Lapsed fan’s information to the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs: The

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  Greg WyshynskiApr 18, 2025, 07:30 AM ET

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  Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL author.

As a provider to fanatics who’ve a common hobby within the Nationwide Hockey League however do not know what has came about because the Florida Panthers raised the Stanley Cup via defeating the Edmonton Oilers final June, we are glad to supply this FAQ as a information to the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs.

And for you die-hard puckheads: This is your reputable refresher earlier than the video games start Saturday. Revel in!

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The place did the entire same old suspects cross?

Historical past used to be made within the NHL this season, however now not the sort that its maximum storied U.S. franchises sought after. The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs mark the primary time that the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Purple Wings and New York Rangers have all overlooked the lower in the similar postseason:

• Chicago’s in a rebuild

• Detroit used to be meant to in any case emerge from one however overlooked the playoffs for the 9th instantly season, in spite of an in-season training exchange — the 6th season and not using a postseason berth underneath GM Steve Yzerman

• The Bruins fired their trainer 20 video games into the season, handiest to sooner or later send out a lot of veteran avid gamers on the commerce cut-off date whilst lacking the playoffs for the primary time in 9 seasons

• The Rangers went from the league’s splendid report to completing 8 issues out of the playoffs, and may see main adjustments within the offseason

The New York Islanders, Nashville Predators and Vancouver Canucks have been all 2024 playoff groups that did not make it again this season. Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins overlooked the playoffs for the 0.33 instantly season.

So the 2025 postseason may not have a lot of glamour franchises and celebrity avid gamers. However that simply creates room within the highlight for others to emerge.

Can the Panthers repeat?

The Stanley Cup champion Panthers completed 0.33 within the Atlantic Department with 98 issues, down considerably from their 110-point season a 12 months in the past. Accidents have been an element: Captain Aleksander Barkov used to be restricted to 67 video games, and non secular chief Matthew Tkachuk performed handiest 52 video games and hasn’t been in a recreation because the 4 Countries Face-Off in February. Most sensible defenseman Aaron Ekblad used to be additionally restricted to 56 video games after being suspended 20 video games for violating the phrases of the NHL/NHLPA performance-enhancing elements program. The earliest he can go back is Sport 3 of the Panthers’ Struggle of Florida first-round sequence towards the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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All of that is to mention that we’ve not in reality noticed what this model of the Panthers goes to seem like with all techniques cross. There are some constants from final 12 months’s Cup-winning roster: Sam Reinhart used to be good once more, with 81 issues in 79 video games and may win the Selke Trophy because the league’s splendid defensive ahead. Take hold of playoff performers Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Bennett, in addition to defensive rock Gustav Forsling, are again for any other run.

However it is a other supporting solid. Defensemen Brandon Montour and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and forwards Vladimir Tarasenko and Kevin Stenlund moved on after final season. Florida made two blockbuster additions to strengthen their crew earlier than the commerce cut-off date, obtaining defenseman Seth Jones from the Blackhawks and Bruins captain Brad Marchand.

The Panthers definitely have the avid gamers for a 3rd instantly shuttle to the Stanley Cup Ultimate and a repeat as champions. It is only a topic of whether or not they all have compatibility as snugly as they’ve prior to now underneath head trainer Paul Maurice. If not anything else, the primary around will have to give us our first take a look at Marchand and Tkachuk each yapping at the identical group. Humanity would possibly by no means be the similar.

In the event that they win the Struggle of Florida, can the Lightning win the Cup?

The Lightning completed moment within the Atlantic with round the similar report as final season, however they really feel like a a lot more bad group.

Tampa Bay led the NHL in targets in step with recreation, powered via winger Nikita Kucherov, who used to be the league’s best level scorer this season (121) whilst putting in place Brayden Level (42 targets) and Jake Guentzel (41 targets) for dominant seasons. Winger Brandon Hagel had 90 issues in 81 video games, and used to be some of the NHL’s splendid all-around avid gamers; ditto middle Anthony Cirelli (27 targets), who is within the dialog for the league’s best defensive middle this season.

Japanese Convention sequence odds

At the blue line, former Norris Trophy winner Victor Hedman led his teammates in moderate ice time via just about two mins.

