As a service to fans who have a general interest in the National Hockey League but have no idea what's happened since the Vegas Golden Knights raised the Stanley Cup by defeating the Florida Panthers in June 2023, we're happy to provide this FAQ as a guide to the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs.
And for you die-hard puckheads: Here is your official refresher before the games begin Saturday. Enjoy!
How intense was the end of the regular season in the Eastern Conference?
It was "four teams, one open playoff spot" intense, filled with desperation and unfortunate amounts of math.