The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs have arrived. The 2024-25 NHL season was filled with astounding highs and devastating lows. The NHL’s All Time Goals record was broken by Alex Ovechkin and a young superstar Johnny Gaudreau tragically lost his life. Perennial powerhouses Rangers, Bruins, and Penguins all failed to make the playoffs.
Pre- season darling Nashville was dismal. Ottawa and Montreal returned to the playoffs. Canadiens are ecstatic that 5 teams from north of the border qualified for the post-season.
It’s high unlikely the NHL league office, ESPN and TNT are thrilled that New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Detroit don’t have a team in the tournament.
Fearless Round 1 Predictions
Eastern Conference –
Washington/ Montreal –
After the 4 Nations Tournament Montreal had a 2% chance of making the playoffs. The Hockey Gods knew Montreal never missed the playoffs 4 years in a row and intervened.
The Habs young talent upfront hit a groove and rookie defenseman Lane Hutson has been outstanding on the blueline.The Capitals don’t come into the playoffs on a roll but Alex Ovechkin is having too much fun to end his season now. Capitals in 6.
Hurricanes/ Devils
Regular Season Rod Brind’Amour Canes are as bland as ever. The Devils are missing Jack Hughes but Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt are having career years. Dougie Hamilton’s return boosts Jersey’s blueline. The Devil’s netminder Jacob Markstrom is the difference in this series. Devils in 6.
Maple Leafs/ Senators –
If the Toronto Maple Leafs don’t make a run this post season they really are cursed. Everything has lined up for the Atlantic Division winners. The Leafs added size and depth to help the Big 4 upfront. The defense and goaltending is the best it’s been in the Matthews / Marner era. Brady Tkachuk and company will try to intimidate the Leafs but ultimately little brother won’t scare big brother. Maple Leafs in 5.
Lightning/ Panthers –
The Battle Of The Sunshine State will be a 14 day war.
It is incredibly hard if not impossible to make it to the Finals 3 years in a row. That is exactly what the Big Cats are trying to do. The Champions are getting their heart and soul Matthew Tkachuk back. They added Brad Marchand and Seth Jones mid-season. Problem is the Panthers are facing their rival Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa appears poised to regain the status as the state’s top team. They retooled in the offseason acquiring Jake Guentzal and losing Steven Stamkos. The Bolts real strength is defenseman Victor Hedman and goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy regaining championship form. Never count out the heart of a champion but the champs legs might be tired. Lightning in 7.
Western Conference –
Jets/Blues
The Jets had a wonderful regular season. They won the President’s Trophy for most wins. Connor Hellebuyck was the NHL’s best goalie. Have you heard this story before? I have.The Blues have been playing playoff hockey since the mod season hiring of Head Coach Jim Montgomery. Blues goalie Jordan Binnington wins games when the lights are the brightest. The Jets Hellebuyck doesn’t. Blues in 7.
Stars/ Avalanche
This is the series everyone can’t wait to see. Arguably the 2 best teams in the NHL are playing the Mikko Rantanen Bowl in the 1st round. The series would be even better if both teams were healthy. The Avs are healthy and are even getting their Captain Gabriel Landeskog back from a 3 year long injury odyssey. The Stars will be missing the All- World defenseman Miro Heiskanen and All- Star forward Jason Robertson. Veteran Tyler Seguin is back for Big D. The Stars have the best roster 1-20 in the NHL though the Avs did close the depth gap at the deadline. Dallas has Stars that shine bright but none shine as bright as the Avs Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. Avs in 7.
Knights/ Wild –
The Wild are happy to make the playoffs. The Knights view the playoffs as their birthright. Knights in 5.
Kings/ Oilers –
The 4th time’s the charm for Los Angeles. It’s their year to finally beat the Edmonton Oilers. This is the best Kings team in the Kopitar/Doughty era part 2. The Kings have 
scoring depth and more than 6 legitimate NHL defensemen. More importantly is the Oilers are a much weaker team than in the past. McJesus and Draisaitl will still perform miracles but the Kings Quinton Byfield is the center to watch in this series. Kings in 7.