However it is the reemergence of superstar goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy that has reinforced the Bolts’ Stanley Cup possibilities. He had his splendid season since 2020-21, and used to be just lately named the league’s best goalie in a survey of his friends. If Vasilevskiy can lift that over to the postseason, the place he all the time has been at his splendid, the Lightning may well be in industry.

Tampa Bay hasn’t escaped the primary around since shedding within the 2022 Stanley Cup Ultimate to Colorado, which adopted consecutive Cup wins for the Lightning. In all probability searching for to recapture that magic, GM Julien BriseBois reacquired two avid gamers from their name reign: defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who has been remarkable this season after being traded from Nashville; and middle Yanni Gourde, a trade- cut-off date pickup from Seattle who has have compatibility proper again in with the Lightning.

If they may be able to get previous their archrivals — admittedly, a large “if” — the opportunity of any other boat parade within the bay is not out of the query.

The winner of the Lightning-Panthers sequence will likely be a difficult out for any long run group it faces. Mark LoMoglio/NHLI by way of Getty Pictures

What are we able to be expecting from the Struggle of Ontario?

The NHL wild-card structure exists to maximise the opportunity of opponents to satisfy within the postseason, and it labored like a attraction within the Japanese Convention: No longer handiest is there any other Struggle of Florida, however the Struggle of Ontario has been reignited between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators, the latter of whom completed within the first wild-card spot to finish a seven-year playoff drought.

Those opponents met 4 instances between 2000 and 2004, with Toronto successful each and every time. We do not wish to say Senators fanatics are salivating on the probability to take down the Atlantic Department-leading Leafs, however the streets of Ottawa are lately flooded.

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The Maple Leafs are nonetheless on their quixotic project to win the Stanley Cup for the primary time since 1967. As same old, there are causes to consider. Winger Mitch Marner, an unrestricted loose agent this summer time, had 100 issues in 80 video games. Forwards William Nylander (45 targets) and Auston Matthews (77 issues in 66 video games) have been dominant, whilst pending loose agent John Tavares regained his point-per-game shape.

Toronto’s hopes relaxation at the pads of goalies Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, who led the Leafs to the fourth-best group save share within the NHL within the steady season. However questions on their loss of playoff enjoy (a mixed 8 video games) and skill to stay wholesome linger.

The Senators’ playoff berth marks the primary time Brady Tkachuk has participated in an NHL postseason — rather than being a spectator at his brother’s video games. He is the motive force at the back of an Ottawa group with sturdy younger abilities in ahead Tim Stutzle (76 issues) and defenseman Jake Sanderson (55 issues).

However the secret is goaltender Linus Ullmark, received from the Bruins final summer time. He had a cast steady season however has a profession postseason report of 3-6 with a .887 save share, all with Boston. He has one thing to turn out.

When Ovechkin re-signed with the Capitals, there used to be a promise made via Washington to stay a playoff contender round him as he chased down Gretzky so Ovechkin wasn’t simply compiling targets in meaningless video games. No person may have predicted the Capitals would retool to the purpose the place they completed atop the Japanese Convention.

The Capitals have been the second-best group offensively and completed within the best 10 defensively this season. Offseason bets on avid gamers similar to ahead Pierre-Luc Dubois, defenseman Jakob Chychrun and goalie Logan Thompson paid off, whilst homegrown abilities Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael thrived — as did superstar defenseman John Carlson, who had his splendid season in years.

However the Capitals are a thriller within the playoffs. Once they play trainer Spencer Carbery’s gadget to perfection, they may be able to beat any individual within the league. However past Ovechkin, there is not any other established superstar difference-maker within the lineup. That has made some observers skeptical that their regular-season good fortune may switch over the playoffs. However what an implausible cap to an all-time season it will be if Ovechkin raised his moment Stanley Cup — and his first because the NHL’s goal-scoring GOAT.

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Ovechkin tells McAfee his chase for the target report used to be nice for hockey

Alex Ovechkin joins “The Pat McAfee Display” to speak about his fulfillment of surpassing Wayne Gretzky as the all time targets chief and the have an effect on at the recreation.

Are the Devils toast with out Jack Hughes?

