The National Hockey League (NHL) season is approaching its grand finale, with the highly anticipated Stanley Cup Playoffs marking the final stage of the journey. The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs kicked off on April 19 and are set to run until June, leading to the highly anticipated Stanley Cup Finals. As the competition intensifies, hockey fans can expect an electrifying journey filled with excitement and unforgettable moments. The countdown to crowning the ultimate champion is on, and the season promises to deliver thrilling action until the end. A total of 16 teams earns a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, with eight representing the Eastern Conference and eight from the Western Conference. This marks the beginning of an intense championship pursuit as teams battle for hockey’s most prestigious trophy. The top three teams from each division secure their place based on their strong regular-season performance, reflecting consistency and dominance throughout the season. However, the playoffs also feature a wild-card round, offering a second chance to teams that narrowly missed automatic qualification. The remaining two playoff spots in each conference go to the next two highest-ranked teams, regardless of their division standings. This ensures that the most competitive teams have a chance to advance to the postseason.
Let’s get into the key details of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, focusing on the upcoming matchups that are shaping the postseason. Understanding the top predicted teams will give us a clearer picture of the favorites vying for the championship and what to expect as the season nears its thrilling conclusion.
Playoff Structure
The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs follow a clear and fair system to decide the season’s champion. In 2025, the playoffs will have four rounds, and each round will be played in a best-of-seven series. Teams first compete against others in their own division before moving on to larger conference matchups. The winners then battle it out for the Stanley Cup.
First Round Matchups:
Teams will begin showcasing their intensity right from the first round of the NHL Playoffs, as they compete to advance further in the season. The first-round matchups of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup will feature the following pairings:
- Top Division Winner vs. Lower Wild-Card Team
- Second Division Winner vs. Higher Wild-Card Team
- Second-Place Team vs. Third-Place Team in Each Division
Second Round & Conference Finals:
In the second round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, the competition becomes even tougher.
- The winning teams from the first round will face each other, proving who is the strongest in their division.
- The Conference Semifinals begin, where the remaining teams fight to get closer to the Stanley Cup Finals.
- Every matchup still follows a best-of-seven format, meaning teams must win four games to move forward.
Stanley Cup Finals:
This is the most important round, the one that all teams have been fighting for in the previous rounds. In this round,
The Conference Champions compete in a best-of-seven series for the Stanley Cup. The team with the better regular-season record gets home-field advantage, no matter where they ranked in their division.
2025 Stanley Cup Playoff Teams
Here are the top three teams from each division that have qualified, along with two wild card teams from each conference, making a total of eight playoff teams per conference.
Eastern Conference Qualifiers
Atlantic Division:
1. Toronto Maple Leafs (Division Champions – 108 points)
2. Tampa Bay Lightning (102 points)
3. Florida Panthers (98 points)
Metropolitan Division:
1. Washington Capitals (Division & Eastern Conference Regular-Season Champions – 111 points)
2. Carolina Hurricanes (99 points)
3. New Jersey Devils (91 points)
Wild Cards:
1. Ottawa Senators (97 points)
2. Montreal Canadiens (91 points)
Western Conference Qualifiers
Central Division:
1. Winnipeg Jets (Division & Regular-Season Champions, Presidents’ Trophy Winners – 116 points)
2. Dallas Stars (106 points)
3. Colorado Avalanche (102 points)
Pacific Division:
1. Vegas Golden Knights (Division Champions – 110 points)
2. Los Angeles Kings (105 points)
3. Edmonton Oilers (101 points)
Wild Cards:
1. Minnesota Wild (97 points)
2. St. Louis Blues (96 points)
Key Dates for the 2025 Stanley Cup:
Here are a few key dates to remember for the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup. Some have already passed, while others are yet to come, promising to make things even more exciting and keep us on the edge of our seats in the coming days. Be sure to mark these important dates and don’t miss out on these thrilling showdowns.
- April 17, 2025 – NHL Regular season ended
- April 19, 2025 – Stanley Cup Playoffs
- June 23, 2025 – Stanley Cup Finals (The date might change depending on how the series progresses)
- June 27-28, 2025 – NHL Draft
- July 1, 2025 – NHL Free Agency begins
Where to watch 2025 Stanley Cup matchups?
Catch every thrilling moment of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs live on ESPN, TNT, TBS, and truTV in the United States. Also, stream the action on Fubo, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, and YouTube TV.
Watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the United Kingdom exclusively on TNT Sports. Fans can stream the games through the TNT Sports app for full access.
In Australia, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are available on ESPN, TNT, and truTV. Stream the matchups live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports for an unmatched viewing experience.
Canadian fans can enjoy the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sportsnet and CBC, streaming live through SN Now and CBC Gem.
Hockey fans in India can tune into the Stanley Cup Playoffs through ESPN, TNT, and truTV, with streaming available on Max, DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV.
Don’t miss the action! Mark your calendars and tune in to the Stanley Cup Playoffs worldwide. Visit our site to learn more about the upcoming 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Games.
Top Contenders for the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup
The top teams with the strongest chances of making it to the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup have consistently performed at a high level throughout the season, demonstrating both defensive strength and offensive firepower. Their key players have stepped up in crucial moments, delivering game-changing plays that have boosted their championship aspirations. With an intense playoff season ahead, these teams are expected to fight hard for a shot at hockey’s biggest prize.
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes have been one of the most consistent teams throughout the season, which has helped them reach this stage with high expectations of advancing further. Their defensive lineup has remained solid, while their offensive plays have been equally impressive. The team boasts key players such as Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Jaccob Slavin, Brent Burns, and many others, making them one of the top contenders for the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup.
Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets have the best chances of making it to the Stanley Cup Final, and their chances have only intensified after winning the Presidents’ Trophy. The Jets have delivered a spectacular season, showcasing immense offensive power, solid goaltending, and a deep roster that provides scoring depth at all times. With strong possession and control across all areas of the game, the Winnipeg Jets remain one of the top contenders for the Stanley Cup.
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers, last year’s Stanley Cup champions, enter this season’s playoffs with confidence and the invaluable experience of winning under pressure. Their roster is packed with talent, and they have consistently delivered in high-stakes moments. With a strong offensive lineup and reliable goaltending, the Panthers have a solid chance of extending their winning streak and defending their title.
Alongside them, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, and Vegas Golden Knights also stand as strong contenders for the 2024-25 NHL season. Each of these teams has shown exceptional performance throughout the season, making the battle for the Stanley Cup even more thrilling. As the playoffs unfold, fans can expect intense matchups, game-changing plays, and unforgettable moments that will determine which team claims hockey’s ultimate prize.