| Champions | Tampa Bay Lightning | Defending Champions | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| Runner-up | Montreal Canadiens | Conn Smythe Trophy | Andrei Vasilevskiy |
The 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs were the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL). The playoffs began on May 15, 2021, and ended with the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals, where the Tampa Bay Lightning won their second-straight Stanley Cup over the Montreal Canadiens in five games on July 7, 2021. The playoffs were scheduled to begin a few days after the 2020–21 regular season but began four days prior to the end of the regular season after the Vancouver Canucks had eleven games postponed because of a COVID-19 outbreak.
The league returned to the traditional 16 team playoff format with all series being a best-of-seven, after using a 24 team format in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the cross-border travel restrictions imposed by the Government of Canada, the league temporarily realigned this season into four divisions with no conferences. Consequently, the first two rounds of the playoffs featured intradivisional matchups with the higher-seeded teams receiving home-ice advantage in those rounds.
In the Stanley Cup Semifinals, the top remaining team based on regular season record will face the lowest-remaining team, and the two remaining teams will face each other in the other series with the second-best remaining team earns home-ice advantage; both semifinal winners will advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Colorado Avalanche made the playoffs as the Presidents’ Trophy winners with the most points (i.e. best record) during the regular season. The Pittsburgh Penguins increased their postseason appearance streak to 15 seasons, the longest active streak. For the second year in a row since 1996 and third time overall, all California-based teams, the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks, missed the playoffs.
For the first time since 1966, every team that qualified for the playoffs was also in the previous year’s postseason. With all of the Canadian-based NHL teams in one division, the format for this season ensured that there would be a second-round series between two Canadian-based teams for the first time since 2002.
For the first time since 1992, three of the previous year’s semifinalists, the New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Vegas Golden Knights, returned to the round for a second consecutive season.
Stanley Cup Final
(2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (4) Montreal Canadiens
This was the fourth playoff meeting between these two teams with Tampa Bay winning two of the three previous series. They last met in the 2015 Eastern Conference Second Round, which Tampa Bay won in six games. This will be their second consecutive Final appearance and fourth overall. They won last year’s Final against the Dallas Stars in six games.
Montreal appeared in their 35th Stanley Cup Final. They are the most recent Canadian-based team to win the Stanley Cup, doing so in 1993 (their most recent appearance) against the Los Angeles Kings, winning in five games. They are also the first Canadian team since the Vancouver Canucks in 2011 to be represented in the Final. This was the first Final since 2009 to feature two teams in the same time zone. These teams did not play each other during the regular season.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 28 | Montreal Canadiens | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1-5 |
| June 30 | Montreal Canadiens | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1-3 |
| July 2 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Montreal Canadiens | 6-3 |
| July 5 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Montreal Canadiens | 2-3 OT |
| July 7 | Montreal Canadiens | Tampa Bay Lightning | 0-1 |
Lightning won the series 4-1 and their second-straight Stanley Cup
Conn Smythe Trophy: Andrei Vasilevskiy
Deeper Dive
- Nikita Kucherov Joins Elite Company In Playoff Production
- Lightning vs Canadiens: Storylines Heading Into the Stanley Cup Final
- Canadiens Conn Smythe Candidates Not Named Carey Price
- Canadiens’ Strength at Centre Leads to Stanley Cup Final Berth
Stanley Cup Semifinals
(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (4) Montreal Canadiens
Montreal will be making their eighth Semifinals/Conference Finals appearance. Their most recent appearance was in the 2014 Eastern Conference Final, which the New York Rangers won in six games. This will be Vegas’ second consecutive appearance and third within their four seasons of play. Vegas lost last year’s Semifinal/Conference Final in five games to the Dallas Stars.
These teams did not play each other during this year’s regular season.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 14 | Montreal Canadiens | Vegas Golden Knights | 1-4 |
| June 16 | Montreal Canadiens | Vegas Golden Knights | 3-2 |
| June 18 | Vegas Golden Knights | Montreal Canadiens | 2-3 OT |
| June 20 | Vegas Golden Knights | Montreal Canadiens | 2-1 OT |
| June 22 | Montreal Canadiens | Vegas Golden Knights | 4-1 |
| June 24 | Vegas Golden Knights | Montreal Canadiens | 2-3 OT |
Canadiens won series 4-2
Deeper Dive
- Canadiens Have a Clutch Playoff Performer in Paul Byron
- Canadiens Make Statement with First Third-Round Win of Price’s Career
- Canadiens Face Lesser of Two Evils in Golden Knights in Round 3
- Canadiens and Golden Knights Series Has Interesting Sub-Plots
(2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) New York Islanders
This will be the second consecutive postseason match-up and the fourth overall playoff meeting between these two teams; with Tampa Bay winning all three previous series. Each team is making their second consecutive Semifinals/Conference Finals appearance.