New Jersey used to be smartly on its option to returning to the playoffs when it misplaced main scorer and No. 1 middle Hughes to a shoulder harm, which is predicted to stay him out till subsequent season’s coaching camp.

Hughes had 70 issues in 62 video games. Since Hughes went out, the Devils are 9-10-1 for a .475 issues share, twenty third within the NHL in that span. They have been additionally with out best defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who used to be injured one recreation after Hughes went out. Hamilton returned to the lineup of their regular-season finale.

It is not easy to conceive that the Devils may win the convention with out Hughes, however avid gamers similar to middle Nico Hischier and winger Jesper Bratt stepped up considerably in his absence. Whether or not the Devils make any noise within the playoffs comes right down to their goaltending, and in particular Jacob Markstrom, who has the facility to thieve video games however hasn’t constantly proven this season — just like the group in entrance of him.

Is that this the 12 months Carolina breaks via for a championship run?

For years, the Hurricanes have fallen simply quick within the playoffs, shedding within the convention finals two times and the second one around 3 times underneath trainer Rod Brind’amour. In most cases the wrongdoer has been their incapability to get a key target at a key time in a sequence.

Playoff Hockey Problem

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Closing season, they traded for Jake Guentzel, a confirmed playoff performer, however Carolina stalled out in the second one around and Guentzel walked as a loose agent. This season, they made a blockbuster commerce with Colorado that noticed the Hurricanes send main scorer Martin Necas to the Avs for Mikko Rantanen … handiest to then commerce Rantanen to Dallas earlier than the cut-off date, after the superstar winger declined to signal a freelance extension in Raleigh. Carolina received 21-year-old ahead Logan Stankoven within the deal, a skilled scorer however now not one but at the degree of Rantanen or Guentzel.

So the Hurricanes are proper again the place they have got been: a grinding, competitive puck ownership group with an offense and protection each within the best 10 and the most productive penalty kill within the league. They have got some offensive pop from avid gamers similar to Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, however it is pronouncing one thing that Necas continues to be their third-leading scorer. Additionally they have goaltenders in Pyotr Kochetkov and Frederik Andersen that led the Canes to completing twenty third in group save share (.889).

But a leap right here, a ruin there and a key target in a key second, and no person can be stunned to peer Brind’Amour’s group ruin via within the East. It simply turns out rather less conceivable after the Rantanen revolving door.

Is Dallas vs. Colorado top postseason drama?

With due appreciate to the geographic competition sequence within the Japanese Convention, no sequence has extra compelling storylines than the Stars vs. the Avalanche in a matchup of Central Department opponents.

Imagine that the Stars have been picked via many to win the Stanley Cup this season, whilst the Avalanche have aggressively retooled their group from the crease out after shedding to Dallas in the second one around final season, searching for any other Cup win after elevating it in 2022.

Western Convention sequence odds

Imagine that the Avalanche determined Rantanen used to be now not of their long-term plans, traded him to Carolina after which watched because the Hurricanes traded him to Dallas, the place he signed an eight-year, $96 million deal. Rantanen has solid a name as some of the NHL’s best postseason scorers. He’d like not anything greater than to remind the Avalanche why this is.

Imagine that the Stars are taking over some of the splendid groups within the NHL with two main harm considerations. Most sensible defenseman Miro Heiskanen hasn’t performed since Jan. 28 on account of a knee harm. There was hypothesis out of Dallas that he may take a seat out this sequence, however GM Jim Nill looked as if it would point out just lately that there used to be a possibility he may go back within the first around. In the meantime, superstar winger Jason Robertson sustained a lower-body harm within the Stars’ regular-season finale. His standing used to be unclear for the Avalanche sequence. In keeping with Betalytics, Colorado’s possibilities to win the sequence build up via over two share issues if Robertson cannot play;

After all, imagine that Colorado captain Gabriel Landeskog is in the course of some of the NHL’s largest comebacks in fresh reminiscence. His most up-to-date recreation within the league used to be June 26, 2022, when he and the Avalanche gained the Stanley Cup. He sat out the next season after proper knee surgical operation. He underwent cartilage transplant surgical operation and sat out 2023-24 and maximum of this season. Landeskog were skating with the Avalanche after which returned to aggressive play with the AHL Colorado Eagles. This unbelievable comeback adventure may see him go back to NHL motion in Sport 1 towards Dallas.

