The first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs has come and gone with the 16-team field being cut in half. In Round 1, we had zero sweeps and two series that went to Game 7 (the Dallas Stars defeated the Colorado Avalanche and the Winnipeg Jets beat the St. Louis Blues).
Join The Hockey Writers for our coverage of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and check back in for previews of 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 Hub
2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 Articles
- Which Canadian Team Is Most Likely to Win the 2025 Stanley Cup
- 14 Former Blackhawks to Watch in the 2nd Round
Eastern Conference
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Washington Capitals (Preview Show)
- Carolina Hurricanes’ 3 Stars of Round 2
- 2 Capitals Takeaways Following a Tough Round 2 Series Loss to the Hurricanes
- 3 Takeaways From Hurricanes’ 3-1 Game 5 Win Over Capitals
- Hurricanes Win Round 2 Series 4-1, After 3-1 Game 5 Victory Over Capitals
- 3 Capitals Questions Before Game 5 vs. Hurricanes
- 2 Takeaways From Capitals’ Game 4 Loss to the Hurricanes
- 3 Takeaways From Hurricanes’ Game 4 5-2 Win Over Capitals
- Hurricanes Win 5-2 Over Capitals to Take a 3-1 Series Stranglehold
- Hurricanes’ Svechnikov Finding His Best Form in These Playoffs
- Hurricanes’ Postgame Bites: What Brind’Amour & Players Had to Say After Game 3’s Win
- 3 Takeaways From the Hurricanes’ Game 3 4-0 Shutout Win Over Capitals
- Hurricanes Shut Out Capitals 4-0 to Take a 2-1 Series Lead
- Hurricanes Morning Thoughts: Brind’Amour, Svechnikov & Jarvis Meet with Media
- 3 Takeaways From Capitals’ 3-1 Victory vs. Hurricanes in Game 2
- 3 Takeaways From Hurricanes’ 3-1 Game 2 Loss to Capitals
- Capitals Even Series Defeating Hurricanes 3-1 in Game 2
- 3 Critical Adjustments for the Capitals in Game 2
- 3 Takeaways From Hurricanes’ 2-1 Overtime Game 1 Win Over Capitals
- Hurricanes’ Slavin Overtime Goal Claims 2-1 Win Over Capitals in Game 1
- 3 Storylines to Watch During Game 1 in Capitals and Hurricanes Series
- 3 Keys to the Hurricanes Defeating the Capitals in Round 2
- Revisiting Tom Wilson’s Big Impact on Capitals/Canadiens Series in Round 1
Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (Preview Show)
- Panthers Wipe Out Maple Leafs 6-1, Win Game 7
- Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Game Day Preview: Round 2 Game 7
- Brad Marchand Making the Case for Panthers’ Playoff MVP
- 4 Reasons the Maple Leafs Won Game 6
- 3 Takeaways From the Maple Leafs’ 2-0 Win Over the Panthers – Game 6
- Maple Leafs Stay Alive, Force Game 7 Against Panthers
- Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Game Day Preview: Round 2 Game 6
- Maple Leafs Need Matthew Knies to Lead the Fight Tonight
- Legacy Ruined?: The Trade Mitch Marner Didn’t Let Happen
- Maple Leafs on the Brink: Is This the End of an Era?
- Maple Leafs’ Postseason Offensive Struggles Are Nothing New
- Maple Leafs Booed at Home: Fair or Foul?
- 2 Takeaways From the Maple Leafs’ 6-1 Loss to the Panthers – Game 5
- Panthers Dominate Maple Leafs, Win 6-1 in Game 5
- 4 Maple Leafs Questions Ahead of Game 5
- Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Game Day Preview: Round 2 Game 5
- Coaching in Balance: Berube, the Maple Leafs & the Medicine Wheel
- Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews Struggling in Playoffs Yet Again
- Despite Consecutive Losses, Maple Leafs Have a Rock in Joseph Woll
- 4 Takeaways From the Maple Leafs’ 2-0 Loss to the Panthers – Game 4
- Panthers Claw Back to Tie Series With 2-0 Shutout of Maple Leafs
- Maple Leafs Let Game 3 Slip — Can They Regain Control?
- Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Game Day Preview: Round 2 Game 4
- Maple Leafs Core Four Delivering When it Counts
- Almost a Maple Leaf: How Would Rantanen Have Fit This Postseason?
