Steve Dangle's Conference Final Picks

Steve Dangle shares his picks for the Conference finals in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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[@devackroyd]

Im a life long die hard Oilers fan and I am super excited for this series against Dallas. There is absolutely no reason why Dallas shouldnt be the favourites in this series, they have about as complete a roster as you can get in the cap era. Edmonton will need a bit of magic and a number of clutch performances to get by the Stars, but I would encourage Oilers fans to enjoy the journey instead of being nervous, this is going to pretty awesome! Edit: What an unbelievable series, I've been waiting so long for this moment, let's enjoy this journey!

[@hillfortherstudios2757]

I know what you mean, it's certainly not a stretch for the oilers to win. It really could go either way.

[@TheMustangdood]

Dallas def a favorite but from what I’ve been hearing and seeing I think Dallas getting too much respect.

[@fuzywuzyboomboom1549]

Stars are my favorite team. (I live in Dallas) and my second favorite is Edmonton. Unfortunately, it's just not the Oils year. Dallas is taking the cup, but next year? Ha, if anyone other than the Oilers win it I'll utterly shocked.

[@zrichards907]

​@TheMustangdood Vegas and Colorado would of owned the Oilers. That's why

[@TheMustangdood]

@@zrichards907 yeah just like they did in regular season right. lol.

[@LinkRocks]

Dallas is deep, elite defensively, and has better goaltending. If Edmonton were to win the series it's going to take Skinner standing on his head and for them to draw penalties.

[@mom2eando]

We will check the score and the shot counter after a couple periods. Jakes gonna be the one peppered.

[@johanstinson]

Edmonton is just as deep, just as good defensively. Stars have the edge in tending. Oilers PP is better, Oilers PK is better. Oilers Dmen produce more. And we have Drai/McDavid, 2 players the Stars can't hope to match. Oilers in 5

[@pyRoy6]

@@johanstinson 5 is a massive leap of faith, but you're right that the Oilers are "secretly" (though the data is readily available) a great all-around team in all zones...better offensively than Dallas, and not that far off defensively. Goaltending is a question, but over the course of the full season, Oettinger wasn't leagues ahead of Skinner. Plus Oettinger's sick now.

[@nolankuffner3573]

​@@johanstinson jesus. You did just watch a "sick" Canucks squad come within a goal of beating Edmonton, yeah? And Dallas is notably better than them. This isn't a Stars team with young, up and coming guys with zero experience whatsoever. This is a Stars team that slayed both of the West's best chances at a Cup. Edmonton? A Kings team that's faced and struggled with the Oilers like 4 straight opening rounds (and never really being on their level) and a Canucks team without their two best players for most of the series. Dallas was the best in the west for a reason, but hey. Edmonton is a haven for addicts, so it's not surprising that you sound high as hell with this prediction.

[@alexanderdorian7218]

Skinner only needs to be average for the oilers to win

[@darylwilliams7883]

Speaking as an Edmontonian who watched some of the Dallas playoff games, I am not filled with confidence.

[@devackroyd]

I am a fellow Edmontonian, there is no reason why Dallas shouldn't be the favourites, but that's how it's gotta be sometimes. Dallas is a wagon and the Oilers are going to need a bit of magic to make it through, but let's enjoy the ride!

[@Beeryee34]

I’m a rangers fan but I find Dallas to be a bit overrated. They’ve blown multiple goal leads this playoffs and Edmonton is capable of scoring in high volume once they get going. Plus Dallas’s penalty kill isn’t the greatest, edmonton has a chance to kill them on special teams. Edmonton in 7

[@LinkRocks]

@@Beeryee34 You haven't watched a lot of Stars game up close, you're just farting out what the media narrative is about them.

[@Beeryee34]

@@LinkRocks I watch every playoff game lol. Is blowing multiple goal leads a “media narrative” or fact?