This matchup has sufficient storylines for 10 sequence. It is usually a fight that would simply produce this season’s eventual Stanley Cup winner.

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Tyler Seguin assists on target 16 seconds into go back from harm

Tyler Seguin units up Mason Marchment’s target in his first NHL motion since December 1.

But even so Rantanen, who’re the opposite acquainted faces in new puts who may impact the playoffs?

As discussed, the Avalanche aggressively added to their crew all season, together with a complete makeover in their goaltending that noticed former Sharks goalie Mackenzie Blackwood take over the crease. Additionally they added forwards Brock Nelson (Islanders) and Charlie Coyle (Bruins), in addition to defensemen Ryan Lindgren (Rangers) and previous Avalanche participant Erik Johnson (Flyers) earlier than the commerce cut-off date.

Along with buying and selling Coyle and Marchand, the Bruins additionally despatched veteran defenseman Brandon Carlo to the Maple Leafs.

Ottawa reinforced its group for now and sooner or later via obtaining middle Dylan Cozens from Buffalo. Tampa Bay added ahead Oliver Bjorkstrand within the commerce with Seattle that still were given them Gourde.

Which novices may make an have an effect on within the playoffs?

If the Montreal Canadiens are going to disillusioned the Washington Capitals, two novices are going to must make a big have an effect on. Defenseman Lane Hutson is the favourite to win the Calder Trophy as rookie of the 12 months after 66 issues in 82 video games, main all first-year avid gamers. Ahead Ivan Demidov, a dynamic offensive superstar within the KHL, signed with Montreal past due within the season and made a right away have an effect on. He is one to look at.

A number of the different novices who’ll be counted on within the playoffs are Stankoven, who had 37 issues in 77 video games with Dallas and Carolina; ahead Zack Bolduc (36 issues) of the St. Louis Blues; ahead Jackson Blake (34 issues) of the Hurricanes; ahead Mackie Samoskevich (31 issues) of the Panthers; and middle Mavrik Bourque (25 issues) of the Stars.

Can Winnipeg ruin the Presidents’ Trophy curse?

The Jets completed with 116 issues to earn the No. 1 total seed within the NHL and with it the Presidents’ Trophy. Congratulations, and we are sorry.

The Presidents’ Trophy curse is well known hockey lore amongst avid gamers and fanatics. There were 39 winners of the {hardware} because it used to be offered in 1985-86. Handiest 8 groups that completed first total went directly to win the Stanley Cup. For context, seven Presidents’ Trophy winners misplaced within the opening around. It has handiest gotten worse because the NHL moved to a wild-card structure in 2013-14: No Presidents’ Trophy winner has long past directly to play for the Stanley Cup, let by myself win it, whilst two groups (Tampa Bay in 2019 and Boston in 2023) misplaced within the opening around.

The Jets are on a project after two instantly seasons of shedding within the first around in 5 video games. They talked down regular-season accomplishment all season, with a focal point at the postseason. Winnipeg had the fourth-best offense within the NHL, powered via the league’s splendid energy play. Extra importantly, that they had the NHL’s splendid goaltender in Connor Hellebuyck, final 12 months’s Vezina Trophy winner who completed atop the league in each conventional stats and analytics. Like the remainder of his group, Hellebuyck desires to turn the script on his personal underwhelming numbers from final postseason.

The Jets face a Blues group that made the playoffs after a torrid 12-game successful streak in March, as a part of an 18-3-0 run. The Blues fired trainer Drew Bannister after 22 video games, when Jim Bernard Law Montgomery become to be had after Boston fired him. After the 4 Countries Face-Off, St. Louis in any case discovered its stride underneath Bernard Law Montgomery: first in 5-on-5 offense and moment in protection all through the successful streak.

St. Louis may not be a very simple out for Winnipeg. As Blues goalie Jordan Binnington confirmed at 4 Countries for Canada, he can upward push to satisfy the instant.