Tampa Bay is making their seventh overall appearance in the Semifinals/Conference Finals; while New York is making their eighth appearance in this round since the league began using a 16-team or greater playoff format in 1980. Tampa Bay won the previous year’s Eastern Conference Final match-up in six games. This will also be the first Semifinal/Conference Final since 2014 to feature the same two teams against each other in consecutive seasons. These teams did not play each other during this year’s regular season.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 13 | New York Islanders | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2-1 |
| June 15 | New York Islanders | Tampa Bay Lightning | 2-4 |
| June 17 | Tampa Bay Lightning | New York Islanders | 2-1 |
| June 19 | Tampa Bay Lightning | New York Islanders | 2-3 |
| June 21 | New York Islanders | Tampa Bay Lightning | 0-8 |
| June 23 | Tampa Bay Lightning | New York Islanders | 2-3 OT |
| June 25 | New York Islanders | Tampa Bay Lightning | 0-1 |
Lightning won series 4-3
Deeper Dive
- Islanders Struggle With Defense, Discipline, & Officiating in Game 2 Loss
- Islanders Game 1 Win Outlines Blueprint for Series Success
- Islanders Control Pace of Game 1 in Tampa Bay
- Islanders Keys to Series Success: Special Teams, Goaltending & More
- Islanders Have a Steep Hill to Climb if History Is Any Indicator
Scotia North Division Second Round
(3) Winnipeg Jets vs. (4) Montreal Canadiens
This is the first playoff meeting between these two teams. This is also the first Stanley Cup playoff meeting between these two cities since 1908, when the Montreal Wanderers retained the Stanley Cup by defeating the Winnipeg Maple Leafs. Winnipeg won six of nine games in this year’s regular season series. This will be the first second round series between two Canadian-based NHL teams since 2002.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2 | Montreal Canadiens | Winnipeg Jets | 5-3 |
| June 4 | Montreal Canadiens | Winnipeg Jets | 1-0 |
| June 6 | Winnipeg Jets | Montreal Canadiens | 1-5 |
| June 7 | Winnipeg Jets | Montreal Canadiens | 2-3 OT |
Canadiens won series 4-0
Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Deeper Dive
- Canadiens’ Edmundson the Real Unsung Hero
- Jets Lose Scoring & Leadership With Scheifele Suspension
- Canadiens’ Quick Starts Key to Playoff Win Streak
- Canadiens: 3 Takeaways From Round 1 Win
- Jets Need Solid Goaltending, Overtime Success & Elite Ehlers in Round 2
Discover Central Division Second Round
(1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) Tampa Bay Lightning
This will be the first playoff meeting between these two teams. These teams split their eight-game regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 30 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Carolina Hurricanes | 2-1 |
| June 1 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Carolina Hurricanes | 2-1 |
| June 3 | Carolina Hurricanes | Tampa Bay Lightning | 3-2 OT |
| June 5 | Carolina Hurricanes | Tampa Bay Lightning | 4-6 |
| June 8 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Carolina Hurricanes | 2-0 |
Lightning won series 4-1
Deeper Dive
- 3 Moments in the Weirdly Dull Lightning & Hurricanes Rivalry
- Hurricanes Get Key Performances From SAT Line & Mrazek in Game 3
- Lightning’s Vasilevskiy Continues Vezina-Worthy Play in Game 2
- Lightning Have 5 Players to Worry About in Hurricanes Series
- 3 Hurricanes Who Stepped Up When Needed the Most
- Lightning Must Find Consistency From Their Fourth Line
MassMutual East Division Second Round
(3) Boston Bruins vs. (4) New York Islanders
This will be the third playoff meeting between these two teams with New York winning both previous series. They last met in the 1983 Prince of Wales Conference Final, which New York won in six games. New York won five of eight games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 29 | New York Islanders | Boston Bruins | 2-5 |
| May 31 | New York Islanders | Boston Bruins | 4-3 OT |
| June 3 | Boston Bruins | New York Islanders | 2-1 OT |
| June 5 | Boston Bruins | New York Islanders | 1-4 |
| June 7 | New York Islanders | Boston Bruins | 5-4 |
| June 9 | Boston Bruins | New York Islanders | 2-6 |
Islanders won series 4-2
Deeper Dive
- 3 Bruins’ Takeaways From a Split With the Islanders
