2025 NHL Postseason Preview

Eastern Conference

M1. Washington Capitals vs. WC2. Montreal Canadiens

Season Series- The Capitals won two of the three meetings this season, earning five of six possible points. Cole Caufield scored a goal in all three meetings (3-2-5), and Nick Suzuki (2-2-4) and Lane Hutson (4A) had at least a point in all three. Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren each made two appearances, while Montreal used a different goalie for each encounter.

Postseason History- This is the second meeting in the playoffs between the Capitals and the Canadiens. Their only other battle was in the first round in 2010. The President's Trophy-winning Capitals blew a 3-1 series lead, falling in seven games despite five goals and ten points from Alex Ovechkin.

What I'm Watching- Russians representing two generations will meet in this series. Obviously, Alex Ovechkin's career speaks for itself as the newly minted all-time greatest goal scorer. His playoff pedigree isn't talked about as much, though he's a former Conn Smythe winner and Stanley Cup champion. For Montreal, Ivan Demidov has taken Canada by storm. Making his debut late in the regular season, will the stage be too bright for Demidov?

Prediction- Sneakily, this could be the best series of the first round. The Canadiens barely squeaked in, but they have a top line that is rolling and a rising star whom the Capitals haven't seen before. The difference will be whether Samuel Montembeault can carry them through defensively. My thought is "no". The Capitals have been too dominant this season to fall now. History could repeat itself and the Canadiens could shock the world, but the Capitals are (probably) going to win this. Washington in 5

M2. Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3. New Jersey Devils

Season Series- The teams split their season series, with the home team winning each game. They haven't played in 2025, last completing a home-and-home right after Christmas. 

Postseason History- This is the sixth meeting between the two franchises in the postseason. The Hurricanes hold a 4-1 advantage over the Devils, winning the last four series. The most recent came two seasons ago in the second round, a 4-1 series victory for the Hurricanes.

What I'm Watching- The difference between this series and their 2023 meeting in the second round is going to be New Jersey's goaltending. Jacob Markstrom is a significant upgrade over Akira Schmid and Vitek Vanecek. The only issue with Markstrom is that he lacks serious postseason experience. He's made two playoff runs for Vancouver and Calgary, going 13-13 with a 2.90 GAA. Still, anything has to be better than what they got during their last postseason.

Prediction- Not having Jack Hughes for the playoffs is going to be tough, but that shouldn't deter the Devils' offense. What will likely stop them is Carolina's defense. While they might not be as tight as they have been in years past, the Hurricanes remain one of the best groups in the league on the backend, spearheaded by Jaccob Slavin. If the Canes' offense can showcase itself like it did in 2023 against the Devils, they should be fine. The one thing I'm really concerned about is whether they'll win a game on the road. Carolina in 6

A1. Toronto Maple Leafs vs. WC1. Ottawa Senators

Season Series- The Senators swept their three meetings with the Maple Leafs this season, including a pair of victories in Toronto. Linus Ullmark and Anthony Stolarz faced off twice in the three contests. The Maple Leafs scored three goals against Ottawa this season, being shut out by Ullmark in their first meeting of the year.

Postseason History- This is the seventh time the Battle of Ontario has been contested in the playoffs, with the Leafs owning a 5-1 edge in the series. The teams split in 1921 and 1922 before waiting almost 80 years to meet again. Toronto has won the last five battles, last winning in seven games in 2004.

What I'm Watching- This is another Eastern Conference series that I'm particularly interested in from the goaltending perspective. More specifically, I'm looking at Linus Ullmark. He was outstanding in two starts against the Leafs this season, but Ullmark lacks postseason experience, never winning a series and going 3-6 in nine career starts. The former Vezina winner will need to be sharp against an outstanding Toronto offense with a chance to go far in the playoffs. 