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Cole Perfetti is going five-hole to win shootout for Jets

Cole Perfetti seals the victory for the Jets with a candy shot towards the Blackhawks.

Is the fourth time the attraction for the Los Angeles Kings?

The Kings had an impressive steady season underneath new trainer Jim Hiller, who guided L.A. to a .648 issues share, the second one very best in franchise historical past. They discovered a goalie in Darcy Kuemper, who had one of the most splendid numbers of his profession in again of the second-best defensive group within the NHL.

And what did all of this earn the Kings? A fourth instantly first-round matchup towards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

The Kings misplaced in seven video games in 2022, six video games in 2023 and 5 video games final season. Clearly, L.A. fanatics would really like that development to finish. If the Kings in any case get previous the Oilers, their aggregate of defensive dominance and offensively opportunistic veterans similar to Adrian Kempe (35 targets), Anze Kopitar (67 issues) and Kevin Fiala (35 targets) is usually a drive within the West.

Will Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl end the tale?

The Edmonton Oilers got here inside one victory from hoisting the Stanley Cup final season, rallying from a 3-0 deficit to drive a Sport 7 earlier than shedding to the Panthers.

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This season has had its demanding situations for Edmonton. Evander Kane sat out the steady season on account of knee harm. McDavid and Draisaitl each sat out on account of accidents, however Draisaitl used to be the league’s best target scorer with 52 in 71 video games. Stable defenseman Mattias Ekholm will take a seat out the Kings sequence on account of an harm. The Oilers performed inconsistent protection in entrance of goaltending that ranked sixteenth in group save share.

If the Oilers are going to get again to the Stanley Cup Ultimate, they are going to want their stars to hold them, their supporting solid to step up and goalies Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard to play smartly sufficient to not value Edmonton a sequence. So much broke the Oilers’ approach final season. The street’s even more difficult within the West this postseason.

Which group is the X issue within the 2025 playoffs?

The Vegas Golden Knights’ ceiling may well be the Stanley Cup, which they gained for the primary and handiest time in 2023. However it has been tricky to get a maintain on how excellent they may be able to be given a few of their lineup absences: Handiest 5 Vegas avid gamers performed over 80 video games this season. However the Knights made it paintings: They completed 0.33 in group protection, 5th in offense and primary within the Pacific Department.

There are difference-makers in every single place the lineup. Jack Eichel had a profession season, with 93 issues in 77 video games. Pavel Dorofeyev had a breakout with 35 targets, with Tomas Hertl — all the time a postseason standout — proper at the back of him, with 32 targets. Mark Stone performed 66 video games however had 67 issues in them. Vegas has as cast a protection corps as you’ll be able to in finding within the West, in entrance of goalie Adin Hill, who overcame a sluggish begin to have a cast season.

The Knights draw a Minnesota group within the first around that clinched a playoff spot of their final recreation of the season, and are driving some excellent vibes now that Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek are each wholesome. There is all the time a possibility that Marc-Andre Fleury is helping writer an disillusioned towards his former group within the final playoff run of his profession. However much more likely, it is going to be Vegas shifting on — it is only a query of ways lengthy their run will final.

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Jack Eichel lighting fixtures the lamp

Jack Eichel lighting fixtures the lamp

So who wins the Cup?

There is not any juggernaut able to slice during the playoffs to the Cup Ultimate. A handful of groups have a rightful declare to the throne and none can be sudden will have to they ascend to it.

2025 Stanley Cup Favorites

In keeping with ESPN BET, the Avalanche are the favorites to win all of it, adopted via the Panthers, Hurricanes, Golden Knights, Oilers and Jets.

The Leafs have the longest Stanley Cup drought, having now not gained since 1967. The Oilers if truth be told have the second one longest, having final gained the Cup in 1990.

There are 10 present NHL groups that experience but to win the Stanley Cup. 3 of them are on this playoff bracket: Wild, Senators and Jets.

Will it’s a group that hasn’t ever hoisted the Cup earlier than? Will it’s a group that has been at the precipice of a championship like Carolina and Dallas? Will it’s a contemporary winner, biking again to any other name? Your wager is as excellent as ours.

Benefit from the Stanley Cup playoffs, everybody — the most productive postseason in sports activities.