[@Marixa1979]

@@LinkRocks You mean like the narrative that the Oilers have no depth and can't play defense? It's going to be a great series that could go either way.

[@Letgotogetagrip]

Great analysis and very entertaining delivery. Well done. Subscribed

[@HarrisonHollers]

Now he can cash either ticket. GENIUS!

[@briangrover873]

The big thing that sets the Rangers apart is that they have that grit and determination to find a way to win, even when they are being outplayed

[@mattheworlandi1129]

I wanna see Florida vs. Edmonton so bad. A Canadian team looking to break their nation's championship drought against an American team trying to win their first championship. The northernmost team versus the southernmost team. McDavid vs. Tkachuk!

[@TheMustangdood]

That was an Edmonton Calgary game. Tkachuk got ragdolled and spent the rest of the game in the fetal position

[@DasPizzaChit]

EDMvNYR is a better matchup

[@mattheworlandi1129]

Called it!

[@TheMustangdood]

@@mattheworlandi1129 gonna be a good one.

[@austinjoseph6347]

Crazy how you go from dirty panthers to praising rempe in sequential sentences

[@raymondfindlay8070]

Finally, good content back on my feed. I still want my hatpicks tho

[@lawrencew2366]

Great job

[@olivegrovebear]

awesome job Steve , happy hockey

[@justinvandergriff]

LFG STARS!!!

[@tonyberezowski7859]

Hurricanes vs. Rangers = Quantity vs. Quality.

[@JT-gi8rx]

Exactly. Shots from the perimeter aren’t going to get the job done against a goalie like Shesterkin.

[@shanewalton8888]

Bouchard is the first defensemen to ever score 20 points in the first two rounds.

[@archimedes2261]

He getting paid big next contract extension 😆

[@troyflintoff8077]

I think in your pre playoff predictions you had Dallas vs Edmonton and Rangers vs Boston, but hey 3 out of 4 really good.

[@liamroarke7991]

Also straight up if I was playing the Panthers, I'd sew brass knuckles into my gloves.

[@HarrisonHollers]

Wrapping our hands in foil

[@liamroarke7991]

@@HarrisonHollers spike their drinks with laxatives

[@user-sd1de7iy8n]

@@HarrisonHollersoilers all the way

[@choppergunner8650]

The Panthers hate is real and knee-jerk 😂

[@isamarchambers]

@@choppergunner8650it’s justified. i’m glad people are finally catching on after so many years of being these “lovable underdogs”

[@hisuiangengar8169]

Epic matchups Rangers in 6 Stars in 7

[@claydefeo8826]

Nailed it

[@safertobeanonymous2224]

Flip coins. These series are both flipping coins till heads or tails comes up 4 times.

[@robertonievecimamontana7065]

Steve... STEVE.... STEVE!!!!!! Yes, say anything you want!!!!!! 💛🖤💛🖤

[@chrisormie]

Start of the season I had my top 3 teams as Rangers, Avalanche, and Stars. Unfortunately, my Avs were undone again but still have a chance of a final between two of my picks. I do live in a Stars household and at the start of last season I said they looked a year away (based on the Lightning and Avs a year prior to their wins)... I may be proven right on that front too. Interesting final four - overlooked the Panthers a bit (think they were in the 6-8 range for me) but overall it's been an exciting playoffs and some great new contenders rising.

[@FLPanthers_Steelers_Fanatic]

Last year and this year I had Panthers an Oilers in final…got it 50% last year , will be 💯 this year 😊

[@stormchaser419]

Florida vs. Dallas. Can't wait

[@jamesmihaley3228]

Rangers in 4. Rangers winning the cup.

[@ChrisyBearTV]

@@jamesmihaley3228 Hey, so Rangers in 5 now? Lmfao

[@nolankuffner3573]

​@@ArcanumAscentyeah, seeing a rematch of the Cup final WILL be interesting. Just like hearing all you sad sack Canadian hockey fans bitching about Bettman screwing your TikTok style hockey darlings out of a Cup after your shitty team failed to perform defensively. Again.