Prediction- This series is going to be brutal and age both fanbases terribly over the next two weeks. Toronto should be the betting favorite to win, but Ottawa's success against them this season allows some doubt to creep in. Toronto might be lacking postseason success as a group, winning just one series in the last 20 years, but it's far more than what Ottawa has done since making the conference finals in 2017. It wouldn't be a Maple Leafs series without a little added pressure, so I'll say this goes seven games before Toronto gets it done. Toronto in 7 

A2. Tampa Bay Lightning vs. A3. Florida Panthers

Season Series- The Cats and the Bolts split their four meetings, with each being decided in regulation. Each side owns a victory in the other's home barn, too. The Bolts won the most recent game on April 15th, beating Florida 5-1 to determine home ice for the series.

Postseason History- This is the fourth meeting in the last five postseasons between Florida's juggernauts. The Lightning won the first clash in 2021 on their way to the Stanley Cup and again in 2022, but the Panthers bested them last season, winning 4-1 in the first round. 

What I'm Watching- Matthew Tkachuk hasn't played since the 4 Nations break, suffering a groin injury during the tournament that has prevented him from returning to the lineup with the Panthers. With Tkachuk joining the Panthers for their year-end road trip, I'm curious about when he'll be cleared to go. They targeted the start of the postseason for his return, so I'm taking that to mean he's good for Game 1. When he's able to play, he'll be a major difference-maker for the Panthers. 

Prediction- This is the toughest call in the Eastern Conference because either of these sides could win this, and it wouldn't be surprising. The Panthers were my preseason pick to win the conference, setting up a rematch in the Stanley Cup Final with Edmonton. Months later, my tone has changed. Getting Tkachuk back in the lineup is going to be big, but I have more trust in Andrei Vasilevskiy's ability to keep the Panthers off the board than I have in Sergei Bobrovsky. Tampa's offense is simply too good to stop. Tampa Bay in 7

Western Conference

C1. Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2. St. Louis Blues

Season Series- Winnipeg took three of the four meetings with St. Louis this season, including both games in St. Louis. Connor Hellebuyck started three games, winning twice and allowing just six goals. Meanwhile, Jordan Binnington only started once, allowing three goals in a 3-2 loss in October. 

Postseason History- The only other time the Jets and the Blues faced off was in the first round in 2019. It was a rare road-dominated series, with the visitors winning the first five games. The Blues won three of the five before holding down the fort in Game 6 to prevail. The Blues went on to win the Stanley Cup.

What I'm Watching- Connor Hellebuyck is going to win the Vezina this season, and he has a very good case to win the Hart. However, regular-season Hellebuyck and postseason Hellebuyck are two very different goalies. Over his last two series, he's 2-8 with a 4.28 GAA. He's a lifetime 2.85 GAA in 45 postseason starts, which is nearly 0.3 goals higher than his regular season GAA. If the Jets want to advance far in the playoffs, Hellebuyck will need to translate his regular season into the playoffs. Otherwise, the Blues could use their hot end of the season to complete another upset. 

Prediction- I would love nothing more than to pick the St. Louis Blues to complete a major upset over the Presidents' Trophy winners. Nikolaj Ehlers missing the start of the series only adds fuel to the fire. However, this Jets team is way too good on paper to pick against. There's no way Hellebuyck goes cold like he did last year, right? While I think some of the games could be close, I don't think the series lasts very long. Winnipeg in 5

C2. Dallas Stars vs. C3. Colorado Avalanche

Season Series- The Avalanche won two of three against the Stars. The home team won each meeting, with both of Colorado's wins coming in Denver in 2025. Cale Makar torched the Stars for three goals and four assists, recording multi-point games in all three contests.

Postseason History- This is the seventh all-time postseason meeting. The Stars hold a 4-2 advantage against the Avalanche, including second-round victories in the last two meetings in a thrilling seven-game series in the Edmonton bubble in 2020 and last season in six games.

What I'm Watching- I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to know what I'm paying attention to with this series. Mikko Rantanen playing against his old team is just about the only thing people will be talking about ahead of Game 1. Rantanen has enjoyed quite the journey this season, hopping from Colorado to Carolina to Dallas, settling with the Stars at the trade deadline after receiving a nice extension. Now, he opens the playoffs against his old mates. 