- Islanders Need Offensive Adjustments Following Game 3 Loss
- Islanders’ Slow Starts Costing Them Playoff Wins
- 3 Game 3 Storylines for the Bruins
- Islanders Can Build on Positives as They Start Homestand
- Islanders’ Power Play Has Been a Postseason Strength
- Islanders Defense Needs to Step up Following Game 1 Loss
- Bruins Still Have Room for Improvement in the Playoffs
- Bruins’ 4th Line Can Be a Difference-Maker for Deep Cup Run
- Bruins: 3 Players Who Must Step Up Against Islanders
- Islanders’ Leddy and Mayfield Relied on Heavily in Round 1
Honda West Division Second Round
(1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (2) Vegas Golden Knights
This will be the first playoff series between these two teams. Vegas won their round-robin game between these two teams in last year’s Stanley Cup Qualifiers 4–3. These teams split their eight-game regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 30 | Vegas Golden Knights | Colorado Avalanche | 1-7 |
| June 2 | Vegas Golden Knights | Colorado Avalanche | 2-3 OT |
| June 4 | Colorado Avalanche | Vegas Golden Knights | 2-3 |
| June 6 | Colorado Avalanche | Vegas Golden Knights | 1-5 |
| June 8 | Vegas Golden Knights | Colorado Avalanche | 3-2 OT |
| June 10 | Colorado Avalanche | Vegas Golden Knights | 3-6 |
Golden Knights won series 4-2
Deeper Dive
- Golden Knights’ Full House Propels Them to Game 3 Steal
- Golden Knights’ Poor Penalty Kill Hurting them Against the Avalanche
- Golden Knights Can’t Overcome Sluggish Start & Grubauer in Game 2 Loss
Discover Central Division First Round
(1) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (4) Nashville Predators
The Carolina Hurricanes finished first in the Central Division earning 80 points. Nashville finished as the fourth seed in the Central Division, earning 64 points. This is the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Carolina won six of eight games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 17 | Nashville Predators | Carolina Hurricanes | 5-2 |
| May 19 | Nashville Predators | Carolina Hurricanes | 0-3 |
| May 21 | Carolina Hurricanes | Nashville Predators | 4-5 2OT |
| May 23 | Carolina Hurricanes | Nashville Predators | 3-4 2OT |
| May 25 | Nashville Predators | Carolina Hurricanes | 2-3 OT |
| May 27 | Carolina Hurricanes | Nashville Predators | 4-3 OT |
Hurricanes won series 4-2
Deeper Dive
- Predators Need Saros, Suppression, & Their Best Line to Hang With Canes
- Hurricanes Rely on Defensive Depth & Nedeljkovic in Game 2 Shutout
- Predators Need That Smashville Energy Now More Than Ever
- Predators Weekly: Heading Into Hurricanes Season
- 3 Reasons the Predators Bandwagon Should Be for Everyone
- Hurricanes Look to Extend Dominance Over Predators Into the Playoffs
- Predators Need Contributions From Entire Lineup in Hurricanes Series
(2) Florida Panthers vs. (3) Tampa Bay Lightning
The Florida Panthers finished second in the Central Division with 79 points. The Tampa Bay Lightning earned 75 points to finish third in the Central Division. This is the first playoff meeting between these two rivals. Florida won five of eight games in this year’s regular season series. This will also be the first postseason match-up between two Florida-based professional sports teams since the National Football League’s 1999 AFC Divisional Playoffs where the Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Miami Dolphins 62–7.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16 | Florida Panthers | Tampa Bay Lightning | 4-5 |
| May 18 | Florida Panthers | Tampa Bay Lightning | 1-3 |
| May 20 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Florida Panthers | 5-6 OT |
| May 22 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Florida Panthers | 6-2 |
| May 24 | Florida Panthers | Tampa Bay Lightning | 4-1 |
| May 26 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Florida Panthers | 4-0 |
Lightning won series 4-2
Deeper Dive
- Lightning & Panthers’ Standout Players From Game 3
- Lightning’s Point Picks Up Where He Left Off in 2020 Playoffs
- Lightning’s Gourde, Sergachev & Coleman Could Impact Playoffs Run
- Florida Panthers and the History of the Rats
- Stamkos’ Legacy Is on the Line in 2021 Playoffs
- Sunshine State Showdown: Lightning Have Tough 1st Round With Panthers
- Lightning Will Compete Against Familiar Faces vs. Panthers