[@etahhcumosevahi]

@@jamesmihaley3228 rangers in what?

[@RinnosukeETQW]

Steve, Miro's last name is said HEY-SKIN-NIN, our PA announcer Jeff K made absolutely sure

[@dolandarkxgrandayy6953]

Please Hockey Gods give me Rempe getting his hands on Bennett.

[@turnerjazz7872]

Have you watched Rempe actually fight? He's.... not good at it. Tall, yes. Hard hits, yes. Winning fights... noooooo

[@choppergunner8650]

Rempe doesn't fight, he only goons around the ice

[@FLPanthers_Steelers_Fanatic]

Btw, we win in 7 but a nice bruising violent series win

[@user-hh4if8jk8c]

panthers def have high end talent, barkov, reinhart, tkachuk, verhage, montour, forsling bobrovsky all studs, panthers in 5

[@Awardshq]

Well this is already wrong

[@ad86mets]

This aged well

[@redsr9990]

I'm with you, Steve. I can't call the Eastern Conference easily either. It all hinges on whether the Rangers can keep up their effort and energy, which they often struggle to do. That's my hometown team, but I dunno. I hope they at least let Rempe have some fun out there lol.

[@AdamtheLarsen]

Remember when you said the “Oiler defense is aaaaaaaaawful!” but low and behold they have allowed the least amount of shots and scoring chances through two rounds. Don’t look now but they are number one in five on five goals even though they are power play merchants? Their power play is the best in the league and their penalty kill is too. Oilers are coming!

[@TheKisj]

What scares me the most about the Dallas match up how deep the Stars are this year, and they're tough

[@benjaminjohnson5843]

No way Edmonton beats dallas

[@metalmarty3948]

ahahahahahahahahaha this post didn't age well ahahahahahahaha

[@TheMustangdood]

Dallas getting way too much respect. This is gonna be a fun series.

[@kmik4466]

Avs are very top heavy also. See how their offense did versus Dallas

[@LARGO125]

Not the same. The only players the Avs had in that series that were even in the same stratosphere as any of those Oilers mentioned were Makar and MacKinnon. That's 2 versus 5.

[@kmik4466]

@@LARGO125 I guess we will see how it plays out.

[@tonterswayy4626]

Mack, makar, rant, Toews, all top players that got pretty muted in the series. That’s the point

[@lfunntube]

Just because Dallas did it once doesn't necessarily mean they will do it again

[@kmik4466]

@@lfunntube true. Never know what will happen but there is precedent. Also the Avs have championship pedigree.

[@NathanLipetz]

Keefe named Devils new coach! Video incoming?

[@j.cbutterfly3293]

I’m totally agree, I’m pick the Stars and Rangers in 7 are both teams, needs to reach the finals this season. And it all happens 2knight.!

[@cooper0009]

LOL, I like this

[@dangauthier5711]

Steve I can’t wait for you to be wrong around edmonton! But as a die hard oilers guy I’m so friggen’ nervous about it and I may die before the end of the series

[@pcgamerdad4251]

yup pretty much how I have it as well Oilers lack depth and goaltending is awful on that one. As for the Panthers and Rangers its going to be a close series.

[@Mr80sdrummer]

Hindsight being 20/20 you weren't even 50%.

[@DasPizzaChit]

EDMvsNYR in the finals would be a test of skill with the best players in the game right now. Dallas and Florida are good teams but just using the aggressive tactic rather than skill

[@robert-lx5ry]

They played la and canucks Dallas played the last 2 Stanley cup champs

[@turnerjazz7872]

Wow he was right!

[@augustsmith9633]

Well the dangle curse is on course for ECF game 1. 3-0 final lol

[@MrNeeko777]

I want oilers and rangers and that's what I think we will get. I think mcdavids got a world class performance in him this round. The rangers are clicking and they will go where shesterkin takes them. If he makes key saves when it matters, they win.

