2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Hub

The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here with 16 teams vying to capture Lord Stanley’s Cup. Will we see a repeat winner in the Florida Panthers, or will one of the teams without a championship finally capture their first title? Or, perhaps this will finally be the year that the Toronto Maple Leafs break their 57-year streak without a Stanley Cup?

Join The Hockey Writers as we preview the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and check back in for previews of Round 2, the conference finals, and the Stanley Cup Final.

2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule & Bracket

• 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff Schedule (updated as games are scheduled)
• 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket
• Playoffs Starting Lineups (Updated before every game)

2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Articles

• Kane & Landeskog’s Playoff Impacts Prove NHL Players’ Elite Athleticism
• Ranking the Goal Songs of 2025 NHL Playoff Teams
• NHL Head Coaches Are Having to Manage the Game More in the Playoffs
• NHL on ESPN Crew Reveal Teams Under Most Pressure in 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs
• The 4 Stanley Cup Wild Card Teams Most Likely to Pull Off an Upset
• 3 Dark Horse Teams Heading Into the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

Eastern Conference

• 2025 NHL Eastern Conference Playoff Teams: Who’s Hot & Who’s Not

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators (Preview Show)

• 5 Lessons From Maple Leafs’ 1st Round Victory Over the Senators
• 6 Takeaways From Maple Leafs’ First-Round Series Win Over Senators
• 3 Takeaways From the Maple Leafs’ 4-2 Win Against the Senators
• Senators Can’t Pull Off Upset, Fall 4-2 to Maple Leafs in Game 6
• Maple Leafs Must Address Issues from Games 4 & 5 to Close Out Senators
• Senators Need a More Disciplined Ridly Greig in Game 6
• Maple Leafs vs. Senators Game Day Preview: Game 6
• Maple Leafs’ Matthews Faces the Weight of the ‘C
• Maple Leafs’ Playoff History Puts Them in Familiar, but Concerning Spot
• Maple Leafs Battling Familiar Ghosts: History, Pressure, and Doubt
• Senators’ Ullmark is Finding Footing At Right Time vs Maple Leafs
• 2 Takeaways From the Maple Leafs’ 4-0 Loss to the Senators
• Linus Ullmark & the Senators Shut Out Maple Leafs 4-0 in Game 5
• Senators Hope to Plant Seed of Doubt Into Maple Leafs
• How the 2025 Maple Leafs’ Playoff Roster Was Built
• Maple Leafs vs. Senators Game Day Preview: Game 5
• Senators Can’t Blame Linus Ullmark for Series Deficit
• Senators Have the Players to Upset the Maple Leafs But Not the Team
• Maple Leafs Stumbled in Game 4 But Still Hold the Edge Versus Senators
• Knies Emerging as Maple Leafs’ Playoff X-Factor
• 3 Takeaways From the Maple Leafs’ 4-3 OT Loss to the Senators
• Senators Avoid Elimination With Game 4 Overtime Win
• Senators’ 2024-25 Season Will Still Be a Success Even if They’re Swept
• Maple Leafs vs. Senators Game Day Preview: Game 4
• Maple Leafs’ Killer Instinct Starts at the Faceoff Dot
• Maple Leafs Protecting Core Four With Deep Playoff Run in Mind
• Maple Leafs Must Close Out Games To Prove They’re Cup Worthy
• Senators’ Nick Cousins Fined For Unsportsmanlike Conduct
• Takeaways from Senators’ 3-2 OT Loss to Maple Leafs in Game 3
• 2 Takeaways From the Maple Leafs’ 3-2 OT Win Over the Senators in Game 3
• Benoit Scores OT Winner as Maple Leafs Defeat Senators 3-2 in Game 3
• Maple Leafs vs. Senators Game Day Preview: Game 3
• How the Maple Leafs Defence Is Stealing Games in the Playoffs
• Are Refs Helping or Hurting Stolarz vs. Greig Rivalry?
• Maple Leafs Mulling Over Lineup Changes for Game 3
• Maple Leafs’ Strong Play Gives Them 2-0 Series Lead Over Senators
• Maple Leafs’ Early Playoff Success Fueled by More than the Core
• 4 Takeaways from Senators’ 3-2 OT Loss to Maple Leafs in Game 2
• 3 Takeaways From the Maple Leafs’ 3-2 OT Win Over the Senators
• Domi Scores OT Winner As Maple Leafs Defeat Senators 3-2 in Game 2
• Senators Must Play Smarter, Not Harder to Beat Maple Leafs
• John Tavares as Troll Gives the Maple Leafs a Silent Edge
• Maple Leafs vs. Senators Game Day Preview: Game 2
• Built to Win Ugly: Maple Leafs Embracing a New Kind of Tough
• Senators Cry Foul, Maple Leafs Respond: Game 2 Gets Interesting
• Berube’s Coaching Clinic Helps Maple Leafs Shut Down Senators
• Maple Leafs’ Core Four Delivered Strong Showing When it Mattered Most
• 2 Takeaways From the Maple Leafs’ 6-2 Win Over the Senators
• 5 Takeaways from Senators’ 6-2 Loss to Maple Leafs in Game 1
• Senators Struggle With Penalties in Game 1 as Maple Leafs Win 6-2
• 5 Maple Leafs Storylines Heading Into the Playoffs
• Maple Leafs vs. Senators Game Day Preview: Game 1
• Maple Leafs Face All the Pressure in Playoff Series with the Senators
• Ottawa Senators’ Long Road Back to the Playoffs
• Maple Leafs Will Win Series Against Senators If…
• Maple Leafs Can Apply Joseph Woll’s Style of Inspired Hockey in the Playoffs
• The Senators Will Win the Series Against the Maple Leafs If…
• Revisiting the Maple Leafs’ Playoff Dominance of the Ottawa Senators in the Battle of Ontario
• Maple Leafs vs. Senators 2025 Playoff Series Preview
• Maple Leafs’ Biggest X-Factor for 2025 Playoffs Is Matthew Knies
• Maple Leafs’ Quiet Storylines That Could Define Their Postseason
• 5 Maple Leafs Capable of Providing Secondary Scoring in Playoffs

