2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview and Predictions

The 2024-2025 NHL regular season has concluded. Thus, it is time for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Every year, over a span of two months, 16 of the best teams in hockey compete in the most exciting playoffs to hoist the most storied sporting trophy in North America. Here are the teams set to compete:

Eastern Conference

Washington Capitals (1st place Eastern Conference, Metropolitan Division, 51-22-9, 111 points)

First Round Matchup: Montreal Canadiens

The Capitals are coming off a strong season and look to win their first Stanley Cup since 2018. However, after a series sweep against the New York Rangers in the first round last year, most had expected Spencer Carbery’s Capitals to be competitive for only as much as a wild card spot this year. Additionally, several key players including center Nicklas Backstrom and winger T.J. Oshie succumbed to injuries that kept them off the ice for the entire season, drastically lowering the expectation for the Capitals. After this season, such expectations were blown out of the water. Winger Alex Ovechkin continued his reign of dominance in his 20th season, scoring over 40 goals despite missing 16 games, passing Wayne Gretzky’s record for career goals in the process. Center Dylan Strome had the best season of his professional career, scoring 82 points. Defenseman John Carlson also scored decently this year and had a 50-point season. Winger Aliaksei Protas had a remarkable plus-minus rating of +40, which was the third best rating in the NHL. Goaltending also yielded pleasant surprises for the Capitals, with starter Logan Thompson being top-10 in the league in goals against average and Charlie Lindgren emerging as a solid backup option. The Capitals have shown that they have what it takes to leave a mark on the regular season. If their momentum carries over to the playoffs, they will be a serious threat for the cup.

Toronto Maple Leafs (1st place Atlantic Division, 52-26-4, 108 points)

First Round Matchup: Ottawa Senators

The Maple Leafs have long had regular season success but have not won the Stanley Cup since 1967. In 39 attempts after, the Leafs have failed to win the cup even once, falling seven times at the hands of one of their biggest Original Six foes, the Boston Bruins. This year, however, the Bruins failed to make the playoffs. Coincidentally, when the Leafs won the cup in 1967, the Bruins did not make the playoffs in that year. Additionally, this year also marks the first time since 1967 in which both the Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings did not make the playoffs. Have the stars aligned for the Leafs to win the cup this year? The Leafs are led by center and captain Auston Matthews, who is coming off his first year of captaincy after center John Tavares stepped down from the role. The Leafs’s offense this year has been extremely dangerous, with four players, including Matthews and Tavares, managing point-per-game seasons. This list of players also included winger William Nylander, who was second in the NHL in goals scored with 45, and winger Mitch Marner, who scored 102 points. The Leafs goaltending tandem this year, headlined by starter Joseph Woll and backup Anthony Stolarz, has proven to be solid and was top-three in the NHL by save percentage. The Leafs have starpower every year, and this one could very well be the one when they exorcise their postseason demons and finally win their first cup in 58 years.

Tampa Bay Lightning (2nd place Atlantic Division, 47-27-8, 102 points)

First Round Matchup: Florida Panthers

Ever since winning back-to-back cups in 2020 and 2021, the Lightning have failed to capitalize on dominance. After a failed push for a three-peat in 2022, the Lightning have failed to advance out of the first round, until 2025. This includes an especially painful elimination in last year’s playoffs to their interstate rival, the Florida Panthers, who would go on to win the Stanley Cup. People across the sports world believed that the Lightning’s glory days were over. But this year, the Lightning put on a strong regular season performance that is making their doubters seriously reconsider. The team had the number one offense in the NHL, with 292 goals scored. This would not be possible without many members of the aging Lightning core continuing to put up solid numbers this year. Winger Nikita Kucherov, at 31 years of age, earned his second straight Art Ross Trophy for being the highest scorer in the NHL with a whopping 121 points. Center Brayden Point had another 40-goal season. Defenseman Ryan McDonagh was solid on both sides of the puck, having a league-leading plus-minus rating of +43 this season. Meanwhile, additions like winger Jake Guentzel also managed to perform well and put up 41 goals. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy put up yet another incredible season and was top-five in both save percentage and goals against average. The Lightning will encounter Florida again in the first round with an opportunity to avenge their loss from last year’s playoffs. They stand as the Lightning’s first obstacle in what could materialize into a deep playoff run, potentially returning the cup to Tampa Bay.