- 3 Takeaways From the Maple Leafs’ 5-4 OT Loss to the Panthers – Game 3
- Brad Marchand the OT Hero as Panthers Beat Maple Leafs 5-4 in Game 3
- Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Game Day Preview: Round 2 Game 3
- Maple Leafs Benefit From Sam Bennett’s Lack of Suspension
- Maple Leafs’ Nylander Earning Clutch Playoff Performer Label
- Maple Leafs’ Rielly & Woll Show Their Mettle in 2-0 Series Start
- Rival Brad Marchand Praises “Different” Maple Leafs Team After Game 2
- Maple Leafs Back Up Words With Disciplined, Complete Effort in Game 2
- 3 Takeaways From the Maple Leafs’ 4-3 Win Over the Panthers – Game 2
- Maple Leafs Fend Off Panthers in Game 2, 4-3
- Maple Leafs Fans Should Feel Confident in Woll
- How Craig Berube Has Evolved From the Flyers to the Maple Leafs
- Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Game Day Preview: Round 2 Game 2
- Noted Neuroscientist Suggests Maple Leafs’ Stolarz Suffered Two Concussions in Game 1
- Maple Leafs Proved They Could Win Game 1 Battle But Now Must Win the War
- This Year’s Maple Leafs Are Built for Postseason Chaos
- Bennett Didn’t Deserve Suspension for Collision with Maple Leafs’ Stolarz
- Berube Speaks: Will Maple Leafs Seek Retribution for Stolarz Hit?
- 3 Takeaways From the Maple Leafs’ 5-4 Win Over the Panthers – Game 1
- Maple Leafs Lose Stolarz, Hang On for Game 1 Win Over Panthers
- Matthew Knies’ Maturity Could Shift the Maple Leafs-Panthers Series
- Maple Leafs vs. Panthers Game Day Preview: Round 2 Game 1
- Maple Leafs Counting on Top Six to Beat the Panthers
- Panthers Need to Ease Their Physical Play to Avoid Additional Suspensions
- Hockey Analyst Calls for Maple Leafs to Start Woll Over Stolarz vs. Panthers
- Maple Leafs’ Work Just Beginning with Matchup Against Panthers
- Wendel Clark’s 5 Playoff Pillars for Maple Leafs Success
- Former Panthers Could Propel Maple Leafs in Second Round Series
- 5 Lessons From Maple Leafs’ 1st Round Victory Over the Senators
- Maple Leafs vs. Panthers 2025 Round 2 Playoff Preview
- Perfect Timing: Marner Welcomes Baby Boy Before Panthers Series
- State of the World the Last Time the Maple Leafs Advanced to the Conference Finals
Western Conference
Winnipeg Jets vs. Dallas Stars (Preview Show)
- Jets Remain a Serious Cup Contender Regardless of Series Loss to Stars
- 3 Takeaways From Stars’ 2-1 OT Game 6 Win Over Jets
- Harley’s OT Winner Sends Stars to Western Conference Final in 2-1 Win Over Jets
- Focus Is on Jets’ Road Struggles, But Stars Have Their Own Problems Away From Home
- 4 Keys to a Jets’ Game 6 Win Over Stars
- 4 Takeaways from Jets’ 4-0 Game 5 Win Over Stars
- Jets Stay Alive, Shut Out Stars 4-0 in Game 5
- Stars GM Jim Nill Having Another Elite Year With Team on the Verge of Western Conference Final
- Stars-Jets Series Is More Than Just Oettinger Outdueling Hellebuyck
- 4 Takeaways from Jets’ Tough 3-1 Game 4 Loss to Stars
- 3 Takeaways From Stars’ 3-1 Game 4 Win Over Jets
- Dallas Stars Need Game 3’s Offense to Get Past Jets and Beyond
- Dallas Stars Should Be the Stanley Cup Favorites
- Jets Need to Reverse Troubling Trend of Allowing Goals in Bunches
- 3 Takeaways From Stars’ 5-2 Win Over Jets
- Stars Score Three in 3rd, Get Past Jets 5-2 in Game 3
- 3 Takeaways From Stars’ 4-0 Loss to Jets in Game 2
- 4 Takeaways From Jets’ 4-0 Game 2 Win Over Stars
- Jets Shut Out Stars 4-0 in Game 2, Even Series 1-1
- Jake Oettinger Has Been the Stars’ Quiet Postseason Hero
- How the Jets Can Limit Rantanen After Game 1’s Hat Trick
- 3 Takeaways From Jets’ Game 1 3-2 Loss to Stars
- 3 Takeaways From Stars’ 3-2 Game 1 Win Over Jets
- Rantanen Nets Hat Trick in Stars’ 3-2 Game 1 Win Over Jets
- 3 Stars’ Keys to Victory Over Jets in Round 2
- Jets’ Goaltending and Injuries Headline Stories to Watch Against Stars
- Jets’ Morrissey and Scheifele “Game-Time Decisions” For Game 1 Versus Stars
- 4 Keys to a Jets’ Second-Round Win Over Stars
- Jets vs. Stars Will Come Down to These 6 Underrated Skaters
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights (Preview Show)
- Mattias Ekholm Skates with Oilers, Possible for Road Trip
- Oilers’ Top 5 Unlikely Heroes From Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2025 Playoffs
- How Kris Knoblauch’s Smart Adjustments Are Powering the Oilers’ Cup Run
- Oilers’ Skinner Has Perfect Demeanour to Play Goal in Edmonton Fishbowl
- Oilers Will Benefit From Time Off Before Western Conference Final
- Oilers Lethal Weapon Now a Worry Ahead of Western Conference Final
- Oilers Coach Kris Knoblauch Deserves Praise for Series Win Over Golden Knights
- Oilers Proving They’re Capable of Another Playoff Run But Still Have More to Prove
- 6 Reasons the Oilers Will Win the Stanley Cup
- Moody McDavid Burns Skinner Haters After Series Win Over Vegas
- 3 Takeaways From Oilers’ Series-Clinching OT Win Over Golden Knights
- Oilers Blank Golden Knights in OT 1-0, Win Series 4-1
- Refs See Viral Adin Hill Clip Before Oilers-Golden Knights Game 5
- Oilers’ Keys to Defeating Golden Knights in Game 5
- Oilers Need More From Draisaitl and McDavid
- Oilers’ Janmark Has Become a Very Undervalued Asset
- Oilers Depth Making Many Critics Look Foolish
- Do or Die: Will Golden Knights Rise to the Challenge Against Oilers in Game 5?