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Florida Panthers (Preview Show)

• Panthers’ Paul Maurice Says Coaches Don’t Belong in Handshake Line
• Luostarinen’s 4-Point Night Lifts Panthers to Second Round
• NHL Suspends Florida Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad for Two Games
• 3 Takeaways From Lightning’s Game 4 Collapse
• Panthers Defeat Lightning 4-2 to Take 3-1 Series Lead
• 3 Takeaways From Lightning’s Bounce Back Game 3 Win
• Lightning Defeat Panthers 5-1 in Sunrise
• Lightning’s Brandon Hagel Suspended One Game For Barkov Hit
• Panthers Out Muscle Lightning to Go Up 2-0 in Series
• 3 Takeaways From Lightning’s Brutal Game 1 Loss
• Panthers Find a Way to Get an Important Win in Tampa
• Panthers Blow Out Lightning 6-2 in Game 1
• 3 Tampa Bay Lightning X-Factors to Watch in the Playoffs
• Panthers Starting the Playoffs on the Road Isn’t the Worst Thing
• Previewing & Predicting the Lightning’s 1st Round Series vs. Panthers
• Lightning’s Conor Geekie Deserves Spot in Playoff Lineup

Washington Capitals vs. Montreal Canadiens (Preview Show)

• Revisiting Tom Wilson’s Big Impact on Capitals/Canadiens Series in Round 1
• 4 Takeaways From Capitals’ Series Victory Over Canadiens in Round 1
• Capitals Move to Round 2 With 4-1 Win Over Canadiens in Game 5
• Capitals Trying to Win a Playoff Series for First Time Since 2018 Stanley Cup Final
• 3 Positive Takeaways for the Canadiens Despite Being Down 3-1
• 3 Takeaways as Capitals Survive Game 4 vs. Canadiens
• Capitals Take 3-1 Series Lead Over Canadiens on Late Mangiapane Goal
• 4 Capitals X-Factors Leading Into Game 4 vs. Canadiens
• Canadiens Gain Foothold vs. Capitals as Goaltending Questions Emerge in Series
• Canadiens’ Anderson and Capitals’ Wilson Fined for Actions in Game 3
• 3 Takeaways From the Capitals’ Game 3 Loss to the Canadiens
• Canadiens Take Injury-Filled Game 3 From Capitals
• 3 Capitals Storylines to Watch During Game 3 vs. Canadiens
• Finding the Right Spot for Laine in the Canadiens’ Lineup
• Logan Thompson Shines in Capitals’ 3-1 Win Over Canadiens in Game 2
• 3 Capitals Storylines to Follow Ahead of Game 2 vs. Canadiens
• Canadiens Must Match Capitals’ Physical Edge
• Ovechkin Scores OT Winner in Capitals’ 3-2 Victory Over Canadiens in Game 1
• 5 Ways Canadiens Series vs. Capitals in 2025 Shows Shades of 2010
• Capitals Seek First Series Win Against Canadiens in Round 1
• 3 Reasons the Canadiens Can Upset the Capitals