Carolina Hurricanes (2nd place Metropolitan Division, 47-30-5, 99 points)

First Round Matchup: New Jersey Devils

The Carolina Hurricanes have cemented their status as playoff regulars, earning their seventh consecutive postseason berth. After a second round exit last season, Rod Brind’Amour’s squad is determined to push deeper and capture their first Stanley Cup since 2006. This year, the Hurricanes showcased a relentless forechecking system and a stifling defense that overwhelmed opponents. Center Sebastian Aho led the charge with 74 points, while center Seth Jarvis contributed 32 goals. Defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere held down the offense from the blue line, scoring 45 points, while the team’s penalty kill, bolstered by players like center Jordan Staal, was the league’s best, with an 83.6 percent success rate. In goaltender Frederik Andersen’s absence due to injury, Pyotr Kochetkov showed that he is a capable starter and notched a decent 2.60 goals against average. With their depth, speed, and physicality, the Hurricanes are primed to make a significant impact and could prove to be a serious threat if their momentum carries through.

Florida Panthers (3rd place Atlantic Division, 47-31-4, 98 points)

First Round Matchup: Tampa Bay Lightning

Fresh off their 2024 Stanley Cup victory, the Florida Panthers return to the playoffs as defending champions but not without any struggle. Stars’ injuries like center Aleksander Barkov and winger Matthew Tkachuk, combined with a worrying late-season skid, made their third-place finish in the Atlantic Division a battle. Several Panthers players declined in their performance relative to last season. Winger Sam Reinhart, who scored 57 goals last season, only scored 39 goals this season. Center Carter Verhaeghe saw declines in all goals, points, and plus-minus rating. Even defenseman Gustav Forsling, who was a bright spot for the Panthers and shone with a +33 plus-minus, went down from having a much better +56 rating just one year prior. Behind a poorer defense, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, a Vezina finalist last year, took on a more difficult job in net and had to face higher quality shots this season but held up with a respectable 2.44 goals against average, bailing out the weakened Panthers on numerous occasions. The Panthers face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round, hoping to have a repeat of their victory against them in last year’s playoffs. The Panthers’s title defense continues.

New Jersey Devils (3rd place Metropolitan Division, 42-33-7, 91 points)

First Round Matchup: Carolina Hurricanes

The New Jersey Devils have roared back to the playoffs after a challenging 2023-24 season. They secured third in the Metropolitan Division and faced a first-round rematch against the Carolina Hurricanes, who sent them home early in five games during the 2023 second round. Winger Jesper Bratt led the team with 88 points, while center Nico Hischier’s two-way excellence yielded 69 points and Selke Trophy consideration. Back from injury, Defenseman Dougie Hamilton posted 40 points. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom, a key offseason addition, solidified the crease with a league top-10 goals against average of 2.50. If New Jersey can leverage their talents, they could possibly pursue their first Stanley Cup in over 20 years.

Ottawa Senators (1st Wild Card, 45-30-7, 98 points)

First Round Matchup: Toronto Maple Leafs

The Ottawa Senators have ended their playoff drought and secured their first postseason appearance. Under coach Travis Green, this young team has shown both strength and resilience, earning the first wild-card spot. Center Tim Stutzle paced the offense with 79 points, while winger Brady Tkachuk’s physicality and 29 goals set the tone. Defenseman Jake Sanderson had a productive 57-point season, and goaltender Linus Ullmark provided stability for the Senators between the pipes. Ottawa’s blue line, featuring defensemen Thomas Chabot and Nick Jensen, helped them rank among the NHL’s top defensive units. The Senators have the makings of a strong underdog team, and with some clutch performances in the playoffs, they could mount a surprise run to win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup.

