved sweeps in the first round. In the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars advanced after a grueling seven-game series against Colorado, while the Edmonton Oilers overcame a 2-0 deficit to eliminate Los Angeles. Dallas faces a tough matchup against either Winnipeg or St. Louis, and Edmonton will play against Vegas, which holds home-ice advantage. In the Eastern Conference, Florida, the defending Stanley Cup champion, will take on Toronto, while Washington faces Carolina in a potentially volatile series. The Panthers, boasting strong odds for a repeat championship, will need to overcome a formidable power play lineup from Toronto, while Washington and Carolina's recent heated encounters suggest a high-paced and physical series ahead.

The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers both advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs after intense first-round series, with Dallas defeating Colorado in seven games and Edmonton coming back from a two-game deficit to overcome Los Angeles.

Dallas will face a challenging opponent in either Winnipeg or St. Louis, both formidable teams, while Edmonton is set to compete against Vegas, which has the advantage of playing on home ice.

In the Eastern Conference, Florida, the reigning Stanley Cup champion, faces Toronto, a team with a powerful five-forward power play unit, aiming to reach its first conference final since 2002.

Washington and Carolina's upcoming series is anticipated to be physical and competitive, with recent games between the two featuring multiple fights and penalties, showcasing the animosity between the teams.

The Panthers have strengthened their penalty kill and acquired key players like Brad Marchand to bolster their chances, while Edmonton's depth contributed significantly to their success against Los Angeles.

The Stars expect to regain top defenseman Miro Heiskanen and leading goal-scorer Jason Robertson, both of whom were absent against Colorado, boosting their lineup for the upcoming round.

The Oilers and Golden Knights face off for the second time in three years, with Edmonton making strategic coaching changes since their last encounter, and Vegas relying on their top line of Jack Eichel, William Karlsson, and Mark Stone.