2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs

For the first time in NHL history, none of the four American Original Six teams made the playoffs. Both Canadian Original Six teams did, though.  In fact, five of the seven Canadian teams overall (including all three in the East) made it.  This is also the first time that the Rangers, Bruins and Penguins all missed the playoffs since Pittsburgh joined the league (an odd add-on to that Original Six stat).

Although, let's be honest here.  Nobody thought the Blackhawks would make the playoffs, and the Red Wings were going to contend for, at best, a wild card.  The Rangers and Bruins, though.  No one saw that coming!  They were both expected to be Cup contenders.  Instead, they'll both be sitting at home watching as 16 other teams play for the Cup.

This year's playoffs are so wide-open, too.  There are about eight teams that I can see lifting the Cup in two months.  And, with Dallas facing Colorado and Tampa Bay facing Florida, two of those teams are guaranteed to lose in the first round.  I also don't know how I feel about either 1-seed.  Frankly, I don't see how Washington had the best record in the Eastern Conference.  And Winnipeg has to overcome the Curse of the President's Trophy.  They do have the best goalie, though.

But isn't that part of the fun of the Stanley Cup Playoffs?  It's the most unpredictable postseason in all of sports!  Which is what makes it so great!  Even with so many teams coming into the playoffs as legitimate Cup contenders, it could easily be none of them.  We can just as easily see one of the lower seeds get hot and ride it to 16 wins.

Maple Leafs vs. Senators: Toronto loses Game 7 in the first round.  It's an NHL rule.  The Leafs have made the playoffs every year since 2016-17.  They've lost in the deciding game of the first round every year but one during that span (in 2023, they actually won a playoff series before losing in the second round).  Will this year be any different?  On paper, they're clearly the better team.  But Ottawa was on a mission after the Four Nations break and certainly earned its playoff spot.  I have no doubt they'll give the Leafs everything they've got.  Either way, a team from Ontario is advancing.  Except this time, Toronto wins Game 7.  Maple Leafs in seven.

Lightning vs. Panthers: It only seems like the Prince of Wales Trophy has retired to Florida.  These two have combined to win the last five Eastern Conference titles, and is there anyone out there who doesn't think this year can make it six?  Of course, they'll have to get by each other first.  There are so many things to like about this series between two very similar teams.  It really could just come down to who wants it more and/or which goalie has a better series.  Honestly, it feels like a coin flip.  Lightning in seven.

Capitals vs. Canadiens: All credit to Montreal for making the playoffs.  I'm still not entirely sure how.  They had a -18 goal differential during the regular season!  Yet, while teams like the Rangers, Islanders and Blue Jackets seemed completely disinterested in making the playoffs, the Canadiens very much wanted to.  And their reward was their first playoff appearance since their run to the Final in 2021.  That season, they were the lowest-seeded team in the entire field, but they upset Toronto in the first round.  Is something similar in store against Washington?  Frankly, I don't see it.  While I don't see the Capitals winning the Prince of Wales Trophy, they should get by Montreal.  Capitals in five.

Hurricanes vs. Devils: Carolina has won at least one playoff series in each of the last six seasons, but has only made two Eastern Conference Finals and zero Stanley Cup Finals in that span.  Talent-wise, the Hurricanes are certainly capable of doing it this year.  Although, they can't alternate goalies.  They need to settle on a No. 1.  If they do, look out!  As for the Devils, they were fortunate to build enough of a buffer before the injuries that really derailed their chances.  (Well, that and the fact that the Rangers and Blue Jackets decided they didn't actually want to make the playoffs.)  If this series were taking place a month ago, I think the result might be different.  As it is, Carolina is the much stronger team at the moment.  Hurricanes in six.

Jets vs. Blues: Jordan Binnington was Canada's starting goalie in the Four Nations Face-Off.  He was the only goalie to start every game, in fact.  Right after the season resumed, the Blues went on a 12-game winning streak to go from firmly outside the playoff field to snagging the West's second wild card.  And, of course, Team USA's starting goalie was Connor Hellebuyck, who's in line to win his second straight Vezina for a Winnipeg team that won the President's Trophy.  The Jets will have their work cut out for them, starting with a pesky St. Louis team that has ridden a hot Binnington to the Cup as an 8-seed before.  Jets in seven.

Stars vs. Avalanche: When the Avalanche traded Mikko Rantanen, I bet the last thing they expected was that they'd be going against him in the first round of the playoffs.  Yet, here we are, with Rantanen facing his former team in the first-round series that I'm looking forward to the most.  They've both got realistic Cup aspirations.  And expect this series to be a grind.  They'll take everything out of each other.  So, the question is, will whoever survives have anything left for three more rounds?  Stars in seven.

Golden Knights vs. Wild: While Vegas is the favorite in this series, don't count out Minnesota.  The Wild have a ton of offensive firepower, and they're getting some key players (Kirill Kaprizov, Joel Erikson Ek) back from injury.  Minnesota is very capable of winning this series.  In fact, I think the Wild will win this series.  And, even if they don't, how cool would it be if Marc-Andre Fleury's final NHL game is against the Golden Knights?  As it is, I don't see his career ending just yet.  Wild in six.

Kings vs. Oilers: The Kings and Oilers meet in their annual first-round series.  They're facing each other for the fourth straight year.  Edmonton has won the first three.  Will this year be any different?  Frankly, I don't think so.  The Oilers aren't just built for another deep playoff run after going to the Final last season, they're the more talented team.  They met the other day and the Kings won 5-0, but they also both knew that they were playing each other in the playoffs again, so I'm not reading much into that.  Oilers in six.

Once we reach the second round, it'll really become a crapshoot.  Any predictions are really about feelings.  What do you think of a particular team and do you think they have what it takes to go all the way?  Although, matchups can certainly be important, too, I think the playoff experience can't be discounted, either.  That's why betting against playoff regulars like Edmonton and Tampa Bay seems like a foolish mission.

And it's a feeling that I'm going with for my Stanley Cup Final pick.  It's just my gut telling me that the Conference Finals will be Toronto vs. Carolina and Dallas vs. Edmonton with Toronto and Dallas playing for the Cup.  The Leafs in the Final??!!  I must've lost my mind!  Quite possibly.  But, like I said, I just have a feeling.  They won't lift the Cup, though.  Dallas will.