Montreal Canadiens (2nd Wild Card, 40-31-11, 91 points)

First Round Matchup: Washington Capitals

The Montreal Canadiens defied the odds, clinching the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot in a dramatic race over the Columbus Blue Jackets. From second-last in the league on December 1, the Habs’s young core emerged as a legitimate unit capable of deep playoff success. Center Nick Suzuki led with 89 points, while Cole Caufield scored 37 goals and Juraj Slafkovsky broke out with 51 points. Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson—a Calder Trophy contender—was a top-three scorer on this team, and goaltender Sam Montembeault, while sometimes inconsistent, kept pucks out of the Montreal net when it mattered the most. Coming into these playoffs, the last-seeded Habs are clear underdogs, but their incredible comeback in the regular season has shown that this team can deal with adversity. After how far the Habs have come, they just simply will not go down—not without a fight and also nor without a war. That fight of theirs might just be what leads them past the higher seeds to the cup.

Western Conference

Winnipeg Jets (Presidents’ Trophy, 1st place NHL, Central Division, 56-22-4, 116 points)

First Round Matchup: St. Louis Blues 

The Jets have a lot of promise going into these playoffs. Star forwards Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele each have tallied more than a point per game this season and do not look to be slowing down anytime soon. The Jets also have the current Vezina favorite goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who leads the league in save percentage and goals allowed.  Many also doubt Hellebuyck’s ability to perform under pressure. However, after the Four Nations Faceoff, he has proven himself to be the premier goalie in the NHL. Even with the amazing team featuring talent all around, many doubt whether they can break the Presidents’ Trophy Curse, which has lasted since the Chicago Blackhawks won in the 2012-13 season.

Vegas Golden Knights (1st place Pacific Division, 50-22-10, 110 points)

First Round Matchup: Minnesota Wild

The Golden Knights are another strong favorite in the West. Star forward Jack Eichel tallied 93 points this season. Other key players on the Knights are forward Mark Stone (who also tallied over a point per game), defenseman Shea Theodore, and goaltender Adin Hill. The Knights look to win the Stanley Cup once again, with their last win being in 2023 against the current champions—the Florida Panthers. The Knights are always a strong favorite to win ever since coming into the league in 2017. They made their first Stanley Cup appearance in their inaugural season but lost to the dominant Capitals; however, the Knights could get revenge this year since both teams are heavy favorites to make the finals.

Dallas Stars (2nd place Central Division, 50-26-6, 106 points)

First Round Matchup: Colorado Avalanche

Coming off of another strong season, the Stars look to hoist the trophy for the first time since the 1998-1999 season. They are led by recently acquired forward Mikko Rantanen, who has tallied 87 points this season. However, the Stars also have many other stars including forwards Matt Duchene and Jason Robertson, who both have tallied a point per game this season. With one of the best offenses in the league, the Stars look to score many goals these playoffs and make up for their weaker defensive core. Their star goaltender Jake Oettinger has once again proven himself as a star goaltender in the NHL. They look forward to building on last year’s conference finals run. 

Los Angeles Kings (2nd place Pacific Division, 48-25-9, 105 points)

First Round Matchup: Edmonton Oilers

After having the best home record in the entire NHL with a record of 31-5-4, the Kings seek to build on their terrific form at home and mount an upset against the star studded Edmonton Oilers. The well-rounded team features stars like forwards Adrian Kempe, Anze Kopitar, Kevin Fiala, and goaltender Darcy Kuemper. The Kings have to face the best forward in the league: Connor McDavid. However, defensemen Joel Edmundson and Drew Doughty will be available for the first game of the series, which gives the Kings a much-needed boost in getting revenge on the Oilers, who defeated them last season. They can definitely outlast the Edmonton Oilers, who rely fully on their star players Draisaitl and McDavid, but their offense also has to get better.