[@FLPanthers_Steelers_Fanatic]

In my bracket I got all 4 teams correct, hope you will show unbiased love towards the Panthers 🧐😬

[@alexvc7341]

I live in Edmonton and I really want the Oilers to win over the Stars, I hope against hope that they do. Like George Michael sings "Ya gotta have faith!"

[@user-cb1wh5wn6f]

If the Oilers play Pickard, which for some reason they won't, they win. Skinner was the reason why the Oilers didn't win that series in 4-5 games.

[@ocramocram1]

Oilers fan and I'm praying for playoff magic. I don't think they have a chance short of a miracle.

[@johanstinson]

Lol. Stop acting like the Stars are the 95 Devils

[@pyRoy6]

The prayer for magic is great, but if you take a look at the data, you might find that the Oilers have a decent shot at this. Hell, they're even favourites based on some of the most reliable analytics models. And of Oettinger's actually sick, even for a game or 2? The Oilers might be everyone's favourites, even if only by a small margin.

[@steverogers5956]

They have a chance if they can actually play their best hockey for 60 minutes in each game, or at least in most games. I guess that might qualify as a miracle.

[@kialljacobs8331]

I still got Oilers vs Rangers in final with Oilers winning the Stanley Cup

[@chairmanofthebored6860]

Ouch. Might want to rethink both of those picks.

[@jamesmihaley3228]

@@chairmanofthebored6860r u dumb. Rangers have the most depth and the most complete team in the nhl. Rangers in 5 in ecf than rangers in 7.

[@az_tinkerer_gamer]

Cats in 6

[@TheFlizash]

McDavid has been talked about not being on a crazy bend. They will rue what they say. I want Assassins Creed McJesus. Let's make this a blood bath. Throat slitting. Tendon cutting. Asphyxiation. I want to see McDavid go Super Saiyen. Give me that. I think he isn't fully healthy, but he's McDavid. He's from the Andromeda Galaxy. Not Canada. I so want to see the career defining moment of the most talented player I've ever seen. I'm 45yrs old. I watched Gretzky. (Smartest player ever) I watched Lemuiex (dominant). I've watched Forsberg.(robbed by injuries).....countless others. But I've never seen anyone flip the switch and just own a game like McDavid. I want to see him in the Finals.

[@Robert-lg5xu]

Rangers vs Oilers

[@JHsillypantsMcGee]

Holloway is now playing his best hockey ever in the top 6 and they have Henrique coming back to place on the 3rd line, beefing up their depth. Oilers can intimidate Robertson and Johnston: The Kane Train is incoming. It will be closer than many think, and Oil have a real chance to make the cup final.

[@lornereid2078]

Hilarious and possibly true

[@sensationaldenny]

Dallas is very good but they are being hyped up way too much, the narrative is that they are too "Deep" for the Oilers? Some positives and things to consider: Oilers record so far is 8-4, Dallas is 8-5, they've lost 5 games so its not like they're invincible. Oilers have also scored 46 goals, Stars scored 38 even though they played an extra game. The Oilers PK is 91%, Stars is 69% vs the best PP in the world. The big question mark will be goaltending, Skinner needs to be better! Conor McDavid needs to turn it up a notch as well, he was pretty good vs Canucks but the Oilers need him to level up if the Oilers want a chance ti win this. Oilers were also under more pressure to defeat the Canucks, people are writing them off vs Dallas which may make them play a bit relaxed and will limit their mistakes. This won't be an easy series for either team. I predict Oilers with the upset in 7 games, 1997 style!

[@robert-lx5ry]

Ahhh la kings and the canucks nice matchups lol

[@Michael-pg7rv]

Dallas is just built for the playoffs. So tough and physical, so much offensive depth. Strong defense and some veteran leadership. I still have Rangers winning the cup because I think they have the better goalie.

[@billcalandro2124]

Aren’t the stars dead last in hits/game?