Carolina Hurricanes vs. New Jersey Devils (Preview Show)

• 3 Takeaways From Hurricanes’ 5-4 Double Overtime Game 5 Win Over Devils
• 3 Takeaways From Devils’ Blown 3-0 Lead in Game 5 to End Season
• Hurricanes Advance to Round 2 After Defeating Devils 5-4 in Double Overtime
• 3 Takeaways From the Devils’ 5-2 Game 4 Loss to the Hurricanes
• 3 Takeaways From Hurricanes’ 5-2 Game 4 Win Over Devils
• Hurricanes Take Advantage of Special Teams to Defeat Devils, Take 3-1 Series Lead
• Hurricanes’ Jankowski and Roslovic Provide Different Fourth Line Options
• Frederik Andersen Has Been Hurricanes’ Main Stalwart in Round 1
• Devils Have Put All the Pressure on the Carolina Hurricanes
• 3 Takeaways From the Devils’ 3-2 Game 3 Double OT Win
• Brian Dumoulin: Devils’ Unsung Game 3 Hero
• 3 Takeaways From the Hurricanes’ 3-2 Double Overtime Game 3 Loss vs. Devils
• Simon Nemec Becomes Hero as Devils Take Down Hurricanes in Double OT
• Devils’ Simon Nemec Fighting for Playoff Redemption
• 3 Takeaways From the Hurricanes’ 3-1 Game 2 Win Over Devils
• 3 Takeaways From the Devils’ Game 2 Loss in Carolina
• Hurricanes Defeat Devils 3-1 to Take 2-0 Series Lead
• 3 Takeaways From the Devils’ 4-1 Loss to the Hurricanes in Game 1
• Devils’ Disastrous Shift Adds Injury to Insult in Game 1 as Hurricanes Win 4-1
• 3 Devils Who Need to Step Up During the Playoffs
• 3 Keys to the Devils Defeating the Hurricanes in Round 1
• Dougie Hamilton’s Return Could Take Devils Far in Playoffs
• Hurricanes Playoff Preview: 3 Keys to Defeating the Devils in Round 1
• Devils’ Keefe Matches Up Well Against Hurricanes’ Brind’Amour Behind the Bench

Western Conference

• 2025 NHL Western Conference Playoff Teams: Who’s Hot & Who’s Not

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Minnesota Wild (Preview Show)

• 3 Takeaways as Golden Knights Eliminate Wild in 3-2 Thriller
• 4 Takeaways From the Wild’s 3-2 Loss to the Golden Knights in Game 6
• Golden Knights’ 3-2 Win Over Wild Clinches Series in Game 6
• Minnesota Wild’s Self-Belief Can Lead to Game 6 Win
• Golden Knights’ Stars Stepped up When They Needed Them Most
• 3 Takeaways From the Wild’s Overtime Loss to the Golden Knights in Game 5
• Golden Knights Take Down Wild 3-2 in Overtime
• Golden Knights: Game 5 Winners or Losers, What History Says
• 4 Takeaways From the Wild’s Overtime Loss to the Golden Knights in Game 4
• Barbashev Secures 4-3 Overtime Win Over Wild in Game 4
• Golden Knights Stumble, Wild Take Control: 3 Thoughts Ahead of Game 4
• 3 Takeaways From the Wild’s 5-2 Win Over the Golden Knights in Game 3
• Wild’s Top Line Leads Way in 5-2 Win Over Golden Knights in Game 3
• 3 Takeaways From the Wild’s 5-2 Game 2 Win Over the Golden Knights
• Wild Exploit Golden Knights’ Miscues, Even Series with 5-2 Victory
• Wild Need These 3 to Step Up in Round 1
• Golden Knights Sneak Past Wild, Take Game 1 4-2
• 3 Takeaways From the Wild’s 4-2 Game 1 Loss
• 3 Keys to the Wild Winning Round 1 Against the Golden Knights

Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers (Preview Show)

• Oilers’ Vasily Podkolzin Has Been Under-The-Radar Stud in Postseason
• 3 Takeaways From Oilers’ Series-Clinching Win Over Kings in Game 6
• Oilers Defeat Kings 6-4 to Win 1st Round Series
• 4 Keys for Oilers to Eliminate Kings in Game 6
• Kings’ Coach Jim Hiller Single-Handedly Blowing Series Versus the Oilers
• Oilers Backup Goalie Pickard Emerges as Unlikely Hero of NHL Playoffs
• 3 Takeaways From Oilers’ Crucial 3-1 Game 5 Victory Over Kings
• Oilers Defeat Kings 3-1 in Game 5
• Oilers Might Have All the Momentum in Series With Kings
• Oilers’ Coach Kris Knoblauch Is the King of In-Game Adjustments
• 4 Keys for Oilers to Defeat Kings in Game 5
• Evander Kane’s Immediate Impact and Importance to the Oilers Moving Forward
• Kings Continue to Kill Themselves, Allow Oilers to Even Up Series in Pivotal Game 4 Loss
• 4 Takeaways From Oilers’ Thrilling 4-3 OT Win Over Kings in Game 4
• Oilers Make Dramatic Comeback to Beat Kings in OT, Even Series 2-2
• 4 Keys to Oilers Winning Game 4 Against Kings
• Kane & Klingberg Played Big Roles in Oilers’ Game 3 Win
• Should Oilers Start Pickard or Skinner in Game 4 Against Kings?
• 5 Takeaways From Oilers’ Thrilling 7-4 Game 3 Victory Over Kings
• Kings Make Game-Deciding Mistake, Give Oilers Life In Game 3 Loss
• Oilers Complete Third Period Comeback in Wild 7-4 Victory Over Kings in Game 3
• Oilers Have Yet to Rally From 2-0 Series Deficit in the McDavid Era
• Stuart Skinner May Have Made His Final Start in an Oilers Jersey
• 4 Takeaways From Kings’ Convincing Game 2 Win vs Oilers
• 4 Reasons Oilers Are Trailing Kings 2-0 in First Round Series
• 3 Takeaways From Oilers’ Blowout Loss to Kings in Game 2
• Kings Obliterate Oilers 6-2 to Take 2-0 Series Lead
• Oilers’ Issues That Must Be Addressed to Make Playoff Run
• Oilers Need to Put Calvin Pickard in Net for Game 2 vs. Kings
• Oilers Fans Can Take Several Positives Despite Game 1 Loss to Kings
• 3 Takeaways From Oilers’ 6-5 Game 1 Loss to the Kings
• 3 Takeaways From Kings’ Dramatic Game 1 Win vs Oilers
• 7 Crazy Stats From Oilers’ Game 1 Loss to Kings
• Kings Survive Epic Collapse Against Oilers to Take 1-0 Series Lead
• Edmonton Oilers’ Ty Emberson Could Play Key Role in Playoffs
• Oilers Who Need to Step Up in Mattias Ekholm’s Absence
• 3 Keys to the Oilers Defeating the Kings in Round 1
• Why This Year’s LA Kings Are Poised to Finally Beat the Oilers
• Top 5 Reasons the Oilers Can Win the 2025 Stanley Cup

Winnipeg Jets vs. St. Louis Blues (Preview Show)