MassMutual East Division First Round
(1) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) New York Islanders
The Pittsburgh Penguins finished first in the East Division earning 77 points, winning the tiebreaker against Washington with 34 ROWs. The New York Islanders earned 71 points to finish fourth in the East Division. This is the sixth playoff meeting between these two teams, with New York winning four of the five previous series. They last met in the 2019 Eastern Conference First Round, which New York won in a four-game sweep. Pittsburgh won six of eight games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16 | New York Islanders | Pittsburgh Penguins | 4-3 OT |
| May 18 | New York Islanders | Pittsburgh Penguins | 1-2 |
| May 20 | Pittsburgh Penguins | New York Islanders | 5-4 |
| May 22 | Pittsburgh Penguins | New York Islanders | 1-4 |
| May 24 | New York Islanders | Pittsburgh Penguins | 3-2 2OT |
| May 26 | Pittsburgh Penguins | New York Islanders | 3-5 |
Islanders won series 4-2
Deeper Dive
- Islanders Defense Shutting Down Sidney Crosby
- Islanders’ Comeback Attempt Falls Just Short in Game 3 Loss to Penguins
- Islanders at Crossroads Against Penguins
- Pittsburgh Penguins Rebound in Game 2 to Tie the Series
- Islanders Head Home After Splitting First Two Games in Pittsburgh
- Penguins Jarry Uses Short Memory to Bounce Back
- Newest Islanders Can Use Playoffs to Improve & Shine
- Islanders Must Control Pace to Win Penguins Series
- Penguins Can’t Fall Into Same Old Trap vs Islanders
- Islanders Need Pulock, Beauvillier & Pageau to Step up in Round 1
- Islanders’ 3rd Line Their Playoffs X-Factor
(2) Washington Capitals vs. (3) Boston Bruins
The Washington Capitals finished second in the East Division with 77 points, losing the tiebreaker against Pittsburgh with 33 ROWs. The Boston Bruins earned 73 points to finish third in the East Division. This is the fourth playoff series between these two teams, with Washington winning two of the three previous series. They last met in the 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, which Washington won in seven games, the first time in Stanley Cup playoff history where all seven games were decided by one goal. Washington won their round-robin game between these two teams in last year’s Stanley Cup Qualifiers 2–1. These teams split their eight-game regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 15 | Boston Bruins | Washington Capitals | 2-3 OT |
| May 17 | Boston Bruins | Washington Capitals | 4-3 OT |
| May 19 | Washington Capitals | Boston Bruins | 2-3 2OT |
| May 21 | Washington Capitals | Boston Bruins | 1-4 |
| May 23 | Boston Bruins | Washington Capitals | 3-1 |
Bruins won series 4-1
Deeper Dive
- Bruins’ Roster Additions Shining in Playoffs
- Capitals’ Defensive Miscues Cost Them Again in Game 3
- Bruins Show More Physical Side in Game 3 Win Over Capitals
- Bruins Need Pastrnak to Find His Playoffs Scoring Touch
- Capitals May Need to Shuffle Lines Due to Depth Issues
- Bruins & Capitals Have Memorable Playoff Meetings
- Capitals’ Playoff Forecast Is Certainly Murky
- Bruins Have Options on 3rd & 4th Lines for Playoffs
Scotia North Division First Round
(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (4) Montreal Canadiens
This is the sixteenth playoff meeting between these two rivals, with Montreal winning eight of the fifteen previous series. They last met in the 1979 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals, which Montreal won in a four-game sweep. Toronto won seven of ten games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 20 | Montreal Canadiens | Toronto Maple Leafs | 2-1 |
| May 22 | Montreal Canadiens | Toronto Maple Leafs | 1-5 |
| May 24 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | 2-1 |
| May 25 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | 4-0 |
| May 27 | Montreal Canadiens | Toronto Maple Leafs | 4-3 OT |
| May 29 | Toronto Maple Leafs | Montreal Canadiens | 2-3 OT |
| May 31 | Montreal Canadiens | Toronto Maple Leafs | 3-1 |
Canadiens won series 4-3
Deeper Dive
- Undeniable Impact From Fans as Canadiens Force Game 7 [Video]
- Marner’s “Dumb Play” Costly in Maple Leafs Loss [Video]
- Foligno Calls Maple Leafs’ Slow Start “Unacceptable” [Video]
- Canadiens Always Have Faith When Price Is in Net [Video]