- 3 Takeaways From Oilers’ Game 4 Victory Over Golden Knights
- 3 Takeaways From Golden Knights’ 3-0 Loss to Oilers as Series Slips to 3-1
- Oilers Push Golden Knights to the Brink With 3-0 Game 4 Victory
- Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl Believed to Be Battling Injury
- It’s Make-or-Break for Oilers’ Stuart Skinner
- Pickard’s Injury Might Be Worse Than Oilers Letting On
- Oilers’ Keys to Defeating Golden Knights in Game 4
- Jake Walman Has Been Underrated for the Oilers
- Oilers Finally Seeing the Impact of a Healthy Connor Brown
- Oilers Get What They Deserve in Crushing Loss to Golden Knights
- 3 Takeaways From Oilers’ Disappointing 4-3 Loss Against Golden Knights in Game 3
- 3 Takeaways From the Golden Knights’ Buzzer-Beating 4-3 Win Over the Oilers
- Reilly Smith’s Buzzer Beater Propels Golden Knights to 4-3 Win Over Oilers in Game 3
- Oilers Need to Go For the Jugular and Finish Off the Golden Knights at Home
- Oilers Fans Should Feel Very Confident in Starting Stuart Skinner
- Calvin Pickard Out of Game 3, Skinner Gets the Start
- 3 Keys to the Oilers Winning Game 3 Against the Golden Knights
- Oilers’ Klingberg Has Been Pleasant Surprise in Playoffs
- Oilers Defense Is Built to Win the Stanley Cup
- 3 Takeaways From Oilers’ 5-4 OT Victory vs Golden Knights in Game 2
- Oilers Defeat Golden Knights 5-4 in Overtime, Lead Series 2-0
- Oilers Playing With Fire Relying on Late-Game Comebacks
- Eichel-McDavid Rivalry Takes Center Ice in Game 2 of Golden Knights-Oilers Series
- 3 Keys to the Oilers Winning Game 2 Against the Golden Knights
- Game 1 Showed the Oilers Exactly How to Win Series vs. Golden Knights
- Oilers’ Emberson Is Playing Well But Might Be Odd Man Out When Ekholm Returns
- Let’s Give Evan Bouchard Props—He’s Not Always a Hot Mess
- 3 Takeaways From Oilers’ 4-2 Game 1 Victory Over Golden Knights
- Oilers Sneak Past Golden Knights 4-2 in Game 1 Win
- Oilers Must Overcome Dubious Game 1 History Against Golden Knights
- Oilers Have to Overcome Playoff Ghosts to Win The Stanley Cup
- Oilers Make Right Call Starting Calvin Pickard in Game 1
- Golden Knights & Oilers Meet Again in the Playoffs: What’s Changed Since 2023?
- Skinner or Pickard?: Why it Doesn’t Matter for Oilers vs. Golden Knights
- Oilers Forward Jeff Skinner Can’t Catch a Break
- Previewing the Golden Knights’ Round 2 Tilt With Edmonton Oilers
- Kris Knoblauch Gives the Oilers the Advantage Over Golden Knights
- 5 Keys to the Oilers Defeating the Golden Knights in Round 2
- Can the Oilers Win Another Series Without Mattias Ekholm?
- 3 Oilers Who Must Play Well to Beat the Golden Knights in Round 2
- Oilers Back to Looking Like True Stanley Cup Contender
- Oilers Continue to Display Their Love for Calvin Pickard