• Adam Lowry the Overtime Hero as Jets Down Blues 4-3 in Game 7
• 5 Takeaways From Jets’ 5-2 Game 6 Loss to Blues
• Blues Win 5-2 Over the Jets to Force Game 7
• Jets’ Ehlers Set to Return From Injury For Game 6
• Jets’ Arniel Sounds Off After Blues’ Schenn Knocks Scheifele Out of Game 5
• 3 Takeaways From Blues’ 5-3 Loss to the Jets in Game 5
• Jets Rebound in 5-3 Win Over Blues in Game 5
• Blues Have the Chance to Pull Off the 2025 Playoffs’ Biggest Upset
• Jets’ Vilardi Set to Return From Injury For Game 5
• Jets Need a Response in Game 5 to Avoid Another Disappointing Season
• Jets Should Start Comrie in Game 5 Due to Hellebuyck’s Profound Playoff Struggles
• 3 Takeaways From Jets’ 5-1 Meltdown in St. Louis
• Blues Secure Another Home Victory Over Jets to Tie Series at 2-2
• Jets Must Rebound Quickly After Disastrous Game 3 Versus Blues
• 3 Takeaways From the Blues’ Massive 7-2 Victory Over the Jets in Game 3
• Buchnevich Nets Hat Trick as Blues Down Jets 7-2
• Jets Have Shown Through 2 Playoff Games That This Season Is Different
• 4 Takeaways From Jets’ 2-1 Game 2 Victory Over Blues
• Connor’s 3rd-Period Goal Powers Jets to 2-1 Win & 2-0 Series Lead Over Blues
• 3 Takeaways From Jets’ 5-3 Game 1 Victory
• Connor Scores Late to Help Jets Beat Blues 5-3 in Game 1
• 3 Keys to a Jets First-Round Win Over Blues
• Jets 2024-25 Season Will Rightfully Be Judged Solely by Playoff Performance
• Jets Glad to Win Presidents’ Trophy But Remain Focused on Winning Stanley Cup

Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche (Preview Show)

• 3 Takeaways From Stars’ 4-2 Comeback Win in Game 7
• 3 Takeaways From the Avalanche’s 4-2 Game 7 Loss to the Stars
• Rantanen Scores 3rd-Period Hat Trick in Stars’ Epic Game 7 Comeback Over Avalanche
• Stars Look to Game 7 Experience to Get Past Avalanche
• 3 Takeaways From the Avalanche’s 7-4 Game 6 Win Over the Stars
• 3 Takeaways From Stars’ 7-4 Game 6 Loss to the Avalanche
• Avalanche Score 3 Unanswered to Win Game 6 and Force a Game 7
• Dallas Stars’ Depth Paying Dividends in Round 1
• 3 Takeaways From Stars’ 6-2 Game 5 Win Over Avalanche
• 3 Takeaways From the Avalanche’s 6-2 Game 5 Loss to the Stars
• Stars Dominate Avalanche 6-2 in Game 5, Take 3-2 Series Lead
• 3 Key Avalanche Players Who Need to Step Up Against the Stars
• 3 Keys to the Avalanche Winning Series Against Stars After Game 4
• 3 Takeaways From Stars’ 4-0 Game 4 Loss to the Avalanche
• 3 Takeaways From Avalanche’s 4-0 Game 4 Win Over the Stars
• Landeskog Sparks Avalanche to 4-0 Victory Over Stars in Game 4
• Dallas Stars Should Treat Game 4 as a Must-Win
• 3 Takeaways From Stars 2-1 OT Win Over Avalanche in Game 3
• Seguin the OT Hero as Stars Beat the Avalanche 2-1 in Game 3
• Avalanche’s Key Factors Heading Back Home With Series Tied 1-1
• 3 Takeaways From the Avalanche’s 4-3 Loss to the Stars
• 3 Takeaways From Stars 4-3 OT Thriller Over Avalanche
• Blackwell the OT Hero as Stars Beat the Avalanche 4-3 in Game 2
• 3 Takeaways From Stars’ 5-1 Game 1 Loss to the Avalanche
• MacKinnon Scores Twice as Avalanche Beat Stars 5-1 in Game 1
• Dallas Stars Are Built to Survive Without Robertson… For Now
• 3 Keys to the Stars Defeating the Avalanche in Round 1
• Colorado Avalanche Playoffs Lineup Predictions for Game 1
• Avalanche vs. Stars: 2025 Round 1 Stanley Cup Playoff Preview

2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Predictions

• 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Predictions
• Raz’s Series Predictions: 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Round 1