- Canadiens’ Long Layoff Before Playoffs Could Be a Blessing
- 5 Canadiens Teams 2020-21 Habs Can Look to for Inspiration
- 3 Reasons the Maple Leafs Will Beat the Canadiens
- 3 Maple Leafs Who Can Provide a Major Impact in the Playoffs
(2) Edmonton Oilers vs. (3) Winnipeg Jets
This is the first playoff meeting between these two teams, however it is also the seventh NHL playoff series between teams from these cities. Edmonton won all six meetings between the Oilers and the original Winnipeg Jets (now the Arizona Coyotes) with the last such matchup being the 1990 Smythe Division Semifinals. Edmonton won seven of nine games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 19 | Winnipeg Jets | Edmonton Oilers | 4-1 |
| May 21 | Winnipeg Jets | Edmonton Oilers | 1-0 OT |
| May 23 | Edmonton Oilers | Winnipeg Jets | 4-5 OT |
| May 24 | Edmonton Oilers | Winnipeg Jets | 3-4 3OT |
Jets won series 4-0
Deeper Dive
- Holland Warned of Oilers Struggles With “All-in Every Year” Comments
- 3 Takeaways From the Jets’ Game 2 Overtime Win Versus the Oilers
- Jets Achieve What Only One Other Team Did All Season
- Oilers Hope Maurice’s “Skill Cancels Itself Out” Comments Are Wrong
- Jets’ Hellebuyck Has a Happy Birthday With a Stellar Game 1
- Oilers & Jets Series Could Come Down to Goaltending
- Oilers’ X-Factors Ahead of Round 1 Clash With Jets
- 3 Things the Jets Need to Upend Oilers
- Oilers vs. Jets: Candidates For Unsuspecting Playoff Series Hero
- Oilers’ Kahun, McLeod & Puljujarvi Set for Playoff Debut
- Edmonton Oilers Must Take Advantage of Mediocre Winnipeg Jets Defence
- Jets Top Line Has to Cash In Against the Oilers
- Jets Facing Big 1st Round Challenge to Upset the Oilers
- Revisiting the Oilers & Jets Past Playoff Series
- Oilers Need Neal, Russell, Chiasson & Turris to Step up in the Playoffs
- Oilers’ Defensive Depth Will Be Tested by Jets
- Four Oilers Unlikely to See Playoffs Unless Emergency Strikes
Honda West Division First Round
(1) Colorado Avalanche vs. (4) St. Louis Blues
The Colorado Avalanche finished first in the West Division earning 82 points, winning the tiebreaker against Vegas with 35 ROWs. The St. Louis Blues earned 63 points to finish fourth in the West Division. This is the second playoff meeting between these two teams, who previously met in the 2001 Western Conference Finals, in which Colorado won 4 games to 1. Colorado won five of eight games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 17 | St. Louis Blues | Colorado Avalanche | 1-4 |
| May 19 | St. Louis Blues | Colorado Avalanche | 3-6 |
| May 21 | Colorado Avalanche | St. Louis Blues | 5-1 |
| May 23 | Colorado Avalanche | St. Louis Blues | 5-2 |
Avalanche won series 4-0
Deeper Dive
- Avalanche Find New Way to Win in Game 3 Victory Over Blues
- MacKinnon’s Hat Trick Lifts Avalanche to 2-0 Series Lead Over Blues
- Blues’ “Next Man Up” Tested With Potential Loss of Perron
- 3 Takeaways From Avalanche’s Dominant Game 1 Win Over Blues
- Blues’ 3 Keys to a Deep Playoff Run
- St. Louis Blues’ 2021 First-Round Playoff Preview
- Blues Need the Binnington of 2019 Stanley Cup Run
(2) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Minnesota Wild
The Vegas Golden Knights finished second in the West Division with 82 points, losing the tiebreaker against Colorado with 30 RWs. The Minnesota Wild earned 75 points to finish third in the West Division. This is the first playoff meeting between these two teams. Minnesota won five of eight games in this year’s regular season series.
| Date | Road Team | Home Team | Score/Recap |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 16 | Minnesota Wild | Vegas Golden Knights | 1-0 OT |
| May 18 | Minnesota Wild | Vegas Golden Knights | 1-3 |
| May 20 | Vegas Golden Knights | Minnesota Wild | 5-2 |
| May 22 | Vegas Golden Knights | Minnesota Wild | 4-0 |
| May 24 | Minnesota Wild | Vegas Golden Knights | 4-2 |
| May 26 | Vegas Golden Knights | Minnesota Wild | 0-3 |
| May 28 | Minnesota Wild | Vegas Golden Knights | 2-6 |
Golden Knights won series 4-3
Deeper Dive
- Wild: 3 Keys to Game 7 Against the Golden Knights
- Golden Knights’ Tuch Dominating the Postseason Again
- Wild’s Collapse Leads to a 2-1 Series Lead for Golden Knights
- 3 Takeaways From Golden Knights’ Game 2 Win Over the Wild
- Wild Haunted by Memories of Tuch in Game 2 Loss to Fleury & Golden Knights