Prediction- The Colorado Avalanche have the two best players in this series, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. They could absolutely take control of this series and will the Avalanche to victory. Colorado's problem is that Dallas might have the next three or four best players after their stars. Miro Heiskanen is out to start the series, and there's a chance Jason Robertson misses most of it, too. If Robertson does miss, it's a major deal. Colorado's offense is the real deal. Unless they find a way to keep them at bay, the Stars could be in trouble. I'm sticking with them out of principle. Dallas in 7

P1. Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1. Minnesota Wild

Season Series- The Golden Knights dominated the season series with Minnesota, winning both games in Minnesota to sweep the three-game series. Vegas outscored the Wild 12-4 in three games. Jack Eichel recorded a hat trick in their most recent meeting in late March, a 5-1 Vegas victory in St. Paul.

Postseason History- The two sides have only met once in the postseason, battling in the first round in 2021. Vegas won the series in seven games despite two Cam Talbot shutout victories. Minnesota's offense couldn't hang with the Golden Knights, who allowed just 13 goals in the seven games.

What I'm Watching- Minnesota played half the season without Kirill Kaprizov in the lineup. While they barely made the playoffs, there's no doubt they're a far more dangerous team with him in the lineup. That being said, Minnesota had one of the worst offenses in the league, finishing near the bottom of the league in goals per game. Against a team that barely gives up goals and possesses one of the most lethal offenses in the league, can the Wild find a way to turn on the offense on the big stage?

Prediction- The Wild have gotten healthy at the right time of the season. With Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek back in the lineup, Minnesota's offense is certain to get a boost. Vegas has endured its bumps and bruises in its pursuit of a second Stanley Cup in three years. You could argue this team is better than the 2023 team that won it all. For some reason, I don't think people are talking about them enough as a legitimate threat, or maybe I just haven't heard about it. Vegas in 5

P2. Los Angeles Kings vs. P3. Edmonton Oilers

Season Series- The Kings won three of the four meetings between the division rivals, including a pair of shutout victories nine days apart in April. The Kings surrendered four goals in total, three of which came in a 4-3 overtime victory in their first battle this season. 

Postseason History- This is the 11th time the Oilers and the Kings have met in the postseason, and the fourth straight season they've faced off in the first round. Edmonton hasn't lost to Los Angeles in the playoffs since 1989, winning each of the last three in fewer games (7 in 2022, 6 in 2023, and 5 in 2024).

What I'm Watching- This feels like the best shot Los Angeles has had against the Oilers during this four-year stretch of first-round meetings. Along with April's success against the Oilers, starting the series at home could be a big boost for one of the league's best home teams. I'm watching Games 1 and 2 closely because if the Kings can get out to a quick 2-0 start, the Oilers might find themselves in deep trouble. 

Prediction- I think this is the toughest matchup to call in the first round. On one side, the Edmonton Oilers are the defending Western Conference champs and were one win away from winning the Stanley Cup. On the other side, the Los Angeles Kings are one of the league's most consistent teams and finished the season on a tear. Every part of me knows picking the Oilers is the safer bet, but recent outcomes have me picking the Kings. Los Angeles in 6

The Rest of the Way

Second Round

Washington over Carolina in 6- This one hurts my heart a little, but I'm having a hard time committing to a long Carolina run, which will only lead to people talking about the Canes failing to get over the hump once again.

Tampa Bay over Toronto in 7- This is another case of a team being better on paper all-around because I think the Bolts are the scarier team when pitted side-by-side with the Maple Leafs.

Winnipeg over Dallas in 6- Before Robertson's injury, I had Dallas winning, but without knowing the severity of the injury, it has scared me enough to change my mind and pick the Jets.

Vegas over Los Angeles in 7- The Golden Knights having home ice for this series could be the difference in a battle between two very good home teams.

Conference Finals

Tampa Bay over Washington in 6

Vegas over Winnipeg in 7

Stanley Cup Final

Vegas over Tampa Bay in 6