[@LinkRocks]

@@billcalandro2124 Now do the rest of the defensive stats.

[@billcalandro2124]

@@LinkRocks you said tough and physical. I watch their games and all I see are poke checks

[@cmpalmer]

@@billcalandro2124 Definitely not physical. They can play that way, but it's not their identity. The one game they absolutely dominated physically was Game 2 against Vegas and we know how that went. Against Colorado, it seemed like even the lightest hit on Nate was called, so you can't really blame Dallas for keeping it clean. That said, Tanev has been a beast. League leader in blocks/60 and already had a tooth knocked through his lip.

[@calvincharlie703]

I have Dallas winning in 6 games. And I have Florida winning in 5 games. Dallas is way faster than Edmonton and Florida had been sleeping for too long and I think they are waking up.

[@greenus1737]

stars in 7, rangers in 7. Stars take the cup in 5

[@drogontargaryen3428]

Oilers in 6 and Rangers in 7

[@kh4l3dhi]

Panthers in 6!

[@zacbouch42]

The stat comparison between the Stars and Oilers is mind numbing, the competition was completely different.. steve dangle is such a noob

[@SDSOne]

Please lord let the Rangers win. Please. Honestly this final 4 is tougher to call than any i can remember. Please let the Rangers win

[@russellalesi5715]

he gave Barclay that howitzer from the high slot...

[@roboninja1]

EDM-NYR Finals for a conflicted Messier.

[@carlholmes9858]

Like 69, just say'n My brain tells me Florida and Dallas My heart wants Edmonton and NYR

[@zenoncampbell4582]

I think if the Dallas Edmonton series isn’t over in 5, the oilers win. I think the Dallas D will get worn out

[@markfeland2285]

You forget the Oil have the best PK in the playoffs, defense seriously underrated Oil in 6

[@kaithemessiah2811]

But....Who did Oilers played to get there? Dallas took out tougher Teams. If Oilers took on Knights or Avs, they'd be golfing by now

[@bvbftw]

@@kaithemessiah2811 The Oilers were the #1 team pointwise in the whole league after Knobloch took over. Also being on top or close to the top in a lot of the important metrics. If I would need to pick the 4 strongest teams in the league it would be these 4

[@jameshannagan4256]

@@bvbftw I think the Canes are as good as any of the teams still left they just can't finish.

[@travisw6881]

Stars vs panthers book it

[@SRTifiable]

Best thing the Oilers can do…put a healthy scratch on and send him into Oettinger during Game 1. Not saying they should actually do this, I just mean they don’t stand a chance with him in net.

[@TheJasonVoorhees]

DAL vs NYR

[@outbackyak5949]

If McDavid wasnt injured they have a great chance to win in 7, Panthers in 6,

[@jchobbies2065]

Dallas easily had the hardest schedule in the league and they are the 1 seed. Kinda brutal.

[@the8thgable]

There's still time to change to the Oilers, man. Get on board!

[@teapea8184]

First game of EFC made the prediction look as good as the new KZbin layout. Pretty horrid effort from Rangers and Bob slammed the rest.

[@ronryan7398]

Don’t forget special teams. Oilers 128+ Dallas less than 100 total.

[@BobSaxon-ou7ww]

Dallas vs Florida for the cup

[@BrandonHilikus]

rip if steve chose your team. giving them that leafs bad juju

[@raze5346]

I think the panthers got this

[@Shayla9696]

I think both series will be close and will probably hinge on stars being stars and goaltenders stealing because they’re pretty even matchups. Ps. Steve please wipe the smudges on the tv behind you it’s weirdly distracting 😅

[@MorbidMorgan]

Cats over rags

[@coopercoffin690]

Dallas in 6 Panthers in 6 But whoever comes out of the east takes the cup in 7

[@xjsnjkil2070]

Dallas in 4, panthers in 4

[@KensterFox]

Sounds an awful lot like the call on the ice was the Rangers winning, but it's gone to replay and you know the Panthers are winning, but you can't find that angle that gives you "clear and obvious" evidence, so the call on the ice stands.