Colorado Avalanche (3rd place Western Division, 49-29-4, 102 points)

First Round Matchup: Dallas Stars

The Avalanche look to win the Stanley Cup once again; their last win was in 2022. The Avs have two of the best players in the NHL: star forward Nathan MacKinnon—who tallied 126 points this season—and star defenseman Cale Makar, who tallied 92 points on the season. However, the offense doesn’t stop there; newly acquired forwards Brock Nelson and Martin Necas contribute a lot to the offense strategy. The Avs also are getting forward Gabriel Landeskog, who last scored 30 goals in 51 games during the 2021-22 season. Since their new goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood provides a solid boost to the defense led by Cale Makar, the Avs have a really strong chance of making a deep run.

Edmonton Oilers (3rd place Pacific Division, 48-29-5, 101 points)

First Round Matchup: Los Angeles Kings

The Oilers look to use last year’s heartbreaking loss in the final as motivation to finally bring Lord Stanley back to Canada after 34 years. With their two star forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl both healthy, the Oilers look to use their enormous offensive production to their advantage—both players average above a point per game. The Oilers don’t only produce offensive results; they also have defensemen Evan Bouchard and Jake Walman, who both have positive plus/minus this season—that indicates a strong defensive core. However, the Oilers lack a proper goaltender; many critics of the Oilers blame goaltender Stuart Skinner for McDavid’s losses.

Minnesota Wild (1st Wild Card, Central Division, 45-30-7, 97 points)
First Round Matchup: Las Vegas Golden Knights

The Wild have built another well rounded team this season, centering around their young forwards Matt Boldy, Kirill Kaprizov, and Marco Rossi. They also have a veteran presence in former Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello. Their goaltender duo doesn’t lack in strength, featuring two strong goalkeepers: Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury. With a young team that’s full of energy, the Wild can make an impression on the Knights and upset them. The question many wonder is: “Can the Wild win it for Fleury’s last season in the NHL?”

St. Louis Blues (2nd Wild Card, Central Division, 44-30-8, 96 points)

First Round Matchup: Winnipeg Jets

After an amazing end to the season, winning 10 straight games during that stretch for the first time since their cup-winning 2019 season, the Blues look to copy their previous winning season. The Blues share many resemblances with their iconic 2019 team; both teams didn’t start the season well and then went on long win streaks to end the season and sneak into the playoffs. The Blues kicked the Flames out of a playoff spot at the last second, even though the Flames had more points than other playoff teams, including the New Jersey Devils and Montreal Canadiens. The Blues have a great offense; key forwards including Pavel Buchnevich, Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and Dylan Holloway all contributed to the amazing offense at the end of the season. The Blues also have Canada’s key goalie for the Four Nations Faceoff—Jordan Binnington, who is known as a “playoff riser” by many. The Blues will try and replicate their 2019 cup winning run, but facing the star-studded Winnipeg Jets will be a tough task.

The Spectator’s Predictions

East First Round

(D1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens, Capitals in 5

(D1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators, Leafs in 7

(D2) Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (D3) Florida Panthers, Lightning in 6

(D2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (D3) New Jersey Devils, Hurricanes in 5

West First Round

(D1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues, Jets in 5

(D1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild, Knights in 5

(D2) Dallas Stars vs. (D3) Colorado Avalanche, Avalanche in 6

(D2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (D3) Edmonton Oilers, Oilers in 7

East Second Round

(D1) Washington Capitals vs. (D2) Carolina Hurricanes, Capitals in 6

(D1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (D2) Tampa Bay Lightning, Lightning in 7

West Second Round

(D1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (D3) Colorado Avalanche, Jets in 6

(D2) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (D3) Edmonton Oilers, Oilers in 7

Eastern Conference Finals

(D1) Washington Capitals vs. (D2) Tampa Bay Lightning, Lightning in 6

Western Conference Finals

(D1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (D3) Edmonton Oilers, Oilers in 7

Stanley Cup Finals

* - denotes home ice advantage

(D2) Tampa Bay Lightning* vs. (D3) Edmonton Oilers, Oilers in 6

The Spectator predicts that the Edmonton Oilers will win the 2025 Stanley Cup.