NHL Stars Gear Up for Round 2 Showdowns. The second round of the NHL playoffs is set to kick off on May 7, with several high-stakes matchups that will determine which teams move one step closer to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Boston Bruins, who dominated the Carolina Hurricanes in Round 1, will face off against the Florida Panthers, while the Toronto Maple Leafs will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in a highly anticipated series. As the playoffs heat up, teams will need to dig deep and find the extra gear needed to overcome their opponents and advance to the next round. Which underdog will rise to the challenge and make a deep playoff run?