[@ryans413]

Edmonton has depth they don’t need McDavid to do everything. It’s funny to me when McDavid dose everything people complain they have no depth. Then when McDavid barley dose anything people complain he needs to do more lol

[@saifonlawrence2044]

You need a spelling lesson.

[@ryans413]

@@saifonlawrence2044 and you need to just mind your own business. If it bothers you that much then wow you probably go around correcting everyone like a jackass.

[@saifonlawrence2044]

@@ryans413 Better done Ryan. Dig it man ?

[@JJ-yc4lf]

Stars in 4 vs oilers and stars vs rangers in final. Stars in 6 and win the cup!!! - from a saskatchewan fan

[@mctoads8230]

Stars in 4 ? Good call 🤡

[@Max_Coolman]

I’m not smart so I’m not gonna leave a comment… wait I just did.

[@magus5555]

Funny how all the talking heads pick Dallas.. All of you guys are about to be surprised.

[@my_aiim_is_nastyxgaming7046]

LMFAO

[@mauricerose3082]

Hopefully the Canadian team won't get officiated by the NHL.

[@cackoocacho1629]

Phew.... Dingleberry picked Dallas. What a relief! Dingleberry cheers for the Leafs, which means, there's about a 99.999999999999% chance that he's wrong. Oilers - Panthers SCF, here we come. Thanks, Steve. 🍻

[@JJ-yc4lf]

No stars win the cup

[@cackoocacho1629]

@@JJ-yc4lf No oilers win the cup See how easy it is to just say words? Have a good one.

[@triple8s]

Let's Go Oilers! 🥳💪💙🧡

[@saifonlawrence2044]

Go-lf Leafs Go-lf hahahahahahaha

[@dirtywords7314]

Panthers about to win it all

[@russellalesi5715]

Panthers about to go down 2-1

[@CreamyWheat]

West is all over place. I think the Rangers win in 4-5 or the panthers win in 6-7. Longer the series goes the more Florida has the advantage

[@travisw6881]

Looooool thinking ny wins in 4-5. Nyr shouldn’t have even beat the canes tbh

[@nathanieldotson8163]

I'm going stars when in 6 Rangers if they win in 6 but if their is a game 7 Panthers would win

[@dannyjackson5356]

I feel like the easy picks are rangers and dallas. As a Dallas fan I can’t tell you the last time Dallas was ever favored in anything let alone the playoffs so this year has been strange after Colorado was eliminated. All of a sudden Dallas has a good team it seems and people are jumping on the bandwagon. It’s kind of strange. I’m excited to see some amazing hockey either way. Go stars! Panthers and oilers have chances to mount some huge upsets and break more than a few brackets.

[@jameshannagan4256]

The Panthers are favored to win the series as was the Canes.

[@casewojo6186]

Cats fan here but I think Dallas takes it.

[@hollye5695]

All I want at this point is a Rangers loss and any scenario works if that's the outcome.

[@richardkraupa9021]

Panthers in 5, Oilers in 5

[@stephenwright5939]

Panthers in 6 stars in 6

[@adamn7777]

I'm only a fan of one team but I really like the way the Panthers play. They play old school rule-less hockey and I just can't pick against that. In my heart I want Edmonton to win the west I really do because their top end guys are so fun to watch but I don't think they have it in them defensively to take out the stars. Apparently this is the first time there's been 3 guys on the same team with 20+ points going into the third round and even having 3 guys at 20 points across the whole league is pretty rare after only 2 rounds. If the Oilers do somehow make the final I wouldn't rule out Draisaitl passing Gretzky for that top spot in single playoff scoring record of 47. It'll take him more than the 18 games it took Gretzky if he does but I'd love to see Draisaitl get a shot at that record.