2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Ultimate Guide to Bracket, Schedules, and Championship Predictions
Comprehensive coverage of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: Full bracket analysis, team previews, key matchups, and schedule updates as 16 teams battle for hockey's ultimate prize.
Eastern Conference Showdowns
Atlantic Division Clash
- Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators
- Season Stats: Leafs dominated with 106 pts vs. Sens' 95 pts
- X-Factor: Mitch Marner's playmaking (100 pts) vs. Stützle's two-way game
- Historical Context: First playoff meeting since 2017
Sunshine State Rivalry Reignited
- Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers
- Goalie Duel: Andrei Vasilevskiy vs. Sergei Bobrovsky
- Offensive Firepower: Kucherov (121 pts) vs. Reinhart's 40+ goal season
- Recent History: Panthers eliminated Lightning in 2024 first round
Western Conference Battles
Central Division Powerhouses
- Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues
- Jets' Strength: League-best 116 pts with Vezina favorite Connor Hellebuyck
- Blues' Hope: Robert Thomas' faceoff dominance (58.3% win rate)
Star-Studded Central Showdown
- Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
- MVP Candidates: Nathan MacKinnon (116 pts) vs. Jason Robertson's 50-goal campaign
- Special Teams: Avs' #1 PP (28.9%) vs. Stars' #3 PK (85.1%)
Full Playoff Schedule
| Series | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 7 (if needed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leafs vs Sens | Apr 19 7PM ET | Apr 21 7PM ET | Apr 23 7PM ET | May 1 7PM ET |
| Jets vs Blues | Apr 20 8PM CT | Apr 22 7PM CT | Apr 24 8PM CT | May 2 7PM CT |
Key Storylines to Watch
- Capitals' Redemption Tour: After missing playoffs in 2024, Ovechkin seeks 4th Cup
- McDavid's Pursuit: Oilers star aims to break playoff points record
- Golden Knights Repeat Bid: Vegas attempts first back-to-back championships since 1997-98 Red Wings
Statistical Breakdown
- Top 5 Playoff Scorers (Projected):
- Connor McDavid (EDM) - 14G 22A
- Nathan MacKinnon (COL) - 12G 18A
- Leon Draisaitl (EDM) - 11G 15A
- Nikita Kucherov (TB) - 9G 16A
- Auston Matthews (TOR) - 13G 9A
All games broadcast live on ESPN Networks and streaming on ESPN+
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