The quest for the Stanley Cup is on. Sixteen teams are set to battle for hockey's ultimate prize, a trophy renowned as the hardest to win in professional sports. As the drama unfolds, our experts will be here daily with their best bets and sharpest picks, guiding you through every series until a champion is crowned in June.

In the Eastern Conference, keep an eye on Ottawa's Dylan Cozens. Finishing third in scoring for the Senators, he's peaking at the right time, registering a point in five of his last six games. His recent multi-point performance against Carolina and a four-game point streak to close the season were crucial in securing Ottawa's playoff spot. With 28 shots in April—nine more than any teammate—Cozens is playing with supreme confidence.

For Carolina, Andrei Svechnikov is hitting his stride. The powerful winger has scored in six of his last seven games, including a goal against Ottawa on April 5. As the Hurricanes' playoff goal leader from last season, his timing is impeccable. His success is amplified on the power play, where four of his last six goals have come, presenting a major threat to Ottawa's struggling penalty kill.

Out West, the Dallas Stars enter the postseason with concerning momentum, posting a 7-5-2 record down the stretch. Their underlying metrics are troubling, ranking 20th in expected goals percentage at five-on-five. Compounding their issues, they'll be without key center Roope Hintz, while star defenseman Miro Heiskanen is questionable and likely less than 100%. Goaltender Jake Oettinger is also looking to rebound from his toughest NHL season, adding another layer of uncertainty for a team with championship aspirations.